The Answer My Friend Is NOT Blowing In The Wind

Not long ago, Mary Travers of the folk trio group Peter, Paul & Mary, passed away. One of their more famous songs was called "Blowin' In The Wind".

In our church small group last night we looked into a study of "Doctrine". We only scratched the surface as we came to this subject right at the end of the evening. I am sure we will have a nice discussion on this on Wednesday but I wanted to see what I could find out today on the matter and post my thoughts. This matter is addressed extensively in the Epistles Paul wrote to Timothy. Paul was so concerned that Timothy only teach sound doctrine that he specifically mentions it in 12 verses.

1 Timothy 1:3 As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou might charge some that they teach no other doctrine,
1 Timothy 1:10 For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine;
1 Timothy 4:1 Now the Spirit speaks expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;
1 Timothy 4:6 If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou has attained.
1 Timothy 4:13 Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.
1 Timothy 4:16 Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.
1 Timothy 5:17 Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.
1 Timothy 6:1 Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed.
1 Timothy 6:3-5 If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof comes envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,
Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.

2 Timothy 3:10 But thou has fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience.
2 Timothy 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
2 Timothy 4:2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine.
2 Timothy 4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;

The Bible also takes about this in these verses:

2 John 1:9
Anyone who runs on ahead of God and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God; but he who continues to live in the doctrine of Christ does have God, he has both the Father and the Son

Matthew 15:9
But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

John 7:16-17
Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me.
If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.

Acts 2:42
And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

As we see, the topic of "sound doctrine" is very important and mentioned in the Bible often. Look at this passage in Romans:

Romans 16:17
Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which you have learned; and avoid them.

As a believing body of Christ, we need to be of one mind on the most basic of doctrines, especially the most important doctrine of all, that being the doctrine concerning salvation. Paul spent nearly the entire Epistle of Galatians addressing those who "cause divisions". The people were trying to corrupt the pure Gospel message and add in the works of the law. The purest Gospel Message is found in 1 Corinthians 15:1-4

1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also you have received, and wherein you stand;
2 By which also you are saved, if you keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless you have believed in vain.
3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
4And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures

If anyone comes into our midst as a church body teaching ANY other form of salvation, they are to be avoided like the H1N1 virus and we are to have nothing to do with them (other than trying to share the true Gospel message with them).

The only way we are going to know who these false teachers are is if we KNOW the true teachings. It is imperative that we spend time daily in the Word of God so that we will be able to discern between a true and a false message.

Then we will not be following Peter, Paul & Mary's song or be like the people the Apostle Paul is describing in Ephesians 4:14

That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive.

KAIROS Day #3 (Wrapping The Weekend Up and The Closing Ceremony)

After such a stirring day on Saturday, we came back for Sunday and the candidates were noticiably more talkative, friendly, intiating the hugs rather than just a handshake. I could tell the Holy Spirit was at work in that gymnasium. The first talk was a powerful one called "Footprints In The Sand". The speaker gave a wonderful testimony of how God had carried him through the rough times in his life. He walked around the room showing the candidates all the physical scars he had acquired over his rough lifetime and I believe it made an impact.

The highlight of Sunday is the closing ceremony. The inmates are told that previous KAIROS graduates would be there to share in the closing ceremony with them. What they are not told, is that approximately 50 visitors from the outside (primarily church members of the people on the team) came down to witness the closing ceremony also. The candidates are led from the gymnasium, down the hallway towards the visiting room where the closing takes place. I had the honor of leading them down the hallway this weekend as the Observing Leader. Before we reached the door to go in, we were serenaded with repeated choruses of "When The Saints Go Marching In" by a line of visitors, former KAIROS graduates and team members. They form 2 lines and the candidates (and this time myself) got to walk between them into the visiting room. I imagine it must have felt like a football player would feel walking down the tunnel preparing to enter the stadium. It was truly a great experience for them. The looks on many of their faces was priceless.

At the closing ceremony, the candidates are given a chance to speak to those gathered there about what the weekend meant to them and to give a recap of their total experience. They were given 3 questions that they were to answer as a guideline.

1) In what spiritual condition did you arrive at KAIROS?
2) What did you find here?
3) What are you taking with you?

To the first question, many answered they came uncertain, curious, confused, angry, lonely, and some said they came for the cookies.

To the 2nd question, the common response was they found unity, love, acceptance, and a sense of belonging.

To the final question, the common response was they were leaving feeling refreshed, regenerated in their spirit, hungry for more of God, and lasting friendships.

After they speak, a former KAIROS graduate gives the 4th Day Speaker talk. He challenged the new graduates to examine their choices and to stay plugged in with their fellow KAIROS brothers that live with them in their pods and those they see at meals and out in the yard. He gave a great testimony of the choices he made that placed him into prison and told the candidates to look within for the reason they are where they are and not to look to blame someone else.

When the ceremony finished up, we said our goodbyes and told them we would see them in a few weeks. We have a 1 day follow up on November 14th. The purpose is to keep that spiritual fire going and it is also where we teach them in more detail how to get plugged into prayer and share groups and the kinds of things they need to hold each other accountable for.

I learned a lot as the Observing Leader from the weekend Leader, Bernie. I am blessed to be the Leader for KAIROS #23 in April. Each KAIROS weekend I have been on has been better than the last but it almost seems impossible to top the weekend we just had, but I know it will be better, it always is. We had 7 new volunteers on KAIROS #20 which was awesome. I would love to have at least that many new volunteers in April. I remember my first KAIROS, it is quite an experience and confirmed to me what my calling was. With a few rare exceptions, everyone who teams on one KAIROS continues to team on future KAIROS weekends. We are there hoping to bless the candidates but it always seems we come away with as much, if not more, of a blessing ourselves.

It is interesting that a few years ago, I used to take vacation days to go to baseball games. Now, I take vacation to go to prison and I would not want it any other way. I have the time of my life for those 4 days that I would not trade for a trip to the World Series.

KAIROS Day # 2 (Forgiveness Day)

Due to not feeling well during the KAIROS weekend I was not able to put the events of Saturday until today. The weekend was wonderful and fruitful but I will do a total recap in the next post. I want to concentrate on the events from Saturday on this posting.

Saturday started off with a series of talks, lots of upbeat music to try to get the candidates to come out of their shell a little bit and clap to the music with us. Once again there were many cookies consumed during those talks as well as coffee and Crystal Light. The focus on the day was on Forgiveness, but before we got to the forgiveness ceremony we surprised the candidates with a bag full of letters from our team to each of them. This is always a touching moment since many in there receive little to no mail at all. Then at one time they receive 25 letters. The most touching aspect of the letters was something I could only have witnessed from where I was sitting at the Admin table instead of a family table. One of the candidates was illiterate so another inmate (one of the servers on the weekend) took that candidate to the side, sat down with him, and read the letters to him. That in a nutshell is what the KAIROS weekend is all about. Our goal is not to convert these men to our beliefs (although we do present the Gospel message and do not apologize for it) but our goal is to build christian community within the institution so the inmates will rely on each other. We want them to be part of prayer and share accountability groups. What I witnessed watching one inmate (filled with compassion for another) read his letters to him was definitely a nice moment and if I were the emotional type I imagine I would have shed a tear or two as I was watching them.

There are many meditations read during the weekend but perhaps the most moving is called "The Wall". They are read this meditation immediately after the experience of reading their letters. I am copying the meditation because it is so powerful.

The Wall -
I don't know when I first began to build the wall. I suppose it was when it occurred to me that I could keep people out of my life by building a simple wall. The wall would be a kind of boundary, a kind of protection. At first the little wall was only knee high. It was really quite attractive, made of native stone I had found in my life. The wall was so small that some people didn't notice it and would stumble right over it and fall flat on their faces. Others saw it but would step over it and come very close to me. I found this very uncomfortable. So I built the wall higher. This was really much better, but I found that some people would come and rest their arms on the wall while they talked to me. Some stayed too long. And some were not my kind of people. And even when I edged the top of the wall with sharp stones, they didn't seem to notice. One day one of them vaulted over the wall and stood right inside. This made me angry and I decided to build the wall higher. As I continued to build, I became more and more selfsufficient. And soon, no one could see in or out. But then I realized that no one had stopped by to talk for some time. Some people walked by not seeming to notice me or my wall. Others stood sadly by and watched me build. I thought they were jealous of my wall, and I resented them, all of them. Some of the stones in my wall were so dear to me that I polished them carefully several times a day. Then one day I realized the wall was so high that I no longer saw anyone go by, or heard anyone. "Is anyone out there?" I yelled. There was no answer. It was dark and the air was foul. I stayed there for a long time. It was quiet and dark and lonely. Only the whispers of my memories could be heard. One day, someone yelled from the other side, “Your wall is ugly. It is twisted and gray and misshapen!” Now, I did not accept this willingly. I liked my wall. In fact, some of the stones from which I had built it were very dear to me. It was the day the flower fell at my feet that I began to cry. I ran to the wall and climbed to see who had thrown it over. By the time I reached the top, no one was there. I returned to the flower and sat for a long time looking at its perfection. Then I began to see the folly of my wall and its imperfection. Floods of tears brought me to my knees. “Oh, I am so alone. My wall is too high and too thick and ugly. I have nothing left. Won't someone help me, please?” Then a strange thing happened. Something inside me stirred like a remembrance of peaceful times passed. And in the stillness of my broken world, I knew God that was there, a blessed presence; that God would come to me; and that my darkness had been penetrated by this blessed light. I stood in the joy of this presence. I knew that God had watched me build my wall and that God had waited patiently for me to see it was in vain. Finally, it occurred to me that the Divine Creator would know why my wall was so ugly. When I asked, God began to teach me my error. God gave the stones names: “This stone is jealousy. You must remove it.” Sometimes I would protest. This was my favorite stone. It was one I had saved and cherished for years. But when I was finally ready, God helped me remove the stone. (And so it went, through stones named envy, disillusionment, resentment, childishness, stubbornness, some with God's help, sometimes with the help of strangers.)
As we removed more stones, the light came in. I felt a hand reaching through a small hole one day. Then a stranger walked in and told me he had let God tear down his wall. I told him how I had suffered so much, and that I would never forget how forsaken and lonely I had felt inside my wall. “Yes,” he said, “self-pity is a terrible thing.” When he left, I found my stone of self-pity in my wall. It was wet with my tears. I dried it off and laid it with the other stones I had taken from the wall. Overwhelmed by all God had done for me and all God had taught me, I stood on a large remaining stone and began to tell anyone who passed by what God had done for me. I was appalled that no one seemed to hear what I was saying. I noticed others working on walls and ran over to plead with them to stop, but no one would listen. In my frustration, I lay face down on the stone I had stood upon. It was extremely large, highly polished! It was more than life size. “Do you want the answer to your question?” God asked. “Raise your head, and look at the stone you are lying upon.” I raised my head and gasped, for I saw my own reflection in the massive stone. I knew the stone was pride. Quietly, we removed it. Then God said a strange thing. “Now you must go. I will go with you and yet I will stay here.” I protested, “There are still other stones to remove. I want you here.” “I said I would go with you. Do you remember the flower that fell at your feet, the hand that you clasped, the stranger who showed your self-pity?” “Oh, yes”, I sighed, “Oh, yes.” “Then you must go and do likewise,” God said. “For to whom much grace is given, much grace is expected. Wherever you go, I go with you. And whenever you come back here to be tempted, or to remove more stones, I will be here for you.” And so I went out. I saw the walls of others, and when I could, I threw a flower over, or reached my hand through. The walls were unbelievably ugly. I heard great sobs behind the walls and my heart ached. “Won't you please help this person?” I cried out to God one day. I returned to my wall and God the Blessed Presence was there. Together we removed the stones of fear, mistrust, and indifference. Then God said, “Now you begin to understand love. Without love the things I have told you would be meaningless. Now you will begin to live in peace and understanding of all those people around you whom you thought were not “your kind.” So it was that I went forth, reaching out, sometimes just waiting beside a wall, sometimes tossing a flower, sometimes grasping a hand.
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The highlight (in my opinion) of the Saturday event is what is called "Dying Moments". At the start of the day, we pass out to each candidate a piece of special paper called rice paper which when placed into water will dissolve instantly. We ask each candidate (and we all do it too) to write the name of anyone they hold in unforgiveness on that piece of paper. We remind them during the day to keep asking God to give them names of those they need to forgive. During the Dying Moments ceremony, each candidate comes forward by table family and drops their list in the tub of water. One of the Chaplains stirs the water and the paper disappears before their eyes. This symbolizes them letting the unforgiveness go. Once they do that, they move down the aisle to a kneeling prayer bench where the main Chaplain does a hand washing and prays a blessing over them as he is doing it. It is truly a moving ceremony for the candidates and for many of the volunteers as well.

After the ceremony is over we said goodnight to them and looked forward to seeing them on Sunday, the final day of the weekend.

KAIROS Day 1 (Friday)

Today was a great day. The talks began, the music began and most importantly the cookies began. I can tell you that the inmates going through the program loved those home made cookies. One of the highlights of the Friday schedule is the "Cookie Run". This is where 14 of the volunteers break into pairs and carry a dozen cookies into the cell blocks where the remainder of the prison population lives and gives each inmate a dozen cookies. They are very happy to get these and look forward to seeing us each time we come.

The candidates seemed really eager to get involved in the program. They listened to each talk and then as a family table they did a creative poster to symbolize what the talks meant to them. The names of the talks given today were Choices, You Are Not Alone, Fiendship With God, The Church and Opening The Door. These talks are designed to let them know that they do not have to go it alone if they want to pursue a Christian walk. There was an emphasis on fellowship with others (which was in the Church talk) and being open to hearing from God (which was the emphasis on Opening The Door).

After the evening's program was over we went back to our host church for a meal and to put names and address the envelopes for the letters we will be presenting to the candidates tomorrow. I am currently fighting a cold but I am hanging in there. The days are long (about 13 hours), but they are good. The fruit this ministry produces makes the long days and putting up with this cold worth it. Tomorrow should be a great day.

KAIROS Opening Night

We had a wonderful Opening Night introduction and time of sharing with the 42 candidates taking part in KAIROS #20. During their introductions of themselves, almost all of them seemed very eager to change and to experience the presence of God like they have never experienced before.

Tomorrow is the official "kick off" to the weekend and candidates will be assigned their family tables and the activities of talks, music and table discussions will begin, not to mention mass cookie and coffee consumption. As Observing Leader on the Weekend, my job is not at a family table as it has been in the past. My duties are to, for lack of a better term, serve as Master of Ceremonies. I will be introducing each speaker, instructing the tables when to begin doing their posters, announcing times to move to the chapel, announcing breaks, meals, pretty much every activity that goes on. I am looking forward to it. I am scheduled to lead the KAIROS #23 weekend in April and I am really excited about that oportunity to be used by God in that role.

Tomorrow Night we will leave the prison and return to our host church where we will address the letters we have written to each candidate. Teamers are required to hand write 42 letters (one for each candidate). This is a surprise to them and they will be given these on Saturday afternoon. As they are given some time to read the letters at their table, our team will be in the background singing hymns to help set the mood. Since many of those guys in the prison have not received a single letter in years, getting 25 letters from the team is sure to be an emotional experience for them.

KAIROS Preperation Day

This evening the team met at our host church, Concord United Methodist Church, which is located just beyond the border of Dinwiddie and into Sussex County and literally in the middle of nowhere. There is some titanium mining going on nearby but not much else. We counted, clipped the corners, and sorted nearly 2,000 dozen cookies to prepare them for transport into the prison tomorrow. That took up most of the evening, but we also had another team meeting and did a hand washing ceremony where members of the team washed each others hands in the same spirit that Jesus washed His disciples' feet. When we meet at the church tomorrow morning we will be loading all of our supplys in the rental truck and have them at the prison by 11:30. The prison is very picky about what goes in but the list has already been approved by the warden. We will meet the inmate servants about 1:00 and they will take over with the unloading of the supplies. Then it is a small time of fellowship until we are served lunch and get to partake of the fine cuisine that only Greensville Correctional Center can offer. This is a time where the team has done all the prep work and we are now eager for the weekend to begin.

As long as I am not too tired tomorrow evening, I will recap Thursday's events tomorrow night. Thursday night is the first night we meet the candidate inmates who will be going through the KAIROS weekend. It is primarily an introduction night but after those are done there are a few meditations read before we depart for the night. Cookie consumption does not start until Friday morning.

Saving The Catholic (or anyone else for that matter)

In the previous post Saint Elsewhere, some may feel I was little too harsh on the pope and the Catholic religion in general. We should not be offended or mad at the Catholic people, we should be diligent to bring the true Gospel message to them. I am copying a section of a book I read called "The Handbook Of Personal Evangelism" by Ray Stanford. This section of the book pertains to how to lead a Roman Catholic to Christ. It has some great insights that can be used in evangelism in general. Enjoy.

Handbook of Personal Evangelism by Dr. A. Ray Stanford
Chapter XIII
The Roman Catholic

YOUR COMMON GROUND
As believers there are some doctrines we do have in common (at least in part) with the Roman Catholic. However, Roman Catholic doctrines vary from decade to decade and from country to country.
Below are some doctrines you can use to establish some rapport with the Roman Catholic:
1. The Bible is God's Word. (Although they interpret it by the dictates of the Pope and their tradition.)
2. Jesus is God. (Although they elevate the Pope and Mary to heights of glory belonging only to Christ.)
3. Man needs a Saviour. (Although they don't believe Jesus alone can save man through man's faith in His payment for all their sin on the cross. )
4. There is a heaven and a hell. (Although they also believe in limbo and purgatory, which are not taught in the Scriptures . . . and they do not teach the difference between going to heaven or hell is FAITH.)
GRACE and WORKS
The main issue, the constant issue in witnessing to Roman Catholics, is grace and works. The Church has set up myriads of rites, rituals, and rules which its subjects (and I use the word advisedly) must follow if they are to have any hopes of reaching heaven someday (maybe even centuries after they die).
It is amazing but true that when a group is "off" on grace and works, almost every other doctrine it holds is also affected by the poison. As God said in Galatians 5:9, "A little leaven leavens the whole lump."
There might be a time when you are witnessing to a Roman Catholic and think you have just gotten the plan of salvation really ACROSS to the person. But then he will make a comment or ask a question that will tell you right away that he really doesn't understand salvation is by faith and not of works.
The reason he doesn't understand the gospel is because teaching after teaching has been drilled into his head ever since he was a tiny child that salvation is not by faith alone, and that many more things than just faith are required of the person wanting to go to heaven.
From every side the error is brought in, and sometimes the reasons behind the doctrines are subtle - subtle with the cunning and wickedness of Satan. And again we warn you, as Paul warned those in his care, "But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ." And, "Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and NOT AFTER CHRIST" (II Cor. 11:3; Col. 2:8).
The Catholics' loud claims that the Church was built upon Peter . . . the adoration of saints . . . the exaltation of Mary . . . if Christ had brothers . . . confession to the priest . . . the rosary . . . YOU COULD ARGUE ALL DAY AND NIGHT WITH A CATHOLIC ABOUT THESE THINGS AND YET NEVER LEAD HIM TO KNOW CHRIST AS HIS SAVIOUR!
If you have been born again, you have the Holy Spirit indwelling you and enlightening your mind with a clear understanding of Scripture on all these things . . . but the person who has been brought up in the Catholic Church is probably NOT born again, and so does NOT have the benefit of the Holy Spirit teaching him DETAILS in the Word of God (even if they are important details).
What is the Holy Spirit busy convincing the world of? John 16:8 - 11 teaches us the Holy Spirit is convincing the world of sin, that they lack righteousness, and that judgment is coming. And why are they being convinced of sin? Because they do not BELIEVE on Christ as their Saviour ( 16:9).
If you want to do your witnessing in COOPERATION with what the Holy Spirit is trying to do in the lives of unbelievers . . . speak about the GOSPEL . . . how the person can be saved . . . that salvation is a gift of God received by faith . . . and leave the OTHER QUESTIONS to be answered (as much as possible) AFTER the person is saved!
JESUS PAID FOR ALL SIN
In the Roman Catholic doctrine, sin is compartmentalized. There is venial sin which the Baltimore Catechism No. 3 defines this way: "What is venial sin? Venial sin is a less serious offense against the law of God, which does not deprive the soul of sanctifying grace, and which can be pardoned even without sacramental confession."
There is also, in the Catholic doctrine, mortal sin. "What is mortal sin? Mortal sin is a grievous offense against the law of God. Why is this sin called mortal? This sin is called mortal, or deadly, because it deprives the sinner of sanctifying grace, the supernatural life of the soul. Besides depriving the sinner of sanctifying grace, what else does mortal sin do to the soul? Besides depriving the sinner of sanctifying grace, mortal sin makes the soul an enemy of God, takes away the merit of all of its good actions, deprives it of the right to everlasting happiness in heaven, and makes it deserving of everlasting punishment in hell."
The Catholic Church also recognizes Adamic sin, that is, the sin or sin nature which man inherits from Adam. It is for the Adamic sin that Christ supposedly died. You must show the Catholic that Jesus Christ has completely paid the full price for all of his sin.
First, show from Scripture that all sin is mortal, or deadly (James 2:10; Rom. 6:23). Second, use Scripture to show that all sin - no matter how one classifies it - has been paid for by Christ (Heb. 1:3; I Pet. 2:24; 3:18; I John 2:2).
"Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this Man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: And by Him all that believe are justified from ALL things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses" (Acts 13:38, 39).
Even keeping the commandments would not "justify you from all things." In the first place, no one has kept them. In the second place, keeping the commandments still wouldn't make you perfect. Hebrews 7:19 says, "For the law made NOTHING perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did (Jesus, v. 22); by the which we draw nigh unto God."
JESUS is the only way to heaven. "Jesus said unto him, I am THE way, THE truth, and THE life: no man comes unto the Father but by Me." Salvation is not in a church. It is not in the Mormon church. It is not in the Protestant church. It is not in the Roman Catholic church. Salvation is in a Person. Salvation is in Jesus. "For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ" (John 1:17).
HOW CAN WE BE CLEANSED OF SIN?
When a Roman Catholic sins, he is supposed to do several things:
(1) Go to the priest and confess his sin.
(2) Receive from the priest the penance he is to do, and go home and do it. (This often consists of reciting a certain number of "rosaries," "Lord's Prayers," etc. )
(3) Go to Mass.
(4) Be arranging for people to pray for his soul after he dies, so his soul can be released from purgatory in time.
To a person who has received the Lord Jesus Christ as his Saviour, God says of his sins: "And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath He quickened together with Him, having forgiven you ALL TRESPASSES; blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to His cross" (Col. 2:13, 14).
The Christian does not need another offering (Mass) for his sins. "For by ONE offering, He (Christ) hath perfected FOREVER them that are sanctified (made pure and holy)" (Heb. 10:14). "Now where remission of these is, there is NO MORE OFFERING FOR SIN" (Heb. 10:18).
The Roman Catholic is forever trying to re-crucify Christ . . . all in vain. Christ's ONE death on the cross paid for ALL sin of ALL people for ALL time for EVERYONE who would receive that payment by faith.
WHEN THE PRIEST OFFERS THE SACRIFICE OF MASS
"And every priest stands daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices which can NEVER take away sins" (Heb. 10:11).
Whatever the Catholic might think the sacrifice of Mass can do for him, ONE THING we know it can NOT do. IT CAN NOT TAKE AWAY SINS!
It is God's will that the sacrifice of Christ would pay for all sin, and that those who would receive that payment would be made pure and holy in God's eyes forever. "By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ ONCE FOR ALL" (Heb. 10:10).
The Catholic Church teaches that Mass is the sacrifice of Christ OVER AGAIN for sins. But Romans 6:9 says, "KNOWING that Christ being raised from the dead DIES NO MORE...."
The problem with the Catholic is that he doesn't really believe Christ paid for ALL his sin. And yet the Bible is very clear, "Who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from ALL iniquity . . ." (Titus 2:14).
This is why it is a problem of grace and works. God says salvation is by grace. The Catholic will not deny this. But at the same time he believes he must follow rituals and rules to make this grace of God effective on his behalf. And this is unscriptural. What verse shows that if salvation is of grace, then it cannot be of works as well? I hope you said, "Romans 11:6."
Do you see that what the Catholic needs most, then, is for you to go over the plan of salvation with him, simply and with Scripture, showing him that THE BIBLE says salvation is "by grace through faith"? It might take a long time for the "light to break through." But be patient. Remember, his parents, his teachers, his priest, even the Pope, have been teaching him contrary to the Word of God on this subject of salvation all of his life.
It is only when the Catholic seems REALLY bothered by some other question that you should spend any length of time on anything other than salvation itself, or after he is saved.
But for your own information, the following are some errors in the Roman Catholic theology and the correct teachings from Scripture.
1. The Roman Catholic worships Christ, but worships Him in vain. "But in vain they do worship Me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men" (Matt. 15:9). See also Galatians 5:1 - 4.
2. They teach that Peter was the first Pope and that the Popes are to exercise authority over the people. However, this is contrary to what Peter himself expressed in Scripture. "The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also AN ELDER (not one Pope, but one among many elders), and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: FEED the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, NOT BY CONSTRAINT, but willingly; NOT FOR FILTHY LUCRE, but of a ready mind; NEITHER AS BEING LORDS over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock" (I Peter 5:1 - 3 ).
The Bible never teaches that the spiritual leader of the flock is to be the "boss." The leader is to give positive leadership, yes, but not to try to play "God" in people's lives.
Scripture is full of evidence that the true spiritual leader will be a SERVANT of the people rather than some boss.
"For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves YOUR SERVANTS for Jesus' sake" (II Cor. 4:5).
Jesus had much to say along this line. "But Jesus called them to Him, and said unto them, You know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them.
"But so shall it NOT be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your MINISTER. And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be SERVANT of all.
"For even the Son of man came not to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many" (Mark 10:42 - 45).
If you study much of the history of the Roman Catholic Church and the Papacy, you will see the magnitude of their error in exercising "lordship" over the flock.
3. Matthew 23:9 says, "And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven." The Catholics make a great mistake in that they demand reverence of human beings. Only God should be worshipped. Other worship constitutes idolatry.
4. Veneration of Mary and the "Saints." Scripture says of Mary, "Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women" (Luke 1:28). Mary was a wonderful, godly woman. But Mary, like everyone, was still a sinner (Rom. 3:23). She herself acknowledged God as her SAVIOUR, "And Mary said, My soul does magnify the Lord. And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Saviour" (Luke 1:46, 47). A person who isn't a sinner doesn't need salvation, and thus doesn't have a Saviour.
Scripture teaches that all believers are saints. The word has the meaning of "pure and holy ones." All those who have received the Lord Jesus Christ as their Saviour are "pure and holy" through the righteousness God gives to them (I Cor. 1:30; II Cor. 5:21; etc.). The Apostles referred to the whole group of Christians as "saints" (Eph. 1:1; II Cor. 1:1; Phil. 1:1; etc.), and not just to those in a select group. God makes a person a saint; man does not. God points out the person as a saint; man does not. God sets us the conditions of being a saint; man does not . . . and neither does the Roman Catholic Church.
5. The Pope, the priest, Mary, the saints . . . none of these can mediate between God and man. "For there is one God, and ONE MEDIATOR between God and men, the man CHRIST JESUS" (I Tim. 2:5). The believer is invited to come straight to the Lord, through Jesus, in time of need.
"Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which can not be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come BOLDLY UNTO THE THRONE OF GRACE, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need" (Heb. 4:14 - 16).
"Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest BY THE BLOOD OF JESUS, by a new and living way, which He hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, His flesh" (Heb. 10:19, 20).
"Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: by whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand . . ." (Rom. 5:1, 2).
6. Whom should we confess our sins to? The Catholic Church says we should confess them to the priest. The Bible says only God can forgive sins, and that we should confess our sins to Jesus, because He is our advocate - He is our intercessor.
"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness . . . and if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous" (I John 1:9; 2:1). Our advocate is not Mary, nor the priest . . . our advocate is Jesus!
7. Purgatory is not mentioned in the Bible. There is no "place of cleansing" other than the blood of Jesus Christ. I John 1:7 says ". . . the BLOOD OF JESUS CHRIST His Son cleanses us from all sin."
One of the things that caused Martin Luther to speak up against the Roman Catholic Church and its practices regarding the sale of indulgences was remarks made like, "The moment you hear your money drop in the box, the soul of your mother will jump out of purgatory," by Tetzel, a Dominican Friar (The Church in History, by B. K. Kuiper, page 160). Indulgences were sold to people who went to the priest for penance, and who would rather pay a sum of money to the Church than do some other form of penalty or satisfaction for their sin. In time, indulgences were also sold to those who were trying to help the soul of a departed one to go from purgatory to heaven. The people found it easier to pay a sum of money for the soul of a dear one than to spend all the time otherwise required for them to pray for them. This system pleased the Church very much, as it gave them an amazingly large source of revenue. It is said that the St. Peter's Cathedral in Rome was built through the sale of these indulgences.
This whole concept is so out of keeping with Scripture! "Forasmuch as you KNOW that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; but with the PRECIOUS BLOOD of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot" (I Peter 1:18, 19).
"But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou has thought that the GIFT OF GOD may be purchased with money" (Acts 8:20).
It is not within the power of human beings to in any way aid in the redemption of another person. (You cannot even redeem your own soul, for that matter.)
"None of them can by ANY MEANS redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him" (Psalm 49:7).
"The soul that sins, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son . . ." (Ezekiel 18:20).
The Bible teaches that if a person is lost, he goes to hell. If a person is saved, he goes to be with the Lord in heaven. There is no such thing as purgatory. ". . . to depart, and to be with Christ . . ." (Phil. 1:23). "We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be PRESENT WITH THE LORD" (II Cor. 5:8). "For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the HEAVENS" (II Cor. 5:1).
Once a person has received Christ as his Saviour, he does not have to worry about being condemned for his sin. Punished on earth, and without much reward in heaven, yes . . . but condemned to purgatory for a time, or to hell for eternity . . . NO!
"Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that hears My word, and believes on Him that sent Me, HAS EVERLASTING LIFE, and shall NOT come into condemnation: but is PASSED from death unto life" (John 5:24).
If there were such a place as purgatory, Jesus certainly left it out of His remarks. Jesus said to the thief on the cross, "Today shalt thou be with Me in paradise." If the thief went to purgatory, then Jesus was a liar.
8. The Catholics say Mary remained a virgin all her life, and that Christ had no flesh and blood sisters or brothers. (He did have half-brothers and sisters, as Joseph was not the father of Christ. ) "Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the BROTHER of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? And are not his SISTERS here with us?" (Mark 6:3)
9. "Forbidding to marry and commanding to abstain from meats." Is this doctrine of the Catholic Church from the Bible . . . from the Lord?
"Now the Spirit speaks expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of DEVILS, SPEAKING LIES in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron: forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God has created to be RECEIVED with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth" (I Tim. 4:1 - 3).
"Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days" (Col. 2:16).
"Let no man beguile (defraud) you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshiping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind . . . Wherefore if you be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, WHY, as though living in the world, are you subject to ordinances, (Touch not; taste not; handle not; which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men? Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh" (Col. 2:18, 20 - 23).
The Scofield Reference Bible makes the notation in regard to this verse, "Which do not really honour God, but only satisfy the flesh (i.e., by creating a reputation for superior sanctity) ."
The Catholic system of self-imposed worship and self humiliation and degradation, thinking that somehow this would please God, is actually contrary to Scripture, as human logic often is.
Christ said in Matt. 9:13, ". . . I will have MERCY, and NOT SACRIFICE: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance (to change their minds)."
It is the sacrifice of Christ that God looks at for our salvation, not any sacrifice we might make for Him. However, after we are saved, we are invited to serve the Lord - but this is our REASONABLE service, rather than a sacrifice. It is to our benefit, both now and later.
10. The Catholic Church teaches that the "true church" (their church) is built upon Peter, using Matthew 16:18 as its textual basis for this claim.
Upon examination of this passage in Matthew 16, however, we do not find this teaching at all. Verses 13 - 16 record Jesus asking His disciples, "Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?" Simon Peter gives the correct answer, "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God." Peter knew Christ was God . . . the Son of God.
In verse 17 Jesus said, "Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona (son of Jonas): for flesh and blood has not revealed it unto you, but My Father which is in heaven." Jesus is saying that while He is the Son of God, Peter is the son of man.
Verse 18, "And I say also unto you, That thou art Peter (petros), and upon this Rock (Petra) I will build My church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." Jesus is saying, "Peter, you are a little stone, a small pebble. Upon this big Rock, this boulder (Christ) I will build My church."
I Cor. 3:11, "For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is JESUS CHRIST" - not Peter. Jesus is the foundation upon which the true church is built.
Eph. 2:20, "And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, JESUS CHRIST HIMSELF being the CHIEF CORNER STONE."
Even Peter himself speaks of believers as "stones," but of Christ as the "CHIEF CORNER STONE" (I Pet. 2:4 - 8). Also see Acts 4:11.

The above ten points, as we mentioned before, should rarely, if at all, be brought up during your presentation of the gospel to a Roman Catholic. If you do feel it is imperative to go into something along those lines for some reason, please do so with genuine love and patience. Remember, the person you are witnessing to did not make up these doctrines. Usually he believes them simply because this is what he has been taught, and he has not searched the Scriptures for himself, "whether those things were so."
If you really want to win Catholics (or anybody, for that matter) to the Lord . . . stay with the gospel and the simple verses that make the plan of salvation clear and understandable to the lost, such as John 3:16; Ephesians 2:8, 9; Acts 16:31.

Grab Bag

KAIROS #20 begins next Thursday and I was reading through some of the talks that are given on the first night. One of the talks tells of a king's encounter with a farmer. This is, of course, a fictional story but it teaches a great lesson. Here is the story as it is read to the inmates.

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There's a story from long ago about a farmer who was walking down a road when he saw the king riding up in his carriage. When the carriage pulled up, the king greeted the farmer and asked him what he had in his bag.

The farmer answered, "I have wheat, your majesty."

The king then said, "Would you give me some of your wheat?" The farmer replied, "Certainly, your majesty."

So, he opened his bag, carefully took out one grain of wheat and gave it to the king. Thereupon, the king turned, reached into his carriage and took out his bag, which was a bag full of money, gave the farmer one gold coin and then drove away.

As the farmer watched him leave and stared at the shining gold coin, he couldn't help but wonder what would have happened if he had given the the king the whole bag.

Try giving the whole bag this weekend and I think you'll be very happy with what you get back.

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The point of the story as it relates to the prison weekend is to let the inmates know that what they get out of this weekend will depend on how much they give and how much they get involved. If they are passive and not partipating much, they will get little out of it.

As I am typing this, I actually think this little story could be used as a nice intro into offering time at our local churches. Before the offering is collected, there is almost always someone who stands up and reads a scripture on giving such as Malachi 3:10. I think this story might get people to think about their giving. I am not suggesting people "give the whole bag" and empty their wallets, but rather to realize that what they give is in direct proportion to the blessings or lack of that they will receive. The bible says in 2 Corinthians 9:6 "But this I say, He which sows sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which sows bountifully shall reap also bountifully."

God wants us as christians to "give the whole bag" in our christian walk. 1 Corinthians 1:10 says "Whether therefore you eat, or drink, or whatsoever you do, do all to the glory of God."

This is a challenge for all christians, myself included, because we can easily get caught up in the stresses of this world and find ourselves only giving that one grain of wheat.

We need to encourage one another to give the whole bag when it comes to the things of God and advancing His kingdom.

"Saint" Elsewhere

I saw in the news over the weekend where Pope Benedict created (or cannonized) five saints and they were Belgian priest Damien, Zygmunt Szczesny Felinski of Warsaw, Dominican friar Francisco Coll Guitart, Brother Rafael Arnaiz Baron, and France's newest saint, Jeanne Jugan, venerated as Marie de la Croix. Here is a little about each:

Damien - The U.S. president was born in Hawaii, where Damien worked in the leper colony of Molokai, caught leprosy and died in 1889. Obama said in a statement that Damien had "a special place in the hearts of Hawaiians."

Felinski - archbishop of Warsaw when Poland rebelled against annexation by imperial Russia in 1863. Exiled to Siberia for 20 years by the czar, he was "a shining example for all the church," the pope said.

Guitart - one of two Spaniards created a saint, preached in Catalonia in the 19th century and "reached the hearts of others because he transmitted what he himself lived with passion, which burned in his heart," said the pontiff.

Baron - became a Trappist monk and died at the age of 27 in 1938. He "did not know how to pray" when he began monastic life but became an example "especially for young persons who are not easily satisfied," the pope said.

Jugan - She worked with the poor and elderly, shedding all her own material possessions to become "a poor person among the poor" until her death in 1879.

What do these people all have in common? They have long since been dead.

Would you like to be a saint? Well I have good news for you. If you have already trusted Christ as your savior... you are a saint!! You don't have to wait until you're buried and gone for some goofy guy in a robe to bestow that title on you, and yes I said goofy and I meant goofy when refering to the pope. There is a reason pope rhymes with dope. The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 6:11 " And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God." And again in 2 Timothy 2:21 " Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from these things, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work. And finally in Hebrews 10:10 "By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all."

Notice in all of these verses the word "sanctify". I already mentioned in an earlier post that the definition of sanctify is to "make pure and holy" and that by application anything made pure and holy is set apart. So what do sanctify and saint have to do with each other? Sanctify is a verb. The noun form of Sanctify is saint. Therefore, if you have been sanctified, you are a saint. Moreover, if you have been saved through a trusting belief in Christ, you have been sanctified. The good news is we don't need some farce of a guy in a robe telling us we are a saint. God tells us we are saint in His word.

Look at how Paul addresses many of his letters to the churches:

Colossians 1:2 "To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ which are at Colosse: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ."

Philippians 1:1 "Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons."

Ephesians 1:1 "Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus."

I don't think there was a pope back then in Ephesus, Philippi, and Colosse to make all of these people saints. They were saints because of their belief in Christ.

It is my hope that all of my catholic friends would focus more on the Bible and not the Catholic Church Doctrine which is of men. They need to get the revelation that it is relationship, not religion, that sanctifys them. It may sound like I am "picking on" Catholics, but I am merely pointing out that they are in error because they are going against what the bible says about this. They may be sincere in their beliefs but they are sincerely wrong.

Another example of "catholics in error" is the idea of "Last rights". I had a neighbor pass away a few years ago and the Catholic priest was brought to his home to read the "Last Rights". The bible mentions NOTHING about last rights, but this is what the bible does say in Hebrews 10:11 "And every priest stands daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins:"

I could do an entire post on the errors in the catholic doctrine but hopefully the point has been made already. If this "Catholic bashing" as some might call it offends you, I make no apology for it. I simply say what Paul said in Galatians 4:16 "Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?"

The bottom line is, if you have trusted Christ as your savior, you are a saint and we should all thank God for his grace and mercy. He sent His son Jesus to die for us and take the penalty that we deserved as sinners. His rigtheousness has now been imputed to us. If you haven't thanked Him lately for that, today might be a good time to do so.

How To Be A Wise Guy (or Girl)

Every now and then I will read through the book of Proverbs to see if I can gain more wisdom. I came across an excellent verse in chapter 11 verse 30 which says "The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that wins souls is wise."
As a believer, we may worship the Lord through music, the reading of His Word, helping others in need, etc but the wise person endeavors to win souls. What does it mean to win souls? Does it mean standing on a street corner and preaching? Does it mean going door to door warning people to repent? I suppose it could, but those are extreme cases and may end up pushing people away from God rather than towards Him. We actually can not win souls. Let me rephrase that, we can not win souls on our own. It is the Holy Spirit that wins souls. We are tools used by the Holy Spirit to win souls. In 1 Corinthians 3:6 Paul said "I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase." My friend, God expects us to plant and water.

Another verse that ties into wisdom for winning souls is in Daniel 12:3
" Those that are wise will shine brightly like the brightness of the expanse of heaven, and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever." The phrase "turn many to righteousness" means to turn many to trusting Jesus Christ as their savior so that they may receive the righteousness of God which is a requirement for salvation. 2 Corinthians 5:21 says, "For He has made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him."

God tells us in Romans 4:5 that our faith in Jesus Christ is counted in God's sight for righteousness. "But to him that works not, but believes on him that justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness." A soul winner is wise because God says so. When all is said and done, all that really counts is what God said was important. A soul winner is wise because he will have God's praise and reward.

Let's go back to Proverbs 11:30 ".. the fruit of the righteous" and the righteous is us, the believers. The fruit is other people. Look at it in the physical world. What does an orange tree do, it produces fruit and within that fruit is the ability to reproduce another tree.
Above all else, our primary mission as Christians is to replace ourselves. Jesus said in Matthew 6:20 " lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust does corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal."

The only thing from this earth that is going to heaven is people and we need to be responsible, at least in part, for some of those people who are in heaven. This is bearing fruit and it is just another way that people will be able to recognize that we are Christians. How do you know a tree is an apple tree when you see it? By it’s bark? No, by it’s fruit. Likewise, we also shall be known by our fruit (or lack of fruit). I personally do not want to stand at the Judgment seat of Christ and have to tell Jesus that I am not responsible for anyone that is in Heaven. What a time of shame, guilt, sorrow and loss of reward that would be.

There are two primary ways we can win souls to Christ and thus bear fruit. One way is to let your daily life be such a great example of Christian joy and love that people will be drawn to you and want what you have. Then you will have the opportunity to witness to them and share with them the joy of having Christ in your life.
Another way is to give to ministries that are sharing the Gospel either in your community or around the world. Paul gives a good scripture for this in Philippians 4:17 "Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account." We will all have an "account" in Heaven which we will be judged by and will either receive rewards or loss of rewards. Paul is telling the Philippian believers that he doesn't want their money for money's sake, he wants them to give so it will register to their heavenly account.

So, if we want to be a wise guy (or girl) we need to endeavor to win souls via watering, planting, sewing seeds to help the preaching of the Gospel to others and to share our witness with those we come in contact with. In doing so, we will please God and it will allow us to stand before Christ and hear Him say "well done, good and faithful servant."

Turning Supper Time into a Super Time

I have heard differing opinions about the Lord's Supper as far as how often it should be taken. I grew up in a Baptist church and I thought there was something extra sacred about the 1st Sunday of each month because that is the only time communion was done. Of course, this was back when I was a young person so I did not partake of the Lord's Supper as I was not yet a child of God. However, I have family that still goes to the same Baptist church and the "tradition" of the 1st Sunday of the month for communion is still in full force.

Since accepting Christ later in life, and now a member of Journey Christian Church, I have taken part in the Lord's Supper every Sunday and many times twice each Sunday (once each service). I can recall wondering if we as a body were doing this too often. I had thoughts that doing this each week might make this Holy time of remembering Christ's death become "routine". While some may fall into the trap of making it routine, it should not be, no matter how often it is observed. This is the individuals responsibility and not the church's.
I personally do not think we can honor Christ too much by taking communion even if it is everyday. We often fail to honor Christ in so many ways (not reading His Word enough, not praying as often as we should, etc) that honoring Him in this way should be something not to ignore. I also believe, based on scripture, that it is biblical to take communion as a church body as often as we meet, whether that be weekly or daily.
Look at the scripture on the Lord's supper found in 1 Corithians 11:23-32

"23 For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus in the night in which He was betrayed took bread;
24 and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, "This is My body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of Me."
25 In the same way He took the cup also after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me."
26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until He comes.
27 Therefore whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner, shall be guilty of the body and the blood of the Lord.
28 But a man must examine himself, and in so doing he is to eat of the bread and drink of the cup.
29 For he who eats and drinks, eats and drinks judgment to himself if he does not judge the body rightly.
30 For this reason many among you are weak and sick, and a number sleep.
31 But if we judged ourselves rightly, we would not be judged.
32 But when we are judged, we are disciplined by the Lord so that we will not be condemned along with the world.

A couple of things stand out to me in these passages.

First is in verse 24.. "Do this in rememberance of me." We can get so caught up in our busy day-to-day lives that we sometimes forget to spend time with God. By setting aside the time each week to take the Lord's Supper it helps our minds to focus on why we are in church in the first place. It brings us closer to our Lord and keeps fresh in our mind the ultimate sacrifice He made for us.

Secondly is in verse 28.. "a man must examine himself." By taking the Lord's supper each week, it forces us to examine where we are spirtually. The bible says in 2 Corinthians 13:5 "Examine yourselves, whether you be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except you be reprobates?"

Thirdly, and it ties in with examining ourselves, is guarding against taking the Lord's supper while there is unconfessed sin in us as this can bring judgment against us. This is found in verse 29 "For he who eats and drinks unworthily drinks judgment to himself". This is not a small matter. For many in Corinth, it was a literal matter of life and death (physical life and death, not spiritual because as believers their spirtual eternal life was already secure). In verse 30 the bible says that many among them became sick and some slept. That didn't mean they were tired so they took a nap. The term sleep is used in the bible when a child of God has physically passed away.

So, why take the Lord's supper every week?

1) To keep our minds in a rememberance state towards Christ
2) It forces us to constantly examine ourselves
3) It forces us to confess sins to God so they we are not found taking the Lord's supper unworthily.

Or an easier way to think of it:

1) Remembering
2) Examining
3) Confessing

When we do all 3, our fellowship with Christ and God the Father stays strong. It sure seems like a wise thing to do doesn't it?

No Doubt About It.. It Is OK To Have Doubts

I attend Journey Christian Church and this week we began a series Called "Christianity In Doubt." It is dealing with spiritual questions and doubts people (saved and unsaved) may have from time to time. I am sure there are a good number of unsaved people who are still unsaved because they doubt Jesus is who He said He was. However, I would think most doubting comes from the born again. Actually, there are only 2 kinds of doubters, honest ones and dishonest ones. You may ask what is the difference between the two. An honest doubter doesn't know, but he wants to know so he makes an honest investigation to find out and get clarity. A dishonest doubter doesn't know and doesn't want to know for fear that he won't like what he finds out. He can't find God the way a thief can't find a policeman.

I'd like to first address the honest doubter who is a believer. It is ok to doubt. In fact, doubt is a backwards affirmation of faith because we only doubt that which we believe. The Epistle of 1 John is a good book to read if you are having some doubts. The word "know" is mentioned 40 times in this epistle. There are other areas in the bible that are good to read to strengthen your faith as well. Personally, reading about those in the bible who doubted and how they overcame that doubt is an encouragement to me. Think of "Doubting Thomas" who was unsure it was Jesus he was speaking to and told Jesus that if he could see the nail prints in his hand then he would believe. Think of Peter. who when Satan wanted to sift him as wheat had Jesus to pray for him that his "faith fail not".

I'd like to now address the honest doubter who is not a believer. If you are uncertain about God, Jesus, christianity, etc. I would suggest taking an honest approach to find out. I would suggest doing the following: pray to God a prayer something like this, "God, I don't know if you exist and I don't know if the bible is your word or not, but I want to know. And because I want to know I will make an honest investigation and I will be open to what I discover." After saying that prayer, I would suggest reading 1 chapter a day from the Gospel of John. The Gospel of John was written so you might believe that Jesus is the Christ. After reading a chapter, close with another short prayer which might be something like this, "God, I have begun to read the bible in an attempt to find out if you are real or not. If you are real, I ask that you speak to me so that I may know the truth for myself." Then, much like what is written on the instruction label of a shampoo bottle, repeat if necessary. I believe with every chapter read and honest prayer made to God, that God will become real to you.

To the Dishonest Doubter, there is no point in even wasting time addressing you. If through creation and concious you still insist there is no God or that Jesus is a fraud, then all I can do is shake the cyber dust off of my keyboard as I write this. Also, like Jesus told Peter in John 13:36, "where I am going, you can not follow." (the rest of the verse Jesus told Peter he could follow him later, just not now.)

Now for a little Q&A. I will address some of the "doubting questions" that were brought up in the message this week.

Is God so narrow minded that Jesus is the only way to heaven?

Two points come to mind. The passage in Matthew 7:14 "Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leads unto life, and few there be that find it." Jesus himself said in John 14:6, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me". Think about it for a minute. Do you really think that if there was some other way, God would have let His son die a horrible death on the cross? Jesus confirms in Matthew 26:39 while in the Garden of Gethsemane when he says "My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me." Jesus had 1 main purpose in coming to the earth and it is found in Luke 19:10 "For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost".

How can a loving God send someone to Hell?

Yes, God is loving but He is also Holy, Righteous and Just. Sin has to be paid for. Jesus paid that sin debt. The only way for us to have our sin debt paid is to trust in Jesus' death as sufficient payment for that sin. The bible says in Romans 6:23 " The wages of sin is death." If we do not allow Jesus to pay for our sins by His blood, then we are left to pay for them ourselves. The only way we can pay for them is to die, not physically, but spiritually. The result is eternal seperation from God in Hell.

What about people in third world countries who never heard?
See my previous post on this topic. Creation and Conscience are enough to make someone responsible for pursuing God. Romans 1:20 says " ... so that they are without excuse".

One other note, I don't think it is a wise idea to dwell on doubting a whole lot. I fear that doing so could lead to unneccessary doubting and confusion, but this is just my personal opinion. Instead of planting seeds of doubt, I believe the focus should be on all the scriptures which talk about assurance. Instead of focusing on Doubt, we should focus on faith and hope. Hope in the bible is not wishing. It is bed rock assurance based on the promises of God. Jesus is referred to as the Blessed Hope and that does not mean the Blessed Maybe.

In doing a little research on this, I ran across a web site called "Skepticsannotatedbible.com". You want to avoid this. From what little bit I read, the publisher of this bible is a dishonest doubter and it's blasphemy to even call it a "bible"