Friday, June 27, 2008

Are They Brethren?

“And said, I pray you, brethren, do not so wickedly.” Genesis 19:7
The above verse is from a very familiar story in the Bible, the story of Sodom and Gomorrah. You can read it in Genesis chapter 19 and if you haven’t done so, you’ll find it a very interesting read. Lot was Abraham’s nephew and they once traveled together but parted ways when there was contention between Abraham’s herdsman and Lot’s. The result was Abraham (or Abram than) choosing to dwell in the land of Canaan and Lot choosing to dwell in the plains of Jordan, (Genesis 13:5-12. But in Genesis 13:13 Moses writes the following: “But the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners before the LORD exceedingly.” We learn later of their sin when two men, who were angels, came to Lot after Abraham intercedes for the city in chapter 18. This brings us to the verse first mentioned above. Them men gather around the door and say the following: “Where are the men which came in to thee this night? bring them out unto us, that we may know them.” Genesis 19:5b Now the word “know” can be defined as having knowledge or knowing someone carnally, and there are more meanings so one could argue that they were only wanting to get to know them in the form of greeting or handshake. But when we continue the story and see Lot’s resistance, other things are definitely in mind and not just a handshake. Lot refuses to let the two men come out and even offers his two virgin daughters in their place. This did not satisfy the men and they tried to break the door down to get Lot and the two men. They were smitten with blindness by the two men or angels so the attack was stayed. These men saw some new flesh and lusted after them to commit fornication or homosexual acts. The disturbing thing is that Lot calls them “brethren.” Lot had gotten so deep in the city that, even though he didn’t commit such acts himself, he became sympatric and felt in league with those who did.
This is where we are going as a nation and much of the church is going down this road too. We need to tell the homosexual, whether they are gay or lesbian, that it is sin but with love so they may be delivered and their souls saved from eternal damnation. The following passage sets this pretty clear.
See Romans 1:21-32
“21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,
23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.
24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:
25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.
26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:
27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.
28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;
29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,
30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,
31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:
32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.
I don’t see how this can be any clearer. While we do not hate the homosexual, we must tell them that they will surely be lost unless they are delivered. It is our duty as a church. Revelation 21:8 says the following: “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.” The word “whoremongers” can have several meanings but Strongs provides three which are the following: 1) a man who prostitutes his body to another’s lust for hire 2) a male prostitute 3) a man who indulges in unlawful sexual intercourse, a fornicator. In the Old Testament, the following appears: Deuteronomy 23:17-18 “There shall be no whore of the daughters of Israel, nor a sodomite of the sons of Israel. 18 Thou shalt not bring the hire of a whore, or the price of a dog, into the house of the LORD thy God for any vow: for even both these are abomination unto the LORD thy God.” That was God’s attitude towards those who lusted for their own sex then and it is still his now as we read in Revelation 21:8, and Romans 1:24-32.
Here are more scriptures to prove the God does not approve this conduct today.
“Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,” t1 Corinthians 6:9
“Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.” Jude 1:7
There are more but this is enough. God is a God of mercy and love and yet he is also a God of judgment. Excusing conduct of someone just because he/she is a loved one is also unfair to them as they will never repent if favor for their actions are shown. But there is good news. There can be deliverance. After all of this Paul says the following: “And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.” 1 Corinthians 6:11 This includes the homosexual, he/she can be delivered from homosexuality and set free from sin and have eternal life in heaven by God’s power. May God work his power!

Sunday, June 15, 2008

Fathers

" If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." 2 Chronicles 7:14


 

This is a promise for revival if a country backslides into corruption and turns away from God. If God's people will humble themselves and pray, seek his face and turn from the evil, he will forgive their sins and heal the land. In short, he will bring revival. The church is not doing this. Much of what is going on in America in the way of "church" is nothing but a joke. There is no conviction of sin, no separation, no consecration, and no repentance. If a convert is won, there is no real change as they are simply told to be baptized and then they are in. They fail to grow, than fail to bring forth fruit, wither and die. "Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit." John 15:2 They go on in their same bondages, sins and lusts and there is no change because, while they may have really had some experience with God, they were never encouraged to grow in grace. They never again felt the Holy Ghost and the soon were won back by the world, and then they are lost.


 

Where are the men who will take time for Christ? Where are those who will spend time with him in fasting and prayer? Where are those who will preach the word of god with unction and the authority of the Holy Ghost? There are some, but few in this adulterous land that is waiting for God's judgment. Men today are the subject of ridicule in commercials, the media, and in all around society. As a whole, the man has left his spiritual place in the family and woman and filled their place. The woman's liberation movement would not have been as profound if men would have been in their rightful place in the family as the spiritual head. But now woman have come to the front and many are now rocking the cradle alone. This is not God's will but is what we have reaped. This is a land that is ripe for judgment. Read Isaiah 3 but especially verse 12. "As for my people, children are their oppressors, and women rule over them. O my people, they which lead thee cause thee to err, and destroy the way of thy paths." Men are to love their wives and to treat them as the weaker vessel. Gone are the days when the fathers put their family before them. Gone are the days when the man was expected to be, not only the head of the home but also the lead provider. Gone are the days when men make it a priority to teach their children and wife the scripture. Yet, there are still a few good men. May I be one of them and may you stive to be so also.

Sunday, June 08, 2008

Follow Peace and Holiness


 

"Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:" Hebrews 12:14


 

Everyone wants peace. Americans spend millions of dollars to get it, but it really never comes Christians don't have peace, but they should. Why, because there is no holiness. Isaiah had the answer when he said, "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength:" Isaiah 26:3-4 While it is impossible for us to totally have our minds on Christ and his Word all the time, he can be in the back of our minds which can provide peace. But the mind can't be stayed on him when it's involved in everything that is displeasing to him and when it is constantly thinking of thoughts of wrath, strife, sedition, sensuality, coveting, envy, and anything else contrary to God's Word. With all of this going on in the mind, Christ is crowded out and there is no more room for him. He will eventually leave you!


 

We should have peace with all men as much as lies within us is which is coupled with holiness. Holiness means sanctification which basically means "set apart." The church should be set apart from the world. It should not look like the world, act like the world, or even feel like the world. However, the modern church has tried so hard to be like the world that there is no difference. There is no holiness and there is no peace. God means what he says, without it, we can't see the Lord and make heaven. This means separation from fornication and all things that may cause it, including dressing immodestly to show much of the body. Do you know that to reveal the thigh is considered a shame to God! Isaiah 47:1-3 says the following: "Come down, and sit in the dust, O virgin daughter of Babylon, sit on the ground: there is no throne, O daughter of the Chaldeans: for thou shalt no more be called tender and delicate. Take the millstones, and grind meal: uncover thy locks, make bare the leg, uncover the thigh, pass over the rivers. Thy nakedness shall be uncovered, yea, thy shame shall be seen: I will take vengeance, and I will not meet thee as a man." Yes, I know he was talking about Babylon but he was comparing Babylon to a whorish woman who had uncovered the thigh. Has God changed?????????


 

We have taken many things so common place in our wicked society that we no longer think about them. That is due to the backslidden church in America who will not cry out against them nor speak of separation, faith, the power of God, and the certain judgment of America and of the world as well as the promises to the overcomer in Christ. Christ is coming soon. Let us be ready!

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Sunday, June 01, 2008

The Light

"But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God." John 3:21

If you wonder why so many refuse to come to the knowledge of the truth and truly trust Christ as Savior and follow him, the above scripture is the answer. Jesus is the light of the world and in turn his followers are commanded to be lights in this dark world.


 

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. John 1:1-4


 

Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Mat 5:14-16


 

Much of the known church has lost its light today, no more having the true authority of the Holy Ghost to teach or preach the gospel. They are like the Pharisees. This is the difference between who are His and who are not. "And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine: For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. Matthew 7:28-29 So as today, the church is doing everything to keep its people what having the true anointing of the Holy Ghost. It has lost its authority even in our American culture. No more does it have a large voice in the political arena as it did. No more does it have the ability to keep the wave of wickedness and darkness that is rolling across our country. No more can it stop the epidemic of family breakups and crumbling of the home. No more can it stop the "abusers of themselves with mankind" or homosexuals from gaining control. No more can it stop the certain judgment that is to befall America.


 

Yes, we have big churches. Yes, we have large congregations. Yes, we have well-delivered sermons. So did the Pharisees. Yes, there are church bodies doing good. Yes, there are people that know the scripture. So did the Pharisees. But the true hunger for God is not there…to dwell in his presence…abide in the vine….to partake of his word and let it become a pare. Jesus said to those who believed on him, "….Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you. Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day." John 6:53-54 The Jews tried to take this literally but they should have known what he meant, not in a literal sense but that his teachings should dwell in them and be a part of them. To simply partake of the Lord's Supper each Sunday morning is not what he intended although this can be commendable at times so long as it is taken with reverence. (See 1 Corinthians 11 verse 17 and on for more information). In order to be a part of him, we must truly be his children and have his anointing abiding in us. It must be in us and stay. His desires must be our desires and his wishes ours. That's not always easy, I agree but we must strive to be in his presence and let his Word abide in us. If we do, we will have that authority we need. The results may not always bring in the thousands in this evil time, but you will surely have the peace to know that you're name is written down in heaven and that you will be rewarded for your works. "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord." 1 Corinthians 15:58