Christians in a Declining Culture

As a Grace Partner I received a monthly form letter from Pastor John MacArthur, Grace Community Church, Sun Valley, CA.

In this letter he called our attention to some observations about the culture in which the early believers lived in. In this instance I agree with MacArthur's proposition and conclusions.This paragraph is a summary paragraph in the letter. I post it because with the "political" discussions going on in various blogs and social media such as Facebook, I find myself in an increasing minority of so-called Christians.

"So is there any good news?" you may be asking. Actually I believe the current situation is good news. For years I've been concerned by the church's pursuit of cultural change through political and social activities. Large swaths of Christians have placed enormous time, energy, money, and hope in the wrong places. Hand in glove with that thinking, superficial, cultural Christianity has blurred the clear lines between the kingdom of heaven and the kingdom of this world, and has softened the hard demands of the gospel, making professing Christ easy and without cost. As a result churches have been filled with highly religious, superficially moral, self-righteous people who don't understand the Gospel and are self-deceived about their true spiritual state."

Taken from a letter written by John McArthur to Grace Partners supporters dated February 13, 2014.

What Do You Think?

The following question was posted on Facebook on 02-24-2014:

Do Christians surrender all of our Christian rights and religious freedoms when we enter into the business world?




My Reply:

First of all, I am not sure what is meant by Christian rights. I didn't know there was such a "thing." Second, freedoms that are given are freedoms that can be taken.

When someone obtains a business license from a state one "promises" or agrees to abide by and obey all laws and regulations established (right or wrong) by the state.

 Therefore, one (particularly believers) must thoroughly examine their desire to open and maintain a business and the regulations established and enforced by the state.

 If they cannot because of conscience, scripture, or conviction obey and maintain those regulations then they SHOULD not open a business in the state.

 But to knowingly apply for and receive a business license and open a business resulting in a disclaimer that religious convictions prohibit them from obeying those regulations is deceptive and fraud. Their options are

1) do not open the business, 

2) apply for a variance and special provision in the license,

3) utilize the legislative privileges and have the laws changed, 

4) move to a state that has a more flexible license. 

(Disclaimer: I don't approve of all the laws and regulations governing businesses nor do I condone sinful and wicked behavior or practice. I do advocate that we as believers be consistent in our beliefs and practices.)

Exposed By the Cross

Chew on this for awhile:

"The cross exposes me before the eyes of other people, informing them of the depth of my depravity. If I wanted others to think highly of me, I would conceal the fact that a shameful slaughter of the perfect Son of God was required that I might be saved. But when I stand at the foot of the cross and am see by others under the light of that cross, I am left uncomfortably exposed before their eyes. Indeed, the most humiliating gossip that could ever be whispered about me is blared from Golgotha's Hill; and my self-righteous reputation is left in ruins in the wake of its revelations. With the worst facts about me thus exposed to the view of others, I find myself feeling that I truly have nothing left to hide.

...I give thanks for the gospel's role in forcing my hand toward self-disclosure and the freedom that follows."

Taken from Milton Vincent's, A Gospel Primer for Christians, p. 34

The Test of Fellowship Part 6

SERMON            GM14-015

SERIES:              Christian Living in a World of Chaos & Contradiction

SCRIPTURE:     1 John 1:8-2:2

SUBJ:                  Fellowship with God

SUBTITLE:        The Test of Fellowship (Part 6)

SUMMARY:       The Christian life is viewed as a life of fellowship

SCHEME:           To desire fellowship with fellow believers

The Break between Stott and Lloyd-Jones

"The situation is indeed so novel that I am afraid that many of us as evangelicals do not yet quite realise (sic) it and are not aware of what is happening." (John Stott, 1966 Evangelical Alliance)

What was at issue was how the situation was to be interpreted. Stott believed that a new opportunity was occurring both for the advance of Evangelicalism (given its much higher national profile since 1954) and (sic) for a renewal of evangelical influence within major denominations.

Lloyd-Jones believed that both of these objectives could not be achieved at the same time. He saw that for evangelicals to gain ecumenical and denominational acceptance they would have to pay a price which would imperil the very legitimacy of their distinctive beliefs. If evangelical beliefs is in essence, gospel (sic) belief, how can Christian fellowship exist independently of any common commitment to such belief? How can a right belief on fundamentals retain the primary importance which Scripture gives to it if, after all, it is not necessary to salvation? How can evangelicalism be said to represent biblical essentials if one regards as Christians and works alongside those who actually deny these essentials? The effect of such broad co-operation, he argued, would be bound to promote the doctrinal indifferentism of the ecumenical movement."

Taken from Iain H. Murray's Evangelicalism Divided: A Record of Crucial Change in the Years 1950-2000, page 45

A Little Friday Humor!

My Recomendation

Pastor Evert and Gloria Atkinson





Mentioning Pastor Atkinson yesterday reminded me of three things:

• how much I actually learned from him
• how much I really love an appreciate him
• how much I really miss him

So, I thought I would take today's post and recommend both him and the Coal Creek Community Church of Longview, WA to you. 

But then I got to thinking. If you are really way, way out in West Longview or in the Coal Creek area I would recommend that you attend the North Kelso Baptist Church of Kelso. 

Of course, if you are in Longview or Kelso I recommend that you attend the North Kelso Baptist Church. If you live anywhere I would recommend you attend the North Kelso Baptist Church.

Subliminal message:  attend the North Kelso Baptist Church!

Just joking! If you are one who likes to go for the Silver, or prefer secondary things, or cheers for the second-string... 

No I am truly kidding, if you are in the area you would be blessed by visiting the Coal Creek Community Church. You will absolutely love Evert and Gloria Atkinson. The congregation is absolutely great also!