Posted on 01/27/2008 7:56:14 PM PST by Manfred the Wonder Dawg
January 25, 2008
ESV Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
In recent days I have spent time in Lima and Sullana Peru and Mexico City and I have discovered that people by nature are the same. Man has a heart that is inclined to selfishness and idolatry. Sin abounds in the remotest parts of the land because the heart is desperately wicked. Thousands bow before statues of Mary and pray to her hoping for answers. I have seen these people stare hopelessly at Mary icons, Jesus icons, and a host of dead saints who will do nothing for them. I have talked with people who pray to the pope and say that they love him. I talked with one lady who said that she knew that Jesus was the Savior, but she loved the pope. Thousands bow before Santa Muerte (holy death angel) in hopes that she will do whatever they ask her. I have seen people bring money, burning cigarettes, beer, whiskey, chocolate, plants, and flowers to Santa Muerte in hopes of her answers. I have seen these people bowing on their knees on the concrete in the middle of public places to worship their idol. Millions of people come into the Basilica in Mexico City and pay their money, confess their sins, and stare hopelessly at relics in hope that their sins will be pardoned. In America countless thousands are chained to baseball games, football games, material possessions, and whatever else their heart of idols can produce to worship.
My heart has broken in these last weeks because the God of heaven is not honored as he ought to be honored. People worship the things that are created rather than worshiping the Creator. God has been gracious to all mankind and yet mankind has hardened their hearts against a loving God. God brings the rain on the just and unjust. God brings the beautiful sunrises and sunsets upon the just and unjust. God gives good gifts unto all and above all things he has given his Son that those who would believe in him would be saved. However, man has taken the good things of God and perverted them unto idols and turned their attention away from God. I get a feel for Jesus as he overlooked Jerusalem or Paul as he beseeched for God to save Israel. When you accept the reality of the truth of the glory of God is breaks your heart that people would turn away from the great and awesome God of heaven to serve lesser things. Moses was outraged by the golden calf, the prophets passionately preached against idolatry, Jesus was angered that the temple was changed in an idolatrous business, and Paul preached to the idolaters of Mars Hill by telling them of the unknown God.
I arrived back at home wondering how I should respond to all the idolatry that I have beheld in these last three weeks. I wondered how our church here in the states should respond to all of the idolatry in the world. What are the options? First, I suppose we could sit around and hope that people chose to get their life together and stop being idolaters. However, I do not know how that could ever happen apart from them hearing the truth. Second, I suppose we could spend a lifetime studying cultural issues and customs in hope that we could somehow learn to relate to the people of other countries. However, the bible is quite clear that all men are the same. Men are dead in sin, shaped in iniquity, and by nature are the enemies of God. Thirdly, we could pay other people or other agencies to go and do a work for us while we remain comfortably in the states. However, there is no way to insure that there will be doctrinal accuracy or integrity. If we only pay other people to take the gospel we will miss out on all of the benefits of being obedient to the mission of God. Lastly, we could seek where God would have us to do a lasting work and then invest our lives there for the glory of God. The gospel has the power to raise the dead in any culture and we must be willing to take the gospel wherever God would have us take it. It is for sure that our church cannot go to every country and reach every people group, so we must determine where God would have us work and seek to be obedient wherever that is.
It seems that some doors are opening in the Spanish speaking countries below us and perhaps God is beginning to reveal where we are to work. There are some options for work to be partnered with in Peru and there could be a couple of options in Mexico. The need is greater than I can express upon this paper for a biblical gospel to be proclaimed in Peru and Mexico. Oh, that God would glorify his great name in Peru and Mexico by using a small little church in a town that does not exist to proclaim his great gospel amongst a people who desperately need the truth.
I give thanks to the LORD for allowing me the privilege of going to these countries and broadening my horizons. The things that I have seen will be forever engraved upon my heart. I will long remember the pastors that I spent time with in Peru and I will never forget Adolfo who translated for me in Mexico. I will relish the time that I spent with Paul Washer and the others. When I think of church I will forever remember being on top of that mountain in Sullana at that church which had no electricity and no roof. I am convinced that heaven was looking down on that little church on top of that mountain and very few people on earth even know that it exist. Oh, God I pray that the things of this world will continue to grow dim and that God’s people will be caught up in his glorious presence.
Because of the truth: Pastor: J. Randall Easter II Timothy 2:19 "Our God is in heaven and does whatever He pleases."(Ps. 115:3) "He predestined us according to the good pleasure of His will."(Eph. 1:5) Those who have been saved have been saved for His glory and they are being made holy for this is the will of God. Are you being made holy? Spurgeon says, "If your religion does not make you holy it will damn you to hell."
Actually, the Sacrifice of the Mass is not the sacrificing of animals. We are commanded to do it by Jesus and Christians have done so right from the beginning.
Hebrews refers to pagan sacrifice.
I’ve see pictures of the L.A. atrocity. Cardinal Mahoney is due to be replaced in the next few years. God willing, BXVI will see fit to replace him with a Catholic. :)
Every denomination or religious group has its problems, but that is no excuse. I do not bear this reprehensible conduct with anything less than shame. I see that they’re going after the Baptists now. Deepest pockets first. How are the Presbyterians fixed?
lol. Maybe I should stop referring you to the Bible and instead offer you a good history book.
Who's following Cromwell? Do you even read these posts?
I pray someone there will ask him to go with them. I was able to witness to my sister and other brother but never Henry. He’s too hard for me to reach but I know God can do it. Thank you for your wonderful testimony. Mxxx (Freepmail me and let me know the difference between what we believe and what Orthodoxy believes. Thanks.)
Pyro:So, you are in favor of a government violently seizing a faith community's property, destroying it, and taking away their freedom of religion? Thanks for clarifying that.
Wait a minute! Didn't the RCC church perfect this?
Well, in my church (and I would suppose it would be in any other as well), our pastors are the ones who verify it. Both have the gift of prophecy and one has the office of the prophet. Prophets are to judge other prophets, as I recall. Usually the man who prophecies the most in our church, asks the pastor if he can give a word.
How do you know the HS doesn’t reside in Quix. I don’t know him on a face to face basis but I do know him from FR and I’ve never doubted it. Other spirit-filled Christians can recognize the Holy Spirit, or should be able to,in others. He’s certainly given me much Godly wisdom.
For protestants, the church is the Body of Christ, not one particular denomination. I trust our spirit-filled pastors to recognize whether or not we truly are filled with the Holy Spirit and it’s mostly because of the fruit we bear (or DON’T bear).
My husband reminded me today that we are all anathematized by Trent to this day for simply believing we are saved.
Isn't that astounding? Assurance of God's grace and the truth that God is faithful in His promises is reason to call up demons from hell to expunge someone off the face of the earth!
From the following excellent sermon...
"Whosoever shall affirm, that when the grace of Justification is received, the offence of the penitent sinner is so forgiven, and the sentence of eternal punishment reversed, that there remains no temporal punishment to be endured, before his entrance into the kingdom of Heaven, either in this world or in the future world, in purgatory, let him be accursed. Council of Trent, January 1547."
The sermon continues...
"One of my favorite passages in dealing with strangers to grace is John 14:1–6. I explain that Jesus predicted that He was going back to heaven. He then informs His disciples that they not only know where He is going but they also know how to get there. I am so grateful that Thomas asked the big question. "Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?" (John 14:5). I explain to people that any religious leader, including myself, could mislead them through ignorance, but Jesus Christ would never do so. Here, in the Bible, a confused doubter asked Christ Himself the specific question, "How can I know the way to heaven?" If anyone ought to be able to answer that question with absolute authority, it is our Lord Jesus Christ.
And what is the answer? It says nothing about baptism or joining the church. Jesus did not tell Thomas to "send up a big stock of good works." Look at the answer Jesus gave. "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me" (John 14:6). The way to heaven is by believing in Jesus Christ. He is the Way, without Him there is no going. He is the Truth, without Him there is no knowing, and He is the Life, without Him there is no living. When you put this verse together with John 6:37 you have the gospel and assurance. Just as Jesus said, "No man cometh unto the Father but by me," (John 14:6). He also said that all, without a single exception, that did come to the Father through Him were absolutely guaranteed of being received and kept forever. Read John 6:37 for yourself.
We totally reject Rome's view that assurance is both impossible and a mortal sin..."
Amen.
Thanks, Dr. E.
Amen, William. As God wills.
Blue-duncan told me a beautiful story about a husband and wife decades ago who lived in a small house in the country. Both parents were illiterate, but they managed to provide a life for themselves and their five children. All the children took turns reading the Bible to their parents every night, and that's how they learned their faith and knew they were saved by Christ alone.
Each of those children grew into a strong Christian...by the word of God and the determination and love of two parents who could not read, but who had ears to hear, by the grace of God.
But thankfully, most Presbyterian ministers are married. A celibate priesthood is just asking for problems.
And Hebrews is NOT only discussing animal sacrifices. The writer clearly speaks of CHRIST'S one-time, accomplished sacrifice for His sheep.
No vain repetition required of the one and only sacrifice that takes away sin which we are to remember, not re-enact as if it was not final.
Amen.
Hmmmm...an interesting question. We're all born at the precise time God sees fit and that certainly wasn't my time. Please keep in mind that I attend a church that I probably disagree with a number of views. I go to church to worship; I get my doctrine and teachings from other sources.
You cannot know if it is idolatry or an physical expression of piety
Of course you can. If it's not idolatry then it's sinful to express such physical piety. It's nothing more than what the Pharisees did. Either way their guilty.
If this ISN'T idolatry then please offer a definition of what you feel would be idolatry.
That would be great if the Church NEVER has EVER made a theological error. The problem is that it has. It was wrong for the Church to have officially stated, with the seal of the Pope, that people can pay to get their friends and relatives out of hell. Also, there are conflicts between Vatican 1 and 2. Finally, assuming the "Church of Christ" formulate correct theology, then everyone else formulates incorrect theology including the Orthodox. I think they would have a problem with that statement.
Amen! Thanks for clarifying that for me. I'm sure glad he lived long enough to be sanctified to that level. :) Praise God.
[Sproul] mentioned how God wishes to illustrate to the world 1) His mercy and 2) His justice. With those who He has elected He shows forth His mercy. With those who He has not elected He shows His justice. People believe that God must be merciful to be just but they are mutually exclusive. I bring this up because as I was going through Augustine's Treatise, I happened to noticed the same argument. ...
Great find, Harley. That's a great way to look at it. I guess Augustine was ahead of many modern day Apostolics (no reference to Mark) who tell us that God is mono-faceted, i.e. that God is only the human understanding of love and since he is nothing else He never kills in the OT, etc.
***Who’s following Cromwell? Do you even read these posts?***
Try as I might, I find it almost impossible to post in words of one syllable or less.
Cromwell is known as a violent anti Catholic. In describing people as Cromwells, it it normally understood that we would liken Cromwell’s motivation and behaviour to theirs.
***Wait a minute! Didn’t the RCC church perfect this?***
Nope. We left it up to the Anglicans, the Lutherans, and the followers of Calvin in places like Switzerland.
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