Thursday, July 31, 2008

Right Before Our Very Eyes!

If you have time to watch this please do. It is incredible. Even watching a small part of it will convince you that this guy is one dangerous false prophet.

What about the deceived masses that believe this guy? What a shame this is.


Wednesday, July 30, 2008

RICK WARREN STILL DOESN'T GET IT?

This article makes a strong case AGAINST the social gospel trend which is sweeping through evangelicalism today:

By Paul Proctor
July 30, 2008
NewsWithViews.com


OneNewsNow.com recently reported the following in an article by Jim Brown titled Interfaith "cooperation" at Saddleback:

California mega-church pastor Rick Warren says Christians should not be reticent to work with Mormons, Muslims, Buddhists, and even atheists to cure societal problems.

In conjunction with the presidential forum he is hosting next month at Saddleback Church, Pastor Rick Warren will convene an interfaith meeting for 30 Christian, Jewish and Muslim leaders "to discuss cooperation for the common good of all Americans."


Now I don't, for a minute, expect anyone outside the Body of Christ to appreciate the things of God, His sovereignty, His glory, His purpose, His Word or even the gospel. If you're a social worker - even a Christian working as a volunteer within a charitable, yet secular organization, you are to be commended for your service to society.

But the church was not established by Jesus Christ to partner with other world religions and beliefs to share God's glory with Allah, Joseph Smith, Buddha or Madeline Murray O'Hare. Neither were we called by Christ to bring their followers into the ministry with us. Those who have truly been redeemed by the blood of the Lamb ought to know better than this.

There is any number of popular preachers these days, both on and off TV, touting unbiblical notions to cheering crowds as if they were carrying out the Great Commission. Many of them, if not most, are convinced that their worldly success and the resulting fame and fortune they enjoy is evidence of God's approval and blessing.

The fanatical followers of these smooth talkers are so far from the truth and so taken by their preacher's voice, reasoning with them, even from the scriptures, is often like reasoning with an animal, which is why I believe Jesus said, in Matthew 7, verse 6: "Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you."

Have you ever tried to reason with someone's guard dog? He doesn't know right from wrong or truth from lie. He doesn't know or even care if his master is good or evil. All he knows is violence toward anyone who challenges the sovereignty and authority of the hand that feeds him.

It doesn't mean such followers should never hear the gospel - it just means, it is an exercise in futility to belabor the issue with someone in that state of mind. In such cases, I believe it is best to move on to others who are waiting and ready to receive the truth - someone who, in Matthew 10, Jesus called "worthy."

But then there are preachers like Rick Warren.

His theology gets so close to the truth without fully reaching it, many loyal followers find it difficult to discern the difference.

In Warren's ongoing attempt to scripturally justify his Global P.E.A.C.E. Plan to professing Christians - described in the OneNewsNow.com article as, "an effort to mobilize churches around the world to combat what he calls the five 'global giants' of spiritual emptiness, corrupt leadership, poverty, disease and illiteracy," Warren is quoted as saying this:

"When Jesus sent his disciples out [Matthew 10]...he said, 'When you go into a village, you find the man of peace,' and he said, 'If he accepts, and he's open, and he's receptive and he's willing to work with you, you start your ministry there,'" says Warren. "[But Jesus] said, 'If you don't find the man of peace, you dust the dust off your shoes and you go to the next village [be]cause you can always find someone that's willing to work with you,"
If the 'man of peace' accepts what exactly?


If he's open to what exactly?

If he's receptive to what exactly?

If he's willing to work with you to do what exactly?

And exactly what kind of ministry are we talking about here?

Any Christian, guided by the Holy Spirit, who actually reads Matthew Chapter 10, instead of just listening to Warren describe and define it himself, ought to be able see that what Jesus sent and empowered His disciples to do at that particular time and place in history - and whom He specifically sent them to, is in no way even remotely related to what Warren is enlisting his followers to accomplish alongside Muslims, Mormons, Buddhists, Jews, atheists and presumably whomever will get onboard his P.E.A.C.E. train.

They are distinctly different agendas given to distinctly different groups of participants at distinctly different times in history for distinctly different purposes.

Pastor Warren is reportedly gathering bodies - any willing bodies - to help him "cure societal problems" for the "common good."

Jesus Christ, on the other hand, is gathering saved souls to a Kingdom not of this world for God's Glory.

Big difference…

Furthermore, in Matthew 10, Jesus empowered and commanded his disciples to go specifically to the "lost sheep of Israel" to cast out demons, raise the dead, miraculously heal sickness and disease and preach to them that the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand - meaning salvation had come - not go and "cure societal problems."

It was to supernaturally demonstrate that prophecy had been fulfilled before the eyes of those who knew and understood it - that their long-awaited Savior had finally arrived. Jesus was sending His disciples out at that particular time, not to the Gentiles, nor to the Samaritans, but to Jews only who knew and understood the scriptures of old and were looking for His coming.

Jesus did not send out just anyone who was willing to tag along to help "cure societal problems."

If that's all He was attempting to accomplish in Matthew 10, He was a miserable failure because, from what the Bible teaches, society's problems continued long after the disciples returned and, in fact, got a lot worse - especially for followers of Jesus.

So all the healing, casting out of demons and raising of the dead was to reveal God's miraculous power and presence. All Warren will be demonstrating with his ragtag roundup is man's power and presence - meaning his global shindig is just another brotherhood of man campaign designed to bring everyone together under the big tent of tolerance, diversity and unity where certain absolutes and convictions from scripture will be left at the door in order to keep the P.E.A.C.E.

And just how does that glorify Almighty God or His Only Begotten Son, Jesus Christ, Who said in John 14:6, "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me?

It doesn't.

"Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds" - 2nd John 1: 9-11

That means we don't go into ministry with them either.

When the Christian church partners with Muslims, Mormons, Buddhists and atheists for a so-called "ministry," God is not glorified in the least because He will not share His glory with other gods.

In Acts 17:30 the Apostle Paul told those on Mars Hill who worshipped other dieties that "…the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent…"

The word "now" implies, since Jesus, the Living Word of God has come.

Well, Jesus is coming again and God still isn't winking.

So, if God isn't winking, why is Pastor Warren?

Did Jesus attempt to send out representatives from other religions and philosophies with His disciples in the 10th chapter of Matthew to help them with demonic spirits, miraculous healing, raising the dead and preaching?

Of course not!

Then why is Rick Warren trying to "unequally yoke" various world religions and even atheists into a social gospel "ministry" of good works?

Or, is he expecting them to help Christians proclaim Jesus Christ as the only way to eternal life?

If Pastor Warren is looking for some scripture reference to validate his Global P.E.A.C.E. Plan and upcoming sheep and goat gala, he'd better look somewhere other than Matthew Chapter 10.

"The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD…" - Proverbs 15:8

Sunday, July 27, 2008

The "Seeker"-Sensitive "Gospel" Leads Men Straight to Hell

Monday, July 21, 2008

How to Resurrect Yourself

Saturday, July 19, 2008

Claims of God in the Prophets

This is from the Institute for Creation Research's daily devotional. I find it comforting to know we can rest in the fact that God is in total control of all things:

"Who hath wrought and done it, calling the generations from the beginning? I the LORD, the first, and with the last; I am he." (Isaiah 41:4)

Major portions of the Old Testament prophetic writings consist of verbatim quotations from God recorded by the prophets under divine inspiration. Included are many tremendous claims made by God to encourage His people to trust Him under all circumstances, and these are all needed today as never before.

In the Book of Isaiah, for example, there are 35 "I am" statements made by the Lord. Amazingly, however, none of them are in Book 1 of Isaiah (chapters 1-39); they are all in Book 2 (chapters 40-66). The first is the text above: "I the LORD, the first, and with the last; I am he" (41:4).

Look at some others--all wonderful testimonies of God.

"Before the day was I am he" (43:13).

"I am he that blotteth out thy transgressions" (43:25).

"I am the LORD that maketh all things" (44:24).

"Even to your old age I am he" (46:4).

"I, even I, am he that comforteth you" (51:12).

"I the LORD am thy Saviour and thy Redeemer" (60:16).


There are also 21 "I am" statements by the Lord in Jeremiah, but these all apply primarily to His dealings with the Jews of that day. Surprisingly, Ezekiel has more "I am's" than any other book. "I am the LORD" occurs 70 times in his prophecy alone. Also in Ezekiel is this testimony: "I am their inheritance: . . . I am their possession" (Ezekiel 44:28). Finally, there are 21 more "I am" assertions by God in the other, smaller prophetic books, with the last being Malachi 3:6: "For I am the LORD, I change not."

Putting several of these assertions together, we can hear Him say, "I am your Savior and Redeemer, before the day was, even to your old age, and I change not!"

--by Henry Morris, Ph.D.

Thursday, July 17, 2008

"Just the Black Notes"

"Amazing Grace" By Wintley Phipps:

Wednesday, July 16, 2008

Protester Disrupts Openly Gay Bishop's Sermon

REPENT! REPENT! cries the protester.

Good for him!

Sunday, July 13, 2008

Christians Should Help the Poor, But Our Greatest Responsibility is the Gospel

This is an article I saw posted on Lighthouse Trails Research. The original source is: Understand the Times with Roger Oakland


The emerging church talks a lot about the kingdom of God on earth, but in language and philosophy much different from the Bible. One emergent writer hopes the emerging church will handle the problems of this world in a manner that is "smarter" and "more effective" than those who have gone before. With "integrative means of participating in the healing of our world," he believes:

"The Spirit of God that hovered over creation is still present in our world, inviting us to collaborate with our Maker in the fulfillment of God's reign on earth."(1)

The same writer, Mark Scandrette, expresses his communal vision for a utopian world:

"The kingdom of God is a generative people who believe that a more beautiful and sustainable way of life is possible."(2)

Doug Pagitt explains that the emerging church is looking for this perfect kingdom on earth that will:

"... really be good news for the people of the world and not just the promise of a world to come. Many find good news in the call of Jesus to join the kingdom of God. And let me tell you "Kingdom of God" language is really big in the emerging church."(3)

When we think of the poor in Africa, or the homeless in America, or a child dying of AIDS, we want a world that has no suffering like this. But is the message of the kingdom of God that Jesus preached one that promises global healing and a world without pain and suffering? No, it isn't. Not now anyway. In our human thinking, we can't imagine that God would really want or allow all this suffering, so we decide that the goal for humanity should be unity, peace, no pain, or sorrow. And in an effort to accomplish this, the most important thing is forgotten. Jesus came to save lost sinners and give them utopia, so to speak, within their hearts. So, while we as Christians should do what we can to help the needy, our greatest responsibility is getting the Gospel to them.

Mark Scandrette goes so far as to say that the "interest in theologies of the kingdom of God is related" to a "sense of interconnection."(4)

Leonard Sweet calls this interconnection the TOE theory (theories of everything), in which all creation is connected together through a spiritual force he calls New Light. Sweet states:


"If the church is to dance, however, it must first get its flabby self back into shape. A good place to begin is the stretching exercise of touching its TOEs [which he also refers to as Grand Unified Theory].... Then, and only then, will a New Light movement of "world-making" faith have helped to create the world that is to, and may yet, be. Then, and only then, will earthlings have uncovered the meaning of these words, some of the last words ... Thomas Merton uttered: "We are already one. But we imagine that we are not."
(5)


The Kingdom Now theology and the emerging church's utopian kingdom are all about what the natural, carnal man views as significant. Jesus came to give peace and rest to the suffering, to the poor and those in need. It's a peace that passes all earthly understanding, and it's a kingdom, as Jesus said, not of this world. In our earthly minds we cannot understand this, especially when we think about the often horrific suffering all around us.

If Rick Warren or Brian McLaren were to take their message of the kingdom of God here and now (and don't think about that eternal home too much) to a poor man in a hut in Africa, what will it do for him? Supposing he can never leave that hut, how will their message help him? But with Jesus Christ's message, that man can be born again and by faith, through God's grace, have Jesus living inside him every day of his remaining life. Jesus promised that if anyone invited Him in, He would come in and sup with him (Revelation 3:20).

Jesus told His disciples the world would always have suffering and there would always be poor people. He didn't say this to give allowance to ignore or avoid the poor and suffering. But He wanted His followers to know that this earth is not the final destination for those whose names are found in the Book of Life (those who belong to Christ). That is why in the Book of Revelation, the apostle John said:


And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.... And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. (Revelation 21:1,4)


The true kingdom of God makes no sense to the unbelieving, unsaved person. The very idea of it is foolishness to him. Thus, human schemes and theologies are created to fit his way of thinking. But the Bible says what is wisdom to man is foolishness to God:


For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. (I Corinthians 1:18-21) (from chapter 9, Faith Undone)

Notes:

1. Doug Pagitt and Tony Jones, An Emergent Manifesto of Hope, Mark Scandrette section, "Growing Pains," p. 30.
2. Doug Pagitt, "Unraveling Emergent," op. cit.
3. Ibid.
4. Mark Scandrette, An Emergent Manifesto of Hope, p. 27.
5. Leonard Sweet, Quantum Spirituality, p. 13
.

Saturday, July 12, 2008

The First Church of the Tares...

As posted on Apprising.org:

JOHN MACARTHUR ON THE FIRST CHURCH OF THE TARES:

"Now I will acknowledge that there are many, many ways to build the First Church of the Tares. Many ways; behind which, Satan is the real power. And it can be done very effectively. The First Church of the Tares can be very effective, it can be big and it can be enduring.

The Gnostics did it, and it’s still around. The Roman Catholics have done it, and it’s still around. The liberals have done it, and it’s still around. The cults have done it, and it’s still around. The Church of the Tares is actually bigger than the Church of the Wheat.
And today, those who call themselves evangelicals are busy doing it. And there’s a long list of locations called churches where tares assemble in increasing numbers with a scattering of weak wheat stocks among them. The successful assemblies of tares will eagerly market their skill at tare development.

It can be very seductive to those who are motivated by numbers or pride or popularity. So, if you want to take a shot at competing with the rest of the tare pastors to see how many tares you can get in a building there’s ample information, lots of seminars, plenty of books, and data on the Internet that you can draw down to work on building your Church of the Tares, with a smattering of wheat."


(A Biblical Response to the Church-Growth Movement, GTY 114, CD Rom)

Friday, July 11, 2008

Why Can't You Be Good?

Wednesday, July 09, 2008

Trust

My wife and I recently visited a troubled believer in a hospital struggling with feelings of depression over his spiritual condition. He was deeply concerned about the words of Christ in Matthew 7 where Jesus told His disciples that not all who claim faith will be entered into the eternal Kingdom of Christ. The words, 'Depart from me, you who practice lawlessness,' deeply troubled him. His fear was that he would be one of those Christ would send away. My better half was sitting across the table and wisely asked the young man to consider the words of those Christ had rejected. '...have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?' It would appear they had only their own works to justify themselves. Jesus speaking to a group of leaders instructed them that if they would do the works of God they must believe on Him whom the Father has sent. I often hear the arguments of the left or right leaning religionists claiming truth as if they owned it exclusively. Jesus says that He is the Truth and the Way. He is not a representation of a Christ consciousness that inhabits us all but rather embodiment of the Godhead in human form and faith in Him is the only way one can truly bless others, or be truly blessed of God. If we are trusting in any other source, human or otherwise we shall be among those He sent into that place of weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Friday, July 04, 2008

Mikey Monsoor-One of Many American Heroes

Here is one of many American heroes who has given his life for our Freedom:

Thank God for America's Freedom

Thank you Lord God for the freedom we have in this country, and thank you to the soldiers who are defending it!

Wednesday, July 02, 2008

A Gospel Without Sugar

"Avoid a sugared gospel as you would shun sugar of lead. Seek the gospel which rips up and tears and cuts and wounds and hacks and even kills, for that is the gospel that makes alive again. And when you have found it, give good heed to it. Let it enter into your inmost being. As the rain soaks into the ground, so pray the Lord to let his gospel soak into your soul."

-- Charles Spurgeon