Check out the video.
Dec 17, 2008
Dec 15, 2008
Nov 15, 2008
Modern Church Altar Calls
1.Present an unbalanced message. Only let them see the heart-warming part of God’s character. Preach God’s love but leave out His holiness and justice. That way they’ll think He’ll let them into heaven no matter what.
Don’t mention repentance until they’re repeating a “sinner’s prayer.” Just get them to say, “I repent of all my sins” while they’re echoing you. They won’t know what they’re saying and they won’t count the cost.
2.Above all else, be dignified. Don’t get heart to heart with the people. They would get something out of what you said.
3.Skim over the gospel and push the prayer. Pretend the lost naturally understand what Christ has done for them.
4.Preach Jesus as a life enhancer not a life rescuer. Tell them how Jesus can improve their life but don’t show them Jesus as the only One who can save them from Hell. People will think if they reject Him they’re only losing out on a spiritual high.
5.Try to please the people instead of convert them. Tell them what they want to hear instead of what they need to hear.
6.Compromise the message to speed up the process. The Christians who have heard it a hundred times before will be pleased with that. The quicker they get out the quicker they can get to the restaurant.
7.Give them the impression that God is so good He won’t send anyone to hell. Don’t present the whole counsel of God or they might realize He is so good that He’ll see to it that justice is served and that all unrepentant sinners will be punished in the fire that is not quenched.
8.Speak to sinners as though they were saints. They’ll think they’re God’s children instead of the enemies of God they’ve made themselves into because of their sin. You’ll give them false assurance and mislead them.
9.Don’t mention sin or man’s guilt. Resist the urge to explain what Christ came to deliver us from. Don’t show them their need for the Savior. Otherwise it may all make sense.
10.Don’t look to the Bible for the substance of your altar call. Only mimic other preachers with large congregations.
11.Tell the lost not to feel bad about their sins. That way you will work against the Holy Spirit who’s convicting them
12.Whatever you do, never mention Judgment Day. Your audience might take spiritual matters seriously.
13.Tell them Jesus is the only way to heaven but don’t explain why. They may think it’s nothing more than fear tactics and leave offended instead of enlightened.
14.Confuse the call. This is a great way to botch up an altar call. Don’t let people know you’re asking them to commit their life to Christ. Be vague and general in what you’re saying. Neglect to mention following Christ in your evangelistic altar calls and say things like, “If you don’t feel you’re as close to God as possible raise your hand,” “If you feel lonely come to the front for prayer,” “If you want more of God this is your time,” and, “If you have struggles and need the answer come down.” Just get them to raise a hand. That way no one will be able to count the cost and you’ll even get saints to respond to salvation altar calls, making the results look more successful.
15.Only give them half the story. Tell them Jesus died to forgive everyone but overlook the fact that they must personally receive Him to partake of that forgiveness.
16.Present the truth as though it isn’t. Be so funny when you share Christ that you belittle the seriousness of the matter.
17.Preach forgiveness without repentance. That way no one will know how to be forgiven.
18.Be unbiblical. Present repentance and faith as an offer instead of how God does as a command (Acts 17:30).
19.Let them think next Sunday is the day of salvation. Don’t make them feel it’s urgent to respond today.
20.Never warn of hell. Dangle heaven in front of their nose but rarely mention hell, certainly not as much as Jesus did.
21.Only do altar calls inside the church. Never take the gospel where sinners congregate. The lost might get saved.
22.Use churchy terms. Use words like, “saved,” “repent,” and “born again,” without any explanation. That way your hearers won’t comprehend what you’re saying. If they can’t understand it, it’s probable they won’t be changed by it.
23.Give false assurance of salvation to unsaved Christians. Assure church folk that they are saved even if they bear no fruit. So that you don’t offend the unsaved pew warmers never quote 2 Corinthians 13:5: “Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith.” You could lose some financial supporters and have to depend on God.
24.Never mention the wrath of God. If you mention it, people might be awakened to flee to Jesus who “saves us from the wrath to come.” ( 1 Thess. 1:10)
25.Study how the apostles preached and witnessed and do the opposite. Don’t explain Jesus’ suffering death on the cross. Otherwise they may think of running to Him for forgiveness. Don’t speak of His burial or resurrection or they might realize He is God. Refrain from commenting about the hundreds of eyewitnesses who saw Jesus after He rose from the dead. That way they can go on thinking He’s a fairy tale. Overlook talk of the messianic prophecies Jesus fulfilled or they might realize that the Bible is true. If they see it’s the truth they may see that following Christ is the logical decision. And whatever you do, avoid what the apostles did when it came time to call people to obey the gospel. Don’t tell them to trust Christ and live for Him. That is too accurate. If they know how to get saved your altar call will be a success.
26.Put more emphasis on the “sinner’s prayer” then on repentance and faith. Satan will smile over your departure from Biblical instruction. We are never taught to use a ‘sinner’s prayer’ throughout the entire Bible. If you decide to use it and put more emphasis on the technique than on what we’re commanded to preach: faith and repentance you’ll certainly botch things up. A ‘sinner’s prayer’ doesn’t equal salvation, only faith in Christ and repentance toward God do.
27.Let Christians think you’re the only one who can do it right. Always leave the impression that they should only invite friends to church and never actually witness themselves. It will keep you in business and the lost unsaved.
28.Don’t let the lost know they are. Disregard subjects like Judgment Day, God’s holiness, man’s sinfulness and justice. That way the lost can continue to think they’re “good enough” to get into heaven.
29.Rely upon psychological techniques to manipulate people into responding to the altar call. Don’t rely upon the Holy Spirit or they may actually get saved.
30.Make sure you’re the main attraction. Remember the goal in botching up an altar call is for people to leave and say, “What a wonderful preacher,” instead of, “What a wonderful Savior.” Draw all possible attention to how great a speaker and person you are. Otherwise people might see Christ in your preaching and get saved.
Don’t focus upon Jesus. Finally, the best way to botch up an altar call is not to preach the gospel. Just get people to lift up a hand and pray a prayer with you. Resist the urge to speak of the only One who could save them.
Sometimes the best way to get a point across is to put it in a different light. You now know a few ways to botch up an altar call. Please do not employ them. Do the opposite. You may already do some of them. Don’t let pride keep you from changing and doing things in a Biblical fashion. The bottom line is how true we are to Christ and His word. Effectively reaching the lost is our purpose. Let nothing hold you back from that agenda. May God bless you as you seek to win people to Christ in Bible clubs, churches, conferences, on the street witnessing encounters, at your school, and at your workplace
Don’t mention repentance until they’re repeating a “sinner’s prayer.” Just get them to say, “I repent of all my sins” while they’re echoing you. They won’t know what they’re saying and they won’t count the cost.
2.Above all else, be dignified. Don’t get heart to heart with the people. They would get something out of what you said.
3.Skim over the gospel and push the prayer. Pretend the lost naturally understand what Christ has done for them.
4.Preach Jesus as a life enhancer not a life rescuer. Tell them how Jesus can improve their life but don’t show them Jesus as the only One who can save them from Hell. People will think if they reject Him they’re only losing out on a spiritual high.
5.Try to please the people instead of convert them. Tell them what they want to hear instead of what they need to hear.
6.Compromise the message to speed up the process. The Christians who have heard it a hundred times before will be pleased with that. The quicker they get out the quicker they can get to the restaurant.
7.Give them the impression that God is so good He won’t send anyone to hell. Don’t present the whole counsel of God or they might realize He is so good that He’ll see to it that justice is served and that all unrepentant sinners will be punished in the fire that is not quenched.
8.Speak to sinners as though they were saints. They’ll think they’re God’s children instead of the enemies of God they’ve made themselves into because of their sin. You’ll give them false assurance and mislead them.
9.Don’t mention sin or man’s guilt. Resist the urge to explain what Christ came to deliver us from. Don’t show them their need for the Savior. Otherwise it may all make sense.
10.Don’t look to the Bible for the substance of your altar call. Only mimic other preachers with large congregations.
11.Tell the lost not to feel bad about their sins. That way you will work against the Holy Spirit who’s convicting them
12.Whatever you do, never mention Judgment Day. Your audience might take spiritual matters seriously.
13.Tell them Jesus is the only way to heaven but don’t explain why. They may think it’s nothing more than fear tactics and leave offended instead of enlightened.
14.Confuse the call. This is a great way to botch up an altar call. Don’t let people know you’re asking them to commit their life to Christ. Be vague and general in what you’re saying. Neglect to mention following Christ in your evangelistic altar calls and say things like, “If you don’t feel you’re as close to God as possible raise your hand,” “If you feel lonely come to the front for prayer,” “If you want more of God this is your time,” and, “If you have struggles and need the answer come down.” Just get them to raise a hand. That way no one will be able to count the cost and you’ll even get saints to respond to salvation altar calls, making the results look more successful.
15.Only give them half the story. Tell them Jesus died to forgive everyone but overlook the fact that they must personally receive Him to partake of that forgiveness.
16.Present the truth as though it isn’t. Be so funny when you share Christ that you belittle the seriousness of the matter.
17.Preach forgiveness without repentance. That way no one will know how to be forgiven.
18.Be unbiblical. Present repentance and faith as an offer instead of how God does as a command (Acts 17:30).
19.Let them think next Sunday is the day of salvation. Don’t make them feel it’s urgent to respond today.
20.Never warn of hell. Dangle heaven in front of their nose but rarely mention hell, certainly not as much as Jesus did.
21.Only do altar calls inside the church. Never take the gospel where sinners congregate. The lost might get saved.
22.Use churchy terms. Use words like, “saved,” “repent,” and “born again,” without any explanation. That way your hearers won’t comprehend what you’re saying. If they can’t understand it, it’s probable they won’t be changed by it.
23.Give false assurance of salvation to unsaved Christians. Assure church folk that they are saved even if they bear no fruit. So that you don’t offend the unsaved pew warmers never quote 2 Corinthians 13:5: “Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith.” You could lose some financial supporters and have to depend on God.
24.Never mention the wrath of God. If you mention it, people might be awakened to flee to Jesus who “saves us from the wrath to come.” ( 1 Thess. 1:10)
25.Study how the apostles preached and witnessed and do the opposite. Don’t explain Jesus’ suffering death on the cross. Otherwise they may think of running to Him for forgiveness. Don’t speak of His burial or resurrection or they might realize He is God. Refrain from commenting about the hundreds of eyewitnesses who saw Jesus after He rose from the dead. That way they can go on thinking He’s a fairy tale. Overlook talk of the messianic prophecies Jesus fulfilled or they might realize that the Bible is true. If they see it’s the truth they may see that following Christ is the logical decision. And whatever you do, avoid what the apostles did when it came time to call people to obey the gospel. Don’t tell them to trust Christ and live for Him. That is too accurate. If they know how to get saved your altar call will be a success.
26.Put more emphasis on the “sinner’s prayer” then on repentance and faith. Satan will smile over your departure from Biblical instruction. We are never taught to use a ‘sinner’s prayer’ throughout the entire Bible. If you decide to use it and put more emphasis on the technique than on what we’re commanded to preach: faith and repentance you’ll certainly botch things up. A ‘sinner’s prayer’ doesn’t equal salvation, only faith in Christ and repentance toward God do.
27.Let Christians think you’re the only one who can do it right. Always leave the impression that they should only invite friends to church and never actually witness themselves. It will keep you in business and the lost unsaved.
28.Don’t let the lost know they are. Disregard subjects like Judgment Day, God’s holiness, man’s sinfulness and justice. That way the lost can continue to think they’re “good enough” to get into heaven.
29.Rely upon psychological techniques to manipulate people into responding to the altar call. Don’t rely upon the Holy Spirit or they may actually get saved.
30.Make sure you’re the main attraction. Remember the goal in botching up an altar call is for people to leave and say, “What a wonderful preacher,” instead of, “What a wonderful Savior.” Draw all possible attention to how great a speaker and person you are. Otherwise people might see Christ in your preaching and get saved.
Don’t focus upon Jesus. Finally, the best way to botch up an altar call is not to preach the gospel. Just get people to lift up a hand and pray a prayer with you. Resist the urge to speak of the only One who could save them.
Sometimes the best way to get a point across is to put it in a different light. You now know a few ways to botch up an altar call. Please do not employ them. Do the opposite. You may already do some of them. Don’t let pride keep you from changing and doing things in a Biblical fashion. The bottom line is how true we are to Christ and His word. Effectively reaching the lost is our purpose. Let nothing hold you back from that agenda. May God bless you as you seek to win people to Christ in Bible clubs, churches, conferences, on the street witnessing encounters, at your school, and at your workplace
Oct 12, 2008
The Doctrines of Grace (Unconditional Election)
God is Sovereign, God the Most High is Sovereign over all creation, and over mankind, right? Many, many songs are written about His sovereignty and how He reigns. You sing them and I sing them. No matter our difference in theology; we all know God reigns and He is Sovereign. God ordains all things; 1 Samuel 2:6-8 says, "The Lord kills and brings to life; he brings down to Sheol and raises up. The Lord makes poor and makes rich; he brings low and he exalts. He raises up the poor from the dust; he lifts the needy from the ash heap to make them sit with princes and inherit a seat of honor. For the pillars of the earth are the Lord's, and on them he has set the world."That's clear and I wonder when the last time you heard this scripture in the pulpit? Also, in Deuteronomy 32:39 says, "See now that I, even I, am he, and there is no god beside me; I kill and I make alive; I wound and I heal; and there is none that can deliver out of my hand."
Isaiah confirms this saying in 45:7,"I form light and create darkness, I make well-being and create calamity, I am the Lord, who does all things." I'm sure Job would agree with this scripture; knowing that all things that happened to him was appointed by God. Oh, and Joseph, who put him in all those trials? Genesis 45:5 says, " And now do not be distressed or angry with yourselves because you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life." God is sovereign over the wicked actions of men; Exodus 4:21," And the Lord said to Moses, "When you go back to Egypt, see that you do before Pharaoh all the miracles that I have put in your power. But I will harden his heart, so that he will not let the people go." You know that God is sovereign and I know this too; but here's the question: If God is sovereign over all things; is He sovereign over man's salvation? Did you choose Christ or did Christ choose you?
"WHOA! Wait a minute, you say, now we are about to have differences". Even though the bible will confirm that He does, Christians will still disagree. The bible says in 1 Thess. 2:13, "But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the first fruits to be saved, through the sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth." Notice that you were chosen for salvation, look at the words used. Its strange that people oppose this doctrine; some believers have difficulty in believing that God could pass by some and choose others, and yet they no problem that God sovereignly choose Abraham out of the heathen Ur of the Chaldees and left the others to their heathenism, right? Why did God chose the nation of Israel as His peculiar people and not our nation or others? Deuteronomy 7:7 gives us the answer: 'The Lord did not set His love upon you, nor choose you, because you were more in number than any people; for you were the fewest of all people; but because the Lord loved you ...'
There was no condition on why God choose them; it was unconditional. The doctrine of unconditional election follows naturally from the doctrine of total depravity. If man is, indeed, dead and held captive and blind then God must save. The last blog had a question: Can the dead raise themselves? The answer is, no! God must raise, God must save. God must receive ALL the glory for saving man!
Does anybody remember that scripture, "with man it is impossible, but with God all things are possible." Mark chapter 10 tells us that a rich man wanted to inherit eternal life; Jesus gave the Law to the rich man and the rich man went away sorrowful. Afterwards Jesus then started to give statements like how difficult it is for a rich man to enter heaven. The disciples were shocked and said, "Who then can be saved?" The disciples finally understood that salvation sounded impossible, but Jesus then said, "With man it is impossible, but with God all things are possible." This chapter is speaking of salvation. Man cannot save themselves only God can save. Also, people misquote this scripture and mislead the people in the church. They use this scripture pertaining to prosperity or as a positive confession, that's not correct! Its speaking of salvation, but that's what happens when we take things out of context. Oh, Father please help us, please help us to see that we have gone away from sound teaching. Father, only you can save, only you can remove the heart of stone and give a heart of flesh not we ourselves because it is impossible for man!
In John chapter 10:26 Jesus tells the Jews that the reason you do not believe is because they are not His sheep. Do you see that? The reason they don't believe is because they are not "His sheep." In Acts 13:48 says, "And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and glorified the word of the Lord. And as many as were appointed to eternal life believed." It did not say" as many as believed were appointed to eternal life."No, it said "as many that were appointed to eternal life believed." Some people do understand in election, but they think that God elects those who elect God first. The bible says that, "You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide...(John 15:16). John 6:37 says, "All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out." Evidently, God choose you and you did not chose Him and those that believe that you can lose your salvation, Jesus says I will never, never cast out that come to Him!
Now I want to take this even deeper in the Scriptures in Romans chapter nine. I'm going to try to explain, by Gods grace why Paul was in anguish and wished to be cut of from Christ for the Jewish people, ready?
Romans chapter nine tells us in verses 1-3 that he has great sorrow and grief for his people the Jews and wishes that he was cut off from Christ. Why does Paul feel this way? Because, obviously they are not born again or saved and this verse should say volumes to those that believe that the Jews are automatically saved when Paul said they are not! Verses 4-5 Paul tells us that all the promises, covenants and law was given to them by God. So, why then are they not saved???? Has the Word of God failed; is the question in verse 6. No! Paul says in verse 6-7 that not all Israel is Israel! Nor are they all children because they are from the seed of Abraham, but Issac shall be called you seed. No can you imagine the Jews saying, "Oh, I see, God choose Issac over Ismael because he was born from a Gentile mother, Hagger."
Paul was ready for that question and cuts even deeper in there thinking of pride.Verse 8-9 tells us that those who are children of the flesh (flesh meaning of Abraham, not sin) these are not children of God; but the children of promise are counted as the seed. Now to verse 10 Paul writes that if your thinking that God choose Issac over Ismael because of different mothers; you wrong! Because, Rebbecca (an Israelite) and Issac (an Israelite) had two sons, right? God says even before they were born or done anything good or bad says, "Jacob I have loved, but Esau I have hated." Some people try to say God didn't hate Esau, but loved him less. No, the bible says "hate". When God hates its not human hate, but perfect hate. God choose Jacob over Esau that the purpose of election might stand (verse 11). What did Esau do for God not to choose him? Many will say because Esau had pride or tried to kill his brother Jacob, that is not biblical! The bible says that Esau before he was born DID NOTHING GOOD OR BAD( verse 11). Can you imagine the response of the Jews? Paul gets to the point and explains why he has sorrow, because Israel is not saved; he explains that the Word of God has not failed and God elects people with out any condition, not because of good works or because God sees that people will chose Christ, or even because of faith, but He elect out of His sovereign will and His own pleasure (Eph 1:5).
Verse 14 So, is this unfair that God elects some to salvation? Paul says, no! God says(15) that He will have mercy on whomever and compassion on whomever. Question: If God chose not to save anybody would He be right in doing so? Yes, God would still be just and man would rightly deserve hell, He did this with Noah, right? So, then its not of your human will or works, but of God who shows mercy (16). God showed His power on Pharaoh. Let me ask you a question why didn't Pharaoh let the people go? The Bible says because God harden his heart (17-18) and God will have mercy on whom He wills and whom He wills He hardens. Now Paul knows some are thinking that's unfair that's not right of God why does God do that; Paul's reply was who are you o, man? Who are you to reply against God? Will the formed say to the One who formed him, "why did you make me this way?" Does not the potter have power over the clay. Can He make one vessel of honor and the other for dishonor?
Most of you will say, "Yeah, God chooses people because He sees that they will choose Him in the future." And they will quote Romans 8:29; again why did God choose Jacob over Esau? Question: Does God look into the future or does He DETERMINE THE FUTURE? Jesus says in Matthew 11: 27, "All things have been delivered to Me by My Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, Nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him."
Believe me there is many, many verses but, before I go any further let me show you what unconditional election is please watch the video. Also, I used to criticize this doctrine in the past and people that believed this doctrine and now I wonder how I missed this all these years of studying.
So,Steven,if the bible teaches in election what's the point on preaching the gospel? Please watch the next video.
I know how some of you feel; I've been there, but one more thing I wanted to ask you; when you pray for someone, praying that God would save that loved one, do you use words like, "God, only you can change his heart" or "God, please change his heart, please convict him of his sins, please make him see Christ." If you use words like this or similar to this, then you prayer life realizes that God is sovereign and only He can save, but it doesn't match your theology when you speak of salvation. In your prayer life you understand that only God can save, only God can have mercy on whomever and that God is SOVEREIGN OVER ALL THINGS including salvation, but in your theology He is sovereign over some things.
Ezekiel 37:26-27,"I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them."
Any comments?
Oct 5, 2008
The Doctrines of Grace (Total Depravity)
Have you ever heard of Total Depravity? All Christians either believe in total depravity or partial depravity and which ever view you hold on to will determine your view of how sinful man is born again. During the fifth century there was a controversy between Augustine and Pelagius over free will, God grace, and original sin. Augustine was a catholic theologian who wrote a prayer saying, "Lord give what you command and command what You will." Pelagius ( a British Monk) disagreed with this prayer saying, "God would never give a command unless man was capable out of his own "free will" and "ability" to kept them." The next question was: Does man need Gods grace to stand before him? Pelgaius said, "No, while Gods grace is appreciated, man out of his own free will can choose not to sin." Augstine said, " Yes, man is utterly dependant on Gods grace, because he is ruin by the sin of Adam and can do nothing to redeem himself from the wrath of God." Over time these two teachings were modified together and called semi-pelgaius; meaning that man is only sick in his sins and needs to call on the physician to cure him. So, if you are a Pelgaius all you need is a teacher to guide, if you are a semi-pelgaius all you need is a physician, if you are a Augustinian you need to be resurrected from the dead. If you hold on to the first two views, Christ died in vain. The Pelaguis teaching was condemned by the Catholic Church.
The controversy continued in the middle ages between Martin Luther and Desiderius Erasmus over free will. Erasmus, a Roman apologist, wrote a book on "free will". Martin Luther responded by writing his book "The Bondage of the Will." Martin Luther was once a catholic priest, but removed himself from the catholic church and the reformation history began. The Catholic Church , who once condemned this teaching was now embracing it and teaching indulgence. Luther's theology challenged the authority of the papacy by holding that the Bible is the only infallible source of religious authority and that all baptized Christians under Jesus are a universal priesthood. According to Luther, salvation is a free gift of God, received only by true repentance and faith in Jesus as the Messiah, a faith given by God and unmediated by the church.
Well it wasn't long before this same debate continued, but this time it was within the reformed church. This was know as the Arminan/Calvinist controversy during 1619. This was the question and controversy during that meeting that lasted seven months and 154 sessions "How does fallen man become born again?" You would think, " It took that long for one question that can be answered so quick!?" Yes, its a serious issue and many hold on to different views on how a fallen man is saved. Most will say, "By his own free will, fallen man chooses Christ." Well, that's a good answer, but not close to being biblical. Jesus said that, "whoever commits sin is a slave to sin." So, how can the "will" be "free" to choose Christ if it is enslaved to sin? "Its was by the evil use of "free will" that man destroyed it and himself (Augustine). Romans 8:7 says, "The carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be." This is not speaking of a "carnal christian" as most people interpret, but about the sinful man cannot or "will not" subject himself to Christ.
So, is there free will? Yes and no. Yes, because you chose to read this blog or not, what tie to wear or not wear and so forth. None of the reformed thinkers ever denied free will or choice. However, no, because man left to himself to choose good or evil, man will always choose evil. Now, lets look at Total Depravity and this debate over free will. Total Depravity means that, "Sin has effected every facet of human personality to such an extent that we are incapable of doing good or loving God as we should. The human race is incapable of saving themselves or choosing Christ."
1. The bible teaches teaches with absolute clarity that man, by nature, is DEAD: "Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for all sinned." (Rom 5:12)
2. Man is bound: "In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the the truth; and that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will." (2 Tim. 2:25)
3. Men are blind and deaf: "...but unto them that are without, all these things done in parables; that seeing they may not see and not perceive, and hearing they may hear and not understand." (Mark 4:11)
4. Men are uninstructable: "But the natural man receives not the things of the Spirit of God; for they are foolishness unto him; nether can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." (1 Cor2:14)
5. Men are naturally sinful by birth: "Behold, I was shaped in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me. (Ps 51:5)
6. Men are sinful by practice: "And God saw the wickedness of man was great upon the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually." (Gen 6:5)
7.Men are enslaved: " Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin." (John 8:34)
8. Men are spiritually dead: "...dead in trespasses and sins..." (Eph 3:1)
We must ask, then: Can the DEAD raise themselves? Can the BOUND free themselves? Can the BLIND give themselves sight, or the DEAF hearing? Can the SLAVES redeem themselves? Can the UNINSRTUCTABLE teach themselves? Can the NATURALLY SINFUL change themselves? Can the SPIRITUALLY DEAD become spiritually alive? Jeremiah asked, " Can the Ethiopian change his skin or the leopard its spots? Then may you also do good who are accustomed to do evil." (Jer. 13:23)
The bible clearly teaches that man is incapable and unwilling to save themselves or choose salvation. However, even though the scriptures can confirm mans total fallen state, Christians will disagree without any support of scripture. Why, because it violates their theology of free will. Christian, listen; free will is bound, corrupted, enslaved, dead, captive by Satan. Did I say bound already? Then how can it be free? Please watch this video.
If man is unable to save himself then God must save, if man is blind then God must give sight, if man is enslaved then God must give a ransom, if man is bound then God must loose, if man is dead (not sick or partially dead, but dead) then God must give life. How can a dead man raise himself? The sinner is seen like Lazarus, dead and bound. Incapable of "taking the first step toward God" or choosing Christ. Question, how is than fallen man saved if he is dead? Here is the answer Jesus gave and is very important to understand and interpret correctly, "No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him..."( John 6:44). Also, Jesus stated a second time, " This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by the Father." (John 6:65)
Romans9:16 says," So then it is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs, but of God who shows mercy."
May God give us the grace to understand His Word.
Any comments?
The controversy continued in the middle ages between Martin Luther and Desiderius Erasmus over free will. Erasmus, a Roman apologist, wrote a book on "free will". Martin Luther responded by writing his book "The Bondage of the Will." Martin Luther was once a catholic priest, but removed himself from the catholic church and the reformation history began. The Catholic Church , who once condemned this teaching was now embracing it and teaching indulgence. Luther's theology challenged the authority of the papacy by holding that the Bible is the only infallible source of religious authority and that all baptized Christians under Jesus are a universal priesthood. According to Luther, salvation is a free gift of God, received only by true repentance and faith in Jesus as the Messiah, a faith given by God and unmediated by the church.
Well it wasn't long before this same debate continued, but this time it was within the reformed church. This was know as the Arminan/Calvinist controversy during 1619. This was the question and controversy during that meeting that lasted seven months and 154 sessions "How does fallen man become born again?" You would think, " It took that long for one question that can be answered so quick!?" Yes, its a serious issue and many hold on to different views on how a fallen man is saved. Most will say, "By his own free will, fallen man chooses Christ." Well, that's a good answer, but not close to being biblical. Jesus said that, "whoever commits sin is a slave to sin." So, how can the "will" be "free" to choose Christ if it is enslaved to sin? "Its was by the evil use of "free will" that man destroyed it and himself (Augustine). Romans 8:7 says, "The carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be." This is not speaking of a "carnal christian" as most people interpret, but about the sinful man cannot or "will not" subject himself to Christ.
So, is there free will? Yes and no. Yes, because you chose to read this blog or not, what tie to wear or not wear and so forth. None of the reformed thinkers ever denied free will or choice. However, no, because man left to himself to choose good or evil, man will always choose evil. Now, lets look at Total Depravity and this debate over free will. Total Depravity means that, "Sin has effected every facet of human personality to such an extent that we are incapable of doing good or loving God as we should. The human race is incapable of saving themselves or choosing Christ."
1. The bible teaches teaches with absolute clarity that man, by nature, is DEAD: "Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for all sinned." (Rom 5:12)
2. Man is bound: "In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the the truth; and that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will." (2 Tim. 2:25)
3. Men are blind and deaf: "...but unto them that are without, all these things done in parables; that seeing they may not see and not perceive, and hearing they may hear and not understand." (Mark 4:11)
4. Men are uninstructable: "But the natural man receives not the things of the Spirit of God; for they are foolishness unto him; nether can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." (1 Cor2:14)
5. Men are naturally sinful by birth: "Behold, I was shaped in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me. (Ps 51:5)
6. Men are sinful by practice: "And God saw the wickedness of man was great upon the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually." (Gen 6:5)
7.Men are enslaved: " Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin." (John 8:34)
8. Men are spiritually dead: "...dead in trespasses and sins..." (Eph 3:1)
We must ask, then: Can the DEAD raise themselves? Can the BOUND free themselves? Can the BLIND give themselves sight, or the DEAF hearing? Can the SLAVES redeem themselves? Can the UNINSRTUCTABLE teach themselves? Can the NATURALLY SINFUL change themselves? Can the SPIRITUALLY DEAD become spiritually alive? Jeremiah asked, " Can the Ethiopian change his skin or the leopard its spots? Then may you also do good who are accustomed to do evil." (Jer. 13:23)
The bible clearly teaches that man is incapable and unwilling to save themselves or choose salvation. However, even though the scriptures can confirm mans total fallen state, Christians will disagree without any support of scripture. Why, because it violates their theology of free will. Christian, listen; free will is bound, corrupted, enslaved, dead, captive by Satan. Did I say bound already? Then how can it be free? Please watch this video.
If man is unable to save himself then God must save, if man is blind then God must give sight, if man is enslaved then God must give a ransom, if man is bound then God must loose, if man is dead (not sick or partially dead, but dead) then God must give life. How can a dead man raise himself? The sinner is seen like Lazarus, dead and bound. Incapable of "taking the first step toward God" or choosing Christ. Question, how is than fallen man saved if he is dead? Here is the answer Jesus gave and is very important to understand and interpret correctly, "No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him..."( John 6:44). Also, Jesus stated a second time, " This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by the Father." (John 6:65)
Romans9:16 says," So then it is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs, but of God who shows mercy."
May God give us the grace to understand His Word.
Any comments?
Sep 7, 2008
The Prosperity Gospel
Many church's in today's generation are deceived by the gospel of health, wealth, and prosperity. Some go as far as saying, "Jesus had designer clothes"... can someone please find this in the Holy Scriptures and I will say no more about this topic. The churches today rejoice over there wealth than salvation. Did Jesus pay for your sins or your car loan? Well, if you attended a prosperity church the preacher will say, "Well, he died for your sins, but gave you the blessings of God"! Imagine a non-christian speaking with a christian something like this: "Non: Hey, did Jesus give you that? Christian: Yeah! Non: Well, I'll take Jesus!" That's idolatry. John 1:29 states that Christ takes away the sins of the world not your loan. When the Scripture says the word "blessing" in the New Testament does it mean "the blessings of salvation" or wealth?
Paul identified himself as a christian who suffered for Christ in Philippians 3:8, "Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ." When you read scriptures like this were is the prosperity gospel? I have heard preachers say, "I was broke, but now because of the blessing of God upon me; I drive a BMW." Can you imagine the Apostle Paul saying, "I used to ride a donkey to Jerusalem, but now because of the blessing of Abraham; I ride a stallion." You would NEVER hear that preached out of the mouth of the Apostle or write this to the body of Christ.
Peter encourage believers that suffering is part of Christianity in 1st Peter 4:1,"Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lust of men, but for the will of God." Christians were marked as people who suffered for Christ not gain for Christ. I'm not against God blessing His people; I'm opposing the prosperity gospel, its not biblical. Peter continues saying in verse 12, "Beloved (Anytime you see the word "beloved" that's to the Christian) do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. If you are reproached for the name of Christ blessed are you..."Did you read that? You are blessed if you are reproached for the name of Christ! Why than are we hearing the health and wealth gospel from preachers, and the Apostles are preaching suffering for Christ, the loss of all things and blessed if you are reproached for Christ? Many will say, "Well the bible says that we should prosper just as your soul prospers." The "soul prospering" is speaking about eternal life not wealth. Question: What do you tell the Christians in Asia and Africa that are being murder for Christ? God wants you rich?
If this message is being preached and it is, this will produce false converts in Christianity. Jesus gave a parable in Mark 4 about the sower (the preacher) sows the seeds (the gospel) to people and some receive it with gladness, but they have no root. So, when trials and tribulation arises for the Word sake, immediately they stumble. Can you imagine these people receive it with gladness, but are not saved, they have no root and the evidence is they did not preserver. Christ goes on to say that the seed is spread to others, but the cares of the world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for others things choke the Word and they become unfruitfull.
Is the church ready to suffer for Christ? Is the body of Christ ready to lose all things to gain Christ? No. The bible says the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness(1 Timothy 6:10). I heard a preacher say one time, "money is not bad, its the love of money that's bad." But, when you preach more prosperity then Christ you show were your love is. Christ said you cannot server both God and money...does anyone remember that scripture? My motive is to show how far we have gone astray form sound doctrine and follow any teaching as long as they quote a verse. Please reconsider and read the scripture within its context not out of context. I encourage you to view the video from John Piper and please reconsider the health, wealth, prosperity gospel.
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