Why Are Christians All Over The Field On Issues Of Morality, When We Have A Written Testament, A Guidline?

Why Are Christians All Over The Field On Issues Of Morality, When We Have A Written Testament A Guidelines?

Using the above picture, imagine Christian humanistic opinion that is based upon emotions and poor translations not derived from the Textus Receptus, but out of Alexandrian Egypt of the world system.  Imagine the bulls eye that is worn out as that Truth of the Antioch derived Scriptures, and the off target, horrendous groupings as the watered down heretical translations, with their worldly roots, and Papal influence. 

Now consider human opinion in contrast to infallible unchanging Word and ways of God.  With these two thoughts in the mind, read this logical excerpt from brother R.C. Sproul, in his classic discourse on developing a Biblical based conscience in his work: How To Develop A Christian Conscience

After reading the following discourse, one can deduce "WHY?" Christians were and are all over the target in regards to social issues such as marriage, divorce, abortion, polygamy, alcohol, and homosexuality:

"In this chapter, we’ll consider an important element of Christian ethics that is often overlooked. We must consider what theologians have called creation ordinances. Let me begin with a statement that may surprise you: Christians in every society, at all times, and in all ages always live under law. Your surprise at that statement may be that we are repeatedly told in the New Testament that we are no longer under law but under grace. And I certainly put great emphasis on the central importance of grace in understanding Christian ethics. Nevertheless, all of the grace that comes to us in the New Testament does not entirely eliminate the fact that we live under law. We are New Testament Christians, and if we look at things in biblical categories, we see that the Bible is divided into different testaments. A testament is a covenant. We speak of the old covenant and the new covenant, the Old Testament and the New Testament. But we must take that a bit further. What is the essence of a covenant? In its simplest terms, a covenant is an agreement or contract between two or more persons. Every covenant contains within it certain benefits and promises, and every covenant includes legal requirements or laws. Even the new covenant, the New Testament, is a covenant with laws. Jesus said, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments” (John 14:15). Yes, the curse of the law has been satisfied in Christ. We have been redeemed from it, but that doesn’t mean that now, as Christians, we are free from all obligations to our God. There are laws in the New Testament just as there are laws in the Old Testament. As a Christian, I am a member of a covenant community, which we call the church. Every member of the Christian church participates in the new covenant, just as every member of the household of Israel in the Old Testament participated in the old covenant. Jew and Christian alike are covenant people, but what about the rest of the world? What about the millions of people on this planet who are not members of the Christian church or members of a Jewish community? Are they in a covenant relationship with God? The answer is yes. All men, everywhere, are participants in a covenant relationship with God even if they never join the Christian church or the Jewish commonwealth. The first covenant that God made with mankind was with Adam, who represented the entire human race. In that covenant, the covenant of creation, God entered into a contractual relationship with all human beings. By nature, every descendant of Adam belongs to the covenant of creation. This may not be a relationship of grace, but it is a relationship nonetheless. The laws that God gave in creation remain binding on all men. It doesn’t matter if they are religious, members of the household of Israel, or members of a local church. There is a certain body of moral legislation that God gives to all men, and it is that body of law that we are concerned with under the rubric of the covenant of creation. What kind of ordinances are included in the covenant of creation? We’ll look at a few of the precepts and principles that God built into human relationships in the very beginning. In the garden of Eden, God established the sanctity of life. Before Moses received the Ten Commandments at Mount Sinai, the human race knew that it is wrong to murder. The prohibition against murder is set forth in the law of creation. It is a creation ordinance. Another principle is the sanctity of marriage. Marriage is not something that has arbitrarily developed over time. It isn’t that human beings, by nature, were disinclined toward monogamous relationships, and later, through societal taboos, were manipulated to form the unit of family that functions as the stable, center point of any society. The sanctity of marriage is given by God in creation. Incidentally, this is one of the reasons why the church recognizes the validity of civil marriage ceremonies. We do not reserve the right to perform marriages to the church alone. We acknowledge the just estate of marriage that is set forth by the officers and magistrates of the civil state because marriage is not a uniquely ecclesiastical ordinance. It’s a creation ordinance. The state not only has the right but also the responsibility to regulate these matters. How does this apply to our daily lives as Christians? As Christian people, we live under more than one covenant. As members of the body of Christ, we are also still members of the body of creation; we are still under the laws and the ordinances that God imposed on man as man. We need to understand that creation ordinances transcend the limits of the particular laws that we find within the New Testament church. That means that the laws of creation go beyond the confines of the Christian church. One of the most embattled issues in our society is the relationship between the church and civil legislation. The covenant of creation establishes the basis by which the church can address moral matters in the wider secular culture. We believe in the separation of church and state, so some people say that it is not the part of the church’s business to address moral matters outside of the church. But we are not talking about imposing ecclesiastical ordinances on the wider culture. It certainly would be a violation of the separation of church and state if we became a lobby group and tried to impose the celebration of the Lord’s Supper on every resident of the United States. We can’t impose a legal requirement on people who live outside of the covenant framework in which that particular mandate came, namely, the new covenant in Christ. But what about when the state is not fulfilling its obligation under God of carrying out the creation ordinances? The church is called to be the prophetic voice of God in a given society and call attention to the fact that all men are under the authority of the creation mandates. What if people are atheists and don’t recognize the laws of creation? Remember, atheism doesn’t nullify the laws that God has given to man. The covenant of creation is inescapable. One cannot just repudiate it and step out of it. We can break the covenant, but we cannot annul the covenant of creation. So, Christians are called upon to be voices in favor of maintaining and preserving the sanctity of life, the sanctity of marriage, the sanctity of labor, and yes, even the sanctity of the Sabbath day. These are laws that apply to all men in every age, place, and culture. How many times have you heard it said that “you can’t legislate morality?” That’s been stated so often that it has become a cliché in our culture. It’s interesting to note that the very phrase itself has undergone a kind of strange metamorphosis. The original sense was that you can’t end sin by simply passing laws that prohibit it. If we could, all we would have to do is legislate against every conceivable sin, and the legislation itself would get rid of evil. But we know better than that. We know that people sin inspite of the fact that laws tell them not to. In fact, Paul himself expounds this idea in the book of Romans, where he says that there’s a certain sense in which the presence of law causes fallen people to sin with greater abandon. But the statement that you can’t legislate morality has now come to mean that it’s wrong for the government to ever pass legislation of a moral nature. Unfortunately, I’ve heard very few people think through the implications of this idea. What would happen in a society if no moral legislation was allowed to be passed? There wouldn’t be much left for the legislators to do. What could they legislate? The state flag? The state bird? The speed limit? But how a person drives their car on the highway is a moral matter. If I recklessly endanger another person’s life because of my own selfish interests, that has moral implications. Stealing another person’s property has moral implications. If we can’t legislate morality, we can’t have laws against murder, against stealing, against false weights and measures, or against reckless behavior in public because these are all moral issues. Of course, if you think it through, you realize that moral issues are at the heart of all legislation. The question is not whether the state should legislate morality. The question is what morality should the state be legislating? If there’s any point in our culture where we have experienced a profound crisis, it is precisely at this point. What is the guideline for the laws of the land? We’ve seen a significant shifts, not only in American history, but in the history of Western civilization. That shift is away from a Judeo-Christian concept of law."

R.C. Sproul "Developing A Christian Conscience"

Have You Truly Opened The Gift of Christ?

Have You Truly Opened The Gift of Christ?

 

     It is my duty to put Truth out for the lost to see, hear, and accept or reject.  How feeble are my words when compared to God's complete unchanging ways and Word.  So today's blog is borrowed from a man whose epitaph read, "A Man Of God."  Aiden Wilson Tozer had no formal theological or seminary training and can be attributed with writing some of the most simplistic and genuine article of spiritual Truth and facts regarding theology.  Beloved please share this with the saints and the lost today!  Love, your brother in Christ, Jason!

 

 

For the so called "CARNAL Christian" :
"True faith is not passive but active. It requires that we meet certain conditions, that we allow the teachings of Christ to dominate our total lives from the moment we believe. The man of saving faith must be willing to be different from others. The effort to enjoy the benefits of redemption while enmeshed in the world is futile. We must choose one or the ot...her; and faith quickly makes its choice, one from which there is no retreat. The change experienced by a truly converted man is equal to that of a man moving to another country. The regenerated soul feels no more at home in the world than Abraham felt when he left Ur of the Chaldees and set out for the land of promise. Apart from his own small company he was a stranger to everyone around him. He was called "Abraham the Hebrew," and if he spoke the language of the people among whom he took up his dwelling place, he spoke it with an accent. They all knew that he was not one of them. This journey from Ur to Bethel is taken by every soul that sets out to follow Christ. It is. however, not a journey for the feet but for the heart. The newborn Christian is a migrant; he has come into the kingdom of God from his old home in the kingdom of man and he must get set for the violent changes that will inevitably follow. One of the first changes will be a shift of interest from earth to heaven, from men to God, from time to eternity, from earthly gain to Christ and His eternal kingdom. Suddenly, or slowly but surely, he will develop a new pattern of life. Old things will pass away and behold, all things will become new, first inwardly and then outwardly; for the change within him will soon begin to express itself by corresponding changes in his manner of living." Any other belief about Jesus is nonetheless head knowledge, and that isn't experiential salvation faith."  A.W. Tozer
 

"Mindlessly repeating a bunch of religious rhetoric that leads to NO SIGNIFICANT change of heart, action, or/and thought can hardly be considered a SALVATION EXPERIENCE!" Janella Griggs



Am I A Worshiper Yahweh Seeks?

Am I A Worshiper Yahweh Seeks?

 

John 4:22-24 KJV

 

    

^"22 Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews.

²³ But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.

²⁴ God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth."

 

 

     Jesus begins His discourse with the woman at the well with the declaration that to be a person Whom God desires to worship Him, a person who He SEEKS to worship Him, that very soul must KNOW, and be SAVED.  Don't believe me?  Look at Jesus' own words in verse 22, in plain simple English.  Looking back from the future into the recorded event here in chapter four of the Gospel according to John, that hour that was to come, it arrived at Calvary, and the door was opened to KNOW God because of SALVATION.

     With that fact established by the Lord Jesus Himself, "How?" are we to worship the God, Creator, and Redeemer?  Verse twenty-four tells us!  Jesus makes an imperative statement: "God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth."  Again, simple plain English.  This is "where" it gets amiss, where entertainment, rituals, and other acts that are not Spirit and Truth, and therefore is not worship at all.  Insert gasp, "brother Jason that's the way we've always done it." 

     Maybe so reader, maybe that has always been your ritualistic tradition.  In these three verses Jesus even opens the door to Who and How we MUST WORSHIP.  Again Jesus' words, NOT MINE.  Don't believe me reader!  Look again at what Jesus said, "they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth."  Okay, with the basic doctrinal statement of Jesus as our foundation, what does He mean?  In Spirit, and in Truth.  God is Spirit, and Jesus is Truth, and vice versa.  So how did Jesus worship?  Jesus is Hebrew, man, and God.  So Jesus and the disciples, apostles, and first churches would have worship as Jesus did. 

     How did Jesus worship?  Glad you asked.  Until He was offered as a sacrifice Himself, Jesus would have observed Levite law prescribed in the Old Testament, with the exception of the sin sacrifice (Jesus was without sin) while in Jerusalem, he would have kept the letter and HEART of the law in the Temple, and in the synagogues He would have done the following:  "¹⁵ And he taught in their synagogues, being glorified of all.
¹⁶ And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read.
¹⁷ And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written, ^18 "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,
¹⁹ To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.
²⁰ And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him.
²¹ And he began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears.
²² And all bare him witness, and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth. And they said, Is not this Joseph's son?
²³ And he said unto them, Ye will surely say unto me this proverb, Physician, heal thyself: whatsoever we have heard done in Capernaum, do also here in thy country.
²⁴ And he said, Verily I say unto you, No prophet is accepted in his own country.
²⁵ But I tell you of a truth, many widows were in Israel in the days of Elias, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, when great famine was throughout all the land;
²⁶ But unto none of them was Elias sent, save unto Sarepta, a city of Sidon, unto a woman that was a widow. (Luke 4:15-26 KJV)
 Jesus read the Bible that they had in the synagogue, then He taught, preached, and expounded on the Word of God.  Preaching is worship, check!

     Okay, that's Jesus worshiping.  What about a disciple or apostle?  Glad you asked that.  The disciples would have been with Jesus, following His lead, and listening.  The apostles (sent ones) we have a record of them as well: "² And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures,

³ Opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ." (Acts 17:2-3 KJV) Imagine that.  Preaching Christ, to the Hebrew first, and the Greek.   Well that is the synagogue, yes, you are correct it is... that's where Hebrews gathered to worship Yahweh away from Jerusalem.  The gentiles Believers would be gathered together in groups of people called churches.  Sound familiar?  "⁴ And some of them believed, and consorted with Paul and Silas; and of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and of the chief women not a few.
⁵ But the Jews which believed not, moved with envy, took unto them certain lewd fellows of the baser sort, and gathered a company, and set all the city on an uproar, and assaulted the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people.
⁶ And when they found them not, they drew Jason and certain brethren unto the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also;
⁷ Whom Jason hath received: and these all do contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, one Jesus.
⁸ And they troubled the people and the rulers of the city, when they heard these things.
⁹ And when they had taken security of Jason, and of the other, they let them go.
¹⁰ And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews.
¹¹ These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
¹² Therefore many of them believed; also of honourable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few.
¹³ But when the Jews of Thessalonica had knowledge that the word of God was preached of Paul at Berea, they came thither also, and stirred up the people." (Acts 17:4-13 KJV)
     See a pattern yet?  Preaching the Word?  Now that fact is Biblically established, what about prayer, singing of hymns and praise?  Glad you asked! 
Remember that imperative statement about must worship God in Spirit and Truth by Jesus?  Well the apostle Paul instructed the church at Ephesus on this:

  "5 Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;

² 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.
³ But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;
⁴ Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.
⁵ 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.
⁶ Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.
⁷ Be not ye therefore partakers with them.
⁸ For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:
⁹ (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)
¹⁰ Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.
¹¹ And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.
¹² For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret.
¹³ But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light.
¹⁴ Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.
¹⁵ See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,
¹⁶ Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
¹⁷ Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.
¹⁸ And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;
¹⁹ Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;
²⁰ Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;
²¹ Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God."  (Ephesians 5:1-21 KJV) 
    Reader, you may be thinking that's just the apostle Paul, what about Jesus?  Again, glad you asked?  "²⁶ And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives." (Luke 14:26 KJV)  [Also in Matthew 26:30]  This is after the institution of the ordinance of the Lord's Supper, another act of worship in Spirit and Truth.  What about prayer?  The entire Bible is loaded with all these, yet we need look no more than the previous passage above in Ephesians 5:20.  Giving thanks, you know, in prayer.  So We have checked off in the liturgy of worship, in Spirit and Truth:  Preaching, teaching, singing of praises and hymns, the Lord's Supper, and inadvertently baptism.  Baptism you say?  Where?  In the opening statement of Jesus about salvation.  Salvation is followed by the command of Believers baptism by submersion just like Jesus was baptized. 
     Now one more thing reader.  Tithes and offerings.  Tithes and offerings as worship you may ask?  Yes it is worship: "³⁴ Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold,
³⁵ And laid [them] down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need." (Acts 4:34-35 KJV)
"¹ Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia;
² How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.
³ For to [their] power, I bear record, yea, and beyond [their] power [they were] willing of themselves;
⁴ Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and [take upon us] the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.
⁵ And [this they did], not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God." (2nd Corinthians 8:1-5 KJV)
"¹⁷ Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.
¹⁸ For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer [is] worthy of his reward." (1st Timothy 5:17-18 KJV)

And this is one Jesus kept, and wasn't abolished in the sacrificial atonement of His sacrifice at Calvary:
"⁸ Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.
⁹ Ye [are] cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, [even] this whole nation.
¹⁰ Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that [there shall] not [be room] enough [to receive it]." (Malachi 3:8-10  KJV)

Reader, this is the concise version I have an 18 week lesson on Biblical worship and Truth from Genesis to Revelation.  All based upon the Biblical standard of what or actually Who is worshiping in Spirit and Truth.  Are being sought by God?  
Share with the Saints, your servant in the Gospel, love Jason.







    


Joyless In A Joyful Season?

“Joyless In a Joyful Season?”

Philippians 4

Robert Jason Bryant

Tis the season once more Beloved, the season of smiles, children laughing, and excitement of family and gifts! The annual celebration of the First Advent of the Prince of Peace, our Emmanuel, and the King of kings born in the lowliest of circumstances is upon us once more. Songs abound of Joy to the World, God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, and Unspeakable Joy. The visible image of the Invisible God is come among men, and what was lost in the Garden of Eden when man chose to sin, God hath restored the chance for man to choose the Joy of His presence once again!

I must needs be realistic among you today Beloved, for there are those of us, saved, yet in a joyless season of our lives. Life circumstances, choices, people, and even the enemy can come so hard...so fast...so relentless, that is tries to steal the very joy that is ours. Seasons change, deaths occur, families shatter, and loneliness strikes even the child of God.

“The United States is a deeply unhappy place.  We are a nation that is absolutely consumed by fear, stress, anger and depression.  It isn't just our economy that is falling apart - the very fabric of society is starting to come apart at the seams and it is because of what is happening to us on the inside.  The facts and statistics that I am going to share with you in this article are quite startling.  They are clear evidence that America is a nation that is an advanced state of decline.  We are overwhelmed by fear, stress and anxiety, and much of the time the ways that we choose to deal with those emotions lead to some very self-destructive behaviors.  Americans have experienced a standard of living far beyond the wildest dreams of most societies throughout human history, and yet we are an absolutely miserable people.  Why is this?  Why is America #1 in so many negative categories?  Why are we constantly looking for ways to escape the pain of our own lives?  Why are our families falling apart?  There is vast material wealth all around us.  So why can't we be happy? Just look around you.  Are most of the people around you teeming with happiness and joy?  Sadly, the truth is that most Americans are terribly stressed out.  Yeah, many of them may be able to manage to come up with a smile when they greet you, but most of the time they are consumed by internal struggles that are eating away at them like cancer.

So why is this happening?  Is modern life structured in a way that is fundamentally unhealthy?” By Michael Snyder, on April 22nd, 2013 http://theeconomiccollapseblog.com/archives/america-1-in-fear-stress-anger-divorce-obesity-anti-depressants-etc

Why are Americans, which includes many of us true Believers afraid? Why are we joyless? Where has our strength gone? Let us take a “look see” at the “why” things are so, and the “how” to let God guide us into the JOY that is already ours, already been bought and paid for in the sacrifice of Jesus.

These circumstances and situations are REAL, THEY ARE IN OUR FACES, AND I DARE NOT MAKE LIGHT OF IT; however, they are temporary circumstances and seasons Beloved, and our joy is NOT! So let us, ME, and you listen to God speak through His Apostle Paul, imprisoned, soon to be martyred, nonetheless joyful letter and inspired instruction on joy when the season and circumstances scream just the opposite!

FRUIT OF HE, THE HOLY SPIRIT: Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness Gentleness, Faithfulness, and Self Control. These are ours by the sealing of the Holy Spirit, yet we must pray, live, and walk in the Spirit for these to be manifested in our lives. How do we do that? We do it by denying self, flesh, and worldly desires, and submitting willfully to Jesus and His Word. Nothing will steal our joy faster than the lust of the flesh!

Rotten Fruits of the Flesh: “16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.

17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.

18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.

19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,

20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,

21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.”

Beloved, in the above passage of chapter five penned by Paul, to the church at Galatia, do you see any similarities with the secular article mentioned before? This is the Biblical Truth to what the article was asking “why” about to his readers. Amazing how God has already given man the answer, Christians the answer and we so quickly forget that which is ours!

Jesus is our strength and victory over anxiety

I. The Exhortation to Unity and Joy

4 Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.

2 I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord.

3 And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life.

4 Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.

II. Our Secret of the Peace of God

5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.

6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

III. The Presence of the God of Peace

8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

IV. The Victory Over Worry

10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity.

11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.

12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.

13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

14 Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction.

15 Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only.

16 For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity.

17 Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.

18 But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, well pleasing to God.

19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

20 Now unto God and our Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

21 Salute every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren which are with me greet you. (Philippians 4:1-21 KJV)

In conclusion, we asked in the beginning title “Joyless in a Joyful Season?” can it be this way for the Saint? Yes, sadly it can. Does it have to be Saint? No it doesn't! Right here, we have the Great Physician's cure and prescription to joyless life of worry! Share this with someone this Advent season, if need be hold it dear to your own heart. I am!

Love in Christ, Jason

A Broken Society

A Broken Society

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     "5 And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. 
6 And it repented the Lord that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart. 
7 And the Lord said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them. 
8 But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord.
9 These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God. 
10 And Noah begat three sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth. 
11 The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence. 
12 And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth. 
13 And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth." (Genesis 6:5-13 AKJV)
   Wickedness reigned, humanity behaved like humanity, evil abounded continually, yes continually.  People did what the "felt" was right in their own eyes.  They abounded in violence, murder, adultery, idolatry, divorce, peftride, arrogance, and considered not the Creator.  Paul in the first chapter of Romans, lays out the indictment and verdict for the depravity of man.  God cleansed the earth of this with a world wide flood with only eight people finding "grace-chen."
    In the New Testament, in Matthew, the disciples asked Jesus what would be the signs of His return as King, as conqueror, as commanding warrior and victorious King of Kings.  Jesus responded with this,
"37 But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 
38 For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, 
39 and knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 
40 Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. 
41 Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
42 Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come." (Matthew 24:37-43 AKJV)
   Consider beloved Christian what Jesus just said, "As in the Days of Noah..."  Does violence abound?  Does man think himself so wise, prudent, and intelligent that he can solve all problems?  Are people, even Christians vow breakers, covenant breakers, and unfaithful and unloving towards their spouses they pledged till death do you part?  Is not the divorce and remarriage rate equal to the secular world?  How many of you know of professing Christians in ungodly forbidden relationships, unbiblical divorces and adulterous remarriage, yet say it is acceptable because of "grace?"  How many do we see not listening to the Bible's instructions on conflict resolution, missions, cohabitation,  homosexual behavior, adulterous behavior, riotous living, money stewardship, and sound Biblical imperative instructions?  Eat, drink, be merry, you deserve to be "happy", it's all about you!  The Bible does not say this for the Christian.  As matter of fact we are instructed to be salt and light, be holy (set apart to God, and from the world) so there can be a noticeable difference between goats and sheep, wheat and tares, light and darkness.  Christian, we by default in sheer numbers of population, and having the Savior already sacrificed, are a worse and more perverse generation than that of Noah's Day.  1,5000 babies a day in America are sacrificed in the spirit of Moloch and its called choice.  Sin has been renamed to diseases, disorders, and behavioral issues.  We are closer to the Days of Noah than when I was a high school student in the late 80's.  The crux of the whole issue is this:  Get ready, share the Gospel with as many as you come across, and oppose unrighteousness.  Walk humbly before the Lord God, show mercy and love justice!

 



Jesus Shows Us An Example Of True Repentance

Jesus Shows Us An Example Of True Repentance

Jesus (Luke 19:1-10 AKJV)

 

 

 

 

 

     "19 And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho.

  2 And, behold, there was a man named Zacchæus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich.

  3 And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature. 

 4 And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycomore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way. 5 And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchæus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house. 

 6 And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully. 

 7 And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner. 

 8 And Zacchæus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold. 

 9 And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham.

10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost."

 

     First Beloved, let us look at the beginning of this story of saving grace, in verse 1, Jesus comes to town!  Jesus enters and passes through Jericho, and we have the record that a soul is changed!  Now folks today will tell you repentance means "change your mind."  That is a partial truth, which in reality is not Truth since it is wanting for the rest of the parts that come with repentance.  No where in these ten verses is the word repentance mentioned.  It doesn't have to be, it is played out in real life.

     Secondly friend, let us look at the word repent that Jesus used when He said, "UNLESS YE REPENT, YE SHALL LIKE WISE PERISH." 

"13 There were present at that season some that told him of the Galilæans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.

² And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galilæans were sinners above all the Galilæans, because they suffered such things? 

 ³ I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.

⁴ Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem? 

 ⁵ I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish."  (Luke 13:1-5 AKJV)

Notice in this passage,  Jesus twice uses the term REPENT, in typical Hebrew teacher style which means LISTEN!!!!!!!!!!  This is the word Jesus used:

"In the NT the subject chiefly has reference to "repentance" from sin, and this change of mind involves both a turning from sin and a turning to God. The parable of the Prodigal Son is an outstanding illustration of this. Christ began His ministry with a call to "repentance," Matt. 4:17, but the call is addressed, not as in the OT to the nation, but to the individual. In the Gospel of John, as distinct from the Synoptic Gospels, referred to above, "repentance" is not mentioned, even in connection with John the Baptist's preaching; in John's Gospel and 1st Epistle the effects are stressed, e.g., in the new birth, and, generally, in the active turning from sin to God by the exercise of faith."  (Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words)

Reader, do you see what repentance truly is?  See how the change of the mind, the cognitive mind, the volitional will (the part of us, me, you, that makes me Jason Bryant, and you who you are.)  This is the spirit of "who" we are, the person that comes to brokenness, and awareness of sin, and the need of the Savior!  It is a change of the heart, mind, soul, and body... seeing how they are ALL connected.  If one truly repents, his mind starts the process, his heart comes in agreement with what his mind knows, it becomes broken and contrite, and then the soul longs for forgiveness, and the volitional will says no more! I want what Jesus offers, and the body (the transgressor guided by iniquity) will follow suit.  The story in Luke of Jesus and Zacchaeus shows the whole process.  Not only does Zacchaeus change his mind, his attitude is stripped in the presence of Jesus, so much so that his attitude changes!  He not only repents, he forsakes the sin that had made him a wealthy man and a hated Hebrew among his own people.  The WHOLE crux of the story is this beloved, if you only change your mind, you have NOT repented.  If you have changed your mind because of the Holy Spirit has convicted you, well... your thoughts, attitudes, and actions will correspond as Zacchaeus did.  A murder will quit killing, an adulterer will leave the adulterous relationship and NEVER look back, the thief will quit stealing.  Not to obtain salvation beloved, but because salvation has regenerated the man!  Please, please share with the Saints... if we had more Biblical repentance, we would have more power and victory in this fallen world, and the lost would forsake their sin and come to Jesus.  Love in Christ, Jason

 



There Is A Cost To Discipleschip Beloved Despite Popular Television Speakers Slant On Prosperity

There Is A Cost To Discipleship Beloved Despite Popular Television Speakers Slant On Prosperity

Jason Bryant

 

 

 

     There has always been a cost for the seeker, follower, and disciple of Christ.  To begin with, the faith that justified Abraham, cost him leaving his hometown, his family, his property, his prestige, and many heartaches in the journey of faith in which he sought a city whose Maker is Yahweh.  It cost Abraham and his male servants, nephew, and male family, even Ishmael some physical pain as they would be circumcised as adult men, and adolescent males including Ishmael.  This faith in being disciple of God in the school of faith would even cost the anguish, yet obedience when it came to sacrifice the child of promise, Isaac.

     In the days of Noah, it would cost Noah 120 years of ridicule preaching a Gospel of salvation in a type of Christ as he built the ark.  No conversions preaching to those who ridiculed him as he built a gigantic boat for a flood, on a land that had yet to see a drop of rain.  Moving down it would cost Moses his happy life in Midian as a shepherd, to a point of leading a group of people that whined and complained forty years and murmured and opposed him the entire time.  Joshua, oh Joshua, a man betrayed by his own brothers, sold into slavery, imprisoned for avoiding ALL APPEARANCES of evil, and fleeing from sin!  It cost.  Jeremiah the "Weeping Prophet" preached exactly what God said, and was cast into a well for speaking Truth.  Jeremiah preach to a godless nation that refused and ignored the message, and he penned Lamentations as Hebrews were carried into captivity, and he left to see the smoldering heap of Jerusalem.  Look beloved, look at Hosea, his faithfulness to follow God brought humiliation as he bought back an adulterous wife, and was a father to children not of his seed.  Isaiah faithful in preaching to Israel, yet saw the fall of the Northern Kingdom.  "But that is Old Testament!" "We are NOT under Old Testament doctrines...we are above them."  Both statements perpetrated mass media, books, study guides, and poor old ladies bombarded on television with "Sow a seed into our ministry, we'll even take your credit card number."  Woe on those who defraud the Saint, for the Lord is the avenger of such! (1st Thessalonians)  For those who have tore the Old testament from the Word of God, here is some Word from Jesus:

  

    ^"14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.
¹⁵ Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.
¹⁶ Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.
¹⁷ These things I command you, that ye love one another.
¹⁸ If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.
¹⁹ If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.
²⁰ Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.
²¹ But all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake, because they know not him that sent me."  (John 15:14:21 KJV)
Here in John, notice the costs: 
1.) A COMMAND to do what Christ has said, from Mt. Olives, Sermon on the Mount, the parables.  Being a true servant WILL COST YOU the world's popularity.  (Jesus)

   Another Jesus teaching on the cost of discipleship:

 

2.)  WARNING  ^"2 They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service.

³ And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me."  (John 16:2-3 KJV)

3.)  EXPLICIT WARNIGN TO COUNTING THE COST OF DISCIPLESHIP:
  ^"26 If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.
²⁷ And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.
²⁸ For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?
²⁹ Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him,
³⁰ Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish.
³¹ Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand?
³² Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace.
³³ So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple."  (Luke 14:26-33 KJV)

    Clearly we see Christ warned of the cost.  In Acts of the Apostles, the epistles, and the history of the Saints throughout history from the days of Nero, to the blood shed in the reformation for owing a Bible, the price is paid.  Saeed Abidini is setting in Iran's most horrendous prison sharing the Gospel like Paul, whom we know paid the price.  Beloved being a disciple has its cost.  Costs being martyred, costs imprisoned, even the costs of continuing in the word, and putting off self, plans, money, homes, careers, prestige, and comfort to name a few.  What cost am I paying?  What costs are you paying?  Share with the Saints!  Love in Christ, Jason.  Happy Thanksgiving from America my Christian friends around the world.   

A Light For All The World To See

A Light For All The World To See

Robert Jason Bryant

There is a commonly held misperception in many a Christian's mind that Yahweh only sent missionaries into the world with the first advent of Christ, and His giving the Great Commission to the apostles, disciples, and church He established here on earth. This was a belief and misunderstanding the writer of this paper held himself until recently. The entire Old Testament since the fall of man in the garden of Eden is a hefty indictment against this incorrect teaching, belief, and understanding of Yahweh revealing Himself unto fallen humanity. The first missionaries were the nation of Israel. She was given the task as a whole, with manifold opportunities to be the people who were to reveal the Light, Yahweh to a dark and fallen world. She struggled to no surprise, recorded in the Old Testament pages of Scripture, and her failure was completed until the second advent of Christ, when she rejected the first coming of the Messiah. She got it wrong for now, until the Abomination of Desolation occurs, and the Messiah is received and preached by Israel. With the before mentioned statement brought to mind to the reader, are we church being the light that Christ assigned us to be? Are we church fulfilling that which Israel has failed to do so far?

" 27 And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law, 28 Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, 29 Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: 30 For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,

31 Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; 32 A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel." (Luke 2:27-32 KJV)

In Simeon's declaration and fulfilled prophecy, in six short verses, it is seen evidently and clearly that the proclamation that God has made since He said, "Let there be light..." that God's purpose has always been to make Himself known. To the Hebrew first, then the Gentile that He is God, and in Him alone is salvation. Notice in verses 30 through 32 God reaffirms this. He sums it up rather well with the Hebrew Simeon stating he has seen the salvation of the Lord upon seeing the Christ. He again reaffirms it in his statement that it was prepared for all people. Simeon leaves no room for error with the statement that God has prepared this before the face of all people, and it is a light to the glory of Israel, and a light to lighten the Gentile people. All bases are covered. God leaves absolutely no wiggle room. None are with excuse in this matter. The reader may be asking them self, "This is a New Testament passage, how does this show that Israel is a missionary nation or people?

"49 Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The Lord hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name.

2 And he hath made my mouth like a sharp sword; in the shadow of his hand hath he hid me, and made me a polished shaft; in his quiver hath he hid me;3 And said unto me, Thou art my servant, O Israel, in whom I will be glorified. 4 Then I said, I have laboured in vain, I have spent my strength for nought, and in vain: yet surely my judgment is with the Lord, and my work with my God. 5 And now, saith the Lord that formed me from the womb to be his servant, to bring Jacob again to him, Though Israel be not gathered, yet shall I be glorious in the eyes of the Lord, and my God shall be my strength. 6 And he said, It is a light thing that thou shouldest be my servant to raise up t he tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel: I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth. 7 Thus saith the Lord, the Redeemer of Israel, and his Holy One, to him whom man despiseth, to him whom the nation abhorreth, to a servant of rulers, Kings shall see and arise, princes also shall worship, because of the Lord that is faithful, and the Holy One of Israel, and he shall choose thee. 8 Thus saith the Lord, In an acceptable time have I heard thee, and in a day of salvation have I helped thee: and I will preserve thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, to establish the earth, to cause to inherit the desolate heritages;

9 That thou mayest say to the prisoners, Go forth; to them that are in darkness, Shew yourselves. They shall feed in the ways, and their pastures shall be in all high places.

10 They shall not hunger nor thirst; neither shall the heat nor sun smite them: for he that hath mercy on them shall lead them, even by the springs of water shall he guide them." (Isaiah 49:1-10 KJV)

Written almost three thousand years ago, in the Word spoken to Isaiah it is even more detailed the model, purpose, and plan of God, to the nation of Israel. They were given charge, a commission to bare witness of the Light of salvation. In the mentioned passage from the forty-ninth chapter of Isaiah, glean from the very first word of verse one, "listen, hearken, ye people" these are the ones whom are charged with sharing the light. This is the Hebrew people. What are the Hebrew people to listen and hearken for? To begin with, they are servants of God! Servants have a master to serve in the very nature of the name servant. Secondly, notice the statement, "I will be glorified." God is the "I" and the servants are to bring Him glory. How is Israel to glorify God? Again beloved it is in the passage of Isaiah chapter forty-nine, verses on through ten. Hone in on verse six. God says it is a "light thing" that Israel should be His servant. God also says that Israel should be light to the Gentiles and His salvation unto the end of the earth! Here in the Old Testament, there is an unveiling, peeling back, or revealing of God's plan of redemption laid before the foundation of the earth. Where else might the reader recall the sharing of salvation unto the end of the earth? It is the Great Commission account of Mark.

"14 Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen. 15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. 17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; 18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. 19 So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. 20 And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen." (Mark 16:14-20 KJV)

It is wonderful how God ties everything together in His Word. He leaves no loopholes, and it isn't ambiguous to the seeking heart, mind, strength, and ability to the servant who seeks with all his heart what God desires. It is written in plain English for the English believer of the Way. Look at verse fifteen of Mark chapter sixteen and behold the words Jesus spoke are the same as what God spoke to and through His prophet Isaiah. Jesus said it, God the Father said it but are we obeying it? Did Israel obey it? For the most part, collectively as a whole no it isn't obeyed. The other side of the same coin is yes in faithful circles of biblical oriented Christians it is. Sound familiar reader? It should sound very familiar to the biblical Christian. Anyone who is familiar with the nation of Israel and the Hebrew people in the Old Testament, is well familiar with the reality that Israel as a whole collectively wasn't faithful, yet there was a faithful remnant in her serving the Master. In Babylon, in the wretchedness of being a Hebrew, in a lost and desolate land, four faithful Hebrew princes come easily to mind for the lay person as an example of the faithful remnant that chose to be examples of light, and thus remain loyal and faithful to Yahweh. Daniel, Meshach, Sadrach, and Abendigo were faithful to God. Was it easy? No it wasn't. Was there a cost to pay? Yes, there was. Daniel stood as a faithful old man, before the mouths of ferocious lions, yet faith in God saved him! Sadrach, Meshach, and Abendigo would not commit idolatry, and their faithfulness landed them in the fiery furnace, yet the walked out with Christ unharmed. There is a Missionary Baptist church in Lauderdale county Mississippi that averages approximately around seventy souls for corporate worship on the Lord's Day, yet the sponsor two churches overseas with an annual amount of over 100,000 dollars. That is an example of a faithful remnant in the midst of an unfaithful majority. There is a church here in Jones county, that averages easily around two hundred and fifty souls on the Lord's Day, yet only an approximate 10,000 dollars are scraped up for missions. To those whom much is given, even more is expected. Is the the larger congregation even considered faithful to the Great Commission in comparison to the smaller one? No, it isn't. There appears to be a disconnect to where the treasure of the heart is, and a willingness to be selfless. Which group of Christians are taking God and Jesus at their Word? Which group is obeying what the Master has commanded His servant to do? Which group is letting the Light of salvation shine for all the world to see beloved? The answer is obvious reader, it is the group that is letting the light shine for, the group that has it's "feelers" branching out into the dark and fallen world. Is the light shining in you? Are you letting His Light shine forth? Is a dark, dying, and fallen world seeing the Light? Is God being glorified? When these are answered to the yes, then we are carrying out the Great Commission as a whole.