Pentecost is the Birthday of the Church

     It is a common belief today that the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ began on the day of Pentecost.  It is so common, that when you raise objection to the idea, you are looked upon as being crazy.  This weekend, April 1st, 2nd, and 3rd, Anchor Landmark Baptist Church of Interlochen is hosting a Bible Conference to discuss the Origin and Purpose of the Church.  I encourage you to come, but to wet your appetite, let me prove Biblically, the church existed before Pentecost. While there are many more proofs, I will only list five.

1.) Baptism was commanded to be practiced by the church before Pentecost. Matthew 28:18-20

2.) The Lord's Supper (A Church Ordinance) was established before Pentecost. Matthew 26:26-30, Mark 14:22-26, Luke 22:14-20.

3.) Jesus stated that HE would build His church (Mathew 16:18). Therefore, if it was done after His Ascension, it would have been left to another.

4.) They had a "church business meeting" before Pentecost. Acts 1:13-26

5.) Jesus gave the church a plan of action for discipline before Pentecost. Matthew 18:15-17 (This one kind of makes me laugh, because, if you have a Scofield Reference Bible, the commentary states that this is future church discipline.  If you read the verses they are in present tense, not future. How quickly do we abandon good Biblical Analysis when our pet doctrines are challenged!)

The Church of Jesus Christ was founded by Jesus Christ during His personal ministry here on Earth.  That is Biblical Truth.  Don't follow traditions that are not based on the Bible!  Try the spirits, whether they are of God or not!

Love the Sinner, Hate the Sin

     Once I had a debate with a man who made the statement, we should never hate anything.  My premise was that Jesus actually commended hate.  In Revelation 2:6 Jesus stated to the church at Ephesus; "But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate."  Notice, however, the object of the hate of Jesus.  It was the deeds of the Nicolaitans, not the Nicolaitans themselves.  Similarly, we should have the same focus.  We hate no one, for each individual is made in the image of God.  It is pretty clear that, "God so loved the world..." (John 3:16)  As His disciples, we need to love as Jesus loved.

     Unfortunately, our world has come to the conclusion, that if you hate what I am doing, you hate me.  This is far from the truth!  Just because I disagree and speak against your action, does not mean I hate you as a person. It just means I don't like what you are doing. It make me sad you are choosing whatever it is over God, and I want you to know God the way I do. In fact, if a person is relating to you that God said your action is wrong, they are actually acting out of love.  Christians want people to have a relationship with God.  Our sins (and let's be clear, we all have them) are hindrances between us and God.  Isaiah 59:1-2 teaches "Behold, the LORD's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy that it cannot hear: But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that He will not hear."

     Any person that tells you God hates an individual is WRONG, and doesn't speak for the LORD.  It is unbiblical to hate people.  If, however, someone tells you God hates your actions, AND they can back it up with Scripture, know that such a thing is true, and you have a choice to make.  God doesn't hate you, He hates what we do that keeps us from Him.  Knowing this, let us remind people how much God loves us!  Jesus suffered and died on the Cross, paid the penalty of sin against us.  All who accept His payment by faith will be saved.  Those who don't, will pay the price themselves eternally!  Will we justify our actions to ourselves, or will we turn to God?  God loves us, not our sin!

Be Angry and Sin Not

     Many moons ago, my father would have me recite a series of phrases before I was supposed to get angry.  "By the shores of Gitchee Gumee, By the shining Big Sea water, stood the wigwam of Nokomis."  I know now that these words are from the Henry Wadsworth Longfellow poem The Song of Hiawatha.  When Dad first told me that crazy sentence, I couldn't help but laugh.  After that, there were many times that those silly phrases were repeated with clenched teeth. I have been known to have a severe problem with my temper. (Of course having a older sister that took pleasure in seeing just how mad she could get me didn't help.)  Thankfully, God has worked on that with me, and explosions don't happen as often as they used to.
     Anger is not a sin.  It can't be.  Jesus got angry.  Anger can lead to sin however.  The Apostle Paul wrote to the Ephesian Church by divine inspiration the following. "Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give place to the devil." (Ephesians 4:26-27)  So what makes the difference between anger and anger that leads to sin and allows the devil to have an influence over us?
     When Jesus got angry it was because people were making a mockery of the things of God.  As He said, they had turned the house of prayer into a den of thieves.  When we get angry, most of the time it is over a perceived injustice or insult directed toward us.  We then take on the attitude, how dare you do that to ME, and we seek reclaim the standing we think we deserve.  This can lead to hurting others, which, if we are Children of God, is NOT a good testimony.
     How much of the stuff we get angry about really matters?  In the eternal scope of things, personal insults and injustices, are nothing.  We need to remember "Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord." (Romans 12:19)  Let's not sweat the small stuff.  Let us instead live as peacemakers.  Then we will be called the Children of God.  In the midst of a volatile world, that's what we want to be!  Let your anger sink into the Shining Big Sea Water of God's Love, and be a witness for Jesus!

We have got to win this election.

(I hope my friends who are like minded will make this post "go viral".)

 

     Let me start with a little story.  Many years ago, in a land far away, two men stood before their nation and begged and pleaded with them.  They told them their reasoning, and what they believed.  They implored their fellow countrymen to make the right choice on a crucial decision.   In the end, the two men were ignored in favor of the popular message and the nation then reaped the consequences of the choice it made.  THIS IS A TRUE STORY!  You will find it in Numbers chapters 13-14.

     The two men were Joshua and Caleb.  They begged the people to follow God and enter the Promised Land.  In return for their faithfulness to God, their countrymen wanted to stone them.  They "lost" the debate and they journeyed with the rest of Israel in the Wilderness for 40 years.  Yet God rewarded their faithfulness to Him, in spite of what their country did.

     Today, I see "Christians" more loyal to a political candidate than they are to God.  On social media, news stories are shared repeatedly.  Debates between people often turn heated, and we are doing this before the watching eyes of the lost world!  What will they think of "Christians"? What will they think of Christ?

     In this political season, I just want to remind God's Children of a few verses of Scripture:

"But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.  Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.  Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing.  MY BRETHREN, THESE THINGS OUGHT NOT SO TO BE." (James 3:9-10)

"The wicked walk on every side, when the vilest men are exalted." (Psalm 12:8)

"Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you," (II Corinthians 6:17)

"And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him." (Colossians 3:17)

     It is not as vital to "lose" the election as it is to lose our testimony!  Let us be more faithful to God and His standards than we are to the elephant and donkey.  No matter who is elected, God is still on the throne!  We may have to experience the wilderness, but God will remember our faithfulness!  Please vote Biblically, but more importantly, honor Jesus your Savior!  Live for Him, He died for you!

Thank You!

Judge Not

     We live in a society where practically everything is acceptable. (And the list of acceptable things continues to grow.)  When preachers, or Christians in general, begin to state an opposition to something, suddenly people become Biblical scholars and quote Matthew 7:1. "Judge not, that ye be not judged."  We are told we cannot voice concerns over the issues because we are judging people.  Christians aren't supposed to judge.
     I totally agree with the idea that Christians are not supposed to judge!  If we will put Matthew 7:1 back into context, the very next verse helps us to clarify.  It says, "For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged..."  We are not to use OUR OWN standards.  We are not supposed to hold people to OUR opinions.  It is also interesting to note that Jesus further explained this doctrine with the parable of the mote and the beam.  In Matthew 7:5 Jesus says, "...first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast the mote out of thy brother's eye."  Simply put, put your own house in order, and then you CAN help somebody else get their life straightened out.
     When Christians voice concern on the issues based on Biblical principles, we are not judging.  We are telling you what the Judge (God) has said.  We are actually commanded in Scripture to warn people that their behavior is wicked.

"When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand." (Ezekiel 3:18)

"Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men." (1 Thessalonians 5:14)

Paul set the example for us.  "I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I warn you." (1 Corinthians 4:14)

     Here's what I know.  Jesus has forgiven me of my sins.  I asked Him to save me, and He did.  I am not perfect, but I am forgiven.  I want the rest of humanity to know the same Love of Christ that I have.  Sinful lifestyles keep us from Christ.  Any of the activities that we preach about will NOT send somebody to Hell.  Homosexuality, murder, gluttony, adultery, whatever sin you want to name will NOT send you to Hell.  They will however, keep you distracted and separated from Jesus Christ, and not knowing Jesus as Savior WILL send you to Hell.  When Christians preach against sinful living, it is to point out the root problem, life separated and lived in rejection of Jesus!
     True Christians (and there are many that take that name, but don't live by it)  are not looking down their noses at those wrapped up in sinful lifestyles.  We just know that we were once there too.  Thankfully we came to know Jesus Christ as Savior and He changed us!  We want the same thing for YOU!  The Judge has set the standards.  Heed the warnings before it is too late!  May you know the same Jesus who delivered me!

Trust your heart.

     People are encouraged all the time to follow their heart.  There used to be a PBS public service commercial that reminded kids, that no matter where you are, there is always someone you can trust.  Yourself.  When we follow our heart, many times we are acting upon emotions.  When have we ever made good choices when deciding with our feelings? Anger, envy, lust, these things come forth from the heart.  Matthew 15:19 states, "For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:"   Jeremiah would add to this, "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?" (Jeremiah 17:9)  If we can't trust our own decisions who can we trust?  The answer is found Jeremiah 17:10. "I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins . . ."  We can trust the LORD and His Word!
     But let's be honest, how many times do we ask God for direction when we make our choices?  Most of the time we try to run our lives without giving one thought to what God would want.  People make life altering choices that can impact them for the remainder of their earthly life without consulting the One who gave them that life! And then, when we find ourselves in a mess we want to ask, "WHY GOD?!"
     Let me give you an example:  Today is "Super Tuesday."  All across this country people are heading to the polls to vote for a presidential candidate.  Some are going to vote for a candidate because they are angry at Washington.  Some are going to vote because they feel their selection is the most compassionate.  Before you cast that vote on an emotional foundation, can I encourage you to ask, "What would God think about me and my reasons for voting for this person?"  Will you consider Biblical principle before you cast your vote? (For help, note Psalms 12:8 "The wicked walk on every side, when the vilest men are exalted.")
     But this doesn't just apply to presidential elections!  Christian, before you get that tattoo (which will remain with you for life!)  have you consulted God?  Accountable adult, before you take that next social drink, have you considered what God has to say on the subject?  Young person, before you give in to the emotion of passion, have you considered God's plan for sex?  Too often we follow the urges of the heart and not the Scripture that God has given to us.  Remember, God is not trying to take away from you wonderful experiences, He is trying to help you live a full life, and then welcome you into eternity. (Which can only happen if you are a child of God through the Blood of Jesus Christ - see earlier post on Find your own way to God.)
     I guess, to sum this all up; before you decide to do ANYTHING, see what God has to say about your choice.  If you aren't reading your Bible and consulting the LORD, you may find yourself in a heap of trouble! Don't follow your heart, follow God!