Month: March 2021

RESIST NOT EVIL – Lesson 9

~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

 

AND YOU SHALL BE MY DISCIPLES – Lesson #9

  • Resist Not Evil – Go the Second Mile

“You have heard that it was said, ‘AN EYE FOR AN EYE, AND A TOOTH FOR A TOOTH.’

“But I say to you, do not resist an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. “If anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, let him have your coat also. “Whoever forces you to go one mile, go with him two. “Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him who wants to borrow from you.” (Matthew 5:38–42).

WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

Again, a teaching of Jesus seems counterintuitive and can test the soul of even the most dedicate man or woman.  It is difficult to understand – unless you are willing.

At first glance, this teaching sounds as if a disciple of Jesus is to stand idly by while an evil person slaps you about and perpetrates all kinds of evil to you and in your presence.

Some have even dubbed this teaching as “the law of non-resistance”.  It from this teaching that some call themselves “conscientious objectors”.

There are other examples and times when it seems Jesus teaches the contrary, such as, “Do not give what is holy to dogs, and do not throw your pearls before swine, or they will trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.” Matthew 7:6  

Or, Jesus’ own example, at times, contradicts the “law of non-resistance”, such as when He turned over tables and whipped the money changers in the Temple.

But, again, context is everything.

FIRST, Jesus is telling us not to entangle ourselves in the affairs of evil men, even when they cast their evil upon us.  Instead, stay focused on Jesus’ Mission while actively responding to evil, by overcoming evil with good.

NOTE: If someone tries to engage you in political talk, SPEAK THE WORD OF GOD, ONLY.

If someone tries to lure you into social discourse with political or anti-Christian debate, ‘resist not evil’. Do not entangle yourself in useless debates or the affairs of this world. Stand solely on the Word of God.

SECONDLY, God’s Word and methods are an intricate balance of mercy and justice, something we rarely see anymore.  Once you have “paid the debt” of forgiveness and kindness, do not linger.  If an evil person continues in his or her evil ways, “Shake the dust off your sandals”, so to speak, and move on.

James teaches this principal and its practice when he says, in James:4:7, “Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.”  

A simple example of the law of “spiritual physics” is helpful.  Do this exercise with a friend:

  1.  Stand face-to-face, within an arm’s length from one another.
  2.  Each person should extend their arm until your hands meet halfway between one another.  (AN IMAGINARY LINE IS NOW DRAWN BETWEEN THE TWO PEOPLE.  THE PLACE WHERE YOUR HANDS MEET IS THE “LINE OF AGREEMENT”)
  3.  Each person needs to slowly, at first, apply a forward pressure pushing on the other’s hand palm, as if you are trying to push your opponent away.  We will call this meeting of the palm of your hands the “LINE OF AGREEMENT” and you are metaphorically imposing your will on your opponent.
  4.  Increase the pushing pressure as your opponent pushes back, trying to PUSH THEIR WAY into your space, imposing their will on you.
  5.  One person, suddenly jerk your hand back toward yourself.  This will cause your “opponent” to fall forward and suddenly find themselves ON YOUR SIDE of the “ARGUMENT”

Thus, the principal of “Spiritual Physics:  RESIST NOT EVIL.  

Now, it is your turn:

HOW MUST YOU DO IT? I will do it by                                                                 .

HOW YOU MUST TEACH IT? I will teach it by                                                         .

This takes effort on the Believer’s part, both of spiritual disciplines and the effort of practical application.  But in the end, you have become a peacemaker and demonstrated

that you are a Child of God, a disciple of the King.

 Your Brother and Friend,

 Mike Young

I WILL BUILD MY CHURCH

~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

(You can listen while you read by using the podcast audio, above.  I use page links in lieu of footnotes and references, so, you can pause the audio to follow a link for details and references, then, resume the audio when you are ready)

The pastor, at a recent church service, congratulated the congregation for ranking high among church organizations within their denomination in mission giving.  He also praised them for meeting the financial needs of their local church budget.  “Go ahead and congratulate yourself”.  There was self-applause.  Bragging, of sorts.

Now this pastor says his church would embark on a building program to increase their size, exposure and influence in the community – all for Jesus and the Kingdom, of course.  (I cannot help but suspect it is also for his competitive stature and ranking within this denomination.  I have seen pastors ‘glean out’ those who do not ‘support their vision, methods and ways’ and ‘humbly brag’ about their church’s accomplishments.)

An internet search will quickly show you this is nothing out of the ordinary, though. 179,000,000 hits on Google search show the undying popularity of building more and more church buildings:

AD 1 The Church of Jesus Christ, The Body of Christ, had no buildings, little money and no wealth. The Church was a Movement.

Matthew 16:18, says,“And I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it. verse 19. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven.” verse 20. Then He gave the disciples strict orders that they were to tell no one that He was the Christ. 

Jesus said to make disciples; collect no money except to make your journey.

Although the penalty for becoming a Christian was often death. The Church grew exponentially.

AD 49. The Church expanded into Greece. The Church became a philosophy to many. The Church grew and size and influence.

AD 313.  The Church expanded into Rome and it gained recognition. It grew in power and popularity. It obtained wealth, buildings, property and influence. It became an institution.

AD 380.  The Church expanded into Europe. It was becoming a worldwide phenomenon. It grew in wealth, stature, power and influence. It had become a culture.

AD 1607.  The Church reaches America.

AD 1681.  The Church became corporate. It had became a business and incorporated. It became regulated by the government.

The Corporate Church grew. It needed money to support growth and expansion, which meant the Corporate Church needed more people.

AD 1777.  The state of Virginia granted tax exemption to houses of worship.

AD 1894.  The corporate church was granted tax exemptions by the Federal Government.

AD 1954.  The Federal Government regulated what a church could and could not say in order to retain tax exempt status.

The church continued to grow, and in order to attract more people the Corporate Church lowered its membership and doctrinal standards. More people became ‘members’ and gave more money to support more growth.

The Church corporation is complete with leaders, boards and membership and a business model.

Local churches compete against one another for members (customers). The church is selling itself in “three line slogans”.

The Church members now have choices and have become religious consumers. Church people can shop around for the religious brand and standards that best suits them. (2 Timothy 3)

The Leadership (pastors and preachers) have become CEOs, disciples have become church leaders, growing their 501(c)(3) business models.

Record numbers of pastors quitting because of stress, burnout or are being fired by their congregations (some stats say 1500 – 1700 leave “the ministry” each month).

Church debt in America soars; church foreclosures soar.

AD 1968.  The church ordains homosexuals as clergy.

AD 1972.  The United church of christ ordains homosexual clergy

AD 2010.  The Lutheran church ordains homosexual clergy

AD 2012.  The Presbyterian church ordains homosexual clergy

The Episcopal Church in the United States and the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) have also allowed ordination of openly gay and lesbian candidates for ministry for some years.

Internationally, churches that have ordained openly lesbian or gay clergy include the Church of Scotland, the Church of England, the Church in Wales, the Church of Sweden, the Church of Norway, the Church of Denmark, the Church of Iceland, the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland, the Evangelical Church in Germany, the Methodist Church in Britain, the Protestant Church in the Netherlands, the United Protestant Church in Belgium, the Swiss Reformed Church, the United Protestant Church of France, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada, Anglican Church in Canada, the Old Catholic Church, the Czechoslovak Hussite Church and the United Church of Christ in Japan.

Millions of people (approximately 52 million) “attend church” in one of the 300,000+ churches in America, at least once a week each month. However, when people were asked the topic of the “sermon” they heard after 24 hours, only about 10 percent could tell you. When asked to cite the most important lesson they received, most just shrugged.

An estimated 1.2 million hours each week (1) are spent in sermon preparations; it takes about another 300,000 hours in delivery of these sermons (2) at a staggering potential cost of over $750 millions dollars nationally, each week (3). Yet, only 5% of those hearing these sermons, remember anything about them after 72 hours.

BUILDING MORE

AD 2021.  The church is losing and has lost influence. The church in 2021 is losing members and adherents. (George Barna research; Pew Research)

AD 2021.  The church is teaching and living a different Gospel than that of the Apostles.

THE ROCK

Matthew 16:18 “And I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it. verse 19.  I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven.”  verse 20. Then He gave the disciples strict orders that they were to tell no one that He was the Christ.”

Look back a few verses and we can see “THIS ROCK” that Jesus speaks of:

Mathew 16:13  “Now when Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He was asking His disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?”  verse 14.  And they said,

  • “Some say John the Baptist; and others,
  • Elijah; and stillothers,
  • Jeremiah,or
  • one of the other prophets.” verse 15. He *said to them, “But who do you yourselves say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the
  • Christ, the Son of the living God.”

verse 17.  “And Jesus said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. verse 18.  And I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it. verse 19.  I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven.”

It is important to understand the nuance of the language Jesus uses here.  He calls Peter by name, Pétros in the Greek language, which is an isolated rock or a stone as one would throw.  But, the ROCK upon which Jesus will build His Church is the word “pétra”, which is a huge mass of interconnected rock, a “solid or native rock, rising up through the earth”.

This is important because Jesus is telling you, and all of His followers, about your position, your ability, your responsibility and your authority in His Church:

  • I will build My Church, you and others like you; and
  • the gates of Hades will not overpower you and others like you.
  • I will give you and others like you the keys of the kingdom of heaven;
    • and whatever you and others like youbind on earth shall have been bound in heaven,
    • and whatever youand others like you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven.”

Finally, Jesus says He will give you and others like you, that is, His Church, the keys to the kingdom of heaven.  We can pursue this as a metaphor, but, there are specific references to these KEYS in the scriptures.

The most significant is The Key of David is a term found in Revelation 3:7 and Isaiah 22:22.

A key indicates control or authority; therefore, having the Key of David would give one control of David’s domain, i.e., Jerusalem, the City of David, and the kingdom of Israel.

The fact that, in Revelation 3:7 Jesus holds this key shows that He is the fulfillment of the Davidic Covenant, the ruler of the New Jerusalem, and the Lord of the kingdom of heaven.

And (you) coming to Him as to a living stone which has been rejected by people, but is choice and precious in the sight of God, you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices that are acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6 For this is contained in Scripture:

“Behold, I am laying in Zion a choice stone, a precious cornerstone,
And the one who believes in Him will not be ]put to shame.”

This precious value, then, is for you who believe;   (1 Peter 2:4-7)

 You and I must take up our appointed positions.  We must shake of the lethargy of the 21st century postmodern religion we call ‘church’ and take the Gospel of Jesus to the streets, the byways, the hedges and towns, into our neighborhoods, and as scriptures tell us, BECOME THE LIVING STONES, A LIVING SACRIFICE.

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

Living sacrifice

The False Church Emerges

What are you getting for what you are doing?

The One World Church

FOOT & STUDY NOTES:

I “SAY” to you:  3004 légō (originally, “lay down to sleep,” used later of “laying an argument to rest,” i.e. bringing a message to closure; see Curtius, Thayer) – properly, to say (speak), moving to a conclusion (bringing it to closure, “laying it to rest”). Aorist active

You “ARE”:  1510 eimí (the basic Greek verb which expresses being, i.e. “to be“) – am, is. 1510 (eimí), and its counterparts, (properly) convey “straight-forward” being (existence, i.e. without explicit limits).

”PETER”:  “4074 (Pétros) is an isolated rock and 4073 (pétra) is a cliff” (TDNT, 3, 100). “4074 (Pétros) always means a stone . . . such as a man may throw, . . . versus 4073 (pétra), a projecting rock, cliff” (S. Zodhiates, Dict).

Upon this “ROCK”:  4073 pétra (a feminine noun) – “a mass of connected rock,” which is distinct from 4074 (Pétros) which is “a detached stone or boulder” (A-S). 4073 (pétra) is a “solid or native rock, rising up through the earth” (Souter) – a huge mass of rock (a boulder), such as a projecting cliff.

I will build my “CHURCH”:  1577 ekklēsía (from 1537 /ek, “out from and to” and 2564 /kaléō, “to call”) – properly, people called out from the world and to God, the outcome being the Church (the mystical body of Christ) – i.e. the universal (total) body of believers whom God calls out from the world and into His eternal kingdom.

KEEP YOUR WORD – Lesson 8

~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

 

AND YOU SHALL BE MY DISCIPLES – Lesson #8

  • Keep Your Word

“Let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil” (Matthew 5:37).

WHAT DOES IT MEAN?  

In order to get a grasp on the meaning of this teaching, we must get the context of what Jesus is saying.  

  1. First of all, Jesus told us in verse Matthew 5:17, “Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill.”

Jesus is teaching “the fulfillment of the law” by comparing what the “ancients were told” and what He now says to us.

This time, Jesus is referring to making of vows, all of which He calls “FALSE VOWS”, which in truth is any vow or prediction you make since you cannot predict or direct your own future.  

Matthew5:33 “Again, you have heard that the ancients were told, ‘YOU SHALL NOT MAKE FALSE VOWS, BUT SHALL FULFILL YOUR VOWS TO THE LORD.’ 34“But I say to you, make no oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, 35or by the earth, for it is the footstool of His feet, or by Jerusalem, for it is THE CITY OF THE GREAT KING. 36“Nor shall you make an oath by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. 37“But let your statement be, ‘Yes, yes’ or ‘No, no’; anything beyond these is of evil.”

2. Secondly, Jesus is saying “let your actions do your talking” so you do not fail in your vows, which God considers as sin.  

Besides, when you brag about what you can or will do and fail to do it, you look like a fool and a liar.  This is not the representation a Christian can make as a follower of Jesus.

Read  Deuteronomy23:21 to understand the gravity of an unfulfilled pledge or vow:  “When you make a vow to the LORD your God, you shall not delay to pay it, for it would be sin in you, and the LORD your God will surely require it of you. 22“However, if you refrain from vowing, it would not be sin in you. 23“You shall be careful to perform what goes out from your lips, just as you have voluntarily vowed to the LORD your God, what you have promised.

James 4:13 picks up on Jesus teaching and reiterates, “Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, and spend a year there and engage in business and make a profit.” 14 Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away. 15  Instead, you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and also do this or that.” 16 But as it is, you boast in your arrogance; all such boasting is evil. 17 Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin.”

I have read many of the myriad commentaries on this matter and the great majority either lightly regard the context of this teaching or ignore the context all together and delve in to history, culture or the linguistics of the verse.  We should take this teaching at its face value.

If you are required to take an OATH, then make your oath truthful and fulfill that oath.  But, as for vows, just do what you need to do and let the results be your vow.  In other words, if you are a Christian, do what you said you would do, otherwise you are compromised by sin.  Keeping our word is what we do. Period.

Remembering that foul water and fresh water cannot come from the same spring, (James 3:11), neither should you expect the Living Water of God to flow from you if you harbor sin un-repented sin.

Now, it is your turn:

HOW MUST YOU DO IT? __________________________________________

HOW YOU MUST TEACH IT? _______________________________________

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

DO NOT LUST – Lesson 7

~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

 

AND YOU SHALL BE MY DISCIPLES – Lesson #7

  • Do Not Lust

“ 27 “You have heard that it was said, ‘YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY’; 28 but I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29 “If your right eye makes you stumble, tear it out and throw it from you; for it is better for you to lose one of the parts of your body, than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. 30 “If your right hand makes you stumble, cut it off and throw it from you; for it is better for you to lose one of the parts of your body, than for your whole body to go into hell.” (Matthew 5:27–30).

WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

This is a very difficult saying and an even more difficult circumstance to find yourself. It should be approached with humility, submission to God through prayer.

First, God considers lust an offense worthy of death. Leviticus 20:10 says “If there is a man who commits adultery with another man’s wife, one who commits adultery with his friend’s wife, the adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death.

1. Lust is destructive. Proverbs 6:32 says “The one who commits adultery with a woman is
lacking sense; He who would destroy himself does it.”

2. Lust is a sin that spreads like a virus. Matthew 5:32 says “but I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except for the reason of un-chastity, makes her commit adultery; and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.”

3. Lust is powerfully seductive and fatally addictive.

James 1:14-15 says, “But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. (v15) Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death.”

4. Lust leads to corruption of the soul, debauchery and a reprobate mind.

James 4:2 says, “You lust and do not have; so you commit murder. You are envious and cannot obtain; so you fight and quarrel. You do not have because you do not ask.”

Jesus uses an extreme figure of speech when He says to pluck out your eye or to cut off your hand in order to illustrate the serious consequence of lust, “your whole body will go to hell”.

A true disciple, a true Christian, must avoid lust at all costs. But, when we find ourselves caught in the vortex of strong delusion and web of sin, we must start by admitting it and begin the long and difficult journey back to freedom.

1 John 1:8-9 says , “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

Please click these links for a more complete explanation and an escape from this danger:

SEPARATED FROM GOD?

KNOWING GOD’S WILL

EXPERIENCE GOD’S WILL

HOW MUST YOU DO IT?___________________________

HOW MUST YOU TEACH IT?_______________________

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

 

BE RECONCILED

~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

AND YOU SHALL BE MY DISCIPLES – Lesson #6

  •   Be Reconciled

“Therefore if you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you,

 leave your offering there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering.

 “Make friends quickly with your opponent at law while you are with him on the way, so that your opponent may not hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the officer, and you be thrown into prison.”   (Matthew 5:23–25).

WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

The Truth is presented on several levels in this teaching.  Jesus, using the practice of giving a gift or an offering to God, takes us from a practical spiritual duty to a profound Spiritual application.

We are reminded, here, that sin separates the Christian from God, and it must be dealt with quickly.  Otherwise, anything you have to offer God is tainted by your recognized sin, in this case separation from a brother due to some offense.

Jesus then uses a metaphor of the law to explain what happens in the Spirit and in your soul when sin is unconfessed, and you are unrepentant toward God.  You are handed over to the judge, and you are thrown into prison.

The Apostle Paul reminds us, in Romans 8:6  “For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so, and those who are in the flesh cannot please God.”

The Greek language used here for a “mind set” is, once again, is a picture of being “swept away, fenced in and locked up”, put into a prison within one’s own mind, soul and spirit, separated from God.

Jesus, Himself warns us, “For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.   “But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions.”  Matthew 6:14-15

The penalty is harsh, but the remedy is simple:  “Make friends quickly with your opponent at law while you are with him on the way…”

Forgive and be reconciled.  This is what a disciple of Jesus does.  This is what a Christian does.  We cannot deliberately and defiantly harbor ill feelings between a brother or a sister – for the jailer awaits.

Now, it is your turn:

HOW MUST YOU DO IT?  ________________________________________

HOW YOU MUST TEACH IT?  ____________________________________

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

HONOR GOD’S LAW

~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

AND YOU SHALL BE MY DISCIPLES – Lesson #5

  •  Honor God’s Law

““Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill.” (Matthew 5:17).

WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

These Laws and the Prophets were meant to teach and guide the Jewish people in all their thought and conduct to live a life pleasing to God to have success in their affairs.

Then, In one bold and sweeping statement Jesus announces that He is the fulfillment, the revealing and the completion of all the Law and the Prophets spanning their four thousand years of history.

Jesus is saying that His life, ministry and teachings not only explain the Law and the Prophets but completes their meanings and requirements.

The significance of this announcement is that it relegates the Torah and the Prophets as subject to Jesus and His teachings.

“The Torah” – The “Jewish Law” or the “Torah” is the 5 books of Moses (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy). The Jewish tradition is that there are 613 commandments, or mitzvot, in the Torah (also known as the Law of Moses).  Also known as the “Pentateuch“, which is Greek and means “Five Books”, refers to the Torah i.e. the 5 Books of Moses.  These Laws and the Prophets teach and guide the Jewish people in all their thought and conduct how to live a life which is pleasing to God and leads to success in their affairs.

Secondly, the “Prophets“, or The Twelve, also called The Twelve Prophets, or The Minor Prophets, the book of the Hebrew Bible which contains the books of 12 minor prophets: Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi.

These books contain an account God crating the world and the emergence of human civilization.

The first six books narrate not only the history but the genealogy of the people of Israel to the conquest and settlement of the Promised Land under the terms of God’s covenant with Abraham, whom God promised to make the progenitor of a great nation.

The following seven books continue their story in the Promised Land, the establishment and development of the monarchy and the warnings by the prophets both of impending divine punishment and exile and of Israel’s need to repent.

The last 11 books contain poetry, theology, and some additional history.

Again, in one bold and sweeping statement Jesus announces that His life, ministry and teachings not only explain the Law and the Prophets but completes their meanings and requirements.

Jesus is the fulfillment of all the Law and the Prophets spanning their, now, four thousand years of history.

Now, it is your turn:

HOW MUST YOU DO IT?  _______________________________________

HOW MUST YOU TEACH IT?  ___________________________________

Jesus is our One True way to life and life more abundantly

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE – Lesson 4

~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

AND YOU SHALL BE MY DISCIPLES – Lesson #4

  • Let Your Light Shine

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).

WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

PHOS = To shine or to make manifest one’s thoughts; God is light because light has the extremely delicate, subtle, pure, brilliant quality of truth and its knowledge, together with the spiritual purity associated with it that which is exposed to the view of all, openly, publicly; reason, mind; the power of understanding esp. moral and spiritual truth.

Faith is a vital ingredient in our walk with God.  Our obedience demonstrates that faith.  But James gives us a great reminder when he says, “What use is it, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but he has no works? Can that faith save him?

If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and be filled,” and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that?

Even so, faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself.  But someone may well say, “You have faith and I have works; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works.”

But are we willing to recognize, that faith without works is useless?

We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.  Ephesians2:10

 Now, it is your turn:

HOW MUST I DO IT?  _____________________________

HOW MUST I TEACH IT?  _________________________

We must remember that it is not our light that shines, but His Light within us, bringing Him glory through our submission and obedience to Him and His Will.

Your Brother and Friend,

 Mike Young

BETWEEN HEAVEN AND EARTH

~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

2021 – The Message from one church near you:  “We offer Great Bible Teaching.  Great preaching.  Great programs for families, for mothers, for dads, and for kids!  Come and help us grow!”

(DO YOU KNOW WHAT IS MISSING?)

AD 25 – The Message from Jesus to all His Disciples:  Matthew 11:1 “When Jesus had finished giving instructions to His twelve disciples, He went on from there to teach and preach in their cities.

“2 Now while in prison, John heard about the works of Christ, and he sent word by his disciples, 3 and said to Him, “Are You the Coming One, or are we to look for someone else?” 4 Jesus answered and said to them, “Go and report to John what you hear and see: 5 those who are BLIND RECEIVE SIGHT and those who limp walk, those with leprosy are cleansed and those who are deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the POOR HAVE THE GOSPEL PREACHED TO THEM.”

2021 – The Message from another church near you:  “Make disciples of Jesus Christ.  A church that makes disciples of Jesus Christ by (1) living out the GOSPEL, (2) living in COMMUNITY, and (3) living on MISSION.  A disciple of Jesus Christ is one who GATHERS, GROWS, GIVES, and GOES.”

Scheduled activities:

Tues. RefresHer Bible Study: Truthfilled, Student Ministry MidWeek Study, Wednesday Family Meal, Hispanic Ministry Estudio Bíblico, Awana 2020-21.MSM MDWK Worship, Wed. RefresHer Bible Study: Truthfilled, Celebrate Recovery,FBA At A Glance, Bible and Life Groups, Helps Outreach Food Drive Bag Distribution, Preschool Worship , Saturday 6:00PM Service, Divorce Care, Kidztown Bible & Life Groups (BLG), Preschool Bible & Life Groups (BLG), Hispanic Ministry BLG (estudio bíblico), High School Ministry Bible & Life Groups – Saturday, Middle School Ministry Bible & Life Groups, Bible and Life Groups, Helps Outreach Food Drive Bag Distribution, Sunday 9:30AM Service, Hispanic Ministry Worship Service (Culto de Adoración), Preschool Worship , Sunday 11:00AM Service, Veritas Concert, Ministerio Hispano Ensayo de Musica, Tues. RefresHer Bible Study: Truthfilled, Student Ministry MidWeek Study, Wednesday Family Meal, Hispanic Ministry Estudio Bíblico

(DO YOU KNOW WHAT IS MISSING?)

AD 25 – The Message from Jesus to all His Disciples:

7 And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven [h] has come near.’ 8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those with leprosy, cast out demons. Freely you received, freely give. 9 Do not acquire gold, or silver, or copper for your money belts, 10 or a [i]bag for your journey, or even two tunics, or sandals, or a staff; for the worker is deserving of his support.

 The Bible describes itself as the Breathe of God or “God Breathed” (2 Timothy 3:16).  It is the Breathe of God, breathed through men and women and written into our languages.  It has occurred over many centuries and by way of great effort through prayer, trials, tribulation and persecution.  Many gave their lives in this effort.

Why?  Why would so many give so much so you and I would have a written account of what God has said and done through humankind?  It is because it is our destiny to know God, to do His bidding (works) and to be reunited with Him – or to perish.

These men and women of old knew the way to connect with God and to walk in His Spirit (they were indwelt by Him) and they accomplished great things.  God worked through these men and women to accomplish Him Purpose.  (He is the potter, we are the clay, so to speak – Romans 9:19)

But, humankind has drifted.  More specifically, those Chosen by God, have drifted from Him and have forgotten how to “dwell in the secret place of the Most High and to abide under the shadow of the Almighty”.   Even the most sincere have become self-reliant, rebellious, and proud.

We say we are working for God and sincerely believe it to be so.  And, therein, lies the problem.  We think we can do anything for God.  But, we have forgotten that it is God Who does His Work in and through us.  The connection has been diminished or lost.  We have forgotten how to “be in Him and have His Spirit dwell within us”.   

 John 14:20 “On that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you are in Me, and I in you”

John 15:7  “If you remain in Me, and My words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.”

We have forgotten.  The results are tragic.

Jesus hung on a cross between the heavens and the earth and yielded up His spirit.

Matthew 27:51  “And behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth shook and the rocks were split.

52  “The tombs were opened, and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised;

53  “and coming out of the tombs after His resurrection they entered the holy city and appeared to many.”

THE CONVERGENCE OF GOD AND MAN

Heaven and earth converged, the veil was torn, the earth shook, rocks were split, tombs were opened and the dead were raised. Heaven and earth touched. The Spirit of God indwells the children of God on earth.

1 Corinthians 6:19 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own?

FREED FROM SIN – What God has done

Romans 6:6 knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin; 7 for the one who has died is freed from sin. 11 So you too, consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus.

 SIN NO MORE – What has happened for you

 6 No one who remains in Him sins continually; no one who sins continually has seen Him or knows Him. 9 No one who has been born of God practices sin, because His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin continually, because he has been born of God.

PRESENT YOURSELF TO GOD – What you must do

 Romans 6:12  “Therefore sin is not to reign in your mortal body so that you obey its lusts, 13 and do not go on presenting the parts of your body to sin as instruments of unrighteousness; but present yourselves to God as those who are alive from the dead, and your body’s parts as instruments of righteousness for God. 14 For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under the Law but under grace.”

This “convergence” is the action of God upon man, and, it will not have its effect without man responding and humbly submitting to God.”

“Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me.  ‘He who overcomes, I will grant to him to sit down with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.”

The contemporary, postmodernists, and postmodern religions say that supernatural healing of the sick is done by medical professionals, the office of the Apostle is closed, raising the dead had ended, cleansing those with leprosy is done medically and casting out demons is the work of the psychiatrist.  They largely believe that clothing the naked and feeding the hungry is to be done by government or non-government agencies and the Gospel message must be approved and sanctioned through tax code section 501-c-(3).  And you have forgotten.

Remember, God says, “And He *said to them, “Because of the littleness of your faith; for truly I say to you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you.”  Matthew 17:20

If this bothers you or you dismiss this then remember, the way to destruction is broad, but the way to life is narrow and few will find it.  It is those who DO His will who are His followers and He has prepared a place for them.

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

ONLY ONE 2nd APPEARING!

~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ 3 Comments

There are many Evangelicals and ‘Reformed’ Bible teachers, as well as Pentecostal, Charismatic, et al., who propose a “patchwork-quilt-type-of eschatology” regarding The Second Coming of Jesus.

These folks say the account in Matthew 24 which describes Jesus’ “appearing on the clouds of the sky” when everyone will see Him, is NOT the second coming; but they won’t call it the rapture, either.

They may go on to say that Revelation chapter 19 is where we find Jesus’ 2nd coming, which, according to scriptures, is seen only by John the Revelator.

Here is an example of this widespread mistaken and false teaching: 

He begins with the title, “Don’t Let Any Man Deceive You”. then he quotes these 2 Bible verses, 

“Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him… ” (2 Thessalonians 2:1)

“And then shall the wicked One be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming.” (2 Thessalonians 2:8)

“Notice, there is a coming in verse one and a coming in verse eight. At the coming in verse one, the church is gathered to Him, but at the coming in verse eight, Jesus will destroy the Antichrist by the brightness of His coming. In verse one we have the rapture of the church and in verse eight we have the Second Coming. In verses two through seven we have all the events that occur between the two comings.

“That you be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, that the day of Christ is at hand.” (2 Thessalonians 2:2)

Paul is simply saying, “There is a mindset that seems to have spread throughout the church that you are living in the Tribulation. Do not be moved by the different winds of doctrine that are circulating. Also, people are distorting the Word of God to support the theory that the Tribulation has come.” Paul continues, “I don’t care if there is a letter contradicting my first letter, it is wrong. Don’t let anyone shake you up and convince you that the Tribulation has arrived, because it has not. Don’t be soon shaken in mind.”

Every time any major war arises, people begin to shout, “We’re in the Tribulation!” When Hitler rose to power, many said, “He is the Antichrist.” When Mussolini rose to power they said, “Mussolini is the Antichrist. He is a ruler from Rome, and Rome is the revived Roman Empire, therefore he must be the Antichrist!” Not too long ago, people were saying that the Russian leader, Gorbachev was the Antichrist because he had a birthmark on his head.

Then Yandian concludes, “In our generation and throughout the centuries, people try to take circumstances and make them fit the Word of God, when instead the Word of God should be the standard by which circumstances are judged.”

So, Yandian, and many others in the reformed theological camp, lecture us  about using the Word of God as the standard to judge these things, then they deny those plain words of the Bible which do not fit their denominational theology and doctrines.

So, which Glorious Return is it? Let’s take a look at the ‘PLAIN LANGUAGE OF THE BIBLE’ and decide.

And, why is this important?

(a)  It is important because Jesus tells us we must ‘endure to the end’ and knowing the sequence of events will help us to ‘not lose heart and faint’.

(b)  The apostle Paul tells it is important because “God takes no pleasure in the one who shrinks back”, and knowing that our ‘salvation draw near’ will help us endure to the end.

(c)  Jesus tells us that it is important because we must stay alert be found doing what He has commanded us, when He returns, or we may be “assigned a place with the hypocrites”. Knowing the day is near will help us stay focused and ready for His return.

SO, WHICH IS IT?

Jesus’ Glorious Return #1

      

Matthew 24:29 “But immediately after the tribulation of those days THE SUN WILL BE DARKENED, AND THE MOON WILL NOT GIVE ITS LIGHT, AND THE STARS WILL FALL from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. v 30 “And then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the SON OF MAN COMING ON THE CLOUDS OF THE SKY with power and great glory.  31 “And He will send forth His angels with A GREAT TRUMPET, and THEY WILL GATHER TOGETHER His elect from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other.

REPEAT:

Matthew 24:29 “But immediately after the tribulation of those days

(What is “the tribulation of those days“? See Matthew 24:2-14 & Revelation 6)

(a). Matthew 24:5  “For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the [d] Christ,’ and they will [e] mislead many people.”

(b). Matthew 24:6  “And you will be hearing of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for those things must take place, but that is not yet the end. 7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom,”

(c). Matthew 24:7 and there will be famines

(d). Matthew 24:7. and earthquakes in various places. 8 But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pains.

(e). Matthew 24:9 “Then they will hand you over to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name.

(f). Matthew 24:10 And at that time many will fall away, and they will betray one another and hate one another.

(g). Matthew 24:11 And many false prophets will rise up and mislead many people.

(h). Matthew 24:12 And because lawlessness is increased, most people’s love will become cold.

(i). Matthew 24:13 But the one who endures to the end is the one who will be saved.

(j). Matthew 24:14 This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come.

Matthew 24:29 “But immediately after the tribulation of those days (see Matthew 24:2-14)

REPEAT:

Matthew 24:29 THE SUN WILL BE DARKENED, AND THE MOON WILL NOT GIVE ITS LIGHT, AND THE STARS WILL FALL from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.

Revelation 6:12. “I looked when He broke the sixth seal,
and there was a great earthquake;
and the sun became black as sackcloth made of hair,
and the whole moon became like blood;

  1. and the stars of the sky fell to the earth, as a fig tree casts its unripe figs when shaken by a great wind.”

REPEAT:

Matthew 24:30. “And then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the SON OF MAN COMING ON THE CLOUDS OF THE SKY with power and great glory.

  • Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky,
  • and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn,
  • And they will see the SON OF MAN COMING ON THE CLOUDS OF THE SKY with power and great glory.

REPEAT:

Matthew 24:31. “And He will send forth His angels with A GREAT TRUMPET and THEY WILL GATHER TOGETHER His elect from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other.

  • And He will send forth His angels with A GREAT TRUMPET
  • and THEY WILL GATHER TOGETHER His elect from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other.

Or is it…

Jesus’ Glorious Return #2



  1. Revelation 19:11-20: And I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and He who sat on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and wages war. 12 His eyes are a flame of fire, and on His head are many diadems; and He has a name written on Him which no one knows except Himself. 13 He is clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. 14 And the armies which are in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, were following Him on white horses. 15 From His mouth comes a sharp sword, so that with it He may strike down the nations, and He will rule them with a rod of iron; and He treads the wine press of the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty. 16 And on His robe and on His thigh He has a name written, “KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.”
          17 Then I saw an angel standing in the sun, and he cried out with a loud voice, saying to all the birds which fly in mid-heaven, “Come, assemble for the great supper of God, 18so that you may eat the flesh of kings and the flesh of commanders and the flesh of mighty men and the flesh of horses and of those who sit on them and the flesh of all men, both free men and slaves, and small and great.”
          19  And I saw the beast and the kings of the earth and their armies assembled to make war against Him who sat on the horse and against His army.
    
      20  And the beast was seized, and with him the false prophet who performed the signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image; these two were thrown alive into the lake of fire which burns with brimstone. 21And the rest were killed with the sword which came from the mouth of Him who sat on the horse, and all the birds were filled with their flesh.

OR, IS IT “BOTH”?

NOTE: There is only ONE “2nd ADVENT”. There is NO secret rapture, and every eye will see Him! What we see in Matthew 24, as narrated by JESUS, is the following:

(a)  Breaking of the 6th Seal of the Tribulation,

(b)  The beginning the Great and Terrible Day of the Lord,

(c)  Which is the beginning of Daniel’s 70th Week also known as the final 7 years of the Great Tribulation,

(d)  Jesus’ SECOND ADVENT,

(e)  The Rapture of the Church,

(f)  The heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and He who sat on it is called Faithful and True,

(g)  From His mouth comes a sharp sword, so that with it He may strike down the nations, and He will rule them with a rod of iron;
and

(h)  He treads the wine press of the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty

NOTICE:  In Matthew 24, ALL EYES SEE HIM, but In Revelation 19, JOHN SEES HIM. 



This is one event being seen from TWO PERSPECTIVES, as it unfolds: One from earth, one from John’s prophetic vision of the Heavens!

Look at it this way:   When Hurricane Irma hit the U.S. it was a category 5 storm;  As Irma progressed up the peninsula of Florida, it became a category 4 storm;  then as it entered Alabama it became a category 3 storm;  and finally as it entered Georgia, Irma became a tropical storm; and later as it entered Tennessee, it became a rain event.

To those in the various states which hurricane Irma entered, it would have appeared to them that Irma might have been 5 different storms: Cat 5, Cat 4, Cat 3, a Tropical storm, a rain event.  But if viewed “From Above” it was ONE STORM, progressively unfolding to its conclusion.

*So it is with Jesus’ 2nd Coming:

  • Breaking of the 6th Seal of the Tribulation,
  • The beginning of the Great and Terrible Day of the Lord,
  • The beginning of Daniel’s 70th Week also known as the final 7 years of the Great Tribulation,
  • Jesus’ SECOND ADVENT,
  • The Rapture of the Church,
  • The heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and He who sat on it is called Faithful and True,
  • From His mouth comes a sharp sword, so that with it He may strike down the nations, and He will rule them with a rod of iron; and
  • He treads the wine press of the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty

Why does it matter?

  • Jesus tells us that it matters because we must ‘endure to the end’ and know the sequence of events will help us to ‘not lose heart and faint’.
  • The apostle Paul tells us that it matters, because “God takes no pleasure in the one who shrinks back”, and knowing that our ‘salvation draw near’ will help us endure to the end.
  • Jesus tells us it matters and that we must stay alert be found doing what He has commanded when He returns, or we may be “assigned a place with the hypocrites”. Knowing the day is near will help us stay focused and ready for His return.

Don’t be deceived.  There is only ONE Second Coming of Christ.  There is only ONE Rapture.  There is only ONE Armageddon.

Know your Bible.  Know the sequence.  Be Ready, found doing as He has said.  Endure to the end and be saved !!

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

Further Reading: “A SECRET RAPTURE?”

RIGHTEOUS INDIGNATION or just plain old ANGER?

~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

Are you ever angry about the injustices, lies and deceit in our government, our schools, our churches and in our legal systems?  Many people are more angry than ever since the 2020 presidential elections.

How you handled and express that anger can be productive or destructive in your life, both now and for years to come.

Here is an important sermon on WRATH / ANGER, one of the “7 Deadly Sins”, by pastor Trent Casto, Naples Covenant Church, Naples, Florida,  This sermon tells us what the Bible says about anger, how we should handle anger and the effects of mishandled anger on our life . 

There is a second video of an interview by John Stossel of Jordan B. Peterson, a Canadian professor of psychology at the University of Toronto, a clinical psychologist, and a wildly popular lecturer on cultural and political issues.  Dr. Peterson comments on the matter of personal responsibility, the benefits having a “dangerous personality” and how to use anger productively.

These can be very, very useful in our daily lives.  Compare, Contrast and learn!

(If you don’t want to watch the entire sermon, go to 10:00 minutes through 12:00 minutes for the “meat”.  But the entire sermon is well worth the listen)

(This is a short interview and worth every minute)

We have been in a centuries old period of struggle between Good and evil known in the Bible as the “days of distress” or the “tribulation period” as the Bible rightly calls it.  Now, it appears we are at a moment of convergence of events which could well usher in a period called the Great Tribulation, also known as The Great and Terrible Day of the Lord.

How we conduct ourselves during this momentous time will make “all the difference in the world”, and beyond!  Let’s get it right.

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

The Countdown Has Begun

Concurrence

IN AN INSTANT

~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

Daniel 12:4  “But you, Daniel, keep this prophecy a secret; seal up the book until the time of the end, when many will rush here and there, and knowledge will increase.”

 Daniel 12:4 seems to say that as knowledge increases in these Last Days, people will live their lives in a frenzied and frantic hurry.

We can obtain volumes of information in an instant, we can fly at or near the speed-of-sound getting where we are going in an instant.  Life is all about getting what we want, and getting it right now!

Even in our churches, we are told to “say this little prayer, invite Jesus into your heart”, and PRESTO!  You are now a Christian.

But, is this how it works?

God’s will for you life is to save you by His grace and through your faith in Christ Jesus.

God’s Will for your life is to see you grow and mature in His grace and to become holy as He is holy.

God’s Will for your life is for you to have in you the same attitude which is in Christ Jesus.

Jesus’ Will for your life is for you to do the works He is doing and greater works than those, because He has gone to the Father.

All of these things, and more, are accomplished over time, through the processes of trusting God, obeying His Will and sanctification, the process of making or becoming holy, set apart,  consecrated for God’s use.  But, work won’t be completed instantly.

Interestingly, the majority of the references to “in an instant” in the Bible are about pride, destruction or the “rapture”:

Luke 4:5 The devil led him up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world.

Proverbs 6:15   But they will be destroyed suddenly, broken in an instant beyond all hope of healing.

Jeremiah 4:20  Disaster follows disaster; the whole land lies in ruins. In an instant my tents are destroyed, my shelter in a moment.

 1 Corinthians 15:52  in an instant, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.

There is nothing instant about obtaining Holiness, developing a  Godly character, being made into the image of Christ or even working out one’s salvation, which we must “work out with fear and trembling”.

Which brings me to the point:  To obtain the Character and the Promises of God we must trust the Processes of God.

It is recognizing and continually doing God’s Will in the course of my life that determines the outcome of His Will for my life. (Please, read that again).

God’s Will for my life doesn’t just kick in when things get tough or when I need something. God’s Will for my life is a constant.

https://whitestone2020.com/knowing-gods-will/

There are four instances of the twenty-five occurrences of the phrase “God’s Will” from the Bible where the Bible clearly explains God’s Will:

  • 1 Peter 2:15 “For such is the will of God, that by doing right you may silence the ignorance of foolish men.”
  • Romans 12:2 “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.”
  • 1Thessalonians 4:3 “For this is the will of God, your sanctification; that is, that you abstain from sexual immorality;”
  • 1 Thessalonians 5:18 “in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

Do you want to the see the power of God’s Word and His Spirit work for good in your life? Does using these four verses sound too simple? Well, you can expand on these verses. But, just try these for a start.

  • DO RIGHT.
  • RENEW YOUR MIND TO THAT WHICH IS GOOD AND ACCEPTABLE AND PERFECT
  • ABSTAIN FROM SEXUAL IMMORALITY.
  • IN EVERYTHING, GIVE THANKS

Interesting, huh? God’s Will produces a life that is RIGHT, GOOD, ACCEPTABLE, PERFECT and produces THANKSGIVING. Isn’t that what you want for every circumstance in your life?

Think about it.  In fact, dwell on these things, and you’ll never be the same again.  SELAH!

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

 

WHO, ME? COME SEE YOU?

~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

COME FOR A VISIT?

A friend has recently moved to another city and is looking for a Church.  He tells me that a couple of folks, from a Church he and his wife had visited, called and asked if they could drop by for a visit.  They had come from their own area to visit my friend in their city.  MAN, THAT IS ‘OLD SCHOOL’, but a nice touch!

Now-a-days, most churches tell their members just to invite your friends TO CHURCH.  We are being told that visiting folks in their homes just doesn’t work anymore – actually very little is being said about ‘going out and visiting’.  We are told we can hand out invitation cards, invite people to a church play or some entertainment event at church or any score of other ‘unique and modern methods’.

So, I did a search in the Bible to see how the early Church had such explosive growth and I could not find even ONE example of people inviting people to a church.  No, not even one example.

But, here is what I found, instead:

Matthew 11:1  “When Jesus had finished giving instructions to His twelve disciples, He went on from there to teach and preach in their cities.”

Matthew 10:11  “And whatever city or village you enter, inquire who is worthy in it, and stay at his house until you leave that city.  As you enter the house, give it your greeting.  If the house is worthy, see that your blessing of peace comes upon it. But if it is not worthy, take back your blessing of peace.

Matthew 9:35  Jesus was going through all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every kind of disease and every kind of sickness.

Matthew 11:1  When Jesus had finished giving instructions to His twelve disciples, He departed from there to teach and preach in their cities.

Mark 6:56  Wherever He entered villages, or cities, or countryside, they were laying the sick in the marketplaces, and imploring Him that they might just touch the fringe of His cloak; and as many as touched it were being cured.

Luke 4:43  But He said to them, “I must preach the kingdom of God to the other cities also, for I was sent for this purpose.”

Luke 5:12  While He was in one of the cities, behold, there was a man covered with leprosy; and when he saw Jesus, he fell on his face and implored Him, saying, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.”

Acts 8:40  But Philip found himself at Azotus, and as he passed through he kept preaching the gospel to all the cities until he came to Caesarea.

Mark 2:15  “And it happened that Jesus was reclining at the table in his house, and many tax collectors and sinners were dining with Jesus and His disciples; for there were many of them, and they were following Him. When the scribes of the Pharisees saw that He was eating with the sinners and tax collectors, they said to His disciples, “Why is He eating with tax collectors and sinners?”

 Now, let’s see if I got this right.  The Bible and Jesus say to…

1.  GO OUT to their cities and villages

2.  Preach and teach the Gospel, tell them about Jesus

3.  Pray for the sick; heal every manner of sickness and disease

4.  Invite them to your home for dinner and discussions

*No mention of inviting people to church to get saved or to hear a sermon.  None.

So, how did we get from “there” to “here”?

People began using church buildings around 300 AD because Emperor Constantine built one for convenience, organization, and control.  He built it because he became a Christian, so the story goes.  But, as an Emperor, he also built it as a public display and a monument and constructed it to maintain order, show grandeur and to intimidate the audience by these things.  (Go into one and see).

                      

Want to know what I think?  We have been conditioned.

There is a book, PAGAN CHRISTIANITY, (a book by Frank Viola & George Barna).  The following is a review by Geoffrey W Sutton, Evangel University)

“Despite the bold title, the authors do not advocate the overthrow of existing church communities. They are not out to inspire rebellion. Rather, they want us to be aware of the humanly devised traditions that have come to mean church for so many contemporary believers. Once alerted to these issues, believers are encouraged to either leave quietly and find a New Testament church or live peacefully in their present faith community.

“The next time you go to church, you might wonder when people began going to church.  Given the extant information, it seems church buildings did not appear until about the year 300 AD.  For more than two centuries, Christians worshiped in small groups.

“In time, the church as an organized religion began the construction of sacred buildings with special physical (pulpit, pews, balconies) and cultural trappings (special priests, choirs, incense).

“Aside from the unchristian origins of these developments, the authors punctuate their criticism by noting the high cost of such religious overhead. They estimated the value of church real estate as over $230 billion (that was before the financial crisis of 2008). Mortgages and maintenance requires a substantial portion of the $50 to $60 billion churches garner from tithes and offerings.  What makes their critique of the traditional Sunday morning worship sequence interesting is their review of the origins of the familiar service outline.

“Aside from the pagan origins, they note the missed opportunity for spiritual transformation that could occur in a more active and participative format.

“The next pillar to fall is the holy sermon, which has its roots in Greek oratory. They note the limited examples of speeches in the Old Testament and New Testament before suggesting how the contemporary sermon hinders growth.  They also point to research on the ineffectiveness of sermons.

“Where did the pastor come from?”.  Not surprisingly, the notion of a professional clergy caste does not come from scripture. The authors advocate the priesthood of all believers and demonstrate the problems inherent in a pastor-driven church. Not only do pastors and their families suffer from the stress created by the contemporary position but talented believers also suffer from inhibited spiritual growth.

“Although the authors present some meritorious arguments for reforming church leadership, they do not suggest much in the way of developing capable leaders. Perhaps this must wait for a sequel.

“For those who still hold to fundamentalist teaching about tithing, the chapter explaining the unchristian origins of the ancient Israelite income tax may prove enlightening. The authors not only expose this common misinterpretation of scripture but also go further to challenge the use of donations to support a paid clergy, which are beholden to their large donors. Instead, believers unburdened by such unnecessary personnel expenses, can freely give to those in need without fear of obligation or manipulation.”

So, what’s my point?

Well, survey’s and studies show church in America is in decline(s).  Decline in membership, decline in regular attendance, decline in income (tithes and offerings), decline in morals and ethics, decline from the Bible’s clear message.

The church is following and has become like the pagan culture in America, and it’s the same for the rest of the world.  America and the rest of the world are lost in a moral and spiritual nosedive.  It’s urgent for Christians to get back to Christ and the Bible.

Just a reminder, that we are alien to this world.  Sojourners, on mission from God to be The Church, the Body of Christ on earth, organic, on the move, lifting up Jesus, calling sinners home.  The “Final Harvest” is begun.

Please, let’s all pray for America and for the Church to repent and turn to God, that our land may be healed and restored.

https://whitestone2020.com/the-false-church-emerges/

https://whitestone2020.com/has-the-great-apostasy-begun/

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

PS:  I know that not ALL churches are falling into Apostasy, but the majority have fallen.  https://whitestone2020.com/2021/02/10/deception-within-the-church/

 

PEACE, PEACE – BUT THERE IS NO PEACE

~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

A PROPHECY FOR AMERICA

PROPHECY is never a “one and done” deal.  A prophecy will reverberate (repeat) throughout history, or, another way of saying it, prophecy will “unfold” or come to pass, throughout history until Jesus fulfills all the prophecies with His appearing.  (see Matthew 5:18  and Bible prophecy-has come to pass for more about prophecy)

CAN WE LEARN FROM ‘PAST’ PROPHECIES?

There is really no such thing as a ‘past prophecy’.  For example, the prophecies from Ezekiel are specifically for Israel and should not be applied to any other specific future Nation, state or people, but, since the book of Ezekiel contains prophecies relating to the Last Days and The Great and Terrible Day of the Lord, and they are applied to FUTURE days.

We are now well into the Last Days, and it would appear we are approaching the breaking of the 6th Seal, known as the Great and Terrible Days of God’s Wrath, America and all Christians would do well to take heed.

We can learn from God’s methods and ways of punishing evil, rebellion and disobedience toward Him. We can learn about God’s continuing mercy and loving kindness toward those who come to Him in humility and surrender.

A prophecy which was written to Israel, applies to America.  Please read this prophecy and take heed.  The time of its fulfillment is at hand!

A PROPHECY FOR AMERICA – From – EZEKIEL 7

Ezekiel 7:1,-27 says,  “The word of the Lord came to me:  “And you, O son of man, thus says the Lord:  An end!  (Also, see Matthew 24:22-31, Revelation 6:12 – 7:3)

The end has come upon the four corners of the earth.  (Also see, Revelation 7:1, “After this I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth.)

“Now the end is upon you, and I will send my anger upon you; I will judge you according to your ways, and I will punish you for all your abominations.  And my eye will not spare you, nor will I have pity, but I will punish you for your ways, while your abominations are in your midst. Then you will know that I am the Lord.

“Thus says the Lord God: Disaster after disaster! Behold, it comes.  An end has come; the end has come; it has awakened against you. Behold, it comes. Your doom has come to you, O inhabitant of the land. The time has come; the day is near, a day of tumult, and not of joyful shouting on the mountains. Now I will soon pour out my wrath upon you, and spend my anger against you, and judge you according to your ways, and I will punish you for all your abominations. And my eye will not spare, nor will I have pity. I will punish you according to your ways, while your abominations are in your midst. Then you will know that I am the Lord, who strikes.

“Behold, the day! Behold, it comes! Your doom has come; the rod has blossomed; pride has budded. Violence has grown up into a rod of wickedness. None of them shall remain, nor their abundance, nor their wealth; neither shall there be preeminence among them. The time has come; the day has arrived. Let not the buyer rejoice, nor the seller mourn, for wrath is upon all their multitude. For the seller shall not return to what he has sold, while they live. For the vision concerns all their multitude; it shall not turn back; and because of his iniquity, none can maintain his life.

They have blown the trumpet and made everything ready, but none goes to battle, for my wrath is upon all their multitude. The sword is without; pestilence and famine are within. He who is in the field dies by the sword, and him who is in the city famine and pestilence devour. And if any survivors escape, they will be on the mountains, like doves of the valleys, all of them moaning, each one over his iniquity. All hands are feeble, and all knees turn to water. They put on sackcloth, and horror covers them. Shame is on all faces, and baldness on all their heads. They cast their silver into the streets, and their gold is like an unclean thing. Their silver and gold are not able to deliver them in the day of the wrath of the Lord. They cannot satisfy their hunger or fill their stomachs with it. For it was the stumbling block of their iniquity. His beautiful ornament they used for pride, and they made their abominable images and their detestable things of it. Therefore, I make it an unclean thing to them. And I will give it into the hands of foreigners for prey, and to the wicked of the earth for spoil, and they shall profane it. I will turn my face from them, and they shall profane my treasured place. Robbers shall enter and profane it.  (Also see Matthew 24:15-31 .)

“Forge a chain! For the land is full of bloody crimes and the city is full of violence.  I will bring the worst of the nations to take possession of their houses. I will put an end to the pride of the strong, and their holy places shall

They will seek peace, but there shall be none.

“When anguish comes, they will seek peace, but there shall be none”. (Also see 1 Thessalonians 5:3 )

“Disaster comes upon disaster; rumor follows rumor. They seek a vision from the prophet, while the law perishes from the priest and counsel from the elders. The king mourns, the prince is wrapped in despair, and the hands of the people of the land are paralyzed by terror. According to their way I will do to them, and according to their judgments I will judge them, and they shall know that I am the Lord.”

OUR RESPONSE?

Dear brothers and sisters, I urge you in the name of the Lord Jesus to live in a way that pleases God, as you have learned. I know you are trying to live this way already, and I encourage you to do so even more. Remember what you have learned by the authority of our Lord Jesus.

No one needs to write to you about the importance of loving each other, for God himself has taught us to love one another.  Show your love for all the true believers who are doing what Jesus has taught.

Make it your goal to live a quiet life, minding your own business and working with your hands, just as you have been instructed.  Then people who are not believers will respect the way you live, and you will not need to depend on them. (1 Thessalonians 4:1-18)

I remind you this, directly from the Lord:  The Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet-call of God. First, the believers who have died will rise from their graves.  Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever.  So encourage each other with these words.

Now concerning how and when all this will happen, dear brothers and sisters, I don’t really need to remind you because you know quite well that the day of the Lord’s return will come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night.

*When people are saying, “Everything is peaceful and secure,” then disaster will fall on them as suddenly as a pregnant woman’s labor pains begin. And there will be no escape.

But you aren’t in the dark about these things, and you should not be surprised when the day of the Lord comes like a thief.  You are children of the light and of the day; we don’t belong to darkness and night.

So be on your guard, not asleep like the others. Stay alert and be clearheaded. Night is the time when people sleep and drinkers get drunk.  But let us who live in the light be clearheaded, protected by the armor of faith and love, and wearing as our helmet the confidence of our salvation.

God chose to save us through our Lord Jesus Christ, not to pour out his anger on us. (Am I Really Seeing What I Think I Am Seeing? ).  Christ died for us so that, whether we are dead or alive when he returns, we can live with him forever.  So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you should already be doing.

This is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus:

  • See that no one pays back evil for evil, but
  • Warn those who are lazy in the faith.
  • Encourage those who are timid.
  • Take tender care of those who are weak.
  • Be patient with everyone.
  • Always try to do good to each other and to all people.
  • Always be joyful.
  • Never stop praying.
  • Be thankful in all circumstances,
  • Do not stifle the Holy Spirit.
  • Do not scoff at prophecies,
  • Test everything that is said.
  • Hold on to what is good.
  • Stay away from every kind of evil.

( Paraphrased from 1 Thessalonians 4:1 – 5:22. )

Please go to this page and respond:

Where are the grassroots?

Your Brother and Friend in Christ,

Mike Young