We are a spirit filled, evangelical church that preaches from the Bible as God's inspired Word of life. We are an English language church community that have people from every part of India and even parts of the world. We are here to put the Great Command and the Great Commission into practice by equipping and releasing every member into works of service.
In today’s
world we have so many opportunities, choices of vocation etc. But what you
consider the most challenging job to be?
Its being a
father. You may say “whats so challenging about that?”
Firstly it’s
a great privilege. In today’s world marriages are under stress, many struggle with
starting a family etc. We need to realize that children are a gift from the
Lord.
In the Bible
very few were good fathers. Even King David, though a man after God’s own heart
failed when it came t beign a father. The bible I very candid about failures.
Being a
father is not only a challenge but significant. How?
In the 1900s
2 families trees were researched upon.
Max Jukes’
descendants included:
7 murderers,
60 thieves,
50 women of
debauchery,
130 other
convicts.
310 paupers
(with over 2,300 years lived in poorhouses)
400 who were
physically wrecked by indulgent living.
It was
estimated that Max Juke’s descendants cost the state more than $1,250,000.
Jonathan
Edwards’ godly legacy includes:
1 U.S.
Vice-President,
3 U.S.
Senators,
3 governors,
3 mayors,
13 college
presidents,
30 judges,
65
professors,
80 public
office holders,
100 lawyers
and
100
missionaries.
This is a
powerful example showing how a parent’s leadership can have a profound effect
on their children and the generations to come.
We all know
the tremendous contribution mothers make.
Senora Dodd
was brought up by her father as one of 6 children So she decided to celebrate
fathers day on his birthday but later it got streamlined to the 3rd
Sunday in June.
Throughout
scripture God has many titles but one that even Jesus used was “Our Father”.
Paul wrote about “Abba father” – its an intimate term of endearment.
The Jews
would not even say the name of God. But Jesus said that we can call Him Father.
Fatherhood is a good thing. There is great pressure to take away traditional role of the father and
mother today. Many countries have legalized same sex marriages.
The role of
the father and mother is very important – they are equal but have different functions.
The Father is the head of the household and ought to loving provide. The mother
is primarily a home maker and is in equal partnership with her husband.
What is the father's
role?
It is a
great privilege as I said before. Today there is a big stigma attached to
childlessness. It is in God’s hands so when you are struggling to have children
do not fight with each other.
Our role is
to look at our heavenly father and model him. We all have earthly fathers and
we know that they are not perfect. It’s sad when the bad things have been
passed on viz violence, addictions etc.
In Christ that
curse is broken. Jesus can nullify all the negative effects of the past. WE are
a new creation and a changed people.
Zep 3:17 The
Lord takes great delight in you. Isn't that amazing? We need to delight in our children.
Give them lots of love, hugs and kisses.
Love toward your
children – affirm them, encourage them.
Provide for your
children – it’s a father's responsibility.
Teach them. Deut
6:7 impress them on your children. It’s a father’s responsibility to teach the
children the ways of the Lord. At home the father’s role is to be the spiritual
priest. If you have not started it’s not too late. The Spiritual nurturing of your
children is up to you and its your responsibility and not that of the Sunday school
which takes place for only half hour a week. Bless them before they go to
school.
Discipline
them 0 in love. In India we let the kids run loose and wild and when they are
adults everyone want to control them. Heb12
Model it –
In everything we do we need to model it. Your children are watching you. It’s a
rewarding job. We have a great responsibility and opportunity to leave behind a
great legacy.
What to
father’s need? Respect, and honor. Ex 20:12 We need to honour them so that you
will live long. This is the 1st command with a promise.
Verse 4
Fathers do not exasperate the. The bible has a lot to say about bringing up
children.
We need much
grace and help to live up to this high calling.
Invest in yourself
and the generations to come.
Besides having biological children we can all have spiritual children and that is a great legacy to leave behind as well. We are all in this together. Lets make an impact on the generations to come.
Colin D Cruz
June 2013 Word of Grace is an Evangelical (Born Again), Spirit filled (Charismatic), Reformed, English speaking church in Pune that upholds the Bible as God's inspired Word for life. We are a church community that have people from every part of India and parts of the world. We are here to put the Great Command and the Great Commission into practice by equipping and releasing every member into works of service. To know more about us please log onto www.wordofgracechurch.org. English Language Service 10am
Life is tough for most people. Unending bills, battling with
health, relationship problems, misunderstandings between friends and relatives,
legal requirements – taxes, paperwork etc., challenges and pressure at the work
place to perform and do the impossible, delays in answers to prayer, etc, etc.
But in the midst of the storms of life, what is your anchor
that will keep you safe and help safe and keep you from sinking? Is it your
endurance, your strength, your intelligence, your personal contacts, your bank
balance, your family?
I want to take us to scripture this morning that will show what will take us to our final
destination.
I want us to look this morning to the one sure thing that
will keep you safe and rooted amidst the
hurricanes of life and will take you safely to our final port of call heaven.
That one sure thing is Not our faith or our love for God but
GODS LOVE FOR YOU.
Lets turn this morning to the letter of Jude, a short letter
tucked in the back of the Bible between 3 John and Revelation, only 25 verses.
Author: Is the
half brother of our Lord Jesus.
Judas – English form “Jude” which translates the Hebrew name
“Judah”.
Called
That small word called has huge meaning and
implication. Call refers to salvation and those who responded to it.
There is a general
call like in Matt 11:28 . Not all who listen to the general call, respond. It
often goes unheeded and rejected. Jude is not speaking about God’s general
invitation to sinners (Mt 11:28
Rather he is speaking of God’s special call. This call is an
internal call made by God himself through which He awakens the human will and
imparts spiritual life – enabling once dead sinners to embrace the gospel by
faith (Jn 5:21, Acts 16:14, Eph 2:5)
It is what Christ referred to when he said “No one can come
to me unless the Father who sent me draws him” Jn 6:44
Most frequent one word descriptions of Christians –i.e Called.
Our statement of faith i.e called does not mean we are
morally or intellectual superior to others . For many years you could not see
but now you see. So don’t bagger your friends and relatives saying “why can’t
you see?”
What was your state before He called you ?
Eph 2 – dead in our transgressions (not responsive). You
were spiritually dead. Not only that you were hostile to God – but
you were humanly incapable of altering the condition of our heart. Your
conversion did not start or originate with you. It was not initiated by you. It
started with God touching us and drawing s to Jesus.
We often think we responded to the gospel and when you think
of it in isolation, glory comes to you. But when you think about and realize
that God was at work in you, you realize the grace of God upon your life. It’s
like Lazarus who was dead and could do nothing till Jesus spoke the words and
life came into his body. It’s the same with us.
Therefore we cannot convert anyone – we can pray, share the
gospel but all that is of no effect unless the Father touches their heart. This
has implication s for life. For example who you marry. Choosing a marriage partner – only believers
2 Cor 6:14 Don’t be unequally yoked with an unbeliever
whether marriage , business
1 Cor 7:16 How do you know you will save your wife/husband.
1 Cor 7:39 She if free to marry anyone she wishes, but he
must belong to the Lord.
Then some have had dramatic conversions, some as a child but every
one has this in common i.e we were called
Every Christian has this calling in common. Dramatic as Paul’s
or simple like Lydias (the Lord opened her heart as Paul was preaching) Each
and every conversion is dramatic. Greatest miracle one can experience in our
lifetime.
Acts 9: Sauls conversion (dramatic)
Acts 16: Lydias conversion (quiet) Simple conversion,
nothing dramatic. She had gone to pray. She was religious but not a beliver.
She hears Paul and the Lord touches her heart.
Both are equally miracles of God. Both were called by God.
None of us can do it on our own.
Why did he call You?
Have you thought of that? When you go for a job you need to
qualify at different rounds of interviews? But why did God call you? You may
say, I am a smart guy, intelligent, good, handsome, I can be useful etc. Banish
those thoughts! We didn’t deserve anything. All our righteous acts are like
filthy rags.
Jude tells us “who
are loved by God the Father”
Why does He love us? Divine
motivation. Because he loved you. Behind the call of God is the love of God the
Father. Be clear we don't deserve it. This should fill our hears with gratitude.
There is no place for grumbling but thanks.
Sometimes we have moments of doubt and despair and we think
“Does God really love me?” we look at
the challenges we face – health, marriage, work, childlessness. And you may
think is He withholding his love? Lets have a right view of God. HE does not
love you because you had a quiet time or you are good. He loves you because He
loves you. Isn’t that reassuring?
When we think of God
the Father we can think of him as tolerating you or is very disappointed in you
and eager to discipline you. If you are uncertain it will find its way and
affect every area of your life.It will affect your reading scripture, prayer (how we
approach him.). You will be looking inward all the time vulnerable to introspection,
condemnation, hesitant to commune with the father, not growing in your
knowledge of the father love, vulnerable to despair, and a distinct absence of
joy in your life. The reason they don’t have joy is because they are looking at
their own performance or other people’s performance.
Jude want s to communicate to us that the Father loves you
personally.
Jude wants the original recipients to have a proper view of God the Father and to
receive fresh assurance and his love and receive fresh assurance of his love.
Loved by God the Father
He called and summoned sinners like you and me through
proclamation of the gospel, as an expression of
his electing love determined before the creation of the world. This call
took place in your life because he loved
you personally, he loved your particularly.
Called by God because he loved you and chose u with full
enthusiasm. It is his will that you be convinced of his love. Every Christian
can say I am loved by my father. Every Christians can say that but not every Christian
does say that.
There is to be a degree of certainty. You are loved by the
father. Where you look for that certainty
can make all the difference. Don’t look within yourself for the reason for
that love. Don’t look there you will not find it.
So don’t come to God based on your recent performance but
come to God based on the righteous in Jesus.
Kept for Jesus Christ.
We are all on a spiritual journey where we are becoming more and
more like Jesus. In heaven we will be transformed to be perfect and sinless. If
you are truly called and loved by God you will surely be kept. This is a massive assurance. Many authors call
this the preservation of the saints.
What massive assurance this must have been for the original
recipients. Influenced by false teachers
and false teaching hat have infiltrated the church. They might wonder will I
make it. Those whom the Father has called he loves and those he calls he will
keep. They see the adverse effect of some doubting and some participating and
some advocating. Wonder will I make it. Jude writes Protect and preserve them from all dangers –
doctrinal and circumstantial. Influence and effect of sin.
Faithfulness of God to protect and preserve.
You finishing the race does not depend on yrou effort but on
God keeping you till the end. Some of us think its my effort – I’ll pray, fast
etc. there is a role we play but Salvation begins and ends with God. Jesus will
keep you till the end.
V24
What are we to do ?Will we make it
to the end ?
V24 To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious
presence without fault and with great joy. – to the only God our savior be
glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all
ages, now and forevermore. Amen.
Keep you from falling, kept for Jesus Christ.
One day we will die and stand before the throne of God. What is the assurance of heaven. This
is our assurance. Jesus is without
fault. In the OT the priest didn’t look at the person but at the lamb to make
sure it was perfect. For us God does not look at us but at the perfect lamb
Jesus who is our sin bearer.
We don’t need to be afraid when we come into God’s presence
anymore. Jude is telling us Jesus will help us to come into God’s presence with
great joy. Why? Because its not what you have done or not, but what Jesus has done.
Jude is so amazed that he breaks out into worship. That’s
why the gospel is good news it speaks about the forgiveness of man.
Jude ends with something we need to do.
What?
V20 But you dear friends, build yourselves up in your most
holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit.
Keep yourselves in the God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord
Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life. We need to study the word and pray.
Both are important.
We are called to hold
to keep ourselves in the love of God. God will not let you go no matter
what trials we may face.
Our salvation is sure. God loves us. God has a wonderful
plan or your life from now till eternity. So lets believe and encourage one
another with these words. Will God change his mind? Human love is weak. But
God’s love is unchanging. We are blessed because God loves us, cares for us.
Word of Grace Church is a spirit filled (charismatic), evangelical ( Born- again) English speaking church that preaches from the Bible as God's inspired Word of life. We are a church community that have people from every part of India and parts of the world. We are here to put the Great Command and the Great Commission into practice by equipping and releasing every member into works of service.
This message was preached by Colin D Cruz at Word of Grace Church on the 2nd of June 2013. You can listen to the audio mp3 by clicking here. This is the concluding message of an 8 part series. You can read all the related blog posts by clicking on the label Vision 13/30
Isn’t is a wonderful thing to have your mortgage written off
or paid by someone else? We have an eternal debt to pay but the good news is
that it has been paid in full by someone: his name is Jesus. Jesus paid the
price for our sins. We should be the happiest people on earth.
However now we have a responsibility to tell others that the
debt has been paid.
Over the last few months we looks at 7 values we hold dear.
In life we can’t stop the rain and the floods but we can make our home water
and storm proof by building on the Rock and not on sand.
To sum up the 7 values”
Private Worship: this is about building a relationship with
Jesus by spending time in the Word , prayer, meditation and worship. May I
encourage you to spend time with God. If we don’t have a relationship with Jesus
we have nothing.
Public Worship: When we come together we see God’s power
being released in our midst. God can change us in an instant.
Hear Worship: the Bible says where your treasure is there
will your heart also be. We need to be good stewards of all the resources God
has given us.
Small Groups: This is
the pulse of the church. Here is where the church gets built up and where you
grow. Make sure you are a part of some life group.
Obedience to God’s Word : knowing is not enough. We want to
be doers of the Word. An ounce of obedience is worth far more than a ton of
knowledge.
Love: We can have everything but is we are not loving we
have nothing. We need to be filled with the love of God to love others.
Servanthood: the Son
of man did not come to be served but to serve. Jesus is our greatest model and
everything we do is serving.
The 8th
value I want to talk about today is MISSION
1.The Father sent his son. Think about what heaven
must be like. It is a perfect place. He left the beauty of heaven to live on
earth.
John20:21 Jesus tells the disciples
that as the Father has sent me I am sending you. Jesus will bless but we also
need to fulfill what He wants from us. We are the most entertained generation
that ever was but there is still an emptiness inside. The reason is that they
are missing out on knowing God and knowing their calling in life. Imagine if
you made a cow try to be a watch dog, what will you get?”
Acts 1:8 The Holy Spirit is not
there just to give us a feel good factor but He is there to make us effective
in the world. Jerusalem is your own people. Judea is your neighbourhood and the
ends of the earth – is everywhere else.
You may feel you don’t have the
courage to witness but the Holy Spirit will give you the power. Aren’t you glad
someone shared the gospel with you? In the same way be that some one to somebody
else now.
We are not sales people trying to
sell something in a clever way. No. We have the greatest news of all – out of
love we go to our friends, neighbours and tell them the good news. The great
commission is for all not just for the super pastor.
There is not greater joy than
seeing someone come to faith apart from your own salvation.
The whole world is struggling
with sin- we can’t save ourselves and we can’t live up to the requirements of
the law either. Rom 3:22-23
Jesus said He who does not gather
with me scatters!! That’s serious ! We can’t be neutral.
2Cor5:9, 10. Hell is real and
horrible therefore we persuade people.
Verse14 Christ’s love compels us.
If you have the love of Jesus in your heart no one needs to arm twist you – you
will love to do it.
V15. No longer will you live for
yourself but you will use your resources for God’s glory.
V18. We have this amazing privilege.
We are God’s ministers. We are
here to bring peace between God and man.
Only the gospel can bring peace.
We have a responsibility – let us impact our neighborhood.
Matt 28:18-20 We should all have
the desire to make disciples. One day Jesus will return and then it will be too
late. There are also amazing rewards for us.
Everyone will not go to heaven so
while we have time let’s make Jesus known and famous! Word of Grace Church is a spirit filled (charismatic), evangelical ( Born- again) English speaking church that preaches from the Bible as God's inspired Word of life. We are a church community that have people from every part of India and parts of the world. We are here to put the Great Command and the Great Commission into practice by equipping and releasing every member into works of service.
How does one know the truth from a lie? How do you know a counterfeit from authentic? Worse still is how does one sift the half truths mixed with lies which is the making of heresy? Today the threat to the church of Christ is not an invasion, or even physical persecution ( though that is not desirable and does exit in some parts of the world) but error that is creeping into the church and taking many Christians captive by their fine sounding arguments. this is not new to Christianity - it was already prevalent during the time of the Apostles therefore the warnings in the Epistles.
Here is a super article that was sent to me by a friend that is worth reading , thinking about and doing a spot check whether these things have crept into our churches.
This article though long, deserves our full attention. I hope you find it instructive as I have.
False teachings running rampant within the American church have created a “whiteout” condition for millions of believers. Here’s how to detect—and overcome—these destructive doctrines before it’s too late.
Editor’s Note: Most Charisma readers remember Steve Hill as the fiery evangelist from the Brownsville Revival who has since continued to win countless souls for Jesus around the world. But what many readers don’t realize is that Hill only recently came out of a three-year battle with melanoma. During that time, he received a prophetic vision warning the church of an impending “spiritual avalanche” that could kill millions. The following article on deception in the church is part of this timely message, now delivered in his latest book, Spiritual Avalanche.
Years ago my wife, Jeri, and I were driving on the interstate when we were overcome by a white cloud of windblown snow. “I can’t see a thing!” I shouted. We were experiencing a complete whiteout. I lost all sense of direction. I couldn’t see the road or other cars. Everything had vanished, replaced by this strange, mystical blizzard of white. The only thing I knew to do was to slow down and pray that I was still on the road.
By the providence of God I came to a stop in the median, where we waited out the storm. When it lifted, I was shocked at what we’d gone through. Miles in front of me and miles behind were wrecks—too many to number. Massive trucks had slid off the road and turned over. Cars were everywhere. It was purely by the hand of the Lord that we survived.
A whiteout is a weather condition in which visibility is severely reduced by snow. The horizon disappears completely; there are no reference points at all, leaving the individual with a distorted orientation.
This is what’s happening today in the church. Many are oblivious to the dangers on the horizon. In this spiritual whiteout the reference points—the ancient landmarks—have been covered. Erroneous teachings have merged together with truth, causing innocent believers to become disoriented—and blinded.
The Lord recently imparted to me a vision concerning the state of the church and what we must do about it. Those familiar with our ministry know we’ve never played games and have a deep, reverential fear for the work of God. Given this, I urge you to take heed to the following words. If you think I’m just letting off some steam, understand that I’ve just passed through three years of cancer treatments. I had been given only days to live. And as Leonard Ravenhill often reminded me, we must speak with the unction and urgency of God. We are all nothing more than dying men preaching to dying men.
In the vision I saw the church, depicted as a beautiful ski resort, with an enormous avalanche hovering overhead. The Lord immediately revealed the interpretation. This impending spiritual avalanche carried a threat that could destroy everyone. I’ve spent countless hours in the past attempting to rescue those who had fallen prey to false teaching. Now, in this visitation from God, I saw layers upon layers of snow steadily covering the solid, traditional truth of Christ. As with a whiteout, the truth had been lost in the flurry. No one who loves God willingly preaches deception, yet a spiritual whiteout of unhealthy, unbalanced and, in some cases, unbiblical teaching is blinding the body of Christ in America, and it is quickly spreading around the world.
How Has This Happened?
Unhealthy and destructive teaching can enter the church in various ways. Sometimes a biblical truth is taught to the exclusion of other biblical truths, producing a dangerous imbalance. At other times a biblical truth is taught in an exaggerated way, often going beyond what Scripture actually says, and in the end this does more harm than good. Many times clear, biblical warnings are ignored or reinterpreted so radically that they lose all impact or effect, leaving people vulnerable and exposed.
Paul warned that the “time will come when [believers] 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 Tim. 4:3-4). Today’s church in America, as a whole, is dangerously close to turning aside to such fables. Millions have already succumbed to these false teachings. Before we lose any more souls, it’s crucial that we identify what I believe are the seven greatest lies that have infiltrated the church and have led to a whiteout of error.
1) Overemphasis of Prosperity
Undoubtedly, some adherents of the carnal prosperity message are motivated by greed. For them, preaching Jesus is a means of financial gain, something Paul rebuked in the strongest possible terms, speaking of men “of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain” (1 Tim. 6:5).
Yet many sincere believers embrace this message too—and back their case with Scripture. They point to the covenant blessings the Lord promised to Israel for their obedience, including financial prosperity (Deut. 28:1-13). They highlight verses in Proverbs and Psalms that link financial prosperity to generosity, hard work, godly living and faith (e.g., Ps. 112). They remind us of wonderful promises, such as those found in Proverbs 3:9-10—and how Jesus reiterated these in the New Testament with teachings such as, “Give, and it will be given to you” (Luke 6:38). And they quote Paul, who wrote about the financial principles of sowing and reaping (1 Cor. 9; 2 Cor. 8-9; Phil. 4:11-19).
Are you with me? I am not against you having money. But I am adamantly against money having you. The problem is, there’s more to the story that the carnal prosperity preachers fail to mention:
Jesus warned against storing up treasures on earth (Matt. 6:19-24) and covetousness (Luke 12:15).
Jesus emphasized caring for the poor (Matt. 25:31-46).
Paul and John both taught that we should not live according to this present age (1 Cor. 7:29-31; 1 John 2:15-17).
Jesus did not die to make us financially wealthy but to save us from our sins (Matt. 1:21).
God chose the poor to be rich in faith and kingdom heirs (James 2:5).
More importantly, the carnal prosperity preachers have ignored other biblical warnings, like Paul’s powerful words to Timothy: “Those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness” (1 Tim. 6:9-11).
Carnal prosperity preachers encourage God’s people to seek after riches—or to seek after God for the purpose of riches—often even judging your spirituality by the kind of car you drive. What does that have to do with the gospel of Jesus?
2) Exaggerated View of Grace
This hyper-grace teaching has become an epidemic (see “What’s Wrong With Grace?” on p. 28). It has slipped in almost unnoticed and taken root like an unwanted weed—easy to get in but hard to get out of the Christian. I have personally dealt with many young people who were once on fire but fell under this “kicked-back” view of God. Now, instead of pursuing Him, they are partying. This “unmerited freedom,” if not tackled and taken out, will spread to future generations, leaving us with millions of lukewarm Christians who have traded their passion for poison.
Sadly, some hyper-grace preachers live in sin and ease their consciences by preaching about a God who is all love and who never condemns, a God who doesn’t judge us by our conduct. Like the false teachers Jude confronted, they “turn the grace of our God into lewdness” (Jude 4). The New International Version describes such lewdness as “a license for immorality.”
But not every hyper-grace preacher is looking for a way to justify sin. Some truly love Jesus but are simply preaching truth mixed with error. They’ve taken an undeniable, glorious truth about God and presented it in such an exaggerated form that they nullify all divine warnings and even claim that the words of Jesus don’t apply to New Covenant believers. If this seems judgmental, then it’s time to honestly line everyone’s teachings—including mine—alongside the Word. Don’t just go through the Word; let the Word go through you. Why are we so afraid in this godless generation to confront fallacies?
These hyper-grace teachers rightly emphasize that we are saved by grace and not by works (Eph. 2:8-9), that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us (Rom. 5:6-8), that we are no longer sinners but saints in God’s sight (1 Cor. 1:2), that God’s love for us is not based on our performance (Rom. 5:9-10), that having begun in the Spirit we can’t become perfect by human effort (Gal. 3:3), that we are now sons and daughters of God, joint heirs with Jesus (Rom. 8:15-17), and more!
But they ignore mountains of other scriptural truths and draw wrong theological conclusions. For example, they rightly teach that Jesus died for all our sins—past, present and future—but wrongly conclude that as believers we no longer have to deal with sin (meaning we never have to confess sin or repent of sin, and the Holy Spirit no longer convicts us of sin). Aren’t you tired of hearing of another backslidden brother? Trace his steps and you’ll often find he was given permission to slip away from the wonderful freedom of holiness into the bondage of humanism.
3) Antinomianism
Antinomianism—long word, simple meaning. The word literally means “against law.” It’s a short jump from an overemphasis on the grace message to complete antinomianism. In practice, it means that “anything goes,” since Jesus has set us free. The problem is, Jesus didn’t set us free to sin; He set us free fromsin.
Jesus died for us and broke sin’s power on our lives so that now, by the Spirit, we can live out the righteous requirements of the law (Rom. 8:1-4). Yet purveyors of this poisonous teaching fail to realize that Jesus calls us beyond the requirements of the law in His teaching, stating, for example, that adultery refers to adultery of the heart and not just the physical act (Matt. 5:27-28).
God’s perfect, holy, glorious law is not the problem. Sinful flesh is the problem. Sin will take you farther than you ever wanted to go. Sin will cost you more than you ever wanted to pay. And sin will keep you longer than you ever intended to stay. Sin will promise you everything but leave you with nothing. Sin will love you for a season and curse you for eternity.
For all the antinomians out there who believe “anything goes,” the question is, where do you end up?
4) Deification of Man
Many false teachings today start with man rather than with God. In contrast, when Paul laid out the gospel message in Romans, he started with God and then went to man: God is holy and we are not; He is righteous and we are not; we are under His judgment and in need of mercy, and that mercy comes through the cross.
Today’s gospel, especially in America, has a very different ring to it; rather than being all about God, it’s all about me. Just as the American way is to make everything bigger and better, the American gospel says that Jesus came to make you into a bigger and better you. That is not the gospel!
Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it” (Matt. 16:24-25).
We are in grave danger worldwide as millions upon millions gaze upon man rather than God. Just take a look at our political system. Words like messiah, lord,savior and anointed one are tossed around like candy. I cringe at heaven’s response. This is a setup for the Antichrist; as we become so accustomed to worshipping man, it will be a simple maneuver for the Antichrist to move into position.
5) Challenging the Authority of the Word
The challenging of God’s authority goes back to the Garden of Eden, starting with the serpent’s challenge to Eve: “Has God indeed said, ‘You shall not eat of every tree of the garden’?” (Gen. 3:1). This satanic challenge was twofold: First, did God really say that? And second, God didn’t really mean what He said. After all, you won’t die if you eat from the tree (vv. 1-5).
That twofold challenge continues to assault us today. Best-selling authors tell us the biblical text isn’t reliable, that the biblical manuscripts we have in our possession are hopelessly contradictory, and that we can know little or nothing about the real, historical Jesus. Other authors tell us that the Bible is no more than a collection of religious traditions and that God Himself is nothing more than a religious myth.
For the most part, though, the challenge to the authority of the Scriptures is subtler, and some of it flows out of the deification of man, which says, “The Bible must live up to my standards. I will judge the God of the Bible based on my morality rather than the God of the Bible judging me based on His morality.” In short, when the Scriptures contradict our feelings and preferences rather than crucify our feelings and preferences and bow down before God and His Word, we question God’s Word.
6) Rejecting Hell
Nowhere is this questioning of God’s Word seen any more clearly than when it comes to the subject of hell and future punishment. And because we preach an imbalanced gospel—emphasizing God’s love and ignoring His wrath, emphasizing His mercy and ignoring His justice—we no longer have room for hell and future punishment in our theology.
Why did Jesus use such strong language in talking about the fire of hell and about people weeping and wailing and gnashing their teeth (see Matt. 8:12)? And why did He teach that “it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell” (Matt. 5:29)? And why do other New Testament writers warn us repeatedly about the wrath to come (see Eph. 5:1-6)?
It’s one thing to debate the exact nature of the future punishment that awaits those who reject the gospel. It’s another thing to downplay or eliminate it. Whatever legitimate debate we may have on the precise nature of the coming judgment, this much is clear from the Word: it will be irreversible, dreadful and of eternal consequence.
Revelation 20:11-15 clearly warns about the coming Great White Throne Judgment. Yet modern-day heresy teachers have taken it upon themselves to erase the judgment. The result, if believed and followed, will be too devastating to mention.
7) Universal Reconciliation
Universal reconciliation promotes a get-out-of-jail-free mentality—that in the end, everyone will make it into heaven because of Jesus’ death on the cross. (In contrast, universalism teaches that all paths lead to God.) There may be future suffering, but it will be purging rather than punishment, and ultimately everyone will be saved.
Proponents of universal reconciliation point to verses that teach that God reconciled “all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross” (Col. 1:20). And they point out that just as in Adam all die, in Jesus all will live (Rom. 5:12-21).
What would you say if someone attempted to persuade you that Adolf Hitler was in heaven? “Abomination!” you would scream. “You’re deranged!” Yet that’s a sample of the fundamental false teaching of this layer of “avalanche snow.” Added to other layers mentioned previously, we will find the believer’s foundation deteriorated, and when the storms come, the house will come crumbling to the ground.
During this season when we celebrate the life, death and resurrection of Jesus, let’s determine to glorify Him by staying pure. A gentle breeze of false teaching has become a strong wind of serious error, some of it downright heretical, and a storm of doctrinal deviation has become a massive deadly whiteout. Amid this whiteout, stay committed to His teachings. Don’t permit any false teaching to subtly weave its way into your life, bringing down an avalanche that could destroy everything you hold so dearly. I won’t let it happen. Not in my lifetime and not in yours.
I urge you to open your heart and read Spiritual Avalanche. Revelation will be imparted from its pages. This 30-minute, full-color vision shook me to the core. I wept as I saw it and wept as I wrote the book. I love the church and will do everything possible to prepare her to meet the Groom. She isn’t ready, but she will be!
Yes, Jesus said in the last days even the elect could be deceived. But not you! You’re too smart for that!
Steve Hill is founder of Heartland World Ministries Church in Dallas. He is widely known for preaching the uncompromising message of Christ throughout the world.
This message was preached by Tim Davis in Mumbai at the Regions Beyond Leaders Meeting. This is a summary of that preach.
In Is 66 there is one question God ask his people “What kind of house will you build for
me?”
That question is a fascinating one to think on. The way the
question is asked is in the context of God saying “Heaven is my throne and earth
my footstool – what kind of house will you build for me?” How can you build
anything for me? It’s like David wanted to build a house for the Lord. Nathan
comes back with a word from the Lord where God says to David “No, I will build
you a house “and He talks of David’s house going on forever and that Solomon would
build the temple. But this is only fulfilled n Jesus when he said “I will build
…”
So our aim should be to say “ I will build what you are building”. Nothing else will please God
(Ps 127 Unless theLordbuildsthe house,the builders labor in vain.) God expects it to be done His way.
It’s got to be done in His strength for Him. It’s not about personal
preferences but the whole house is for him.
The house that is for
His glory and with His strength must have His pattern.
Rom 11 “For by Him and through Him. ” this is true about all
things even though its hard to see at times. But this is most clear in the
church- plans are his, build through his strength, the church is led by Him and
for His glory. This is a key thing to line up with.
What kind of church is Jesus building? Sometimes we can be
under pressure to be different. It’s his pattern we want to work to. What we
are building is a temple of the Holy Spirit - a dwelling place for God.
John records “if you see me you have seen the father” 1 Jn4:12
says no one has ever seen God. If we look at Jesus we see God. But John does
not say that. But if we love one another
he abides in us. Where that verse is pointing is that while we love one
another we will see him in the church.
We want to build one that becomes a dwelling place or God. We should be able to say to our friends come
to our church and you will see God in the love that is there.
Laying on of hands is not a fad we are adding. The presence of God is the essence of what
we are building. The Bible ends with “now the dwelling of God is with man”.
The church is the outpost for the end of the world. It’s
like the trailer for a film. The film of the great presence of God is coming. We
need our meetings to be full of the presence of God. We don’t want to be
diverted from anything else.
What kind of House?
1.OurWorship
should focus on Jesus. Everything should line up with Jesus- the corner
stone and built on the foundations of the Apostles and Prophets. The local
church is governed by Elders and the visiting gifts.
2.We want to
build houses full of Grace – it’s a part of the cornerstone Jesus.1jn4 so
as we love one another – he dwells amongst us and we can believe in grace
theologically but never experience it in reality. We are not just drawing a
plan but actually building it. It means our church should be full of the grace
of God – loved unconditionally in spite of all our quirks. We can cover it with
love. “Love covers” is an amazing verse.
It’s amazing when you read the gospels that sinners loved to be with Jesus who
knew no sin. Jesus loved being with them too.
That means it’s not a new system of rules
when people come to church but that they are loved and love.
Jesus was different from the other
religious leaders – he got angry with the
religious leaders who put burdens on them. People often relate with God the way
their leaders relate with them. God was seen as a hard task master who demanded
a lot from the people. But God is not like that – he made everything and then he provides for us as well all the time not
just what is necessary but in abundance. Throughout the Old Testament we
see (Ps 23) this. So when Jesus comes his harshest words are toward the religious
leaders. When he feeds the 500 its shouting generosity. He pours out blessing
upon blessing. So the house is full of grace and we are teaching people that
the gospel will change lives.
Often we look at law and grace as opposite.
Actually even the law is grace- the difference is its no longer law but people
of the spirit. So our great news is they can believe freely and will receive
the Holy Spirit who will transform lives. Sometimes our lack of faith in the Spirits
ability to change lives makes us feel the need to bring some rules to assist
change. So this house of grace is a super natural thing totally dependent on the
Spirit. Once we look at law we become judgmental and grace is gone.
3.Church
grows as everyone does their part and we should be good at honouring each one
that does their part. 1 Cor 12 talks about insignificant parts that need to be
given special honour. Its not enough to have a mighty man of God.
4.It’s a house
of servant leadership being expressed in a team because what it does is it
gives people an example of how it works and that we are there for the success of others. Its not a platform for me
to look good but to build a house of God - a people who are his very own eager
to do what is right. We want to give ourselves to give what Jesus gave himself
to.
5.Jesus clears
the temple of things that should not be there. This is a sobering thing for
leaders. May we never use the house of God for anything else? May I never use it for personal gain. My
house will be a house of prayer for all nations. Each local church will change
from being local to international
Have faith for calling your people to pray
for situations in the nations. When we
line up with God’s purposes and heaven sees it the Spirit comes upon us and
uses us.
I pray that we are building lines up with
what Jesus is building. Word of Grace Church is a spirit filled (charismatic), evangelical ( Born- again) English speaking church that preaches from the Bible as God's inspired Word of life. We are a church community that have people from every part of India and parts of the world. We are here to put the Great Command and the Great Commission into practice by equipping and releasing every member into works of service.
Here is a short but very practical word that was shared shared by Steve Oliver (at the Regions Beyond gathering in Mumbai)on some vital things we need to pay attention to when we come together as a
church. It is a blessing to have the Apostolic gift put some solid stuff into the foundations of the church .
Impartation through the laying
on of hands was very much a part of church life but we have settled for a hymn sandwich.
In the early church laying on of hands was a part of life. We need to get it
back and contend for it.
Paul writes to Timothy – do not neglect the gift you got through the
laying o of hands. When the Elders of a church lay hands, something happens –
don’t be little it.
If we are full of the Spirit and faith – we have weapons of
mass destruction in our hands ( to demolish every stronghold of Satan)
I So firstly this is something we need to
establish in the local church as part of our foundations. It should be a daily
routine.
Secondly we are a Word
and Spirit church
Some Sundays don’t preach the Word – lay hands. Leaders should model it. Make it a life style I your
leadership meetings. As leaders, be eager to receive prayer as well.
Organize well –
it shows you are intentional.
II Create an atmosphere
where people can encounterGod. Do
it with faith. You don’t work it up. it’s
a promise from God “ I will pour out my spirit on all flesh”
Worship leaders – lead
people into His presence. Explain about the anointing and how it works.
Tell people to receive and expect the Holy Spirit.
Testimonies are helpful. Teach people to linger in the
presence of God.
III Those who minister the Word – build it into your message – tell your people
that you will pray for them after the message that they can respond to the
Word. This creates a hunger and thirst for God.
Look for evidence of
the work of the Holy Spirit when you are praying.
IV Establish this as
a body ministry so that it is not around a person. There will be different measures
according to faith but it will be a body. This builds churches. What you teach
is added to experience and it becomes life. It will start small but you will
see God move. Amen!
This message was preached by Colin D cruz on the 9th of June at Word of Grace Church. You can download or listen to the audio mp3 by clicking here
