Who Is This? - Preached March 29, 2015

More Than Conquerors, Preached March 15, 2015

Did John Require the Jews to Be Baptized for Salvation

Is Baptism Required for Salvation

Why Stricter Gun Control Makes Sense..... Until you think Biblically

Why Gun Control Makes Sense…. Until you Think Biblically

          We all watched in terrified unbelief as the events of the Sandy Hook Elementary School Massacre unfolded before us on the news.  How in the world, in our civilized society, and at our point of advanced human evolution, could someone just walk into a school full of innocent children and fire off 156 shots in a matter of moments, killing 26 people?  How could a person just walk up to beautiful and innocent children and blow them to pieces?  What is wrong with a society in which something like that could happen?  These questions are not easy to answer immediately, but it is the answer to these questions that will help us understand and prevent this kind of tragedy in the future.

          After the crying, hugging, funerals, and the candle light vigils, many people have been moved to action.  We cannot allow this to ever happen again.  We must do something!  This feeling echoed through conversations at the supper table, the water cooler, and town meetings.  What can be done to prevent this unspeakable evil from ever occurring again?  Soon the answer came quickly.  We must eradicate all the guns responsible for this crime.  If we make these guns unavailable, then perpetrators of these kinds of monstrous acts will lack the tools to accomplish their evil intent.  On its face, this idea seems to make sense.  If there were no pesky second amendment zealots, this would have already been accomplished.  What is wrong with a society that would abide by the slaughter of the innocent just so some could continue to have access to these grotesque tools of barbarism?  This kind of hysteria is understandable, but there is another, deeper, set of truths that must be considered.  Why would Americans be so quick to surrender the blood bought freedoms guaranteed by the Second Amendment?  The author would like you to consider that there are three major underlying reasons that American society is willing to surrender their Second Amendment freedoms.

1.   As a society, we refuse to acknowledge or comprehend the extent of Human Depravity.

We human beings are a narcissistic lot.  We are so sure that we are the epitome of virtue and morality.  Just look at the “counseling” one receives on Face Book.  MIME after MIME proclaims that deep inside you is an angel, or that you are the source of light to brighten the world, or that all you need for things to work out, is to follow your heart.  If we humans are so wonderful, then how in the world can events like Sandy Hook or Columbine take place?  It must be the guns!  They are the problem!  It must be the video games… they are making our wonderful citizens into killing machines.  It must be mental illness… no one in their right mind would do this kind of evil.  So then this is what we must do… we must ban violent video games, confiscate guns and fund better mental illness.  That works… until you consider the Bible.

Jeremiah 17:9 (AV) The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?

Proverbs 14:12 (AV) There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

Romans 3:10–13 (AV) ¹⁰ As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: ¹¹ There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. ¹² They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. ¹³ Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips:

    You see, we humans are rotten to the core!  Every one of us starts out dead in our trespasses and sins.  We cannot make a move toward God or morality on our own.  Sure, if we can pass this darkness off onto something, anything, other than our own depravity, then we can be comfortable once again.  Governor Malloy said it right when first responding to the events of Newtown:

“Evil has visited this community today”

    Now that we have identified the true culprit for this kind of bloodshed, the presence of unspeakable depravity locked deep inside every human being, let us expose another misconception that allows Americans to surrender their Second Amendment rights.

2.    As a society, we need to find a scapegoat to blame when evil is manifested.

If there is some other thing we can blame, some inanimate object responsible, then we do not have to face the prospect that this evil resides within all of us.  If we can identify a scapegoat, then we do not have to take responsibility as a society for the existence of this evil.  Let us consider the logic.  A group of metals and polymers shaped in the form of an AR-15 in and of themselves become the embodiment of evil.  This kind of superstition was embraced centuries ago in pagan cultures.  Some imagined that certain colors or symbols, or even musical intervals contained evil.  Have we not moved past that kind of ignorance?  Some would say that video games, a collection of plastic and metal parts, are evil.  Really? 

What does the Bible teach about inanimate objects being evil?  The Apostle Paul was doing battle with Gnostics that viewed all material things to contain evil.  His thoughts in Romans 14 are very instructive:

Romans 14:14 (AV) I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean.

So in our effort to release ourselves from the evidence of innate human depravity we have found an inanimate scapegoat.   The Bible teaches us that guns, like all inanimate objects are neither good nor evil.  It is not an unclean gun in and of itself… it is neither clean nor unclean.  It depends upon how it is used.  Now let us be very cautious.  Once we accept the premise that it is ok to find a scapegoat to blame, then the next step is to graduate from blaming innocent metal to blaming innocent groups of people.

Autistic children all over America were stigmatized by the media after Sandy Hook.  Sure, it is easier to blame a mental illness, than to address the presence of Evil lurking in all of us, but it is not just.  It is not a great leap to then make a religion, a race, or an ethnicity the scapegoat for the next great evil that presents itself.

3.   As a society, we have a strong aversion to accepting personal responsibility and accountability for our actions.

We look at the thugs who shot up Columbine and blame the other kids for bullying them.  We look at the violence in our inner cities and blame poverty.  If only there were more social programs.  If only we could stop the bullies.  If only we could get rid of the video games that create mass murders.  Hold on!  As human beings we have free will!  We all make choices whether or not to feed the darkness lurking within or to keep it locked up so our inner monster never gets out!  We must get back to the simple law of action and consequences.

Galatians 6:7–8 (AV) ⁷ Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. ⁸ 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.

Our government is charged with dealing with evil doers.  It is not to be a terror to the innocent or to the good.  It is a violation of God’s trust in our society to allow Government to usurp the rights of the innocent in order to control the evil.

Romans 13:1–4 (AV) ¹ Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. ² Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. ³ For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: ⁴ For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.

So here we are in Connecticut, ready to do great violence to the constitution in order to protect us from future Sandy Hook tragedies.  Guns are not capable of evil, people are.  Control evil people by ensuring swift and final consequences for those who perpetrate evil without blaming great masses of people, making them simply guilty by association.  I thought we have evolved past that kind of behavior.

If you agree with these thoughts, please pass it on.  Let people know on Facebook, Twitter, or anywhere that people will listen.

Why Did Jesus Have to Rise Again?

1 Corinthians 15:17

17 And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.

Jesus Christ is risen from the grave!  On this Easter Sunday morning, we celebrate one of the basic doctrines of orthodox Christianity, the resurrection.  Have you ever wondered why it is necessary that Jesus actually rise from the grave?  We know that He is sinless and paid the price for our sin with His death.  If His death paid the price, why does the Bible say that Jesus had to rise from the grave?  Why could Jesus not just go immediately to Heaven to be with His Father?  Some would say that He had to prove that He had power over sin and death.  To whom did He have to prove this?  Would our salvation really hinge upon this proof?

In this blog we are going to take a detailed doctrinal look at the reason behind the statement of 1 Corinthians 15:17.  We will discover that Jesus Christ had to rise from the dead because His blood needed to be applied in order to obtain our redemption from sin.

First of all, let us scripturally consider what elements are essential to the Gospel.  There are many truths taught in scriptures, but what truths must be believed in order to have a Gospel that saves?  The Apostle Paul, in a famous detailed defense of the doctrine of the resurrection, gives us the three elements of the Gospel. 

1 Corinthians 15:1-4

Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; 2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.   3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

The first one is that  Christ died for our sins.  This was necessary because the price for sin is death.  

Romans 5:12

Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: 

Since the price for sin is death, then we cannot pay that price for sin with our own works.  

Romans 3:19-20 

Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.  20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. 

Galatians 2:21

I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain. 

The second element of the Gospel is that Christ was buried.  He really did die, and He really was buried.

The third element of the Gospel is both unique and powerful.  Christ rose again on the third day.  The Bible is clear in teaching that without the resurrection, there could be no salvation, but why?

1 Corinthians 15:17-18

And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. 18 Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. 

If Christ did not rise again, then your faith is in vain.   Why was the resurrection an essential element of the Gospel?  Could not Jesus have still paid the price of death without the resurrection?

Jesus Christ had to rise from the dead because His blood needed to be applied in order to obtain our redemption from sin.

The Old Testament picture of the Passover shows us that it is not just death that is important, but the applying of the blood.  

Exodus 12:3-7, 12-13

Speak ye unto all the congregation of Israel, saying, In the tenth day of this month they shall take to them every man a lamb, according to the house of their fathers, a lamb for an house:  4 And if the household be too little for the lamb, let him and his neighbour next unto his house take it according to the number of the souls; every man according to his eating shall make your count for the lamb. 5 Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year: ye shall take it out from the sheep, or from the goats:  6 And ye shall keep it up until the fourteenth day of the same month: and the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it in the evening.  7 And they shall take of the blood, and strike it on the two side posts and on the upper door post of the houses, wherein they shall eat it. 

For I will pass through the land of Egypt this night, and will smite all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the LORD.  13 And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt. 

What was required for the death angel to pass over the first born?  The scripture is clear that the following had to take place.  A spotless lamb had to be chosen and kept.  The lamb had to be slain.  The lamb had to bleed.  The blood had to be kept.  The blood had to be applied to the doorpost.  If any of these steps were missed, the firstborn of the household would die.  

The New Testament teaches us that Jesus is our Passover Lamb.  

1 Corinthians 5:7 

Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us: 

This Passover picture then tells us that not only did Jesus, the Precious Lamb of God, have to die, but His blood had to be applied.  How this blood would be applied and by whom is pictured in the Old Testament Day of Atonement.

Hebrews 9:7-9

But into the second went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people: 8 The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing: 9 Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience; 

In the Tabernacle and later in the Temple, there was a separation between God and man, the veil.

Leviticus 16:2 

And the LORD said unto Moses, Speak unto Aaron thy brother, that he come not at all times into the holy place within the vail before the mercy seat, which is upon the ark; that he die not: for I will appear in the cloud upon the mercy seat. 

The only one allowed access to the Mercy Seat was the High Priest.   The High priest had to enter with innocent blood offered for his sins and the sins of the people.

Leviticus 16:6,16

6 And Aaron shall offer his bullock of the sin offering, which is for himself, and make an atonement for himself, and for his house.

16 And he shall make an atonement for the holy place, because of the uncleanness of the children of Israel, and because of their transgressions in all their sins: and so shall he do for the tabernacle of the congregation, that remaineth among them in the midst of their uncleanness. 

Once again, it was not enough that the lamb died.  The High priest had to enter into the Holy Place, directly into the presence of God, and apply the blood on the mercy seat.  Hebrews tells us that this Old Testament ritual was a picture of what really exists in Heaven.  There is a mercy seat in heaven, prepared for one great day of Atonement.  Jesus our great High Priest, went to Heaven with His own Blood after the resurrection and applied it for us.

Jesus Ascended to Heaven after the Resurrection.  This is why the Resurrection is essential to the Gospel.  If Jesus had not Risen, He would not have applied the Blood.  Remember the price for sin is death... if that were enough, then Jesus would have completed the payment upon the cross, but the resurrection is essential.

Mary was told not to touch Jesus on that first Easter Sunday because He had not yet ascended to the Father.   This was not the Ascension mentioned in Acts 1 that took place 50 days after the resurrection.  This was the act of Jesus taking the Blood and applying it on the mercy seat in Heaven.

John 20:11-17

But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre, 12 And seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. 13 And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him. 14 And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus. 15 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away. 16 Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master. 17 Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.
 After He completed His High Priestly work in Heaven and returning to Earth, Jesus told men to go ahead and touch Him.

John 20:26-28

And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you. 27 Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. 28 And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God. 

The Blood had been applied, so it was permissible to touch Jesus.          Jesus Had to rise again in order to act as our High Priest and apply His Blood for us.

Hebrews 9:11-14

But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; 12 Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. 13 For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: 14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? 

There is a Mercy Seat in Heaven.  Jesus entered Heaven with His own blood. Redemption was obtained when the Blood was applied.  The Blood stains the mercy seat, purging you from dead works.  That is why Jesus had to rise from the dead in order to complete our salvation!

So what are you trusting in to get to Heaven?  There is a Blood stained Mercy Seat in Heaven right now reminding all of Heaven's creatures that God loved you enough to send Jesus to shed His innocent Blood and apply the mercy seat, sealing your pardon!  If you believe that, you can be saved.

John 3:16 (AV)

¹⁶ For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

If you have not yet trusted in Jesus as your Savior, and would like to know more, please e-mail me at pastor_don@ebcct.org.  Happy Easter everyone!

Someone's Got To Be The Grown Up!

As a pastor, often my lot in life seems to be to settle disputes between husband and wife, parent and child, and between church members.  This blog is going to focus on a few observations I have made while performing the unpleasant task of confronting and restoring feuding people.  I believe that God the Holy Spirit may use this simple post in your life.  If you are involved in a personal conflict right now, I have the solution for you - one of you has to be the grown up and choose to forgive and quit fighting back.

We believers often rationalize our childish brawling by telling ourselves that we have been grievously offended and our hateful behavior toward the offending party is only reasonable.  If the other person really wants me to stop treating them badly, then they should change their behavior!  This kind of thinking is diametrically opposed to scriptures.  The Bible tells us that this kind of infighting and selfishness stunts our Christian growth.  In fact, if we behave like that, we will not be able to understand some preaching because we no longer have the spiritual discernment to grasp it.


1 Corinthians 3:1–4 (AV)

¹ And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. ² I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. ³ For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? ⁴ For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?

So what is the solution?  There are some people that seem to be itching for a fight.  Any word or gesture you make will be misunderstood and turned into an occasion for yet another conflict.  We rise to the occasion retorting with the same vitriol that is flung in our direction and the fur hits the fan once again.  How can we stop this vicious cycle?  Someone has to be the grown up.  Someone has to choose to remain silent and not engage.  Someone has to choose the selfless path of peace.  Here are a few practical things to help you be the grown up the next time you find yourself in a cycle of conflict.

1.  Choose the soft answer.

Proverbs 15:1 (AV)

¹ A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.

The next time your spouse yells at you, make the right choice. As soon as someone starts to raise their voice, our flesh wants to match and exceed their negative tone.  There is only one thing that will do, it will stir up anger.  We often answer with harsh words and then get bitter at the other person for getting angry!  That is so unjust!  God has promised us that if we return grievous words, anger will be stirred.  If you want to find peace, you have to choose to be the grown up and choose a soft answer,

2.  Choose to seek the good of others first, rather than self appeasement.

 
Philippians 2:3–4 (AV)

³ Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. ⁴ Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.

Another reason peace seems to be so illusive is that we must get our own way.  It seems so loathsome to us to allow the other person have his or her way, we are willing to sacrifice a peaceful home.  Often the thing we fight over really does not matter.  Sure, it would be good if they would yield to your wishes sometime, but someone has to be the grown up.  Get out of the way and esteem the other better than yourself.  Believe that God will plead your case at some point.

3.  Choose the path of peace  and forgiveness rather than revenge. 


Romans 12:18–21 (AV)

¹⁸ If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. ¹⁹ Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. ²⁰ Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. ²¹ Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

Here is where the rubber meets the road.  When we are hurt, our flesh wants to hurt the offender back.  This is not our job!  If the offender needs to be hurt, God can take care of that.  We need to aggressively do good to those that do us wrong.  If you do that, more often than not, peace will ensue.  Why should I do good to my enemy?  Because God loves a peacemaker and someone has to be the grown up!