Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God; and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God; this is the spirit of the antichrist, of which you have heard that is coming, and now it is already in the world.
– The Apostle John
1 John 4:1-3
This sermon snippet (7:27) from John Loftness is entitled Woe to Pharisees. A good little word for the day.
Click on the link to listen streaming, or right click on the link and click “Save As” (Internet Explorer) or “Save Link As” (Mozilla) to save to your computer. From there you can burn this to a CD or upload it to your MP3 player.
As if the first one wasn’t bad enough.
“That’s the way the Lord made me, to move, and to groove.”
Vodpod videos no longer available.
He even offers tips for success. (That seems to be the popular thing in Christendom right now).
Who is more irrational? A man who believes in a God he doesn’t see, or a man who’s offended by a God he doesn’t believe in?
– Brad Stine
We pursue God because, and only because, He has first put an urge within us that spurs us to the pursuit. “No man come to Me,” said our Lord, “except that Father which hath sent Me draw him,” and it is by this very prevenient drawing that God takes from us every vestige of credit for the act of coming.
– A.W. Tozer
1897 – 1963
I picked up a popular Christian magazine containing many interesting articles, stories and reports from all over the world–most written by famous leaders in the West. I noticed that this magazine offered ads for 21 Christian colleges, seminaries and correspondence courses; five different English translations of the Bible; seven conferences and retreats; five new Christian films; 19 commentaries and devotional books; seven Christian health or diet programs; and five fund-raising services. But that was not all. There were ads for all kinds of products and services: counseling, chaplaincy services, writing courses, church steeples, choir robes, wall crosses, baptisteries, and water heaters, T-shirts, records, tapes, adoption agencies, tracts, poems, gifts, book clubs and pen pals. It was all rather impressive. Probably none of these things was wrong in itself, but it bothered me that one nation should have such spiritual luxury while 40,000 people were dying in my homeland every day without hearing the Gospel even once.
– K.P. Yohannan
“I have more to boast of than ever any man had. I am the only man that has ever been able to keep a whole church together since the days of Adam. A large majority of the whole have stood by me. Neither Paul, John, Peter, nor Jesus ever did it. I boast that no man ever did such a work as I. The followers of Jesus ran away from Him; but the Latter-day Saints never ran away from me yet.” (Joseph Smith, History of the Church, Volume 6 Pages 408-409)
Be very sure that every doctrine which will not stand the test of Scripture is false. This will keep you from being tossed to and fro, and carried about by the dangerous opinions of these latter days. Be very sure that every practice in your life which is contrary to Scripture is sinful and must be given up. . . . And read it regularly. This is the only way to become “mighty in the Scriptures.” A quick glance at the Bible now and then does little good. At that rate you will never become familiar with its treasure or feel the sword of the Spirit fitted to your hand in the hour of conflict.
1816 – 1900
Readers of this blog know that I rarely ever comment on the acts performed and the sins committed by those of the world. Many believers rail against such concerns as gay pride parades, the absence of prayer in public schools, violent video games, etc. However, I choose to steer away from that for one simple reason: It’s the same reason that I don’t blog about fleas and mosquitoes biting people . . . because it’s their nature! In the same way, what’s the point of blogging about and lamenting over what sin the world has committed today? To commit sin is what the worldly do, it’s in their nature. They are the unregenerate so why blog about fish that swim, birds that fly, or the world that sins?
In contrast, I do blog about issues when the Church acts like the world. I do blog about false doctrine being taught from pulpits, lukewarm lifestyles, heretical doctrines of demons being spread by the cults and professing Christians, and so on. We are to be watchman to warn others of the dangers of the wolves that are surrounding the flock. Sadly too many pastors today who are supposed to be the protecting shepherds are preoccupied with filling seats and being popular than they are with keeping the wolves out and preaching sound doctrine. So now, many believers have taken this role upon themselves and are sounding the alarm to warn others
The Church is supposed to be separate from the world, not conformed to this world, and certainly not to be friends with it. Those who violate this do not have the love of the Father in them and they are enemies of God. Not my words, but Thy words!
As the world continues its downward spiral, it’s only fitting that Victoria’s Secrets now offers The Pink Line of scantly clad dolls for your young child. As if that’s not enough: Recently a trip to McDonald’s proved shocking when along with my daughter’s Happy Meal, she received this prize:
Does marketing this smut to young girls help or hurt society as a whole? Does saying to a young girl that lust, sex, perversion, and complete lack of modesty is a model behavior to attain to, make this world a better place or not? I know from a Christian perspective that marketing dolls that are dressed like prostitutes to children is not acceptable, but what do you, the non-Christian say? Where do you draw the line?
What about you Christians out there who think I’m just an old fuddy duddy? Would you allow your daughter to play with dolls that are dressed this provocatively and seductively?
It wasn’t that long ago that if a woman dressed in public in the same way that these dolls are, she would have been jailed.
And our parents thought Barbie was bad.
Consider this post a public service of sorts for those of you who have not seen the “Christian” stand-up comic DVD Thou Shalt Laugh. The DVD is marketed at Christians but I’m not sure why. Of course, everyone in it professes faith with their mouth, but the content of their comedic material leaves me wondering. I’ve decided to post a review that I wrote for this DVD from last December. If you’ve seen this video I invite your comments. If you haven’t seen it yet but plan on it, please use caution. Not everything that glitters is gold.
December 03, 2006:
For comedy, it’s ok. For cleanliness it’s better than MOST comedy out there. To call itself “Christian Comedy,” however, I beg to differ! Here’s a quick run down:
1. One comic relates how he was talking to his son about a woman’s breast.
2. One comic used the Lord’s name in vain, not once, but twice. (“OMG”)
3. One comic made several references to him and his wife having sex.
4. One comic told a story of how he tried to kiss a girl that didn’t want to be kissed and when she asked him why he thought she wanted him to kiss her, he said because she “took off her blouse.”
5. One comic makes several references to Voo Doo.
6. In the “outtakes” one comic walks up to a guy on the street and asks him if he’s ever used the Lord’s name in vain, when they guy replies that he’s not sure, the comic kicks him and the guy utters a profanity. (It is bleeped out but it is obvious what he said).
If you are a true Christian who hungers and thirst for righteousness, you will not agree with the DVD claiming to be “Christian.” If you’re a Sunday-only or holiday-only Christian, you’ll see no problem with the above mentioned material, and instead call me a zealot… thank you! Evidently none of the reviewers I’ve read, including mainstream Christian reviews, sees any problem with the material contained in this DVD carrying the name “Christian.” No wonder why Rick Warren is so popular. Tis a shame!
I wonder whatever happened to the pursuit of holiness?
“So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth.” REVELATION 3:16
Many North American Christians live isolated from reality–not only from the needs of the poor overseas, but even from the poor in their own cities. . . . I found that believers are ready to get involved in almost any activity that looks spiritual but allows them to escape their responsibility to the Gospel.
– K.P. Yohannan
Sound Bible exposition is an imperative must in the Church of the Living God. Without it no church can be a New Testament church in any strict meaning of that term. But exposition may be carried on in such [a] way as to leave the hearers devoid of any true spiritual nourishment whatever. For it is not mere words that nourish the soul, but God Himself, and unless and until the hearers find God in personal experience they are not the better for having heard the truth. The Bible is not an end in itself, but a means to bring men to an intimate and satisfying knowledge of God . . . .
– A.W. Tozer
1897 – 1963
Someone e-mailed me the pictures below and it got me thinking about how the world’s standard of what’s in and popular constantly changes. I then reflected on the modern church and its incessant efforts to be cool, hip, and relevant by stooping to the world’s standards to attract people.
As the modern church does everything possible to be cool, hip, and relevant, I thought I’d pose a question: What happens tomorrow when what was cool, hip, and relevant becomes uncool, unpopular, and out of style? What then?
See, God is always relevant. He never goes out of style and doesn’t need man to dream up new schemes to attract people to church.
When you use the world and its gimmicks to make God relevant, you will always have to come up with new gimmicks because what the world says is popular and relevant today will inevitably change tomorrow. When you let the world dictate how the Church should operate, the glory will depart.
To illustrate my point, check out the pictures below from a 1977 JCPenny catalog, and behold for yourself what a wicked mistress “Relevance” can be.
Enjoy your stroll down memory lane:
They will never accept grace till they tremble before a just and holy Law.
– Charles Spurgeon
1834 – 1892
This week’s MP3 podcast is The Death of Reverence. This is a great topic as Ingrid discusses the loss of reverence in the modern church.
Click on the link to listen streaming, or right click on the link and click “Save As” (Internet Explorer) or “Save Link As” (Mozilla) to save to your computer. From there you can burn this to a CD or upload it to your MP3 player.
This is part two on the topic of Mormonism’s heretical teaching of Blood Atonement. To check out part one, click here. Part one dealt with teachings of Blood Atonement as taught by Mormon “prophet” Brigham Young. In this post I have listed what other Mormons have taught about this blasphemous doctrine (plus I’ve included a video). I highly recommend you read part one before reading this post.
Salvation is twofold: General—that which comes to all men irrespective of a belief (in this life) in Christ—and, Individual—that which man merits through his own acts through life and by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the gospel. But man may commit certain grievous sins—according to his light and knowledge—that will place him beyond the reach of the atoning blood of Christ. If then he would be saved he must make sacrifice of his own life to atone—so far as in his power lies—for that sin, for the blood of Christ alone under certain circumstances will not avail. MURDERERS AND ATONEMENT. Do you believe this doctrine? If not, then I do say you do not believe in the true doctrine of the atonement of Christ! This is the doctrine you are pleased to call the “blood atonement of Brighamism.” This is the doctrine of Christ our Redeemer, who died for us. This is the doctrine of Joseph Smith, and I accept it. (Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, Volume 1 Page 133)
But man may commit certain grievous sins—according to his light and knowledge—that will place him beyond the reach of the atoning blood of Christ. If then he would be saved he must make sacrifice of his own life to atone—so far as in his power lies—for that sin, for the blood of Christ alone under certain circumstances will not avail. MURDERERS AND ATONEMENT. Do you believe this doctrine? If not, then I do say you do not believe in the true doctrine of the atonement of Christ! This is the doctrine you are pleased to call the “blood atonement of Brighamism.” This is the doctrine of Christ our Redeemer, who died for us. This is the doctrine of Joseph Smith, and I accept it. (Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, Volume 1 Page 134)
Joseph Smith taught that there were certain sins so that man may commit, that they will place the transgressors beyond the power of the atonement of Christ. If these offenses are committed, then the blood of Christ will not cleanse them from their sins even though they repent. Therefore their only hope is to have their own blood shed to atone, as far as possible, in their behalf. This is scriptural doctrine and taught in all the standard works of the Church. (Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, Volume 1 Page 135)
I say, that there are men and women that I would advise to go to the President immediately, and ask him to appoint a committee to attend to their case; and then let a place be selected, and let that committee shed their blood. We have those amongst us that are full of all manner of abominations, those who need to have their blood shed, for water will not do, their sins are too deep a dye. (Jedediah M. Grant, Journal of Discourses, Volume 4 Page 49)
I would ask how many covenant breakers there are in this city and in this kingdom. I believe that there are a great many; and if they are covenant breakers we need a place designated, where we can shed their blood. . . . They are a perfect nuisance, and I want them cut off, and he sooner it is done the better. . . . We have been trying long enough with this people, and I go in for letting the sword of the Almighty be unsheathed, not only in word, but in deed. . . . Let the wrath of the almighty God burn against them, and the wrath of Joseph and Brigham, and Heber, and of high Heaven. (Jedediah M. Grant, Journal of Discourses, Volume 4 Page 50)
But under certain circumstances there are some serious sins for which the cleansing of Christ does not, and the law of God is that men then have their own blood shed to atone for their sins. Murder, for instance, is one of these sins; hence we find the Lord commanding capital punishment. Thus, also, if a person has so progressed in the righteousness that his calling and election has been made sure, if he knows “by revelation and the spirit of prophecy, through the power of the Holy Priesthood” that he is sealed up unto eternal life (D. & C. 131:5), then if he gains forgiveness for certain grievous sins, he must “be destroyed in the flesh . . . thus saith the Lord God.” (D. & C. 132:19-27.) (Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, Pages 92-93, 1966 edition)
President Joseph Fielding Smith has written: “Man may commit certain grievous sins—according to his light and knowledge—that will place him beyond the reach of the atoning blood of Christ. If then he would be saved he must make sacrifice of his own life to atone—so far as in his power lies—for that sin, for the blood of Christ alone under certain circumstances will not avail. . . . Joseph Smith taught that there were certain sins so that man may commit, that they will place the transgressors beyond the power of the atonement of Christ. If these offenses are committed, then the blood of Christ will not cleanse them from their sins even though they repent. Therefore their only hope is to have their own blood shed to atone, as far as possible, in their behalf.” (Doctrines of Salvation, vol. 1, pp.133-138.) (Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, Page 93, 1966 edition)
You hear us talk about it a great deal, and probably many do not believe one word we say, but this people will never, no never, prosper to a high degree until we make a public example of—what? Men, who have been warned and forewarned, but who will associate with the wicked and take a course to commit whoredom, and will strive to lead our daughters and our wives into the society of poor, wicked curses, with a view to gratify their cursed passions; we will take them and slay them before this people. (Heber C. Kimball, Journal of Discourses, Volume 4, Page 173)
Christ Alone Wyoming 