The subject of Hell or eternal punishment is a bit of a sacred cow in the "modern pulpit". Sacred in the sense of never being mentioned. I've often heard it said that hell isn't spoken about because people don't like to hear about it (I still can't find that verse in the Bible). HELLO - isn't that the point? Jesus obviously didn't heed the advice of smarter more modern preachers when He said "But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him" (Luke 12:5).
Preachers who minimise or ignore hell betray their congregations. It has disastrous repercussions in evangelism and missionary endeavor as John Piper rightly points out . . .
So preacher, do you love your flock enough to tell them about the unquenchable fire that awaits unrepentant souls?
Go On To Episode 7
Go Back To Episode 5
Go Back To Episode 1
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Friday, August 29, 2008
Live Cross to Justin Peters’ Meetings in Denmark
The “Back to Scripture”(www.backtoscripture.com coming very soon) network has just hosted our first meeting with Justin Peters. Justin is understandably tired after having a late night televised debate in England and then catching an early flight to Denmark. In spite of all of this Justin has been a true soldier of Christ in laboring tirelessly in God’s word and answering the relentless questioning he received.
Integrity is a word that I must use sparingly in these modern times of VIP preachers with bodyguards, private jets and five star hotels but integrity is a word I can lavish on Justin Peters. Not only does he come willingly without asking for money, he never asks for special treatment, and remains extremely accessible to anyone who wishes to speak to him. Justin is someone who never draws attention to his physical disability (cerebral palsy) nor uses it to emotionally manipulate people. His great love and joy is preaching and teaching from God’s Word and he has continually shown himself to be a workman faithfully handling the Scriptures (II Timothy 2:15).
Tonight, in the Danish city of Aarhus, Justin spoke about the difference between true and false revival. It was riveting and pertinent with so many people here sifting through the ruins of the so called “Lakeland revival”. Justin faced a barrage of questions about Todd Bentley and gave many of the audience a refreshing lesson in reasoning from the Scriptures. The questions continued unabated and it became clear from this that the “emergent” movement is alive and well in Denmark spreading it’s poison in many fellowships. Justin dealt with everything biblically and graciously and imparted precious insights to the hungry hearers.
Go Here To Watch Justin's Video Series Exposing the Word Faith Movement
Integrity is a word that I must use sparingly in these modern times of VIP preachers with bodyguards, private jets and five star hotels but integrity is a word I can lavish on Justin Peters. Not only does he come willingly without asking for money, he never asks for special treatment, and remains extremely accessible to anyone who wishes to speak to him. Justin is someone who never draws attention to his physical disability (cerebral palsy) nor uses it to emotionally manipulate people. His great love and joy is preaching and teaching from God’s Word and he has continually shown himself to be a workman faithfully handling the Scriptures (II Timothy 2:15).
Tonight, in the Danish city of Aarhus, Justin spoke about the difference between true and false revival. It was riveting and pertinent with so many people here sifting through the ruins of the so called “Lakeland revival”. Justin faced a barrage of questions about Todd Bentley and gave many of the audience a refreshing lesson in reasoning from the Scriptures. The questions continued unabated and it became clear from this that the “emergent” movement is alive and well in Denmark spreading it’s poison in many fellowships. Justin dealt with everything biblically and graciously and imparted precious insights to the hungry hearers.
Go Here To Watch Justin's Video Series Exposing the Word Faith Movement
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
The Man Who Makes Ray Comfort Feel Lukewarm
Mark Cahill is one of the most radical and fervent witnesses for Jesus Christ I know of. Ray Comfort says that Mark is the only guy who makes him feel lukewarm. Mark was recently on Way of the Master Radio to discuss witnessing with Todd Friel. If you want some great instruction coupled with a kick in the pants regarding witnessing then listen in - this is great stuff!
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Washer Wednesday - His Secret
People often ask Paul Washer how he maintains his blazing passion and zeal for the Gospel. His answer lies in his testimony . . .
What is your view of conversion? Is it something that happens via praying a prayer? Or is it a supernatural transforming work wrought by God Himself, one that gives a hunger for God's Word, burning desire to preach to the lost, and a longing to walk in holiness?
I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses, and from all your idols I will cleanse you.
And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.
And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules (Ezekiel 36:25-27).
What is your view of conversion? Is it something that happens via praying a prayer? Or is it a supernatural transforming work wrought by God Himself, one that gives a hunger for God's Word, burning desire to preach to the lost, and a longing to walk in holiness?
I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses, and from all your idols I will cleanse you.
And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.
And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules (Ezekiel 36:25-27).
Monday, August 25, 2008
Do You Actively Witness? If Not Why Not?
I hear all sorts of excuses about why people won't witness. The ugliest of all is when "devout people" try and give a "spiritual excuse" like "I wasn't led" or "that's not my gifting". Here is the reality - the Great Commission was issued to all (in the greek that means "all") Christians. When Paul talks about the gift of evangelism in his letter to the Ephesians what does he say the gift is for - "to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ" (Ephesians 4:12). The gift of evangelism is for the church, obviously to equip them to share the gospel.
Honesty here is what helps. I think it is good if we humbly come to the table and confess to being scared, not knowing how to, and not caring enough. This was the reality of where I was at when I heard the message "Hell's Best Kept Secret".
Charles Spurgeon said "Have you no wish for others to be saved? Then you are not saved yourself. Be sure of that." He continued, "The saving of souls, if a man has once gained love to perishing sinners and his blessed Master, will be an all-absorbing passion to him. It will so carry him away, that he will almost forget himself in the saving of others. He will be like the brave fireman, who cares not for the scorch or the heat, so that he may rescue the poor creature on whom true humanity has set its heart. If sinners will be damned, at least let them leap to hell over our bodies. And if they will perish, let them perish with our arms about their knees, imploring them to stay. If hell must be filled, at least let it be filled in the teeth of our exertions, and let not one go there unwarned and unprayed for."
There are, in reality, only two times we should preach - In season and out of season.
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Does a Motorbike in the Sanctuary Make Jesus Cool?
So how cool was that!!? Obviously the pastor is familiar with that obscure biblical verse that says "He that rideth a motorbike into the midst of the congregation will give the Gospel clarity and maketh himself popular to the perishing thereby making Jesus more popular and cool to become a Christian" - Megaliar 13:22
This video is actually poetic and a great metaphor for much of what is going on in "modern Christianity". Now I'm not going to condemn someone for riding a motorcycle into the sanctuary (though you could probably make a good case for it) but it does summise the many endless lures modern churches often try in order to get converts and grow. The crash is a metaphor for the world looking on and laughing because they can see through the lame ideas. The rider getting up after the crash and waving his arms going "It's all cool - I meant to do that" is metaphoric of how to reassure the congregation that everything is under control and "we're definitely heading in the right direction".
On a subliminal level it is an admission that the Gospel does not have enough power in and of itself. I cannot say this for certain in every individual case but it is certainly a prevalent thought among many congregational leaders and perpetuated by church growth experts. But it is a suicidal road trying to add to the Gospel. It both obscures it and distorts it.
The church is relevant because we are different. We offer a message that is unique and is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to those who are being saved it is the power of God unto salvation (1 Cor 1:18).
It has become cliched and popular to use the bogus quote of Francis of Assisi (bogus because there is no proof that he said it) "Preach the gospel, if necessary use words". That is like saying "wash always, if necessary use water". The Gospel is not visual but verbal which is why Paul said "how shall they HEAR unless a preacher is sent".
Saturday, August 23, 2008
Sacred Cow Saturday - Episode 5 - Todd Bentley Post Mortem
Those of you who read this blog regularly will know that I posted a 2 part series exposing Todd Bentley's false teaching at the height of his popularity.
Click Here for Part 1
Click Here for Part 2
Well this sacred cow is now a rotting carcass. Here is a video posted recently quoting a key leader within the Apostolic movement repenting and giving his post mortem of the "Lakeland Revival" and the dire future for the Charismatic movement if they don't start practicing biblical discernment.
There are several things worth pondering in the aftermath of all this.
1. We should be grieved and deeply saddened by the public reproach this brings to the name of our flawless Savior.
2. We should be grieved and praying for the many people deceived by this false revival.
3. We should be grieved for Todd Bentley's marital situation and personal integrity and that he would come to a place of sincere repentance.
4. This once again highlights the need for leaders to have a willingness to speak out when they are in the know for the sake of Christ's Name and the wellbeing of the wider body of Christ.
5. Not just those in charismatic circles, but also in the wider evangelical community need to really go through a deep process of self examination and biblical study so as to be able to biblically critique and examine the claims of every "new thing" that keeps appearing on the horizon.
6. The fact that there were no documented verifiable organic miracles that took place in Lakeland is ultimately irrelevant. Our first port of call must always be the purity of the gospel they preach. Because in the last days the Bible warns us that many will be deceived by miraculous signs and wonders as we see in Mark 13:22 which says "For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform signs and wonders, to lead astray, if possible, the elect."
7. Self appointed people portraying themselves as an authoritative voice for God should always cause alarm in our spirit and instruct us to proceed with extreme biblical caution.
Here is an article written by John Piper about the "Lakeland revival" and the need for biblical discernment:
Lee Grady, the editor of Charisma, one of the main charismatic magazines, has written a lament and critique of the Lakeland “revival” which is now in a tailspin over the leader's announced separation from his wife. Grady’s summons to pray for the church and our nation is right, and among his commendable questions and observations are these:
"Many of us would rather watch a noisy demonstration of miracles, signs and wonders than have a quiet Bible study. Yet we are faced today with the sad reality that our untempered zeal is a sign of immaturity. Our adolescent craving for the wild and crazy makes us do stupid things. It’s way past time for us to grow up."
"True revival will be accompanied by brokenness, humility, reverence and repentance—not the arrogance, showmanship and empty hype that often was on display in Lakeland."
"A prominent Pentecostal evangelist called me this week after Bentley’s news hit the fan. He said to me: “I’m now convinced that a large segment of the charismatic church will follow the anti-Christ when he shows up because they have no discernment.” Ouch. Hopefully we’ll learn our lesson this time and apply the necessary caution when an imposter shows up."
Charismatics will not be the only ones who follow the Antichrist when he rises. So will the mass of those who today in thousands of evangelical churches belittle the truth of biblical doctrine as God’s agent to set us free (John 8:32).
Discernment is not created in God’s people by brokenness, humility, reverence, and repentance. It is created by biblical truth and the application of truth by the power of the Holy Spirit to our hearts and minds. When that happens, then the brokenness, humility, reverence, and repentance will have the strong fiber of the full counsel of God in them. They will be profoundly Christian and not merely religious and emotional and psychological.
The common denominator of those who follow the Antichrist will not be “charismatic.” It will be, as Paul says, “they refused to love the truth.”
The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders, and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false, in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness. (2 Thessalonians 2:9-12)
Our test for every Lakeland that comes along should first be doctrinal and expositional. Is this awakening carried along by a “love for the truth” and a passion to hear the whole counsel of God proclaimed?
(quoted from http://www.desiringgod.org/Blog/1348_test_revival_with_doctrine/ )
Go On To Episode 6
Go Back To Episode 4
Go Back To Episode 1
Click Here for Part 1
Click Here for Part 2
Well this sacred cow is now a rotting carcass. Here is a video posted recently quoting a key leader within the Apostolic movement repenting and giving his post mortem of the "Lakeland Revival" and the dire future for the Charismatic movement if they don't start practicing biblical discernment.
There are several things worth pondering in the aftermath of all this.
1. We should be grieved and deeply saddened by the public reproach this brings to the name of our flawless Savior.
2. We should be grieved and praying for the many people deceived by this false revival.
3. We should be grieved for Todd Bentley's marital situation and personal integrity and that he would come to a place of sincere repentance.
4. This once again highlights the need for leaders to have a willingness to speak out when they are in the know for the sake of Christ's Name and the wellbeing of the wider body of Christ.
5. Not just those in charismatic circles, but also in the wider evangelical community need to really go through a deep process of self examination and biblical study so as to be able to biblically critique and examine the claims of every "new thing" that keeps appearing on the horizon.
6. The fact that there were no documented verifiable organic miracles that took place in Lakeland is ultimately irrelevant. Our first port of call must always be the purity of the gospel they preach. Because in the last days the Bible warns us that many will be deceived by miraculous signs and wonders as we see in Mark 13:22 which says "For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform signs and wonders, to lead astray, if possible, the elect."
7. Self appointed people portraying themselves as an authoritative voice for God should always cause alarm in our spirit and instruct us to proceed with extreme biblical caution.
Here is an article written by John Piper about the "Lakeland revival" and the need for biblical discernment:
Lee Grady, the editor of Charisma, one of the main charismatic magazines, has written a lament and critique of the Lakeland “revival” which is now in a tailspin over the leader's announced separation from his wife. Grady’s summons to pray for the church and our nation is right, and among his commendable questions and observations are these:
"Many of us would rather watch a noisy demonstration of miracles, signs and wonders than have a quiet Bible study. Yet we are faced today with the sad reality that our untempered zeal is a sign of immaturity. Our adolescent craving for the wild and crazy makes us do stupid things. It’s way past time for us to grow up."
"True revival will be accompanied by brokenness, humility, reverence and repentance—not the arrogance, showmanship and empty hype that often was on display in Lakeland."
"A prominent Pentecostal evangelist called me this week after Bentley’s news hit the fan. He said to me: “I’m now convinced that a large segment of the charismatic church will follow the anti-Christ when he shows up because they have no discernment.” Ouch. Hopefully we’ll learn our lesson this time and apply the necessary caution when an imposter shows up."
Charismatics will not be the only ones who follow the Antichrist when he rises. So will the mass of those who today in thousands of evangelical churches belittle the truth of biblical doctrine as God’s agent to set us free (John 8:32).
Discernment is not created in God’s people by brokenness, humility, reverence, and repentance. It is created by biblical truth and the application of truth by the power of the Holy Spirit to our hearts and minds. When that happens, then the brokenness, humility, reverence, and repentance will have the strong fiber of the full counsel of God in them. They will be profoundly Christian and not merely religious and emotional and psychological.
The common denominator of those who follow the Antichrist will not be “charismatic.” It will be, as Paul says, “they refused to love the truth.”
The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders, and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false, in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness. (2 Thessalonians 2:9-12)
Our test for every Lakeland that comes along should first be doctrinal and expositional. Is this awakening carried along by a “love for the truth” and a passion to hear the whole counsel of God proclaimed?
(quoted from http://www.desiringgod.org/Blog/1348_test_revival_with_doctrine/ )
Go On To Episode 6
Go Back To Episode 4
Go Back To Episode 1
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Home Front - Justin Peters Coming to Denmark (Part 4)
Justin's Itinerary For Denmark
Friday 29th August
Viby Library (in the city of Aarhus)
14:00-17:00
The Good news about Jesus Christ
19:30-22:30
The difference between true and false revival
Saturday 30th August
Viby Library (in the city of Aarhus)
14:00-17:00
Differentiating between true and false gospels
19:30-22:30
Q & A session
Sunday 31st August
Viborg Baptist church (please note - I do not endorse this "church")
10:00 Church service (subject TBA) followed by a short break and then a Q & A session.
We are so honored to have Justin come and minister to us.
Here is part 4 of Justin's Call for Discernment series
Go On To A Report From The Meetings
Go Back To Part 3
Go Back To Part 1
Friday 29th August
Viby Library (in the city of Aarhus)
14:00-17:00
The Good news about Jesus Christ
19:30-22:30
The difference between true and false revival
Saturday 30th August
Viby Library (in the city of Aarhus)
14:00-17:00
Differentiating between true and false gospels
19:30-22:30
Q & A session
Sunday 31st August
Viborg Baptist church (please note - I do not endorse this "church")
10:00 Church service (subject TBA) followed by a short break and then a Q & A session.
We are so honored to have Justin come and minister to us.
Here is part 4 of Justin's Call for Discernment series
Go On To A Report From The Meetings
Go Back To Part 3
Go Back To Part 1
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
An Apology From The Bottom Line
It has been brought to my attention that it was very difficult to post comments on my blog. Not being a nerd or having any cyber-skills I had no idea about this. My good friend (with a great blog) Lane Chaplin explained it to me over Skype. I had to change my settings in order to allow people other than people with a blogspot account to comment.
This has all now been fixed and anyone can now comment. I am very sorry for the inconvenience and I hope that anyone who has had their comment refused in the past will try and post again. I certainly welcome it.
Tomorrow - Justin Peters Part 4 but to hold you over until then here is Justin Peters appearing on Todd Friel's new TV show "Wretched TV". A word of warning though - the sync is out between the picture and the voices giving a distinct old kung fu movie flavor to it.
This has all now been fixed and anyone can now comment. I am very sorry for the inconvenience and I hope that anyone who has had their comment refused in the past will try and post again. I certainly welcome it.
Tomorrow - Justin Peters Part 4 but to hold you over until then here is Justin Peters appearing on Todd Friel's new TV show "Wretched TV". A word of warning though - the sync is out between the picture and the voices giving a distinct old kung fu movie flavor to it.
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Washer Wednesday - Not Ashamed of the TRUE Gospel
In our third installment of Washer Wednesday I thought we could take a snapshot of the difference between the "modern gospel" and the true Gospel. Here Paul Washer explains that our relevance as a Christian voice does not come from being like our culture but rather that we are different and the Gospel we preach is scandalous.
Let me ask, which gospel do you preach???
Let me ask, which gospel do you preach???
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