The Superiority and Splendor of Jesus Christ

     The Book of Psalms is the largest and perhaps the most widely used book of the Bible.  The reason is that it explores the full range of human experiences in a very personal and practical way.  Psalms is the hymnal of the Bible.  The word psalm comes from a Hebrew word meaning, "a poem sung to musical accompaniment."  Written over a lengthy period of Israel's history, the book of Psalms has a wide range of subject matter (jubilation, lament, war, peace, worship, judgment, praise,and messianic prophecy).  Many of the psalms specifically anticipate the life and ministry of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Messiah (known as the "Messianic Psalms").  Psalms 22, 23 and 24 are historically known as the "Shepherd Psalms."

     Psalms 22, 23, and 24 bear an interesting relationship with one another.  In Psalm 22, Christ is the Savior,  in 23 Christ is the Shepherd, and in 24 He is the Sovereign.  In Psalm 22 Christ Dies for His sheep; in 23 He Cares for His sheep, and in 24 He Rules His sheep.  Psalm 22 tells of Christ's Grace; 23 tells of His Guidance, and 24 tells of His Glory.  In Psalm 22 we see the Cross, in 23 we see the Shepherd's Crook, and in 24 we see the Crown.  Psalm 22 is past, 23 is present, and 24 is future.  Truly, Jesus Christ's Supremacy and Splendor reigns over all things and every one.

Restoring Pastoral Integrity

PRESUPPOSITION:  Pastoral Integrity Must Be Restored.  Today, Christian Ministry is suspect largely in part to the lack of integrity in pastoral ministry.  Christianity is increasingly becoming the object of unnecessary ridicule, scorn, and critticism.  Some indignaation is to be expected because of the believer's relationship to Jesus Christ.  Jesus said of believers, "I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, eveen as I am not of the world" (John 17:14).  Consequently, some ridicule, scorn, and criticism are to be expected.  However, there is a great deal of criticism leveled against the body of Christ because of the inconsistency seen in pastoral leadership.  Much of this is in large measure due to the number of uncalled, untrained, and unqualified men who serve as shepherds over God's flock.  Horror stories abound regarding pastors and other church leaders who drink, smoke, gamble, and use profanity.  Other pastors and church leaders are accused of having resorted to a flirtatious and sexually promiscuous lifestyle.  Still others are said to be manipulators, using their church authority to accomplish their personal goals and agendas.  As a result, disenchanted church members have all but abandoned mainline denominations and some have even embraced religious cults.  We need pastoral integrity restored.  We need every pastor to seriously consider what God says as to the basic qualification of the pastor ("The bishop must be above reproach", 1 Tim. 3:1-2)

Homosexuality (Sodomy) Is An Abomination Before Almighty God

Much is being said these days in the government, media and church about "same sex" relationships as being an approved sexual alternative for humanity.  What people forget is that Almighty God in His Holy Word has already spoken to this issue.  Let me share four specific aspects from God's Word:
First, God created only two genders and made people either male or female (Genesis 1:27, "So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them").  The idea of male and female was God's, and He built into each gender the necessary ingredients needed to conform to His will regarding their sexuality.  As such, He has never nor will He ever make someone gay or homosexual!  Any desire for the same sex comes from one's own depraved desires.
Second, God created sex to be the means for procreation and enjoyment experienced by husbands and their wives only (Genesis 1:28, "And God blessed them (male and female) and said unto them, be fruitful and multiply," Genesis 2:25, "And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed" and Hebrews 13:4, "Marriage is honorable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge").  The only sexual intercourse that God smiles upon is between a husband and his wife.  Any form of sexual activity outside of the husband and wife relationship is an abomination before Almighty God --- this includes the sin of homosexuality as well.
Third, Homosexuality goes against the natural or normal sexual expression of a man or woman (Romans 1:26-27, "For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burnbed in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompense of their error which was meet").  According to God our Creator, it is unnatural for men to have sexual desires for men, and for women to have sexxual desires for women.
Finally, God condemns homosexuality (Leviticus 18:22, "Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination").  God has given us a specific commandment against the sin of homosexuality. 
As Christians we must at all times ask ourselves, "Am I a follower of God's holy, inspired Word, or a follower of today's trends"?  The Good News is that Jesus Christ died for all sin, including the sin of homosexuality.  Thank God that Jesus Christ's death, burial and resurrection, makes it possible for all sinners to be saved.  Have you received Jesus Christ as your personal LORD and Savior?

The Test That Detects False Preachers

In this last blog on the subject of false teachers we will concentrate on the practical test that will detect false teachers.  According to Matthew 7:16-22, Jesus tells us how we can know if a preacher is true or false.  Jesus said, "Ye shall know them by their fruits" (v.16), and, "Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them" (v.20).

According to the context, false preachers are known by the fruit they feed on and the fruit they feed to others.  If they feed on thorns and thistles and not on grapes and figs, they will feed others the same.  Thorns and thistles are false food (false theology and practice) while grapes and figs are good food (sound theology and practice).  False preachers are known by their fruits, that is, who they are, what they teach, and what they produce.  They are counterfeiters who masquerade around as men who supposedly speak on behalf of God.  God's Word is designed to test the validity of those who claim to speak on God's behalf.  Jesus is simply teaching His followers that a preacher's production is to be critically evaluated.  The fruits of his profession and production are to be carefully evaluated in light of God's Word.  If what he says and what he does fails to line up with Biblical truth, he is false.  All teaching and preaching, to be considered true, must be consistent with what "Thus saith the LORD."

The Danger Posed By False Preachers

In our last blog we noted the "Presence of False Preachers."  In this blog we will note the "Danger Posed by False Preachers."  Jesus said, "Beware of  false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves" (Matthew 7:15).

Jesus states that false prophets do indeed exist, and that they also pose a threat or danger to His followers.  There are two interesting characteristics of the danger posed by false preachers and teachers.  First, the danger posed by them  is deceptive.  Jesus says, "they come to you in sheep's clothing."  In other words, false preachers and teachers come with the outward appearance of being sheep of God.  They give the outward appearance of being true believers in and followers of Jesus Christ.  They come in sheep's clothing and can easily deceive because they appear as messengers of light (cf. 2 Corinthians 11:13-15).

The second characteristic of the danger posed by false preachers and teachers is that it is destructive.  Jesus says, "but inwardly they are ravening wolves."  While outwardly appearing to be innocent, inwardly they are anything but sheep.  They are vicious pretenders who prey on the immature, the unstable, and the gullible.  CHURCH BEWARE!

False Teachers (Preachers) Are Everywhere!

In Matthew 7:15-20, Jesus Christ warned His disciples of the presence of false teachers (preachers).  By extension, the body of Christ is also warned of their existence, and the dangers they pose to God's people.  My next three blogs will be devoted to analyzing the three truths Jesus taught in this passage regarding false teachers.  These are:  (1) the presence of false teachers (v.15a), (2) the danger posed by false teachers (v.15b), and (3) the practical test that detects false teachers (vv.16-20).

The Presence of False Teachers (v.15a, "Beware of false prophets").  Jesus Christ states emphatically that false teachers do in fact exist.  The word "beware" is from a Greek word meaning "to turn one's mind or attention to a thing by being on guard against it."  Jesus tells all Christians that they need to take heed, be on guard, pay close attention to the fact that false teachers exist.  I personally believe the existence of false teachers today is due to two things.  First, from spiritually impoverished churches that resist and reject the truth (2 Timothy 4:3-4).  Second, from a group of malicious spirits called demons (1 Timothy 4:1).  Whatever the source, the fact remains, false teachers exist and we as believers in Christ must be aware of their presence in churches, on television, in magazines, in religious literature, on the web, and on the radio.  We must never get to the point where we believe any and everything we hear.  To do so opens the door for "seducing spirits and doctrines of devils."

Can The Bible Really Be Trusted?

Today's pluralistic society would have us believe that, in terms of what is truth, all religious writings are of equal importance and have equal value.  For many, it doesn't matter which religious group or organization a person belongs to, so long as that person is sincere in their efforts to follow the guidelines proported and handed down by the founder of the group or organization.  Truth, therefore, has become relative.  Everyone is entitled to discover or create their own brand of truth.  What is truth for one may or may not be truth for another.  Consequently, the Bible is viewed as just one of many books where truth can be found.  It is no more or no less truth than the Book of Mormons or Holy Koran.

The question born again Christians need to ask is not "Is the Bible a rule of faith and practice," but rather, "Is the Bible the only full, sufficient, clear, authoritative rule of faith and practice?"  For true believers in Jesus Christ, the Bible is not one of many sources of divine authority.  It is the only source of divine authority.  Such truth statement is based on the clear teaching of God's Word (2 Timothy 3:16, "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction, instruction in righteousness").  God says Himself that His Word is infallible, authoritative, and sufficient.  To deny this is to call God a liar!

Yes, the Bible can be trusted because it is God's Word, our final authority in all matters related to faith, principle, and practice!  Hallelujah!

How Many Roads Lead to Heaven?

It is the false claim of many religionists today that there are many roads that lead to Heaven.  In our pluralistic society, people have been duped into believing that while there are many religious beliefs, somehow, each system of belief will eventually lead to Heaven.  Quite the contrary!  Jesus Christ, God's Son,  states emphatically in John 14:6, "I am the way, the truth, and the life; no man comes to the Father except by (through) Me."  Jesus is essentially telling us that there is only one road that leads to Heaven.  That road is Jesus Christ Himself, the One who suffered, bled and died for the sin of the world.  The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the "Good News" that Christ died, was buried, and rose from the dead (1 Corinthians 15:1-4).  To believe this Gospel and receive Christ as Savior is the only guarantee that you are on the road that leads to Heaven.  Praise the Lord!