Sacred Cow: God's Unconditional Love?

The concept of unconditional love is not really in the scriptres.

1 John 4:16 God is love.

People take this verse and then proceed to put their definition of what love is. Many people have a definition of love that has no judgment and in fact, is unconditional . Unconditional means that there are no conditions for this love.

How many times have you heard this sacred cow? Many well meaning Christians have proclaimed this God of unconditional love to non believers as a means of drawing them. We are told that God loves all people with an unconditional love--that it does not matter what we do or believe-- that God still loves us--that nothing can separate us from His love.

Yet that is not how God presents his love in the scriptues.

Actually here is a shocker. The word unconditional is not in the Bible. NOWHERE!

Now there is an aspect of God’s love that is unconditional.

Rom 5:8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Paul is saying that the love that God demonstrated for humanity manifested itself in the sending of Jesus Christ to die on the cross. That is the only sense that God’s love is unconditional.
Every verse that regards the love of God for the world has to do with the sending of his Son to the cross.

1 John 4:9-10 This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.

John 3:16-17 "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

But is there a conditional side of God’s love as well?

John 14:21 Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him."

This is written by the same John that wrote "God is love" in 1 John . Look at what Jesus says. He says IF you keep his commandments THEN he and the Father would love you. Now this is a conditional love. But even friendship with Jesus is conditional .

John 15:14 You are my friends IF you do what I command.

So what is the condition.? It is the same condition we see for the love of the Father: Keep my commandments. That’s right, God said if you keep his commandments then he would love you. "But your talking works again pastor." Yes, I am saying as I have been saying often that works demonstrate a true faith and are necessary to abide in the love of God.

If your hearts' desire is not to obey Jesus, but rather to do the minimum required for salvation, you need to think again. You are deceived. You have created a theology to suit yourself, but it will not save you.

God loves all people because of the cross, yet his love wont help anyone unless you obey Him.

Sacred Cow: Judge Not?

We have been looking at the Sacred Cows of the evangelical church. Here is another one you hear often. "Judge not lest you be judged. You have no right to judge somebody else"

How many times have you heard this? You hear this especially from non believers , when any part of their lifestyle may seem to come into question. But sadly, even Christians say this at times in the spirit of not judging others. Now this is based on something Jesus said in .

Luke 6:37 "Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned.


People everywhere say “Don’t judge, don’t judge. Doesn’t the Bible say not to judge? We are supposed to be tolerant.”

Recently a whole Baptist church was accused of intolerance because they dared to believe that Jews needed Jesus. The locals were all up in arms about how judgmental the church was being. Even this week gay activists made Hillary Rotten Clinton unequiviocally state “homosexuality is not immoral”

So what did Jesus mean when he said not to judge?


Luke 6:41-42"Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 42 How can you say to your brother, 'Brother, let me take the speck out of your eye,' when you yourself fail to see the plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.

Here, only a couple of verses later, Jesus does not say "don't correct the erring brother" but that he is to first go and make sure he is not being a hypocrite, by judging his own life first. Let’s look at other verses with regards to judging.

John 7:24 Stop judging by mere appearances, and make a right judgment."

Jesus said this when he was under attack by the Pharisees in the Temple. They were accusing him of doing wrong, yet Jesus rebuked them and said that their judgments made no sense, and he told them to judge correctly.

Here he was telling them to judge-- but to judge correctly.

John 4:15-24 The woman said to him, "Sir, give me this water so that I won't get thirsty and have to keep coming here to draw water."

16 He told her, "Go, call your husband and come back."
17 "I have no husband," she replied.
Jesus said to her, "You are right when you say you have no husband. 18 The fact is, you have had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband. What you have just said is quite true."
19 "Sir," the woman said, "I can see that you are a prophet. 20 Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews claim that the place where we must worship is in Jerusalem."
21 Jesus declared, "Believe me, woman, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. 22 You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. 23 Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. 24 God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth."
NIV

Here Jesus was being very judgmental. First, he judges her with regards to the fact that she had five husbands, then he goes on to judge her religion saying that they didn’t even know who they were worshiping! Whoa!

Well perhaps you are thinking . "Well that was Jesus , he was the perfect son of God. He had the right to judge, but we certainly don’t."

Well let’s look at some more judmenalism shall we?

Matt 3:7-8
7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to where he was baptizing, he said to them: "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? 8 Produce fruit in keeping with repentance.

John the Baptist must have been pretty judgmental to call the Pharisees and Sadducees a bunch of snakes.

2 Tim 4:14-15 Alexander the coppersmith did me much harm. May the Lord repay him according to his works.

Paul was into naming names, and warned the church to stay away from certain people, false teachers etc. Kind of judgmental wouldn’t you say?

Jude 12 These men are blemishes at your love feasts, eating with you without the slightest qualm-shepherds who feed only themselves. They are clouds without rain, blown along by the wind; autumn trees, without fruit and uprooted-twice dead. 13 They are wild waves of the sea, foaming up their shame; wandering stars, for whom blackest darkness has been reserved forever.

Jude is being a little judgmental isn’t he, when he speaks this way about the false teachers who pervert the way of grace?

The church is commanded to judge.

1 Cor 11:31 For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.


1 Cor 6:2-5 Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if you are to judge the world, are you not competent to judge trivial cases? 3 Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more the things of this life! 4 Therefore, if you have disputes about such matters, appoint as judges even men of little account in the church!
NIV

So what was Jesus saying when he said "don’t judge, lest you be judged?" He was merely saying not to use hypocritical judgment.


Rom 2:1 You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things.

So, in light of this, we can see that when Jesus said not to judge, he was merely telling the believer not to condemn others especially hypocritically. Of course, he did not mean that the church should not discern and judge behavior. Just this in fact is commanded of the church.

New Political Blog - King Wilberforce

I have started a new blog commenting on political and cultural issues of the day called King Wilberforce.

It is dedicated to the memory of Martin Luther King and William Wilberforce. Two men whose Christian convictions led to political involvement. I will post my personal (humble, but accurate) opinions, as well as links to great articles.

Of course, City Pastor with Attitude will continue with its regular Christian teaching.

Blessings to all!

Daniel Jordan

Sacred Cow: Sin Every Day In Thought, Word And Deed?

We continue looking at our evangelical "sacred cows". People have such a comprehensive view of sin that they say: You are going to sin every day in thought word or deed". Some scriptures are pressed into this doctrine.

“If they sin against thee (for there is no man that sinneth not) .“ I Kings 8:46

A note from Clarke’s Commentary on this text from I Kings will give additional insight. He says:
“This text has been a wonderful stronghold for all who believe that there is no redemption from sin in this life; that no man can live without committing sin, and that we cannot be entirely freed from it till we die.

The Greek construct of this verse could be read as "there is no man that may not sin"The KJV translation here is a poor one. For it does not make sense to say “if” he sins and then to say, that he will definitely sin. No, what Solomon was saying is that any man may fall into sin, not that he ­must fall into sin.

The Word does not teach that we must sin. It says we may sin—we are not above sin’s temptations. If we say we must sin then we are not taking responsibility for our sin but laying it at the feet of God saying, “This is the way you made me.”

1. What about Romans 3:10?
Those who insist upon teaching that "we sin every day in thought, word, and deed" will often quote Paul's words. "There is none righteous, no, not one" (Romans 3:10). They insist that this applies to Christians, and many are misled to believe that it does, because their preacher or Sunday School teacher says it does. But does it? Let us see

Rom 3:10-20 As it is written: "There is no one righteous, not even one; 11 there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God. 12 All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, even one." 13 "Their throats are open graves; their tongues practice deceit." "The poison of vipers is on their lips." 14 "Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness." 15 "Their feet are swift to shed blood; 16 ruin and misery mark their ways, 17 and the way of peace they do not know." 18 "There is no fear of God before their eyes." 19 Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God. 20 Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin.

Context is king! First of all, we always have to look at context when we are looking at scripture. Can it truly be said that the feet of Christians are swift to shed blood and the way of peace they have not known? No. So what is Paul doing? We see he is quoting, from Psalm 14 and he is trying to make the case, not for the current practice of Christians, but that Jews and Gentiles alike are under sin. He is making the point that the Jews were in just as much of a need of a savior as the Gentiles. He is showing that through the law no one could be justified because all had broken the law. But again this is talking about people before the cross, not after.

RESULTS OF THESE COWS
These sacred cows are really horrible heresies for two main reasons: They produce:

1) A low expectation to get over sin’s power
2) A resignation to sin.

Instead of Paul’s expectation that we can get above sins power, we believe that we must sin every day in thought, word and deed, and grace is just a covering for our continuous sinning.

A. But this denies many scriptures that portray us as being able to overcome sins power.

Gal 5:16-17 So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.

Rom 8:12-13 Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation-but it is not to the sinful nature, to live according to it. 13 For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live,

We don’t have to resign ourselves to sin because Paul says….

Rom 6:1-2
6:1 What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? 2 By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?

Rom 6:11-12 In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. 12 Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires.

1 Cor 15:33-34 Do not be misled: "Bad company corrupts good character." 34 Come back to your senses as you ought, and stop sinning; for there are some who are ignorant of God-I say this to your shame.

No person will ever overcome sin as long as he thinks it is impossible for him to stop sinning. As long as a person considers sin normal he will never exercise faith in God's promise to set him free. It seems that most people who claim to be saved still expect to sin every single day. They consider themselves safe and secure in Jesus’ arms and heaven bound when in reality they do not really love God nor keep His commandments. Do not be deceived, if this is you then you need to repent and really experience Christ as your Savior over sin.

YOU CAN OVERCOME SIN
a. How do we define sin?

General definition: Sin is anything that misses perfection.
Limited definition: Sin is anything that actually transgresses a known commandment of God.

The Bible does not call us to be completely perfect in every thing we do. If we define sin as imperfection then of course it would be impossible to say that we did not sin every moment. But is that really the way the bible defines sin? If perfection were the standard then we would all be bound for hell as lawless, as Jesus rebuked those in Matthew 7.

But sin has to do with purposeful disobedience. If we have this limited view of sin, which I beleive is the biblical one, then we see that we have promises that we can overcome sin. Christians can live above sin if we mean sin in the stricter sense—purposeful premeditated sin. A Christian can indeed grow up...be cleansed...get deliverance...be filled with the Spirit...walk in the light...so that they do in fact come to a place where they do not purposefully disobey God in their day to day life. There really is hope for "obedient living." At least for a life free from defiant and deliberate sin.

Sure, such a person may still fall short of perfection, but they can live above purposeful disobedience. This is the optimistic hope of the atonement.

If a child accidental knocks over a cup of milk with his elbow, it is a mistake, a lack of perfection, if you will. You would not hold that as a sin and punish the child. Yet, if you had warned the child to stop horseplay around the cup of milk, and they defiantly disobeyed you, and then they knocked it over, that is a sin because of the willful disobedience represented.
This is the kind of sin that we can overcome.


God led the Israelites out of Egypt with signs and wonders. He took them out and promised them a land. Then they sent out spies to spy out the land. Most of them said that they could not posses the land that God had already provided because of giants living there. Only two spies came back saying they could do it. They also saw the giants but knew that these giants were just grasshoppers in comparison to God's great power and resources.

The people then had to choose between these two reports. Instead of believing God, they were filled with unbelief and discouragement and they believed those that gave the evil report. (See Numbers 13).

This example shows that the majority is not always right and that the leaders sometimes give an evil report. I believe this “sinner saved by grace” and “we always have to sin” sacred cows are an evil report. There are many leaders today teaching that it is impossible for a Christian to live without sin. They tell you all about the giants and why you will fail. If you chose to believe them, you will die in your sins.

Why not instead listen to truth about God's great power over sin and how through His strength these giants become as small grasshoppers easily stepped on?

God had promised, just like the Israelites, all the resources we need to overcome to enter in and to enjoy all his provision. They refused to believe God and died in disobedience. The question is, are you going to follow their example?

So, what about you? Is there purposeful sin in your life? Is there something you are doing—or not doing—which is out of line with God's instructions to you? You know its wrong but you are doing it anyway? Or you know God wants you to start something, but you're dragging your feet? If so, what you need to do is clear. You need to (1) confess this sin to God, then (2) repent—turn away from the sin and "get in line."

If you are sinning in defiance, the issue is not to debate the definitions of sin. The issue is to stop your defiance. And the route to stopping has always been the same: confess and repent. Trust God's atonement for the power to both forgive and deliver you from this sin. He can do it. And He will do it.

Sacred Cow: Sinner Saved By Grace?

We defined sacred cows before...
A “sacred cow” is anything we consider to be immune to criticism.

The church is filled with these sacred cows or clichés. These clichés are used by the enemy to endanger our spiritual lives and the lives of those around us.

I want to look at a few more sacred cows.

Sacred Cow # 4 -- Christians are “sinners saved by grace.”

How many times have you heard this one? “I am just a sinner saved by grace.” Well of course this is a half truth for we WERE sinners saved by grace but our primary identity now in Christ is of "saints", not sinners.

In the Scriptures, "Sinners" is never used as a description of the church

Rom 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

The Bible teaches that we were sinners. Not that we are still sinners.

1 Cor 6:9-11 Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders 10 nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

The Bible portrays us, no matter our prior life, as having been sinners. That is what we were, but now we are set apart. We were washed, sanctified, justified, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.

It is interesting that the word "sanctified" here is in the perfect participle meaning that we were acted upon in the past with the results continuing into the future.

The Bible refers to the church as "saints", or holy ones, over 45 times from Acts to Revelation!

Christians are saints!
Eph 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints in Ephesus, the faithful in Christ Jesus:

The word saint means “holy one”. Holy means set apart.

Heb 7:26 Such a high priest meets our need-one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens.

Jesus is said to be set apart from sinners. So if you identify yourself as a sinner, you are separating yourself from Christ.

1. But what about Paul referring himself as the "chief of sinners?"

1 Tim 1:14-16 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. 16 However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life.

People have taken this verse and say, “well didn’t Paul describe himself as the chief of sinners?” Do you really think that Paul is saying that he lived an ungodly life, after describing those who would not inherit the kingdom of God because of their sin?

Of course, Paul did not lead a sinful life after coming to Christ.

Paul’s testimony about himself
1 Thess 2:10-11 You are witnesses, and so is God, of how holy, righteous and blameless we were among you who believed.

If Paul was such a sinner, then how could he write this? Because he was not a sinner.

So what did Paul mean by “chief of sinners”?

Let’s look again at this passage again. If we go back two verses.....

1 Tim 1:12-14 I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me faithful, appointing me to his service. 13 Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief.

We can see that Paul called himself the chief of sinners in that he had been one of the greatest persecutors of the church. That was all he was trying to say here. Let’s read on.

1 Tim 1:15 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. 16 However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life.

Notice in verse 16, he says that he had obtained mercy, in the past tense. Basically Paul is saying, "I am an example of the incredible kindness of God for being the worst sinner. (because of my persecution of the church) Christ had mercy on me and made an example of his grace in me

One of the great sacred cows of the day is that we can be Christians but yet at the same time be sinners. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Faith Is Not Living By Feeling

LIVING BY FAITH IS NOT LIVING BY FEELING
Most people, even most Christians, do not walk by faith, but by their feelings. In other words, the reason they do this or that is because they feel like doing it. Those who live by feelings follow God’s will only when their feelings are moved, but as soon as that ends, they stop. This makes it nearly impossible for them to progress in the Christian life. But those who walk by faith, once they perceive something to be in the will of God, then no matter how much feeling is against it, or does not cooperate, he proceeds to do it. They ignore any negative feelings altogether.

This is so important:
If one lives according to his feelings, it shows that he has not really died to self and surrendered completely to God.

The one with faith perseveres without letting up, because God does not change. Faith follows God but feeling follows feeling. Faith beholds God. Feelings behold self.

God does not want enjoyment to be the purpose of our lives. No matter how we feel and no matter the circumstance, God wants obedience to His will. If something is perceived to be God’s will, then we should do it, no matter what. The walk of faith is the opposite of walking by feeling because it disregards feeling altogether.

Most Christians haven’t gotten the point that this walk of faith is one in where the will is more closely aligned with God. The life of faith has more to do with the will than with feeling.
We judge one’s spirituality by looking into his will. Good or bad feelings don’t serve as the indicator.

An emotional Christian is easily defeated in prayer and spiritual warfare. Why? Because prayer and spiritual warfare is hard work that sometimes doesn’t have an emotional payoff. So the enemy attacks the emotions. The emotions of the emotional are attacked to get them to stop. Living by feeling will get you to neglect doing God’s will and you will neglect your duty towards others.

We have to choose to believe, declare, and act on God’s Word whether we feel it or not. This is faith.

LIVING BY FAITH IS NOT LIVING ACCORDING TO CIRCUMSTANCES
2 Cor 5:7
We walk by faith not by sight

Biblical faith is believing with the heart. Not what your five senses tell you. We walk not according to sight. This means that what we see with our eyes is not the thing that guides us. When we see our bank account nearing empty we don’t panic, because we are depending on the One who provides. When we see sickness we don’t despair, because we are trusting in His promises to heal.

Therefore we don’t live according to how things appear to others, or even how they appear to us. We go by what we have received in His Word and by what He has revealed to our spirits directly. Our wills are very stubborn. Many times God purposely has to send many adverse circumstances until we are ready to give up and do it God’s way!!

FAITH ACTS
Faith doesn’t get emotional. Faith doesn’t go by circumstances. Faith acts on the Word. Faith does the will of God! Faith goes to work, faith looks after children, faith serves your spouse, faith washes the dishes. You see we love to talk about the big things that faith does. But faith is just as much to wash the car as it is to see the dead raised!

Faith doesn’t just want to live by the rush of feeling that is experienced alone on a mountaintop with God. Faith follows God’s will. Our life is not about going from one spiritual high to the next. We need order in our lives. God is concerned about every aspect of life.

You see many Christians want to get what they need from God and then believe that they have received it. But actually, you have to believe that you have your request first, and act like it, and then you get it.

Mark 11: 23
"I tell you the truth if anyone says to this mountain 'Go throw yourself into the sea' and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen it will be done for him. 24 Therefore I tell you whatever you ask for in prayer believe that you have received it and it will be yours.

Notice that the having comes after the believing. God says we must believe that we have already received it, and then it materializes. We act on the word, instead of circumstances or feelings, until it materializes.

Believe what the Bible says, not what you feel. Believe what the Bible says, not what you see. We need to develop our faith to the point where we believe what God says, no matter what. This is the kind of faith that overcomes.


The Christian experience, from start to finish, is a life of faith. Through it we come into possession of a new life and through it we walk in it. It is not a life of feeling but a life of discerning the will of God and doing it, regardless of feeling or circumstances. Overcoming Faith is believing, declaring and acting on the Word of God in our hearts until we see the answer materialized.

OVERCOMING FAITH!

Heb 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

I. WHAT IS FAITH?
Everything in the Christian life comes through faith! The scriptures tell us that without it, it is impossible to please God. Therefore we need to understand it thoroughly. So just what is faith?

BIBLICAL FAITH IS A “HEART” CONFIDENCE AND TRUST IN THE PERSON AND PROMISES OF GOD THAT LEADS TO DECIDED ACTION.

Why “decided action’? Because a faith in God that does not lead to action is no faith at all.

James 2:17
In the same way faith by itself if it is not accompanied by action is dead.

Why “heart” confidence? Simply believing with the mind or agreeing that the Word is true, is not enough. That is simply mental assent or agreement.

Rom 10:10
For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.

Mental assent agrees that God’s word is true, but it is not grabbing a hold of it with the heart. For instance, mental assent says. “I believe that God can heal, but why is it that I am not healed yet?” Heart faith says “God’s word says I am healed, so I am. The promise is mine. I have it now! Even though I don’t see it yet.”

Mark 11:22 "I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. 24 Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.

The Difference Between Faith And Hope.

Heb 11:1 Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.

Therefore, faith is being sure of what we hope for. It is not hope itself. Faith is a present reality. Hope is future oriented. Hope perceives things that lie ahead. But faith is in the present. Faith acts on the present tense. Saying, “I hope I will be saved”, “I hope I will be healed”, “I hope I will be delivered”, is not faith. Faith is saved, is healed, and is delivered by acting on the promise of God.


THE VALUE OF FAITH IS BASED ON ITS OBJECT.
The value of faith is based on the object of that faith. For instance, suppose I was alone on a business trip, and upon telling a friend that my wife is at home alone, he comments, “My, you have great faith”. That would be an insult to my wife! No my faith isn’t so great, my wife is! Now if that should be the case in our closest family relationships. How much more in an omnipotent, perfect being like God?

1. The Person of God
God is good, faithful, omnipresent, omnipotent, and true. We can trust Him because He is trustworthy.

2. The Word of God
Because God himself is faithful and true, so are His promises.

Faith is not Mental Gymnastics
Belief removed from the truth is not faith. Believing in a lie, believing in "the word of your own imagination", or even the "word of Satan", is deception. Calling this deception "faith" does not make it so.

A.W. Tozer: "I do not recall another period when "faith" was as popular as it is today. If only we believe hard enough we'll make it somehow. So goes the popular chant. What you believe is not important. Only believe. What is overlooked in all this is that faith is good only when it engages truth; when it is made to rest upon falsehood it can and often does lead to eternal tragedy. For it is not enough that we believe; we must believe the right thing about the right One.


GOD COMMANDS US TO HAVE FAITH.
Heb 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please God because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

God says that, without faith, it is impossible for us to please him. So in order to please God, we must be living by faith. This cannot be overstated.


GOD SHOWS US HOW TO ACQUIRE FAITH
Rom 10:17 Consequently faith comes from hearing the message and the message is heard through the word of Christ.

God has told us that faith is necessary, but he has also told us how to get it: Through the Word of God. So if we don’t have faith we can’t blame God. We must hear the word of God.

Acts 14:8 In Lystra there sat a man crippled in his feet, who was lame from birth and had never walked. 9 He listened to Paul as he was speaking. Paul looked directly at him, saw that he had faith to be healed 10 and called out, "Stand up on your feet!" At that, the man jumped up and began to walk.


The crippled man was not healed because he was anything special. He did three things.

First he listened to the Word that Paul preached.
Secondly, he had faith in that word.
Thirdly, Paul gave him the opportunity to act on that faith.

He did, and was healed by God. How important it is for the Word of God to be communicated so that faith can be exercised!

Overcoming Sacred Cows: The Narrow Way

Matt 7:13-23"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

15 "Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. 16 By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.

21 "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' 23 Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'

The narrow Gate and the narrow Way
The evangelical church has not been too bad on the narrow gate. We are good at saying Jesus is the way and the truth and the life, but what we have not been so great at communicating, is that not only is the gate narrow, Matthew 7 also says that the road is narrow. In other words, there is a narrow walk. Walking the narrow walk is part of entering into life.

There is a narrow way. The principle signs of being a Christian is walking the narrow way.
But here in America, we have fallen for the sacred cows:

"Oh, you have prayed a prayer one time, that's good enough if you meant it"
"Oh, you are just a convert and a carnal Christian, you need to become a disciple."
"Oh you have Jesus as savior but you need to have him as Lord."


You will know them by their fruit
Jeus says you will know false prophets by their fruit. Your best friend is the one who tells you the truth, but we seem to be so concerned to be seeker friendly we are afraid of offending. The false prophets will tell you what you want to hear. They make your church look like Disneyland for Jesus, but the only thing that matters is that you are walking with God.

How do you know that you are saved? How do you know you believed? The Bible teaches that it is not because you prayed a prayer, but because you are bearing fruit for God; because your life is in a process of being changed; you know that when you step off of the narrow path , that God disciplines you.

Look at the way you walk and talk. Is Jesus some accessory that you add to your life, or is Jesus the very center of your life?

Do thorns grow on fig trees or vice versa? No they don’t. So Jesus is saying: Can those who call themselves my disciples, really be my disciples, if they bear bad fruit?

Every tree that does not bear fruit.
Jesus keeps repeating, "You will know them by their fruit." If there is no fruit, he will throw them into the fire. He is talking about hell fire. The hell fire that is coming for the world.

Not everyone who says "Lord Lord."
Here is a devastating scripture. It is devastating because it is talking about the visible church. Why, because only the visible church calls Jesus "Lord, Lord". But here he is saying that what you say with your lips doesn’t mean a thing. Your confession of faith is worth absolutely nothing. But Jesus says, "depart from me I never knew you."

Why weren't they known? Because this person didn’t do the will of the Father.

But he who DOES the will of the Father will enter the Kingdom. I wish that we would start teaching this again. Do the will of the Father as a style of life. Oh, you are talking about works. Yes I am. Your profession of faith is no proof of faith.


In v 22, they say, "didn’t we prophesy in your name." Again this is not the unchurched being addressed. "I never knew you." is Jesus reply. The most important thing is that Jesus knows you, not that you know Jesus. Even the demons know Jesus.

Jesus calls them "You who practice lawlessness." They acted as if they had no law. How many like that are there today in our churches. We teach that the crucifixion has done away with law, when Jesus said to go and make disciples "teaching them to OBEY everything I have commanded" Christians are under the LAW OF CHRIST! In essence Jesus says, "Depart from me those who claim to be my disciples yet you live as though I never gave you a law to obey."


My friends, obedience is not optional to salvation. Decide in your heart for Christ. If you profess Christianity and find yourself troubled by what you have read, examine yourself to make your calling and election sure. (2Pet.1:10) Have you been born again? Are the fruits in your life? Is your thirst for the Lord there? Is the overall tenor of your life towards God? If not, I urge you, repent now and put on Jesus as your righteousness. Turn from your sins and complacency and follow after His Spirit.

Jesus Savior But Not Lord?

We have been looking at several sacred cows of the evangelical church. We looked at the Myth of the carnal Christian and the myth that a prayer can save you. Today let's look at the myth that you can have Jesus as savior but not as Lord.

You hear this sometimes in people’s testimony. They’ll say, "Well ,I accepted Christ when I was 18 yet I didn’t make him Lord until I was 21." What do they mean by that? It reflects this idea that we can be saved without Jesus being Lord of our lives. In other words, they believed, but they weren’t obeying Jesus.

So much of our Christianity is based on clichés and not the Bible. The Bible never teaches that a genuine Christian can live in carnality all the days of their lives. The Bible never teaches that you can have Jesus as Savior and not as Lord.

AW Tozer said “It is altogether doubtful whether any man can be saved who comes to Christ for His help but with no intention to obey Him. Christ’s saviourhood is forever united with his lordship. Christ must be Lord or he will not be savior. Any professed faith in Christ as personal Savior that does not bring the life under plenary obedience to Christ as Lord is inadequate and must betray its victim at the last. The man that believes will obey; failure to obey is convincing proof that there is not true faith present.

“If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself, take up his cross daily and follow me.” (Luke 9:23)

The Bible knows nothing of the believer who does not deny himself, take his cross daily and follows Christ. This is the rule of the Christian life.

"Oh but pastor you are talking about a works salvation." No I am not. I am talking about works being the proof of your salvation. No works. No faith.

Jesus wont be your savior without being your Lord

WHAT IS THE RESULTS OF BELIEVING IN THESE SACRED COWS?
1. False Assurance—So many in America assure themselves that they are in the faith, using these false teachings, and so there are in preeminent danger of judgment.

2. Opting Out- If we this think discipleship is only for serious converts, if we think being spiritual is optional, we can still remain carnal. How convenient to opt out of true discipleship.

3. Carelessness- We are not careful about the way that we live. We compromise easily with sin, because we think that sin no longer has the power to hurt us, since we think we have fulfilled the biblical requirements for salvation.

4. Comparing ourselves with each other—Instead of comparing ourselves to the Lord and His word, we compare ourselves to each other and think we are okay.

5. Horrible Witness-This false dichotomy between profession and behavior leads us to be a horrible witness to the world. The world sees our Christianity as little more than a private, cultural thing. They don’t take our faith seriously, neither do they take the church seriously and they are inoculated to the real thing.

6. Weaken evangelism- Another outcome, is that these beliefs will greatly influence our evangelistic methods. Is it enough to see a man pray a prayer and believe he is saved? I tell you no. He must show forth fruit. He must be born again. Paul says that he was calling people to the obedience that comes by faith.

The Myth of the Carnal Christian

I remember when I first became a Christian, there was a discussion of discipleship in church, and the statement was made, that not every Christian is a disciple. I was told that there are converts and there are disciples. Our goal was to help get converts to become disciples. I had a lot of trouble with this because I could not find any evidence of a non-disciple convert in the Bible.

I found out that this was partially based on the doctrine of the "carnal Christian."

1 Cor 3:1-4
3:1 And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ. 2 I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able; 3 for you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men? 4 For when one says, "I am of Paul," and another, "I am of Apollos," are you not carnal?
NKJV

The Greek word carnal here is sarkinos ,which means literally fleshly. Now some have interpreted this scripture to mean that there are three kinds of people in the world:
The unbeliever, the Carnal Christian and the Spiritual Christian. People use this carnal/spiritual distinction to justify the convert/disciple distinction. This gives the impression that a carnal Christian can be a Christian even though he remains in carnality.

Is that what this scripture is really saying?

From the context, we see that Paul is talking about maturity, not about separate classes of Christians. He equates carnality with being “babes in Christ.” Therefore, "carnal" is not addressing their state, but their behavior as immature Christians. He is rebuking their behavior. Why? So that they will stop it immediately and line up with the word of God . He was rebuking them for being divisive and breaking into factions. One was saying I am for Paul, the other I am for Apollos. So we see that …..

“Carnal” and “Spiritual” has to do with behavior not with states!

In other words, these terms are not describing the perpetual position of people but the current behavior of people.

Some have even made the mistake to say that "carnal" is referring to unbelievers. They say that all Christians are spiritual. But Paul flat our says that the "brethren" were not spiritual--not meaning that they did not have the Holy Spirit, but that they were not walking according to the Spirit. Paul rebukes them because there was an expectation of growth in spirituality. Unfortunately, when we adhere to this doctrine as referring to states, we have no absolute expectation of growth. This is not biblical.

There is no such thing as a perpetual “carnal” Christian. Christians acting carnally need to repent and mature.

Praying A Prayer Saves You?

Unfortunately we find ourselves in a dangerous age. We find ourselves with too many groups preaching what man wants to hear instead of the clear teaching of the Bible. Even prominent evangelical colleges and magazines have caved in to the spirit of the age. We have a church that is so desperate to fit into the culture that we have compromised the very basics of the faith, or at least watered them down significantly. Many times American Christianity is based more on a Christian culture than on the Word itself. Because of this, I think it is important to look at some of the fundamental heresies in the church that really need to be destroyed in order for us to be free. I call these "sacred cows."

A “sacred cow” is anything we consider to be immune to criticism.

The expression comes from the Hindus who venerate the creatures, but I mean the principles that we have held as a church that we often feel are above questioning.

Can theology damn you? Yes false teaching is deadly. Especially when we use false teaching to accommodate a sinful lifestyle. Unfortunately some of the pop theology of the American church has lent itself to a sinful lifestyle. Let’s look at a few of these sacred cows.

Sacred Cow # 1 -- "Praying a prayer saves you"

So many believe that because they prayed a prayer they are going to heaven. With the advent of the altar call, which we associate with the Charles Finney , we have come to the belief that praying a prayer was all that was necessary to be saved. In defense of Charles Finney, what he developed was an "anxious bench", where he invited those who were troubled with how to be saved to come and pray and receive counsel. Finney was not one to give people false assurance.

The biggest heresy in the church today is that if you pray a prayer you will have salvation. I have stumbled on this heresy myself. I have led many people in a prayer, but unfortunately I have found that there has been a temptation to count people as saved before they have demonstrated works that would prove them Christian.

We know that salvation is by faith and faith alone.....

Eph 2:8-9 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God- 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.

...but we have wanted to set ourselves apart from Catholicism so badly, that we have deemphasized works that come from faith. Yet Christ himself emphasized works greatly. Works must have their place. Works confirm and are the fruit of our faith.

According to polls, 99 percent of Americans say they believe in God. 82 percent, according to Barna polls, consider themselves Christians, yet the vast majority don’t go to church. They are not concerned about worldliness. They are not concerned about serving God. They are not concerned about the gospel being preached to the nations.

Many, many polls have been done measuring the morality of the church vs. the world, and all the polls find the same things. The polls find no difference between the church and the world. Immorality, Divorce, and incredibly, abortion, are just as common in the “visible” church as in the world.

What does that tell you? It tells you that somewhere there is a disconnect. We have not linked works and repentance to our faith.

A man comes up to the altar and complains to the pastor.
“I am not sure I am saved.”
The pastor says, “well did you pray and ask Jesus into your life?”
“Yes”
"Well did you look in the back of the Bible where you were told to write the day and time that you made the altar call or prayed that prayer?"
"Yes"
"Good, so that doubt you feel is of the devil . Just look at that date and remember that you prayed that prayer. "

Sound familiar? Probably all too familiar, but we don’t realize how biblically unsound that is.

Faith in Christ includes repentance--a growing in holiness. Let’s look at the scriptures.

2 Cor 13:5 Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you-unless, of course, you fail the test?

It is a possibility that we could fail the test in examining ourselves. What is the test? Well we will look at that a bit later.

Yet so many evangelists want to tout how many people “got saved” in their meetings. But we need to remember that salvation is a complete life, not just a moment.

Praying a prayer does not save you, but only genuine faith will save.

Our Response To Chastisement is Critical

Let's finish our look at chastisement by focusing on our all important response.

Heb 12:9 Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits and live?

If we respected our earthly fathers for disciplining us, how much more should we reverence God who disciplines us? How desperately should we be in subjection, not in rebellion, and submit to the discipline of God. If we are honest, much of the church is too busy complaining about hard circumstances and accusing the devil, instead of seeking to submit to the hardship that may be from God. Did Joseph spend his time binding the "spirit" of imprisonment and false accusation, or did he spend his time submitting to God and serving God? Joseph was truly suffering unjustly but still he submitted. God knows that apart from discipline, many will not truly learn obedience.

How sadly lacking many Christians are in discipline. So little consistency, so little commitment. Could it be that we just don’t submit under God’s correction? Why can someone spend so much time in the church and never grow? Does the person always have some kind of a problem--someone or thing they are always blaming? Do we ever stop and reflect a moment that this trial, or this difficult person might have been sent by God to correct us in our attitudes and character? Where is the character of the church? Where is the meekness, the humility, the mutual subjection. Too often we have a collection of individuals with their own agendas. This will not do!


THE FRUIT OF CHASTISEMENT
Heb 12:10 Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. 11 No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

When you are faced with God’s discipline, there is nothing wrong with sorrow. Mostly, it is not pleasant to be corrected or rebuked. However God is looking to the future. He is looking for holiness!- a "righteousness harvest"! The New Living translation puts it this way:

But afterward there will be a quiet harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.

God is looking for a harvest of right living! A quiet harvest! Quiet as in, not complaining, not fretting , not rebelling, meekness, humility, diligence and perseverance.

This is God’s greatest work. Every hard circumstance is an opportunity for God to change you. We ask God: “Oh change me, change me” Then he brings a trial or discipline, and we fail to discern the answer to our prayers!

To live an easy life is not really a good thing, because those who never have discipline in their lives, get soft, get careless and corrupt.

Heb 12:12 Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. 13 "Make level paths for your feet," so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed.

When we are being disciplined, our tendency is to have weak knees and droopy limbs. If we have the peace of God that comes from submission to his discipline, then we can lift up our hands and strengthen the knees because the fruit of righteousness is being built into us. Don’t look for righteousness, but for peace, tenderness before God, and submission.

If you humble yourself under the mighty discipline of God, not only will the holy character of God be built in you, but also you will be able to lead others to walk uprightly. If we let subjection, and quietness and peace work in us, our path will be straight. We also will have a profound effect on others. Others will walk in the same path that we walked and will receive the same benefits.

THE FEAR OF THE LORD
1 Peter 1:17 Since you call on a Father who judges each man's work impartially live your lives as strangers here in reverent fear.

Recognizing and submitting to the Lord’s discipline has another powerful fruit: It teaches us the awesome fear of the Lord. The fear of the Lord is something sadly lacking nowadays in these times of easy “bless me” Christianity. The healthy fear of the Lord, is also a healthy fear of chastisement.

We need to continue to cultivate discernment about what it is we go through. Is it the devil, is it a trial or is God disciplining me for my own iniquities? Let us understand how God will lay his hand of correction on us. Let this develop faith that he means to improve us, and a healthy fear of coming under His correction.

More On Chastisement

THE PURPOSE OF THE LORD’S CHASTISEMENT
Heb 12:6.
because theLord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son.

God doesn’t chastise everybody, but He especially chastises his children. What is our expectation of the Christian life? Do we realize that we are in a new family, with a new head and that the Head wants to lead the others in submission? A father does not scourge other people’s sons. Discipline is a proof of sonship! Chastisement has to do with love. God loves you enough to correct you. We should not despise the discipline of the Lord. For The Lord has a purpose in them. This purpose is to correct us. To teach us. It is instructional. It is not just a punishment for the past but it is instruction with an eye toward the future.

John 15:1 I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.

1 Cor 11:3232 When we are judged by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be condemned with the world.NIV

It is a sad thing to see so many in the church receive the chastisement of the Lord and yet they are never trained by it. It is like seeing someone continue to put his hand in the fire time after time and expecting a different result! We need to wake up and ask God about our circumstances. We need to submit to God’s correction and know what He is doing in us!

James 4:6
But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."

God actively resists the proud. Is God resisting you, servant of God?

1 Pet 4:17-19 (Phi)
The time has evidently arrived for God's judgment to begin, and it is beginning at his own household. And if it starts with us, what is it going to mean for those who refuse to obey the gospel of God? If even the good man is only just saved, what will be the fate of the wicked and the sinner?... Therefore those who suffer according to God's will can safely commit their souls to their faithful Creator, and go on doing all the good they can.

THE CONTENT OF CHASTISEMENT
God can use anything at his disposal to chastise. He can and does use sickness and even death, as a last resort. It could be any circumstance, opposition, conflict, or persecution. But his desire is for you to be healed through repentant faith.

DISCERNING CHASTISEMENT
Prov 3:11 My son, do not despise the Lord's discipline and do not resent his rebuke, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in.

Some Christian groups assume Satan is behind every kind of problem. This is a dangerous view, as it comes close to blaspheming the work of the Holy Spirit when God rebukes us. Yet other groups focus on God's discipline to the point of not recognizing mere tribulation or the active work of Satan. So the next time some "trouble" comes in life, is there a way of discerning the meaning? What instruction has God given us?

If we are facing temptation we should resist it. If we are going through a trial we should persevere. But if we are being chastised, we need to repent and be healed and learn.

The Chastisement of God

Heb 12:4 In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. 5 And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons: "My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, 6 because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son." 7 Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? 8 If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons. 9 Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live! 10 Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. 11 No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

Does God actually let us go through troubles to teach us? There are two camps on this topic. One says that God is not the punisher, ever.
The other says that God is always behind everything that happens.

Both are extremes. The truth is in the middle. Sometimes God is the punisher, sometimes he isn't. The idea that God might punish or discipline us is an insult to the modern mind which has great difficulty with the educational value of suffering. But the scriptures clearly present this as a method of God’s work in the lives of his children.

God presently judges sin. Sometimes, even unto death! This was true in the Old Testament and in the New. This should give us a profound emotion called the Fear of the Lord. One of the greatest problems in the church is that in fact we do despise the Lord’s chastening because we think that because of our accepting Christ that somehow we have become immune to the consequences and possible judgment of sin in our lives!!


I. GOD CURRENTLY JUDGES SIN

Let’s look at some New Covenant examples:
A. Herod
Acts 12:23 Immediately because Herod did not give praise to God an angel of the Lord struck him down and he was eaten by worms and died .
God killed Herod because of his sin.

B. The Corinthians
1Cor 11:29 For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself. That is why many among you are weak and sick and a number of you have fallen asleep.

Some of the Corinthians not only were made sick, some were actually disciplined unto death for sinning against the Lord’s Table!

C. Ananias and Sapphira

Acts 5:4,5,9 Didn't it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn't the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied to men but to God." When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard what had happened .... Peter said to her, "How could you agree to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look! The feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also." At that moment she fell down at his feet and died. Then the young men came in and, finding her dead, carried her out and buried her beside her husband. Great fear seized the whole church and all who heard about these events).

The Spirit of the Lord was tested by Ananias and Sapphira and were judged with death

D. Warnings to the Church!
1 Cor. 10:9-12 We should not test the Lord, as some of them did—and were killed by snakes. And do not grumble, as some of them did—and were killed by the destroying angel. These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the fulfillment of the ages has come. So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall!

Jude 5 Though you already know all this, I want to remind you that the Lord delivered his people out of Egypt, but later destroyed those who did not believe

Rev 3:19 [Jesus] "Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent."

Romans 11:17-23 If some of the branches have been broken off, and you, though a wild olive shoot, have been grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing sap from the olive root, 18 do not boast over those branches. If you do, consider this: You do not support the root, but the root supports you. 19 You will say then, "Branches were broken off so that I could be grafted in." 20 Granted. But they were broken off because of unbelief, and you stand by faith. Do not be arrogant, but be afraid. 21 For if God did not spare the natural branches, he will not spare you either.

22 Consider therefore the kindness and sternness of God: sternness to those who fell, but kindness to you, provided that you continue in his kindness. Otherwise, you also will be cut off. 23 And if they do not persist in unbelief, they will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again.

These are all New Covenant examples. These warnings are absolutely meaningless, if there was not a distinct possibility that those being addressed could fall into some of these consequences! God uses discipline which is sometimes painful. He will use deep conviction, the rebuke of friends, sermons, the quickening of Scripture, and every other means in disciplining us. If we resist God's Spirit of light and mercy, we are promised the rod of correction. When God disciplines, the punishment fits the crime. Time and again, we realize that we cannot get away with unrepentant sin. God is sculpting us into holy vessels, and the process can be painful.

Ps 38:1,2,4 O Lord, do not rebuke me in your anger or discipline me in your wrath. For your arrows have pierced me, and your hand has come down upon me... My guilt has overwhelmed me like a burden too heavy to bear. My wounds fester and are loathsome because of my sinful folly. I am bowed down and brought very low; all day long I go about mourning. My back is filled with searing pain; there is no health in my body.

Here is David, the beloved of God crying out because of the heavy hand of the Lord upon His life! Are you better than David, that you are exempt from these disciplines if you trespass against God? Dare you believe this?

More tomorrow

Laying On Of Hands: Commissioning Ministers

We have been looking at one of the foundations of the faith which is the laying on of hands. The last use of laying on of hands was for the commissioning of ministers. We first have to acknowledge that laying on of hands doesn’t make ministers, but the laying on of hands was a public acknowledgement of what God had already done.

Apostles
Acts 13:1-3 In the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul. 2 While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." 3 So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.

In this passage we see some key principles. First of all, the group sought the Lord with prayer and fasting. As they did so, they received guidance from the Holy Spirit. Secondly the Holy Spirit spoke to them about setting Saul and Barnabus apart for the work. The tense indicates that the calling preceded the setting apart. God had already been calling these two for quite a while. We know this because Paul was called to this ministry from the first day of his conversion.

So the commissioning wasn't their bright idea, it was the idea of the Lord. The laying of hands was done to acknowledge what God was already doing. Then and only then do they then receive the laying on of hands to consecrate or set them apart for this ministry.

Notice that the act represented the open, public acknowledgement that God had chosen and called them to this special task.


Deacons and Elders
Acts 6:1-6 In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Grecian Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. 2 So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, "It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. 3 Brothers, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them 4 and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word." 5 This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; also Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism. 6 They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them.

Here we have the story of seven men who were appointed to an administrative office in the church. They were not specifically called deacons. But we see that the ministry was to help with administration of resources in the church. Similar to what we would call deacons today. Notice that though these men were chosen by the congregation, they were confirmed by the Apostles through the laying on of hands.

Deacons means servants. And the laying of hands upon them served three purposes:

1. Public acknowledgement that they accepted these men as fit for the office
2. Public commissioning for the specific task
3. Transmission of grace needed for the task.

We beleive that in the above cases, the laying on of hands was not just a formality. It wasn't laying empty heands on empty heads. No, there was an impartation of anointing that occurred. Evidence of this is given in the fact that at least two of the deacons went on to have powerful evangelistic ministries. (Stephen and Philip)

Elders likewise are to be commissioning by the laying on of hands of the apostles:

Titus 1:5-6 The reason I left you in Crete was that you might straighten out what was left unfinished and appoint elders in every town, as I directed you.

1 Tim 5:17-22 The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching. 18 For the Scripture says, "Do not muzzle the ox while it is treading out the grain," and "The worker deserves his wages." 19 Do not entertain an accusation against an elder unless it is brought by two or three witnesses. 20 Those who sin are to be rebuked publicly, so that the others may take warning. 21 I charge you, in the sight of God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels, to keep these instructions without partiality, and to do nothing out of favoritism. 22 Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, and do not share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure.

Laying on of hands was also part of the process in the commissioning of elders. Timothy receives the warning of not laying hands hastily in the context of a passage on elders.
Timothy is warned not to lay hands on hastily. Some have interpreted this warning in such a way as to make people afraid of touching sick or demonized people. I personally don’t believe demons can jump on you if you are walking with God.

Luke 13:10-13 On a Sabbath Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues, 11 and a woman was there who had been crippled by a spirit for eighteen years. She was bent over and could not straighten up at all. 12 When Jesus saw her, he called her forward and said to her, "Woman, you are set free from your infirmity." 13 Then he put his hands on her, and immediately she straightened up and praised God.
NIV

You do not have to be afraid of touching demonized or sick people if you are walking with God. Now if you are not walking with God, all bets are off. The enemy can only go where he has been given a foothold.

But obviously, something where a spiritual dynamic of laying on of hands takes place should be handled wisely. You need to be careful whom you let lay hands on you.
Don’t receive ministry from one you do not trust, especially if you are not walking with God. That’s why I don’t encourage that we just turn around and lay hands on each other in a public meeting. But we leave laying on of hands to the proven leaders in the front of the church.

Individually, if you are a spirit filled believer, you should feel free to lay hands on the sick to see people healed.

Laying on of hands is one of the foundational doctrines of the faith. As we receive and transmit the anointing of the Spirit, we will be strengthened, empowered and see others healed as well!

Blessings!

Laying On Of Hands: Imparting The Spirit and Gifts

BAPTISM IN THE SPIRIT.
As we saw on our study of the baptism in the Holy Spirit, very often this process was accompanied by the laying on of hands.

In three of the five description of people receiving the Holy Spirit it was accompanied by the laying on of hands.

Acts 8:14-17
14 When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them. 15 When they arrived, they prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, 16 because the Holy Spirit had not yet come upon any of them; they had simply been baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.

Peter and John were sent to the new Samaritan believers. They placed their hands on them and at this they received the Holy Spirit.

Acts 9:17Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, "Brother Saul, the Lord-Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here-has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit."

Here Ananias lays his hands on the blinded Apostle Paul and he receives healing and the filling of the Holy Spirit. Again it was transmitted through the laying on of hands.

Finally we see Paul himself laying hands on the Ephesians disciples.

Acts 19:5 On hearing this, they were baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied.

The baptism in the Spirit was transmitted through his laying of hands. So though we may say that the laying of hands is not absolutely necessary for the reception of the Spirit. It is described that way in the majority of cases. So we may say that it is normal and scriptural for those seeking the Baptism in the Spirit to be ministered to by other believers through laying on of hands.

Spiritual Gifts.
Not only the Baptism of the Spirit is imparted through the laying on of hands, spiritual gifts as well, may be transmitted through the laying on of hands.

Rom 1:11-13
11 I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong- 12 that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith.
NIV

New spiritual gifts helps the church to strengthen one another and build one another up.

Unfortunately the church tends to treat spiritual gifts as if its like some extra things, like fancy hubcaps for a car, instead of essential, like the "engine" of the church. The attitude that these are just extras is not a biblical attitude. The gifts are an integral part of the total plan of the church

1 Tim 4:14 Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through a prophetic message when the body of elders laid their hands on you.

2 Tim 1:5-6 For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands.


Timothy received some definite spiritual gift through the laying on of hands. What it was is not as important as knowing that this gift was transmitted through the laying on of hands.

Do you need the baptism of the Holy Spirit, or are you eagerly desiring some spiritual gift? Layning on of hands is a legitimate means to both.

Blessings!

Laying On Of Hands: Blessing, Authority, Healing

Today I want to go into one of the less covered things, and that is the doctrine of laying on of hands. Incredibly this is listed as one of the foundational doctrines of the church.

Heb 6:1-2 Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God, 2 instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment.

It is amazing that this is listed as one of the elementary, foundational doctrines of Christianity. What are we to understand by the laying on of hands?

Laying on of hands generally means one of three things.

1. The person laying hands may transmit spiritual blessing or authority or healing to the one on whom hands are laid.
2. The person laying hands may help transmit the baptism in the spirit or spiritual gifts
3. The person laying hands publicly commits to God the person for some special task or ministry.

At times all these three purposes may be combined in one and the same act. Let’s take a look at these one at a time.


I. IMPARTING BLESSING, AUTHORITY AND HEALING
A. OLD Testament Examples.

1. Jacob and Joseph’s sons.

Gen 48:14 But Israel reached out his right hand and put it on Ephraim's head, though he was the younger, and crossing his arms, he put his left hand on Manasseh's head, even though Manasseh was the firstborn.

This scripture shows that it was the accepted practice to transmit blessing through the laying on of hands. And that the greater blessing came through his right hand and the lesser blessing though the left. But the laying on of hands in the OT was one of transmitting blessing. We know that something spiritual happened because when Isaac blessed Jacob instead of Esau, he could not rescind it.


2. Moses and Joshua
Num 27:18-21So the LORD said to Moses, "Take Joshua son of Nun, a man in whom is the spirit, and lay your hand on him. 19 Have him stand before Eleazar the priest and the entire assembly and commission him in their presence. 20 Give him some of your authority so the whole Israelite community will obey him.

So Moses laid his hands on him and publicly acknowledged him as his successor, but something actually happened to Joshua as a result of this. We see this in.

Deut 34:9 Now Joshua son of Nun was filled with the spirit of wisdom because Moses had laid his hands on him. So the Israelites listened to him and did what the LORD had commanded Moses.

So here is something interesting. In this case it wasn’t so much a blessing that was transmitted to Joshua, but an impartation of wisdom and authority. Moses actually transmitted a measure of the spiritual wisdom he had obtained from God, and he publicly acknowledged God’s choice of Joshua as leader. Now, let’s take a look at this doctrine in the New Testament.

B. New Testament Examples:

Healing The Sick

Luke 8:42-46 As Jesus was on his way, the crowds almost crushed him. 43 And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years, but no one could heal her. 44 She came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak, and immediately her bleeding stopped.
45 "Who touched me?" Jesus asked. When they all denied it, Peter said, "Master, the people are crowding and pressing against you."
46 But Jesus said, "Someone touched me; I know that power has gone out from me."

Now a couple of things come to us from this scripture :

First, the anointing is tangible. It can be perceived. Jesus perceived that power or dunamis had gone out of him. So, if it came out of him, where did it go? It went into the woman to heal her.

Second notice that she didn't even touch him. She touched the edge of his cloak. Somehow the dunamis was transmitted through his clothing. Incredible you say, let's look at ......

Acts 19:11-12 God did extraordinary miracles through Paul, 12 so that even handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched him were taken to the sick, and their illnesses were cured and the evil spirits left them.

The anointing on Paul was even transmitted through cloth that had touched him! Lest you think this was something just for them....

Mark 16:17-18 And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; 18 they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well."

In the New Testament , we have see established the practice of laying on of hands to transmit power to heal. Here the laying of hands is a means for the physical healing for the sick.

James 5:14-15 Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up.

Now if there is this practice of anointing with oil, it would seem rather instinctive that hands would be laid on the person during its administration, but this may not be so.

We must remember it is not just the laying on of hands that heals. Faith is what makes this operative. Sometimes there may be a transfer of anointing, especially through those with the gift of healing, but God may heal with just an act of naked act of faith on the part of the person. Faith is the operative thing that leads to healing. Continued tomorrow...

Why Plant A Church?

• 
  Many have asked me over the last year: Why plant a church? Aren't' there enough churches in the city? Why aren't' you satisfied just handing out tracts?
  
  First of all, it would serve us to recognize the state of things. According to George Barna, 82 percent of America believes Jesus is the Son of God. Now let me ask you something: Do you think this means that 82 percent of America are real Christians? If you do, I have a bridge not too far from here for you, real cheap!
  
  Because we have confused a creed or a decision with salvation, we have multitudes who believe they are Christians without following Christ. But following Christ IS the definition of a Christian.
  
  Part of obeying Jesus' call to salvation is to be attached to a local church. Now I am not saying, (before you get your knickers in a bunch) that church membership, baptism or works save you. But can you go year after year without these and say that you are obeying the Lord?
  
  Jesus' commission was essentially a church planting call:
  
  Matt 28:18-20 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
  
  Baptism and consistent teaching in obedience are pretty hard to do on a street corner. Both of these imply the introduction of people into local community in order to truly live out Christianity.
  
  We have to get out of the mind set that praying a prayer is the end of salvation, when in reality it is just the beginning. So, church planting is Jesus' way of soul winning.
  
  The Apostle Paul's whole strategy was planting urban churches. His strategy was pretty simple. Go to the biggest cities and plant churches in each one. End of story. Time to go golfing.
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