There is a God

Posted on by under Christian Evidences
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In my earlier days in the church there was an old hymn, number 728b in most of the older song books, that is still one of my favorite hymns.  The chorus states that there is a God and that He is alive!  Indeed, the existence of God is one of the central tenants of any religion.  As more and more people in our world and in our nation have questioned the existence of an all-knowing, all-powerful being, just what are we to think?  Is there really a God?

The short answer is yes, there is a God.  He is the God we read about in the Bible.  However, since many skeptics that we are likely to encounter do not believe the Bible, let us rather look to science and logic in this moment for our proof.

Science has shown two major issues with regards to what we can see.  The first is that matter, stuff, is not eternal.  Matter has not always been here.  Matter has a born-on date.  If that is the case, then where did matter (all that we can see, touch, taste, and smell) come from?  This is one thing that science cannot explain.  Secondly, if there was once nothing (no matter), how is it that there now is something (the world that we live in)?  Matter does not just spontaneously appear.  Cars and houses do not magically appear out of nowhere.  They must be designed and built by someone.  Scripture has an answer for this.  The Bible states, “For every house is built by someone, but He who built all things is God” (Hebrews 3:4, NKJV).

In looking at these two scientific facts, let us reason logically about what this means.  If there once was nothing, why isn’t there nothing now?  Since there is something now (the universe), just how did that come into being?  There had to have been a cause.  Since matter is not eternal, there had to be a beginning of its existence.  Everything that begins to exist must have a cause.  The universe began to exist at some point in the past.  Therefore, the universe must have had a cause.  That cause has to be a superior being who has always existed.  Matter is not eternal, but the mind of God is.

Science and logic tell us that there must be a God.  Therefore, it is incumbent upon us that we seek Him out and learn about Him.  We cannot find God through our feelings or by a blind leap in the dark.  That would not be logical nor scientific.  We must follow the evidence and go where it leads.  Surely, a God who created us and all things would want to communicate with us.  He has.  “God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds” (Hebrews 1:1-2).  Let us not refuse Him who has spoken to us from heaven (Hebrews 12:25).

Being the Church of the First Century

Posted on by under Evangelism
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In the book of Acts there are several principles of church growth that we can study to see just how the church of the first century expanded.  They faced persecution, yet they grew.  They encouraged one another by their perseverance and actions.  They went to where the people were both physically and spiritually.  They preached Jesus to all they encountered.  What was the result?  The church continued to grow and multiply.

            If we want the church to grow now, could we not simply utilize these principles in our evangelism?  Rather than trying to mimic what denominational groups are doing to lure others into their building, would we not be better served in doing what these early disciples did to expand the church?

            We need to not let persecution, or the fear of it, stop us from getting the job done.  Does the fear of persecution keep us from opening our mouths to be a witness for Jesus?  Just because we may one day face imprisonment for speaking God’s word, does not give us an excuse to keep our mouth shut.

            We can all do something to encourage one another during our stay here.  Whether it is a call, a letter, an email, or a hug, we can all be a Barnabas to help others in their labor for Christ.  We may never know the impact that we have on others through our encouragement.  The work of ministry can be draining.  When we reach out and encourage those who are laboring with us, it makes a big difference.

            We need to meet people where they are, both physically and spiritually.  Just as Paul began at different places in his teaching of people from different backgrounds, we need to start where they are in the learning process.  Also, we must go where the people are.  We need to get out in the community to where the people are if we are going to have a chance to interact and influence them.

            We need to preach Jesus.  It does not matter the size of our building, nor the number of our congregation, nor the popularity of our preacher.  Those are not the things that endure.  What endures is Christ and His message.  We need to be witnesses of that.

Does Integrity Still Matter?

Posted on by under Christian Living, Current Events
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            There was a time when a man’s word was his bond.  He would never think of violating that standard to go back on what he had said.  Those days seem to be long in the dust.  As what may be the longest political campaign for the presidency of these United States begins, one wonders where integrity has gone.  Our current batch of politicians will seemingly say anything in order to procure votes for themselves or for their particular brand.  One day they will hurl an endless barrage of insults against their opponents only to clap them on the back the next day when they have dropped out and endorsed the mudslinger.  Additionally, there are calls to prosecute and lock up opponents when those making the accusations are equally guilty of said offense.  Where is the integrity?  Where is the honesty?  Is it okay to be a total hypocrite and accept what ‘our guy’ is doing and attack ‘their guy’ for the same?

            We may wonder what God would think about all this.  If we consult His word, however, we wouldn’t have to wonder for long.  The principles are there in the Old Testament writings.  Integrity, honesty, and righteousness are all to be desired.  David wrote, “The LORD judges the peoples; vindicate me, O LORD, for the righteousness and blamelessness that are mine. Let the evil of the wicked come to an end, but establish the righteous; he who probes the mind and conscience is God the righteous” (Psalm 7:9-10).  Solomon also penned these words, “The integrity of the upright guides them; The deviousness of the treacherous leads them to ruin” (Proverbs 11:3).  God is not pleased when we abandon what He says is right or wrong because we think that it will earn us money, fame, or power.  “Better is the poor who walks in his integrity Than one who is perverse in his lips, and is a fool” (Proverbs 19:1).

            Our political system has become so convoluted that we just accept that this is the way it is.  We expect our leaders to lie to us and stretch the truth.  We expect them to promise us what we know in reality they cannot deliver.  They too know that they cannot deliver while they are making the promises.  We’ve come a long way from letting our ‘yes’ mean yes and our ‘no’ mean no.  Then we sit back and wonder why we don’t have any better candidates to choose from.  What honest person in their right mind would want to dive into this polluted pool?

            So what’s the answer?  What should we do?  Jesus never taught us to worry about politics per se.  To overcome the worries that we might have Jesus says that we must seek first His kingdom and His righteousness (Matthew 6:33).  We need to focus on doing what is right.  Upholding and defending those who practice iniquity just because they are on our side of the political aisle is not the righteousness of God.  We need to pray for our leaders and hope that they will do what is right, no matter what letter is behind their name. ”Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.  For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:1-4).

    Before you say that you cannot pray for our leaders because of how evil they might be, just keep in mind that when Paul penned the words above to pray for the authorities Nero was Emperor of Rome.  If Paul could pray for that guy, we can pray for our leaders now.  God wants for all men to be saved.  Let us direct our energy towards that endeavor instead.

As Daniel Purposed in His Heart

Posted on by under Christian Living

            Do you remember what it was like to be a teenager, and to have to face the constant peer pressure of those who were around you?  Just imagine what it would be like to have to spend those years in a foreign country, where you might have very little say over what you could or could not do.  Imagine how difficult that would be in our youthful years.

            This was the case with Daniel and his friends, who were taken captive by the Babylonians in 606 – 605 BC, when they were likely only about 14 or 15 years old.  Yet, even in a foreign land as a captive, Daniel had a resolve to not defile himself.  Notice what is recorded about him, “But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank; therefore he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself” (Daniel 1:8).  In this verse, Daniel resolves not to defile himself with the king’s food or wine.

            Daniel’s decision to abstain from the king’s food and wine was not just a matter of personal preference.  It was a matter of faith.  Daniel was committed to following the Mosaic Law, which prohibited the eating of certain food (Leviticus 11).  This could not have been an easy decision, but Daniel purposed in his heart ahead of time, before the temptations would have come, to do the Lord’s will.  Daniel was in a foreign land surrounded by others who did not share his beliefs.  The peer pressure would have been great to go along to get along.  However, Daniel remained faithful, and God rewarded him for it (Daniel 1:9, 17).

            Daniel’s resolve is a great example for us to remember to stand up for what God wants, even when it may be difficult – even when surrounded by non-believers.  When we purpose in our hearts to do what is right, we will be less likely to compromise godly values and beliefs, no matter what it costs us.  Remember, it is more important to be Christlike than to be popular.

Rules For Thee, But Not For Me

Posted on by under Christian Living, Culture

               It has been reported in the news lately that the now former president of Harvard University has had some issues with plagiarism in her academic career.  Some have made a big deal over this, since Harvard is a very prestigious institution with rigid guidelines for their students.  Others have blown it off or have claimed racism as a reason for unwarranted persecution.  Is this a big deal?  What is plagiarism?  What does this say about the state of morality in our nation as a whole?

               Plagiarism is the lifting of text or ideas from someone else’s writing without giving proper credit for such to the original author.  It is one of those ten-dollar words that we might not be exposed to if we are outside of the realm of academia.  It is not some small thing, however.  Plagiarism is basically the theft of intellectual property.  It is stealing.  As such, if you plagiarize in your term papers in most colleges and universities, you will be asked to leave.  Apparently at Harvard, while students are subject to this rule, faculty members are exempt.  One can even rise to University President after plagiarizing.

               When we see that the rules do not apply to everyone equally, that goes against what we believe is fair.  This is especially so when it is those who are supposed to be enforcing the rules.  There is a scripture for that.  Paul wrote in Romans 2:21, “You, therefore, who teach another, do you not teach yourself? You who preach that a man should not steal, do you steal?”  God’s word does not endorse a policy of do as I say and not as I do. 

               If we are going to be successful in teaching lost souls about the salvation that is in Christ and Christ alone, then we cannot be hypocritical.  Do as I say and not as I do doesn’t work in the home (children will see through this in a moment); it does not work in the school; and it will not work in the church.  We must practice what we preach.  We cannot just talk the talk; we must walk the walk.  “But above all, my brethren, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath. But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No,’ lest you fall into judgment” (James 5:12). 

    Jesus admonished the religious leaders of His day for basically doing the very same thing as the leaders at Harvard.  “And He said, ‘Woe to you also, lawyers! For you load men with burdens hard to bear, and you yourselves do not touch the burdens with one of your fingers’” (Luke 11:46).  They were good at making difficult requirements that they had no intention of keeping themselves. 

    Let us not be like them!  Let us be genuine so that we will not be a burden to those who are outside (1 Thes. 4:9-12).  Life is difficult enough without us making it harder.  We need to set the right kind of example. We should be one who is not only proclaiming the word of God, but who is also adhering to the commandments of the Lord.  Let us understand that God’s rules apply to all of us, no matter who we are.

I Am Resolved

Posted on by under Christian Living

          There is a song that we sing in our assemblies that speaks of being resolved no longer to linger, charmed by the world’s delight. Instead, the song says that I will hasten to Him. It is a song about being resolute in leaving the world’s charms behind and pressing on to be with the Lord. As we look out upon another year ending and a new one just beginning, what resolutions are we making for the New Year? What are we leaving behind in 2023, and what are we pressing on towards?

     In the Philippian letter, Paul writes, “Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 3:13-14). We might look back at last year’s resolutions and see how we did. Perhaps our resolution only lasted a couple of weeks or a month. Maybe we were resolved to lose ten pounds last year, and now we are only fifteen pounds away from our goal. But, forgetting those things that are behind us, let us look forward to the opportunities in the New Year to be resolved to do better.

     In 2024 let us then be resolved to:

   · Lose the weight of sin in our lives (Heb. 12:1)

   · Exercise greater discernment between good and evil (Psalm 34:14)

   · Improve our spiritual health (1 Peter 1:13-16)

   · Help save the souls of those around us (Mat. 28:19-20)

   · Stop making excuses and abound in the work of the Lord (1 Cor. 15:58)

  I am reminded of an old commercial that showed a man at his desk and each year the pile of papers grew higher. Each year he stated that this was the year he was going to hunker down and get something accomplished. Is 2024 the year that we will grow closer to the Lord? Or will 2024 be like every other year? The choice is ours. The next year is ready and waiting. Are we resolved no longer to linger?

When Did God Change His Mind About Homosexuality?

Posted on by under Culture, Current Events
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            This week Francis, the Roman Catholic Pope, issued a new document which would allow his priests to bless same sex couples.  This was a reversal of a prior stance in which the Roman Catholic institution stated that they could not bless sin.  That prior stance earned Francis a bit of consternation on the part of those in the gay community.  Now, he says, “that people seeking God’s love and mercy shouldn’t be subject to ‘an exhaustive moral analysis’ to receive it” (https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/pope-approves-blessings-for-same-sex-couples-if-they-don-t-resemble-marriage/ar-AA1lGh6Y?ocid=msedgdhp&pc=DCTS&cvid=3ffb240e83214dc9942ffd84c7a63569&ei=35).  So, what happened in between?  Did God change His mind?  Is homosexuality now something to be blessed?

            Let us turn to God’s word for our answer.  In the Old Testament, God’s opinion of homosexuality can be clearly seen.  In Genesis 19 God destroyed the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah because of their same sex practices.  In the Law of Moses, God states, “You shall not lie with a male as with a woman. It is an abomination” (Leviticus 18:22), and “If a man lies with a male as he lies with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination. They shall surely be put to death. Their blood shall be upon them” (Leviticus20:13).  Homosexuality certainly did not have God’s blessing in the Old Testament.

            Homosexuality does not have God’s blessing in the New Testament either.  In Romans 1 beginning in verse 18, the Bible condemns ungodliness and unrighteousness and states that God’s wrath will be poured out on those who practice sexual immorality.  Included in this, is the sin of homosexuality.  “For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due” (Romans 1:26b-27).  Not only does God condemn homosexual activity in this passage, but He also condemns those who approve of such activities (Romans 1:32). 

            So, can we bless that which God condemns?  To give our blessing means that we approve of the activity.  God’s word says, “Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God” (1 Corinthians 6:9-10, emphasis added).  How cruel would it be for us to know that someone is in a relationship or lifestyle that is going to someday condemn them for all eternity, and then turn around and give them our blessing as if everything is alright?  That passage above in 1 Corinthians goes on to say that some of them were guilty of these sins in the past, but they were sanctified by the blood of Christ. 

            However, to be able to enjoy that blessing of sanctification, they had to repent.  They had to change what they were doing.  They had to be obedient to God.  Jesus is the savior of all those who obey Him (Hebrews 5:9).  God gives His mercy to those who are obedient.  We should welcome all people to come to Jesus and be saved, no matter what their current station in life is, but we cannot bless and embrace their sins.  We should not enable them by suggesting that they are safe in their sinful lifestyles.  We do not have the authority to change what God has said.  If we are to be God’s people, we cannot bless that which God hates and condemns.

The Lord and Me, We Have a Deal

Posted on by under Article, Doctrine
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            Perhaps you have tried to share the gospel with someone or encouraged them to come to the worship service of the church, only to have them quote the title above as if they are separate from God’s requirements.  Don’t get me wrong, we can have a covenant relationship with the Lord, but that relationship can only be had according to His stipulations and requirements.  Let’s explore . . .

            In the Old Testament covenant that God made with the nation of Israel, God gave all of the stipulations and requirements to Moses on Mt. Sinai.  Moses then relayed the information to the children of Israel.  “So Moses came and told the people all the words of the LORD and all the judgments. And all the people answered with one voice and said, ‘All the words which the LORD has said we will do’” (Exodus 24:3 emphasis added).   Notice the ‘all’ that they said they would do.  The covenant was not negotiable.  The Lord set the stipulations and the people could either accept it or refuse it.  They couldn’t say that they had a special or different deal with the Lord.  Part of those stipulations were that they had to keep three specific feast days to the Lord (Exodus 23:14).  They couldn’t just decide to roll those three into one day for convenience.  The covenant was unilateral and non-negotiable.

            In the New Testament there is a new covenant.  Jeremiah prophesied that this new covenant was coming (Jer. 31:31-34).  The new covenant is the agreement that we can have with the Lord today, however, this deal is also based upon the commandments and stipulations of the Lord.  We can either accept the deal or deny it.  We do not get to negotiate our own deal individually.  Jesus basically says that if we follow Him, we can have the remission of our sins and live with Him forever (Mark 16:16; Mat. 28:19-20; Acts 2:38).  Notice especially in the Matthew passage that in order to be a disciple of Christ that one must be baptized and taught to observe all things that Jesus has commanded.

   Both the Hebrew and Greek words that are used for covenant in the Bible mean a contract or agreement of some kind.  So, we can have an agreement with God.  That agreement or covenant relationship can only be had, however, if we will accept all that God has told us to do.  God’s salvation is not a buffet where we get to pick and choose.  We must do all that He commands us to do!

By What Authority?

Posted on by under Article, Doctrine
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            In the religious world today, there is no shortage of worship styles and services, all of which differ in mode and operation.  It begs the question as to whether they are all approved of by God.  Some will say that the details of their worship to God do not matter, that anything is acceptable.  I wonder if those same folks would be okay with animal sacrifices being done in a voodoo ritual, or snake handling being done by some fringe group, however.  It would seem that we all would draw a line somewhere.

            The question then becomes where do you draw that line?  If we are all going to do something different in our worship to God, who determines if that is acceptable or not?  The root of the issue really boils down to authority.  Do we have the authority to make our own decisions when it comes to worshiping God?

            In the New Testament of the Bible the subject of authority comes up often.  In one such instance, the chief priests and elders are questioning Jesus in the temple and asking where His authority comes from to do what He was doing.  Jesus responded with a question of His own.  “But Jesus answered and said to them, ‘I also will ask you one thing, which if you tell Me, I likewise will tell you by what authority I do these things: The baptism of John—where was it from? From heaven or from men?” (Mat. 21:24-25 NKJV).  Notice that Jesus only gave two options for the source of authority.  Authority either comes from heaven or from men.

            Everything that is done in religion today is done by one of those two sources of authority.  Either what we do is done with the authority of God Almighty, or what we do is by our own authority.  God has a preference.  In rebuking the Pharisees and scribes, Jesus referred to them as hypocrites and stated, “And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men” (Mark 7:7, Mat. 15:9).  Worship that is vain is useless.  God will not accept useless worship.  God wants to be worshipped as He has commanded.

            We need to have biblical authority for what we teach and practice.  Paul explained in Colossians 3:17 that whatever we do in word or in deed needs to be done in the name of the Lord.  That doesn’t mean we do what we want and slap the name of Jesus on it.  That means that we do it according to His authority.  Let us examine our own selves to see that we are doing what the Lord wants when it comes to our worship of Him.  By what authority do you do these things?

Can We Deal With the Devil?

Posted on by under Article, Christian Living

Our current news feed is loaded with what has been going on in Israel in the war with Hamas.  Many are wanting for a cease fire that will bring peace to the region, but the question that must be answered is how you negotiate with someone who only wants your death or demise.  How can you appease them if all they want is for you to not exist?  Can we make a deal with the Devil? 

It’s difficult to see how that would bring about the desired result, and yet people seem to think that they can make a deal with the Devil and that it will somehow all work out.  Satan is referred to in the Bible many times and in many ways.  He is the tempter in the Garden of Eden in Genesis 3.  He is the accuser of mankind in Job 1.  He is the leader of the fallen angels who have made war against the people of God in Eph. 2:2 and Revelation 12.  All he wants is for the demise and destruction of mankind.  How can you negotiate with him?

Moses certainly understood the importance of not giving in to the adversary.  In dealing with Pharaoh, Moses remained steadfast and sure and did not negotiate with the foe of God.  In Exodus 8:25 Pharaoh told Moses to hold a sacrifice in the land of Egypt, but that was not what God had demanded.  Later, in Exodus 8:28, Pharoah said to go, but only do not go too far away.  Satan would like for us to not go too far away from him. He wants for us to keep one foot in his synagogue (Rev. 2:9) and one foot in the church. 

In the plague of the locusts in Exodus 10, Pharaoh again tried to control the situation in allowing the men to go and sacrifice, but he wanted the children to be left behind.  Satan is delighted when we don’t bring our children with us into the church or into a right relationship with the Lord.  Satan loves to tell us that it is wrong for us to “force” our religion on our children, and instead would have us allowing our children to make their own choices when they are still young and naïve.

Pharaoh tried one last time to negotiate with Moses and his God in allowing the people to leave, but not taking their possessions with them.  “Then Pharaoh called to Moses and said, ‘Go, serve the Lord; only let your flocks and your herds be kept back’” (Exodus 10:24).  Moses answered Pharaoh that they would not leave a hoof behind when they exited Egypt (Exodus 10:26).  Moses understood that he could not give ground to the adversary.

Satan loves it when we give in and negotiate with him.  Go serve God, he might say, but don’t go very far away.  Go do what the Lord wants, but leave your children behind with me.  Go ahead and be a Christian, but don’t let that get in the way of your pursuit of material things.  We cannot give ground to the adversary.  We cannot deal with the Devil.  We cannot negotiate with Satan.  We need to stand, and to stand firm against the wiles of the Devil. 

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand (Eph 6:10–13).