Justification by Faith Alone

Today we celebrate Reformation Day. October 31, 1517 stands forever in the hearts and minds of a Protestant. Martin Luther's Ninety-five Theses served not as the beginning of the Reformation, for there were many that preceded him in laying the groundwork, but as the signal that this man, and many others who he had no clue were with him, would never turn back to the apostasy of the church as it existed in 1517. The great hallmark of the Reformation is the doctrine of justification by faith alone, which Luther stated was the doctrine on which the church stands or falls.

If this be the case (and I certainly believe it to be true), then the church today in some places is crumbling. Luther's understanding from Scripture was that justification by faith alone ("The just shall live by faith") consisted of a double imputation grounded in Christ's work of atonement on the cross: (1) Christ's righteousness was imputed those who by faith receive Him and (2) the sins of those who trust in His saving work on their behalf were put on Him. Both aspects of this double imputation are found in Paul's words to the Corinthians, "He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him" (2 Corinthians 5:21 ). Luther also taught that man's works had nothing to do with justification. Man's salvation is based solely on the merits of Christ and His finished work on behalf of the elect. In other words, it is by His works that we are saved.

The simplicity of this doctrine is under attack today by those who adhere to the New Perspective on Paul. They contest a number of things that we will unpack as we work our way through the next few blogs. At the heart of their contention is that all that I wrote above concerning justification by faith alone, double imputation, and faith not works as the basis for salvation are products of Reformation teaching and not the Scripture. They claim that the Reformers formulated the doctrine of justification by faith alone and then pigeonholed Paul's teachings on the doctrine to suit their interpretation. They contend that Paul's views on works, Judaism, and justification are at fault.

How much at fault? More later.

Justification, the Reformation, and New Perspective on Paul

We are approaching the day that the world celebrates as Halloween and the church celebrates as Reformation Day. The celebrations could not be further apart in their allegiances. Those that celebrate Halloween do so with witches, ghosts, bats and goblins, with things from the dark side. Some would say it is the devil's holiday. On the other hand, those that celebrate Reformation Day remember October 31, 1517, that infamous day when Martin Luther challenged the establishment in nailing Ninety-five Theses to the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg which led to a theological and biblical preciseness concerning justification: it is according to Scripture alone by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone for the glory of God alone.

Some will read the opening paragraph and disagree with my assessment of Halloween, saying I have gone overboard in relegating to the underworld. While they might agree to its secularness, they will say to lighten up and let the children have their fun. After all, candy won't hurt them.

But it is not the danger associated with Halloween that concerns me today. It is more the reinterpretation of those great teachings that flowed out of the Reformation on justification. It is my hope to address some of these things over the next few days, particularly as it relates to Paul and his writings concerning justification now muddied by the teachings of New Perspective. If allowed to sink its tentacles any deeper into the foundation laid by the Apostles, this teaching could be far more damaging to the church than any Halloween celebration.

Stay tuned.

Building Bridges Conference

I want to remind everyone that it is not too late to participate in the upcoming conference, Building Bridges: Southern Baptists and Calvinism, Nov. 26-28 at LifeWay Ridgecrest Conference Center. The conference is hosted by Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, Lifeway, and Founders Ministries.

For more information and/or to register, go to LifeWay's website.

See you at Ridgecrest!

Tailgating & Baptism

YEEHAH!!! It's official - baptism is now a cultural celebration on the level of a Clemson University football game. Bring your grill, RV, pop-up tent, big screen TV and party before baptism. That is precisely what NewSpring Baptist Church in Anderson, S.C. promotes.

"We invited people to come tailgate before the baptisms like they would before a football game," said Tony Morgan, chief strategic officer (?) at NewSpring in Anderson, S.C. "People brought their RVs and set up tents. There were televisions going with people watching football games before the baptism service started," Morgan told Baptist Press. "People brought grills and they were making food for themselves and sharing with others. It was pretty fun." The church, which is about 20 minutes from the Clemson University campus, set up three above-ground pools in the parking lot, and two pastors in each pool took about 90 minutes to baptize the 562 people, Morgan said. Morgan believes it's entirely appropriate to party before a baptism because the ordinance is a celebration. [see entire article]

While I agree that baptism is a celebration of one coming to faith in Christ, it is much more than that. It is a ceremony that demonstrates one's union with Christ through His death, burial, and resurrection. While I am sure it has happened before, I don't think most church members would be comfortable tailgating prior to a wedding ceremony.

Further, the solemnity which should surround the ceremony is lost in this atmosphere. It is not unlike one church a few years ago that actually baptized children in a fire truck, complete with sirens, bells, and fireworks.

At stake in the casualness that surrounds a "celebration" such as this (along with the Lord's Table, I might add - see 1 Corinthians 11:17-34) is the twofold purpose of baptism is lost. Mark Dever wrote the following in A Theology for the Church, recently published by Broadman & Holman:

Baptism functions as both a confession of sin and a profession of faith for the believer. Faith is professed in Christ and the objective realities of Christ's death, the gift of the Spirit, and the final resurrection, all of which are depicted in baptism. Furthermore, it testifies to the subjective experiences of confession and forgiveness, spiritual regeneration, and the newly discovered resurrection hope. Baptism portrays the Christian's union with Christ, and therefore with other Christians and the church (see Rom. 6:1-14) [p. 787, emphasis mine].

While baptism serves as a visible demonstration of one's faith in Christ (which is celebratory), it also serves as an outward confession of sin. This is where a "celebration" in the form of a tailgate party falls miserably short. May we all have a passion to baptize. I pray that all of those baptized that day have truly come to faith in Christ. But does this type of display identify more with Christ or the world? Would the "celebration" not have been as joyous inside the church? Do sinners see their need for a Savior while sitting around preparing their hearts for kickoff? May we heed the warning of Paul concerning the Lord's Table and apply it to the ordinance of baptism as well.

Understanding the Flock

Greg Thornbury asks the following question in the context of ministering to the postmodern, "How does a pastor minister to people whose lives pivot on the trivial and the profound - all within the space of a minute?" [A Theology for the Church, (B&H Publishing Group: Nashville, TN, 2007) 66]. The question itself is profound and not trivial (I guess I am in a good minute!). His question defines our culture, our congregations, our households, our vocation, our education, etc. In other words, our entire worldview today teeters back and forth between that which is trivial and that which is profound.

In biblical language, this might be translated as pivoting on the things of this earth and the things above, teetering between the temporal and the spiritual, walking by sight and not by faith. On any given Sunday we have people from all walks of life enter into the doors searching for something. Some are certain, some assume, some presume, and some are not at all sure what it is they are seeking. But all of them, from the sure to the unsure, from the illumined to the desperate, are at church because it is the one place on earth that should be spiritual, that should be profound and not trivial in worship toward God.

Thronbury then makes the following assessment, "The current question before church leaders revolves around how to best preach the truth of the gospel to a generation that seems simultaneously confused by, and yet oddly drawn to, spiritual things" [66]. In our postmodern age, this certainly does define the pastor's task. The pastor must not only prepare sermons that speak to different ages, both physical and spiritual, but also that address those that are puzzled yet curious about the Christian faith. This is a tall order in and of itself. This is the profundity of the pastorate in 2007.

But I would like to take Thornbury's assessment to the next level. The task of church leaders today also revolves around how to best preach the truth of the gospel to a church generation that seems confused by, and yet oddly drawn to, earthly things. While individuals are responsible for their own actions, the church today is partially to blame here because the power of the gospel and the truth of God's Word have been so trivialized on Sunday. Worship as defined by God in His Word has been replaced by entertainment and called worship. Worship for Him and about Him has been replaced by worship for me and about me. Yes, culture has influenced our worship as well. And this speaks only to Sunday. The pastor must recognize that for the other six days of the week (and half of the seventh day) congregants are bombarded with the things of this world. Our challenge is to help our people recognize that they cannot live daily in the profundity of God if they only give themselves to be saturated in the truth on Sunday. They cannot walk with the Lord while being shaped and molded by the trivial six days and hope to be conformed to the image of His Son on one only. How is it that our churches today are strangely drawn to earthly things?

Freedom!

Freedom. You will hear this word more than once today. All Americans remember the day that America's freedom was attacked. I was sitting in my den watching the coverage of the first plane that struck the World Trade Center as the second one crashed into the adjacent building. I was numb. I could not believe what happened. Yet I remember immediately thinking that this was no coincidence. This was a planned attack. And from that day forward, words that were not part of the American vocabulary became daily household words. One of those words is freedom, which to that point was taken for granted by many Americans and abused by others who associate the freedom of a republic with individual rights which, ironically, often infringe of the freedoms of others.

Which brings me to the thought I had this morning concerning freedom, sovereignty, and rights in relation to God. We who hold the doctrines of grace so dearly understand (at least as much as our feeble minds have been instructed by the Holy Spirit) that God is absolutely sovereign in all things and man is not, including one's salvation. Man often struggles with what J. I. Packer designated an antimony, two apparently irreconcilable truths concerning the Scripture's teaching on salvation - God's sovereignty and man's responsibility. However, in contemplating the doctrines of grace, one must begin before the TULIP, with what precedes all that God does in salvation. One must begin with God's sovereignty, or God's freedom. In relation to man's salvation, is God free or is man? (I encourage you to read James White's excellent book The Potter's Freedom for a full treatment of this doctrine). You see, God's freedom is at stake in our discussion about salvation. But unlike our freedom as Americans, which was brutally attacked on Sept. 11, 2001 by ruthless terrorists, God will not allow His freedom to be attacked. He will not allow His name to be profaned. God is sovereign. God is free. Forever and ever. Amen.

Praying with Anselm

I ran across this prayer from St. Anselm this morning. May this be our heart's desire as well!

My heart's voice is to Thee, my Lord and eternal King, Christ Jesus. The work of Thy hand dares to address Thee with loving boldness, for it yearns after Thy beauty and longs to hear Thy voice. O Thou, my heart's desired One, how long must I bear Thy absence; how long must I sigh after Thee, and my eyes drop tears? O Lord, all love, all loveable, where dwellest Thou? Where is the place of Thy rest, where Thou reposest all joyful among Thy favourite ones, and satisfiest them with the revelations of Thy glory? How happy, how bright, how holy, how ardently to be longed for, is that place of perennial joys! My eye has never reached far enough, nor my heart soared high enough, to know the multitude of the sweetnesses which Thou hast stored up in it for Thy children. And yet I am supported by their fragrance, though I am far away from them. The breath of Thy sweetness comes to me from afar.

- from St. Anselm's Book of Meditations and Prayers

9 Marks on Race

I just received my bi-monthly eJournal from 9 Marks Ministries. If you are not familiar with 9 Marks I encourage you to visit their web site and slowly absorb the many facets of their ministry. They have their finger on the pulse of church life in the U. S. and beyond. Visit their web site to subscribe to the eJournal.

Which brings me to this little foray into their present eJournal. It deals with the topic of race. I believe that this has the potential to be one of the most significant contributions by 9 Marks to date. I realize that this is a rather significant statement given the many contributions they have made, most notably in the area of church discipline. However, pastoring a church in the Deep South U. S. brings with it a number of divergent responses to race in the church, i. e., the body of Christ. I do not believe the outward, blatant racism of years past still prevails, though there are areas where even this still exists. No, a more incipient racism has crept in, a sort of silent racism that quietly lays under the surface in a "don't ask, don't tell" veneer. Even in those churches that are committed to multi-racial congregations (as ours is) there might still be those who claim multi-racial principles at church but who hesitate to allow those principles to permeate their worldview outside the church, at work, at school, at recreation, in realtionships, etc.

I suggest that this issue of 9 Marks eJournal might rock some people's world. Read it - honestly. John Piper's article is especially forthright and challenging to my work as a pastor and my life as a father. Others will grip you as well, including the book reviews. Use this as a good opportunity to introduce yourself to 9 Marks.

More updates on The Alabama Baptist

Tom Ascol is continuing his series of helpful response to the August 2 articles on Southern Baptists and Calvinism by James Leo Garrett, Jr. I encourage you to follow along as Tom points out the stereotypes of Calvinism by many in SBC life (i.e., equating Calvinism with hyper-Calvinism). He also offers links to others who have commented on these articles.

Update on Alabama Baptist articles

In my previous post I mentioned that I was unable to link to Dr. Garrett's series of articels on Calvinism in The Alabama Baptist. Links have since been provided:

A question facing Baptist churches
Calvinism: What does it mean?
Does Dortian Calvinism have weight of Scripture in its favor?
Have Baptists always been Dortian Calvinists in their confessions of faith?
How prominent Baptists stack up
What are the alternatives to Dortian Calvinism?

Tom Ascol has also provided comments on this series in two blogs:

The Alabama Baptist on Calvinism
The Alabama Baptist stories on Calvinism

Tom has also provided an update and a link to the upcoming "Building Bridges: Southern Baptists and Calvinism" conference Nov. 26-28, 2007 at Ridgecrest, NC.

Tom's update
Conference web site and registration

The Alabama Baptist on Calvinism

This week's edition of The Alabama Baptist contains a series of articles by James Leo Garrett, Jr. on Calvinism. In his opening comments, editor Bob Terry shares the goal and intent of this series of articles:

This week, The Alabama Baptist attempts what many believe impossible. We offer our readers an in-depth look into the theological understandings often called Calvinism. This effort is not an attempt to persuade readers whether this viewpoint is right or wrong. Instead we present a series of articles designed to inform readers about Calvinism... Our goal is to inform readers so they will understand the basic teachings of this viewpoint and be able to reach their own conclusions about the teachings of this theological understanding.

The series of articles by Dr. Garrett is to be commended for its structure and commitment to Terry's aforementioned goal. Garrett's articles might be described as follows:

1) Definitional/historical
2) Confessional/historical
3) Biographical/historical
4) Scriptural/interpretational
5) Practical
6) Optional

I would commend that all read the articles with the editor's intent in mind. The articles offer an informational introduction to Calvinism in some degree. However, I would like to point out a couple of weaknesses.

1) While the articles serve as a decent introduction to Calvinism, it does not serve as a true examination of Calvinism as the series title suggests: An Informational Examination of Calvinism. The reason for this lies in the brevity of the articles. Garrett simply touches on many things but does not properly expand on those topics. Of course, this brevity is necessary to fulfill the requirements of the paper and no slight on Dr. Garrett. However, the reader must remember that do to this brevity, historical and Scriptural thoughts are often understated and therefore can be misleading. Again, this is not to say that is Garrett's intent. He is bound to the length of a journal article. I would encourage the readers to do a deeper study historically and especially Scripturally. My greatest disagreement with Dr. Garrett would be with the article on Scripture and Calvinism.

2) It seems to me that if one were attempting to give an "in-depth" yet unbiased opinion, then the editor should have chosen more than one person to write the series of articles. It does not matter whether Dr. Garrett is a self-proclaimed Dortian Calvinist, a practicing Calminian (to borrow his term), or a flaming Arminian. While I do believe Dr. Garrett tries to be as unbiased as possible in the spirit of the stated goal, it is difficult if not impossible for one's historical and biblical interpretations not to bleed through on occasion. A better approach might have been to have taken the same approach and invited scholars on both sides to present their views over an extended number of papers. This would have guarded against the biases of an individual and left a greater breadth of information for one to make an informed decision.

Again, I encourage the reader to get his/her hands on a copy of the Aug. 2, 2007 edition of The Alabama Baptist and read for yourself. Unfortunately, while Terry's comment on the series is available online, I was not able to find a link to the articles themselves as of the time of this writing.

Emergent vs. Emerging

Tom Ascol yesterday provided commentary on an article with which I concur goes overboard in its response to what is known as The Emergent Church. Tom makes a proper distinction between 'emergent movement' and 'emerging movement.' I would like to offer a further explanation.

According to the article, the term 'emergent church' "refers to a loose association of people who share common values and attitudes toward, well, everything. It’s Christianity for postmoderns who don’t like truth, knowledge, science, authority, doctrine, institutions, or religion. They claim absolute or objective truth is unknowable, that the only 'truth' that can be known is rooted in communities of shared subjective experience–the infamous 'it’s my truth' of relativism." While the article is "over the top" in its criticism (Ascol, which I agree), this definition is pretty accurate. Some of the leaders in this movement are Brian McLaren (author and pastor), Stanley Grenz and Roger Olsen (theologians).

'Emergent' is a radical subgroup under a large umbrella of often referred to as 'emerging' though both terms are often used synomously. The leading spokesperson for the 'emerging' group is Mark Driscoll, pastor of Mars Hill Church in Seattle, WA. He gives about 4 minute distinction between 'emergent' and 'emerging' on YouTube. More info on the strain with which he identifies can be found at the Acts 29 Network. As you will note, they too are concerned about reaching our postmodern culture. However, they are not seeking to do so at the expense of truth and doctrine like those in the 'emergent' movement who have jettisoned truth altogether. While these two movements are often lumped together because of the similarity in name, they are very different in this regard. One has a genuine burden to reach this world with the truth of the gospel. The other does not, but seeks community in a purely social construct.

While I think there are dangers in both of these movements, the 'emergent' group (McClaren and others) quite frankly are heretical. While I agree to disagree with some (but not all) of the methods of the 'emerging group' (Driscoll and others), I would not and do not consider them heretical. In some ways I admire their passion and concern to reach this culture.

Tom, if I have misrepresented your distinction, then accept my apology.

Without Prejudice?

There is a new show airing on cable and satellite tonight called "Without Prejudice?" The byline for the program reads, "A panel decides which of five contestants deserves a prize of $25,000. " Seems innocent enough. However, a commercial for this program on the radio this morning revealed that one of the people the panel will "judge," presumably without prejudice in order to win the prize, is described as "a gay white evangelical."

This description provides an ethical dilemma for those involved in "judging" this individual. The dilemma begins by defining what prejudice really is. Is it based upon truth or upon one's preferences? Does disagreeing with another's views necessarily infringe on one's "rights"? Will the panel deciding which of the contestants is "without prejudice" all have views that are "without prejudice"? You see the dilemma.

Concerning the individual mentioned above, let me offer my "without prejudice" viewpoint. There is only one of the adjectives describing this man that is totally outside of his control and/or choice. That is his race - white. That is determined genetically before birth by his biological parents. The fact that he is male is also determined genetically.

However, there is no "gay" gene. There is no gene of this nature that naturally or physically predisposes one toward a homosexual orientation. For those who adhere to this fallacy, I would like to ask a few questions: 1) If there were such a gene proven scientifically (which to date there is not) then has there ever been an instance of one who has the gene to go against the genetic makeup? In other words, can one have the gene and not be gay? 2) Has there been any documentation concerning one who does not have this presumed gene and is yet gay?

Further, there is no "god" gene either. Yes, every human (and I might mention humanity alone) is created in the image of God with an innate desire to worship something. But that is not a gene that determines one's religious leanings. This man is described as an evangelical. While I might disagree with one's definition of evangelical, the point still remains that one's religious conviction, evangelical or otherwise, is a choice. The difference in the two choices is that in one who is homosexual, their choice, if they choose to remain in what the Scripture plainly calls "sin," comes from a heart that is at enmity with God. The choice of one to be truly evangelical, born by the Spirit of God according to Scripture alone by God's grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone for the glory of God alone, comes from a heart that has been reconciled to God.

Given these truths, we see the dilemma that faces those who will judge this man "without prejudice." Of course, I realize that I would be deemed a bigot by the panel. But my eternal judge is more important than $25,000!

Pets Have Souls?

My travels for the month of June (and the year!) have subsided and I look forward to getting back into the swing of things. We had a wonderful time at Saved by Faith Youth Challenge (SBFYC) in Bolivar, MO (see prior blogs). We just returned from mission trip to La Poza, Mexico with To Every Tribe Ministries. This was my fourth year in La Poza and I think the best yet.

Now back to blogging! I know you have lost sleep not having anything to read for the past few weeks. Well, let me give you something worth losing a little sleep over. I woke today to find the following article in our local newspaper, "Animal chaplain prays, anoints, gives lasts rites." I have often been asked if there will be animals in heaven. And my response is that while Scripture really does not give us enough to be dogmatic either way, it seems that humanity alone (along with angels) is equipped for eternity. But this chaplain goes beyond the question. He dogmatically asserts that animals have souls and can teach humans the love of God. Really now? I would like to see the text that suggests that animals have souls. The human soul is what distinguishes it from all other life forms in God's creation. Some might argue that the soul refers simply to the life-giving aspect of God. But this is not what Scripture means by the soul of man. Whether you are a dichotomist or a trichotomist is not the issue here. When Scripture speaks of the "soul" it is always in reference to humanity. While Scripture does refer to the "spirit" of animals, this is different than the "spirit" or the "soul" of man which separates humanity from all other creatures. It is what makes humanity alone to be in the image of God, reasoning and spiritual creatures.

This is not to say that we should not offer comfort to those who have lost pets that they are close to. It does not mean that we should not pray for God's creatures either. What it does mean is that we should not elevate animals to a place that is not Scriptural. What are your thoughts?

9 Marks Blog

If you haven't heard, 9Marks new blog started today! You can read Mark Dever's intro blog at http://blog.9marks.org/ or simply click on 9Marks link on the left. I look forward to reading these blogs on Church matters in the future.

Revival and Remembrance

In his message at the Founder's Breakfast at the Southern Baptist Convention last week, Voddie Baucham declared that revival occurs "when God awakens His people by reminding them of past lessons and bringing them into present repentance." You can read a summary of his message on revival at www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=25918.

I believe Baucham is dead on. God often exhorted Israel to remember their past deliverance by His hand so that they might repent and trust in Him and obey Him alone. We see this throughout the history of God's chosen nation. The past/present motif is captured in Numbers 15:40-41:

40 "Remember to do all My commandments and be holy to your God.
41 "I am the LORD your God who brought you out from the land of Egypt to be your God; I am the LORD your God."

The book of Deuteronomy is replete with the exhortation to "remember," as are most of the historical books, the Psalms, and the prophets. In the New Testament Paul challenges the church at Corinth to remember the sinfulness of Israel and the goodness of God and repent so that they might demonstrate unity in the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 10).

Most notably for us, however, is the remembrance the believer is commanded at the Lord's Table. The nation of Israel and God's dealings with them serve as a picture of God's dealing with us, not through the blood of bulls and goats, but through the body and blood of the Lamb, Jesus Christ. We are to "remember Him" in His glorious person and work. We are to repent of any present sin and press on in following Him by faith.

I trust you see the importance of the word "remember." It was and is and always will be a word of the covenant. By God's grace, may we "remember Him" today, repent of our sins, and follow Him.

Mbewe in Birmingham

I had the tremendous privilege of having Pastor Conrad Mbewe in our church after last week's SBFYC in Bolivar, MO (see previous blogs). At a Saturday luncheon his message was "What Is the Gospel?" (Romans 5:1-2). He then preached three sermons from Romans 4:25: 1) "The Saving Life of Christ," 2) "The Saving Death of Christ," and 3) "The Saving Resurrection of Christ."

If you are interested in audio CD's or mp3's, leave a response to this blog or shoot me an email. Any donations are appreciated and will be used to cover shipping for books to Zambia for the book store there in the future.

Christianity Confronting Roman Catholicism

Ben Cripps - Assistant Pastor, South Woods Baptist, Memphis, TN
SBFYC 2007 Seminar 2

Rather than reinvent the wheel on this one, check Ben's extended notes at the following URL:

http://www.southwoodsbc.org/ministries/youth/confronting_rcc.pdf

Lessons from Sodom and Gomorrah (Part 3)

Genesis 19:23-26
Pastor Conrad Mbewe
SBFYC 2007 Session 6 - Thursday PM

We are coming to the end of our series of lessons from Sodom and Gomorrah. We have looked at the power of passion and its destructive effect on us in a slow and growing way. We lose the ability to say no to certain vices and our lives and others are destroyed. We saw the damning consequences of unbelief, the inability to respond to sin around us and the inability to flee according to the warning from God. Tonight we look at the pulling example in Lot's wife.

For young people in America I can think of no greater warning than this, the pull of the world. The call to salvation and the call to Christian service can all fall on deaf ears because of the pull of the world on your life. Why is the power of the world so effective, so lethal? It is because worldliness is will to go with you into your profession of faith. A lot of people are in the church, even comfortable there, while there lives are being eaten away by worldly attachments.

Does this not describe Lot's wife? She had a godly heritage. She was married to a godly man in the midst of paganism and idolatry. He assured that there was godly worship in the home and she was a part of that, right in the middle of the moral mess in Sodom. She was an assistant to the head of the home, Lot.

She was also . When the fire was raining down upon that city, she left for Zoar with Lot. But she left only in body. Her heart was still in Sodom. That is where the trouble was. Lot's wife stayed attached to Sodom. Therefore she comes as a warning to us. Her warning is that we must not take our salvation for granted but must from time to time do some serious soul searching. Ask yourself the question, "What really matters to my heart?" Do not take your salvation for granted just because you have made a profession of faith.

How easy it is to take on for yourself the religion of your parents and think that you must be a Christian because that is all you know.

Worldliness makes you give everything to God but your heart.

If you are asked the question, "Do you really love God?" your answer is, "Of course I do,as long as He does not ask for my life." In other words, you are willing to do whatever it is as long as you are not snatched away from those things that are dear to you.

Isn't that what was wrong with Lot's wife? She loved the world. Even thought the angel's message was clear, she was only willing to obey so much. She was not willing to take the command seriously. "Of course I will flee or else I will burn. The command to flee is serious and I will obey it, but the looking is not as serious."

That describes many today. All they want to do is miss out on hell. So they obey the command to flee in hopes of a little corner of heaven. They don't want to be some super Christian, just to miss hell.

Again, Lot's wife was willing to flee, but she wanted to carry Sodom with her, and she turned to salt. Luke 17:28-33 warns against this type of thinking. The problem with Lot's wife was that she had attachments in Sodom. That look back was her desire to take those things with here. She could not do without her worldly attachments.

What about you? What are those things in your life that cause you to tell God that you are willing to do anything for Him but don't touch this. Who are you to go to God as if approaching Him at a negotiating table. May I say to you that that is not Christianity. That is a back door to hell. It might not seem that way because it is the popular Christianity today. "Remember Lot's wife." Ask yourself, "Have I trusted the Lord with my all and all or only this part of my life, compartmentalizing Him?" "Don't touch my dress. Don't touch my music. I am willing to serve You as long as You let go of this."

Again, that is not biblical Christianity. Biblical Christianity demands everything, and everything means everything. "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your mind, with all your strength." In other words, with everything. What makes you think that the Lord is willing to be your Savior without your whole heart? "No man can serve two masters." You can only love Him and Him alone or you don't love Him and everything else.

James 4:4- gives a warning against worldliness. He calls it spiritual adultery! Friendship with the world is enmity against God! You cannot love both - your heart is too small. He must have all of our hearts or He will have nothing.

John in 1 John 2:15 speaks of this as well. You either love the world, or you love God. It cannot be both.

Have you given the Lord all of your heart? Can you look at your clothing, your music, your posters, etc. and say, "If the Lord Jesus was to walk into this room, I would be glad for Him to see this because it points to the love I have for Him?" Or could it be that if you knew that He was going to visit your home tomorrow you would dash out and make changes because you know He is coming and would not approve.

Can Jesus demand too much? Have you thought about His love? Have you thought about His side of the commitment? How He left the throne room of heaven and thousands of angels proclaiming His glory to come to this earth, designated a criminal from birth, handing Himself over to be bruised and scourged and finally crucified on a Cross and enduring God's fury and wrath - because He loved you. Can you honestly say that He is demanding too much from you? That my God should take my place and die my death and shed His blood for my sin. How can you not love Him? How can you even think about loving yourself with such a profound display of love for you? He demands your all.

When you truly become a Christian, the things of this world become strangely dim because you have gazed upon His love. You despise all of your vices because you have seen His love for you.

"Love so amazing, love so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all."

Partners in the Gospel - The Praying Rope-Holders

Philippians 1:3-6
Pastor Conrad Mbewe
SBFYC 2007 Session 5 - Thursday AM

We come this morning to the final message in our mini-series entitled "Partners in the Gospel." We have seen the common heritage we have together as believers in Christ and His glorious gospel. What could be more glorious than that?

We have also seen that we need ministers of this gospel, men to give their time, talents, energies, their everything to preach this gospel.

We have seen the need for co-laborers to surround the primary workers, particularly a believing wife and then a team of co-workers who take a role in the work of the mission effort, whether it be in the local church or on the mission field.

Today we come to the final group of partners in the gospel, the praying rope-holders. This phrase is taken from the biography of William Carey. It is a term taken from the mining industry, picturing a man going down into a deep, dark, cold hole to mine ore. He is dependent solely on those at the top who hold the rope for supplies. He tugs the rope and the materials he needs to continue the work are passed down to him. Both are committed to the work, one to go down into the hole, and the others who are called to supply for him.

Are you faithful in doing your part as rope-holders so that those who are called to the work can do so with assurance?

1. Desperately needs regular supply of prayer and material necessities.

No doubt, the worker will pray for himself and his ministry and will use his own materials for the sake of the cause. Similarly, his co-workers with him in the field will spend time praying for the great and impossible task that is on their hands and will also use their own personal means, their transport, their finances, their computers, etc. in the work of the ministry.

But what a difference it makes to know that there is a large army of prayers out there equally committed to the work even though they are not there with them. We see this from Paul. Look at prayer. He begs the churches to pray for him. Why? Because as gifted as he was, he relied on the prayers of others (see Romans 15:30-33). This is the spirit that is true of any true minister of the gospel.

My greatest concern for the church today is the empty prayer time. The least attended meeting in the church today is the prayer meeting. Powerful prayer time explains the successful ministry of C. H. Spurgeon. He had a group that passionately prayed for the services and his preaching.

Our workers desperately need our prayers for strength and protection. But not only do workers need our prayers, they also need our physical provision of supplies. Paul appreciated the physical provisions that came in from the Philippian church (see 4:14-15).

I beg you, play your part, whether it be in the area of prayer or of physical supplies. What I want to say to you is simply this: the ground team needs you! The man who is the primary worker and his co-laborers need your prayers and your provisions. What can you do today?

2. Desperately needs appropriate help at specific times.

What do I mean by that? Let's look at prayer. It is not enough to pray, "Bless our pastor" or "Bless our missionary." We must be able to pray for specific needs. Let's look at physical needs. It is not enough to simply send your check. Ask yourself, "What are the needs today over there? What can I do, what can we do, to help with this obstacle?"

The Philippians were sensitive to Paul's immediate needs. For instance, when he wrote this letter he was in jail. What did they do? They sent men, one-by-one, to minister to Paul in prison in a personal way (see 2:25-30). What does Paul mean by "the help you could not give me"? It is obvious that the entire church could not go visit him in prison. So they sent Epaphroditus to carry the provisions for them - and he almost died in the process. Paul sends back word of Epaphroditus' health. That is missions dynamics. The church communicates and supports the team on the field and vice versa.

If God sent His Son into this world and He was rushed to a horrible death, why should we be so careful to protect ourselves from spilling one drop of blood for the gospel? It is too dangerous? It is too uncomfortable? How can we say that? It is worth every bit of joy to see the joy of the ground workers because of prayers and provisions. So I plead with you, be sensitive to the specific needs of the workers. Ask, "What can we do for you now?"

3. Desperately needs enduring partnerships.

God-honoring ministry is about relationships. We see it from God Himself. He did not write His gospel in the blue sky but He sent His only Son to enter into relationships with us.

One reason why Paul rejoiced in the partnership he had with the Philippians in the gospel is found in v. 5. From the very first day they had partnered with him. It all started in Philippi. A church was first birthed there in Europe and then he moved on from there to plant other churches, a period of about ten years on that journey. They supported him through that time (see 4:10, 15-18). Ten solid years of commitment!

Think for a moment. Paul had just experienced two relationship breakdowns. The first with John Mark at the end of the first missionary journey. The second was a difficult conversation with Barnabas about John Mark just prior to entering Europe on the second journey. He longed for relationship - and the Philippians provided it. Even now he is in prison and Epaphroditus shows up - sent by the Philippians!

If there is one problem I have with missions it is the lack of relationships. There is a lack of long-lasting relationships. The first negative story about the pastor or the missionary, we don't even ask questions, it is a quick goodbye and off we go. God-honoring ministry involves long-lasting relationships. Our commitment should be an enduring partnership so there is dependability coupled with stickability.



Friends, I want to say decisively to you as I close, your partnership in the gospel is a necessity. All of us are important in this work. Let's join hands, putting them to the plow, praying and plowing for the kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Christianity Confronting Hinduism

Jol Klein - Trinity Baptist Church, Wamego, KS
SBFYC 2007 Seminar 3

You need to be intentional and deliberate in your commitment to God and evangelism. Here are some basic truths to look for that will help you distinguish truth from a lie, especially as it relates to Hinduism.

"History is loaded with men who claim to be God, but there is only one God who claimed to be man."

1) Other religions:
1) Other world religions don't believe Jesus was who He said He was (John 3:16)
2) While lowering Jesus to less than He is supposed to be, other religions usually elevate some other man to a higher spiritual position than Jesus
3) Other world religions add a "new revelation" or other religious works to the Bible (Revelation 22:18-19)
4) Only true biblical Christianity believes that we are totally saved by grace (Ephesians 2:8-9)

2) Hinduism:
1) Vedas is the Hindu bible and they believe it is divine
2) Believe in one supreme being who may be manifested in all things (panentheism)
3) Believe the universe undergoes endless cycles
4) Believe in karma, the law of cause and effect, you make your own destiny
5) Believe that the soul reincarnates, evolving through many births until all karmas have been resolved. Not a single soul will be eternally deprived of this destiny.
6) Believe that through temple worship, rituals, sacraments, etc. create a communion with their god.
7) Believe that all life is sacred. Therefore they practice "noninjury."
8) Believe that no particular religion teaches the only way to salvation above all others, but that all genuine religious paths are facets of God's pure love and light deserving tolerance and understanding. Since Hindu Scriptures are essentially silent on the issue of religious conversion, the question of whether Hindus should evangelize is open to interpretation. What is important is that you are sincere about your religious beliefs regardless of what they are.

3. How do we evangelize Hindus (or any person because the message is always the same!):
1) Prayer
2) Talk to them with love and discernment
3) Lead them to the conscience, pointing them to the Law
4) Present the truth

4. What is hope!
1) What do we hope in? (Sophia)
2) Romans 15:13; Hebrews 6:19
3) Is your hope solid?

Lessons from Sodom and Gomorrah (Part 2)

Genesis 19
Pastor Conrad Mbewe
SBFYC 2007 Session 4 - Wednesday PM

We continue tonight our series in lessons from Sodom and Gomorrah. We continue to look at the effect of sin in this chapter. Again, the three lessons are:

1) The power of passion - sin manifests itself in uncontrolled passion, leading to destruction
2) The blinding effect of unbelief - sin manifests itself in stubborn and blind unbelief
3) Sin manifests itself in worldly attachments

Tonight we look at the second lesson, the blinding effect of unbelief.

There is a sense of urgency from Lot to leave the town. However, we turn to the sons-in-law and we find them holding their sides laughing. How do we address this situation.

1. God often blesses people with single, unique spiritual blessings.

God often visits His people through various means. Sodom and Gomorrah is no exception. Their gross sin did not begin after Lot went there but long before. But in the providence of God, through Abraham and Lot, God addresses the situation in placing a righteous man named Lot in their midst. That was not an accident. God does that again and again before judgment falls.

These two sons-in-law were drawn to their position of unique spiritual blessing. They meet and fall in love with Lot's daughters. They were already engaged and had entered into the inner circle of Lot's family. They sensed their relationship with God, their worship of God. These things were displayed before them day after day. Remember, they come from a background of paganism and now they are given the privilege of seeing the people of God. They had also already benefited from the family of Lot. They were protected from the heinous sexual sins of the men of the city. They were not homosexuals and they did not suffer the consequences of the other men. Another virtue was that they had not yet slept with their future wives. Lot announced already that his daughters were virgins. These men had the common grace of God exhibited in their lives. And there is yet another virtue. God sends Lot to them to pronounce the destruction of the city and their need to escape. They were privileged to hear Lot cry out at the eleventh hour for them to flee!

Never take for granted the things God may have done for you in bringing preacher after preacher to you, for the privilege of growing up in a Christian, the opportunity to have a Bible and to read it. Never take these privileges for granted. Not everyone had had these opportunities. In other parts of the world these privileges are rare. If God has done that for you, recognize the privilege that He has given you.

2. Unbelief neutralizes all the spiritual privileges that you currently have.

When Lot went to his sons-in-law and pleads with them to leave Sodom, they thought he was joking. We know what happens shortly after that. But let's unwind time and join them in that point in history. The fire has not yet been started and we hear Lot's announcement and their side-splitting laughter. Then let us ask ourselves, "Why did they fail to believe Lot?" Let us ask ourselves, in light of the Cross and the love of Christ and the coming judgment,"Why should we still be unbelievers of God?"

It seems to me to be because they had never come to see the holiness and justice of God. If you believe in a God that laughs at your childish pranks, you have a wrong view of God. The angels in heaven do not worship Him as "love, love, love" but "Holy, Holy, Holy." There comes a time when sin must be paid for. The dark cloud of God's judgment is hanging over you and the only reason it does not burst upon you is because of His grace. God is holy. God is just.

Because of their failure to recognize these truths about God, they became insensitive to things around them. They did not recognize how much there society had changed. Not so with Lot. In 2 Peter 2:2-10 we read the difference in the judgments of the righteous and the wicked. Lot showed the sign of true righteousness, he was distressed by the sin and wickedness around him.

Does this describe you in America? With all that goes on in your country, do you think this nation will not face this judgment. Abortion, the ruining of the marriage institution, etc. Do you think the God of heaven will not respond? Is your soul not even moved? Don't you tremble when you see the gross immorality on your TV screens? Do you honestly think that God is indifferent to that?

When you begin to think that sin is normal, that man and woman can continue as if sin is normal, then look at the Cross. If there is any event that never should have happened if God did not hate sin, it is the Cross! But when God laid our sins upon the innocent Son of God, nothing, absolutely nothing, not even the relationship between God the Father and His darling Son, nothing could stand in the way of the judgment of God on sin, "My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?" If you are indifferent to the holiness and justice of God, then I plead with you, gaze at the Cross! God must punish sin.

3. These men discovered it when it was too late.

The Bible tells us in Gen. 19:25 that all those left behind were destroyed. The neutralizing effect upon spiritual privileges must inevitably result in your eternal condemnation. Lot's sons-in-law represent individuals like you and me who must finally deal with the question, "Shall we believe God or shall we not?" They did not, and they perished. In that statement, including all those living in those cities, we have included individuals who were so privileged. He sent witness upon witness upon witness like torrents coming upon their souls, "He is a just God and must punish sin. He is also a loving God that warned through Lot, "Flee! Not tomorrow or the next day. No more witnesses - flee!" And their bodies lay under the ashes. What a sad testimony, that under the brimstone should have been individuals who had enough witnesses but it was their unbelief that cost them their lives.

When eternity dawns and we are all gathered as a sea of humanity before the judgment of God and the angel Gabriel makes his way in that sea of humanity under the command of God and comes to you where you are and drags you before that awful throne where your eternal destiny must be determined, I wonder if your excuse will be that you had a lack of witnesses, a lack of opportunities, a lack of the unique privileges, or whether God will say to you, "It is your unbelief that is going to cost you an entire eternity. Angel Gabriel, tie him hand and foot and cast him into outer darkness where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth." What sorrow should be upon your soul on that occasion! Jesus would say, "You know what? It is going to be much more tolerable on Sodom and its inhabitants than for you because they did not have the opportunities you have. Therefore your punishment will be worse - much, much worse because of your own unbelief." (See Luke 17:26-30)

Do you believe this? That what stands between you and eternity is simply the will of God? God has never promised that we will live to be sixty, seventy, eighty, or ninety. He doesn't. Judgement came upon Sodom suddenly. If I could plead with you, beware of the blinding effect of unbelief! Without faith it is impossible to please God. If God is to receive you now that He rewards only those who seek Him diligently. Do not sleep until you know that you are safe in the arms of God through Jesus Christ. That is all He asks - "Believe!" Turn from your sin and turn to His Son the Lord Jesus. Believe and receive Him into your life now! Not tomorrow, not next week, now, and you will be assured a place in heaven.

Partners in the Gospel - The Primary Team-Mates

Philippians 1:3-6
Pastor Conrad Mbewe
SBFYC 2007 Session 3 - Wednesday AM

Today I want us to notice that in the context Paul is talking primarily about partners, those who work along beside him. The Philippian church was partnered with Paul in the work of the gospel. There were those who comprised his team on the ground.

1. Within the context of the team on the ground is first the believing wife. The wife who has trusted Christ savingly and understands their "oneness" in the work. Paul understood this by the absence of a believing wife. 1 Corinthians 9:1-6 Paul gives a list of those things he has given up for the sake of the work. One of those is a believing wife. We can almost feel is pain.

The man finds in his believing wife a partner unlike any other he can have on earth. In my first point I want to plead that you think about that possibility that God is calling you to be a co-worker of the gospel in this way, alongside one who preaches the gospel. Pray about this. Instead of vehicles and things pray that God would deprive you of these things.

Further, read the biographies of the great women missionaries who co-labored alongside their missionary husbands. Se if you can find where they were discontent because they did not have the things of this world. No, you will find joy and peace.

Also, surrender yourself so much to His gospel that whatever He calls you to, you are ready. "Lord, I am willing. Here am I, send me." It is a common thought that to marry a minister of the gospel is to end your life before you even begin to live it.

And so I say to you think along these lines. A believing wife is the most important team-mate on the ground. There are exceptions like William Carey's wife who were totally unprepared for the mission field. But do not let those exceptions rob you of the joy to be found in being the primary team-mate for a primary worker.

2. Others on the team
Now Paul, being deprived of a wife, nonetheless had a team on the ground. In Acts 15, when Paul went out from Antioch, he carried Barnabas and John Mark with him. As we move along through Acts we see others involved. Acts 20:4-5 we see that Sopater, Pyrrhus, Aristarchus and Secundus, Gaius and Timothy, Tychius and Trophimus went ahead of Paul and Luke. What a team! In Acts 18 we find another group. And notice the woman in Romans 16 mentions Phoebe(who is generally believed to have taken this letter to the Romans), Prisca and Aquila, Tryphaena and Tryphosa. Paul knew the importance of having woman involved in the work to provide for the necessities, to free him up to do the work.

Then there were those who labored with him to provide financially so that he could labor full-time in the gospel. Some were involved in writing down Paul's message. Others were involved in this and that. The point is that when we read of the life of Paul and we see numerous people involved in his ministry. The primary worker needs primary helpers! He needs a team on the ground. You may not be called to be the primary worker, the pastor, but you can still be part of the team. The question is, "Where is you heart?" Look at your life today and ask yourself, "Can I be of more use here?" As we think of team-mates that worked alongside others we must not limit them to the New Testament. What can you do today? Surely you know that the preacher cannot do everything. How can you help? When the work of the gospel is suffering be careful that you do not always point the finger at the pastor. Could it be that others are busy chasing rabbits, neglecting their calling in the body? On the mission field there is the need for accountants, teachers, technology specialists, etc., so that the primary worker can focus on the proclamation of God's Word.

All I plead for in this respect is that you seek to be humble. Take your rightful place and rejoice in the fruit that is being born even if at the end of human history no one has written a biography about you. The fact that God has not called you to preach the Word does not mean you have nothing to do. We all have a stake in this endeavor. Bring your abilities, bring your careers, bring your all to the alter, crying out for God to use you, to show you your role, for the sake of the gospel. That is a Great Commission Christian.

Lessons from Sodom and Gomorrah (Part 1)

Genesis 19
Pastor Conrad Mbewe
SBFYC Session 2 - Tuesday PM

During our evening sessions, I want us to learn a few lessons from Sodom and Gomorrah. These are lessons about sin. Specifically, the nature of sin. We can learn much about sin in looking at the effects of sin on a prior culture and generation. In Genesis 19, we see sin as it manifests itself in human life. God at this point had already determined that these cities would go up in flames.

Here are the three lessons:
1) Sin manifests itself in uncontrolled passion
2) Sin manifests itself in stubborn or blind unbelief
3) Sin manifests itself in worldly attachments

Tonight, we look at the first of these three lessons from Sodom and Gomorrah.

Many young people growing up, especially in Christian homes, tend to think of the moral standards of their upbringing but often take these things for granted. As they grow older, they try to push the boundaries. Then in their twenties they leave home and they often turn out the exact opposite of what their parents had raised them to be. This is an effect of the nature of sin in the human heart. This lies in some like a dormant snake. We can either stuff it or feed it. In the end, it rises up and destroys us.

In Genesis 19:4 we read that before they had gone to bed that all the men had surrounded the house of Lot and demand that he deliver over the men of the house to have sexual relations with them. How did these men find themselves at Lot's door?

1. Wrong passions often arise and grow by listening to the wrong crowd.
How did these men become homosexuals? Because they were born with the wrong genes? No! Because they listened to the wrong crowd. Genesis 19:1 gives the following scenario. The sun is going down, the meals are made ready, the animals are penned, business is being wrapped up, visitors on a journey stop in for the evening, angels included, and Lot says, "Come to my home." Within a few hours the men arrived at his door. How did that happen? Within hours the word was out. The word was spread through the drinking places, the places where men hung out. Lot's house is the place to be tonight! Before you know it, everyone is heading out in that direction. Young or old, because they had come into the presence of this kind of talk, they were exposed to this type of language and they travel to Lot's house.

The lesson is this: you are what you hear; you are what you see. That is what you will become. The movies you watch, the people you hang around with, things that used to make your heart skip a beat, now you are like them.

Who do you hang around? How do you spend your free time? What kind of company do you keep at that time? Who are you listening to? What are your favorite voices that you spend time listening to? What kind of music do you listen to? What is the subject of its lyrics? On your Ipod's and mp3 players, what do they tell you about the value of life?

We should not be surprised that entire cities and nations take on an entire set of values that make their forefather shake in their graves. What is in your ears? How do you spend those precious hours when you are tired and the music is getting louder and louder and no one is present to tell you, "That is enough!"

2. Wrong passions cause other people to compromise because of their demands.
The problem with wrong passions is that they are seldom between me, myself, and I. They involve others. That is what we have before us. When these men arrived at Lot's house with their demands, Lot goes outside and pleads with them not to do this, this is wrong. Then he compromised. Here are my two daughters! He obviously knew that what he said was wrong. They were already engaged to be married! But it was the pressure of the men, and Lot compromised. It would not be as bad as if he met their original demand. So he compromised.

Here is a simple test: Are those around you being pulled upwards or downwards by your demands? When others that are familiar with you are with you, do they end up a better people because of your passions or do you lead them into compromise? Only you can answer that question correctly. How many have compromised because every one of their friends are sleeping around? Rather than confront their sinful nature, it becomes pressure upon pressure upon pressure. "Do you really love me? Then..."

Do you see what the power of passion does? Behind closed doors many lives are destroyed, not because they determined to go that way but because others could not control your own passions. Jesus said it would be better to have a millstone to be tied around their neck and for them to be thrown into the ocean than to lead another to compromise.

3. Wrong passions when they are not sure will not listen to any counsel and compromise until they are destroyed.

These have fed and fed their passions until they are consumed by it and destroyed. How do we see this in our story? After Lot had finished pleading with them, they became rough with him, "Get out of our way!" They did not want to listen to him. They now claim that he came their as a visitor and now they question how he could judge them. They ignored his counsel.

It is the same today. We find any excuse not to listen to wise counsel. Look at these men. "Lot came as an alien and now he wants to sit in judgment of us. Who does he think he is?" Does that sound familiar? And they say that they would treat Lot worse than the other men. They assured him that he would not and could not stand in his way.

When wrong passion crawls in its power in your life it will cause you to damn even your mother and father, "You won't stand in my way!" We become willing to injure innocent individuals in an effort to feed our wrong passion. These type of people often grow up in our churches with the snake dormant in their chests. But they feed it and feed it to their own destruction. When we read and see reports of people acting in heinous ways, we need to point and say, "Accept for the grace of God, there goes I."

Therefore I ask, where in this story do you find yourself tonight? You might say, "I grew up in a Christian home." That is not enough! Your heart needs to be cured!

Are you hanging out with the wrong crowd? Listening to the wrong crowd? Influenced by people whose lives are less than to be desired? It is only a matter of time!

Have you become the source of compromise in others so that you may gratify your sinful nature?

Have you reached the point where you will even threaten others just to have your own way?

I want to encourage you tonight - pause and listen. wake up before it is too late. Are your passions pulling you down to the destruction of hell? Stop giving excuses and trying to argue out your case. Cry out to God for your heart to be cured by the Lord. Bring your heart to the Lord. If you notice you are listening to the wrong things or know that you have wrongly influenced others because of wrong passions then now is the time to come to the physician of souls! Jesus has done it for others and He will do it for you as well. Come so that you might have life and have it more abundantly.

Partners in the Gospel - The Pastor as Missionary

Philippians 1:1-6
Pastor Conrad Mbewe
SBFYC 2007 Session 1 - Tuesday AM

We make choices in life - our place of education, our life partner, where to attend church, whether to come to this camp, etc. What makes us decide one thing over another? Surely, it is because we put weight upon the importance of certain things that inform our choice. Why have you decided that to be here this week is the best for you? Why was it a better choice for me to cross the globe to be here rather than be with my family at home? What makes this week so important? It is in answering this question that we see the importance of being "partners in the gospel." It is because of this that we will shed any number of perceived responsibilities. It is because of this that Paul wrote this epistle, and letter written from prison. Yet, we do not get the impression that Paul thought this unfair. In fact, it is a joyful letter, so joyful that we forget that he was in prison. Why the joy? Because of his joy in the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. That is what excited him. But on this occasion he was further excited by the partnership he had with the Philippians in the gospel (v. 5).

Why should Paul be excited about it?

1. Because of the fact of the Fall. We need to realize as we live our lives that human beings are not as they were when God first created Adam and Eve. Something terrible happened sometime. The historic event of the Fall is found in Genesis 3:1-7. Eve, making her way around the Garden, was engaged in conversation with a serpent used by Satan. They took and they ate of the fruit.

The result can be described as being blinded. That is true today. We will blindly accept any teaching today just so that we can explain away the reality that God is and that He holds us accountable.

The Fall can also be described by the term totally depraved. we are polluted, always going in the opposite direction rather than what God wants us to go. Because of this, we deserve His wrath and His anger. Because He is a just and holy God, He must, He must, He must punish sin.

Evidence of the Fall is all around us. We read it in the papers and see it on the news daily. Why is this? Because some people are better than others? No, that is not it at all. It is because we are fallen creatures. The darkness and death that surrounds us in our communities lies within our hearts. We still want to passionately pursue that which is destructive. Why? Because we are born a fallen creature. God cannot accept us into heaven with that kind of heart because we would immediately want to dethrone Him. That describes our fallenness.

2. God's rescue mission. Thankfully, God has dealt with it! He has come into the situation with good news - the gospel. Genesis 3 does not end without God bringing in this good news (Gen. 3:15). In the midst of cursing the serpent, He announces the Messiah. At the time this came, they could not appreciate fully what God was saying. But by the tine of the New Testament it is clear. God said that He was going to send His Son to destroy the serpent. He would do whatever it takes, including the Cross. Satan would fight against Him, but Satan would be crushed. This is the good news, the gospel, of John 3:16. Stand back for a moment and recognize this. In this dark and hopeless world, God has not sat back but He has acted with the gospel. He brought this news. He has given us the Bible. He has spoken in the Bible. If He had not spoken, we could worship the birds in the sky or beautiful flowers but we could never have known and understood His forgiveness. But when we read Hi Word we understand the truth and the way of His forgiveness. He has given us His Son, His Word, and also His Spirit to enlighten our darkened minds. Any time a person turns from sin in true repentance to Christ by faith it is an act of God Himself. Thus, we abandon sin and cling to the Cross.

3. The need to get this good news to the world. Paul was excited about this partnership with the Philippians because of the need to get the gospel to every human being. He was imprisoned and persecuted for doing this very thing, for proclaiming that in the midst of this darkness, God has sent His Son to rescue you from the darkness. Some did not want to hear this and through him into prison.

Our greatest joy is to get this good news to every human being. You cannot do it by yourself. You cannot go it alone. That is why God has called His Church to partner together in this endeavor. This is accomplished primarily through the preaching of the gospel. Paul did not simply volunteer for this. Paul in his spiritual being sensed God's call to go and tell others of the good news, to go and rescue them from darkness and deliver them to light. And the apostle Paul said, "Send me."

This is the way that God has always worked. In the Old Testament, He called and sent His prophets. He told them to go and proclaim His message to the people. In the New Testament, He called and sent His apostles to proclaim His Son to the nations. Today, others know this calling and with both hands they hold the plow and throw all of their weight into the work of the gospel. Some stay home, some go abroad, but all follow God's calling to proclaim His message of saving sinners through His Son Jesus Christ.

Has God been speaking to you about being His primary spokesman to let others hear and know this good news? Then do not let the pull of the world lead you to be a disobedient Christian. Cry out, "Here I am, Send me." Make this conference the decisive moment when you say like Paul, "Lord, what would you have me to do?"

Christianity Confronting Islam

Marty Ellsworth - Immanuel Baptist Church, Benton, IL
SBFYC 2007 - Seminar 1

1. What is Islam?

- Its history

Began in what is now called Saudi Arabia in Mecca, economic and religious center, polytheistic

570 AD Mohammad, founder of Islam, born in Mecca. Believed himself to be the prophet of God with message received from angel Gabriel. Proclaimed message of one god amongst polytheism.

Day of judgment. Mohammad faced much opposition to his message. Eventually left city in 622 AD for Medina where he was well received. Mohammad and his raiders raided caravans from Mecca. Meccans recognized that Mohammad was gaining followers and decided to make peace with him. However, this did not last long. Mohammad raised army and conquered the city of Mecca. He eventually unified entire Arabian peninsula in Islamic thought. After his death, Islam rapidly spread around the Middle East, Asia, and Europe.

- Its beliefs

The oneness of Allah - God is one. They are radical monotheists.

Angels - good and evil angels

Scripture - the Quran, the final and authoritative revelation to man delivered to Mohammad by the angel Gabriel. Mohammad claimed this came to him audibly and that he wrote it down word for word as he received it. The tablets are eternal in heaven. Jews and Christians have changed and corrupted the Word of God so that it was necessary for God to send His true word to man.

Believe n prophets, including Jesus. However, Jesus is merely a prophet, lesser than the greatest prophet Mohammad.

The final judgment, based upon merit, good works and bad works. Eternal reward in paradise for those whose good works outweigh the bad.

Five pillars of Islam:
1) Profession - "There is no god except Allah"
2) Prayers
3) Alms - giving of money to the needy
4) Pilgrimage to Mecca - once in their lifetime
5) Fasting - obligatory during Ramadan

Muslims are very dedicated to these beliefs.

- Modern-day Islam
Great diversity in the Muslim religion today. Not every person who holds to Muslim faith does not advocate the spread their religion by force. They are not all terrorists. Many Muslims believe that their religion is a religion of peace. However, while they are not all terrorists or condone use of force, it is not a peaceful religion. The Muslim faith often spread by the use of the sword contrary to that of the Christian faith that has spread because of the sword under severe persecution. Islam condones the taking up of the sword.

2. What are the differences between Islam and Christianity?

-God
Islam does not worship the God of Scripture. While they are montheistic, they deny the Trinity and believe that Christianity is polytheistic, worshipping three Gods. This is a misunderstanding of the Trinity (three persons, one God). They also deny the deity of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

- Man
Man is not sinful. They are born innocent. They are misguided and do wrong actions that can be rectified and Allah satisfied by submitting to the teachings of the Quaran.

-Jesus Christ
Muslims believe in the virgin birth, a prophet sent by Allah and able to perform miracles. They believe that Jesus as the Son of God refers to him as the physical offspring of Allah, which they repudiate. However, they misunderstand what the Scriptures teach concerning the Son of God. He is not the physical offspring of God, but the eternal Son of God, God of very God.

-Salvation
In the Islamic religion, man is not a sinful creature by birth. He is basically good, so no atonement is necessary. Salvation is by good works and paradise is gained by these good works. See Philippians 3:7-9, particualarly, "the righteousness from God" that comes "by faith." This faith is in Jesus Christ, who alon satisfied the rightous demands of the gospel. His righteousness is put on those who trust in Him, and their sins are put on Him. In this alone the righteous demands of God's law is satisfied.

Islam shows the bondage that comes with works-oriented salvation. Chrisitanity shows the freedom found in the grace of God alone for salvation.

- Heaven
Islam believes paradise to be a sensual place

Islam and Christianity are on a collision course.

3. How are we to confront Islam?

- We must see Islam for what it is. It is a lie from the father of lies. It is a false religion to be opposed and rejected by Christianity (see Galatians 1:6-9). God is not tolerant with those who oppose His truth. He hates false religion.

- We must love Muslim people. Jesus said that those would come who would persecute Chrisitians and believe they are serving God. We are to love these enemies of Chrisitianity and the gospel. Everyone in the Islam religion is under the power of Satan and the bondage of sin. However, they are no different than anyone who does not know Christ savingly. All are under the power of Satan and the bondage of sin apart from Christ. It is true that they do not deserve God's mercy, but neither did we. Mercy is a free gift of God's grace. The Christian should pray for God's mercy on the Muslim.

- We must remember the power of the gospel and share it with the Muslim. Even though they resisit the gospel, and do so violently, it does not relive us of our responsibility. How?

1) Guard against a critical, argumentative spirit
2) Learn about the beliefs and misconceptions of Islam
3) Deal with them as individuals, not as a group
4) Encourage the reading of Scripture
5) Present Christ to them, taking care not to enter into discussions about His nature immediately. Present Christ as man crucified with the goal of holdong up His deity later.
6) Know the Bible and the doctrines of Christianity

- Remember that God and His Word is going to triumph!

SBFYC 2007

This week I have the privilege of being camp pastor at the annual Saved by Faith Youth Challenge. Pastor Conrad Mbewe will be preaching in the mornings and evenings. Over the week I plan to blog each of the messages along with conference seminars. Check back daily if you are interested and please be in prayer for us this week.

Huckaby Takes a Stand

In response to former president Jimmy Carter's statement that the Bush administration's foreign policy is "the worst in history," Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckaby of Arkansas has withdrawn from participating in the upcoming New Baptist Covenant Celebration organized by Carter and Mercer University. Huckaby also stated that the roster of speakers "does seem to tilt left." Those are diplomatic words considering the Carter and Mercer University represent about as far left as you can go.

Speaking of diplomacy, Carter showed none in his vicious attack on the Bush administration. Whether or not he agrees or disagrees with the policy of the White House, he should have known better. His withdrawing his words carries little weight after the fact. I commend Huckaby for his stand on both levels, the lack of diplomacy from Carter and the liberal agenda by these professed "Baptists." You can read the entire story on Baptist Press.

My commendation of Huckaby should not be taken as an endorsement of Huckaby. It is too soon to make that call. But it is refreshing to see someone out there willing to take a stand that I deem to go beyond simply politics. Kudos to Mike Huckaby!

Copyright Laws Abused by Christians

I have often shared my concern about professing believers who seem to think that they are above the law when it comes to copyrights. Copying music and/or book pages on a copier for handouts, downloading music illegally on the Internet, and using single-user computer software on multiple computers in the home and in the church are but a few of the oft-abused areas.

These abuses are highlighted by two articles in May 16,2007 edition of the Baptist Press. The first article, "Illegal downloads: high tech thievery" shows the naivety of teens today concerning music downloads. Consider the following, "Nearly 90 percent (86 percent) of teenagers polled by The Barna Group indicated music piracy -- 'including copying a CD for a friend or downloading non-promotional music online for free' -- is either morally acceptable or not a moral issue. In the 2004 study, conducted for the Gospel Music Association, just 8 percent said such activities were immoral."

The second article, "Breaking the law during church?" reveals the burgeoning abuse of copying music in the church. Again, consider the thought process of some believers, "Many churches break the law on a weekly basis, making illegal copies of music. Some vague thought process assumes that, 'as long as it's for the Lord's work, it should be OK.' Nothing could be further from the truth."

I encourage you to take some time and read these articles. There are inexpensive, perfectly legal ways to download music. I personally have a yearly subscription with Yahoo! Music and iTunes is popular with iPod owners. Making copies on a copier of music and book pages can also be legal if it is in accordance with what each individual copyright states. Take some time to examine your own practices in this area. Are you above reproach?

Denying Self

Lord willing, this coming Lord's Day I will be preaching on the great sanctification text, Mark 8:34-38. One of the marks that a believer will have according to Jesus is a denial of self. I encourage you to meditate on the following comments concerning what it is to deny self so that we can take up our cross and follow Him.

"Let him deny himself. This self-denial is very extensive, and implies that we ought to give up our natural inclinations, and part with all the affections of the flesh, and thus give our consent to be reduced to nothing, provided that God lives and reigns in us. We know that blind men naturally regard themselves, how much they are devoted to themselves, how highly they estimate themselves. But if we desire to enter into the school of Christ, we must begin with that folly to which, Paul (1 Cor. iii. 18) exhorts us, becoming fools, that we may never be wise; and next we must control and subdue our affections."

John Calvin

"They must not be indulgent of the ease of the body; for "Whosoever will come after me for spiritual cures, as these people do for bodily cures, let him deny himself, and live a life of self-denial, mortification, and contempt of the world; let him not pretend to be his own physician, but renounce all confidence in himself and his own righteousness and strength."

Matthew Henry

"As the Jew denied the Messiah (Acts 3:14), so his follower denies self, will not have himself as his ruler or his aim. He determines no to live according to his own inclinations, but to do and bear whatever may be necessary in the course he has undertaken. He must resolve not to live not for pleasure, but usefulness; not for inclination, but duty; not for self, but for God."

John Broadus

"The disciple must say to himself the same words Peter said of Christ when he denied him: 'I know not this man.' Self-denial is never just a series of isolated acts of mortification or asceticism. It is not suicide, for there is an element of self-will even in that. To deny oneself is to be aware only of Christ and no more of self, to see only him who goes before and no more the road which is too hard for us. Once more, all that self-denial can say is: 'He leads the way, keep close to him.'"

Dietrich Bonhoeffer

May we learn what it means to truly deny ourselves - God bless.

The Gospel of God

What is the message of the gospel? What is its content? What is its purpose? These are important questions that our men have been discussing in a study on evangelism. One of the finest works ever written on evangelism is Evangelism & the Sovereignty of God by J. I. Packer. Packer correctly asserts that the gospel is made up of four essential ingredients:

1. The gospel is a message about God.
2. The gospel is a message about sin.
3. The gospel is a message about Christ.
4. The gospel is a summons to faith and repentance.

Another excellent resource on evangelism is Tell the Truth: The Whole Gospel to the Whole Person to the Whole World by Will Metzger. He uses a similar outline to what he calls the salient points of the gospel:

1. God - the Holy and Loving Creator
2. Man - the Sinful Creature
3. Christ - the Merciful Redeemer
4. Our Necessary Response to Be United to Christ

Both of these books should be a part of every believer's library - and not just to gather dust! If you are interested in a booklet that addresses the gospel and is an excellent tool for evangelism, check out Phil Newton's wonderful resource The Way of Faith.

Christian Bloggers

Nathan Busenitz of Pulpit Magazine will complete a three-part series on the Christian in the blogosphere tomorrow. He asks the question, "What principles should guide Christians who interact on blogs?" The blogosphere provides an open forum for healthy theological discussion and Christian education. However, as with any good thing, there are those that abuse the privilege. Busenitz draws attention to this truth and reminds us to examine our hearts and our motives before "jumping in."

I'm a Heretic

I confess that I am a heretic. Dr. Jerry Falwell has found me out. I refer the reader to Tom Ascol's recent blog where he comments on the following statement by Falwell to nearly 2,000 prospective students of Liberty University:

"We are not into particular love or limited atonement. As a matter of fact we consider it heresy."

While I disagree with Dr. Falwell's interpretation of the purpose and scope of God's love and Christ's atonement, I would not call him a heretic deserving the flames of hell. As a matter of fact, I have gone to great lengths to correct those who have remarked that they did not believe those of a semi-Pelagian persuasion (such as Dr. Falwell) teach a false gospel and therefore are not truly saved.

However, lest one misunderstand the ramifications of the word "heresy," consider the words Peter:

1 But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves. 2 Many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of the truth will be maligned; 3 and in their greed they will exploit you with false words; their judgment from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep. 4 For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but cast them into hell and committed them to pits of darkness, reserved for judgment; 5 and did not spare the ancient world, but preserved Noah, a preacher of righteousness, with seven others, when He brought a flood upon the world of the ungodly; 6 and if He condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah to destruction by reducing them to ashes, having made them an example to those who would live ungodly lives thereafter; 7 and if He rescued righteous Lot, oppressed by the sensual conduct of unprincipled men 8 (for by what he saw and heard that righteous man, while living among them, felt his righteous soul tormented day after day by their lawless deeds), 9 then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from temptation, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment for the day of judgment. [2 Peter 2:1-9 NAU]

According to Peter, if I am a heretic as Dr. Falwell claims, then I should be disciplined by my church unless I repent of my interpretation of Scripture that God does not specially love all men equally and that Christ's atonement actually saves and does not merely make one savable. And, given the fact that my oldest daughter is currently considering where she will continue her education following high school graduation next year, I take it from Dr. Falwell's comment that she, also a heretic like her father, would not be considered by Liberty University.

Now for the irony of all of this. I am very grateful for the ministry that Liberty University has had in my own life. You see, it was in the midst of working towards a Bible diploma from Liberty University that I came to my heretical Reformed persuasions. I was studying Church History as one of my electives and began for the first time ever to read about heretics like Martin Luther, John Calvin, John Knox, John Owen, Jonathan Edwards, George Whitefield, William Carey, Charles Spurgeon, and others. This inflamed my passion to read R. C. Sproul, John MacArthur, John Piper, etc.

So, Dr. Falwell, I have you to thank (not blame) for making me a heretic.