Caring About Your Neighbor
Recently, I was asked to teach a “Youth & Government” Class at the YMCA, where I chose one of their four core values. I decided to define “caring”. YMCA 4 Core Values: Caring, Honesty, Respect, and Responsibility Today I have the privilege to talk with you all about Caring. I’m not as eloquent as some…
Read MoreHow Readest Thou?
If simply going to the Bible is the answer, then why is it that so many different groups, denominations, and even cults make such a strong claim of going to God’s Word and yet, so often, come to such different and often unbiblical interpretations? Perhaps they only claim to go to the Bible? Perhaps that’s true for some. And yet, many can quote Bible verses up one side and down the other… inside and out.
How can so many who actually read and quote the Bible travel in so many different directions? And how do we keep ourselves from doing the same thing? This article will attempt to tackle this dilemma, providing several beneficial landmarks that can hopefully keep us on track. It’s our sincere hope that readers will be both challenged and encouraged in the Lord.
Read MoreChurch Membership: Is it Biblical?
There are a lot of things to consider in the Christian life. Once we’re born again, we’re brought out of darkness into the light of our marvelous Savior. We are translated from the kingdom of this world and transported into the Kingdom of God’s dear Son (Colossians 1:13-14). When examining structures in this world, we must first remember that God’s economy is totally unique. In no way is it similar to this world’s system. The Scriptures are careful to describe two different worlds at play. In the book of James, they are spoken of as two kinds of wisdom- the wisdom of this world and the wisdom of God (James 3:13-16).
Read MoreTHREE MAJOR THINGS CALVINISM DESTROYS
In Calvinism, election, not the cross of Christ, is the ultimate decider of one’s salvation. If you don’t agree, then ask any Calvinist how he knows for sure that he’s saved. If he’s a consistent Calvinist, his answer has to be that he hopes he’s one of the elect. His salvation does not focus simply on believing in the life, death and resurrection of Christ according to the Scriptures.
His hope must go beyond, or rather before, the cross, to what he’s been taught by Calvinistic philosophy. His hope must be placed in…
Read MoreHolding Fast to the Word of God
When Paul and Silas arrived in Berea, they found something different. After being chased out of Thessalonica by an angry crowd, the apostles came to this quieter town in Macedonia, hoping for a break from the chaos. What they found were people who didn’t just jump to believe or reject what they heard. They listened…
Read MoreGOD’S GRACE- SO MUCH MORE THAN COMMON
Calvinism’s “L” in T.U.LI.P. stands for Limited Atonement. The built-in, Calvinistic assumption is that since mankind is incapable of choosing the Gospel, then God must have to supernaturally usurp the incapable will of man. And since only some are Christians, then God must only choose to do this “overriding” to some, which they define as the elect. This mystical, overriding power of God is often called irresistible grace. It is the “I” in T.U.L.I.P.
The problem is due to the overwhelming amount of Scripture teaching that God’s grace is available to all mankind…
Read MoreIS IT GOD’S WILL FOR MEN TO SIN?
Calvinism says that man does not have the power or ability to reject the Gospel of God. The T in T.U.L.I.P. stands for total inability. The “I” stands for irresistible grace.
Calvinism teaches only those to whom God gives irresistible grace will be saved. The thought here is that there are people in this world that obviously have rejected the Gospel. Calvinism sees God’s sovereignty in such a way that man cannot resist God’s will. So the assumption here is if man can say no to the Gospel, he must be more powerful than God. (Note: To assume that man is more powerful than God is ridiculous. That is something every believer agrees with.)
This, of course, is simply an assumption…
Read MoreSystems vs the Savior
With the commemoration of Jesus’s ascension today, it’s certainly worth taking time to consider Jesus’s work after His miraculous resurrection. The disciples had to be so confused and concerned after Jesus was crucified. Everything they thought they knew while they walked and talked with Jesus for three and a half years was turned upside down…
Read MoreQuestion & Answer: Is the Catholic Church from God?
Question: Were the Roman Catholic Church and it’s sacraments given by God or made by men? Answer:The Roman Catholic Church clearly teaches that we have to go through its seven sacraments in order to get our sins slowly and mysteriously forgiven. However, is this system from God? Let’s look a little deeper. The Roman Catholic…
Read MoreFinding Hope in a Broken World: Ecclesiastes and the Call to Evangelism/Discipleship
When most people think of encouraging verses for sharing the Good News of Christ’s redeeming work, Ecclesiastes probably isn’t the first book that comes to mind. Yet, this deeply reflective book reveals a reality that I believe presents a perfect opportunity for gospel conversations. Now, when I say opportunity, I don’t mean we should approach…
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