We are living in perilous times. The massacre at Ft. Hood is one more example of how dangerous these days really are. Some may say, that it's just another shooting spree like the one in Orlando, Florida the same week. It's really no different than Columbine or Virginia Tech. In a sense that is true. Somebody gets a gun and shoots a bunch of people. It has happened before and it will probably happen again. The thing that makes the shooting at Ft. Hood different is the religious motivation of the shooter. In spite of the obvious effort by the media and the President to disassociate the incident from radical Islam, it was an obvious religiously motivated act of terrorism perpetrated by a Muslim extremist who just happened to be a Major in the United States Army!
We were admonished by the Commander In Chief that we must not jump to conclusions. One doesn't have to jump very far to reach the right conclusion about this incident. The evidence is quite sufficient to conclude that this man is a radical, religious terrorist.
Why were the earliest expressions of concern from our President about the potential "backlash" against Muslims rather than for the safety of the American public?
"Emotionally disturbed", "mentally deranged", are two descriptions that have been used to describe the murdering Major. There is no question, someting was terribly wrong in the mind of this man. What no one seems to be willing to say is that he, like the suicide bombers and like the hijackers who flew the planes into the Twin Towers at the World Trade Center, was brainwashed by a religion of hatred. There, I said it. Islam is a violent religion with a mandate to rule the world by jihad. Those who insist that Islam is a religion of peace are either misinformed or deceptive. The truth about Islam is that it instructs followers to convert, conquer or kill all the infidels until Islam controls the world.
The fact that so many don't want to acknowledge this truth is just another indication that we are indeed living in, perilous times.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Falling Away?
Are we living in the perilous times the Bible speaks about in 2 Tim. 3:1?
2Ti 3:1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
The more I view the world through the filter of God's Word, the more I am convinced that we are indeed living in perilous times. The Bible tells us:
2Th 2:3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
The words "falling away" were translated from the Greek word "apostasia" which means "defection from truth". "Falling away" doesn't mean that there will be less religious activity although many people who used to be involved and active in the Lord's work have fallen away. They have defected. It doesn't even mean that there will be fewer people attending church services although many people who once faithfully attended church have fallen away.
The most dangerous (perilous) thing about this falling away is the defection from the truth. The truth is absolute. It is not subject to societal circumstances or changing times. The Lord Jesus Christ said in John 17:17: Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
The greatest danger is posed not by those who have quit serving the Lord or by those who have quit attending church. The greatest danger is posed by those who are continuing right along with their religious agenda but with no regard for the truth of God's word.
About two years ago a church in a neighboring community fired their pastor because he preached that a 15 year old should not be engaging in promiscuous sexual activity. This is not hearsay. I heard it from the pastor himself.
I've been told about another church not far from the church I pastor that requires potential pastoral candidates to sign a written agreement stating that they will not preach against homosexuality before they will be considered for the position of pastor.
There has been a great controversy and debate over whether women should be ordained into the pastorate while the Bible clearly states:
1Ti 2:12 But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.
1Ti 3:1 This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.
1Ti 3:2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;
Again, many are simply going right along with their religious agenda with no regard for the truth of God's word. I must also mention that I don't see how there could even be a debate about whether to ordain homosexuals into the ministry yet it is happening.
2Ti 4:4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
There are many other examples of how the modern church is defecting from the truth but these examples are enough to show us that we indeed are living in.........perilous times.
2Ti 3:1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
The more I view the world through the filter of God's Word, the more I am convinced that we are indeed living in perilous times. The Bible tells us:
2Th 2:3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
The words "falling away" were translated from the Greek word "apostasia" which means "defection from truth". "Falling away" doesn't mean that there will be less religious activity although many people who used to be involved and active in the Lord's work have fallen away. They have defected. It doesn't even mean that there will be fewer people attending church services although many people who once faithfully attended church have fallen away.
The most dangerous (perilous) thing about this falling away is the defection from the truth. The truth is absolute. It is not subject to societal circumstances or changing times. The Lord Jesus Christ said in John 17:17: Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
The greatest danger is posed not by those who have quit serving the Lord or by those who have quit attending church. The greatest danger is posed by those who are continuing right along with their religious agenda but with no regard for the truth of God's word.
About two years ago a church in a neighboring community fired their pastor because he preached that a 15 year old should not be engaging in promiscuous sexual activity. This is not hearsay. I heard it from the pastor himself.
I've been told about another church not far from the church I pastor that requires potential pastoral candidates to sign a written agreement stating that they will not preach against homosexuality before they will be considered for the position of pastor.
There has been a great controversy and debate over whether women should be ordained into the pastorate while the Bible clearly states:
1Ti 2:12 But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.
1Ti 3:1 This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.
1Ti 3:2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;
Again, many are simply going right along with their religious agenda with no regard for the truth of God's word. I must also mention that I don't see how there could even be a debate about whether to ordain homosexuals into the ministry yet it is happening.
2Ti 4:4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
There are many other examples of how the modern church is defecting from the truth but these examples are enough to show us that we indeed are living in.........perilous times.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Somebody Had To Say It
Are we living in the Perilous Times the Bible speaks of?
2Ti 3:1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
The description that follows that verse certainly seems to describe the condition of our society today.
2Ti 3:2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
2Ti 3:3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
2Ti 3:4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
2Ti 3:5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
Of all the characteristics listed the one that is without a doubt the most perilous or dangerous is in verse 5.
"Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof:..."
This seems to be the climate in much of today's neo-evangelical camp. I know that statement will draw fire but somebody had to say it.
Using clever marketing, rock concert atmosphere and ear tickling preaching the modern evangelical mega churches are packing in the crowds. In spite of the many thousands of reported conversions and baptisms we see very little impact on a society that is suffering from spiritual atrophy. Why?
It wasn't that long ago that the evangelical movement in the United States could flex its political muscle and the politicians took notice... but no more. It appears that the evangelical vote was a non-factor in the 2008 presidential election. What happened?
God didn't intend for His church to operate in this world through political power. In 1 Tim. 3:15 the church is called the pillar and the ground of the truth. Did we forget that? Did we really think we could change the world through political action groups like the Moral Majority and the Christian Coalition? Politics cannot solve societal ills...never has, never will. Why? Because politics can only change laws. Only God can change hearts.
I'm not saying we shouldn't be involved in the political process but we can't substitute political power for the power of God. Somewhere along the way the modern church, in its effort to attract a new generation of church goers, has adopted new methods and a new message. Today's preaching doesn't deal with topics like sin, personal holiness and eternal retribution. Is it because church goers today will not tolerate that kind of negative preaching? Is it because preachers today know that they will not tolerate it? I believe it is symptomatic of our "perilous times".
2Ti 4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
2Ti 4:4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
2Ti 3:1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
The description that follows that verse certainly seems to describe the condition of our society today.
2Ti 3:2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
2Ti 3:3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
2Ti 3:4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
2Ti 3:5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
Of all the characteristics listed the one that is without a doubt the most perilous or dangerous is in verse 5.
"Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof:..."
This seems to be the climate in much of today's neo-evangelical camp. I know that statement will draw fire but somebody had to say it.
Using clever marketing, rock concert atmosphere and ear tickling preaching the modern evangelical mega churches are packing in the crowds. In spite of the many thousands of reported conversions and baptisms we see very little impact on a society that is suffering from spiritual atrophy. Why?
It wasn't that long ago that the evangelical movement in the United States could flex its political muscle and the politicians took notice... but no more. It appears that the evangelical vote was a non-factor in the 2008 presidential election. What happened?
God didn't intend for His church to operate in this world through political power. In 1 Tim. 3:15 the church is called the pillar and the ground of the truth. Did we forget that? Did we really think we could change the world through political action groups like the Moral Majority and the Christian Coalition? Politics cannot solve societal ills...never has, never will. Why? Because politics can only change laws. Only God can change hearts.
I'm not saying we shouldn't be involved in the political process but we can't substitute political power for the power of God. Somewhere along the way the modern church, in its effort to attract a new generation of church goers, has adopted new methods and a new message. Today's preaching doesn't deal with topics like sin, personal holiness and eternal retribution. Is it because church goers today will not tolerate that kind of negative preaching? Is it because preachers today know that they will not tolerate it? I believe it is symptomatic of our "perilous times".
2Ti 4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
2Ti 4:4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
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