Soli Deo Gloria

The more I study God’s word and the more I seek to know Him more, the more I am so burdened for the church in America.  We have become so man centered and so activity focused in our churches that we have all but left the glorious gospel of God behind or set the gospel up on a shelf for all to admire from a distance only to be shadowed by “bigger and more important things.”

Over twenty years ago I went through the motions of repeating a prayer from a pastor as I walked a long isle.  Like a magic mantra, I repeated the words of my preacher, was baptized shortly after, and was told subsequently that I was saved.  I had no understanding of sin, repentance, the holiness of God, the justice of God or my condition as a sinner.  I was told to simply repeat a prayer.  While it was an emotional experience it was not one that was wrought by the Spirit of God through repentance and faith.  I am so grateful that my God did later save me.  He transformed by heart of stone to a heart of flesh and my faith is not in a decision.  My faith is not even in my faith.  My faith is an ongoing faith in the person and work of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  And that faith is a precious gift from my God - the God that for most of my life I lived in horrendous rebellion.  Despite that hellish rebellion, He saved me.  That my friend is amazing grace.

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Evangelism, Preaching, The Church, The Gospel Conversion, Decisional Regeneration, Gideons, Gospel, Osteen, Romans Road, salvation, Washer

Today’s presentation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is so watered down, so un-biblical that it is absolutely no wonder that the majority of the American church is filled with unregenerate membership.  I am appalled at the “gospel” presentations I hear in churches today.  In fact, many don’t even preach the gospel and those that do have turned the true Biblical gospel into a feel good, ask Jesus into your heart, make a quick decision false gospel that is giving false assurance and hope to people who make a profession of faith and have absolute no changed life.  Repentance has all but been banned from most gospel presentations.

Here, we have a short but very powerful audio presentation by Paul Washer on the error of the modern gospel call…

Preaching, The Church, The Gospel Ask Jesus into Your Heart, Assurance, Church, Decisional Regeneration, Gospel, Gospel Call, Paul Washer

I’ve already posted a while back on the problems with the popular book “The Shack” that so many professing believers claim to be a wonderful book.  In fact, Eugene Peterson, author of the translation weak paraphrase “The Message” claimed it was equal to the classic book, “Pilgrim’s Progress”.  I’m sorry, this book comes no where near the theological beauty of “Pilgrim’s Progress”.  In fact, it’s at the complete other end of the spectrum with its heretical views of the Trinity.

Dr. Albert Mohler, President of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary says, “This book includes undiluted heresy.”  It doesn’t get any clearer than that.

The real truth is that the endorsements of the book from popular musical artists and liberal Christians is just one more indication of the complete lack of spiritual discernment in our world and the condition of the church visible.  Maybe pastors should spend more time preaching the gospel and less time endorsing junk like “The Purpose Driven Life” and “The Shack”.  It’s so concerning to see the state of the majority of professing believers in America.

Tim Challies has written an update to his review of “The Shack” and it is an excellent, Biblical review.  If you or a loved one has this book (and from what I hear some churches are handing this book out like they did the “Purpose Driven Drivel Life”, I urge you to carefully read this excellent review.

So head on over to challies.com and check out the updated review.  Tim has also provided his review in an elegant pdf format that you can send to your friends or maybe even your pastor.  And while you’re at it grab a copy of Challie’s excellent book on discernment because it is clearly a lack of Biblical discernment that has caused books like “The Shack” to become so popular among the American church.

Apostasy & Heresy, Book Reviews, The Church Albert Mohler, Heresy, Heretical, Purpose Driven Life, Review, Shack, The Shack, Tim Challies, Trinity, William Young, Young

From Gospel for Asia:

“India is in a scary situation,” says Gospel for Asia President K.P. Yohannan. “While violence continues in Orissa, on India’s east coast, anti-Christian extremists have unleashed another wave of attacks on Christians in Karnataka, a state on India’s west coast.

“At the same time, churches are under attack in Jharkand and other states, and Muslim extremists have set off bombs in Delhi.

“But we know that, in the end, the future is bright, because Jesus is with His church.”

On Sunday, Hindu mobs rushed into churches and prayer centers of many different denominations in Karnataka, attacking Christians during their times of worship. The extremists then destroyed the church buildings and their properties. At least 11 churches were destroyed, including at least one led by Gospel for Asia missionaries.

Christians responded with protest rallies, and more than 60 extremists have been detained by authorities as a result of Sunday’s attacks.

“What we saw in Orissa was a well thought-out and detailed agenda to eradicate Christians from the state,” said Dr. Yohannan. “As you can see, the same pattern is being followed in Karnataka. It is well planned and orchestrated by Hindu radicals.”

Read the rest of this article over at Gospel for Asia and remember to keep those who are dying for their faith in Jesus Christ in your prayers.

Evangelism, Prayer Requests, The Church, The Gospel Asia, Church, Evangelism, GFA, Gospel, Hindu, India, Martyr, Missionaries, Missionary, Orissa, Persecution

In an age where the evangelical church today focuses more on humanism than the true Gospel, Paul Washer’s brief message below is a stark warning to all professing believers.  May we truly come to an understanding of just what “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” truly means.  (Rom. 3:23)

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To learn more about Paul Washer and his ministry, visit Heartcry Missionary Society

Preaching, The Church, The Gospel Born Again, Christianity, Conversion, faith, False Conversion, Gospel, Paul Washer, Prayer, Regeneration, repentance, Washer

O GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT,
That which I know not, teach thou me, keep me a humble disciple in the school of Christ, learning daily there what I am in myself, a fallen sinful creature, justly deserving everlasting destruction; O let me never lose sight of my need of a Saviour, or forget that apart from Him I am nothing, and can do nothing.

Open my understanding to know the Holy Scriptures; reveal to my soul the counsels and works of the blessed Trinity; instil into my dark mind the saving knowledge of Jesus; make me aquainted with His covenant undertakings and His perfect fulfillment of them, that by resting on His finished work I may find the Father’s love in the Son, His Father, my Father, and may be brought through Thy influence to have fellowship with the Three in One.

O lead me into all truth, thou Spirit of wisdom and revelation, that I may know the things that belong unto my peace, and through Thee be made anew.

Make practical upon my heart the Father’s love as Thou hast revealed it in the Scriptures; apply to my soul the blood of Christ, effectually, continually, and help me to believe, with conscience comforted, that it cleanseth from all sin; lead me from faith to faith, that I may at all times have freedom to come to a reconciled Father, and may be able to maintain peace with Him against doubts, fears, corruptions, temptations.

Thy office is to teach me to draw near to Christ with a pure heart, steadfastly persuaded of His love, in the full assurance of faith.  Let me never falter in this way.

From Valley of Vision - a collection of Puritan prayers.

Daily Walk, Devotional Holy Ghost, Holy Spirit, Prayer, Puritan, Puritan Prayers, Scripture, Truth, Valley of Vision

Paul Washer has to be one of my favorite preachers.  He preaches with Biblical clarity and with a passion that is Spirit-led.  We need more preaches/teachers like Paul in America.  This sermon is one that every single person should watch and listen to carefully.  This is the true Biblical Gospel and one that glories in the miracle of a changed life through the regenerating power of the Holy Spirit to the glory of God in the face of Christ.

It is evident today that many preachers need to spend less time preaching and more time studying their Bibles.  It is rare to hear the Word preached like brother Washer.

May we examine ourselves to see if we are in the faith…

Bible Studies, Preaching, The Church, The Gospel Assurance, Carnal Christian, Christ, Jesus, Matthew 7, Narrow Way, Paul Washer, salvation

I haven’t been posting as often on my blog as I normally do for a few reasons.  First, I started back classes at CIU and I’m taking Greek so needless to say my head has been in the books <grin>. (So please pray for me!!!)

Second, I’ve been battling a nasty cold/flu bug for over a week now and just haven’t had the energy to post.

I’ve also learned through this that I do tend to spend more time than I should on the internet - even browsing the Christian blogs and catching up on the latest heresy I’ve found takes away valuable time I could be spending in the Word and in prayer with my Lord.  

To all us bloggers out there -  the blogosphere is an excellent ministry but don’t allow it to overshadow the sweet time in prayer and meditation of the Word.

Uncategorized Blogging, Christian Blogs, Greek