6/23/13

From Bill and Laura Dayton... A CHANGED HEART





A CHANGED HEART


As parents our ultimate goal in training and disciplining our children is to imbed within their hearts a desire to do what is right. Mind you, there is some necessity to instill a fear of punishment/consequences to initially turn the stubborn will of the human nature towards obedience. The scripture encourages us by saying: Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child; The rod of correction will drive it far from him.” Proverbs 22:15.
However, in modern times, we even see adult children continuing to need the type of correction that should have been done in early childhood. Our world pampers, excuses, justifies, and rescues their offspring by not demanding obedience and being unwilling to do what is necessary to allow God to bring consequences that factor into their decisions. Many adults come to Christ in fear seeking to avoid eternal destruction which is good, but God requires more of us. He requires a changed heart! John the Baptist faced the same situation in Matthew 3:4ff.
John was calling for true repentance. John wrote: “…when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducee's coming to his baptism, he said to them, “Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance…” When one truly has a changed heart, this is when God blesses and restores all the privileges He gives as a loving Father. He always loves us, but requires a total change of heart which is evident in our behavior.

From Jim McGuiggan... When The Lord Says No


When The Lord Says No

Whatever Paul's thorn in the flesh was it was causing severe distress. It was "to buffet" him and the word doesn't suggest anything like "inconvenience". The very reading of the text suggests that the distress and pain is enduring and in light of God's response it was to last even longer.
Paul tells us he prayed to God about it and asked him three times to remove it. Three times might be literal and it might also reflect his imaging out of the Christ's experience in Gethsemane. Imaging it not in any slavish artificial way. And since he models his own life on that of Moses we will remember that Moses spoke to God more than once, asking God to let him in to the promised land. We'll recall that God told Moses the burden wouldn't be lifted and that he was not to mention the matter again (Deuteronomy 3:23-27).
In any case, Paul prayed fervently and asked for relief. In saying he asked he used an aorist verb in the indicative. This suggests that his days of asking were decisively in the past; he did it back then and was done with it. The reason he was done with it is because the Lord (in this text probably the Lord Jesus) who knew all about having a request denied, denied his request but gave him a glorious assurance.
When he tells us about the Lord's response Paul uses a verb in the perfect tense. And if we allow it to function as a perfect tense verb then Paul hears the word of the Lord ringing in his ears (Plummer) even as he writes to the Corinthians. Back then Paul used to ask for relief but he put a stop to it. And he stopped it because the Lord said something to him that is even now ringing in his ears.
Before we read what it was that the Lord said we need to note that for Paul it was decisive and satisfying. We need to note also that the man who was begging for relief was God's faithful servant who was on the rack. Instead of rushing over that truth to get to another we need to feel for the depths of that one.
This was such a person we might have thought should get a "yes" to the plea for relief. We sort of feel that he "earned" it. This was the sort of person 
we would be especially eager to relieve and if the Lord has any compassion about him--the kind of "compassion" that means something to us in particular--surely Paul's hurt was a strong appeal. But though all that might be true, this was such a person that in some ways made it easy for the Lord to say "no".

Paul's desire for ease was real and urgent because the pain was prolonged and severe. But down below his strong desire for relief was something profoundly stronger--his hunger to serve God's redeeming purposes. The situation here was such that relief would not have served God's gracious purposes best and that more than he wanted relief Paul wanted God's glory and our redemption in Christ.
Here's a section of scripture that urges us to believe that pain and loss and satanic cruelty serve the glorious purposes of God. Here is a section that urges us to believe that God looks at some among us and is enabled by their devotion to him and to the world to say "no" to their fervent pleas. It's to their everlasting credit that God says no!
But there's nothing Stoic about Paul's capacity to exult in God's "no". Nor does it come down simply to the fineness of his character. Paul was helped in this matter because of his theology. He actually believed that in his suffering God's reconciling of the world in Christ was constantly rehearsed before the eys of a watching world. The "dying" or "killing" (Barrett) of Christ was acted out again in Paul (as part of Christ's body the church) and in this way the gospel was getting out. If that's what was happening, Paul taught, then he would embrace his vulnerability and pain with joy. Maybe a richer theology of suffering would help some poor souls bear their awful burdens more easily.

©2004 Jim McGuiggan. All materials are free to be copied and used as long as money is not being made.

Many thanks to brother Ed Healy, for allowing me to post from his website, the abiding word.com.

From Mark Copeland... Five Views Of Salvation (Mk. 16:15-16)


                          "THE GOSPEL OF MARK"

                   Five Views Of Salvation (16:15-16)

INTRODUCTION

1. In Mark’s account of the Great Commission, Jesus’ words are clear and
   simple...
   a. He wanted the gospel proclaimed to everyone - Mk 16:15
   b. Those who believe and are baptized will be saved - Mk 16:16
   c. Those who do not believe will be condemned - ibid.

2. Even so, there are at least five diverse views regarding salvation...
   b. One view takes Jesus’ words at face value
   a. Four other views can be summarized by slightly altering the words
      of Jesus

[One view is held by those who do not profess to be Christians.  In
essence, they would say...]

I. HE WHO BELIEVES AND IS BAPTIZED WILL NOT BE SAVED

   A. THIS VIEW HELD BY TWO SEPARATE GROUPS...
      1. Atheists who do not believe in God, heaven or hell, or
         salvation of any kind
      2. All who do not believe in Jesus
         a. Most Jews, Muslims, Hindus, etc. - who believe in God (or
            gods)
         b. But who do not believe that salvation is to be found in
            Jesus

   B. THIS VIEW CONTRADICTS THE BIBLE...
   1. There is a God who offers salvation (contrary to the views of
      atheists) - 1Ti 2:3-4
   2. Salvation does come through Jesus, and through Him only1Ti 2:5-6; Jn 14:6

[I doubt any present actually hold to this view, but many people do, and
this begins to illustrate how some are willing to deny the plain
statement of Jesus.  Consider a second view...]

II. HE WHO DOES NOT BELIEVE AND IS NOT BAPTIZED WILL BE SAVED

   A. THIS VIEW HELD BY UNIVERSALISTS...
      1. Who believe that God will save everyone eventually
      2. To support their view, they will isolate some verses like 1Ti 2:6

   B. THIS VIEW CONTRADICTS THE BIBLE...
      1. Jesus Himself told that there would be few who would be saved
         - Mt 7:13-14
      2. Paul warned of those who would not be saved, but face the wrath
         of God - Ep 5:5-6

[Most Bible-believing, professing Christians would not accept the two
views covered thus far.  But there are some who accept a third view that
could be expressed as...]

III. HE WHO DOES NOT BELIEVE AND IS BAPTIZED WILL BE SAVED

   A. THIS VIEW HELD BY MOST WHO PRACTICE INFANT BAPTISM...
      1. By "baptizing" (actually sprinkling, not immersing) infants
         incapable of faith...
         a. They (esp. Catholics) indicate that faith is not essential
            to salvation
         b. Some (esp. Lutherans) try to get around this by saying that
            God imparts saving faith to the infant so baptism can still
            save
      2. By sprinkling or pouring instead of immersion, they also
         indicate Jesus did not mean what He said (the reason
         "baptizing" above is in quotes)

   B. THIS VIEW CONTRADICTS THE BIBLE...
      1. Faith is a necessary prerequisite...
         a. For baptism - Ac 8:35-37
         b. For salvation - Ro 10:9-10
      2. Sprinkling or pouring is NOT Bible baptism...
         a. The Greek word used in the Bible is "baptizo", and it means
            "to immerse"
         b. This is why baptism is described in the Bible as a "burial"
            - cf. Ro 6:3-4; Col 2:12
         c. Sprinkling or pouring was substituted in the place of
            baptism (immersion) hundreds of years after Christ and His
            apostles
         d. By keeping the "tradition of men" by sprinkling or pouring,
            we fail to keep the command of God" concerning baptism - cf.
            Jesus’ condemnation of displacing God’s commands with
            traditions of men, Mt 15:3-9
      3. Baptizing infants is without scriptural precedent
         a. There are no commands or examples of infant baptism
         b. Since the prerequisites of faith (Mk 16:16; Ac 8:37) and
            repentance (Ac 2:38; 17:30) are beyond the infant’s
            capability, they are not suitable candidates for baptism

[Most who hold to the view of sprinkling infants are honest and sincere.
Even so, they are just as guilty of teaching a view of salvation
different from Jesus as are atheists, many Jews, Muslims, Hindus, and
universalists.  But there is another view of salvation held by many, and
that is...]

IV. HE WHO BELIEVES AND IS NOT BAPTIZED WILL BE SAVED

   A. THIS VIEW HELD BY THOSE WHO BELIEVE IN FAITH ONLY...
      1. That one is saved before baptism, that baptism is not essential
         to salvation
      2. A view is held for all practical purposes by most evangelical
         denominations

   B. THIS VIEW CONTRADICTS THE BIBLE...
      1. For faith "alone" cannot save
         a. As declared by Jesus - cf. Mt 7:21; Lk 6:46
         b. As taught by His apostles - cf. Ro 6:17-18; He 5:9
            Jm 2:14,17,20,24,26; 1Pe 1:22
      2. For baptism is essential to salvation
         a. According to Jesus - Jn 3:5; Mk 16:16; Mt 28:18-20
         b. According to His apostles - Ac 2:38; 22:16; Col 2:12-13; Tit 3:5;
            1Pe 3:21

[Most who hold this view are sincere, and would not knowingly twisting
the words of Jesus.  I think of such people as Paul thought of his
brethren in the flesh (cf. Ro 10:1-3).  This leads us to the fifth and
final view of salvation, one we are compelled to accept if we take Jesus
at His word...]

V. HE WHO BELIEVES AND IS BAPTIZED WILL BE SAVED

   A. THIS VIEW TAKES JESUS’ WORDS AT FACE VALUE...
      1. No explanations are necessary
      2. Jesus says what He means, and means what He says

   B. THIS VIEW IS CLEARLY WHAT THE BIBLE TEACHES...
      1. That one must "believe" - cf. Ac 8:36-37
      2. That one must be "baptized" to enjoy the forgiveness of sins
         - cf. Ac 2:38; 22:16

CONCLUSION

1. Which one of the five views of salvation do you hold to...?
   a. He who believes and is baptized "will not" be saved?
   b. He who "does not believe" and "is not baptized" will be saved?
   c. He who "does not believe" and "is baptized" will be saved?
   d. He who believes and "is not baptized" will be saved?
   e. He who believes and is baptized will be saved?
   -- It should be clear there is only view which is in harmony with
      Jesus’ words

2. Just as important, with which of these views is your life
   consistent...?
   a. One may profess the fifth view...
      1) But act as though they believed the second view
      2) How?  By never confessing faith in Christ and being baptized!
   b. One may profess the fifth view...
      1) But act as though they believed the third view
      2) How?  For though they may have been "baptized", they are not
         living the life of faith required of one in Jesus!
   c. One may profess the fifth view...
      1) But act as though they believed the fourth view
      2) How?  For while believing in Jesus, they have never submitted
         to being baptized!

Only those who come to Jesus in faith and act in harmony with His
teachings can have the assurance of salvation.  The words of Jesus and
His apostles Bible are clear...

   "And He said to them,  "Go into all the world and preach the
   gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will
   be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned."
                                                   - Mk 16:15-16

   "Then Peter said to them, ‘Repent, and let every one of you be
   baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins;
   and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.’" - Ac 2:38

   "And now why are you waiting?  Arise and be baptized, and wash
   away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord." - Ac 22:16



Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2011

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From Gary... A "message" from SATAN


This stark message "from SATAN" grabbed my attention today.  It did so because I don't often think of SATAN telling people where they are headed for all eternity.  Why not simply keep them in the dark until it is too late?  So, I think the message of the sign would never happen in real life.  But, if SATAN did have a message for us, what would it be???  This passage from Paul's letter to the Galatian churches seems to give us some clues...

Galatians, Chapter 1
 6  I marvel that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ to a different “good news”;  7 and there isn’t another “good news.” Only there are some who trouble you, and want to pervert the Good News of Christ.  8 But even though we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you any “good news” other than that which we preached to you, let him be cursed.  9 As we have said before, so I now say again: if any man preaches to you any “good news” other than that which you received, let him be cursed.  10 For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? For if I were still pleasing men, I wouldn’t be a servant of Christ.  11 But I make known to you, brothers, concerning the Good News which was preached by me, that it is not according to man.  12 For neither did I receive it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came to me through revelation of Jesus Christ.  

I see in the passage a message from Satan; his "gospel" message.
 
The Devil's Gospel

1.  A desertion of Christ  vs. 6
2.  A "different good news" vs. 6b and 7
3.  A distorted (perverted)"good news" vs. 7
4.  Any other "good news" that has been preached  vss.  
     8,9
5.  A "good news" that pleases men, not God  vs.10
6.  A "good news" that comes from man  vs. 11
7.  A "good news" received from men  vs.12

The truth is found in Peter's sermon at Penecost (see Acts, chapter 2).  God has given us free will and a mind capable of discerning truth from error.  Satan would never post a sign like the picture at the top because he knows that once we know the truth, most would not like it- and therefore do something about it.  Seek the truth, go to Acts, chapter 2 and both think and act on it.  God is waiting; but for how long, I do not know...

2 Peter, Chapter 3
 9 The Lord is not slow concerning his promise, as some count slowness; but is patient with us, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.