John 5:28-29, “Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth—those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation.”
The title might seem mean, in your face or fear mongering, but the reality is still true no matter what one thinks of the phrase. If you do not accept Christ as Savior and Lord then the reality is that you are heading to Hell. “Could it be that the only result of attempts, however well-meaning, to air-condition Hell, is to ensure that more and more people wind up there?”
Hell is not something to be taken lightly, and it is a very serious place with very serious consequences. Unfortunately though, “Sin has been redefined as a lack of self-esteem rather than as an insult to the glory of God” (R. Albert Mohler Jr.). We no longer have the fear of Hell because we do not see our sin for what it is; an eternal rebellion against an eternal God.
R. Albert Mohler Jr. said, “The biblical vision of God has been rejected by the culture as too restrictive of human freedom and offensive to human sensibilities. God’s love has been redefined so that it is no longer holy. God’s sovereignty has been reconceived so that human autonomy is undisturbed.” If God is eternal and perfectly Holy then when we sin against Him the consequence should fit the crime, which would be an eternal punishment as it is against an eternal God. It is only through what Christ did on the cross and His resurrection that we are allowed to enter heaven.
“We must either admit the endless misery of Hell, or give up the endless happiness of Heaven” (Moses Stuart). You cannot have it both ways. If there is an eternal Heaven where God is present then there is a place where God is not eternally present and that location is Hell. The reality of being separated from God for eternity will prove to be Hell in and of itself. If there is no reality of Hell then why would Christ have to die on the cross? If we all just end up in Heaven at some point then what would be the point of Christ dying for us? We would just do our time purging our sins then be in Heaven.
Is Hell hard to talk about? Yes. Is it very troubling that people wind up there? No doubt, that is why we are suppose to tell those around us about Jesus and the salvation He gives us. Because it is hard is no excuse not to talk about it, that only makes sure, as said above, that more people will wind up there.
I have included a video below that puts into perspective very well what could happen if we do not witness about Jesus Christ and the salvation He offers. I am not sure about the ending, but the part about not being told by his best friend who claims to be Christian is very impactful. Where some would see this as fear mongering; I see it as telling a truth that many Christians are afraid to face today.
Hell is not a “fun” topic and it should not be, but it is a real topic and people need to know the reality of it even if someone is going to say you are using fear. It is not fear mongering if you are telling the truth. It is a warning; it is truth.
On the final day do you want to be on the left or right hand of God? As the verse says below, I want to be on the right. How about you? Where do you want to find your friends? The reality of Hell should make it more prevalent for us to tell people about Christ if we know the result if they do not know Him.
Matt. 25:41, ““Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels:'”
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Wednesday, April 09, 2008
Keep Your Mouth Shut and Do It!
Mark 2:7, “Why does this Man speak blasphemies like this? Who can forgive sins but God alone?”
In Mark chapter two we there is a scenario that is just, well, odd to me. Picture this with me. Jesus comes to your house and because of this you pretty much have the entire village and neighboring villages trying to cram into your house. Think about that for a second. There are so many people in your house that not one more could fit in according to the text. That is a lot of people. They are all there for one reason and one reason only, to see Jesus, and most likely to be healed or harass Him.
Your being the good host and not complaining, even though your house is probably in shambles from all the people, and then suddenly something falls on your head. You dismiss it and think nothing off it, as dust falling off the ceiling is common. But the pieces get bigger and more then the “normal” amount starts to fall. You look up to see four guys digging through your ceiling. What would you say? I know at that point I probably would not be the most gracious host, regardless of letting down a paralytic. I would have said, “Hey, you can’t wait until the crowds disperse a little, or until Jesus walks outside. What’s the deal?” And I would be thinking, “Idiots.”
We do not know the reaction of the home owners, but we see the reaction of Christ. He tells the man His sins are forgiven. Do you think the four guys just said, “Awesome!” and then pulled him back up and left? Nope. They hear murmuring start and leave the man there while the questioning goes on. The Scribes think in their hearts and are murmuring that Jesus is committing blasphemy, for who can forgive sins, but Christ alone. They do not even have the courage to say it to His face. At this point I would have liked to of seen Jesus’ facial expressions. I am sure it was sadness and maybe frustration that these guys just were not getting it. I probably would have had this smirk on my face, thinking these guys are morons. It is a Duh statement. Scribes say, “Uhh, you know that only the Savior can forgive sins Jesus.” Jesus replies, “Duh.”
If anyone should be getting it, it should be the Scribes, as they were the Bible scholars. Their fulfillment of the prophecies is sitting right there. Jesus does not say what I might have said, but instead He heals the guy, thus proving who He is. Mark 2:12 then tells us at this point they “all” praised God. Does this include the Pharisees? Maybe. It sure seems like it to say “all.” We do not hear anything more at this time from them. Talk about shutting someone down quickly.
What interests me even more though is the paralytic. He is there for this whole exchange and yet we hear not a word from him. During this whole scenario he is just lying there. Put yourself in his position. You cannot move and your four friends just put you down through the ceiling and everyone is looking at you. Then Jesus tells you that your sins are healed. He does not tell his friends to lift him up and head home at this point. “Hey lets go, Jesus healed my sins. We are out of here.” No, He lies there and listens to the Pharisees as well. I do not know about you, but I might have said, “Hey I came here for physical healing. The whole sins thing is cool and all, but I can sacrifice a bull for that, how about allowing me to walk.” He says nothing, or at least nothing is recorded.
Your action has the Scribes calling Jesus a blasphemer. I would be hoping that Jesus does not take this out on me. There is no where for you to go, as you cannot move. You might have been looking at your friends with the look of get me out of here, but they were probably too busy watching Jesus talk to the Scribes. Then Jesus turns to you heals you and tells you to pick up your mat and go home. So you do. Mark says the man jumped up grabbed his mat and pushed his way through the crowd. No thank you Jesus, no praise; nothing at all is recorded as his response except to do exactly what Jesus said. He may have just wanted out of there, because the whole situation was just crazy, but either way he did what Jesus said no questions asked. Wow! What would you do? What do you do today when Jesus tells you to do something? Do you listen or open your mouth and ruin it? I can tell you from experience I have ruined it many times.
Are you more like the Scribes and challenging Jesus every time He tells you to do something in your life, or the paralytic who did what He was told without question? How do you know what Jesus is telling you to do? You read it in His Word, the Bible. This is where God speaks to us the most. Then you will be more able to hear the Spirit of God speaking to you, because you will be in line with His will from doing what the Bible says.
Mark 2:11-12, “I say to you, arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.” Immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went out in the presence of them all, so that all were amazed and glorified God, saying, “We never saw anything like this!”
In Mark chapter two we there is a scenario that is just, well, odd to me. Picture this with me. Jesus comes to your house and because of this you pretty much have the entire village and neighboring villages trying to cram into your house. Think about that for a second. There are so many people in your house that not one more could fit in according to the text. That is a lot of people. They are all there for one reason and one reason only, to see Jesus, and most likely to be healed or harass Him.
Your being the good host and not complaining, even though your house is probably in shambles from all the people, and then suddenly something falls on your head. You dismiss it and think nothing off it, as dust falling off the ceiling is common. But the pieces get bigger and more then the “normal” amount starts to fall. You look up to see four guys digging through your ceiling. What would you say? I know at that point I probably would not be the most gracious host, regardless of letting down a paralytic. I would have said, “Hey, you can’t wait until the crowds disperse a little, or until Jesus walks outside. What’s the deal?” And I would be thinking, “Idiots.”
We do not know the reaction of the home owners, but we see the reaction of Christ. He tells the man His sins are forgiven. Do you think the four guys just said, “Awesome!” and then pulled him back up and left? Nope. They hear murmuring start and leave the man there while the questioning goes on. The Scribes think in their hearts and are murmuring that Jesus is committing blasphemy, for who can forgive sins, but Christ alone. They do not even have the courage to say it to His face. At this point I would have liked to of seen Jesus’ facial expressions. I am sure it was sadness and maybe frustration that these guys just were not getting it. I probably would have had this smirk on my face, thinking these guys are morons. It is a Duh statement. Scribes say, “Uhh, you know that only the Savior can forgive sins Jesus.” Jesus replies, “Duh.”
If anyone should be getting it, it should be the Scribes, as they were the Bible scholars. Their fulfillment of the prophecies is sitting right there. Jesus does not say what I might have said, but instead He heals the guy, thus proving who He is. Mark 2:12 then tells us at this point they “all” praised God. Does this include the Pharisees? Maybe. It sure seems like it to say “all.” We do not hear anything more at this time from them. Talk about shutting someone down quickly.
What interests me even more though is the paralytic. He is there for this whole exchange and yet we hear not a word from him. During this whole scenario he is just lying there. Put yourself in his position. You cannot move and your four friends just put you down through the ceiling and everyone is looking at you. Then Jesus tells you that your sins are healed. He does not tell his friends to lift him up and head home at this point. “Hey lets go, Jesus healed my sins. We are out of here.” No, He lies there and listens to the Pharisees as well. I do not know about you, but I might have said, “Hey I came here for physical healing. The whole sins thing is cool and all, but I can sacrifice a bull for that, how about allowing me to walk.” He says nothing, or at least nothing is recorded.
Your action has the Scribes calling Jesus a blasphemer. I would be hoping that Jesus does not take this out on me. There is no where for you to go, as you cannot move. You might have been looking at your friends with the look of get me out of here, but they were probably too busy watching Jesus talk to the Scribes. Then Jesus turns to you heals you and tells you to pick up your mat and go home. So you do. Mark says the man jumped up grabbed his mat and pushed his way through the crowd. No thank you Jesus, no praise; nothing at all is recorded as his response except to do exactly what Jesus said. He may have just wanted out of there, because the whole situation was just crazy, but either way he did what Jesus said no questions asked. Wow! What would you do? What do you do today when Jesus tells you to do something? Do you listen or open your mouth and ruin it? I can tell you from experience I have ruined it many times.
Are you more like the Scribes and challenging Jesus every time He tells you to do something in your life, or the paralytic who did what He was told without question? How do you know what Jesus is telling you to do? You read it in His Word, the Bible. This is where God speaks to us the most. Then you will be more able to hear the Spirit of God speaking to you, because you will be in line with His will from doing what the Bible says.
Mark 2:11-12, “I say to you, arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.” Immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went out in the presence of them all, so that all were amazed and glorified God, saying, “We never saw anything like this!”
Friday, April 04, 2008
New Age Oprah
If you thought Oprah was not dangerous then you are sadly mistaken. Millions listen to her propaganda and believe her. Pray for her and for her spiritual advisor, Eckhardt. Pray that God would crumble this ministry before more are swallowed by its lies.
Matthew 7:15-16, "Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?"
Matthew 7:15-16, "Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?"
Tuesday, April 01, 2008
Inner Meeting the Outer
Hebrews 4:12, “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”
When I was twelve I was helping with some construction work at a church in Ohio. During this time two young men, probably in their 20’s, started to befriend me. We would discuss the Bible and I would see them in church on Sunday. They met my mother and everything on the outside when we saw them said they were Christ followers.
So when they asked me and my mother if I could go to a campground for a retreat, she nor I saw anything wrong. If anything we thought it would be a great time for me to be mentored by some strong young Christian men, as they were lacking in my life at the time (besides Frank who took over after my grandfather died).
I wish I could say that it was a wonderful time of worshiping God and growing in my faith, but it turned out to be quite the opposite. These two “Christian” men had other ideas of what would happen, and started trying to touch too much and act in ways that made me very, very uncomfortable. I ended up having to hide and call my mother to come and get me at the camp. I remained hid until I saw them come through the opening to the camp grounds and then we left immediately.
These two men were not what they said they were. On the outside they knew all the right answers and even could act like a “believer,” but when it came to their true motives and intentions they were anything but Christ like. Sooner or later our inner self will catch up with our outer actions.
The danger with this verse as with most verses in the Bible is that we tend to just glaze over them, and not take them as seriously as we should. Read this verse a couple of times and truly take it into your soul, then listen. What is being said about your thoughts and the intent of your heart? Take some time to examine yourself and see how you line up to the will of God.
This is a time to be honest with yourself. No one is around, so there is no one to impress. Besides God knows already what is really in there. We tend to make a mountain out of a mole hill when it comes to how “great” we think we are as Christians. “I go to church. I tithe. I am a pretty good person, especially compared to. . . .” Is that what this verse is talking about? I do not think so.
How many of you were ever in church and mad at someone? You just sat there seething instead of truly worshipping your Savior. How many men out there spent too much time looking at a woman rather then worshiping God? How many women were more concerned what others thought about what they were wearing rather then worshipping God? How many start looking at their watch when the sermon is supposed to be over and you may be late getting home to watch a sporting event or getting your children to a sporting event? What does this say to your family is more important, God or sports?
What about outside church? Do partake in dirty jokes and laugh or tell them yourself? Do you gossip about someone that has hurt you, or you do not like? What are you watching on T.V.? What are you reading and listening to on the radio? Do you use coarse language? Drink one too many? Look at pornography (soft or hard)? Do you entertain sinful thoughts (you decide which ones)?
The point is this. We say that on the outside we are alright, but when it comes to God searching out our intentions and thoughts, do they line up? Are you truly outside as you are on the inside? If not, why not? Many of us say we are followers of Christ and devoted to Him, but everything else says differently.
If someone were to watch your life Monday through Saturday would they have any idea you were a believer? What would I learn if I watched your life? Would I learn about witnessing? Would I see an excitement about church and how to invite those around you? Would I learn about the Bible because it is discussed at the dinner table or throughout the week in one fashion or another? Would I see Christ in your actions?
How would you measure up? Is Christ really your everything; more important than anything else in your life? Or is He just “what we are supposed to do on Sunday?” Is He just what I do around other believers or my pastor?
When your inner life catches up to your outer life what will be the results? If your inner life lines up with your faith then take time to thank God for doing such a work in you.
God sees your inner thoughts and the intent of your heart. What will be said on your day of judgment? Well done good and faithful servant or go away, as I never knew you?
It is time to take a serious look at what we truly believe and then live it!!!
When I was twelve I was helping with some construction work at a church in Ohio. During this time two young men, probably in their 20’s, started to befriend me. We would discuss the Bible and I would see them in church on Sunday. They met my mother and everything on the outside when we saw them said they were Christ followers.
So when they asked me and my mother if I could go to a campground for a retreat, she nor I saw anything wrong. If anything we thought it would be a great time for me to be mentored by some strong young Christian men, as they were lacking in my life at the time (besides Frank who took over after my grandfather died).
I wish I could say that it was a wonderful time of worshiping God and growing in my faith, but it turned out to be quite the opposite. These two “Christian” men had other ideas of what would happen, and started trying to touch too much and act in ways that made me very, very uncomfortable. I ended up having to hide and call my mother to come and get me at the camp. I remained hid until I saw them come through the opening to the camp grounds and then we left immediately.
These two men were not what they said they were. On the outside they knew all the right answers and even could act like a “believer,” but when it came to their true motives and intentions they were anything but Christ like. Sooner or later our inner self will catch up with our outer actions.
The danger with this verse as with most verses in the Bible is that we tend to just glaze over them, and not take them as seriously as we should. Read this verse a couple of times and truly take it into your soul, then listen. What is being said about your thoughts and the intent of your heart? Take some time to examine yourself and see how you line up to the will of God.
This is a time to be honest with yourself. No one is around, so there is no one to impress. Besides God knows already what is really in there. We tend to make a mountain out of a mole hill when it comes to how “great” we think we are as Christians. “I go to church. I tithe. I am a pretty good person, especially compared to. . . .” Is that what this verse is talking about? I do not think so.
How many of you were ever in church and mad at someone? You just sat there seething instead of truly worshipping your Savior. How many men out there spent too much time looking at a woman rather then worshiping God? How many women were more concerned what others thought about what they were wearing rather then worshipping God? How many start looking at their watch when the sermon is supposed to be over and you may be late getting home to watch a sporting event or getting your children to a sporting event? What does this say to your family is more important, God or sports?
What about outside church? Do partake in dirty jokes and laugh or tell them yourself? Do you gossip about someone that has hurt you, or you do not like? What are you watching on T.V.? What are you reading and listening to on the radio? Do you use coarse language? Drink one too many? Look at pornography (soft or hard)? Do you entertain sinful thoughts (you decide which ones)?
The point is this. We say that on the outside we are alright, but when it comes to God searching out our intentions and thoughts, do they line up? Are you truly outside as you are on the inside? If not, why not? Many of us say we are followers of Christ and devoted to Him, but everything else says differently.
If someone were to watch your life Monday through Saturday would they have any idea you were a believer? What would I learn if I watched your life? Would I learn about witnessing? Would I see an excitement about church and how to invite those around you? Would I learn about the Bible because it is discussed at the dinner table or throughout the week in one fashion or another? Would I see Christ in your actions?
How would you measure up? Is Christ really your everything; more important than anything else in your life? Or is He just “what we are supposed to do on Sunday?” Is He just what I do around other believers or my pastor?
When your inner life catches up to your outer life what will be the results? If your inner life lines up with your faith then take time to thank God for doing such a work in you.
God sees your inner thoughts and the intent of your heart. What will be said on your day of judgment? Well done good and faithful servant or go away, as I never knew you?
It is time to take a serious look at what we truly believe and then live it!!!
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