Oh no! You're looking for something which just isn't here! Fear not however, errors are to be expected, and luckily there are tools on the sidebar for you to use in your search for what you need.
Lead me to the rock that is higher than I. Psalm 61:2
Oh no! You're looking for something which just isn't here! Fear not however, errors are to be expected, and luckily there are tools on the sidebar for you to use in your search for what you need.
[...] (vbc) vbc.style.visibility = ‘hidden’; e.style.backgroundColor = ‘#fff’ }); }); today Administering the Gospel Ef… trackback from post [...To follow on from the previous message; The Gospel Holds the Power, I would [...]
We have been called to spread his good news throughout the whole world. let’s not be ashamed in spreading it.
Amen John.
Hi John
Like you, I fully believe in what you have written above. God’s anointing is in the Holy Spirit and is available to His children as a given. It took me a long time to grasp this. I spent years asking for the Holy Spirit, and the Lord finally showed me that it is in a repentant, given life, laid bare at the foot of the cross, that you become a child of God, that you ‘receive’ the Holy Spirit. It is not simply a mouth confession of praying a prayer after an emotional deliverance of a sermon. It is part of the miracle of God that takes place at the moment of true conversion.
One thing I would like to add to something you wrote, if I may?
“He will manifest through us all in His own unique ways according to the Scriptures, but it will be for the profit of all, not for our own selfish enjoyment and revelry.”
It is also about the glory of God, bringing Him glory in who we are in His life in us and all we are involved in. Much of the experiential based belief you talk about above boils down to them getting a high that then needs feeding – ‘chasing the dragon’ if you will. The focus is then on themselves and their fleshly responses, then on the men/women handing out the so-called ‘anointings’ and not on God at all and it is definitely not sought for God’s glory.
I had friends who watched Lakeland last year like a drug. It was horrifying to watch them and no amount of cautioning stopped them – the more they devoured it to the point of being resentful of others not wanting to watch, the greater the drug called them.
Everything ought to be for the edification of the saints and for His Glory otherwise there is no real purpose to anything we do, and it will be based in gratifying self.
In Jesus
Jessie
Amen Jessie, I couldn’t agree more!
Hi John
This reading I leave with you below, is from Oswald Chambers’ daily devotional – My Utmost for His Highest – and it is one reading that helped me understand what work out your own salvation with fear and trembling means. I pray it will bless other readers too and that the Lord will take them to a place of understanding how He brings it about in us. What He reveals to us in secret, He helps us work it out in our everyday life.
The Lord bless you
WORK OUT WHAT GOD WORKS IN
“Work out your own salvation.” Philippians 2:12-13
Your will agrees with God, but in your flesh there is a disposition which renders you powerless to do what you know you ought to do. When the Lord is presented to the conscience, the first thing conscience does is to rouse the will, and the will always agrees with God. You say – “But I do not know whether my will is in agreement with God.” Look to Jesus and you will find that your will and your conscience are in agreement with Him every time. The thing in you which makes you say “I shan’t” is something less profound than your will; it is perversity, or obstinacy, and they are never in agreement with God. The profound thing in man is his will, not sin. Will is the essential element in God’s creation of man: sin is a perverse disposition which entered into man. In a regenerated man the source of will is almighty. “For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure.” You have to work out with concentration and care what God works in; not work your own salvation, but work it out, while you base resolutely in unshaken faith on the complete and perfect Redemption of the Lord. As you do this, you do not bring an opposed will to God’s will, God’s will is your will, and your natural choices are along the line of God’s will, and the life is as natural as breathing. God is the source of your will, therefore you are able to work out His will. Obstinacy is an unintelligent ‘wadge’ that refuses to be enlightened; the only thing is for it to be blown up with dynamite, and the dynamite is obedience to the Holy Spirit.
Do I believe that Almighty God is the source of my will? God not only expects me to do His will, but He is in me to do it.
Thankyou Jessie, this is a wonderful balance to this post. You have shown through it that it is not a desire to display our own works at all, but to realise solemnly that it is Christ within us, working out that which He desires.
The main point I was attempting to make clear, was that it is up to us as believers, to sincerely and earnestly test our own lives by the light of Scripture, to ensure this is actually the case, and we are in fact in Him to begin with.
Bless you sister.
Two interesting points that have surfaced on the forum concerning the aspect of how we follow Jesus are the following:
1. There is the common system called WWJD (What would Jesus do?), which in principle is a great standard, but when looked at more closely leaves a lot to be desired. Click here to read
2. The second point is that of the use of bad Bible translations to promote our own agenda. In particular this is aimed at the growing popularity of the translation known as “the Message”, which is commonly used in the emerging/emergent church today. Click here to read
If you would like to add your own input, please leave a comment here, or register as a member directly through the forum itself.
Anyone who faithfully and correctly proclaims the Word of God will speak with authority.
It is not our own authority. It is not even the ecclesiastical authority attached to the office of a pastor or teacher in the church. It is a still greater authority than that. Insofar as our teaching accurately reflects the truth of Scripture, it has the full weight of God’s own authority behind it. This is precisely how 1 Peter 4:11 instructs us to handle biblical truth: “If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God.”
Amen Andy I agree. We have only one real Authority to answer to and that is the Lord.
So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, “If you continue in MY WORD, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the TRUTH, and the TRUTH will make you FREE.” (John 8:31,32; NASB)
It was for FREEDOM that Christ set us FREE; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a YOKE OF SLAVERY. (Galatians 5:1; NASB)
I had a look at BibleGateway for covering – the type mentioned above in John’s post and as far as I could see from a cursory look, is not mentioned. So, where does it come from? I personally think it is an invention of the modern church and after I had ventured a bit further to find out more about it, this very thing was confirmed to me when I came upon this link. http://www.slm.org/trtdigst/articles/covering.html – an excerpt from this link states:
## The second primary conceptual error on which the heretical hyper-authoritarian Discipleship/Shepherding doctrines are established, is the matter of “spiritual covering.” Indeed, so-called “spiritual covering” is the very centerpiece of these wholly unBiblical teachings and the authoritarian abuse they engender, which is absolutely endemic in Pentecostal and Neo-Pentecostal sects.
Let me begin by stating plainly and directly: “spiritual covering” as theorized by the Discipleship theosophy is an absolute MYTH. No semblance of the Shepherding teaching version of “spiritual covering” exists anywhere within the pages of Scripture. “Spiritual covering,” in the vein it is presented by proponents and propagators of these hyper-authoritarian teachings, is an outright deception! It is a complete fabrication concocted by the originators of these fallacious doctrines as a supposed pretext for facilitation of entirely self-aggrandizing objectives of subjugation, domination, and control.##
I find this whole think quite sickening. It is clear that man is at the helm in such situations and that God is sidelined.
John, If the Lord has given you a directive, it is your responsibility to follow what you are called to do, regardless of what is said by others. Sometimes we are to set our faces as flint and get on with it, and it may cause a bad response from others if we will not comply, but this actually is of no consequence at all -it does not actually mean anything. We are called to obey God.
As children of the most High God, we are not under the false ’spiritual covering’ of any man or body of men. Our covering is Jesus Christ alone.
The Lord Bless you as you follow Him.
There are so many things that can be said against the general teachings of this course that it beggars belief. I am not going to waste my time seeking out each one, and then entering into an argument with people who just don’t want to listen, so thankfully I can link to an article that offers at least a few clear instances that Scripture clearly conflicts with the teachings of this course.
Even if you decide not to take the time to consider at least some of the conflictions with Scripture in the teaching of this course, just ask youself a couple of questions, and try answering them with integrity:
If the Bible states that the Gospel brings offense and division to the hearer, how can it be so that just about every denomination going, including heretics such as the Roman Catholic church, embrace this teaching?
How can so many claim to have come to salvation in Christ through this course, yet never realise their true sinful state before a Holy and Righteous God, nor understand the command to enter into His death, before receiving His life?
Hi John
What I find so amazing about this particular course, is not only how many churches are still promoting it (even here in South Africa), but how much is available to any person seeking discernment about it. And not only that, but how few are actually looking further than the whole ‘party’ feel and social dinners, that seems to go along with it as the real ‘highlight’ of the evening. The enormity of lack in the discernment area by pastors and teachers of churches leaves me utterly astounded (my own church at the time included). When I went researching this topic very recently, it took exactly 10 minutes to find at least 2-3 reputable, clear teachings against it and why it goes against the Word of God. It was that easy.It was also very clear.
All things must be tested against Scripture, especially those things which are promoted as ‘new’ in the church. The greatest enemy we face as Christians is the enemy within the ranks of Christianity itself. The apostates and heretics and feel-gooders which promote things like the Alpha course, do so much damage as people follow them like sheep without actually looking at it for themselves and seeking God’s response to it, and testing it against the Word of God, and I speak about myself here when I took part in this course 2003.
The Internet was still quite new to me and I was not all together about using it, so I went into the course not knowing enough about it.Because I trusted my elders in the church I was part of at the time, I allowed them to wrongfully discern for me. Wrong move. Bad move. I should have listened to the Lord and His promptings to stay away, because they were there, but I misunderstood what I sensed, and thought it was to do with the Holy Spirit weekend at the end. Now I know better.
As you rightfully question the two things above, the answers have to be seen in light of Scripture, which without that, have no truth in them and will all be lies.
Thank you and bless you for your posting.
hi. Having read your discussions, I feel compelled to respond. Although this seams – at first glance -like a rather scary quote, I take great comfort in it. I have been going through a series of troubiling events in my life recently, and I personally take this to mean that God is always with us. It also makes me think of Job. Sometimes bad things happen to good people – but it is all just a test. Our faith in God is what counts, and our love for him. God Bless Us All xxxx
Hi Hannah
Praise God for what He is doing in your heart and walk. We all move in ‘baby steps’ with Him and as we learn to trust Him, He takes us a bit further. Be so encouraged dear sister.
God bless
Steph
Hi Everyone! John.
New layout is kif (SA slang for cool!
)
You know, it is not often I am left with my mouth hanging open in surprise (its not pretty to see, trust me), but this woman saying what she said left me in this very un-pretty state. :-0 Like you, the applause at the end topped it.
In the real estate industry, they have a catch-phrase, “Location, location, location” The modern church’s has to be, “Compromise, compromise, compromise.”
What a sad state indeed!
He is deceived by a new-age Jesus. One who promises “the best life here and now”.
It seems I have been quoting Romans 1:16 alot lately.
“I am not ashamed of the gospel because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes, first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.”
Praise God for all the “bullhorn guys” who speak the truth.
Hi John,
Google ‘unitedinjesus.org.uk’ brought me to this site. hopefully, I’ll figure out how to navigate to the forum so I can add it to Favorites on this old (slow) laptop.
Bruce
Hello, hello, hello! Is anyone gonna use this thing?
You need to fix your hair first…
Now this gave me a hearty chuckle…..:-D
I just don’t know what you mean!
You know, that might just do it.. :thumbsup
looks like your wall don’t recognise a good smilie when it sees one….
Thank’s Steph, it’s nice that someone appreciates a handsome smile!
Can anyone join in?
Absolutely brother, that’s what it’s here for.
The closer I draw to Christ, the more I realise how I fall short of the mark, and how I need Him to save me!
How can we be so arrogant as to think we are right, and Jesus is wrong? Let God be true and every man a liar!
Click here to read more…
How can we be so arrogant?
Click here to read more
Your link to Apprising Ministries is not working dear bro
Ok now it is working :-8
I’ve embedded the clip of Chris Rosebrough’s radio show, dealing with the sermon referred to in the previous comment.
I’m so stupid, I couldn’t pour water out of my boot, if instructions were written on the heel!
Q: What cheese do you use to hide a horse?
A: Mascarpone!
Did you hear about the horse that got a job in a watch factory?
All he did was stand around making faces.
Had a wonderful time of Bible study with the others at Townhill Christian Fellowship. We began a study of the book of Romans today.
We’ve all been horrified at the FD forum how a guy named Peter Rollins can promote such an ungodly attitude in the name of Christ.
Read about it here, and feel free to join us at the forum, it only takes a minute to register.
Hi John
Do you perhaps know if there is an Mp3 version that can be downloaded of this. I am unable to watch something this long yet, but would love to hear it. Thanks!
Bless you
Hey Steph,
When I get chance I will record the audio from it and put it online for you. Just remind me if I haven’t done it in a few days.
God bless,
John.
Good news!
It’s me again, just to let you know I’ve found an audio file of the same message at good old Sermon Index.
Here’s the link: http://media.sermonindex.net/19/SID19336.mp3
Just simply in awe of my God! How wonderful is He?
Just preparing for Bible study we’re doing on Romans. Chapter 3 today.
What a book!
Hebrews 11:6
But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
I have just caught your Free Idiot Test Joke…. Hee hee!
Does that mean I pass???
With flying colours sister, with flying colours!
[...] from: HeartCry! Possibly related posts (Auto generated):PRESCRIBE AND ADMINISTER October 12th, 2009 | Tags: [...]
Hello dear brother. Just wanted to say “hello” and connect with you
Hi Steph.:)
Always good to hear from you. I’m just sorry I haven’t been around to chat this week.
Working day shifts as opposed to my normal night shifts this week, but back to normal from Monday.
Been having a few problems with the old theme, so I’m using this for now. Hope it’s not too boring!
Yawn… Just kidding!!!!!! Wondered where you were.
Catch you soon!
Check out my photo gallery!:)
[...] from: HeartCry! Possibly related posts (Auto generated):STOP PRESS: Church is irrelevant to the world! October [...]
[...] from: HeartCry! Possibly related posts (Auto generated):Christ the Only Way – R C Sproul November 2nd, 2009 | [...]
[...] from: HeartCry! Possibly related posts (Auto generated):NEW DISPOSITIONSSeeing His FaceThe Gospel holds the power [...]
I see this as a very commonly expressed attitude, and an excellent example of ‘rationalizing’ spiritual things with the carnal mind. 15 years ago, I could not believe that genuine believers would ever give an ear to Universalism teachings… yet it has become one of the most prevalent movements sweeping the world today. Tolerance and compromise are required, in order to appease people, (promoting ‘peace’)and revoke all of Christ’s requirements that we die to our flesh and live by His Spirit. It’s everywhere today. I cannot help but wonder if it is not part of the ‘great delusion’ sent to those who refuse to hold a love of the truth…??
God bless, Cathy
At the 2.00 mark of this video, this woman says it all really in her statement:
“I believe the whole world has access to God, I’m just not too worried about the mechanism.”
She then goes on to slate the way in which we are called to believe upon Jesus Christ alone as our Saviour, as denying the possiblity of grace.
This leaves a bitter taste in my mouth!
Oh how often I need to remember this is the truth!
[...] from: HeartCry! No related posts. November 11th, 2009 | Tags: salvation, spurgeon | Category: Blogged, Devotions, [...]
me too…and it is a most wonderful truth!
John, whilst reading your comment, I was reminded of the serpent in the garden saying to Eve in Genesis, “Did God really say…?” Like Cathy, I have also wondered if it is not part of the ‘great delusion’
Bless you bro.
Steph
Realised loudly and clearly today, how much I have to be thankful to God for! Praise You Lord Jesus, my God, my King and my Friend.
[...] from: HeartCry! No related posts. November 13th, 2009 | Tags: emergent church, legalism | Category: Blogged, [...]
Hi John. Amen! to your last comment on the wall. Really like your new look of your site -stunning logo! Bless you
Thanks Steph, but you know me…I can’t leave things alone for five minutes where websites are concerned!
Good preaching, Brother! It’s a message we all need to hear.
Tired, tired, tired! Looks like I’m in for a busy Christmas period. One full time job, one part time job, and a fellowship to serve!
What a fab picture!!
I know just how you feel. Praise God that you have work!:-D
I once saw a T-shirt that said,”You can sleep when you’re dead” which was very much tongue in cheek, but I got what they were saying…
Hey Steph my dear sis!
I’m feeling a little more awake today, and yes I am very thankful that I’m working too.
God bless and chat soon.x
Wonderful quote!!!!
Wanna buy a T-Shirt like this! Where can I get one?
The wonderful thing about Tozer is that he steps on everyone’s toes…be they Arminian or Calvinist. His bullet-phrases penetrate the self-centered armor we sometimes wear.
Found an excellent website for Christian cartoons.
http://calvinisticcartoons.blogspot.com/
[...] from: HeartCry! Possibly related posts (Auto generated):Becoming Like Little ChildrenThe Manhattan Declaration [...]
John,
You have some great articles on this blog, keep up the good work. I’m sorry I haven’t been around more often to see what you’ve been posting.
As one who finds themselves assisting the shepherd, scriptures like Jeremiah 23 and Matthew 7 are most troubling. I posted on Matthew 7 myself recently, for this one instills a sense of fear and wonder in my heart and mind.
I wonder can one know with certainty that he is “charged with leading Gods people”, as you say ?
A letter of confirmation of employment would be nice! For if I am not appointed to this am I then just a hireling?
Have I entered by the gate, or some other way?
Imposters will go from bad to worse, being deceived and deceiving others. Am i to be counted amongst this crowd……Lord?
Anyways, you got me thinking now.
Bless you,
Tim
[...] from: HeartCry! Possibly related posts (Auto generated):Psalm 97 – A Song of Praise to the Sovereign [...]
Just saying a quick hello and have been really tied up with fixing my clutch on my car with Manny. Catch you real soon. Hope you are really well!!!
[...] from: HeartCry! Possibly related posts (Auto generated):Quote (26) – Andrew Murray January 4th, 2010 | [...]
Ah dear brother!
What a joy to see and hear the Lord working in your life as He has, since we first met many months ago and that He has indeed done a great work in you this year past. He is truly glorious and will not withhold anything we might ask of Him such as you have asked. Praise Him that you have been delivered out of where you were and have been brought to where you are now. All glory to Him!
What a joy to read this
My prayer is that you may become nothing that He may become all and along with it, all it entails for Him to get you there. What a joy John.
Bless you
Well Spoken. Thank God for his mercy and grace unto us who are so undeserving! Regeneration is a beautiful thing and discernment is even sweeter.
Keep preaching the truth bro! Solus Christus!
Thanks for the kind comment my dear sister, Steph. It’s been a busy year all around really ain’t it?
Also, thanks for dropping by Mr PSb. I have to say I think you have one of the coolest blogs on the ‘net, in looks and content. I’ll be a regular visitor anyway, but I hope you don’t mind me having included the feed from your blog on this site too?
Bless you guys,
John.
Its all good John, we need to ban together in times like these. I look forward to your future posts. Soli Deo Gloria.
Great blog you have here – I’m subscribing! Keep burning the flame of truth my bro.
First Bible study of the New Year for us today
This is another blog article that goes a little deeper into the background of Montanism, and how it has infiltrated the church today through charismatic circles. http://oasislife.net/blog/?p=264
Also this is a link to modern day ecstatic worship promoted by such hugely popular ministries as “Extreme Prophetic” hosted by Patricia King, who can actually be seen in the video itself.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X2i5k6WuwX4
One of the most problematic issues I see regarding the New Ecstatics, New Mystics, Ecstatic Prophecy, and Ekstasis Worship group is that we are being told that there is now a “higher” revelation than what is found in scripture. In other words, there is something more and greater to be experienced with God than what we read about in the Bible. Once a person buys into this doctrine, then that person allows himself to be moved off the baseline or frame of reference of the Word of God. When this happens, then “anything goes” theologically. This is why we are seeing a flood of bad doctrine in the churches today. And, the pressure is enormous on today’s charismatic Christian to “go along with the crowd” so as to not appear “less than spiritual.”
A good scripture to apply to all of this is Acts 17:11 which reads “These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.” Christians today need to be vigilant and measure what they hear by the Word of God. The Bible and the scriptures therein are the standard, not some “new” or “special” revelation.
[...] from: HeartCry! No related posts. January 14th, 2010 | Category: Text|Author: [...]
Heard a great saying today: “You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make it drink. However you can feed it salt and make it thirsty!”
I really loved this, John.
It fills me with such a wonder of Who our Lord is, in relation to who we are. We are given a clear path to follow, narrow though it is and narrow it must be, He has shown us that He has and will equip us, to walk on it.
It also fills me with utter confidence that He will finish that which He has begun in us.
Joy of joys
Bless you
The elder is supposed to teach the younger…however its another thing when the teaching is bad. Bob Jones is as deluded as they come.
Hallelujah for the blood of Jesus which cleanses us from all sin and unrighteousness! Oh how we need more God-centered music like this in the modern church.
[...] from: HeartCry! Possibly related posts (Auto generated):Sabbath for the [...]
These Emergents need to apply the underlying reasoning behind their theology to their bank account and see if it amounts to anything. I second you on Fighting for the Faith also; its a great show that I highly recommend.
This was so cool
Had me tapping my foot along with it 
I guess John, they will be saying the same about their own kids one day… my folks sure did about us.
Thanks Steph.
I just love the common love of music we both have. It’s really something that allows a closer relationship than I think we would have without it, and one that allows me clear ground to share the love of Christ with Alex too.
Praise God.
[...] from: HeartCry! Possibly related posts (Auto generated):Christ the Only Way – R C [...]
[...] from: HeartCry! Possibly related posts (Auto generated):The Gospel holds the [...]
[...] from: HeartCry! Possibly related posts (Auto generated):John MacArthur – The Third [...]
[...] the heart of those He has chosen, that they are able to respond in faith to the call of the Gospel, as detailed in the previous article, and is completely detached from anything done by the believer [...]
[...] the heart of those He has chosen, that they are able to respond in faith to the call of the Gospel, as detailed in the previous article, and is completely detached from anything done by the believer [...]