1st Timothy 3:15, “But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.”
Thank
God for local New Testament churches! The reason why the Church is referred
to in 1st Timothy 3:15 as THE PILLAR AND GROUND OF THE TRUTH is
because of the preaching of the inspired Words of God, that is, the Bible.
The Bible is the authority of the Church, not a man or group of men.
My pastor spoke Sunday morning from Genesis about Noah. He
said that Noah
went from being the captain of his ship to a drunken sailor. Yet, as we
learned, Noah was
still God's man. Even the best Christians are still sinners. No one has
arrived! The Bible is holy, that is, perfect. The Spirit of God is
holy. However, the Church is imperfect because Christians at best are
imperfect sinners. If you think you've found the perfect church, please
don't join it or else you'll ruin it. There are no perfect churches. There
are no perfect pastors. There are no perfect Christians. Too many people are
sideline critics these days, condemning everything and everyone. What we
should all be doing as Christians is focusing on getting the gospel
preached, loving one another, praying and helping the poor. Truly, the fields are ripe unto
harvest, but the laborers are few (Matthew 9:37-38).
The Biblical Mandate For The Church To Send Missionaries
Every local New Testament church ought to have a WORLD VISION to reach the four corners of the earth with the gospel. It's an amazing paradox that some of the biggest churches don't support any missionaries, not one. Ask all these televangelists how many missionaries they send out or support? Yet, there are small churches in size who support dozens if not hundreds of missionaries. We should all give to missionary work, both personally and through the church I believe. We are all accountable for every dollar given to us by God. When we give, we are giving to Jesus, AS UNTO THE LORD!, and not to the church. I serve the Lord Jesus Christ, and not the Church. I serve through God's organization of the Church, but I do not serve the Church. Colossians 3:24, “Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.”
Matthew 24:14, “And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.”
Mark 16:15, “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.”
Matthew 28:19-20, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”
My pastor has been in Indonesia this week on an evaluation trip, in his own words:“ to contact people, discover places and explore the possibilities for missionary work.” Historically, Indonesia has been hostile against Christians. Indonesia is a strong Muslim country and needs the Lord. I've been praying this week for my pastor and for his safe return. I encourage all my web visitors to join a King James Bible only, soul-winning, missionary-minded church! I wouldn't stay 5 minutes in a church that doesn't support missionaries. Jesus said in Mark 16:15, “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” We watched a video Sunday night at church which documents the threat of Christianity to Islam. The video was produced by Muslims in an attempt to discourage the rise of Christianity in Indonesia. Islam is slowly dying in Indonesia. Amen for that!
During Dr. Lee Roberson's (1909-2007) 42-years of pastoring the Highland Park Baptist Church in Chattanooga, the church sent out over 500 missionaries to foreign countries in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen and amen! Most churches today don't even send or support one missionary!!! That's tragic! Independent fundamental Baptist churches support missionaries more than any other churches, because they're the only ones still going door-to-door soul-winning as Acts 20:20 (the Christian's 20/20 vision) teaches. Acts 20:20, “And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to house.” Of the 240,000,000 people living in Indonesia, 90% are Muslim!
We had the Lord's Supper Sunday morning, which was beautiful. As Bible-believing Christians we understand that the Lord's Supper is simply an ordinance, done from time-to-time to REMEMBER Christ's body which was broken for our sins, and His precious blood which was shed FOR OUR SINS. God is merciful, good and awesome! There is no magical power, that is, efficacy or grace bestowed upon the participant of the Lord's Supper as Presbyterians claim. Nor does the unleavened bread and unfermented grape juice literally turn into Christ's body to be digested as Roman Catholics foolishly teach. The Lord's Supper is simply a time to reflect upon Calvary and what Christ has done to pay for our sins, delivering us from eternal damnation in the Lake of Fire. We are so blessed!
There's no place like home, and a good church is the best home you'll find on this earth! We all need fellowship with other Christians, and a Bible-believing church is the only place you're going to find that.
Don't Be A Fool With God's Money!
2nd Corinthians 9:7: “Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.” What a beautiful Scripture... GOD LOVETH A CHEERFUL GIVER! But make sure that you're genuinely giving to the work of God and not some greedy shysters like Peter Popoff, Benny Hinn, Oral Roberts, Morris Cerullo, TBN, Paul and Jan Crouch, Melissa Scott, CBN, Joyce Meyer, Joel Osteen, Rick Warren, Pat Robertson, Mike Murdoch et cetera. My personal preference is Independent Fundamental Baptist churches and their ministries. I also believe that every believer should give directly to the poor. That way you know that 100% of the money if going to help the poor, instead of paying someone's $308,000 a year salary like Gordon Robinson of CBN, or Todd Basset's $175,000 of the Salvation Army.
The Salvation Army is famous for one of their members dressed in a Santa Claus costume at Christmas, holding a bucket to collect coins. It irritates me that their CEO is paid 7 times the average U.S. worker's salary and yet they put forth the image of collecting coins to survive on a shoe-string budget. The Salvation Army also owns prestige land in the Hawaiian islands and are very well-to-do financially. Sadly, they have become more about army than salvation over the past century. I say give directly to the poor, needy and homeless. NEVER give to a charity until you find out how much the CEO is getting paid. Remember, God's visible organization on earth is the local New Testament church, which is a gathering of believers assembling for the work of God.
This is in sharp contrast to shysters like Ken Ham, whose private Answers In Genesis ministry took in over 18.1 million dollars in 2011. Ken Ham insanely teaches that Noah carried dinosaurs on the ark. Oh boy! Mr. Ham has tapped into a lucrative racket by exploiting the Bible. Sadly, Eric Hovind and Paul Taylor (formerly employed by Ken Ham) are attempting to exploit the same market. It's really disgusting. Christianity is not a business. Jesus became angry, overturning the money-changer's tables, because they had turned God's house of prayer into a den of thieves. Beware of any ministry that focuses on money and the leader(s) of that ministry live as millionaires. I get sick every time I hear Child Fund begging for 92 cents a day on TV to help starving children survive, while their CEO is paid $316,840 a year. Why can't their CEO get paid $41,000 a year? That would free up $275,000 to help poor kids. That's 298,913 children who aren't being helped so their CEO can get paid a ridiculous salary!!! I'd never send them a penny.
Now consider that the average Baptist pastor only makes about $25,000 a year, who works just as hard administrating the church than any CEO of a charity. Why should pastors make $25,000 while your favorite scam charity pays $350,000 a year to its CEO? What a fraudulent scam in America!!! People are so dumb, carnally-minded and gullible. Think before you give. It is tragic that most people give to TV preachers because they never leave their home. Good night people, give to God's work, not scam artists!!!
Find a King James Bible only church, a soul-winning church, a church with ministries, a missionary-minded church with a world vision!!! Find a living church and be a part of it, instead of supporting a dead-dog ministry that is doing nothing for God. If the gospel is not being preached, you're wasting your money. If the church is not actively trying to win souls to Christ, you're wasting your money. If the King James Bible is not being uplifted, you're wasting your money. And truthfully, it is God's money! I'm not saying to look for a perfect church, but I would never support any ministry that uses a corrupted modern version of the Bible, does nothing to get souls saved and is nothing more than a glorified social club. You have a choice where you tithe. Do so wisely!
A lot of people scrutinize the pastor, but I do the exact opposite, that is, I look at the church as a whole and consider what they are accomplishing for the Lord. If I see church buses bringing families to church, I am happy about that. If I see souls coming to Christ as Savior, I want to be a part of that work. If I see many ministries and outreaches to build men and reach families for Christ, I want to help that ministry succeed.
If I see a pastor who loves sinners and contends for the Christian faith, then I know he has the heart of God. I know that the pastor is doing something right if the church loves Jesus and is hungry to win souls and help others grow in the Lord! I like what my pastor said Sunday evening. He said that the church is already filled to capacity and he's not interested in growing any bigger. He said, “If we grow we grow, but WE ARE GOING TO OBEY!” I totally agree! A lot of churches desire to grow in size at all costs, but obedience is what God desires. Yes, Lord, I want to obey! You can sacrifice without obeying, but you cannot obey without sacrificing. This is why 1st Samuel 15:22 says, “Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.” May we all purpose in our heart to OBEY THE LORD!!!
Rejoicing In The Presence Of The
Angels!
Luke 15:10, “Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.”
Notice that the rejoicing in Heaven is in the PRESENCE of the angels of God, which means that the angels aren't the ones rejoicing; but rather, it is THE SAINTS who are rejoicing over every new convert! Amen!
I witnessed to an elderly woman yesterday who grew up in the Iloilo providence of the Philippines. I stopped in her little shop for some ice cream. Her name is Nanay. She and her husband own the store. Nanay has been through a lot medically, suffering two strokes, a heart-attack and numerous surgeries. She told me that her sugar level is over 400. 125 is considered diabetic.
I and Nanay sat down at her customer table and began talking as I ate my ice cream. I had also requested something to drink to take my pain medications. Then she started to say weird things, claiming that she could see my spinal cord and it was damaged toward the bottom of my neck. I stayed quiet and let her talk. She drew out my neck on paper for me to see what was broken. That was strange. I quickly perceived that she was into occultism and demonic healing. After asking her a few questions subtly, I confirmed that she is a Roman Catholic and has her own occult group on the side, professing herself as having authority from God and the ability to perform divine healings. She does this for a little money from some of her friends and family. It's all witchcraft, but she didn't know it. Roman Catholicism outside of the United States is very superstitious, steeped in demonic rituals, potions, candles, spells, and worshipping of the dead. It's a whole different religion almost. This is true especially in third world nations, or people who have grown up in those parts of the world (such as Nanay).
As we continued our conversation, I found out that she is not allowed to read the Bible without permission from the Vatican (Catholic Church). She is trusting the sacraments to save her, and working hard in her religion. As with nearly all false prophets, she quoted James 2:18, “Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.” I kindly explained that Abraham was saved in Genesis 15:6 by faith in God's eyes; but it wasn't until Genesis 22:8 when Abraham was justified by works in men's eyes, when he sacrificed his son Isaac. Paul speaks about the ROOT of the believer's repentance (which is FAITH in Romans 4:5-6); whereas James speaks of the FRUIT of the believer's repentance (which is WORKS in James 2:18-21).
Please remember that works have nothing to do with faith concerning salvation. Eternal life is the free gift of God. Philippians 3:9, “And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith.” We all need HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS, that is, Christ's imputed righteousness, which is by faith. I explained the gospel repeatedly to Nanay and then listened to her explain her beliefs. She said that she killed 68,000,000 demons in Japan. I knew that Satan had a stronghold upon her soul. She was impressed by my patience and even said so, because I listened intently as she taught me about her religion and beliefs. Fair is fair, she listened to me and I wanted to listen to her. I knew that when it was my turn to speak that the Word of God would do its work, “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17). I just quoted a bunch of Scriptures and reasoned with her concerning the simplicity of the gospel. She knew about the llluminati, New World Order and Freemasonry.
We spoke together and the hours passed. We spoke and shared ideas and religious philosophies for about 5 hours. She wouldn't admit it, but she was hungry for truth and I could tell. No one had ever expounded her with the Scriptures. No one had ever opened up with the Scriptures to teach her. At the end of our conversation her whole demeanor had changed. She was humbled and said that all her faith was in Jesus as the Christ. She said that God had sent me by. She though I was a prophet. I told her that I had simply been with Jesus, walking with Him by abiding in the Scriptures, and that Christ's Holy Spirit lives in my body, and I am simply sharing Jesus with her. Amen!
Our duty is not to convert people, that is, get them saved. 1st Corinthians 3:7, “So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.” Only God can save a soul. Our part is to preach the gospel. I believe that Nanay got saved yesterday, but only she and God knows. But I know one thing, Nanay got the truth yesterday, clearly presented and in a loving and caring spirit. I explained repeatedly that Jesus died, was buried and raised up bodily from the dead for our sins, and that if we'll receive Christ's sacrifice as full payment for our sins, we are saved. That's it.
So many people have been sold the lie that the way they live determines their eternal destiny. It's important that we explain to lost sinners that we all need Christ's righteousness, which is solely by faith. Jesus paid it all, and we owe Him nothing as far as salvation is concerned. Eternal life is a free gift. Salvation is received, not achieved. Amen!
The fields are ripe unto harvest, but the laborers are few!
Bearing One Another's Burdens
One of the most important reasons to attend church is because someone else needs YOU. There are fellow believers who are hurting, who need your fellowship and encouragement in the Lord. You may not be a Bible scholar, but you can be there for someone through a difficult time. Many people commit suicide because they don't have anyone to help bear their heavy burdens, share their broken heart and relate to their sorrows.
Also, we all need other Christians to help us bear our burdens. Oh what heavy burdens we often choose to bear. God gave us the church to fellowship with other Christians. Galatians 6:2, “Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.” A genuine Biblical church is composed of born-again believers. As such, we ought to help share each other's burdens and do what we can to help each other—whether in prayer, financially, or just to be a shoulder to cry on or a friend to listen.
The sinful world is cold, uncaring and rotten to the core! The wicked world will hit you when you're down, steal from you because they can, and watch you fall apart just for entertainment. They, like their father the Devil, couldn't care less. The world knows no love, has no genuine concern, and cannot comprehend the unconditional love of God. At the end of the day, the world brings you loneliness and heartache. At the end of the party, the world leaves you in the gutter, hospital or morgue. The Devil always shows you the neon lights of Sin City, but he never shows you the graveyard in the backyard. All the Devil's apples have worms!
'Tis one life will soon be part, only what's done for Christ will last. Jesus is precious!
