Staying in spiritual diapers

Here is an excellent article from Christianity Today by Gordon MacDonald on the lack of maturing Christians in the church.

So Many Christian Infants

Why are we so good at leading people to faith and so bad at prodding them to maturity?

I have been musing on the words of Martin Thornton: “A walloping great congregation,” he wrote, “is fine and fun, but what most communities really need is a couple of saints.
The tragedy is that they may well be there in embryo, waiting to be discovered, waiting for sound training, waiting to be emancipated from the cult of the mediocre.”

“Saints,” he says. Mature Christians: people who are “grown-up” in their faith, to whom one assigns descriptors such as holy, Christ-like, Godly, or men or women of God.

Now mature, in my book does not mean the “churchly,” those who have mastered the vocabulary and the litany of church life, who come alive only when the church doors open. Rather, I have in mind those who walk through all the corridors of the larger life—the market-place, the home and community, the playing fields—and do it in such a way that, sooner or later, it is concluded that Jesus’ fingerprints are all over them.

I have concluded that our branch of the Christian movement (sometimes called Evangelical) is pretty good at wooing people across the line into faith in Jesus. And we’re also not bad at helping new-believers become acquainted with the rudiments of a life of faith: devotional exercise, church involvement, and basic Bible information—something you could call Christian infancy.

But what our tradition lacks of late—my opinion anyway—is knowing how to prod and poke people past the “infancy” and into Christian maturity.

A definition of a mature Christian is lacking. Best to say that you know a mature Christian when you see one. They’re in the New Testament. Barnabas is one. Aquila and Priscilla are others. Onesiphorous impresses me. And so is the mother of Rufus of whom Paul said, “she has been a mother to me.” That’s a short list.

The marks of maturity? Self-sustaining in spiritual devotions. Wise in human relationships. Humble and serving. Comfortable and functional in the everyday world where people of faith can be in short supply. Substantial in conversation; prudent in acquisition; respectful in conflict; faithful in commitments.

Take a few minutes and ask how many people you know who would fit such a description. How many? Apparently, Paul, pondered the question when he thought about Corinthian Christians and said, “I could not address you as spiritual but as worldly—mere infants in Christ.”

As usual, I’m long on questions and short on answers. Right now I’m wondering—assuming that Martin Thornton is right—if we church people have forgotten how to raise saints. And if the question is worthy, then what’s been going wrong? Bad preaching? Shallow books? Too much emphasis on a problem-solving, self-help kind of faith?

Maybe the answer is deeper or more profound that that.

What do Joel Osteen, Stuart Smalley and The Secret have in common?

A genuine affection for Christ

Christian beware of the dangers when our affections for the Lord Jesus become only casual.

How to "GROW" the Church

Paying Homage To The Great god Entertainment
Quoting John MacArthur . . .

There seems almost no limit to what modern church leaders will do to entice people who aren't interested in worship and preaching. Too many have bought the notion that the church must win people by offering an alternative form of entertainment. Just how far will the church go in competing with Hollywood?

A large church in the southwestern United States has installed a half-million dollar special-effects system that can produce smoke, fire, sparks, and laser lights in the auditorium. The church sent staff members to study live special effects at Bally's Casino in Las Vegas. The pastor ended one service by ascending to "heaven" via invisible wires that drew him up out of sight while the choir and orchestra added a musical accompaniment to the smoke, fire, and light show.

It was just a typical Sunday show for that pastor:

"He packs his church with such special effects as ... cranking up a chain saw and toppling a tree to make a point ... the biggest Fourth of July fireworks display in town and a Christmas service with a rented elephant, kangaroo and zebra. The Christmas show features 100 clowns with gifts for the congregation's children."

Shenanigans like that would have been the stuff of Spurgeon's worst nightmares. And even Tozer could not have foreseen the extreme to which evangelicals would go in paying homage to the great god Entertainment.

From:

Ashamed of The Gospel

PS - Check out this LINK

Do you love the word of God?

A Christian is as close to Christ as they are to His word. Let me say it another way, if you love Christ then you will love His word. How do we in the church maintain a relationship with the God of this universe and stay at such a distance from the Scriptures? The answer to that is - we don't. Is there a correlation between a person who is truly born again and a love for God's word? The answer to that question is a resounding yes!

Check out this video clip:

Anna B.

Bible Memory

How many times have you thought about memorizing Scripture? Then you said I will wait till the start of new year. Well, wait no longer the new year is almost here. If you want to start with me in 2008 then here is a helpful Bible memory program that I am planning to use. I will also post some articles about Bible memory. This is a spiritual discipline that we all need and there are so many useful tools that are at our fingertips.

Simple click on this LINK to get started. Go to sign up now button and follow the directions from there.

Let's start memorizing!

Are you ready to get serious about church?

Highlights from 2007 posts

On January 8, 1956 there were five missionaries Jim Elliot, Nate Saint, Ed McCully, Pete Fleming, and Roger Youderian who were killed by a tribe known as the Huaoranis. These five brave men are credited with sparking an interest in Christian missions among the youth of their time and are still considered an encouragement to Christian missionaries working throughout the world. Here is the testimony of Steve Saint as he relates the sovereignty of God regarding the death of his father Nate Saint.

Please take time to listen his story, it will bless your soul.

Unconditional election and the objector in Romans 9

For the last 4 years I have been involved in some serious study in Romans 9. After study, meditation and much conversation I am convinced more than ever regarding the doctrine of unconditional election. Occasionally I come across articles that make this doctrine very understandable. Recently I read an article by Michael Patton on why he is convinced about unconditional election. If you are still on the fence about this issue I hope this helps to knock you off. I once heard that sitting on the fence is the most painful position.

Here is the article by M. Patton on his blog site called Parchment and Pen.

While I do agree that the Scriptures teach that God loves all people and desires all to come to repentance (and I don’t qualify the “all” of 1 Tim. 2:4 as some), I also believe that this love does not motivate Him to elect all people to salvation. Unconditional election is the issue. Olson said it himself. There are incompatibilities within the Calvinist and Arminian systems of theology that make it impossible to have a hybrid. There is no middle ground between unconditional election and conditional election that I know of. I believe that God has unconditionally elected certain individuals before the beginning of time for salvation, and passed over others that He loves. I don’t understand why He passes over anyone, I just believe that the Scripture clearly says that He does. Of all the passages that teach unconditional election, there is one that I simply cannot explain outside of a Calvinist worldview–Romans 9. Romans 9 is so clear concerning the issue of unconditional election that in order to deny it I believe that one only has three options: 1) Deny inerrancy and attribute this teaching to the remnants of Paul’s pharisaic theology that he integrated with his new faith but was wrong (ouch!). 2) Deny that Romans should be part of the canon (overkill, don’t ya think?). 3) Adopt a radical new hermeneutical strategy that sees the difficulty of this passage, but denies its clear reading in favor of an interpretation that fits with an already supposed theological system (we all do this sometimes). While I am often tempted to choose the latter, I have not as of this date in my life. I believe that the plain reading of this passage tells us that Paul believed in what is to most a radical doctrine that seems unfair. Here is the passage:

Romans 9:6-24 ⁶ But it is not as though the word of God has failed. For they are not all Israel who are descended from Israel; ⁷ nor are they all children because they are Abraham’s descendants, but: “THROUGH ISAAC YOUR DESCENDANTS WILL BE NAMED.” ⁸ That is, it is not the children of the flesh who are children of God, but the children of the promise are regarded as descendants. ⁹ For this is the word of promise: “AT THIS TIME I WILL COME, AND SARAH SHALL HAVE A SON.” ¹⁰ And not only this, but there was Rebekah also, when she had conceived twins by one man, our father Isaac; ¹¹ for though the twins were not yet born and had not done anything good or bad, so that God’s purpose according to His choice would stand, not because of works but because of Him who calls, ¹² it was said to her, “THE OLDER WILL SERVE THE YOUNGER.” ¹³ Just as it is written, “JACOB I LOVED, BUT ESAU I HATED.” ¹⁴ What shall we say then? There is no injustice with God, is there? May it never be! ¹⁵ For He says to Moses, “I WILL HAVE MERCY ON WHOM I HAVE MERCY, AND I WILL HAVE COMPASSION ON WHOM I HAVE COMPASSION.” ¹⁶ So then it does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy. ¹⁷ For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, “FOR THIS VERY PURPOSE I RAISED YOU UP, TO DEMONSTRATE MY POWER IN YOU, AND THAT MY NAME MIGHT BE PROCLAIMED THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE EARTH.” ¹⁸ So then He has mercy on whom He desires, and He hardens whom He desires. ¹⁹ You will say to me then, “Why does He still find fault? For who resists His will?” ²⁰ On the contrary, who are you, O man, who answers back to God? The thing molded will not say to the molder, “Why did you make me like this,” will it? ²¹ Or does not the potter have a right over the clay, to make from the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for common use? ²² What if God, although willing to demonstrate His wrath and to make His power known, endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction? ²³ And He did so to make known the riches of His glory upon vessels of mercy, which He prepared beforehand for glory, ²⁴ even us, whom He also called, not from among Jews only, but also from among Gentiles.

We must understand some contextual background here. In Romans 9, Paul is defending the security of a believer that was put forth in Romans 8. Remember, he ended that chapter by saying that there was nothing that could separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus. In the context, the love is the love that foreknew, predestined, called, justified, and glorified the elect. Therefore, according to Paul, there is nothing that can separate the elect from God’s salvation.

That is an incredible statement that Paul knows must be defended. He had been in the position before teaching this same thing to others. I could see it now. In Ephesus, teaching on the security of the believer, Paul makes the same proposition: “Nothing can separate you from God’s electing love in Christ Jesus.” Someone in the audience raises their hand and says, “Paul, this is great and all, but I have a problem.” “What is that,” Paul responds. “Well you say that the elect are secure in God, right?” “That is right” Paul says. “Well, what about Israel? Weren’t they God’s elect? Weren’t they promised security as well? What happened to them? They don’t seem to be following God right now? If their election is the same as my election, my election does not seem to secure.”

It was a good objection and needed to be responded to. Paul does so in Romans 9-11. He begins 9 by saying, “But it is not as though the word of God has failed” (Rom. 9:6). Why? Because he sets up a diatribe (a conversation with an imaginary person) in anticipation of the response that the Romans will have to the claims of security in Romans 8. He wants to show that the word of God has not failed with Israel and it will not fail with Christians. He ends this section by reinforcing the bold security claims of Romans 8, “For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable” (Rom. 11:29). So the entire section is about security. It is in defense of God; it is in defense of His claim that we cannot be separated from His love.

Paul’s explanation for the apparent failure of God’s electing love with Israel is right to the point. He explains that God’s election of Israel, with regards to ultimate salvation as he has been explaining it, was not of the entire nation without exception. In fact, it was always only a select few, a remnant, that were the true elect of God. He illustrates this historically by referring to Jacob and Esau (Rom. 9:10-13). Even though they were both from Israel, only one was chosen. Therefore not all Israel is elect. He later illustrates this by referring to the elect within Israel at the time of Elijah (Rom. 11:2-4). The argument again is the same. Not all of Israel could be considered among the true elect. Finally, he illustrates this in a contemporary way by saying that he himself is an Israelite and he has placed his faith in God (Rom. 11:1, 5). This is enough to show that God’s security is based upon the true elect, a remnant within Israel. Therefore, God has not broken His word in the past with Israel, and will not do so in the present or future. The gifts and calling of God are irrevocable.

Once again, this brings up another objection that Paul has most certainly heard through the years of teaching. Imagine this Ephesian once again hesitantly raising his hand saying, “Okay Paul. Forgive me, but now I have another question. If this is true, that God elects some individuals and not others as was the case with Jacob and Esau, this seems very unfair. Why does God still find fault? Who resists His will?”

Now at this point we must stop and realize the significance of this question with regards to the Calvinism Arminianism debate. Remember, this is the question that we are all baffled by when we first read this. When Paul says, “So then He has mercy on whom He desires, and He hardens whom He desires” (Rom. 9:18), we are taken aback. We think to ourselves the same as Paul’s imaginary objector. How can God hold someone accountable for making this choice when it is only God’s election that can cause them to do otherwise? It is a good question. One that I often ask myself. But we must realize this: the question itself helps us to understand that we are following Paul correctly. If you don’t empathize with the objection, then you have misunderstood Paul. But if we do understand how such a question could arise out of Paul’s seemingly radical comments, it means that we are interpreting Paul the same way as the objector. Now, when the objector says, “How can God still find fault, for who resists Him will?” if the Arminian position of conditional election were correct (that God simply looks ahead into the future and has decided to elect all who trust in Christ), there is really no problem. Paul just needs to calm the objector down by explaining how he has misunderstood the argument. If the Arminian position were correct, this is how we would expect the diatribe to proceed:

Objector: ”If this is true, why does God still find fault in people. Who can resist His will.”
Paul: “Oh, you have misunderstood me. You think that I am saying that God’s will is the ultimate cause of our salvation, not ours. Let me clarify. God’s election is not based upon His sovereign unconditional decree, but upon your will to choose Him. Therefore, He finds fault in people who do not choose Him by their own freedom. Doen’t this make perfect sense?”
Objector: “Oh, yes, it does. I feel much better. But you need to teach more clearly in the future. I thought you were saying something radically different.”

But of course this is not the direction the conversation goes. In fact, it gets stronger and more shocking. Paul did not have a definite answer to the objectors question. He confirms that the question assumes the right presupposition (unconditional election) by His response. ”On the contrary, who are you to answer back to God oh man. Will the thing molded say to the molder why have you made me in such a way? . . . ” I could see the objector cowering in the fierceness of the response. He is simply doing the same thing that I would do and have done upon reading this passage. The response let’s us know that while we don’t have the answer we were looking for, the presupposition, unconditional election, is indeed what Paul is teaching. There is no other way to take it in my opinion.

What a fearful thing. What an awesome thing. What a confusing thing. What a terrible thing. In sum, I believe that Romans is inerrant. I believe that Romans should be included in the canon. I cannot approach this passage from any other hermeneutic than an authorial intent. It seems to be the case that the intent of Paul was to say that God unconditionally elects some people to salvation and not others.

Put "em" on and let's get going

OK folks 2008 is right around the corner. There is much kingdom building that needs to be done right here in our own city. So get out your favorite sneakers and let's get going. Now keep in mind, this is not in our strength but His. This is not us working for God but allowing Him to work through us. Our goal this year is to be more and more desperate for Christ in order that He might be demonstrated as great.

If motivation is what you need then...

Entertain the congregation

In the "consumer friendly" church we need to keep them coming and entertained. Therefore this Sunday you can expect jokes, one liners and entertainment that will make you feel good. Don't worry, no one will leave feeling convicted, repentant or remorseful because preaching on sin will be avoided at all cost. If you can't bring your family and have some fun then there is no need to show up.

Seeing God in all things

See my Tabblo>

Where is the "emergent church movement" heading and what does it believe?

Depart from Scripture, You Depart from God and a Reverence for Him
...a few certain thoughts about the ECM





















“For My hand made all these things,
Thus all these things came into being,”
declares the LORD.
“But to this one I will look,
To him who is humble and contrite of spirit,
and who trembles at My word."
-Isaiah 66:2

Legalism and the ECM
The ECM in their search for significance within a postmodern culture has left behind the "old paths" rather than maintaining them. In their striving to figure out how to do church in our day, I think that they are creating their own legalism--a postmodern arrogant cultural relevance legalism that says the gospel will have meager effect if not contextualized and the church will have little growth or impact if it doesn't adapt to culture.

Temporal vs Eternal
Emergent Christianity guts the faith to appeal to culture; and their myopic view of the kingdom of God predisposes them to be more concerned with the temporal, than the eternal.

The ECM has two Fundamental Flaws:

* 1.) a lack of reverence for God and His Word; and
* 2.) the unquenchable need to contextualize the Christian faith in adapting it to culture.

This is gangrenous to authentic Christianity. Erosion of the truth always begins with the subtle wandering away off the path of the essentials of the faith.

Copied from Camponthis blog site

PS - Former members of the Shepherd's Church this is why it is so important that you know, embrace and learn to practically live out your Bible doctrine. It is the very thing that Charles Spurgeon was so adamant about during his last years. The church didn't know the doctrines of the Bible, they stopped allowing the Bible to be the rule of faith they lived by and the preaching became pragmatic.

The different faces of Pastor B

OK, some have thought that I am a little narrow when it comes to my style. Well in an effort to be more flexible, and to relate to the community as a whole, I have attempted to bridge the gap so to speak. Check out these different looks. Now I can preach, teach and minister from the east coast to the west coast while relating to all those in between. Get ready because I might be coming to a city near you!

For those that want a fuller explanation and slide show you can go to this LINK.

Some Christmas reading

Each year Nancy gives me some great books.

My sister-in-law gave me the book on Steve Martin called "Born standing up". She may be hinting that she thinks "I'm a wild and crazy guy".

So without any further ado...

The Lord Jesus and a new camera

Our family went on a trip to New York in December. Those of you that have visited this site are seeing lots of evidence of that from the pictures. Well that is exactly the story I want to share with you. On December 16 I had the privilege of preaching at Pierpont Baptist Church in Charleston, SC. The message that day was "Do you know this Jesus". I am convinced that many in the evangelical church know the Jesus they learned about from their parents and Sunday School teachers but not necessarily the Jesus of the Bible.

Anna came home a couple of days before our trip and noticed that I had a new camera. It was one that she had researched and actually wanted for Christmas. When I told her that I had it only for a few days she said "Dad do you know what you have?" Of course I knew it was a camera but I was to find out it was NOT just a camera it was "the" camera. Anna said "give me the camera and I will be back in a little while". So I turned the camera over to my daughter and 30 minutes later I was amazed. She went outside and started taking pictures with detail and color like I had never seen from what I thought was a basic camera. The more she showed me the more excited I became. Until finally I said "give me my camera and be careful this is very valuable". Ironically before she introduced me to all the features and abilities it was just an ordinary camera. But after that I was so thrilled that I have been taking pictures like a wild man ever since.

Do you get the point? If we would only introduce the Lord Jesus to those around us like Anna introduced me to this new camera. How often are people waking up and running to their Bibles to hear from Him and study about Him. The Lord Jesus should be such a prize and value that we can't wait to have Him show up and "develop" our lives into His likeness.

Well just to show you my excitement I decided to share some of the photos.

A cheetah vs. a gazelle

It is wonderful to see how the weak can confound the powerful. Watch this video!

A trip to remember

See my Tabblo>

Photo of the trip

Anna took this at Radio City Music Hall of the Rockettes doing the "Little Drummer Boy".

How does your Bible study look?

Which one of these pictures represents your time in the word of God?

Are you finding it stale, dull and like dry toast?

Come and join us on Wednesday night at Carmel Baptist at either the 6:15 or 7:30 PM time slots.

An open invitation

Dear Bible study group,

This is an open invitation to join with me on January 16 (Wednesday night) at Carmel Baptist Church for a 10 week series on "How to Study the Bible."
I will be teaching two classes that night so you can choose between the 6:15 or 7:30 PM time slots. Here is the blurb that has been appearing in the Carmel Church bulletin over th past several weeks:

There is much teaching today in the church on the "how to" of the Christian life. But more important than the "how" is the "why." For no one will long endure the "how" of anything unless they can understand and come to embrace the "why." That is the reason we will start with understanding the "why" of Bible study before we start to tackle the "how" of Bible study in a new class beginning in January. This ten week class, taught by Bert Brimberry, will meet on Wednesday nights. Sign up now on the web at carmelbaptist.org/grow. The classes will be held January 16 through April 2 at the 6:15 and 7:30 times.

If you have Wednesday nights free then I hope you will consider this particular study series. Should you have any questions just give me a call or send me an email.

You might attend an "emergent"church if...

The top 20 reasons

20. You only curse around fundamentalists.

19. You leave your church because the sermon was not obscure enough.

18. You refer to your local assembly as “church,” “synagogue,” or “mosque” depending on who you are talking to.

17. Your blog is a rant about how everyone else rants too much.

16. You brag that you have never been pinned down theologically on any issue.

15. The only thing you are sure of is that others cannot be sure of anything.

14. You bring your own wine to communion.

13. You are offended when someone says they are going to “Preach the Gospel” or “Teach the truth” believing they should just “Tell a story.”

12. Instead of a tract, you carry a can of Play-doh in you back pocket.

11. Your website links to Green Peace and the Democratic National Convention just because conservatives are against it.

10. You start a Christian blog, but leave it blank, fearing that you might offend someone.

9. You are not any good at art, yet you continue to present the Gospel by painting stick figures on recycled paper.

8. When you present the Gospel, Heaven is renamed The Matrix and you call Christ Neo.

7. Your church caters from Whole Foods.

6. Every sermon illustration begins with “The other night I was drinking a beer and . . .”

5. You have yet to read the book of Romans believing Paul was too modern in his thinking.

4. Your car has a bumper sticker that reads “I think my boss is a Jewish carpenter but I can’t know for certain”

3. You will not hire a pastor who has NOT been divorced.

2. You don’t worship on Sundays because everyone else does.

1. You evaluate truth by asking how many people hold to it. If it is too popular, then it is wrong.

From Parchment and Pen Theology Blog

For more information on the emergent church movement you can click on the following links:
Link #1
Link #2
Link #3

Christmas 2007 - lunch with Granny

The meaning of Christmas

Is your theology God centered or man centered?
Did Christ come primarily to save me from my sins?
Or did Christ come ultimately to restore the glory of God that had been violated, besmirched and trampled on by mankind?

We are so Americanized in our hearing of the gospel. So at Christmas we read the story of Christ and His incarnation as a babe in a manger and we think about ourselves. Jesus came to save me, Jesus came to save me - the Christian life is about me, me, me! Will this culture please stop making the gospel primarily about us and make it about Him. Jesus came in order that He might remove every obstacle in the way of mankind that keeps him from exalting, praising and ultimately delighting in God!

This year read the story regarding the birth of our Lord Jesus and think about the incredible value and worth of God.

A Discernment Test

Who is the most God centered person in the universe?

Who is uppermost in God's affections?

What is the primary jealousy of God?

What is the chief end of God?

Do you feel most loved by God becaue He makes much of you, or that He enables you to make much of Him forever?

Are you God centered because God is supremely valuable to you or are you God centered because you are supremely valuable to Him?

Quote for the day - "God with us"

"God with us." It is hell's terror. Satan trembles at the sound of it; the black-winged dragon of the pit quails before it. Let him come to you suddenly, and do you but whisper that word, "God with us," back he falls, confounded and confused. "God with us" is the laborer's strength; how could he preach the gospel, how could he bend his knees in prayer, how could the missionary go into foreign lands, how could the martyr stand at the stake, how could the confessor own his Master, how could men labor, if that one word were taken away? "God with us" is the sufferer's comfort, the balm of his woe, the alleviation of his misery, the sleep which God gives to his beloved, their rest after exertion and toil. "God with us" is eternity's sonnet, heaven's hallelujah, the shout of the glorified, the song of the redeemed, the chorus of angels, the everlasting oratorio of the great orchestra of the sky.

- Charles Spurgeon

Naughty or Nice?

If Jack Bauer was Santa Claus, the only present you'd get is your life.






When Jack Bauer was a child, he didn't believe in Santa Claus....... Santa Claus believed in Jack Bauer.


When Santa asked Jack Bauer what he wanted for Christmas Jack cuffed and took him to C.T.U. because no one interrogates Jack Bauer.

Is Joel Osteen an accomondationalist?

from CAMPONTHIS by SJ Camp

"Pastor Joel Osteen of Lakewood Church in Houston, TX was on Chris Wallace's excellent news broadcast this morning: Fox New Sunday with Chris Wallace.

Once again, Joel speaks sentimentally about spiritual things but shies away from clearly speaking accurately about the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. And more importantly, about those who represent a false gospel dressed in Christian

This interview represents the tragedy of unbiblical compassion; it distorts the truth and always leads to accommodationalism.

This is disappointing and discouraging on three levels:

1. Joel is a pastor and failed to speak biblically as a pastor on an essential biblical issue: what is the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ and do Mormon beliefs pass the test of orthodoxy according to the standard of Scripture?

2. Because of Joel's large TV audience especially among nonbelievers, many folks will come away from today broadcast thinking that Mormons are truly Christian when in fact they are not at all.

3. Mitt Romney, though a fine politician, is now further confirmed in his unbelief and his heart a bit more calloused against the biblical gospel because of Joel's words.

This is serious beloved; what Joel affirmed today is nothing short of a compromised gospel worthy only of only eternal damnation. Mormons believe a different gospel than the biblical gospel (here is an excellent resource site that you can access detailed articles about their specific doctrines.)

My prayers today are twofold: 1. that Joel Osteen would study himself approved unto God as a workman unashamed by handling accurately the word of truth. And 2. that the Lord would bring truly saved men and women into the Romney household to proclaim to them the saving grace of our Lord Jesus Christ; warning them to flee the wrath to come; compelling them to be reconciled to God; commanding them to repent of their sins; and calling them to deny themselves, take up their cross, and follow Him.

(Below you will find a section of the transcript of the broadcast. The entire transcript can be read here.)

WALLACE: And what about Mitt Romney? And I've got to ask you the question, because it is a question whether it should be or not in this campaign, is a Mormon a true Christian?

OSTEEN: Well, in my mind they are. Mitt Romney has said that he believes in Christ as his savior, and that's what I believe, so, you know, I'm not the one to judge the little details of it. So I believe they are.

And so, you know, Mitt Romney seems like a man of character and integrity to me, and I don't think he would — anything would stop me from voting for him if that's what I felt like.

WALLACE: So, for instance, when people start talking about Joseph Smith, the founder of the church, and the golden tablets in upstate New York, and God assumes the shape of a man, do you not get hung up in those theological issues?

OSTEEN: I probably don't get hung up in them because I haven't really studied them or thought about them. And you know, I just try to let God be the judge of that. I mean, I don't know.

I certainly can't say that I agree with everything that I've heard about it, but from what I've heard from Mitt, when he says that Christ is his savior, to me that's a common bond.

A powerful testimony for Christ

Family Christmas 2007

Mike Huckabee - Merry Christmas

Family gatherings and Christmas

Last night we went to my father and mother in-laws home to have our annual Christmas gathering. The food is always wonderful and the atmosphere seems to induce great fellowship.


I am privileged to have a loving, supportive and close family but we are not without our problems. If you were to go through just the 2007 year alone, and listen to every story it would be absolutely amazing. The family has come through many adversities and struggles this year. But there has been prayer, encouragement and members of the family have provided where there have been critical needs. I write this in thanks that God has placed me within this family structure. They are not perfect but they are family. Every year it seems that Bill and Betty find a way to bring us all together and it becomes more special as I grow older. The stories are pretty much the same and the conversations tend to cover job, school, sports, current trips or family adventures. Oh yes and there is singing, there seems always to be some sort of singing with our family. This year I heard Carson (12 years old) and the daughter of Stuart and Barbara sing. Anna, my daughter wants her to make a CD and her dad looked at me and said "her singing pierces my heart." And so Anna, Carson and Sarah, with the guitar, sat around the computer and played songs and sang. The guys were trying to watch the football game but we yielded to something that was more significant than New England vs. Miami.

So from a year of struggle and adversity I praise God from whom all blessing flows for the fact that:
Bill and Betty are in good health and provide such loving and kind leadership for all of us in so many ways.

David and Holli - Ben and Sarah are healthy and enjoying school and travel. Ben on the west coast and Sarah at Furman, who just back from almost 4 months in Europe. David has been released from a non compete and is now actively pursuing work in which he has a backlog. And he has the best assistant, which is his lovely and talented wife Holli.

Stuart and Barbara - they also have healthy children. Britt, Frank and Carson. Britt and Frank will be graduating in 2008 from UNC and they now play on the Junior Varsity team. Barbara continues to get good reports from the doctor and Stuart continues to pursue sales and sales consulting opportunities. Carson like I said before has a voice that needs to be recorded and is a vibrant beautiful young girl. (By the way all the girls in this family are beautiful)

Bert and Nancy - kids are healthy and enjoying their seasons of life. Butner is working full time with the Inspiration Network and Anna remains in Boone. We are blessed to have children who talk to us about their lives and actually seek counsel from mom and dad regarding life issues. Nancy and I are in transition from our previous church to the next place where the Lord Jesus wants us to go and serve. But we know that He works all things to the good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28)

So there it is a brief look at our family gathering for Christmas. A time of year to reflect and be thankful that through all the stuff we still have each other. Once again I am thankful for this family and hope we have many more opportunities to gather together during the Christmas season.

Photo Blog of trip to New York - Part 3

Photo Blog of trip to New York - Part 2

Photo Blog of trip to New York - Part 1

Earlier this week we slipped away from Charlotte and went on a whirlwind tour of New York City. This is part 1 of the video tour of our trip.

Worship and not Evangelism

There has been much discussion about worship and evangelism over the past two decades especially with the advent of the seeker friendly churches. I recently read the article below and thought it offered good insight on the main purpose of the church.

Here is that article:
To worship God - that is the primary reason why the Christian should go to church. In today's church climate this is a radical idea. Nevertheless, Christians should go to church, not to evangelize, not to provide a comfortable "consumer-friendly" setting for the unchurched, not even primarily for the benefit which fellowship with other Christians provides, and definitely not just for lectures and devotionals, but in order to worship God. Christians should also understand that evangelism and the missionary task are not the most important tasks the church has.

Such efforts exist among the nations, as John Piper argues in his Let the Nations Be Glad, only because worship of the true God among them does not! ...

Anyone who will take the time to study the matter will have to conclude that worship in evangelical churches in this generation is, speaking generally, approaching bankruptcy. There is neither rhyme nor reason, much less biblical warrant, for the order of and much that goes on in many evangelical church services today. The fact of the matter is, much evangelical "worship" is simply not true worship at all.

For decades now evangelical churches have been conducting their services for the sake of unbelievers. Both the revivalistic service of a previous generation and the "seeker service" of today are shaped by the same concern--appeal to the unchurched. Not surprisingly, in neither case does much that might be called worship by Christians occur. As a result, many evangelicals who have been sitting for years in such worship services are finding their souls drying up, and they have begun to long for something else. (See this LINK for the article about Willow Creek)

Accordingly, they have become vulnerable to the appeal of the mysterium of hierarchical liturgical services. This is why some today are "on the Canterbury trail" of defecting to Greek Orthodoxy and Roman Catholicism. Others who have been simply spectators for years in their worship services are getting caught up in the people-involving worship of charismatic services. ...

Is your church uncool?

There is so much talk today about the method of ministry rather than the message in ministry. The American church seems to be hung up about being relevant to the culture. As a former pastor I heard comments like the following "listening to hymns is like hearing someone run their fingernails down a chalk board." Friends, that is style lacking substance when you hear those kind of comments. So often there is no attention to the words, meaning and theology as people just mindlessly sing the chorus and listen to the beat of the music. You might think this is negative but it is a realistic look at modern church for the most part. I am not being critical as much as observing the current state and letting the facts speak for themselves.

I have posted an article and thoughts from Dr. John MacArthur, who has pastored Grace Community Church for 40 years. Here are some of his comments on the church today.
"Those arguments have been stressed to the point that many evangelicals now seem to think stylishness is just about the worst imaginable threat to the expansion of the gospel and the influence of the church. They don't really care if they are worldly. They just don't want to be thought uncool.

That way of thinking has been around at least since modernism began its aggressive assault on biblical Christianity in the Victorian era. For half a century or more, most evangelicals resisted the pragmatic thrust of the modernist argument, believing it was a fundamentally worldly philosophy. They had enough biblical understanding to realize that "friendship with the world is enmity with God. Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God" (James 4:4).

But the mainstream evangelical movement gave up the battle against worldliness half a century ago, and then completely capitulated to pragmatism just a couple of decades ago. After all, most of the best-known megachurches that rose to prominence after 1985 were built on a pragmatic philosophy of giving "unchurched" people whatever it takes to make them feel comfortable. Why would anyone criticize what "works"?

Whole churches have thus deliberately immersed themselves in "the culture"--by which they actually mean "whatever the world loves at the moment." We now have a new breed of trendy churches whose preachers can rattle off references to every popular icon, every trifling meme, every tasteless fashion, and every vapid trend that captures the fickle fancy of the postmodern secular mind.

Worldly preachers seem to go out of their way to put their carnal expertise on display--even in their sermons. In the name of connecting with "the culture" they want their people to know they have seen all the latest programs on MTV; familiarized themselves with all the key themes of "South Park"; learned the lyrics to countless tracks of gangsta rap and heavy metal music; and watched who-knows-how-many R-rated movies. They seem to know every fad top to bottom, back to front, and inside out. They've adopted both the style and the language of the world--including lavish use of language that used to be deemed inappropriate in polite society, much less in the pulpit. They want to fit right in with the world, and they seem to be making themselves quite comfortable there."

An end of year Bible study evaluation

Are you still getting ready to get ready when it comes to serious devotion time and the study of God's word? Whenever you challenge those in the church who are lazy, complacent and apathetic about Bible study they scream "legalism." But upon further review it may be that they really don't treasure Christ more than they treasure the things of this world. (Please read that again and this time slowly) Hey, bottom line, if you ignore the word of God then you ignore God Himself. As we approach the end of 2007 I recommend an evaluation of your time in God's word. How can a person love Christ and NOT want to spend time with Him?
If you are a typical American then your life is busy. We all know that busyness does not necessarily mean that we are being productive. The church is suffering today because we treasure our gifts more than the Giver and our blessings more than the Blessor. We need to move back to the basics of God's word as we read, study, embrace and live out the truths of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Howard Hendricks, the author of Living by the Book writes a number of reasons people have given him over the years as to why they don't study the Bible:
1. It just doesn't seem relevant to life.
2. It is confusing, doesn't make sense and hard to understand.
3. I used to read the Bible and it made me feel good. But after a while it seemed to lose its impact on my life.
4. I feel guilty when I read the Bible
5. The Bible is hopelessly out of date. It may have some interesting stories but it has little significance for our lives today.
6. I rely on my pastor or Sunday School teacher to explain the Bible to me.
7. I have doubts about the Bible's reliability.
8. The Bible is just boring to me.
9. The Bible is full of myths and half-truths.
10. I don't read it. It's not the Bible, I just don't read anything.

How about you? Can you add to or identify one of the reasons above why you haven't read or studied the Bible in 2007? Vance Havner was one of the great preachers and he used to say that an excuse is the skin of a reason stuffed with a lie. I think that applies to many of the reasons (excuses) that I have heard over the years in ministry as to why people don't study God's word.

Well, it's that time of year to look back and look forward. It is time to evaluate the priorities and determine where you have been and where you are going. I have noticed that when people continue to do things the way they have always done them, then they continue to get what they have always gotten. Just think about that statement when it comes to living out the Christian life and the word of God. There are people who have little joy, passion and excitement for Christ and His things, as they continue to focus on their things (job, family, security and lifestyle). Since there is little understanding and desire for the truth of God's word, the church contains many who are spiritually immature. There are many in church today who are still weening on a bottle of milk instead of building muscle by feasting on the meat of God's word. Pastors and elders accept this as part of a culture that is hectic instead of calling the church to repent and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ! It is a sin to exchange the glory of God for the glory of things that we value more like high definition TV, computers, ipods and lifestyle. When are we going to call the people of God back to the word of God? Folks we have a chance to meet with almighty God, and the opportunity to know Him and have fellowship with Him. And we simply leave our Bibles on the night stand or in the car or on the shelves in our dens. What in the world are we thinking or are we thinking? God want to share Himself with us, transform us and glorify Himself through us and we are just too busy for Him. Then I proclaim from the mountain top if that is true about us, especially in the church, then we are too busy! Come on, let us "Be still and know that He is God" (Psalm 46:10).

Brothers and sisters in Christ the Lord Jesus is going to spit out of His mouth those who are lukewarm. If you don't believe me then how would you interpret Rev. 3:16 ‘So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth. Are you hot for Christ? Are you hot for His word to reside in you? Are you excited and passionate about meeting with God Himself, as He speaks to you through His inspired, revealed, infallible and inerrant word? Or will this be another year of yes I need to but I really don't have time. I appeal to you and plead with you PRAY-PRAY-PRAY that God will give you a desire and desperation for His word. Do you think that is consistent with His will for your life? As you pray that prayer this year I want you to watch and notice how God starts to light a fire in you for Himself. You might even find yourself getting up an hour early or going to be an hour later as you read, study and journal His thoughts for you.

Come on church, come on people of God wake up! Get the Bible off the shelf and into your heart. Ask Christ to make Himself the very treasure and delight of your heart. Because we learn in Matt. 6:21 for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Don't make this a priority someday but make it a priority TODAY!

Where in the world is Pastor B?

Hey fellow bloggees I went on a little Christmas trip and brought back a few photos for you to guess my destination. By the time you get through these you won't need any hints or at least I hope you won't.

Taking a blogging break

Pastor B will be taking a little bit of a Christmas break. But next week Lord willing, I'll return with more random thoughts and posts.

Preaching at Pierpont

Today I have the privilege of preaching at Pierpont Baptist Church in Charleston, SC. This church is pastored by my good friend and fellow seminary student - Greg Smith. Nancy and I attend Pierpont whenever we are in the Charleston area and have grown to know and love the church. This is wonderful congregation of about 200-250 people and it reminds me much of the Shepherd's Church. There is a real love for Christ and His word. When you get around pastor Greg, he talks about a three-fold vision for the church;
1. The worship of God - this includes both a corporate and individual worship by knowing Him and making Him known
2. The fellowship of believers - this includes the one another's of the New Testament as those in the body get to know, pray, exhort, admonish and teach one another.
3. The continuous discipling of believers - there is an institute that Greg is forming that presently has two phases or levels of learning for those within the church. This includes subjects like Bible doctrine so that people can get in the word and the word can get in them.
The message for this morning is "Do you know this Jesus?" And I am planning to read the announcement of the birth of Jesus (Luke 1:26-38), the actual birth of Jesus (Luke 2:1-7) and then speak on the truth about who Jesus is, what He is doing and why He is doing it? (John 1:1-18)

A "new way" to do church?

I continue to be concerned about how church is being redefined in America. Another spokesman for the emergent church is Doug Pagitt, who is the pastor of Solomon's Porch and the subject of this video. If you watch and listen to the discussion it gives insight as to why this way of doing church is so popular especially among our youth. The message is one of love, tolerance and it has the feel of playing a guitar around a campfire while singing kum-by-yah. There are no lines, distinctives or absolutes that you will hear from these members. For those of you who I have been privileged to pastor and teach over the years, I would encourage you to stay informed on this subject. Those of you who are going through "the truth project" might find some rich discussion as you take that teaching and compare to philosophy of the emergent church.

A picture of church fads in 3 years

The Ramblin Wreck

The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets now have the coach to return them to a prominent place in college football. I am already excited about next year - Go Jackets!

Discussion of "seeker-sensitive" church

Is the seeker friendly church a good Biblical model?

A Christmas Dance

If you want to see the "fabulous" Brimbo's do a Christmas dance then click on this LINK.

Preaching to smothered Mama's boys

Article from Anthony Bradley at Resurgence website

One of the least talked about devastations in masculine formation is the boy who was not rescued from the bosom of women and initiated into the world of men. Many fathers fail to initiate their sons into the masculine journey which has very damaging, long-term effects. Preachers and teachers must figure out a way to initiate these men into kingdom mission.

Moms that are married to either passive or abusive men or are divorced often turn to their sons for emotional (and sometimes physical) intimacy that they lack from their husbands. Many moms can't "let go" of their sons even when rightly protecting them from violent men, and put their son's masculinity in arrested development.

A woman recently commented on her blog about her son Adam, "He is a Mama's boy through and through and I love that." I almost vomited just thinking about how sadly emasculating this kid's life is likely to be if his father does not rescue him. Remember how the Bible differentiates between Jacob and Esau: "Esau became a skillful hunter, a man of the open country, while Jacob was a quiet man, staying among the tents. Isaac, who had a taste for wild game, loved Esau, but Rebekah loved Jacob" (Gen. 25:27-28). Their parent's favoritism led to Jacob becoming a passive-aggressive deceiver—the quintessential Mama's boy.

A guy posted this on my blog recently:

"My parents never divorced; they just lived separate lives under the same roof. But as the older son, I became my mom's surrogate spouse. It took me years to figure out what I had gone through.

I'm 36, am a solid Reformed Christian, have a good job as a big-firm lawyer, and generally enjoy life. But I'm absolutely ruined as far as relationships are concerned. I give time to my church, work a lot, and use my spare time to travel the globe. I don't even bother dating anymore."
--anonymous

To be fair, it is good and natural for moms to be intimately connected to their sons because of the powerful bond forged from womb well into the first few years of life. Moms are the first source of food, comfort, safety, and nurture. This is right and good. But many mothers are inclined to hold on too long to their sons in what becomes an unhealthy mutual dependency. She can over-mother the boy using him to fulfill her own needs for love, companionship, and validation in a way that wounds his masculinity.

Leon Podles, author of The Church Impotent: The Feminization of Christianity, masterfully puts it this way:

"A boy must complete his masculine identity by identifying with a male, especially his father, whom he sees is loved by his mother. He must give up his desire to be his mother, and learn to love her, or at least love another woman."

The father gradually becomes the primary source of the boy's identity and models what a relationship with a woman should look like. Fathers display what life is like to picture God the father. Good fathers function as a healthy check on a mother's natural tendency to keep her son too close.

In order to satisfy her own needs many mothers keep their sons from entering the world of men claiming that, "he'll get hurt," "he'll get dirty," "it's not safe for him," and so on. She may even continue to call her son an emasculating nickname, like "my sweet little boy." For many moms, sons are easier to relate to than grown men. She can be intimate with her son without experiencing conflicts she might have with the man she can't manipulate or control: the boy's father.

When the boy gets hurt, is rejected by other males, is disciplined by the father, and so on he runs to the mother for sympathy. Her desire to meet her own needs instead of the boys discourages the boy from ceasing to look to women to solve his problems. This may actually encourage the boy to stay isolated from his male peers when he is hurt by them instead of learning how to exert himself or depend on a healthy community of men for encouragement and affirmation.

Guys that grew up in homes with passive, distant, or abusive fathers, and are reared primarily by women, develop various strategies to cope with absence of masculine initiation. When Moms are too close, as Podles rightly describes, it can lead guys to "misogyny, mistrust of women, and insensitivity, an inability to place trust in another and to commit himself to that other."

Others go to the complete opposite path and become womanizers. Women are reduced to mere objects of false intimacy. You've become addicted to consuming femininity wherever you can get it. You're prone and open to random "hook ups" and you're proving to the world that you are free from the rule of women by seducing and conquering them. You desire to control, manipulate, and use women in order to resist the power you fear they will have over you. Many over-mothered and uninitiated men call it a good night if they "made out" with a girl they met that evening.

Preachers, small group leaders, etc.: you have lots of mama's boys in your community and your job is to give them their God-made masculinity back. What should you say? That depends much on your own context but what we do know is that women, children, the church, and world are desperate for a generation of men walking in healthy, holistic God-made masculine identity.

Oprah's spirituality

The Drought

This is an article by Chuck Colson. It was sent to me by my good friend and brother in Christ - Steve Kaetterhenry.

A Message from God?

Last Sunday morning during our devotional time together, Patty and I read from 2 Kings 4, the story of Elisha providing food to the prophets in the midst of a famine.

Ironically, as we opened our Bibles, the local newspaper was lying on the coffee table. The headline read, “Spring Crop Reduced as Drought Fear Grows.” As everyone in America knows, there is a serious drought here in the Southeast, where Patty and I have a home—crops affected, water supplies dangerously low.

In our Bible study we were directed to read Leviticus 26:3-5, “If you follow my decrees and are careful to obey my commands, I will send you rain in its season, and the ground will yield its crops and the trees of the field their fruit.” Later in the study we read Amos 8:11, “The days are coming, declares the sovereign Lord, when I will send a famine through the Land, not a famine of food or a thirst of water, but a famine of hearing the words of the Lord.”

For months I have been wondering if this drought is God’s judgment. Last Sunday, I put the Bible down and said, “Okay, Lord, I get it.”

But why, you ask, would the Lord send a drought on the American Southeast? That is the Bible belt: the highest per capita church attendance in America.

Well, think about it. The Scriptures, in my opinion, do not speak to a secular nation like America; they speak to God’s people. The Old Testament was addressed to Israel; the New Testament speaks to the New Israel, the Church.

Now, I hesitate to say that God has said this or that, for fear of being presumptuous—or maybe even being dismissed as a crank. But I cannot get the thought out of my head. Sunday’s newspaper and our assigned Bible study, I suppose, could have been a coincidence, but I do not think so. I think God is speaking to the Church—notice I did not say America—today.

So what is He saying? That we have been disregarding His Word. That we have been going to church to make ourselves feel good and have our ears tickled. That therapy has replaced truth. There is more than a drought; there is a famine of reading and living by the Word of God.

I think God is telling His people to repent, to get serious about what we believe, to hunger for the Word of God, to seek holy living, and to ask God’s forgiveness.

We need to repent, as well, for not applying God’s Word, and repent for looking for a political savior while neglecting the true Savior. We need to repent for blaming our nation’s moral collapse on the gay-rights movement, or on the media, or on the politicians, and look right at the people whom God expects to know better—those who call on His name: you and I.

Thank God there are leaders who are now getting it and speaking out, like Bill Hybels, who two weeks ago publicly repented for failing to make disciples in his church. Others need to follow Bill’s lead.

Whether or not the drought is God’s judgment—and I cannot help but believe it is—I do believe He is speaking to us loudly. Turn from our smug, contented ways, and let waves of repentance sweep over our churches.

Everybody is worried today about climate change. Well, the first step in fixing it is to get on our knees.

The absolute sovereignty of God

If you happen to see Santa...

Steroids, hot dogs and apple pie

Quote for the day

In the creation the Lord made humans like Himself;but in redemption He made Himself like humans - the Daily Walk Bible

Emerging or Emergent?

Here is a good 3 minutes video clip that will give an overview of the 4 primary kinds of evangelicals that we have today in America. Here is the question - if we were dropped into this culture from outer space and with the purpose of being missional in this culture then how would we do it? In this video clip Mark Driscoll the pastor of Mars Hill Church in Seattle gives some insight.

Emergent Church - orthodox or heresy?

Are you aware of this church movement in America?
Can you define it in general?
Did you know that the emergent church is one of the fastest forms of church growth in our country especially among our youth?
Do you think this is just another healthy expression of the orthodox local church or is it heretical false teaching?
Could your church be embracing and heading toward a more emergent church doctrine?
Are there basic differences in the essentials such as the substitutionary atonement of Christ for us as a result of the cross?

Well folks that is why Pastor B is here to help you through some of these difficult and challenging theological situations!
So here is a clip from a PBS special on the emergent church that those committed to the local church should watch and be informed.

Modern Parables

When we studied Matthew 13 there was much interest in the parables. Here is a website that you might find helpful as a tool for evangelism. Also the short film Samaritan in this series won "Best Narrative" for the 2007 San Antonio Independent Christian Film Festival. Click here for more information.
Below is the trailer:

Worship

Who is this guy? Hint: He's a pastor

He's coming to a town near you!

Sunday night study - Review notes part 4

Bible study group,

This is the final post for the review notes of the study session we had Sunday one week ago. This time of study has been titled "Being the Christian that you say you have become." In using some basic logic I concluded that you can't be living the Christian life if you haven't first become a Christian. And that leads to our present discussion of how does someone in fact become a Christian. There is much confusion on this issue within the church today. Let me give you some numbers that I think will prove the point. The latest population stats tell us that there are a little over 6 billion people on planet earth. The stats also tell us that there are 2 billion "professing" Christians and of those 650 million are Protestants. If these statistics were entirely accurate then I believe our world would be a much different place that the one we presently live in. Maybe what Billy Graham and Vance Haver have said is true that 70% of those that attend the evangelical church ARE NOT really saved. If those stats are that high in the evangelical church what must they be in other churches. Bottom line is that when a person becomes a Christian a radical transformation happens in that persons life. They start loving things that used to be boring and mundane. They love Christ, and His word, they go to church, join Bible studies, they pray and they give financially. Now none of these things in and of themselves saves anyone but they are the manifestation of a Holy Spirit empowered life.

The apostle Paul is going to describe what happens and why that happens from a biblical perspective in Romans 9-11. We are only covering the first 13 verses but we have more than enough to work with and have a huge brain cramp. In the review notes we have been primarily looking at Romans 9:11 - for though the twins were not yet born and had not done anything good or bad, so that God’s purpose according to His choice would stand, not because of works but because of Him who calls. I divided that up into three study units:
1. God's purpose according to His choice would stand. And the questions I had us wrestle through was - what is God's purpose?
2. Not because of works - and in the notes from last time I mentioned why that phrase is so important and how it takes away the time factor in when the work was done.
3. But because of Him who calls - if you look at this verse, you first have a statement of God's purpose and then there is a negation and then an affirmation. We covered the negation last time and so today we look at the affirmation.

This last phrase "but because of Him who calls" really needs to get our attention and we need to ask some critical questions. First when you see the word but that indicates a contrast is coming from what was previously said. The apostle Paul has just made a key point about Jacob and Esau in which he says it doesn't matter when the good deeds or evil deeds happened. There is no time factor here either past, present or future. Now if you had been following Paul's argument about justification by faith in Romans then you would have come across the following verses;
Rom. 3:27 Where then is boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? Of works? No, but by a law of faith.
Rom. 3:28 For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law.
Rom. 4:5 But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness,
Rom. 9:32 Why? Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as though it were by works. They stumbled over the stumbling stone

Did you notice there is always a by faith and not works component to his argument. Here is a side note but you can also see this if you go to the book of Galatians - for example;
Gal. 2:16 nevertheless knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the Law; since by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified.
Gal. 3:2 This is the only thing I want to find out from you: did you receive the Spirit by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith?
Gal. 3:5 So then, does He who provides you with the Spirit and works miracles among you, do it by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith?

So if we are going based on Biblical logic and the flow of Paul's normal argument then how should Romans 9:11 read? Not because of works but because of faith - is that what this verse says? It doesn't say that at all but everywhere else we have works Paul finds a way to say it is not works but faith. But he doesn't say that here and that should prompt the question - why not? Here is the answer, because Paul is not talking about justification by faith at this point. He developed that argument in the first 8 chapters and now expects us to have a grasp on it. Right now and right here the apostle Paul is not talking about justification but rather ELECTION. And isn't this clear as a bell as you follow this argument of election that God has done so in an unconditional way. What conditions were placed on Jacob that got him elected or chosen? There were no conditions, there was nothing he earned or merited it was simply by the sovereign grace of God. And do you know why I believe that is the case? Because just read the phrase in this verse - it had nothing to do with works or any foreseen faith that either would exhibit later on in their lives. It had to do with God and God alone! It plainly say it was God who calls and folks if he doesn't call then a person is not elect. Now go back to Chapter 8:29-30 and follow those five links for eternal security - Foreknowledge - Presdestination - Called - Justified - Glorified. Read that carefully because it is clear who is doing each of these things and that person is God Himself. Do you see it? Can you see it? Do you want to see it or have you become Americanized to the point that you think God can't do it this way. A word of warning is necessary here. Be very careful to tell God how He can and can not elect His own.

We end at this point but the argument that continues is even more and more compelling. The apostle Paul is used to dealing with these objections to how God elects. And in verse 14 he says do you think God is unjust for doing it this way. He then gives an argument for the righteousness of God in election by quoting a verse from Exodus 33:19 where God says to Moses I will have compassion on whom I have compassion and mercy on whom I have mercy. Isn't that God saying "I elect who I want because I am God" and there is nothing that can restrict or thwart my sovereign will.

Again these verses are about election which you can see from Romans 9:1-13 is unconditional. But for a person to be born again or converted this is conditional and the one condition is that they must have faith. If you can see the argument of Paul in the first 8 chapters is justification by faith. But now in Chapter 9 he is talking about God's election of His own and he now shows us in this argument that this is unconditional. Well that concludes our study of these verses at least for the time.

Nancy and I loved being with all of you the other night for our Christmas gathering. It has been a tough and wonderful year. The emotions of having a church, closing a church and looking for another church are incredible to say the least. My passion, goal and life's number 1 desire is to glorify Christ and teach His word, wherever to whoever. I thank God that Nancy is such an incredible helpmate and continues to share this same vision for ministering to others in order that He would be magnified. I pray that each of you have a wonderful Christmas season. There is so much to be thankful for and so much reason to praise and worship our great Savior. Thank you again for the support, prayers and encouragement I am humbled
by your continued kindness and love. Now may God keep you and bless you and make His face to shine upon you for now and everymore!

Blessings

Focused on the prize

We have a silver lab whose name is Ruthie. She loves, and I mean loves to chase any kind of ball or Frisbee. When she sees me go to the laundry room to get either one of these items, every fiber of her being starts to get focused. And when you see how intense, passionate and ready it seems as if she is going to explode. She will knock over objects of furniture, other dogs even people if they are between her and the door when it comes to play time. As Ruthie and I have played over the last 18 months, it has occurred to me that this is how we as Christians should approach the word of God. Can you imagine every fiber of your being so excited, and ready to spend one on one time with the Lord Jesus Christ? We in the church must keep our eye on the prize, and not be distracted by the things of this world. As the apostle Paul writes in Phil. 3:13-14 "Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." May we as Christians have an intense desire, passion and excitement to spend time with Christ as we get into His word and His word gets into us.

When theology meets tragedy

Erik Raymond is a pastor at Omaha Bible Church. This past week 9 people were killed in the shopping mall massacre, which is located than two miles from Erik's home. He discusses the "why did it happen" and tells how he handles, and helps others in dealing with tragedies like this one.
Click on this LINK to listen.

Great church leaders-A.W. Tozier

I have grown to love and appreciate many of our past church leaders. Therefore I will from time to time post articles, biographies, sermon series or other interesting facts about these particular men and women. Today I would like to feature A.W. Tozier whose book "Knowledge Of The Holy" is an all time classic. I copied this article from the Camponthis blogsite for our education and edification.

God Always Acts Like Himself
...recovering a reverence for God in ministry

A.W. Tozer has always been a favorite of mine. He is not a flatter; he certainly is not politically correct in any way; he spoke the truth in love without thought of himself and the inevitable fallout to his popularity. He served an Audience of ONE and we are grateful for the faithfulness in ministry this dear man of God has passed on to us.

The following devotional from him goes along the theme of recovering a reverence for God in ministry. So little is being done these days on the glory, majesty and character of God without the anthropomorphic tag line of "personal esteem."

I commend this highly to you in your walk with the Lord Jesus Christ.

By His grace and for His glory,

Campi

2 Cor. 3:5

"To whom then will you liken God,
or what likeness compare with him? An idol!
A craftsman casts it, and a goldsmith overlays
it with gold and casts for it silver chains.
He who is too impoverished for an offering chooses wool
that will not rot; he seeks out a skillful craftsman
to set up an idol that will not move.

To whom then will you compare me,
that I should be like him? says the Holy One.
Lift up your eyes on high and see: who created these?
He who brings out their host by number,
calling them all by name, by the greatness of his might,
and because he is strong in power not one is missing.

Have you not known? Have you not heard?
The LORD is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable.
He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might
he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary,
and young men shall fall exhausted;
they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings(AO) like eagles;
they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint."

-Isaiah 40:18-20; 25-26; 28-31

by A.W. Tozer

Since true faith rests upon what God is, it is of utmost importance that, to the limit of our comprehension, we know what He is. "They that know thy name will put their trust in thee" (Psalm 9:10). The name of God is the verbal expression of His character, and confidence always rises or falls with known character. What the psalmist said was simply that they who know God to be the kind of God He is will put their confidence in Him. This is not a special virtue, I repeat, but the normal direction any mind takes when confronted with the fact. We are so made that we trust good character and distrust its opposite.

That is why unbelief is so intensely wicked. "He that believeth not God hath made him a liar" (1 John 5:10). The character of God is the Christian's final ground of assurance and the solution of many, if not most, of his practical religious problems. Some persons, for instance, believe that God answered prayer in Bible times but will not do so today, and others hold that the miracles of olden days can never be repeated. To believe so is to deny or at least to ignore almost everything God has revealed about Himself. We must remember that God always acts like Himself. He has never at any time anywhere in the vast universe acted otherwise than in character with His infinite perfections.

This knowledge should be a warning to the enemies of God, and it cannot but be an immense consolation to His friends.

Prayer
You are my resting place. The more I know You the more I trust You. I can trust You even when I do not understand.

Scripture
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
— Hebrews 13:8

Thought
Horatius Bonar understood it well when he wrote: "I change, He changes not, the Christ can never die; His love, not mine, the resting place; His truth, not mine, the tie."

Source:
That Incredible Christian
Chapter # Six
Faith's Foundation Is God

Listen to Tozer's Sermons online here.