Tag: Bible

Do all worship the same God?

Thou shalt have no other gods before me. Exodus 20: 3

These days, it’s popular to claim that adherents of various religions all worship the same God. To claim otherwise is to be labeled intolerant and promptly silenced. But what does God Himself say in His Word? Our 2020 State of Theology survey shows that many professing Christians are listening more to culture than to Scripture. Conducted in partnership with LifeWay Research, the full results of this survey are now available.

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Today, 42 percent of U.S. evangelicals* agree with the following statement: “God accepts the worship of all religions, including Christianity, Judaism, and Islam.” On the contrary, the Bible teaches that “there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus” (1 Tim. 2:5). Only worship that is offered through Christ is acceptable in God’s sight.

One of our Teaching Fellows, Dr. Stephen Nichols, recently commented on these disturbing results from the State of Theology survey.

Religious pluralism may be a popular idea in America, but it has damning consequences. No one comes to the Father but through Jesus Christ, who alone is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6). Christians must be unyielding in proclaiming the exclusivity of Christ. By God’s grace, we hope the 2020 results from our State of Theology survey will encourage the church to stand firm for the truth of God’s Word.

VIEW KEY FINDINGS

TAKE THE SURVEY

* Evangelicals were defined by this survey as people who strongly agreed with the following four statements:

  • The Bible is the highest authority for what I believe.
  • It is very important for me personally to encourage non-Christians to trust Jesus Christ as their Savior.
  • Jesus Christ’s death on the cross is the only sacrifice that could remove the penalty of my sin.
  • Only those who trust in Jesus Christ alone as their Savior receive God’s free gift of eternal salvation.

 

Devotional Thought for Today – 10-12-2020

8 My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother: 9 For they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, and chains about thy neck. Proverbs 1:8-9

AMP and RVR 1960 

CHAINS

I remember back in the day when men thought it was cool to wear some of the gaudiest chains around their necks. I am not sure who started the craze but I am certainly glad it’s gone (or should be).

Here the bible makes clear what our true ornamentation should be the righteous teachings of our parents. 

I know some of you are going to say or throw the stats at me about the number of single family homes and parentless children. Then reader, you as aunt, uncle, brother sister, grandparent, etc. step up and impart the Law and Wisdom of God. If behoves you to give them the chains to wear. 

Sunday Sermon Series – Whose Name is Jealous

Exodus 34:14 King James Version (KJV) For thou shalt worship no other god: for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealo… | Exodus 34, Exodus, Treasures in heavenExodus 34:14 King James Version (KJV)

AMP and RVR 1960

COMMENTS and CONTEXT:

There is no direct parallel quote in the New Testament for this verse. Of course when one reads the NT we find most of it to be just that a New covenant and new information with select quotes from the Old Covenant.

The influence of the Old Testament is seen throughout the New Testament. The New Testament writers included approximately 250 express Old Testament quotations, and if one includes indirect or partial quotations, the number jumps to more than 1,000. It is clear that the writers of the New Testament were concerned with demonstrating the continuity between the Old Testament Scriptures and the faith they proclaimed. They were convinced that in Jesus the Old Testament promises had been fulfilled. ( Holman Bible Dictionary)

Why the select certain verses over others? My theory (I have yet to do a comprehensive study or analysis) is that since the OT was available in Hebrew and the common Greek; the matter of God was for the most part settled. So the main topics to reinforce were Christ and man’s fallen nature. 

In context here we find our text in the center of a portion of scripture defining the Covenant between God and the Nation of Israel; Exodus 34:10-17. They are called to destroy all other idols, put aside all other practices, and worship the one true God. In return v.10, God promises He will do wondrous works (miracles) such as have not been created or produced in all the earth nor among any of the nations.

SERMON

 

Four things does Rev. Spurgeon call upon his reader to ponder carefully: 

I. Reverently, let us remember that THE LORD IS EXCEEDINGLY JEALOUS OF HIS DEITY.

II. The Lord IS JEALOUS OF HIS SOVEREIGNTY.

III. THE LORD IS JEALOUS OF HIS GLORY.

IV. In the highest sense, THE LORD IS JEALOUS OVER HIS OWN PEOPLE.

A Jealous God

Charles Haddon Spurgeon March 29, 1863

Scripture: Exodus 34:14 From: Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit Volume 9

Additional Sermon

The Lord Whose Name Is Jealous – John Piper

‘OPEN YOUR CHURCH’

Without citing any specific research, MacArthur added, “You have a 99.99 percent chance to survive COVID. It’s just not what they’re saying it is.”

Well here are the facts: The CDC reported as of yesterday 7.61 million COVID-19 related cases with 212,773 deaths. Math is simple that’s a 0.279894875164% Mortality Rate. 

https://ourworldindata.org/mortality-risk-covid

DO NOT BY INTO THE LEFT’S FEAR MONGERING NARRATIVE 

 

Grace Community Church Pastor John MacArthur issues blistering rebuke of ‘leftists and secular government;’ implores houses of worship: ‘OPEN YOUR CHURCH’

Los Angeles Pastor John MacArthur’s message in a new viral video is crystal clear: Open your churches.

What are the details?

MacArthur, pastor of Grace Community Church in Los Angeles, released a video Wednesday detailing why he believes church is essential and should be opened…

READ MORE

 

 

Daily Devotional – I AM GOD

11 I, even I, am the Lord; and beside me there is no saviour. 12 I have declared, and have saved, and I have shewed, when there was no strange god among you: therefore ye are my witnesses, saith the Lord, that I am God. Isaiah 43:11-12

AMP and RVR 1960

CONTEXT

Here in Chapter 43 of Isaiah we find God proclaiming Israel’s redemption v.1-7, then about Israel being witnesses to God’s redeeming salvation v.8-13.

Verse 10 sets up our text today: You are My witnesses,” declares the Lord,
“And My servant whom I have chosen, That you may know and believe Me
And understand that I am He. Before Me there was no God formed, And there will be none after Me. Israel (like all who come to Christ) are God’s chosen witnesses to Him being the great I AM 

BREAKDOWN

11 I, even I, am the Lord; and beside me there is no saviour. –   Again God repeat the affirmation that He is the great I AM of Exodus 3:15; then adds as a reminder that He is the (only) source of their salvation Exodus 6:6-7 , Exodus 14:13-14 

 12 I have declared, and have saved, and I have shewed, when there was no strange god among you: therefore ye are my witnesses, saith the Lord, that I am God. – 

God in past times (thing Abraham, Moses, Etc.) declared, and have saved, and I have shewed, that no other (strange) god’s help in my efforts to save Israel; 

Because of this (therefore) I call upon you to be witnesses to my greatness and glory to the ends of the earth declaring; that I am God.

APPLICATION: 

Many folks are AFRAID to share God’s word to be Witnesses for the Kingdom.  The Jesus, the Apostle Paul and Peter all  make it clear we should never be ashamed of sharing the Good News. 

As we noted yesterday Daily Devotional – A Light, this does not mean shoving our faith down someone’s throat but being ever ready to answer questions and share the pure Gospel as opportunities present themselves. 

If you are an Evangelist you openly and continually share the Gospel, that is what you have been called by God to do.  Most of us are not called to be Evangelists, but we are all called to be a witness  (Matthew 28-18-20) for the kingdom. 

So another simple question for today; are you prepared to Witness, to answer questions and share the pure Gospel as opportunities present themselves? 

Resources:

Evangelism vs. Witnessing
The Great I AM
What did Jesus mean when He said ‘I AM’?

Daily Devotional – Seeking God

6 Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near. Isaiah 55:6

AMP and RVR 1960

CONTEXT:

As a immature Christian I remember reading  Romans 3:10–12  where Paul is quoting Psalm 14:2-3; at about the same time our Pastor was going through a study on the Book of Isaiah. When he go to our text I was thinking the bible contradicts itself right? 

Of course not! CONTEXT, is everything and in both cases the Lord being near is key. In Psalm 14 and Romans 3, He is looking upon man that is casting His gaze and influence over. In our text He is near enough to be found. 

There is no contradiction when it is God offering His mercy and Grace freely. 

BREAKDOWN: 

Seek ye the Lord – Not for blessings and favors but for redemption and Salvation

while he may be found – When can God be found?  The Holy Spirit convicts man of sin John 16:8 and as Romans 1 says all mankind are without excuse. 

call ye upon him – That is to cast ourselves as lowly sinners wholly upon His mercy and Grace. 

while he is near –  God is a patient and loving God, but like all Fathers will only put up with so much, He extends His generous offer of Grace for only so long before allowing us to go our own way Romans 1:18-32. 

APPLICATION:

When God calls we need to be ready to listen. Paul in 2 Corinthians 6:2  again quoting Isaiah, this time 49:8 says, this reconciliation to God has an expiration date, its a limited time offer. There is a time that is “favorable or acceptable” and we need be ready to take advantage of God’s offer on that Day. 

American Minute(s) with Bill Federer

Same week Congress approved First Amendment; it called for a National Day of Thanksgiving to Almighty God

The same week Congress approved the First Amendment, they requested President George Washington declare the United States’ First National Day of Thanksgiving and Prayer to Almighty God.
Obviously, they did not think the First Amendment that they just passed should outlaw prayer or God!

READ MORE

Generals & Presidents endorsed Bibles & Faith

And Congress too; how soon they forget!

A Joint Resolution of the 97th U.S. Congress proclaimed a “Year of the Bible,” signed by Democrat Speaker of the House Tip O’Neil and Republican President of the Senate Strom Thurmond.

READ MORE

Sunday Sermon Series – Boast Not!

1 Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth. Proverbs 27:1

AMP and RVR 1960

COMMENTS and CONTEXT

The parallel passage in the New Testament can be found in the book of James 4:13-17 .  The message is pretty plain, you can plan for tomorrow all you want ( and there is not biblical principle against proper preparation and planning)  but do not brag about how successful you are to be for only God knows if there will even be a tomorrow. 

SERMON

To-Morrow

Charles Haddon Spurgeon August 25, 1856

Scripture: Proverbs 27:1

From: New Park Street Pulpit Volume 2

Are People Good by Nature?

Romans 3:23-24 — Scripture Type

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Are People Good by Nature? 46% of “Evangelicals” Think So

Unless we understand the depth of our sin, we likely won’t recognize our need for God’s saving grace. Sadly, the results from our 2020 State of Theology survey uncovers widespread confusion among Christians in America about the reality and effects of sin. Conducted in partnership with Lifeway Research, the full results of this survey are now available.

According to our recent findings, 46 percent of professing U.S. evangelicals* agree with the following statement: “Everyone sins a little, but most people are good by nature.” This idea cannot be reconciled with the emphatic teaching of Scripture that all people are radically corrupted sinners in need of salvation (Rom. 3:23). Even the smallest sin is high treason against our Creator, leaving us hopeless of escaping His judgment apart from His mercy in Christ.

Ligonier Teaching Fellow Dr. Stephen Nichols recently spoke on the significance of this finding in the State of Theology survey.

When Christians take sin lightly, our gospel witness is jeopardized. In a rapidly changing culture, the church must remain steadfast in proclaiming the message of salvation in Jesus Christ for ruined sinners. We hope these survey results will encourage American Christians to defend the gospel boldly to the praise of God’s glorious grace.

 
* Evangelicals were defined by this survey as people who strongly agreed with the following four statements:  1) The Bible is the highest authority for what I believe. 2) It is very important for me personally to encourage non-Christians to trust Jesus Christ as their Savior. 3)Jesus Christ’s death on the cross is the only sacrifice that could remove the penalty of my sin. 4) Only those who trust in Jesus Christ alone as their Savior receive God’s free gift of eternal salvation.

 

Devotional Thought for Today 9/11/20

Today is the 19th anniversary of the four coordinated terrorist attacks on America on this date September 11, 2001.  It is a time to reflect and Never Forget. While looking back we may say many mistakes were made in fighting this War, one can not deny we were at War. 

September 11 attacks - Wikipedia

As “Christians” if you are a doer and not just a Couch Potato Christian, then you know you too will be subject to attacks for we are at War daily.  

Logos.com

AMP and RVR 1960

King David writes this psalm appealing to God in a time of affliction. Through it all he counts not on friends or self-help books, but God and God alone I trust [confidently] in You and Your greatness, O Lord!

Where are you placing you trust in these trouble times today? As Pastor Gary with Mission M25 has repeated the past few nights is it are you thinking and acting vertical?