Since posting the previous post I have had several people “debate” what the Baptism of the Holy Spirit is and if it is still active today or if it is automatic at the moment of salvation. Every person that entered this discussion with me did so with one thing in common. They, or someone that started a discussion with them, treated the subject with the attitude that there are many acceptable views on this topic. I want to express a clear and prophetic warning to anyone with this viewpoint.
In several places in Scripture God says clearly that only some people will understand some things of God.
Some will understand God’s teaching and others will not. This is a clear teaching of Scripture. The ones who will have understanding will have it because God gives it to them through the Holy Spirit. Without the Spirit the Scripture is foolishness.
Here is the warning!
There is one sin that will not be forgiven - Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy [against] the [Holy] Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men.
The word for Blashpemy here is translated by Strong’s Concordance as –
1) slander, detraction, speech injurious, to another's good name
2) impious and reproachful speech injurious to divine majesty
If you cannot teach about the Holy Spirit with conviction from Scripture and come to a clear understanding of who He is and how He works than you may be in danger of committing this sin. If you attribute actions to Him and put restrictions on Him that cannot be found and rooted in Scripture then you are at risk.
The Holy Spirit is the active presence of God at work in the world today. To misunderstand the Holy Spirit and not see His work clearly is to misunderstand God and not see His work in this present world.
If you lack clarity about the Holy Spirit and how He works then you should fall to your knees and ask God to teach you who He is and how He works. Until then you should probably remain silent as a safeguard for yourself.
You have been warned.
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Monday, September 20, 2010
Help Wanted
Job Title - Bondservants
There are many positions open for this opportunity. This job is available to anyone that meets the following requirements.
Qualifications; Must hate this present world and all that it offers.(Galatians 6:14) Must be willing to freely share all that is paid to them for their service. (Acts 4) Must not care for or pursue personal possessions. (1Timothy 6:7) Must be ready and willing to engage in battle with forces that are not of this world. (Ephesians 6) Must be willing to lay down their life for their friends. (John 15) Must have the Holy Spirit (Acts 1) Must be willing to be purged of sin, sanctified, and prepared for good works. (2 Timothy 3:21)
Job Description: The victorious candidate will first deny himself or herself. This will be represented by a change in lifestyle that will be evident to all around them. They will then take up their responsibility to serve God in and through the church. This will be done while following the lead of Jesus Christ. Once the candidate has completed these first steps they will then be asked to GO!. This position requires action. This is not a passive position. Those that go will engage in making disciples, tearing down the works of the devil, and setting captives free.
Warning – do not be fooled by other similar job offers that never really get to the end result of making disciples, tearing down the works of the devil, or setting captives free. These offers can be easily spotted as counterfeits by the offer itself. If it emphasizes community, belonging, low commitment, or anything else that appears to fill a need in your life and it does this above or before your recognition of your state as a sinner in need of forgiveness, it is likely a fraud. If the offer is presented in a light hearted and clever presentation separated by attempts at humor it might be a scam. The easiest way to avoid be taken by these false offers is to recognize that God is God and He does not transact with you He relates to you in order to transform you.
If you are interested in exploring this opportunity send your qualifications along with the answers to the following questions.
1. When did you receive the Baptism of the Holy Spirit?
2. When was the last time you had the opportunity to lead someone to the Lord?
3. Do you feel that your faith currently resembles what you see portrayed in Scripture?
4. Do you really think that if you keep doing the same things over and over you will get a different result?
There are many positions open for this opportunity. This job is available to anyone that meets the following requirements.
Qualifications; Must hate this present world and all that it offers.(Galatians 6:14) Must be willing to freely share all that is paid to them for their service. (Acts 4) Must not care for or pursue personal possessions. (1Timothy 6:7) Must be ready and willing to engage in battle with forces that are not of this world. (Ephesians 6) Must be willing to lay down their life for their friends. (John 15) Must have the Holy Spirit (Acts 1) Must be willing to be purged of sin, sanctified, and prepared for good works. (2 Timothy 3:21)
Job Description: The victorious candidate will first deny himself or herself. This will be represented by a change in lifestyle that will be evident to all around them. They will then take up their responsibility to serve God in and through the church. This will be done while following the lead of Jesus Christ. Once the candidate has completed these first steps they will then be asked to GO!. This position requires action. This is not a passive position. Those that go will engage in making disciples, tearing down the works of the devil, and setting captives free.
Warning – do not be fooled by other similar job offers that never really get to the end result of making disciples, tearing down the works of the devil, or setting captives free. These offers can be easily spotted as counterfeits by the offer itself. If it emphasizes community, belonging, low commitment, or anything else that appears to fill a need in your life and it does this above or before your recognition of your state as a sinner in need of forgiveness, it is likely a fraud. If the offer is presented in a light hearted and clever presentation separated by attempts at humor it might be a scam. The easiest way to avoid be taken by these false offers is to recognize that God is God and He does not transact with you He relates to you in order to transform you.
If you are interested in exploring this opportunity send your qualifications along with the answers to the following questions.
1. When did you receive the Baptism of the Holy Spirit?
2. When was the last time you had the opportunity to lead someone to the Lord?
3. Do you feel that your faith currently resembles what you see portrayed in Scripture?
4. Do you really think that if you keep doing the same things over and over you will get a different result?
Friday, September 10, 2010
Upcoming Training Dates
I will be teaching a weekend training on the principles of Disciple Driven Church. It will cover the history of church structures and the biblical teachings on discipleship, pastoring the community, spiritual warfare, spiritual gifts, church leadership and operations, and many other reformation topics.
The training will be my first ever in the Hyde Park area of North St. Louis. The dates are October 9 + 10. The sessions will run all day on both days. This will be a packed weekend.
Email me for more information. terry@discipledrivenchurch.org
The training will be my first ever in the Hyde Park area of North St. Louis. The dates are October 9 + 10. The sessions will run all day on both days. This will be a packed weekend.
Email me for more information. terry@discipledrivenchurch.org
Friday, September 3, 2010
Doctrines and Precepts
You hypocrites, rightly did Isaiah prophesy of you:
'THIS PEOPLE HONORS ME WITH THEIR LIPS, BUT THEIR HEART IS FAR AWAY FROM ME. 'BUT IN VAIN DO THEY WORSHIP ME, TEACHING AS DOCTRINES THE PRECEPTS OF MEN.'"
What were the characteristics of some of the religious people in Jesus’ day? According to these words of Jesus they had these characteristics.
1. They were honoring God with their lips.
2. They worshipped God in vain.
3. Their hearts were far from God.
If some of the religious of Jesus’ day had these characteristics, how could you tell which ones He was speaking about. The indicator He expresses here is that they taught the precepts of men as doctrine. What were these precepts or commandments of men? The one He addresses directly is that of dedicating future giving to the temple as an excuse to not care for your parents. Stewardship? Today I see many teachers of Christian finances using the idea of stewardship as an excuse to store up for us and not give to the poor. The idea of stewardship is explored deeply in the parable of the unjust steward in Luke 16. The idea of stewardship is most often applied in Scripture to spiritual things not money.
What are some other precepts of men that are being taught as doctrine? The senior pastor model of leading the church. The worship leader position. Ungodly forms of church leadership and unbiblical mandates of submission to hired positions of church authority. Allowing and inviting unbelievers to participate in worship. Giving practices that focus on supporting the local church instead of what we see in Scripture where giving is directed to helping the needy and supporting individuals doing the work of God.
What Jesus said is that when we teach men’s precepts as doctrine we worship God in vain and our hearts are far from Him. Lord help me to see through the precepts of men that have clouded my heart and to only follow your teachings as doctrine.
'THIS PEOPLE HONORS ME WITH THEIR LIPS, BUT THEIR HEART IS FAR AWAY FROM ME. 'BUT IN VAIN DO THEY WORSHIP ME, TEACHING AS DOCTRINES THE PRECEPTS OF MEN.'"
What were the characteristics of some of the religious people in Jesus’ day? According to these words of Jesus they had these characteristics.
1. They were honoring God with their lips.
2. They worshipped God in vain.
3. Their hearts were far from God.
If some of the religious of Jesus’ day had these characteristics, how could you tell which ones He was speaking about. The indicator He expresses here is that they taught the precepts of men as doctrine. What were these precepts or commandments of men? The one He addresses directly is that of dedicating future giving to the temple as an excuse to not care for your parents. Stewardship? Today I see many teachers of Christian finances using the idea of stewardship as an excuse to store up for us and not give to the poor. The idea of stewardship is explored deeply in the parable of the unjust steward in Luke 16. The idea of stewardship is most often applied in Scripture to spiritual things not money.
What are some other precepts of men that are being taught as doctrine? The senior pastor model of leading the church. The worship leader position. Ungodly forms of church leadership and unbiblical mandates of submission to hired positions of church authority. Allowing and inviting unbelievers to participate in worship. Giving practices that focus on supporting the local church instead of what we see in Scripture where giving is directed to helping the needy and supporting individuals doing the work of God.
What Jesus said is that when we teach men’s precepts as doctrine we worship God in vain and our hearts are far from Him. Lord help me to see through the precepts of men that have clouded my heart and to only follow your teachings as doctrine.
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