In this article by Al Mohler [president of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary] he covers how the Hegelian Dialectic [though not identifying it as such] has effectively been used to disarm and deflate the Christians and Conservatives in America [and throughout the world] so that a battle was won without a shot ever being fired.
Thursday • June 3, 2004
After the Ball–Why the Homosexual Movement Has Won
The spectacular success of the homosexual movement stands as one of the most fascinating phenomena of our time. In less than two decades, homosexuality has moved from “the love that dares not speak its name,” to the center of America’s public life. The homosexual agenda has advanced even more quickly than its most ardent proponents had expected, and social change of this magnitude demands some explanation.
A partial explanation of the homosexual movement’s success can be traced to the 1989 publication of After the Ball: How America Will Conquer Its Fear and Hatred of Gays in the 90s. Published with little fanfare, this book became the authoritative public relations manual for the homosexual agenda, and its authors presented the book as a distillation of public relations advice for the homosexual community. A look back at its pages is an occasion for understanding just how successful their plan was.
Authors Marshall Kirk and Hunter Madsen combined psychiatric and public relations expertise in devising their strategy. Kirk, a researcher in neuropsychiatry, and Madsen, a public relations consultant, argued that homosexuals must change their presentation to the heterosexual community if real success was to be made.
Conceiving their book as a “gay manifesto for the 1990s,” the authors called for homosexuals to repackage themselves as mainstream citizens demanding equal treatment, rather than as a promiscuous sexual minority seeking greater opportunity and influence.
Writing just as the AIDS crisis hit its greatest momentum, the authors saw the disease as an opportunity to change the public mind. “As cynical as it may seem, AIDS gives us a chance, however brief, to establish ourselves as a victimized minority legitimately deserving of America’s special protection and care,” they wrote.
Give them credit: they really did understand the operation of the public mind. Kirk and Madsen called for homosexuals to talk incessantly about homosexuality in public. “Open, frank talk makes gayness seem less furtive, alien, and sinful; more above board,” they asserted. “Constant talk builds the impression that public opinion is at least divided on the subject, and that a sizeable bloc–the most modern, up-to-date citizens–accept or even practice homosexuality.”
Nevertheless, not all talk about homosexuality is helpful. “And when we say talk about homosexuality, we mean just that. In the early stages of the campaign, the public should not be shocked and repelled by premature exposure to homosexual behavior itself. Instead, the imagery of sex per se should be downplayed, and the issue of gay rights reduced, as far as possible, to an abstract social question.”
Portraying homosexuals as victims was essential to their strategy. Offering several principles for tactical advance in their cause, the authors called upon homosexuals to “portray gays as victims of circumstance and depression, not as aggressive challengers.” This would be necessary, they argued, because “gays must be portrayed as victims in need of protection so that straights will be inclined by reflex to adopt the role of protector.”
Such a strategy could, they asserted, lead to something like a “conversion” of the public mind on the question of homosexuality. “The purpose of victim imagery is to make straights feel very uncomfortable; that is, to jam with shame the self-righteous pride that would ordinarily accompany and reward their antigay belligerence, and to lay groundwork for the process of conversion by helping straights identify with gays and sympathize with their underdog status.”
Obviously, this would mean marginalizing some members of the homosexual community. Kirk and Madsen were bold to advise a mainstreaming of the homosexual image. “In practical terms, this means that cocky mustachioed leather-men, drag queens, and bull dykes would not appear in gay commercials and other public presentations. Conventional young people, middle-age women, and older folks of all races would be featured, not to mention the parents and straight friends of gays.” Furthermore, “It cannot go without saying, incidentally, that groups on the farthest margins of acceptability, such as NAMBLA [North American Man-Boy Love Association], must play no part at all in such a campaign. Suspected child molesters will never look like victims.”
What about the origin of sexual orientation? The success of the homosexual movement can be largely traced to the very idea of “orientation” itself. More precisely, homosexuals advanced their cause by arguing that they were born that way. Madsen and Kirk offer this as candid public relations advice. “We argue that, for all practical purposes, gays should be considered to have been born gay–even though sexual orientation, for most humans, seems to be the product of a complex interaction between innate predispositions and environmental factors during childhood and early adolescence.” Alas, “To suggest in public that homosexuality might be chosen is to open the can of worms labeled ‘moral choices and sin’ and give the religious intransigents a stick to beat us with. Straights must be taught that it is as natural for some persons to be homosexual as it is for others to be heterosexual: wickedness and seduction have nothing to do with it.”
There can be no doubt that Christianity represents the greatest obstacle to the normalization of homosexual behavior. It cannot be otherwise, because of the clear biblical teachings concerning the inherent sinfulness of homosexuality in all forms, and the normativity of heterosexual marriage. In order to counter this obstacle, Kirk and Madsen advised gays to “use talk to muddy the moral waters, that is, to undercut the rationalizations that ‘justify’ religious bigotry and to jam some of its psychic rewards.” How can this be done? “This entails publicizing support by moderate churches and raising serious theological objections to conservative biblical teachings. It also means exposing the inconsistency and hatred underlying antigay doctrines.”
Conservative churches, defined by the authors as “homohating” are portrayed as “antiquated backwaters, badly out of step with the times and with the latest findings of psychology.”
A quick review of the last 15 years demonstrates the incredible effectiveness of this public relations advice. The agenda set out by Kirk and Madsen led to nothing less than social transformation. By portraying themselves as mainstream Americans seeking nothing but liberty and self-fulfillment, homosexuals redefined the moral equation. Issues of right and wrong were isolated as outdated, repressive, and culturally embarrassing. Instead, the assertion of “rights” became the hallmark of the public relations strategy.
Other principles offered by the authors included making gays look good by identifying strategic historical figures as being hidden homosexuals, and, on the other hand, making “victimizers” look bad in the public eye. Kirk and Madsen suggested isolating conservative Christians by presenting them as “hysterical backwoods preachers, drooling with hate to a degree that looks both comical and deranged.” They offered a concrete example of how this strategy could be used on television and in print. “For example, for several seconds an unctuous beady-eyed Southern preacher is shown pounding the pulpit in rage against ‘those perverted, abominable creatures.’” While his tirade continues over the soundtrack, the picture switches to heart-rending photos of badly beaten persons, or of gays who look decent, harmless, and likeable; and then we cut back to the poisonous face of the preacher. The contrast speaks for itself. The effect is devastating.”
Public relations is now a major part of the American economy, with hundreds of millions of dollars poured into advertising strategies and image enhancement programs. Observers of the public relations world must look back with slack-jawed amazement at the phenomenal success of the approach undertaken by homosexuals over the last two decades. The advice offered by Marshall Kirk and Hunter Madsen is nothing less than a manifesto for moral revolution. A look back at this strategy indicates just how self-consciously the homosexual movement advanced its cause by following this plan.
Those who oppose the normalization of homosexuality have indeed been presented as backwoods, antiquated, and dangerous people, while those advancing the cause are presented as forces for light, progress, and acceptance. Conservative Christians have indeed been presented as proponents of hatred rather than as individuals driven by biblical conviction. The unprecedented success of this public relations strategy helps to explain why America has accepted everything from homosexual characters and plotlines in prime-time entertainment to the lack of outrage in response to same-sex marriage in Massachusetts.
At least we know what we are up against. Biblical Christians must continue to talk about right and wrong even when the larger world dismisses morality as an outdated concept. We must maintain marriage as a non-negotiable norm–a union of a man and a woman–even when the courts redefine marriage by fiat. At the same time, we must take into account the transformation of the American mind that is now so devastatingly evident to all who have eyes to see.
The real tragedy of After the Ball is that the great result of this is not a party, but the complete rejection of the very moral foundations which made this society possible. In order to address the most fundamental problems, we must understand the shape of the American mind. Looking back at After the Ball after fifteen years, it all comes into frightening focus.
Dr. R. Albert Mohler Jr. serves as president of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary – the flagship school of the Southern Baptist Convention and one of the largest seminaries in the world.
If you own and watch television, you have been subjected to the Dialectic. If you read a newspaper, internet, listen to radio, or have attended government grade schools and institutes of higher learning, [sarc] you have been subjected to the Dialectic. In most large corporations, hirelings are indoctrinated with the Dialectic. In “seeker-friendly” churches and “Purpose Driven” churches, the Dialectic takes precedence over the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
The Hegelian dialectic is the framework for guiding our thoughts and actions into conflicts that lead us to a predetermined solution. If we do not understand how the Hegelian dialectic shapes our perceptions of the world, then we do not know how we are helping to implement the vision. When we remain locked into dialectical thinking, we cannot see out of the box.
Make no mistake about it – the Dialectic is diabolical. And so is its instigator. His methods have NEVER changed, and the progression of sin is always the same.
Belief in a lie
Pride
Rebellion
The evil one still lies today, and people listen to him and turn from the truth.
2 Corinthians 11:3
But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.
We never rebel against God unless we first believe a lie. And it is usually a lie about ourselves. Once we believe a lie about ourselves, pride takes over, and rebellion against God and His authority ensue.
“Everybody’s doing it!”
“It feels good to do it!”
“Life is so unfair!”
“I know more than my {parents, boss, teacher, pastor…}!”
“Those values/music/Bibles are so old fashioned!”
“I am more beautiful/attractive than _____!”
“I am more talented than ______!”
The doctrine of Satan is ridiculed by the world. He is portrayed as wearing a red suit, smelling of brimstone, and even holding a pitchfork! That is not how the Word of God describes him. In 2 Corinthians 11:14, he is called an”angel of light.” And in 4:4, he is called the “god of this world.” Ephesians 2:2 he is the “prince of the power of the air.” Well – this new FOX television series is proof enough of that! And the following linked article should quell any doubts about the true purpose of the FOX networks – including the news branch.
(NaturalNews) The more subtle side of satanism in Hollywood entertainment is now a thing of the past, as primetime television airs blatantly evil shows like the upcoming Fox drama Lucifer, which glorifies the goings about of the “lord of hell” after he fictitiously leaves the lake of fire and retires to Los Angeles.
The premise behind the absurd drama, which is set to release in 2016, centers around so-called “Lucifer Morningstar” and his new life as the owner of Lux, an upscale nightclub located in the City of Angels.
A trailer for the show portrays Lucifer as a handsome, British-accented, well-to-do ladykiller full of charm and wit.
This is the image most people, and especially Roman Catholics, are familiar with. 100% repellent. Sometimes on the cute side, as a “little devil,” other times menacing and hideous.
Through the use of the Dialectic, here is the Satan of today. Attractive, charming, and even – moral. Someone that you might be interested in getting to know. He’s not evil – he’s edgy! What could be more appealing? In the same way Satan has been repackaged for today’s fleshly crowd, so has the Bible, the preachers, and the church of today – Laodicea.
Revelation 3:13-15
13 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
14 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;
15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.
16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.
2 Corinthians 11:13-15
13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.
14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.
We truly are living in the last days. Do you see where this all leads? First the idea is introduced into popular culture for conditioning of the masses. Does anyone recall the ridiculous “Uncle Arthur” on the 60’s Tv show – “Bewitched?”
He was the penultimate funny “gay guy.” He wore a neck scarf and had homosexual affectations, yet he was appealing because he was so funny. The TV consumer, lets down their guard and the Dialectic has done its job. Now, we are faced with the worst perversions known to mankind being “normalized” into our society. Decades of “funny gay guys” leads to not so funny sodomites parading their sin down the streets of our cities.
I’m not laughing now – are you? I hope you can see how the Dialectic progresses, and how we got to where we are now.
After a thorough examination of the immoralities connected to our flesh, we move to delve into the wonders of godly wisdom.
Proverbs 8:1-5
8 Doth not wisdom cry? and understanding put forth her voice?
2 She standeth in the top of high places, by the way in the places of the paths.
3 She crieth at the gates, at the entry of the city, at the coming in at the doors.
4 Unto you, O men, I call; and my voice is to the sons of man.
5 O ye simple, understand wisdom: and, ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart.
A cynic would respond to this by saying they do not see or hear wisdom anywhere. They only see and hear the evil doings of men. We would wonder then, at the hardness of the cynic’s heart. The majesty of God and His natural world is available to anyone, anywhere. To be oblivious to His work is to be lost.
6 Hear; for I will speak of excellent things; and the opening of my lips shall be right things.
7 For my mouth shall speak truth; and wickedness is an abomination to my lips.
8 All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing froward or perverse in them.
9 They are all plain to him that understandeth, and right to them that find knowledge.
Godly wisdom can never be false – it is His truth out of our mouths and actions. Godly wisdom will never be unruly, or ignorant.
10 Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold.
11 For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.
12 I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of witty inventions.
13 The fear of the Lord is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.
14 Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom: I am understanding; I have strength.
15 By me kings reign, and princes decree justice.
16 By me princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges of the earth.
17 I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.
18 Riches and honour are with me; yea, durable riches and righteousness.
19 My fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold; and my revenue than choice silver.
20 I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment:
21 That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures.
Oh you prosperity preachers – shame! The riches of the Lord are never material!!!!
7 My son, keep my words, and lay up my commandments with thee.
2 Keep my commandments, and live; and my law as the apple of thine eye.
3 Bind them upon thy fingers, write them upon the table of thine heart.
4 Say unto wisdom, Thou art my sister; and call understanding thy kinswoman:
5 That they may keep thee from the strange woman, from the stranger which flattereth with her words.
6 For at the window of my house I looked through my casement,
7 And beheld among the simple ones, I discerned among the youths, a young man void of understanding,
8 Passing through the street near her corner; and he went the way to her house,
9 In the twilight, in the evening, in the black and dark night:
10 And, behold, there met him a woman with the attire of an harlot, and subtil of heart.
Although the dressings have changed – the behavior of people has not. What Solomon advises his son, still applies today. “The attire of an harlot, and subtil of heart,” could describe millions of immoral women in the world today. They are everywhere now – so much to the point that a man, young or old, would have to put his eyes out to avoid seeing them!
11 (She is loud and stubborn; her feet abide not in her house:
12 Now is she without, now in the streets, and lieth in wait at every corner.)
13 So she caught him, and kissed him, and with an impudent face said unto him,
14 I have peace offerings with me; this day have I payed my vows.
15 Therefore came I forth to meet thee, diligently to seek thy face, and I have found thee.
16 I have decked my bed with coverings of tapestry, with carved works, with fine linen of Egypt.
17 I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.
18 Come, let us take our fill of love until the morning: let us solace ourselves with loves.
19 For the goodman is not at home, he is gone a long journey:
20 He hath taken a bag of money with him, and will come home at the day appointed.
This immoral woman is married! And even admits to the foolish fellow with the wandering eye that her husband has taken money with him and won’t be home.
21 With her much fair speech she caused him to yield, with the flattering of her lips she forced him.
O dear lord – how many are seduced by flattery?
22 He goeth after her straightway, as an ox goeth to the slaughter, or as a fool to the correction of the stocks;
23 Till a dart strike through his liver; as a bird hasteth to the snare, and knoweth not that it is for his life.
24 Hearken unto me now therefore, O ye children, and attend to the words of my mouth.
25 Let not thine heart decline to her ways, go not astray in her paths.
How do the wiles of harlot entrap men now? How about internet porn? “Adult” entertainment? Television? Cheer leaders? Office flirtations? Beaches? Malls? Magazines? Just walking down the street? Church???? Is there any escape?
24 Hearken unto me now therefore, O ye children, and attend to the words of my mouth.
25 Let not thine heart decline to her ways, go not astray in her paths.
26 For she hath cast down many wounded: yea, many strong men have been slain by her.
27 Her house is the way to hell, going down to the chambers of death.
The LORD will always provide you with a way out of temptation. The best thing to do is avoid it – entirely. If you can not look without lusting – DO NOT LOOK!!!! Even if you have to throw out your television! Avert your eyes, and your heart will be safer. I know this is easier said than done, but it can be done.
And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Last Friday, we studied that falsehood can ruin our lives. The next passage of Proverbs is so dramatic and intense, that it has received the Hollywood treatment, being featured in a movie, a television series, and a four part mini-series.
These six things doth the lord hate; yea, seven are an abomination unto him.
abomination = a person or thing that is disgusting; an action that is vicious, vile, etc.; intense loathing
Sin is a very, very, serious offense against God.
A proud look
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
A lying tongue
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
and hands that shed innocent blood.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
a heart that deviseth wicked imaginations.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
feet that be swift in running to mischief.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
a false witness that speaketh lies.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
and he that soweth discord among the brethren.
Proverbs 6:16-19
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
All sin is wicked in God’s sight. Humans tend to “categorize” sin by making relative comparisons. In man’s eyes, lying is not as serious of a sin as murder is – but this famous Proverb proves that lying is an abomination to The LORD. Even the “smallest” sin will keep a person out of heaven. That means, even our “little white lies,” and gossiping had to be placed on Jesus Christ at Calvary. We all need to embrace God’s perspective of sin, and completely eliminate man’s perspective.
Last week the lesson from the Word was a cautionary against idleness. Today, another warning – against falsehood – which is the sin most Christians overlook within themselves, while being quick to point it out in others.
Proverbs 6:12-13
King James Version (KJV)
12 A naughty person, a wicked man, walketh with a froward mouth.
froward = habitually disposed to disobedience and opposition
13 He winketh with his eyes, he speaketh with his feet, he teacheth with his fingers;
A direct gaze, without averting the eyes has long been considered a way of detecting honesty in a person. The Proverb is saying here that darting eyes, excessive blinking, and rapid hand gestures are all indicative of a dishonest person.
14 Frowardness is in his heart, he deviseth mischief continually; he soweth discord.
Truly – this must be the greatest trouble in the Body of Christ. It is tragic that so many false converts are within the fold – but it is a fact that must be faced. How could anyone professing the Name of Christ be “devising mischief continually?” The LORD sees everything – and those that do these things will not go unpunished.
15 Therefore shall his calamity come suddenly; suddenly shall he be broken without remedy.
While we may sometimes wonder how evil people seem to prosper – (how do they get away with it?) we can see from this Proverb that the judgement for these offenses will come as a shock to the unrepentant – and without a cure.
2 Chronicles 36:16
King James Version (KJV)
But they mocked the messengers of God, and despised His words, and misused His prophets, until the wrath of the Lord arose against His people, till there was no remedy.
O Lord of hosts, God of Israel, that dwellest between the cherubims, Thou art the God, even Thou alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth: Thou hast made heaven and earth.
In the second and final part of this two part study, will cover the “new birth.”
What does the new birth produce?
IT PRODUCES A SINLESS NATURE. 1 John 3:9 – Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for His seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.
IT PRODUCES A NATURE THAT CANNOT SIN. 1 John 3:9 – Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for His seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.
IT PRODUCES A RIGHTEOUS NATURE. 2 Corinthians 5:21 – For He hath made Him to be sin for us, Who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.
IT PRODUCES A DIVINE NATURE. 2 Peter 1:4 – Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
At left, we see the same Christian from Pilgrim’s Progress that we saw heavily burdened before. With his attention fully on the Cross, his burden has fallen off and is rolling away. This was a conscious choice that Christian made, when he decided in his heart that the One on the cross had paid the price for his heavy burden. It was impossible for him to get free of the burden – without the cross. Christian was still in his flesh – and the flesh never changes. But he had a new Spirit dwelling within him, a Spirit that also never changes. Christian now has two natures: the old nature from his birth according to the flesh; and the new nature from the birth according to the Spirit. By the old birth, all are children of the flesh; by the new birth, we are children of God. That is why . . .
John 3:7
Ye must be born again.
Christian:“Thus far did I come laden with my sin, Nor could aught ease the grief that I was in, Till I came hither. What a place is this! Must here be the beginning of my bliss? Must here the burden fall from off my back? Must here the strings that bound it to me crack? Blest cross! blest sepulchre! blest rather be The Man that there was put to shame for me!”
John 3:3
Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
In this two part study, this first half will cover the “first birth,” or our birth into flesh.
What does the flesh birth produce?
IT PRODUCES AN OLD, SINFUL NATURE. Psalm 51:5 – Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.
IT PRODUCES A CORRUPTIBLE NATURE. 1 Peter 1:23 – Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the Word of God, which liveth and abideth forever.
IT PRODUCES AN OLD NATURE UNDER THE SENTENCE OF DEATH. 1 Romans 6:23 – For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
IT PRODUCES AN OLD NATURE THAT MAKES EVERY UNSAVED PERSON A CHILD OF THE DEVIL. 1 John 3:10 – In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.
The image to the left, is Christian, from Pilgrim’s Progress. The burden he carries is a lifetime of sin. The interesting thing, is that reading “The Book,” was what made him realize how great the burden actually was, and how desperately he wanted to be relieved of his burden. We all carry a burden of sin, which increases in weight day by day, until we choose to be rid of it – through the new birth. Christian came to the realization, that he needed more than a teacher – he needed a Savior. He needed more than religion – he needed regeneration. He needed more than the law – he needed life.
Christian: I seek an Inheritance, incorruptible, undefiled, and that fadeth not away ; and it is laid up in Heaven, and fast there , to be bestowed at the time appointed, on them that diligently seek it. Read it so, if you will, in my Book.
John 3:3
Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
John 3:6
That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
What a fellowship, what a joy divine, Leaning on the everlasting arms; What a blessedness, what a peace is mine, Leaning on the everlasting arms.
Refrain: Leaning, leaning, safe and secure from all alarms; Leaning, leaning, leaning on the everlasting arms.
Oh, how sweet to walk in this pilgrim way, Leaning on the everlasting arms; Oh, how bright the path grows from day to day, Leaning on the everlasting arms.
What have I to dread, what have I to fear, Leaning on the everlasting arms? I have blessed peace with my Lord so near, Leaning on the everlasting arms.
The Story Behind Leaning on the Everlasting Arms
Anthony Showalter was leading a singing school in an Alabama church in 1887. When he returned to his boardinghouse room one night, two letters awaited him. Both were from former students, and both men told of the recent loss of their wives. Mr. Showalter wrote back, seeking to comfort the young men in the midst of their grief.But what to write? When he came to the end of each letter, he wanted to include a Bible verse. He picked Deuteronomy 33:27, “The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms ….”
He pondered the words of that verse as he penned them into the letters, and the lyrics of the chorus of Leaning on the Everlasting Arms came to his mind. He wrote to his friend, Elisha Hoffman, explaining that he had a chorus, but no verses. Mr. Hoffman wrote back with the rest of the words of this famous hymn. Sam Duncan, a student and nephew of Mr. Showalter, was given the class assignment to write the tune for this poem. The piece was published under his uncle’s name in the book Glad Evangel for Revival, Camp and Evangelistic Meeting Hymnal.
The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms: and He shall thrust out the enemy from before thee; and shall say, Destroy them.
Revelation 19:11-16
11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and He that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He doth judge and make war.
12 His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns; and He had a name written, that no man knew, but He Himself.
13 And He was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and His name is called The Word of God.
14 And the armies which were in heaven followed Him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.
15 And out of His mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it He should smite the nations: and He shall rule them with a rod of iron: and He treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.
16 And He hath on his vesture and on His thigh a name written, King Of Kings, And Lord Of Lords.
In our last Friday Proverb, we learned that the best way to avoid wickedness is to flee from it. As the old saying goes – “Run like the very devil is after you!” (Because he is) It was also stressed that the wicked cannot rest or even sleep until they cause others to fall. That is a very important fact to remember when the sinful temptations are being sold to you.
20 My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings.
21 Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart.
22 For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.
Again, the Proverbs are stressing that God’s Words must be kept deep within our hearts, providing life and health to our bodies. Understand that this is more than prose. Ample (if resentful) secular evidence exists to support what is written in this Proverb. It stymies the “scientific” community as to why church goers, and those who regularly pray and study the Bible, live longer. They continuously try to explain it away with brain scans and Freudian analysis. Aren’t we blessed not to have to worry about the why? And just addressing the logical side of the question – it stands to reason that the truly faithful Christians avoid much of the behavior that makes people sick, as well as dangerous situations and lifestyles.
23 Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.
From the Hebrew “keep” =
natsar: to watch, guard, keep
Original Word: נָצַר Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: natsar Phonetic Spelling: (naw-tsar’)
Guarding your heart is not the same thing as “hardening” your heart. Keeping it with “all diligence,” protects your heart from being damaged by sin. Leaving it exposed like a target is considered foolishness in the Proverbs. If left exposed, sin does its damage, so that even if sins are repented of, the sins that were swept away still leaves scars. And like all scar tissue – it is hard – and can even be seen in the eyes of the repentant sinner. How much better it is to guard your heart to begin with, and not have to suffer and bear the scars for the rest of your earthly walk.
24 Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee.
Hmmm, let’s think about wisely holding our tongues and thinking it through before we speak in anger, spite, or in a gossiping manner. “Perverse lips” means that the speaker gets pleasure from evil dialogue, such as locker room talk, or “talking dirty.” Not only should we not do these things – but we are instructed to put the people that do them far away from us. If we participate in the gossip, or in the locker room talk, we become as they are.
25 Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee.
Further admonishment to keep our eyes where they should be – focused on heaven – not the world and its trappings.
26 Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established.
Look where you are going, think about where you are going, determine where you are going.
27 Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil. Proverbs 4: 20-27
Do not veer from the path of righteousness. If we are like Lot’s wife, and are constantly looking longingly back, or to the side – we do not belong to the Lord! In the words of John Bunyan –
Beware of this By-path Meadow; it is on the left-hand. O! how many are walking securely, confidently, and comfortably, in it; while every step they take endangers their destruction. The transition into it is easy; for it lies close to the right way; only you must go over a stile: that is, you must quit Christ’s imputed righteousness, and trust in your inherent righteousness; and you are in By Path Meadow directly.
Pilgrim’s Progress, p. 129, John Bunyan
And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.
Beyond the sunset, O blissful morning, When with our Savior, heaven is begun; Earth’s toiling ended, O glorious dawning, Beyond the sunset when day is done.
Beyond the sunset, no clouds will gather, No storms will threaten, no fears annoy; O day of gladness, O day unending, Beyond the sunset eternal joy!
Beyond the sunset, a hand will guide me To God the Father whom I adore; His glorious presence, His words of welcome, Will be my portion on that fair shore.
Beyond the sunset, O glad reunion, With our dear loved ones who’ve gone before; In that fair homeland we’ll know no parting, Beyond the sunset forever more!
Virgil Prentiss Brock – Lyrics 1887-1978
Born: January 6, 1887, Mercer County, Ohio. Buried: Warsaw, Indiana.
Blanche Kerr Brock – Composer 1888-1958
Born: February 3, 1888, Greens Fork, Indiana. Died: January 3, 1958, Winona Lake, Indiana. Buried: Warsaw, Indiana.
One of the best-known and widely-used songs in the entire field of gospel hymnody is “Beyond the Sunset.” Mr. Brock has left the following account of its writing:
This song was born during a conversation at the dinner table, one evening in 1936, after watching a very unusual sunset at Winona Lake Indiana, with a blind guest—my cousin Horace Burr—and his wife Grace. A large area of the water appeared ablaze with the glory of God, yet there were threatening storm clouds gathering overhead. Returning to our home, we went to the dinner table still talking about the impressive spectacle we had witnessed. Our blind guest excitedly remarked the he had never seen a more beautiful sunset.
“People are always amazed when you talk about seeing,” I told him, “I can see,” Horace replied. “I see through other peoples eyes, and think I often see more; I see beyond the sunset.”
The phrase “beyond the sunset” and the striking inflection of his voice struck me so forcibly, I began singing the first few measures. “That’s beautiful!” his wife interrupted, “Please go to the piano and sing it.
We went to the piano nearby and completed the first verse. “You should have a verse about the storm clouds,” our guest urged, and the words for this verse came quickly as well. Recalling how closely our guest had walked hand in hand together for so many years due to his blindness, the third verse was soon added. Before the evening meal was finished, all four stanzas had been written and we sang the entire song together.
And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
sage
p.s. This post is dedicated to my husband for our 33rd anniversary.
RICK WARREN ON ROMAN CATHOLICISM: “WE HAVE MORE IN COMMON THAN WHAT DIVIDES US”
Warren, whose Purpose Driven Life and Purpose Driven Church books have sold millions of copies around the world, recorded a video interview for the Catholic News Service in which he said: “We have far more in common than what divides us.”
He continued: “When you talk about Pentecostals, charismatics, evangelicals, fundamentalists, Catholics, Methodists, Baptists, Presbyterians … Well, they would all say we believe in the trinity, we believe in the Bible, we believe in the resurrection, we believe salvation is through Jesus Christ. These are the big issues.
“Sometimes Protestants think that Catholics worship Mary like she’s another god. But that’s not exactly Catholic doctrine.”
He also referred to the Roman Catholic practice of prayer to the saints, which Protestants reject, saying: “When you understand what they mean by what they’re saying, there’s a whole lot more commonality.
“Now there’s still real differences, no doubt about that. But the most important thing is if you love Jesus, we’re on the same team.”
He said that Church unity would realistically be “not a structural unity but a unity of mission. And so, when it comes to the family we are co-workers in the field on this for the protection of what we call the sanctity of life, the sanctity of sex, and the sanctity of marriage. So there’s a great commonality and there’s no division on any of those three.”
Warren recently took part in a Vatican conference on the Complementarity of Man and Woman alongside conservative stalwart Russell Moore, president of the Southern Baptist Convention’s Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission. His remarks are in tune with the tone of Pope Francis, who has spoken warmly of evangelicals and brought a different emphasis to inter-Church engagement.
[TBC: Commonality is not established by the lowest common denominator. To say someone loves Jesus means nothing if it’s “another Jesus” or if the “gospel” they present is not the biblical gospel (2 Corinthians:11:4, Galatians:1:8). The works salvation gospel of Rome is contrary to the biblical gospel, and the Jesus of Roman Catholicism did not pay the full penalty for sin. Our Lord declared, “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven” (Matthew:7:21).]
Over a decade ago I was chased out of my church, because of my tooth and nail resistance to going “purpose driven.” Now, Rick Warren is boldly going where he always intended to go – the one world religion.
2 Peter 2:1-3
2 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.
2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.
3 And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.
Dear Mr. Rick Warren – you make me sick. May God have mercy, and cause you to repent.
This comment was posted to the old blog – Thoughts of an Old Man. In the interest of letting this person be heard and responded to by as many people as I think she would like – I’m posting the comment here.
I know this was written ages ago, but the bible has God all wrong. The bibles God doesnt exist. Mainly because too many human faults are put upon him and glorified as something powerful. What need would an omnipotent being have for hate, judgement and anger? Its such a waste to US as a species, why would he lower himself to our level? Many people turn to the books written by man to place their entire faith on but his truth is in no book. It’s inside us. We are born with it. I know this will sound stupid and naive to you, but the Bible never spoke to me. God did. Not conversationally, of course, but with every sunrise, every hug, every smile of my daughters face, THAT is the word of God. Not some letters spewed onto a page and translated as rule. Living by that book has destroyed civilizations, eras, and us as a humanity. It is the false prophet. And generations have died from it. [dawna reisner]
Let us address the commenter’s main premise – that one can self determine the nature of the Godhead.
Immediately – we can observe that the writer has done two things:
Committed idolatry by creating her own god
Blasphemed the Word of God by saying that Jesus Christ, the Word of God, lies about Himself.
We may condense her opinion into one statement.
I don’t like what the Bible says – therefore it is untrue.
If the Bible does not “speak to you,” that means you are not born of the Spirit.
1 Corinthians 2:14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
By saying that the Bible is the false prophet – that is committing the unforgivable sin, by blaspheming the Holy Spirit, Who is the Author of the Bible.
2 Peter 1:21For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
In saying that the Bible has been the cause of the world’s woes, more blasphemy is committed.
Psalm 138:2 I will worship toward Thy holy temple, and praise Thy name for thy lovingkindness and for Thy truth: for thou hast magnified Thy word above all Thy name.
Blaming the Bible, rather than man’s exceeding sinfulness, is the same sin committed by Adam in the Garden of Eden when he blamed God. This is also blasphemy.
Romans 8:22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.
Denying your own complicity in the cumulative sins of mankind, is proof that you are outside the faith.
1 John 1:10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His Word is not in us.
When I first read this comment, I could not believe it was genuine, and likely the antics of a troll because of the provocative nature and specious quality of it. But, as I thought on it, The LORD convicted me that whether genuine or not – it could still be examined and a Scriptural argument developed for it, because even internet trolls need to be witnessed to, and we all encounter people who posit the same belief system.
Jesus, keep me near the cross, There a precious fountain Free to all, a healing stream Flows from Calvary’s mountain.
Refrain
In the cross, in the cross, Be my glory ever; Till my raptured soul shall find Rest beyond the river.
Near the cross, a trembling soul, Love and mercy found me; There the bright and morning star Sheds its beams around me.
Refrain
Near the cross! O Lamb of God, Bring its scenes before me; Help me walk from day to day, With its shadows o’er me.
Refrain
Near the cross I’ll watch and wait Hoping, trusting ever, Till I reach the golden strand, Just beyond the river.
Refrain
Text: Fanny J. Crosby, 1820-1915 Music: William H. Doane, 1832-1915
“It may seem a little old-fashioned, always to begin one’s work with prayer, but I never undertake a hymn without first asking the good Lord to be my inspiration.”
Galatians 6:14
But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by Whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.
3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born?
5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
It is a fact, that the Holy Spirit indwells every truly born again believer. Though we may be weak, immature, and imperfect – if we have been “born again” of the Spirit – He dwells in us. 1 Cor. 6:19- What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? Rom. 8:9 – But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His.
It is one thing to have the Holy Spirit indwell us – but does He have us in such a way that He may fill us with the “Abundant Life?” Contrary to the teachings of prosperity preachers – the abundant life can not be found in our environments or circumstances, or in the many material things that we may possess. It is only found in the infilling of the Holy Spirit.
Ephesians 5:18
And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit
EPHESIANS 5:18 IS A COMMAND! TO BE FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT IS TO BE SPIRIT-POSSESSED, SPIRIT- EMPOWERED, AND SPIRIT-CONTROLLED.
1. We are filled with the Holy Spirit that we might have joy. Eph. 5:19-20 –19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; 20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;
2. We are filled with the Holy Spirit for service. Acts 6:3 – Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.
3. We are filled with the Holy Spirit for power to be a witness. Acts 1:8 – But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto Me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
4. We are filled with the Holy Spirit for the hour of persecution. Acts 7: 54-60 –
54 When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth. 55 But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, 56 And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God. 57 Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord, 58 And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man’s feet, whose name was Saul. 59 And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. 60 And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.
5. We are filled with the Holy Spirit that we may “walk in the Spirit.” Gal. 5:16-26 – 16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. 18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. 24 And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.
6. We are filled with the Holy Spirit that we may be led by the Holy Spirit. Rom. 8:14 – For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
WE CAN ONLY BE FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT IF WE DESIRE HIM TO FILL US. THEN WE MUST ASK HIM TO FILL US. AND FINALLY, WE MUST BELIEVE THAT HE FILLS US.
John 4:14
But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.
There is no secret formula or ritual to living the abundant life; it is revealed, as are all great truths – in the Person of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Romans 6:10
For in that He died, He died unto sin once: but in that He liveth, He liveth unto God.
Faith that saves, identifies us with Christ in His resurrection. This IS the abundant life!
Colossians 3:1-4
3 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.
4 When Christ, Who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with Him in glory.
1. It is one thing to have eternal life by faith. It is another thing entirely to have abundant life by faith.
2. It is one thing to “be made the righteousness of God in Him.” 2 Cor. 5:21 – For He hath made Him to be sin for us, Who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him. It is quite another thing to realize His righteous life is in us. 1 John 3:7 – Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as He is righteous.
3. It is one thing to live in Christ. 2 Cor. Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. It is another thing for Christ to live HIS life through us. Col. 1:7 – To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. . .
Romans 6:13
Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.
Romans 6:13, shows us that every believer has a choice. We may yield unto God by faith, and enjoy abundant life, or the believer may yield unto sin and endure a defeated life. Rev. 3:1 – And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith He that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead. God wants ALL believers to know the power of a yielded life – for it will lift us above circumstances that circumvent abundant living. The abundant life begins the instant we yield to Him as Lord and Master (Not Lordship salvation!!) allowing Him to live His life through us by faith.
The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
The only way into eternal life is through faith in Christ as personal savior.
Once you are saved – do not stop there! Having eternal life is the most important, but there is so much more. Christ said that He came that we might have life more abundantly. ALL believers have life, but not all believers have abundant life.
In order to have abundant life, we need abundant resources. The only unlimited resource is the Person of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
John 14:6
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, andthe life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me.
In order to possess this abundant life – we MUST abide IN HIM!
John 15:1-5
15 I am the true vine, and My Father is the husbandman.
2 Every branch in Me that beareth not fruit He taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, He purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.
3 Now ye are clean through the Word which I have spoken unto you.
4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in Me.
5 I am the Vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in Me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without Me ye can do nothing.
This kind of vibrant, abundant living is not for just a select few, it is what God wants for ALL believers. It is a deep spiritual life, and without it, the Christian life is meaningless.
If you do not have abundant life within you – you will soon yield to carnality. The fleshly life around you will overcome your puny resistance, and and you will be surrounded.
1 Corinthians 3:1-4
3 And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.
2 I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.
3 For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?
4 For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?
The carnal Christian life is circumstance controlled – the abundant life is Holy Spirit- controlled. The carnal Christian life leads to one defeat after another – the abundant life leads to victory in Christ.
Man seems to know everything about life except how to live it abundantly.
Please continue on with this series, and determine that from now on – not to be satisfied with anything less than God’s best – life abundantly.
There is one passage in the Bible that perfectly portrays the three kinds of faith. It is well known – having entire books written to explore it. We will go a little deeper, using only Scripture – and not needing a whole book to understand the deep things of God!
In John 11, we see the faith of Martha in connection with the resurrection of her brother Lazarus. It begins when Lazarus fell ill, and his sisters Mary and Martha sent for Jesus to come and heal him. Jesus delayed His coming until Lazarus was dead and in the grave for four days. Then He arrived and found the limited, fundamental faith of Martha His only obstacle.
1. Martha’s faith was limited.
John 11:21
Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if Thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.
The death of Lazarus meant the end of Martha’s faith. She believed that Jesus had the power to raise her brother up from the sick bed, but not from the dead. Her limited faith restricted the power of Christ (not that He is not all-powerful – but in that He only worked miracles where they would be received and He would be believed on)
Matthew 13:58
And He did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief.
Limited faith is controlled by circumstances, and motivated by fear of failure
2. Martha’s faith was fundamental. In John 11:23, Jesus said – “Thy brother shall rise again.” These words were spoken to kindle hope in Martha, but she still prevaricated.
John 11:24-27
24 Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day. [Here she declares her fundamental faith in a Great Truth, but that is not enough!]
25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: [Jesus is saying that He has all power over life and death]
26 And whosoever liveth and believeth in Me shall never die. Believest thou this?
27 She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world. [She evades His question and states her creed. Stating one’s creed to the living, all-powerful Christ is shallow indeed – faith must go beyond creeds.]
John 11:35
Jesus wept.
It wasn’t only Martha’s faith that was limited – it was many of the Jew’s who were doubting and decrying Him for delaying His arrival.
3. At last, unlimited faith came to Martha when she agreed to have the stone moved from Lazarus’ grave. Martha first objected in unbelief.
John 11:39
Jesus said, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days.
Then Jesus challenges her to believe.
John 11:40
Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?
Martha demonstrated her new-found, unlimited faith, by allowing the stone to be moved, and then she waited in faith – and was rewarded!
John 11:43
And when He thus had spoken, He cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth.
Seeing is NOT believing.
You must believe first, and then you will see.
Faith comes before sight. Don’t be satisfied with limited, fundamental faith only, when you can have unlimited faith that pleases God – because it reveals His glory!
As you can see – a 300 page book is not required! You only need The Book!
Every believer can fall into the “little faith” category – at least at some point in their walk. The LORD so perfectly illustrated this for us, and its remedy, in Matthew 14, which relates the incident of Peter walking on water to meet the LORD. We will examine this episode, and see ourselves as Peter, and what we can do to grow our faith.
Matthew 14:28-31
28 And Peter answered Him and said, Lord, if it be Thou, bid me come unto Thee on the water.
29 And He said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.
30 But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.
31 And immediately Jesus stretched forth His hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?
At this stage in Peter’s spiritual growth, he is a man of “little faith.” We know that after Pentecost, he became a spiritual giant. The important passage above, detailing Peter’s little faith – is something we can learn from – and it was designed for our learning. Think of the significance of Jesus coming to His disciples during a terrible storm, walking calmly on the water while they were in great distress. Peter asks if he can come to Him on the water – and the LORD said COME!
Before we begin – please reread the above scripture carefully!
Peter did the impossible thing – he walked on water by faith.
Next, Peter did the conceivable thing – he took his eyes off Christ – and looked at the water – he had second thoughts – and he doubted.
Then Peter did the expected thing – he began to sink – he failed.
Now Peter did the right thing – he prayed – “Lord, save me.” Peter reconnected to the Lord in faith.
Then Peter did the impossible thing again – with an extra – he walked on water back to the ship – with the Lord.
The order of events is extremely important!!
The steps: Peter began in faith, and walked on water. Then he saw the storm, and had second thoughts which led to doubt. The doubt produced fear, that caused him to turn away, and brought on the failure.
In this lesson we see the success and failure of “little faith”
We need faith that is bigger than the elements that seek to destroy us. We can have this kind of faith by prayer and fasting –
Matthew 17:20-21
20 And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.
21 Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.
and by feeding our faith on the Word of God.
Romans 10:17
So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.
Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
The shield of faith is a very important component of the Christian’s armor. We are to put on the “whole armor of God,” (Eph. 6:10-18) because our Christian life is a life of warfare – a spiritual conflict. As Paul names the different parts of the Christian’s armor – when coming to the shield – he emphasizes its importance by saying “Above all, taking the shield of faith.”
With the shield of faith we are – “more than conquerors though Him that loved us.” Rom. 8:37
The importance of faith is seen in that:
1. We can NOT be saved without faith.
John 3:36
He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.
2. We can NOT live victoriously over the world without faith.
1 John 5:4
For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.
3. We can NOT please God without faith.
Hebrews 11:6
But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.
4. We can NOT pray without faith!
James 1:6
But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.
5. We can NOT have peace with God without faith.
Romans 5:1
Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
6. We can NOT have joy without faith.
1 Peter 1:8
Whom having not seen, ye love; in Whom, though now ye see Him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:
7. We are justified by faith and NOT by works.
Galatians 2:16
Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.
8. We are to live by faith.
Galatians 2:20
I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, Who loved me, and gave Himself for me.
9. We are made righteous by faith.
Romans 10:1-4
10 Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.
2 For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.
3 For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.
4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.
10. Christ dwells in our hearts by faith.
Ephesians 3:17
That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love. . .
11. The Holy Spirit is received by faith.
Galatians 3:2
This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?
12. Faith is important because it honors God – and God always honors faith.
Romans 14:23
And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Our faith is the title deed to eternal life. Just as a paper title gives evidence of car and real estate ownership – so our faith is evidence of our eternal estate in God.
2 CORINTHIANS 4:18
WHILE WE LOOK NOT AT THE THINGS WHICH ARE SEEN, BUT AT THE THINGS WHICH ARE NOT SEEN: FOR THE THINGS WHICH ARE SEEN ARE TEMPORAL; BUT THE THINGS WHICH ARE NOT SEEN ARE ETERNAL.
1. Faith is taking God at His Word without question.
HEBREWS 11:6
But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.
2. Faith is knowing that “all things work together for good to them that love God.” Faith does not believe that all things are good – or that all things work out well. Faith believes that all things – both good and bad – work together for good to them that love God.
ROMANS 8:28
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.
3. Faith is two-sided. The first side deals with our intellects, wherein we have intellectual conviction that Jesus Christ is God. The second side deals with our wills. It is a conscious choice to surrender our wills to the will of Jesus Christ as Lord and Master.
This is displayed in Thomas’ declaration – “My Lord and my God.” John 20:28
JOHN 20:28-31
28 And Thomas answered and said unto Him, My Lord {volitional or conscious surrender}and my God. {intellectual conviction}
29 Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen Me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.
30 And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book:
31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through His name. {saving faith!}
Saving faith is an intellectual conviction that Jesus is God, and a volitional surrender to Him as Lord (Master) of our lives. By faith, the mind trusts in God; the heart responds to the love of God; the will submits to the commands of God; and the life obeys in the service of God.
4. Genuine faith is paradoxical. It surpasses all human reasoning and logic. The truly faithful believes without understanding why.
It sings in prison.
ACTS 16:25
And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.
It glories in tribulations.
ROMANS 5:3
And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
It chooses to suffer.
HEBREWS 11:25
Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season
It accepts all things as a part of God’s will.
PHILIPPIANS 1:12
But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel
WE ARE NOT BORN WITH THIS FAITH. IT COMES BY THE HEARING OF GOD’S WORD –
ROMANS 10:17
So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.
This is why we are commanded to preach the Gospel to every creature, that by hearing, they may believe.
ROMANS 10:13-14
13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?
This declaration of the Christian’s principle of life is found in four places in Scripture.
Habakkuk 2: 1-5
Romans 2:17
Galatians 3:10
Hebrews 10:38
In the Old Testament Book of Habakkuk, we see the difference between the lives of the just and the unjust. The unjust are puffed up – and live according to their own wills and self-sufficiency. But the just on the other hand – live by faith. Their confidence is only in God, not themselves. To the just, faith is more than a world view or philosophy of life. It is the very principle of life.
HABAKKUK 2:4
4 Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.
The righteous shall live his entire life by faith.
He is saved by faith.
Acts 16:31 – And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.
He is kept by faith.
1 Peter 1:5 – Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
He lives by faith.
Gal. 2:20 – I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me.
The faith of the just shall be tried many times and in many ways – but will always be vindicated, because through Christ, faith is more than equal to any occasion.
1 Peter 1:7 – That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ. . .
Faith knows how to wait on the Lord.
Isaiah 40:31 – But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
Faith is always victorious.
1 John 5:4 – For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.
Faith defies logic, and can move mountains.
Matt. 17: 14 – 21
14 And when they were come to the multitude, there came to him a certain man, kneeling down to him, and saying,15 Lord, have mercy on my son: for he is lunatick, and sore vexed: for ofttimes he falleth into the fire, and oft into the water.16 And I brought him to thy disciples, and they could not cure him.17 Then Jesus answered and said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him hither to me.18 And Jesus rebuked the devil; and he departed out of him: and the child was cured from that very hour.19 Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out?20 And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.21 Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.
Faith never gives up.
Hebrews 11:32-39
32 And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets: 33 Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions. 34 Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. 35 Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: 36 And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: 37 They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; 38 (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. 39 And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:
WITH FAITH – WE CAN CONFIDENTLY SAY, THAT “GOD IS WORKING OUT HIS PERFECT WILL IN MY LIFE, AND I CAN WAIT – ENDURE – AND SUFFER!” FAITH DOES NOT MAKE ANYTHING EASY – BUT IT DOES MAKE ALL THINGS POSSIBLE.
I could hardly wait to cover this aspect of repentance, as it also covers one of the so-called “contradictions,” in the Bible. If, after this study, any readers still insist this is a contradiction, we will assume that person is not saved, and does not want to know or understand the Word.
OK – DEEP BREATH – HERE WE GO!
Numbers 23:19
God is not a man, that He should lie; neither the son of man,that He should repent: hath He said, and shall He not do it? or hath He spoken, and shall He not make it good?
Genesis 6:5-7
5 And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.
6And it repented the Lord that He had made man on the earth, and it grieved Him at His heart.
7 And the Lord said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth Me that I have made them.
OK – Bible critics – Ahah! There it is, right there. A HUGE contradiction. Only – sorry – it’s not a contradiction. It is a PARADOX!
THAT’S RIGHT – IT IS NOT CONTRADICTORY – IT IS PARADOXICAL!!!!
God makes TWO covenants with mankind.
1. The first is UNCONDITIONAL.
When He makes an UNCONDITIONAL covenant – HE NEVER REPENTS! Israel haters take note – He made such a covenant with Abraham.
Gen. 12:1-3 Now the Lord had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee 2 And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing 3 And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed. It will stand FOREVER because – “The Lord hath sworn, and will not repent.” Ps. 110:4. He made an UNCONDITIONAL covenant with Israel.
Romans 11:23-35
23 And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be grafted in: for God is able to graft them in again.
24 For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert grafted contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree?
25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.
26 And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:
27 For this is My covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.
28 As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the father’s sakes.
29 For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.
30 For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief:
31 Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy.
32 For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that He might have mercy upon all.
33 O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are His judgments, and His ways past finding out!
34 For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been His counsellor?
35 Or who hath first given to Him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again?
2. The second is CONDITIONAL.
“The Lord said, My Spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years. “
Gen. 6:3 In the days of Noah, God gave the human race 120 years to repent. Only Noah and his family repented and “found grace in the eyes of the Lord.”
Gen. 6:8 Noah and his family met God on His terms and conditions – and so – were not judged with the unrepentant. “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness, but is long-suffering to us,“
NOT WILLING THAT ANY SHOULD PERISH, BUT THAT ALL SHOULD COME TO REPENTANCE.” 2 PETER 3:9
It is abundantly clear, my Calvinist friends, that God wills to save all lost souls! He is “not willing that any should perish.” To be saved, one must meet His terms and conditions, which are – “repentance towards God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.” Acts 20:21 IF a sinner does NOT repent and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, THEN God will repent, CHANGE, and judge the sinner.
In His love, He bestows Grace – BUT – if salvation by Grace is rejected – In His justice – He terminates Grace.
THIS IS THE WAY THAT GOD REPENTS
Next up – Impossible to renew unto repentance! If you find Bible doctrine fascinating and irresistible – then you are in good company.
1 Peter 1:12-13
12 Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.
13 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ
1 The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God;
2As it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.
3 The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.
4 John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.
Contrary to the teachings of far too many ministries – the doctrine of repentance was in fact, preached in the Old Testament before the birth of Christ; and it was preached during the life and ministry of Christ; and it was preached on the day of Pentecost; and in the Book of Acts after Pentecost! It is taught in the Epistles and in the Book of Revelation.
REPENTANCE IS A DOCTRINE TO BE PREACHED AND TAUGHT FROM EVERY PULPIT IN THE WORLD – IN EVERY AGE. REPENTANCE QUITE LITERALLY MEANS – A CHANGE OF MIND, HEART AND WILL. THE JEWS BEING BAPTIZED BY JOHN WERE CHANGING THEIR MINDS, HEARTS AND WILLS BY TURNING AWAY FROM THE LAW AND RECEIVING THE BAPTISM OF REPENTANCE.
1. John the Baptist preached Repentance.
(a) He preached the baptism of Repentance.
Luke 3:3 – And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.
(b) He preached “Repent ye for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
Mat.3:2 – And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. He was “the voice of one crying in the wilderness, prepare ye the way of the Lord.”
Mat. 3:3 – For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.
John’s preaching of repentance exalted Christ, denounced sin, warned of judgment, and – it cost him his head.
Mat. 14:6-11 –
6 But when Herod’s birthday was kept, the daughter of Herodias danced before them, and pleased Herod.
7 Whereupon he promised with an oath to give her whatsoever she would ask.
8 And she, being before instructed of her mother, said, Give me here John Baptist’s head in a charger.
9 And the king was sorry: nevertheless for the oath’s sake, and them which sat with him at meat, he commanded it to be given her.
10 And he sent, and beheaded John in the prison.
11 And his head was brought in a charger, and given to the damsel: and she brought it to her mother.
2. Jesus Christ preached repentance.
(a) He preached, ”Repent ye, and believe the gospel.”
Mark 1:14-15 –14 Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, 15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.
(b) Christ’s teaching on repentance was actually an ultimatum! REPENT OR PERISH!!!!!
Luke 13:1-5 – There were present at that season some that told him of the Galilaeans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. 2 And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things? 3 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. 4 Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem? 5 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
SALVATION BY GRACE IS FOR THE REPENTANT SOUL, AND JUDGMENT WITHOUT MERCY IS FOR THOSE WHO RESIST
3. Peter preached repentance.
(a) At Pentecost he preached repentance.
Acts 2:38 – Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
(b) In his second epistle he preached repentance.
2 Peter 3:9 – The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
EVERY SOUL THAT GOES TO HELL GOES AGAINST THE WILL OF GOD. . .
4. Paul preached repentance.
Acts 17:30 – And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: This message was given on Mars Hill to the “intelligentsia” of Athens. The results were three-fold: some mocked, some procrastinated, and some believed.
Acts 17:32-34
32 And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked: and others said, We will hear thee again of this matter.
33 So Paul departed from among them.
34 Howbeit certain men clave unto him, and believed: among the which was Dionysius the Areopagite, and a woman named Damaris, and others with them.
And so is the Gospel of Repentance unto Salvation still received to this day (if it is actually preached) Some mock, some procrastinate, and some believe it and cling to it. These three different decisions are made by sinners, every second of every day.
I could hardly wait to get to this segment. Oh boy – has the definition of this one word been corrupted. It has sparked huge controversy among teachers, preachers, authors, and bloggers.
My understanding of “Lordship Salvation” is that it is two pronged salvation. One must come to the Lord in faith AND make Him Lord of your life simultaneously. That can mean a lot of different things to different people. Lordship Salvation suggests that you must stop sinning while accepting the Lord Jesus Christ as your Savior. That is the two-pronged part. It has taken the word “Repentance,” and completely redefined it. To fully understand the meaning of the word Repentance, we will first look at what it isn’t –
repentance is not –
1. Repentance is not sorrow. 2 Cor. 7:9,10- 9 Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing. 10 For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death. Godly sorrow is a guilty feeling that LEADS to repentance, but it is not repentance.
2. Repentance is not penance. (a) Jesus did not say – do penance and believe the Gospel. He said – Mark 1:15 – And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.
(b) Peter did not say, do penance and everyone of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. He said,
Acts 2:38 – Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
(c) Paul did not say, God commandeth all men everywhere to do penance. He said
– Acts 17:30 – And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent.
if penance is repentance, then salvation is not the gift of god, and we are not saved by grace through faith.
Ephesians 2:8-9
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
3. Repentance is not reformation. Reformation is a change brought about by the efforts of man for self-glory.
Matt.12:43,45 – 43 When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none. 44 Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished. 45 Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation.
Reformation is the turning away from known sin, or giving up a bad habit, or trying to make restitution, trying to overhaul the old nature, turning over a new leaf. . .Judas reformed – but it did not save him – neither can it save us.
Matt. 27:3-5 – 3 Then Judas, which had betrayed Him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, 4 Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that. 5 And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself.
what repentance is-
1. Repentance is a change. This change is always evidenced in three elements.
The intellectual element – a change of mind.
The emotional element – a change of heart.
The volitional element – a change of will.
2. The Parable of the Prodigal Son is a perfect illustration of repentance. He had a change of mind, a change of heart, and a change of will.
Luke 15:11-32
11 And he said, A certain man had two sons:
12 And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living.
13 And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.
14 And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want.
15 And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.
16 And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.
17 And when he came to himself, [intellectual element] he said, How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!
18 I will arise and go to my father, [volitional element] and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned [emotional element] against heaven, and before thee,
19 And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.
20 And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.
21 And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.
22 But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:
23 And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry:
24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.
25 Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing.
26 And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant.
27 And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound.
28 And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him.
29 And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends:
30 But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf.
31 And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine.
32 It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.
repentance is change. the prodigal had a change of mind, and his change of mind effected a change of heart, and his change of heart effected a change of will. no one will ever be saved until he wills to be.
Revelation 22:17
And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.
We left off with the Lord’s merciful deliverance of Lot, from the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, and other cities of the plain for their great iniquity. Even Lot’s carnal faith was enough to save him, but it could not save his wife. She did not believe. Lot has been allowed to take refuge in the “little” city of Zoar with his two young daughters. But he doesn’t stay there long –
30 And Lot went up out of Zoar, and dwelt in the mountain, and his two daughters with him; for he feared to dwell in Zoar: and he dwelt in a cave, he and his two daughters.
On this hillside above the town of ancient Zoar (modern Safi), Byzantine Christians built a church and monastery around the cave where Lot and his daughters found refuge after the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. It says in verse 30 that Lot left Zoar to take shelter in a cave for fear. It does not specify what he was afraid of -but it is very likely that the men of Zoar were as the men of Sodom.
31 And the firstborn said unto the younger, Our father is old, and there is not a man in the earth to come in unto us after the manner of all the earth:
32 Come, let us make our father drink wine, and we will lie with him, that we may preserve seed of our father.33 And they made their father drink wine that night: and the firstborn went in, and lay with her father; and he perceived not when she lay down, nor when she arose.34 And it came to pass on the morrow, that the firstborn said unto the younger, Behold, I lay yesternight with my father: let us make him drink wine this night also; and go thou in, and lie with him, that we may preserve seed of our father.35 And they made their father drink wine that night also: and the younger arose, and lay with him; and he perceived not when she lay down, nor when she arose.
A great many lewd paintings have been made of this incident – which have no basis in fact. They often portray a drunken, lecherous Lot, groping at one or both or his daughters. The Scripture clearly states that he had no idea what occurred. What Lot is guilty of here – is the same thing he was always guilty of – lax conduct. He was a carnal believer. The entire reason Lot’s daughters were able to get him so intoxicated – was his carnality. He was always thinking of the comfort of his flesh, from the moment his Uncle Abraham offered him the choicest pasture lands for his flocks, to when he chose to return to worldly Sodom, with all the bells and whistles, after being rescued. Most Christians today, are like Lot. Think about just how terrible it is – that he was so drunk – he didn’t even know what happened!
We must also consider the possibility that Lot’s daughters believed that they were the only people who had survived, and perhaps had copious experience of their father’s excessive drinking. And blackouts? Also interesting to note – these were the mountains that the Lord had told Lot to go to at the first! More evidence of Lot’s “lingering.” How often we Christians are like Lot, and fail to be “alert,” to sin. And how often are we “blacked out” to the far reaching consequences of our sin!
36 Thus were both the daughters of Lot with child by their father.37 And the firstborn bare a son, and called his name Moab: the same is the father of the Moabites unto this day.38 And the younger, she also bare a son, and called his name Ben–ammi: the same is the father of the children of Ammon unto this day. Genesis 19: 30-38
At the far right of the map in the white areas you will see the lands of Moab (older daughter’s son) and Ammon (younger daughter’ s son) Click to enlarge.
These son’s descendants will be future Muslims, and violent persecutors of Jews and Christians.
On the subject of Lot’s drinking, and the great immorality and pursuant centuries of genocide and war that followed through these sons of incest, there is an established connection between drinking alcohol and sin, notably sexual sin.
Historian Sir Arnold Toynbee has identified alcohol as a major force in the destruction of nineteen civilizations preceding our own. [Alcohol: The Beloved Enemy, Dr. Jack Van Impe. p. 23]
Oh! That men should put an enemy into their mouths to steal away their brains! O God, that we should with joy, pleasure, revel, and applause transform ourselves into beasts! [William Shakespeare, Othello Act 2 Scene 3]
The habit of using ardent spirits by men in public office produced more injury to the public service, and more trouble to me, than any other circumstances that has occurred in the internal concerns of the country during my administration. And were I to commence my administration again, with the knowledge which from experience I have acquired, the first question that I would ask with regard to every candidate for office would be, “Is he addicted to the use of ardent spirits?” [Thomas Jefferson, by John Kobler, Ardent Spirits, p.33]
. . . if a 150 pound man consumes two bottles of beer on an empty stomach, the level of alcohol dissolved in his blood will reach about five hundredths of one percent. At this level, the normal activity of the cortex, or the outer layer of the brain – particularly in the centers concerned with worry or anxiety – will be affected. The drinker will feel falsely “lifted up,” because the inhibitions that usually hold him steady have, in effect, been paralyzed. [Albert Maisel, Alcohol and Your Brain, Reader’s Digest]
Why would any Christian want to be intoxicated? Why would any Christian want to be uninhibited? Why would any Christian risk giving a poor testimony to a lost and dying world? If I added another 1,000 or so words to this article – I could prove that the “wine” at the Last Supper, and at the Wedding Feast at Cana was not fermented. But that is not the focus of this Bible Study, rather, it is the observation of how many Christians walk in Lot’s shoes, and what we may learn from his life, and try to take to heart the enormously far-reaching consequences of sin.
19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. 24 And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
God nevertempts anyone to sin (that is the province of Satan) but He does test the faithful. After all that has gone before – Abraham leaving Ur of the Chaldees, and journeying to the Promised Land in faith, the Covenant, and the extraordinary birth of the son of promise – Isaac – when Abraham was 100 years old.
It was now time for Abraham to be tested – the ultimate test – to prove Abraham – and to portend the future. We must always hold God first in our lives. Please consider that since the LORD is omniscient – He already knows the outcome of this test!
GENESIS 22:1-14
22 And it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt Abraham, and said unto him, Abraham: and he said, Behold, here I am.
2 And He said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of.
HERE IS THE TEST – DID ABRAHAM LOVE HIS SON MORE THAN HE LOVED GOD? ON “ONE OF THE MOUNTAINS” TELLS US THAT GOD HAD A PARTICULAR PLACE AND A PARTICULAR MOUNTAIN – MOUNT MORIAH! THE SAME PLACE WHERE SOLOMON’S TEMPLE WOULD LATER BE BUILT AND THE SAME PLACE WHERE JESUS WOULD OFFER HIMSELF AS THE LAMB OF GOD!!!!!
3 And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and saddled his ass, and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son, and clave the wood for the burnt offering, and rose up, and went unto the place of which God had told him.
4 Then on the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes, and saw the place afar off.
5 And Abraham said unto his young men,
Abide ye here with the ass; and I and the lad will go yonder and worship, and come again to you.
6 And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering, and laid it upon Isaac his son; and he took the fire in his hand, and a knife; and they went both of them together.
7 And Isaac spake unto Abraham his father, and said, My father: and he said, Here am I, my son. And he said, Behold the fire and the wood: but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?
8 And Abraham said, My son, God will provide Himself a lamb for a burnt offering: so they went both of them together.
9 And they came to the place which God had told him of; and Abraham built an altar there, and laid the wood in order, and bound Isaac his son, and laid him on the altar upon the wood.
10 And Abraham stretched forth his hand, and took the knife to slay his son.
11 And the angel of the Lord called unto him out of heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham: and he said, Here am I.
12 And He said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from Me.
13 And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns: and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering in the stead of his son.
14 And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovahjireh: as it is said to this day, In the mount of the Lord it shall be seen.
JEHOVAHJIREH = THE LORD WILL PROVIDE
BOTH ABRAHAM AND GOD THE FATHER OFFER SONS ON ALTARS – THIS IS KNOWN AS BIBLICAL TYPOLOGY
Isaac carried his own wood/Jesus carried His own cross
God provided the lamb/Lamb
Isaac was held by ropes/Jesus was held by iron nails
Isaac gave no resistance/ Jesus gave no resistance
Abraham’s son was spared/ God spared not His own Son
In the mount of the Lord/ Christ died on Mt Calvary
Ram caught in thorns was offered/ Christ was crowned with thorns
Isaac was heir to everything Abraham had /Jesus Christ is the heir to everything of God the Father’s – all power, all wealth, all glory, all kingdoms, the universe, all praise, all honor, all eternity, all judgment, all righteousness, all truth, all Lordship, all love, all mercy, all grace.
MORE SONGS AND WORDS HAVE BEEN WRITTEN ABOUT CALVARY THAN ANY OTHER PLACE ON EARTH!
Please consider the Lord’s omniscience – in knowing what Abraham would do – but Abraham himself, did not know what he would do! These are the deep things of God, beloveds.
Dr. R. Albert Mohler Jr. serves as president of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary – the flagship school of the Southern Baptist Convention and one of the largest seminaries in the world.
The Vine Vigil 
