Month: June 2015
U.S. Supreme Court Rules In Favor Of Gay Marriage Nationwide
President Barack Hussein Obama stated that “America should be proud” of the 5-4 Supreme Court Decision in favor of our nation accepting gay marriage. Furthermore he stated that “We have made our union a little more perfect.” What really hurts those who know the Lord, is that this ruling by the oligarchy known as the Supreme Court comes close to July Fourth. Our nation has left the Judeo Christian ethic, and our morals more so resemble classic Hindu philosophy– anything is all right just so you do not hurt anyone. Ten years ago this would have been inconceivable. The law of the land no longer resembles the law of God. What happened in order to enable this sanctioning of what the Bible calls an abomination? The millennial generation does not believe in moral absolutes, and our nation’s Bible base has obviously been rejected. For two hundred years our Biblical foundation has made us the envy of the world as we received blessing after blessing. Our president said this country is no longer a Christian nation during his first inaugural. This ruling is what he was talking about. This ruling is the legacy of Obamanation, pure and simple.
Patrick Henry was the vocal firebrand of the American Revolution. He thundered “Give me liberty or give me death” at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Richmond, Virginia prior to the Revolutionary War. Later, he refused to run for president because of his disappointment of the Supreme Court being given too much power. In those days we did not experience fallout from this grave error since we were truly one people: we were nearly 99% Protestant Christian on July Fourth, 1776. But now we see the wisdom of his mindset. One conservative Supreme Court justice, Anthony Kennedy, threw his vote to the side of the liberal camp on this occasion and determined the outcome. Yes, one man trampled on over two hundred years of American history, our Christian heritage, and made gay marriages the law of the land. People in grass roots America still believe sodomy to be a perversion but our intelligentsia knows so much more! The people in power call us fly over country and do not respect the backbone of America and our beliefs, nor do they desire to truly represent us.
This ruling has created several “firsts.” It is the first time in the recorded annuls of man’s history that homosexual marriage has been made law. Although this lifestyle was replete throughout the Roman Empire, even among the emperors themselves, marriage was never an option. Likewise the Greeks and many other ancient civilizations were affected by homosexuality, but once again, marriage was not on the table. It is the first time that a great many in the public eye of our nation are going against their own consciences because they fear man more than they fear the Lord. I watched Fox News today and it was plain to me that the newscasters were trying to sanitize a ruling that they knew was wrong. It is the first time that the laws about sodomy in Russia and Uganda are more Biblical than those of the United States of America, since the laws of those nations still perceive homosexuality as a sinful lifestyle.
How do we function as Christians as we observe our nation rejecting our Godly heritage? We must realize that no matter how God judges this nation (…And He Is And He Will!), that He will watch over the body of Christ just as He protected the Israelites during the Assyrian and Babylonian captivities. God knows them who are His and will protect them in the palm of His Great Hand. Praise the Lord Jesus Christ who said “My kingdom is not of this world.” You and I need to simply perform the will of God in our lives the best way we can, given the circumstances. Seek the Lord and His kingdom first. Keep your focus upon Him and Him alone. The following is a favorite verse of mine in times like these: Isaiah 26:3 King James Version (KJV) 3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.
Do you have homosexual friends? If you do, that is wonderful. Exemplify to them the love and forgiveness of Jesus Christ and encourage them to repent from this sin. You and I are sinners, and outside of repentance and receiving forgiveness from our Lord and Savior, we are no better than anyone else. Christianity is one beggar showing another beggar where to find bread. Love the sinner and encourage them to turn from their sins.
The following are the passages in the Bible, God’s Holy Word, that are the foundational basis of holy wedlock that God determined from the beginning:
Genesis 2: 21-24
And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof;
22 And the rib, which the Lord God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man.
23 And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.
24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.
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Matthew 19: 3-6 King James Version (KJV)
3 The Pharisees also came unto him, tempting him, and saying unto him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause?
4 And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female,
5 And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh?
6 Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.
This is the only marriage that has ever been sanctioned by God.
Maranatha, Pastor Steve
John MacArthur On Creation
If you deny the literal interpretation of the Genesis account of creation, you’ve undermined every major doctrine of the Bible, including the sovereignty of God, the inerrancy of Scripture, the depravity of man, and the gospel itself. If Genesis is not divinely, authoritatively, and inerrantly true and sufficient, all moral obligations to God are null and void. It’s no coincidence that fornication, adultery, and homosexuality are being celebrated today. We live in a Romans 1 world where people have suppressed the evident truth about God’s reign as Creator. The result is that God has given them over to their lusts. The unrestrained, disastrous plunge into sin we’re witnessing is both the cause and result of God’s judgment.
The Second Coming Of Jesus Christ
Quote of the Day
Dr. A. J. Gordon was a great preacher of the second coming of Christ. His son and biographer writes, “Advocacy of this doctrine cost him much. It seems to awaken suspicion and lead to estrangement – this great doctrine of hope.” Dr. Gordon himself said, “It is not wanted by a church with millionaire merchants and great universities. But, after all, it was for the assertion of this doctrine that Christ at the last was crucified” (Matthew 26:64). To this day certain churchmen resent the enthusiastic proclamation of it. To declare that our Lord may return at any moment may disturb their grandiose plans and programs.
The Deity Of Jesus Christ
Last Sunday I had the privilege to address a group of Bible believing, Christ exalting Christians during a chapel service affiliated with our local Christian Bible Institute. The message was focused on the Second Person of the Godhead, namely our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. There are many things that you and I can differ with as born again Christians. One example is our eschatological points of view. The Deity of Jesus Christ, however, is a nonnegotiable doctrine that all true blood washed saints heartily agree upon. It is an essential doctrine: end of the conversation.
Ancient heretics who questioned His Deity were the Gnostics and the Arians to name a couple. There were others as well. The book of Colossians was actually written in order to validate the doctrine of the Deity of Jesus Christ and refute the Gnostics who believed in another Jesus, and not the Jesus of scriptures. Read Colossians 1:15-20 for a comprehensive teaching on Christ the Creator.
I wrote the above in order to say this. We had an interloper in our congregation on that Sunday morning who did not believe Jesus is Lord and God. He challenged me after the service, and he will now share his viewpoints with the leadership of the Bible Institute. The beauty of this occurrence is that this wolf in sheepskin was unmasked and fully exposed. He previously made overtures revealing his desire to be involved in the chapel service and school. MAKE NO MISTAKE. He knew what we believed, yet desired to surreptitiously slip into our ranks under the radar. A few of the modern day “Gnostics” who believe in another Jesus are the Jehovah Witnesses, the Mormons (LDS), and the group the aforementioned man represents called “The Way.” There are many others as well. The teachings of the groups who represent a false Jesus Christ are diverse and long, and there are many versions. That is why prior to His crucifixion Jesus asked His disciples: “Who do you say that I am?” Jesus also said: “Many will come in my name.” An excellent method of unveiling the counterfeit is being thoroughly versed with the genuine. The following passages and Bible verses are provided in order to assist you and I in providing answers to skeptics why we believe Jesus is God:
Jesus The Creator (Only God Can Create)
1)Colossians 1:15-20 King James Version (KJV)
15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:
16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:
17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.
18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.
19 For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;
20 And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.
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2)John 1:1-4, 14 King James Version (KJV)
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 The same was in the beginning with God.
3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
King James Version (KJV)by Public Domain
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3)Ephesians 3:9-11 King James Version (KJV)9 And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:10 To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,11 According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:
King James Version (KJV)
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4)Hebrews 1:1-3, 8-11
Hebrews 1:1-3 King James Version (KJV)
1 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,
2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;
3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high:
Hebrews 1:8-11 King James Version (KJV)
8 But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.
9 Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.
10 And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands:
11 They shall perish; but thou remainest; and they all shall wax old as doth a garment;
King James Version (KJV)
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Other Evidences Of Jesus’ Deity
Thomas the apostle made the following declaration when he placed his fingers and hand on Jesus’ side, and felt His nail scarred hands:
John 20:28 “And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.”
Notice how Thomas makes a personal application of Jesus’ Godhead to himself- “MY Lord and MY God.” Do not forget that these words come from an apostle, that is one specially called, chosen and sent by God Himself. In Ephesians 2:20 we are told that the church is founded upon the prophets and the apostles with Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone.
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1 John 5:7 King James Version (KJV)7 For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.
One cannot find a plainer scripture throughout the Bible that highlights the equality of our Triune God. Yes, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit are all God and all One. The Word “Trinity” is the magnificent summary of this truth. Amen and amen.
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Philippians 2:5-11 King James Version (KJV)
5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
King James Version (KJV)
Note the plain reference to Jesus’ Deity in verse 6: “…equal with God.” Only God is equal with God! Also notice the tone of worship in verse 10: “…at the name of Jesus every knee should bow.” Only God can be worshipped. The apostle John was warned twice in the book of Revelation to worship only God and not the angel who appeared before him.
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Jesus shares about the glory He had with the Father before the world was, in eternity past…
John 17:5 And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.
John 17:24 Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.
Revelation 13:8 King James Version (KJV) 8 And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. King James Version (KJV)
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Isaiah 7:14 King James Version (KJV)14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
Matthew 1:23 King James Version (KJV)23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
King James Version (KJV)
Jesus is the fulfillment of the prophecy from Isaiah and He is Immanuel, meaning God with us. Could His Deity be expressed any plainer or clearer? Praise God for the clarity of holy scriptures and the Deity of Jesus Christ.
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Three Things Jesus Did That Are Attributes Of God Alone: 1)He claimed to be God, referring to Himself as “I Am.” This is who God called Himself before Moses at the burning bush. 2)He accepted worship from people and did not forbid them from worshipping Him. The apostle John was twice warned in the book of Revelation to NOT worship angels, because they are our fellow servants. The angel told him twice to not worship angels but to worship God. See Revelation 19:10 and 22:8-9. Only God is to be worshipped and no one else. 3)Jesus forgave people for their sins! Who, except God can do this? We are all sinners and lack the credentials to forgive others. Only God can forgive people for their sins.
*** Note *** The Pharisees wanted to stone Jesus to death because of these three claims of Deity listed above. The Pharisees would have accepted Jesus as a prophet but they refused His claims of Deity, accusing Him of heresy and being demon possessed.
Ignorance Of The Scriptures Will Precede The Second Coming Of Jesus Christ ~ Vance Havner
Quote of the Day
Posted on June 20, 2015
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“Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God” (Matthew 22:29). The source of error is ignorance. The man who does not know the Scriptures nor the power of God is an ignoramus. In the days of Noah, “…they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage…and knew not” (Matthew 24:38,39). “…as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be” (Matthew 24:37).
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A Pastor’s Message To A Church Hopper ~ Vance Havner
A “church tramp” who had already belonged to three different denominations said to his pastor pro tem, “I’m getting ready to make another move.” “Well,” replied the minister, “it does no harm to change labels on an empty bottle.”
~ Vance Havner
Quotable Quotations ~ Senator John McCain
The following quotation is by Senator John McCain from Thursday, 9/4/2008. Although it may not have been his intention, the quotation has a profound implication for the Christian life. It rings of giving of self, sacrifice, and discipleship in its finest:
“Nothing brings greater happiness in life, than to serve a cause greater than ourselves.”
There is nothing on God’s green earth greater than the Christian faith and the truth in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Nothing… May we give our all to the Lord throughout this church age.
Spiritual Insight Received After Going To My Doctor
Like many of you, I am a Baby Boomer and a South Floridian. There was no such thing as sun screen when we were children or young adults. I received way too much sun when I was in my late teens through my early twenties. Now I pay for that overabundance of sunshine and am reminded of it every time I visit my dermatologist. I have had minor operations, skin grafts and the most common remedy is the freezing technique. These are a few of the many solutions for skin cancer. I praise the Lord for them. Think about the alternative! Then I realized… My problem as a young man was that I worshipped the wrong sun! We were even called sun worshippers in those days. There are scores of ancient cultures who likewise worshipped the sun. The Sumerians, Babylonians, Egyptians, Mayans, Incas and Aztecs to name a few. They too, worshipped the wrong sun. We need to worship the Creator rather than the creation. (Romans 1:25) I was gloriously saved at the ripe old age of twenty seven, and the Lord has drastically modified my worship habits from that time in my life. Now I worship the Son rather than the sun and it makes a world of difference. Of course after salvation we soon realize that the Son actually made the sun and everything else in the universe. Thank you Jesus for all that You are: Creator, Wonderful, Counselor, Prince Of Peace, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, The Sun Of Righteousness, The Truth, The Life, The Way, Our Advocate, Great High Priest, The Branch, Shiloh, The Door, The Light Of The World, The Alpha And The Omega, The First And The Last, The Good Shepherd (Psalm 22), The Great Shepherd (Psalm 23), The Chief Shepherd (Psalm 24), The Bread Of Life, The Messiah, The Resurrection, Captain Of Our Salvation, Mediator, Deliverer, Savior, Redeemer, Our Intercessor, Blood Atonement, Our Mercy Seat, Propitiation Of Our Sins, Covering, The Scapegoat, Seed Of A Woman, Son Of God, Son Of Man, King Of Kings, Lord Of Lords, The Lily Of The Valley, The Bright And Morning Star, The Rose Of Sharon, The Christ, Yeshua, Joshua, Jehovah, Immanuel, Star Of Jacob, Lamb Of God, Lion From The Tribe Of Judah, Son Of David, The Prophet, I AM, Our Lawyer, Our Defense Attorney, Anointed One, Angel Of The Lord, The Potentate, Lord And God and the list goes on and on… Do you know Him? Peter says in Acts 4:12 that “There is no other name written in heaven whereby we can be saved.” Jesus Himself said (John 14:6) that “I am the way, the truth and the life, no man comes to the Father except by Me.” He is also the Author of salvation, and if you know Jesus then you also know the Father. “Jesus paid it all, all to Him I owe, sin had left a crimson stain and He washed it white as snow.” My mother gave me a card when I left home in 1977 for a job in Washington, D.C. I was twenty three years old. The card said: “If you meet me and forget me, you have lost nothing. But if you meet Jesus Christ and forget Him, you have lost everything.” That card is worn out and one can barely read it. But guess what? It is still in my wallet. The Lord used that card and many other things to lead me to Him. Thank you Jesus. Because Of Him And Only Because Of Him, Pastor Steve
True Revival Always Touches The Lives Of The Local Populace
Vance Havner Quote Of The Day
Posted on May 30, 2015
When our Lord cast out the demon from the Gadarene, the hog-owners wanted Him to leave the country because the devil-possessed hogs had drowned. At Ephesus and Philippi, Paul ran into violent opposition because the gospel had broken up the devil’s business. I question any religious enterprise that does not arouse the powers of evil in the community. Any so-called revival that does not disturb the prevailing spirit of the neighborhood is a farce.
Even Steven 