It is not my normal practice to post a lengthy excerpt from another man’s writing.  However, I recently read the book “Radical: Taking Back Your Faith From the American Dream,” by David Platt.  It is an incredible book that would challenge any believer in the realm of evangelism and world missions.  As with any book, there are parts that may be discussed and/or debated.  However, the thesis is well-stated.

In chapter four of the book, Platt deals with the subject of “The Great Why of God.”  Here is a excerpt that is worth reading. . .

____Begin Excerpt____

If you were to ask the average Christian sitting in a worship service on Sunday morning to summarize the message of Christianity, you would most likely hear something along the lines of “The message of Christianity is that God loves me.”  Or someone might say, “The message of Christianity is that God loves me enough to send his Son, Jesus, to die for me.”

As wonderful as this sentiment sounds, is it biblical?  Isn’t it incomplete, based on what we have seen in the Bible?  ”God loves me” is not the essence of biblical Christianity.  Because if “God loves me” is the message of Christianity, then who is the object of Christianity?

God loves me.
Me.
Christianity’s object is me.

Therefore, when I look for a church, I look for the music that best fits me and the programs that best cater to me and my family.  When I make plans for my life and career, it is about what works best for me and my family.  When I consider the house I will live in, the car I will drive, the clothes I will wear, the way I will live, I will choose according to what is best for me.  This is the version of Christianity that largely prevails in our culture.

But it is not biblical Christianity.

The message of biblical Christianity is not “God love me, period,” as if we were the object of our own faith.  The message of biblical Christianity is “God loves me so that I might make Him ––His ways, His salvation, His glory, and His greatness–– known among all nations.”  Now God is the object of our faith, and Christianity centers around Him.  We are not the end of the gospel; God is.

____End Excerpt____

Now that is powerful!

Well, it is official.  Our current presidential administration has publicly stated that the American public is being exposed to too much news and information.  Fox News has reported that, while addressing the graduating class of Virginia’s Hampton University, the president told the 2010 class that they were “coming of age in a 24/7 media environment that bombards us with all kinds of content and exposes us to all kinds of arguments, some of which don’t always rank that high on the truth meter.”  He further stated that, “information becomes a distraction, a diversion” and is “pressure on our country and on our democracy.”

Of course, this philosophy is nothing new.  One of Adolf Hitler’s aids, Joseph Goebbels, stated that if the state tells a big enough lie often enough, it will be believed.  He also stated that “truth is the enemy of the state.”  Lenin added, “A lie told often enough becomes truth.” Thus, in the mind of those who would enslave America, the public must not have open and free access to information and truth.

This is a dangerous position for our administration to embrace.  Such pronouncements place our country on the road that leads to the restrictive access of nations like China and North Korea.  In those countries, the people are only permitted to see and hear what the government wants them to hear.  Thus, they are easier controlled.

We must follow the biblical admonition and pray for those in authority.  Pray for their conversion.  Pray for them to become Godly men and women who lead in righteousness.

[*Source: Foxnews.com http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/05/11/obama-swipes-media-questions-accuracy-content-environment]

Normal Traffic in Seoul

During April 5-15, 2010, my wife and I had the privilege of taking a trip to Seoul, South Korea.  We visited the David Mitchell family, and they were more than gracious hosts to us.  While stationed at Fort Benning, the Mitchell became a part of our church family.  In 2007 that transferred to Yongsan Military Base in Seoul.  We look forward to having them come back to Georgia soon.

Kathy and I greatly enjoyed the trip.  The ten days with the Mitchell family were days of great fellowship, great food, and great learning.  It was both education and inspirational.  One cannot visit such a massive city without being struck with the great need of the city.  Seoul is one of the world’s largest cities, with approximately twenty-four million people in its metro area.  The mass sea of humanity, that we encountered this week, was one of great need.  The influence of the false religions was apparent everywhere.  There were evidences of Buddhism, Islam, Catholicism and others.  There were many Presbyterian churches, but they are of the neo-evangelical, contemporary style.  They preach a weakened gospel that promotes infant baptism, denies eternal security, and lacks any form of biblical separation.  The need for fundamental works is very great.  While it is true that the people of North Korea live in both physical and spiritual darkness, it is still true that spiritual darkness also envelops South Korea.  Both Koreas need the light of the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ.

It was a great blessing to also visit the work of missionaries David and Joy Lewis.  Brother Lewis has been supported by Lighthouse for a number of years.  He has served in Seoul for almost eleven years.  His ministry is to the American military at the Yongsan Military Base, which is located in the heart of Seoul.  We were in the services at Yongsan Baptist Church for two Wednesday and one Sunday.  It was my privilege to preach both services on Sunday, April 11.   It was also a joy to see a Philippine lady follow the Lord in believer’s baptism.  She was publicly baptized, even though it meant receiving criticism from her family.  She will, most likely, be renounced by her family.  Yet, she chose the way of Jesus Christ.  What a joy it was to be there.

Thursday, April 8th,  was a day to be remembered.  While on a trip to Seoul, Korea, my wife and I had the privilege of participating in an USO sponsored trip to the DMZ (Demilitarized Zone).  What a trip!  This is the zone created by the Armistice of July 1953, in regards to the Korean War.  This was a cease-fire agreement signed by North Korea, the U.N. and the United States.  (South Korea refused to sign, because they wanted unification).  The DMZ was established as a buffer around the MDL (Military Demarcation Line), and is in the area of the 38th Parallel.  This line is the dividing line between North and South Korea.

As we begin to approach the DMZ, security was noticeably increased.  Upon arrival at the south entrance of the DMZ, the tour was taken over by the military of the JSA (Joint Security Area).  The JSA is purportedly comprised of ROK (Republic of Korea) soldiers and U.N. soldiers.  However, the “U.N.” delegation is mainly United States.

The tour continued into the heart of the DMZ.  We arrived at the MDL, and the border of the two countries.  As we entered the main building, we were brief on what would happen after we exited the rear of the building.  Upon exiting, we would be able to see across the border into North Korea.  We were warned to stay with the group, and not to attempt any communication with the North Korean guards, either verbal or non-verbal.  Any gestures could be considered a threat by the NK.

As warned, we were heavily watched by the N.K. guards.  Although they were a distance of about two-hundred yards away, it was clear that they were monitoring our movements.  We were escorted by armed soldiers into the “Conference Building.”  This is a small one-room building that is in the rear of the main building.  This building is perfectly divided between North and South Korea.  The border runs directly through the middle of the building, with an exit on both ends.  The purpose of this arrangement was so that both countries could set at the negotiating table and still remain in their country.  Prior to entering this building, armed guards insured the North Korea exit door was secure.  A ROK soldier was then posted at the door to insure no one accidentally opened the door into N.K..  While in the building, we were permitted to cross the line into North Korea.  Although it was within a building, it was still North Korea.

Upon exiting the building (on the Republic of Korea side), I gazed into the country of North Korea.  Even the landscape and terrain revealed the despair of this country that is shrouded in darkness.  One man, a ruthless dictator, has established a country that lives in physical and spiritual darkness.  He has completely isolated his people from the outside world.  They are not permitted to know what the rest of the world does.  He has kept the people of North Korea from hearing the message of hope that is offered by Jesus Christ.  As I thought upon these things, I could not help but weep.  Millions of souls are perishing, due to the iron-fisted rule of Kim Jung IL.

Pray for the Lord to open the door into North Korea, so that the light of the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ may be given to those in that country.

This question has often been a subject of contention in families.  While this writer firmly believes that the child’s duty of honoring his/her parents knows no age limitation, it is also my belief that certain Scriptures are wrested from their context in order justify a course of action.

The heart of the matter is. . .The point is a child is no longer bound by parental dictates.  To understand this issue, we must examine the biblical text in Numbers 30:1-5.  This text is often used to support the belief that children, especially daughters, are bound by the parent until that daughter is married. The text is rendered in the following:

Numbers 30:1-5

(1)  And Moses spake unto the heads of the tribes concerning the children of Israel, saying, This is the thing which the LORD hath commanded.

(2)  If a man vow a vow unto the LORD, or swear an oath to bind his soul with a bond; he shall not break his word, he shall do according to all that proceedeth out of his mouth.

(3)  If a woman also vow a vow unto the LORD, and bind herself by a bond, being in her father’s house in her youth;

(4)  And her father hear her vow, and her bond wherewith she hath bound her soul, and her father shall hold his peace at her: then all her vows shall stand, and every bond wherewith she hath bound her soul shall stand.

(5)  But if her father disallow her in the day that he heareth; not any of her vows, or of her bonds wherewith she hath bound her soul, shall stand: and the LORD shall forgive her, because her father disallowed her.

This text has often been the target of unbiblical eisegesis.  Through the misrepresentation of this text, many parents have sought to maintain unbiblical control over their children that are of adult age and stature.  Using verses three and four, the father often maintains that as long as his daughter is single, she is under his God-given authority and is, therefore, bound to follow his explicit will.  However, it only takes a brief and accurate examination of the text to reveal the inaccuracy of such a position.  The Scriptures do not indicate such authority Read the rest of this entry »

“We don’t support single missionaries, so please call me back when you are married.”  That is the statement often heard by those whom God has called to the mission field and, yet, are still unmarried.

It is not the purpose of this article to cause offense concerning this issue.  Rather, after several days of contemplation, I believe it would be good to biblically examine such a position.  For those men who hold the position of not supporting a single missionary, please note that your position is between you and the Lord.  It is not my desire to attack your position.  However, it is my belief that it is always correct to reexamine one’s position in light of God’s Word, for the purpose of either validating the position or modifying it to fit within biblical parameters.

Our convictions, standards, positions, etc., must be firmly fixed in the Word of God.  While the Bible does not address every issue of life with a “Thou shalt” or a “Thou shalt not,”  there are biblical principles that govern all issues.  That is the reason Moses was instructed to teach the “commandments, the statutes, and the judgments” (Deuteronomy 6:1).  The “commandments” are the Law of God (i.e., the “thou shalts” and “thou shalt nots”).  The “statutes” are the principles of God’s Word.  The “judgments” are the consequences from God (i.e., for violating the commandments and statutes).  Thus, I would ask. . .Where is either the commandment or the statute for omitting single missionaries from mission support?  How is this position biblically justified?

Concerning this issue, it would be best to examine the Scriptures to see what God’s thoughts are on this matter.  The first example that comes to my mind is the Apostle Paul.  He was a single missionary.  It should also be noted that Paul, through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, wrote “For I would that all men were even as I myself” (1 Corinthians 7:7a).  He also wrote, “But I would have you without carefulness. He that is unmarried careth for the things that belong to the Lord, how he may please the Lord: But he that is married careth for the things that are of the world, how he may please his wife. There is difference also between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman careth for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit: but she that is married careth for the things of the world, how she may please her husband” (I Corinthians 7:32-34, emphasis added).  In other words, the unmarried can serve the Lord with less difficulty, Read the rest of this entry »

This article was received in an e-mail from a friend of mine.  He is a man that is committed to the faithful exposition of the Word of God.

The dearth of biblically sound, expositional preaching is a sad indictment of the pulpits of our day.  It seems that too many men have too busy schedules that allow too little time in the study of God’s Word.   The results of the reduced study time are sermons that are more lung power than God’s power.

Some of the signs of needing more study are listed in the following e-mail article.  Of course, they are somewhat tongue-in-cheek, but they do present a sad truth about many pulpits.

18 Signs that You’re a Fundamentalist Preacher That Might Need to Study More for Your Sermons

1. You consider studying for sermons something that lib’rals do instead of soul winning.
2. You prepare your sermons on the way to church, which explains why you recently preached against tan lines, energy drinks, and men wearing short sleeve shirts.
3. You actually make fun of preachers who use Greek and Hebrew in their sermons.
4. You consider volume a fine substitute for substance.
5. To you, “exegete the Greek” is a funny rhyme.
6. You decide on what sins to preach against based on who’s in the congregation.
7. You consider a pulpit more of a punching bag rather than a place to rest your Bible.
8. You have 35 sermon outlines prepared and ready to preach – as soon as you find text verses for them.
9. In a 117 minute sermon, you spent 53 minutes telling stories from your childhood, 47 minutes telling stories from your early ministerial days, 15 minutes denigrating men who wear pleated pants, and 2 minutes explaining your text verse.
10. You have actually spent an entire sermon preaching against the evils of Barney the purple dinosaur.
11. Your favorite illustrations are Darwin’s deathbed conversion, the “microphone in hell” bit, and Spurgeon giving up his cigars.
12. You quote John Gill as supporting your position against Calvinism.
13. You think people who know what “supralapsarianism” means need to get saved.
14. You think it’s okay to preach a verse out of context, as long as you tell your people that you’re doing it on purpose.
15. You love to apply Messianic prophecies to yourself.
16. When you preach, you can’t help but say “evangelical” effeminately.
17. You think “expositional” is someone who doesn’t take a position on anything.
18. You’re not sure what TULIP stands for, but you know you’re against it.

The following is a copy of a letter that a good friend of mine sent to his congressional representative.  It is with his permission that I post this letter.  He makes a very valid and poignant point!

An Open Letter to Congress

The U. S. Postal Service was established in 1775 – you have had 234 years to get it right; it is broke.

Social Security was established in 1935 – you have had 74 years to get it right; it is broke.

Fannie Mae was established in 1938 – you have had 71 years to get it right: it is broke.

The “War on Poverty” started in 1964 – you have had 45 years to get it right: $1 trillion of our money is confiscated each year and transferred to “the poor’; it hasn’t worked and our entire country is broke.

Medicare and Medicaid were established in 1965 – you have had 44 years to get it right; it is broke.

Freddie Mac was established in 1970 – you have had 39 years to get it right; it is broke.

Trillions of dollars were spent in the massive political payoffs called TARP, the “Stimulus” the Omnibus Appropriations Act of 2009…none show any signs of working, although ACORN appears to have a new source; the American taxpayer.

Finally, to set a new record: “Cash for Clunkers” was established in 2009 and went broke in 2009! It took cars (that were the best some people could afford) and replaced them with high-priced and less-affordable cars, mostly Japanese. A good percentage of the profits went out of the country. And the American taxpayers take the hit for Congress’ generosity in burning three billion more of our dollars on failed experiments.

So with a perfect 100% failure rate and a record that proves that the “services” you shove down our throats are failing faster and faster, you want Americans to believe you can be trusted with a government-run health care system?  (That is) 20% of our entire economy?

With all due respect, are you crazy?

—-
Please feel free to post your comments by clicking on the green “+” in the  ”Comments” section.

It is Christmas time again!  What a joy it is to celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ.   Although the world has lost the wonder of Christmas, believers must never get over the wonder of that first Christmas night so long ago.

John tells the world that, “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14).  What a wondrous thought!  The Word (i.e., Jesus, God) was made flesh.  That means that the God, who created all that is, became like mortal man.  For thirty-three-and-a-half years, God Almighty clothed Himself in a robe of human flesh.  He endured the sufferings, trials and temptations of a mortal man, yet He sinned not (Hebrew 4:15b).  This means that Christmas offers hope for mankind.  God was not “made flesh,” but He “dwelt among us.”  This is another astounding thought!  Why would the God, whose habitation is the boundless eternity, be willing to confine Himself to the spatial limitations of time?  Yet, that is what He did. . .He “dwelt among us.”  The sinless Lamb of God chose to live among sinful men.  He did this so that you and I could know the forgiveness of Christmas.   John concludes the verse with “and we beheld his glory. . .”  Yes, those who saw Him during His public ministry saw One like they had never seen before.  They saw Him heal the blind, raise the dead, cause the dumb to speak and the deaf to hear.  Yes, they beheld His glory.  However, we too can still behold His glory.  Every time we witness the work of salvation in a believing heart, we witness the greatest of all His glorious works.  What a joy it is to know that Christmas brings the miracle of salvation.

As we celebrate the wonder of Christmas together, it is my prayer and hope that you and your family have a wonderful and joyous Christmas celebration.  I pray that you will have the opportunity to introduce your unsaved family and friends to the Wonder of Christmas through salvation this year.  In the words of the old carol. . .”Oh, Come Let Us Adore Him!”

I have added a “Book Review” section to this site.  The link is located under the “Books” tab on the menu bar.  I will adding a review of books read, as time permits to write the review.  No review should be construed as an endorsement of any book, unless specifically stated. Neither is it my desire to be a critic of any author.  Any review of a book will simply be my opinion.  Of course, my opinion and two bucks will buy you a cup of coffee at Waffle House.

If you have a special request, please feel free to ask.  If you have comments or opinions to add, please feel free to do so.

The first book to be reviewed is a book by Dr. Louis Arnold entitled, “When Will the Tribulation Begin?” Brother Arnold’s thesis is that there is a period of at least forty years between the rapture of the church and the beginning of the Tribulation.  My review is meant to be a kind, but pointed critique of his deductions.