John Piper - How would you share a Reformed understanding of the Gospel?

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Open up the tap and let the beer flow!!!!!!

Come on in partner and order a round... The new bar room church service is in session. The Country Rock Church opened its doors and about 100 people came on into Sunday night's meeting at the Pub Lounge in Sidney, Ohio. The church's Web site, http://www.sidneyfirst.com/, totes pizza, hot wings, bands and wild fun with a nice short message. I wonder if there is a mechanical bull?.... Well, dadgum there is!!! A well thought out illustration was given as part of the message. A mechanical bull actually inspired the sermon reports WTOPnews.com... http://www.wtopnews.com/?nid=456&sid=1390644

I wonder if they will eventually have division among the camp. Many churches split because of the colors of new carpet. I can just see it now, I want Budwieser, you want Coors and the rest of the church wants some import beer...

On a serious note though, This is another brilliant example of Crossless Christianity seeker sensitive mush. No cross, no repentance, no mediator for sin (Jesus) is a setup for disaster. Where in the bible did any of the apostles go into the streets and preach a message called "How to get along in life"? Let alone do it with a cup of wine in there hand!

We need to be sober minded and preach the true gospel!!!

Rom 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

Rom 3:24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:

Rom 3:25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;

Rom 3:26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.

Rom 8:27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

Rom 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

Rom 8:29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

Rom 8:30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

Rom 8:31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?

Rom 8:32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?

Rom 8:33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth.

Rom 8:34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.

by His Grace alone,

Bill

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Spurgeon on profane speech...

I must, however, mention blasphemy and lewd speaking, because these are unhappily far too common. Does a man think that he can go on damning his own body and soul in so many words, and never provoke the Lord to anger? Does he dream that he can use foul and filthy words, and wicked oaths, without incurring sin? I believe that these things bring the blackest guilt on the conscience; for God has expressly said that he will by no means hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain. It is true of every sin that God will not hold a man guiltless who does it; but it is especially said about this sin, because men are apt to fancy that words are of no great importance, or that God takes no notice thereof. Even the thoughtless or trifling repetition of the name of the Lord involves great sin, for thus a man taketh the sacred name in vain. Yet men trifle with that name in common conversation, and that with fearful frequency. There is no excuse for this wanton wickedness, because it brings neither profit nor pleasure to the person who so offends. What practical end can it serve? As George Herbert said long ago,

I am unable to frame an excuse for profane language: it is needless willful wickedness. Men talk so as to horrify us: they chill our blood with fear lest God should take them at their word; and all for nothing at all. I would to God that every blasphemer here (if such there be, and I have no doubt that there are), would abandon that vile, inexcusable, useless habit, which lowers men in society, defiles them before God, and ensures their condemnation. Filthy speech puts those who are guilty of it among the chief of sinners, and to them will certainly be meted out a terrible vengeance in that day when God shall solemnly curse those who have so glibly cursed themselves. It will be an awful thing for the man who used profane imprecations to find out at last that his prayers were heard, and that they will be answered. O swearer, beware lest the Lord God hear thy prayers at once to thine everlasting confusion! Sit down at this moment in deep contrition, and weep to think of the many times in which thou hast defied the God of heaven, and uttered words of provocation against the God in whose hand thy breath is. Not yet has he cut thee down. Oh, wonder of mercy! Take heed to thyself. Above all, marvel that there should be mention of mercy for such a one as thou art.


---Charles H. Spurgeon

More and More, I hear questionable speech and down right dirty language from the pulpits of today. These preachers have lost respect for Christ and have no fear of the Lord. It only took 3 minutes of viewing TCT (my local christian tv affiliate) to confirm my concern on this matter. I won't name, names, just simply because I am weiry of this.. But the speech brought forth by this well known pastor was nothing short of what you would hear at your local pub.

I thank God for those men who preach the fruit of the gospel... Men like R.C. Sproul, Dr. James White, John MacArthur, Dr. Al Mohler, Jerry Bridges, Allister Begg, Dr. S. Lance Quinn, Dr. Rick Holland, John Piper, C.J. Mahoney. Men who fear the Lord and tremble at their responsibility of preaching truth.

Just for good measure.. If you really think it is not that big a deal and that I should accept this post-modern cultural christianity and not be so critical of these preachers and their language.. You must consider these scriptures!!!

Ephesians 4:29-30
Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

Colossians 3:8
But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth.

2 Timothy 2:15-16
Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. But avoid irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness,

Ephesians 5:4
Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving.

by His Grace alone,

Bill

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The gospel according to Rick Warren

The video below is from Rick Warren's appearance on Comedy Central's Colbert Report… This was an excellent opportunity for Rick to share the gospel with millions of viewers and what do you think happened? This just makes me want to puke!!! No reference of the gospel period….But at least Rick remains consistent.

Warning!!! Viewing this video requires a brown paper bag.




This is yet another example of the social gospel. The apeasement of man, with no regard for God's truth. Instead of telling people the truth "the gospel", he makes the audience feel good. Using phrases like "There are things that we are going to do in heaven that we have to practice here so we're not a doofus", "When you be who God made you to be, that makes him smile", "God gets enjoyment at watching you be you" and"When you be you, God looks down, he goes "thats my boy"."

Here are my questions for Rick Warren:

1.Who are the "we" going to heaven? Is there a hell? If so, who is going there?

2. What is a doofus? Is that the word for sinners? Or does the doofus make it to heaven too?

3. Does God get more enjoyment out of watching you be you, or you conforming more to Christ?

This again sounds like peaceful universalism mush. Everybody that lives, "the we's" of this world, are going to make it. Just live like who you are supposed to be and you will be ok.

This absence of any scripture makes me sick :(

The only doofus seems to be the fundementalist, "The term "fundamentalism" was originally coined to describe a narrowly defined set of beliefs that developed into a movement within the US Protestant community in the early part of the 20th century. These religious principles stood in opposition to the modernist movement and espoused the strict adherence to and faith in religious "fundamentals". Which Rick clearly states he is not a fundementalist. So any of us that may hold to some fundemental views are probably a doofus by default.

Just in closing, when I let me be me.. I turn to my own unrighteousness and the desires of my flesh. I really believe, that is what being a doofus is!!!

by His grace alone,

Bill
James 1:23

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Removing the Offense of the Cross ...the ineffectualness of candy coated partial romantic gospel appeals

---by Steve Camp

"If the professed convert distinctly and deliberately declares that he knows the Lord's will but does not mean to attend to it, you are not to pamper his presumption, but it is your duty to assure him that he is not saved. Do not suppose that the Gospel is magnified or God glorified by going to the worldlings and telling them that they may be saved at this moment by simply accepting Christ as their Savior, while they are wedded to their idols, and their hearts are still in love with sin. If I do so I tell them a lie, pervert the Gospel , insult Christ, and turn the grace of God into lasciviousness." -C.H. SPURGEON

Those kinds of words fall on deaf ears today.

They are not cool, contemporary, relatable, winsome, attractive. They sound too harsh, too judgmental, too defining, too narrow, and... too biblical. Compare the above with the following attempts in addressing a lost world.

Just tell an audience

that God is crazy about you; that He doesn't want to punish you; that the dread Sovereign of the universe is a powerless lover down on one knee begging you to be His bride and has to wait to see if you choose to accept Him; that the whole universe is proposing to you; that He wants you to fall in love with Him; that His law is designed just to make this world a better place; and as you proclaim the gospel to insure the highest success from as many nonbelievers as possible, make sure you don't speak about repentance from sin; justification by faith; the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ; submission to the Lordship of Jesus Christ; don't ever mention Scripture specifically, open up a Bible and actually read it, or use Bible sounding words; just carry a surfboard against the backdrop of beautiful scenery, walk along a beach and show that you're a regular guy who can relate by talking about how fast the planet earth revolves around the sun, get all giggly that God created laugher, and make it as comfortable as possible for people to hear some things about the gospel; but don't ever mention that you must come to the end of yourself--deny yourself; take up your cross and follow Him; don't ever tell them that God is angry with them and His wrath abides on them; don't mention Hell (to negative); don't ever tell them that they have to hate their own lives, their father, mother, brother, sister, son and daughter and love Him more than all other loves or they cannot be His disciple; just reassure them that God loves them just the way they are and wants to give them a better life if they would cry out and say "I love You too."

Stop. Think.

What kind of Jesus are you communicating to others? It's important we critique our methods and our message--it is incumbent we do so for lives are at stake and God will us hold us accountable for the stewardship of His divine mysteries. No wonder Paul said, For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade men..." (2 Cor. 5:10-11a).

I want to encourage you to take some time today and read one of the gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke or John)

and see how the Lord Jesus Christ called people to follow Him. And then compare it to today's pastors and what they think is the way to present His gospel. In our postmodern evangelical world, it's no longer necessary or required to have to accurately preach the Word, rightly divide the truth, or to proclaim the whole gospel. It's just enough to make "a good-faith attempt to preach the Gospel to the lost." PC translation, the effort is more important than the message.

Listen, Jesus Christ isn't anybody's "spiritual Pez dispenser"

that we can turn into whomever we choose by repackaging Him in order for Him and His message to relate to our lost world. He is not to be triffled with. He is God incarnate, beloved, and He must be reckoned with in His virgin birth, His sinless life, His gospel of sola fide, His once for all death, His bodily resurrection, His ascension, His reign as King and Mediator at the right hand of the throne of God. He is not asking you to accept Him, fall in love with Him, shower bouquets of flowers at His feet, bring Him candy, or date Him. He is not proposing to you or asking you to marry Him. He is commanding you to repent of your sins; submit to Him as Lord of your life; forsake all other loves and all other claims to eternal life; to come to the end of yourself; believe solely in Him; take up your cross and follow Him. You don't have the luxury or His permission to turn Him into a passive, effeminate Divine lover who can only beg, but cannot elect.

Some represent God as a powerless lover,

bending His sovereign knee proposing marriage to sinful man, begging him to accept Him as their Savior; rather than picturing sinful man bending the knee before a holy God crying out for mercy that his sins be forgiven in repentance to inherit eternal life and be given saving faith to confess Jesus Christ as Lord unto salvation. The video presents God begging sinful man to choose Him; the Bible presents sinful bowing the knee in godly fear before a holy God begging for forgiveness. Which picture of God and man do you present?

Do you proclaim Jesus as your divine Pez dispenser or do you proclaim Him as the only hope of salvation... as Sovereign Lord? Is the cross just a trinket that you wear? Has your presentation of the gospel removed the offense of the cross or do you preach "Jesus Christ and Him crucified..." We must get this right--this is not a game."

Acts 17

Campi

You can catch more great articles like this one at Steve Camps blog... http://stevenjcamp.blogspot.com/

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Another example of the Prosperity Message conflicting with Matt 6:19-21

I just ran across this today...Here is a Fox News video of the recent announcement of (TBN Praise-Athon Fund Raiser) Superstar prosperity preacher Paula Whites divorce from her husband pastor Randy White of 18 years. Randy is the pastor of Without Walls International Church... Admittedly, Paula's spiritual father is Bishop T.D. Jakes (A heretic himself, who denies the doctrine of the Trinity).

Let me be clear... All though I directly oppose this prosperity message and the error of the doctrine and how it represents a different gospel, a different Jesus... By no means do I wish the White's ill will or gloat at their situation. It is my prayer that God would bring them to repentance first of all, not just over the divorce, but the heretical teachings that have been deceiving the sheep for years and that they would have a true saving faith in Christ Jesus.




Mat 6:19
Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:

Mat 6:20
But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:

Mat 6:21
For where your treasure is, there will your heart be.

We as believers must take heed and learn from this example of (what I term) the "gospel of self". Prosperity preachers want you to believe that you can have everything that this world has to offer and still have all the benefits of God and salvation. But the scripture is clear, you cannot serve two masters.. I will say it again and I know that some of you people are getting sick of me saying this, but..."I really believe that the biggest problem with the self professing "westernized christian church", is that the church is to busy living like this is our home!!!


May the things of this world grow strangely dim...


Bill

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