The Correct way to live
This article is by Danny M. Edge (March 14, 2009)
THIS IS THE CORRECT WAY TO LIVE FOCUS: JESUS CHRIST (JOHN 14:6) OBJECTOF FAITH: THE CROSS OF CHRIST (ROM 6:3-5) POWER SOURSE: THE HOLY SPIRIT (ROM 8:1-2,11) RESULTS: VICTORY (ROM 6:14; GAL. 2:20) NOW LOOK AT THIS AS MOST CHRISTIANS ARE LIVING FOCUS: WORKS (ROMANS 4:2) OBJECT OF FAITH: PERFORMANCE (GAL. 2:21) POWER SOURCE: SELF (GAL. 5:2) RESULTS: FAILURE (GAL: 5:4)
You can not stop sinning by just deciding to or surrounding ypurself with good influences The Way to Live Victorious in Christ THIS IS ABOUT DAILY LIVING For all of my life, every sermon that I ever heard, ever lesson that I ever heard taught, and every counsel that I received always told me to stop sinning but never told me how to stop sinning. I was told to live holy but never how to live holy. Hundreds of times I wondered if I would ever make it. Hundreds of times I wondered if God was really with me. I knew that I loved God with all of my heart. I also knew something was missing. No one could ever help because as I would find out later they were all in the same boat with me. The Doctor was as sick as the patient. Today we are told to use this oil or that 5 step program or take communion daily or hundreds of other things to have fellowship with Christ and live in freedom from sin. I tried them and found out they all just bring on more bondage. I finally told God that I didn’t know the answer but I knew He did. The scripture says: John 1:29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. Then why was he not taking away my sin? John 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. God, where is my more abundant life? Rom 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. God, why am I not free from condemnation? Why does Satan continue to condemn me? Rom 8:2 for the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. Lord, I love you as much as anyone does. Why am I not free from sin? The answer began to come to me as I listened to God thru His word and a couple of other people that he placed in my life. I want to tell you what God showed me so you can be as free in Christ as I now am. It is the simplest of all that God has to offer, actually all that he offers. It was so close that if it had been a snake it would have bit me. Let’s start with Paul’s letter to the Galatians since Paul is the one that the Holy Spirit revealed this great way of live to.
Please understand that I am not only talking about being saved put staying saved. I am talking about our daily living. Gal 1:3 Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ, Gal 1:4 Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father: Gal 1:5To whom be glory forever and ever. Amen. Gal 1:6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Gal 1:7Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. Gal 1:8But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. Gal 1:9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed. The way to live the Christian life is the way that you began it. Place your faith alone in what Jesus did on the cross. You did not save yourself and you cannot keep yourself saved. Paul pronounces a double cruse on any one that preaches any gospel but the death burial and resurrection of Christ. Our faith must be totally in the cross. Rom 3:20 Therefore by the deeds of the law (this is not just referring to the old testament law but anything that we do to try to live for God) there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law (anything that we do to try to live for God brings the knowledge of sin) is the knowledge of sin. (Many Christians confess their sins every day and believe that confession will take away sin. It only makes sin more prevalent in our life. How long have you been confessing that same sin and it still dominates you) Rom 3:21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; (the righteous of God is manifested in us without the law, without us do anything but putting our total faith in what Christ did.) Rom 3:22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference (we are made righteous by faith in what Christ did, not in what we do.) James 2:23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. (Abraham was made righteous simply by believing God and we are made righteous by putting our faith totally in what Christ did, nothing more and nothing less.)
God came to set us free from the control of sin. Are you free? John 8:36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. Some believe that we have to sin every day. Let me ask you a question. You don’t want to sin, Right? God does not want you to sin, Right? Satan is the only one then that wants you to sin, Right? God has all power, Right? Satan has no power, Right? Then explain to me how that you and God together cannot stop you from sinning? John 1:29 ……………..Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. Rom 6:10 For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. Christ died for all our sins on the cross, pass present and future sins. Actually all of our sins were forgiven before we ever committed them. All we had to do is accept that forgiveness that Christ paid for. Rom 4:7 Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. Rom 4:8 Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute (add his sin to him) sin. After we are saved our sins are no longer added to us as long as we put our faith only in the cross. This does not mean that we have a license to sin. On the contrary, we thru faith in Christ along gives us freedom not to sin. Not putting our faith in Christ is what gives us a license to sin. Putting faith in anything but Christ is why we sin now and can’t stop sinning. Rom 6:14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. Rom 6:15 What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid. Rom 6:16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? When we were living in sin we did good things but that did not make us righteous. We now live in Christ and a mistake does not make us unrighteous. As long as our faith is in Christ then all of our sin is forgiven before we ever commit them. You better hope they are because Christ only died once for sin for all people and that was 2000 years before you ever sinned. God is not so much concerned with sin as he is with the cause (Adam’s nature of rebellion) Gal 2:16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. It is not about what we do but who we are. Php 3:3 For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.
Rom 5:6 for when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. Rom 5:7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. Rom 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Rom 5:9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. Rom 5:10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. Rom 5:11 And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement. Rom 5:12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: Rom 5:13 (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law. (sin is not added unto us if our faith is in what Christ did and not in what we are doing) Rom 5:14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam’s transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come. Rom 5:15 But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many. Rom 5:16 And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification. Rom 5:17 For if by one man’s offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.) Rom 5:18 Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. Rom 5:19 For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous. Rom 5:20 Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: Rom 5:21 That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord. If our faith is placed in anything other than what Christ did then we are sinners and doomed to fail. If we put our faith in what Christ did (death, bury resurrection and all that includes) we will not live under sins dominion, sin is not accounted to us. Rom 6:6 Knowing this, that our old man (the desire to sin) is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. Rom 6:7 For he that is dead is freed from sin. Rom 6:8 Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live (in this present state) with him: Rom 6:9 Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. Rom 6:10 For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. Rom 6:11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Rom 6:12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Rom 6:13 Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. Rom 6:14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.
Romans chapter 7 tells of Paul’s struggle with sin after he was saved but before he received from God the revelation of God’s grace. God’s grace (favor) comes to us only thru faith in Christ and is applied to our life for living only by the Holy Spirit. We cannot survive without the grace of God. How did Paul get delivered from this sin struggle? The way that we all do if we do. Rom 7:24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? Rom 7:25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. ………… That is why Paul could say in the very next verse: Rom 8:1 There is therefore(because our trust is in the cross) now no condemnation (satan can always condemn us if we trust in anything but the cross and satan cannot condemn us as long as we trust fully in the cross, friends, that is freedom and the rest of God and no one can take that away from you) to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
Rom 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. Rom 8:3For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: Rom 8:4That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. Rom 8:5For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. Gal 5:4 Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law (this is not just referring to the law of Moses but anything that we trust in other than the cross, some crawl in Mecca, some go to church on Saturday, some believe in martyrdom and the 70 virgins some confess to the priest some believe in their church or church attendance or what they wear or don’t wear or a thousand other things. This is all law and trust in any of it will only bring bondage and condemnation. Only putting our faith in Christ and him alone will save us, set us free and cause him to live in us and keep us saved.); ye are fallen from grace. Gal 5:11 And I, brethren, if I yet preach circumcision, why do I yet suffer persecution? then is the offence of the cross ceased. Not having faith in Christ alone does not give offence of the cross. This means that we will have no power with God for service and all our preaching will be in vain. 1Co 1:23 But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; 1Co 1:24But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. Heb 8:10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people: Heb 8:11 And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest. Heb 8:12 For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more. Heb 8:13 In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away. Heb 9:6 Now when these things were thus ordained, the priests went always into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the service of God. Heb 9:7 But into the second went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people: Heb 9:8 The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing: Heb 9:9 Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience; Heb 9:10Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation. Heb 9:11 But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle,(his body) not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; Heb 9:12Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. Heb 9:13 For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: Heb 9:14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? (Praise God! praise God! praise God!) Heb 9:23 It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. Heb 9:24 For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us: Heb 9:25 Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others; Heb 9:26 For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. Heb 9:28 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation. What can our doing for God add to this? On the cross Christ said: it is finished. Anything that is added only destroys what is done- what else can be added to it. Our rules? No. Nothing can be added. John 19:30 When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost. Heb 10:1 For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect. Heb 10:2 For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins. (you cannot be free from sin and rest in what Christ did as long as there is a conscience, remembrance of sin.) Heb 10:3 But in those sacrifices (trust in church attendance, confession etc.) there is a remembrance again made of sins every year. Heb 10:4 For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins. Heb 10:5 Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me: Heb 10:6 In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure. Heb 10:7 Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God. Heb 10:8 Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law; Heb 10:9 Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second. ( God took away the offering of anything for sin accept the cross of Christ. Full faith only in what Christ did and no trust in the flesh. ) Heb 10:10 By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. Heb 10:11 And every priest (you and me if we have faith in any thing other than Christ and the cross) standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: Heb 10:12 But this man, (Christ) after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down (his work is finished, his rest is complete and so is ours if we rest in him)on the right hand of God; Heb 10:13 From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool. Heb 10:14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified. Heb 10:15 Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before, Heb 10:16 This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; Heb 10:17 And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. Heb 10:18 Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin.( so stop offering confession, good deeds etc for your sins and rest in Christ offering) Heb 10:19 Having therefore, brethren, boldness(that we receive thru our faith in Christ) to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, Heb 10:20 By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; Heb 10:21 And having an high priest over the house of God; Heb 10:22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.
Heb 10:23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)
In service for the King,
Danny M. Edge
Biblical Significance of Colors
December 16,2008
This post is a response to a very good question about the Biblical significance of colors. When looking for the Biblical significance of colors the worst thing that we can do is over spiritualize it. There are some colors that the Bible describes which have a specific significance, but it is important to understand that all colors represent the glory of God.
Mostly all of the colors that I teach my team and use in ministry are from the earth and the mood or feeling that we naturally get from these colors. God created the earth and every color therein reflects His glory. For example:
Green - Growth, life (Gen. 1:30)
Gold -Divinity, kingship
Silver -Redemption (Gen. 23:15)
Red -Blood
White -Purity
Blue -Heavenly (reminds us of where God is and how large He is Ex 24:10), Hope; Healing (think of hospitals); Grace; Freedom; Holiness Num. 15:38-41
Purple, blue, red, gold, silver, brass =royalty (Ex. 25:2-8)
Combination colors :
Covenant – Red, Yellow, Blue, Orange, Green, Purple (all the colors of the rainbow) Genesis 9:16
Tabernacle -Gold, Bronze, Purple, White, Scarlet, Blue, Silver Exodus 25:1-8, 28:5-12
Warfare Black - Gold, Red (these are the colors that are usually exemplified in war)
There may be more, but these colors and meanings are not set in stone but in my opinion give a more vivid description of what is described in Scripture.
Naturally when we see or think about colors they kind of have their own personality – even though colors are not people, but I hope you understand what I am trying to say. For instance black depicts death, judgment, mourning, evil and etc. We know that gold is always associated with royalty. Colors like orange, amber (Ezek 8:2), gold, yellow and all of the beautiful colors are associated with the element of fire.
Another example is yellow. The sun is yellow and naturally when the sun is out we are happier (opposed to a dull, dark and raining day) therefore yellow can represent joy, happiness, and enlightenment. Silver can mean redemption. We have coins that are silver and we use them to redeem or purchase goods. A Biblical example of that is in Gen 23:15. They used coins of silver to purchase things and so do we. The key and important factor here is not to over spiritualize things. White naturally depicts purity, cleanliness, peace, serenity. Another example that I want to give you is the process of refining gold. Gold is refined by fire. Refining is a practice that must be done precisely and methodically to ensure the full recovery of gold, as well as an end product that is free of impurities, which can lead to quality problems. Spiritually we can say that God refines His children with trials and temptations (James 1:2) so that we can come out as pure gold, without blemish and pure.
There are no Scriptures in the Bible that says, this color means this, but there are many examples of why certain materials were used and what colors were used (like in the tabernacle) that we can extrapolate meaning from. So my sister it is as simple as that. While it is good to have biblical examples, God has given us clear and evident examples already in nature and in the natural things that we do. So when someone asks you what a color means in addition to giving them specific scriptures like the few…and there are only but a few as stated above, take them to God’s creation. Show them the evident beauty and self explanatory meaning of colors that are already set and defined before them. I hope this helps.
Insidious Horde Of Perfidious
October 29, 2008
I H O P
Insidious Horde Of Perfidious
By Gregory P. Garwood
My ministry in compliance to 2 Corinthians 11:12 – 15
And I will keep on doing what I am doing in order to cut the ground from under those who want an opportunity to be considered equal with us [Foundational Apostles] in the things they boast about. 13 for such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, masquerading as apostles of Christ. 14 And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. 15 It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve.
Gregory P. Garwood
Restored (False) apostles “commission” Fraud Todd Bentley. The Truth is Finally Shining Through!
Restored (False) apostles “commission” Fraud Todd Bentley.
The Truth is finally shining through.
Ananias and Ananias prove these men – False prophets
by Gregory P. Garwood
My ministry in compliance with 2 Corinthians 11:12 – 15
“12And I will keep on doing what I am doing in order to cut the ground from under those who want an opportunity to be considered equal with us [ The Foundational Apostles ] in the things they boast about. 13For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, masquerading as apostles of Christ. 14And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. 15It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve.”
The Plague of Experience over Doctrine
August 28, 2008
The Plague of Experience over Doctrine
As the church has entered the postmodern era, historic Biblical teaching has fallen by the wayside and new theologies have taken their place. These ‘new theologies’ downplay the value of scripture and shifts the focus on emotionalism and experiential Christianity (“feeling God, entering into a place with God, feeling His presence, trying to enter into His glory, soaking, gold dust”) instead of Christianity based on truth (what is clearly taught in Scripture).
What makes us feel good is not the measure of truth anymore, but a mystical experience! Feelings sway with the wind of circumstances but the truth of God’s Word stands as a solid rock that does not change whether times are good or times are bad. Those who are founded upon the rock will never be moved even if the world around them falls apart. As biblical teaching is pushed aside, people are no longer standing strong in the Lord. This is the main reason why some believers are frustrated in their faith or are having a faith crisis (up one day and down the next and never being able to over come sin). To remedy this problem they seek multiple experiences not taught in Scripture which often leaves them “wanting more” and never satisfied.
Here are some examples of popular Christian authors teaching experience over sound doctrine in their books. Not only are these unbiblical experiences written in books being sold to millions, but some of us hear these same unbiblical teachings in our own churches.
Unbiblical teaching: “Post-moderns want something more than new products; they want new experiences, especially new experiences of the divine.”
(Leonard Sweet, Soul Tsunami, Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, p.420)
What does the Bible say about this:
“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.” – 2 Timothy 4:3-4
Unbiblical teaching: “The old paradigm taught that if you had the right teaching, you will experience God. The new paradigm says that if you experience God, you will have the right teaching.”
(Leith Anderson, A Church for the 21st Century, p.21)
What does the Bible say about this:
If we have the right teaching- the truth of God’s Word then YES we will experience God the way He intended! Some believers don’t want this, but something else. This is why we are warned: “Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed ato deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons,”
– 1 Timothy 4:1
Unbiblical teaching: “We should be returning to a no-holds-barred approach to worship and teaching so that when we gather, thereis no doubt we are in the presence of a Holy God. I believe that both believers and unbelievers in this emerging culture are hungry for this. It isn’t about clever apologetics or careful exegetical and expository preaching or great worship bands… Emerging generations are hungering to experience God in worship.”
(Dan Kimball, The Emerging Church, p.127)
“What would happen if we allowed people to “feel” what we cannot explain, to know with the heart and not with the brain? We would open the door of faith to a wider audience than if we continued to insist on a rational belief in the facts as the only legitimate starting point of the Christian faith.”
(Chuck Smith Jr., There is a Season, Waterbrook Press, 2001, p.106)
What does the Bible say about this:
Quite a bit and sadly this is what we are “feeling after.”
“If you instruct the brethren in these things, you will be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished in the words of faith and of the good doctrine which you have carefully followed. But reject profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise yourself toward godliness.” – 1 Timothy 4:6-7
“Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.”
– 1 Timothy 4:13
“in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility,” – Titus 2:7
– Acts 2:42
– Romans 16:17-18
This is dangerous because instead of “feeling and experiencing God” they are experiencing and feeling the deception of the demonic. We have NO right to go beyond what Scripture teaches!
Scripture NEVER teaches us to focus on worship (as in experiencing God mystically) as proof of our transformation in the soul or an abiding in Christ. Nor does it teach us to “experience God” by way of feeling, but by way of KNOWING and absolute trust in what God has said.
“For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!” But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our report?” So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” – Romans 10:13-17
The TRUTH is no longer being embraced or taught and this prohibits spiritual maturity. In fact, very few have any concept of an immovable truth or even what spiritual maturity is all about. Unless a preacher or teacher stirs the hearts of believers with the truth, very few will ever go beyond their Sunday morning dose of emotional excitement. There is so much more to Christianity than getting an emotional charge and claiming self-centered requests from the Lord. Without understanding truth – all of the truth, Christians will be dwarfed in their growth and never experience the true things of God.
The rich things of God will NOT be found on Sunday morning (or whenever we worship the Lord together for experiences), but are for those who seek Him with their lives. If the better things of the Christian life are prepared for those who seek Him, why don’t we hear these things from the pulpits of the church today? Sunday school material has been watered down to the point of almost becoming irrelevant and the truth of scripture has been replaced with world philosophies and feel good messages. Where is SOUND DOCTRINE!
Sound doctrine in nowadays is devalued. Preachers and most believers think that the TRUTH of God’s Word is “played out” and it has to be twisted to appeal to people or to make it “more relevant”. We are taught to have a relationship with Jesus through experiences and not doctrine. Statements “Doctrine is not important in Christianity. Nothing is important but having a relationship with Christ”, is further from the truth. This can be made to sound good if presented with passion and this philosophy is packaged in many ways, but it is a completely false statement. In fact, it is IMPOSSIBLE to have a deep relationship with Jesus Christ without doctrine.
Look at Jesus’ statements in John 14:
John 14: 15 “If you love Me, keep My commandments.”
John 14: 23 Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him. 24 “He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine but the Father’s who sent Me.
If you do not know the word, you cannot keep the word. If you do not keep the commandments of scripture, you do not love God regardless of how emotional you get and how spirited our time of worship becomes. Keeping the Word of God is the evidence that the love of God is in our hearts and that we truly experience Him and have a real and authentic relationship with Him. The teaching of experience over doctrine has influenced the church through the emergent church movement, the seeker sensitive movement and various books and devotionals that have a pretense of sounding inspirational but are desperately lacking in truth. As teachers and preachers are influenced by these books and spend less time in the word, the postmodern thought seeps its way into their messages and are preached to a congregation that is also lacking in understanding. This is how it spreads folks! Ignorance of truth is an open door to sinful doctrines and ungodly philosophies; however, you have the God-given power and responsibility to search out truth and expose doctrine. If you do not know God’s word, how can you keep God’s word? If you do not know God’s word, how can you know God? Sound doctrine is critical because it reveals to us how to know and relate to our Creator and Savior.
Doctrine over Experience, not Experience over Doctrine
Thirty-six times the importance of doctrine is stressed in scripture – and this is only the times that the word doctrine is used. There are many, many more times that the concept of sound doctrine is stressed by God throughout scripture. When something is stressed twice, this is intended to be an emphasis on its importance. If something is stressed 36 times, how can anyone say that it is not important? Not only can we see that it is important, but we can see that this is critical. The word ‘doctrine’ simply means the teachings of the scriptures. We are not talking about complicated theological concepts that professors argue over in a college classroom; we are talking about how God teaches us to relate to Him, live holy lives, inherit His promises and experience God to the fullest – through TRUTH and TRUST in His Word. If our only goal is to hear an inspirational message that makes us feel good and get through until next Sunday, any religion will do. However, if you want to experience God the Biblical way, sound doctrine is critical.
What do postmodern teachers mean when they preach experience over doctrine?
According to scripture, we cannot know God apart from His word. How do we experience Jesus if we are devoid of understanding? Not every Jesus presented to a congregation is the true Christ. The true Jesus calls for us to deny ourselves, take up our cross daily and follow Him (Luke 9:23-24), not to indulge in our flesh, rely on experiences and seek after them! Yet the Jesus many teach requires nothing from the seeker and allows our lives to continue unchanged even though Jesus said that unless we forsake all, we cannot be His disciple (Luke 14:33). By evading doctrine, we are teaching church members to disqualify themselves from discipleship while falsely claiming that they are disciples. Through doctrine we discover what true discipleship is and we learn how to experience God on a deeper level because we know the truth and we are growing in it.
Saints, let’s seek after God in His Word and NOT by experiences.
Be Blessed,
PDCM
Abusive LOCAL CHURCH BYLAWS from Hopewell Network Of Churches
PREAMBLE
Absolute Power Corrupts Absolutely
Absolute Power Corrupts Absolutely
My ministry in compliance to 2 Corinthians 11:12 – 15
Gregory P. Garwood
When worship or praise dancers dance are they preaching?
August 26, 2008
When worship or praise dancers dance are they preaching?
Excerpt taken from the book “Set Free to Dance, Set Free to Minister”
By Sonia Kong
Founder of PDCM
This question was addressed to us and we will go to the Bible to answer this question. Our answer is yes as it relates to making a declaration.
First we want to establish that dancing in NO way can ever take the place of audibly preaching the Word of God. Throughout Scripture we are given the example of preaching and teaching through audible means.
“How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in him of whom they nave not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?” (Rom.10:14)
“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (Rom. 10:17)
These Scriptures (and others) teach us how God intended for the Church to preach or proclaim the gospel message – by using our mouths. There is NOTHING in Scripture that teaches us to preach the gospel message any other way than the SPOKEN WORD. Did prophets demonstrate a Word from the Lord? Yes, but the words or the meaning of what they demonstrated ALWAYS followed.
“And as we tarried there many days, there came down from Judaea a certain prophet, named Agabus. And when he was come unto us he took Paul’s girdle, and bound his own hands and feet, and said, thus saith the Holy Ghost, So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that owneth this girdle, and shall deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.” (Acts 21:10-11)
In Ezekiel chapters 3 and 4, Ezekiel was used by God in demonstrating signs to the house of Israel (4:3), and the interpretation of what God did by way of demonstrations was told by spoken word to them.
Scripture teaches that there is a place for dance amongst God’s people. Sometimes as people we like to overemphasize things and make them out to be more than it really is –over spiritualizing things. Yes, dance is a wonderful and powerful tool that we can use to comfort and encourage each other about the wonderful works of the Lord. We can even use dance, since it is a language, to proclaim through movement doctrinal truths. When we dance we usually dance to music, this is why it is very important that we size up the music with the Word. Just because the music/song is labeled as “gospel music” does not mean that it is doctrinally correct. If a song is doctrinally correct, the words of the song will deliver the message to the hearers, but as dancers we dramatically act out or interpret the message with movement, which is something that is so very powerful, because in our display of emotion, technique, experience and knowledge of the truth (His Word) we become the visions of God to the people- meaning we are the subjects of His awesome work and when we dance we proclaim to those to whom we minister to that they are too or can be (ie. An heir of salvation). With excitement, love and joy we dance about the wonderful works of the Lord and we celebrate Him.
Scripture puts dance in its place by saying this: Ps. 150
“Praise ye the Lord. Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in the firmament of his power. Praise him for his mighty acts; praise him according to his excellent greatness.”
How are we to praise Him for the above?
“Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp. Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with the stringed instruments and organs. Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high sounding cymbals.”
Are there any restrictions on who should praise the Lord? NO
“Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord.”
Also see our post on “Dance in the Bible” http://praisedancecentralministries.wordpress.com/pdcms-teachings/dance-in-the-bible/
In conclusion Scripture teaches us that we are to preach the Word of God with our mouths. For those who are hearing impaired, of course sign language is used for them because of their inability to hear, but for those of us who can hear, we hear the Word audibly. When we dance the message of the gospel it should always be accompanied by the spoken Word of God. In doing so we are in line with Scripture and there will be no misunderstanding or confusion about what the dance meant. For example, if a soul has never heard the gospel message and the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus is acted out in a dance or dramatic expression, they may simply think that it is sad story. How will they know that Jesus died on their behalf? It is important to understand that every dance or dramatic expression is not done with music or words. Even if these are present in the dance (which is often limited in the song to words such as “he died for me”), still some may not understand. It is not enough to know that He died, but we also have to tell the lost WHY He died and the RESULT of it. We can not give them half of the gospel. Sometimes the dance coupled with the song is self-explanatory like “Lord we love you, we praise you and adore you”, but when it comes to the gospel of Jesus Christ- it MUST me done using the spoken word.
1 Corinthians 14:34-35 – Does it mean woman can’t teach/preach or speak in church?
August 25, 2008
1 Corinthians 14:34-35 – Does it mean woman can’t teach/preach or speak in church?
“Let your women keep silent in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience as also saith the law, And if they will learn anything, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame fro women to speak in the church.”
Are these Scriptures implying that woman can’t teach/preach or speak in church? NO! This verse has nothing to do with a women’s role in the church. It has nothing to do with women exercising spiritual gifts in the church either. Women can pray, prophesy and speak publicly. If this verse meant that they couldn’t then Paul is contradicting himself with what he already said in 1 Cor. 11:5:
“But every women that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoreth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven.”
In short, basically verses 34 and 35 are dealing with married women (not women in general as some suppose – reading is fundamental!) who are disrupting the service by talking or asking their husbands questions and or possibly another woman’s husband questions during the service. Paul is telling these married women to stop talking in church disrupting the meetings. If they have questions, let them ask their own husbands AT HOME and not in the meetings.
Also from these verses we know that it CANNOT mean that ALL women must “keep quiet in the churches” in the sense of not speaking or partaking in ministry because Paul only addressed the issue of married women not single women which the congregations was made up of also. If it was ALL women as some suppose, how can the single women obey?
These verses have nothing to do with women in ministry although women must stay in their place as Scripture directs (1 Tim. 2:11-12), but that is another post. These verses (and the entire chapter) are dealing with ORDER in the assembly.
“Let all things be done decently and in order.” 1Cor. 14:40
Be Blessed,
PDCM
Spiritual Warfare – The Biblical Way and the ERROR of “Binding satan”
“Spiritual warfare” means different things to different people. The term itself is not found in the scriptures, but the concept is taught. Spiritual Warfare is a very important aspect of the Christian life because we engage in it every day. The Bible makes that clear. But many teachings on spiritual warfare being circulated these days is not rooted and grounded in the teaching of scripture. Any practice or technique of spiritual warfare which has no scriptural warrant is always suspect.
