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Longing For Joy at Christmas

FireworksMy local church is doing a series of sermons this Christmas season on Joy. As in “Joy to the world, the Lord is come; let earth receive her King!” 

That is something that we hear every year which probably just moves us for a moment and then passes by. Others hearing those words may be drawn into deeper despair. Especially those dealing with chronic physical pain, deep depression or any number of problems that just don’t seem to subside.

There is little point in brow-beating people over their depression. As when people say, “Why are you depressed? Stop it! You are a Christian and should be joyful.” Which always works amazingly when people say that stuff to us.

Continue reading “Longing For Joy at Christmas” →

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No Good People in Heaven

Light in Woods“When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”  (Mark 2:17)

When Jesus said this, he was not breaking people out into groups of sick folks versus well folks.

What he was saying is that either people see that they are sick or they do not. Because people that think they are OK do not go to the doctor. Generally speaking.

The problem is, all men are sick; and all men need The Great Physician.

Or, more specifically, all men are sinners; and all men need The Savior.

Christ cannot save a man that will not see his need. A man must be willing to see his need.

A man chooses to face his need or he does not. He chooses to see himself as God sees him; or he chooses to live in a fantasy world.

Continue reading “No Good People in Heaven” →

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God’s Word vs God’s Name

Letchworth Falls A

“I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.”         (Psalm 138:2)

God’s word is placed above His name.

As we continue to focus on the Gospel Absolutes, it is critical that we do not forget this foundational truth.

Because, to reverse this order — by focusing on His name above His word — is a serious error.

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The Perfectly-Preserved Written Word

“Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.                                                                                                                           For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.” (Matthew 5:17,18)

Here we have an amazing promise of God’s miraculous power.

This has to do with the word of God. Specifically, it has to do with God’s concern that His word would always remain available to all of His people in all generations.

The Bible is filled with promises God has made to His people that He would preserve His word.

The question is whether we believe Him or not?

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The Only Source of Goodness

Campfire Lake

The world believes that it can create a planet of peace and happiness for all people.

And that there is no exclusive source required for that peace, love, joy and spiritual fulfillment other than from some universal hope that resides in the human spirit.

In An Essay on Man, Alexander Pope claimed, “Hope springs eternal in the human breast…” 

Following his thought, most men presume that hope and goodness is universal, that it is eternal and that it follows them from this life to the next.

However, reality differs greatly.

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You Can’t Please Everybody

Meerkats 4

Man, is that true.

And these days, you may not be able to please anyone. Because everyone seems offended by everything. Whatever you say, someone is ready to call their lawyer to shut you up.

Political and cultural correctness has us by the throat. Just daring us to say another word. To just take one more wrong step.

Are we still “the land of the free”? Can we truly say what we believe? Do we really have “freedom of religion” in America today?

Continue reading “You Can’t Please Everybody” →

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Beyond Gooey Religion

Misty DockWhat is true, biblical faith?

Here are a few random ideas worth considering.

Faith only comes by the word of God. By reading it. By hearing it.

Faith is confidence in a specific object or person:

  • Is it faith in one’s good works?
  • Is it faith in one’s religious observance?
  • Is it faith in one’s “love” or acts of love?
  • Is it faith in one’s “tolerance” for others and their beliefs?
  • Is it faith in one’s work toward “social justice” or other humanitarian causes?
  • Is it faith in one’s tithes or offerings or other sacrifices?
  • Is it faith in popular scientific theory?
  • Is it faith in one’s own sincerity and honesty?
  • Is it faith in one’s intellect or wisdom?
  • Is it faith in one’s own morality and purity?
  • Is it faith in one’s own faith?

Continue reading “Beyond Gooey Religion” →

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The Gospel: The Scriptures Forseeing

Pink Cloud

“And the scripture, forseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed.” (Galatians 3:8) 

In discussing what the gospel is, we first need to establish the accuracy of scripture.

Because, after all is said and done, the scriptures are our only certain authority for what the gospel really is. All else is just tradition and the opinions of men.

The above verse uses an unusual phrase. It tells us that “the scriptures” knew that something specific would happen thousands of years later.

It tell us that God, would write specific scriptural words meant for not only Adam, but also for you and me — 6000 years later!

Continue reading “The Gospel: The Scriptures Forseeing” →

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The Gospel: No Soul Left Behind

Proxy Falls

It is fashionable in modern Evangelical churches to make creeds and statements that are much more “loose” than those of the great denominations of the past. Many of these new “creeds” are crafted in vague terms to allow for people to remain within a church or association without truly believing the gospel.

But “Why?” you might ask; “Why would any group want to do that?” Continue reading “The Gospel: No Soul Left Behind” →

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