Christ Judgement Seat and excuses that justify sin

"For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad." 2 Corinthians 5:10


"We're living in an unprecedented day (when) evil is no longer evil. We've changed the terminology-- iniquity is now infirmity; wickedness is now weakness; devilry is now deficiency." -Leonard Ravenhill

"There's one thing we need above everything else; it's something we don't talk about these days. We need a mighty avalanche of conviction of sin." -Leonard Ravenhill

"Chosen vessels of mercy, notwithstanding their backslidings, are brought back; but
ah! remember that nine out of ten of those who backslide never were God’s people" -Charles Spurgeon 

"Beginners in the way of grace, it is a great and solemn truth that every child of God
will hold on until the end, but it is an equally solemn truth that many who profess to
be the Lord’s are self-deceivers, and will turn out apostates after all." -Charles Spurgeon

"That which begins with shamefacedness, equivocation, hesitation, and compromise
will ripen into apostasy." -Charles Spurgeon

We are living in a time where sin has because something people profess to be Christians think is okay and make excuses for.  They use grace for lasciviousness. What does lasciviousness mean?

Here are three definitions from Dictionary.com:

• inclined to lustfulness; wanton; lewd: a lascivious, girl-chasing old man.

• arousing sexual desire: lascivious photographs.
•  indicating sexual interest or expressive of lust or lewdness: a lascivious gesture.

 

The thesaruas words for lasciviousness is: carnal, evil-minded, fleshly, immoral, lustful, suggestive, etc.

The opposite of this is: chaste, decent, and moral.

I have encountered people who profess to be Christians who spent much time in the wrong crowds of friends at the wrong places allowing themselves to get involved in the wrong activities. They in one breath claim they believe in the Omnipresence of God yet in another praise the world through their thoughts, conversations and actions. If they are a so called believer they just gave a bad name to Our Lord and Savior and Christians and we wonder why the world thinks we are no different than itself.

What possessed a person to go and make such choices without a sign of conviction? Drinking until drunkenness, associating themselves with worldly people. If you walk like a duck, quack like a duck and look like a duck you are a duck. So if a girl dresses worldly and wears jeans that literally shape her bottom she looks like the rest of the girls of the world. She only wants attention. The guys that give her attention only care about one thing, and it says a lot about what she thinks about herself and the God she says she believes in. We only serve one God and we prove the God we serve by our lifestyle.

It has been proven that alcohol is terrible for you. First of all our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit, so if one is a believer why would they want to let such a profane thing enter His temple? The priest of the Old Testament went through a lot to make sure the physical building temple of the Spirit of the Lord Most High would be pure and they would only let the best offerings be brought in. We literally trash the temple of the Spirit of God and have no respect for Him whatsoever. The spirit of this age has caught the attention of the masses and swayed them away from Holy and Righteous living. The deception being pumped in this society and how it depraves society to a reckless and sinful spawn of a reflection of the pure evil of Satan just sickens me but even more so it saddens me, it breaks my heart and brings tears to my eyes.

Guys and girls think its okay to have sex before marriage, the term hook up is the catch phrase of the day. The go an make these choices not thinking of the repercussions of their actions, not having any care of respect for a Holy God, where did the fear of the Lord go in this age? Worse than that is when they knowingly do it and do it anyway and keep doing it. They keeping sowing seeds to the flesh and reaping a life of destruction.

They wonder why things are going the best for them later in life, but they take that harvest of sin and keep replanting the seeds so the cycle keeps going. They keep the cycle of lust.  Remember that this action will destroy your life, even more than that is that the Lord is more focused on your heart and thought life, so next time you think a lustful thought REPENT! Stop destructing your life. Do you want a blessed life? This sin has got to go, sin blocks blessings.

Thou art Lukewarm and the Lord Jesus will spew you out of His mouth. Repent of this wickedness and be zealous of God, stop this nonsense. Jesus says to go and sin no more! Walk in the Spirit and you will not fulfill the desires of the flesh.

You are who you hang out with. Are you 100% sure you are saved? What causes this spirit of rebellion?



"Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?" 2 Corinthians 13: 5

 Just because you think you are saved doesn't mean you are. Have you experienced the Holy presence of God? The cleansing power of God? What is your thought life like? What comes out of your mouth in communication? What people do you associate yourself with? Do you find it a chore to read the Bible or prayer? Do you desire these things? Do you desire to share the Gospel? Have you truly crucified your flesh to the cross and let go of everything to follow Jesus? Do you do this everyday? Is praise naturally on your lips to glorify God? Have you been haunted inside thinking that your a joke and not really saved? You feel like a faker? Have you lived a life of separation and holiness? Jacob wrestled with God all night and wouldn't move until God gave him an answer.

I suggest you go before a Holy God and give Him the fear, respect, and honesty He deserves. One day you will face a Holy God on judgment day and you do not want Christ to say I never knew you. Are you sure Christ knows you? Are you sure your name is written in the book of life? Are you sure your saved? This is serious. The thing that indicates if you are a true believer or not is the fruits of the Spirit. Are you a fruit bearing tree? If not the Bible says you will be tossed in the fire.


I pray that you take this message seriously. Life is short. Your not promised tomorrow. We are not invincible. If God gives you another breath its His way of saying "I am giving you a chance, don't ruin it."
He is literally holding your body together at this moment preventing you from dropping into a literal Hell. I don't care if you grew up in the church. This doesn't save you. I would humble myself before God and pray and pray and pray and not move until I know for a fact by the revelation of the Holy Spirit that I have the assurance of my salvation. You might have thought you were saved but it might have been head knowledge. It is an act of the Holy Spirit. Don't move from that prayer until God says you are saved and your name is written in the book of life. your days are numbered and they are short. Everything you did, every thought, every action is being recorded. Imagine your life being put on display before the world, do you want that?

Than why live that way? If you care about what people think wouldn't you care more about what a Holy God thinks? Just because the world is getting worse doesn't mean you have to. Jesus says "Blessed is the one who endures until the end." Did you get that? Endures! Until the end. That means living a life of holiness, obedience and separation until His return. If you were saved this would be evidenced in your life because of the Spirit. Do you have the Holy Spirit? Get before God. This might be your last day to live. If God gives you a chance to read this it happened for a reason.


He wants you, He is trying to get your attention. I am nothing, I am just sharing a message He shared with me. Please if this spoke to you let me know, if you need prayer I am here. If you need someone to talk to me don't be a stranger.

"This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away." 2 Timothy 3:1-5


Are you one of these people it talks about in the last days? I would say you have some serious business to take care of with God.

"Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul" -1 Peter 2:11

"Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.  For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever." - 1 John 2:15-17


"No man is really saved unless he is in his heart obedient to Christ." -Charles Spurgeon

Legalism or Separation

The true definition of Legalism is “salvation by good works, that is, by keeping the law” – this was the Pharisees’ problem. They were steeped in the belief that keeping the Old Testament law got them to heaven – and they were extremely meticulous at keeping the law, at least on the outside. But on the inside, they were hypocrites – “whited sepulchers,” as Jesus said (Matt 23:27).

True legalists miss the fact that we’re saved by God’s grace through faith. There are no good works on our part involved in salvation.

If someone believes like the Pharisees then he can rightly be accused of being a legalist. However, people are sometimes wrongly accused of being legalists because as they seek the truth and make decisions that they believe will help them grow in Christ and draw closer to Him, they may appear to be self-righteous in trying to follow a new set of standards.

Perhaps this is because as we draw closer to Christ, the further we draw away from, separate from, the world and worldliness. Though sometimes they are thought to be one in the same, separation and true legalism are very different.

Christians are told, “be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” (Rom 12:2).

They are also told, “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.” (2 Cor 6:14-18).

God’s word says “…know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.” (James 4:4). Also 1 John 2:15-17 says, “ Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.”

There is the story of the gentleman who wanted to hire a stagecoach driver to take him over a treacherous mountain pass. He asked three different drivers to determine which one to hire. He asked each of them the same question: “How close can you safely get to the edge of the cliff as we go over the pass?” The first one said, “Sir, I can get within three feet!” The second one said, “Sir, I can get within one foot, maybe even a little closer!” The third one said, “Sir, I’m going to stay as far away from the edge of the cliff as I can! The gentleman said to the third driver, “You’re hired!”

You see, a Christian should not want to see how close he can get to the world (worldliness) and still be a Christian, he should see how close he can get to Christ, which will move him away from the world.

The question is also asked: “If you were dragged into court and accused of being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you!?”

We know that we’re saved by grace through faith. But the Bible also says “Faith without works is dead.” (James 2:20). There must be evidence of our faith. When we get saved, we are new creatures in Christ “behold all thing are become new…we are ambassadors (to the world) for Christ” (2 Cor 5:17, 20). We are, “…an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness…” (1 Pet 2:9). We’re not to be oddballs, but different from the world.

Holiness is separation – it means to be set apart. God is holy, He is very much set apart, high above, His creation. But He wants His children to be holy too. “Be ye holy; for I am holy” (1 Peter 1:15, 16). The fact that we are in the end times should spur us even more to live holy and godly lives. “Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness.” (2 Peter 3:11).

If our talk, our dress, our actions, our music, our entertainment, everything about us, is just like the world, then we are pretty nigh hopeless as Christians. Jesus told us to be salt – a preservative, a savory spice, and to be light shining in a dark place (Matt 5:13, 16; Eph 5:8), making a difference (Jude 22). We are to show the world, that through Christ, there is a better more abundant life of joy and peace (John 10:10, Ro 15:13), and it’s not by imitating the world.

If one is accused of being a separatist, then he is being accused of being what Christ calls all of us as Christians to be. The difficult part is to live a separated life unto Christ and still be a humble effective witness for Him. God does not call us to separate to a monastery on a mountain nor to a tight clique in the 30–member “Church of the Self-Righteous.” We are to lovingly, yet boldly confront our culture with the powerful truths of the Gospel as the Apostle Paul did his. The culture Paul confronted was just as ungodly as any one today. But to do this we must be different, we can’t just put Christian “window dressing” on all that the world is. Isn’t that what a whited sepulcher is – the very thing Jesus condemned?

Have you?

Have you marveled beyond comprehension of the mysteries of existence?

Have you kept things inside and fought to not release them with all of your resistance?

Are you warped into a different realm in your mind to escape negative consistence?

Were you carelessly dropped into the tossing random ocean waves with life preserver or assistance?

Is your heart about to crumble feeling hard and breaking to rubble?

Are there obstacles set in your path for you to stumble?

Would you like to just start over a new creation before it's too late?

Are you in constant fear of your fate?

Did you feel like your prayers will never be answered because you were put on hold and your time to be served will just have to wait?

Well now is your chance to position yourself in a humble stance

Picture your spirit being free to dance

Now the seed will be sown by the Hero's crimson stream

You felt the current overtake you with a sense of clean

Starting over is rejuvenating do you know what I mean?

You're not alone because you accepted the Triune team   

In faith you are rooted into the rock of your salvation

In faith you believe that you are a new creation

The storms will rage will rage on but Jesusl will be with you all along

He will hold your hand to never be uprooted again

If you will just take Him as your life changing friend

WARFARE PRAYER by Victor M. Matthews 

Heavenly Father, I bow in worship and praise before You. I cover myself with the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ as my protection. I surrender myself completely and unreservedly in every area of my life to You. I take a stand against all the workings of Satan that would hinder me in my prayer life. I address myself only to the True and Living God and refuse any involvement of Satan in my prayer.

Satan, I command you, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, to leave my presence with all of your demons. I bring the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ between us.

Heavenly Father, I worship You and give You praise. I recognize that You are worthy to receive all glory and honor and praise. I renew my allegiance to You and pray that the blessed Holy Spirit would enable me in this time of prayer. I am thankful, Heavenly Father, that You have loved me from past eternity and that You sent the Lord Jesus Christ into the world to die as my substitute. I am thankful that the Lord Jesus Christ came as my representative and that through Him You have completely forgiven me; You have adopted me into Your family; You have assumed all responsibility for me; You have given me eternal life; You have given me the perfect righteousness of the Lord Jesus Christ so I am now justified. I am thankful that in Him You have made me complete, and that You have offered Yourself to me to be my daily help and strength.

Heavenly Father, open my eyes that I might see how great You are and how complete Your provision is for this day. I am thankful that the victory the Lord Jesus Christ won for me on the Cross and in His resurrection has been given to me and that I am seated with the Lord Jesus Christ in the heavenlies. I take my place with Him in the heavenlies and recognize by faith that all wicked spirits and Satan himself are under my feet. I declare, therefore, that Satan and his wicked spirits are subject to me in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ.

I am thankful for the Armor You have provided. I put on the Girdle of Truth, the Breastplate of Righteousness, the Sandals of Peace and the Helmet of Salvation. I lift up the Shield of Faith against all the fiery darts of the enemy; and I take in my hand the Sword of the Spirit, the Word of God. I choose to use Your Word against all the forces of evil in my life. I put on this Armor and live and pray in complete dependence upon You, blessed Holy Spirit.

I am grateful, Heavenly Father, that the Lord Jesus Christ spoiled all principalities and powers and made a show of them openly and triumphed over them in Himself. I claim all that victory for my life today. I reject all the insinuations, and accusations, and the temptations of Satan. I affirm that the Word of God is true and I choose to live today in the light of God’s Word. I choose Heavenly Father, to live in obedience to You and in fellowship with Yourself. Open my eyes and show me the areas of my life that do not please You. Work in me to cleanse me from all ground that would give Satan a foothold against me. I do in every way stand into all that it means to be Your adopted child and I welcome all the ministry of the Holy Spirit.

By faith and in dependence upon You, I put off the fleshly works of the old man and stand in all the victory of the crucifixion where the Lord Jesus Christ provided cleansing from the old nature. I put on the new man and stand in all the victory of the resurrection and the provision He has made for me to live above sin.

Therefore, today, I put off all forms of selfishness and put on the new nature with its love. I put off all forms of fear and put on the new nature with its courage. I put off all forms of weakness and put on the new nature with its strength. I put off all forms of lust and put on the new nature with its righteousness, purity, and honesty. I am trusting You to show me how to make this practical in my daily life.

In every way I stand in the victory of the ascension and glorification of the Lord Jesus Christ, whereby all the principalities and powers were made subject to Him. I claim my place in Christ as victorious with Him over all the enemies of my soul. Blessed Holy Spirit, I pray that You would fill me. Come into my life, break down every idol and cast out every foe.

I am thankful, Heavenly Father, for the expression of Your will for my daily life as You have shown me in Your Word. I therefore, claim all the will of God for today. I am thankful that You have blessed me with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. I am thankful that You have begotten me unto a living hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. I am thankful that You have made a provision so that today I can live filled with the Spirit of God with love and joy and peace, with longsuffering, gentleness, and goodness, with meekness, faithfulness and self-control in my life. I recognize that this is Your will for me and I therefore reject and resist all the endeavors of Satan and his wicked spirits to rob me of the will of God. I refuse in this day to believe my feelings and I hold up the Shield of Faith against all the accusations and distortion and insinuations that Satan would put into my mind. I claim the fullness of the will of God for my life today.

In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ, I completely surrender myself to You, Heavenly Father, as a living sacrifice. I choose not to be conformed to this world. I choose to be transformed by the renewing of my mind, and I pray that You would show me Your will and enable me to walk in all the fullness of Your will today.

I am thankful, Heavenly Father, that the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds, to the casting down of imaginations and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and to bring every thought into obedience to the Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, in my own life today, I tear down the strongholds of Satan and smash the plans of Satan that have been formed against me. I tear down the strongholds against my mind, and I surrender my mind to You, blessed Holy Spirit. I affirm, Heavenly Father, that You have not given me the spirit of fear, but of power and of love, and of a sound mind. I break and smash the strongholds of Satan formed against my emotions today and I give my emotions to You. I smash the strongholds of Satan formed against my will today, I give my will to You, and choose to make the right decisions of faith. I smash the strongholds of Satan formed against my body today. I give my body to You recognizing that I am Your temple. I rejoice in Your mercy and goodness.

Heavenly Father, I pray that now and through this day, You would strengthen and enlighten me, show me the way Satan is hindering and tempting and lying and distorting the truth in my life. Enable me to be the kind of person that would please You. Enable me to be aggressive in prayer and faith. Enable me to be aggressive mentally, to think about and practice Your Word, and to give You Your rightful place in my life.

Again, I cover myself with the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ and pray that You, blessed Holy Spirit, would bring all the work of the crucifixion, all the work of the resurrection, all the work of the glorification, and all the work of Pentecost into my life today. I surrender myself to You. I refuse to be discouraged. You are the God of all hope. You have proven Your power by resurrecting Jesus Christ from the dead, and I claim in every way this victory over the satanic forces in my life. I pray in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ with thanksgiving. Amen.

– Victor M. Matthews 

God’s Love: The Biblical Presentation

from Ray Comfort and Kirk Cameron's ministry "The Way of the Master"

The modern message of the gospel is “God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life.” However, our idea of “wonderful” and the world’s may be a little different. Take a sinner through the pages of the Book of Acts and show him the terrifying scene of rocks breaking the bones of Stephen. Then smile and whisper, “Wonderful...” Listen together to the sound of a cat-o’-nine-tails as it rips the flesh off the back of the apostle Paul. Follow together the word “suffering” through the Epistles, and see if you can get the world to whisper, “Wonderful!” Tell them that “we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God” (Acts 14:22). After such a ride down Honesty Road, they may think the pleasures of sin are a little more attractive than the call to “suffer affliction with the people of God” (Hebrews 11:25).

Who in the world is going to listen to our message if we are so blatantly honest about the Christian life? Perhaps not as many as are attracted by the talk of a wonderful plan. The answer to our dilemma is to make the issue one of righteousness, rather than happiness. This is what Jesus did. He used the Ten Commandments to show sinners the righteous standard of God (Luke 10:25,26; 18:18–20). Once the world sees the perfect standard by which they will be judged, they will begin to fear God, and it is through the fear of the Lord that men depart from sin (Proverbs 16:6). They will begin to hunger and thirst after the righteousness that is in Jesus Christ alone.

If you study the New Testament, you will see that God’s love is almost always given in direct correlation to the cross: herein is love, for God so loved, God commended His love, etc. (See John 3:16; Romans 5:5,6,8; Galatians 2:20; Ephesians 2:4,5; 5:2,25; 1 John 3:16; 4:10; and Revelation 1:5, among others.) The cross is the focal point of God’s love for the world. How can we point to the cross without making reference to sin? How can we refer to sin without using the Law (Romans 7:7)? The biblical way to express God’s love to a sinner is to show him how great his sin is (using the Law—see Romans 7:13; Galatians 3:24), and then give him the incredible grace of God in Christ. This was the key to reaching so many on the Day of Pentecost. They were “devout” Jews who knew the Law and its

holy demands, and therefore readily accepted the mercy of God in Christ to escape its fearful wrath.

When you use the Law to show the world their true state, get ready for sinners to thank you. For the first time in their lives, they will see the Christian message as an expression of love and concern for their eternal welfare, rather than of merely proselytizing for a better lifestyle while on this earth.

Ponder this quote by John MacArthur until it is written in the corridors of your mind: “We need to adjust our presentation of the gospel. We cannot dismiss the fact that God hates sin and punishes sinners with eternal torment. How can we begin a gospel presentation by telling people on their way to hell that God has a wonderful plan for their lives?” It is true that God has a wonderful plan for their lives—but it is that they would repent and trust the Savior, and receive the righteousness of Christ. 

Does your heart rejoice?

This is an example of what true rejoicing is, what true gladness, hope and joy are. Far too many people nowadays try to redefine what it means to rejoice, to be filled with gladness, what true hope is and what joy truly means. They rely to heavily on their feelings and emotions. There is nothing wrong with feelings and emotions just so long as feelings and emotions aren't in control of your life. If feelings and emotions comes a a result of something foundational coming first than I don't see something wrong with it. For example Jesus Christ was crucified on the cross for our sins, this was His example of unconditional love. He did this as an action not a feeling, His feelings became a part of his innitial action, as a result of that we are peirced to the heart that anyone would want to die for us like that especially taking all our sins to be the down payment for our sins, He was the mediator between God the Holy Righteous Judge, He is God the Word made flesh. Our feelings would be stirred coming to that realization but first before our feelings would be stirred we would here the truth the facts of what He did and who He is. Our Joy, our Hope, our Gladness and rejoicing come from What Jesus did and Who He is. They don't come from anything else. Take a look at What Peter is saying about David:


I was reading in the book of Acts in the second chapter verse 25 though 36.

Peter was speaking to the crowd about David from the Old Testament saying:

Acts 2:25-36

 25For David speaketh concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved:

David foresaw the Lord Jesus Christ and with confidence said that he will not be moved.

 26Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope:

As a result of David having the grace of being able to foresee Jesus Christ before his face he rejoiced in his heart, his tongue was glad so he used his tongue to speak praise to Jesus, and he said that he shall rest in hope because his confidence was in the Lord.

27Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.

David was trusting in God's promises that God won't leave his soul in hell although he knew like was all learn that we deserve hell, so David trusted in God's promises and was joyed to know that all though he deserved to go to hell God spared him through Jesus Christ.

 28Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance.

Here David was praising God for giving him wisdom and knowledge (making known to him the ways of life). Once again David was counting on God's promises saying thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance. David was joyed because he was satisfied with the countenance of God.

 29Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day.
 30Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne;
 31He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption.

Here Peter is continuing his sermon about the patriarch David. He reminds them that David is both dead and buried and his burial site is with them unto this day. David being a prophet and keeping the promise that God swore and oath with him that the generations after David God would raise up Christ to sit on the throne. Witnessing this he spoke of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. That his soul was not left in hell neither his flesh did see corruption.

 32This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.

Peter proclaimed his personal testimony that he has witnessed the resurrection of Christ and that everyone there was a witness.

 33Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.

Peter was explaining that Jesus went to His rightful place, Jesus was at the right hand of God which means that He was back in His place of glory and therefore He was exalted. Jesus is now in His full glory.
As a result of Jesus being resurrected from the dead and sitting on the throne of glory we are promised the Holy Spirit who is God because God is One is essence three in person. We are filled with the Spirit of God, the All Knowing Creator God who spoke life into existence. Hold on to that, we can do all things through Christ with faith like a mustard seed if we believe and take action without doubting. We can be soldiers for the Kingdom and tell others of this Kingdom where the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords reigns.

 34For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand,
 35Until I make thy foes thy footstool.
 36Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made the same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.

At David's lifetime he did not ascend into the heavens but he said "The Lord said onto my Lord, Sit though on my right hand, Until I make thy foes thy footstool."

He knew who was Lord and who is in control.

Let all know that Jesus Christ who was crucified became both Lord and Christ.

Is Jesus your Lord? Is Jesus Your Christ?

Is this where your joy comes from?

The "Sinner’s Prayer"—To Pray or Not To Pray?

The question often arises about what a Christian should do if someone is repentant. Should we lead him in what’s commonly called a "sinner’s prayer" or simply instruct him to seek after God? Perhaps the answer comes by looking to the natural realm.
As long as there are no complications when a child is born, all the doctor needs to do is guide the head. The same applies spiritually. When someone is "born of God," all we need to do is guide the head—make sure that they understand what they are doing. Philip the evangelist did this with the Ethiopian eunuch. He asked him, "Do you understand what you read?" (Acts 8:30). In the parable of the sower, the true convert (the "good soil" hearer) is he who hears "and understands." This understanding comes by the Law in the hand of the Spirit (Romans 7:7). If a sinner is ready for the Savior, it is because he has been drawn by the Holy Spirit (John 6:44). This is why we must be careful to allow the Holy Spirit to do His work and not rush in where angels fear to tread.
Praying a sinner’s prayer with someone who isn’t genuinely repentant may leave you with a stillborn in your hands. Therefore, rather than lead him in a prayer of repentance, it is wise to encourage him to pray himself. When Nathan confronted David about his sin, he didn’t lead the king in a prayer of repentance.
If a man committed adultery, and his wife is willing to take him back, should you have to write out an apology for him to read to her? No. Sorrow for his betrayal of her trust should spill from his lips. She doesn’t want eloquent words, but simply sorrow of heart. The same applies to a prayer of repentance. The words aren’t as important as the presence of "godly sorrow." The sinner should be told to repent—to confess and forsake his sins. He could do this as a whispered prayer, then you could pray for him. If he’s not sure what to say, perhaps David’s prayer of repentance (Psalm 51) could be used as a model, but his own words are more desirable.
 http://www.livingwaters.com/witnessingtool/sinnersprayer.shtml

Is Repentance Necessary for Salvation?

It is true that there are numerous Bible verses that speak of the promise of salvation, with no mention of repentance. These merely say to "believe" on Jesus Christ and you shall be saved (Acts 16:31; Romans 10:9). However, the Bible makes it clear that God is holy and man is sinful, and that sin makes a separation between the two (Isaiah 59:1,2). Without repentance from sin, wicked men cannot have fellowship with a holy God. We are dead in our trespasses and sins (Ephesians 2:1) and until we forsake them through repentance, we cannot be made alive in Christ.
The Scriptures speak of "repentance unto life" (Acts 11:18). We turn from sin to the Savior. This is why Paul preached "repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ" (Acts 20:21). The first public word Jesus preached was "repent" (Matthew 4:17). John the Baptist began his ministry the same way (Matthew 3:2). Jesus told His hearers that without repentance, they would perish (Luke 13:3).
If belief is all that is necessary for salvation, then the logical conclusion is that one need never repent. However, the Bible tells us that a false convert "believes" and yet is not saved (Luke 8:13); he remains a "worker of iniquity." Look at the warning of Scripture: "If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth" (1 John 1:6). The Scriptures also say, "He that covers his sins shall not prosper, but whoso confesses and forsakes them [repentance] shall have mercy" (Proverbs 28:13). Jesus said that there was joy in heaven over one sinner who "repents" (Luke 15:10). If there is no repentance, there is no joy because there is no salvation.
When Peter preached on the Day of Pentecost, he commanded his hearers to repent "for the remission of sins" (Acts 2:38). Without repentance, there is no remission of sins; we are still under His wrath. Peter further said, "Repent . . . and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out" (Acts 3:19). We cannot be "converted" unless we repent. God Himself "commands all men everywhere [leaving no exceptions] to repent" (Acts 17:30). Peter said a similar thing at Pentecost: "Repent, and be baptized every one of you" (Acts 2:38).
If repentance wasn’t necessary for salvation, why then did Jesus command that repentance be preached to all nations (Luke 24:47)? With so many Scriptures speaking of the necessity of repentance for salvation, one can only suspect that those who preach salvation without repentance are strangers to repentance themselves, and thus strangers to true conversion.


Leaders fall

The pressure is on when you got to be on the up and up as eyes are on you
can't make a mistake got to be an example too but there is pain inside if only they knew
you try to give a clue so they would know what to do but you can't be straightforward
because your reputation is on the line and once they know it would change their view

As a child you had our heroes they were valiant and strong but leaders fall
you became the leader who changes lives but can they hear the pain in your call
your insides crawl because you have been through it all you need help to but from God above all
with counselors there is deliverance God will you provide? Help me come clean its in you I abide
help me communicate what is inside because real leaders aren't what is on the outside
help me not to misguide but to let others know I am imperfect too and need you top take my pride
God this message applies to people worldwide

Jesus is the hero that never fell, He can fill our empty shell the the life giving Spirit God in person divine
a comforter who keeps us on the path and if we fall He will lead us back and keep us in line

Don't be afraid to reveal your pains, hurts and mistakes because others will respect you more
They will see the tranquility of who are are and that you have nothing to hide at the heart of your core

Leaders fall but Christ the King takes their hand and helps them get up, dusts off their mistakes and give them a break
forgives so they can learn and teach others to be the same be honest and go to God for their goodness sake

Break me in Lord

I have this desire for some reason to pray for God to humble me to the point of no return. I only want to recognize Him in me and working through me, I want Him to break me in and use me full force for the rest of this life He will give me to serve Him. "He must increase, but I must decrease." John 3:30. This is a dangerous prayer and desire but when I face Christ one day I don't want to come empty handed, and I don't want to look back on this short life and wonder what it would have been like to be in use by God full throttle. I pray for revival in my heart. Pray for me. Pray that He breaks me in and uses me.

Lord take me out of this earth if I don't serve you and preach the Gospel. Give me the power of the Holy Spirit to live an obedient life and be changed within so you can use me to change the world without your salvation. Help me be used to represent the Kingdom eternal and the Creator and King namely You. I need You and Want you. May you use this to speak to those who need this. Hold me accountable to the words written here. In Jesus name, Amen.

Deep thought worth your time

Conscience
The awareness of yourself and the surrounding world and that you are accountable to the divine law within nature and inside your essence as a whole. The moral compass by which one follows, leading to a revelation of something other than and larger than yourself who created laws by which you are compared as a mirror that you will fall short of. This Law within of itself is not bad however it makes you aware of your self and the repercussion of the seed you sowed whether bad or good.  This conscience trained by the school master the law has to be held accountable someday for all the times It rebelled against the school master.


Creation

The world around you perfectly designed and existing to provide a revelation of something bigger than them. Everything in motion set to a complete set of natural and divine laws reflecting the glory of the power of the One who thought of it all in His heart and mind.

Justice
The act of a decision, to deliver punishment, in a fair and holy righteous ,and just way. As an example if something reflecting justice it would be the moral compass within to say that justice is demanded if some horrific individual took it upon themselves to harm and hurt a loved one, the wrath of your heart demands that something be done. Well we have broken the moral law and cannot go to a Holy Place with no sin, a pure place where a pure Creator dwells is no place for the corrupt nature within. So a Holy Creator would demand justice for us breaking this moral law.


Impossible
The act of one trying to perform and action beyond the boundaries of ones capabilities. This is what we do by trying to fulfill this moral law and do good, but this is impossible.

Grace
When a Holy Creator comes in as your advocate and says that He will be the price that it is impossible for you to pay. He is your public defender contending and fighting for your freedom from slavery and that you can walk into freedom of a place of true acceptance, a place where you are surrounded by this perfect pure love that is beyond your comprehension, a love your uncapable of without help from something bigger than yourself. When He dies in your place and gives something free, the freedom to be saved from your punishment that will be eternal torment. The love lavished in mercy and forgiveness welling up within your soul grabbing your heart and leading you to a genuine descision. Your name will be written in the book of life. You will become a child. You will gain strength from the Creator to do amazing impossible things. Living by the inspiration that He lives as King Eternal.

Humility
Realizing you’re a sinner of His Holy Law and repenting of it with your whole heart, mind and soul. Asking Him for forgiveness.
Belief
Putting all of your trust and faith in this advocate who did all of these things for you. Trusting with everything you have.


Search and you will find. Ask and it will be given.

Was wine in Bible times the same as what we call wine today?

Question #1: Is drinking wine today the same as in Bible times?

Christians who drink point out that wine was commended in the Bible and assume it is therefore acceptable today. If drinking in biblical times is to be used as the basis for drinking today, the wine today should be the same as the wine used then. This deserves careful analysis.

A. The Biblical Words for Wine

1. Oinos/Yayin

The most common word in the New Testament for wine is the Greek word oinos. It is a general word that simply refers to the fermented juice of the grape. The Old Testament equivalent to the Greek word oinos is yayin, the root of which means to "bubble up" or "boil up." The 1901 Jewish Encyclopedia (vol. 12, p. 533) states that yayin, at least in the rabbinic period, was diluted with water.

2. Gleukos/Tirosh

The Greek word gleukos--from which we get the English word glucose, means "new wine." It is used in Acts 2:13 to refer to the apostles on the day of Pentecost. It says they were "full of new wine." Although it was comparatively fresh and not yet fully aged, it was potentially intoxicating. The mockers in in Acts 2:13 were accusing the apostles of being drunk.

The Old Testament word for new wine is tirosh. Hosea 4:11 says "wine [yayin] and new wine [tirosh] take away the heart." Drunkenness is the result of drinking this new wine.

3. Sikera/Shakar

The Old Testament word for strong drink is shakar, a term that eventually became restricted to intoxicants other than wine. According to the 1901 Jewish Encyclopedia, it refers to unmixed wine. The New Testament equivalent is the Greek word sikera.

B. The Historical Data Regarding Wine

1. Unfermented wine

Because of refrigeration problems in ancient times, wine was often boiled until the liquid evaporated, leaving behind a thick, unintoxicating paste that stored well. It was somewhat similar to modern grape jelly. The people would spread it on bread like a jam, and some still do today in the Middle East.

a) Pliny the Elder--This Roman historian in his Natural Histories said such wine could last as long as ten years. He wrote of wine that had the consistency of honey.

b) Horace--This Latin poet wrote in his Odes of unintoxicating wine, that he recommended quaffing under the shade (I:18).

c) Plutarch--This Greek essayist wrote in his Moralia that filtered wine neither inflames the brain nor infects the mind and the passions, and is much more pleasant to drink. He liked the kind of wine with no alcoholic content.

d) Aristotle--This Greek philosopher spoke of wine that was so thick, it was necessary to scrape it from the skins it was stored in and to dissolve the scrapings in water."

e) Virgil--This Latin writer spoke of the necessity of boiling down wine.

f) Homer--The celebrated bard, in the ninth book of The Odyssey tells of Ulysses, who took with him in his visit to the Cyclops a goatskin of sweet, black wine that needed to be diluted with twenty parts of water before being consumed as a beverage.

g) Columella--This Latin agronomist, a contemporary of the apostles, wrote that it was common in Italy and Greece to boil wine. That would not have been done if they had wanted to preserve the alcoholic content.

h) Archbishop Potter--Archbishop Potter, born in 1674, wrote in his Grecian Antiquities wrote to boil down their wines and then drink them four years later (Edinburg, 1813, vol. 2, p. 360). He also refers to Democritus, a celebrated philosopher, and Palladius, a Greek physician, as making similar statements concerning wine at that time. These ancient authorities referred to the boiled juice of the grape as wine.

i) Professor Donovan--Donovan in his Bible Commentary said, "In order to preserve their wines ... the Romans concentrated the must or grape juice, of which they were made, by evaporation, either spontaneous in the air or over a fire, so as to render them thick and syrupy" (p. 295).

j) The Talmud--The Talmud, the codification of Jewish law, mentions repeatedly that the Jews were in the habit of using boiled wine (e.g., 'Erabin 29a).

k) W. G. Brown--Brown, who traveled extensively in Africa, Egypt, and Asia from 1792 to 1798 said that the wines of Syria are mostly prepared by boiling immediately after they are pressed from the grape until they are considerably reduced in quantity, when they are then put into bottles and preserved for use.

l) Caspar Neumann--Dr. Neumann, Professor of Chemistry in Berlin, 1795, said, "It is observable that when sweet juices are boiled down to a thick consistency, they not only do not ferment in that state, but are not easily brought into fermentation when diluted with as much water as they had lost in the evaporation, or even with the very individual water that exhaled from them" (Nott, London edition, p. 81). The wine evidently lost much of its intoxicating properties after being reconstituted.

m) Dr. A. Russell--Russell, in his Natural History of Aleppo (London: G.G. and J. Robinson, 1794), said that the concentrated wine juice, called "dibbs," was brought to the city in skins and sold in the public markets. He said it had the appearance of a coarse honey.

The wine that was consumed in biblical times was not what we know as wine today. It was more of a concentrated grape juice with its intoxicating properties basically removed. You cannot defend wine-drinking today on the basis of wine-drinking in Bible times because the two are totally different.

2. Fermented wine

a) The procedure

Wine stored as a liquid, however, would ferment. Professor Robert Stein, in his "Wine-drinking in New Testament Times" (Christianity Today, 20 June 1975: 9-11), tells us liquid wine was stored in large jugs called amphorae. The pure, unmixed wine would be drawn out of these jugs and poured into large bowls called kraters, where it was mixed with water. From these kraters, it would then be poured into kylix, or cups. Wine would never be served directly from the amphora without first being mixed. And according to other historical data on this period, the mixture could be as high as a 20:1 ratio or lower than 1:1.

b) The perception

Drinking unmixed wine was looked upon by Greek culture as barbaric. Stein quotes Mnesitheus of Athens as saying, "The gods have revealed wine to mortals, to be the greatest blessing for those who use it aright, but for those who use it without measure, the reverse. For it gives food to them that take it and strength in mind and body. In medicine it is most beneficial; it can be mixed with liquid and drugs and it brings aid to the wounded. In daily intercourse, to those who mix and drink it moderately, it gives good cheer; but if you overstep the bounds, it brings violence. Mix it half and half, and you get madness; unmixed, bodily collapse."

As a beverage, wine was always thought of as a mixed drink in Greek culture. The ratio of water might have varied but only barbarians drank it unmixed. Stein cites patristic writings that show the early church served mixed wine.

c) The present

Beer has approximately 4% alcohol, wine 9-11%, brandy 15- 20%, and hard liquor 40-50% (80-100 proof). So, unmixed wine in biblical times measured at approximately 9-11%. Mixed wine, at a 3:1 ratio, would therefore be between 2.25- to-2.75%. By today's standards, a drink has to exceed 3.2% to be considered an alcoholic beverage. The wine they consumed was either completely non-alcoholic or sub- alcoholic by today's standards. To become drunk with wine in those days you would have to drink all day. That is why the Bible commands elders in the church not to be addicted to much wine (1 Tim. 3:3). With such a low alcoholic content, you would have to purpose to become drunk.

So, is drinking wine today the same as in Bible times? No.


Source: http://www.kitchencookingrecipes.com/forum/wine-forums/6375-wine-bible-times-same-what-we-call-wine-today.html




Source: Scripture from the Holy Bible King James Version

"Do not drink wine nor strong drink, thou, nor thy sons with thee, when ye go into the tabernacle of the congregation, lest ye die: it shall be a statute for ever throughout your generations" Leviticus 10:9

"He shall separate himself from wine and strong drink, and shall drink no vinegar of wine, or vinegar of strong drink, neither shall he drink any liquor of grapes, nor eat moist grapes, or dried." Numbers 6:3

"Ye have not eaten bread, neither have ye drunk wine or strong drink: that ye might know that I am the LORD your God." Deuteronomy 29:6


"Now therefore beware, I pray thee, and drink not wine nor strong drink, and eat not any unclean thing"

"But he said unto me, Behold, thou shalt conceive, and bear a son; and now drink no wine nor strong drink, neither eat any unclean thing: for the child shall be a Nazarite to God from the womb to the day of his death."

"She may not eat of any thing that cometh of the vine, neither let her drink wine or strong drink, nor eat any unclean thing: all that I commanded her let her observe." Judges 13:4,7,14

"Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise." Proverbs 20:1

"It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink" Proverbs 31:4

"Woe unto them that rise up early in the morning, that they may follow strong drink; that continue until night, till wine inflame them!" Isaiah 5:11

"Woe unto them that are mighty to drink wine, and men of strength to mingle strong drink" Isaiah 5:22

"They shall not drink wine with a song; strong drink shall be bitter to them that drink it." Isaiah 24:9

"But they also have erred through wine, and through strong drink are out of the way; the priest and the prophet have erred through strong drink, they are swallowed up of wine, they are out of the way through strong drink; they err in vision, they stumble in judgment." Isaiah 28:7

"Stay yourselves, and wonder; cry ye out, and cry: they are drunken, but not with wine; they stagger, but not with strong drink." Isaiah 29:9

"And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit" Ephesians 5:18


^"29Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? who hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes?  ³⁰They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine.
 ³¹Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright.
 ³²At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder.
 ³³Thine eyes shall behold strange women, and thine heart shall utter perverse things.
 ³⁴Yea, thou shalt be as he that lieth down in the midst of the sea, or as he that lieth upon the top of a mast.
 ³⁵They have stricken me, shalt thou say, and I was not sick; they have beaten me, and I felt it not: when shall I awake? I will seek it yet again." Proverbs 23:29-35


"All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any." 1 Corinthians 6:12

"While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage." 2 Peter 2:19


" ⁹But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak.
 ¹⁰For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol's temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols;
 ¹¹And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?
 ¹²But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ.
 ¹³Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend." 1 Corinthians 8:9-13

You reap what you sow

"For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting"

-Galatians 6:8

Have you ever stopped for a moment and asked why some of the things in your life are happening? Now I know that some circumstance are beyond your control and are acts of divine intervention, trials and tribulations, and demonic oppression.

However there is another element that most people fail to see, and that is themselves. We are quick to blame others, or the Devil although I wonder if you are truly that special to the Devil that he takes the time out of his limited time here on earth to attack you. I hear it a lot nowadays, the famous phrase "The devil attacked me, or the devil made me do it"
Okay I understand that we are in spiritual warfare and there are tons and tons of demonic spirits everywhere but lately in my life I came to conclusions. God is one Mastermind that is all knowing, He is detailed oriented, He sees the small things and the big picture. He knows your heart, your mind and every idle word you speak.

There are some Christians I have been around that find it so easy to bash others whether it is to their face or behind their back. Gossip is second nature, slander, name calling and so on. When we give into these things it sows fleshy seed that will continue an endless cycle of sin. Some people's excuses are: "No on is perfect"

Well that is true, but it is not an excuse to sin. We aren't to use God's grace to freely do what we want, in fact if you ponder on His grace and love fearing Him in reverence it would drive you to your knees seeking His strength to live an obedient life.

A lot of problems in our lives is always boiled down to the choices we make in the past. God forgives us in our repentence but we still reap what we sow, He wants us to learn.

"For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief."
-Proverbs 24:16

So if you fall get up and learn from it. Seek God's wisdom and strength.

Here are some things you can do to sow good seed, sow to the Spirit:

1. Read your Bible, in a deep study relying on the Holy Spirit, use concordance, commentary, lexicon, take notes, reflect on the scripture
2. Share what God shows you with others
3. Reflect on God's love, grace, mercy, forgiveness, peace that surpasses all understanding
4. Rejoice in the Lord and thank Him
5. Praise the Lord
6. Work as unto the Lord
7. Disciple others
8. Tithe your gross and give to something to further promote God's Kingdom
9. Share the Gospel
10. Pray, in a deep heartfelt prayer, the kind that says "God I am not moving till you show me something"
11. Pray for Wisdom, Discernment, more Faith, the fruits of the Spirit
12. Forgive others

Here is things that will wreck your life:
1. Too much time on something you know is not pleasing God
2. Gossip
3. Anger for the wrong reasons
4. Your heart and thought life
5. Lust
6. Not tithing (I can share a personal testimony on that in a future note)
7.Unforgiveness
8. No devotional life
9. Not sharing the Gospel
10. Not praying
11. Not giving of yourself
12. Not working as unto the Lord
13. Not reading the Word


Choose this day whom you will serve :)

95 Theses to the Modern Evangelical Church

I came across this article by Greg Gordon the founder of  www.sermonindex.net .

'The mission of SermonIndex is the preservation and propagation of classical Biblical preaching and the promotion of Christ-centered revival to this generation.'


"Sermonindex is not an attempt by man to build something for God. It began as God gave the burden and only will continue as He is guiding the work being fully trusted. It began by a work of God's Spirit and for His glory: 'Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.' (Zechariah 4:6b). The work and ministry of SermonIndex can be encapsulated in this one word: Revival. Concepts such as Holiness, Purity, Christ-Likeness, Self-Denial and Discipleship are hardly the goal of much modern preaching. Thus the main thrust of the speakers and articles on the website encourage us towards a reviving of these missing elements of Christianity. This biblical balanced Christianity is something needed desperately today. 'Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it.' (Psalms 127:1). The desire for a Spiritual Awakening (revival in a larger-sense) is close to the heart of this ministry. That we would see God working in such a way that sin would be forsaken, restitution be made, Christ honored and the morality of society even changed."

Source: http://www.sermonindex.net/about.php
"One of the original members who registered on SermonIndex made this comment which rung true to our journey in finding these resources: 'I was now beholding a precious gem, what my heart had been longing for. The strong preaching that seems to have gone by the wayside has once again been resurrected.' Today there is a cry for the authentic and genuine in the midst of today's lukewarm nominal christianity. This following Scripture was given by God during the founding of the ministry of SermonIndex: 'A wonderful and horrible thing is committed in the land; The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof?' (Jeremiah 5:30-31)"

Source: Ibid.

If you ever want free sermons on mp3 you can sign up at sermon index and get free sermon right on CD or your ipod. I found great preachers like Leonard Ravenhill, Paul Washer, Ray Comfort, David Wilkerson, K.P. Yohannan, A.W. Tozer, and so on. They also have text sermons from people like: E.M.Bounds, Charles Wesley, John Wesley, Jonathan Edwards, D.L. Moody, Charles Spurgeon, George Mueller, and so on.

I came across an article from the founder of sermon index called "95 Theses to the Modern Evangelical Church."

This article was eye opening to say the least. I e-mailed the founder of sermon index and asked him permission if I can redistribute the 95 Theses and he gave me the go ahead. Here is what our conversation looks like:

 Michael Chardavoyne to sermonindex.net


Hello,

I was wondering if and how I can distribute your amazing article titled the 95 theses to the modern church. Also if I have permission to do so. A friend of mine is creating a newspaper for the area and I would like to share your article and cite you. I wish I came up with it myself but either way God is at work. There is a reformation sweeping the land. We need to wake people up to real Christianity.

-Michael

Sermonindex.net to me


Brother,

Yes please feel free to use it in anyway possible.

Greg Gordon

 So without further or due here is the long awaited 95 theses to the modern church.

I believe many need to hear these truths and they are shared in the humility of my weakness and lack in my own Christian Life. May all of these lead people to experience the person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ and to proclaim His Gospel clearly and accurately. May God in His mercy come and revive, reform and renew North American Christianity for His glory alone. “May the Lamb of God receive the reward of His sufferings in our lives today!”  - Greg Gordon (founder of SermonIndex.net / Twitter @sermonindex)


1. The “church” at large has forgotten that the chief end of man is to glorify God. (Rom 16:27; 1Cor 6:20; Mt 6:9; 1Cor 10:31)
2. Christians ignore most of the methods, practices and principles found in the book of Acts. (Acts 2:42,44; Acts 2:46; Acts 2:38)
3. Many treat “church” like any other social club or sports event that they might attend. (Acts 2:46; Heb 10:25; Acts 1:14)
4. We’ve made Christianity about the individual rather than the community of believers. (Rom 12:5; 1Cor 12:12; 2Tim 4:16)
5. In most “churches” the priesthood of all believers isn’t acknowledged and the role of pastor is abused. (1Pt 2:9; 1Cor 12:12; Eph 4:11-13)
6. The “church” as a whole has lost the concept of their being grafted into the promises given to Israel. (Rom 11:15, 17-18, 20, 25)
7. There needs to be a recovery of teaching the whole counsel of God, especially in expository form. (Acts 20:27; 1Tim 4:6, 2Tim 2:15)
8. We take it too lightly that we have the blessing and honor of having God’s Scriptures in our possession. (Ps 119:16; Acts 13:44; Neh 8:9)
9. There has never been more access to the Word of God, yet so little reading of it. (1Tim 4:13; Neh 8:1-3; Ps 119:59)
10. Some read the Scriptures to attain knowledge, but do not practice what they read. (Jam 1:22; Mt 7:21; 3Jn 4)
11. Worship has become an idol in many “churches.” The music often resembles that of the world. (Amos 5:23; Phil 4:8; 1Jn 5:21)
12. The world is shaping the views of the “church” more than the “church” shaping the world. (Rom 12:2; Mt 5:13; 1Cor 1:22-23)
13. The “church” spends more money on dog food than on missions. (2Cor 9:6; Lk 21:2; Acts 4:34-35)
14. We take lightly the cost of discipleship laid out by Jesus Christ and do not deny our lives. (Lk 14:33; Lk 14:26-27; Mt 8:19-20)
15. There is a lack of true discipleship and making others to be obedient disciples. (Mt 28:20; 2Tim 2:2; 2Tim 2:14)
16. Many subscribe to the error that parts of life are to be spiritual while others are to be secular. (1Pt 4:2; Col 3:3; 1Jn 2:6)
17. Modern Christians often find Jesus’ command to sacrifice and serve abhorrent. (Phil 2:21; Jam 3:16; Rom 12:1-2)
18. Self disciplines in the Christian life such as fasting and praying are considered legalistic. (2Tim 2:21; 2Tim 1:8; Mt 6:17)
19. Little thought and contemplation is put towards the lostness of men, the seriousness of the Gospel. (Phil 3:8; Gal 2:20; Heb 10:34)
20. We are living with an epidemic of cheap grace with flippant confession and shallow consecration. (Lk 14:28-30; Lk 14:26; Jam 4:8)
21. Since the inception of the Church, the Gospel had the requirements of repentance and discipleship. (Acts 2:38; Lk 14:26; Jn 8:31)
22. Now forgiveness is offered without repentance, discipleship without obedience, salvation without sanctity. (Heb 10:29; 4:11; Lk 13:24)
23. Introspection, counting the cost, godly sorrow over sin, are all foreign to many in the “church.”(Acts 2:37; Ps 119:9; Heb 6:1-2)
24. The modern church loves itself more than its neighbor. (1Cor 3:3; Gal 5:13; Phil 2:3)
25. The church must repent of its idolization of personality, and of business principles. (2Cor 2:17; 1Cor 3:5; 1Cor 12:23)
26. Many elders and pastors of the “church” sadly are fleecing the flock to supply their own wants. (Jn 10:12-13; 1Pt 5:2-3; Rev 2:15)
27. The qualities most in demand in today’s pastorate are frequently foreign to the Scriptures. (1Tim 3:2-3; 1Tim 3:5; 1Tim 1:5-7)
28. The professionalization of the pastorate is a sin and needs to be repented of. (2Cor 11:13; Gal 3:1; Gal 2:6)
29. There must be repentance for the ambitious desire and idolization of the celebrity pastorate. (3Jn 9; Jer 17:5; 1Cor 12:22)
30. Pastors must trust the Spirit, not statistics. (2Sam 24:1; 1Cor 1:25; Rom 8:14)
31. Modern day prophets are being stoned by criticism and neglect. (2Tim 4:3-4; Gal 1:10; Jer 1:7-8)
32. God’s prophets are ill-treated and shunned by most “christians” who consider them too extreme. (Jer 6:10; Isa 6:9-10; Gal 4:16)
33. The prophets prophesy falsely, priests rule by their own power; and my people love to have it so. (Mt 24:4, 11-12; 1Cor 1:19, Jude 8 )
34. There are many false gospels being preached from pulpits in our day. (2Cor 11:4; Gal 1:8-9; Jude 16)
35. There is an epidemic of a “mock” salvation message. It is correct in doctrine, but false in reality. (2Cor 3:6; 1Jn 5:11-12; Rom 8:9)
36. A salvation that does not make men holy is trusted in by a deceived multitude. (Jude 4; Rom 8:1; Rom 6:17-18)
37. There is a needed perseverance in the truths of the Gospel without unbelief. (Eph 1:1; Heb 6:11-12; Heb 10:26-27)
38. A great need is to see “christians” become saints in actual experience. (1Jn 2:29; Col 3:5-8; Tit 3:8)
39. Many professors of religion are forbidding people to be a part of the holy body of Christ. (Mt 23:13; Ps 119:1-2; 2Pt 1:3-4)
40. Preaching has become all about the happiness of man and not the glory of God. (Jn 6:26; Rom 4:20; 1Pt 4:11)
41. Preachers give smooth words to entice men, yet very few give any words of correction or rebuke. (Jer 6:14; Pro 1:23; 1Tim 5:20)
42. Run from gospels that focus on our success and prosperity in the name of Jesus Christ. (Jn 2:16; Acts 20:33; Jer 6:13)
43. Run from gospels that focus on self-improvement. (1Tim 6:5; Heb 12:14; Jam 4:14)
44. Run from churches where men, and not Christ, are glorified. (Col 1:18; Jude 25; Jn 16:14)
45. Run from churches where there is no Bible, no cross, no mention of the blood of Christ. (1Pt 1:18-19; Eph 3:13; Rev 1:5)
46. Run from churches where the worship leaves you cold, where there’s no sense of God’s presence. (1Cor 5:4; Ps 80:14-15; Jer 12:11)
47. Run from churches where you’re comfortable in your sin. (1Cor 14:25; Heb 10:30-31; Heb 4:13)
48. Run from churches that use the pulpit of God for a personal agenda. (Jude 10-11,19; 3Jn 9)
49. Run from those who preach division between races and cultures. (Jam 2:4, Gal 3:28, Rev 5:9)
50. Run from ungodly, spasmodic movements and endless empty prophesying. (Jer 5:13; 1Cor 14:33, 1Jn 2:16)
51. Run from preachers who tell mostly stories and jokes. (Eph 5:4; Tit 1:8; 2:12)
52. Run from those that are only after money, who use one gimmick after another to get your money. (2Pt 2:3; 2Cor 12:14; 1Cor 9:18)
53. The phrase “accept Jesus as your personal Saviour” is not found in the Scriptures. (Rom 10:9-10; Col 1:13; Acts 26:20)
54. Evidence of true conversion does not seem important to modern day Christians. (1Jn 2:6; 1Jn 4:17; Mt 7:20)
55. Thousands of sinners think of God as having only one attribute: Love! But they continue in sin. (Rom 1:18; Acts 5:11; Ps 2:12)
56. “God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life!” has hindered true evangelism. (Rom 3:19; Acts 26:18; Phil 3:18-21)
57. A Gospel of love and grace only, without the law of God being preached. This is a doctrine of Satan. (2Tim 4:3-4; Rom 2:4-5; 3:19)
58. There has clearly arisen a careless mixture of 20th century reasoning with God’s revelation. (Col 2:8; Rom 1:25; Gal 1:6)
59. Decisionism and the “sinner’s prayer” has been a major cause of false conversions in the “church.” (2Pt 2:1-2; Eph 2:4-5; 2Cor 5:17-18)
60. Many will be surprised to hear Jesus say, “I never knew you, depart from me.” (Mt 7:22-23; 1Cor 6:9-10; Gal 5:19-21)
61. Men have taken the place of the Holy Spirit in confirming men in their supposed salvation. (1Jn 2:3-5; 2Ths 1:8; Gal 6:12-15)
62. The doctrine of hell and eternal suffering is something little grasped by most professing “christians.” (Mt 13:42; Jam 5:1; Ps 9:17)
63. The judgment seat of Christ is perhaps one of the most neglected topics in the modern pulpit. (2Cor 5:10; Rom 14:10; 1Cor 3:13)
64. The second coming of Christ needs to be re-instated as the church’s general thrust and burden. (1Jn 3:2-3; Col 3:4-6; 1Ths 4:14-17)
65. The church has lost the fear of God and has over emphasized the love of God. (Heb 12:28-29; Lk 12:5; Heb 10:31)
66. The church has left evangelism to a few trained professionals. (Acts 8:1,4; Acts 4:29; Rom 10:14)
67. Repentance is considered a one-time act in modern evangelism rather than a way of life. (Rev 3:19; Heb 12:17; 2Pt 3:9)
68. The Lordship of Jesus Christ is something that is not taught in many pulpits. (Acts 2:36; 1Cor 12:3; Rom 6:18)
69. Many in “churches” are not open to correction, church discipline or rebuke. (1Cor 5:5; 1Cor 11:31-32; Heb 12:7-9)
70. Some preach salvation as a theory instead of persuading men to come to Christ. (Jn 5:40; Col 1:28; 2Cor 4:5)
71. There has been a loss of the fullness and majesty of the gospel. (1Tim 1:11; Jude 25; Rom 15:29)
72. There is little mention of sin or the depravity of man from “church” pulpits. (Jn 3:20; Gal 5:19-21; Eph 5:5)
73. Covetousness, consumerism, and coddling of the world’s goods does not appear wrong. (Jer 22:17; 1Jn 2:15-16; 1Tim 3:3)
74. Little is made of the resurrection of Jesus Christ in churches or in evangelism. (1Cor 15:14-15; Acts 4:10, 33)
75. The “church” has relied more on technology than God. (Zech 4:6; 1Cor 1:21; 2:4)
76. The prayer meeting is considered one of the least important meetings in the “church.” (1Tim 2:1; Acts 4:31; Phil 4:6)
77. Pastors have never prayed less than they do in the “church” today. (Jer 10:21; Phil 2:21; Eph 6:18-19)
78. Very few are waiting on God for His direction and purpose for His Church. (Eph 1:11; Ps 37:7; Isa 40:31)
79. The “church” has many organizers, but few agonizers. (Phil 3:18-19; Rom 9:1-3; Jer 9:1)
80. We need to have the gifts of the Spirit restored again to the “church.” (2Tim 4:2; 1Cor 14:39; 1Cor 12:31)
81. A serious, sober, self-controlled Christianity is very seldom found or preached. (2Pt 3:11; 1Pt 4:7; Jude 3)
82. The “church” at large has forgotten how to pray. (1Jn 3:22; Acts 6:4; 1Ths 5:17)
83. Many “churches” are more dependent on tradition than the leading of the Holy Spirit. (Mk 7:13; Acts 16:6; Acts 13:2)
84. Multitudes of professors preach and teach: that you cannot be freed from sin. (Rom 16:18; Rom 6:1-2; 2Pt 2:1)
85. The Apostles and Christ always preached the possibility to walk free from the bondage of sin. (Tit 2:11-12; 1Pt 1:14-16; Rom 6:19)
86. Sinners are not saved to sin, but rather, saved to holiness and good works. (Rom 6:13; Eph 2:10; 2Pt 3:14)
87. Cheap grace means the justification of sin without the justification of the sinner. (2Tim 2:19; 1Pt 4:17-18; 2Tim 3:12)
88. A baptism of holiness, a demonstration of godly living, is the crying need of our day. (1Tim 6:3; 2Ths 3:6; 2Ths 2:13)
89. Many are confused about obedience and the good works that are readily mentioned in the Scriptures. (Tit 3:8; Jn 10:32; Rev 3:15)
90. Little emphasis is put on the plan of God to make us like Jesus Christ in “churches.” (1Pt 1:14-16; 1Jn 2:6; 1Pt 4:1)
91. Christ did not die on the cross to obtain a worldly “church” but for a “glorious Church.” (Eph 5:27; Tit 2:14; Col 4:12)
92. Christ does not come into an unregenerate and impure heart as many contemporary theologians say. (2Cor 5:17; Mt 5:8; Eze 18:31)
93. A holy Church is God’s blessing to the world; an unholy “church” is God’s judgment upon the world. (Mt 5:14,16; Eph 4:1; 1Ths 2:12)
94. If Christianity is to make any headway in the present time, it must be proved to be more than a theory. (2Ths 3:6-7; 1Ths 4:1,11-12)
95. Unbelief has gagged and bound us as risen Lazarus! We need release in this final hour! (Heb 3:12-14; 1Cor 3:21-23; Heb 11:6)

Source:

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• http://modern95theses.com/2010/11/06/95-theses-to-the-modern-evangelical-church-by-greg-gordon/
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