SMUG: Having excessive pride in oneself, a high estimation of one’s own ideas or one’s achievements.  Self satisfied, complacent, self-congratulatory, more or less superior, pleased with oneself, self-approving, well pleased, proud of oneself, somewhat better than others, self-centered

Smug is similar to the word proud, found in the Bible.  1) showing one’s self above others, over-topping, conspicuous above others, preeminent.

2) with an overweening estimate of one’s means or merits, despising others or even treating them with contempt, haughty.

3)  describes one who thinks too highly of himself, describing a trait which is simply internal, not referring primarily to external manifestation, although this is implied. It means one who is proud, the external manifestation when it appears being in the form of arrogance in dealing with others.

You see, smugness is the conviction that you are, at least, just a little bit better than other people.

This would be arrogance if it wasn’t also mixed with a pinch of humility.

Smug people know they’re better, and the fact that they appear to be humble about it makes them think they are even better, still.

No wonder they have that annoying smile.

Listen to what Proverbs 6:16 says about smugness or PRIDE:

“There are six things which the LORD hates, Yes, seven which are an abomination to Him:

#1.  Proverbs 6:17  “Haughty eyes, a lying tongue…”

(there are five more, but we can stop here for now)

So, is there a way I tell if I or someone else is being smug?

Here are a few things we might need to watch for.

1.  If you think your answer is the only correct answer, you might be smug.

2.  If other people annoy you for no reason other than the fact they are there, you might be smug.

3.  If you are always, even a little, critical of the places you go and the people you encounter (or see), you might be smug.

4.  If you struggle with the meaning of humility, you might have a problem with being smug.

5.  If you think you are the humble type, you are probably smug.

6.  If you really dislike smug people, you might have a real problem with being smug, yourself.

7.  If you take pleasure and might even secretly find joy in seeing a smug person embarrassed or humiliated, you might have a problem with personal smugness.

8.  If you are judgmental but don’t see that you are, and ascribe traits you don’t like onto others, you might be smug.

There’s more we could list, but you get the idea.

This is a serious matter, but, here is a funny routine, by comedian Brian Regan, about this matter (funny, if it weren’t so true)

THE ME MONSTER https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vymaDgJ7KLg

Let’s pray for one another to rid ourselves anything that displeases God or injures others.

And, while searching for humility, maybe a good place to start would be to remember that “Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13

Your brother and friend,

Mike Young

PS – Here is a great sermon by Billy Graham on this and related matters. It might help us all. https://billygraham.org/decision-magazine/september-2011/things-god-hates/

   Several years ago, we bought a shiny new car that ran on premium gasoline only.  The difference in cost between regular and premium was significant.  So, after several months, I was tempted to see if the car would run on regular or at least a mid-range gasoline to save some money. 

Before I actually tried the lower grade gasoline, I called our auto service garage and asked about my idea.  The service manager adamantly warned against using anything except high grade premium gasoline or the car’s engine would not run properly and I would soon be in for some expensive repair work. 

His words were, “I wouldn’t even think about it, if I were you! This car was made to run on a specific type of fuel and alternative fuels or deviations from the operating instructions would diminish this car’s effectiveness or render it useless and would void the manufacturer’s warranties.”

The service manager’s remark reminded me of what many parents say when their kids mention doing something stupid or dangerous, “Don’t even think about it”. 

From what I see around me, many of us still need our parents to remind us not to even think about doing certain things.  I have to assume that many of us have gotten older but have failed to finish growing up.

Listen to what he Bible says about these matters when it comes to our personal lives.

Jesus says, “You have heard that it was said, ‘YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY’; 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.” Matthew5:27–28

In other words, “Don’t even think about it because it is the same as having done it!” 

But, it’s deeper than that.  God know that we are designed is such a way that the things we dwell on, we will act on, for good and for ill.

This matter is so serious that Jesus goes on to say that “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.  “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 5:29–30

The Bible tells us, hundreds and hundreds of times, to

• think on God’s Word,
• dwell on God’s Words, to
• meditate on God’s Words, to
• hide God’s Word in our heart,
• SELAH (think on this),

Because these things produce the Righteous Fruit of The Holy Spirit.

Is it any wonder, that when we fail to do this daily, that we and our churches look and perform little like what Jesus said we would become?

For example:

• Jesus says that we are not to call anyone in the church, “Father” because God, alone, is our Father.  Yet, many call a priest, their ‘father’.

• Jesus says that we are not to call anyone in the church “Leader” because Jesus alone is our Leader.  Yet, many have appointed entire ‘leadership teams’ in their churches.

• The Bible teaches us that the debtor is slave to a lender and that we are to owe no man anything except to love one another.  Yet, churches set the example of embracing debt which often ends badly.

• The Bible teaches us that we are not to gossip or spread rumors to injure someone and that we are to control our tongue.  Yet, members and pastors alike, whisper tales regularly.

• The Bible teaches us that women are not to rule over, teach over men, and they are to ‘cover their heads and be silent’ in the church assembly and to stay under the authority of their own husband.  Yet, many churches now openly ordain women as pastors, women brazenly preach and lead in churches.

• The Bible teaches that homosexuality is a sin and many churches openly ordain and marry homosexuals in the church.

Remembering, that it is our attitude about these matters results in these sinful, rebellious behaviors.  What we think, our attitudes comes first and counts most and indict us as enemies God.

How do we claim to be joint heirs with Jesus and called children of God when we disobey Him and live according to our own lusts?  We should not and cannot.  God is not mocked!

The day is coming, and may be at hand, that God will raise His Holy Remnant, He will judge His House first and then the final harvest will come.  The Great and Terrible Day of the Lord is at hand.

Let’s spend time, daily, in God’s Word, meditating, dwelling, ruminating, thinking on Him and His Word and live!

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

PS:   I had another troubling dream last night and I heard the words “Isaiah 1:10” repeated.  I am not sure why, but, here is what it says:

10 ¶  Hear the word of the LORD, You rulers of Sodom; Give ear to the instruction of our God, You people of Gomorrah.

11  “What are your multiplied sacrifices to Me?” Says the LORD. “I have had enough of burnt offerings of rams And the fat of fed cattle; And I take no pleasure in the blood of bulls, lambs or goats.

12  “When you come to appear before Me, Who requires of you this trampling of My courts?

13  “Bring your worthless offerings no longer, Incense is an abomination to Me. New moon and Sabbath, the calling of assemblies —  I cannot endure iniquity and the solemn assembly.

14  “I hate your new moon festivals and your appointed feasts, They have become a burden to Me; I am weary of bearing them.

15  “So when you spread out your hands in prayer, I will hide My eyes from you; Yes, even though you multiply prayers, I will not listen. Your hands are covered with blood.

16   “Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; Remove the evil of your deeds from My sight. Cease to do evil,

17  Learn to do good; Seek justice, Reprove the ruthless, Defend the orphan, Plead for the widow.

18  “Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the LORD, “Though your sins are as scarlet, They will be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They will be like wool.

19  “If you consent and obey, You will eat the best of the land;

20  “But if you refuse and rebel, You will be devoured by the sword.” Truly, the mouth of the LORD has spoken.

Is America ever mentioned or referred to in the Bible?  And, where is America during The Great and Terrible Day of The Lord  (Beginning with the Great Tribulation – the 6th Seal of the Tribulation, and the Rapture)?

There are a lot of questions and discussions about this topic, as there should be.  Your preparation may depend on how you view these matters.

It is a common practice to find what you are looking for in the Bible, whether it is actually there or not.  Is America symbolized by the Eagle mentioned in Daniel 7 or is America symbolized the Great Harlot and her fabulous wealth who will die a horrible death on her bed of harlotry?

Does anyone really know?  And, will knowing change the outcome of prophetic events?  Be certain of this, the Great and Terrible Day of the Lord is coming, and the ongoing convergence of multiple prophetic events in our day may indicate it is at hand.

You and I can know, and need to know, the ‘seasons’ as Jesus warned, and to be ready.

I have selected five  known Bible teachers and pastors who speak about these matters.  And they do not all agree.  You can click on their names for their views:

1.  S. Michael Houdmann is the Founder, President, and CEO of Got Questions Ministries, the parent ministry for GotQuestions.org.

2.  Irvin Baxter, the founder and president of Endtime Ministries.  A television and radio talk-show host, author, publisher, and international prophecy teacher.  Irvin felt God call him to start traveling as an evangelist at the age of 19. He began pastoring when he was 26, and continued for 34 years until he made the decision to devote all of his time to Endtime Ministries.

3.  Greg Laurie, an American author and pastor who serves as the senior pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Riverside, California, Harvest Corona in Corona, California Harvest Woodcrest in Riverside, California, Harvest at Kumulani in Kapalua, Hawaii, and Harvest Orange County in Irvine, California.

4.  Doug Batchelor is an evangelist of the Seventh-day Adventist Church and author of several books including The Richest Caveman.  His primary ministry is Amazing Facts – a worldwide television and radio broadcast ministry based in Sacramento, California.He also pastors the Sacramento Central Seventh-day Adventist Church.

5.  Pastor John C. Hagee,  founder and Senior Pastor of Cornerstone Church in San Antonio, Texas, a non-denominational evangelical church with more than 22,000 active members. Pastor Hagee has served the Lord in the gospel ministry for over 60 years.

The signs around us are terrifying at times so what a better description of those agent’s of this evil than “terrorists”?  And, these terrors will on intensify as that day draws ever closer.

The GOOD NEWS in all of this is that if you are ready as a true believer, a true disciple of Jesus, you will be spared the worst of what is coming.

Even if America ceases to be “The home of the brave and the land of the free”, your safety and sanctuary will continue to be within the Ark of the Covenant of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior!  And then we can say aloud…

As I dwell in the shelter of the Most High, I abide in the shadow of the Almighty.

I will say to the LORD, “My refuge and my fortress, My God, in whom I trust!”

For it is He who delivers me from the snare of the trapper And from the deadly pestilence.

He will cover me with His pinions, And under His wings I may seek refuge; His faithfulness is my shield and bulwark.

I will not be afraid of the terror by night, Or of the arrow that flies by day;  Of the pestilence that stalks in darkness, Or of the destruction that lays waste at noon.

A thousand may fall at my side And ten thousand at my right hand, But it shall not approach me.

I will only look on with my eyes And see the recompense of the wicked.

For I have made the LORD, my refuge, Even the Most High, your dwelling place.

No evil will befall me, Nor will any plague come near where I live.

For He will give His angels charge concerning me, To guard me in all my ways.

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

It is distinctly possible to be self deceived.  And to be self deceived in the matters of faith, is of eternal significance. 

2 Corinthians 13:5, says to “Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you—unless indeed you fail the test? “

In other words, Paul does not assume that everyone who professes faith in Jesus has living faith in Jesus.

James says it is entirely possible to listen to the Word and not hear the Word and therefore be self deceived.  That is one who does not have a compassionate heart, a clean life or who lives a humble life, then they might want to reexamine themselves and test themselves again.

Just to consider oneself as within the framework of being a Christian is not sufficient.  Since James loves those to whom he is writing, he warns them about what is a clear and present danger.

Speaking for myself, I have, personally experienced, on more than once instance, pastors and groups of people in churches (a.k.a., congregations) who exhibited little in the way of Fruit of the Spirit of God but who were very good at discrediting anyone and everyone who did not fit their mold.

They are very good at appearing good and doing good works on full public display and for public consumption, but, privately were troubled by envy, pride and even resentment.

Their public display of faith was carefully but primarily and ostensibly emotional.  Frequent outbursts of emotions, such as speaking in tongues, proudly announcing their accomplishments, ranking themselves in order of achievements compared to others is their habit.  If these things were, perhaps, intermittent behaviors, one could let them pass.  But, when they are the staple, one has to wonder, “Is this the behavior of Christ, Himself?”

Here is a sermon by Alistair Begg address this issue.  It was a great reminder to me for my conduct.  Maybe it would be helpful to others?

https://www.truthforlife.org/resources/sermon/false-faith/

The reason I bring this up is for the same reasons Pastor Begg presents in his sermon.  Please, do not be deceived.  These days are dangerous enough.  Find your refuge in Christ, and Christ only – hide His Word in your heart and it will become your hiding place!

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

https://open.spotify.com/episode/0vDEeS60IVIfsdFbVEF5V4

Before you click away from here, please consider…

THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST, according to the Bible, is to be transparent, loving, joyful, peaceable, known by its patient kindness and its goodness.  The Leaders and Membership of Jesus’ Church are welcoming people, gentle people, faithful people, forgiving people, and they marked by self-control. 

According to the Bible the Leadership and Members of Jesus’ Church are not the the jealous type;  they do not brag, they are not arrogant, and they do not act unbecomingly;  they do not seek their own, they are not provoked, do not take into account a wrong suffered, do not rejoice in unrighteousness, but instead, they rejoice with the truth; 

According to the Bible, the people of Jesus’ Church bear all things, believe all things, hope all things, and endure all things.  This is THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST.

There are to be no secrets kept and no secret dealings.  And if trouble within the membership arises, church discipline is administered with great caution and care and love for the Body of Christ.  It is to be completed in public, not in secret meetings, remembering that Jesus warns us to forgive seventy times seven.

Some so-called churches, however, rely heavily on the unquestioned “visionary leadership” of one person or a select group.  Some so-called churches require obedience to this leadership ‘without question’.  And, some so-called churches follow an unbiblical and worldly corporate management model and use disciplinary practices to control growth and to discourage dissent. 

They use opacity or secrecy in planning, budgeting and finances.  Are these really “churches”, according to the Biblical model?

Compare the patterns shown below, to the situation you, a family member, or friend is currently involved. This list may help you determine if there is cause for concern. Bear in mind that this list is not meant to be a “cult scale,” or a definitive checklist to determine if a specific group is a cult;  this is not so much a diagnostic instrument as it is an analytical tool.

• The group displays a pronounced commitment to its leader, regards his belief system, ideology, and practices as the Truth, as law.
• Questioning, doubt, and dissent are discouraged or even punished by public discrediting, shaming, ridicule.
• Thought-altering practices such as meditation, chanting, speaking in tongues, denunciation sessions, or work routines are used in excess and serve to suppress doubts about the group and its leader(s).
• The leadership dictates, sometimes in great detail, how members should think, act, and feel e.g., members get detailed directions on how to date, change jobs, or marry.  Leaders prescribe what to wear, where to live, how to discipline children, and so forth.
• The group is elitist, claiming a special, exalted status for itself, its leader(s), and its members and proudly, publicly, announces its accomplishments and congratulates itself.
• The group has a polarized, us-versus-them mentality, which may cause conflict with the wider society.
• The group teaches or implies that its supposedly exalted ends justify whatever means it deems necessary. This may result in members participating in behaviors or activities they would have considered questionable or unethical before joining the group, e.g., concealing practices, facts or withholding important information from family or friends, or collecting money for questionable charities.
• The leadership induces feelings of shame and/or guilt in order to influence and control members. Often this is done through peer pressure, marginalization and subtle forms of persuasion.
• The group is preoccupied with bringing in new members.
• The group is preoccupied with making money.
• Members are expected to devote inordinate amounts of time to the group and group-related activities.
• Members are encouraged to live and/or socialize primarily with other group members.
• The most loyal members feel there can be few meaningful relationships outside the context of the group. They believe there is no other way to be, and often fear alienation for themselves or others if they leave—or even consider leaving—the group.

Concerted efforts at influence and control lie at the core these groups, programs, and relationships. Many members, former members, and supporters of cults are not fully aware of the extent to which members may be manipulated, exploited, or even abused. The following list of social-structural, social-psychological, and interpersonal behavioral patterns commonly found in cult environments may help you assess a particular group or relationship.

• Questioning, doubt, and dissent are discouraged or even punished.
• The leadership dictates, sometimes in great detail, how members should think, act, and feel.
• The group is elitist, claiming a special, exalted status for itself, its leader(s), and its members.
• The group has a polarized, us-versus-them mentality.
• The leadership induces feelings of shame and/or guilt in order to influence members. Often this is done through peer pressure and subtle forms of persuasion.
• The group is preoccupied with bringing in new members.
• Members are expected to devote inordinate amounts of time to the group and group-related activities.

Members are encouraged or required to live and/or socialize only with other group members.

• The most loyal members (the “true believers”) feel there can be no life outside the context of the group. They believe there is no other way to be, and typically fear reprisals to themselves or others if they leave— or even consider leaving—the group.
• How are people who left the group treated? What is said about them? Will the group give you names of people who left? Both those who were satisfied and those who were not?
• Are former members willing to speak about their experiences? How do they evaluate their time with the group or person?
• What is the process for filing complaints? Is there a feedback mechanism that is real and honored? Are complaints made public? Is there a money-back guarantee?
• Are your questions answered directly? Are you told time and again to listen to your heart and not your head? Are you told that you are too new, too uninformed, too nosy, and so on, and shouldn’t be asking such questions?
• Is there a leader who appears to be the ultimate authority, spokesperson? Are his or her views challenged by others?
• What is the attitude of the followers toward the leader? Are there checks and balances to hold the leader accountable?
• Is more than one point of view presented? Are other points of view recognized? Are other points of view seen as valid but different?
• What kind of commitment is expected? In time, money, lifestyle changes?
• Does it appear that there are secrets? Is information restricted in any way? Is there some information that you are told must not be shared with outsiders? Is there information that you’re told you can’t get until you’re a member of the group or reached a certain level?  Is there information which is incomplete in detail and details are clouded or concealed without reasonable explanation?

THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST is transparent, loving, joyful, peaceable, known by its patience, its kindness and its goodness.  It is gentle, faithful, forgiving and marked by self-control.

There are no secrets kept, no secret dealings.   And any form of church disciple is administered with great caution and care, and it is completed in public, not in secret meetings, remembering that Jesus warned to forgive seventy times seven.

So, which is it for you?  Honestly.  Is your Church “Church-like” or is it being run like a “Religious Cult”?

We are living in dangerous times.  We are to find our peace and safety in Jesus Christ and in His Body, The Church.  He is the Ark of our Salvation.

Do not be deceived.  Do not confuse the “baby with the bath water” as some are inclined to think, and do not fall for such nonsense.  Flee from the counterfeit,

If you want to talk, please contact me.

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

It would appear to some, that this world is on the verge of slipping into the clutches of godless socialism, communism or into the clutches of Islam. 

It has been The Gospel of Jesus Christ implanted in the hearts and minds of willing men and women which has been tipping the balance back from the abyss.

Some think otherwise.  One can read all kinds of proposals for saving America and the rest of the world and let me say here and now, that it will not be because of some politician with a crafty scheme which will save the world.  Nor will it be some religious incantation from a ‘holy man’.  Not an ‘anointing oil or potion from a TV preacher, a ‘holy water’ soaked hanky, not a Pentecostal preacher exhibiting a public holy fit and not even a well intended, but wistful, protestant praying some rote prayer which will stay this evil which besets us nor will it slow the demise of civilization. 

It has always been and will continue to be men and women of God who are sold out to the Cause and Purpose of Christ, who are MATURE in their faith, bravely carrying His Banner into battle against this evil.  This is a spiritual battle manifested on earth – it is occurring in our natural realm.

We must be making the next generation of disciples, preparing them to take up His Banner and to continue the fight against the rulers, the powers and principalities of darkness, until He returns and claims our victory.

Here are excerpts and a link to an important and succinct message from Pastor and teacher Alistair Begg on this matter of Making Disciples.  It is titled “Presenting Everyone Mature in Christ — Part One”

EXCERPTS:

“Our text is Colossians chapter 1:28 – 29:  “Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me.”

“I was part of a panel of ministers, and in the Q and A session of that particular evening, the questions turned very specifically to the issue of discipleship: “What is a disciple? What does it mean to make a disciple?”.  And the way in which the question was answered by my colleagues, left me with a really empty feeling.   If I were to go by the definitions that were given to me then I would have to conclude that I had been missing the point for the last thirty-six years.   So I left despondent.  I left thinking to myself, “I have to think this issue out.”  Because, if what was being said there didn’t intersect with my own heart and mind and thinking.

“The difficulty, as I reflected on it afterwards, lay in an inference was the idea that it was one thing to be a Christian and it was another thing to be a disciple. In other words, that discipleship was a kind of upper tier, a kind of stage-two dimension of Christian pilgrimage.  In other words, the inference was that only “The Pastor is a Disciple Maker,” a number of things occurred to me.

“First of all, that in the Acts of the Apostles, we discover that the disciples became known as Christians and not the other way around.

“It was the disciples that became known as Christians, not the Christians that began to be called disciples. The disciple band began as disciples. They were the disciples of Jesus. They were the followers of Jesus.

“The other thing that struck me was that the noun discipleship never actually occurs in the Bible at all, and that the verb matheteuo, “to make a disciple,” occurs in the framework, essentially, of a process—a process that involves conversion, baptism, teaching, and development along the line of sanctification. So as I thought about it, I came to the conclusion that in the New Testament, everyone converted to Jesus was a disciple. So I decided that it can’t be an upper tier; it isn’t a second stage. And the danger is that when that becomes a prevalent kind of teaching, as with other kinds of second-stage, upper-tier teaching on the Christian life, it almost inevitably divides people from one another.

“In the New Testament, everyone converted to Jesus was a disciple, setting out to follow Jesus is not a hundred-yard dash, but it is actually, as we discover reading the Bible, it is a cross-country run that lasts for a lifetime.” – Pastor Alistair Begg, Truth for Life, 10/16/2020. From Series: The Pastor’s Study, Volume 8

Colossians 1:28-29  (ID: 3361)

https://www.truthforlife.org/resources/sermon/welcome-and-main-session/#transcript

https://www.truthforlife.org/resources/sermon/welcome-and-main-session/

I hear a lost of excuses from Christians now-a-days about disciple making, and it would seem we are failing and that there will be no one to carry this fight forward!

But, the Word of God tells us He will raise up a remnant, a holy army, arrayed in His Glory, in these Last Days.  God, through this remnant, will put the enemy on the run and He will completely destroy them.  You and I can choose to be part of this Army or sit it out, at our peril.

Do not give in or give up.  Continue to proclaim and believe that our God is before us, over us, with us, in us and is working through us,   God has done and is doing His part and we must do our part.  Let’s join God in what He is doing!

Dear Brothers and Sisters:  Sitting in church won’t get this done, and  if we shrink back or shirk our duties, if we are not engaged with Christ in this historic and cosmic battle, all of us will pay an awful price!

Start now! Pray His Word, carry the banner of God as you go, preach and teach His Gospel, confront evil wherever you encounter it and stand fast in the face of evil!

If you have any questions or want to discuss these matters, please contact me:

Your Brother and Friend in Christ,

Mike Young

“Short People” – A song, a parody about some people’s CHARACTER

A song by Randy Newman, popularized in 1977 was song is widely misinterpreted, which generated a great deal of exposure for the song and controversy for Newman. On the surface, the song is making fun of little people, but “short” is meant in a figurative sense, intending to poke fun at people who are short-tempered and small-minded, which is quite the opposite of the literal meaning. A lot of people didn’t get the joke and thought of Newman as a bigot. Many radio stations refused to play it.

At first, Newman sings about Short People as having “nasty little feet,” “stubby little fingers” and “dirty little minds,” but he makes his statement clear near the end of the song when he sings, “Short People are just the same as you and I. All men are brothers until the day they die.”

Short people got no reason
Short people got no reason
Short people got no reason to live

They got little hands
Little eyes
They walk around tellin’ great big lies
They got little noses
And tiny little teeth
They wear platform shoes on their nasty little feet

Well I don’t want no short people
Don’t want no short people
Don’t want no short people ’round here

(Short people are just the same as you and I)
A fool such as I
(All men are brothers until the day they die)
It’s a wonderful world

Short people got nobody
Short people got nobody
Short people got nobody to love

They got little baby legs
They stand so low
You gotta pick ’em up
Just to say hello
They got little cars that go “beep, beep, beep”
They got little voices goin’ “peep, peep, peep”
They got grubby little fingers
And dirty little minds
They’re gonna get you every time

Well, I don’t want no short people
Don’t want no short people
Don’t want no short people ’round here

Do you know who else was a “short person” that is a person “short on character”?  Napoleon Bonaparte!

Bonaparte was considered a great military stragtegist and leader.  His accomplishments are legends of history and are still being studied and talked about.

His end?  Bonaparte died as an exiled prisoner of war on the small island of Saint Helena off the coast of Africa.

“A close look behind the heroic portraits and beneath the gorgeous uniforms reveals some surprising things about the great little man. (He was small.)

“Perhaps most striking? The number of complexes he suffered from, including

• class inferiority,
• money insecurity,
• intellectual envy,
• sexual anxiety,
• social awkwardness and, not surprisingly,
• a persistent hypersensitivity to criticism.

Taken in whole, these traits drove his stark ambition, undermined his grandiose endeavors—and ultimately crippled his historic legacy.” (This paragraph is an excerpt from the History Channel https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/napoleon-dies-in-exile).

I guess some of you might have guessed that I might go here with this:

HEY, PASTORS and PREACHERS, BIBLE TEACHERS, and Christians, GROW UP!!  Stop being like those people who are “short of character”, who are short-tempered, self centered, controlling, and small minded.

We are looking for GIANTS in our pulpits.  GIANTS we can trust and follow in this postmodern chaotic world.  We are looking for men and women who are GIANTS in faith, EXCELLENT in character and PARAGONS of virtue.

These GIANTS, these people of faith, character and virtue should be found in all our Christian Churches but, alas, there are a few to be found. 

If you will look, however, you can find them and you can identify them because they stand out!  They loom over the myriads of “short people” who have invaded our pulpits.  These GIANTS come equipped with temperaments of mercy, righteous standards of justice, wisdom of the ages and exemplary judgment.

If you are one, your humility probably keeps you from seeing it.  To you I beg, please, stand guard at the gates for the rest of us.

If you are not one, then I implore you to become one.   Then, please follow this adage:  LEAD, FOLLOW, OR GET OUT OF THE WAY (or, we the people, may just have to move you out of the way).

From your “short, but working on it” Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

“There is a way which seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.”   Proverbs 14:12

Postmodernism, “hyper-grace”, the cheap gospel, a seeker sensitive gospel, new age practices, gnosticism, chrislam, ecumenicalism, prayer labyrinths, holy laughter, the purpose driven life.  A Strange gospel has invaded the church.

Some are saying that there are many ways to heaven, but, the Bible says there is but One Way, and His Name is JESUS.  But, many ways are being offered by false prophets, antichrists and deceivers.

Jesus says to take on His yoke for it is easy and His burden is light and it leads to life.  But, make no mistake, His way is costly and difficult and He warns us to count the cost before we start.  The END however, is a choice between Eternal Life with Him or eternal damnation in hell, where there is wailing and gnashing of teeth.

I am presenting you both a teaching and a plea.  Both an instruction and a warning. 

Please read to the end and prayerfully consider what is offered here.  Your life may depend on it.

PRESS ON TO MATURITY

Hebrews 6:1  “Therefore leaving the elementary teaching about the Christ, let us press on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, 2 of instruction about washings and laying on of hands, and the resurrection of the dead and eternal judgment. 3 And this we will do, if God permits.

4 For in the case of those who have once been enlightened and have tasted of the heavenly gift and have been made partakers of the Holy Spirit, 5 and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come,

6 and then have fallen away, it is impossible to renew them again to repentance, since they again crucify to themselves the Son of God and put Him to open shame. 7 For ground that drinks the rain which often falls on it and brings forth vegetation useful to those for whose sake it is also tilled, receives a blessing from God; 8 but if it yields thorns and thistles, it is worthless and close to being cursed, and it ends up being burned.”

The Apostle Paul is generally credited with writing these verses to the Hebrews, both believer and non-believers in and around the Roman Empire and in Israel.

This book is described as eloquent and intellectual but most commentaries make it difficult to understand its purpose and message because of its complexities.

It is not my intention to try to explain the details surrounding these verses from the Book of Hebrews, but, my intention is to understand the prophetic meaning and application of these verse – for our edification and use in His service.

I understand that the purpose of the Book of Hebrews was that many of the early Jewish believers were slipping back into the rites and rituals of Judaism in order to escape the mounting persecution. This letter, then, is an exhortation for those persecuted believers to continue in the grace of Jesus Christ.

I want to simplify the purpose and message to the Hebrews: 

This book was originally intended for the Hebrews, but, it is important to realize that Hebrews is written for ALL PEOPLE who are following Jesus.  The Apostle Paul is saying to us all, “IT IS PAST TIME TO GROW UP!”  

(I have color coded this message to link related thoughts and teachings; and I have used CAPITALIZATION to emphasize specifics; and I have separated it into paragraphs to further group the related teachings.)

Hebrews 6:1  Therefore leaving THE ELEMENTARY TEACHING about the Christ, let us PRESS ON TO MATURITY, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God,

2  of instruction about washings and laying on of hands, and the resurrection of the dead and eternal judgment.

3  And this we will do, if God permits.

4  For in the case of those who have once been enlightened and have tasted of the heavenly gift and have been made partakers of the Holy Spirit,

5  and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come,

6  and then have fallen away, it is impossible to renew them again to repentance, since they again crucify to themselves the Son of God and put Him to open shame.

7  For ground that drinks the rain which often falls on it and brings forth vegetation useful to those for whose sake it is also tilled, receives a blessing from God;

8  but if it yields thorns and thistles, it is worthless and close to being cursed, and it ends up being burned.

Verses 1-3.  Most Hebrews would understand the context of these verses.  If you want more detail you can look it up yourself or go to https://thirdmill.org/seminary/lesson.asp/vs/HEB/ln/1

Verses 4-5.   The first few words identifies the addressees, the intended audience, of this prophetic warning:  “For in the case of THOSE who have once been enlightened…”

“For in the case of” is the Greek word, ‘hapax’ which means ‘once for all time’.  It is a clear statement that it happened and is an enduring fact!

“those who have once been enlightened” means to give light, to shine, to render evident, to become clear to all and to spiritually imbue with the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.  (Strong’s Concordance).  Many commentaries either fail to mention this altogether or work around it:  It is saying, “those who have been saved…”

“Have tasted of the heavenly gift”  means to taste of or to eat and to perceive the flavor of; to partake of, to enjoy, to feel, to make trial of and to experience, to take nourishment from. 

This is certainly not a ‘seeker sensitive’ casual encounter with God or His Gifts. 

This is reminiscent of and akin to what Jesus says in John 6:51  “I am the living bread that came down out of heaven; if anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread also which I will give for the life of the world is My flesh.”

v53 “Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in yourselves. 54 “He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. 55 “For My flesh is true food, and My blood is true drink. 56 “He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him. 57 “As the living Father sent Me, and I live because of the Father, so he who eats Me, he also will live because of Me. 58 “This is the bread which came down out of heaven; not as the fathers ate and died; he who eats this bread will live forever.”

“Been made partakers of the Holy Spirit“  –  To have been made a partaker is being made a partner in, a sharing in.  It comes from the word “amen”, it is so or so it is completed.  This is a Holy Union.

“Have tasted” in the context of the Greek word, ‘geuomai’ (taste), is to ask, beg, call for, crave, desire, require to eat and feel and to  make trial of, to experience and to be nourished by eating.

“The good”  word of God,  contextually is an honorable word, excellent, eminent, affecting the mind.

“Word of God”  in this case, is the Greek word, “rhema” which is The Word of God which is or has been uttered by the living voice, thing spoken, the Spoken Word of God. 

It is important to note that the spoken Word of God is Causative, Creative and Prophetic.

“The powers of the age to come“  The Greek word, for ‘power’ in this case, is the word, “dunamis” from whence we get the English words, dynamite and dynamic.  It is defined as a mighty work, miracle working strength, virtue.  An in0herent power, power residing in a thing by virtue of its nature, or which a person or thing exerts and puts forth

• power for performing miracles
• moral power and excellence of soul
• the power and influence which belong to riches and wealth
• power and resources arising from numbers
• power consisting in or resting upon armies, forces, hosts

“The powers of the age to come”   The age to come is forever, an unbroken age, perpetuity of time, eternity and includes all of creation, time, space and matter.  All of this world, all of the universe, the cosmos and things beyond our comprehension.

Verses 6-8.  If this were a play, it would be a Greek tragedy, and it would be a most sought after play. 

It is a most tragic fact, God tells us, that it is possible for those who have once been enlightened and have tasted of the heavenly gift and have been made partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, can fall away.

“Have fallen away”  is a phrase taken from the Greek word “pipto”, to descend from a higher place to a lower, to be thrust down, metaphorically, to fall under judgment, came under condemnation; it is used to describe those overcome by terror or astonishment or grief or under the attack of an evil spirit or of falling dead suddenly; to lose authority, no longer have force, to fail of participating in, miss a share in (God’s Gift of salvation).

These verses are a picture of a Greek wrestler being “thrown to the mat” (fallen away) even after having tasted of the heavenly gift and have been made partakers of the Holy Spirit, and having tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, continues to ‘wrestle’ with the good things of God.

“Impossible to renew them”   The Greek word for impossible, “adunatos”, means exactly that:  It cannot be done.   They cannot be restored nor can they repent again.  This is not an act of God but is the innate workings of mankind.  This must be taken, in English (or any other language) at complete face-value.  They are now unrepentant, permanently, because they would again crucify to themselves the Son of God and put Him to open shame.

“For ground that drinks the rain which often falls on it and brings forth vegetation useful to those for whose sake it is also tilled, receives a blessing from God”  This is a beautiful metaphor comparing mankind to ‘the ground’ drinking in the rain of the Gifts and of God being tilled by The Holy Spirit of God, bringing forth the produce or fruit of righteousness and of the Holy Ghost.

“But if it yields thorns and thistles, it is worthless and close to being cursed, and it ends up being burned.  The metaphor turned into a paradox, shows ‘the ground’, after drinking in the gifts of God, producing the antithesis of Fruit of the Spirit, being ‘thorns and thistles’.

The end of this man or woman is damnation.   Note:  There are some theologians and bible teachers who argue that their works will burned up, but the person will be spared. 

BEWARE.  THAT IS A LIE.  Both the person and their works will perish.

Please read these passages and pray:

• Matthew 13:41 “The Son of Man will send forth His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all stumbling blocks, and those who commit lawlessness, and will throw them into the furnace of fire; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

• 2 Peter 2:1  “But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves. 2 Many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of the truth will be maligned; 3 and in their greed they will exploit you with false words; their judgment from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep.
• 4 For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but cast them into hell and committed them to pits of darkness, reserved for judgment;

• 5 and did not spare the ancient world, but preserved Noah, a preacher of righteousness, with seven others, when He brought a flood upon the world of the ungodly;
• 6 and if He condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah to destruction by reducing them to ashes, having made them an example to those who would live ungodly lives thereafter; 7 and if He rescued righteous Lot, oppressed by the sensual conduct of unprincipled men 8 (for by what he saw and heard that righteous man, while living among them, felt his righteous soul tormented day after day by their lawless deeds),
• 9 then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from temptation, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment for the day of judgment,
• 10 and especially those who indulge the flesh in its corrupt desires and despise authority. Daring, self-willed, they do not tremble when they revile angelic majesties, 11 whereas angels who are greater in might and power do not bring a reviling judgment against them before the Lord. 12 But these, like unreasoning animals, born as creatures of instinct to be captured and killed, reviling where they have no knowledge, will in the destruction of those creatures also be destroyed, 13 suffering wrong as the wages of doing wrong. They count it a pleasure to revel in the daytime. They are stains and blemishes, reveling in their deceptions, as they carouse with you, 14 having eyes full of adultery that never cease from sin, enticing unstable souls, having a heart trained in greed, accursed children; 15 forsaking the right way, they have gone astray, having followed the way of Balaam, the son of Beor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness; 16 but he received a rebuke for his own transgression, for a mute donkey, speaking with a voice of a man, restrained the madness of the prophet.
• 17 These are springs without water and mists driven by a storm, for whom the black darkness has been reserved. 18 For speaking out arrogant words of vanity they entice by fleshly desires, by sensuality, those who barely escape from the ones who live in error, 19 promising them freedom while they themselves are slaves of corruption; for by what a man is overcome, by this he is enslaved. 20 For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world by the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and are overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first. 21 For it would be better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn away from the holy commandment handed on to them.”

This is offered in love and out of a heartfelt concern.

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

PS:  If your study of the Bible, your worship of God and your Church is not presenting a complete, comprehensive, mature teaching of the Gospel, you may be in danger.  Flee!

If you church is seeker sensitive, pandering to the world’s lost, watering down the Word of God to please the unsaved, FLEE!

If your pastor is trying to fit into the culture by his speech, his dress, his attitudes and behaviors, demand he grow up!  If he won’t then leave!

If you do not know what is going on behind the scenes at church, you don’t know where the money is actually being spent or how much you are paying your staff, if don’t understand you budget, this may be OBFUSCATION.  FLEE!

There are Bible centered, Bible teaching, Bible practicing Churches and Pastors.  Find one.