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…and Doctor

In Uncategorized on February 5, 2011 at 2:29 pm

A tribute to all those people who desire the title of DR. in their name but are not willing to earn it.

50 Things the Holy Spirit Does (via Reimagining Church)

In Uncategorized on November 20, 2010 at 1:35 pm

An encouraging list, worth posting.

1.      He convicts the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment (John 16:8).

2.      He guides us into all truth (John 16:13).

3.      He regenerates us (John 3:5-8; Titus 3:5).

4.      He glorifies and testifies of Christ (John 15:26; 16:14).

5.      He reveals Christ to us and in us (John 16:14-15).

6.      He leads us (Rom. 8:14; Gal. 5:18; Matt. 4:1; Luke 4:1).

7.      He sanctifies us (2 Thess. 2:13; 1 Pet. 1:2; Rom. 5:16).

8.      He empo … Read More

via Reimagining Church

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I stand convinced by the Scriptures to w

In Uncategorized on November 6, 2010 at 12:57 pm

I stand convinced by the Scriptures to which I have appealed, and my conscience is taken captive by God’s word. -Martin Luther

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The church

In Uncategorized on October 16, 2010 at 5:13 pm

“There are few more reliable constants running through all human society than the special place every human community makes for the professional religionist . . . But if we were to ask whether any of the N.T. literature makes the assumptions listed — Is there one particular office in which there should be only one or a few individuals for whom it provides a livelihood, unique in character due to ordination, central to the definition of the church and the key to her functioning? Then the answer from the biblical material is a resounding negation [no].” -Yoder

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Sunday Message – Aug 8 2010

In Uncategorized on August 8, 2010 at 6:39 pm

Put these things before the brothers – Part 1

A study of 1 Timothy 4:1-16 by Edward McCormick

…put these things before the brothers – Part I.

[4:1] Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, [2] through the insincerity of liars whose consciences are seared, [3] who forbid marriage and require abstinence from foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. [4] For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, [5] for it is made holy by the word of God and prayer. (1 Timothy 4 ESV)

Imagine yourself in a church setting. The speaker tells of an encounter or a dream or some other supernatural experience. He speaks with conviction, his message unfolds and the congregation marvels. This speakers words are quoted like we quote scripture and we update our twitter and facebook status’ with these amazing sayings. We travel to conferences to hear a man and to be stirred by the worship. There is unity of believers, a few thousand people attend the conferences, the air is electric with joyous emotions. Shouts of joy and laughter are heard among those gathered. Similarly in Exodus 32:17 there was also shouts of joy from worshippers near the very ground that was made Holy by the Lords presence, where footwear had to be removed because of the Lords Holiness. However this gathering of elated worshippers was in gross defiance towards the God who had only just led them out from captivity with mighty signs. They were worshiping a man made idol, even as the Lord was meeting with Moses on Mt Sinai. Is it possible that our sounds of singing and elation in these charismatic conferences are more inline with Israel’s idolatry then worshipping God.

These new teachings are devoured by the faithful and there are citing’s of healing’s and spiritual phenomena happening as a direct connection to this teaching. Books and manuals are sold, teaching tapes and podcasts created, slick websites and brochures with catchy spiritual sounding titles are designed, the message spreads like fire. This domino effect is unstoppable. Soon churches are joining the movement and leaving their old tired traditions for these new meetings and styles. Authoritative networks are formed and rules of culture established and on we go. Now we have a movement and schools of the spirit are formed for those who want to go deeper. Buildings are built, books are sold, disciplines developed for those who are part of this new spiritual breakthrough. Required abstinences and asceticism are established, the followers of Christ are now almost entirely devoted to the ministry and its design.

Timothy is instructed by Paul with these words,

Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith

It is the Spirit, the Holy Spirit that specifically says that some will leave the faith. How is this possible, we know it will happen, but what are the actions of the person who leaves faith?

by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons

We are told that there is a devotion which can also mean enthusiasm or following of spiritual activities and teachings that are not truthful but its origin is from demons.Why would a Christian willingly follow after such teachings and spirits? It is not as though a Devil in red with horns teaches you a lesson and your hooked, rather it happens much like the account of the Eve and the Serpent in the Garden of Eden.

Now the serpent was more crafty… (Gen 3:1)

Notice that the serpent is ‘more’ crafty. He is not just bad and evil, but he is clever at achieving his aims.

But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”(Gen 3:4-5)

‘But the serpent said,’ The serpent taught Eve about the forbidden fruit, then Eve ‘saw’ that the tree was good… Eve was first deceived (taught a lie by the devil).

So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate. (Gen 3:6)

Then she was visually convinced and after she ate, it didn’t take much persuading for Adam to follow along. Perhaps like Eve what our eyes have seen then becomes a delight, something worth devoting ourselves too. We must be cautious to cling to a group solely based on the miracle we have seen or the reports of them. It has been said to me that the miracle is proof that it is of God. I suggest the miracle is real but to validate that its origins are from God falls short of scripture. (Matt 24:24, Mark 13:22, 2 Thess 2:9)

through the insincerity of liars whose consciences are seared

Through – this is how the lie is delivered. It has to pass ‘through’ someone, and this someone is labeled as insincere (untruthful) and who had a conscience that is seared. The footnote on 1 Timothy 4:2 by Thomas D. Lea in the New American Commentary series suggests that the word ‘seared‘ used by Paul may suggest insensitivity that results from the searing of the conscience. This insensitivity is easily seen in many of the leaders of todays charismatic renewal meetings. The searing also suggests ownership of Satan.

who forbid marriage

Forbidding marriage whether by church decree for its priests or by insinuating that it will heighten your spiritual walk based on self inflicted celibacy is in error. Concerning marriage and what Paul says,

“But whoever is firmly established in his heart, being under no necessity but having his desire under control, and has determined this in his heart, to keep her as his betrothed, he will do well. So then he who marries his betrothed does well, and he who refrains from marriage will do even better.” keep her as his betrothed. (1 Cor 7:37-38 ESV)

Paul now turns to the person who has the gift of celibacy and is able to refrain from marrying. Does well and even better illustrate the general principle that among choices that are morally good and not sinful, God can still give different opportunities for service, which will have different consequences. (ESV Study Notes on 1 Cor 7:37-38)

and require abstinence from foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, for it is made holy by the word of God and prayer.

This insistence on staying away from certain foods or suggesting the practice of severe self-discipline and abstention from all forms of indulgence should raise a cautious eye to their motives and their adherence to scriptural truth. Marriage is to be held in honor says the author of Hebrews

Let marriage be held in honor among all… (Hebrews 13:4 ESV)

And food is not about clean vs unclean but rather in thanksgiving, the word of God and prayer is it made holy. Required abstinence from food may even relate to the act of fasting which has become more of a badge of honor nowadays and is an accepted public practice and required among certain devotees. Concerning fasting we read;

“And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” (Matthew 6:16-18 ESV)

As I grow older I become increasingly aware of how far we have strayed in our western charismatic church culture. I wish to end with a quote from a man whom I respect though I never met personally. I was saddened with his untimely death and I was encouraged with his devotion and teaching of the truthful and holy expression of Christs life within the believer.

“Just because the sermons have been rich and suggestive, and we have been impressed with the three or four thousand people who have gathered here, and our hearts have panted after true unity in the Body of Christ, we need to consider whether we have been too quick and willing to call this “unity” when, in fact, it is not. As we explore that, maybe we need also to ask about the validity of the whole charismatic phenomenon, whether we in fact have an authentic baptism in the Holy Spirit, and indeed whether we have been born again of the Spirit. Or have we been, from beginning to end, inducted into one of the most colossal deceptions that has ever been perpetrated in the religious world and all history?”

Art Katz – The Anatomy of Deception

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