tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-44981831064950829672024-02-01T23:57:53.681-08:00Allen Raynor WeblogFBC Rogershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02681949669021762416noreply@blogger.comBlogger36125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4498183106495082967.post-68239879732796572332014-12-22T17:32:00.000-08:002014-12-22T17:32:11.092-08:00Recommended Reading from 2014 (Pt. 1)<div data-mce-style="margin: 0px;" style="font-family: Arial;">
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Below, I have listed and said a few words about some of the best books I have read over the course of the past year. I hope you will consider reading a few of these and that they will be as enjoyable and helpful to you as they were to me.</div>
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Our churches need revival – not necessarily more revival<i>meetings</i>. True revival is unlikely to come about unless we seek God on the matter. Leonard Ravenhill’s book <i>Revival Praying</i> was a quick and enjoyable read, yet highly challenging. If God’s people do not truly <i>seek</i>a spirit of revival then God is unlikely to <i>send</i> true revival and we are merely stuck having annual, semi-annual, and periodic meetings.</div>
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Bill O’Reilly and Martin Dugard co-authored a book called <i>Killing Jesus: A History</i> which became a bestseller. When I first heard O’Reilly was doing this project, I found it a bit disturbing, quite frankly. I appreciated his insights and frankness when it comes to political matters but felt he was in no position to talk about Jesus with any measure of authority. However, after reading this book I have to say he has used his platform to challenge many to think about the historical Jesus. The book is an external look at the historical Jesus and not meant to be a work of theology. Most Christians will find little in the book they do not already know about backgrounds, but I do believe the book is well-written and has value from a historical and apologetics standpoint.</div>
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Kevin DeYoung is gaining more and more notoriety as an author. He serves as a pastor in Michigan and is well-known as a blogger. He has written a handful of books that are simple enough to understand, yet challenging. This year I read <i>The Hole in Our Holiness: Filling the Gap Between Gospel Passion and the Pursuit of Godliness</i> by DeYoung. Holiness is not meant to just be a “church” word. It is meant to be a prevailing reality in our lives as Christians. This book is a challenge for believers to see to it that our lifestyles live up to the expectations of our Lord as much as possible.</div>
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We all know the value of Bible study. But, our study can become stale if we do not work at making it fresh. Books such as <i>How to Get the Most from God’s Word: An Everyday Guide to Enrich Your Study of the Bible</i> by John MacArthur gives a lot of helpful insight into how to study God’s Word just a little deeper and gain more from the effort.</div>
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Two great books I have recommended before, I re-read this year and still challenge you to read. <i>The Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life</i> by Donald S. Whitney and <i>I Am a Church Membe</i>r by Thom Rainer are top-notch.</div>
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<i>The Rapture Question Answered Plain & Simple</i> by Robert VanKampen gives a very good presentation of the Pre-Wrath Rapture position. This viewpoint advocates the belief the rapture of the church will occur in Revelation 7 during the interlude described between the opening of the sixth and seventh seals. The carefully researched material is highly similar to a book I read about a dozen years ago called<i>The Pre-Wrath Rapture of the Church</i> by Marvin Rosenthal.</div>
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I read a book this year titled <i>Demons, Demons, Demons: A Christian Guide Through the Murky Maze of the Occult</i> by John P. Newport. The book was written in 1972 so the illustrations are largely outdated however the general truth remains that demonic activity is alive and well in our world. The striking thing about reading a book on this subject, written 42 years earlier, is to consider how much more prevalent demonic activity appears to be in our day. So much of what we have become accustomed to, could hardly have been envisioned by Newport just 4 decades ago.</div>
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Conflict is inevitable. No matter who you are, how old you are, where you live, or even where you go to church you will experience the butting of heads and locking of horns. Many people think <i>their</i> church is the only one that experiences turmoil and conflict, but it is more wide-spread than anyone cares to admit. In <i>Conflict: Causes & Cures</i>, Mike Smith gives several case studies of actual conflicts he has mediated over the years. Conflict escalates and progresses if left untreated just like a disease. All believers will benefit from reading this book and coming to a better understanding of the inevitable reality of conflict.</div>
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I enjoyed reading a little book called <i>The Top 40 Traditions of Christmas: The Story Behind the Nativity, Candy Canes, Caroling, and All Things Christmas</i> by David McLaughlan. We actually used this book as a part of our family devotion time during the evenings leading up to Christmas. There are several similar books that offer insights into the background of Christmas traditions, but this is one of the better ones I have read.</div>
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In Christ,</div>
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Dr. Allen Raynor, Pastor</div>
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Recent weblogs and messages are available at <a data-mce-href="http://www.fbcrogers.com/" href="http://www.fbcrogers.com/">www.fbcrogers.com</a></div>
FBC Rogershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02681949669021762416noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4498183106495082967.post-22220648063618106482014-12-18T13:21:00.000-08:002014-12-19T13:22:25.123-08:00Nothing Left to Fear for Believers<div data-mce-style="margin: 0px;" style="font-family: Arial; text-align: left;">
One of the most famous quotes from the twentieth century came from Franklin Roosevelt’s first inaugural address in 1932, when he spoke to a worried and depression-ravished nation, saying “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” Fear is very real and often debilitating to a great number of people. However, most of the things people fear never come to pass.</div>
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Fear is a tremendous motivator. People purchase guns because they are fearful. Recently in Ferguson, MO gun sales went up sharply as people anticipated violence when a verdict was to be announced in the Darren Wilson grand jury decision. Indeed violence <i>did</i> ensue.</div>
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Some put alarm systems in their homes and cars out of fear. Fear leads some to carry pepper spray on their key chains. Some fear death and take all sorts of steps in attempting to live just a little bit longer. Advertisers play upon people’s fears in order to sell their products. Quite honestly, fear is big business.</div>
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Fear of being alone has caused many to jump into bad relationships. Roosevelt hit the nail on the head with his statement more than 80 years ago. Indeed it is usually fear itself that is the problem – far more than the object(s) of anyone’s fears.</div>
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In 2013 actress Angelina Jolie underwent a preventative double mastectomy. The reason given was that she feared getting cancer like her mother. Jolie's mother, Marcheline Bertrand, lost her battle to ovarian cancer in 2007 at the age of 56. This is a step being taken more and more frequently today by those fearful of an eventual potential negative outcome. I knew a man a few years ago who told me he and his wife followed a diabetic diet very strictly, but neither had diabetes. They feared acquiring the disease as they got older so they reasoned that if they followed a diabetic diet they could avoid ever getting that diagnosis.</div>
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<i>Healthy</i> fear can be a good thing. We should all be a little fearful of driving without a seatbelt, petting stray dogs, and eating wild mushrooms. However when fear becomes overwhelming it is then a problem. God’s Word teaches that believers really have nothing to fear.</div>
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The word “fear” and the concept of fearfulness or being afraid appear many times in Scripture. Interestingly, fear is almost always to be viewed in a negative light, with one important exception. People are called upon to “fear the Lord” and further to be fearful or afraid of failing to do what He says to do. In the first chapter of Deuteronomy, the Israelites were fearful to enter the land that God had set before them. We read “Look, the Lord your God has set the land before you; go up and possess it as the Lord God of your fathers has spoken to you; do not fear or be discouraged.” (Deut. 1:21) If we believe that God is watching out for us, having our best interest, protection, and well-being in mind why do we fear? We look back at God’s preservation and the prosperity He bestowed on His people in the Old Testament and say ‘of course He took care of them.’ But, while the people were in the midst of this pilgrimage they were not very confident. God prepared the way for them, but they still feared. We read the promise “He is the One who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed.” (Deut. 31:8)</div>
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David found reason to fear at times. But the overwhelming pattern of his life was one of great confidence in the Lord. In the 27<sup>th</sup> Psalm he wrote “The Lord is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” (Psal. 27:1)</div>
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In the New Testament Paul wrote to encourage the young pastor Timothy reminding him “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” (2 Tim. 1:7) The spirit to which Paul refers is the Holy Spirit. It is He who gives great gifts including courage that gives us confidence; power that enables us; love that tempers us; and soundness of mind that allows Godly wisdom to prevail in and through us.</div>
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Fear resonates with the worldly-minded person in part because they really do have legitimate reason to be fearful. They really have no hope beyond what they can experience with their senses. They have nothing good beyond right now, and if what they have is taken away, they have nothing. The Christian, on the other hand, need not fear because this life is just a temporary layover as he/she awaits their eternal home and all the glory and splendor that entails.</div>
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The world fears for <i>good</i> reason. If Christians fear, it is for <i>no</i>reason. Temporary doubts cannot become permanent faults. Confidence must replace our fears as we reflect on the undeniable and captivating truths of God’s Word. God loves us. In that love all fear is removed. We read in 1 John 4:17-19 “Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is so are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. We love Him because He first loved us.”</div>
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In Christ,</div>
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Dr. Allen Raynor, Pastor</div>
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Previous weblogs may be viewed at <a data-mce-href="http://www.fbcrogers.com/" href="http://www.fbcrogers.com/">www.fbcrogers.com</a></div>
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Recent messages may be heard at <a data-mce-href="http://www.fbcrogers.com/" href="http://www.fbcrogers.com/">www.fbcrogers.com</a></div>
FBC Rogershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02681949669021762416noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4498183106495082967.post-13513896547117253692014-12-04T17:35:00.002-08:002014-12-04T17:35:35.597-08:00Tricking the Mind Does Not Change Reality<div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; min-height: 16px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">A few years ago a news report revealed how clothing sizes have slowly evolved.</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">A women’s size “6,” for instance, was shown to actually be larger than a women’s size 6 from garments made and sized in the past.</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">This carried through all women’s sizes and even some men’s sizes as well.</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Manufacturers readily admitted the “adjustment.” The thinking behind the change is that even if people have gained weight they will feel better about themselves if their clothing size number does not change. Eager clothing manufacturers, seeking to sell more product, have been </span><i style="letter-spacing: 0px;">happy</i><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"> to accommodate.</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">A happy customer is a </span><i style="letter-spacing: 0px;">repeat </i><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">customer.</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Increasingly, many men’s pants have expandable waists.</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">A man may, for example, purchase a size 36 pant when he really needs a size 38.</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">The expandable, elastic waist will accommodate his needs and allow him to breath comfortably.</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">And best of all, he can still proudly boast he has been wearing size 36 since his college days!</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> A few short decades ago, people did not buy things they could not afford. It was not that they did not have the desire; it was that they simply <i>could </i>not. They did not have that much cash and banks would not lend money for houses that were beyond people’s means. The banks had a responsibility to maintain the solvency of their institution and further, it was not responsible for them to prey upon people. Their integrity, and often the law, would not allow it. But as predatory lending became more and more prevalent many people bought houses and cars, and other big-ticket items they could not afford. What actually happened was sellers cleverly tricked people into believing they were purchasing something, when in reality, they were only signing up to make payments. There is a big difference. People of medium or lesser incomes were able to obtain things they could have only dreamed of and had previously been available only to the wealthy. The advent of “the installment plan” did wonders for people’s ability to grasp what they previously could not reach. When all is said and done the interest paid by some people is utterly staggering. It is quite remarkable how thoroughly successful retailers have been in tricking people into thinking they can afford the things they cannot. And in the irony of all ironies, they have even tricked them into paying more for the items, by way of the interest! Credit cards are a chief culprit in the deception. If a person does not have the money to purchase something today, do they honestly think they will have it by the end of the month? Of course not. Credit cards have long been used as a tool to trick people into obtaining things they cannot afford, and the credit card companies are laughing all the way to the bank. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> After the grand jury investigation in Ferguson, MO it was shown there was no basis to pursue any sort of indictment against the officer and that he acted appropriately under the circumstances. The autopsy report on Michael Brown, Officer Darren Wilson’s testimony, the testimony of several eye-witnesses, and the physical evidence of bruising etc. on Officer Wilson told the true and honest story of what happened. But race industry professionals and racial opportunists like Al Sharpton keep shouting a false narrative. Complicit in this spreading of lies is much of the mainstream media, many elected officials, celebrities, and political commentators. Even members of the congressional black caucus stood on the floor of congress this week holding up their hands saying “don’t shoot” which is an orchestrated lie. No evidence ever showed that Michael Brown had his hands up or asked the officer not to shoot. Instead, the evidence clearly showed that Brown, high on marijuana and having just robbed a convenience store, was charging at the officer with the officer yelling at him to stop. Even a handful of football players, members of the St. Louis Rams, came out of the tunnel at last Sunday’s game raising their hands in political protest, further fanning the flames of the false narrative and further dividing this country. Joseph Goebbels, a Nazi zealot during the holocaust famously said “If you tell a lie big enough and keep repeating it, people will eventually come to believe it. The lie can be maintained only for such time as the State can shield the people from the political, economic and/or military consequences of the lie. It thus becomes vitally important for the State to use all of its powers to repress dissent, for the truth is the mortal enemy of the lie, and thus by extension, the truth is the greatest enemy of the State.”</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> Many struggling with homosexuality have tricked themselves into believing that it is ok, and even that God made them that way. Further, that marriage should be their right, and that anyone who does not fully embrace and affirm them in what they desire, is a homophobe and a bigot who is way behind the times. But, what does the Bible say? What does history say? What does biology say? What does psychology say? These do not support the claims of homosexuals, but the daily pep rallies in their minds and among like-minded individuals keep perpetuating the trickery and deception inside their head.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> We are now in the Christmas season, and once again atheists are actively seeking to put a damper on the holiday. A recent billboard paid for by a group called “American Atheists” depicts a little girl writing a letter to Santa. The caption then says “Dear Santa, all I want for Christmas is to skip church! I’m too old for fairy tales.” I wonder who they are trying to convince and why? Is it not enough to believe something and be comfortable with that belief? There is an interesting psychological aspect to what they are doing. I believe atheists feel left out of all the festivities and celebrations. They would be welcomed in joining in, however they choose not to join in. And as the old saying goes, “misery loves company.” The degree to which this is true is evident when a person, an atheists, goes out and spends money to rent a billboard to tell those celebrating Christmas their (Christians) belief is inferior to their (atheists) “non-belief!” It is absurd! I do not think Christian groups would waste money renting a billboard to post a message proclaiming their non-belief in ghosts, aliens, or reincarnation. Why then is it so important for atheists to display their non-belief? Perhaps it is because privately, they are not so sure of their non-belief. It seems to me, atheists are playing a lot of mind games with themselves. Maybe they have been tricking their minds.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> Not long ago I watched a mini-series on <i>The History Channel</i> about the masterful magician Harry Houdini. His talents were enormous. He could, through sleight of hand, get people to believe something that was not real. His presentation was so convincing people were either almost or, in some cases, totally convinced that it <i>was </i>real. But it was fantasy, trickery, and deception all for the sake of entertainment. But people today are tricking themselves and they are being deceived by others into believing that lies are truth. The world’s style of wisdom is foolishness. It always has been and always will be. The Apostle Paul wrote a warning to the Corinthians about self-deception. He said “Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you seems to be wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He catches the wise in their own craftiness, and again, the Lord knows the thoughts of the wise that they are futile.” (1 Cor. 3:18-20) People who believe lies and have themselves been tricked by lies, are looking for still yet others to trick with lies. Don’t fall into their trap.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">In Christ</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Dr. Allen Raynor, Pastor</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Previous weblogs may be viewed at <a href="http://www.fbcrogers.com/"><span style="color: #0433ff; letter-spacing: 0px;">www.fbcrogers.com</span></a></span></div>
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FBC Rogershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02681949669021762416noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4498183106495082967.post-65103710117306525332014-11-26T18:59:00.000-08:002014-11-26T18:59:10.151-08:00Ferguson, and Lessons We Can Learn<div data-mce-style="margin: 0px;" style="font-family: Arial; text-align: justify;">
It is hard to fully wrap our minds around the menacing violence, destruction, looting, and general chaos being committed by several in wake of the announcement of the grand jury verdict in Ferguson, MO on November 24<sup>th</sup>. Officer Darren Wilson will not be indicted in the August shooting death of Michael Brown. The particulars of this case were considered and weighed heavily by the District Attorney and handed over to a Grand Jury for their examination of the facts and sequence of events. At the end of a 3 month investigation their conclusion was not to indict the officer.</div>
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From the beginning of this situation there has been a substantial distorting of facts. Attorneys have certainly done their fair share of distorting, as they often do. The family has looked at this, much like any family would, through the prism of emotion. The one place though we should actually expect to get unbiased information is from the media. But, once again just like in countless other stories, the media has been anything but fair and balanced in its coverage. Over time, the media has traveled a road taking them past fairness, through bias, then through substantial bias, to the point of corruption at least in many outlets. There are still good journalists and there are still good news outlets, but they are scarce. The media culture breeds conformity and for those who do not follow the script, there is a hefty price tag to pay. Early on, the media adopted a narrative that a white police officer had gunned down an unarmed black man; therefore race was a major factor. Early on, some eyewitnesses made claims that quickly were proven false. Once the true sequence of events began to emerge, some in the liberal media had already backed themselves into a corner. When journalists become activists they are no longer true journalists.</div>
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The police in Ferguson made many mistakes in how they handled the Michael Brown crime scene. For instance, they let Brown’s body lie in the street for 4 hours thereby fueling anger from the community. Their attempts at public relations in the days which followed were poor. But, in all fairness, they were not trained in how to deal with something that grew so big so quick and became nationally prominent.</div>
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Politicians made rushes to judgment, notable among them were comments betraying prejudice against Officer Wilson by Missouri Governor Jay Nixon. There was certainly bias displayed by U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder and the Obama administration as a whole. Three representatives were even sent to Michael Brown’s funeral last August. Race hustler, opportunist, and MSNBC host Al Sharpton, was seen at various points throughout the ordeal, including speaking at the Michael Brown funeral. Sharpton’s presence and words clearly jazzed up crowds of people to expect a certain outcome. There were no real calls for fairness, justice, or finding out the truth. Regrettably, he had made up his mind and, <i>in</i> his mind, justice would only be served when the investigation proved him to be right.</div>
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What I am most concerned about in all of this is what is not being said. So often the root causes of problems are ignored and symptoms are treated like they are the problems. Here we have a young man, Michael Brown, seen on camera shoving the owner of a store out of the way when he tries to stop him from stealing from his store. The autopsy confirmed he had marijuana in his system. This was not his first run-in with the law in his 18 years of life. And it all ends one day when he grapples with a police officer trying to do his job and arrest him. Every dad in America should have set down with their teenage sons and had a talk about living right and making wise choices and not wasting your life like Michael Brown. Every parent should be using this to teach their kids not to steal, use drugs, run with the wrong crowd, respect authority, and live as a person of character, lest your life be a total waste and end like Michael Brown’s life ended. He was not a hero, he was thug.</div>
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But instead of hearing the common sense truth, we are hearing charges of racism, some calling the police force out of control, people talking about blacks being disproportionately targets, etc. But very little is said about what started the whole chain of events. Only at the point a scapegoat entered the picture (a white police officer) is there real outrage, and its all directed at him and “the system.” Where is the outrage from the black community about the murder rate in the south side of Chicago made up almost exclusively of black on black violence and it has been unchanged for 50 years! Where is the outrage from the black community when more than 70 percent of black babies are born out of wedlock? There seems to only be outrage when they can find a way to pin blame on others for their own problems. Could their time be better spent addressing the root causes of the problems – absolutely! Could they wise up and see how one particular political party has played them and used them as pawns for decades?</div>
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Very few these days have a wholesale commitment to the truth. Everyone, it seems, has their own version of truth. Sadly, most of the truth claims which are made are not true at all. God’s Word is the only reliable standard for truth and we are only truthful when our beliefs, conduct, speech, etc. are consistent with and in agreement with God’s Word. Within sinful man, wickedness and lies of every sort abound.</div>
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The Michael Brown shooting is, most certainly, a tragedy. It is tragic because a young life with so much potential was totally wasted due to the very bad choices he made, his lack of respect for authority, and disregard for the law. So many people could potentially learn so much from these events. But will they learn?</div>
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In Christ,</div>
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<div data-mce-style="margin: 0px;" style="font-family: Arial; text-align: justify;">
Dr. Allen Raynor, Pastor</div>
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Previous weblogs may be viewed at <a data-mce-href="http://www.fbcrogers.com/" href="http://www.fbcrogers.com/">www.fbcrogers.com</a></div>
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Recent messages may be heard at <a data-mce-href="http://www.fbcrogers.com/" href="http://www.fbcrogers.com/">www.fbcrogers.com</a></div>
FBC Rogershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02681949669021762416noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4498183106495082967.post-68986179358605081372014-11-20T15:47:00.000-08:002014-11-21T15:48:36.661-08:00Study to Show Yourself Approved<div data-mce-style="text-align: center; margin: 0px;" style="font-family: Arial; text-align: left;">
When it comes to the prospect of “study” I have observed that there are two things, and most often <i>only</i> two things, that people will study – that which they are <i>required </i>to study and that which they <i>desire</i>to study. People will study for a test in school or a licensing exam or something job-related. People will also study within their areas of interest. I am amazed at how many facts some people know about sports. Those interested in hunting and fishing enthusiastically study to learn more about hunting and fishing. Basically, detailed information related to whatever hobby or interests a person has is worthy to be studied by them. They will spend countless hours in the zone that brings them pleasure and fulfillment. It is far from a burden, but rather their pleasure.</div>
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For many, perhaps most people, Bible study falls into a 3<sup>rd</sup>category. The category is “things we <i>ought </i>to study.” Many will simply read their Bibles but not study them. They will attend church as long as it is simple enough so as not to challenge them to have to put their thinking caps on. Yet, we are not merely called upon to “read” but to “study” Scripture. In this day and age when the Christian worldview is under such vehement attack, it is essential we be ready to defend our faith, and “the sword of the Spirit” (Eph. 3:17) is the weapon we use.</div>
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Many believers have children, grandchildren and other loved ones who have adopted secular worldviews of various sorts, and the Christian parents and grandparents have no idea how to defend the Christian worldview and only fall back on ineffective appeals to their loved ones to come to church and/or start reading the Bible. In other words, they cannot engage in meaningful conversations with those who are deceived by another worldview because they themselves only know the very basics of their own Christian faith/worldview. Yet study materials are available, in abundance, to help equip them to beef up their knowledge.</div>
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One of the most widely quoted verses in the New Testament is “Study (be diligent) to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed rightly dividing the Word of truth.” (2 Tim. 2:15) To be diligent in the manner called for here includes making the most of every opportunity given to increase in the knowledge of the truth. I have been amazed at how many spiritual opportunities I have seen wasted.</div>
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Study to increase in knowledge is profitable. Further, the profit is not merely for the person who gains in knowledge but for the whole body of Christ. Sadly what we often see is the reality stated in Hebrews 5:12-14 “For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.” How many perpetual babes in Christ do we have in our churches? When Peter Pan stayed a boy and refused to grow up, everyone smiled, but I do not think God smiles when His children neglect to take the necessary steps to grow up spiritually! In this passage the writer goes so far as to say that many who would/should be teachers have refused to grow up spiritually and are still struggling with the basics.</div>
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Writing concerning the same theme in 1 Corinthians 3:1-2 Paul writes “And I brethren could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ. I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able.” The trend in the modern day church is to dumb down messages and lessons because even those who have been Christians for a number of years are not prone to trying to grasp anything very deep. Church has become much more about “what I get out of it,” than about “what God may have to say to me.” Many of our parents and grandparents went to church 3 times a week singing doctrinally rich hymns and being taught the Word of God verse by verse at each service. Now those things will not draw a crowd and few churches practice them. Those who do, have only a handful of people showing interest.</div>
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Hebrews 5: 12-14 indicates that many within the purview of this epistle should have matured to the point of being teachers by now but have not. What kept them from failing to be<i> </i>teachers? Quite simply, it was the fact they were not desiring “solid food,” but only “milk.” We wonder, at times, why there is always a need for teachers and few, if any, will step forward and show their willingness to teach. But what many fail to realize is that the answer is right here in the pages of Scripture. Too many have desired milk instead of solid food for far too long. Many potential teachers are people who stopped maturing years ago and never developed spiritually as God intended and may not even attend much at all anymore. Sadly, the waste of potential in our churches and in many individual Christian lives is enormous, and no doubt grieves the heart of God. Further, the witness and overall effectiveness of the church is weakened as a result.</div>
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In Christ,</div>
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<div data-mce-style="margin: 0px;" style="font-family: Arial;">
Dr. Allen Raynor, Pastor</div>
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Previous weblogs may be viewed at <a data-mce-href="http://www.fbcrogers.com/" href="http://www.fbcrogers.com/">www.fbcrogers.com</a></div>
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Recent messages may be heard at <a data-mce-href="http://www.fbcrogers.com/" href="http://www.fbcrogers.com/">www.fbcrogers.com</a></div>
FBC Rogershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02681949669021762416noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4498183106495082967.post-32563420372368628492014-11-06T16:15:00.000-08:002014-12-01T16:16:15.797-08:00Ethical Standards and Changing Morality<div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"> What or who determines standards? In times past in America, the obvious answer was the Bible. This was true even for individuals, marginal in their Christian commitment. But no such standard exists anymore – at least not in the minds of a great number of people. Where there is no standard, confusion will rise to fill the void left in its absence.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> It is near political suicide for a candidate running for office to quote from or refer to the Bible. The only exceptions might be vague, general reference to a passage that is hardly controversial. The 1828 edition of <i>Webster’s Dictionary</i> defined a great many terms by appealing to the Bible as the absolute standard. Our American laws all are rooted deeply in the standards found in the Word of God. Laws were not simply pulled out of the air. Their basis was overwhelmingly in Scripture.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> Over time morality and ethics have become largely lumped together and essentially are now viewed as being one and the same. However, drawing a clear distinction is valuable. Morality is a measure of what “is” taking place; what people are doing; their attitudes toward certain issues and standards of behavior. Therefore we can conclude that morality is forever in a state of flux and change. The phrase “moral standards” is mostly an oxymoron. A standard is set and unchanging, whereas morality is merely a reflection of what “is” taking place. There is no guiding principle. Ethics, on the other hand, speaks to the “ought.” Ethics are grounded in a true and unchanging standard. Christians would appeal to biblical ethics, in particular, and see Scripture as the standard of all ethical conduct. In other words, “ethics” should determine “morality.” Even if it is not perfectly followed, believers would claim that we “ought” to follow the teachings and standards of the Bible.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> In our present world, no such distinction is made between ethics and morality. The absolutes of ethical standards have given way to the moral norms of the ever-changing culture. To say someone is “moral” only means they are consistent with what is generally seen by a society as <i>being </i>moral. However, to say someone is “ethical,” means they are following standards that may be outside normal behavior and might even be quite counter to the culture. To say someone is “biblically ethical,” means someone is ordering their life around the teachings of Scripture.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> Many Bible-believing Christians lament that their adult son or daughter is, for example, now living with their boyfriend or girlfriend out of wedlock, or are engaging in other behaviors that are contrary to the standard taught by the parents in the home. This standard was based in the Bible. What has happened? Presumably, the parents taught an “ethical” standard to their child, particularly a “biblical ethical standard.” However as the child left home, went to college or joined the military, and got out into the world their biblical ethics came into sharp conflict with the morality of the culture. In the back of his/her mind the biblical ethic remained, but the morality of those around them was such that they were made to feel uncomfortable and felt tremendous pressure to conform. Typically this does not happen overnight. It usually takes time. It is very hard for those with ethical standards to consistently live up to the standards in which they believe when their encouragement for doing so is minimal or non-existent. And it is further difficult when their encouragement to adopt the moral norms of those around them is strong. You see this, for example, on a college campus. What is more common, to see incoming Christian freshman influence the campus with Christian ethics and teachings or to see the moral norms found on campus to influence the incoming Christian freshman? </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> God knew of this dilemma long before human beings ever gave it a thought. He knew believers needed to encourage one another, because “lone wolf” Christianity was always destined for failure. “As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.” (Prov. 27:17) Church is the institution He gave, not only for that “sharpening” or “encouragement” to take place but also a place for instruction. Many have sought answers to why there is such a decline in morality today, when compared with previous generations; but the answers are fairly simple. People attend church far less frequently, and the Bible is read and studied more infrequently than before. Add to this the fact that culture is imposing itself on all people with far greater intensity. Christianity is under direct assault, and the price to be paid for living by biblical ethical standards is much greater than it has ever been for men, women, boys and girls.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> There is more to life than living for the moment. Moments come and moments go. According to James 4:14 our lives are a “vapor” that appear for just a moment and then are gone. The “morality” of the moment is here, and then it is gone. But biblical ethics are standards that come down to us from God and they do not change. God declared in Malachi 3:6 “For I am the Lord, I do not change.” As mankind in every generation grapples with trying to determine morality, God’s ethical and absolute standards remain preserved in the Bible. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">In Christ,</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Dr. Allen Raynor, Pastor</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Previous weblogs may be viewed at <a href="http://www.fbcrogers.com/"><span style="color: #0433ff; letter-spacing: 0px;">www.fbcrogers.com</span></a></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Recent messages may be heard at <a href="http://www.fbcrogers.com/"><span style="color: #0433ff; letter-spacing: 0px;">www.fbcrogers.com</span></a> </span></div>
FBC Rogershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02681949669021762416noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4498183106495082967.post-2550200917008968662014-10-07T16:18:00.000-07:002014-12-01T16:19:23.299-08:00The Sway of the Evil One in this World<div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"> Every day, all around us, people are in process of being led astray by false teachers, false teachings, and clinging to false hope. The New Testament warns in every book of the importance of not allowing oneself to succumb to these prevailing influences.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> There are many dire warnings throughout the New Testament concerning false teachers. Jude had the aim of writing a letter of encouragement with the tone being positive and the theme being the common salvation believers shared through Christ. But, he writes instead in vs. 3-4, “Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints. For certain men have crept in unnoticed, which long ago were marked out for this condemnation, ungodly men, who turn the grace of our God into lewdness and deny the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ.” It is striking how quickly after the inception of Christianity that false teaching and false teachers spread like wildfire. However, it makes perfect sense when you consider that Satan knew he could be most effective if nipping Christianity in the bud before it really took off.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> In the modern world with radio, television, the internet, books, magazines, email, etc. people are still being led astray by the evil one. He is influencing this world in wicked ways and leading it down paths previous generations of people could never have fathomed in their wildest dreams. But the basic truth is still valid that John so appropriately stated in 1 John 5:19 “And the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one.” If John wrote those words 2000 years ago, it is no less true today.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> This world is made up of scores of nations, organizations, political parties, factions, institutions, etc. But, in the most ultimate sense, there are only two realms. There is the realm of God and the realm of Satan. Neither the realm of God nor the realm of Satan have changed since the dawn of time, nor will this change until the events prophesied in Revelation come to pass when Satan is cast into the lake of fire. Satan’s current realm is identified as “this world” in Scripture, and John tells his readers rather bluntly that the whole “world” lies under its sway. Therefore it is reasonable to expect this <i>worldly </i>manner of thinking and subsequent actions out of those who are a part of that which is Satan’s realm - the territory he “sways.”</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> Examples are all around us. When we see the God-given institution of marriage under attack by those who consider marriage equality to be anything they claim it to be; when we see unborn children killed and discarded like refuse so the “already born” don’t have to be inconvenienced and can go on living “their” lives “their” way and continuing their promiscuous sexual behavior; when the rights of criminals are elevated above those of the victims of their crimes; when mass murder is blamed on the tools used (guns) and not the depraved people pulling the trigger; when the nobility of work is downplayed in favor of cries for entitlement benefits then we know the world is turned upside down. This may seem new, but it is not. These are simply some of the latest manifestations of the infallible truth this world lies under the sway of Satan.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> The prophet Isaiah, wrote to the eighth-century B.C. Israelites of God’s coming judgment on their immoral and idolatrous lifestyles. His words are particularly pointed in 5:20-21 “Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!” He could have just as easily made a speech on the steps of the U.S. Capitol this afternoon and quoted verbatim what he wrote nearly 2800 years ago and it would have been spot-on accurate! What about even further back in time? In the days of Noah, about 2400 B.C. and right before God destroyed the earth with a worldwide flood, God gave the reason for this cataclysm. In Gen. 6:5 we read “The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thought of his heart was only evil continually.” The problem of evil is literally <i>older than</i> the hills!</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> For a person to come to Christ as Savior, it is not as simple as coming to a firm decision as to how you will spend Sunday mornings from this point forward. It is a matter of which of the two “realms” you will henceforth be a part of. Will it be the realm of God or the realm of Satan (this world)? Interestingly enough a person is automatically a part of this world, unless or until, he/she expresses sorrow for their sinfulness and identification with the world and receives Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. God’s Son, is the only bridge from one realm to the other. John 14:6 tells us He is “The Way, the Truth, and the Life” and that “No one comes to the Father except through Him.” The good news is that we can come, but the bad news is that the sway of Satan in this world is so strong and he has been so clever in crafting his deceptions that, the vast majority of people, have been fooled by him and will continue being fooled right up until their earthly death. Romans 1 speaks of how mankind “Became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to become wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man.” (Rom. 1:21b-23a) In the eyes of the world, serving <i>itself </i>is job one!</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> John ends the epistle of 1 John with the appeal “Little children, keep yourselves from idols.” (5:21) The problem for mankind is that he has made idols out of nearly everything and in his mind has always found a way to justify doing so. The culture described in Romans 1 is the one which has become submersed in idolatry. At its core, idolatry is ascribing honor to something God alone deserves. For instance, in this culture, sex has been made an idol instead of worshiping the God who gave sex, as a gift to mankind. Money has been made an idol instead of worshiping the God Who gave the gift of money. Physical beauty is worshiped as an idol instead of worshiping the one who gave the gift of beauty. Whatever good gifts God has given, mankind has eventually found a way to abuse, distort, and pervert.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> To a world immersed in false hope, idolatry, and rejection of its Creator and firmly in the grasp of the evil one, John writes “And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us an understanding, that we may know Him who is true, and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life.” (1 John 5:20) During the days of creation, God brought order out of chaos and in this world, through Jesus Christ, He is still forming order out of the chaos!</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">In Christ,</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Dr. Allen Raynor, Pastor</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Previous weblogs may be viewed at <a href="http://www.fbcrogers.com/"><span style="color: #0433ff; letter-spacing: 0px;">www.fbcrogers.com</span></a></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Recent messages may be heard at <a href="http://www.fbcrogers.com/"><span style="color: #0433ff; letter-spacing: 0px;">www.fbcrogers.com</span></a> </span></div>
FBC Rogershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02681949669021762416noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4498183106495082967.post-89930770917412643492014-09-23T19:51:00.000-07:002014-09-23T19:51:08.451-07:00The Lukewarm Church<div style="font-family: Arial;">
The church in modern times has often been described as apathetic. Apathy is defined as “Absence of passion, emotion, or excitement.” We live in a day where the world is largely indifferent/apathetic about the church and the church is largely indifferent/apathetic about itself.</div>
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While Satan and the worldly system he drives works day and night to undermine and silence the church, the church by and large, sets back and does little to demonstrate its concern for itself. In many churches, less than 10 % of the Sunday morning attenders come back on Wednesday evenings for the prayer meeting. All-the-while overall Sunday morning attendance is declining, more and more churches are discontinuing Sunday evening activities and Sunday School all due to lack of attendance and interest. In most congregations, the older generation is dying off faster than younger people are being reached for Christ. Any way you look at it, the church in the late 20<sup>th</sup> and early 21<sup>st</sup> century is lukewarm for Christ at best. Keep in mind, Satan is filled with zeal and is actively working to harm and destroy the church while the church itself often acts as though it is unaware of his efforts.</div>
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The Lord indicted the New Testament church at Laodicea for being lukewarm. They were in their groove, they felt self-sufficient and Christ was no longer a part of what they were doing. The church was fully operational and incorporated the name of Christ, but the most important reason for their existence had faded out of sight. Paul, writing to Timothy in 2 Tim.3:5 warned of a perilous time where, even believers would “Have a form of godliness but deny its power” and from such people he warned to turn away. Laodicea had a form/appearance of godliness, but there was no power because Jesus Christ was no longer the reason they did the things they were doing.</div>
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The city of Laodicea was wealthy, and like all people have the tendency to do, they felt the security that money often brings and they stopped trusting in, and relying on God. The attitude in the church mirrored the attitude of the city itself. These deeply prideful people felt they did not need any help, advice, or direction. They thought they were ok but Jesus told them they were “wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked.” (Rev. 3:17). Their condition reminds one of the children’s story “The Emperor has No Cloths” by <span lang="EN">Hans Christian Andersen</span>. In the story, two swindlers convince the Emperor they can make a set of cloths that will only be able to be seen by the most worthy of people. They went through the motions of dressing the Emperor in these garments. None of the Emperor’s court dared say a word thinking they were unworthy as the reason they could not see the cloths. The Emperor went out and was paraded among the people with the crowd also seeing his nakedness but no one daring to say anything for fear their unworthiness would also be exposed. Finally a small child unaware of what was going on blurted out “The Emperor has no cloths!” Then many began to laugh. The Emperor finally caught on to what was happening but kept it to himself, continued smiling, and simply kept up the façade. In many ways, this is what was going on in Laodicea and is going on in the church of today. If an outside consultant came in and audited the church spiritually, I wonder what might be found. Is it possible it might be discovered that everyone is just playing along and the church is really “wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked” just like at Laodicea?</div>
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Christ, in His graciousness, did not destroy the Laodicean church. But instead offers them 3 things. He says He will give them true wealth, like gold that has been refined in the fire (spiritual wealth or true redemption), white garments so as to cloth them with purity and so that their nakedness will not be on display, and to anoint their eyes with eye salve to overcome their spiritual blindness. The full intent of the Lord’s discipline was for their profit. The book of Hebrews speaks of the discipline believers experience at the hand of God. “For whom the Lord loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives. If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers then you are illegitimate and not sons.” (Heb. 12:6-8)</div>
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Jesus says to the Laodicean church in verse 20 “Behold I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.” The picture is of Christ standing outside of the gathering of this church knocking and desiring to come in and be a part of the fellowship and, in fact, be the centerpiece of all they were doing. How ironic it is that there could be church without Christ. The definition of “church” is “the body of Christ;” but, as we know all too well, it does happen all the time. Too many churches have “Ichabod” spiritually written over their doors, meaning “The glory has departed.”</div>
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In verse 20, Christ offers to join them in the most intimate of fellowship. In biblical times, eating or dining with someone showed love, concern, and affection. This is why Jesus was often criticized by the religious leaders. He not only <i>associated </i>with sinners, but He went so far as to <i>eat </i>with them and in so doing He caused a scandal.</div>
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For those who will be “overcomers” He promises to grant them to sit down with Him on His throne as He also overcame and sat down with the Father on His throne (vs. 21). The right to sit with Christ on His Heavenly throne is one of many promises to overcomers conveyed in Scripture. Christ is saying, in effect to the church, if you are with Him you will be victorious! He is speaking the same message to the church today!</div>
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In Christ,</div>
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Dr. Allen Raynor, Pastor</div>
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FBC Rogershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02681949669021762416noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4498183106495082967.post-23792361354112372332014-09-17T12:09:00.000-07:002014-09-18T12:13:46.489-07:00The Faithful Church Christ Desires<div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> Believers are told many times and in many ways in Scripture of the need to persevere. Perseverance is “Steady persistence in a course of action, a purpose or state, especially in spite of difficulties, obstacles, or discouragement.” <span data-mce-style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">(<i><a href="http://dictionary.com/">Dictionary.com</a></i>)</span> Perseverance is the responsibility of both individual Christians and churches.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> We live in a world that will rarely settle for anything less than immediate results and instant gratification. God’s ways may seem slow to many people, but His ways are much more reliable than man’s ways. The Apostle Paul, commending believers to be patient and wait on the Lord, wrote “Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, continue steadfastly in prayer.” (Rom. <a href="x-apple-data-detectors://4" x-apple-data-detectors-result="4" x-apple-data-detectors-type="calendar-event" x-apple-data-detectors="true">12:12</a>) Above all else, God is calling his church to be faithful to His Word and the promises therein and persevere no matter what trials/tests/tribulations come its way.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> The New Testament church of Philadelphia, addressed in Revelation 3:7-13, was doing what the Lord expected of the church. They are lifted up as an example of faithfulness. The Lord had nothing negative to say about them, like He did the other 6 churches addressed in Revelation 2 and 3. He commends them for standing strong in the face of difficulties and persecution. This church had little strength, little power, and little influence but Jesus was pleased with them because they had not let the cares of the world and other external pressures affect them in a negative way. They were strong in the Lord.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> It is never easy to stand faithful to God in the face of persecution, but it is always the right thing to do. Former U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft wrote in his autobiography “Sometimes when you are doing the right thing, you have to stay strong, steely, and silent, even though you are getting beaten up by others for doing what is right. Often it takes a long time for the truth to emerge.”<span data-mce-style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">(John Ashcroft; <i>Never Again</i>; 229-30)</span> Perseverance is about being in it for the long haul.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> The believers at Philadelphia had already passed many tests; therefore the Lord is promising to spare them from the <i>ultimate </i>test. The specific promise is to remove them from the period of unparalleled tribulation that was coming upon the world.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> Sadly, faithfulness is hard to find these days. Most churches have inflated membership rolls and many of the names are of people no one seems to be able to identify. Some are trusting in their church membership as their ticket to Heaven, but the Lord is not concerned with whose name is on an old ledger in the church office. He is concerned with who is actively serving Him and standing strong <i>with</i>the church against the constant attacks of Satan and those working on his behalf. The true church is comprised of those who are actively serving as a part of the living organism identified as the church.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> People trust in many different things, but there is no substitute for the <i>real </i>thing. Just because spiritual placebos satisfy a person’s mind, does not mean they have any actual benefit. An old evangelist said it well “Any religion that does not affect the way you live your life will not save your soul or take you to Heaven when you die.” <span data-mce-style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">(Evangelist David Miller)</span>. All Christians today need to heed the example of the church at Philadelphia. Further, all claiming to be the followers of Christ also need to examine what is actually involved in being a New Testament Christian.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">In Christ,</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Dr. Allen Raynor, Pastor</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Recent weblogs may be viewed at <a data-mce-href="http://www.fbcrogers.com/" href="http://www.fbcrogers.com/">www.fbcrogers.com</a></span><br />
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Recent messages may be heard at <a data-mce-href="http://www.fbcrogers.com/" href="http://www.fbcrogers.com/">www.fbcrogers.com</a></span></blockquote>
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FBC Rogershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02681949669021762416noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4498183106495082967.post-51712373963645474842014-09-10T05:34:00.000-07:002014-09-11T05:34:33.705-07:00A Dead Church: And Sins Leading to Death<span style="font-family: inherit;"> Perhaps, in the entire world, there is no greater tragedy than for a local church to be accurately described as dead. In fact, the very idea seems oxymoronic! It sounds clearly to be a blatant contradiction of terms! The idea that the church, the body of Jesus Christ, would be dead <i>seems </i>wrong and indeed <i>is</i> wrong. Christ is the Son of God and the firstborn from the dead. It is His resurrection that we celebrate at Easter and the reason for the church’s whole existence. Yet, the term “dead church” is being used with more and more frequency these days. However, describing a church in these sorts of terms is not really anything new.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> In Revelation 3:1-6 Jesus’ words of condemnation to the Church at Sardis were that they “appeared” alive but were actually spiritually dead. Many things can give an appearance that does not reflect reality. Space, for instance, is virtually incomprehensible to the human mind. The nearest stars to the earth are trillions of miles away. These vast distances forced astronomers to come up with a new term – “light year.” It is the distance light, which travels at 186,000 miles per second, travels in the span of 1 year. It turns out, 1 light year is 6 trillion miles! If a star, for instance, thirty light years away from the earth exploded and died five years ago, we could not be able to tell by looking at it for another 25 years! Though no longer in existence, the light from that star would go on shining as if nothing had changed. The light at Sardis appeared to be shining, but the church was dead.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> Instead of focusing on and pursuing <i>present </i>faithfulness, many churches look backwards to <i>past </i>glory. I once was called as pastor to a church with a long history. Very shortly afterwards a few of the older members began telling me about how this church had planted several other churches and was therefore, in their estimation, very mission minded. A bit surprised, I inquired further. It was then explained how that in the 1880s, then in the 1890s new churches were planted then again about 3 more during the early part of the 1900s for a total of about 5 or 6 mission churches spawned. The most recent church plant was in the 1920s! Yet, 8 decades later this was still something the church considered an object of pride. The obvious question was, “But what have you done lately?” Many churches look backwards and not forward. The church is called to be largely progressive and somewhat reflective, whereas many churches are instead just the opposite – largely reflective and only slightly progressive. This is a sign they are much more like the church at Sardis than they would ever realize or admit.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> The church at Sardis probably had started out like Ephesus by losing their first love. That likely led them to compromise like Pergamos, then naturally to corruption like at Thyatira, and then ultimately death. James wrote in his epistle of a progression which takes place “When desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin, and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.” (James 1:15). The specific sin(s) may be different in each case but it <i>is</i> “sin” nevertheless. For some churches it is sexual sin that goes unconfessed or perhaps undealt with by the leadership who are aware of the problem but look the other way. In some cases it is one of many various forms of idolatry. Churches have been known to make idols of their bank accounts, their buildings, their property, particular objects within the building, particular rooms within the building, a particular program sponsored by the church, a particular method for doing certain things, etc. Idolatrous type tendencies can show up in a lot of different places. Laziness can also cause some churches to die. Relying on someone else to do what the New Testament tells you (if you are a Christian) to do. Countless people have been blamed by others for not doing the work they themselves were supposed to do. Apathy is also another reason churches die. Often the attitude within the church is much like the attitude within our nation. Someone once stated to his friend ‘“The main problems in our nation today are ignorance and apathy - don’t you agree?’ The friend replied, ‘I don’t know and I don’t care!’” Sadly, I think there is some application when it comes to unhealthy attitudes within the church visible in both words and behavior.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> What is the remedy? Jesus tells the church at Sardis they need to “wake up.” It was not time for indifference. Second, the small remnant needed to “strengthen the things that remain which were about to die.” Third, the faithful remnant needed to “remember what they had received and heard.” In other words, they needed to focus once again on the basics/fundamentals. Fourth, after going back to the truths of Scripture, they needed to “keep” them and not let them slip away again. Fifth, they needed to “repent.” Repentance means swallowing a lot of pride, which most are unwilling to do.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> The Lord promises to the church at Sardis that if they simply do what he asks of them, He will cloth them with white garments symbolizing purity and holiness. He further promises to not blot out their names from the book of life, but instead confess them before His Father. Church history gives us a pretty good indication that there was at least a partial heeding of Jesus’ words to this church. Melito, a prominent man who served as bishop at Sardis several decades after John wrote, indicated that some measure of revival did take place after this letter was received. No church and no individual is too far gone if they will simply repent and turn to God!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">In Christ,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Dr. Allen Raynor, Pastor</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Previous weblogs may be viewed at </span><a href="http://www.fbcrogers.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;">www.fbcrogers.com</span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Recent messages may be heard at </span><a href="http://www.fbcrogers.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;">www.fbcrogers.com</span></a>FBC Rogershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02681949669021762416noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4498183106495082967.post-47600129148474509072014-09-04T19:22:00.000-07:002014-09-04T19:22:21.035-07:00Corruption: The Inevitable Fruit of Compromise<div style="font-family: Arial; text-align: left;">
Compromise can lead both individuals and churches down the road to corruption more quickly and easily than what we might imagine. Many of the problems we face get kicked down the road like the proverbial can. There seems never to be a good moment to deal with many things so they are put off in favor of a better time. But sadly, that more opportune time rarely, if ever, comes.</div>
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Many things that Americans put off end up costing them more in the long run. If your car is making a funny noise and you simply ignore it and hope that it will go away you will probably end up paying much more later on than you would have, had you had it checked out sooner. You know, on one level, those dizzy spells and headaches you are having are not good and that you need to see your doctor, but if you put it off too long the doctor may say ‘there is nothing I can do.’ When you see a few termites, you may reason it is not a serious problem. After all, what damage can a few termites do? But, for every few you see there are many more doing their destructive work. Think about the national debt in America. Economists predict that by the time Obama leaves office, it will be at 20 trillion dollars! How did it get this big? Quite simply, a little at a time! Politicians knew we should not take on more debt, on one hand, but on the other, it was so tempting to compromise yet once again.</div>
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Many churches have compromised with the world for so long they have been <i>corrupted</i> by the world. Sin is caustic and it eats away at churches like rust on metal. It seems wrong at first, but a little bit is tolerated, then a little more, then still yet more, and ultimately the whole church lives under the weight of ongoing compromise and corruption. This is exactly what was going on in the church at Thyatira, addressed by the Lord in Revelation 2:18-29.</div>
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Despite the compliments given to the church by the Lord, things were far from being well. They were tolerating a false prophetess to teach/lead in their midst. She is called “Jezebel” by the Lord, almost certainly not her real name but a distinction reminiscent of the wicked queen and wife of Ahab from Jewish history. Jezebel was so vile that 1 Kings 16:30-31 tell us that the most wicked thing Ahab ever did (and he did many wicked things) was marry her!</div>
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This false prophetess at Thyatira was leading people to be involved in sexual immorality and in eating meat offered to idols. She was teaching that one could engage in wicked behavior away from church and still be in good standing when the body met for worship; and apparently, nothing was being done to prove anything any different. Verse 23, of chapter 2 mentions her spiritual children, so she was certainly having a profound, and negative, influence on the culture of the church. The Lord had given her opportunity to repent, but she had refused. Her punishment was to be cast onto a “sickbed,” most likely a reference to death and hell – the ultimate resting place for those who refuse to repent.</div>
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God takes sin seriously, even when church members and church leaders do not. In Acts 5 we read of the account of Ananias and Sapphira lying to the Holy Spirit and before the church and they were struck dead. Clearly God desired purity in His church and not His people getting all cozy and comfortable with sin. The church leaders at Thyatira could have done something but they were guilty of appeasement in the situation and that usually leads to far worse problems than there ever really needed to be.</div>
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The church of the 21<sup>st</sup> century is certainly a church of compromise, at best, and corrupted at worst. There are things going on in churches that are highly disturbing when measured against God’s Word. Maintaining the purity God desires is not particularly easy, but necessary. The church loses its power when it compromises and when it becomes corrupted all hope is gone unless or until it truly repents and turns the reins of leadership back over to Jesus Christ.</div>
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In Christ,</div>
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<div style="font-family: Arial; text-align: left;">
Dr. Allen Raynor, Pastor</div>
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Previous weblogs may be viewed at <a data-mce-href="http://www.fbcrogers.com/" href="http://www.fbcrogers.com/">www.fbcrogers.com</a></div>
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FBC Rogershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02681949669021762416noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4498183106495082967.post-26805476053281185682014-09-01T19:22:00.000-07:002014-09-04T19:24:12.841-07:00The Principle of the Work Ethic<div style="font-family: Arial;">
Work often does not hold the place in society that it once held. There are those who do take their work seriously, but too many instead look for ways to avoid the various labors of life. The Bible places a high premium on work and performing our various tasks should ultimately be viewed as a type of worship to our Lord who has given us both the work and the ability to do the work. Viewing work from the proper perspective is critical to understanding its place in our lives and in understanding the God who has placed us here to glorify Him through our efforts laboring with our hands.</div>
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Historically, Americans have been hard workers. This country was literally built by the sweat of the brows of many people who had vision and determination to see their dreams become reality. There is an entrepreneurial spirit which has existed, almost from day one, and has driven people to be innovative and strive harder.</div>
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In honor of this Labor Day holiday, I wish to share something I came across recently in my reading. This brief article presents a very interesting picture of work that is both simple, yet profound.</div>
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<i>Engrained deep within the American spirit is the Puritan work ethic, which places a high moral value on doing a good job because work has intrinsic value for its own sake. To the Puritan, all of life was to be lived in relation to God, a principle which gave sacred significance to every activity. Work was valued as a vital part of their service and worship to God, and they took the Bible seriously when it said, “And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him” (Col. 3:17). Just as the Israelites were instructed to work six days and then rest on the seventh (Ex. 20:9-10), the Puritans regarded work and worship as a lifestyle of obedience to Christ.</i></div>
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<i> God Himself taught us this by example as He created this universe and all that is in it. He could have merely thought creation into being, but He took six days and rested on the seventh. Man was created in God’s image with a purpose, to work by creating a desirable habitat (Gen. 1:28). Man was created to work toward the betterment of both himself and others for six days, and then the Sabbath rest offers opportunities for worship that renew the spirit.</i></div>
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<i> When God completed His creation, He declared it “very good” – the quality was a reflection of His character. Similarly, the quality of our work reflects our personal character. Whatever our trade or craft, we should do all to the glory of God and in the service of mankind. God is worthy of the best we can offer, for He has endowed us with gifts to be used for the good of all. God has designed our labor to have dignity and consequence.</i></div>
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<i> This spiritual heritage has led America to be the strongest economic powerhouse in the history of the world. There is no desire in this independent spirit to simply exist on handouts from a government agency or siphon off a living from benevolence or friendships. And it flies in the face of a pleasure-oriented society that exalts leisure above all else. The object of life is not to see how much work can be avoided or how much fun we can have, but to give our very best “with goodwill doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men. (Eph. 6:7)”</i> <span data-mce-style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;" style="line-height: 14px;">(Taken from <i>The Patriot’s Study Bible</i>; an article entitled “The Principle of the Work Ethic;” pg. 1354)</span></div>
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<span data-mce-style="line-height: 115%;" style="line-height: 27px;">In Christ,</span></div>
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<span data-mce-style="line-height: 115%;" style="line-height: 27px;">Dr. Allen Raynor, Pastor</span></div>
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<span data-mce-style="line-height: 115%;" style="line-height: 27px;">Previous Weblogs may be viewed at </span><a data-mce-href="http://www.fbcrogers.com/" href="http://www.fbcrogers.com/"><span data-mce-style="line-height: 115%;" style="line-height: 27px;">www.fbcrogers.com</span></a><span data-mce-style="line-height: 115%;" style="line-height: 27px;"></span></div>
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We live in a day and in a culture where the highest goods are things such as “tolerance,” “peace,” “harmony,” “political correctness,” and certainly “compromise.” There is really no socially acceptable platform given anymore for the church, or individual believers, to stand up and say “Thus Says the Lord.” Indeed this is the culture of compromise. It is a day and time where the absolute truth of God is drowned out and other, louder voices get the attention.</div>
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Compromise has always been a temptation for the church. In Revelation 2:12-17 the Lord addresses the church at Pergamos as they were guilty of making compromises in order to maintain peace and harmony. The influences of worldliness were all around. The city had a magnificent alter to Zeus, was the seat/center of an emperor worship cult, was a place of culture and learning with a massive library second only to the great library of Alexandria, Egypt, and had a shrine to Asclepius who was the god of healing. Striving to live for Jesus Christ in that environment had to be exceedingly difficult, but certainly not impossible.</div>
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The church was tolerating some of its membership holding to what the Lord calls “The Doctrine of Balaam.” Balaam was nothing more than a prophet for hire (Num. 22-25). Fearful of the Israelites because of what they had done to their enemies the Amorites, Balak King of Moab hired Balaam to curse Israel. After trying 3 times unsuccessfully, Balaam came up with a new plan. This new plan was to corrupt the Israelites by teaching Balak to put a stumbling block before the men. He would try to get them to eat things sacrificed to idols and to commit acts of sexual immorality. He plotted to use Moabite women to lure these men into ungodly behavior. The theory was that this sinful behavior would destroy Israel’s spiritual power. Like the Israelites of long before, the church at Pergamos was also allowing a mixing of sin with the church which was to remain pure. Also, some at Pergamos were following the teachings of the Nicolaitans who also taught that Christians could participate in pagan rituals, particularly sexual ones. Consequently, their power and strength were greatly diminished. Peter wrote of those who would follow the error of the Balaamites in 2 Pet. 2:15-16 saying “They have forsaken the right way and gone astray; following the way of Balaam the son of Beor; who loved the wages of unrighteousness; but he was rebuked for his iniquity: a dumb donkey speaking with a man’s voice restrained the madness of the prophet.”</div>
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In 2 Corinthians 6:14-17 Paul strongly warns the church to not mix and thereby become influenced by the world. He writes “Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? ‘For you are the temple of the living God.’ As God has said: ‘I will dwell in them and walk among them. I will be their God, and they shall be My people.’ Therefore ‘Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you.’” Sadly, a significant number at the Pergamos church believed a person could attend pagan feasts, engage in debauchery, and sexual immorality and still be a part of Christ’s church! Sin among its membership was taking away the inherent power of the church.</div>
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In our day and age, the church has significantly diminished power. I am convinced this is because of its many compromises with sin. I wonder, on almost any church’s membership rolls, how many persons are living decidedly worldly lives, perhaps even engaging in grievous types of sin. How many drug users, alcoholics, pornography viewers, adulterers and adulteresses, thieves, homosexuals, those living together out of wedlock, etc. might there be? Also, how many speak with curse words, gossip, slander, regularly view filth on television and in movies, and otherwise live for themselves with little or no thought/concern for God or His Word. Yet the church of today, desperate for members, looks the other way. Church discipline is a thing of the past. The church has overwhelmingly lost its moral authority in this world and therefore its power to truly influence. Statistics show the rate of engagement in sinful behavior is no different than that of the world at large. This was the heart of the problem at Pergamos. There were two groups of people 1) Those <i>engaging </i>in grievously sinful behavior and 2) Those, perhaps not engaging in, but ultimately<i>doing nothing</i> about those people who were engaging in such behavior.</div>
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Satan loves to fool churches into thinking that tolerating sin is a good thing. If the church were to rise up and take stronger stands against everything from outward, overt acts of sin to slothfulness among its membership, Satan knows it would have a huge impact on the outworking of power seen through the church. Therefore he hopes for the apple cart to not be upset.</div>
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The ultimate answer for the church at Pergamos, as well as the church of the 21<sup>st</sup> century is simply “repentance.” When used in Scripture, the word “repent” describes a change of mind that results in a change of behavior. In the modern culture compromise is applauded, but we are told that “the angels in Heaven rejoice when a sinner comes to “repentance.”</div>
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In Christ,</div>
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Dr. Allen Raynor, Pastor</div>
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Previous Weblogs may be viewed at <a data-mce-href="http://www.fbcrogers.com/" href="http://www.fbcrogers.com/">www.fbcrogers.com</a></div>
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Recent messages may be heard at <a data-mce-href="http://www.fbcrogers.com/" href="http://www.fbcrogers.com/">www.fbcrogers.com</a></div>
FBC Rogershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02681949669021762416noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4498183106495082967.post-47437174689747169462014-08-22T09:53:00.002-07:002014-08-26T12:00:10.564-07:00Justice, Racial Tensions, and the Situation in Ferguson, MO<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> In recent days we have watched events unfold in Ferguson, MO following the fatal shooting of Michael Brown by police officer Darren Wilson. Circumstances surrounding this shooting are still unfolding and the full truth is not yet known. Americans, and certainly all believers, should reserve final judgment until all the facts are presented. However, this incident along with others in recent memory, expose a glaring problem in our nation.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> No one can argue that there have always been divisions in America going all the way back to its founding. Further, no one can argue there have not been horrible incidents related to racism in the not-too-distant past. Even beyond that, no one can argue that racism has been eradicated nor is there reason to believe it will ever be totally gone from the culture. However, the question becomes – are we as Americans being presented a fair and honest picture of race relations in our country?</span><br />
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> Some of you have read my weblogs since I first began sending them more than 7 years ago and you will recall several times I have addressed and analyzed the media which has become more and more agenda driven over the past few decades. We are long since beyond the point where we can ultimately trust the media to give fair, honest, and unbiased reporting on any issue that has any sort of political implication.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> Another glaring reality is that there are a significant number of persons whose very purpose and livelihood seemingly consists of stoking the fires of racial tensions. The most recognizable names among them are Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson. These men have repeatedly exploited situations for their own advantage. They have looked the other way on far more serious matters such as black-on-black violence in Chicago, New York, and other places. Also, they have failed to devote any real efforts to help curb the break-down of the black family unit and the huge problem of out-of-wedlock births within the black community. They have publicly jumped to conclusions and often made passionate speeches and engaged in highly toxic rhetoric before the facts were known in multiple situations. The media has rarely challenged them on their statements, position, or interpretation of the facts at hand. They have, in essence, been afforded a platform by which to advance their cause without proper checks and balances.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> In the case of Ferguson, MO, Al Sharpton, who has his own television show on MSNBC, went to Ferguson and spoke passionately about what he believed to be injustice and in so doing jazzed up the crowd thereby adding danger to police, business owners, and civilians then going back to New York to host his show. Perhaps never before has someone in the role of “reporter” actually been allowed to become a part of the story and then return to reporting on the story!</span><br />
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> Americans elected a black president twice. Many believed in doing so it would largely put to rest racial tensions. But the reality has been that issues related to race have grown. This is not because racism is suddenly worse but because the race hustlers have come out in stronger force and the media, always selective in what stories it actually covers, are more than happy to oblige. Let’s face the truth. Stories related to race garner high ratings and sell papers and certainly can take other stories unfavorable to their worldview off the front page.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> Are true racial tensions growing worse? In light of the events in Ferguson, I have to answer - probably. But I believe it can be unmistakably linked to one thing. That one thing is that good people who were never predisposed to see other races as anything other than simply “Americans” or “God’s children” or “fellow human beings” are seeing some among the black community exploit situations making them into racial issues, carrying signs, marching, destroying property etc. and it cannot help but anger anyone who sees it and then really <i>does </i>begin to divide people on the basis of race. I am deeply concerned that due to the behavior of protestors, the media, and some politicians we are becoming a more polarized nation. And it is all preventable.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> We are an increasingly divided country on political grounds. Sadly, the<i>Democratic</i> <i>Party </i>has been at the fore-front of attempting to divide Americans on the basis of women against men, black against white, Hispanic against white, homosexuals against straight people, gun owners against those seeking to ban guns, those supporting foreign interventions and those not supporting these interventions, and the list goes on. They have done so primarily for the purpose of gaining political power and winning elections, but the unintended consequences of their actions are having a toxic effect on the culture as a whole.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> When there is no standard for which everyone looks to, chaos will always ensue. The days when Scripture was the standard are gone. We live in the days similar to those in the Book of Judges where “There was no king (standard bearer) in the land and every man did what was right in his own eyes.” We have seen a shift take place inside a few decades that Christian ideals of morality have been set aside in favor of a much more liberal pattern of thought. But even then, there is no standard. Often it is those shouting the loudest that are getting their own way while others with more traditional ideas are labeled as being racists, bigots, homophobic, war mongers, etc.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> The issue in Ferguson is heavily tied to the overall state of America where people are pitted against one another trying to advance their cause and that cause is not really one of a better America and it is <i>certainly</i>not the advancement of the Gospel which is the only real hope of this nation or any other. The tensions between all mankind are only a symptom of the much bigger problem of mankind’s need for God and to be totally yielded to His Word.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> Only time will tell what really happened in Ferguson, MO and I, along with all other Americans, want to see justice served, but I know that mankind truly being able to achieve justice is a slim proposition. Proverbs 29:26 says “Many seek the ruler’s favor, but justice for man comes from the Lord.” We see people striving to use every tool from grand jury’s to the governor’s office, to the U.S. Justice Department, to The White House, to talk shows, etc. to achieve their definition of justice in this case; but Proverbs tells us that justice can <i>only</i> come from the Lord. Any attempt man makes at justice falls short. When we seek true justice from any other source than the Lord we are seeking something that ultimately does not and cannot exist.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">In Christ,</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Dr. Allen Raynor, Pastor</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Previous weblogs may be seen at<a data-mce-href="http://www.fbcrogers.com/" href="http://www.fbcrogers.com/">www.fbcrogers.com</a></span><br />
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Recent messages may be heard at<a data-mce-href="http://www.fbcrogers.com/" href="http://www.fbcrogers.com/">www.fbcrogers.com</a></span>FBC Rogershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02681949669021762416noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4498183106495082967.post-33836587588171684772014-08-11T18:23:00.000-07:002014-08-13T18:24:42.549-07:00The Church of the Lord Jesus and Persecution<div data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="font-family: Arial; text-align: justify;">
Over the past year we have watched as details have trickled out concerning the apparent reality the IRS targeted conservative political groups, likely having a significant impact on the 2012 presidential election. Two years’ worth of Lois Lerner’s emails mysteriously vanished – the two critical years in fact that are at the heart of the scandal. Related to this <i>political </i>targeting was the intentional auditing of many <i>Christian</i>organizations such as <i>Samaritans Purse</i>, <i>The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association</i> and<i>Focus on the Family</i>. Increasingly Christians are experiencing various forms of persecution right here in this nation which was founded upon a strong belief in God and Christian ideals of morality. However, to date, Christians in America are experiencing nothing when compared to what is going on around the globe.</div>
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In recent days we have learned of terrible atrocities taking place in Iraq as ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria) forces have Christians retreated into the mountains in order to escape those who seek to take their lives. Indescribable pictures of horror posted on the internet of the martyrdom of some of these believers can only be understood in Satanic terms. The U.S. government has delivered emergency food and water to these refugees, clinging to and prayerful for their very lives.</div>
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According to a study by <i>Regent University</i>, nearly 164,000 Christians worldwide were martyred for their faith in 1999. In 2000, that number had risen to nearly 165,000. With each passing year, the number of Christians who face death for their belief increases worldwide. In America, we have largely been sheltered from the atrocities taking place in much of the world, particularly in Islamic countries. It has been estimated that since A.D. 70, over 70 million Christians have been put to death for refusing to renounce their faith in Jesus Christ.</div>
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In Revelation 2, Jesus addressed the church at Smyrna, which came to be referred to as the “persecuted” church. His words were primarily words of comfort to this distraught congregation. He assures these believers that He knows what they are going through, while at the same time encourages them to keep it all in perspective. He reminds them of their need to view what they are going through in the broader picture of the reality that all suffering is only temporary and that He has already overcome this world and the worst that Satan-emboldened mankind can inflict.</div>
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Their “tribulation” (pressure) was real and very difficult, but it was only, in essence, for a moment. In Acts 14:22 we read “We must through many <i>tribulations </i>enter the Kingdom of God.” In John 16:33 Jesus comforts by telling his listeners “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have <i>tribulation;</i> but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”</div>
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The pagans, along with unbelieving Jews, were making things miserable for the church at Smyrna. Jesus even refers to their ungodly collaborative efforts in 2:9 as “a synagogue of Satan.” The accusations hurled against the church were distortions of truth designed to pervert reality. Believers were accused of <i>cannibalism </i>based on a misguided understanding of the Christian celebration of the Lord’s Supper; <i>sexual immorality </i>based on failure to properly understand the “holy kiss” believers greeted one another with upon meeting; <i>breaking up homes</i> since there was often turmoil in households when one spouse became a Christian and the other did not;<i>political disloyalty</i> as Christians would not offer the required sacrifices to the emperor; and even <i>atheism</i> as believers worshiped a God others did not understand or could not see and refused to worship the much more well-known pantheon of deities. With hopes of ultimately destroying Christianity completely, some of Smyrna’s wealthy influential Jews reported these blasphemous false allegations to the Romans. Public opinion was poisoned against Christians.</div>
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Persecution reached its peak around 50 or 60 years after Jesus addressed the church at Smyrna in Revelation 2 when the church’s pastor, Polycarp was burned at the stake after refusing to renounce his faith in Christ; instead boldly reaffirming his Christian commitment.</div>
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Jesus Christ offers hope to the Smyrna church by reminding them that death is a doorway that all will go through, but also that avoiding the “second death” is something one must strive for at all costs. Through the doorway leading to this second death is unspeakable misery, pain, and torment for all of eternity. For believers there is the promise of a “rich” inheritance. He reminded his followers in John 10:10, “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”</div>
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The perspective of all believers must be the perspective advocated by the Lord. Even in the darkest and most difficult hours of life, God is still alive and in control. We should not waste time fearing earthly persecution from the IRS, the state, or any of the other fiery darts of the evil one; not even earthly death itself. But we are to make sure to avoid the sobering reality of the “second death.” God loved the local church at Smyrna and he loves His church today. We can be encouraged that if we place our faith and trust in Him, we need not fear anything that comes our way!</div>
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In Christ,</div>
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Dr. Allen Raynor, Pastor</div>
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Previous weblogs may be viewed at <a data-mce-href="http://www.fbcrogers.com/" href="http://www.fbcrogers.com/">www.fbcrogers.com</a></div>
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Recent messages may be heard at <a data-mce-href="http://www.fbcrogers.com/" href="http://www.fbcrogers.com/">www.fbcrogers.com</a></div>
FBC Rogershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02681949669021762416noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4498183106495082967.post-14272073191617327112014-08-04T10:29:00.000-07:002014-08-04T10:29:05.126-07:00Declining Love for God: Problem and Solution<div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> Evidence that people do not love God as they once did is all around. Statistics tell the tale. However, we do not need any statistics to reveal to us what is glaringly obvious. With our own eyes we see more and more empty pews at church, fewer and fewer volunteers, less biblical literacy, fewer people attending Sunday School, less kindness in the world, less sense of Christian community, etc. The kindred link of Christian love has been steadily waning for a long time.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> Octavius Winslow, one of the foremost English pastors of the 19<sup>th</sup>century, traces several characteristics of declining love so that we may identify them and deal with them before they grow worse in our lives and churches. The problems are:</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span data-mce-style="mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">1)<span data-mce-style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span>God becoming less an object of fervent desire, holy delight, and frequent contemplation.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span data-mce-style="mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">2)<span data-mce-style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span>Loss of that sweet confidence and simple trust of a child before God.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span data-mce-style="mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">3)<span data-mce-style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span>Hard thoughts of God in some of His dealings.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span data-mce-style="mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">4)<span data-mce-style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span>Duty rather than privilege in spiritual exercises.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span data-mce-style="mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">5)<span data-mce-style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span>A less tender walk with God (that is to say, less trembling at the thought of offending Him, and so lighter views of sin).</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span data-mce-style="mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">6)<span data-mce-style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span>Christ becoming less glorious to the eye and less precious to the heart.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span data-mce-style="mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">7)<span data-mce-style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span>Love to Christ’s people starting to decay.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span data-mce-style="mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">8)<span data-mce-style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span>Our interest in the advancement and prosperity of Christ’s cause beginning to wane.</span></div>
<span data-mce-style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">(Octavious Winslow; <i>Personal Declension and Revival of Religion in the Soul</i>; chapter 2)</span><br />
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">These 8 characteristics can be measured against the individual Christian’s walk and they can, and should, be measured against the practice of each and every church.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">In Revelation 2:1-7 Jesus compliments the church at Ephesus in a handful of areas</span></div>
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">including that they were patient, were working hard, they had acted swiftly to deal with evil, they had rejected the deeds of a heretical sect who antagonized both them and the church at Pergamos, and this Ephesian church otherwise labored intensely for the Lord’s namesake. But then Jesus drops the hammer on them in vs. 4 saying “Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love.”</span><br />
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> The list of compliments hardly seems to matter after the words given in verse 4. Suddenly the perspective changes and the Ephesian church can only hang their heads in shame.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> In verse 5 the Lord offers to them the solution. He says “Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place – unless you repent.” To remove their “lampstand” means he would take away their ability to give off light and shine. Any church that has lost its ability to shine is no longer effective. It may continue to function as an organization, refer to itself as a church, and do many “church-like” activities, but in the estimation of the Lord Jesus Christ it no longer is what it purports to be – a properly functioning New Testament church. I fear in these days, we find an overwhelming number of churches not operating as <i>true </i>New Testament churches because the main thing ceased to be the main thing long ago. In its place the highest good became striving to maintain the organization, and grow it when and where possible.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> The fundamentals are the things we should know the best. It is true in sports; it is true in life; it is true in the <i>Christian </i>life. The simple, basic fundamentals such as prayer, Scripture reading, church attendance, sharing our faith, etc. are the most important parts of all. If we become lax in those areas it quickly leads to our drifting from our first love – Christ. Further, if we do love Christ greatly, a failure to be disciplined in the fundamentals will quickly lead us adrift from loving the Lord Jesus as our first love. We must consciously strive to love, practice love, and continually reassess whether or not Jesus Christ remains our first love.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">In Christ,</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Dr. Allen Raynor, Pastor</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Previous Weblogs may be viewed at<a data-mce-href="http://www.fbcrogers.com/" href="http://www.fbcrogers.com/">www.fbcrogers.com</a></span><br />
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Recent messages may be heard at<a data-mce-href="http://www.fbcrogers.com/" href="http://www.fbcrogers.com/">www.fbcrogers.com</a></span></div>
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FBC Rogershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02681949669021762416noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4498183106495082967.post-10532481809792136132014-07-17T05:47:00.000-07:002014-07-18T05:49:18.771-07:00The Importance of Making the Right Choices<div align="center" style="padding: 0px; text-align: start;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> It seems everywhere we turn, there is yet another choice to be made. Many are inconsequential, but others have far-reaching ramifications. We all can point to those who have made good choices, just as we can point to others who have made very bad choices. It is painful to watch family members, friends, and acquaintances who habitually make one bad decision after another. Some are held captive by substances and can never seem to untighten the noose around their neck. Some have drank or smoked or gambled away their lives and have nothing to show for it other than debt, disease, and broken relationships. How many times have people said they wish they could go back and do things differently.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> Country legend George Jones struggled most of his life with alcoholism, womanizing, and other bad habits. Only in the latter years of his life did he give things over to the Lord Jesus and ultimately overcome the struggles he had known. In multiple interviews he related his sorrow for the decades of foolish behavior and all the waste and unnecessary sacrifice. In a simple, heart-felt and reflective 1999 single called “Choices,” he seemed to hit the nail on the head. The repeated chorus says “I’ve had choices, since the day I was born; there were voices, that told me right from wrong. If I’d listened, no I wouldn’t be here today; living and dying with the choices I’ve made.” (Listen to the full song here <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ltHSay00gAc" rel="nofollow" style="-webkit-touch-callout: none; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ltHSay00gAc</a> )</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> Over time I have set across my desk from many broken people whose marriages were falling apart, whose lives had been given in pursuit of another drink or another high, who had aborted their baby, who had been involved in pornography, adultery, homosexuality, sex with minors, gambling, embezzlement, and habitual lying. No one forced them to do any of these things; in fact, many urged them<i>not </i>to do these things, but they foolishly pursued their lusts. They made conscious decisions to not heed the many warnings.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> Paul, writing to the Church at Galatia, in Galatians 6:7, states the law of the harvest. “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.” Life is about preparing ground, sowing seeds, growing crops, and harvesting fruit. There will always be a direct correspondence between the seeds we sow and the harvest we glean. No matter how much we wish, at times, it could be different. The harsh reality for all is just as Jones sang, “Living and dying with the choices I made.”</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> The answer for us is to make wise choices and sow the right kind of seed in our lives. The work of farming is not easy. Weeds will do their best to overtake our crops but we must tend our gardens prudently and faithfully. Droughts will come, laziness will harm us, complacency will always be a factor, but we need to actively press on and determine ourselves to make wise choices and be resolute to keep on making good choices even when tempted not to do so.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">In Christ,</span></div>
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<div id="yui_3_5_0_1_1405687440214_1545" style="padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Dr. Allen Raynor, Pastor</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Previous weblogs may be viewed at <a href="http://www.fbcrogers.com/" rel="nofollow" style="-webkit-touch-callout: none; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">www.fbcrogers.com</a></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Recent messages are also available for download at this site.</span></div>
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FBC Rogershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02681949669021762416noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4498183106495082967.post-41442180403424786372014-07-09T15:04:00.000-07:002014-07-10T15:05:36.988-07:00<div align="center" data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="font-family: Arial; text-align: center;">
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<b><span data-mce-style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;" style="line-height: 21px;">July 9, 2014</span></b></div>
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Our land is the land of excess. I was recently in a grocery store and was amazed that there was almost an entire aisle of <i>Pringles</i>! Do you remember when <i>Gatorade</i> only came in lemon-lime and you had only about 3 or 4 basic brand choices when it came to coffee? Who would have ever thought coffee was operating so far below its market potential for centuries!</div>
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The excesses of our land are not just about brand and item choices. An increasing number of people are overweight and obese. Unhealthy food is everywhere. Portions are increasing, buffets advertising “all you can eat” are sweet music to the ears of a “growing” number (no pun intended).</div>
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It is certainly not just about food. That is only one area of “gluttonous” behavior. People are spending hours in front of the television watching an increasingly “dumbed down” selection of programming on cable or satellite feeds with dozens, if not hundreds, of stations whereas there were only 3 or 4 channels not so long ago. </div>
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Some are gluttons when it comes to sports; spending large segments of their time watching others fulfill their dreams and athletic potential. Others are gluttonous when it comes to leisure time activities. As the saying goes, “All work and no play makes Johnny a dull boy,” but Johnny does need to do <i>some </i>work!</div>
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Recently the Nathan’s annual 4<sup>th</sup>of July hot dog eating contest took place, where else but on Coney Island! The event is covered each year on ESPN because competitive eating is apparently viewed by many as something of a sport.</div>
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Many are gluttonous when it comes to vices and habits, mainly for the release of endorphins that are brought about by, for instance, gambling. Or the physical buzz or drunkenness brought about by excessive consumption of alcohol or perhaps the <i>high</i> of a marijuana joint. Is a 3-pack a day smoker, not a glutton? How do you actually smoke 60 cigarettes in one, 24 hour period? I am highly curious as to how one can accomplish that feat! What about those who consume several cans of soda pop per day because they are addicted to caffeine? Perhaps a person is a gluttonous coffee drinker and their hand feels empty without holding a cup.</div>
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God and His Scriptures allow most things in moderation, but mankind’s lust often does not allow him to stop with a little, he races ahead toward excess. We all have a great tendency to be gluttonous in any number of behaviors. The more blatant forms of gluttony are mentioned above, but often this sin is much more subtle. Mankind has carefully developed little ways to cover and/or justify his gluttony. In his classic fictional work <i>The Screwtape Letters,</i>C.S. Lewis writes,</div>
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<i>My Dear Wormwood, The contemptuous way in which you spoke of gluttony</i></div>
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<i> as a means of catching souls . . . One of the great achievements of the last</i></div>
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<i> hundred years has been to deaden the human conscience on that subject, so</i></div>
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<i> that by now you will hardly find a sermon preached or a conscience troubled</i></div>
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<i> about it . . . This has largely been affected by concentrating all our efforts</i></div>
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<i> on gluttony of Delicacy, not gluttony of Excess. Your patient’s mother,</i></div>
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<i> as I learn from the dossier . . . is a good example. She would be</i></div>
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<i> astonished – one day, I hope, will be – to learn that her whole life</i></div>
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<i> is enslaved to this kind of sensuality, which is quite concealed from</i></div>
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<i> her by the fact that the quantities involved are small. But what do</i></div>
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<i> quantities matter, provided we can use a human belly and palate to</i></div>
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<i> produce querulousness, impatience, uncharitableness, and</i></div>
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<i> self-concern . . . She is always turning from what has been offered</i></div>
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<i> her to say with a demure little sigh and a smile ‘Oh please, please . . .</i></div>
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<i> all I want is a cup of tea, weak but not too weak, and the teeniest</i></div>
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<i> weeniest bit of really crisp toast.’ You see? Because what she</i></div>
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<i> wants is smaller and less costly than what has been set before her, she never</i></div>
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<i> recognizes as gluttony her determination to get what she wants, however</i></div>
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<i> troublesome it may be to others. At the very moment of indulging her</i></div>
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<i> appetite she believes that she is practicing temperance. In a crowded</i></div>
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<i> restaurant she gives a little scream at the plate which some overworked</i></div>
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<i> waitress has set before her and says, ‘Oh, that’s far, far too much! Take</i></div>
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<i> it away and bring me about a quarter of it.’ If challenged, she would say</i></div>
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<i> she was doing this to avoid waste; in reality she does it because the particular</i></div>
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<i> shade of delicacy to which we have enslaved her is offended by the sight of</i></div>
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<i> more food than she happens to want . . . The woman is in what may be</i></div>
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<i> called the ‘All-I-want’ state of mind. All she wants is a cup of tea</i></div>
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<i> properly made, or an egg properly boiled, or a slice of bread properly toasted.</i></div>
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<i> But she never finds any servant or any friend who can do these simple things</i></div>
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<i> ‘properly’ – because her ‘properly’ conceals an insatiable demand for the exact,</i></div>
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<i> and almost impossible, palatal pleasures which she imagines she remembers from</i></div>
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<i> the past; a past described by her as ‘the days when you could get good servants’</i></div>
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<i> but known to us as the days when her senses were more easily pleased and she</i></div>
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<i> had pleasures of other kinds which made her less dependent on those of the table.</i></div>
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<i> Meanwhile, the daily disappointment produces daily ill temper: cooks give notice</i></div>
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<i> and friendships are cooled.</i></div>
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This is quite humorous but also highly insightful as it highlights something very telling about human nature – that it is innately selfishness but also desperately tries to conceal that selfishness! Pampering the flesh, and trying to legitimize doing so, has replaced baseball as America’s new pastime!</div>
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Gluttony is a strong and compelling desire to put the wants and longings of the flesh above all else, including moderation, a servant’s heart, looking out for others, and any other Christian virtue. Recognizing the problem is the beginning. Working on the problem is the next step. All of us need to recognize that “enough” needs to trump “more” in our lives. When we can <i>honestly </i>say things like, “This is not about me,” “I’ve had enough,” and ask others in all sincerity, “What can I do for you today?” etc. then we are getting on the right track and gluttony is a sin that is being overcome in our lives.</div>
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In Christ,</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial;">
Dr. Allen Raynor, Pastor</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial;">
Previous weblogs may be viewed at<a data-mce-href="http://www.fbcrogers.com/" href="http://www.fbcrogers.com/">www.fbcrogers.com</a></div>
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FBC Rogershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02681949669021762416noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4498183106495082967.post-46506935994239590692014-07-03T12:27:00.000-07:002014-07-04T12:33:50.625-07:00<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0px;"><b><i>Hobby Lobby</i> and Religious Liberty</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0px;"><b>July 3, 2014</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b></b></span><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0px;"> This past Monday, The United States Supreme Court, in a 5-4 decision, handed down a ruling which said corporations are not required to violate their religious beliefs by being forced to purchase abortion causing drugs for their employees. This may seem, at first, to only be of concern to those either on the potential giving or receiving end of such insurance coverage, but it has much greater and wider implications which are relevant to the whole notion of religious liberty.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> If government can overrule the conscious of individuals and force them to do things (i.e. purchase something) that violates their individual conscience on religious grounds then there is nothing to stop them from doing it on a regular basis. Religious liberty has been a hallmark of this nation from its earliest days and figured heavily into the framing of the founding documents of the nation. Even further back than that, the English Pilgrims who came to the new world came seeking, primarily religious liberty.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> Christians certainly are expected to obey the rules and laws we live under without trying to wiggle our way out of our primary duties as citizens. However, there do come points where the overreach of the government presents a crisis in the conscience of the individual. The <i>Hobby Lobby</i> case is one such instance. The new requirements under the Obamacare health law mandated cooperations provide birth control, including abortion inducing drugs to their employees. The Green family who are operators of the craft store chain based in Oklahoma City are Southern Baptists with deeply held convictions about the sanctity of human life and were unwilling to comply by paying for drugs that would terminate pregnancy. The money involved was insignificant, but solely at issue was the idea of their being forced to become complicit in the practice of what they viewed as grievously sinful.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> Now that the high court has ruled in favor of <i>Hobby Lobby</i>, many feel it is now time to rest, but Dr. Russell Moore, President of the <i>Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission</i> of the Southern Baptist Convention writes “I pray for churches that can raise up a new generation to prize freedom of conscience and religious liberty for all . . . Who could have imagined just a few years ago that we would even have to take such a thing to the United States Supreme Court? We must teach our children what it means to be free people, and what it means to follow Christ whatever the cost.” </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">(“Why Hobby Lobby Matters” available at <a href="http://www.russellmoore.com/"><span style="color: #0433ff; letter-spacing: 0px;">www.russellmoore.com</span></a>)</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> As we look toward the future, it is easy to predict that following Christ will become more and more difficult and potentially cost much, much more than it ever has in America. Christ and Christians will be viewed increasingly as strange and sorely out of touch with the real world. The highest god sinful mankind knows is himself and anything which threatens <i>that </i>god will be shouted down and even punished when possible.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> The half-hearted efforts of many who call themselves Christians will not suffice as the wave of secularization continues destroying, or attempting to destroy, everything in its path. If churches, and individual believers are going to be strong through the onslaught of increasingly greater persecution then they must be prepared. We are in uncharted waters in America, and it will almost certainly grow worse.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> How then shall we live? Peter wrote in his first letter “<i>Live </i>as free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God.” (1 Pet. 2:16) Further, we need to proclaim the Gospel with boldness and a sense of urgency in these difficult days.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0.0px;">In Christ,</span></div>
<div style="min-height: 15px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Dr. Allen Raynor, Pastor</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0px;">Previous weblogs may be viewed at <a href="http://www.fbcrogers.com/"><span style="color: #0433ff; letter-spacing: 0px;">www.fbcrogers.com</span></a> </span></div>
FBC Rogershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02681949669021762416noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4498183106495082967.post-38668025976994278202014-06-19T17:52:00.002-07:002014-06-19T17:52:30.234-07:00<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Current Scandals, the Media, and Some Perspective</span></b></div>
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Scandals are
nothing new to American politics and they are certainly not new to presidential
administrations. But, in the current
administration there are scandals stacked upon scandals to an unprecedented
degree. In addition to the scandals
themselves, there are policy decisions which are rather <i>scandalous</i> in their scope. Furthermore,
the mainstream media’s lack of moxie for doing their jobs is staggering. Indeed something very strange is happening
today that almost defies explanation; however there is rarely anything that <i>truly</i> falls into that category.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The heavily
liberal leaning media has been a champion of Barak Obama since early in his 2008
run for the presidency (For a look at specific instances of the media’s bias in
the 2008 presidential campaign read <i>A
Slobbering Love Affair</i> by Bernard Goldberg). Hillary Clinton was once thought to be a
shoe-in for the <i>Democratic Party</i>
nomination in that election cycle, but the mainstream media forfeited their
support for her and instead gave their support to Obama. The way they primarily did so was in their
failure to hold Obama to the level of scrutiny generally expected of a serious
candidate running for President. Obama
was a relative unknown and with only minimal amounts of examination it was
clear many skeletons were hidden away in his closet. He had a number of highly questionable
associations, had a profound lack of experience (no executive experience at all),
and was on the record with viewpoints clearly to the left of George McGovern! <o:p></o:p></div>
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A number of
explanations for this media phenomenon were offered, but the most plausible
seem to narrow to two significant areas.
<b>First,</b> the media, and other influential
liberals, were/are ecstatic about having a black President. Liberals, struggling with what has come to be
known as “liberal guilt” believe black Americans are owed much because of past
wrongs thrust upon them by society. It
is certainly true that black Americans have suffered much at the hands of white
people who were in control. But the
primary reason for liberal guilt is because of what the <i>Democratic Party</i> itself was guilty of doing in the not-too-distant
past. The <i>Democratic Party</i>, particularly in the South, was a hotbed of racial
discrimination. Even a Massachusetts <i>Democrat</i> like John F. Kennedy was
certainly no friend of black people. His
successor, Lyndon Johnson signed the Civil Rights Bill of 1964 but if you read
much at all about Johnson’s motives you quickly find he was a politician first
and all other things came after. <b>Second, </b>the media simply identifies
itself much more closely with liberalism.
Polls among the employees of media outlets showed overwhelming support
for Obama in both the 2008 and 2012 Presidential elections. Obama’s ideals are <i>their</i> ideals. Further, one
must keep in mind, the most influential news outlets in America are based on
the east and west coasts. Largely the
media is out-of-touch with middle-America.
They generally fail to understand how people in America’s mid-section
think and live. They simply do not
relate well to people who shop at <i>Walmart</i>
and vacation in Branson, MO. Members of
the media, almost exclusively, associate with people in their bubble who think
like they do and see the world as they do.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Therefore,
in trying to understand why many current, and monumental scandals are getting
only scant media coverage on <i>NBC</i>, <i>CBS,</i> <i>ABC</i>,
and in <i>The New York Times</i>, one must remember
it is very difficult for these outlets to give negative press to a President
they have gone so far out on a limb to champion (as a black man and a liberal)<b>, </b>and in whom they have such a vested
interest in his success. At this point,
I believe an unspoken truth among the media elites is that if Obama ultimately
fails their careers will never recover because, on some level, I highly suspect
they know they have not done their jobs.
A good journalist aggressively follows the facts, regardless of where
those facts take him/her.<o:p></o:p></div>
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When George
W. Bush was in office, there was certainly no fear on the media’s part of
asking the tough questions. Nor is there
media fear in aggressively covering any hint of scandal involving “any” <i>Republicans</i>. When, for instance, a state story like the
Chris Christie bridge scandal erupted in New Jersey a few months ago they, but
for a moment, looked like the old aggressive media we once knew. Shamefully, that type of enthusiasm for doing
their jobs is extremely one-sided.
Comparatively when there is mounting evidence the current Presidential Administration
might be covering up facts about what happened in Benghazi, Libya which
resulted in 4 dead Americans, when the Veterans Administrations had secret
lists and employees were essentially getting bonuses because of these deaths,
when the IRS was apparently targeting conservative groups, when the southern
border of the U.S. is as porous as a screen door to water with little
enforcement; noting the failure to enforce serves as an open invitation for
more illegal aliens to cross our borders, when Iraq is crumbling after the
President shrugged off the advice of his generals who knew the realities on the
ground and called for a residual number of troops, when the President
repeatedly lied over and over again about the health care law (Obamacare)
saying “if you like your plan/doctor you can keep your plan/doctor . . .
period,” when a probable deserter from the
Army was traded for 5 Al Qaeda terrorists housed at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, when
Obama’s famous “red line” in Syria was crossed with no consequences, when Vladimir
Putin took Crimea with no consequences, when each day we are closer to a
nuclear Iran, when the 5 year anniversary of the signing of the stimulus bill
came and went without even a mention by the administration or media because it
was a nearly 1 trillion dollar failure and any mention of it would have painted
the administration in a bad light, when Fast and Furious led to the death of a
border agent killed by guns supplied by our government, when members of the
Black Panthers were blocking entry to polling places and Attorney General Eric Holder
saw no reason to prosecute, when massive corruption was exposed in the <i>ACORN</i> organization for which the <i>Democratic Party</i> has close alignment,
when the economy remains flat, when long-term unemployment has become
perpetual, when this is the slowest economic recovery in history, when the
labor participation rate is the lowest since 1978, when the number of welfare
and food stamp recipients has skyrocketed under this administration, when the
National debt has been increased in incomprehensible terms, when the U.S.
credit rating has been downgraded by S & P, when the administration, via
the NSA, was found to be secretly tapping the phones of the <i>Associated Press</i>, <i>Fox News</i> correspondent James Rosen and several world leaders
including German Chancellor Angela Merkel, when the President signs executive
orders, by-passing Congress in non-emergency situations, and on and on. Many of these things, by themselves, would be
enough to bring down a <i>Republican</i>
Presidential administration, mainly because the media would be relentless with
wall to wall coverage and the pursuit of answers. Barak Obama has been the first President in
history to truly be given the benefit of the doubt down the line by the media;
then when the facts start pouring in the media, by-and-large, looks the other
way. Their double-standard is beyond
description!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Scripture
has much to say about corrupt people serving their own interests. All these things surprise us because we have
not seen anything on this scale in America up until now. But, in other places in the world this is,
and has been, the norm. Remember <span lang="EN">Mohammed Saeed
al-Sahhaf</span><span lang="EN"> </span>“Baghdad Bob” the former Iraqi
Information Minister who, as U.S. troops were about to completely overtake the
country, was still reporting on Iraqi television that all was well and that
America was failing in its efforts to take the country. In many third-world countries it is
completely normal for the news to be controlled by those in power. One of the hallmarks of Western Civilization,
particularly American Civilization, has been a free and adversarial press that
acts as a watchdog for the protection of the interests of the American
people. Clearly the watchdog has turned
into a guard-dog for this administration; and increasingly more like a lapdog! <o:p></o:p></div>
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As I have
been spending much time and effort in recent weeks studying about end times,
particularly the Book of Revelation, I cannot help but conclude that those who
currently try and sculpt and spin all things to their political advantage are
going to be in for a rude awakening in what is the not-so-distant future.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I cannot
help but think that what we see today is yet another massive confirmation of
the things we already know. Politics and
politicians and those who report, or fail to report, on them are like grass and
flowers. They have a very short season
then comes winter. Investing in this
passing earthly system is a proposition guaranteed for failure. While we look at the chaotic mess in this
country today, the most scandalous administration in our history, and the
volatility of this world, we need to remember Jesus’ simple and calming words;
“Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.”
(Mat. 24:35)<o:p></o:p></div>
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In Christ,<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<br />
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Dr. Allen Raynor, Pastor<o:p></o:p></div>
FBC Rogershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02681949669021762416noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4498183106495082967.post-18198151559610429022014-06-05T12:00:00.000-07:002014-06-11T17:10:45.031-07:00<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">The Urgency of Christian Warfare<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
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<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Throughout the passing decades of the
last half-century the church has, quite ironically, battled itself as much or
more than it has battled the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Frequently, rather than <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">engaging</i>
the world and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">confronting</i> the world,
the church has instead often taken up arms against itself!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Strong opinions about a variety of issues
have led to deep divisions, animosity, and even church splits.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This effectual “turning against one another”
has been cause for Satan to break out the celebratory champagne.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Paul wrote to the Ephesian church in
6:12 “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against
principalities, against powers, against the rulers of darkness of this age,
against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” Petty battles
albeit defending deeply held convictions may have felt like spiritual warfare
to those involved, but frequently these engagements have served to drain the
church of its spiritual, emotional, and physical energy and sometimes it’s
monetary resources.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not to mention,
caused many pastors sleepless nights.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And it has certainly been cause for delight to the enemy of our
souls.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Quite simply, believers in recent
decades in particular, have struggled to identify the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">real </i>enemy and the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">real </i>battlefield
worthy of their attention.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Much of the language found in the New
Testament is of a militant nature.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Believers are often referenced as soldiers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Warfare is a common overarching theme and
words like battle, fight, and defeat are regularly used.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The real enemy is Satan and this worldly,
fleshly system he superintends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Believers are called to be warriors
in this conflict– not spectators.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Further they are expected to properly identify the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">true</i> enemy and his tactics.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>A warrior is “A brave or experienced soldier or fighter.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It takes skill, resolve, and determination to
defeat any enemy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our opponent is formidable
and should never be taken lightly by the church of the Lord Jesus.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;">Sabine
Baring-Gould wrote the great hymn “Onward Christian Soldiers” in 1865.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">(Follow this link to listen to hymn: </span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mG78M7g9wRo"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="color: blue;">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mG78M7g9wRo</span></span></a><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>)</span><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The hymn has served as something of
a “call to arms” for Christians engaged in the battle for Christ in this
world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Debates raged in the 1980s among
some denominations as to whether to even include this hymn in new editions of
hymnals citing the violent language and militaristic tone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When Winston Churchill and Franklin
Roosevelt met in August 1941 on the battleship HMS <i>Prince of Wales</i>
to agree on the Atlantic Charter, a church service was held for which Churchill
chose the hymns. He chose "Onward, Christian Soldiers" and afterwards
made a radio broadcast explaining this choice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He said “We sang ‘Onward, Christian Soldiers’ indeed, and I felt that
this was no vain presumption, but that we had the right to feel that we were serving
a cause for the sake of which a trumpet has sounded from on high. When I looked
upon that densely packed congregation of fighting men of the same language, of
the same faith, of the same fundamental laws, of the same ideals . . . it swept
across me that here was the only hope, but also the sure hope, of saving the
world from measureless degradation.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">(</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Onward,_Christian_Soldiers"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="color: blue;">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Onward,_Christian_Soldiers</span></span></a><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">)</span><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While
this may have been highly appropriate for this occasion, the ultimate cause of
freedom and of nations is not as great as the cause of Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Churchill and Roosevelt were primarily
concerned with <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">earthly</i> battles and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">earthly </i>victories, but Christians have a
much greater cause for which to fight.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Warfare is never as glamorous as some
romanticized depictions present.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Paul
wrote to Timothy in 2 Tim. 2:3 “You therefore must endure hardship as a good
soldier of Jesus Christ.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A soldier’s
life is far from easy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are
certainly plenty of hardships, but Paul admonished Timothy that he <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">must </i>endure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unfortunately, to look at the attitude and
approach of many professing believers, one might easily get the impression the
war had long since ended.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Charles Thomas
“C. T.” Studd (1860-1931) the great British cricketer and missionary who served
in the Belgian Congo captured somewhat of the urgency when he famously wrote
“Some want to live within the sound of a church or chapel bell; I want to run a
rescue shop within a yard of hell.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Studd also wrote a ditty that gave, rather tongue and cheek, a depiction
of how some so casually approached the great daily battles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With words meant to be sung to the tune of
the famous hymn “Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus,” he wrote “Get up, get up for
Jesus, ye soldiers of the Cross, a lazy Sunday morning surely means harm and
loss; the Church of God is calling; in duty be not slack; you cannot fight the
good fight while lying on your back.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many Christians today have lost sight
of who the real enemy is and are not keenly aware of what he is actually
doing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The second stanza of “Onward
Christian Soldiers” optimistically states “We are not divided; all one body we;
one in hope and doctrine, one in charity.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Sadly, we could only wish those words were true in our times.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are deeply divided across denominations,
within our own denomination, and even many times within our own local
churches.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>An army battling within its
own ranks is music to the ears of the enemy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>While many argue over issues, preferences and other minutia that will
not even exist in a few years, the enemy is advancing and the church is often
in retreat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Before we are going to be
effective soldiers we must first realize there is a war raging and too many believers
are not carrying out their assignments.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;">In Christ,</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;">Dr. Allen Raynor,
Pastor</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p></o:p> </div>
FBC Rogershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02681949669021762416noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4498183106495082967.post-68790963799492786672014-05-28T12:00:00.000-07:002014-06-11T17:10:56.462-07:00<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">What Can We Learn from
the </span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Recent Violence in
California?</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When horrendous
rampages, along the order of the one which took place last Saturday in Santa
Barbara, CA, occur certain groups and individuals quickly start assigning
blame.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Guns are the most common and
easiest target it seems.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But this case,
unlike some of the more notable events of recent memory, many people are left
scratching their heads as there was murder by means of more than guns alone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The deranged killer, Elliot Rodger,
apparently drugged his roommates then viciously stabbed them to death.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He then went out shooting people with guns
and even used his car as a weapon, hitting bicyclists.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To cap it off, he took his own life
committing one last act of rebellion against his maker. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since the
events occurred, a few days ago, many attempts have been made to try and
process and understand the actions and the state of mind of the young man who
set all in motion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Words and phrases
like “insanity,” “temporary insanity,” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“mental illness,” and even “evil” are being
thrown around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anti-gun advocates are
playing their predictable role in the crisis by calling for tougher gun laws
and somehow finding a way to blame the NRA.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Hollywood is having fingers pointed in its direction due to the
glorification of violence and huge windfalls from Americans consuming the
portrayals of violence they produce.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Violent video games, as usual, are getting a strong factorial mention.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is a strong element of sexism involved
here as one of the primarily motivations for the killer was apparently the
rejection he felt by women specifically directed toward what he called the
“Blonde women of the Alpha Phi fraternity.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>As we might imagine, this hateful display and written manifesto of
Rodger directed toward women, has feminists speaking out.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When we see
and hear about these horrific events, it is easy for us to view this young man
as distant from ourselves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In other
words we see him as nefarious, deranged, and just plain sick.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And indeed, who could disagree?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is no doubt he is, at a minimum, all
those things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But where the shocker
might come for most people, especially those who are not very biblically
literate, is in the fact that none of us are really much, if any, better. This
young man committed these external, overt acts of violence against fellow human
beings, but the underlying cause is identical in all of us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ephesians 2
makes it clear that the only thing standing between a person living their life
for Jesus Christ and a person “dead in trespasses and sins” (Eph. 2:1, 5) is
God’s intervention – specifically His act of “making them alive.” (Eph. 2:1,
5)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is true that perhaps even as lost,
unsaved individuals we did not commit horrible acts like Elliot Rodger, but how
much profit is there really in bragging “I am lost, but not quite as lost as
this other guy.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is the absurdity of
a 400 pound man seeing a 500 pound man and then commenting, “How could anyone
let themselves get in that kind of condition!”<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have all
heard the saying/statement “But for the grace of God, there go I.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is not a direct quote from the Bible,
but the principle is easily established in many places throughout, including
Ephesians 2.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You cannot understand
violent behavior until you understand sin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The media talks about violence, seemingly all day every day, but rarely
if ever, mentions sin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These are
inseparable concepts going back to the origin of sin (Gen. 3) and the violence
that quickly followed when Cain rose up and violently slaughtered his brother
Abel. (Gen. 4) <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since the
dawn of human history people have fallen hopelessly into the trap of comparing
themselves against the one standard that <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">does
not</i> matter – fellow man; and failing to actually compare themselves against
the one standard that actually <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">does </i>matter
– God, as revealed through His Word.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Since the media, Hollywood, the criminal justice system, and a growing
number of Americans fail to factor in the total depravity of the human heart it
is easy to understand their scramble to try and find order in the midst of
chaos.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Imagine hundreds, even thousands
of persons, blind from birth, trying to describe the beauty of a clear night
sky appearing on news programming giving their opinions as to what it looks
like and why the stars shine so brightly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Imagine print journalists writing articles describing what they cannot
see.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While they fail to see the night
sky with <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">physical </i>eyes, the vast
majority of those commenting on the crime scene in Santa Barbara, CA are doing
so while suffering from blindness of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">spiritual
</i>eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is the state all people
are in apart from the enlightenment only God can bring to a person’s eyes,
spiritually speaking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>2 Corinthians 2:14
says “But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for
they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually
discerned.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The pursuit
of truth, in this world, eventually leads a person back to the giver of truth –
God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Man, in his natural state, cannot
and will not, ever see what the spiritual man alone has the ability to
see.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The events of recent days are not a
weapons problem, or a Hollywood problem, or anything other than the same heart
problem that is universal among the entire human race.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We grieve over this situation and with the
families who lost loved ones, but we grieve most of all because of the present
reality of sin which brought it all to pass.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
In Christ,<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Dr. Allen Raynor, Pastor</div>
FBC Rogershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02681949669021762416noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4498183106495082967.post-69344586650843012952014-05-20T12:00:00.000-07:002014-06-11T17:14:47.425-07:00
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">
How Does True Revival Come?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not long
ago, in my reading, I encountered a quote, which was actually a question posed
by the late teacher and author Leonard Ravenhill.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">(Learn more about Ravenhill by following this link: </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leonard_Ravenhill"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: blue;">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leonard_Ravenhill</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"> )</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i>Writing more than 50 years ago, he asks:<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What
are we Christians doing?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To use a very
tattered phrase, are we just<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>‘playing church?’<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With all our revival campaigns, are we
getting folks <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>into
biblical regeneration?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is it really a
comfort to know that the recent <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>converts will become just like us?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>What if they are as lazy and <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>self-excusing in the matter of personal devotion to Jesus and active <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>engagement in soul-wining as the rest of our listed church members?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>that a
thrilling thought?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or is it a
spine-chilling one?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If ‘like produces
like,’ <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>does
this prospect of the new additions to the church furrow our brows or <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>flood
our hearts with joy?” <span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">(Leonard
Ravenhill; <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Revival Praying</i>; 29) </span><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Food
is a good and desirable thing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We likely
have our personal favorites.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I for one,
really like Mexican food.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But when I am
already full or when I am sick I don’t want any Mexican food.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, when I am hungry, my mouth waters at
the thought of tacos, tamales, and enchiladas!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I also like to get a good night’s sleep each night, but when I wake up
well-rested, taking a nap is the furthest thing from my mind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, the night before I yawned and stumbled
to bed, anxious to put my head on my pillow and close my eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The difference is in the appetites.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Both you and I have a daily appetite for food
and sleep.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, I am not so sure we
have a strong, compelling, and passionate appetite to see revival.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are not opposed to the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">concept</i> of revival nor to seeing it take
place; but we are also not necessarily inclined or motivated to work toward
aiding it in taking place either.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In
many cases we are, as Ravenhill says, “just playing church.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He calls them out for this lackadaisical
approach which stems from a lackadaisical attitude.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In 2 Corinthians 5:17 we are told “If any man
be in Christ, he is a new creature; old things are passed away, behold all
things have become new.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
“regenerate,” according to the New Testament standards, will never be content
to merely “play church.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Salvation is
far too real and earth-shattering for them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It seems like they are a different person now; and indeed they are!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is an old hymn written by B. B.
McKinney nearly a hundred years ago entitled “Lord, Send Revival.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The chorus of that hymn says “Lord, send a
revival, Lord send a revival, Lord send a revival, and let it begin in
me.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have been repeatedly taught that
revival should begin with us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However,
my observation over 20 years in ministry, is that most people could more
accurately sing “Lord send a revival, and let it begin with <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">anyone else but</i> me.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many readily point out the ways others need
to change but are not so quick to identify and then change problems within
themselves.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When Ravenhill asks “Is it really a
comfort to know that the recent converts will become just like us?” he is
pointing to the inherent danger of existing believers negatively influencing
new believers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of the saddest things
I have ever observed – and I have done so on a number of occasions – is to see
new believers lose their enthusiasm and become complacent and even spiritually
lazy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most always, one of the biggest
contributing factors is their observation of other Christians. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ravenhill goes on to write that they
are prone to “be self-excusing in the matter of personal devotion to Jesus and
active engagement in soul-winning as the rest of the ‘listed’ church
members.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is hard to be the only one
with enthusiasm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So often the one possessing
enthusiasm is brought down by those who don’t have it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This negative pier-pressure can even be
leveled against pastors. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In one former
church I served as pastor, a person commented positively one day about my
enthusiasm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Another person quickly responded
to her that ‘he will soon figure out how we do things around here.’<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And sadly, that lady was correct.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What is the answer for the problem
Ravenhill identifies?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is the problem we
have probably all observed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I believe
people need to become biblically literate and devote themselves to the basic
and fundamental practices they have known from the beginning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is nothing any more foundational to the
Christian life than Bible study, prayer, and church gatherings yet all too many
of our folks don’t seem to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">know</i> that
at best, and at worst don’t <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">seem</i> to
care.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At a time when the church of the Lord
Jesus ought to be energized and magnified it is perhaps at its weakest
point.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These days simply watching the
evening news should cause us to pick up our swords (Bibles) and be ready to go
to war!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But sadly we are preoccupied
with any number of things which drain us and severely hinder us from having the
enthusiasm we might have had for the things of God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, the devil is more than happy to bring
us a spiritual blanket, prop up our feet, serve us snacks, and keep us
comfortable and away from doing God’s work.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If revival is to come to our homes,
our churches, and our nation it is going to come when we say goodbye to our
zones of comfort and become equipped, brave, and willing to engage the culture
around us which is increasingly marching lock-step with the enemy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Satan’s lies are hurling all around the
church today and we are scared to death to try and engage the culture because
we are low on confidence in “Christ our Warrior’ who has already conquered sin,
death, and the grave.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All we need to do
to get genuinely revived is spend some time thinking about many of the things
we already know.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Indeed, this is how
revival comes.</span><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">In
Christ,</span><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Dr.
Allen Raynor, Pastor </span></div>
FBC Rogershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02681949669021762416noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4498183106495082967.post-77280169384389518012014-05-15T12:00:00.000-07:002014-06-11T18:16:49.036-07:00<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">God and the “Gay” Christian: <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">A Response to Matthew
Vines</span></b></div>
<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We expect
attacks from those outside the Kingdom of God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>After all it is not shocking for a non-believer to act according to
his/her nature.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But when attacks come
seemingly from the inside, it is particularly disturbing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Who would
have thought we would ever see a book title like the recent release by Matthew
Vines, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">God and the Gay Christian</i>.<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></i>Vines
claims to be an evangelical Christian with a high view of Scripture.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He argues that being “gay” in a committed
same-sex relationship (and eventual marriage) <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">is </i>totally compatible with biblical Christianity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His arguments are not completely new, nor are
they unique, but rather a synthesis of arguments previously made by revisionist
Bible scholars. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Vines
identifies six Bible passages that he claims have stood in the way of countless
gay people who have longed for acceptance from their Christian parents,
friends, and churches.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These passages
are Gen. 19:5; Lev. 18:22; Lev. 20:13; Rom. 1:26-27; 1 Cor. 6:9; and 1 Tim.
1:10.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He basically argues that mankind
has always had a flawed understanding of human sexuality stemming primarily from
wrong teaching by the church on the issue.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Albert
Mohler, President of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, comments in a
recent article countering Vine’s conclusions, “His book flows from a startling
ambition – to overthrow two millennia of Christian moral wisdom and biblical
understanding.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">(Albert Mohler “God, the Gospel, and the Gay Challenge
– A Response to Matthew Vines.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Read the
full article at: </span><a href="http://www.albertmohler.com/2014/04/22/god-the-gospel-and-the-gay-challenge-a-response-to-matthew-vines/"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: blue;">http://www.albertmohler.com/2014/04/22/god-the-gospel-and-the-gay-challenge-a-response-to-matthew-vines/</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"> )</span> <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Inherent to
all human being’s sinful nature is the inclination to interpret Scripture to
fit our lifestyle rather than adjust our lifestyle to align with
Scripture.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We do not want to violate
God’s Word, largely out of fear of consequences; therefore it is much <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">easier</i> to try and seek out ways to
synthesize our practices with<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i>Scripture.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since Scripture does not, and cannot, change
it is incumbent on human beings to change <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">their
</i>behavior.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, compelling
desires have proven to lead people toward seeking to change Scripture instead
of themselves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Attacking it head-on has
proven far less effective than more subtle attempts to undermine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All human beings seek acceptance and
justification for their lifestyle and/or behavior, which has led some to highly
creative and imaginative interpretations.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Bible
was not written in a complicated manner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The New Testament was written in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Koine
</i>Greek, the common vernacular of the people as opposed to the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Classical </i>Greek of the more learned and
of literary prominence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This means the
Bible was written and inspired in such a way that even the under-educated could
read and generally understand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Bible is
as clear, or clearer, on the issue of homosexual practice than it is on any
moral teaching.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is absolutely no
doubt what it says and what it means.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>God did not give us a complicated set of Scriptures in order to keep 2
millennia of Christians completely confused and misled on the issue of
homosexuality just waiting for Matthew Vines to come along and finally show
them the light.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know it sounds crazy,
but Vines is saying, in effect, all the most Godly and learned theologians,
pastors, seminary presidents, authors, professors, early church fathers, popes,
reformers, missionaries and billions of laypersons have been wrong on this
issue but now he has been honored as the one to reveal the truth at a moment in
time when the political climate just happens to be primed and ready to applaud
his efforts for doing so.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What a
coincidence; quite interesting indeed. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Certainly we
should have a measure of compassion and concern to reach persons like Matthew
Vines with the Gospel of Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Salvation, we remember, is delivery from the bondage of all sins which
enslave us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Salvation was never intended
to merely provide a coping mechanism by which we could somehow better tolerate
remaining in bondage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Vines is saying,
in effect, that any salvation he claims to have is incomplete.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is lacking in its ability to take control
of his life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead his homosexual
desires still constrain him and control him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He is the typical lost person in that sense – one who is
lost/wandering/confused within his sinful passions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Paul wrote in Romans 12:1-2 “I beseech you
therefore brethren by the mercies of God to present your bodies as a living
sacrifice holy and acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And be not conformed to this world but be
transformed by the renewing of your mind that you may prove to do that which is
the good, the acceptable, and perfect will of God.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Vines
doesn’t need to try and worry about what the Bible has to say concerning
homosexuality until he can understand what the Bible says about giving his life
to Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Apostle Paul claimed all
sort of justification to persecute and kill Christians and believed he was, in
so doing, performing a service for God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But then he met Christ on the road to Damascus and his theology, wants,
desires, passions, and outlook were changed in an instant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He went from following a religion (set of
ideas) to following the Redeemer (Christ)!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Matthew Vines needs to study carefully passages that tell one how to
have a changed life and study carefully the overwhelming number of passages which
give insight as to what that changed life looks like before he tackles moral
teachings that can only truly be understood as the “new creature” 2 Corinthians
5:17 identifies.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Vines writes
of being raised in an evangelical Presbyterian church by Christian
parents.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He says he came relatively late
to understanding his own sexual desires and pattern of attraction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He seeks acceptance from his parents,
society, and from God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But ultimately
wants to be married to a man.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He argues
the Bible simply has no concept of sexual orientation and that to deny him
access to marriage is to deny justice and happiness which he has a right to
enjoy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He argues that celibacy cannot be
mandated for same-sex individuals within the church, for this would be unjust
and wrong.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although,
still highly inaccurate, his arguments might carry slightly more weight if they
were not so obviously self-serving.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If someone
who did not desire to justify their own behavior and lifestyle – who had no dog
in the hunt – compiled this research it might be more convincing to a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">few </i>people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But overwhelmingly, it clearly is
antithetical to the Scripture’s teachings to a degree that is beyond dispute by
any reasonable interpreter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And his
conclusions are self-serving to the point of absurdity.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I have
considered these things, once I get past the initial anger of how someone could
attempt to subvert and malign the clear teachings of Scripture on this subject,
I cannot help but feel deeply saddened for this man.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Look at how far his sin has led him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not merely to get involved with homosexual
practice, in the first place, and then to push for marriage, but <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">literally</i> to the extent of setting down
with the Bible, eisegeting (reading into Scripture one’s own biases and
presuppositions) it to fit his own desires.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The New Testament is clear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is
“He” (Christ) who justifies us and we cannot justify ourselves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our justification does not come by strong/compelling
desires, political movements, rhetoric, or even writing a book.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It comes <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">only
</i>by repentance from our sins, turning our whole lives over to Christ and following
Him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span> </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
In Christ,</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Dr. Allen Raynor, Pastor<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></div>
FBC Rogershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02681949669021762416noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4498183106495082967.post-69476779678997423472014-05-08T12:00:00.000-07:002014-06-14T05:17:54.436-07:00<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">
When the Enemy Comes in Like a Flood<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I talk to
Christians today I hear expressed a handful of common concerns.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many of the words I hear express concern,
disbelief, and discouragement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It seems
as though Satan has come in like a tidal wave drenching everything in his path
and bringing about mass destruction and chaos.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Many believers have become discouraged and some are expressing grave
concerns about the future.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It seems like
such a short time ago, the concept of “gay marriage” was totally
unthinkable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet, in 2014 we find the
remaining barriers to this cultural phenomenon being dismantled on practically
a daily basis.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In 2012, Barak Obama
running for re-election, became the first setting President in American history
to openly express support for “gay marriage.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Also in 2012, the Democratic Party became the first major political
party in American history to have marriage equality (same sex marriage) as a
plank in its national party platform.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Politicians such as Bill and Hillary Clinton, who previously publicly
rejected the notion, said they were “evolving” on the issue and now supported
this new take on marriage equality.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Other politicians have followed suit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Additionally there have been a significant number of actors and
actresses, athletes, and other well-known individuals who have thrown in their
support.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The rapidity
of the change in this “politically correct” culture has been overwhelming.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some have commented it is as though we are
now living in a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Twilight Zone</i>
episode.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nothing is as it should be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nothing is the way we had come to expect.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most all the episodes of the original <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Twilight Zone</i> were scary because they
stretched and tickled the imagination and forced viewers to focus, if only
briefly, on the eccentric and bizarre. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When we
consider the character of the world in end times, or last days, many Scriptures
come immediately to mind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The obvious
ones are those which actually alert us to the fact they are describing end
times, but some are far less obvious.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
would argue that any verse which explicitly or implicitly describes or
otherwise gives insight into human nature is telling and revealing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The key characteristics of end times are really
nothing <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">new</i>, but instead the same <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">old</i> characteristics operating without
their former societal restraints.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We live in a
darkening culture that is running as fast as it can from any memory of its
Christian past.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The changing attitudes
concerning marriage are among the chief ways of illustrating this reality.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In a recent article entitled “Same-Sex
Marriage and the Future” Russell Moore, President of the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission</i> of the Southern Baptist
Convention, says the short-term prospects for God-honoring marriage do not look
so good; at least where popular culture is concerned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Marriage has been attacked on many
fronts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, he reminds that the
long-term prospects concerning marriage are excellent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When the Lord returns he will set all things
right and restore the foundations which appear to be crumbling under the weight
of this ungodly culture. <span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">(Read
Moore’s full article at </span><a href="http://www.russellmoore.com/2014/04/15/same-sex-marriage-and-the-future/"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: blue;">http://www.russellmoore.com/2014/04/15/same-sex-marriage-and-the-future/</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"> )<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many verses
give us hope in these perilous times, but as I consider the things which are
happening and the severity of the attacks launched by “the enemy of our souls,”
I think of the words of Isaiah the Prophet. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In chapter 59 of his prophesy he is writing
concerning “The Redeemer of Zion” promised to come.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But the people of the day were caught
somewhere in the middle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their “glass
half full” side wanted to believe there was hope and that God would do all the
great things he had promised and that he had not forgotten about them and their
struggles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But their “glass half empty”
side tended to watch the signs of the times and political climate and get
really distraught.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was exactly to
those battered and discouraged people that Isaiah wrote “So shall they fear the
name of the Lord from the west, and His glory from the rising of the sun; when
the enemy comes in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard
against him.” (Is. 59:19)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>John N. Oswalt
commenting on this verse writes “The wrath of God against sin will be like a
stream thundering through a narrow canyon, pushed on by a roaring wind; and
those who choose to ally themselves with sin, no matter where they are in the
world, will have good cause to be terrified.” <span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">(John N. Oswalt; New International Commentary; <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Is. 40-66</i>; 530)</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Really, in a nutshell, what is being promised
here is that God will fight and overcome the forces of evil that <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">attempt</i> to engulf His people.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Apostle
Paul, writing to his young protégé Timothy, in his second letter stated “But
know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: for men will be
lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient
to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without
self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers
of pleasure rather than lovers of God.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>(2 Tim. 3:1-4)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Every one of the
descriptive terms used by Paul fit either totally or partially with the current
race for “gay” pride, “gay” rights and “gay” marriage here in these “perilous
times” and/or “last days.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is no
doubt the enemy Satan, has come into this culture like a mighty, roaring,
destructive, wall of water leveling destruction and devouring anything and
everything in its path.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We may look at
those massive flood waters and feel powerless – and indeed we are except for
one thing; our Redeemer!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Remember the
words of tremendous assurance written by The Apostle John “He who is in you is
greater than he who is in the world!” (1 John 4:4)<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
In Christ,<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Dr. Allen Raynor, Pastor</div>
FBC Rogershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02681949669021762416noreply@blogger.com