How would you like your meal?

One of the reasons Christians attend church is to recieve good teaching from the Word of God! 

In Matthew 4, when Jesus was led into the wilderness by the Spirit.  He had fasted for forty days and at that point Satan came to the Lord.  He said, "if you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread."  Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’

The Word is like food in that it nourishes our soul allowing us to grow in the Truth.  It is how God communicates with us.  God has given us everything we need in His Word.  Unlike in the apostolic era, where the ministry needed to be authenticated by signs and wonders, prophets, personal revelation, and so on, we need to study, rightly divide, and meditate on the Word daily.  The word is Inerrant, Infallible, Inspired, and completely Sufficient!

So then, if the word is like food, than the preaching and teaching we recieve on Sundays is somewhat like eating out!

When I eat out I look for a restaurant where I know the food is of good quality and the establishment is operated rightly!  If just about every meal is just empty calories, it's time to find a new place to eat before you become to weak and fall over!  If the food is poison, once I've recovered, you won't catch me there again, at least while the kitchen staff is the same!

If the Word is like food, What is your pastor feeding you?

Is your Spirital Food Processed? Are the sermons always Topical?  Are you learning from the Word of God or only from the Bible teacher?  Topical sermons are good, just not all the time.  From time to time a Pastor will sense that his flock is dealing with some particular situations or circumstance and needs to bring a topical teaching to his congregation.  However, if the sermons are always topical you are learning from the Bible Teacher instead of the Bible. 

Is it Whole, Organic Spiritual Food?  Does your pastor teach expositionally?  Expositional preaching and teaching takes a given section of scripture, interprets it using historical and grammitical hermeneutics, examines the original intent and audience and bridges the principles into present day application.

Like physical food, you need to balance your diet spiritually as well.  To be healthy you must eat whole, fresh food alot, but it's okay and even healthy to have some of the processed stuff once and a while!  Comparably, to be spiritually healthy you need good expositional teaching and studying, but it's good to have some topical teachings thrown in there once and a while.

The Bible:  It's not about what it means to you, it's about what God meant when He wrote it!!

Eat up!  In the grips of Grace! Brian

The One Thing You Can't Do In Heaven

Here's a very important message from Mark Cahill on the importance of evnagelism. I also recommend Mark's book of the same title. This video is about 28 minutes.

The “Words” of our Testimony

It is not my goal to criticize anyone’s testimony, or to unjustly judge anyone. But the subject of this post is best illustrated using a testimony I heard earlier today, which prompted me to write the post in the first place.

It was a great testimony about God’s Saving Grace and the positive internal changes brought about in a lady’s life as a result of her experience with God and church. She seemed like a wonderful lady. Her testimony was candid, well-thought out, and her delivery was sincere and held your attention. She obviously had given this testimony, and had spoken in front of crowds before.

There was but one problem. Perhaps it is better stated as a “grave concern” rather than a “problem”. It was serious enough that it caused me to sigh out loud…okay; I’ll call it a Problem.

The problem is that the language we use when we give our testimony is more important than most of us realize. Within Christianity, especially in Evangelicalism, there has been a sort of language created that is distinct to the movement and those within.

Specifically, the lady that gave her testimony stated that she was in dire straights and made her way to a church where she met a man who was cleaning. She went on to say how she repeated a prayer after him, asking Jesus into her heart, and got saved.

I have no trouble believing that this woman is a Christian, as she went on to describe in detail her conversion story, and it sounded quite genuine. However, the language she used was troubling.

What does “asking Jesus into your heart” mean? This is a term that I think should be removed completely from every Christian’s vocabulary. There is no biblical basis for the statement and it only translates into the relationship side of Salvation. We should be using biblical language like Jesus used; Repent and Believe, or Repentance and Faith.

From her story, it sounded as if she knew the Gospel from her childhood and perhaps reached the point of repentance prior to arriving and being lead in the prayer. Repentance brings the remission of Sins, followed by baptism with the Holy Spirit. In other words, you cannot be saved without having a genuine change of mind and turning away from sinful lifestyles.

If someone with no background in Christianity at all heard that statement, they would not know what was meant. Furthermore, most people assume that it is a lofty concept due to the loftiness of the words used. It isn’t far from that point that they are able to justify to themselves writing-off the person saying the lofty words as a simple-minded kook!

God is in control, and the Truth is written on the hearts of all men…but that doesn’t mean we can be unclear in our message and proclamation of God’s Holiness, Justice, Grace, Mercy, and Love!

Open-Air Preaching: A Timely Reminder!

I am working on a piece about open-air preaching, also known as street preaching. There are so many really bad examples out there today. The bad get even more attention now with cell phone camera's and youtube!  Some people just shout condemnation, and vulgar words to get attention, and really make no clear points. They serve to mainly stir up each passer-by and sadly do more harm than good to the cause.

While you wait for that piece, here’s a couple excerpts, I think make a fitting reminder, and a quick glimpse at the “right way” to open-air preach, from Charles H. Spurgeon to a London periodical in 1876.

"I am persuaded that the more of open air preaching there is in London the better, if it should become a nuisance to some it will be a blessing to others, if properly conducted. If it is the gospel, which is spoken, and if the spirit of the preacher be one of love and truth, the results cannot be doubted: the bread cast upon the waters must be found after many days. At the same time it must be the gospel, and be preached in a manner worth the hearing, for mere noise making is: in evil rather than a benefit…

…Shams and shows will have no mercy from a street gathering; but have something to say, look them in the face, say what you mean, put it plainly, boldly, earnestly, courteously, and they will hear you. Never speak against time or for the sake of hearing your own voice, or you will obtain some information about your personal appearance or manner of oratory, which will probably be more true than pleasing…

…The very best speaker must be prepared to take his share of street wit, and to return it if need be; but primness, demureness, formality, sanctimonious long-windedness, and the affectation of superiority actually invite offensive pleasantries, and to a considerable extent deserve them…

…"You'd do more good if you gave us some bread or a drop of beer, instead of those tracts," is constantly remarked, but a manly manner, and the outspoken declaration that you seek no wages but their good, will silence that stale objection…

…It will be very desirable to speak so as to be heard, but there is no use in incessant bawling. The best street preaching is not that which is done at the top of your voice, for it must be impossible to lay the proper emphasis upon telling passages when all along you are shouting with all your might. When there are no hearers near you, and yet people stand over the other side of the road and listen, would it not be as well to cross over and so save a little of the strength which is now wasted? A quiet, penetrating, conversational style would seem to be the most telling. Men do not bawl and holler when they are pleading in deepest earnestness; they have generally at such times less wind and a little more rain; less rant and a few more tears. On, on with one monstrous shout and you will weary everybody and wear yourself out. Be wise now, therefore, O ye who would succeed in declaring your Master's message among the multitude, and use your voices as common sense would dictate…"

Excerpts from Street Preaching by C. H. Spurgeon From the November 1876 Sword and Trowel,Copyright © 2001 by Phillip R. Johnson.

Evangelism

I've been doing quite a bit of reading lately on evangelism. I've always been drawn to evangelism. There are many reasons for that, some of which I may not even be aware of. After-all evangelism is one thing we most likely won't be able to do in Heaven.

Wikipedia defines evangelism as "...the practice of relaying information about a particular set of beliefs to others who do not hold those beliefs. The term is often used in reference to Christianity, where the scriptures often describe "evangelism" as "spreading the Gospel".

Some people equate evangelism with the "winning of souls for Jesus". But that is not correct. We don't and could never convert somebody. That is the work of the Holy Spirit. Rather as evangelist, we are mere conduit or tool used by the Spirit to do the convicting and converting.

I thought of this as I read through a few message boards on the internet, where there were conversations and debates about evangelism methods. Which methods are most effective? Effective at what? If the Spirit does the real work, than evangelists need to be true to the Gospel message and that it the foremost requirement. God will use you if you preach the true Gospel regardless of your showmanship, ability to entertain, etc. It's always nice to be able to draw and maintain a crowd, but since the Spirits work occurs within an individual, who is anyone to be snarky towards a person who knows the true Gospel and wants to share it...to individuals or in a street preaching fashion!

We should preach and evangelize primarily for the Glory of God. We should trust that the Spirit will do it's miraculous works inside the sinners heart. Opening their eyes to the Law, breaking their heart, and bringing about the gift of true Repentance. True Repentant Faith bringing remission of sins through Jesus' atoning work on the cross. This is a true conversion! We get to see God's mercy, grace, and kindness as He brings another of His children into the flock. Saving another Soul!!

If you want to be an evangelists who works his way up to street preaching, I would recommend training like the Way of the Master course. However, if they speak the true Gospel, than speak away, and may the Spirit use your words to save the lost.

After-all, it was D.T. Niles who said, "Evangelism is just one beggar telling another beggar where to find bread."

Movie: End of the Spear, dare to make contact

I had pleasure of being able to watch "End of the Spear". The film is from a true story that took place in the Amazon jungle a few decades ago. An isolated tribe of fierce warriors called the Woadoni, had been clashing violently with oil company employees. The Ecuador government is about to send in troops to deal with the problem, which would mean certain devastation for the Waodoni people. When the men from the missionary families attempt to make contact they are all brutally killed by the tribes warriors. As a testament of faith, the five families of the slain missionaries stay in Ecuador and decide to live among the Waodoni as originally planned.

End of the Spear

This is a great movie about real faith in God. A tale of great sacrifice for the great commission. I highly recommend this movie to anyone.
NOTE: There are a couple graphic scenes when the men are speared so you may want to edit that out if there are samller children present.

This movie made me re-evaluate my own commitment to following God's will in my own life. When it comes to sharing my faith, I get a little nervous just like most people. I couldn't help but feel a little ashamed after seeing what these families went through for the sake of the Kingdom and the Glory of God!

It amazes me the sacrifices of missionaries at home and abroad! Include a prayer of persaverence of faith, blessings, and protection for all of our brothers, sisters, and their families who step up and step out for the Glory of the Father, Son, Holy Spirit, and for the Gospel.

Street Preacher arrested in UK

Sean Holes from New York state was arrested in Glasgow Scotland on March 18th 2010. Sean was open-air preaching to shoppers in Glasgow, when a young gay couple came up to him and starting asking him about the bible and gays. Sean stated that it felt to him like it might have been a set-up. When they asked him about his views on homosexuality he simply replied that practicing homosexuals are deserving of Gods wrath-and so are all other sinners-they are going to a place called Hell.

It was for that statement that Holes was arrested for "breaching the peace", and later fined 1000 pounds (approx. $1500 CAD) for homophobia. Not that that charge is accurate at all, but even if it was I find it odd that being afraid of something is against the law in the UK!

Sean plead Guilty to the charges to avoid lenghty court sessions, so he could return to the US to see his wife and Father, who is a hospice.

In a show of support a Catholic spokes-person denounced the charges against the Christian saying, "We supported [hate crime] legislation but it is very difficult to see how this man can be charged for expressing a religious conviction. The facts of this case show his statement was clearly his religious belief. Yes, it is strong language he has used, but it is obviously a religious conviction and not a form of discrimination."

To learn about Christians who've gone Home early for the sake of their beliefs check out:

Anxiety and How Christ Managed His Time.

If you're anything like me, you take on too much! Before you know it your plates overflowing and your anxiety levels are looking for the hold in the ozone layer so it can go just a little higher. Is it that I have trouble saying "no" to people. Not really!

The bible says that believers will not be subjected to trials that they cannot make it through. Perhaps the anxiety in this case is God's way of providing a threshold warning that we are over-extending ourselves and robbing oursleves of precious time with God, and robbing Him of ourselves. In my experience this almost always results in anxiety.

So how do we prevent anxiety? The type of anxiety I am referring to is situational. It is more or less caused by environmental factors like workload and responsibility. Therefore, the most effective way of manipulating the level of this situational anxiety is to make a change in your workload and responsibility.

We can see throughout Jesus' ministry examples of how He maintained balance in his life. You see often, where Jesus would simply walk away from the crowds to be alone. Jesus was no stranger to setting boundaries. He knows that boundaries are nessessary to living in peace and maintaining a focus on the divine!

We know where we need to set boundaries. All too aften we are afraid of hurting or disappointing people by saying "No". As a result, we are easily swayed into engaging in some reponsibility or activity we know will cause us to put-off the important things.

Chances are if you are expreiencing high anxiety, you know what some of the main causes are. You may not know conciously, but with a little thought, you will know. Maybe you'll deny the real causes because the corrective action is unattractive. In that case you'll have to choose between the short-term pain of fixing the problem, or the long-term pain of the continuing anxiety. When you are absolutely sure (not by feeling but by God's Truth) that you know what needs to be done to fix things, DO NOT hesitate. The longer you wait, the harder it will be to do!

Don't be afraid to set boundaries. It's kind of like loving discipline for yourself and your situation instead of your kids(to use a parental analogy).

Anxiety does not always have it's foundations in a lack of Faith. Like depression, it can also be a result of physical and checmical reactions in the brain. However, trust that God will use your anxiety for the your good in the end..."And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28

For a good book on dealing with anxiety from a personal and biblical perspective check this out:Don't Forget To Look Up : A Christian's Guide to Overcoming Anxiety and Panic Attacks

Religion is NOT a requirement for Salvation

You and I go out for a coffee. You offer to pay for my coffee. I say, "sure, you can pay for half, but I'm paying for half myself!". Would you still feel as good about your offer, as when you first made it? You tried to extend a little grace my way, but I decided I wanted some of the credit. Not to mention the lovely young lady at the counter now thinks you're a tight wad and that I'm broke!

Jesus Christ paid an enormous price for our Salvation when he died on the cross and rose on the third day. He did that for you, because he loves you. You don't deserve Salvation. I didn't. So, what makes you think that you deserve any of the credit?

We are obedient because we Love God and want to please him. We do good works as a result of our change of heart (repentance), and our Faith in Jesus. When we repent and humble ourselves, fully trusting in Jesus we are given new desires. Works is a reaction, or a result of Salvation, not means to achieving it!

In the book of James, it says that "Faith without works is dead." Good works while not required for Salvation, is evidence of being saved. While this means that everyone who is saved should be doing good works it does not mean that everyone who does good works is saved. The Bible says that any works demonstrated by the wicked are not seen by God because of the sin in the persons life.

Should you go to church? Of course! The Bible tells believers not to forsake fellowship. But do you have to to be saved? No. However you'll want to once you are saved.

Should I be baptized? If you're saved you will have been baptized by the Holy Spirit when you repented and put your Faith fully in Jesus. Baptism is a symbolic ritual that the bible says we should do. As a matter of obedience, not as a requirement for Salvation. You don't have to, but I think the bible clearly says that it pleases God to do it! Just about every new believer in the early church was baptized. Jesus himself was baptized!

Salvation is a gift, given by the Grace of God, through Jesus Christ alone. When you truly realize that, His Mercy and Goodness will overwhelm you and you will not be able to help but be grateful, obedient, and desiring to please Him with your good works!

Go Bear Fruit!

For more on Justification, Check out: Faith Alone: The Evangelical Doctrine of Justification by RC Sproul.

What exactly is "Repentance"?

When I share the Gospel with people, most understand the problem humanity faces and why we need Saving. Once someone understands they have a problem, they are much more open to the solution! It's what we must do to be saved, that is usually a bit foggy in the minds of most; Faith and Repentance.

The english language is continually evolving. Over time the nuances within the meanings of words can be altered. New words are created, and older words seem to have their definitions expand. Both of the words, "Faith" and "Repentance", now have much wider meaning than they once had.

When sharing my faith, I'll often ask if the person to whom I'm witnessing if they know what repentance is! The most common response I get is "asking for forgiveness". While that is true, it's only a part of what it means to Repent.

The idea of repentance in the old testament is usually represented by the hebrew words, "shuv" (to return), or "nicham" (to feel sorrow). In the new testament, the greek word, "metanoia" (which means to change ones thinking, or to have a change of heart accompanied by regret and change of conduct) is used.

At the beginning of the sermon on the mount, Jesus listed eight statements that are commonly referred to as the Beatitudes. Let's look quickly at the first three, it will help us understand and reaffirm a clear concept of Repentance.

"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven". Being poor in spirit means that you have realized that you cannot live without God. It is Humility. It means that you realize that you have a problem. You know that you have a sinful nature that can only be oversome fully with strength from the Holy Spirit.

"Blessed are they who mourn, for they shall be comforted." The mourning here doesn't just refer to people who are mourning the loss of a loved one, but also a true sense of remorse and regret that comes from knowing how you've treated your Creator.

"Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth." Once who is meek becomes gentle and kind, and exhibits a docility of spirit, even in the face of adversity and hardship. A person that is meek is one that exhibits self-control.

Within these three first Beatitudes that Jesus outlined, we can clearly see the attributes of repentance. They were probaby stated first since they are imperative to having the payment by Christ on the Cross credited to our account! The reamining five beatitudes deal with the virtues of living a righteous and obedient life that will provide a way of life that promises salvation. They also provide peace in the midst of our trials and tribulations on this earth.

If I were to slap you in the face every ten seconds, what would you want me to do? Ask for forgiveness? Of Course! But wouldn't you also want me to stop doing it? So repentance is not only acknowledging what you've done wrong, and apologizing for it! It's also not doing it again, turning away from doing those things.

Some people find themselves, repenting over and over and over again. While we may slip up again because of our sinful nature, one who has Really Repented, will not return to that particular sin as an on-going lifestyle or regular basis.