Peters, Kozar, and Rosebrough Address Michael Brown's Doubling Down on Todd White's Legging Lengthening

Partaking Communion in an Unworthy Manner

All too often people are encouraged not to partake in the Lord’s Table if they have sin in their lives. The fact is that if they don’t think they have sin in their lives they should be excluded (1 John 1:8-10). Remember, the Lord’s Table is proclaiming the Lord’s death, not our self-righteousness (1 Cor 11:26). 

When Scripture says we shouldn’t partake in an unworthy manner, it does not mean we should abstain if we’re dealing with sin and weakness—no one would ever take Communion if that were the meaning. Instead, these instructions require a person not to take the elements of the Lord’s Table if they have not submitted to the Lord. 

Living in an unworthy manner refers to a heart and conduct that are unwilling to repent and are openly insubordinate to the Lordship of Christ. If you are battling sin and humbly seeking to bring every last lust under the truth, this is the fruit of God’s work in your life rather than a reason to not partake of the bread and the cup. As you battle to bring your life under the Lordship of Christ, the Lord’s Table is a means of grace to help you continue battling. 

It is designed to remind you that Jesus is sufficient for your salvation, and His work on the cross has done everything necessary for you to be saved (John 19:30). If you are truly believing in Jesus, then the elements of the Lord’s Table are a reminder of the assurance of salvation that you have in Him as you battle to obey Him.

Adapted from Free to Be Holy: The Liberating Grace of Walking by Faith by Jerry Wragg and Paul Shirley

Another Former Bether Student Comes Forward

Bethel Church is a cult. They are not a true church. More and more former members and student are coming out and exposing them. In this video, Chris Rosebrough shares a few videos from one former student and what she says is disturbing.

The Hymn Sung at Spurgeon's Last Worship Service

According to Alex DiPrima's book, Spurgeon: A Life, two weeks before Charles Spurgeon died, he attended his final worship service which took place in his home on January 17, 1892. DiPrima writes, "The hymn that evening could not have been more appropriate, as his life was drawing to a close."

Spurgeon died a few weeks later and we know that God used him in proclaiming the gospel and standing against false doctrine. We do not know when the Lord will call us home, but we all have a high priority to proclaim the gospel to all around us and even live for his glory. 

I wanted to share this little bit of church history because I was not aware of this hymn until the last few years and now, I have a little more appreciation for it. So as you listen and/or read the lyrics, give praise to God that your life in His hands and nothing can separate you from the love of Christ.

Book Review: The Complete Works of John Owen (Volume 15): Sin and Temptation

John Owen is done some great work on addressing the issues of sin and temptation. He is known for the phrase, "Be killing sin or sin be killing you." 

Granted most people who have read from John Owen has read the Puritan paperbacks which are great works of literature and would recommend them to anyone. Crossway is releasing the Complete Works of John Owen which is more detailed than what has been released in the Puritan paperbacks. 

In the latest released volume, Sin and Temptation, we see Owen's works on the Mortification of Sin, which addresses the Biblical foundations for mortification, what exactly is mortification and what it is not, and examining the symptoms of lust. 

Next, we look at Owen's work regarding Temptation. Owen addresses the nature of temptation, what entering into temptation is and not, and the duty of all believers not entering into temptation. Owen gives practical advice for his readers on how to deal with temptation which, as Owen puts it, is the duty for all Christians. We are not to fall into temptation. Thankfully, we do have a remedy when we do and that is confess our sins to God.

Next, we look oat Owen's work in dealing with indwelling sin. He begins by addressing the foundational passage for indwelling sin, Romans 7:21, which says "I find then the principle that in me evil is present—in me who wants to do good" (LSB). Owen writes about indwelling sin being a law, the natural properties of indwelling sin, fighting indwelling sin's deceit with the mind, and more. 

The final work in this volume is Owen's "Treatise of the Dominion of Sin and Grace." Owen addresses what exactly is the dominion of sin, does sin have dominion over Christians, and the sign of sin's dominion which is the hardness of heart. 

This is the fifth volume of John Owen's complete works that has been released, and I would have to say it is the most important so far. Christians need to be aware of sin and how it works. Owen does a great job applying the Bible to our fight with sin and temptation.

I received this book from Crossway in exchange for an honest review.

Part 2 of the Real David Platt

Part 1 of the Real David Platt

This is part one of the documentary that exposes David Platt in his hostile takeover of McLean Bible Church. The people interviewed are former members of Platt's church.

Jim Osman and Justin Peters Address Jesus Appearing to Muslims in Dreams

There have been tales of Muslims saying they have seen a vision of Jesus which led them to become followers of Christ. Is this true? Does this go against the doctrine of cessationism?

In this video, Jim Osman joins Justin Peters addressing this issue:

  

Four False Teachers Exposed

This video exposes the lies of four prominent false teachers and who is responsible for pushing them on YouTube.

 

Book Review: Is That You, Lord? by Gary Gilley

 

There are many in the church today who believe that hearing God's voice is crucial to the Christian faith. Some would even say it is required. Others have said that give assurance to the believer that they are saved.  There are some Bible teachers that claimed to need to hear the voice of God when it comes to making major decisions like who to marry, where to go to college, or what job to take.

Is it true that Christians need to hear the voice of God apart from the Bible? Gary Gilley tackles this issue and others in his book, “Is That You, Lord?” Hearing the Voice of the Lord: A Biblical Perspective. Gilley is the pastor of Southern View Chapel in Springfield, IL, where he served there since 1975. 

The book begins with a look at pietism which I thought was a little strange at first, but as I continued in the chapter, I was seeing that pietism was embraced by Christians that resulted in joyless Christianity and made them want to have an experience in the area of worship and in their relationship with God.

Gilley goes to address hearing the voice of God based on the teaching of Henry Blackaby, Wayne Grudem, and others. Blackaby advocates for Christians to hear the voice of God as the heart of the Christian experience as well as a requirement for faith which turns into a Galatians 1 situation. Gilley writes on Christians wanting new revelation outside of scripture which Grudem does support even he believes that modern day prophecy can be fallible which goes against God's Word in Deuteronomy 18.

Gilley addresses following the will of God which many Christians believe that God has a specific will for each individual which is true as we see in the Bible, but God does not open the door of heaven and say what you are supposed to do. Yes, we do know God has a sovereign will over the universe and has a general will for how the people of God are to live in this world. Many Christians want God to lead by impressions or nudges over scripture. We can also put out feelings in that category. 

Gilley addresses objections and answers them biblically when it comes to the voice of the Lord. He gives practical advice for anyone trying to discern the will of the Lord. He believes that Christians need to stop looking for extrabiblical communication for God, but rather to rightly handle the word of truth.

One final note, Gilley did address prayer in this book. Many think than prayer is a two-way form of communication, which the Bible does not support. God speaks to us in the Bible, and we speak to God in prayer as "the communication of the heart and mind of the believer to the Lord " (page 87).

I wish this book was available during my early days as a Christian because I have fallen into the trap of relying on extrabiblical means of God speaking to His people which caused a lot of grief. Not saying God deceived me because God can do no evil, but I was the one in error. I highly recommend this book for all Christians to read for themselves and even with others.

I received this book from G3 Press in exchange for an honest review. 

Video Exposing Leg Lengthening

Todd White is known for his so-called leg lengthening healings he has done. Many have said its genuine while others say, it's a trick.  This video from American Gospel exposes the leg lengthening scam.

Brad Klassen: The Bible is True

A Prayer for Election Day

Our Father in Heaven,

We praise you for this day for every day is a gift from You and Your mercies are new every day.

Today, as our nation votes from a new leader, may we trust You for the results no matter what happens.

We acknowledge that you are sovereign above all else even when we do not understand what is happening all around us.

May Your church flourish and the gospel be preached no matter who is in office.

I pray Your people will come together and live holy lives in this present day no matter the results whether we know immediately or weeks later.

May our pastors preach with boldness after this day no matter the result for the glory of Your name.

In the name of Christ, Amen.

A Pastoral Perspective on Politics from Jonny Ardavanis

Major Concerns About Christian Music

In this video, Alisa Childers addresses concerns over Christian music:

Lyric Video: All Glory Be to Christ from Hymns of Grace

Soli Deo Gloria

All of our lives are to live for the glory of God alone (Soli Deo Gloria). Our salvation, by grace through faith in Christ is for the glory of God. The scriptures tell we were made for God's glory (see Isaiah 43:7) and everything we do; we must do it for the glory of God:

Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31).

And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him (Colossians 3:17).

Living for the glory of God is not legalistic but it is the response of one who have been genuinely saved by Christ.  

Worship Song: The Word of God by Cornerstone Music Ministry

Sola Scriptura

Scripture alone (sola scriptura) means that the Bible is highest and final authority for all believers for faith and practice. It does not mean the Bible is our only authority nor does it mean the Bible tells us everything. 

The Bible is not a science book, nor does it tell us how to build a computer. We have been granted "everything pertaining to life and godliness" (2 Peter 1:3), which comes from the Bible. The Apostle Paul wrote:

All Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be equipped, having been thoroughly equipped for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

The Bible is God's Word and is sufficient for all who believe in Jesus. We go to the Bible as our final authority. Our pastors, the commentaries we read, the podcasts we listen to, and that televangelist we see on TV are not the final authority. It is scripture. 

In Acts 17, we see the Apostle Paul bringing the word to the Bereans where "they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so" (Acts 17:11). The Bereans examined the scriptures to fact-check Paul's teaching which is something every believe needs to do. Imagine how many Christians would not be deceived if they open their Bibles and see what false teaching is being presented before them because scripture is our final authority. 

Dreams and visions should be checked as well because they can lead us astray. Someone who claims to have a "word from the Lord" should be checked as well. Thankfully, "we have as more sure the prophetic word, to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts" (2 Peter 1:19). 

God's Word is our final authority. God's word is enough. 

Lyric Video: In Christ Alone by Keith & Kristyn Getty with CityALight