“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.” Matthew 7:15
Now listen to me, in the case of the sheep’s clothing, what you have here is not some guy crawling on all fours into the flock with a sheep’s head hanging over his head. Shepherds for the most part, wore cloaks made of the wool of the sheep,’ do you see? The wool of the sheep when it was sheared was made into cloth for garments, the mark of a shepherd was he wore a wool cloak. Israel is much like California the evenings are very cold, even in the summer it cools down, and they needed that. The idea is not that he comes dressed like a sheep, the idea is that he comes dressed like a what? Shepherd, wearing the garment made from the sheep, sheep’s clothing is just another term for wool, And so as the false prophet wore the garment of the prophet, the false shepherd wears the garment of the shepherd. It isn’t that we’re dealing with a sheep who’s infiltrated,
Read the rest over at DefendingContending…click HERE.
There are few warnings in Scripture more solemn than that which heads this page. The Lord Jesus Christ says to us, “Remember Lot’s wife.”
It is a solemn warning, when we consider the subject Jesus is upon. He is speaking of His own second coming to judge the world; He is describing the dreadful state of unreadiness in which many will be found. The last days are on His mind when He says, “Remember Lot’s wife.”
It is a solemn warning, when we think of the person who gives it. The Lord Jesus is full of love, mercy and compassion; He is one who will not break the bruised reed nor quench the smoking flax. He could weep over unbelieving Jerusalem and pray for the men that crucified Him; yet even He thinks it good to remind us of lost souls. Even He says, “Remember Lot’s wife.”
It is a solemn warning, when we think of the people to whom it was first given. The Lord Jesus was speaking to His disciples; He was not addressing the scribes and Pharisees, who hated Him, but Peter, James and John and many others who loved Him; yet even to them He thinks it good to address a caution. Even to them He says, “Remember Lot’s wife.”
Read the rest of this terrific post (over at DefendingContending)….click HERE!
The blog page of this website discusses a lot of different issues. False doctrine, the deceit of cultural Christianity, the examination of the fruit in one’s life, Church structure and all sorts of other stuff. I think these things are necessary to discuss, for the health of our own faith and that of the Church. But please do not let the constant barrage of articles from this website or any other cause your eyes to come off of Christ our Lord. Think of your focus as you might think of driving a car down the road. It is important to look in the mirror (examine your fruit) and it is good to discuss maps and driving techniques (theology) with others in your vehicle. It is OK to look out the side window at other drivers some going the same direction, and at others heading down roads that lead to drop-offs and certain death. It is noble to yell out your window to try to warn them. But, as when driving a real car, your focus must primarily be out the front window. You must keep your eyes on the road, in this case Jesus Christ our Lord as revealed through prayer and Scripture. Please do not ever let the electronic “noise” or the religious concerns in your life keep you from focusing on our Savior. Please do not substitute the study of His Word with a study of Emergent Theology so as to better combat it. Do not let anything infringe upon your time spent with our Lord. It is so easy to become distracted and end up in a ditch. It is the perfection of Christ, and His sacrifice that saved you and I, so do not feel as though concentrating on your holiness, obedience or grasp of theology will somehow save you more. Apologetics is not as valuable as the Living God nor are the Doctrines of Grace as important as the Lord of grace. All these things are important, and diligent study should be made, but not at the expense of time spent with the one who values you so much.
For a while now, I have been uncomfortable with a particular area of teaching in the modern Church. It is a sacred area, an area off-limits to criticism by anyone who wants to maintain any respectability. For whatever reason, I seem to lack the desire for respectability (And it is a good thing, too! I would be utterly depressed for lack of any). So without further delay, here is my problem. I have a problem with the Dave Ramsey money management program, classes and books. A big problem. I have thought about it for over a year, but today listening to his call-in radio program I was able to put into clear thought what was bothering me. The problem is that his advice and methods do not take into account the full teachings of Scripture. I know, I know. I can practically hear the furious typing already as his defenders give reference to verses concerning faithful stewardship and the scattering on many waters. But as the call I heard today was a perfect example of what bothers me, I will simply discuss that. Read the rest of this entry »
A not-so-surprising fact has been revealed. Many modern church-goers who identify themselves as Christians feel as though the Bible is outdated, boring and irrelevant to their lives. They frown on the preacher who spends too much time discussing Scripture, wanting instead to hear good, sound, practical advice. Anyone who has watched the “Purpose Driven” movement grow in popularity should not be surprised by this. How incredibly tragic that the very words handed down to us from our creator are deemed to be irrelevant! What clearer sign could their be that a congregation is filled with unconverted hell-bound people? But will the goats stop to think about what their appetites prove? Sadly, no. They will continue to demand goat food while glaring with condescending eyes at the starving sheep in their midst. And most modern Pastors will be happy to continue feeding those goats, all the while covering their ears to keep from hearing the bleating of the sheep. Read the full article about this study HERE.
Google is watching your searches, and so is AOL, and so is God. What do you search for on the internet? Do you think your searches are just between you and your browser? Think again! Click HERE for a disturbing, eye-opening and convicting little article about the use of search engines on the internet. The article is disturbing, but the real question is this: Why does it bother you if people know what you are viewing? Do you really think that the Lord doesn’t know? Examine yourself, and your browsing!
We all still sin. What should our response be when we fall? Here is an absolutely terrific sermon by Voddie Baucham on the appropriate response of a believer to sin in his life. The video is in 6 parts and all can be viewed on Vodpod (or on YouTube). Don’t let the fact it is in 6 parts fool you, it isn’t that long, but it is worth every minute!
Ever wish you had more meat in your spiritual diet? Have you felt as though the ultra light go-get-em’-tiger sermons at your regular church might be wearing on you? HERE is an article you might identify with. Check it out… for the love of meat.
The article linked HERE is absolutely amazing (in a bad way). The new doctrinal statements and clarifications being considered by the Roman Catholic church are so incredibly un-Biblical, heretical and in outright defiance of the Word of God that I truly wouldn’t know where to start in giving a Biblical refutation. Now the real question….are those of you out there in the Roman Catholic church paying attention? Is anyone opening their Bibles anymore? Anyone?????
Do you love other Christians? How about you, Pastor? Do you truly love those you shepherd? Read this short challenge (1 minute to read) over at Berean Wife to find out if you love others the way you think you do….click HERE.
Now when all the people saw the thunder and the flashes of lightning and the sound of the trumpet and the mountain smoking, the people were afraid and trembled, and they stood far off and said to Moses, “You speak to us, and we will listen; but do not let God speak to us, lest we die.”
Exodus 20:18-19 (ESV)
Is this what we do with our computers and web surfing? Is this what I do with my book reading and you do in listening to online sermons? Do we have the very Word of God next to us, the Spirit of Christ inside of us, and the confidence to approach boldly before the Throne, and yet listen more to the teachings of others? Are we saying, “You draw close to the God that is a consuming fire, and then tell us what you see” rather than drawing close to Him ourselves? Do we do this because we want some wiggle room? Knowing that if we hear the very words of God, we must choose to rebel or obey, and we will have to acknowledge that the choice is of great consequence. Whereas hearing His words second-hand, we can debate and converse about the finer points, arguing their accuracy and relevance. Or maybe we want others to draw close to Him for us because we feel as though we are not educated or sharp enough to grasp His teachings on our own. Did not the same God that made the seminary professor make you and I? Is He not capable of opening your mind and spirit in the same manner as He does for others? Maybe the avoidance of direct contact is due to a sense of unworthiness. But Jesus Christ has atoned for our sins on the same Cross as those of committed by the great heroes of the faith, and it was the Cross that made them worthy, not their actions. Learning from sound teachers is a good thing, and should be done as a regular part of your spiritual diet. However, it should never outweigh the time spent in prayer and study of the Word. The internet, books and sermons should never take time away from your participation in the Body of Christ, the Church. So, now that you came to this website and read this little article, please turn off the computer, get on your knees, and seek His face or open His Word. Go spend time directly with the God that shakes mountains, created the universe, and yet died for you.
Click HERE for a great article comparing how modern churches evangelize (go fishing) with what Scripture teaches. Whether you are the Pastor of a Church or a regular Churchgoer, you need to read this one. In fact, even if you don’t attend Church and are just plain tired of all the local Churches trying to get you into the door, you should read this as well. It has to do with modern preaching topics, invitation methods, bait, nets, hooks…..oh, you’ll see when you read it! Good stuff!
“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.” Matthew 7:15
