myall4One

Wycliffe Translators Change Bible to Appease Muslims

2012-02-03T19:01:00.001-05:00

The Wycliffe Translators have produced a "Bible" that replaces the ties between Jesus, the Son of God, and God the Father by calling Jesus the "Messiah of God." According to the article Wycliffe Translators have also changed the following:

Matthew 28:19 from this: "baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit"
to this: "cleanse them by water in the name of Allah, his Messiah and his Holy Spirit."

The problem is that Allah and God are not synonymous. They are defined very differently according to the Koran and the Bible.

It shows how far Christian organizations can go in rejecting the Gospel. John Wycliffe would not be pleased. The Wycliffe translators (maybe commentators would be a better description) have abandoned all sensibility and compromised the Word of God in order to appease people who reject the Bible. It is not up to us to compromise the truth in order to lead people to Christ- it is the Holy Spirit's job to convict people of their sin and bring them to repentance. It is when we "know the truth" that "the truth shall set you free" not when "we know the fluff meant to save our feelings" will set us free.

There does seem to be a falling away- once Christian organizations are compromising with a neutered gospel that is no Gospel at all.

http://www.wnd.com/2012/02/wycliffe-defends-changing-titles-for-god/

The Parable of the Mustard Seed (Sermon Outline)

2012-01-31T20:39:00.000-05:00

This is a "bare bones" utline- designed to be a starting point for a sermon. This one, in particular, will take some study to understand the direction of the message. It is not the typical view of this passage: the church grows and becomes great and mighty in the world. The sermon presented here runs with the theme of birds being a bad symbol and the abnormal growth of the mustard bush into a tree to represent a church that has been infiltrated by wickedness. I believe it is squarely in line with what Jesus was teaching in this instance.

Introduction: Text- Matthew 13.31-35
It is natural for the mustard seed to grow into a bush. In this parable, Jesus describes one that has grown unnaturally into a large tree. He goes on to say that the birds of the air are found in its branches.

Many interpret this to describe a great and miraculous growth of the Church universal. However, as I studied, I firmly believe Jesus is describing a Church that has many claiming to be a part of it when really they have no place in it.

The invasion of false converts began when Constantine used the Church to further his goals of conquest and power. Christianity went from a prohibited pursuit to become the popular pastime. I believe this is the type of happenstance Jesus was speaking of here in Matthew chapter 13.

Another Parable (13.31a)

· Context

· Consistent ideas

· Consistent messages

A Sown Seed (13.31b-32a)

· Small beginning

Ø whoever has despised the day of small things shall rejoice (Zech. 4.10 ESV)

· Seeds yield mixed fruit: tainted by the enemy

An Unnatural Growth (13.32b)

· Mustard seeds: grow bushes, not trees

· Misused Gospel: perverted, overshadows true Church

· Misnamed "faithful": unbelievers considered Christian

Ø Rome example

§ 33% (2.1 billion) of world "Christian"

§ 1.1 Roman "catholic"- not a Gospel church

§ world sees RCC as the face of Christianity

· false gospel: works not grace/tradition equal to Scripture

· pope is vicar (substitute or replacement) of Christ

An Unnatural Habitation (13.32c)

· Birds: earlier Jesus defined as "the evil one"

· Nests: entrenched, dwelling among God's people

Ø So-called evangelicals within 'Church,' but anti-Gospel/Wolves in sheep's clothing

§ emergent churches/ ministers

§ liberal churches/ministers

§ word/faith ministers (prosperity gospel)

Conclusion: "All these things Jesus said to the crowds in parables; indeed, he said nothing to them without a parable. This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet: 'I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter what has been hidden since the foundation of the world.'"(Matthew 13.34-35)

Surely, this is a description of the wheat mixed with the tares, or the sheep and the goats. The true Church is not tainted. God will bring about the separation in His time. For now, we must be aware that there are false brothers, false sisters, deceptive teachers, insincere preachers and prophets that prophesy lies. We ought not be surprised- Jesus warned us ahead of time.

a wasted life (repost)

2012-01-18T09:57:00.001-05:00

CHAPTER ONE- THE RESULT

Rust Lake, Missouri- The gunman, Russell McGreggor, 26, entered the store and began to fire at will. He callously murdered seventeen people- three men, four women, two teenage girls, one teen age boy and seven children (two boys and five girls ranging from 16 months to five years of age). He then jumped from the third floor balcony to his death. This is the biggest tragedy Rust Lake has ever seen.

The news article was only the final statement on a life that had spiraled downward. The authorities never released the suicide note found at Russell McGreggor's house. They would never be able to peek into the mind of such a cold-hearted killer.

It was not always this way. Russell was born a happy child not far from where his life would one day end. His parents attended the local Pentecostal church regularly and he was very involved in the youth group as a teen and the visitation ministry up until the final year of his life. When he dropped out the church made many attempts to minister to Russell, but he refused all contact.

CHAPTER TWO- THE DESCENT

About a year and a half before his final day the descent began. Russell arrived home from work and found himself angry at the world. He was miserable at his job and he had just finished an argument with his girlfriend of two years, Missy Jennings. This time it seemed to be over for good. She had completed the call before he was through talking. He felt that was unforgivable. She also went to the local Pentecostal church.

Since it was Friday night, he would have to face her Sunday morning during the 10:45 service. He dreaded that. Fortunately it was a church of about 200, so he could try to blend in.

Sunday morning Russell skipped Sunday school because he was in Missy's young adults class. She was a capable teacher at 25 years old. She would use the provided workbooks and expand on the material to enrich the lesson. Her class included some young married couples because of her dynamic teaching ability.

When Russell arrived he took a seat in the back. He tried to sit as far from Missy as possible. To her credit, Missy never mentioned her spilt with Russell to anyone. After the service Missy even tried to approach Russell, but when he saw her heading his way, he made a quick exit.

Upon arrival at his house Russell found a message on his answering machine. It was Missy. She said that she hoped they could remain friends and that she was sorry it did not work out. Missy also said that she would be praying for Russell and that she would always care about him. She finished by saying, "Rusty, I do not regret our time together. I really appreciate you. I hope we can grow from our experiences together." Missy always called him Rusty because they met by Rusty Lake about three years before.

Russell did not accept Missy's graciousness well. He became increasingly bitter and would not talk to her. One time, about a month after they broke up, Missy tried to give Russell a card for his birthday and he tore it up in front of her. Missy cried. Russell hopped in his car and left.

His troubles at work grew. Russell's bitterness grew and he began mistreating his coworkers. He was placed on probation after several complaints and, finally, after threatening his boss with violence he was fired. At that time his life fell into a complete downward spiral. He wrote in his journal- "God! God! God!!! Why are you doing this to me??? Everything in my life is garbage. I have no girlfriend and no job now. All the people at work conspired to get rid of me. The phonies at church are making me sick!! And I am sick of Missy trying to make me look like the bad guy with all her nice talk. You need to make this better now!!!!!!"

His journal entries continued to slide downward into self-pity and accusation. He blamed God for everything and began to write about his abandoning his prayer life and time studying the Bible. At first it was confessing with a small twinge of remorse, but as time progressed, so did his anger. He began to question God and why he should pray and read to Bible and then to disrespect God and deny the Bible. He would work several low-wage jobs and did not do well at them.

Finally, he began to think life was all about "survival of the fittest" and that he did not seem to fit. He bought a gun. At first his plan was to simply commit suicide at his house. However, as his bitterness was tearing him up, he began to think of ways to "go out with a bang" as he wrote in the last entry in his journal. That was the day before his rampage at the store in Rust Lake.

CHAPTER THREE- THE LAST DAY

On the morning of Russell's murderous attack he was brighter and happier than normal. The idea of revenge on the weak and unprepared (in his mind) was the first glimmer of joy he had known in well over a year. He loaded his pistol and brought enough cartridges to ensure he would get at least 25 shots off before he could be overpowered. He had no intention of allowing anyone to overpower him- he would turn the gun on himself before that could happen. He would take a position on the top floor- the store had three floors and a big open area in the middle that shoppers could look down to the bottom floor where there was a food court. "This will be like shooting fish in a bowl," Russell thought to himself.

As he took his position, he became excited and angry thinking about the last year and a half. His excitement grew as he saw a woman who resembled Missy in some ways- same blond hair, just a bit longer, and bright colors- Missy also wore bright colors all the time. He pulled out the gun and began to fire. He first took a few shots at this effigy of Missy. Then he took shots at people on his floor and everyone around him ducked to avoid the bullets. Then he began to shoot at the people in his "fish bowl." After firing about forty to fifty times (reloading quickly between cartridges) he realized what he was doing was evil. Alas, it was too late. He knew he was past the point of no return. As he tried to load another cartridge, the gun jammed and he was now virtually unarmed. As some people decided to rush him he thought that he had to take his life another way- shooting himself would not be an option as he had planned. Russell decided spontaneously to jump head first off the third floor as four men were about ten feet from him in an attempt to subdue him.

As Russell left the top floor he felt as if he were flying. In fact, his though for a split second was, "I didn't know I could fly." In the extremely short time from the third floor to the bottom floor Russell had a flood of thoughts- as if his life did truly flash in front of his eyes. He remembered Missy- thought how beautiful she was. What a shame things did not work out. He also thought of his childhood- the games he played with his family and his high school football career- he had hopes of making a college team on scholarship, but was not quite good enough for that. Russell then thought of God- was this all a mistake? How did he get to this point? God was his friend at one time. And as he was beginning to think about whether he believed God was real or not he felt the cold, hard reality of a floor ending the fall of a three-story leap. As he landed he saw dark red fire shoot outward from where he was. It only took a second to realize that was his blood. With his last thought before the darkness took him, Russell said to himself, "Now my soul will find rest."

CHAPTER FOUR- MEETING WITH GOD

In the instant that his death became final, Russell found himself in the presence of such intense light that he was stunned. It hit him harder than the floor after his plunge. He found himself standing in front of the God he had betrayed. His thoughts raced a bit and he grasped at a straw- the Baptists in the church down the road from his old church believed that once someone was saved they would never lose their place in God's family. God, knowing Russell's thoughts made it clear- "For you to have everlasting salvation Russell you have to have salvation to begin with." God paused as if to let the words sink into eternity before He continued, "Away from me, I never knew you."

CHAPTER FIVE- THE REWARD/THE EVERLASTING END

The intense light was instantly transformed into an almost equally intense darkness. He tried to hold his hand in front of his face, but to no avail. He could not see his finger even when it poked his eye. This was a darkness so dark that it should require a term that was far beyond "darkness." He heard wailing- shrieks of tortured souls screaming for mercy, screaming to see even a speck of light. He heard shouts blaspheming God and hurling accusations at Him. He heard others begging for mercy, only to change their screams for mercy into cries of profanity. No vulgarity was spared. Russell began to awake to a pain searing at his flesh. He felt a fire burning him. It was growing in intensity. He felt worms eating at his flesh and could smell rotting and burning flesh. The pain was growing beyond his comprehension. As he was in the pains of death- to be dying forever, but to never die- he began to remember the times on Earth that he had such comfort and peace. It was all gone now. Then the Bible returned to his memory: "God did not spare angels when they sinned, but cast them into hell and committed them to chains of gloomy darkness to be kept until the judgment..." (2 Peter 2.4 ESV) and "And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done. And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them, and they were judged, each one of them, according to what they had done. Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. And if anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire." (Revelation 20.12-15 ESV) So this torture was temporary, eventually he would end up in the lake of fire. The pain would never end.

He screamed in pain- "God help me! Help me- I need you! Help me!" Then his cries for help turned into bitter, hate-filled screams of profanity aimed at God. It was at that time he realized. Something was missing... As his desire to scream at God rose again, he realized- God was not there. For the first time in his life he did not feel the presence of life around him. He heard the screams and felt his own burning, eaten flesh, but the ever-present God was no longer around. His reaction was to scream more vulgarity than he had ever used before at the God who was not there. He would do this for eternity- beg God and curse God and suffer the consequence of his rejection of God's sacrifice of Himself on the cross for the salvation of those who would believe.

He was surrounded by others in torture, but could not communicate with them- nor could he see them. He was isolated from them. Additionally, he was isolated from God. His birth was a day he now regretted. Everything he had done, all the accomplishments, all the friendships, everything in his life, now meant nothing. He was totally and finally alone forever. His soul found no rest. His was... a wasted life.

An American Betrayal

2012-01-17T02:02:00.001-05:00

I am watching "5 Days of War". It is about the invasion of Georgia (the Nation- a former Soviet slave nation) by Putin with his Soviet-style leadership.

This demonstrates the cowardice of George W. Bush and the lack of backbone in the United States. Georgia supported the USA in the war against terrorism, but we betrayed them as they were brutally attacked by the communists in control of Russia. The USA will attack weak nations like Iraq or Lybia, but we will not stand by our allies.

It was bad under George W. Bush, but it has worsened under Barack Obama. He not only cowers, but he caters and bows to our enemies.

As I remember this time in history I am ashamed of our nation's "leadership." The trailer is below. (Warning: the movie contains serious themes of war, gruesome scenes and profanity)

OWS Tresspassers Destroyng Man's House are Pawns

2012-01-16T19:22:00.001-05:00

The "Occupy Wall Street" crowd claim to be representing 99% of the USA, but they are only out for themselves and their self-absorbed agendas. These are the folks who want everything handed to them. They do not want to work for anything. They have learned a new American Way. The hypocrisy was demonstrated during the early days of the protests- whining about corporations while wearing designer clothes, sporting their laptops and iPhones, doing their drugs, etc. If you cannot tell by now I have absolutely NO respect for the Occupy "movement."

The story linked below tells of an Occupy group breaking into a man's house- a man trying to save his house from foreclosure- and moving a token family in (one that is supposedly homeless, but rarely stays at the house now that the photo-ops are over). The Occupy folks are backed by liberal organizations, unions, left-wing politicians, etc. They seek more from the producers so they can give it as bribes to the poor and gain more political power.

This sickens me. I am tired of these people getting away with this type of action. However, this is not all to the story. First, please read the story at the link below. Next please read my final comment on the issue below the link:

http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/brooklyn/ows_home_invasion_z9ApqDP6Q0boFviq8CjvAL

It would be so easy to seek the downfall of the people in this movement. It would be so easy to hate them. However, they are just pawns. Yes, they are being used by political forces for the consolidation of power, but even those political forces are pawns. The Bible is clear. There is a presence of demonic beings pulling many of the strings we see in play during these events. Hating the pawns is like pulling the leaves off a weed. It does not take care of the problem that is unseen. If the weed has its root it will grow back. At the root of the selfishness seen in "Occupy" is a demonic influence. A Christian's battle is not with the people, but it is a spiritual battle with physical manifestations. Our true war is against the evil spiritual beings pulling the strings. See the Scripture below for Biblical explanation.

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. (Ephesians 6.10-12 ESV)

For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh.4 For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. (2 Corinthians 10.3-4 ESV)

Justin is a Belieber? Not According to His Fruit.

2012-01-10T20:07:00.000-05:00

Fox News misses again in an article boosting Justin Beiber's supposed "Evangelical faith."

Read the story below...

Are Young, Religious Stars like Justin Bieber and Tim Tebow Mak...

What do young superstars Justin Bieber, Demi Lovato, and Tim Tebow have in common?

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2012/01/10/are-young-religious-stars-like-justin-bieber-and-tim-tebow-making-christianity/?test=faces#ixzz1j6WOSRcf

Unfortunately, Beiber, who recently spent a vacation in Rio with Selena Gomez, shows his disrespect for God's word by saying, "I don't have to go to church." That is rebelling against God. Jesus is the foundation of the Church. He instituted the Church to be the "body of Christ." The Bible promotes the local church as the gathering of believers together. There is a church leadership pointed to in the Bible: pastors, deacons, etc.

Tim Tebow, is another story. He demonstrates a genuine faith. I think the pressure is on him to walk a very straight line as the world seeks any small flaw they can exploit to call into question Tebow's Christian faith and testimony.

Demi Lovato was also mentioned in this article, so I looked her statements up and it seems to be summed up by a recent tweet (on Twitter): "I'm not very religious but I'm VERY spiritual and I DO believe in God. I'm not perfect or preaching! Just tweeting… :)"

No person is "very spiritual" with Christ. God is Spirit and those that worship Him do so in spirit and truth. Aside from Christ people are spiritually dead. See Ephesians 2:1-10 as an example:

And you were dead in the trespasses and sins ² in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— ³ among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. ⁴ But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, ⁵ even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— ⁶ and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, ⁷ so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. ⁸ For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, ⁹ not a result of works, so that no one may boast. ¹⁰ For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Again, Lovato and Beiber (along with billions of others) miss out on true "spirituality" by their rejecting of Christ. Some may say, "But they aren't rejecting Christ, they are seeking to honor Him." Unfortunately, if you come to Christ on any terms other than His terms you have rejected Him. God does not give us more than one choice- it is His way or Hell. It is God-given spiritual life or spiritual death.

Is God Okay with Being Gay?

2012-01-06T23:07:00.001-05:00

This post is in response to a poorly conceived article from Fox News:

My Lesbian Daughter, the Bible and Sex

My world was rocked to its core the night my 37-year old daughter called to tell me she is gay. In my beating on Heaven's door, telling God He had to change her, He instead changed me.

Ms. Johnson makes the mistake of creating a god in her own image. The Bible did not allow for her daughter's homosexuality so she embraced a philosophy that created a god that is anti-Biblical, a god that condones sin. God calls for the homosexual to repent. He calls the promiscuous to repent. He calls the idolator to repent. Ms. Johnson is an idolator for creating a worthless god in her own image- one who will accept the Biblically unacceptable: blatant sin.

Here is a telling quote from this article:

When I asked a wise friend how she reconciled the scriptures with her daughter's homosexuality, she said, "I can't. So I just let God sort it out." I took her advice and I learned things about God I would never have known if I were still telling Him what His scriptures mean.

I hate to tell Ms. Johnson, but her friend was not wise in the eyes of God and neither is she. The Bible speaks of those who are considered to have this type of wisdom:

Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you thinks that he is wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise. ¹⁹ For the wisdom of this world is folly with God. For it is written, "He catches the wise in their craftiness," ²⁰ and again, "The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile." (1 Corinthians 3.18-20 ESV)

and it shows her folly in this way:

For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. ²² Claiming to be wise, they became fools, ²³ and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things. (Romans 1.21-23 ESV)

My prayer is that Ms. Johnson repents of her blatant disregard for God's word and His will. Her twisting of Scripture and straw-man arguments is a reflection of her sinful idolatry. My prayer for her daughter is that she repents of her sin and turns to God on His terms. There is no other way to God except on His terms anyway. (Here is a good, simple explanation of God's terms for salvation: The Way- courtesy of Antioch Fellowship Baptist Church, Spring Hill, FL)

For better reading, please see Mark Driscoll's Fox News article:

What the Bible Really Says About Sex

The Bible has a lot to say about sex—including that it's good and that it glorifies God when we enjoy sex in the context for which He created it.

Sheep in wolfs Clothes "A Woman's Choice"

2011-12-31T08:54:00.001-05:00

This is our second song from the Refiner's Fire Ministry pre-service: "A Woman's Choice". It is a pro-life song highlighting the fact that unborn children are people and that abortion invites judgment on our nation. I was able to give a testimony on how I went from being pro-life by default to how I came to be pro-life by decision and how God used the display of an unborn baby in a bottle on display to create a pro-life resolve. The band line-up: Erin on bass (introduced as the newest member of SiwC), Gerry on drums again (never practiced with us before) and Peet on guitar and vocals.

Sheep in wolfs Clothes "Romans 6"

2011-12-31T08:43:00.002-05:00

A video of SiwC playing "Romans 6" at the Refiner's Fire Minstries pre-service with: Philbert (now Pastor Phil) on bass/vocals, Peet on guitar and Gerry on drums (he never played or practiced with us before)... It was fun to play and Philbert had the chance to explain the words and song to those gathered together...

Christopher Hitchens is Dead

2011-12-28T09:16:00.001-05:00

From BLOGANDMAYBLOG.COM:Christopher Hitchens is dead.“The empty life of this ugly little charlatan proves only one thing: that you can get away with the most extraordinary offenses to morality and to truth…You can’t say…that I have to say I’m terribly sorry he’s dead…because I’m not. I think we have been rid of an extremely dangerous demagogue who lived by hatred of others, and prejudice…If you gave him an enema, you could have buried him in a matchbox.”Now, before you start filling my Inbox with venomous emails, these are not my words on the death of Christopher Hitchens, but his words on the death of Jerry Falwell. Undoubtedly, any contemporary Christian would be excoriated for saying such things about Hitchens’ death, but these crass words on Falwell’s death only added to the celebrity of Christopher Hitchens.Click here to read more...

"Compassion of Christmas" (Luke 2.8-18)

2011-12-25T08:44:00.001-05:00

“Compassion of Christmas” (Luke 2.8-18)

Intro: Man’s compassion toward man during Christmas

It is a picture of God’s compassion for us found in the birth of Christ in humble circumstances.

-The story about WWI Christmas party in the trenches

-It is what we know about the Christmas spirit- a Spirit that was reflecting the birth of Christ

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem angels made an appearance- not to kings or princes. Not to priests or religious leaders. He did not meet with the mighty men of that time- not with the powerful. He met with humble shepherds. An amazing thing happened:

The birth of the Good Shepherd was announced to Shepherds that night.

[8] And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. [9] And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. [10] And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. [11] For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. [12] And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” [13] And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

[14] “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

[15] When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” [16] And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. [17] And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. [18] And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. (Luke 2:8-18 ESV)

The Good News was for all people (v. 10)

Romans 10.13-15: [13] For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” [14] How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? [15] And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!”

Facts:

-More than 80% of the world’s population does not know Jesus Christ

-Over half of the world has no church available to share the Gospel

-Out of almost 7,000 languages only 286 has a Bible in their own language

-1.7 BILLION people have never heard the name of Jesus

-This is the news that was for ALL PEOPLE

-Christmas is all about the beginning of the life in which God showed His goodwill to mankind- Jesus Christ- born in Bethlehem to die in Jerusalem because He could buy for us a salvation we could not win for ourselves

The Good News was for YOU (v. 11)

-Shepherds: we must see for ourselves (v. 15-16)

-When you hear that Christ hasn’t come for everybody, Christ has come for YOU- then you need to go see for yourself! You need to have your own personal encounter with Jesus Christ.

-We must share with others (v. 17-18)

-God’s compassion on men was found as our gift in the manger. His whole life was devoted to our lives and salvation

-After they came and saw it for themselves they went and shared it with others. We need to do the same as the shepherds.

C2C: God showed His love for us in this: He sent His Son to be a ransom for many- for those who receive Him. Those who receive His gift of eternal life are partakers of God’s compassion- reflected clearly in Christmas. Men’s compassion may be impressive, but God’s compassion is unsurpassed.

The Trouble With Tebowing

2011-12-14T07:56:00.001-05:00

From Blog and Mayblog, a good article:

When it comes to Tim Tebow, what’s not to like? Oh, he has his detractors, especially those claiming offense over his overt religious posturing following a touchdown. As Frank Bruni recently wrote in the New York Times, Tebow’s religious genuflecting, his dropping to one knee in the precise way he does, doesn’t go over so well with him and many other football enthusiasts. According to Bruni, Tebow’s Tebowing is “a sort of self-righteous bait-and-switch,” which subjects football fans who “come for scrimmages” to unwanted “scriptures.”

Click the link below to continue reading...

Blog and Mayblog The Trouble with Tebowing

Christmas Song

2011-12-10T12:43:00.001-05:00

One of my favorite songs by Trans-Siberian Orchestra: Christmas Cannon.

Merry Christmas!

Sermon Outline: "Becoming Fulfilled in God" (Ecclesiastes 1.1-4, 9-11; 2.12-17; 12.13-14)

2011-12-09T12:32:00.000-05:00

The following is an outline for the message at Emmanuel Ministries on 12.4.2011. It is what I call a "bare bones" outline, as it leaves a lot of room for elaboration and additional study. If anyone can use it as a guide, please feel free. I require no credit.

All is Vanity (Ecclesiastes 1.1-4, 9-11)

The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem.

Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher, vanity of vanities! All is vanity.

What does man gain by all the toil at which he toils under the sun? A generation goes, and a generation comes, but the earth remains forever. (Ecclesiastes 1:1-4 ESV)

What has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done, and there is nothing new under the sun.

Is there a thing of which it is said, "See, this is new"?

It has been already in the ages before us.

There is no remembrance of former things, nor will there be any remembrance of later things yet to be among those who come after.

(Ecclesiastes 1:9-11 ESV)

• All will fade away, nothing lasts

• When life is viewed without considering God, all is insignificant and meaningless

• According to the ESV Study Bible notes the statement is not all-exclusive, but a broad statement: "there are very few people who make any significant impact on the course of world history; the majority of the human race lives and dies in obscurity. The seemingly never-ending march of human generations thus appears to be as purposeless as the repetitive cycles of the natural world."

• The Preacher understood all was temporary on the Earth, even pleasure does not last

• Satisfaction is transient at best: how much money is enough for a rich man? Just a little more. How many championships for a sports team? One more.

• Nothing under the sun lasts

All is Futility (Ecclesiastes 2.12-17)

So I turned to consider wisdom and madness and folly. For what can the man do who comes after the king? Only what has already been done.

13 Then I saw that there is more gain in wisdom than in folly, as there is more gain in light than in darkness.

14 The wise person has his eyes in his head, but the fool walks in darkness. And yet I perceived that the same event happens to all of them.

15 Then I said in my heart, "What happens to the fool will happen to me also. Why then have I been so very wise?" And I said in my heart that this also is vanity.

16 For of the wise as of the fool there is no enduring remembrance, seeing that in the days to come all will have been long forgotten. How the wise dies just like the fool!

17 So I hated life, because what is done under the sun was grievous to me, for all is vanity and a striving after wind.

• Everything we have fades away

• Everything we do is forgotten

• Rich and poor suffer the same fate

• The Preacher hated the futility of depending on the world for fulfillment

All Has Been Heard (Ecclesiastes 12.13-14)

13 The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.

14 For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil.

• The only lasting thing comes from obedience to God

• Another ESV Study Bible note says: "The whole duty of man thus involves genuine faith in God, as well as works, which are the inevitable result of true faith."

• Follow His commandments- devotion to Christ

• What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? (James 2:14 ESV)

• What we do cannot save us, but if we are in Christ we should do the right things as a fruit of our salvation

• To truly be devoted to Christ turn to Christ and be saved- it is the only way to find real fulfillment

• Through salvation in Christ we can become fulfilled in God

FBC Brooksville- "Why Christmas is a Big Deal"

2011-12-03T21:32:00.001-05:00

This video is the first of a series by my friend Pastor Matt Ellis at First Baptist Church of Brooksville (Florida). He is a good friend and a man of God. The sermon is "Why Christmas is a Big Deal" (Matthew 1.20-21). Be blessed by this offering.

Click the link below to view this sermon...

Pr. Matt Ellis "Why Christmas is a Big Deal"

Payday Someday

2011-12-02T21:18:00.000-05:00

This post contains links to a wonderful sermon by Robert G. Lee. It is a famous sermon- and for good reason! The point made so well is that your sin will find you out. The only escape from sin is to surrender to Christ. That event of surrender only comes when the Holy Spirit convicts you of your sin and brings you to the point of repentance.

Please take an hour out of your day to hear a powerful message from a man born in 1886. He has passed from this world, but his message still finds relevance today.

And for a transcript of this message check out the link below:

http://www.sbc.net/aboutus/sbvoices/rgleepayday.asp

myall4ONE is back

2011-12-01T21:00:00.001-05:00

This blog began back in 2004. There has been very infrequent activity on it over the past year or two. FaceBook, Twitter and so many other things have taken away from my blogging time. I plan on deciding on a direction with this blog and then going with it. Once it is up and running again I will probably just delete this post.

I will most likely delete a number of former posts as well. I till slim down this blog and keep only what I think deserves to be kept.

Thank you for your understanding in this re-launch of myall4One.com.

Pete ><>

OVERWHELMED!

2011-07-04T11:52:00.000-04:00

Today I am so overwhelmed with the grace of God!

How He can look upon such a worm as I and demonstrate His love for me anyway? He demonstrated His love for me in this- that while I was yet a sinner, Christ died for me.

I am so unworthy to have the Lord hear my prayers. I am so unworthy of any blessing- yet He gave me a wonderful wife, two beautiful daughters and two spiritual daughters!

Come what may, I know my commitment is rooted in His faithfulness. He holds me and keeps me. The Lord is my strength and my refuge.

I am grateful. I am humbled. I am overwhelmed. By His grace.

The Rejected Rose

2011-06-01T21:00:00.001-04:00

This is not from one of my finest moments, but as I think of things I have done or seen, etc., some memories stand out. The following story is true. It is not flattering.

I was dating this girl, Ann (not her real name), in New York (I lived there basically from 1983 until 1988- with 10 months of living in New Jersey somewhere in between).

One day I went to this particular girl's house to pick her up and take a bus to the Green Acres Mall in Valley Stream to hang out. When I arrived, she came up to me with a single red rose. I was surprised when she handed it to me.

Being the thoughtful moron I was I said to Ann, "I'm not carrying that to the mall!"

Yes, I refused to take it. She was hurt. I was embarrassed to be holding a rose from a girl. I was a doofus!

Needless to say, that relationship did not work out over time. In a sense I regret that day, in another, I am happy the relationship did not work out (though I was devastated when we were finally through).

Truth be told- I really did care a lot for her, despite my actions of that day.

Warning.

2010-10-02T21:38:00.001-04:00

"Hear this, you heads of the house of Jacob
and rulers of the house of Israel,
who detest justice
and make crooked all that is straight,
who build Zion with blood
and Jerusalem with iniquity.
Its heads give judgment for a bribe;
its priests teach for a price;
its prophets practice divination for money;
yet they lean on the Lord and say,
'Is not the Lord in the midst of us?
No disaster shall come upon us.'
Therefore because of you
Zion shall be plowed as a field;
Jerusalem shall become a heap of ruins,
and the mountain of the house a wooded height." (Micah 3.9-12 ESV)

Warning to the United States. See above.

Great Quote to Live By...

2010-06-29T19:21:00.001-04:00

"Many Christians estimate difficulties in the light of their own resources, and thus attempt little and often fail in the little they attempt. All God's giants have been weak men who did great things for God because they reckoned on His power and presence with them." -Hudson Taylor

Be it Resolved... (Jonathan Edwards: Resolution #52)

2010-06-29T19:19:00.001-04:00

"I frequently hear persons in old age, say how they would live, if they were to live their lives over again: Resolved, that I will live just so as I can think I shall wish I had done, supposing I live to old age." (July 8, 1723)

Jonathan Edwards- Resolution Number 52

a thought...

2010-06-10T14:09:00.001-04:00

When times are tough I can only turn to God. Good news is that He is
enough for all situations. God is good!

Contemporvant...

2010-06-06T21:14:00.004-04:00

Seeker Friendly? Contemporary or Relevant? My Bible says: "None is righteous, no, not one; ¹¹no one understands; no one seeks for God.¹²All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one." (Romans 3.10-12 ESV)

See below for a good message about "seeker" services. Think about it, Biblically, God is the Seeker.

"Sunday's Coming" Movie Trailer from North Point Media on Vimeo.

Keep the Dream Alive!

2010-06-04T08:57:00.000-04:00

hit the snooze button

FL Baptist Witness EXCLUSIVE: 'Radically different' story emerges about Baptists detained in Haiti

2010-05-22T15:02:00.001-04:00

EXCLUSIVE: 'Radically different' story emerges about Baptists detained
in Haiti

<http://www.goFBW.com/news.asp?ID=11726>

TWIN FALLS, Idaho (BP)--Paul Thompson reads the media accounts
describing the journey of him and nine other jailed Baptist volunteers
in Haiti who are all now free, and scratches his head. He was there.
What he reads is not what he experienced. (See site for more of this
article)

--
Pete ><>
--
Rev. Pete Garbacki
Preacher, Emmanuel Ministries
blog.missionbrasil.org

an undeserving servant of Christ
un siervo de Jesucristo que no merecen de Cristo
um indigno servo de Cristo

Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him, and he will act. He will
bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the
noonday. -Psalm 37.5-6 (ESV)

Entrega o teu caminho ao Senhor; confia nele, e ele tudo fará. E ele
fará sobressair a tua justiça como a luz, e o teu direito como o
meio-dia. -Salmos 37.5-6 (AA)

Encomienda a Jehová tu camino, Y confía en él; y él hará. Exhibirá tu
justicia como la luz, Y tu derecho como el mediodía. -Salmos 37.5-6
(RVR1960)

Emmanuel Ministries Thoughts (4.27.2010)

2010-04-27T18:22:00.001-04:00

Sunday we were back at Emmanuel Ministries to minister. Both the small group of Spanish-speaking people and the English-speaking group stayed together as Márcia and her son cooked some food to follow the service.

We picked up in Philippians 1.27-30:

Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel, and not frightened in anything by your opponents. This is a clear sign to them of their destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God. For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake, engaged in the same conflict that you saw I had and now hear that I still have.

Our main focus was in verse 27: Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ. I spoke about keeping our life in line with Christ even when things go wrong and we are persecuted or suffer. Afterward, I had the opportunity to minister to several people about how the message affected them. It was a true blessing.

Finally, on Sunday I read one of Jonathan Edwards' famous 70 Resolutions. I decided I would begin to apply it to my life. He wrote, "Resolved, to ask myself at the end of every day, week, month and year, wherein I could possibly in any respect have done better." May the Lord my God assist me in fulfilling this resolution. Resolutions are not just for New Years Day.

Resolved.

2010-04-25T21:07:00.001-04:00

"Resolved, to ask myself at the end of every day, week, month and year, wherein I could possibly in any respect have done better." (Jonathan Edwards, great American preacher/theologian)

I will adhere to this resolution from this day forward.

Pete ><>
blog.missionbrasil.org

Back to the Cross

2010-04-13T22:38:00.001-04:00

you did it once
you did it twice
you've sinned again, and spit on Christ
you asked forgiveness the other day
same sin repeated, don't you get it?
you don't know how to repent
wearing grace thin, it's such a shame
no willpower, lack of loyalty
a new excuse, a dangerous game

repeated - you've sinned again
weakness - you mock God
mercy - your credit card
you can't fool God - God's not mocked

as the dog returns to its vomit
so the fool returns to his folly

will you learn from your mistakes?
will you turn from your sin?
you face the world and turn from God
that's your bag and it's so wrong
you don't know how to repent
forgiveness starts and sinning ends
when you're weak he is strong
stop excusing yourself for wrong

back to the cross
you face the world with no regard to God
get back to the cross
stop using grace to justify your sin

("Back to the Cross" -The Crucified)

"What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may
abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it?"
(Romans 6.1-2 ESV)

Resurrection Sunday Sermon: "Christ is Risen"

2010-04-09T10:30:00.001-04:00

It has been a while since I last posted to my blog. It has been a busy time for our family, but we have continued ministry with Emmanuel Ministries. Next month it will be one year since we began our current work here in Dade City.

I have continued on with the series in the book of Philippians, but I broke from it again to preach a message related to the Resurrection of Christ, really the whole of the salvation message. Below is a very simple outline. The introductory portion of the message was not recorded, so I add it here close to what I actually said.

Intro: Being a Christian is not about a cause. It's not about a movement or politics. It is not a fad. It is not about miracles or religion. It is not about me. It is not about you. It is about Jesus: the Savior who endured the cross and died brutally, rising again on the third day. We celebrate this today.

The Sign (Matthew 16.1-4)

The Cross (Hebrews 12.2)-also cited Matthew 20.28, Jesus died as a "ransom for many."

The Victory (Matthew 28.1-10)- also cited 1 Corinthians 15.55 "O death where is your victory?" and 1 Corinthians 15.57 (our victory comes through Christ).

Quinceañera Celebration

2010-02-20T20:04:00.001-05:00

Today we were invited to a Quinceañera Celebration of a young lady from Emmanuel Ministries. Apparently it is the celebration of a young lady's 15th birthday in many Latin American cultures. I believe it is typically roman catholic in nature.

As I was leaving our house for the preceeding church service, I felt led to bring my Bible and minister's manual. When we arrived, they were waiting for the minister of the church to lead tge service. He was not there. I found out later that he was there at 4:45 and did not see anyone and left. The service was at 5pm.

Needless to say I was called upon to give a message and lead most of the service. I told the Quinceañera, Helen, that I was giving the message directly to her. I preached a brief message on the Scripture below. I also shared a Scripture prayer with Numbers 6.24-26 and closed with Jude 24-25. I did pray a prayer of dedication over her as well. I had very little idea about what was traditionally done in these celebrations. I pray the God was glorified through it.

"Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity." 1 Timothy 4.12 ESV

(I guess I understand having to be ready "out of season!")

Philippians Series: "Paul's Prayer (pt. 1)" (Phil. 1.3-6)

2010-02-15T10:35:00.003-05:00

Sunday at the ministry was another cold one. Of course cold to us was about 48ºF on Sunday. I know my dear friend and brother Rand in Canada thinks that is a heat wave, but we are not in Canada down here!

That said, I proceeded to take off my jacket before preaching. I have no idea why. Anyway, the group was smaller missing two families and a brother who usually walks to service (and everywhere else).

Below is the second message in our series on the book of Philippians.

Click here to download this message

Philippians Series: "Servants, Saints & Salutations" (Phil. 1.1-2)

2010-02-09T16:22:00.002-05:00

We had a good service Sunday. It was chilly again, but it did not bother me at all. I get excited to see people changing at this ministry.

A really great thing was that Antioch Fellowship Baptist Church (my home church) donated two cases of Spanish outreach Bibles to the ministry. They were well-received. I am so thankful for how supportive our home church has been.

Below is the message in streaming and downloadable formats:

Click here to download this sermon

Jonah Series (pt.5): "Looking Back on Jonah" (Luke 11.29-32)

2010-02-03T14:02:00.002-05:00

Sunday I preached "part five of my four part series on Jonah." Yes, I have an odd sense of humor. A couple of people in the congregation caught the jocularity of my statement. Maybe some who read this post will miss it until they go back. That is understandable.

Anyway, the ministry continues to be a major blessing. The Lord has been so good to me and my family. I have grown through this ministry experience. My heart has changed as well. More importantly, I notice a change in most of the people at the ministry. Obviously, I am more concerned with the growth of the people we are ministering to.

I am not putting in the sermon outline because I am hand writing my notes at this point. If anyone really wants the sermon outline, just email me and I will type them up. Otherwise, I will just offer this streaming or downloadable sermon.

Finally, I posted on Facebook (to be my FB friend look me up at facebook.com/pregador27) yesterday:

I am tired physically, but God is refreshing me this morning. Beginning a new message series at Emmanuel Ministries and "If I say, 'I will not mention him, or speak any more in his name,' there is in my heart as it were a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I am weary with holding it in, and I cannot." (Jeremiah 20.9 ESV)

Yes!!! Jeremiah's context was almost a frustration meeting a determination, mine is an excitement and a heart filled with gratitude. I am so thankful for the opportunity to minister at Emmanuel Ministries.

Sunday, I plan to preach on Philippians 1.1-2. It is developing nicely thus far. I am being personally enriched as I study. God is awesome!

Streaming audio below:

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Emmanuel Ministries Thoughts... (1/3/2010)

2010-01-03T22:37:00.000-05:00

I think that I will occasionally share some of my thoughts concerning ministry here at Emmanuel in Dade City, FL. They will not be a regular feature, at least I do not think they will be. The "thoughts" posts will be reflections that may include subjects for prayer or just anything that crosses my mind.

Today I was thinking about how little one particular family has at this time. They are a husband and wife with a young child. They are literally one parking ticket away from total homelessness. They live in a converted bus. Their generator was stolen during the early Summer and they have had no A/C in the Summer and now no heat in the Winter. Their son was removed by the Department of Children and Families- apparently due to their inability to furnish heat in the winter. These people are struggling mightily. Right now I know they are in the bus under a couple of blankets hoping that they will find a way out of this situation. Jonah chapter two was a good place for them to be this morning. They said so as well. They profess to be Christians and I have no reason to doubt their word.

The husband has some severe health problems and the wife is not in shape to work at this time- although she may have been trying to find work, honestly I do not remember the situation fully. They are trying to work through the system to get a home, but it has been fruitless thus far. They have little money for gas and look for places to stay that will not be trouble (parking the bus can be problematic at times).

Whatever the reasons for their situation, it is serious and heartbreaking. My dear wife gave the wife a sweatshirt and they were given some money to help (although it was a very small amount, as the ministry does not give cash out and most of the people there have little means to be helpful with money). I wished we could do more. You cannot work at a place like Emmanuel Ministries without finding new levels of caring and compassion.

At this point all we have left to do is to pray for them. Please, if the Lord leads you pray for the people who live in the bus. God knows their names and situation. My heart is overwhelmed for them and some other people from the ministry. However, my thoughts post is about them alone because they are who the Lord placed on my heart to pray for today.

Thank you, Lord, for choosing my family to minister at Emmanuel Ministries.

Jonah Series (pt.2): "The Repentant Prophet"

2010-01-03T21:59:00.005-05:00

This is part two of the Jonah Series. It covers all of Jonah chapter two. I was recovering from being sick, but God was gracious and allowed me to have voice and strength enough to deliver His message. It was about 40 degrees (F) during the service and we have no heat at the ministry. It was a joy to have the opportunity to preach none-the-less.

If anyone would be interested in joining us in prayer for specific needs we collect during the service, please email me or let me know of interest in the "Comments" section. Thank you and God bless you!

Jonah Series (pt. 2): “The Rebellious Prophet”

Jonah Stayed (v.1)

Three days could be partial, Jews counted partial as whole day

Even Jonah's rebellion and dilemma God had His purpose

Sign of Jonah a for foreshadowing of Jesus burial and resurrection

Jonah Prayed (v.2-9)

The testimony (v.2-7)

saved from the sea and certain death

see a confidence he had in God that he will be safe

actively praying through the ordeal

The thanksgiving (v.8-9)

prayer turns to thanksgiving

looks to the future when he will continue to serve God

declares that “Salvation belongs to the Lord”- it is a gift of God's grace

Jonah's Replay (v.10)

He has a “do-over”- a second chance to follow God's direction

Vomit is a sign of disgust: God may well been unhappy with his prejudice even now

Picture of Christ differs from this point Jonah was prejudice, Jesus died for all who would receive despite their race

Closing: During Jonah's 3 days he was a good example of faith in God and actively praying through adverse situations. However, his attitude was still not right toward the Ninevites as we will see in the future.

Jonah's three days is a foreshadowing of the three days between Jesus' burial and resurrection.

We can learn, like Jonah, to pray and trust God during difficult times. We can also learn to put away prejudice and seek to share the Gospel to everyone- in love- no matter the differences.

Click here to download this message

Jonah Series (pt.1): "The Rebellious Prophet"

2010-01-03T21:28:00.003-05:00

This is from Sunday December 27, 2009.

The Sermon Outline is available in a previous post. If interested, just look under "Sermon Outline" in categories.

Click here to download this message

"Finding Forgiveness in Christmas" (Ephesians 4.32)

2009-12-21T07:44:00.003-05:00

Nicholas was born in the third century in Patara, a village in what is now Turkey. He was born into an affluent family, but his parents died tragically when he was quite young. His parents had raised him to be a devout Christian, which led him to spend his great inheritance on helping the poor, especially children. He was known to frequently give gifts to children, sometimes even hanging socks filled with treats and gifts.

Perhaps his most famous act of kindness was helping three sisters. Because their family was too poor to pay for their wedding dowry, three young Christian women were facing a life of prostitution until Nicholas paid their dowry, thereby saving them from a horrible life of sexual slavery.

Nicholas grew to be a well-loved Christian leader and was eventually voted the Bishop of Myra, a port city that the apostle Paul had previously visited (Acts 27:5–6). Nicholas reportedly also traveled to the legendary Council of Nicea, where he helped defend the deity of Jesus Christ in A.D. 325.

Following his death on December 6, 343, he was canonized as a saint. The anniversary of his death became the St. Nicholas holiday when gifts were given in his memory. He remained a very popular saint among Catholic and Orthodox Christians, with some two thousand churches named after him. The holiday in his honor eventually merged with Christmas as they were celebrated within weeks of one another.

During the Reformation, however, Nicholas fell out of favor with Protestants, who did not approve of canonizing certain people as saints and venerating them with holidays. His holiday was not celebrated in any Protestant country except Holland, where his legend as Sinterklass lived on. In Germany, Martin Luther replaced him with the Christ child as the object of holiday celebration, or, in German, Christkindl. Over time, the celebration of the Christ child was simply pronounced Kriss Kingle and oddly became just another name for Santa Claus.

These stories of Santa Claus were first brought to America by Dutch immigrants. In the early twentieth century, stores began having Santa Claus present for children during the Christmas season. Children also began sending letters to the North Pole as the legends surrounding an otherwise simple Christian man grew.

At Emmanuel Ministries, we keep the center of our holiday focused on Jesus; it’s probably what Nicholas would have wanted. (this introduction is based on a post by Pastor Mark Driscoll, pastor of Mars Hill Church in Seattle, WA)

Jesus had a purpose (Luke 2.1-14)

importance is realizing Jesus was born with a purpose, a mission
to bring forgiveness
to offer salvation through trusting in Him

Jesus had a message of how to be forgiven by God (Luke 24.45-48)

Jesus preached repentance and forgiveness
a salvation based on grace through faith (Ephesians 2.8-9)

Jesus paid the price

in His own blood for our forgiveness (Ephesians 1.7; Hebrews 9.22)
We are redeemed by His blood (sacrifice on our behalf)

We have a responsibility…

we are to forgive (Ephesians 4.32)
with Christ’s sacrifice, we have no right to be unforgiving (Luke 23.34)
Benefits of forgiveness

**obedience to God
**brings healing

Click Here To Download This Message

"If, Then and Now/Si, Entonces y Ahora" 2 Chronicles 7.14-15

2009-12-09T19:01:00.002-05:00

Sunday 12.6.2009 message recorded at Emmanuel Ministries. Bear with it, it is bilingual and I am not. I gave it my best shot. My dear wife helped too!

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Emmanuel Ministries Notes 11/01/09

2009-11-02T11:08:00.006-05:00

Sunday was the final message in the worship series. The time of ministry was good and the people were attentive.

The outline below is followed by the streaming message and a link to download if you wish. The message was cut short due to some type of technical difficulties.

¹¹ Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all.

¹² Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, ¹³ bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. ¹⁴And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. ¹⁵And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. ¹⁶Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. ¹⁷And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. (Colossians 3.11-17 ESV)

BACKGROUND (v.11)-

(Previous to verse 11, Paul outlines past behaviors [negatives] that need to be put away)

In Christ we have no divisions:

1 Corinthians 1.10, “I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment.” (ESV)
National: not Greek or Jew (American, Mexican, Honduran, Russian, Chinese, etc), but Christian
Religious: religious rituals do not define us, our place in Christ does
Cultural: (barbarian- anyone foreign to Greek culture; Scythian- considered wild, savage nomads)
Economic/Social: whether wealthy or in poverty, Christ unites Christians
Galatians 3.28, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”

Christ is all and in all:

As Christians we share the same Spirit: Ephesians 4.4-6, “There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— ⁵ one Lord, one faith, one baptism, ⁶ one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” (ESV)
Christ broke down all divisions between Christians through His sacrifice

All this opens up the next section, a part of Scripture encouraging Christians to be Christlike…

GOD’S CHOSEN (v.12-15)

As His Chosen Ones:

Paul calls Christians “holy and beloved”- this language ties in God’s description of Israel as His possession in the Old Testament and of Jesus in the New Testament

- meaning Christians are His possession, His people

- we’re to be reflections of Christ & our relationship with God a reflection of the Father with Christ

- as such, we should display the fruit of our place in Christ

Acting as His Chosen Ones:

Paul outlines several positive characteristics (the fruit)

- compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, patience

- all in line with Galatians 5.22, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” (ESV)

Paul emphasizes forgiveness and love

- Reflecting the character of Christ (Luke 23.34, from the cross says, “Father forgive them…”)

- Based on God’s forgiveness of us- being forgiven, forgive.

- Peter asked how many times to forgive; Jesus answered “seventy times seven times” literally meaning be always ready to forgive. No limits.

- Love is what is most important, (1 Corinthians 13.13, “So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.”)

- Some make a case that Galatians 5.22 is all really about love; everything that follows is a fruit of love: the fruit of the spirit. 1 Corinthians 13. 4-7 actually compares very well with Galatians 5.22

- This will bring the peace of Christ- the closer we are to Christ, the closer we are to each other

- Thankfulness should be the result of this place in Christ

CHRIST’S WORD (v.16-17)

As the Word of Christ is part of our lives (studying, praying) we become grateful and thankful to God
We express this with worship-

- in teaching and wisdom/in song (psalms, hymns, spiritual songs)/with thankfulness

- doing everything in the name of the Lord

Closing: As we find our place in Christ we find our reason to worship Him. God is worthy of our worship. He is the object of our “worth-ship.”

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THIS MESSAGE

Worship Series (pt.2): "In Spirit and Truth"

2009-10-26T11:26:00.000-04:00

Sunday we had a good time worshiping God at the Ministry. We sang worship songs without my guitar again (I still need to replace my string). That went well. However, I long to preach more each week. I was excited to begin my second message on worship.

After the message, a lady named Sandra came up to rededicate her life to Christ. She had been there before. Anyway, I preached the message "Worship: In Spirit and Truth." You can listen to it in the streaming player below or download it by clicking the link below the player.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THIS MESSAGE

Emmanuel Ministries Notes 10/25/09

2009-10-26T08:27:00.001-04:00

Jesus said to her, "Go, call your husband, and come here." ¹⁷The woman answered him, "I have no husband." Jesus said to her, "You are right in saying, 'I have no husband'; ¹⁸for you have had five husbands, and the one you now have is not your husband. What you have said is true." ¹⁹The woman said to him, "Sir, I perceive that you are a prophet. ²⁰ Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, but you say that in Jerusalem is the place where people ought to worship." ²¹Jesus said to her, "Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father. ²² You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews. ²³But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. ²⁴God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth." ²⁵The woman said to him, "I know that Messiah is coming (he who is called Christ). When he comes, he will tell us all things." ²⁶Jesus said to her, "I who speak to you am he." (John 4.16-26 ESV)

Background/Context:
Jesus sat by a well and spoke with a Samaritan woman and asked her for water. She resisted and He told her that He could offer “living water” that would make her to never thirst. He spoke spiritually, she understood physically. The conversation continued.

The Encounter (v.16-19)

Three significant things:
- The well: Where Isaac & Jacob wives were at a well when first encountered
- The conversation: For a man to speak to a woman asking for water was considered flirtatious
- The racial/gender issue: Jesus was a male Jew, the Samaritan was a woman. Men and women did not normally speak in public, nor did Jews and Samaritans associate.
Two things about the husband request:
- Availability: the woman’s response could mean she was declaring herself available
- Adherence of customs and prejudice refused: Jesus confronted her with the fact of five failed marriages and her living with a man she was not married to; also showing that He refused to be bound by man-made rules, especially when a soul hangs in the balance
One thing about the woman’s perception:
- She finally sees there is something different about Jesus- calling Him a prophet

The Exchange (v.20-24)

The woman makes two statements:
- Samaritans worshiped on Mt. Gerizim
- Jews worshiped in Jerusalem
Jesus speaks to her with authority
- Stating “the hour is coming” was prophetic language that required the hearer to listen to the message
- She proclaimed Jesus a prophet and was bound to hear the prophetic message
- He began by addressing her statement about where to worship, saying salvation is of the Jews (it started with the Jews and could proceed from them)
- He then took it farther: again stating, “the hour is coming” and said, “true worshippers will worship in spirit and in truth.”
- This marked a change in the need to worship at a temple, or Synagogue. Worship would now be from the temple of God: the human. (“…do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God?” -1 Corinthians 6.19 ESV)
- in spirit and in truth: tied together to demonstrate the need for genuine worship- not a show like the Pharisees, not based on outward acts, but on the commitment of a heart to God- seeking God in prayer and obeying Him personally.

The Enlightening (v.25-26)

After hearing Jesus the woman says she knows “Messiah is coming”
- Samaritans did not look for a “Messiah” per-se, but a Prophet who would reveal the truth
- She probably used the word because she was speaking to a Jew
After the woman’s statement about the coming Messiah, Jesus brings the reality to light:
- He simply states: “I who speak to you am He.”
- The Greek is “ἐγὼ εἰμι,” meaning, “I am”, the Greek equivalent to YHWH in Hebrew- a statement Jesus makes several times in the Gospel of John, typically called on of Jesus’ “I Am” statements tying Him in to being Divine in nature

Closing/Wrap-up:
Jesus revealed His nature of the Messiah-God to a Samaritan woman despite many cultural and religious taboos. He also declared prophetically to her that, “true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth.” We have been freed from legalistic worship, from bloody animal sacrifices that only swept sin under the rug. Through the sacrifice of Christ we are able to worship God in spirit and truth. We have access as children of God to the Father because of Christ. Our worship can be genuine because of the grace of God that has brought us freedom. Wherever we are we can reach God as we worship.

VíVí: a new writer

2009-10-22T02:43:00.001-04:00

Cindy, my co-blogger, and I welcome our Junior blogger: VíVí. She is in Elementary school and she is my daughter. She has some valuable insights, especially for an eight year old.

#1 Education about #2 Family information

2009-10-22T02:39:00.001-04:00

By: VíVí

Education is very important in life. Without proper education it is very hard to succeed.

Family is people that love you and me, they care for us. Some families don't care at all. Be glad with the family you have. I have excellent parents, their strength is making me stronger. My sister makes me smile. My parents also make me smile. My parents give me information about education. Education in the family is very important because with knowledge families will raise their kids better, and their kids will make better choices in the future. My mom didn't have proper education when she was a kid. Her mom and dad didn't have any education at all. She's working on her Master degree now.

Emmanuel Ministries Notes 10/18/09

2009-10-19T07:34:00.003-04:00

Yesterday was a good day at the Ministry. We had a larger group than normal, including one gentleman who came with his wife (she is there most of the time). He was just released from jail and he had been a subject of our prayer for some time.

I preached the message I posted yesterday morning. Márcia's husband, my friend Joe, was also there. It was nice and cool (the temperature was about 55º or 60º).

You can listen below in the streaming player or download it at the link below the player.

Click Here To Download This Message

Worship Series (pt.1): "A Fruit of Grace"

2009-10-18T08:52:00.002-04:00

Oh come, let us sing to the LORD; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation! Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise! For the LORD is a great God, and a great King above all gods. In his hand are the depths of the earth; the heights of the mountains are his also. The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land. Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the LORD, our Maker! For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture and the sheep of his hand. (Psalm 95.1-7 ESV)

Because God is Worthy (v.1-2)

We ascribe worth-ship
- Here the Psalmist calls God the Rock of our Salvation- showing He is our security and deliverer
- Ascribe means to give something or someone a characteristic: acknowledging a quality
- “worth-ship” is the old English word from which we get worship: means “giving worth to something.” Since He is our deliverer we should come to Him with thanksgiving
- In worship we ascribe to God His worth- in other words acknowledge or confess his worth
- Worship actually transcends just confessing or acknowledging, because in Psalm 22.3 it says God inhabits, or is enthroned on, His people’s praises: He is in our worship

Because God is Great (v.3-5)

- We understand His awesomeness
  - He is our Great LORD
    - Hebrew: YHWH- “Then Moses said to God, "If I come to the people of Israel and say to them, 'The God of your fathers has sent me to you,' and they ask me, 'What is his name?' what shall I say to them?" 14God said to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM." And he said, "Say this to the people of Israel, 'I AM has sent me to you.'” 15God also said to Moses, "Say this to the people of Israel, 'The LORD, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you.' This is my name forever, and thus I am to be remembered throughout all generations.” (Exodus 3.13-15 ESV)
    - “LORD” is the word “YHWH” in Hebrew, translated in modern versions as LORD (with all capital letters, the first large and the last three capital but smaller)
    - YHWH is significant as being related to the verb “to be”- speaking of God’s relationship with His people (example: ‘I am with you, I will be with you, I have been with you’); and in God’s own existence- He has always existed, exists now and will always exist
  - He is our Great King, none other can stand against Him
    - Note: Mentioning “all gods” does not mean they are real: it describes God’s sovereignty over all things- whether real or fictional
He is our Creator and Sustainer
- Creator: Genesis 1.1; “All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.” (John 1.3 ESV)
- The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, 25nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything. (Acts 17.24-25 ESV)

Because God is Ours (v.6-7)

We, as Christians, are the “people of His pasture” His sheep. Christians are children of God in Christ
- John 1.12 “But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God…” (ESV)
We are saved by His grace
- Romans 5.8 “God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (ESV)
- Ephesians 2.8 “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God…” (ESV)
We benefit from God’s grace and should produce fruit
- John the Baptist told the Pharisees they needed to “bear fruit in keeping with repentance” (Matthew 3.8 ESV)
- Likewise, as those who benefit from God’s gift of grace, we should bear fruit
- Our thankful hearts should burst forth in worship
- Dobson’s Dog story illustration (Dynamics of Worship James P. Gills, Creation House Press 2004)
- The spontaneous love and affection of this dog for its human rescuers and new family is a small picture of how Christians should react in worship toward the God who saved them

"Becoming Fulfilled in God" Ecclesiastes 1.1-3; 12.13-14

2009-10-12T11:28:00.002-04:00

This is the English version of the Sermon Outline from Sunday October 11, 2009. The Sermon is downloadable under the streaming player below the outline.

"Becoming Fulfilled in God" Ecclesiastes 1.1-3, 9-11; 2.12-17; 12.13-14

All is Vanity (Ecclesiastes 1.1-3, 9-11)

All will fade away, nothing lasts

The Preacher understood all was temporary on the Earth

All is Futility (Ecclesiastes 2.12-17)

Everything we have fades away

Everything we do is forgotten

Rich and poor suffer the same fate

The Preacher hated the futility of depending on the world for fulfillment

All Has Been Heard (Ecclesiastes 12.13-14)

The only lasting thing comes from obedience to God

Follow His commandments

Turn to Christ and be saved- it is the only way to find real fulfillment

Through salvation in Christ we can become fulfilled in God

*

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Emmanuel Ministries Notes 10/11/09

2009-10-12T10:35:00.000-04:00

Yesterday we were locked out of our normal meeting place. Due to the circumstances, flexibility was once again in order. We combined the English and Spanish services and I put together a message based on some devotions I had done on the book of Ecclesiastes. My wife interpreted for me and it went well. I will post the sermon shortly. There will be a very basic outline to go with it.

Later on that evening, Loiana and I were talking and I told her I thought that we should combine the services from now on and she should interpret. If we follow through with this plan, I will go over the outline with her before Sunday. I will also have the Spanish and English Scripture and main points for my notes. Then she will only have to translate my elaborations.

We will see if this is the way to go. For right now we are praying that it will work out well.

Emmanuel Ministries Notes 10/04/09

2009-10-04T12:43:00.003-04:00

Today there was no one to interpret or to preach in Spanish. My wife, Loiana, has been sick this week, so I had to proceed on my own. Well, that is not entirely true. God was with me.

Anyway, I prepared a simple outline in Spanish and English in the event there was, indeed, no one to interpret. When all was said and done, I did need to minister to the Spanish and English speaking groups together sans interpretation.

While most of the Spanish speaking people in attendance were able to understand some English, there were a couple who did not. I explained that I would preach directly from my notes for Spanish, any elaboration would be in English, as I could not elaborate in Spanish.

The message outline is below and the Sermon is available streaming under the outline and as a download under that. It was the shortest message I have ever preached and the shortest service I have ever been a part of. Yes, my guitar string broke again as I was practicing in the morning. Ah well. It's all about flexibility.

JESUS: The Only Way/JESÚS: Lo Uníco Camino

“And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4.12 ESV)

“Y en ningún otro hay salvación, porque no hay otro nombre bajo el cielo, dado a los hombres, en que podamos ser salvos.” (Hechos 4.12 RVR 1995)

· There is only one Way to God: Jesus. Salvation is only in Him. We can only become Christians by confessing the name of Jesus. No other name will work.

· Sólo hay una manera de llegar a Dios: Jesús. Sólo se puede encontrar la salvación en Él. Sólo podemos ser cristianos por confesar el nombre de Jesús. Ningún otro nombre es suficiente.

Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14.6 ESV)

Jesús le dijo:

--Yo soy el camino, la verdad y la vida; nadie viene al Padre sino por mí. (Juan 14.6 RVR1995)

· All roads do not lead to God. Mohammed and Buddha did not lead to God. They lead to hell. Our hearts lead to hell. “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?” (Jeremiah 17.9 ESV)

· Todos los caminos no conducen a Dios. Mahoma y Buda no conducen a Dios. Conducen al infierno. Nuestros corazones nos llevan al infierno. “Engañoso es el corazón más que todas las cosas, y perverso; ¿quién lo conocerá?” (Jeremías 17:9 RVR1995)

“…if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. ¹⁰For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved… ¹³For "everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." (Romans 10.9-10, 13 ESV)

Si confiesas con tu boca que Jesús es el Señor y crees en tu corazón que Dios lo levantó de entre los muertos, serás salvo, ¹⁰ porque con el corazón se cree para justicia, pero con la boca se confiesa para salvación. ¹³ ya que todo aquel que invoque el nombre del Señor, será salvo. (Romanos 10.9-10, 13 RVR1995

· We can be saved by coming to God through Jesus, repenting of our sin and trusting in Him for salvation.

· Podemos ser salvado por llegar a Dios a través de Jesús. Si nos arrepentimos: pedir perdón por nuestros pecados y confiar en Él para la salvación.

DOWNLOAD MESSAGE BY CLICKING HERE

Emmanuel Ministries Notes 9/27/09

2009-09-27T18:57:00.001-04:00

Well today the rains came and the attendance was a bit lower. Márcia decided we should combine the services and use interpretation. After worship, I was going to need to preach to both Spanish and English speaking people.

Since my sermon series on Jonah was just too much to get across with interpretation, I had to choose a simpler message. So my Jonah series will hopefully begin next week. I decided to add an impromptu fourth "Becoming" series message. So below you can listen to the message "Becoming More Like Jesus" from Ephesians 4.29-32. I was not prepared for this, so you can hear my "out of season" type of message.

Somewhere during the message Márcia asked a gentleman to translate the message, because she felt he was better for the task.

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Jonah Series: "Jonah: The Rebellious Prophet"

2009-09-27T08:37:00.001-04:00

This week begins a three week series on the book of Jonah. It will be divided by chapter. Below is the outline for the first message.

“Jonah: The Rebellious Prophet” Jonah 1.1-17

Intro/Background

· Author: Jonah (Despite writing in the 3^rd person- Moses, Isaiah and Daniel also wrote in 3^rd person at times, Jonah wrote whole short book in 3^rd person); During events of 793-753 BC

· Jonah is written as history, but also as a message to Israel (Northern Kingdom)

o God’s concern for the Gentiles

o Unfaithfulness of Israel in missionary work

o God’s sovereignty in carrying out His will

o A rebuke to God’s people as Nineveh repented when Israel did not

o Jonah was a picture of Israel’s disobedience: God’s punishment, Jonah’s repentance & restoration

· Jonah can teach us about servicing God obediently, being willing to repent and God’s faithfulness to those who will receive Him

· Jonah is not a work of fiction- Jesus referred to him as historical fact; nothing in the book is impossible

The Attempted Escape (v.1-3)

· Jonah receives the direction from the Lord: tell Nineveh to repent

· Jonah decides to go to Tarshish- the opposite direction; Nineveh was in modern Iraq, Tarshish in modern Spain

· Jonah tried to run from “the presence of the Lord”

· “Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? ⁸ If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! ⁹If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, ¹⁰even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me.” (Psalm 139.7-10 ESV)

· Application:

o sometimes we run from God’s call also

o Illustration: Sunday morning, late for church, saw man walking-seemed distraught, made deal with God, God did His part, I didn’t

The Absconder Exposed (v.4-10)

· Definition: Absconder- one who runs and hides from adversity

· As Jonah slept during the storm, the sailors were trying to appease their gods

· When Jonah was alerted and exposed by the lots

· He admitted running from God and testified that His God was the one, true God

The Adversity Evaded (v.11-16)

· Sailors ask Jonah for direction

· He tells them to throw him over

· The sailors seek another way- they seem to be decent men

· Finally they decide to comply, asking God’s forgiveness

· Once Jonah was overboard, the storm ended immediately

· It was a testimony to the Gentile sailors who obeyed, while Jonah and Israel were disobedient

The Appointed Event (v.17)

· God prepared a rescue for Jonah despite his disobedience: the big fish

· Three days in the belly of the fish- not a historic impossibility, especially when God is factored in

· This would also be a picture of the days between the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ

· God sets things up for those He will rescue from sin; God’s will for our lives will come to pass

Closing

When God calls us, we can run, but we cannot hide; we can rebel like Jonah, but it will be fruitless. He is God and his will is going to be accomplished. Christians may run from His calling, non-Christians may run from His mercy, but He will have His way.

5 Years of Myall4One! (4God.blogspot.com)

2009-09-24T22:02:00.002-04:00

Yep, it all started 5 years ago (September 25, 2004). My first post here was an introduction: http://4god.blogspot.com/2004/09/my-new-blog.html. I began by talking about Hurricane Jeanne and then went political and also focused on my faith. Over the years I have covered football, baseball, politics, religions, the Christian faith, ministry and sermons. Probably some other stuff too.

Will I make it to ten years? Who knows. We do not even know if we will be able to use the Internet freely in ten years. Or if advances will send the current Internet into 8-track-tamp status (for younger readers, look up the 70's and really bad technology to find out what they were).

I am pleased that this blog has moved on to be a place to post my sermons and sermon outlines. No, I am not the best preacher around, but the Word of God is what is important, not me. I hope someone somewhere benefits from my sermons and outlines- even if a preacher decides to use my outlines verbatim- that is fine, as I know they will not preach every word the same. Actually, I would be honored if someone found them to be valuable in that way.

Thank you to God for the ability to keep this blog going, and to Blogger for making the product available.

Here's to the future!

Emmanuel Ministries Notes 9/20/09

2009-09-20T16:27:00.004-04:00

The ministry went well, except for me neglecting to bring my guitar for worship. Márcia had to lead worship today. It was not bad at all. Flexibility is a key at Emmanuel Ministries- much like my missions experiences.

I was immersed in developing the message even into this (Sunday) morning. Never a comfortable way to complete a message, but I know it was the right message for the right time. I am working toward messages that are useful for discipleship and evangelism.

Today's message is streaming in the player below or available for download at the link below the player...

DOWNLOAD THE MP3 VERSION OF "BECOMING GOD'S GOOD SERVANT" HERE

“Becoming God’s Good Servants” 2 Timothy 2.1-7

2009-09-20T09:19:00.001-04:00

“You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, ²and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. ³ Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. ⁴No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him. ⁵ An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. ⁶It is the hard-working farmer who ought to have the first share of the crops. ⁷Think over what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.” (2 Timothy 2.1-4 ESV)

Entrust the Message v. 1-2

· It was common practice of the time to emphasize the passing of sacred traditions

· Paul encouraged Timothy in a similar way to pass on what he had been taught

· Teaching “faithful men” who would then pass on the teaching as well

· Preserving the Gospel for future generations

Example of the Soldier v. 3-4

· Share in suffering: do not be surprised or slowed, suffering comes with following Jesus

· As a good soldier: Christian life compared to being a soldier

· Civilian pursuits: anything that would distract from following Christ fully

- a call to focusing on one purpose- serious dedication

- requires unswerving obedience (as a soldier)

~ Gettysburg, D-Day: soldiers rushed to their deaths at command

- requires devoted discipline (not like my work-out routine)

- John Piper: “The world is no longer our treasure. It’s not the source of our life or our satisfaction or our joy. Christ is.” (Don’t Waste Your Life p. 57)

Example of the Athlete v. 5

Olympic athletes required at least 10 months of serious preparation by oath
They had to follow the rules or be disqualified
They strived to win a simple prize of garland
We strive to win the prize of salvation through Christ

- I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. (Ephesians 3.14 ESV)

- Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, ²looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12.1 ESV)

Example of the Farmer v. 6

There is an emphasis on hard work and a reward to come
The farmer puts forth the hard work and is rewarded in time with a harvest
We are to work hard to serve Christ

- though salvation is not based on works

- works are the fruit of salvation

The reward for a Christian comes in salvation as we are judged innocent based on Christ’s sacrifice

Endeavor to Gain Understanding v. 7

Paul encourages Timothy to consider what he has said
The Lord will give understanding
If we seek God, we will find Him

- Jeremiah 29.13, “You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.” (ESV)

- Isaiah 55.6, “Seek the LORD while he may be found; call upon him while he is near…” (ESV)

Closing: To become God’s good servants, we must be disciplined like a soldier (avoiding things that distract), dedicated like an athlete (devoting ourselves to the race) and determined like a farmer (who works hard for a future reward). Consider this, “for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.”

Emmanuel Ministries Notes 9/13/09

2009-09-15T19:33:00.003-04:00

This Sunday we had a good time of ministry. I preached on Luke 12.13-21 and if you listen to the message in the other post, you will hear rain start pouring down in the background somewhere around the seven-minute mark. You will also hear me totally freeze while trying to quote Hebrews 9.27.

The message also features a story I heard from a pastor in Alabama. It is a true story about how he sacrificed his inheritance in order to live according to God's Word. He tells it better, but the message is a good one. That is about five minutes into the message.

After the message we prayed over a number of prayer requests.

Actually, before the message and before we began with our worship time, a lady told us about her recent commitment to forsake alcohol and seek after God. That prompted another person, a man who has been attending for a few months now, to tell us that he had been off alcohol for four months now. We prayed for their strength to be found in Christ.

The rain came and went and somehow I ended up pretty wet- between sweating from the heat and the drenching downpours. It was all worth it. I thank God for allowing me to have this place to preach. I thank Him for entrusting me with His word- may I be more faithful to it!

"Becoming Rich Toward God" Luke 12.13-21

2009-09-15T19:03:00.007-04:00

Someone in the crowd said to him, "Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me." ¹⁴But he said to him, "Man, who made me a judge or arbitrator over you?" ¹⁵And he said to them, "Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions." ¹⁶And he told them a parable, saying, "The land of a rich man produced plentifully, ¹⁷and he thought to himself, 'What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?' ¹⁸And he said, 'I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. ¹⁹And I will say to my soul, Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.' ²⁰But God said to him, 'Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?' ²¹So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God." (Luke 12.13-21 ESV)

Intro: In life we have our priorities. However, we can be rich in this life or rich toward God. There is nothing wrong with being wealthy, but if it is at the expense of our eternity we lose everything in the end.

Earthly Priorities (v. 13-15)

· The man who came to Jesus with this matter apparently wanted his "fair share"

· Jesus demonstrated concern over the spiritual state of the person, not whether or not the person had a legal right to a thing.

· Traditionally Rabbis (teachers) were able to handle these issues, but Jesus was not bound by tradition

· See John 4: Jesus spoke with the Samaritan woman (2 things that were against tradition)

· ILLUSTRATION: Pastor Golden- inheritance (house & property): was rightfully his, but stepsister wanted it and was considering legal maneuvers to get it, but he gave it to her without a fight to preserve his right-ness before God. What was legally his was less important than doing what was spiritually beneficial.

Empty Prosperity (v. 16-20)

· Jesus illustrated the importance of the spiritual with a parable

* This man was invested in his greed

* He sought pleasure and comfort

* He did not consider God nor other people (selfish)

* God saw his plans for ease and called him a fool; he was going to die that night

* What good would these riches do him then?

· Everything we have will one day belong to someone else

· The man was physically rich but he neglected two things:

* To thank God for the harvest

* To consider the needs of others

· He did not consider the "greatest Commandment"

· "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. ³⁸This is the great and first commandment. ³⁹And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. ⁴⁰On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets." (Matthew 22.37-40 ESV)

Eternal Promises (v. 21)

· The person who forgets God and the importance of the life to come is bound for ruin

· We have to consider God first in our lives

· "seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." (Matthew 6.33 ESV)

· Christians can only become Christians out of a consideration of the eternal

· "He who dies with the most toys..." Wins? No, still dies with nothing

Closing: No matter how much we gain in this life, it will all pass away. As the Preacher said in Ecclesiastes, "I have seen everything that is done under the sun, and behold, all is vanity and a striving after wind." (Ecclesiastes 1.14 ESV) Nothing in life is lasting, we need to become rich toward God by valuing the things of God and building for eternal life, not just life here.

Sermon can be heard via streaming player or by download below:

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"Becoming Useful to God" Jeremiah 15.19

2009-09-06T18:54:00.006-04:00

Therefore thus says the LORD: "If you return, I will restore you, and you shall stand before me. If you utter what is precious, and not what is worthless, you shall be as my mouth. They shall turn to you, but you shall not turn to them." -Jeremiah 15.19 (ESV)

Intro: To become useful as a Christian we can look at Jeremiah. He was a prophet of God who had spoken in a way that disqualified him from being eligible to speak for God. We as Christians can learn about being restored to become useful for God.

Return and be restored

· Jeremiah was called to repent so that his position as God’s prophet could be restored

· His message was one of repentance; the message to him was “repent”

· God calls us to repent so that He can restore us

· It’s simple: turn from our sin and allow Him to change us from the inside out

· “For thus said the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel, ‘In repentance and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.’” (Isaiah 30.15)

Speak what is precious

· “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.” (Ephesians 4.29 ESV)

· speak only what is worth saying, not worthless words, and He will use us as His spokesmen

· You know those dirty jokes that go around? Don't participate in them

· You know how some of us tend to be sarcastic? Time to stop

· It's difficult. I've had a lot of work to do on that at work

Turn, don’t be turned

· “Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out, ²⁰that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord” (Acts. 3.19-20 ESV)

· “Jesus said to him, ‘No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.’” (Luke 9.62 ESV)

· Let the people turn to you (God's message), DO NOT turn to them!

· Jesus said that He is the only Way to the Father. All other ways are false

· Do not allow yourself to compromise for the sake of making people happy

· Stand up for the truth

Closing: To be useful for God we need to repent and be restored. We need to avoid unrighteous speech and speak what is precious. Furthermore, to be useful to God we must stand our ground in terms of our faith and the message of the Gospel.

C²C: Unbeliever: your restoration comes through salvation and repentance before the Sovereign God of all creation. Believe in Christ for your salvation and repent of your sins to find salvation in Him and become useful for God for the first time in your life.

Backslider: your restoration comes in light of 1 John 1.9, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (ESV)- Repent and become useful to God again.

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The Pastor Who Prays for Obama's Death

2009-09-02T01:20:00.001-04:00

"Pastor" Steve Anderson has made the news for praying for Obama's death and preaching a message entitled, "Why I Hate Barack Obama." After reading about him on several news sites, I recalled that this was the "pastor" who was shot with a taser a while back.

As I researched him in the past, I found that he was an idiotic "King James-Only" preacher who makes little sense in his YouTube videos. (Search YouTube for Steve Anderson and pisseth on a wall for a clear example). On his church website there is this blurb under the "Our Pastor" section:

"Pastor Steven Anderson started Faithful Word Baptist Church on December 25, 2005.

Pastor Anderson holds no college degree but has well over 100 chapters of the Bible committed to memory, including almost half of the New Testament.

Today, most Baptist churches are started by Bible Colleges. However, the Bible makes it clear that the church is the pillar and ground of the truth, not a school. Faithful Word Baptist Church is a totally independent Baptist church, and Pastor Anderson was sent out by a totally independent Baptist church to start it the old-fashioned way by knocking doors and winning souls to Christ. This is the scriptural method.

God has blessed Faithful Word Baptist Church tremendously. Hundreds have been saved, many have been baptized, and many more have learned to win souls both door-to-door and in their day-to-day lives."

Okay, I can find a lot wrong on the site, but this is what I will focus on.

1. "Pastor Anderson holds no college degree but has well over 100 chapters of the Bible committed to memory, including almost half of the New Testament." Is he boasting that he has no college degree? Granted, it is not written in stone that you need a college degree, but not having one is not a reason to boast. While I admire his claim to have "well over 100 chapters" of the Bible memorized, I would like to see some proof. Anyone can claim anything.

2. "Today, most Baptist churches are started by Bible Colleges. However, the Bible makes it clear that the church is the pillar and ground of the truth, not a school." What? Document this! This statement has no basis in fact. He is just trying to make a case for not being college educated. Listening to him preach makes it clear that a college education may have been helpful, but he may just not have been college material.

3. "Faithful Word Baptist Church is a totally independent Baptist church, and Pastor Anderson was sent out by a totally independent Baptist church to start it the old-fashioned way by knocking doors and winning souls to Christ. This is the scriptural method." The phrase "totally independent" is meant to be inflammatory. As if non-Independent Baptist churches are not independent, being under the control of a central authority. Most independent KJV-only churches are most opposed to Southern Baptist churches, and SBC churches are independent and autonomous. If the SBC comes down with a directive, local churches are not bound by it. The SBC does not, and cannot, appoint pastors for local churches. Local churches cooperate with the SBC, they are not controlled by the SBC. Additionally, I hope Mr. Anderson is not making the claim that knocking on doors is the Scriptural method. It is not. However, "winning souls" is the way to increase the kingdom and build a local church.

4. "God has blessed Faithful Word Baptist Church tremendously. Hundreds have been saved, many have been baptized, and many more have learned to win souls both door-to-door and in their day-to-day lives." How many people attend this church? From the YouTube videos it looks small. How many of the "hundreds" that have been saved regularly attend services?

Based on my investigation of Faithful Word Baptist Church and "pastor" Steve Anderson, I think he might benefit from some college. Or even high school. He makes outlandish statements just to seem relevant. I did not address KJV-Onlyism, even though it is a cultish doctrine, but it is well refuted at the Alpha & Omega Ministries site.

"Universal Unrighteousness" Romans 3.9-20; 6.23

2009-08-25T18:47:00.008-04:00

Sunday August 23, 2009 Message from Emmanuel Ministries in Dade City, FL.

UPDATE: FIXED MESSAGE ERROR. CLICK PLAYER BELOW TO LISTEN TO MESSAGE

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Universal Unrighteousness (Romans 3.9-20,6.23)

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"Remain Faithful" (1 Timothy 6.20-21)

2009-08-09T08:05:00.002-04:00

1 Timothy 6.20-21 “O Timothy, guard the deposit entrusted to you. Avoid the irreverent babble and contradictions of what is falsely called "knowledge," 21for by professing it some have swerved from the faith.” (ESV)

The Duty

Charged to Timothy: a Pastor, but more importantly, a Christian (applies to all Christians)
Guard: keep safe, cherish- a place of importance implied; keep wholly to the truth as it is under attack from the world.

The Deposit

“entrusted to you” – the Word of God

Preach the Word, be prepared, use it with integrity and LIVE IT
“I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: 2preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. 3For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, 4and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. 5As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.” (2 Timothy 4.1-5 ESV) (v.3-4 emphasized)
“But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” (James 1.22 ESV)
On the church level- “The most important measure of any church is how it handles the Word of God.”
On the Christian’s level it is similar; how do we cherish and respond to the Word of God?

The Danger

Avoid:

irreverent babble- not just language, but devaluing the godly; idle words, gossip, slander, hurtful words, lying
contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge much of what passes for truth is not truth, but convenience: abortion,

Many prefer lies- foretold: 2 Timothy 4.3-4; “How long will you love vain words and seek after lies?” (Psalm 4.2)

Accepting lies leads some to “swerve form the faith”: When lies are accepted and the Word of God is compromised, people are led astray.

We are to guard and cherish the Word of God. It is what leads to eternal life. It’s not just a concept or thoughtful words, but powerful words: “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.” (Romans 1.16 ESV)

C2C: God has entrusted us with His Word. He requires commitment- it’s time to reject lies, and be faithful to His word and calling.

Emmanuel Ministries Notes 8/02/09

2009-08-02T18:26:00.003-04:00

Today we had a good service. I barely lasted through the worship time- my voice was struggling. However, it ended up to be a good time of worship in song ending mainly a Capella. The message was easy to preach, though the content could be seen as offensive to some. That was not my concern. I intend to preach God's Word no matter what society decides is appropriate.

The message notes are listed in an earlier post. God was giving me strength to get past any voice problems and giving me confidence to proclaim His Word. I thank Him for the opportunity. It is a major blessing.

It was difficult being away for two weeks; in another two weeks I will be unable to preach due to my grandmother's funeral. That will be difficult as well. It was good to see the folks at the ministry and to see Márcia again. We miss her and her family when we are away. They are great friends to us. I am happy to be working with her again.

"And Such Were Some of You" (1 Corinthians 6.9-11)

2009-08-02T18:18:00.003-04:00

⁹Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, ¹⁰nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. ¹¹And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. (1 Corinthians 6:9-11 ESV)

Context (v.1-8)

These verses speak of lawsuits among believers; the prevalent issue being the actions and character of believers. There was a practice among these Christians of mimicking the world in bringing lawsuits against each other. The upcoming verses shed light on why the practice is wrong.

The Excluded (v.9-10)- Excluded from God's Kingdom

Those who have not forsaken a lifestyle of sin are slaves to their sin (Romans 6.16, "Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness?" ESV)
Those who are slaves of sin will not enter Heaven

The Empowered (v.11)- Empowered by God as His children

And such were some of you: a defined change; a transformation. (Romans 12:1-2, "I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. ² Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." ESV)

BUT YOU WERE:

washed- a spiritual cleansing from sin’s power
sanctified- a break from sin, being “set apart” related to being made holy
justified- being judged as righteous by God by Christ’s righteousness

...in the name of the Lord Jesus and the Spirit of our God

Salvation’s work is found only in Christ’s name (Acts 4:12) and through the Spirit of God: “we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.” (2 Corinthians 3:18 ESV).

Mary Helen Garbacki 9.6.1917-7.26.2009

2009-07-27T10:52:00.004-04:00

A short post to honor my dear grandmother, Mary Helen Garbacki. She died at 9:27pm on Sunday July 26, 2009 in the company of her sons Robert and Peter Paul.

She helped raise me when I was a child and I have many fond memories of her. If not for this dear woman I would not have had much appreciation for my Savior and my God, Jesus.

She was placed in Hospice back in 2005 by Dr. Robert Blackburn- a quack in Spring Hill, FL. He did not even bother seeing her before placing her there. She made a fool out of him by living about four years more than he expected.

As I prayed concerning how I felt about her passing, I was reminded of David when his son from Bathsheba (Uriah's wife- the one David stole from him and had him killed over) died:

After Nathan had gone home, the LORD struck the child that Uriah's wife had borne to David, and he became ill. 16 David pleaded with God for the child. He fasted and went into his house and spent the nights lying on the ground. 17 The elders of his household stood beside him to get him up from the ground, but he refused, and he would not eat any food with them.

18 On the seventh day the child died. David's servants were afraid to tell him that the child was dead, for they thought, "While the child was still living, we spoke to David but he would not listen to us. How can we tell him the child is dead? He may do something desperate."

19 David noticed that his servants were whispering among themselves and he realized the child was dead. "Is the child dead?" he asked. "Yes," they replied, "he is dead."

20 Then David got up from the ground. After he had washed, put on lotions and changed his clothes, he went into the house of the LORD and worshiped. Then he went to his own house, and at his request they served him food, and he ate.

21 His servants asked him, "Why are you acting this way? While the child was alive, you fasted and wept, but now that the child is dead, you get up and eat!"

22 He answered, "While the child was still alive, I fasted and wept. I thought, 'Who knows? The LORD may be gracious to me and let the child live.' 23 But now that he is dead, why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I will go to him, but he will not return to me." (2 Samuel 12.15-23 NIV)

I prayed for my dear grandmother as she was alive, and hoped for her then. However, now she has gone on and my time of grief is only about missing her. As David asked, I ask, "Can I bring her back again?" Obviously, no. Perhaps we will meet again in heaven. That is my hope.

Acts 8.4-8 "Proclaiming the Message"

2009-07-12T08:40:00.002-04:00

“Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word. 5Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed to them the Christ. 6And the crowds with one accord paid attention to what was being said by Philip when they heard him and saw the signs that he did. 7For unclean spirits, crying out with a loud voice, came out of many who had them, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed. 8So there was much joy in that city.” (Acts 8.4-8 ESV)

When Philip went to Samaria after having to leave Jerusalem. He did what came naturally: he preached the Gospel. We can learn a great deal from him about the power of the Gospel.

The Message was Preached (v.4-5)
• “those who were scattered”- driven out of Jerusalem (Jewish Believers)
• “went about preaching the Word”- customary to live proclaiming the message
• Philip: not the Apostle, an evangelist/missionary and original deacon (Acts 6.5)
• The commission to preach the message was from Christ (Matthew 28.18-20)

The Message was Powerful (v.6-7)
• The message was validated by God's power
• It's power was foretold by Christ (Mark 16.15-18)
• The Holy Spirit worked in people's lives to save and heal

The Message was Productive (v.8)
• When Philip preached, people were saved (we can see in the context of this chapter)
• His work brought “much joy” to the city
• The powerful message is going to lead to salvation of some who do not believe
• “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.” -Romans 1.16 (ESV)

We, just like Philip must bring the Gospel with us wherever we go. When we do we will see results over time. We step out and do the work; the result is the Lord's. Philip did not talk these people into anything, the Holy Spirit did the work.

Romans 6.20-23 "Declaration of Dependence"

2009-07-04T15:03:00.000-04:00

“For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. 21 But what fruit were you getting at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. 22But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life. 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6.20-23 (ESV)

In 1776, our national began with the writing and signing of the Declaration of Independence. It was a brave and noble act. However, when it comes to salvation we must recognize our sinfulness and inability to win our own salvation. It requires a total trust- a dependence- in Christ for us to inherit salvation.

Slaves to Sin (v.20-21)
• God's law finds all people guilty
• Sin enslaves
• Law introduces us to knowledge of sin (GalatianComplete Song List | s 3.24: “So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith.” [ESV])
• Free from righteousness: fruit is wrath/death

Set Free from Sin (v.22)
• Righteousness comes through Christ, not the law
• Through Christ was can be set free from sin: fruit is sanctification(process of becoming clean or holy)/salvation

Salvation in the Son (v.23)
• The previous three verses summed up in verse 23
• The point is clear: if we are independent in this regard we are bound for hell
• We must be totally dependent on Jesus for salvation

In 1776 the founding fathers declared independence from Great Britain. Today we must declare our total dependence on Jesus. There is no other way to be saved and set free from sin.

Emmanuel Ministries Notes 6/28/09

2009-06-29T13:26:00.004-04:00

It was a wonderful day to be in Dade City yesterday! We actually arrived around 9am to meet with family from Pensacola. It was a great time of fellowship and catching up. We were at the Ministry about 10:50 and most of the people were already there and ready to go.

My newly strung guitar was ready to go and we worshiped in Spanish by singing "Este es el Dia" and "Sing! Shout!" followed by "Dame/Give Me." The worship time was really good- especially with my limited abilities being used to lead the way. I did encourage the English-speaking people to try to sing along with the Spanish songs and gave a brief pronounciation lesson (some of my tiny knowledge of Spanish).

We were able to separate the languages again, so I was able to preach solely in English. However, before I did I encouraged the English speaking people to be accepting of those who spoke Spanish and told them about how there were people there in the past who were prejudice against the Hispanish part of the Ministry. I told the people that it was disgraceful to act that way and that they should not allow that to be a part of their thinking. This group seemed to be very open to what I had to say and did not seem to have a problem with the Spanish speaking part of the Ministry.

My message was on James 1.22. It was a simple outline:

But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. -James 1.22 ESV

Live It (Romans 12.1-2): Live a transformed life; turn from sin to God, etc.

Show It (James 2.14-23): Demonstrate faith by doing what God says (Abraham); "Faith that shows nothing is nothing"

Talk It (Ephesians 4.29-32): Our communication should reflect Christ in our lives

Emmanuel Ministries Notes 6/21/09

2009-06-22T14:40:00.003-04:00

Arriving at the ministry at exactly 11am did not give me time to prepare; however, the ministry had another break-in and several fans were stolen along with some other items. That meant the other room- used for the services in Spanish- was unavailable. It would have reached around 100 degrees in there.

Therefore, I had to preach before the whole group and translation was provided by my wife, Loiana. She did a good job, especially since she was not planning on translating and since I had to simplify the message while preaching. It is difficult to preach with an interpreter because it interrupts the flow of the message.

All in all, the message went well- I did an extended review of the last two weeks since this was the third in a three-part series. It was pretty hot- worse than usual, because we were left with less fans.

I led worship a Capella once again, and added "Sanctuary" (or "Santuario" in Spanish) as one of the worship songs. Leading in Spanish was a challenge, but it was successful.

Finally, I met a new couple who have a little boy (about nine months old). They live in a converted bus without an air conditioner. Their generator was stolen, leaving them no way to keep the bus cool in the extreme heat. The gentleman, Mike, has a heart condition and it in poor health. Their situation broke my heart. I wished I could do something to help. He was working at SweetBay (a grocery chain) in the deli, but when he had a heart attack they fired him. Fortunately they have WIC and food stamps to keep them from starving and to keep the baby healthy, but they are in a bad situation.

Add to that the fact that another gentleman- a veteran- and his wife are being evicted because they are behind on their rent, and I was overwhelmed. The man who is behind on his rent, Edward, has been trying to work something out with unemployment and disability or to find a job that he can do without compromising his heart condition, but without success. We actually met with Edward and his wife and took time to pray with them. We shared a meal with them and we happy to finally meet his wife. She is in poor health as well. They do not have much because of the path they have been on in life- including being a military family. They were unable to have children, but would always help with children where they lived. Edward has been preaching on Thursday nights at the ministry. He had worked toward a Bachelors degree earlier.

Please, Christian brothers and sister, pray for these people and this ministry. They have not given up, but the times have been tough for them.

Mark 10.32-34 "Three Persepctives" (Pt. 3)

2009-06-22T13:09:00.000-04:00

46 And they came to Jericho. And as he was leaving Jericho with his disciples and a great crowd, Bartimaeus, a blind beggar, the son of Timaeus, was sitting by the roadside. 47 And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me! 48 And many rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he cried out all the more, Son of David, have mercy on me! 49 And Jesus stopped and said, Call him. And they called the blind man, saying to him, Take heart. Get up; he is calling you. 50 And throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus. 51 And Jesus said to him, What do you want me to do for you? And the blind man said to him, Rabbi, let me recover my sight. 52 And Jesus said to him, Go your way; your faith has made you well. And immediately he recovered his sight and followed him on the way.

Perspective of Salvation (The Blind Beggar) FREE

The Request (v.46-47)

Bartimaeus means son of Timaeus, emphasized by repetition- probably for a reason
Timaeus means “honor”
CONTRAST: James and John sought honor, Jesus rejected their request; this man had no honor, despite his name, and Jesus granted his request
James 4.6 “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” (ESV); 1 Peter 5.5 “Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” (ESV)

The Rebuke (v.48)

This man was mocked and rebuked by the crowd
He was ridiculed because he was different (do we act that way?)

The Recognition (v.49-51)

Despite his low position, Bartimaeus was called by Jesus
Bartimaeus “sprang up” when called by Jesus
He left behind his cloak- probably used to collect money from begging; left his old life behind not looking back
Luke 9.62 “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.” (ESV)

The Reward (v.52)

When Bartimaeus obeyed Jesus, he was healed
Bartimaeus responded by following Jesus
Not the trite and shallow response seen in many places today. He was hungering and thirsting for God (Psalm 42.1-2: “As a deer longs for streams of water,
so I long for You, God. ²I thirst for God, the living God. When can I come and appear before God?” [HCSB])

Emmanuel Ministries Notes 6/14/09

2009-06-15T11:21:00.001-04:00

We arrived about two minutes early because we stopped at WalMart for a bathroom break before going to the ministry. Keep in mind, things like this have to be planned, as there is no bathroom at the ministry. The key to this ministry is flexibility.

When we arrived on site, the doors were still locked as the people who have keys had not yet arrived. I have not yet been issued a key to the building. At about eight minutes after, I was about to being the service outdoors. However, the people with keys showed up just at that time.

The service began shortly thereafter. We prayed, read Ephesians 4 and had a Capella worship.

Finally, my wife brought the Spanish speaking people into the second room for their message and I began the message in English. I think the message went very well. It was not difficult to stick with the text and I feel like the Lord led me into a heightened understanding of His Word- things I had meditated on and studied became clearer as I was preaching. It was an exciting experience for me and I noticed that our dear friend Alice (who has been improving in health) stayed awake and alert despite working the night-shift before coming to the ministry for her fellowship and worship time. That was a good sign.

The turn-out was larger than normal despite some regular attenders being absent. In a way that is good, but I think it would be better for the people to join fellowship in a local church for the full benefit of being in the body of Christ. However, these are people who need the Word of God- for salvation or to grow in their faith. Some of them would probably find it hard to be accepted in many local churches- this is also a sad fact. That rejection makes them wary of attending any local church- though there are a number of good churches in the Dade City area.

Mark 10.35-45 "3 Perspectives" (Pt. 2)

2009-06-15T11:11:00.002-04:00

KEY VERSE: "For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." (Mark 10.45 ESV)

Perspective of Selfishness (The Two Disciples) FOOLISH

The Inappropriate Request (v.35-37)
• James and John (spurred on by their mother- Mt. 20.20-28) disregard the gravity of Jesus’ previous subject seeking their own honor
• James and John had the audacity to say, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.”
• They wanted to sit in places of honor and glory after they heard Jesus say He was about to be delivered to die

The Illuminating Response (v.38-40)
• Jesus introduces James and John into some harsh reality
• He questions if they can stand up to what He will face
• Then He confirms that they will endure His “baptism”
• He still defers to the Father and His Father’s preparation

The Indignant Reaction (v.41-44)
• The disciples became angry and Jesus began to teach
• He described the great as those who would serve
• Leadership is not a power trip, but a place of service when done right

The Ideal Ransom (v.45)
• He described Himself as a Servant
• The Suffering Servant of Isaiah 53 who would have the sins of many laid upon Him
• Jesus came to die as a “ransom for many”

Evil in Religion: Christian Man Raped, Murdered

2009-06-13T11:34:00.003-04:00

Christian Man Raped, Murdered for Refusing to Convert to Islam, Family Says - FOXNews.com

Islam, the religion of peace according to Barack Obama, George W. Bush and many others, is once again at the heart of a brutal act. Of course, brutality is highlighted when it is a nut killing an abortionist, but where is the major story covering this (outside of Fox News)?

Islam is brutal and vengeful at its very heart and it is clear when islamic history is viewed in an honest effort to get to the truth. For more information see Don Walton's book The Truth About Islam. (<=Click for information on this great book!)

Emmanuel Ministries Notes 6/07/09

2009-06-08T13:52:00.003-04:00

Sunday was a great day to serve the Lord. I had overcome my fever and sickness by the grace of God and was on time to the ministry to preach and lead worship.

As a group we have been reading a chapter a week and read Ephesians chapter three together in English and Spanish during the beginning of the service. From there we went into our worship time. We sang a song in English (Sing! Shout!- one I wrote with God's help) and then one in Spanish (Este es el Dia- This is the Day). After that I broke a string. So we began "Dame/Give Me" a cappella, obviously, in English and Spanish. It was the best worship we have had to this poit. Better participation by all, especially those who speak Spanish. To me it seems that the Spirit moves best when something goes wrong technically.

Finally I preached the first part of my serires "Three Perspectives on the Way to Jerusalem." I thought the message went very well. It seemed that people were attentive and afterward people addressed me while referencing some things I preached about. It was very exciting event of which I had a part.

Tiller's Death and Esther

2009-06-08T10:43:00.005-04:00

Let'sReasonTogether
Monday, June 1, 2009

Tiller's Death and Esther
Dr. George Tiller is no stranger to violence. That was his job: to kill babies before they could be born. He was proud of that. Just watch the news clips being shown on the networks. Dr. Tiller proudly proclaimed "they will never run me out of town." The media portrays him as a Christian man just doing his job and states his wife screamed when she saw his body. God help her. She lived with a man who killed countless babies and didn't have the intestinal fortitude to challenge him. She's living off the blood of dead babies.

Abortion requires violence against the baby in the womb. Dr. Tiller killed innocent babies on a daily basis. He was proud and he made a lot of money, perhaps up to $5,000 per abortion. The murder of Dr. Tiller is inexcusable. We all know that God said "Do not murder."

For the last seven weeks I've been attending a study of Esther. Haman built a gallows to hang the Jew Mordecai but due to God's providence Haman was hung on those very same gallows. Mordecai received Haman's estate and his position in Xerxes' kingdom.

I believe those babies Dr. Tiller murdered now have a place in God's kingdom. I believe Dr. Tiller's fate is more aligned with Haman, as was his character. Haman had decreed the death of all Jews in the Persian. He was willing to kill anyone to get what he wanted. Dr. Tiller killed babies to get what he wanted.

Proverbs 26:27 says "The one one who digs a pit will fall into it, and whoever rolls a stone-it will come back on him." Dr. Tiller's stone rolled back on him!!

Let's pray for the salvation of the parties involved and that Jesus will be high and lifted up!!!

Mark 10.32-34 "Three Persepctives" (Pt. 1)

2009-06-06T19:31:00.009-04:00

I have been sick since yesterday, so I can only offer the outline of the sermon for tomorrow. It is the first of a three-part series called "Three Perspectives on the Way to Jerusalem". I have preached this are a single sermon before, but am splitting it up for more detail and to emphasize different points for those who attend Emmanuel Ministries.

And they were on the road, going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was walking ahead of them. And they were amazed, and those who followed were afraid. And taking the twelve again, he began to tell them what was to happen to him, saying, See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death and deliver him over to the Gentiles. And they will mock him and spit on him, and flog him and kill him. And after three days he will rise. (Mark 10.32-34 ESV)

Perspective of Suffering (The Savior) FOCUSED

Anticipation (v.32a) style type="text/css">

Jesus also explains that He will rise from the dead and He did!

Unlike any other “religion,” or “religious leader,” Jesus’ prophecy was true and fulfilled and He did rise again

No other would-be savior rose from the dead and lives forevermore

On the way to Jerusalem Jesus would face two foes
- Roman authorities
- Jewish religious leaders
The disciples were “amazed”- probably at the determination Jesus demonstrated in the trek to His death
The other followers were “afraid”- probably looking to Him as a political leader with battles upcoming- ones they might be drawn into

Atonement (v.32b-34a)

Jesus describes how He would be treated
- Delivered to Jewish religious leaders and then Roman authorities
- Mocked, punished and killed
Jesus warns that He will be delivered to die in Jerusalem
They lose faith in this later at His crucifixion

Assurance (v.34b)

Jesus also explains that He will rise from the dead and He did!

Unlike any other “religion,” or “religious leader,” Jesus’ prophecy was true and fulfilled and He did rise again

No other would-be savior rose from the dead and lives forevermore

Jesus was focused as He traveled to Jerusalem. He knew the task and suffering before Him, but He knew it was necessary to bring salvation to the human race. The people around Him did not understand at this point, but some would understand eventually.

What Jesus was going to Jerusalem for was His death- the payment for the sin of those who would receive Him.

Realize we are sinful (Romans 3.23 “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”);
Realize that Jesus paid a death penalty on our behalf, paying the wages for our sins giving us eternal life (Romans 6.23 “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”);
Realize we must call on Jesus for salvation and commit our lives to Him (Romans 10.13, Philippians 3.14, “For 'everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.'” and “I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”)

Society: Reflection of the Church

2009-06-03T07:42:00.003-04:00

The following post is from Pastor Myrue Spivey of Grace Bible Sanctuary in Palm Bay, Florida. I thought it was well thought out and made a lot of sense. I post it here with his permission.

"The Church is the conscience to society and society is a reflection ofthe church. A self-restrained society is a testimony to a holy living and God pleasing Church. But a loose, corrupt, immoral and unrestrained society is an indictment on the Church for it's lack of holiness and for it's dishonoring of God!"

Therefore, when you read of, hear about or actually witness personally some of the godless and immoral evils taking place in our society. Do not pull your spiritual dagger to go to war with the world. Rather recognize that they are simply reflections of OUR failure to function as an effective conscience to society.

May it drive us to our knees in repentance for our personal and corporate sins, crying out to God for a fresh vision of Himself and for power of and from the Holy Spirit to grant us a love for Him and a love to worship and adore Him- rather than seeking how much more we can do for Him. Remember, "When we be who we are called to be. God can and will do through us all He purpose to do through us for Him!" In other words,"Knowing Him intimately is prerequisite to serving Him faithfully and all service rendered apart from knowing Him intimately, is blasphemy!"

James 4:1-10 "Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members? You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures. Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. Or do you think that the Scripture says in vain, "The Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously"? But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: "God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble." Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.

James 5:13-20 "Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call forthe elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will beforgiven. Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit. Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins."

Myrue L. Spivey May 16, 2009

Emmanuel Ministries Notes 5/31/09

2009-05-31T20:22:00.004-04:00

The notes will be short tonight. I am dead tired! The ministry went very well. I led worship in Spanish and English (including songs I wrote myself). The message went smoothly and was well received. I had several people talk to me after service about things related to what I preached.

Ministry-wise, the successful feeling of our work springs from the fact that I am getting to know the people better (and there were about 18 English speaking folks and about 10 Spanish speaking folks). One gentleman revealed a prayer request to me that he was not comfortable sharing with the group gathered, another spoke to me about his life and his wife's health; yet another one asked me to come by where he works and pray with him sometime. I am going to try to run up that way on Saturday before I head to Seminary so I can meet with him.

Realistically, I do not think this is a pastor position that I am filling; all that is expected of me is to come and preach. However, I feel more responsible to the people than just being a preacher. I really believe that God is working on me in this area.

Finally, I noticed that one of our regulars was not there. Her name is Alice. She reported last week that she had been bleeding from her nose and mouth. My hope is that she was out for other reasons. If she is not there next week, we are going to try to visit her. I am concerned about her. She is a sweet lady who works hard on the midnight shift. I am convinced that she is a true believer in our Lord Jesus Christ. Saints, please pray for her.

In closing, after the service my family met with our old pastor (from the church that ordained me in 2004) and had lunch with them. Their children had grown! Afterward, we went to his brother's house and played hockey. That was fun- and it is confirmed, I am way out of shape. We won 6-3 and I scored 2 goals.

Commitment Has a Cost (outline)

2009-05-30T11:41:00.002-04:00

This week's message will be Commitment Has a Cost- last preached at Antioch Fellowship Baptist Church. Click the title for a link to the Outline of the message. I will work on the three part message for next week. It's the direction I felt God was leading.

Emmanuel Ministries Notes 5/24/09

2009-05-24T15:31:00.005-04:00

Today there were more people at Emmanuel Ministries. It was a good service and the heat was not overwhelming. I preached on Matthew 7.24-27 "A Foundation on Rock or Sand?" The message went well.

I was reflecting on the service afterward and realize that the work here will take some time. I preach evangelisticly, but the people have heard the Gospel multiple times before. I will need to continue to preach and, when appropriate, disciple those who prove to be Christians. It is difficult to tell at this point who are Christians and who are not. There are a few I know from before and I am confident that at least three are Christians. One I doubt is a Christian. I will pray for wisdom in working with the people there; in how and what I preach as well as in how I deal with them.

Next week I plan on bringing my guitar and leading worship in English and Spanish. I am not really a worship leader, but I will offer my best for the Lord. It will be about Him, not me anyway. I think the Hispanic crowd will appreciate my attempts at leading worship in Spanish. I told my wife that I will not lead worship unless it is in both languages. After realizing Márcia's heart last week, I share the caring for these folks.

May God be glorified in this work.

Matthew 7.24-27 "A Foundation of Rock or Sand"

2009-05-23T20:30:00.003-04:00

"Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. ²⁵And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. ²⁶And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. ²⁷And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it." (Matthew 7.24-27 ESV)

Built on the Rock (v. 24-25)

For a life to be built on the Rock, Christ’s Words are the Key (see v. 24). The person who hears the Word Jesus spoke and does what He taught builds his life on the Rock- Christ. He is a person who is wise, likened in this passage to a person who builds a house on a strong foundation so that it will stand in adverse conditions. Or, more specifically, like a house build on a rock (solid foundation).

Weathering the storm (v. 25) is made possible through the strength drawn from a life in Christ. When the storm comes and beats on the house, it remains standing. There is a strength that the firmness of the foundation lends to the house built thereupon. Jesus says that the house stands on the strong foundation.

Obviously, Christ is the strong foundation and trusting in Him is standing on the Rock. Therefore, trusting in Him gets us through the storms. The storms are not strong enough to tear down the shelter or refuge we find in Jesus.

Built on the Sand (v. 26-27)

For a life to be built on the sand, Christ’s words are simply ignored (v. 26). The person who hears and ignores the Word of Christ is unwise or “foolish.” The structure he spends his life building is like unto a house on a shifting foundation: it will not stand for the duration. It is clearly reflected in the well-known song lyrics: “On Christ the solid Rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand.”

When our lives are not built on the Word of Christ, we are overwhelmed by the storm (v. 27). We are guaranteed that storms will come. Accordingly, when they do come, a life that has chosen to ignore Christ is like the house that is destroyed. It is illustrated in Psalm 127.1 (ESV) “Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain.”

Built on Christ (Conclusion)

Christ is the Rock- He is the cornerstone. He is the One who gives strength to the structure. Being the point of strength in the structure Jesus is the inspiration for the following Scripture: Ephesians 2.19-21 (ESV) “So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, ²⁰ built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, ²¹ in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord.”

Jesus is the solid rock foundation that will weather the worst of life’s storms. There is a promise that things will not always be easy, but He will see us through. In fact, in Hebrews 13.5 (ESV) the writer says, “he has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’”

The Way to Salvation

Salvation comes only through Jesus Christ (John 14.6/Acts 4.12)

Recognize ourselves sinful (Romans 3.23 “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”);

Recognize that Jesus is the Son of God who died a death penalty on our behalf, paying the wages for our sins giving us eternal life (Romans 6.23 “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”);

Recognize that we are to call on Jesus for salvation and commit our lives to Him (Romans 10.13, Philippians 3.14, “For 'everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.'” and “I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”)

Emmanuel Ministries Notes 5/17/09

2009-05-18T12:00:00.003-04:00

We arrived at the Ministry just before 11am. The folks were already there waiting for us. There were about thirteen English-speaking people when we arrived.

When we were walking into the door I heard Márcia (the director of the ministry) say, "Ah, here comes mi compadre!" That is what she calls me. Her husband and I call each other the same at times, but he also calls me Pete. He does not attend the ministry but another church.

Márcia started the services by leading in two songs- one in Spanish and one in English. The English song was a staple for her at the ministry: "This is the Day." The Spanish song was with the equivalent message, but a different song. After leading in song and having a prayer, Márcia introduced me... She said, "and now, coming to preach is Pastor... (she paused, trying to think of my name)... Pastor... Mi Compadre." That brought forth a laugh from the crowd gathered.

After that we separated the Spanish-speaking and the English-speaking to make the ministry run more smoothly. I preached the message posted earlier this weekend. The message went well and I feel confident I did not interject my thoughts as much as what the text was driving at. We closed with my daughter beginning "Jesus Loves Me" and closed by giving a testimony about what has been going on since we left a few years ago (some people there remembered us and asked). We tried to make the focus be on Jesus even when we were telling them about the past few years.

Finally, after the service, Lói (my wife) and I learned an important lesson. Márcia spoke about how she wanted to make sure she had items for each of the "three kinds of people" that show up to the ministry: "black, white and Spanish." We (Lói and I) told her "Don't worry about it, they are getting something that helps." However, later we realized that we were wrong. Márcia is in this ministry because she has a deep compassion for the people. She wants to give them the best possible. She is not providing welfare, but a ministry; to honor the recipients and Jesus she wants to offer the best possible.

May we also have that heart in what we do. Whether I preach to thirteen, ten, one or one hundred, I need to offer the best that I can offer to honor God and those who will be there to receive.

Anyway, that is the report from Emmanuel Ministries. I will plan on having these reports weekly for any who would like to follow what is happening in our ministry. We also have a place to follow on Twitter: #emmanmin ; posts will be from @pregador27 generally.