Wild Game Expo & Woof 'n' Worship

During my 50 years on this earth I have seen a lot of change in churches. As our society has become more wealthy and more focused on fun, churches have also grown in resources and have changed their focus to providing fun.

When I was in high school a local denomination put on a presentation for the student body. It was an abbreviated presentation of the "Magic with a Message" event going on at the church. A preacher did some magic tricks that served as a teaser to come and see the full show at the church. Of course, the magic came with a message about Jesus. All that the kids at school talked about afterward was the magic, not the message.

These days churches have gone into the counseling business, and the day care and education business. Many churches are now offering financial planning and most have physical fitness centers that rival the local YMCA where you can exercise to your favorite gospel music.

As churches have innovated and expanded their "services" they have always tried to slip some gospel into those services. That is, until now.

Watching TV the other night I saw an ad being run by the Oakwood Baptist church near Chattanooga, Tn. The ad promoted their upcoming Wild Game Expo. I was very surprised when the ad ended and not one reference was made to any sort of worship, praising the Lord, a time for teaching about Christ, etc. Not only that, to attend the evening event the church is charging $10 for tickets. So I went to their website. I figured they would surely have an agenda of their events that would include some spiritual activities. Here is the content of their site:

Woods-N-Water Wild Game Expo will take place Saturday, May 30, 2009, on the Chickamauga Campus. We are pleased to have Hank Parker as a special guest speaker. Chris McDaniel will provide musical entertainment.There will be a Wild Game Cook-off Competition during the day's events. Samples will be given until they run out. Entries will be judged by an "Oakwood Celebrity" panel. Trophies and bragging rights will be awarded. Contact Michael Swanson for details on competing at 706-375-7236.

Join us beginning at 3 pm for a day of FREE events

Archery Exhibition by Frank Addington, Jr.
Classic/Hot Rod Car Show
Motorcycle Show
Virtual Fishing & Archery by Georiga DNR
Displays by Outdoor Equipment & Supply Vendors
Wild Game Cook-Off Competition
Evening Events (Ticket required)
BBQ Dinner
Special Guest Speaker: Hank Parker
Music provided by Chris McDaniel
Door Prizes

Advance Tickets Now On Sale! Tickets for evening events: $10

There it is. No mention of anything spiritual. Apparently you can go and they won't even try to slip in a message about Jesus. Atheist's should feel comfortable going to this one. In fact, they can attend and perhaps walk away with one of the door prizes! And maybe it won't be a Bible.

I would say that I'm amazed but I am not. This is the natural course of events for churches whose emphasis has become fun and games and pleasing the masses. This falls under the "Recreation Ministry" of the Oakwood Baptist church (wasn't Timothy in the Bible a recreation minister? - I jest).

One of the popular "church growth" teachers today advocates that churches take a survey of the community to learn what they want and then provide it. Perhaps that is what the Oakwood church has done.

Now checkout this link. A church in Weymouth, Massachusetts now offers a Sunday evening service they call Woof 'n' Worship. Since the Scriptures speak of all creatures praising God, the Rev. Rachel Bickford decided to have her church members bring their dogs for worship. She said, "I thought this would be a wonderful opportunity for everyone to get together." She even blesses the dogs that are sick.

By just reading the article you get an idea of who is being pleased by these actions. "I love it. My life revolves around making my dogs happy" one member said. Continuing she said, "It makes me happy and it makes them better socialized and better dogs." Ms. Bickford stated "people were excited to be able to take their dogs to church." Like most politically correct organizations today, the church is an inclusive church. Bickford said she was glad the church was able to include all breeds.

In Acts 20:28, Paul refers to the church as "the church of God which He purchased with His own blood." Do you think Jesus shed His blood so that a church can put on a Wild Game Expo or help dogs be better socialized animals through Wolf 'n' Worship? Such activities border on blasphemy, if they aren't!

During the period of the judges the nation of Israel would cycle through periods of faithfulness to the Lord and unfaithfulness. Those cycles were pretty much timed with their poverty (reliance upon God) and their wealth (their periods unfaithfulness). Twice in the book of Judges we read this statement, "In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes." (Judges 17:6; 21:25). That statement characterises several events throughout Bible history. The fact that such a statement is recorded in Scripture is evidence that doing things "our own way" is not acceptable before God.

I'm sure that the Oakwood church and the church in Weymouth, Ma believes they are doing what is right. The problem is, they are doing what is right in their own eyes. Our attitude should be like Jesus' regarding what He could and could not do. "For I have not spoken on My own authority; but the Father who sent Me gave Me a command, what I should say and what I should speak." (John 12:49). And, "I can of Myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is righteous, because I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me." (John 5:30). You see, unless God has instructed us to do a given thing, then that thing is not authorized and we had better not do it. He told us to "preach the gospel to every creature" and we see how his disciples did that. Not with Wild Game Expos or Woof 'n' Worship services which as designed to appeal to the desires of those participating, but through diligent teaching of His word. No gimmicks, no fleshly appeal - and no charge!

You might want to refer to another post of mine called Noah Was A Failure. You can also click on the tag below called "authority" for more posts related to doing things in God's ways. I would also appreciate your comments. May we all examine our efforts before the Lord and be certain that we are not guilty of doing what is right in our own sight.

Proposition 8: The Musical

Bill O'Reilly showed a clip of a 3 minute video called "Prop 8: The Musical." The video pits a group of anti-Prop 8 actors against a group of actors dressed up like fundamentalist Christians. Of course, those depicting the Christians are made out to be haters and even say "It is time to spread some hate" with Proposition 8.

Jack Black (I've never heard of him) portrays Jesus who miraculously appears on the scene between the Christians and the supporters of the gay and lesbian community. The "preacher" bows down before Jesus and asks, "Jesus, doesn't the Bible say these people are an abomination?" Jesus replies, "Yeah, but it says the exact same thing about this shrimp cocktail." As he holds up a loaded shrimp cocktail the preacher and his followers lick their lips saying, "Yum!" Jesus continues, "The Bible says a lot of interesting things" and he talks about men selling their daughters into slavery. The preacher replies smugly, "Well, we ignore those verses." To which Jesus says, "Well friend, it seems to me you pick and choose. Well please choose love instead of hate."

There are several problems with the logic used in the arguments this video makes. I seriously doubt that Jack Black and his ilk really care, but here are the difficulties.

Picking and Choosing. If Christians are guilty of being inconsistent in the application of God's word, such guilt does not change the word of God. If it is an abomination to eat shellfish and we choose to eat it anyway, the dismissal of God's word regarding shellfish doesn't argue that homosexuality is therefore okay.

Jesus (not the impostor Jack Black) accused the Pharisees of His day of inconsistently applies God's word. "Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone." Matthew 23:23 Jesus didn't excuse the Pharisee's omission of the weightier matters of the law because they ignored them. He said they should have done both. If the Bible teaches that homosexuality is an abomination (admitted in the video) as well as eating shellfish, then both are wrong. Ignoring either teaching does not justify ignoring the other.

The writers of the video are simply encouraging more picking and choosing rather than submitting to the word of God. The real Jesus said, "He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him--the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day." John 12:48.

Ignorance of Sound Teaching. The video reveals the ignorance of Biblical teaching on the part of the writers and producers. Unfortunately this ignorance is shared by many people who call themselves Christians. Without going into a lot of explanation, there is a fundamental teaching in the Scriptures regarding the Old Testament law. That law, which forbade homosexuality and the eating of shellfish, is no longer God's law for man.

In a lengthy discussion that begins in Hebrews 7, the writer of Hebrews argues that the Old Testament law (referred to as the first) was replaced by the New Testament (referred to as the second). He concludes in Hebrews 10:9 that Jesus "takes away the first that He may establish the second." Paul says in Galatians 3:19 that the Old Testament law "was added because of transgressions, till the Seed should come to whom the promise was made" and tells us that the Seed was Jesus. Once Jesus came the old law ended and the law of Christ was established (Galatians 6:2).

So we must determine what the New Testament teaches about homosexuality and shellfish to know what we as Christians can do today.

Teaching Concerning Homosexuality and Shellfish. Here are the New Testament passages regarding shellfish and homosexuality.

Shellfish.

In a discussion about what is proper to eat Paul says, "For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving." 2 Timothy 4:4. The proper conclusion is that anyone may eat shellfish based on the teachings of the apostle Paul, who said, "If anyone thinks himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things which I write to you are the commandments of the Lord." (1 Corinthians 14:37).

Homosexuality.

The New Testament teaching regarding homosexuality is also clear and easy to understand. Consider these passages.

"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.

"For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. 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. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them." Romans 1: 26-32

"For if God did not spare the angels who sinned, but cast them down to hell and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved for judgment; 5 and did not spare the ancient world, but saved Noah, one of eight people, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood on the world of the ungodly; 6 and turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes, condemned them to destruction, making them an example to those who afterward would live ungodly." 2 Peter 2: 4-6

Homosexual and lesbian behavior is said by God to be unrighteous, vile, unnatural, shameful and ungodly. But those involved in such are not alone. Those committing adultery and fornication are in the same condition. So are those who murder and those who steal. As well as those who are disobedient to parents.

Inconsistency. Those who demean Christians with such material as "the musical" are inconsistent. The fake Jesus is clearly a mockery of the real Jesus and is an expression of intolerance toward Him. The fake Jesus accuses Christians of being unloving while the real Jesus says "If you love Me, keep my commandments." John 14:15. There is no expression of love for Jesus to be found in the video.

Legislation. Christians may try to force the Lord's ways on others through legislation but until they win the hearts of those in sin over to Christ, no battle has really been won. The homosexual and lesbian community may eventually and probably will secure the legislation they want. A legal victory may temporarily cause them feel justified in their behavior, but the final verdict is Christ's.

Jesus has spoken. His word is clear. All who are in sin must believe in Him (John 3:16), turn away from their sinful behavior in repentance (Luke 13:3), confess His Lordship over their lives (Romans 10:9,10), and be baptized in water to allow his blood to cleanse them of their sin (Acts 2:38; Colossians 2:12; Romans 6:4). When one follows those teachings and lives faithfully to the Lord, it can be said of them, "...such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God." 1 Corinthians 6:11.

Are You Rapture Ready?

I visited a web site the other day called “Rapture Ready.” It is a site devoted to its author’s passion - the rapture. It even comes complete with an index giving the likelihood that the rapture is imminent. By the way, index numbers are high right now. The present reading is 166. The record was set on September 24, 2001 when the index peaked at 182! Of course, you can make a donation of money (not tax deductible) at the website.

So, are you rapture ready? Probably the best way to be prepared for the rapture is to find out what the Bible says about it. Use a concordance, perhaps the one in the back of your Bible and look up the word rapture. Find all the scriptures that use the word and study them carefully.

To make it easier for you, especially since the little concordances in the backs of Bibles are not very complete, I will list the verses for you. Here they are.

...

Now that the list is complete…, well, I was going to suggest that we study the passages, but it appears there are no verses that use the word rapture. In fact, the word is not even in the word of God. How can we be rapture ready if the Bible does not even use the word?

The idea of the rapture is that Jesus will return and “catch away” all Christians from the earth leaving behind confusion and a seven-year tribulation. You may recall the bumper sticker declaring, “In case of rapture this car will be unmanned.” Another one jokingly said, “In case of rapture, can I have your car?”

The Bible, in 1 Thessalonians 4:17, does speak of Christians being “caught up” in the clouds with the dead who are raised and “so we shall ever be with the Lord.” The rapture is supposed to be a sudden event that is secret except for the fact that lots of folks have disappeared. No warning. Just “poof” and they’re all gone.

The problem with using this text to prove the rapture is verse 16. “For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.” The archangel is going to shout and the trumpet of God is going to sound, yet no one is going to hear them? Keep in mind that Paul is trying to help the Thessalonians understand that their brethren who have died did not miss heaven. They will be raised, then those who are alive will be changed, and all will be caught up and be with the Lord forever. He is addressing only what will happen to Christians. To get the full picture, we must read other passages.

“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.” (John 5:28,29). Observe that the good and the evil are raised at the same time! Jesus said that “all who are in the graves” will come forth. Not just the good folks - all of them. This passage presents great problems for the teaching of the rapture in which only the good are raised. Remember, the word rapture does not appear in the scriptures.

Combine John 5:28, 29 with Matthew 25 and we get even more of the picture. John 5 tells us that the good and bad are raised at the same time and go either to the resurrection of life or the resurrection of condemnation. Matthew 25:31-46 says that Jesus is coming and will gather all nations before him. Jesus will separate the people into two groups, those who have done good and those who have done bad. According to verse 46, the good receive “eternal life” and the wicked receive “everlasting punishment.” Once again, this presents serious problems for the idea of a rapture that includes only the good folks.

Someone may say, “What about Matthew 24 where it says that one will be taken and one will be left?” Let’s examine the passage. The context is Jesus’ prediction of the destruction of Jerusalem which occurred in 70 AD. He is warning the faithful to be prepared for the destruction that is coming as it did in the days of Noah. In verses 37-41 He says, “But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. Then two men will be in the field: one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken and the other left.” The “coming” of the Son of Man is a phrase used many times in the Bible to describe God’s “coming” in judgment on a nation. The nation under consideration here is Israel, specifically Jerusalem. Notice that in the days of Noah the flood came and “took them all away.” In the same way two men will be in a field and one will be “taken,” two women at a grindstone and one will be “taken.” Those who are taken are taken in destruction just like those in Noah’s day were taken in destruction. The “taking” is not the rapture.

The rapture is not Biblical. The idea does not fit with clear teaching in God’s word. As always, you should abandon the teachings of men and follow only what God says in His word.

Are you rapture ready? Don’t worry about the rapture. It won’t catch you or anyone else off guard. However, the second coming of Jesus might. You need to be prepared for that. There is no second chance as taught by many rapture theorists. Your opportunity to prepare is now. Hebrews 9:27 says, “...it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment.” Can I help you be prepared? Send me an email letting me know how I can help.

Imagination and Salvation

When I was about five years old we lived in Mississippi. Sherry lived across the street and we played together a lot. As it is with most children, much of our playing involved considerable imagination. Once during a storm a tree fell in our yard. For several days it became our home while we were stranded on a deserted island. It provided our shelter, the way to cross high waters and our weapons to ward off dangerous animals. For most of a day we really believed we were on that island.

On another day I was sitting in Sherry's carport. It was a very hot day. Sherry asked me if I wanted some flavored ice cubes. That sounded wonderful and I asked, “What flavor?” She told me she had several flavors and that she would bring me lemon. After that piece she brought me grape. When I asked for another grape flavored piece Sherry began to laugh. “Can you really taste the grape?” she asked. “Of course” I said. She laughed even harder and told me the ice was plain and had no flavor at all.

Often we are told things which are incorrect but because we either trust the source or want to believe them, we accept those things as truth. In the 1800’s doctors often did not have a pain killer to administer before surgery. They would give a patient a placebo (“sugar pill”) telling them that it was a powerful pain killer. Often they could perform the surgery while the patient was awake and still, feeling no pain.

Could it be that there are those who think they are saved because they believe the message of a preacher who is actually teaching error? In Matthew 7:21-23, Jesus said, “Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?' And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!” Did these people believe they were saved? Yes, they did. Were they? Not at all. Jesus said to them, “I never knew you.” These were religious people who felt they were saved and expected to be in heaven, but Jesus said, “Depart from me…”

If it is possible to think we are saved only to find out that it is not so, can we be certain of salvation? Yes, we can. We can have confidence. The key is to depend upon the written word of God, not the spoken word of a preacher or the teaching handed down from our parents.

What does Jesus say about salvation and freedom from sin? In John 8:32 He said, “And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” In His prayer to God Jesus said, “Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.” (John 17:17). So truth makes us free and the source of truth is God’s word.

In regard to salvation, Jesus said, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16). He also said, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.” Mark 16:16. Which of those statements do you believe? Your preacher may preach John 3:16 to you and tell you that all that is necessary for salvation is to believe in Jesus and say the sinners prayer. Has your preacher ever preached on Mark 16:16, Acts 2:38, Acts 22:16, 1 Peter 3:21?

The truth on any subject is the sum of all the information from a reliable source. The Scriptures are certainly a reliable source. One must believe (have faith) that Jesus lived, was crucified and was raised from the dead as proof that He is the Son of God (Romans 1:4). However, faith alone will not save (James 2:24). One must also repent (turn away) from the sin in his life and be baptized (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38). Baptism is “for the remission of sins” and is the point at which God removes sin from the penitent believer (Colossians 2:11,12). One must have faith in God’s working at baptism or his baptism accomplishes nothing. To put it plainly, if you believed that you were saved before you were baptized, then you were not baptized scripturally and are still in your sins.

I really believed that those ice cubes were flavored lemon and grape. However it was my desire to believe an unreliable source that led me to an incorrect conclusion. A practical joke played by a little girl is very different from incorrect teaching by a man who claims to preach the word of God. Carefully examine the Scriptures above. Contact me to discuss this further. Whatever you do, don’t just imagine you are saved, be confident of it. Examine the word of God. “The entirety of Your word is truth, and every one of Your righteous judgments endures forever.” (Psalm 119:160).

Noah Was a Failure

The world of Noah’s day was quite evil, so evil, in fact, that “the LORD was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart. So the LORD said, ‘I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth, both man and beast, creeping thing and birds of the air, for I am sorry that I have made them.’” (Genesis 6:6,7).

Noah was divinely warned. Noah was different. In contrast to all the evil people around him, He “walked with God” (Genesis 6:9). Because of this, God decided to save Noah and instructed him to build an ark that would keep him safe while the flood destroyed the remainder of the world’s population. Verse 3 probably means that God decided to allow the earth to stand another 120 years before the destruction came. So Noah had perhaps 100 to 120 years to construct the ark according to God’s plan.

Hebrews 11:7 says Noah was “divinely warned” by God and “by faith” built the ark and saved himself and his household. In 2 Peter 2:5 we read that Noah was “a preacher of righteousness.” During the years of ark building Noah was also trying to convince his neighbors that they should acknowledge the God of heaven, change their ways, and get on the boat.

We have been divinely warned. Paul tells us that Jesus will return one day “in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (2 Thessalonians 1:8). He reasoned with Felix about “righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come” in Acts 24:25. Romans 3:23 says, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

The word of God, preached by righteous men, tells us how we may be saved. Romans 1:16, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.” The truth is the source of freedom from sin as John 8:32 says, “And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

The truth teaches us that we must believe in Jesus (John 3:16), repent of our sins (Luke 13:3), confess Jesus as Lord (Acts 8:37) and be baptized for the forgiveness of our sins (Acts 2:38). Upon genuine obedience to those steps Jesus washes us from our sins, making a distinction between us and the evil world around us (Revelation 1:5).

Noah was a failure. Having preached for 100 or more years, Noah was able to save only his wife, his three sons and their wives. Only eight people! Surely he could have done more.

As we look around the “Christian” world today we begin to see why Noah was a failure. Noah preached the wrong message. Noah preached righteousness when his goal should have been to fill the boat. Rather than a message of change, Noah should have preached, “come as you are.” Rather than repentance, he should have preached “tolerance” and built an “inclusive” ark. Rather than harping on people’s sins and running the risk of keeping them off the boat, he should have advertised shuffleboard, “ark socials” and ark league softball, ark league basketball and ark league volleyball. Of course, once the people got on board he could try to slip in a little of God’s word every now and then to try to make a difference –once they were in.

We have to wonder why God allowed Noah to be such a failure. He had spoken to Noah instructing him on how to build the boat and make it seaworthy. He told him the formula for bringing animals aboard. Why didn’t God tell Noah about the mechanics of “ark growth”? By modern day church standards, Noah was a miserable failure.

When I started preaching for a small church a friend suggested that we print some door hangers and go around the neighborhood inviting folks to an ice cream supper. “Admittedly,” he said, “it is sort of like bribing them to come with something other than the ‘word,’ but, hey, it gets them in the door.” Yeah, it is sort of like bribing then, isn't it?

The bottom line. When it started raining and the waters began to rise, do you suppose any of the folks outside Noah’s ark were wondering if Noah had a shuffleboard court onboard? Do you suppose they would still refuse to go onboard because there would be no “mother’s day out” program, “paintball ministry,” or celebration of Jesus’ birthday complete with cake and ice cream?

Noah’s goal was not to fill the ark. His goal was to change the hearts of sinners. When one realizes he is in sin and he is doomed to destruction without salvation from the Lord, he’ll get onboard God’s plan of salvation without a bribe or a gimmick.

The social gospel, with its appeal to the flesh, its appeal to the appetite, its appeal to “entertainment,” isn’t the appeal God used in Noah’s day and isn’t the appeal He used in Jesus’ day either. Did Jesus say, “Come to Me, all you who want to play church league ball, all you who need to lose weight, and all you people who need a break from your kids, and I will give you what you want.”? No way! He said, “Come to me all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” He wasn’t talking about physical problems, He was addressing spiritual problems - sin. When rest for the soul is desired, the plain ol’ gospel will satisfy, and no gimmicks are necessary to get one to stay aboard.

Redefining Male and Female

New York City is considering a proposal that will allow a person to alter the sex listed on their birth certificate. No sex change operation is required - just some sort of proof that the person has acted like or lived as the opposite sex for at least 2 years.

Such an easy sex change has certain practical implications such as which bathroom will an employer allow "it" to use at work. Or a boy, if he thinks quickly on his feet, will act like a girl for a couple of years and conveniently change sexes just before being required to sign up for Selective Service.

Of course the whole process is designed to make it easier for two males or two females to marry since their birth certificates will indicate that they are male and female, a marriage allowed by New York law. If this proposal becomes law there will probably be the usual outrage expressed by those in the religious community, but I want to suggest that many "Christians" are guilty of similar redefinition.

The Scriptures clearly teach in 1 Corinthians 14:34 "Let your women keep silent in the churches, for they are not permitted to speak; but they are to be submissive, as the law also says." You see, this passage is as clear as the passages that teach us that homosexuality is "not permitted." Yet many of our religious friends want to redefine the role of women not only to allow them to speak but even to preach rather than to "keep silent in the churches" as Paul commands (see verse 37).

The Scriptures clearly place qualifications upon the role of the bishop (pastor, elder, presbyter). "A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach; not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not covetous; one who rules his own house well, having his children in submission with all reverence..." (1 Timothy 3:2-4). Yet many of our religious friends want to redefine the role of the bishop, saying it really isn't necessary that the bishop be a married and a male ("husband of one wife") and they appoint unmarried men who have no children ("having his children in submission"). After all, Paul said the bishop "must be" these things (verse 2).

If Christians are going to insist that people must live according to God's teachings in regard to homosexuality and sex changes (and we should), then it is absolutely necessary that we live consistent lives and not take liberty with the Scriptures and presumptuously redefine roles when it is convenient to our own wishes and desires. Submission to God's will is the duty of all men - to those who want to reject His will regarding sexuality AND even to those who call themselves by Christ's name.

Bible Blueprints

Blueprints provide a pattern for buildings. If the blueprint is carefully followed, the building becomes exactly what the architect designed.

Paul told Timothy, “Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard.” 2 Timothy 1:13. To be pleasing to God, Timothy was to follow the pattern (blueprint) given by God. Paul warned Timothy that there would be a time when people “will not endure sound doctrine.” (2 Timothy 4:3). The “pattern of sound words” is found in the “sound doctrine” of Jesus Christ.

Many today don’t want to be concerned with doctrine, thinking that doctrine is unimportant compared to preaching loving God. Yet Paul told Timothy to “hold fast the pattern of sound words.” Think about Jesus’ statement in John 14:15 “If you love Me, keep My commandments.” Isn’t it obvious that by paying careful attention to the doctrine of Christ we are then able to express our love to Jesus and His Father by keeping their commandments?

If everyone followed God’s blueprint, those seeking God could be one. The attitude that doctrine isn’t important leads to all the division we see today. The idea that “it doesn’t matter what you believe as long as you are sincere” is foreign to the teaching of Christ and of Paul, His apostle.

Jesus is building His building (Ephesians 2:19-22). We are workers in that process (1 Corinthians 3:11-15). We need to concern ourselves with following the blueprints given to us by the architect in His word.

The Bereans concerned themselves with the blueprint. When Paul preached to them they consulted the blueprint to be certain that he was building according to the plan. See Acts 17:11.

Honoring God

The stories in the Bible serve many purposes. They give us historical information that helps us understand how we came to be where we are today. Those stories of old explain what God has done for us through Jesus Christ. Paul warned the Corinthian church about errors in their manner of life and used Old Testament events to support his point. Then he said, “Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come.” Let’s learn lessons about honoring God from some examples in the Old Testament.

Nadab and Abihu. In the opening chapters of Leviticus, God is leading Israel step by step through the worship He wanted them to offer before Him. Suddenly God’s glory appeared to all the people as fire came from the Lord and consumed the offering on the altar. Then Aaron's sons did something in worship that God had not commanded them. “Then Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, each took his censer and put fire in it, put incense on it, and offered profane fire before the LORD, which He had not commanded them. So fire went out from the LORD and devoured them, and they died before the LORD.” Leviticus 10:1,2.

In verse 3, God commented on their action. “By those who come near Me I must be regarded as holy; And before all the people I must be glorified.”

What was wrong with what Nadab and Abihu did? They acted without God’s command. They presumed that God would be pleased with their action. By doing something God had not commanded they failed to honor and glorify Him. This cost them their lives.

Moses. Some time later, when the people complained for lack of water God told Moses to speak to a rock and He would cause water to come forth. In his anger at the people Moses struck the rock instead of speaking to it. God told Moses, “Because you did not trust in me enough to honor me as holy in the sight of the Israelites, you will not bring this community into the land I give them.” Number 20:12.

Moses failed to honor God because he changed God’s command. Moses had worked many years to bring those people to the promised land but he was not allowed to enter because of his action.

What can we learn from these examples? We can’t honor God by offering Him worship that we think is good or right. We must offer Him the worship He has asked for. If we change what he has said to do we fail to honor Him.

Many people today are trying to honor God but are doing so in their own way. Nearly every kind of activity that people enjoy doing has become a “ministry” in an attempt to justify the action. So we see rock bands, magicians, cowboys, power lifters, motorcycle riders and even model airplane fliers, each one claiming to be “for Jesus.” No doubt many are sincere but who would question Nadab’s, Abihu’s or Moses’ sincerity?

What we need is an understanding of this simple concept taught by Jesus in Matthew 15:8,9. “These people draw near to Me with their mouth, and honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men."

Honoring God is a matter of worshipping Him as He desires, not as we desire. Otherwise, our worship is vain.

No Man Ever Spoke Like This Man

In John 7, Jesus’ enemies, the Pharisees, sent officers to arrest Him (v. 32). When the officers returned empty-handed they were asked, “Why have you not brought Him?” (v. 45). They answered, “No man ever spoke like this Man.” (v. 46).

What was different about the way Jesus spoke? Was He an eloquent speaker capable of wowing a crowd with His auricular ability? Did He speak with a captivating, soothing, radio announcer’s voice? An examination of His teachings reveals that He did not use large, fancy words. In fact, the apostle Paul was far more eloquent and verbose than Jesus. Isaiah 53 indicates that there were no physical characteristics about Jesus to draw people to Him.

He Spoke In Parables. Jesus told stories about planting seeds. He talked about people who lost coins and sheep. He told about a lost son and his loving father who kept looking for him. He told about a man who found a valuable pearl and sold all just so he could purchase the prized pearl.

Matthew 13:34, 35 says, “All these things Jesus spoke to the multitude in parables; and without a parable He did not speak to them, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying: ‘I will open My mouth in parables; I will utter things kept secret from the foundation of the world.’” All of His stories had spiritual meanings to those who were inclined to discern the spiritual message. When asked about His parables, He replied, “To you it has been given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God, but to the rest it is given in parables, that 'Seeing they may not see, And hearing they may not understand’.” (Luke 8:10). His parables separated the audience. Some would hear and understand. The rest were not “tuned in” spiritually and therefore turned away from His message.

People today might find it hard to believe that Jesus would deliberately speak in a way to appeal only to a select group of people. As hard as it may seem, that is exactly what He did. He sought those who were drawn to a spiritual calling.

He Spoke Boldly. In John 7:42, the people said, “He speaks boldly….” Jesus was not afraid to tell people what they needed to hear.

To those Pharisees who needed repentance, He said, “Now you Pharisees make the outside of the cup and dish clean, but your inward part is full of greed and wickedness.” (Luke 11:39). After calling them “blind guides,” and “hypocrites,” He said, “Serpents, brood of vipers! How can you escape the condemnation of hell?” in Matthew 23:23, 25, 33.

In John 8, a woman was brought to Him who supposedly was caught in the very act of adultery. To her hypocritical accusers He boldly said, “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.” (v. 7). One by one they all walked away. Jesus didn’t let the woman go without speaking boldly to her as well. He said, “Go and sin no more.” (v. 11).

Our politically correct world would not accept Jesus if He were among us today. Rather than calling sin as it is, the world wants to cover it up with more pleasing terminology so that perpetrators will not feel guilt for their evil ways.

He Did Not Speak Like Others Religious Teachers. “And so it was, when Jesus had ended these sayings, that the people were astonished at His teaching, for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.” (Matthew 7:28, 29). The scribes were not willing to speak as Jesus spoke, nor could they. Jesus identified the problem with the teachers of His day. “And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.” (Matthew 15:9). Note that Jesus considered that teaching doctrine and following it is worship.

Jesus is at odds with religious teachers today as well. All we have to do is examine His words with those being preached today.

With regard to marriage and divorce, Jesus speaks with a very different voice from today’s religious leaders. When asked if a person can divorce for just any cause, Jesus said, “what God has joined together, let not man separate.” (Matthew 19:6). His answer? No. Is there a proper cause? Yes. He said, “And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery; and whoever marries her who is divorced commits adultery.” (19:9). Jesus says if a man or woman divorces his spouse for a reason other than sexual immorality, he becomes guilty of adultery if he remarries. A person who marries another who was divorced commits adultery. Today, people divorce and remarry at will, without regard to Jesus’ teachings. Religious leaders condone, approve, and even conduct unlawful remarriages. Jesus said these remarriages constitute adultery. Adulterers do not have a place in the kingdom of heaven (Galatians 5:19-21).

We have the commandments of Jesus. Those who teach otherwise are teaching the “commandments of men” and are leading their followers into “vain worship.”

He Spoke Words Of Judgment. Jesus was serious about His words. In John 12:48-50, Jesus said, “He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him--the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day. For I have not spoken on My own authority; but the Father who sent Me gave Me a command, what I should say and what I should speak. And I know that His command is everlasting life. Therefore, whatever I speak, just as the Father has told Me, so I speak."

How ironic it will be for those who reject Jesus’ words to stand before Him and realize that the very words they refused to hear will be the standard by which they will be judged in the end. It will be sad to have lived with His words so readily available yet ignored and unheeded. Rather than meet that fate, you can begin listening today. Send me an email if you would like to study the Bible together via email.

No Man Ever Spoke Like This Man. As many were leaving Jesus because they could not bear His words, He asked His twelve apostles if they were going to leave as well. Each of us should reply as Peter did on that occasion. “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” (John 6:68).

Our Mother Who Art in Heaven?

My son Joel wrote this article. I include it for your consideration.

The Presbyterian National Assembly recently agreed to allow references to the Trinity to be changed from Father, Son and Holy Spirit to less “sexist” language. There apparently has been some concern in some Presbyterian circles that the masculine reference to the Trinity promotes men as superior to women. Fox News reported that suggestions for alternative phrases were “Mother, Child, and Womb,” “Rock, Redeemer, and Friend,” and “Lover, Beloved, and Love.” It seems that soon we may be hearing some Presbyterians praying, “Our Mother who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name…”

Are we to alter what God has said based on our own politically correct worldviews? Nancy Olthoff, the Presbyterian Legislative Committee chair said that the decision doesn’t alter the church’s theological position, but merely “provides an educational resource to enhance the spiritual life of our membership.” One can clearly see in the alternatives that were suggested that the committee carefully tried to pick alternatives that corresponded well to the “Father, Son, Holy Spirit” model, so what is wrong with the change? Let me list several things:

1. The decision to allow alternative designations shows a clear disregard for the belief that every word of Scripture is inspired. When Jesus was challenged to prove the resurrection in Matthew 22, He responded in verses 31-32 by quoting, “I AM the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” He then pointed out that God was not the God of the dead, but the God of the living. How could He conclude that? Because of the present tense of the verb “to be.” God said, “I AM,” not, “I was,” or, “I will be.” In other words, Jesus believed that not only was every word of Scripture inspired, but even the verb tenses were inspired. Does the Presbyterian National Assembly truly believe that every word of Scripture is inspired (2 Tim. 3:16)? If so, why the change? If not, why bother following anything the Bible says? Did God not have the alternative of choosing some feminine names/pronouns/etc.? Why did He not, if gender was such a non-issue to His character?
   
2. The decision also throws Jesus’ humanity quite a curve ball. Surely a God with foreknowledge would understand that some women might not be able to relate to a male Savior. Why did He not come as a woman, or better yet, just as an “it” so that everyone could relate? Of course if He came as an “it,” who could relate? Hmmm…quite a problem! Why don’t we just stick with Him being a man, as the Scriptures say?
   
3. Finally, though we could go on, the decision gives culture more credence than God. Did Paul or the other New Testament writers cater to Roman culture? If so, why did they not go soft on issues like homosexuality, other kinds of sexual sins, stealing, lying, drunkenness, and all other issues that might offend a group of people? What we see is that cultural concerns did not influence their writings then, nor would they if the inspired men were writing today.
   

The fact that the Presbyterian National Assembly decided this should greatly bother anyone affiliated with them. If they will take steps like this regarding the inspiration of the Scriptures, how can they be trusted with many of the other things they claim to be true? We must have Bible authority for all that we do, not just the approval of large-scale cultural movements of our time. Jesus Christ is the same “yesterday, today and forever.”

Searching the Scriptures makes answering questions such as these easy and it also helps to maintain unity. Life in general, and spiritual life too, is much more simple when we all follow one standard. The Presbyterians may be unified on this teaching but it is likely that the church will divide over the issue. Churches divided over manmade issues, not Biblical issues. -Bill

The Episcopalian's New Female Bishop

On June 18, 2006 the Episcopal Church chose Katharine Jefferts Schori as the first female “chief pastor” or bishop. Let’s apply the attitude and practice of the Bereans, who “searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things” that the apostle Paul taught them were “so.” In other words, if the Bereans were able to discover that Paul taught them something other than what can be supported by the Scriptures, then they would not believe the teaching nor follow it. So what does the Bible say, if anything, about Bishop selection?

There are two passages in the Bible that provide the church with qualifications for the office referred to as bishop, elder or presbyter. Those passages are 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9. Let's look at the qualifications pertinent to the discussion.

1 Timothy 3: 1,2 reads:

“This is a faithful saying: If a man desires the position of a bishop, he desires a good work. A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife…”

Titus 1: 5 – 7 reads:

“For this reason I left you in Crete, that you should set in order the things that are lacking, and appoint elders in every city as I commanded you-- if a man is blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of dissipation or insubordination. For a bishop must be blameless, as a steward of God…”

Notice the wording in both passages. “If a man desires the position of a bishop…” and “If a man is blameless…” Paul used the word “man.” Could it be that Paul is using the word “man” to represent a generic “person”? That question is answered by reading further. In both passages Paul says that this man is to be “the husband of one wife.” It is apparent that Paul is not referring to “men” in general but that he has in mind a male who is married to a wife.

If it is acceptable to set aside this qualification so that a woman may be appointed, then any of the qualifications can be set aside. Are we willing to appoint as bishops those who are “quick tempered” or “unjust” or “unholy” or “violent”, all contrary to the qualifications delivered to us?

No. To approach the question in the same manner as the Bereans, whose attitude is recorded in the Scriptures as an example to all, we must search the Scriptures. In this case we find that the Scriptures show us that the Episcopal Church has not followed the revealed will of God in the appointment of Schori.

Do you have the attitude of the Bereans? Are you willing to let the Scriptures mold and shape your thinking on this subject?

Searching The Scriptures

A young lady was given directions to an unfamiliar part of town she had only ever visited once before. At a certain intersection she was to turn right. Several land marks were given to help her know to turn right. When she arrived at that spot she turned left because the intersection didn’t look like she thought it was supposed to. Needless to say, she was lost very soon.

How important is it for us to carefully follow the scriptures? Is it necessary for us to be certain of every point? Must we be sure we follow every step just like the Bible says? Or can we select a different direction if we are unfamiliar with what God says about a particular point?
The Berean people in the Apostle Paul’s day are commended by God for their daily careful search of the scriptures “to see if those things were so.” Acts 17:11. God has seen to it that their example is in the Bible for us to read about 2000 years later. We can’t afford to be uninformed or just act on our own just because we are not familiar with the scriptures. Like the Bereans we must search the scriptures daily to be certain of the things we believe.

The goal of this blog is to challenge readers to search their Bible for truth. If I can accomplish that goal then I will feel my duty is done.

Please check back often for more posts. I welcome your comments. I hope for this to be an open dialog.