Monthly Archives: July 2011

Run Christian, Run!

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“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.” – 1 Cor 9:24-27

I remember my High school coach telling the gathered athletes in our school that in his opinion, no one would ever break the current 9.95 second world record in the men’s 100 meters sprint. That statement seems utterly foolish now. In the first race below, all the competitors had previously recorded a faster time.

There is just something that I find extremely inspirational about watching the world’s fastest man (Usain Bolt) break the world record. As far as we know, no one has ever run faster in human history.

2009, Berlin, Germany, IAAF World Championships 100 m Final:

2009, Berlin, Germany, IAAF World Championships 200m Final:

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” – Hebrews 12:1,2

Fruits, Flakes, Fakes and Nuts

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Some time back (around a year ago) I had interchange with someone on the internet (actually a good friend who shall remain anonymous) on the subject of how we are to deal with the fake christian people in our lives. I have provided the interchange here in hopes the discussion might be helpful to others:

First of all I wrote: “True faith endures!! The true child of God MUST endure to the end, and WILL endure to the end, because it is God who started and will finish the work in him. Those who abandon faith in Christ were never really His. “They went out from us, but they were not of us; for IF THEY HAD BEEN OF US, THEY WOULD HAVE CONTINUED WITH US. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us.” – 1 Jn 2:19

Someone responded to this saying: “Amen!! There are a lot of flakes among us, but there are also a lot of FAKES, pretending to be one of us. Sometimes they are workers of the enemy, and their mission is to destroy us and our ministry. Something to think about.”

My response: “Very true.. the way to avoid flakiness in our lives is to be grounded always in the practical application of Scripture and not moved about by experience that has no backing in the Word.. and may God deliver us from the fakes. Deceived people deceive people. ”

The person responded by saying: “I thought we were supposed to avoid fakes.”

I then said: “Did I say otherwise? Just some general overview remarks – we often DO NOT KNOW who they fakes are. All the non-elect are fakes in that they are not genuiniely born again – but they can often look the part and that is John’s point in 1 John 2:19 – the way we know they are fakes is that they did not continue with us. That’s all. And his conclusion was that they were never truly OF US.

The elect dont have the letter “E” stamped on their forehead and nor do we see the non-elect stamped with a “N.E” on theirs. One of the points of Jesus’ parables was that both look alike often times and we should not try to work out who the elect are or non elect are and differentiate them before the time but leave that to the TIME when the Son of Man appears. Matt 13:24 “He put another parable before them, saying, “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field, 25 but while his men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat and went away. 26 So when the plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared also. 27 And the servants of the master of the house came and said to him, ‘Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have weeds?’ 28 He said to them, ‘An enemy has done this.’ So the servants said to him, ‘Then do you want us to go and gather them?’ 29 But he said, ‘No, lest in gathering the weeds you root up the wheat along with them. 30 Let both grow together until the harvest, and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, Gather the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn.’”

But the second component is discernment and when someone is a proven false teacher of heresy, or someone consistently sows division, they should be marked and avoided.

2 John: 9 Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. 10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house or give him any greeting, 11 for whoever greets him takes part in his wicked works.

Romans 16:17 I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; AVOID them. 18 For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.

Its tricky because there are some people who are genuinely born again but are not fully following the Lord and some go even further and need church discipline.. they are not always fakes as such – but could be. Peter might have looked like a fake when he denied the Lord, but he was a true sheep and God restored him. The point is that God is certain of who are truly His, and we often are not. We should treat people with grace, love and kindness until (1) it can be determined that the person teaches blatant damnable heresy and will not repent of it; or (2) sows discord amongst brethren.

Judas was always a false disciple and was “a devil from the beginning” according to Jesus – a fake if ever there was one – but the other disciples were fooled by him even when Jesus was not. God did not reveal that to the other disciples and even the fakes serve God’s purposes in the end. Our job is to make sure we are not fake ourselves, love one another and avoid those who teach heresy (the wolves in sheep’s clothing) and those who cause divisions.”

Just to cover the “fruit” and “nut” components, there is someone I know (not in my church) going about telling others that the Lord has revealed that there will be some nuclear disaster here in Arizona this year. In hearing this, I have promised my children that should I see this person, I will ask them to sign a prepared paper I have already written to say that “I __________ state that the Lord has told me of a coming disaster of nuclear proportions coming to the state of Arizona this year (2010) and wanting to be held accountable, agree that if this does not happen, that on January 1, 2011, I will repent of this false prophecy (publicly if needed) and seek Pastoral counseling.”

That’s how I handle the fruits and nuts! 🙂

What is the Gospel? by Paul Washer

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I realise that these are lengthy videos to watch, God might well be pleased to do such a work in this world that entire nations would be shaken by the power of God. That is because the Gospel doesn’t just contain the power of God, it IS the power of God (Romans 1:16).

Child of God, may I strongly urge you to saturate and immerse yourself in the only Gospel that saves – the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

As I post these videos, my prayer is that God may have full access to each of our hearts. The results I leave in His capable hands.

What is the Gospel? (Part 1)

What is the Gospel? (Part 2)

Friday Round Up

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(1) Update: Thank you so much for your prayers. My good friend Jim was released from hospital yesterday to start rehab at a care facility in Sun City, Arizona. It was great to see him in this new environment as it speaks volumes as to the amazing progress he has made. I took my children out there to visit him last night and they were so happy to see him too.

He is a miracle man – we’ve now been told he was dead for a full 18 minutes. I have spoken to a number of nurses/doctors and none of them know of anyone who has come back from that. PLEASE keep praying though for Jim’s heart, liver, kidneys, blood clot in the arm, recovery from skin graft surgery, etc. He is still not completely out of danger.

Apparently, his daughter Alisa is also currently experiencing some nightmares, having been present in the hospital when her father died. Please keep her in your prayers too.

(2) Quote from Dr. John Piper – The Supremacy of God in Preaching:
“People are starving for the greatness of God. But most of them would not give this diagnosis of their troubled lives. The majesty of God is an unknown cure. There are far more popular prescriptions on the market, but the benefit of any other remedy is brief and shallow. Preaching that does not have the aroma of God’s greatness may entertain for a season, but it will not touch the hidden cry of the soul: “Show me Your glory!”

The greatness and the glory of God are relevant. It does not matter if surveys turn up a list of perceived needs that does not include the supreme greatness of the sovereign God of grace. That is the deepest need. People are starving for God. People need to hear God-entranced preaching. They need someone, at least once a week, to lift up his voice and magnify the supremacy of God. They need to behold the whole panorama of His excelencies! It is not the job of the Christian preacher to give people moral or psychological pep talks about how to get along in the world; someone else can do that. What people need is for someone to tell them, week in and week out, about the supreme beauty and majesty of God.”

(3) A reminder about the importance of personal prayer from Alistair Begg:

“Fire shall be kept burning on the altar continually; it shall not go out.” – Leviticus 6:13

Keep the altar of private prayer burning. This is the very life of all piety. The sanctuary and family altars borrow their fires here; therefore let this burn well. Secret devotion is the very essence, evidence, and barometer of vital and experimental [experiential] religion.

Burn here the fat of your sacrifices. Let your closet seasons be, if possible, regular, frequent, and undisturbed. Effectual prayer avails much. Have you nothing to pray for? Let us suggest the church, the ministry, your own soul, your children, your relations, your neighbors, your country, and the cause of God and truth throughout the world.

Let us examine ourselves on this important matter. Do we engage with lukewarmness in private devotion? Is the fire of devotion burning dimly in our hearts? Do the chariot wheels drag heavily? If so, let us be alarmed at this sign of decay. Let us go with weeping, and ask for the Spirit of grace and of supplications. Let us set apart special seasons for extraordinary prayer. For if this fire should be smothered beneath the ashes of a worldly conformity, it will dim the fire on the family altar and lessen our influence both in the church and in the world.

The text will also apply to the altar of the heart. This is a golden altar indeed. God loves to see the hearts of His people glowing toward Himself. Let us give to God our hearts, all blazing with love, and seek His grace, that the fire may never be quenched, for it will not burn if the Lord does not keep it burning. Many foes will attempt to extinguish it; but if the unseen hand behind the wall pours on the sacred oil, it will blaze higher and higher. Let us use texts of Scripture as fuel for our heart’s fire; they are live coals. Let us attend to sermons, but above all, let us be much alone with Jesus.”

(4) Ligonier has some great deals today in this week’s $5 Friday sale here on the subject of Christianity v. Islam, defending the Christian faith and Steve Lawson’s book “The Pillars of Grace” in an e-book format. Remember, if you decide to purchase material, you can claim a further 10% discount on these and on ALL Ligonier products (as a reader of this blog) by using the coupon code EGRACE10.

Quotes on God’s Sovereignty and Providence

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“Are not two sparrows sold for a cent? And yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father.” Jesus, Matthew 10:29.

“As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.” – Genesis 50:20

“Remember this and stand firm, recall it to mind, you transgressors, remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose,’ calling a bird of prey from the east, the man of my counsel from a far country. I have spoken, and I will bring it to pass; I have purposed, and I will do it.” – Isaiah 46:8-11

“…for truly in this city there were gathered together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place.” Acts 4:27, 28

“In him we live and move and have our being.” – Paul, Acts 17:28

“For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.” – Paul, Romans 11:36

“There is not a square inch in the whole domain of our human existence over which Christ, who is Sovereign over all, does not cry, ‘Mine!'” – Abraham Kuyper, theologian and Dutch Prime Minister, 1837-1920

“If there is one single molecule in this universe running around loose, totally free of God’s sovereignty, then we have no guarantee that a single promise of God will ever be fulfilled.” – R. C. Sproul

Irreducible Complexity

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“If it could be demonstrated that any complex organ existed which could not possibly have been formed by numerous, successive, slight modifications, ambulance my theory would absolutely break down.” – Charles Darwin, Origin of Species

What “science” once thought of as the “simple cell” is now understood to be far more complex than all the goings on in a large city! ALL the mechanisms would need to be in place and functioning perfectly at the very start, or else the cell would die. This is called “irreducible complexity”, and forever destroys secular atheistic evolution as an intellectually viable option.

From the article found here: concerning the 5 part mouse trap… “an irreducibly complex system cannot come about in a gradual manner. One cannot begin with a wooden platform and catch a few mice, then add a spring, catching a few more mice than before, etc. No, all the components must be in place before it functions at all. A step-by-step approach to constructing such a system will result in a useless system until all the components have been added. The system requires all the components to be added at the same time, in the right configuration, before it works at all…. the complicated biological structures in a cell exhibit the exact same irreducible complexity that we saw in the mousetrap example. In other words, they are all-or-nothing: either everything is there and it works, or something is missing and it doesn’t work.”

.. and remember that in the cell, we are talking about a system FAR more complicated and complex than that of an entire city!!!

“Darwinism has no mechanism for adding all the components at once. Remember, Darwin’s mechanism is one of gradual mutations leading to improved fitness and survival. A less-than-complete system of this nature simply will not function, and it certainly won’t help the organism to survive. Indeed, having a half-formed and hence non-functional system would actually hinder survival and would be selected against. ”

The bacterial flagellum is a cellular outboard motor that bears the marks of intelligent design. Taken from http://www.arn.org/docs/mm/motor.htm.

“Evolution simply cannot produce complex structures in a single generation as would be required for the formation of irreducibly complex systems. To imagine that a chance set of mutations would produce all 200 proteins required for cilia function in a single generation stretches the imagination beyond the breaking point. And yet, producing one or a few of these proteins at a time, in standard Darwinian fashion, would convey no survival advantage because those few proteins would have no function – indeed, they would constitute a waste of energy for the cell to even produce. Darwin recognized this as a potent threat to his theory of evolution – the issue that could completely disprove his idea. So the question must be raised: Has Darwin’s theory of evolution “absolutely broken down?””

The answer seems to be a resounding “yes.”

Evolution is a theory in absolute crisis, yet for many, the alternative (Creation by God) is so utterly distasteful, it is dismissed out of hand.. but even as they do so, their conscience screams “there is a God.”

All of this is significant because according to the Bible, this is not a morally neutral issue without consequence. God is angry when the truth He has made manifest (of His existence) is suppressed.

Romans 1:18 – For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. 19 For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. 20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. 21 For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools…

Dr. James White remarked, “The progress in our knowledge of the irreducible complexity of life has rendered us truly “without excuse” when it comes to our attributing to the natural order that which God reserves for himself. Any person who can look at the mechanics of the cell, realize the order, the information, the complexity that makes any computer you are using to read this post look like a stick and a rock in comparison, and yet continue in the suppression of the God-instilled knowledge of His own existence is a person remaining in utter rebellion.”

The more we learn of science, the more we are “without excuse.” God does not believe in atheists.

Boasting in limitless grace

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“And from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.” – John 1:16

In the late 1530s Martin Luther preached through the first four chapters of John. In a sermon on John 1:16, Luther said:

It is amazing that we are so given to pride, to boasting and bragging, and that we glory in such things as our beauty, riches, noble birth, power, skill, wisdom, honorable life, good works…

If we want to boast, then let us boast that we receive from the fullness of Christ… Whoever wishes to be safeguarded from the devil’s might and to escape sin and death must draw from this well, Christ; from Him flows all salvation and eternal bliss. This fountain is inexhaustible; it is full of grace and truth before God; it never fails no matter how much we draw from it. Even if we all dip from it without stopping, it cannot be emptied, but it remains a perennial fount of grace and truth, an unfathomable well, an eternal fountain. The more we draw from it, the more it gives…

This fountain constantly overflows with sheer grace. Whoever wishes to enjoy Christ’s grace – and no one is excluded – let him come and receive it from Him. You will never drain this fountain of living water; it will never run dry. You will all draw from it much more than enough, and yet it will remain a perennial well. (Luther’s Works, 22:133–34)

Dane Ortlund sums this up with four helpful clarifications from Luther here.

1. We will boast. The question is not if we will boast but of what. We are, as Luther says, “given to” boasting. The hunger for significance, for glory, emanates from way down deep at the core of who we are.

2. It is not bad things in which we are tempted to boast. It is good things. “Beauty, riches, power, skill, wisdom, honorable life, good works.”

3. The Christian life is not one of squashing the impulse to boast, to glory in something, but of directing it rightly. You are free to boast. The Bible tells you to do so (Jer. 9:23–24; 1 Cor. 1:31; Heb. 3:6). You sin if you do not boast. And our boast is: Christ (Gal. 6:14). We glory in what Another has done.

4. The reason for this boasting is outrageous: limitless grace. Our natural intuitions whisper, “Don’t draw too much grace just now. You have a whole lifetime ahead of you. Spread it out. Use it wisely. Don’t spend all your grace now!” The gospel scatters such law-infused thoughts with this promise: Come to Christ, keep coming to him, keep boasting in him. You will never out-sin his grace. His mercy is not measured. Not cautious, suspicious, reluctant. The kindness of Christ “constantly overflows with sheer grace.” As Jonathan Edwards said, God’s love is “an infinite ocean of love, without shores and without bottom.” Inexhaustible.

Atheist Question Time

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Dear Atheist, I am going to be entirely honest with you right from the start and tell you that I dont believe you exist. By that, I do not mean you are not physically in existence. Clearly someone pressed the “send” button” to transfer the letter I found in my e-mail box this morning that reports to have come from you. I see no reason to question its authenticity.

What I mean is that I dont believe you are a true atheist. I dont just say that about you though, I say that about every professing atheist. That is because, from my worldview as a Bible believing Christian, the God who has clearly revealed Himself both through this natural order and in Scripture has told us:

Romans 1: 18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. 19 For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. 20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. 21 For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools…

God does not believe that genuine atheists exist. He has made the truth of His existence known to you and you are suppressing this knowledge with all the mental gymnastics you can muster from a heart in defiance of Him. Actually, that leads me to my first question:

(1) Why do you spend so much time on the internet and in every other possible venue seeking to spew out hatred for a God you say you dont believe in? If he does not exist, why do you seem to hate Him so much?

(2) In your evolutionary material worldview, where all things came from minute particles of matter exploding, can you please explain where personality comes from? For instance, if all there ever was was rock, which rock decided to expand itself to think, to choose, to like, to dislike – and how exactly did it do that?

(Just telling you right up front, if your answer is “matter, if given a whole lot of time developed personality ” you will have lost me. Something without personality cannot develop personality whether left to itself for 5 minutes or 5 billion years. If you then say that science has yet to observe this but I am sure it will, once again you will have lost me. Science has not only never observed it, but it defies all its basic premises. You are merely hoping for something and that is not dealing with the present reality we all have to deal with, the data currently available to us).

(3) You seem hell bent (pardon the expression) on tearing down the God of the Bible suggesting He does not live according to His own standards of goodness. You say that if He is ultimately reponsible for all that is and all that happens in this world, this raises serious questions about His goodness. But may I ask, where are you even getting the concept of good? Aren’t you having to borrow from my worldview to even find such a thing as moral goodness? How can there be moral goodness in an atheistic worldview? Aren’t you left with only moral preferences – you prefer to eat nicely at a restaurant today rather than go on a genicidal run to exterminate all people from Iceland, but in your system, those who choose the latter are merely those with a different preference for the day. There is no right and wrong when ultimately there is no one to answer to. And if you say that society at large comes up with morality, then nothing is fixed, because society (if we mean by that, what most people in a society think) changes its view regularly (slavery was one considered acceptable in America, and now obviously is not).

As one man observed, “what makes your moral standard more than a subjective opinion or personal preference? What makes it truly binding or obligatory? Why can’t I just ignore it? Won’t our end be the same (death and the grave) either way?”

(4) Why not be a full blown, out in the open, militant racist? If all we are is grown up germs (in an evolutionary/atheistic framework) who cares if black grown up germs or white ones, sit at the back of the bus. We get rid of germs in the sink, why not get rid of grown up germs in our neighborhood?

You realize that because there is an ultimate law giver who has made His will known and to whom all of us in every culture is accountable, I know WHY such a thing is wrong, but where in your system can you say any of this slaughter of people of a different color is morally “wrong”?

(5) I have asked where you get morality. Now I ask you what it is. If everything ultimately must be explained by the laws of physics and chemistry, help me understand what a morality is (does it have mass, occupy space, hold a charge, have wavelength)?

(6) I know you believe in morality because you accuse God of not being moral enough, so please tell me, how did matter, energy, time and chance result in a set of objective morality? As one man asked so well, “Did the big bang really spew forth “love your enemy?” If so, you have to help me understand that.”

For my part, I believe there is no moral “good” apart from the God you say you dont believe in, and whose character you question.

I look forward to receiving your reply.

Sincerely,
John Samson

The Story

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There are many true stories out there, some of which are very worthwhile to read. There’s something different about this one though. It is the most important story you or I could ever hear. Yes, it really is that important.

Just click on “The Story” image below.

– John

Miscellaneous Quotes (19)

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“It is doubtful whether God can bless a man greatly until He has hurt him deeply.” – A.W. Tozer

“Envy may be defined, or to the happiness of others considered as compared with their own. The thing to which envious persons are opposed is the comparative relation between that state of honor or happiness which others have, or may have, and their own state.” – Jonathan Edwards, sermon 5 in Charity and Its Fruits, in Works, Yale ed., 8:219

“Salvation is not verified by a past act, but by present fruitfulness.” – John MacArthur

“Grace puts its hand on the boasting mouth, and shuts it once for all.” – C.H. Spurgeon

“He who prays as he ought will endeavour to live as he prays.” – John Owen

“Doctrinal preaching certainly bores the hypocrites; but it is only doctrinal preaching that will save Christ’s sheep. The preacher’s job is to proclaim the faith, not to provide entertainment for unbelievers–in other words, to feed the sheep rather than amuse the goats” – J. I. Packer, A Quest For Godliness.

“Christ is the very essence of all delights and pleasures, the very soul and substance of them. As all the rivers are gathered into the ocean, which is the meeting-place of all the waters in the world, so Christ is that ocean in which all true delights and pleasures meet.” – John Flavel

“The issue is not why does God punish sin, but why does He permit the ongoing human rebellion? What prince, what king, what ruler would display so much patience with a continually rebellious populace? …We forget rather quickly that God’s patience is designed to lead us to repentance, to give us time to be redeemed…The supreme folly is that we think we will get away with our revolt.” – R.C. Sproul

“We are all by nature separate and far off from God. Sin, like a great barrier-wall, rises between us and our Maker. The sense of guilt makes us afraid of Him. The sense of His holiness keeps us at a distance from Him. Born with a heart at enmity with God, we become more and more alienated from Him, by practice, the longer we live. The very first questions in religion that must be answered, are these–”How can I draw near to God? How can I be justified? How can a sinner like me be reconciled to my Maker?” The Lord Jesus Christ has provided an answer to these mighty questions. By His sacrifice for us on the cross, He has opened a way through the great barrier, and provided pardon and peace for sinners.” – J.C. Ryle
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