Controversy gets stirred when the scriptures aren't properly explained.
In light of all that happened lately with Phil Robertson etc. Let me point something out that never gets explained in any of these conversations.
You know the very scripture Phil quoted was for the church. Yet, most people or pastors never explain that. The sins mentioned were ...happening in the Church in Corinth. There were all kinds of bad stuff happening within that group like sons having relations with their mothers!
The world is going to be the way it is, yet once you become a believer that's when these things are to be reconciled with God. The majority of the New Testament epistles were written to Churches. 1 Corinthians was a letter written to the Church in Corinth warning the congregation not to continue in the sins of the world. Paul wrote it to scold them and remind them of how they should live.
If you are a believer you once were a heathen, but God chose to save us from the world and the sins. The way the church should evangelize is present the gospel law and grace. It's the Holy Spirit that brings conviction we are just the presenters of the word and not the judges.
This is what Paul stated in his epistle to the Church in Corinth. "Church not worldly people."
I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people— not at all meaning the sexually immoral of this world, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world. But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler—not even to eat with such a one. For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge? God judges those outside. “Purge the evil person from among you.”
1 Corinthians 5:9-13
Did you notice Paul said have nothing to do with those who call themselves brothers, not the world. It is the world that needs the gospel.
There are other areas in the scripture that the Bible speaks on these issues in other ways, but for now I just wanted to point out what continues to be ignored in the Church. You see those who are in the church are the "called out" ones. We are to be holy as He is holy! There are to be no compromises in the gospel. If you are a believer then you need to know the full council of God without picking and choosing what scriptures you like or don't. Plus others sometimes mention the scriptures contradict each other, yet that isn't possible either. When you read the bible in light of the Holy Spirit it comes together in harmony. All scripture is God breathed and to be used for correction, rebuke and teaching. Those are Pauls words that He heard from the Lord. God Bless
Thursday, December 26, 2013
Wednesday, May 1, 2013
What you are saying offends me!
The words in this title was what I heard from a lady in front of our local Home Depot a few years ago. I was out on the sidewalk near the street, preaching. What words offended her? The Ten Commandments. Yes, the thou shall nots! You see we are in time in the United States where people are using the word "offends" more often when it comes to the Christian faith.
This young lady went so far as to get the manager of the store. He came to talk with me and asked me to stop. I stated that it was my right to be there (in a polite manner) and stated what part of this offends, "you shall not steal"?
The lady then held her ears and said stop! The youngman said the same. I asked them, do you want people to come into your store and steal things? I heard the words, "stop preaching to me!"
The whole time I never raised my voice and stayed polite during all of this confrontation. The manager said, "look I am a Christian and go to church, but I don't think you should be doing this here". How wonderful to know that a person who claimed to be a Christian would tell another believer not to preach. Yes, people we are in that era as well. Yet, we are called to preach the gospel.
The sidewalk I was on was all the way across the parking lot from the store. It was a city owned sidewalk and I was facing the public road. Yet, they didn't want me there because the young lady was offended. They walked away when they realized I wasn't going to leave.
As they were walking away, I felt the need to pack everything up. Once I left the parking lot and was going down the main road, a policeman passed me. Coincidence? No, I felt the Lord speak to my heart that the policeman was called by the manager and he was on his way to talk with me. Just as when Paul felt there was trouble in a certain city and he was compelled to leave.
I am no super Apostle, but we do need to be aware of God's voice.
My reason for this post is to expose believers to what is happening in our communities. Our rights as believers to present the gospel is being trampled. Yet, the very Constitution of our United States protects this right to preach the gospel in the open air.
Plus it protects the very word we speak. Here are some samples of court rulings that can help when confronted.
"We have repeatedly referred to public streets as the archetype of a traditional public forum," Frisby v. Schultz, 487 U.S. 474, 479 (1998)
The simple fact the young lady found what I was saying as offensive is also protected.
"The fact that society may find speech offensive is not a sufficient reason for suppressing it. Indeed, if it is the speaker's opinion that gives offense, that consequence is a reason for according it Constitutional protection." Simon & Schuster, Inc. v. Member of New York State Crime Victims Bd., 502 U.S. 105, 118 (1991)
The fact is the very freedoms we hold fast to in this nation should prompt us to be more diligent in proclaiming the gospel freely in the public. Many will say well it should only be done in the pulpit. Of which I would strongly disagree. The pulpit isn't the only place for the gospel. That young lady may never have set foot in a church. We must bring the Word of God to the public. What offended that young lady was actually conviction. People must first know why they need a Saviour. I gave the law first during that street preaching time, then I gave the grace message. Jesus came to save that which was lost. People, don't depend on the people in the pulpits to be the only way people here the gospel. Go and be doers of the word while you proclaim that word! The world needs it!
This young lady went so far as to get the manager of the store. He came to talk with me and asked me to stop. I stated that it was my right to be there (in a polite manner) and stated what part of this offends, "you shall not steal"?
The lady then held her ears and said stop! The youngman said the same. I asked them, do you want people to come into your store and steal things? I heard the words, "stop preaching to me!"
The whole time I never raised my voice and stayed polite during all of this confrontation. The manager said, "look I am a Christian and go to church, but I don't think you should be doing this here". How wonderful to know that a person who claimed to be a Christian would tell another believer not to preach. Yes, people we are in that era as well. Yet, we are called to preach the gospel.
The sidewalk I was on was all the way across the parking lot from the store. It was a city owned sidewalk and I was facing the public road. Yet, they didn't want me there because the young lady was offended. They walked away when they realized I wasn't going to leave.
As they were walking away, I felt the need to pack everything up. Once I left the parking lot and was going down the main road, a policeman passed me. Coincidence? No, I felt the Lord speak to my heart that the policeman was called by the manager and he was on his way to talk with me. Just as when Paul felt there was trouble in a certain city and he was compelled to leave.
I am no super Apostle, but we do need to be aware of God's voice.
My reason for this post is to expose believers to what is happening in our communities. Our rights as believers to present the gospel is being trampled. Yet, the very Constitution of our United States protects this right to preach the gospel in the open air.
Plus it protects the very word we speak. Here are some samples of court rulings that can help when confronted.
"We have repeatedly referred to public streets as the archetype of a traditional public forum," Frisby v. Schultz, 487 U.S. 474, 479 (1998)
The simple fact the young lady found what I was saying as offensive is also protected.
"The fact that society may find speech offensive is not a sufficient reason for suppressing it. Indeed, if it is the speaker's opinion that gives offense, that consequence is a reason for according it Constitutional protection." Simon & Schuster, Inc. v. Member of New York State Crime Victims Bd., 502 U.S. 105, 118 (1991)
The fact is the very freedoms we hold fast to in this nation should prompt us to be more diligent in proclaiming the gospel freely in the public. Many will say well it should only be done in the pulpit. Of which I would strongly disagree. The pulpit isn't the only place for the gospel. That young lady may never have set foot in a church. We must bring the Word of God to the public. What offended that young lady was actually conviction. People must first know why they need a Saviour. I gave the law first during that street preaching time, then I gave the grace message. Jesus came to save that which was lost. People, don't depend on the people in the pulpits to be the only way people here the gospel. Go and be doers of the word while you proclaim that word! The world needs it!
Monday, March 25, 2013
Are we ready for what the Lord is doing?
Well, it's been nearly two years since I have last posted anything on this blog. I took a much needed break from blogging and have been blessed for doing such. I have so much in my heart just bubbling up and needing to speak about yet, I didn't want to just post thing for the sake of it.
So hopefully in the next few days or week I will be presenting new things I feel the Lord has put on my heart.
Thank you to all who have been coming to this site and continue to comment. More to come later....
So hopefully in the next few days or week I will be presenting new things I feel the Lord has put on my heart.
Thank you to all who have been coming to this site and continue to comment. More to come later....
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