Sovereignty of God

 Genesis 1:1 gives a great start for understanding God’s sovereignty.  There is no question by any side that God is the creator of all things.  The discussion deals with what defines sovereignty.  At this point most define sovereignty, and then they find verses to back the definition.  In order to not just repeat a person but turn understanding to Scriptures and to the teaching of the Holy Spirit, straight presentation of Scripture will be used.   Genesis 1:1 “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” The next set of verses gives the account of God’s creation.  Seven literal days; six of putting all creation in place and one day of rest are recorded.  The Scriptures address this act in many places. Isaiah 42:5 Thus saith God the LORD, he that created the heavens, and stretched them out; he that spread forth the earth, and that which cometh out of it; he that giveth breath unto the people upon it, and spirit to them that walk therein: Isaiah 45:12 I have made the earth, and created man upon it: I, even my hands, have stretched out the heavens, and all their host have I commanded. Isaiah 45:18 For thus saith the LORD that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath established it, he created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited: I am the LORD; and there is none else. Colossians 1:15-17 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:  For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:   And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. Revelation 4:11 Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created. Revelation 10:6 And sware by him that liveth for ever and ever, who created heaven, and the things that therein are, and the earth, and the things that therein are, and the sea, and the things which are therein, that there should be time no longer:   ⁷But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets. Romans 1:20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Psalm 102:25 Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens are the work of thy hands. Psalm 104:5 Who laid the foundations of the earth, that it should not be removed for ever. Isaiah 48:13 Mine hand also hath laid the foundation of the earth, and my right hand hath spanned the heavens: when I call unto them, they stand up together. Isaiah 51:13 And forgettest the LORD thy maker, that hath stretched forth the heavens, and laid the foundations of the earth; and hast feared continually every day because of the fury of the oppressor, as if he were ready to destroy? and where is the fury of the oppressor? Jeremiah 31:37 Thus saith the LORD; If heaven above can be measured, and the foundations of the earth searched out beneath, I will also cast off all the seed of Israel for all that they have done, saith the LORD.

Zechariah 12:1 The burden of the word of the LORD for Israel, saith the LORD, which stretcheth forth the heavens, and layeth the foundation of the earth, and formeth the spirit of man within him. Hebrews 1:10
And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands: Hebrews 11:3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.  God the Trinity is clearly the creator of all “visible and invisible” Anything that is not God is a creation of God. Thus God is beyond all created things.

The following  illustrations are to try to help understand the teachings we are dealing with.  Calvinism, Arminiansim and a Biblical view point of salvation is illustrated taking the basic tenants of the teachings.  I developed these illustrations to help myself put it in front of me as a helpful picture of these teachings.  I illustrate  this by using a time line; the statements made by those who hold to Calvinism and Arminianism.  I use their statements to define sovereignty, foreknowledge and salvation.  I also take Bible verses at face value and with a literal interpretation to define God’s true definition of sovereignty.  I hope this helps you see what the Bible truly teaches.  

 

The issue at hand is based upon the Scriptures whether or not God stands with only knowledge of the future because He has decreed it or does God have knowledge of the future because He can see down through time and knows what will happen in the future, or does God know the future because He, being not limited by time, stands in the present of His nature and exists standing not only at the beginning of time but stands presently at the end of forever.  Calvinist teaching states that by God’s decree for His creation makes the future sure therefore all things must be controlled by God.

Louis Berkhof; “The decree of God is His eternal plan or purpose, in which He has foreordained all things that come to pass” (Manual of Christian Doctrine, Wm Beeerdmans Publishing Company p 84 1933    Dabney; “God’s foreknowledge is founded on His foreordination.”  Hodge; “Foreknowledge is equivalent to foreordination, God possessing infinite foreknowledge and power existed along from eternity; and in time, self prompted, began to create in an absolute vacuum. Whatever limiting causes or conditions afterwards exist was first intentionally brought into being by him, with perfect foreknowledge of their nature, relations and results.  If God then foreseeing that if he created a certain free agent and placed him in certain relations he would freely act in a certain way, and yet with that knowledge proceeded to create that very free agent and put him in precisely those positions, God would in so doing obviously predetermine the certain futurition of the act foreseen.  God can never in his work be reduced to a choice of evils, because the entire system, and each particular end and cause and condition was clearly foreseen and by deliberate choice admitted by him.”

            Decrees of God as they are called simply, at the least, that God at a time before creation, set into place all things by preordination or foreordaining.  This implies that God first at a point in time ordained all of time for mankind.  Though God knows all future events because he ordained it to be so God along with us are traveling through time.   We will address how wrong this is and must be when addressing God’s nature and character.   Armenian doctrine teaches that man’s will allows for fluctuations in future events based upon the will of man and the will of God.  Both doctrines teach that God is traveling in some structure of time.  Defining Time in light of this subject is crucial.  Time has been defined as events moving or changing in relationship to itself.  Time has been defined as a change of thought or location of any object or person.  Time has been defined as movement through space in relationship to the closest star being in orbit around such star.  Time then is either movement within something or a change in location or thought or ideas.  It involves being somewhere at a moment then somewhere else at the next.  We will see that God is everywhere and need not change nor move.  The Scripture is clear the God changes not. Malachi 3:6 For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.  The Scriptures are clear that since time is one of God’s creations, He then being transcendent of His creation can never be dictated to by time.  God knows all things because it is His nature; He sees all things because He abides outside of His creation.  Those who hold to the Calvinistic doctrine tend to make statements claiming their strong belief in the Sovereignty of God, and that those who do not hold to their teaching limit God.  The belief that God is functioning inside of some realm of time is very limiting.  Time: a creation of God to place all living things outside of Himself in to exist.  God’s special creation of man which includes an eternal spirit must by being created by God always exist in time.  The first man Adam was created at a point in time, from that time forward Adam will never cease to exist, therefore the eternal existence of Adam began that day.  All mankind was created with an eternal soul that will live forever either in heaven or the lake of fire.  (verses needed)  There will be no end for either.  There have been those who have stated that time will end and eternity begins, but the Scriptures are clear that time does not stop.  Notice in Revelation 22:2,  “In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.”  where in the New Heaven and the New Jerusalem that the Tree of life will bear fruit each month.  Time does not stop. Created beings by nature must live in time.  Anything outside of time is God. Therefore, the Bold Statement: is that God is greater, bigger, and beyond forever.  Since God is greater than forever it is not hard to understand that God knows all things and in no way has to dictate events to assure an outcome.  God exist at the end of time in a present state just as much as he does at the beginning of time.  “I am the same yesterday today and forever:”  “I am the Lord I change not.” God does not travel through time. God does not see down through time, God sees all time at one time. 

When we understand that God is Sovereign because that is who He is.  He is not Sovereign because He did some thing in the past or Sovereign because He knows about the future.  In the next blog I will show that Salvation in not a work of man neither it is a dictate of God. 

IFB Standards of Do’s and Don’ts… "Why can’t we just all love one another since we all love Jesus. We need unity."

I hear this all the time now. When I look back on my 39 years of being saved, I have heard many messages on what a Christian should do and should not do. I have also heard as many, if not more, complaints from people about preachers being legalistic about Christianity. There are also complaints about one group criticizing other groups for not doing things alike. Complaints over dress standards, music standards, standards of where one can go and where one can’t go are strong. Many of those who complain have decided that the most important thing is love. If we all love Jesus and tell people about the love of Jesus we don’t have to major on all these little things.   

I would like to do something a little different to help understand the context of a passage scripture that I believe will address this issue. To understand the context, I am going to take a passage of Scripture and look at the verses in reverse order. Sometimes when we see the result, then work backwards, it helps us better understand. Let us begin with loving one another.  

How do we get to Ephesians 4:32, And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you? 

The result is to be kind and loving. But how do we get to this. It seems that many feel that the problem with the IFB is that there is no love and far too many standards or do’s and don’ts.   

Ephesians 4:31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: 

Obviously, we will need to not be bitter, not be angry, not say evil things. 

Ephesians 4:30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. 

If we allow wrong things in our life we can not follow the Spirit of God. 

Ephesians 4:29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. 

We need to learn to say things that build people up and not attack or tear down. 

Ephesians 4:28 Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth. 

We need work hard and not hurt others by taking what is theirs and not ours.  We need to be giving to those who are in need. 

Ephesians 4:27 Neither give place to the devil. 

Good Christians do not follow after evil things which means we are to be godly in our actions. 

Ephesians 4:26 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: 

We are not to be angry, but loving. Make peace with everyone every day. 

Ephesians 4:25 Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another. 

Our conversation with people should be with all honesty and neighborly.  

Ephesians 4:24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. 

We are to be a new person of righteousness and holiness.  

Ephesians 4:23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; 

We should have a renewing of our thinking.  

Ephesians 4:22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; 

The old fleshly carnal ways of doing things should be dealt with on a daily basis.  As Paul would say, we need to die daily. 

Ephesians 4:21 If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: 

We need to focus on the truth learned from Christ. 

Ephesians 4:20 But ye have not so learned Christ; 

We think we know. Using our human worldly way of thinking is wrong because it is not from Christ. 

Ephesians 4:19 Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. 

 Before we were saved we did things because it was satisfying to our fleshly desires. 

Ephesians 4:18 Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart. 

Anyone who is not saved and relies on their own intellect is always darkened and blinded with ignorance. All the worldly learning we obtain does us no good and leaves us still ignorant. 

Ephesians 4:17 This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, 

We are instructed to not follow the wisdom of mankind.  

Ephesians 4:16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love. 

Christ set up the Church, the body, as a means by which we are to function so that we can edify others and demonstrate the love of God. 

Ephesians 4:15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: 

Christ instructs us to speak the truths found in the Word of God without reservation, without leaving anything out.  We are to give this truth in the realm of the love of God, which we know is a giving love, never focused on ourselves. 

Ephesians 4:14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; 

Because we are following God’s plan, we are standing on a solid rock of truth. We are able to withstand the storms of life and the lies of world. 

Ephesians 4:13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: 

Christ's plan is that we do this together in unity and with all maturity, seeking God’s standard to measure by. 

Ephesians 4:12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 

Christ’s plan is that we are made mature so that we can continue on training the next generation. 

Ephesians 4:11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 

Christ put people with gifts and authority to help with this plan. 

Ephesians 4:9 (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? 

Ephesians 4:10 He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.) 

Christ reminds us of the price He paid to bring this all about. 

Ephesians 4:8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. 

God has all the power and authority to give to us what we need to carry out the task that God set before us. 

Ephesians 4:7 But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. 

Christ knows exactly what we need so that we can do what He wants us to do. 

Ephesians 4:6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. 

We should not forget who God is.  He is! 

Ephesians 4:5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism, 

We are serving the one and only Lord, the one and only faith that is true, and the only demonstration to the world that shows our dedication to the One Lord. 

Ephesians 4:4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; 

There is only one body, led by the only One Spirit. There are not many ways to God although there are many groups with different ideas that claim their ideas are just as good. 

Ephesians 4:3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 

By following Christ’s plan we are going to see the unity and peace and love. 

Ephesians 4:2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; 

Remember, God is Lord of all and we are to humble ourselves before the mighty hand of God. God gives grace to the humble.   

Ephesians 4:1 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, 

Therefore, as a prisoner of the Lord, we are totally submitted to God’s  plan. The key to the whole plan is that we are first and foremost the servants of God. In order for there to be true love and unity, which many are searching for, we need to be totally dependent on the Lord. Since the Lord is absolute and truth, there can be only a narrow way of life. Truth is narrow. If God says it, that concludes any discussion. Those who teach that God gives us liberty because of grace, misses what that means. Liberty is not freedom to have many ways to serve God. Liberty never gives license to decide that God has given gray areas in life. God is absolute; everything is, and can only be, black and white. 

Now that we understand that we can only have love and unity when we are slaves of God, we are to follow exactly His teachings. Now let us look at Ephesians chapters 5 and 6 when Christ gives us instructions. Christ speaks to us dear children who are committed to doing what Christ commands us to do. Those who think we do not need to preach hard against sin or preach hard on living high standards in life neglect chapters 5 and 6.  Those who think that in order to have love and unity we have to not stand strong on truth miss the plan of God.  In order to have love and unity we need to take a stand. We are in a war; we need to know who and what the enemy is and how to fight the war with the right equipment. Love, peace, and unity comes from fighting the war God’s way. Our enemy is not hard preaching and standards; our enemy is the world, the flesh, and the devil. 

Ephesians 5:1 - 6:20 Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour. But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. Be not ye therefore partakers with them. For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret. But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light. Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God. Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church. Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband. Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honour thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise; That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth. And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men: Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free. And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him. Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

IFB Music Standards

In my 40+ years of growing up in church as a child, teen, college student, and now, as a preacher, nothing has brought about more emotions than a message on music.  Whatever music you are listening to had a 99% chance it was evil based upon the message you heard at the time.  If not all the music you listened to in the past week was evil at least one of the songs or artist probably was.  By time the message was over we learned that all "Rock" and "Country" music, whether new or old,  and most any other type of music available is all wrong.  If a song had a certain instrument used in it -- it was wrong.  Start naming people that sing music you soon create a long list of people that you cannot listen to because they are sinful, worldly people.  If the music sounds like any other music that a secular musician produces you cannot use it.  As a child, I learned anything that did not sound like organ music at a funeral was probably evil and even some of those organ songs may be questionable.  As a teenager I chose to listen to some songs that were deemed at best questionable.  I was told as a rebellious teenager that some day when I matured I would find the right music to listen to.

I heard messages about sensual sounds, evil lyrics, evil musicians, hidden messages, devil worshipers and so-called Christians that are tying to copy the world; all these were evil and should be avoided at all cost.  Music albums and tapes were burned on a regular basis.  As a dedicated Christian teenager, in order to avoid doing the wrong thing, one option that some of my close friends chose was to not listen to any music at all.  They determined that in order to be a spiritual Christian there was a long list of things not to do.  All music stopped, all television stopped, all places other than church avoided.  In order to be an active Christian teenager activities such as Bible memory quizzing, door to door outreach, and youth activities became the only acceptable actions for the day.  Without naming names and giving numbers, over 50% of those active Christian teen friends of mine have not stepped into a church in many, many years.  What happened?

Music is God given and powerful in affecting all aspects of mankind by affecting us physically, emotionally and spiritually.  We need music in our lives.  God intended music to be an active part of our lives.  So how do we get music in our lives without it being the "wrong" music?

When I began preaching and the subject of music would come up I battled how to handle the subject because of what I saw growing up.  Whenever I was asked about music from either teens or adults, inevitably I would hear "what is wrong with...?"  The blank would be filled in with either a name of a song or a singer or a style of music.  I began to realize that if I took that approach it would takes days and weeks and maybe even months or forever to go through such a long list. This approach would not even deal with the issue nor make anyone more spiritual.  The problem would then arise on difference of opinions.  Some would even say that good men can disagree on this area; this area is one of those gray areas of the Bible.  The fact is the Bible only deals with absolutes. Truth is truth, right is right and wrong is wrong.  To use the color scheme -- all things are black and white; there is no gray.  There are some things we as mankind do not understand or we have a lack of knowledge; this does not create gray.  Music is not a gray area.  There is not an amoral aspect of music.  Music is God given and Satan imitated.  So how do we know if music is good or bad?  Is there such a thing as good music and bad music? 

What does the Bible say?


The answer to music is actually very simple, though the application is a battle. Music is powerful; it affects the body. Watch a child when music is played and they begin to wiggle and march.  Watch an teen or adult and they move the body in ways you would never see them move without music.  Sometimes the only music they hear is in their head, but you see the body move.  Music effects our soul, mind, will and emotions.  Music helps people remember things. Stores play music to affect our decision making process of buying a product.  How many jingles do you remember from commercials of your childhood?  How many times has music moved you emotionally to cry or laugh or care?  Music is powerful and not neutral.  The Bible tells how music affects us spiritually.  When David played and sang the evil spirit of Saul changed and moved away.  Music reaches down to our spirit and makes an intense affect.  How can we know if music is right?

Ephesians 5:8-21 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)  Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret. But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light. Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;  Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.

Before there is any discussion on right music, we must first make sure we are right. When we are filled with the Spirit, music comes out.  When music comes out it leads to right living.  What happens more often is that we start with music our bodies or souls enjoy and then try to make it spiritual.  We justify our music by putting a spiritual twist to it.  We use music others like so we can attract them to church.  If the teens like the music they will show up, then we can reach them spiritually.  The issue remains, are we being Spirit led?  If God is leading you then He would never lead you wrong.  If the Spirit of God is in control of your life then only that which is spiritual will come out.  Give me a person who is Spirit filled and I will show you a person who is showing out good music. If one is not Spirit led and music comes out then I question whether it is good music or not.  But if no music is present, then no Spirit is present. 

Back to those from my teen years.  So many decided to eliminate all music so as to not run the chance of being wrong.  What happened?  No music, no Spirit.  It was not hard then to understand why so many of them are not in church today.  Argue all you want on what is good music and bad music -- without the Spirit it is a mute argument.  When I preach on music, it is always a message about being Spirit filled.

Good music... Spirit led.  Bad music....no Spirit.

Independent Fundamental Baptist 20/20 show

After watching the show online I have come to a few conclusions.  The first and obvious is the media bias toward religion. The tone of disdain was throughout.  A lack of facts should be unacceptable in reporting. Testimony of witnesses without facts affects any case.  Why weren't the police records obtained?  They reported that they contacted the police but the police were not going to comment on an on going investigation.  That is true, but they could have requested records under access laws.  These records would show a report was given by the church.   

Second, there are those that put themselves under the tag of IFB that may be independent, but far from fundamental when defined as one who adheres to the literal fundamental doctrines of Scripture.  The reason I say they are not fundamental is because the vast number of those are preaching what some one taught them and not what they learned from the Bible.  I hear too often messages quoting more what their mentor said than the Bible.  We need to stand up for the truth of the Bible and teach the people in the pews to get out their Bible and learn from the Holy Spirit. As ministers we help feed the flock by leading them to the water and green grass (Word of God).

Third, up until now the IFB movement was unseen by the world.  We talked for years how important we were, but no one cared.  When Jimmy Swaggart sinned, the world knew.  When Jim Baker fell, the media went crazy.  But I have known far more in the IFB ranks that fell including the so called leaders -- no media, no notice.  Perhaps we thought we were making a bigger impact on our world than we really were.  History shows that a real stand for the truth has affected the world around us.  In the last forty plus years of IFB movement our nations have grown worse with no notice of the IFB movement.

Fourth is that those of us who truly hold to the fundamental truths of God's Word are now on the radar of the world.  If we try to make an impact in our world it will be attacked.  I do not think the answer is to step down.  If we try to come up with a new name to call ourselves... good luck.  I have done this on several occasions.  Write down all go-to Biblical terms to define you and your church, write down all the religious terms that would describe your doctrine.  I can find someone or many someones who have abused that name with false teaching and practice. We may have to take more time to teach what we believe instead of using terms and hope the listener knows what we mean.  

Here's and idea:

Matthew 28:19-20 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

I Am Hurting. Would Someone Help Me!?!

I am hurting. Would someone help me!?!

Every person at some point in their life makes the above statement.  For many people they make the statement more often.  There are days we feel like we should have just stayed in bed.  Some people opted for staying in bed because they already knew how bad the day was going to be. Some reach levels of depression that cripple emotionally and, in some cases, physically.  As a Christian we are told to trust God, wait on God, and bear your own burden and so on with other spiritually sounding sayings.  But what happens when that just doesn’t seem to help?  What does the Bible really teach about dealing with troubles?

Galatians 6:1-9 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself. But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. For every man shall bear his own burden. Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things. Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

Isaiah 40:31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their and they shall walk, and not faint.

Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

Above are a few verses that many use for comfort when days are dark. But do these verses really help? Phrases such as don’t be weary in well doing, wait on the Lord, it is going to work out to good in the end.  I see pats on the back, smiling faces, and atta boy.  But no real help.  When all is said and done the problem still remains and in some cases gets worse.  So what does the Bible really say about how to deal with the problem without the cliché. 

Let’s look at a few examples in the Bible of those who had bad days and how they dealt with it.  

The most obvious story is that of Job. Job woke up one morning not knowing that God and Satan were talking about him.  Have you ever felt like people were talking about you?  Within a few minutes Job lost his possessions, his children, his livelihood.  Shortly after, Job lost his good health.  Job was not comfortable sitting, standing, lying down or standing.  His entire body was in pain.  Then, after seven days of the silent treatment from his friends, his "friends" go on and on about how bad Job is.  Job began to cry out,  "I am hurting! Would someone help me!?"  He cried out to God and asked why.   God then goes on for five chapters reminding Job that he is nothing when compared to God, the Creator of all.  His wife piles on and tells Job to curse God and die.  

Wow, I feel so much better, don’t you. Let’s look at another example found in Elijah.  Elijah had a great day of victory in the Lord!  And then, everything went downhill.

1 Kings 19:1-14: And Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and withal how he had slain all the prophets with the sword. Then Jezebel sent a messenger unto Elijah, saying, So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I make not thy life as the life of one of them by to morrow about this time. And when he saw that, he arose, and went for his life, and came to Beersheba, which belongeth to Judah, and left his servant there. But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree: and he requested for himself that he might die; and said, It is enough; now, O LORD, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers. And as he lay and slept under a juniper tree, behold, then an angel touched him, and said unto him, Arise and eat. And he looked, and, behold, there was a cake baken on the coals, and a cruse of water at his head. And he did eat and drink, and laid him down again. And the angel of the LORD came again the second time, and touched him, and said, Arise and eat; because the journey is too great for thee. And he arose, and did eat and drink, and went in the strength of that meat forty days and forty nights unto Horeb the mount of God. And he came thither unto a cave, and lodged there; and, behold, the word of the LORD came to him, and he said unto him, What doest thou here, Elijah? And he said, I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: for the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away. And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the LORD. And, behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the LORD; but the LORD was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the LORD was not in the earthquake: And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice. And it was so, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and stood in the entering in of the cave. And, behold, there came a voice unto him, and said, What doest thou here, Elijah? And he said, I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: because the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.

Elijah felt all alone and wanted to die. He was angry and depressed.  God did to Elijah what He did to Job.  God reminded Elijah that God is great and Elijah is nothing apart from God.  When Elijah asked God for help, the Lord did not give him any answers to his questions. 

Paul also experienced difficulties.  

2 Corinthians 12:7-10 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

Paul’s answer was to be glad that he was going through bad times. 

On the surface, we begin to think that we are just to suffer through the struggles and not question God and be happy we are miserable.  People are flocking to churches for answers, but the people in them have no answers.  "I am hurting.  Would someone help me!?"  What is the answer?

The answer is in every one of these passages that many times just gets missed.  In Galatians 6 we see where God tells us not to be weary, that a reaping reward is coming, but that is not the answer to our problems.  The answer is in verse ten.  

Galatians 6:10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.  

The answer when we are having a bad day is to do good for and to someone else.  When we have a bad day we want someone to help us, but the Bible teaches us that the answer is that we help someone else.  Let’s prove it with the other passages.  The answer to Job is found in the last chapter.

Job 42:10 And the LORD turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before.   

When Job did for his friends, then God answered Job’s problem.  Job got his eyes off of his own troubles and stepped out to help his friends with theirs. 

On Elijah's bad day God gave him the same answer.  

1 Kings 19:15-18 And the LORD said unto him, Go, return on thy way to the wilderness of Damascus: and when thou comest, anoint Hazael to be king over Syria: And Jehu the son of Nimshi shalt thou anoint to be king over Israel: and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abelmeholah shalt thou anoint to be prophet in thy room. And it shall come to pass, that him that escapeth the sword of Hazael shall Jehu slay: and him that escapeth from the sword of Jehu shall Elisha slay. Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him.  

God did not answer Elijah, He just gave him a task to do.  The answer is to get out of the bed and go do exactly what God tells you to do.  God took care of Elijah’s problems when he helped another.

Paul has the same answer.  

2 Corinthians 12:14-15 Behold, the third time I am ready to come to you; and I will not be burdensome to you: for I seek not yours, but you: for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children. And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved.

The answer is to do unto others as you would have them do unto you.  It is not "as some have thought do unto me and I might some day do unto you."  

It does not make human nature sense, but it is the truth.  What we should be saying is, "I am hurting. How can I help you?"

How Well Do You Know Your Bible con't.

We make statements about living by the Bible, that the Bible is our authority on all areas of life.  We state that we believe the Bible is the inerrant Word of God, that we believe every word.  However, how many have never read the Bible in its entirety? Of those who make these claims, how many can tell you where to find certain principles in the Bible?  Let's take a short test -- without getting out a concordance or your Bible program on your computer.


1) Where in the Bible do you find the Ten Commandments? (there are more than one possible answer)


2) Who are the main characters found in Genesis?


3) What main Biblical truth did Solomon present?


4) What are the difference in perspectives (themes) in the story of the life of Christ in the four Gospels?


5) What are the main themes of all the books listed as the minor prophets?


6) Where in the Old Testament can you find verses to lead someone to the Lord in salvation?


7) Where do you find in the Old Testament the truth of salvation by grace through faith?


If I where to type out a verse in the Bible without any location reference of book name, chapter, or verse could you find it?  Could you find it in less than a minute without a concordance or computer?


If I told you there were children as young at eight years old that could answer each of those questions without hesitation and find the verse in less than a minute, would you believe me?  You may be wondering how. Or, you may be saying they are just smart kids filled with head knowledge about the Bible.


When working with young children there should be goals set.  A problem arises when the goals are not based upon Biblical principles.  Most church children workers set as their first goal to see each child saved.  Though this sounds good, there is a serious problem with this thought process.  How do we know whether or not a child is saved?  A child answers an invitation, verses are read and a prayer is said;  the workers check off the goal list a child is saved.  This could be a problem if the child was just repeating words or not even sure what they were doing.  Even yet, the child may have times in his or her life where doubts come and struggles whether or not they are saved. We are unable to rightly deal with these issues because we start with the assumption that they are saved.


The goal should be to work with the child until they stand confident in their own salvation without doubt.  When that is accomplished we work with the child to be confident in the Word of God. We need to teach doctrine, not a watered down version of the Bible and its stories. When working with children never worry about putting the lesson on their level. The Bible is already written on a child's level.  Jesus told people that they are to come to Christ as a child. God never told children to grow up and mature so they could understand the Bible to come to Christ. You may need to teach what the definitions of words mean, but never make a Bible story just a story, but a statement of doctrine and truth.


Our Children's Church ministry focuses on teaching the doctrines of the Bible by going through every book teaching main characters and Bible principles in each book. If you take a child who is confident in his or her salvation and then confident in the Word of God, the next stage of life is completely different. The junior high years are seen most times as a roller coaster of ups and downs. The teenage life is very unstable and crazy.  However, for a teen who stands with confidence in salvation and the Bible, the hills are much smaller.


The adult life can be just as crazy.  How well do you know your Bible?  How confident are you in your salvation?  How confident are you with what you know about the Bible?  It will make the hills much smaller.

Why Are Young People Leaving Fundamental Baptist Churches?

This is a title I have been seeing on a more regular basis in the last year.  I have read many thoughts on this matter.  I may not be saying anything new in this statement, but I believe I need to weigh in.

For many, just using the term "Fundamental Baptist" brings ideas and thoughts to mind that stir strong emotions and ideas.  I have heard many young people see this term being defined in their mind as being people who believe in only looking with an outward appearance as a set standard.  They see people in these churches as people that look one way on the outside but are different in who they really are on the inside.  I have found that many of these young people point out that the pastors and evangelists preach about and how church people should put on an outward compliance to those things, but these young people know this is different from what these people are in reality at home and at work.  They see church members spending all their time making sure they wear the right clothes, say the right words, read the right materials and Bible (KJV), and listen to the right music (anything that sounds "boring").  They see these people failing to reach out to the needy, hungry, and poor.  They see a people who are just angry and bitter because the world is so worldly.  These young people then begin to hear all messages preached as being hateful.  "Where is the 'love'?"  I hear that statement over and over again.  

The conclusion for many of these young people is that what they have been hearing must be wrong; therefore, what is opposite must be correct.  These young people begin to look for religions that do not look like what they grew up in.  They begin to major on not caring about the minors at all instead of truly majoring on the majors.  They go to pointing out that Jesus spent time with sinners who did not look right or act right and criticize the religious crowd.  They remind everyone that we do not need to preach on dress and lifestyle and music and Bible versions because Jesus did not address these things to the people he met. 

This type of statement indicates a spiritually immature way of understanding.  Jesus never told these people that once they changed clothes, reformed their lifestyle, stopped listening to Babylonian music that He would then talk to them about being saved.  Jesus showed them love because they were in their sin and needed help.  When they saw their need of salvation, Jesus made statements such as, “Go and sin no more.” After salvation, these people were not to return to their worldly lifestyle.  I believe in come as you are, but I also believe you can’t stay as you are.  

So what went wrong?  I do believe that there are some preachers and churches out there who are teaching change first, then come in.  But I believe they are fewer than some believe.  I believe the problem is not what is being preached from the pulpit, but what is taking place at home during dinner after the message of the day has been heard that is the problem.  When our children hear the pastor's message and then hear parents criticize at lunch, well, this causes a problem.  Too many pastors are being served up at dinner and they are not even sitting at the table.  I also see that our young people are hearing the message preached and watch their parents do everything that is preached in the message -- while they are at church or a church function or when the pastor is around.  But they see a whole different world at home or at work or at school from the same people who dress and act right at church, but not anywhere else.  This becomes a pattern for our young people.  After twenty plus years in ministry I have seen many excuses from young people leaving church, but all seem to reflect on a disagreement in their mind between the commandments of God and the love of God.  These two areas go hand in hand.

Here is a passage for parents.  The underlines are my emphasis.

Deuteronomy 6:1-25: (v. 1-4) Now these are the commandments, the statutes, and the judgments, which the LORD your God commanded to teach you, that ye might do them in the land whither ye go to possess it: That thou mightest fear the LORD thy God, to keep all his statutes and his commandments, which I command thee, thou, and thy son, and thy son's son, all the days of thy life; and that thy days may be prolonged. Hear therefore, O Israel, and observe to do it; that it may be well with thee, and that ye may increase mightily, as the LORD God of thy fathers hath promised thee, in the land that floweth with milk and honey. Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD:

(The commandments of God were listed first, then next is the love of God.)

(vs 5-25) And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes. And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates. And it shall be, when the LORD thy God shall have brought thee into the land which he sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give thee great and goodly cities, which thou buildedst not, And houses full of all good things, which thou filledst not, and wells digged, which thou diggedst not, vineyards and olive trees, which thou plantedst not; when thou shalt have eaten and be full; Then beware lest thou forget the LORD, which brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage. Thou shalt fear the LORD thy God, and serve him, and shalt swear by his name. Ye shall not go after other gods, of the gods of the people which are round about you; (For the LORD thy God is a jealous God among you) lest the anger of the LORD thy God be kindled against thee, and destroy thee from off the face of the earth. Ye shall not tempt the LORD your God, as ye tempted him in Massah. Ye shall diligently keep the commandments of the LORD your God, and his testimonies, and his statutes, which he hath commanded thee. And thou shalt do that which is right and good in the sight of the LORD: that it may be well with thee, and that thou mayest go in and possess the good land which the LORD sware unto thy fathers, To cast out all thine enemies from before thee, as the LORD hath spoken. And when thy son asketh thee in time to come, saying, What mean the testimonies, and the statutes, and the judgments, which the LORD our God hath commanded you? Then thou shalt say unto thy son, We were Pharaoh's bondmen in Egypt; and the LORD brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand: And the LORD shewed signs and wonders, great and sore, upon Egypt, upon Pharaoh, and upon all his household, before our eyes: And he brought us out from thence, that he might bring us in, to give us the land which he sware unto our fathers. And the LORD commanded us to do all these statutes, to fear the LORD our God, for our good always, that he might preserve us alive, as it is at this day. And it shall be our righteousness, if we observe to do all these commandments before the LORD our God, as he hath commanded us.

Love does no good if we do not keep His commandments.  You cannot reach the world to give them new life of change without there being a change.  Parents, if your children have walked away, what did you really teach?  Israel did a very poor job.  What are we doing?