Stephens Sermon

Stephen's story recorded in Acts is for spurring us on in the courage and the power that we have in Jesus by the power of the Holy Ghost.

Man said of Stephen: "serve at tables" Acts 6:2-5

Jesus said of Stephen: "Preach a mighty sermon before the council till you are put to death by stoning" Acts 7

Stephens sermon is one of the best recorded in Acts. First he demonstrates an amazing Holy Ghost filled knowledge of the scripture then he brings out the truth which divides.

For they resisted the Holy Ghost. They persecuted the Just One namely Jesus. That day it is possible some of those who heard Stephens sermon and put him to death would have committed the unpardonable sin. They would have trampled underfoot the Son of God and done despite unto the spirit of grace. (Hebrews)

Even in Stephens death the Lord had his purpose being unfolded for one man who was consenting unto his death was Saul. The Lords purpose can not be thwarted for no matter where Saul went the Lord would have his way in Saul and would strike him blind by his consuming light and cause him to be born again.

First Fruits Offering

Many denominations have realised the profits to be made with a First Fruits Offering. From a small congregation of 100 people you could make easily $50 000 in one week. Not to mention the millions that can be made with a larger congregation. They translate Leviticus 2:12 into everyone in their congregation giving their full weekly income to the church one Sunday a year. No they don't want fruit or grain they want cash / credit / eftpos / cheque. Special considerations can be entered into if you can't pay upfront of course however this is not preferred. (Seperate to tithing obviously)
Example First Fruits Sermons:
"The seat you are sitting in now is from the extravagant giving of this church. We paid for the building, We paid for the sound equipment and lights and We paid for your seat...
If it wasn't for the extravagant giving of these people nothing would be here.
...
Thank You for being so easily led in our First Fruits Offering"
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Just who will build His church?
Please click on the flyer above to see first hand how churches use first fruits.

Pledging
First fruits must be paid up front however it looks like pledging is alive and well in the churches.
Proverbs 17:18
A man lacking in sense pledges. And becomes guarantor in the presence of his neighbor.
Proverbs 11:15
He who puts up security for another will surely suffer, but whoever refuses to strike hands in pledge is safe.
Proverbs 22:26
Do not be a man who strikes hands in pledge or puts up security for debts;
* Names have been removed to keep organisations private.

The Surprising Work of God

by Jonathan Edwards
Listen to this book for Free
Part One - Part Two - All Jonathan Edwards Sermons (Mega Deep Voice)
My Summary:
Jonathan Edwards some years after the Great Awakening took to the pen to defend and record the conversions that happened during the Revival. He gives many accounts of how conversion started with the fear of God and conviction of Sin to the moment when Jesus set them apart with bands of loving kindness.

Unlike today's church which is quick to simply count decisions these conversions came under Calvinistic preaching and Jonathan Edwards also records the lasting fruit of the Holy Spirit in these new converts.

Things that stood out:
1. Young Men and Women Seeking the Truth
This revival was mainly about the young men and women of the town. In the eve of the revival the youth were all talking about Arminianism. (It's up to man to choose)

"... But it seemed, contrary to their fear, that Arminianism was strongly overruled ... Many who considered themselves to be in a Christ-less condition seemed to be awakened by the controversy"

It is tremendous when young men and women are concerned about making their calling and election sure and being conformed to the likeness of Christ.

2. Very aware of Sin in their lives
The first chapter shows just how concerned Northampton was with Sin. In all accounts the sinner wanted to hear from Jesus if they were saved not their own declaration of themselves or the declaration of someone else, only Jesus.

3. Salvation
There were as many different accounts of salvation as there were conversions. One thing they all had in common was Jesus making himself known to the sinner as part of their salvation and the peace and glory when this happens.

4. The Holy Spirit withdrawing
You can tell that even though amazing events were being recorded of the works of the Holy Spirit Jonathan Edwards was always conservative and not over exaggerating. Conversions gradually became less and Northampton and the surrounding districts almost consumed by the Holy Spirit gradually had problems creeping in when the Holy Spirit withdrew. Such as suicides and false teachers emerging.

Conclusion
A great read considering that the book is incredibly cheap ($5) Great for those who want to know what true salvation is and the work of the Holy Spirit in conversion.

Love, Charity and the KJV

Lately I have been enjoying the KJV translation. Hebrews in-particular is brilliant in the KJV. The KJV I find to be a hard hitter and reading it is like being in the forefront of a battle.

All translations have bias and there is certainly no such thing as a real word for word translation. I believe this to be the Lords purpose for scripture is spiritually discerned. To get the meaning of scripture you compare scripture with scripture and view the context.

Can anyone tell me why the KJV would use the word Charity instead of Love here?

"Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal ... Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; ... Charity never faileth: ... " 1 Corinthians 13

Compared to all other popular translations which use the word LOVE. Charity and love have different meanings from what I can see.
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Translation - Number of times Charity is Used - Verses
KJV - 24 - 1 Corinthians 13 (9), Colossians 3:14, 1 Thessalonians 3:6, 2 Thessalonians 1:3, 1 Timothy (3), 2 Timothy (2), Titus 2:2, 1 Peter (2), 2 Peter 1:7, 3 John 1:6, Jude 1:12, Revelation 2:19
NIV - 0 - NONE
NASB - 3 - Luke 11:41, Luke 12:33, Acts 9:36
NKJV - 0 - NONE
ESV - 1 - Acts 9:36

I AM HE

All these scriptures have one thing in common. Can you pick it?

Moses in Exodus
"The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is his name? what shall I say unto them? And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you." Exodus 3:13

New Testament
"I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I AM HE, ye shall die in your sins" John 8:24

"When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I AM HE" John 8:28

"Verily verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I AM" John 8:58

Arresting Jesus
"Jesus saith unto them, I AM HE .... As soon then as he had said unto them, I AM HE they went backward, and fell to the ground" John 18:5-6

The One Thing All these scriptures have in common is this:
They are all about the one true God of the first commandment.
"The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord Our God Is One Lord, And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart ..." Mark 12:29-30

For the first commandment is about the Great I AM of the Old Testament and the New Testament namely --> JESUS <--

Fridays Top Posts

BLOG NAME - POST TITLE - MY BRIEF SUMMARY

1. Faith Classics - God's New Name - Praise and worship songs seem to have a different focus now.
2. Heavenly Heartburn - On Mission Celebration Report - Mixing with those Jesus has called to the mission field.
3. Fiat Lux - Debate Is the Christian God True - (~2hrs) It is great to hear just how easily God's existence can be defended to sceptics.
   
4. A Classical Presbyterian - John Piper on the differences between Christ and Muhammad - "..share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death" Philippians 3:10
5. Preach the Word - Why Calvinists Have a Poor Reputation - Are you a New Calvinist? If so you will relate to this post. Are you wondering why you see the supremacy of Christ on every page of the bible and others can't? A bit of tongue and cheek.
6. Running Well - One-Syllable Pilgrim’s Progress - If you have kids this post is for you.
7. Clay Pot - LARK Program - FUNNY - Donald Rumsfield has finally yielded to the "Do Gooders" who hate America in any and every way. Read his letter.
8. Deeper Truth - A Question - How can you get lost from somebody who said they would never leave you nor forsake you and that they would be with you always?
9. Puritan Belief - When I Fall, I Shall Arise - Quick Promise to the believer.
10. Spurgeon Collection - Salvation to the Uttermost - MY FAVOURITE SERMON OF ALL TIME.

When I Fall, I Shall Arise

"Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy: when I fall, I shall arise;" Micah 7:11

How easily do we Christians that have the hope of eternal life still fall. When the desires of the flesh cause us to fall so quickly can the sound of our enemies rejoicing be heard.

But we have a promise. One especially against the God of this world.

When I fall, I shall arise.

We are not like our enemies who fall never to rise again for rightly does the good proverb say.
"For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again." Proverbs 24:16

For we are justified and our accuser who did have Moses to condemn us quickly stops rejoicing when we show him "the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient" 1 Timothy 1:9.

Jesus is the end of the law and now there is righteousness to every one that believes. Our would be prosecutor can not keep us down.

When I Fall, I Shall Arise

Do Calvinists ignore John 3:16?

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16

Sometimes when John 3:16 comes up I may make a statement like:

"Whosoever has a million dollars is a millionaire. Do you have a million dollars?"

Since my friends are not this rich they say no and I get to point out the obvious that they are not a millionaire.

So again it comes down to whosoever believes and this is without doubt those whom the lord wills to be born again. Otherwise they can't believe.

The Context of John 3:16
For some reason those who quote John 3:16 to prove man has a free will all seem to have bibles that finish after this verse and start again at 1 Timothy 2:4. So if your bible is like this please look on for here is John 3:20
"For everyone that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light lest his deeds should be reproved."

Now is the time to ask your friend clinging tooth and nail to John 3:16 if they ever have done evil? Without doubt they must say yes. Therefore the scripture makes it clear that they CAN NOT come to the light (believe on Jesus).

If it is not the Lord who changes the heart and causes the new birth so that they can believe who is it? It certainly can not be the one that does evil for their deeds would be exposed/reproved.

And behold John 3:21
"But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God."

Now this last verse is for those that do their deeds in Christ. This is all about the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and his outward works of truth in our life. It is this and this alone that cause us to come to the light. For even our worst deeds do not stop us from coming to the light for we are made wrought in God. We are now in him who is truth and the light consumes us namely Jesus. In heavenly places the Lord keeps our salvation where it can neither be taken nor destroyed. Praise Jesus!

Further Reading
John 3:16 And The "Choose" Verses
THE DEFINITIVE GUIDE TO CALVINISM
Dummies Guide to Calvinism - TULIP

Justification - Is this true?

"I believe that Christ died for sinners, and that I shall be justified before God from the curse through his gracious acceptance of my obedience to his law. Christ makes my duties that I now do for good acceptable to his Father by virtue of his merits; and so shall I be justified."

Fridays Top Posts - Variety

1. A Form of Sound Words - John 3:16 And The "Choose" Verses - I found this very useful in pointing out the obvious context of John 3:16.
2. Godward Thoughts - God's Moral Law and Absolutism - Doug has been doing a great study on christian ethics so far there are four parts: part 1 - part 2 - part 3 - part 4 For those people in esteemed places such as managers or teachers. Doug really gives a great series here.
3. Proclaiming the Sovereignty of God - Happy Singleness Awareness Day - For readers without a valentine this is a great read.
4. Puritan Belief - Why Tithing Is Wrong - Became a heated discussion with Rand's Rebuttal and Drinking Deeplys Rebuttal.
5. Mike Garner - Give Thyself Unto Reading - The man who wrote Romans and most of the letters Paul, proclaims to bring the books, especially the parchments! The one who God used to write some of the bible desires books?
6. CampOnThis - Rick Warren's wacky environmental agenda - Will this man stand for the truth or just be happy with his billion dollar empire.
7. battlegroundJESUS - Wondering After The Beast - Mrs Bush went to see the Pope on her way to the olympics and why is she dressed in black with a veil over her head?
8. myall4One - Mr Hinn - Don't touch the Lords annointed! Don't read this post!

RU486 - Australias Shame

Today Australia has built up wrath for itself and has allowed the Abortion Drug RU486 to soon become freely available for women to murder their unborn children. With the ease of taking a tic tac you will soon be able to murder a child in your own loins.

The cup of the Lords Wrath will certainly not skip over Australia.

To make matters worse Peter Costello who is meant to have some sort of christian leaning (eg brother Tim Costello) has weighed in heavily with his own personal sob story saying he supports CHOICE.

CHOICE is a very emotive word. Their Choice to murder, choice to do everything against the word of God.

Choice never got man anywhere but further into sin and found more guilty of it. Choice is like the example in pilgrims progress where a lady is in a room full of dust starts sweeping it clean only to find that she stirs up the dust even more. Thank Jesus for the power of the gospel which sprinkles the room with water and by the power of the spirit the inside of a man can now be swept spotlessly clean.

Further Reading
ninemsn - RU486 bill passes parliament
ninemsn video - RU486 news video (watch them smirk)
SMH - MPs strip Abbott of RU486 veto
Courier Mail - Abortion pill Bill passes

Salem Witch Trials

Carson Allen at Destroying Strongholds asked me this question:

Have you studied much about the Salem Which Trials, and if so, what are your thoughts?

My Answer
Briefly, I have read a bit but not enough to be an expert. From what I gather the Salem Witch Trials are where a lot of people get their definition of a puritan.

They would say that their over zealous beliefs (eg Calvinism and quest for holiness) lead them to kill and persecute anyone that was not like them (eg a Witch). Hence the trials of the late 1600's.

Some use this to say we christians should be balanced in our belief systems and not get too fundamentalist.

I am of the opinion that fundamentalism is the only way to be. By this I mean a fundamentalist to the gospel and the truth therein.

What most people don't realise is that when we are like this it is the Christian's that are persecuted. To relate it back to John Bunyan's pilgrims progress where "Faithful" became a martyr for the gospel I would like to pick out this discourse:

---

(Envy is accusing Faithful before the court to put Faithful to death which he was.)
Envy: ... That Christianity and the customs of our town of Vanity were diametrically opposite, and could not be reconciled ... meaning ... not only do they condemn all our laudable doings, but us in the doing of them.
......
Faithful:
... That what rule, or laws, or custom, or people, were flat against the Word of God, are diametrically opposite to Christianity.

---

I used this to show that everything the christian says and does is in opposition to the world and thus the world hates us for it first hated Jesus. The world rightly calls Christians fundamentalist.
Now in all the NEW TESTAMENT I can not see anyone being put to death for their beliefs save the Christians. Therefore I do not think that a christian should put to death anyone for what they believe even if they did hold a position in Parliament such as the "puritans" did in Salem.

I would like to point out the the "so called puritans" who put to death these Witches are our brothers in law. Not our brothers. I say this because they wanted to bring everyone to Mount Sinai and not to Mount Zion the heavenly Jerusalem.

Perhaps if you wanted to comment you could say what you would do with a Witch and you were in power from a Christian perspective.

Where Have I Been Unfaithful?

The following is a short extract from pilgrims progress. Apollyon is the God of this world pointing out the faults of Christian.

Christian: "Wherein, O Apollyon, have I been unfaithful to him?"

Apollyon: "Thou didst faint at first setting out ... thou did sinfully sleep... thou art inwardly desirous of vain glory in all that thou sayest and doest"

Now listen to this answer it is great!
Christian: "All this is true and much more which thou hast left out; but the Prince whom I serve and honour is merciful, and ready to forgive; but besides, these infirmities possessed me in thy country (Apollyons world) for there I sucked them in, and I have groaned under them, been sorry for them, and have obtained pardon of my Prince."

John Bunyan

The Lord used John Bunyan's Torment before his salvation to give him strength for his imprisonment by the Church of England and also for the writings of Pilgrims Progress.

Preaching as a Young Man
John Bunyan was unable to read or write very well and his preaching was to men and women of a lower class. His biblical knowledge then was small however he knew Jesus, He knew the Lords Grace and Mercy in a very practical way and his sermons were well put simple truths that even highly educated scholars such as John Owen came to listen to. His preaching was herecy against the Church of England which lead to his imprisonment.

Placed In Prison
History records the imprisonment of John Bunyan as being the worst treated man of his time in Bedford. His torturous assured him he could be released at any moment if he would abstain from preaching. One time he was bought before several tribunals where they would laugh, mock, and revile. He was told that his real gift was his skill in repairing old kettles and they compared him to Alexandera the coppersmith. In all circumstances his answer was "If you let me out to-day, I will preach again to-morrow." For he was convinced to stay true to the promises of God and not man.

John Bunyans Family
His first wife died and he re-married. He had several children one of whom he loved with peculiar tenderness was blind. For the sake of Christ he knew she must beg and although he was helpless in prison he took up making tagged thread laces. He made thousands which he sold to the hawkers.

Preaching in Prison
While doing this trade in prison for his family he would preach to his fellow captives and formed within the prison a small flock of believers. He also studied the few books he possessed which were the bible and the Fox's book of martyres. His knowledge grew of the bible so much that it was said that he was a walking concordance. He also had great admiration for the martyres that went before him.

Defending Calvinism
At first he wrote against the church of England and like most puritans he defended the doctrine of Calvinism against them.

Pilgrims Progress
As can be noted from his youth John Bunyan had an amazing imagination and had also served in the army. By now John Bunyan had developed an amazing love for the english language and knew the bible from cover to cover. His imagination was flooded with images and whilst in prison he began the book which immortalise his name: Pilgrims Progress. Steep hills, dark and horrible glens, sunny pastures, gloomy castles, skulls and bones, a narrow path, Black rivers and Shinning gates are all powerfully used as part of the Christian voyage. Of english literature he knew little but the book from this poorly educated man is still widely read today. He consulted his pious friends who of course thought it childish but later his good friend John Owen would help him publish his first edition. Once popularity grew many people thought it impossible that he had written this book so he took to the pen and wrote if not for pilgrims progress the best allegory of all time The Holy War.

Release from Prison
John owes his release to one of the worst governments England has ever seen. This was when the Cabal was in power and Charles II decided to sign a treaty which let the Roman Catholic religion into England. As such even the protestants were released from prison which included John Bunyan.

Death
John did not live to see the revolution and in the summer of 1688 he took it upon himself to reconcile a wayward son with an angry father. He pleaded with the angry father not to disinherit his young son. This act of intercession cost him his life as his ride was through heavy rain. He was drenched and caught a violent fever and died a few days later.

Further Reading
John Bunyan - Torment
John Bunyan - Biography

John Bunyan - Torment

Introduction
The most famous puritan of all time without doubt is John Bunyan. His book Pilgrims Progress is unmatched as a spectacular allegory and masterpiece. This first post is all about what happened before John was saved. I personally once thought that I was dammed like Cain, Esau and Judas and my biggest fear like John Bunyan's was that I had committed the unpardonable sin.

John Bunyan Early Years (1628)
John Bunyan was born 1628 in Bedfordshire where the puritan spirit was the highest. From early on his imagination was so strong some accounts say he was nearly driven insane. He was even tormented by fiends flying in his dreams trying to kill him.

Longing to Be Saved
In his early years he though the only way to be saved was to be of Israelite blood and thought somehow his linage was thus and hence saved. His Father though quickly put a stop to this lie as he had no ambition to be regarded as a Jew. In those times of revival many were saved in the Bedford shire but John thought he was to late and the Spirit had left him unconverted.

Struggle with Faith
"If I have not faith, I am lost; if I have faith, I can work miracles." So John was tempted to cry to the puddles "Be Ye Dry" and if they dried up he had faith but if not he was lost forever. (They didn't dry up)

Praying to everyone but Jesus
Soon he thought perhaps there was truth in other areas then the bible so he prayed to the trees, a broomstick and the parish bull. These childish scenarios made up in his mind led to an extreme struggle with sin.

Hell Was Upon Him
John thought all his efforts were useless and he felt himself entering into the valley of the Shadow of death where darkness and gloom grew thick. Sounds of cursing and wailing were constantly in his ears.

Unpardonable Sin
His thoughts were of dread that somehow he must have committed the unpardonable sin and verbally he renounced any hope he may have in redemption which he thought also condemned him for blasphemy.

Esau
Over nights and days at tables even at work he heard evil spirits in his ears saying "Sell Him Sell Him" He then thought he was the same as Esau and had sold his birthright and like Esau though he sought for repentance with tears it was all in-vain. His lot was not to be accursed.

Cain
As he trembled he thought himself to be the worst of reprobates and envied even the tiles and stones for they would never go through his approaching torture. His stress was overpowering and he was unable to eat. While trembling he thought the same sign that God had put on Cain was ever present on him.

Judas
His pain was so overpowering that any moment he expected to be burst open like Judas. The more he remembered and read of Judas in the scripture the more he thought Judas to be his prototype.

John Bunyan's Conversation with a Holy Man
His stress was such that he went to a man regarded for his piety and John pouring out his inner torment exclaimed "I am afraid that I have committed the sin against the Holy Ghost" At such a fragile time in Johns life this man offered him his harsh fanatic opinion: "I am afraid that you have"

More to come

Why Tithing is Wrong

"Livi also, who receiveth tithes, payed tithes in Abraham." Hebrews 7:9

Rich Organised churches love tithes. Saddleback church makes it clear that the full Gross not Net is given and to no one but them. If you are in a church which tithes I can almost guarantee that your pastors and elders have added up the number of people in the congregation estimated their income and then calculated how much money they should get each week. (Huge amount) Then been disappointed that your church rarely ever hits this mark.

Tithing is a wicked practice equal to re-instituting circumcision. The church that requests tithes says this: "Jesus is not sufficient to be our high priest and the death of Christ on the cross was not once and for all"

Israel Tithe Vs. Government Tax
The tithe was used to help the sick as the Livis had the tasks to examine the people and declare them clean or unclean. Also the tithe was used for those unable to look after themselves such as widows. Now in Australia might I point out that we pay 30-50% of our income to the government and our welfare system does the same humanitarian things as Israel. Perhaps far more considering the billions of dollars we pump into other countries. What tasks are the church's doing that warrant receiving such a massive portion of their congregations gross income?

Melchisedec and Jesus - A Perpetual Priesthood
Jesus is our high priest of the order of Melchisedec. First Melchisidec bought bread and wine representing the sacrifice once and for all Jesus was to make. Next Melchisidec was the King of Salam and was in no way related to Israel. This is so with Jesus for he could not come from Abraham's fleshly line and was without descent for Jesus is born of the Holy Spirit. Now with Melchisedec it is witnessed that he lives. This is so with Christ who forever makes intercession for us.

Abraham Tithed Only Once
The most important tithe of the whole bible was by Abraham who only ever tithed once and out of the spoils of Sodom and Gomorrah. Israel paid tithes to the Levitical priesthood however their tithes were only ever meaningful because their tithe was paid in Abraham who before they were ever born paid tithes to Melchisedec who represented Jesus. So now that Jesus our high priest has appeared should we go back to tithing to a church or priest which can never be perfected? Let it never be.

Tithing is Abolished
By the act of tithing you are saying there is perfection by the Levitical priesthood and the new covenant established in Christs blood is not sufficient. You can say all you like that: "10% is a good idea and principle" BUT how did you feel when you didn't tithe that one time? You felt bad didn't you? This is the curse of the law.

"for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith:" Matthew 23:23

Giving and the New Covenant
"Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loveth a cheerful giver." 2 Corinthians 9:7

Isn't it so simple to give not the 10% which is a necessity under the law but purely because of the purposes the Lord places in your heart.

Further Reading
Hebrews 7 - Understanding Melchisedec can be hard but worth the time (Key to tithing)
Why Teaching Tithing Is Evil
Rands Rebuttal of this post - To get both sides of this argument

Jesus is our Sabbath Rest

"Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28
The greatest rest for the Christian is in Jesus. Jesus is our sabbath rest and with open arms he says to those who labor and are heavy laden to come to me.

My favourite Hymn is It is well with my soul. Here is my favourite verse.

My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross,
and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!

Isn't this glorious that Jesus has done this:

"Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross." Colossians 2:14

This is the reason that our Sabbath Rest can be found in Jesus for His work in Justifying the sinner is complete and we can freely find our perpetual rest in Him.