Important Theological Definitions - Don Fortner

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Some Definitions

(Don Fortner)

Election is God's sovereign, eternal choice and determination to save some, a great multitude of Adam's fallen race. It is a free, unconditional, irreversible act of God's sovereign grace, by which the everlasting salvation of all the chosen was secured from eternity (Psalm 65:4; John 15:16; Ephesians 1:3-6; 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14).

Predestination is God's sovereign, eternal arrangement of all the affairs of the universe to secure the object of His electing love, to secure the everlasting salvation of His adopted sons and daughters. It is God's purpose, the blueprint by which He created the universe and rules it in providence. This great, blessed work of God's grace includes all things and can never be altered. This, too, is a matter of such unmistakable, clear revelation that ignorance of it is inexcusable (Acts 13:48; Ephesians 1:4-5, 11; Romans 8:29).

Redemption is the ransom of chosen sinners out from under the curse of God's broken law and offended justice by the sacrificial, substitutionary, sin-atoning death of our Lord Jesus. Redemption is the satisfaction of justice by the blood of Christ and the deliverance of God's elect from all possibility of condemnation (Ephesians 1:7; Galatians 3:13; Colossians 1:14; 1 Peter 1:18-20). The redemption of our souls by Christ's shed blood also includes and guaranteed the redemption (deliverance) of our souls from the bondage and dominion of sin (Isaiah 53:10-11), and the redemption of our bodies from the grave at the resurrection (1 Corinthians 1:30; Ephesians 1:14; 4:30). All who were redeemed by the blood of Christ must and shall be saved by God's grace in him.

Regeneration is the new birth, the actual deliverance of chosen, redeemed sinners from spiritual death into spiritual life by the effectual power and irresistible grace of God the Holy Spirit (John 3:8; Ephesians 2:1-4; Colossians 2:10-13). It is a resurrection from spiritual death to spiritual, eternal life in Christ by the Spirit of God.

Providence is the glorious, though mysterious, sovereign rule of the universe by our God for the salvation of His people and the praise, honor and glory of His own great name (Romans 8:28; 11:36; Ephesians 1:11). Providence is God working out in time what He purposed in eternity. Nothing is more comforting, nothing inspires boldness and nothing gives peace like a good understanding of and a confident faith in God's election, predestination, redemption, regeneration and providence.

HT: Grace Gems

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The Problems of Theological Perfectionism - Lee Irons

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From Lee Irons:

"I suspect many Reformed people will find it difficult to sympathize with my claim that theological perfectionism is a problem. Most Reformed people would argue that lack of concern for theological precision is a much bigger problem facing the church today. And when one looks at the state of modern evangelicalism it is hard to disagree. There is too much error, not merely on the finer points of theology, but with regard to the very foundations. How many evangelicals can articulate the gospel clearly and accurately? But without denying the dangers of theological imprecision, I have come to believe that theological perfectionism is another problem we should be concerned about, especially we who are Reformed."

Read the whole thing HERE. Excellent thoughts!

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Prodigal Love for the Prodigal Son

Here is a good Spurgeon sermon on the Prodigal Son. Below is an excerpt:

The text - Luke 15:20 "...And kissed him much."

But these many kisses meant even more than this. They revealed his father's EXCEEDING JOY. The father's heart is overflowing with gladness, and he cannot restrain his delight. I think he must have shown his joy by a repeated look. I will tell you the way I think the father behaved towards his son who had been dead, but was alive again, who had been lost, but was found. Let me try to describe the scene. The father has kissed the son, and he bids him sit down; then he comes in front of him, and looks at him, and feels so happy that he says, "I must give you another kiss," then he walks away a minute; but he is back again before long, saying to himself, "Oh, I must give him another kiss!" He gives him another, for he is so happy. His heart beats fast; he feels very joyful; the old man would like the music to strike up; he wants to be at the dancing; but meanwhile he satisfies himself by a repeated look at his long-lost child. Oh, I believe that God looks at the sinner, and looks at him again, and keeps on looking at him, all the while delighting in the very sight of him, when he is truly repentant, and comes back to his Father's house.

Defending Self

Save Yourself, and come down from the cross! Mark 15:30

Never was there so much to defend. Yet never was there so much left unsaid. A sister recently pointed out that love can never be persuaded to leave the cross in order to defend self. The cross is too big to fit in the defendant's chair. We will either leave the cross to defend our rights or silently endure misunderstanding and slander while leaving our vindication to God.

The Priority of Prayer

Everyone went to his home. But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. (John 7:53-8:1)

In many ways the above verses are a summary statement of the life of Christ. While the religious leaders drew their comfort from earth, Christ sought His comfort from Heaven. May God make you and I people of the Mount.

A Verse We Can't Explain Away or Avoid - Mack Tomlinson

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A Verse We Can't Explain Away or Avoid

"All that the Father gives me will come to me; and whoever comes to me, I will never cast out."
- John 6:37

There are some especially challenging verses in the Bible which are simply profound and glorious, and are to be believed and enjoyed. Yet some professing Christians simply can't seem to believe them because they can't make the verses fit into their theological system or tradition, or they are so prejudiced against what such verses say that they have to explain it away or avoid it.

I have met people who do not like and won't even read Romans 11 because they actually can't stand what Paul says in that chapter. Some pastors will avoid preaching entire sections of Scripture because they know if they preached them, they would be greatly opposed in their church. So they remain silent about those passages by avoiding them.

Such a verse is found in the words of our Lord in John 6:37: "All that the Father gives me will come to me; and whoever comes to me, I will never cast out." How are we to read it and understand it? What is it saying? Some simple obvious observations we see even from a casual reading:

1. "All the Father gives me..."
There are some souls who have been given by the Father to Christ the Son.

The verse specifically and clearly says this; Am I to change it or try to adjust it to fit my theology? Why not let it stand and say what it says? Did Jesus mean what He taught there? "All that the Father gives me." So a right biblical doctrine from this text is this: Some have been given to the Son by the Father.

One might reply, "Yes, but would it not be right to say that ALL people--everyone--would have been given to Jesus by the Father? No, that would not be right, and the context of the verse clearly shows why, which we answer in our next observation.

2. "All that the Father gives me WILL COME to me" . . .
All those who have been given by the Father to the Son DO come to Jesus Christ.

Jesus said this clearly: "All that the Father gives me WILL COME to me." If ALL PEOPLE UNIVERSALLY had been given to the Son, then everyone would end up coming to Him for sure because He says all who are given by the Father DO come to Him.

3. "Whoever comes to me shall never be cast out" . . .
Anyone, anywhere, anytime who truly comes to Christ will never be rejected or cast away.

That's pretty clear and simple. Anyone who truly desires to come and does come, will be received and is never rejected or turned away.

Summary doctrine- God the Father has already given to His Son, as His inheritance, a great number of individuals as His bride--its called in the Bible His body, the true church of Jesus Christ. All those who have been given to Christ by the Father will certainly come to Him. Everyone who truly comes to Him in saving faith will be received and not cast away.

Application- It is wrong for us to negate what one Scripture clearly teaches by saying, "But what this verse says can't be truly saying that because other verses contradict what it says." No, they actually don't. Scripture never contradicts Scripture; but it often does state objective truths that seem impossible to reconcile because our minds cannot see how they both could logically be true. When that happens, we must let every truth stand alone and we must say, "Both are equally true and I just don't have enough understanding yet."

John 6:37 is infinitely glorious truth that we must believe and rejoice in, even if it is beyond us.

-- Mack Tomlinson

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The Myth of Neutrality

Greg Bahnsen, in the quote listed below, points out a basic but much neglected truth: There is no such thing as neutral reasoning. The context of this quote is a debate concerning Scripture's inerrancy (i.e. Scripture is free from all falsehood or mistake).

Finally, we know that presuppositionless impartiality and neutral reasoning are impossible and undesirable because God's word teaches that (1) all men know God, even if suppressing the truth (Romans 1); (2) there are two basic philosophic and presuppositional outlooks -- one after worldly tradition, the other after Christ (Colossians 2); (3) thus there is a knowledge falsely so-called that errs according to the faith (I Timothy 6) and a genuine knowledge based on repentant faith (2 Timothy 2); consequently, (4) some men (unbelievers) are "enemies in their minds" (Romans 8) while others (believers) are "renewed in Knowledge" (Colossians 3), and characteristic of these two mindsets is the fact that the former cannot be subject to God's Word (Romans 8) but sees it as utter foolishness (1 Corinthians 1), while the latter seeks to bring every thought captive in the obedience of Christ (2 Corinthians 10) in whom is found all the treasures...(sic) beginning of knowledge (Proverbs 1). This mindset submits to Christ's word, just as the wise man builds his house upon a rock (Matthew 7); and it views the alleged foolishness of preaching as indeed the wisdom and power of God (1 Corinthians 1). Presuppositionless neutrality is both impossible (epistemologically) and disobedient (morally); Christ says that a man is either WITH him or AGAINST him (Matthew 12:30), for "no man can serve two masters" (Matthew 6:24). Our EVERY thought (even apologetical reasoning about inerrancy) must be made captive to Christ's all-encompassing Lordship (2 Corinthians 10:5; 1 Peter 3:15; Matthew 22:37).

Taken from Inductivism, Innerancy, and Presuppositionalism

Videos on North Korea

North Korea from Acts1v8 on Vimeo.

NK:PUSH from Acts1v8 on Vimeo.

MUST READ! - Motives in Christian Ministry - Mack Tomlinson

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Motives in Christian Ministry

I have often been challenged in my own heart before the Lord to check my motives in all things regarding serving Christ. Because it's not only about what I believe and what I do in kingdom service--of paramount important is the question WHY. Why am I doing what I am doing--what are the hidden motives of my heart? Why do I do what I do and why do I say what I say?

The glory of God has been re-emphasized in recent years and rightly so. But now its almost "popular" to talk about God's glory. It's becoming an evangelical fad that's very cool; its "IN" to speak much about God's glory, reading and quoting Jonathan Edwards or John Piper about the glory of God, the supremacy of Christ, and "it being all about Him."

These days, it's "in" to imitate the theology of whoever happens to be the most popular current author, preacher, theologian, or conference speaker. It's "in" to always attend the Desiring God Bethlehem conference, the Together for the Gospel conference, the True Church conference, the Bentley conference, the Arkansas conference, or the Heartcry Missions conference; it's the cool thing to do these days because surely everyone who is anyone goes there, right? (if I've left out your favorite conference, then include it as well.)

Its so easy to get caught up in such conferences that preach about God and His glory. So we get used to using the lingo about the glory of Christ and tossing around all the right terms. And there right before us lies a subtle trap. It's very possible to do those things so that others will believe we are deep, solid, and theologically accurate. The right thing begins to be driven by wrong motives. And therein lies the danger. Listen closely and consider.

I believe much of what we see in professing American evangelicalism, including all the Reformed movements and the conservative and family-oriented ministries, is driven by self-centered and man-centered motives and not by motives for God alone.

If the secrets and motives of the hearts of all were fully disclosed and could suddenly be seen, we would probably see that many are trying to steal glory from God for themselves by speak about His glory. And the stealing of His glory is due to wrong inner motives in the heart that motivate much of what is done in ministry. What do I mean? I mean simply this.

A man can preach eloquently about the true God, when ironically, what is actually motivating that man to preach about God's glory is that he wants to be known as a man who talks greatly about God. A man can develop a preaching ministry that is very popular, well-done with excellence, which seems so sound and good, and yet he is primarily motivated by secret desires to be a popular preacher. He wants success and wants to be known. He wants a cutting-edge ministry that is growing and growing. And he steers everything toward that. When he's driven by such motivation, he and those who work for him will be blind to it, but the discerning soul will see it because flesh always shows itself to be flesh.

A Bible teacher can teach in a very gifted way the deepest truths revealed in the Bible, and communicate them exceptionally (He's a fabulous communicator!), but the hidden motive is the desire to be known and liked as an excellent teacher so he can build a bigger and bigger ministry. You see, its the personal reputation he's after, and he's using truth about God as his means to a self-centered end, all because of wrong motives.

A church can begin an orthodox ministry that is is impressive and is run very efficiently, but behind it all, the motive is to build a successful ministry empire, in order to be known as the church in town.

A church or ministry can begin and promote their annual conference as being all about God, and yet the primary motive driving the promotion, unknown to everyone except God Himself, is pride; the conference planners are wanting theirs to be known for the sake of their ministry.

A ministry being so well-tuned to give the appearance of doing everything with excellence because image and perception is everything. Wanting to impress anyone, especially donors.

One can have the finest web site available, with the most superb links and resources imaginable, yet it all be only wood, hay, and stubble because its all motivated by the flesh.

There is so much of this that is widespread, that even the least discerning believer among us often sees it clearly. It's repulsive; and if it is repulsive to any of the Lord's people, how much more is it material for vomit in the stomach of Jesus Christ, the One who is supposed to get all the glory?

I confess without reservation that there have been many times in the course of 35 years of Christian living and 33 years of ministry, that my motives were wrong. I am sure now my motive often was really only about me and my reputation-- what people would think of my messages--if I could impress them with my knowledge--if they thought I was a praying man--if I appeared spiritual and humble. Just think of that--pride driving me to want to be known as humble--how sick and sickening.

I can remember specific times early on when I preached on something mainly because I thought it would be an impressive sermon and I thought I could make it my best one. It is very sad to have to confess it now, but I honestly did not see it at the time. That's very sad and God is very merciful.

All too often I know that hidden pride motivated me to desire to be seen as something that I wasn't. My only answer now in looking back on it all is that I did not see it at the time and was so ignorant and immature that I was blind to it all, and God has been infinitely merciful to me.

How could I use Christ, or His Word, or His people, or His gospel, or prayer, or His name, or messages about His glory, with motives of wanting people to think I was a real man of God? The real truth was that I was a novice, immature, carnal in areas of my life, undisciplined, and lacking stability and self-control. God knew it all along and I would feel it at times, but I sure did not want anyone else to know it.

I can look back now over 3 1/2 decades of being a Christian and a preacher, and as I survey those years, I see wood, hay, and stubble that I was often producing, simply because of some wrong motives.

- Wanting to impress

- Wanting to be a part of a particular church

- Wanting to be in a specific ministry or specific type of ministry

- Wanting to start a ministry when it would be years before I was even ready at all to be entrusted by
God with any ministry

- Wanting to teach or preach

- Wanting to write a book

- Wanting to be connected somehow to well-known men

- Wanting to become something that God was not purposing for me to become

- Wanting to be something for God when I was not prepared at all to be something for God

- Wanting people to think something of me that was not reality

- Wanting people to have a better impression of me than was accurate and true

This stuff gets down to the very heart of what we are, that only God sees and knows; it is the reality of this self life and impure motives that must die because that is what wants to steal God's glory by using God for self exaltation.

Honestly, now all such motives have become to me abominable and now cause my mind to be weary and my heart to grieve. I hate it all with a nauseous hatred.

When you begin to really think of it all, I wonder how much such self motives and self interest drives a majority of Christian work and ministry?

- The drive to begin a new ministry

- The zeal of an evangelistic ministry

- A passion for theology

- The effort to write or publish books

- The beginning of new conferences everywhere (as if we really needed more conferences)

- Even the unending publication of new translations of the Bible--Let's name a few:

The Biker's Rumbling Bible, The Cowboy Rough Ridin Bible, The Coach's Game Plan Bible, The Athlete's Bible, The Rapper's Bible, The Seeker Friendly Bible, The Messianic/Completed Jew Bible, The Soul Winner's Bible, The Reformation Bible, The Dispensational Bible, The Spirit-Filled Life Bible, The Soccer Mom's Bible, The Pre-Millenial Bible, The Amillenial Bible, The Prosperity Study Bible, and the Businessman's Success Bible.

You could name some I have left out. (As if the holy Bible itself is not enough.) It's a wonder that someone hasn't published The Hooker's Bible or the Sex Addict's Bible. Perhaps they have and I haven't heard about it.

Want to know what motivates it all? MONEY and FINANCIAL PROFIT--pure and simple. The big evangelical publishing houses keep producing new, contemporary versions of the Bible because it's big money. No new translation is needed at all, but money drives it all; and self motives drive the money.

But that's another issue altogether. Personal motives are what we are talking about here.

Lately this has come to my mind consistently. Why am I doing what I do? What do I want people to think of me? What motivates my Christian service, my preaching, my reading, my witnessing or anything that I put my hand to?

Preaching- Preacher, what are the hidden motives in your heart when you stand to preach? I, for one, am sick of preachers who obviously are wanting to impress people with their sermons; the truth is, if this is their motive, no one is impressed, especially God. They already have their reward, and I promise, it's a pretty empty one.

Conferences- Why begin another conference? Why be a conference speaker? Why attend conference after conference? What are our motives really?

Prayer- How much public praying in the presence of others is motivated by impressing others, praying to be heard by men?

New Books- Some authors produce books like a paper mill; the truth is, the publishers press them and pressure them to do another book; why? because their books will sell and the publishers want an annual amount of revenue coming in from that author. So the race is on- more books, more books, more books and the motive behind it is obvious. It's like a big elephant being in the living room, but no one wants to talk about it. But it's still there and everyone knows it.

Knowledge- Why am I interested in truth? Why do I want to discuss theology? Why do I blog and enter theological discussions online? Is it to appear to others as really being something and to impress them, to win the argument or appear to be the most solid one in the discussion? How edifying! I wonder what Christ feels and thinks of us if that is what is lurking in our motives?

Reading- Why do I read really? Is it for others to know that I am doing it? Is it to be able to say we have read something? Is it to be knowledgeable so we can be seen as that?

Whether it is our specific service, our desire for personal growth, doing Bible teaching, or discipling someone, why am I really doing it?

The sobering truth is this-- every Christian will answer at the judgment seat of Christ for the works done in their body as a Christian. On that day, I believe false motives in service and ministry will cause us to lose any reward that might have come to us in serving Christ, meaning that every work or service that was done with impure motives will lose its reward because false motives turn good works into evil works--into wood, hay, and stubble.

God once asked Jeremiah a very specific and serious question: "Seekest thou great things for thyself--Seek them not." If the Holy Spirit asked each of us that question, how would we answer? Would we turn from seeking great things for ourselves and confess our wrong motives if He made it clear that we were doing that?

Gone forever should be a motive to be known by men, to be a great author, to be seen as something, to have a successful ministry in the eyes of anyone, to be admired spiritually, or to be in with the best evangelical group or church.

I have to ask myself always, "If God wills for me to pastor 15 people, to never write a book, never be known or popular, never preach in another conference, never have an outward ministry, and never have any reputation at all among anyone as being anything, can I be satisfied with that? If I only have God alone and am hidden away, and am only pleasing Him, is that enough? If my church never grows and no one ever hears anything about me, is that fine with me?

Today if John Piper's church called me and ask me to preach in their big conference (which we all know will never happen thankfully), I would honestly dread the thought of it and would decline; I would decline because I know that I don't have the goods to speak in such a venue, and so I would decline the invitation- pure and simple. I would not accept it because I know that I probably couldn't handle either the embarrassment of it or the compliments which likely would only be common courtesy and kindness, not because they were truly deserved.

I know that some would say that would be a wrong decision. After all, they need the truth and what an opportunity I would be passing up. What doors could that open further for me? That is exactly my point. The invitation becomes about me. So I would decline unless I had a very real assurance that it would not become about me and that it would not change me for the worse. Could I be trusted with the opportunity without it bringing pride with it? I don't know. But I do know this- I do not have desires or motives to preach in such settings and that feels liberating. I would rather preach to fifty people who are hungry and humble than three thousand in a mixed multitude.

I am at the place now in my heart that I don't care if I preach to two thousand people or to ten people. I don't care. I just don't care about any of it any more. All such desire has disappeared like a vapor. The Word of God seems to have washed it away or is truly in the process of washing it away deeply. And the main reason this is true at all is because God has graciously done this in me sovereignly. Twenty years ago, I did not see any of it.

There's also another reason that such desires have disappeared for me-- I have dabbled in some of it at a very small level and it never satisfies; partaking of it never gives that which the flesh promises it will give. Ultimately, its all temporal, unsatisfying, and empty.

It's true-- godliness with contentment really is great gain; it's actually true. To be known by God--to be His--to want Him--to be motivated by the desire to fear and please Him only--that is life's purpose and life's satisfaction.

I love an old mission statement I heard back in the 1980's: "I have no one to impress--I only have One to please."

Motives- how big and controlling are they down inside of us? They are the biggest human issue within us that drive our Christian living and ministry. May God deal radically and deeply with us all about our motives. As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he.

If God, in this short time of reading these thoughts, has convicted you about wrong motives, then stop and just begin to cry out to Him to save you from this trap; cry out to Him about it all to purify your motives and to cleanse and deliver you from all motives except Christ Himself.

Lord Jesus, I pray you would so work in each one of us, so as to remove every false and wrong motive within our hidden parts--quarry us deep--strip all false and inferior motives away, wean them from us, cause them to dissolve, set us free from them, cause them to be repulsive to us, and please replace them with one motive--Jesus Christ period.

What did Paul say? For me to live is . . . . . Christ." Period. That's the only motive for any of us.

"Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me and know my thoughts and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting."

- Mack Tomlinson

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The Way to Avoid Legalism - Lee Irons

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"The way to avoid legalism is to believe that, as the Law teaches, only the perfectly righteous may be admitted into heaven. This counterintuitive premise accomplishes two things in a single blow: it crushes legalism and clarifies the meaning of grace. First, it crushes legalism because legalism cannot get off the ground unless the standard has first been lowered. But if the Law requires perfect righteousness, clearly the half-baked, imperfect obedience promoted by legalism will not do.

"Second, it clarifies the meaning of grace. Grace is that God provides and accepts the imputed righteousness of Christ, in place of our own inherent righteousness demanded by the Law, as the righteousness by which the unrighteous can attain heaven. Now that’s grace! The true Gospel, then, presupposes the Law as its antithetical counterpart. Otherwise grace is no longer grace."

- Lee Irons

HT: JT

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Temptation: Fleshly or Demonic? Does it matter?

The question will be asked… How can one tell the difference in just being tempted in the flesh and being driven by demons? Temptation in the flesh generally is stimulated by the senses. If a person in reading a girlie magazine, feels overcome with lust, it may be just the flesh. But if he is attempting to pray and read the Bible and is suddenly overcome with a desire to commit adultery, that is demonic. If someone provokes you with an insult and you respond with hatred, that is flesh. But if you hate someone without a cause, that is demonic. The flesh can be yielded up to the Cross for crucifixion, but demons must be rejected and driven away by the Name of Jesus and the authority of the Blood. You cannot cast out flesh or crucify demons.

- Conrad Murrell, Practical Demonology

The Reality of Hell

To use John Blanchard’s words, Hell is “…factual, fair, and final.” Many people want to blunt the blade of God’s word here. I find this over and over. The truth is, if we are going to be saved ourselves, and save our hearers we must guard this and other doctrines with jealousy. It’s not as though this is a truth Scripture is silent on. Scripture speaks loudly, clearly, and repeatedly to the issue, showing us God thinks it’s important for us to think about and meditate on. We, like Micaiah, the prophet of old must speak, “… nothing but the truth in the name of the LORD.”

I’m going to cite what are probably the three most in depth Scriptures on judgment day for unbelievers and the reality of Hell. Note the following points in their appropriate colors:


Hell is eternal.
Hell is a place of punishment.
Hell is fair.

Matthew 25
41"Then He will also say to those on His left, 'Depart from Me, accursed ones, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels;

42for I was hungry, and you gave Me nothing to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me nothing to drink;

43I was a stranger, and you did not invite Me in; naked, and you did not clothe Me; sick, and in prison, and you did not visit Me.'

44"Then they themselves also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not take care of You?'

45"Then He will answer them, 'Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.'

46"These will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life."

2 Thessalonians 1
6For after all it is only just for God to repay with affliction those who afflict you,

7and to give relief to you who are afflicted and to us as well when the Lord Jesus will be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire,

8dealing out retribution to those who do not know God and to those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.

9These will pay the penalty of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power,

10when He comes to be glorified in His saints on that day, and to be marveled at among all who have believed--for our testimony to you was believed.

Revelation 20
10And the devil who deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are also; and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.

11Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat upon it, from whose presence earth and heaven fled away, and no place was found for them.

12And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and books were opened; and another book was opened, which is the book of life; and the dead were judged from the things which were written in the books, according to their deeds.

13And the sea gave up the dead which were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead which were in them; and they were judged, every one of them according to their deeds.

14Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire This is the second death, the lake of fire.

15And if anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.

Hell lasts forever. It is not a temporary place of punishment like purgatory. The bible doesn’t teach purgatory, it teaches a burning lake of fire that last forever and ever (literally into the ages of the ages). It is not a correctional facility designed for man’s good. It is a place of God’s wrath and anger in which he justly punishes and torments the sinner. They don’t burn up, or cease to be, they continue under judgment.

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If all this is true, one final and important consideration should come up: Hell is fair.

I’ve heard people talk about how Hell is fair because its door is “locked from the inside” and even when men are given a chance to repent in the face of judgment they still won’t. This is true according to the Scriptures. The wrath of God brings out even more anger and hostility from man, not repentance (Rev. 16:9). So in this sense eternal punishment is fair, because men don’t repent in Hell.

However, the primary reason why Hell is fair – even when it is as severe and everlasting as it is, is because man’s sin really is that bad. If the bible says God is a righteous judge who deals justly and fairly (Gen. 18:25, Ps. 97:2), and that hell is eternal (as seen above), then we can know the punishment fits the crime in and of itself. End of story. Hell is fair, because everything God does is fair. Men deserve any judgment they get (Rev. 16:6).

You may not have committed an infinite number of sins, but your finite sins have been committed against an infinitely holy and good and worthy God; because of this you deserve everlasting punishment, one of infinite duration. The crime you’ve committed is unimaginably wicked and horrid. We can’t even begin to comprehend what how evil sin is and how good and Holy God is. If man could see him for a moment in the fullness of his deity and awesome nature every hell-hating mouth we be stopped. This will happen on judgment day. A day is coming in which God will vindicate his holiness and justice, in which he will say to man, “You thought I was just like you…” (Ps. 50:21).

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Here is a sermon about Hell that I recommend: "Hell is Necessary" by Tim Conway.

O thank God today if you are not on your way to this factual, final, and fair place the bible calls Hell.

The More I See of Jesus - Mary Winslow

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“The more I see of Jesus, the more He opens to me His loving heart, the deeper is my sorrow for sin. I lie down in the dust of His feet closer than ever I did before. I can truly say I abhor myself in dust and ashes before Him. My heart seems ready to melt into contrition in view of the ten thousand thousand sins, willful and aggravating, that I have committed against Him, who loved me with an everlasting love, and with loving kindness drew me to Himself.”

- Mary Winslow

HT: Of First Importance

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The Bottom Line: Partiality and Mercy - Mark LaCour

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THE BOTTOM LINE

Mark LaCour

　

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"Opening his mouth, Peter said: "I most certainly understand now that God is not one to show partiality, but in every nation the man who fears Him and does what is right is welcome to Him." (Acts 10:34-35). ". . . There is no injustice with God, is there? May it never be! For He says to Moses, "I will have mercy on whom I have mercy . . . So then He has mercy on whom He desires, and He hardens whom He desires. (Rom. 9:14-15, 18).

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Is the showing of mercy to some the same as preferential treatment -- a form of partiality? Should all receive mercy if God is going to be impartial to all? How can God treat everyone impartially and yet elect some to obtain mercy? Three truths concerning impartiality and grace:

First, God showing favor isn't the same as showing favoritism. Favor is the compassionate product of kings -- unmerited favor bestowed on undeserving subjects, even criminals. But favoritism is the unrighteous actions of a judge who circumvents the law in order to clear the guilty. God as the righteous judge has never shown favoritism toward any creature at any time -- including those He chooses to bestow mercy. Every mercy-chosen sinner has received the impartial punishing of all of their sins to the fullest extent of His justice -- none escaped the deserved punishment that was due. The cross of Christ can attest to that.

Second, dispensing justice isn't the same as dispensing grace. Justice demands that everyone reap what they've sown -- applied equally and consistently across the board to every person -- to the Jew first, and then the rest (Rom. 2:6-11). Anything less mocks God as judge (Gal. 6:7). But grace is receiving what someone else has sown and reaped -- applied unequally and inconsistently to those whom God chooses to bless. Since Christ owns the "harvest" of His own reaping, it's only fair that He dispense it as He sees fit -- whether it's a single denarius for one hour's work or for ten hours of work (Matt. 20:1-16). It's origin is not found in the law of God -- where God must do things impartially, but the heart of God -- where He's free to be gracious.

Third, we must always treat people impartially in ministering the things of God; graciously in the things we own. All should have access to what God has given you to give to them, be it truth (1 Tim. 5:21) or simply equal respect in the assembly (Jam. 2:1ff.). But what God has given you for you alone -- your money, time, personal resources -- giving that up is grace which no man may demand.

Never expect a judge to do what only a king can -- giving what you desire rather than what you deserve. And never expect a king to do what only a judge can -- giving what you deserve rather than what you desire. Everyone has an appointment with the Judge; only the elect have one with the King.

-Mark LaCour

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A Clarification on Revival - Mike Morrow

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A Clarification on Revival

Just a thought about the term “revival.” Revival is the re-establishment of New Testament Christianity. It is the re-gaining of new and normative spiritual life-- Re..vive…re…life!....It is what Christ counseled the Church of Ephesus to do in Revelation 2. We should be living in this all the time. It is life in the Spirit--the normal Christian life.

But an awakening is when the power of of the Holy Spirit of God sovereignly descends on a church, community, country and a general move toward God occurs.

Here is my reason for distinction between the terms…Revival comes as the local church repents and does the first works over and returns to its first love. That is achievable at any time and the only reason a church is not in revival (that is, having fresh and normal new life) is because of willful sin.

But awakening is something else…it is beyond revival…it is completely a God thing and should be sought, prayed for and anticipated.

In my early ministry, I used to think that we could not possibly be right with God unless we were in “revival”, but that was always described in the same terms as a spiritual awakening coming with an outpouring of the Spirit. This kept me in perpetual depression when I did not see it happening.

But I found that this is not so. Since an awakening is completely under the sovereignty of God, we can be right with Him and still not be “in” an outpouring of the Spirit, which potentially becomes an awakening.

So…Re vival? Yes. Let’s have it now!

Awakening? I pray so and, Lord, let it begin with me. But until it comes, I must walk in the Spirit and walk in New Covenant Christianity. When I don’t, it is my fault and I should repent and do the first works over and return to my first love.

-- Mike Morrow

HT: Mack T

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Sermon Recommendation

I want to recommend the sermon Garrett preached yesterday on "Conviction or Accusation". The truths he shares are very critical and foundational. I hope no one will miss this!

http://sermon.net/lakeroad

A Bible Reading Plan - Mack Tomlinson

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Bible Reading Plan

Let's start with the larger, overall view of this plan.

1. The goal daily is to read at least four chapters every day, not for study purposes, but for devotional reading; this means you are reading for the sole purpose of feeding your heart and your mind with truth, reading as if you are reading God's very words, because the truth is, you are reading God's very words.

Allow 1 full hour, whether that is before or after breakfast or at your best time of the day.

You do your main daily reading for the exact same purpose that you eat daily meals-- for daily nourishment and strength; you are not trying to remember what you read necessarily, because some people do not have good retention skills and cannot remember that night what they read in the morning. I personally am this way. I don't remember what Linda serve me for meals in May but they nourished me then; that is why I read the Bible daily.

Here's the view point-- I am not reading just to gain knowledge or to be able to remember what I read; instead, I am reading to feed on the truth at the time that I read; I am reading to nourish my heart and renew my mind; I am reading with the goal and purpose that the Holy Spirit will give me something during the reading that will stir me, challenge me, encourage me, help me, and instruct me, guide me, and give me even one promise that I can pray and carry through the day. This is my entire goal in my daily reading, for the Holy Spirit to make my reading that morning to be a real hearty breakfast that both nourishes me and I enjoy. When I realize that God wants me to actually enjoy His Word, it makes all the difference.

Steps:

1. Pray before reading- Pause and ask the Holy Spirit to give you what you need- "open my eyes Lord to see what you have for me; cause me to be alert and not distracted; cause me to see your truth-- give me real food and nourishment for my heart and mind; open my eyes, that I might see wonderful things from your Word." I always pray something like this before reading.

2. Read at least 4 chapters in one sitting; this can change later, as you may desire to increase it at some point, but at the beginning, always read at least 4 chapters; I currently have a personal practice of reading 12-15 chapters daily-- 4 Old Testament chapters, plus 3 Psalms and 6 New Testament chapters. But that is probably too much for someone starting out. Limit it to one Old Testament chapter, 2 Psalms, and 1 New Testament chapter. Each person should do what they have time for and desire for. But 4 chapters would be the minimum to do. This can be done is less than 1 hour.

3. After reading is done, pray again, asking the Lord to make this food for your soul and to gain from it all He desires.


Outline Plan:

Begin in Genesis, Psalms, and Matthew;

Day One- Genesis 1, Matthew 1, and Psalms 1-2
Day Two- Genesis 2, Matthew 2, and Psalms 3-4 (note: when you come to Ps. 119, just read 1 Psalm for that day since it is so long; then begin with 2 Psalms again the next day)
etc;

Keep reading this way all the way through the Bible, 4 chapters daily. This is better than M'Cheyne's plan in one specific, in that, you are not following the regular monthly calendar, so if you miss a day, you aren't behind, whereas you would be on M'Cheyne's calendar of readings.

How do you keep track of where you have read?

In your Bible, make a mark with your pen beside the chapter's beginning; when you come back the next day, you will know where you left off. Always mark each chapter you begin to read; you will always know where to begin the next day. I mark each chapter as I begin it.

Read right through the Old Testament; but when you come to the end of Job, you will be at Psalms; skip it and go right to Proverbs, then read through the end of the Old Test; the reason you skip it is obvious- you are already reading the Psalms daily, so go from Job to Proverbs.

Concerning reading the Psalms, when you finish Psalms 150, you go back and begin the Psalms over again. The reason for always reading the Psalms is that they are so devotional.They are David's prayers and praises, and we should always be getting them in our hearts and minds, using them as our own. So you are always reading through the Psalms from beginning to their end.

The New Testament reading will take you straight through the NT, reading 2 chapters daily consecutively. When you finish Revelation, obviously begin again in Matt. 1.

Approach:

As you read, have a pen and a ruler; for a ruler, I use an old plastic motel key or an old credit card; it is perfect for underlining;

Underline
Pray
Questions

*Underline anything that speaks to you; pray over it or pray it to the Lord; example would be when you read in Psalm 19 where David says, "Let the words of my mouth and the thoughts of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord". When I read that, I will stop and pray it back to the Lord, making it my own worship and prayer. This way you personalize all you read, reading it as if it's for you because God intends it to be for you.

*Put a question mark in the margin beside things that you would have major questions about and ask your pastor or someone your questions; you can even keep a simple notebook with the Bible references and questions you have.

Your overall goal is to prayerfully read your daily chapters and soak them in; have a prayerful heart; ask the Lord to make you enjoy it because we always will do regularly what we enjoy; when reading becomes enjoyable and encouraging rather than a drudgery, we will stay at it.

That is not to say that every day we will experience the same level of enjoyment or feeling of inspiration; but I find that as long as I keep praying over my reading, the Lord is always faithful to feed my soul.

This is basically it; you may have questions about the plan so anyone can ask questions they might have about it.

-Mack T

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The Love We Trust - Richard Lovelace

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“It is an item of faith that we are children of God; there is plenty of evidence in us against it. The faith that surmounts this evidence and that is able to warm itself at the fire of God’s love, instead of having to steal love and self-acceptance from other sources, is actually the root of holiness. . . . We are not saved by the love we exercise, but by the love we trust.”

- Richard Lovelace, Dynamics of Spiritual Life (Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity Press, 1979), 213.

HT: Of First Importance

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What is Revival? - Bob Jennings

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What is Revival?

Churches often advertise they are having a “revival”. But such announcing of revival is characterized by three things-- it is sad, presumptuous, and weak.

First, it is sad. Revival means to bring to life again and thus churches are unwittingly advertising they are dying, in need of life, backslidden, lukewarm, and in a bad way. To be in a dying condition is a shame. It does not seem like something to advertise. But maybe credit should be given at least for honesty.

Then, It is also presumptuous. The Spirit of Go d is unpredictable--like the wind (John 3.8); how does a church know that they will be revived as a result of some special meetings with some visiting preacher? If God does not arise and visit them, the special meetings will be of no effect and business will go on as usual.

Finally, it is weak. Historic revival is not some evangelistic campaign, but it is God coming to a church, to churches or to a community in a supernatural way with unusual power. It is divine fire and you don’t have to advertise a fire. Examples?

In the Hebrides Revival of 1949 in Scotland, for example, God came in such a powerful way that communities were swept into the Kingdom of God almost overnight.

The Canadian Revival of 1970 began in Saskatoon, and in a matter of days the biggest building in the city could not handle the crowds. It spontaneously spread until finally in Winnipeg there were so many stolen items returned to stores that one department store had to designate a special building to store them all. Families were healed. Lives were changed.

After much prayer, the South African Revival of 1966 began when God came as at Pentecost with a “sound from heaven.” (Acts 2.2) Dozens each day came uninvited to the meeting place under conviction of sin and asking for spiritual help.

This is revival; this is new life. May God do it again, even in our city.

Habakkuk 3:2 says, "O Lord, revive Your work in the midst of the years."

Psalm 85:6-- "Will You not Yourself revive us again, that Your people may rejoice in You?"

-- Bob Jennings

HT: Mack T

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Help for the Inconsistent Bible Reader - Mack T

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Help for the Inconsistent Bible Reader

This is an encouragement for those who are inconsistency in the daily reading of the Bible. There can be various reasons why a person is inconsistent or negligent. If that happens to be you, then what I share here is for you.

What makes some Christians inconsistent in Scripture reading?

Generally speaking, inconsistent people are simply too busy and do not take time to get alone, be still, and have an uninterrupted time in the Word. In such a case, the only solution is to take some self-inventory, ask the Lord for grace to change this, and then make some real choices.

If a person can come to the place of sincerely saying, "Whatever my schedule is, whatever my responsibilities are, I desire to have a quality time in the Word of God every day, regardless of what I am doing; it may mean being up an hour earlier; it may mean taking lunch alone every day rather than eating with others; it may mean stopping on the way home from work for a quiet time and place to read and meditate--I don't care what it takes, I must have regular and quality time in the Word of God for daily nourishment of my soul and daily renewal of my mind and heart; I am going to do this, by God's grace, no matter what because I know this is God's will for me."

I believe in our day that this is the primary problem. It simply is not the priority it ought to be. And some haven't won the battle yet. So they suffer in their walk and will continue to do so until this change takes place. It can happen if they desire it enough and are serious enough.

For such a person, I can give them a regular reading plan that is simple and user-friendly; I did not say easy--disciplined reading time is a discipline that can be built into your life. I will then offer suggestions about how to do your reading that can maximize your benefit and enjoyment. I will not share that here, but am simply making this reading plan available to anyone who needs a plan and will ask for it.

I could not begin to express the life change that comes from reading every day without interruption. I'm not talking about reading ten or fifteen minutes, but at least an hour daily. What happens is this:

- The more you become consistent, the more of a habit it becomes.
- The more you read, the more your mind becomes renewed to truth.
- The more your mind gets renewed, the more enjoyment, truth, enlightenment, strength, hope, freedom, joy, and a God-centered perspective comes to you.

The more this happens, the richer and more enjoyable Bible reading becomes; it then is not a drudgery, but an exciting experience, where you actually look forward to the time with anticipation and enjoyment.

So, if you are a person who is inconsistent because you don't have a plan and method, I welcome you to ask.

-- Mack Tomlinson

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Melting the Believing Soul - Thomas Brooks

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“That Christ should love man when he was most unlovely, that man’s extreme misery should but inflame Christ’s love and mercy, this melts the believing soul.

That Christ should leave the eternal bosom of his Father; that he that was equal with God should come in the form of a servant; that he that was clothed with glory, and born a king, should be wrapped in rags; that he that the heaven of heavens could not contain should be cradled in a manger; that from his cradle to his cross, his whole life should be a life of sorrows and sufferings; that the Judge of all flesh should be condemned; that the Lord of life should be put to death; that he that was his Father’s joy should in anguish of spirit cry out, “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?”; that that head that was crowned with honour should be crowned with thorns; that those eyes that were as a flame of fire, that were dearer than the sun, should be closed up by the darkness of death; that those ears which were wont to hear nothing but hallelujahs should hear nothing but blasphemies; that that face that was white and ruddy should be spit upon by the Jews; that that tongue that snake as never man spake, yea, as never angel spake, should be accused of blasphemy; that those hands which swayed both a golden sceptre and a iron rod, and those feet that were as fine brass should be nailed to the cross; and all this for man’s transgression, for man’s rebellion: Oh! the sight of these things, the believing of these things, the acting of faith on these things, makes a gracious soul to break and bleed, to sigh and groan, to mourn and lament.”

—Thomas Brooks, Heaven on Earth

HT: Of First Importance

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"Father" is the Christian Name for God - J. I. Packer

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“If you want to judge how well a person understands Christianity, find out how much he makes of the thought of being God’s child, and having God as his Father. If this is not the thought that prompts and controls his worship and prayers and his whole outlook on life, it means that he does not understand Christianity very well at all.

For everything that Christ taught, everything that makes the New Testament new, and better than the Old, everything that is distinctively Christian as opposed to merely Jewish, is summed up in the knowledge of the Fatherhood of God. “Father” is the Christian name for God. Our understanding of Christianity cannot be better than our grasp of adoption.”

—J.I. Packer, Knowing God (Downers Grove, IL: 1993), 201-202

HT: Of First Importance

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God Hears Prayer

The following is a good reminder from E.M. Bounds that "ask and it will be given to you."

Two cases of unanswered prayer are recorded in the Scriptures in addition to the Gethsemane prayer of our Lord. The first was that of David for the life of his baby child, but for good reasons to Almighty God the request was not granted. The second was that of Paul for the removal of the thorn in the flesh, which was denied. But we are constrained to believe these must have been notable as exceptions to God's rule, as illustrated in the history of prophet, priest, apostle and saint, as recorded in the divine Word.

The Possibilities of Prayer, 105.