2 Timothy 4:
1(A)I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to (B)judge the living and the dead, and by His (C)appearing and His kingdom: 2preach (D)the word; be ready in season and out of season; (E)reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great (F)patience and instruction. 3For (G)the time will come when they will not endure (H)sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires,
4and (I)will turn away their ears from the truth and (J)will turn aside to myths. 5But you, (K)be sober in all things, (L)endure hardship, do the work of an (M)evangelist, fulfill your (N)ministry.
“The chief danger of the Church today is that it is trying to get on the same side as the world,
instead of turning the world upside down. Our Master expects us to accomplish results,even if they bring opposition and conflict. Anything is better than compromise, apathy, and paralysis. God give to us an intense cry for the old-time power of the Gospel and the Holy Ghost!”
- A. B. Simpson
"Once more, Never think that you can live to God by your own power or strength; but always look to and rely on him for assistance, yea, for all strength and grace." -David Brainerd
"Once more, Never think that you can live to God by your own power or strength; but always look to and rely on him for assistance, yea, for all strength and grace." -David Brainerd
About sometime last month ago, Pastor Phil Johnson (of Grace To You (gty.org)) posted up on his face book that a church was going to be having a Porn Debate. He was quite blunder by it. ( http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=631026818#%21/philliprjohnson/posts/10150273296730472 ) as was I. A church having a debate on Porn? With that said I also was quite concerned about the church that was having this event , they are our brothers and sisters in the Lord, please keep everyone and everything in prayer. I went ahead and emailed one of the pastors of the church with my heartfelt concern of them having this event with the XXX church. I will be posting the emails that I sent and also the email response I got back on this article... but before I carry on and post it, though I will talk a bit about the xxx church using it as a example to the main point of this post, which is "Does the ends justify the means? " This seems to be a on going problem in churches now a days or even so called quote un quote ministries where you can be like the world to reach the world or use worldly tactics to reach people towards Christ or even to bring people into your Church? Or just water down the message? Or even just say as along as somebody got saved from it doesn't matter what we do? This problem has been quite around for sometime Spurgeon had to deal with this issue back in his day. I highly recommend that you the reader do a study on the "Downgrade Controversy". Let me quote John MacArthur concerning it "At the end of the Puritan age] by some means or other, first the ministers, then the Churches, got on "the down grade," and in some cases, the descent was rapid, and in all, very disastrous. In proportion as the ministers seceded from the old Puritan godliness of life, and the old Calvinistic form of doctrine, they commonly became less earnest and less simple in their preaching, more speculative and less spiritual in the matter of their discourses, and dwelt more on the moral teachings of the New Testament, than on the great central truths of revelation. Natural theology frequently took the place which the great truths of the gospel ought to have held, and the sermons became more and more Christless. Corresponding results in the character and life, first of the preachers and then of the people, were only too plainly apparent." I will post a link at the end of the article regrading that, but before I carry on I want to cite some sites for research sake about the XXX church and also about the event it self that took place using not my words but their own words and by the news articles that covered it etc:Here's the email, PS: I edited some of the email out of respect regrading to some names,
"Hey ____ i got some concerns regarding to a event that coming up at the rock i send this email with much love and concern the reason i sent this to you is because i know of you............. i know the word tells me to treat older brothers as fathers so hope i do that not trying to bash on anyone shape or forum as i address my concern, the reason i'm writing this its about a event that's coming up called The Great Porn Debate on Oct 9th. the XXX church are very emergent-seeker friendly in tactics and also quite very vulgar they cross the line, to keep my email short i'm sending you a link for a sermon called sound doctrine sound words, during some parts of the sermon it addresses somethings about the xxx church that i think you guys need to know and plus along with many other things hope you find time to watch this sermon by Phil Johnson who is one of John MacArthur assistant pastor there still time to cancel this event before it happens unless there things that i'm missing and dont know about? but please take heed and warn your Pastor may this teaching be very resourceful prior to this event that is coming up i also have another concerned which is a different issue all of it self why is Pastor _______ yoking him self with Glenn Beck who is a Mormon? i ask and share all of this with much heartfelt concern if I'm wrong any where please let me know asap! i don't find joy sending a email like this, i don't want to cause division or disrespect to you or to pastor ______ or to the church don't want to speak evil of anyone but i must stay true to the Lord and to His Word i hope I'm walking in the spirit and not in the flesh hope i came to you as a son to a father
a prayer for us all:
Phil 1: 9 And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, 10 that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, 11 being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
here a quote from E.M. Bounds:
"the Church is looking for better methods; God is looking for better men. The Holy Ghost does... not flow through methods, but through men. He does not come on machinery, but on men. He does not anoint plans, but men…Men of prayer."
thank you for your time May the Lord do whats best in His sight and may we follow that amen
-
Jake
here is the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m2gDmCM1jfk
* A side note I gave him notes about the sermon, that they had came along with the sermon.If you the reader want the notes I can email you them, but also when you get the chance check out the sermon. It will bring a lot more insight and depth to those who have no clue in what I'm talking about.
This is what he responded back with: Hi Jake, The______ ministry has very prayerful plans in reaching out to the lost. We have ministries for prostitutes, adult entertainment establishments, bars, gang communities, etc. etc. These outreaches have been very effective to lead people to a point of hearing and responding to the Gospel and then we personally follow up to disciple and mentor new believers who grow to a point to reach out to the lost in the world they came out of. It’s the power of the Gospel unto salvation that we are focused on and the testimonies of the multitudes coming to Christ and being discipled through God’s word is evidenced that the Great Commission to go into all the world is still God’s plan.
This is what he responded back with: Hi Jake, The
________________
thanks for giving me some of your time and also for replying back God Bless, - jake
“The fact is that the world expects us to be different; and this idea that you can win the world by showing that after all you are very similar to it, with scarcely any difference at all, or but a very slight one, is basically wrong not only theologically but even psychologically. Our Lord attracted sinners because He was different. They drew near to Him because they felt that there was something different about Him… this idea that you are going to win people to the Christian faith by showing them that after all you are remarkably like them, is theologically and psychologically a profound blunder. In this realm we are dealing with God, and our knowledge of God, and our relationship to God. So everything here must be ‘under God’ and must be done ‘with reverence and godly fear’. We do not decide this; we are not in charge and in control, it is God. It is His service, and He has to be approached ‘with reverence and with godly fear, because our God is a consuming fire’….light entertainment, easy familiarity and jocularity are not compatible with a realisation of the seriousness of the condition of the souls of all men by nature, the fact that they are lost and in danger of eternal perdition, and their consequent need of salvation.”2 thess 2
16 Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting consolation and good hope by grace, 17 comfort your hearts and establish you in every good word and work.
-D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones,
Those were the emails and I left it at that and didn't hear anything back since...so with that said I'm thankful and grateful I got a reply back, I do hope the best for everybody that was involved, but he didn't really answer any of the questions or concerns and I don't want to draw any conclusions but I'll leave it with you the readers to decide . . . But at the end of the day it is what it is, with all this said this just points me back to the main point of this post which is "Does the ends Justify The Means?" In Acts chapter 2 verses 37 - 47 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%202:37-42&version=NASB%20%20"Men give advice; God gives guidance." — Leonard Ravenhill"
In Acts We see that disciples just preached the word, no gimmicks, no outrageous schemes, no shock jock stunts, no tactics or methods to attract people but just staying true to the Word of God being filled with the Spirit and resting on the power of the Gospel in which is the power of God that leads people unto Salvation. Here's a quote by Robert Murray M'Cheyne "Depend upon it, it is God's Word, not our comment upon God's Word, that saves souls." In Titus 2 verses 7-8 it says "7in all things show yourself to be (L)an example of good deeds, with purity in doctrine, dignified, 8sound in speech which is beyond reproach, so (M)that the opponent will be put to shame, having nothing bad to say about us." Francis Shaeffer once said "Here is the great evangelical disaster - the failure of the evangelical world to stand for truth as truth. There is only one word for this - namely ACCOMMODATION. The evangelical church has accommodated to the world spirit of the age. First, there has been accommodation on Scripture, so that many who call themselves evangelicals hold a weakened view of the Bible and no longer affirm the truth of all the Bible teaches....This accommodation has been costly, first in destroying the power of the Scriptures to confront the spirit of our age; second, in allowing the further slide of our culture." I've known people who have said lets start smoking to reach people for Christ or start drinking to reach people in the name of Christ sadly a lot of those people who had that mind set are no longer walking with the Lord most of them are agnostic, atheists, or just plain on out humanist, alcoholics or just pick and choose what they like and don't like about Christianity, in 2 Timothy chapter 3 speaking of in the last days it says that people will be lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!" makes one think and breaks my heart to just keep praying... but with that said yes we do need to be relevant and real but it does need to be in a God honoring Christ honoring way nothing to get us to be disqualified as Paul talks about in 1 Cor chapter 9 verses 26-27 and also we are called to be set apart 1st Peter 3:15-17 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Peter%203:15-17&version=NASB another passage that comes to mind is 1st Peter 2:11-12 here's a another good one too, Colossians 4:5-6 which says "5(I)Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward (J)outsiders, (K)making the most of the opportunity.6(L)Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with (M)salt, so that you will know how you should (N)respond to each person" so with that said the Gospel is relevant Christ Jesus is the same yesterday today and forever He doesn't change, how about that amen. But sinning for the cause to get one saved is not the answer nor should it be, remember our weapons are not carnal ( 2 Corinthians chapter 10 verses 3 - 5) , a German philosopher once said "show me your redeemed life and I might be inclined to believe in your redeemer", don't get me wrong we all should want to reach the lost and we should all have a heart and passion to reach them and we want to use our gifts and talents and testimony for Gods glory to help people, but those our just tools to point up to the Gospel, which is Christ and Him crucified. The tools should never replace the Gospel nor should the tools make a mockery out of the Gospel and just a reminder we do things because we are saved and not to be saved that's the difference. Not trying to create any legalism or put anybody under legalism if you think I am, I think your missing the point of this post. God looks at the Heart but just like legalism is bad so is worldliness with that said may we look into our hearts "Psalm 139". We too battle these things on a daily basis, keep that in mind as we continue on may we look unto Christ. On the other side of things, there are those that Paul warns us about in Philippians chapter 3 verses 18-19 "For (AP)many walk, of whom I often told you, and now tell you even (AQ)weeping, that they are enemies of (AR)the cross of Christ,whose end is destruction, whose god is their (AS)appetite, and whose (AT)glory is in their shame, who (AU)set their minds on earthly things." also the book of Jude speaks of such things. So with all this said, how shall I wrap this up, the issue is sin and we all have sinned and have fallen short of the glory of God, the Good news is that Christ came to deliver people from darkness to light if we repent and put our faith and trust in Him alone, sin is sin whether it be pornography or any other sin it must be dealt with at the Cross Jesus + nothing = everything Jesus + something else tag to it = nothing. Britt Merrick just recently said "Christ is not a supplement. Unless Christ is everything, He is nothing." Churches we need to just go back and give people the Gospel, for the Holy Spirit leads people to Christ through the power of the Gospel message that gets people back into a right relationship with God and that sets people free from sins bondage and allows them to spend eternity with Christ in Heaven, that's how you and I were saved wasn't it from the preaching of the Gospel? In Romans chapter 10 it says 14How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him(T) of whom they have never heard?[c] And how are they to hear(U) without someone preaching? 15And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written,(V) "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!" Nothing else can lead people to salvation. With that said may we deeply pray for those who are lost and through the grace of God may we be salt and light towards them through word and deed and may we not put ourselves in compromising positions or compromise the Gospel in any way, shape or form (forum). Ravenhill once said “Testimonies are wonderful. But, so often our lives don’t fit our testimonies.” May the Lord's truth and love and mercy guide us and preserve us as we go about things, but if we fail and fall short which we will one way or another . . . read Hebrews chapter 4, read the whole book of 1st John, For By This Grace Where Would We Be? " here's Ravenhill once again "Are you wiser in God (now) than you were last year at this time? Peter says we're to grow in grace and the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ." So with that said May we grow in the Grace and Knowledge of our Lord.
"Surely we all have need to pray earnestly for more devotion to Christ,
more love for souls, more fervour and power in preaching the gospel. " A.W. Pink
Here's an encouragement: may we remind ourselves of the Gospel each day, its ever so comforting if you read Psalm 103, we serve an awesome God full of love, full of grace, full of mercy and truly great is His faithfulness. Salvation past is justification. Salvation present is sanctification. Salvation future is glorification. in 1st Corinthians 1:18 it says “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” so to answer the age old question does the end justify the means the answer is no in Proverbs 16:25 it says "There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death." We can't battle in the flesh, we can only battle in the Spirit. The Bible says its not by might, nor by power, but my Spirit saith the Lord. There are many ways to look at this question and different scenarios I could expound upon, perhaps even the way we go about things too ?. May the Lord help us to do and say things in His ways and in His timing and not in our own ways may we walk by faith and not by sight. John MacArthur quote: "Grace does not grant permission to live in the flesh; it supplies power to live in the Spirit.", "Isaiah 55:7-8" "Proverbs 3:5-6" When the Lord justifies, the Lord gives the grace to sanctify His word will line things up and lead us through by the workings of the Holy Spirit, I like what one pastor said "The word of God will encourage us where we need encouragement but it will also discourage us in the things we need to be discouraged in." Apart from Him we can do nothing "John 15:5" amen so with that said the word of God is a lamp for our feet and a light to our path. ” I'm in no way saying we shouldn't talk about certain issues and certain things or even do certain things I'm all for out reach. I'm questioning on how we go about it and that it needs to be Biblically and prayerfully sought out and that those things we say and do should never replace the Gospel or be the main focus. Questions to ask? Is it true and is it right.. we cant go by "does it work and how will it make me feel?' Spurgeon once said “Discernment is not simply a matter of telling the difference between what is right and wrong; rather it is the difference between right and almost right." For further answers on this question "does the end justify the means?" Please take time to listen to a sermon by Pastor Chuck Smith "Does The End Justify The Means": http://www.twft.com/?page=SundayMorning "
Charles Wesley:
"I would the precious time redeem,
and longer live for this alone,
to spend, and to be spent, for them
who have not yet my Saviour known.
Fully on these my mission prove,
...and only breathe, to breathe thy love.
My talents, gifts and graces, Lord,
into thy blessed hands receive;
and let me live to preach thy Word,
and let me to thy glory live;
my every sacred moment spend
in publishing the sinners’ Friend.
Enlarge, inflame, and fill my heart
with boundless charity divine;
so shall I all my strength exert,
and love them with a zeal like thine;
and lead them to thy open side,
the sheep for whom their Saviour died."
and longer live for this alone,
to spend, and to be spent, for them
who have not yet my Saviour known.
Fully on these my mission prove,
...and only breathe, to breathe thy love.
My talents, gifts and graces, Lord,
into thy blessed hands receive;
and let me live to preach thy Word,
and let me to thy glory live;
my every sacred moment spend
in publishing the sinners’ Friend.
Enlarge, inflame, and fill my heart
with boundless charity divine;
so shall I all my strength exert,
and love them with a zeal like thine;
and lead them to thy open side,
the sheep for whom their Saviour died."
To put this blog entry to a close I will rest on this quote: "We must stand clearly for the principle of the purity of the visible church, and we must call for the appropriate discipline of those who take a position which is not according to Scripture. But at the same time we must visibly love them as people as we speak and write about them. ... We must say that [they] are desperately wrong and that they require discipline in and by the church, but we must do so in terms that show it is not merely the flesh speaking. This is beyond us, but not beyond the work of the Holy Spirit. with prayer both love, and concern for the truth, can be shown." - Francis A. Schaeffer
more things to cite for research sake:
- a sermon that was given by the pastor of the xxx church: http://www.therocksandiego.org/messages/2010-10-10
- about the downgrade: http://www.spurgeon.org/misc/dwngrd.htm
- Francis Schaeffer YouTube clips to check out: The Roots of the Emergent Church and "Relevance" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aLDgrBGwMX8
- Cultural "Christianity" and the Emergent Church (FS) [1of4] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0J3Gi4RlDz8&feature=player_embedded
For more info on the xxx church, the fighting for the faith radio program did a radio program on it entitled: "Critique of XXXChurch's Porn Ministry" quite in depth research on the xxx church listen to this with a discerning and alert mind: http://www.fightingforthefaith.com/2008/09/critique-of-xxx.html
Bible Verses for the road:
1 TIM 6:20O (BB)Timothy, guard (BC)what has been entrusted to you, avoiding (BD)worldly and empty chatter and the opposing arguments of what is falsely called "knowledge"--21which some have professed and thus (BE)gone astray from (BF)the faith (BG)Grace be with you.
Phil 1 27 Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel, 28 and not in any way terrified by your adversaries, which is to them a proof of perdition, but to you of salvation,[d] and that from God. 29 For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, 30 having the same conflict which you saw in me and now hear is in me.
Titus chapter 2 "11For the grace of God has (P)appeared, (Q)bringing salvation to all men, 12instructing us to deny ungodliness and (R)worldly desires and (S)to live sensibly, righteously and godly (T)in the present age"
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- Jacob LaJoy
