That’s a long title I know but are we missing something? Maybe we’re not but a whole heap of people are. It’s just this; reality is two dimensional, physical and spiritual. Everything physical has a spiritual parallel, “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse (Rom.1:20).” Paul weighs in with this further decisive statement about…

There is a distinct difference between a theologian and a seculogian. The first attempts to study the nature of God and apply that study to life. The second views human nature from a personal perspective and uses it as the authority to determine how human society should function. The first assumes a God outside and above human nature and the second assumes that human nature is self-defining. Here’s the scary part, in the present president we have a seculogian attempting to become a…

Work of the Holy Spirit John 16:8-11

Vs.8-11 When He comes, He will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment: in regard to sin, because men do not believe in me; in regard to righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; and in regard to judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned.

As far as Jesus is concerned there is no question as to whether or not the Holy Spirit will come. When Jesus…

1 The day of Pentecost came (check below for history). The believers all gathered in one place (see John 20:19). 2 Suddenly a sound came from heaven. It was like a strong wind blowing (see John 3:8). It filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw something that looked like tongues of fire (see Mt.3:11). The flames separated and settled on each of them (see Jer.20:9). 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit. They began to speak in languages they had not known before. The…

The Anointing, Function

3:4 Remember your anointing.

“A new command I give you, love one another as I have loved you (Jn.15:12).” Lawlessness is breaking that command, but--- 1Jn.2:1-2---“My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. 2 He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.”

Saved by God’s Grace…

When asked how I could possibly not see that man’s nature has evolved my response has been, is and will be, “Just read the headlines in your local paper, look at TV news and open your eyes to the conflicted people around you. And don’t forget to look in the mirror.” The accounts of international intrigue, terrorism, corruption, murder, mayhem, riots, discrimination, divorce, pornography, neighborhood squabbles, rampant lawsuits, the need for military and police protection, fraud, burgeoning…

There are four glaring reasons secular culture rejects the Bible and they are spiritual which is the main reason.

First, its insistence on the condition of human nature (sinful and uncontrollable apart from God).

Second, its unchanging principles for thought and behavior (moral absolutes).

Third, its central figure Jesus is perfect humanity defined spiritually (a perfect human/spirit blend).

Fourth, its spiritual inspiration and revelation (God’s perfect Word revealed…

There is a distinct difference between a theologian and a seculogian (my word for a secular thinker). The first attempts to study the nature of God and apply that study to life. The second views human nature from a personal perspective using it as the authority to determine how human society should function. The first assumes a God outside and above human nature and the second assumes that human nature is self-defining. Here’s the scary part, in the present president we have a seculogian…

Heresy---institutional style

When a nation’s leaders yield to the cultural idols of the moment that nation’s future is in jeopardy. Much of the fault will lie at the door of religious denominations. When that happens, it is the Body of Christ that must stand for truth. That is why I chose to revisit a statement made three years ago. If anyone can possibly doubt that many so-called ‘mainline’ denominations have been hijacked by the humanistic gurus of cultural accommodation, the…

In John’s first general letter he calls believers of every age children in the most affectionate sense and with that he affirms it is from God who made them children with a special power, “But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth (1Jn.2:20).” He goes on to say in vs.27, “As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not…

Intelligent design can be seen in the stable working of the physical universe. It has order built into it. So what about the invisible order? What governs it? It seems that the problem of human existence is not in what can be seen but in what can’t be seen. There is tremendous disparity between the two. While the universe seems to function according to a set system it is the invisible forces in people that create suffering in everything from personal relationships to all-out war between…

Every year the National Football League conducts a draft to choose players for each team. There are seven rounds the most prestigious of which is the first. When you are a first round draft choice your name is broadcast all over the world, you receive immediate media attention and ‘visions of sugar plums dance’ in your head. Millions of dollars await your beck and call. As you make your way ‘down’ the second to seventh rounds your value decreases. Unlike the first two rounds those chosen are…

We have been talking about intelligent design behind the whole of the universe. For us as disciples of Jesus the idea is a given. So let’s look at it in a bit more detail as we consider what it means to be intelligently designed in the image of God. We have an identity. We are individuals, persons with unique minds, hearts and spirits, threefold spiritual personalities with physical bodies who are so unique that no one before or since has ever or will ever be the same. We have a…

As I was thinking about what I needed to be writing today this two word description of the universe’s origin popped into my mind. I take that as a nudge to explore. Rather than look into the vast material available on the subject I go to the Scripture to see what it really means there. I was struck immediately, after looking at Genesis 1, the definitive conclusion that God created all existence both invisible and visible. But I was also struck with another thought. There is a gap between…

Zeph.2:3

“Seek the Lord, all you humble of the land, you who do what He commands.

Seek righteousness, seek humility: perhaps you will be sheltered on the day of the Lord’s anger.”

These are two lines from this Psalm that are punctuated by the word ‘seek.’ And these two lines reach out like searchlights into the heart. Over and over again the context of the Psalm calls for an expectation, an awareness, an awakening to the coming Day of the Lord, what it will bring, who will…

Men’s Retreat 4/28/12

Theme: Sermon on the Mount

The Crucifixion and Resurrection of the Heart

Explanation about the retreat.

Five sections:

1. 9-9:30 Introduction---Matt.3-4 to set the stage.

2. 9:30-10:45 Two by two

break

3. 11:00-12:15

sharing

lunch

4. 1-1:30 morning summary and most significant personal learnings

5. 1:30-2:15 Prayer and Laying on of Hands for All Souls and individuals

Introduction

The…

This passage is famous having made popular the epithet, ‘Doubting Thomas.’ Right or not Thomas has become the historical poster child for doubt. Perhaps we need to rethink the cultural image and see him in Scriptural reality.

Thomas was not with the disciples during the second appearance so they told him they had seen the Lord. His retort? He would not believe unless he did three things, saw the nail marks in Jesus’ hands, put his finger where the nail marks were and put his hand in…

The world hates you. Subtle though it be, it hates your mind, heart and spirit. That is the final truth about ‘the world.’ The reason will emerge here shortly. Also we want to make clear the world we’re talking about is not the earth. When God created everything He said it was good. It was what happened after that that changed everything. So when the New Testament talks about ‘the world’ it’s describing a spiritual structure of thought, principle, spirit and behavior operating apart from…

He is Risen! The Lord is Risen Indeed! Hallelujah!!!

The stone rolled away, the empty tomb, the neatness of the collapsed grave clothes, the appearance of angels, Jesus speaking to Mary Magdalene, His many appearances, the beginning and growth in the hearts and numbers of His followers, the changed world after and His still emblazoned touch on the present.

What happened 2000 years ago is still happening in the hearts and minds of those who believe He is not only risen and alive…

The religious, political and cultural authorities executed Jesus. They gave His body to His friends who took Him down from the Cross, laid Him in a tomb and removed from the world the greatest threat mankind faced in its attempt to keep God out of the human mind, heart and spirit. Man’s religious systems couldn’t accommodate the One God who became man while remaining God in Jesus, who faced down the devil, exposing him as the author of sin and evil and offering a relationship with Him in…