The seedbed of Transformation

I believe this will be the last blog post on this idea of Transformation.  But I found the following in my files and I'm not sure who the author is, so I publish this with my apologies to the "unknown" author.

"Farmers in the southern Japanese town of Zentsuji have figured out how to grow their watermelons so they turn out square - by growing them in square glass boxes.  The watermelons are then grown-to-size to fit into Japanese refrigerators.  There is one economic challenge:  they cost $83.

Another reality trumps the entire process.  When you plant the seed of an engineered watermelon, it still ends up becoming a regular round watermelon.  A geneticist would explain that living things cannot transmit acquired characteristics.  "Square" watermelons still produce "round" watermelon seeds.  Just underlying the point of this goofy story are some fruitful realities (pun intended).

Lasting change and transformational power comes from radical, fundamental, inward change.

Most of us spend many years of our Christian lives trying to grow square watermelons, only to find out that their seeds still produce the same old round watermelons.  We try to put lust, greed, anger, impatience, and a lot of other stuff inside a better box to make them somehow fit into a righteous Christian life.  The problem is they produce the same kind of seeds, regardless of how we frame them.

Paul would tell us "flesh is flesh."  It is both unimproved and unimprovable.  The saints of the ages, as well as Christian sages, agree that real change comes another way:  through communion with God that energizes something transformative inside you.

The biblical Christian life is described in all Church traditions as experiencing communion with God, which involves the true desire to get a truth vision of Him.  When we are caught up in mystical communion with the Holy Trinity, He transfigures us in a way no analysis can explain.

The life of God invades our life, and mysteriously something happens in the very seedbed of your existence.  The next time you try to build a frame around your own peculiar watermelon to form it into what you think it should be like, consider instead spending time in the meditation on God's Holy Word and adoring the Lord while listening to Him and receiving His life."

Winning the Battle for Your Mind

Marcus Warner writes in his book Toward A Deeper Walk these keys for wining the battle for your mind.

We have authority in Christ that is ours  in the battle with the world.  These are the four principles Warner uses on how to use this authority:

R.E.S.T.

R - Recognize the Enemy

      Remind yourself that not every thought that enters your head is yours.  When bad thoughts enter the mind and the sooner you recognize them coming from the enemy, the sooner you can resist them.

E - Expose the Enemy

     Sometimes just exposing the fact that an attack is coming from the enemy and not just from your flesh is enough to defeat it.

S - Stand Against the Enemy

     James 5: 7 tells us to resist the devil and he will flee.  Ephesians 6:11 states we have the armor of God in order to stand against the devil's schemes.

T -  Turn to the Truth

      It is important to replace the lie of the enemy with God's truth.  Ask the Spirit to show you the truth on which to take your stand.  When you begin focusing on truth you will begin to experience victory over the negative thoughts and emotions.

The Power of the Mind

Zig Zigler told the story of a guy who didn't touch a golf club for seven years, and lowered his score by nearly twenty strokes.  What was his secret?  He had been a prisoner of war who kept himself sane by playing an imaginary round of golf in his mind every day.  Each day he played eighteen holes, imaging different weather conditions and different course designs.  In meticulous detail he pictured himself hitting each shot flawlessly.  After doing this for several years, he finally got a chance to play a round of golf and lowered his score for the mid-nineties to the mid-seventies without ever practicing.

This story reflects the power of the mind to mold our performances.  No wonder the Bible says,

Romans 12:2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.

Romans 8:5 Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires;  but those who live according to the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.

Colossians 3: 1-2  Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.  Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things."

II Corinthians 4:18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen.

More Thoughts on Romans 12: 2 and Transformation

I want to share some continuing thoughts from Romans 12:2 and the idea of spiritual transformation.    Suffice it to say this one verse may be as pregnanted with essential and fundamental truth for believers as John 3:16 is for the lost.

I want to press the idea that "knowing the Word" is not sufficient for this transformation that must occur in all believers' life.  In fact, Judas "knew" the Word.; yet he only knew Jesus as a teacher ("Rabbi") instead of Lord (Matthew 26:22,25).  Knowing Him as Lord means we say "yes" by changing our thoughts and ways instead of saying, "Good teaching, I'll think about it." 

There is one thing knowledge does to a person; it puffs them up (I Corinthians 8:1).  But knowledge alone does not transform. Only when Jesus is Lord and not just mere teacher will we be transformed.

Now you can't be transformed without knowledge.  It is in the beginning stages, but it is not enough of itself. 

Neither is experience.  Again, Judas had experiences.  He saw the dead raised, many healed and demons subject to the disciples.  But he was not transformed.  In fact, he was not even saved.

Our "experience" of being baptized, walking an aisle or doing service in the church will not transform us.  Neither will the experience of just "reading the Bible" or going to church transform us.

But personally obeying the Word delivered to us from God through the Holy Spirit will.  That Word may come through a preacher, a book or our own personal study (the most likely and most used place).  But knowledge plus obedience will result in Christ-honoring transformation.

Jesus declared that the entrance into the "kingdom of God" is open to those who "do the will of the Father in heaven."  (Matt. 7:21) Who?  those who do - not just know.  In Matthew 12: 48-50 Jesus indicated in a response of His mother and brothers that "whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother." The Great Commission tells us "to observe all things that I have commanded you;..."  (Matt. 28:20.  Paul said David "was a man after My own heart, who will do all My will." (Acts 13:22)

Russ Foxx (a dear brother in Cullman who writes a daily Bible study) wrote:  "Knowing and doing the will of God is the test of a true follower of Christ."  Amen.

Johnny Hunt said August 5 "It's not the truth we know that transforms us; but the truth we obey."

"The Devil had rather get you to think wrong than to do wrong." Dr. Adrian Rogers.

The hymn writer was right:  "When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word, what a glory He sheds on our way!  While we do His good will, He abides with us still, And with all who will trust and obey.  Trust and obey, for there is no other way; to be happy in Jesus, than to trust and obey."

Sunday Sermon, August 26, 2012 Romans 12: 3-8

Today, I continued the series through Romans 12-14 with a message "Christmas in August" from Romans 12: 3-8.  The theme of the message was the spiritual gifts the Holy Spirit gives to the church.

Notes of the message are here.

The audio of the message is below:

The Best Evidence for Christianity by Marco David

(I am reposting this article from Wednesday - it goes exactly with what I have been blogging and preaching about for three weeks)

The Best Evidence For Christianity

Marco David Aug 22, 2012

"Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus." (Acts 4:13).

Although the Apostles did not have any formal training they made a tremendous impact upon their culture for Christ that is still felt today. Even those that did not believe were amazed by their powerful witness. In addition, they attested to the fact that their bold witness was the result of the fact that they had been with Jesus. Someone has well said, "The best argument for Christianity is Christians: their joy, their certainty, their completeness. But the strongest argument against Christianity is also Christians--when they are somber and joyless, when they are self-righteous and smug in complacent consecration, when they are narrow and repressive, then Christianity dies a thousand deaths." If you were on trial for being a Christian and those in your circle of influence were the jury what would be their verdict? Remember that even the lost in the Apostles day knew that their amazing witness came from being with Jesus. Have you been much with Jesus lately in prayer and in the word? The Apostle Paul wrote, "But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord" (2 Cor. 3:18). The more that we seek and behold the glory of Christ the more we will be like him. The Psalmist also wrote in the following passages, "One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple" (Psalm 27:4). "O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee" (Psalm 63:1). As the moon reflects the light of the sun because the sun shines upon it, so too will we reflect the light of Jesus. The more we spend time with the son the more the light of His glory will shine upon us and transform our lives. Seek and you will find!

©2012 Marco David.  Originally Posted on Marco David's blog.

We are destined to be like Jesus

This change that occurs within a believer is not by accident.  We were born for it.

The process of metaphoris is meant to form one thing -a  butterfly.  It is a process that takes several days and its original state looks NOTHING like its last state.  (View this video that I referred to earlier this week).

This is why the process of metaphoris is such a wonderful picture of a believer.  God does not redeem us to keep us the way we are.  He converts us with an "end" in mind.

I John 3:1-2 "Behold, what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God!  Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.  Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him..."

Romans 8:29 "...He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son,..."

We are saved to become like our Saviour.  I would say, there is a butterfly inside of you!!!!!

But it is a process.  It does not happen immediately nor quickly.  Three-steps forward, two-steps back.  But it is progress.

Don't get discouraged...instead let look long enough to see progress is being made.  No you have not arrived..beautiful, multi-colored wings have not emerged.  But they are coming.

One other quick word...for this process to move properly through to its desired end, there will be many "breakings."  The shell must be broken, the skin must be shed.  These may be painful, but they are necessary.

God is able to use the breaking times of our life to mold us into His ultimate perfect image.

Blessings to you.......

For this process to happening, there must be a breaking.  The butterfly must “break through” the shell to be released and Jesus inside of us will only be seen by others as we go through a breaking.

These changes occur by the Word of God

The past three days I have shared thoughts from last Sunday's message on metaphoris - visible changes motivated from within.

From where does these visible changes originate?  From without - we see behaviour or actions in others that we want so we imitate them?  No... we are not copy-cats.

These changes occur from within.  The butterfly does not begin looking like a butterfly.  It begins with the implementation of a seed that grows by feeding on the leaves.

The initial conversion and the continual sanctification of a person comes from a "seed" being implanted within the soul, heart, mind.

The seed is the Word of God.  Matthew 13 speaks of the seed as the Word of God.

James 1: 21-25 challenges us to "receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your  souls."  The "implanted" word - it takes root and grows.

Peter writes in I Peter 2:2 "as newborn babies, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby."

The word "pure" means "unadulterated."  My translation - "not messed with."  The growth of a believer comes from YOU getting the Word implanted directly into your soul.  This is where growth takes place.

Every believer can receive the pure Word of God.  You do not have to have a pastor, preacher, author or seminary degree to understand and receive the Word of God.  That is not to diminish these sources, but it is to emphasize and prioritize the personal receiving and study of the Word of God.

The Bible and our teacher - the Holy Spirit - is sufficient for you to receive the "implanted" word and for it to take root in your life ultimately resulting in visible changes.  Other resources are good and helpful, especially in areas of accountability to assure we are not getting off on the wrong track, but NEVER believe reading a book by a Christian author or hearing a pastor is enough.  It is not!

Peter said, "that you may grow thereby."  Take in the pure Word of God in order that you may grow.

This is the motivation for change.  This is the root from which comes the fruit.  As you take in the Word and obey, you will be changed "from glory to glory."  (II Corinthians 3:18)

Jesus ALWAYS believed a person had only "heard" the Word when they were doing the Word.  Have you ever said to your child after they did nothing to a command, "Did you hear me?"  You were not asking if their physical ears received your message.  You know they "heard" you.  But you were upset due to the lack of corresponding action to what they heard.  You wanted to SEE change.

So does Jesus in us.  He speaks the Word, we receive (hear) it and change into His likeness.

More tomorrow.

Bertha Smith list evidences of being filled with the Spirit

I continue my thoughts from Monday and yesterday from this past Sunday's message at CrossRoads Baptist Church on Romans 12:2.

Ms. Bertha Smith was a single lady who served our Lord and Southern Baptists as a missionary in China for forty-one years.  Our church is being blessed by one of her books as we read "How the Spirit Filled my Life."  

In this book she shares about people repenting of their sins and being filled with the Holy Spirit.  She listed four evidences she experienced:

1.  Holiness - a separation from the world.  She further stated, "When the Holy Spirit began to magnify Christ, all worldly pleasures lost its flavor."

2.  The Bible became a new book

3.  I wanted everybody to be saved.

4.  Prayer became communion with God.

Her point was the Holy Spirit didn't just fill you and nothing would happen externally.  Just the opposite - the inner filling always resulted in a noticeable change (both to you and others).

Don't jump ahead and judge me that all I am wanting is an outward change.  I will deal tomorrow and Friday with just the opposite.  If the outward change is our goal, then persons who are only moral, law-abiding citizens could be confused as believers.  The outward change is not our goal or motive; rather, it is a by-product but one that is not a choice, but a given.

More tomorrow....

The change in our lives is a visible change.

I continue what I started yesterday in sharing about the major thoughts of the sermon this past Sunday (8-19-12) at CrossRoads.

Changes in a believers' life will be visible to others.

Moses experienced the very glory of God on the Mountain and his face shone to such a degree they made a veil to place over him so they could commune with him.  (Exodus 34)

John said, "The Word (Jesus) became flesh and dwelt among us and we BEHELD His glory." (John 1:14)

On the Mount of Transfiguration, Peter, James and John "beheld the very glory of God" as Jesus "unzipped" Himself and revealed His glory resulting in His face shining like the sun and His clothes becoming as white as the light."  (Matthew 17:1-6)

Stephen's face shone like an angel as he talked about Jesus.  (Acts 6:15)

John 13:35 "By this all will know that you are my disciples if you have love one for another."  This is a tangible, visible expression of love that others will see and experience.

Matthew 5:16 "Let your light so shine before men that they may SEE your good works and glorify your Father in Heaven."

Do you receive my point - this change must be visible.

The very definition of repentance carries this thought.  I define repentance as "a change of mind resulting in a change of direction."

That change of direction is a visible, notable difference in a person's life and will eventually be evident to others.  Even a change of attitude (often considered within a person) will become evident to others.

Repentance moves you from one thought to another;  from one love to another; from one ruler to another; from one set of values to another; from one direction to another.

Jesus told the church at Ephesus in Revelation 2: 5 "Repent and DO the first works."

My point is visible changes within a believers' life is the "norm."

More tomorrow....

What A Wonderful Change in My Life

I want to share this week the major thoughts from the sermon yesterday (8-19-12) at CrossRoads Baptist Church.  I continued to speak about the Transformation that must take place in our lives as believers.  For those who follow this blog or are members of our fellowship, you know I have been in Romans 12: 1-2 for three weeks.  But I don't know a more urgent message than Romans 12:2.  I am in chains of the Spirit to remain here to explore the meaning more adequately of this verse.  (Sorry, there is currently no audio of this message.)

You can view the notes of the previous messages by clicking on the date:  August 5    August 12

Romans 12:2 "And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." (NKJV)

The thought of "be transformed" in the very word for metaphoris.  The unique, work of creation of a caterpillar becoming a butterfly.

As I meditated on that process and watched this video (click here for a four-minute video), I chose this definition for metaphors:  a visible change motivated from within.  I believe that definition is true for a butterfly and for a Christian.

A Christian is not a make-over, a do-over or a person "who has always been one."  No, he is a converted being - a person brought from death to life - a person born from above (Heaven of the Holy Spirit).

We often sing and it is so true:

"What a wonderful change in my life has been wrought;
since Jesus came into my heart.
I have light in my soul for which long I had sought,
Since Jesus came into my heart."

The Christian life begins with a dramatic, visible change and continues with visible changes until he/she at last will die and be transformed (one big visible change) into the very presence of God.

More tomorrow.....

"Tailor-Made Grace..." by Daniel Henderson

by Daniel Henderson

"Tailor-Made Grace for Everything We Face - Part Two"

In part one of this devotional focused on the power of grace, we explained, “Just as we expected and experienced sufficient, converting grace when we came to Christ and were transformed by His power, so we should live with confident expectation that His provision will be enough every day.  Grace is not just a past-tense salvation miracle.  It is a present-tense sanctification wonder.  We can live each day expecting a fresh phenomenon of grace in our lives.”

Here are a few more practical thoughts to help us apply the power of “tailor-made grace” to everything we face.

Recognize Grace.  Understand it!

I like to define grace as “God doing for me, in me, and through me what only He can do through the person and power of Jesus Christ.”

This grace is not a crutch for the lazy or irresponsible.  Grace works in conjunction with my conscientious efforts, not instead of them.   Paul wrote of this when he said, “But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me” (1 Corinthians 15:10).

Grace and laziness are incompatible.  Grace is not about a “let go and let God” passivity on our part.  Rather, it meets us to do what we cannot do while we do what we are able to do.   Every effort is but an overflow of constant provisions of His grace.  It may sound like a riddle.  In reality, it is the two-sided coin of empowering grace.

Biblical grace ultimately works to make me like Jesus, not to make life easier.  Grace is not an escape to some leisurely world where life is safe, pressures have disappeared, and all is flowers and fun.  Grace is a deliverance from the devastating powers of this world’s allure and deceptions.  As Titus 2:11-12 says,  “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men,  teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age.”  Do you want to see someone who understands grace? Look for the fruit of clear-minded, consecrated Christ-likeness in their lives.

Grace works for His glory, not mine.  Ephesians 2:7-9 reminds us that He is lavishing grace upon us in order to demonstrate the exceeding riches of His grace, for His own glory.  None of this is attributable to our righteous “works” lest any person should boast.

Maximize Grace.  Embrace Weakness! 

Jesus taught Paul, “My strength is made perfect in weakness.”  Paul learned this lesson so powerfully that he proclaimed, “Most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me... for when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Corinthians 12:9-11).

Paul embraced and wanted us to grasp the truth that grace and self-sufficiency are incompatible.  He also came to understand that weakness is not a circumstance, it is a choice! His thorn in the flesh started as a circumstance that drove him to the throne of grace.  It became a choice that opened the floodgates of grace to his heart.  He gloried in his weakness as a deliberate default in his approach to life.  Paul knew this was the doorway to the consistent reception of supernatural empowerment.

A Wise Tailor.  A Great Physician.

Again, all of this grace is tailor-made, flowing from the provision of our All-Wise, All-Sufficient God.   In the trenches of pastoral ministry I’ve witnessed extravagant displays of saving grace, guiding grace, sustaining grace, unifying grace, and suffering grace.  I’ve marveled at specialized grace arriving seldom early but never late.  The beautiful manifestations of His undeserved enabling have supported the confused, the depressed, the broken, the troubled teen, the lonely single adult, the barren couple, the stalled marriage, the empty-nester, and the pain-afflicted senior adult. 

If you’ve ever been hospitalized, as I have on a few occasions, you know that one of the first and most essential medical treatments is the insertion of an intravenous tube into a major vein.  This provides an avenue for the doctor to administer an endless variety of specialized treatments for the well-being of the patient.  The basic hydrating saline solution becomes the carrier for ingredients vital to healing, comfort, and nutrition. 

I like to think of grace like an “IV” to the heart, flowing with unique and in-the-moment formulas of Christ’s provision.   It started to gush the moment we turned toward Christ.  It supplies His full provision for all we need, regardless of the trial or temptation.  Right now, as you read, it is flowing. 

The basic formula in this life-giving current is the power of the Holy Spirit, applying the truth of God’s word.  But the unique application can change based upon your situation.  Just like a patient receives an instantly delivered formula of sustenance, so do we in Christ.  And, just as in the physical realm that formula can be supplemented with a myriad of antibiotics, pain medications, blood thinners, anti-inflammatory aids, and other drugs – so does the Lord provide exactly what we need, as we need it and when we need it.  

It really is amazing, isn’t it? 

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Specific Steps Toward Simple Wisdom

1. How have these reflections expanded and excited your understanding of the grace of Christ? Take a moment to thank the Lord, telling Him in specific, heart-felt terms how His grace is so amazing.
2. Sing or quote the verses of the great hymn, "Amazing Grace".  What stood out to you in this fresh reflection of the classic lyrics? Pray for a fresh application of these truths to your life today as you think about your needs and challenges.
3. Write down the names of five people who are significant in your life.  Next to each name, write a description of the kind of grace they seem to need right now.  Pray for a specific provision of this grace in their lives and keep track of how it is evidenced.
4. Jesus met Paul in his weakness and consternation with the promise, “My grace is sufficient for you” (2 Corinthians 12:9).  Express your own prayerful application of this reality today in prayer by saying (as many times and ways as you can), “Lord, thank You today that Your grace is sufficient for me as I...“  Finish this prayer-sentence with specific expressions of your needs, challenges, fears, and doubts.  Expect grace to arrive, just in time, for your good and His glory.

Copyright © 2012 Daniel Henderson, with Brenda Brown. All rights reserved.

The Prophet Pays a Price by Michael Catt

by Michael Catt

Several years ago, I took a spiritual gifts test. I’ve taken others since, and they all reveal the same thing. My spiritual gift is prophet. The spiritual gift of prophet is not so much foretelling as it is forth-telling. The prophet sees a problem and addresses it. Such was the role of the prophets in Israel. The Old Testament prophets called God’s people to repentance, revival, and renewal. They could not and would not settle for status quo.

Manley Beasley once told me the difference between the gift of discernment and the gift of prophet. The person with discernment can tell you what a specific problem is, whereas the person with the prophet gift can tell you there’s a problem, although they may not be able to identify it exactly. This is not natural intuition, but a spiritual inclination.

Being a prophet was never an easy calling, then or now. To be prophetic (And I’m in no way referring to what the new age, pseudo- psychic, television gurus call a prophet – they don’t have a clue.) is to call sin, sin. It is to say, without apology or reservation, “Thus saith the Lord.”

To be honest, it is a tough call…and calling. Yet, there is nothing un-Christlike about being dogmatic. We expect our doctors to be dogmatic in recommending dosages and pharmacists to be dogmatic in filling the prescriptions. We want judges who are dogmatic in upholding law and order. Preachers, whether they have the gift of prophet or not, should be dogmatic. To turn black and white into grey doesn’t honor God, it just makes sinners feel better about themselves.

Amos was the troubler from Tekoa. He disturbed the peace, caused a ruckus, and upset the local denominational leaders. He assumed the right to speak for Jehovah, to judge sin, to call names, and to point out the farce in the worship services. Nobody saw anything wrong with their religion until Amos turned in his sermon outline. Dr. Havner said, “Amos was not a prophet by profession (I was no prophet…7:14), nor by parentage (…neither was I a prophet’s son…v. 14); he was a prophet by providence (…the Lord took me…v. 15).” What better credentials does any man need?

When I get weary of this calling, I have to remember that I asked for it. I told Dr. Havner I wanted a portion of his mantle. He laid hands on me and prayed that it would be so. To be honest, there are some days when I’ve wondered about that youthful request. He told me there was a price to pay – at times, it seems very high. Yet, it is my calling, my purpose, the life God marked out for me. To fall back from such a calling would be to walk out of the will of God.

Read these words by Vance Havner:

“The preacher who jests and jokes with his people all week will soon find that he cannot stand in his pulpit on Sunday with power to reprove, rebuke, and exhort. He may be the life of the party but it will be the death of the prophet. Popularity has killed more prophets than persecution. A true pastor must not only feed the flock, he must warn the flock. He must not only be zealous, but jealous.”

“A preacher should have the mind of a scholar, the heart of a child, and the hide of a rhinoceros. His problem is how to toughen his hide without hardening his heart. Preaching the truth makes people either sad, mad, or glad. Too many people today leave church on Sunday neither sad, mad, nor glad; they go out as they came in. Better go out mad than just go out!”

“The true preacher is best measured not by how many bouquets have been pinned on him but by how many brickbats have been pitched at him. Prophets have been on the receiving end of mud more than medals.”

Our Lord Jesus was the Divine Disturber. He disturbed the status quo, calling self-righteous religious people “children of the devil.” He preached on hell more than anyone in the Bible. He confronted Pharisees and embraced pagans. He upset the apple cart in His Father’s house: “It shall be called a house of prayer.” Religious people will either run from a prophet or try to destroy him – only the remnant receives the prophet.

Isaiah, Jeremiah, Amos, Hosea, and John the Baptist all preached repentance to the church – to God’s people. Their message wasn’t to pagans, but to the priests, Levites, and Pharisees – people who had memorized the first five books of the Bible. The last words of Jesus to His church were prophetic. “I will remove,” “I will fight,” “I will kill,” “I will come as a thief,” “I will spit you out of my mouth” – all alternatives to repentance. His prophetic Word to the church was, “Repent or else.”

Joseph Parker said, “The man whose message is ‘repent’ sets himself against his age, and will be battered mercilessly by the age whose moral tone he challenges. There is but one end for such a man…off with his head! You had better not preach repentance until you have pledged your head to Heaven!”

When America is finally and fully judged, the blame will be placed at the door of the professing church…and gutless pastors. As long as preachers care more about popularity than being prophetic, more about making people happy than calling them to holiness, we cannot point fingers at the President, Congress, Humanists, abortionists, or homosexuals. The problem is within American Christianity. We will not receive a biblically prophetic word. Until the church hears and heeds, nothing will change. To refuse the prophet is to request divine judgment. The prophet’s calling is lonely, sometimes discouraging (read the Old Testament prophets), and usually misunderstood. The only reason a true prophet speaks is he is compelled by God, broken by sin, and he desires God’s people to experience God’s best. Yet, that kind of preaching cost John the Baptist his head. Ouch…

Sunday Sermon, August 12, 2012

Yesterday I concluded the two-part message "The Normal Christian Life" from Romans 12:2 with "Be transformed by the renewing of your mind."
The notes are here and the audio of the message is below:

Sunday Sermon August 5, 2012

Yesterday I started a two-part message on "The Normal Christian Life" as we continue our series through Romans 12-16.  I spoke yesterday on "Do not be conformed to this world" from Romans 12:2.

Here is the audio: