False Doctrine Cries for Unity

I think that it is so important to know this. In a time like this of tolerance, listen, false teaching will always cry intolerance. It will always say you are being divisive, you are being unloving, you are being ungracious, because it can only survive when it doesn’t get scrutinized. So it cries against any intolerance. It cries against any examination, any scrutiny—just let’s embrace each other; let’s love each other; let’s put all that behind us.

False doctrine cries the loudest about unity. Listen carefully when you hear the cry for unity, because it may be the cover of false doctrine encroaching. If ever we should follow 1 Thessalonians 5, and examine everything carefully, it’s when somebody is crying unity, love, and acceptance.

~John MacArthur

John 15 - The Vine and the Branches

Hey Friends,

This is the sermon my new pastor, Tom Lutz preached today at my church here in Anderson, IN.

...Doesn't he look like John Piper?!? haha!

enjoy.

P.S... can you guess where I am? :)

... (facebookers go to http://www.joshryanbrown.blogspot.com )

-josh

The King of the king of pop - ALIVE!

The following is a post from one of my favorite Pastors, Jim McClarty.

The King Is Alive

Most of you know that I come from an entertainment and music background. Among my musical peers and associates, Michael Jackson was considered an icon; someone who had gone further in the business than anyone had imagined possible. Years ago Elvis Presley was dubbed the King of Rock'n'Roll. So, intent on dubbing himself musical royalty, Michael granted himself the mantle of King of Pop. In fact, in his last press conferences in London, the podium bore that moniker.

This evening, as the news of Michael's death swirled around the news cycles, the most common headline I saw was "The King is Dead."

No He's not.

The real King is alive and reigning at God's right hand.

Paul Simon wrote, "Every generation throws a hero up the pop charts." As I've often said, people want to worship something. And if they cannot worship God, they'll worship other humans -- the creature rather than the Creator. Michael basked in that worship for most of his life.

Like ancient people and long-forgotten empires, earthly kings, icons, and idols come and go. But, when Michael stands before the King of Kings, there will only be one star in the room. And it won't be Michael.

I used to hobnob with wealthy, famous folk. Some were happy, some were miserable, most were obsessed with their fame and wealth. But, they all die. Death is the great equalizer. And, no matter how much stuff you accumulate here and now, only one thing has any eternal value. And it's not fame. In Heaven, only one person is famous.

The news tonight really drove home that point again. I'm 53. Michael was 50. I survive on what would have been his pocket change. But, I have eternal riches in glory.

I wouldn't trade.

The Relevance Of The Puritans

Taken from "The Story Of The Puritans" by Erroll Hulse

Read the full book here: The Story of the Puritans

Who were the Puritans? When did they live? What did they accomplish?

What did they teach? History is not a popular subject.

We cannot assume that those who are British are automatically

well-educated in English history. It is rare for those outside Britain

to know English history. How can we introduce overseas Christians

to the best theological inheritance ever?

My concern extends beyond narrating the story. I want to create

enthusiasm for the Puritans in order to profit from their practical

example and benefit from their unique balance of doctrine, experience,

and practice. The Puritans were men of deep theological

understanding and vision who prayed for the earth to be filled with

a knowledge of the glory of God as the waters cover the sea.

Today missionaries are involved as never before in taking the

Gospel to all the world. Bible-based Christianity is spreading

gradually in most of the 240 nations of the world. Believers have

multiplied in great numbers, especially in sub-Sahara Africa, the

Far East, and South America. Teaching which engenders holy living

and stability is vastly needed. Historically the Puritan epoch is best

able to supply this need for they were strongest where the churches

in general are weakest today.

In face of the philosophic and religious trends of today, the Puritans

are certainly relevant.

Post-modernism (PM) — Gradually from the 1960s and 1970s,

the Western World has moved philosophically from Modernism to

Post-modernism. For about two centuries thinking has been shaped

by the Enlightenment with its emphasis on human reason and its

optimism about human ability and human achievement. This arrogance

has by-passed God and his revelation and led to the collapse

of morality. Is Puritanism relevant within the present philosophical

climate of Post-modernism? Writing on the subject of PM in Foun2

dations, Autumn 1997, Andrew Patterson of Kensington Baptist

Church, Bristol, suggests that the Puritan approach is relevant. He

maintains that “genuine spirituality consists in a re-discovery of the

cohesive and comprehensive nature of the grace of God in the life

of the believer.” This he urges, “rejects the isolating, fracturing and

compartmentalizing effects of the last two centuries, and looks back

to the time of the Puritans and Pietists, when there was an approach

that was far healthier, vibrant, holistic, real, scriptural, and Godhonouring.”

With the demise of Modernism (the Enlightenment) we now

have a vacuum. This provides us with a unique opportunity to rebuild

the foundations. We are challenged to understand and apply

the Word of God today. As we do so we can look back and draw on

the legacies of the Puritans. We can avoid their mistakes and weaknesses

but learn a great deal from their strengths. Part 3 consists of

ten subjects in which we can obtain help from the Puritans.

PM is fiercely antinomian. It is admitted that people make mistakes,

but the word “sin” is seldom mentioned and the idea that we

all sin against God is avoided. Right and wrong are judged according

to human feelings. The idea that God has an unchangeable,

holy, moral law by which he will judge every person is unpopular.

What does Puritanism have to say to the different evangelical

sectors of the Church world-wide today?

Neo-orthodoxy — Of the theologians classified as Neoorthodox,

Karl Barth (1886-1968) is the most significant as he,

more than any other this century, affected the course of Protestant

theology in Europe and beyond. He set some on the road of studying

Luther and Calvin and the Reformation of the 16th century. But

while Barth challenged the Liberal establishment, there was a failure

to set the record straight with regard to liberal views of the

Bible. For instance, it is absolutely vital to believe in the historicity

of Adam and Eve. It is essential to endorse the supernaturalism that

pervades the biblical records. With Neo-orthodoxy one is never sure

about the foundations. It is like walking on sinking sand. Puritanism

shares with Neo-orthodoxy the challenge to use the mind, to think,

and to analyze. But the strength of the Puritans is that there is never

any question about the validity of the Scriptures. One walks always

on the solid rock of the infallible Word of God.

Fundamentalism — Thankfully the Church of Jesus Christ on

earth is always wider and larger than any one segment or denomination.

The evangelical movement known as Fundamentalism is only

a part of the wider body. That movement gathered momentum in

the 1920s and 1930s. Fundamentalists came together into a movement

out of the need to combat modernist theology. The leaders

drew up a list of basic truths designed to keep intact doctrines

which were denied or undermined by Liberals. Fundamentalism

was strong in the USA and spread to other countries. The Puritans

would agree with the passion to defend and promote basic truths

such as the reliability of Scripture, the Trinity, and the deity of

Christ. Unhappily Fundamentalism added to the “basics” a premillennial

view of prophecy and in some cases dispensationalism,

which is a view of history as specific time periods. The biblical basis

for these periods is tenuous to say the least, yet the system is

imposed by its propagators in an arbitrary way on the Bible. The

Puritans were mostly postmillennial. A small number were premillennial.

Eschatology was not made a point of division. We can learn

from the Puritans not to major on minors. Christ’s second coming to

judgment, the end of the world, the universal, physical resurrection

from the dead, eternal heaven and hell are major issues in which we

cannot compromise. But apart from a general outline we cannot

map out the future. Evangelical unity is a precious commodity, and

we should avoid damaging unity over matters which are not central.

Fundamentalists have also been inclined to add such issues as a

ban on alcohol, card-playing, tobacco, dancing, and theater going.

This has been the cause of endless strife and division. For instance,

concerning alcohol, the Bible teaches temperance, not total abstinence.

Wine is used at the Lord’s Table. Some fundamentalists

even try to change the meaning of the word wine to uphold their

total abstinence view. Puritanism is a wonderful antidote to the

harmful and needless divisions which are caused by adding manmade

rules to Scripture. Worldliness is an enemy. The cure is in the

heart. A man can keep many rules but be worldly still, and at the

same time possess a deadly spirit of Pharisaic self-righteousness.

Puritanism concentrates on the great issue of the state of a person’s

soul. When a soul is truly joined to Christ, every part of him—his

thoughts, his words, and his actions—will be subject to the Word of

God. While he makes rules for his own life, he will avoid making

them for others. The Puritans included a chapter in the Westminster

Confession on the subject of Christian liberty and liberty of con4

science. The Puritan message is one of liberty combined with selfcontrol

and discipline. The Puritan Confessions of Faith (Presbyterian,

Congregational and Baptist) are silent where the Scripture is

silent. For instance, there is nothing in the Bible about smoking, but

there are passages which urge that we should care for our bodies as

temples of the Holy Spirit. Liberation from harmful habits comes

through the freedom imparted by Christ. That freedom comes by the

inward persuasion of the Holy Spirit.

The New Evangelicalism — Fundamentalism has worn an angry

face being fiercely separatistic, intolerant, and aggressive. It has

been viewed as the religion of the clenched fist. It was inevitable,

therefore, that more friendly and reasonable avenues of expression

would be sought. This came in the form of The New Evangelicalism:

broad, scholarly, and friendly. However, this movement within

evangelicalism has been troubled by compromise on the central issue

of the inspiration and authority of Scripture. The New

Evangelicalism split over the issue of the inerrancy of Scripture.

Again Puritanism is commended. While the Puritans could not anticipate

the details of this controversy, we appreciate the solid

foundation that is laid with regard to the nature and authority of

Scripture in the opening chapter of The Westminster Confession.

Pentecostalism — The Pentecostal movement, which is as wide

and diverse as a rainbow, is noted for emphasis on three important

subjects: the reality of spiritual experience, the demonstration of

spiritual power, and joy in public worship. These matters were also

stressed by the Puritans.

First, the Puritans placed great stress on the spiritual experience

of God’s free grace in conversion. The parameters of spiritual experience

with regard to joy in justification, the love of the Father in

adoption, patience in tribulation, and enjoyment of Christ were explored

to the full by the Puritans. The Puritan view is that we are

now complete in Christ. Spiritual experience consists of the ongoing

application of the believer’s experimental union with the three

Persons of the Trinity. The New Testament does not suggest or

command a specific second experience after conversion as though

something has to be added to what we already are in Christ. Many

in the Pentecostal movement concede that all who are in Christ have

been baptized spiritually into Christ (1 Cor 12:12); no second specific

experience is mandatory, and no second experience is to be

5

regarded as a type of “open sesame” to a Pandora’s box of new experiences.

The Puritans would concur that spiritual power or the

anointing of the Holy Spirit is needed not only for preaching but for

service generally and for endurance in tribulation. The Holy Spirit

is always at work in the believer to correct, guide, comfort, and empower.

Second, there is a stress in some Pentecostal denominations on

the continuation of signs, wonders, and miracles. The Puritan view

is that the apostles and prophets of the New Testament were extraordinary.

They were given a special enduement for the work of

setting the foundations. We do not have to repeat their work. It is

not necessary to vindicate the Word of God with new signs and

wonders. Puritan teaching is wonderfully liberating because spiritual

leaders are not required to walk on water, replace missing

limbs, raise the dead, or perform stupendous miracles such as creating

fish and bread. The Word of God is all-sufficient, and we do not

need to exercise the supernatural gifts of prophecies, tongues, and

interpretation of tongues. As we examine the history of the Christian

Church through the centuries and through the 20th century, the

absence of miracles is evident. A major ethical embarrassment takes

place when miracles are offered, especially miracles of healing, and

then failure is evident. How sad it is to claim to be a miracle-worker

and then to disappoint the hopes of hurting people. When such

promises fail, disillusionment sets in which is very deep and

wounding. We do not make promises we cannot fulfil. Rather, we

point to the promise which will never fail, and that is the promise of

the gospel—eternal life to everyone who repents and believes.

Third, there is the need for joyful public worship. Dull, lifeless

worship is a contradiction of the joy of salvation. The regulative

principle is important. This is a principle by which public worship

is regulated according to the specifics of the New Testament. In

other words, we should engage only in spiritual worship which is

specified by Scripture—the public reading of Scripture, preaching,

intercessory prayer, and singing. There is no specification as to how

these elements are to be arranged. This suggests freedom. There is

no reason why we should not have great joy and edification in our

public worship. We do not need to resort to imitating the world or

to entertainment. We can combine dignity and reverence with joy

and gladness. Stephen Charnock, in an exposition on John 4:24,

places the focus on God as central in worship when he refers to

some of the essential elements involved:

6

“God is a Spirit infinitely happy, therefore we must approach

him with cheerfulness; he is a Spirit of infinite majesty, therefore

we must come before him with reverence; he is a Spirit infinitely

high, therefore we must offer up our sacrifices with deepest humility;

he is a Spirit infinitely holy, therefore we must address him with

purity; he is a Spirit infinitely glorious, we therefore must acknowledge

his excellency; he is a Spirit provoked by us, therefore we

must offer up our worship in the name of a pacifying mediator and

intercessor.”

Needless to say, tedium must be avoided in worship. The challenge

for preachers not to weary their hearers will be addressed in a

separate chapter on preaching.

Shallow evangelism — Possibly here more than anywhere the

Puritans can help evangelicals who use the altar call and who too

readily pronounce people converted simply because a decision for

Christ has been recorded. One of the legacies of the Puritan era is a

stable doctrine of divine sovereignty and human responsibility to

insure against the errors of Arminianism on the one hand and Hyper-

Calvinism on the other.

Reconstructionism — This is a movement emanating out of

America which stresses the importance of the moral law and holds

to a post-millennial position which foresees that Christianity will

prevail to the point where civil governments around the world will

become Christian. Reconstructionism stresses the application of

biblical teaching to every facet of life, private and public, and by

exposition of the Scriptures seeks to equip politicians to apply biblical

law to public life. Puritanism would endorse the emphasis on

the Ten Commandments and the need to persuade and teach politicians

to apply these commandments in legislation. However, the

Puritans would part company with any who sought to follow theonomy,

that is the application of Old Testament laws to public life.

With regard to the future, as has already been pointed out, the Puritans

varied. They were mostly postmillennial, but their optimism

was centered in the transforming power of the gospel and the building

up of churches, rather than preoccupation with the powers of

civil government.

Broad evangelicalism — Broad evangelicalism is innocuous

and is no threat to the world, to sin, or the devil. The Puritans exer7

cised spiritual power. They brought down the opposition of darkness.

The English Puritans gave to England the Christian family and

the Lord’s Day. Allied also to broad evangelicalism is impotent

scholarship which is undisciplined and effete. Allied too to broad

evangelicalism is shallow evangelism. In a recent book Are You

Really Born Again? – Understanding True and False Conversion

(EP), Kent Philpott testifies how he has moved in his ministry from

shallow evangelistic practice with its altar call to Reformed and Puritan

practice. With regard to scholarship the Puritans were full of

practical application. Sadly, often where we find substantial evangelical

scholarship today, it can be lacking in the area of

application.

Calvinistic Sovereign Graceism — Some readers may wonder

what this is. The fact is that many churches disown the description

“reformed” because they disagree with the Law and the Lord’s Day

chapters (chapters 19 and 21 in The Westminster Confession of

Faith or its Baptist counterpart The 1689 London Confession of

Faith*). They embrace the five points of Calvinism. These five

points are easily remembered by the acrostic TULIP: total depravity,

unconditional election, limited atonement, irresistible grace,

perseverance of the saints. This formulation originated at the Synod

of Dort in Holland in 1618-19.

The five points highlight the truth that we are saved by grace

alone. There are, however, dangers in a simplistic reduction of Calvinism

to five points. In Scripture wherever the truth of salvation by

grace alone is stated, it is in the context of practical application.

Without spiritual application there is the danger of being merely

academic or intellectual. This was largely characteristic of fundamentalism.

As with other groupings of churches, Sovereign Grace

churches vary widely in character. A few have fallen prey to a cultic

spirit by implying that only those who believe in the five points are

true, born-again Christians. Puritanism corrects such error by keeping

to the biblical centrality of union with Christ as the main feature

of the Christian, a union which brings with it at one and the same

time justification imputed and holiness of life shown by fruitfulness

(Rom 6:1-18). The Puritans were careful not to add to justification

by faith alone. In some instances “Calvinistic Sovereign Graceism”

adds to justification by faith by insisting that to be a true believer

one must possess the five points. But faith alone joins the believer

to Christ. To that nothing must be added.

Hyper-Calvinism — The essence of Hyper-Calvinism is to deny

common grace of the love of God to all men. In other words, God

only loves the elect and only hates the non-elect. Further, Hyper-

Calvinism denies the sincere free offers of the Gospel to all men. C.

H. Spurgeon was a Puritan in every fiber of his being. In his preaching

we have wonderful examples of the five points of Calvinism

preached evangelistically. For instance, Spurgeon poured scorn on a

general redemption that supposedly made salvation possible but

does not in fact actually save anyone. Spurgeon preached particular

redemption in a most powerful evangelistic manner. The Puritans

can provide stability today in the biblical manner that they held to

the different facets of the love of God and the way in which they

held in harmony the doctrines of divine sovereignty and human responsibility.

One example of that is John Flavel’s Christ Knocking

at the Door of Sinners’ Hearts which was published as a paperback

by Baker Book House, 400 pages of gripping exposition all from

one text, Revelation 3:20.

The Church of Christ on earth at the end of the 20th century is

larger and more diverse than it has ever been. Only some aspects

and strands of that huge body have been referred to, yet from these

descriptions it should be evident that the Puritan writings are relevant

today.

Why I Left The Honor Academy...

It's true. I officially left the Honor Academy on Sunday. I know for many of you this came as a complete suprise. For many of you, I didn't have the chance to say goodbye... let alone explain why I left. Let me say to all of you at Teen Mania that I love you and I'm praying for you, and I'm sorry for any pain or confusion my leaving may have caused. My attention was not to hurt anyone or cause any trouble.

First let me say, that my decision to leave the Honor Academy came purely from conviction. I was not dismissed from the Honor Academy, and Teen Mania leadership even granted me a release from my commitment. I did my best to leave honorably, and I made sure to seek council and wisdom before deciding to leave. That is not saying that we shouldn't always honor our commitments. I believe we should. However, my decision to leave came from conviction about many things we do at Teen Mania that I believe to be unbiblical.

Please forgive me if I've caused any of you sadness or if my words seem arragant. I simply want to Glorify God in every aspect of my life. And I truly believe if I stayed at the Honor Academy for another 2 months I would be in sin. My Family Core and my duties with Terra Nova had a huge involvement in deciding to stay as long as I did. I actually began to seek a way to be released back in March.

If you'd like more information behind my actions, I'd like you to personally speak to me. I'd be more than happy to explain in detail why I left. I'll finally have a cell phone this Saturday and I want to do my best to stay in touch with you. I'm also planning on blogging and using Facebook as much as I can.

So what am I doing now?

I have a lot of free time on my hands. A LOT of free time. I found a church in my area that I really want to plug in to and will begin this Sunday. Check out their website:

http://www.edgewoodbaptistchurch.net/

I'm setting aside the next several weeks to study, pray, and catch up with Family. After that, try to find a car, a job, and start college.

I miss all of you already! Continue to seek truth at all costs and fall in love with the Glorious Gospel daily!

grace and peace,

-josh

Effective Prayer

Check out this sermon on how to have an effective prayer life by Charles Spurgeon.

Effective Prayer

You Follow Calvin? Well, I Follow Christ! Part 2

Wow, so here's something ironic. Right after posting my last blog on 1 Cor 1:10-17, I stumbled upon this youtube video entitled "Calling All Calvinist: A Call To Repentance."

The video is 31 minutes and 20 seconds long. Props to anyone who can watch past 11 minutes. That's as far as I could go.

The Speaker in this video is Monica Dennington. A Christian Musician and Speaker for Christian women's conferences. If you can stomach this video by her, there are three other videos in this series.

I think there are several errors in her call for Calvinist to repent. (At least in the 11 minutes that I watched.)

For one, I don't know of any Calvinist that views John Calvin as an Idol or higher then our Saviour Jesus Christ. This seems to be her main argument. She even starts the video by using Phil 2:3 to imply that argument... not to mention she uses this verse to show that Calvinist apparently belief that their better then non-Calvinist and therefore must struggle with humility more then non-Calvinist.

If I may use my own experience as to how I came to the Doctrines of Grace, (Calvinism)I barely knew anything about John Calvin when I first began studying the Reformation. Most of my coming to Reformed Theology was by simply reading God's Word.

Secondly, she calls it "dangerous territory" that Calvinist believe Calvinism is a good ideology for the Gospel... and then uses Isaiah 48:11 to somehow prove that we're again giving John Calvin the glory for the Gospel instead of Christ.

I would argue (which arguing in its self is wrong to this lady when it comes to Christian matters... ironically she's arguing her own point to Christians)that Calvinism is indeed the Gospel!

Please tell me.... how can anyone... Calvinist or not... preach a Gospel without a theology behind it? It's not possible.

Thirdly, please read my last blog if you haven't already.

I pray that Monica Dennington would repent of such arrogant attacks on Calvinist and come to a true understanding of the Gospel.

Now, here's the video. (again, if you're reading this on Facebook, go to my actual blog page)

-josh

You follow Calvin? Well, I follow Christ!

1 Corinthians 1:10-17 (ESV)

Sectarianism Is Sin

10I appeal to you, brothers,[a] by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no(Q) divisions among you, but that you be united(R) in the same mind and the same judgment. 11For it has been reported to me by Chloe’s people that there is(S) quarreling among you, my brothers. 12What I mean is that(T) each one of you says, "I follow Paul," or "I follow(U) Apollos," or "I follow(V) Cephas," or "I follow Christ." 13(W) Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you(X) baptized in the name of Paul? 14I thank God that I baptized none of you except(Y) Crispus and(Z) Gaius, 15so that no one may say that you were baptized in my name. 16(I did baptize also(AA) the household of Stephanas. Beyond that, I do not know whether I baptized anyone else.) 17For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and(AB) not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.

Sectarianism is what Paul's talking about in this passage of scripture. Sectarianism, can be described as Denomination zeal, or a devotion to a certain party. Paul is urging us in this passage not to be Sectarian for the sake of unity.

So where does this passage come in on the topic of Calvinism or Arminianism?

I don't believe it does.

I know of many people (including myself not too long ago) that refuse to carry the title of "Calvinist" or "Arminian" because of this passage of scripture.

But let's look deeper in to this passage.

Verse 10 - Paul is strictly speaking about Doctrine in this verse, not spiritual unity of the Church as a whole. Paul is saying that we should all agree with the same Doctrine. Without a strong commitment to Biblical Doctrine inside the Church, the Church will weaken. We should also be united with the same mind and judgement. (Phil 3:15-16.) We are to be unified in our beliefs, convictions, standards, and in applied principles of living. (Acts 4:32; Eph 4:3)

Verse 13 - this verse is stressing that no human leader should receive the praise or Glory of our Saviour Jesus Christ. Paul hated the idea of receiving more glory then God.

So the question is, does this passage apply to the Calvinism-Arminianism debate?

No.

Christ, Chloe, Paul, Apollos, and Peter all had the exact same theology.

So on the issue of Calvinism or Arminianism, we have to understand that one of two theologies is wrong... because they both have completely different Doctrinal stances.

So if I were to call myself a Calvinist, it's because I believe Calvinist theology is Biblically correct... as opposed to Arminian theology, which I believe is Biblically incorrect.

Now lets look at verse 10 again.

10I appeal to you, brothers,[a] by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no(Q) divisions among you, but that you be united(R) in the same mind and the same judgment

Now, if we're supposed to be united in mind and judgement... and believe in the same Doctrine.... should we belong to a Church that holds to a theology different from our own? I don't believe so.

Check out this video. (if you're reading this on facebook.... go to my actual Blog)

-josh

The New Calvinism

I like Reformed theology. At this point, it's obviously not a secret. It wasn't until about 9 months ago that God slowly began to give me true revelation while reading his word. As an Undergrad at Teen Mania's Honor Academy last year, I'm very thankful for the discipline of daily quiet times made as an Honor Academy rule. But as I'd read my Bible...I couldn't help but wonder about how literal the words on the page actually were. (Previous to becoming an HA intern....I never had quiet times, never prayed, didn't have a passion for God's word, and I'm convinced I wasn't actually saved by God's grace until coming to Teen Mania.)

But God in his sovereignty still gave me a passion to pursuing God and his plan for my life, which led me to the Honor Academy. I came to campus with two main goals: to get a grip on this whole Christianity thing..... and figuring out what to do for the rest of my life.

That was back in August of 07. Almost 2 years later, I now know I'll never get a full grip...as I'm a fallen creature who won't be fully redeemed until I enter God's Kingdom. And I strongly believe God's call for my life is to be a Pastor.

I'm a young man who's been given grace by a good and merciful God. I believe Christ is my Saviour. I believe in prayer. I believe in the Bible, and take every word of it literally as "God-breathed" truth - 2 Tim 3:16

The Bible has shown me some amazing truths that completely contradict everything my flesh wants to believe.

But I believe the Bible is true. There really is a literal Heaven and Hell. God is in complete control over the entire universe...even Satan. I am totally depraved. God's grace is unconditional. God has a limited atonement. God's grace is irresistible. And all true Christians will persevere until the end.

Below is a blog originally posted by Pastor Jim McClarty from Grace Christian Assembly Church in Smyrna, Tennessee. This post by Pastor McClarty brings me a lot of encouragement, seeing that I'm not alone in my Biblical convictions. It brings me great joy to see that young and old alike are turning back to the theologians of Spurgeon, Tozer, Ravenill, Edwards, Piper, and today's Paul Washer. Let me know what you think.

grace and peace,

-josh

The New Calvinism

I know sometimes we Reformed folk feel very alone. I get email all the time from folk asking "Is there a church like GCA in my area?" We all want to fellowship with like-minded people, just so we don't feel so isolated from the church world at large. Worse, I receive regular correspondence from people -- especially young people -- who are ostracized or rejected by their church leaders and families because they have embraced Calvinism. Words like "cult" get tossed around and the critics insist that Calvinism divides churches and ruins fellowship.

Well, this past March TIME magazine published a series entitled "10 Ideas Changing the World Right Now." Number 3 on the list is: The New Calvinism. And they do a pretty good job of describing it.

So the next time that someone tells you that you're involved in some fringe group or that what you believe as a Calvinist is unbiblical, schismatic, or just plain "made up," point them to the TIME article and help them understand that Calvinism was once the bedrock of early American thought and politics. In fact, the author of this article closes by mentioning the fact that Calvinistic Theology represents the God of this country's infancy.

Here's the link:

http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1884779_1884782_1884760,00.html

It's interesting that Calvinistic theology is making such inroads into modern thought and culture that even a secular magazine like TIME has recognized it. And that fact give me hope for the future of Christianity in America.

T.D. Jakes Doesn't Proclaim Salvation In Jesus Christ Alone

Listen carefully to T.D. Jakes on this one.

Another Victim Of The Modern Gospel?

NO, MR. PRESIDENT!

Shai Linne - The Atonement

Verse 1


Who is God? God is the universe’s Creator

And Sustainer plus the only Savior, there is no one greater

He triune, holy, omnipotent, omniscient, absolute

Loving, sovereign and righteous are a few of His attributes

How do we know this? Well, we know this from the Bible

Where God has revealed Himself- anything else is just an idol

What’s the Bible about? Man’s complete ruin in sin

And what God has done in Christ to bring us to Him again

What is sin? Sin is the breaking of God’s law

Plus our condition, which means from birth we all got flaws

What’s the result? The result is by nature we’re God’s enemies

And must pay the penalty unless God provides the remedy

What the remedy? The remedy is the cross of Christ

Where He suffered all the strikes for the lawless type

I’ve been rescued by the Lamb, I’m convinced that He’s risen

And blessed is the man whose sins are forgiven!


Chorus


Just fall back, and with the eyes of faith

Behold the beauty of surprising grace

Because the Lamb has died, third day He had to rise

He’s magnified- God’s wrath is satisfied


Just fall back- there’s an atonement now

The cross of Christ is holy ground

Because the Lamb has died, third day He had to rise

He’s magnified- God’s wrath is satisfied


Verse 2


Regeneration- the Holy Spirit’s true work in His love

To the elect, who receive new birth from above

Expiation- expiation means God’s removed my filthiness

The old testament type was the goat into the wilderness

Redemption- we’ve been freed from slavery to sin

And His very own blood is the price He paid, my friend

Propitiation- Propitiation means since the Lamb has died

His work is finished- God’s wrath is satisfied

Adoption- adoption means God is now my Father

I got the hottest Poppa and by the Spirit holler Abba

Reconciliation means there’s no more enmity

God is now a friend to me, we’re no longer enemies

Justification- God declares us righteous

Sanctification- we’re being made into His likeness

Glorification- that’s what happens at the finish

When God conforms believers perfectly to Christ’s image!


Chorus


Verse 3


God’s grace is magnificent, He slayed His innocent

Son- through faith and repentance we get the benefits

What is faith? Faith is a gift from God- when we receive this

We trust and treasure the person and finished work of Jesus

Repentance? Repentance is turning from your sin

And trusting Christ as the Spirit cleanses you within

What is grace? Oh, grace is unmerited favor

Our inheritance major ‘cause we cherish the Savior

Right, and if I may quote again, we were doomed with Satan

But believers get Jesus’ righteousness through imputation

Imputation? God takes Jesus’ righteousness amount

Through faith He credits it into the Christian’s account

Anything else? Well, I guess this overview must suffice

But none of this is possible apart from union with Christ

And finally, once you know the ways of the Lord than the

only thing that you can say is Soli Deo Gloria!


Chorus

The Atonement - John Murray

Preface

Perhaps no biblical doctrine has been attacked with so many forms of subtlety as that of the atonement. Some subtle forms of error have been cleverly robed with biblical phraseology and have deceived the unsuspecting. The offence of the cross has been avoided by employing biblical terminology with a sense that finds no parallel in Scripture. Such terms as sacrifice, propitiation, reconciliation, and redemption have been drained of well-defined biblical signification and refilled with the thoughts and concepts of men. The motivation for this, as some claim, is to protect the love of God.

Since the way by which God may be propitiated and reconciled is a matter of pure revelation, it is most important to allow the Scriptures to define its own terms. In a warm devotional manner and with a lucid style, Professor Murray brings to light the biblical significance of the terms used to express the atonement. He clearly reveals that the definitive terms of Scripture do not impugn the love of God but bring it out in bold relief.

Professor John Murray was born in Scotland and is still a British subject. He is a graduate of the University of Glasgow (1923) and of Princeton Theological Seminary (1927), and he studied at the University of Edinburgh during 1928 and 1929. In 1929-1930 he served on the faculty of the Princeton Theological Seminary. Since then he has taught at the Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia where he is now Professor of Systematic Theology. A frequent contributor to theological journals, Professor Murray is the author of Christian Baptism (1952), Divorce (1953), Redemption Accomplished and Applied (1955), Principles of Conduct (1957), The Imputation of Adam’s Sin (1960), Calvin on Scripture and Divine Sovereignty (1960), and The Epistle to the Romans, Vol. I,

Chapters I-VIII (1960).

—J. MARCELLUS KIK, Editor

International Library of Philosophy and Theology

BIBLICAL AND THEOLOGICAL STUDIES

To read this book in its entirety...go to this link: http://www.mountzion.org/PDFs/aton.pdf

The Revival Hymn

The Seeker-Sensitive Movement

Anxiety - A.W. Pink

"In nothing be anxious." (Phil. 4:6, R.V.)

WORRYING is as definitely forbidden as theft. This needs to be carefully pondered and definitely

realized by us, so that we do not excuse it as an innocent "infirmity." The more we are convicted of the

sinfulness of anxiety, the sooner are we likely to perceive that it is most dishonoring to God, and "strive

against" it. (Heb. 12:4) Buy how are we to "strive against" it? First, by begging the Holy Spirit to grant us a

deeper conviction of its enormity. Second, by making it a subject of special and earnest prayer, that we may

be delivered from this evil. Third, by watching its beginning, and as soon as we are conscious of harassment

of mind, as soon as we detect the unbelieving thought, lift up our heart to God and ask Him for deliverance

from it. The best antidote for anxiety is frequent meditation upon Gods goodness, power and sufficiency.

When the saint can confidently realize "The Lord is My Shepherd," he must draw the conclusion, "I shall not

want!" Immediately following our exhortation is, "but in everything by prayer and supplication, with

thanksgiving, let your request be made known unto God." Nothing is too big and nothing is too little to

spread before and cast upon the Lord. The "with thanksgiving" is most important, yet it is the point at which

we most fail. It means that before we receive Gods answer, we thank Him for the same: it is the confidence

of the child expecting his Father to be gracious. --A. W. Pink

"Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought (anxious concern) for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye

shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than

raiment?" "But seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added

unto you." (Matt. 6:25,33)

What Roman Catholics Find When They Study Their Own Bible

What Roman Catholics Find

When They Study Their Own Bible

(When we say “their” Bible, we have reference to the New American Bible published by Confraternity of Christian

Doctrine, Washington D.C. with the encouragement of Archbishop Cicognani, Delegate to the United States.)

Roman Catholics are taught many things. They are often told about the contents of their Bible. If they would study it

for themselves, they would find that their Bible encourages investigation and reading.

They would find — that they are admonished by Christ Himself to “Search the Scriptures” (John 5:39); that people

are liable to make mistakes if they do not know the Scriptures (Matt. 22:29); that those are blessed who read the

Scriptures (Revelation 1:3); and that “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching” (2 Tim. 3:16).

They would find — that their Bible is the only rule of life and that no man has right or authority to make any church

laws contrary to it, nor dare they add to or take from it. “For I warn everyone who hears the prophetic words in this

book: If anyone adds to them, God will add unto him the plagues described in this book, And if anyone takes away

from the words in this prophetic book, God will take away his share in the of life and in the holy city described in this

book.” (Rev. 22:18, 19). “Every word of God is tested; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him. Add nothing to

His words, lest He reprove you, and you be exposed as a deceiver.” (Prov. 30:5, 6).

They would find — that there is no Bible record of Peter being in Rome at any time, hence no apostolic succession.

Paul never built upon another man's foundation, so that is evidence no apostle had been in Rome before him (To the

Rom. 15:20). In writing to the Romans in A.D. 58 he salutes twenty-six people and never mentions Peter. Peter writing

from A.D. 60-63 was then in Babylon (1 Pet. 5:13). Paul writing to Timothy in the last year of his life says, “Luke is

the only one with me” (2 Tim. 4:9-12). Not a word about the apostle Peter. Finally, it is further proven that Peter was

the apostle of the circumcision and worked among the Jews, while Paul was the apostle to the uncircumcision and

worked among the Gentiles, therefore, it was the Lord's will that Paul, not Peter, go to Rome (To the Gal. 2:7-8; The

Acts 23:11).

They would find — that Peter (also called Simon), who is claimed to be the first pope, was a married man (St. Mark

1:29-31).

They would find — that Zachary was a married priest (St. Luke 1:5, 13). Also that bishops were permitted to marry (1

Tim. 3:1-4) and that to forbid marriage is not sound doctrine (1 Tim. 4:1-3).

They would find — that their Bible forbids bowing down and the worship of images, pictures or relics (Exo. 20:3-5).

They would find — that God only can forgive sins (St. Mark 2:7).

They would find — that there is no mention made of purgatory or prayers for the dead, but that if men are ever fitted

for heaven, they must be before death or not at all. “Just as it is appointed that human beings die once, and after this the

judgment” (Heb. 9:27). Abraham could not help the dead (St. Luke 16:19-31). David knew it was no use praying for

the dead (2 Sam. 12:16, 19, 22, 23).

They would find — that their Bible forbids them to call any man “ father” as a religious title. “Call no one on earth

your father; you have but one Father in heaven” (St. Matt. 23:9).

They would find — that the Gospel is free “without paying and without cost” (Isa. 55:1). No charges should be made

for it (St. Matt. 10:7, 8).

They would find — that there is only one Mediator between God and men, and that this Mediator is neither Mary the

mother of Jesus according to the flesh, nor some priest, but the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. “For there is one God.

There is also one mediator between God and then human race, Christ Jesus, himself human” (1 Tim. 2:5, 6). “But if

anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous one” (1 St. John 2:1-3). “Then all of

you and all the people of Israel should know that it was in the name of Jesus Christ the Nazorean whom you crucified,

whom God raised from the dead; in his name this man stands before you healed. There is no salvation through anyone

else, nor is there any other name under heaven given to the human race by which we are to be saved.” (The Acts 4:10,

12).

They would find — that Christ is the only way of salvation and that no man-made system of religion can take the

place of, or even assist God's way of saving sinners. “Jesus said to him, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one

comes to the Father except through me.” (St. John 14:6). “For our sake he made him to be sin who did not know sin, so

that we might become the righteousness of God in him.” (2 Cor. 5:21).

They would find — that a person can be saved and know it in this life, that a person can realize and experience peace

in his heart and have the assurance of his sins forgiven . These precious facts come to us only through faith in the Lord

Jesus Christ and His shed blood on the cross. “In him we have redemption by his blood, the forgiveness of

transgressions, in accord with the riches of his grace” (Eph. 1:7). “Realizing that you were ransomed from your futile

conduct, handed on by your ancestors, not with perishable things like silver or gold” (1 Pet. 1:18, 19). “He himself bore

our sins in his body upon the cross, so that, free from sin, we might live for righteousness. By his wounds you have

been healed.” (1 Pet. 2:24). (Also read Isa. 53:4-6; Gal. 3:13; St. John 6:37; 2 Cor. 5:21; Col. 1:20-22).

They would find — that when men and women die, they go to either heaven or hell; and that it is an eternal place, a

state of conscious joy, or torment from which there is no deliverance (St. Luke 16:19-31; St. Matt. 25:41,46).

They would find — that the hope of the church is not earthly power and greatness, but a path of suffering as her

rejected Lord suffered; and to wait for the return of the Lord Jesus Christ in a personal, visible manner as He once left

this earth, and that He may come at any moment. “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back again and

take you to myself, so that where I am you also may be.” (St. John 14:3). “They said, “Men of Galilee, why are you

standing there looking at the sky? This Jesus who has been taken up from you into heaven will return in the same way

as you have seen him going into heaven.” (The Acts 1:11). “Therefore, stay awake! For you do not know on which day

your Lord will come. So too, you also must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come.”

(St. Matt. 24:42, 44).

__________________________

In conclusion — We would advise Catholics to read their Bibles and find the simple way of salvation as revealed

therein. The Bible itself declares the way is so plain that “nor fools go astray on it.” (Isa. 35:8). We are more and more

convinced that the need of the day is to search the unchanging Scriptures. Let us see if what bishops, priests, ministers

and teachers tell us is the truth or not. In Apostolic days, this was done. “These Jews were more fair-minded than those

in Thessalonica, for they received the word with all willingness and examined the scriptures daily to determine whether

these things were so.” (The Acts 17:11). They who do not preach and teach the Gospel as it is found in the Scriptures

are under the curse of God and should not be received into the house. “But even if we or an angel from heaven should

preach (to you) a gospel other than the one that we preached to you, let that one be accursed! As we have said before,

and now I say again, if anyone preaches to you a gospel other than the one that you received, let that one be accursed!”

(Gal. 1:8, 9). “If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him in your house or even greet

him; for whoever greets him shares in his evil works.”(2 John 10-11).

What the Bible Says About...

What the Bible Says About…

THE BIBLE

2 Timothy 3:15, 16 

“And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able
to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is given by
inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in
righteousness.”

Psalm 19:7

 “The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is
sure, making wise the simple.”

GOD

Psalm 99:9

 “...for the Lord our God is holy.”

1 Timothy 1:17 

“Now unto the King etema1, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour
and glory for ever and ever. Amen.”

Isaiah 45:21, 22 

“...and there is no God else beside me; a just God and a Saviour; there is none
beside me. Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is
none else.”

MAN

Genesis 1:27

 “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male
and female created he them.”

Genesis 2:7

 “And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his
nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.”

Isaiah 43:7

 “Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I
have formed him; yea, I have made him.”

HEAVEN

Revelation 21:3, 4

 “And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of
God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himseIf
shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; there
shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain, for the
former things are passed away.”

Revelation 21:27

 “And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither
whatsoeverworketh abomination or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book
of life.”

SIN

Romans 5:12 

“Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so
death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.”

Isaiah 59:2

 “But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have
hid his face from you, that he will not hear.”

Romans 3:23

 “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.”

HELL

2 Thessalonians 1:8,9 

“In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that
obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction
from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power.”

Revelation 20:15

 “And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the
lake of fire.”

CHRIST - HIS ADVENT

Micah 5:2

 “But thou, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah,
yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have
been from of old, from everlasting.”

Matthew 1:21-23

 “And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he
shall save his people from their sins. Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was
spoken of the Lord by the prophets, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring
forth a son, and they shall call his narne Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.”

Luke 2:10,11 

“And the angel said unto them, “Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of
great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a
Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.”

CHRIST - HIS PERSON

John 10:30

 “I and my Father are one.”

John 14:6 

“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the
Father, but by me.”

CHRIST - HIS WORK

Luke 22:19, 20

 “And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it’ and gave unto them, saying,
This is mybody which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. Likewise also the cup
aftersupper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.”

1 Peter 2:24

 “Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to
sins, should live unto righteousness, by whose stripes ye were healed.”

Colossians 1:14 

“In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins.”

Isaiah 53:5, 6

 “But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; the
chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep
have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the
iniquity of us all.”

CHRIST - HIS RESURRECTION

Luke 24:36, 39

 “And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto
them, Peace be unto you... Behold my hands and rny feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see;
for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.”

I Corinthians 15:3, 4

 “For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that
Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose
again the third day ac-cording to the scriptures.”

FAITH

Acts 20:20, 21 

“And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you,
and have taught you publicly.. Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance
toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Hebrews 11:6 

“But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must

believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”

Ephesians 2:8, 9

 “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the
gift of God:
Not of works, lest any man should boast”

LIFE

John 3:3

 “Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be
born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

John 1:12, 13

 “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God,
even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the
flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.”

John 3:36 

“He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son
shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.”

2 Corinthians 5:17

 “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are
passed away; behold, all things are become new.”

THE WAY OF SALVATION

John 3:16 

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever
believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

John 14:6

 “Jesus saith unto him, l am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the
Father, but by me.’

Acts 16:31 

“And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy
house.

Romans 10:9

 “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in
thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.”

THE TEN COMMANDMENTS

Exodus 20:1-17

 “And God spake all these words, saying, I am the Lord thy God, which have
brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.
Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven
above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: Thou shalt not bow
down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the
iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate
me; And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me and keep my commandments.
Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless
that taketh his name in vain.
Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou lahour, and do all thy work: But
the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy
son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is
within thy gates:For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all thai in them is,
and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.
Honour thy father andd thy mother: that thy days may be long upor the land which the Lord thy
God giveth thee.
Thou shalt not kill.
Thou shalt not cornnit adultery.
Thou shalt not steal.
Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.
Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s wife, nor his
manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour’s.

THE CREATlON

Genesis 1:1

 “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.”

Revelation 4:11

 “Thou art worthy, 0 Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou has

created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.”

CHRIST’S NEW COMMANDMENT

John 13:34,35 

“A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another: as I have loved
you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye
havelove one to another.”

THE VALUE OF THE SOUL

Mark 8:36,37 

“For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own
soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?”

THE LORD’S PRAYER

Matthew 6:9-13 

“Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done In earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our
debts, As we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil. For
Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.”

THE GOLDEN RULE

Matthew 7:12

 “Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even
so to them:for this is the law and the prophets.”

THE BEATITUDES

Matthew 5:3-12 

“Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of
heaven.
Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil
against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceedingly glad: for great is your reward in
heaven:for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.”

THE APOSTLES’ CREED
I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth: and in Jesus Christ His only
Son, our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost; born of the virgin Mary, suffered under
Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead and buried; He descended into hell; the third day He rose
again from the dead; He ascended into heaven and sits on the right hand of God the Father
Almighty; from thence He shall come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy
Ghost; the holy catholic church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the
resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen.

HELP IN THE TIME OF NEED
RELIEF IN TIME OF SUFFERING

2 Corinthians 12:8-10

 “For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.
And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in
weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ
may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in
persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.”

GUIDANCE IN TIME OF DECISION

James 1:5,6

 “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and
upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that
wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.

Proverbs 3:5,6 

“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own
understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”

STRENGTH IN TIME OF TEMPTATION

James 1:12-16

 “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, be shall
receive thecrown of life, which the Lord bath promised to them that love him Let no man say
when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth
he any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then
when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
Do not err, my beloved brethren.”

COMFORT IN TIME OF LONELINESS

Psalm 23

 “The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green
pastures: He leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the
pathsof righteousness For His name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow
of death, I will fear no evil; For Thou art with me; Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me. Thou
preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: Thou anointest my head with oil;
My cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; And I
will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”

COMFORT IN TIME OF SORROW

2 Corinthians 1:3-5 

“Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of
mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be
able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are
comforted of God. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also
aboundeth by Christ.”

Romans 8:26-28 

“Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we
should pray for as we ought but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for the saints according to
the will of God. And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to
them who are the called according to his purpose.”

SUGGESTED BIBLE READINGS
Protection in Time of Danger Psalm 91, Psalm 12
Courage in Time of Fear Hebrews 13:5,6,
Ephesians 6:10-18
Peace in Time of Turmoil Isaiah 26:3,4,
Philippians 4:6, 7
Rest in Time of Weariness Matthew 11:28, 29,
Psalm 23
Warning In Time of Indifference Galatians 5:19-21, Hebrews 10:26-31
Forgiveness in Time of Convictiion Isaiah 1:18, 1 John 1:7-9
The Fall of Man Genesis 3
The Flood of Noah Genesis 6-9
The Call of Abraham Genesis 12:1-9
Deliverance of Israel from Egypt Exodus 11-14
Dedication of the Temple Chronicles 5-7
Babylonian Captivity of Israel 2 Chronicles 36
Revival of Israel after Captivity Nehemiah 8 and 9
Promises of the Coming Messiah Isaiah 9:2-7,
Psalm 22, Isaiah 53
The Birth of Christ Matthew 1:18-2:23,
Luke 1:26-2:40
The Triumphal Entry Luke 19:28-44
The Last Supper Mark 14:12-26
The Garden of Gethsemane Matthew 26: 36-46
The Betrayal of Jesus Matthew 26:47-56
The Arrest and Trial of Jesus John 18:12-19:16
The Death of Christ Luke 23:26-56,
John 19:16-42
The Resurrection of Christ Luke 24, John 20
The Ascension of Christ Acts 1:1-12
The Coming of the Holy Spirit Acts 2:1-21
The Conversion of Paul Acts 9:1-31
The Heroes of Faith Hebrews 11
The Greatest Commandment Matthew 22:36-40
The Righteousness of Faith Romans 3:19-28
The Royal Law James 2:8, Romans 13:8-10
Christian Love 1 Corinthians 13
God’s Greatness and Man’s Weakness Isaiah 40
The Twofold Revelation of God Psalm 19
Man’s Universal Guilt Romans 1:18-2:16
Atonement Leviticus 16, Romans 5
The New Birth John 3
Justiflcation by Faith Ephesians 2:1-10,
Galatians 2:16-21
Christ’s Intercession for His Own John 17,
Hebrews 7:25
The High Priestly Work of Christ Hebrews 9:11-15,
Hebrews 4:14-16
Christ’s Humiliation and Exaltation
Philippians 2:5-11
Resurrection of theChristian Dead 1 Corinthians 15,
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
The Second ComIng of Christ Matthew 24,
2 Thessalonians 1:7-2:12,
Revelation 20:10-15
The New Heaven and New Earth
Revelation 21 and 22
Christian Home Relationships Ephesians 5:22-6:4
A Model Wife and Mother Proverbs 31:10-31
Marriage and Divorce Matthew 19:3-9,
Malachi 2:14-16
The Sin of Adultery Proverbs 6:23-33
The Prodigal Son Luke 15:11-32
Employer-Employee Relationships
Colossians 3:22-4:1
Business and Professional Principles Psalm 15, Proverbs 3:1-12
Separation from Worldliness Corinthians 6:14-7:1,
1 John 2:15-17
Decisions on Doubtful Things Romans 14
Christian Fruitfulness John 15
Heavenly Wisdom James 3:14-18
Christian Responsibilities Romans 12 and 13
Christian Stewardship 2 Corinthians 8 and 9
Christian Witnessing Matthew 28:18-20,
John 17:18-20
Prevailing Prayer Matthew 6:5-15,
Philippians 4:6,7
Heavenly Priorities Matthew 6:25-33
Brevity of Man’s Days Psalm 90
Consequences of Forgetting God Hosea 4:1-11
The Causes of War James 4:1-4
The Last Judgment Revelation 20:10-15

Regeneration VS. The Idolatry of Decisional Evangelism

The Ultimate Christian Family

This video documentary has really challenged my way of thinking when it comes to raising a family. What do you think? I didn't post the 6th video in this series due to inappropriate content. Keep in mind that this is a secular documentary about a Christian family.

Mark Driscoll...my confession

...yeah...I still love the guy. His theology is amazing. And he preaches doctrine like no other.

(josh screams in frustration)

i just think it would be wiser to listen to Piper instead...ok?

Paul Washer...Missionary Footage

Tim Conway Videos

Should Christians Watch TV For Entertainment?


Can A Christian Be Possessed?


Jesus Is Lord - Sermon Jam

To Deny Yourself and Take Up Your Cross?

Roles Women In The Church Can Take

Hell Is Necessary

Don Johnson's Testimony

Don Johnson's Testimony from I'll Be Honest on Vimeo.

The Best News You've Ever Heard!

Why Would The Father Send His Son?

Sound Doctrine; Sound Words

Friends,

I've posted on previous blogs how much I love Mark Driscoll and his theology. I even started his 13 week sermon series on Doctrine - "What all Christians should believe." As you can see, I've been posting them on my blog...and I've been encouraging you to study them with me.

Well folks... consider this blog my personal apology for doing so.

I have ceased listening to Mark Driscoll...and I've ceased posting his series on my blog. I still love Mark Driscoll and think his theology is spot on...but I can no longer ignore the profane language and pornographic themes that come from his pulpit.

After listening to this sermon by Phil Johnson, called "Sound Doctrine; Sound Words," I realize that character should support your preaching and your doctrine...and as Christians we must not sacrifice character for doctrine by any means.

I hope this sermon reveals this truth to you through Phil's teaching on Titus 2.

grace and peace,

-josh

John Farese

This is one reason why I reject that God wants to heal everyone physically while living in a non redeemed body here on Earth. What do you think?

Also....one of these videos will address the topic of abortion...a heated topic in evangelical circles.

I hope this video will show why abortion is always wrong...and we can never justify it.

-josh