6-25-2022 Devotion: He Died for the Sheep

 John 10:11: "I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth His life for the sheep." Jesus as Shepherd does more than risk His life, He gives His life, enduring death on behalf of sinners. This is intimated in the name “Lamb of God” declared by John the Baptist and in other statements by Jesus Himself. for the sheep. This sacrifice is for “the sheep.” It is for those whom the Father has given Him, the elect. It is they who through the death of Jesus Christ on their behalf will be justified and enjoy fellowship with God. There is some bad theology that says that the Lord Jesus Christ died for everyone, even the lost. If taken to the logical extreme, this view advocates universalism (everyone is saved), which most would agree is not true. While Christ's sacrifice is sufficient for the entire world, it is only practically effective for His sheep. Those that reject Christ receive no eternal benefits. However, Christ died for only the sheep, not the goats (describes those that reject Christ). Thank Him today if you know He died for you.

6-24-2022 Devotion: Promises Day 31

 John 10:10: "The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly..." Jesus Christ is the Way. He is the only Way. He is the Way out for you and He is the Way in for you. He has come to bring us an abundant life. The thief comes to steal, to kill, and to destroy. I think this is a test you can apply to a church, a religious organization, a radio or television program. Is it a religious racket? Is somebody getting rich out of it? As the old adage goes, "Follow the money." Compare it to the Good Shepherd who came to save sinners and to give us life, abundant life. If the person, ministry, or pastor is focusing on anything other than the Lord Jesus Christ, know that most likely is a ministry that will not bring abundant life. Oh, you might see some tricks to make money or make people feel good, but in the long run, it is a ministry of death. Without Christ, you shall die in your sins. If you want abundant life, you must have the Lord Jesus Christ. 

6-23-2022 Devotion: Promises Day 30

 John 16: 8-11: "And when He is come, He will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: Of sin, because they believe not on Me; Of righteousness, because I go to My Father, and ye see Me no more; Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged." This word has two meanings: 1) the judicial act of conviction with a view toward sentencing (i.e., a courtroom term—conviction of sin) or 2) the act of convincing. Here the second idea is best, since the purpose of the Holy Spirit is not condemnation but conviction of the need for the Savior. The Son does the judgment, with the Father. In v. 14, it is said that He will reveal the glories of Christ to His people. He will also inspire the writing of the NT, guiding the apostles to write it, and He will reveal “things to come,” through the New Testament prophecies. The Holy Spirit will convict the world of unbelief in the Lord Jesus Christ, of the self-righteousness of the "unsaved religionists", and of the judgment on Satan and the world to follow. I am thankful that one day the Holy Spirit convicted me of my sin, self-righteousness, and unbelief. When the Holy Spirit did so, I could only cry out, "Lord, save me!" And He did! One doesn't repeat a sinner's prayer by rote, but instead the sincere cry from a heart that knows he or she is lost and headed to hell, is sufficient for salvation. Thank God for the Holy Spirit and His work in the world today.

6-22-2022 Devotion: Promises Day 29

 John 16:7:  "Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will end Him to you...." Although news of Jesus’ departure disturbed the disciples, it was necessary if they were to enjoy the permanent presence of the Spirit. The promise of the Holy Spirit being sent is given to comfort the disciples. The first emphasis was on His life-giving power. The next featured His indwelling presence. The next marked His teaching ministry. The Holy Spirit comes to the disciples on the day of Pentecost. You can read about in Acts 2: 1-4. There was the sound of a mighty wind, it filled the house, divided tongues of fire sat upon their heads, and they all spoke in languages they had not learned. The Comforter is the third person of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit. The Greek word for Comforter means counselor, intercessor, helper, one who encourages and comforts. You are never alone in this life. If you are a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, you have His abiding Presence in your life every minute of every day. Thank the Lord Jesus Christ today for the Comforter, His Spirit residing with and in you.

6-21-2022 Devotion: Promises Day 28

 John 15: 20: "Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted Me, they will also persecute you...." That axiom reflects the obvious truth that led Jesus to inform His disciples. They could expect to be treated as He was treated because those who hated Him don’t know God and would hate them also; and conversely, those who listened with faith to Him would hear them also. Most "Christians" today would endure this type of treatment. The reason is found in the word in English translated as "servant." The actual Greek work is doulos. In Greek the word means a slave. In New Testament times, the slave was dependent on his master for his food, drink, clothes and housing. The slave was totally dependent on the master to provide for him. In the same way, the true believer today is a slave to the Lord Jesus Christ. If you are converted, this is the description of your relationship. You are a slave. Not a slave, not converted. This is why the followers of the Lord Jesus Christ could embrace His sufferings. They were 100% sold out for Him. Slavery for the Lord is your best life now.

6-20-2022 Devotion: Promises Day 27

 John 15: 18: "If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you." The opposition between the world and God’s elect is stated in the strongest terms. The world’s hatred is not due to what the disciples do wrong, but to what they do right. Since Satan is the one who dominates the evil world system in rebellion against God, the result is that the world hates not only Jesus, but those who follow Him. Hatred toward Jesus means also hatred toward the Father who sent Him. The modern day church has tried to win the world by acting like the world, e.g. light shows for worship, no discussion of sin and conviction, etc. Today's church wants the world to approve of its message. There is no way this can be done without compromising. Know that the Gospel is offensive. It is supposed to be. If you tell someone they are a hell bound sinner headed for an eternity in flames, that is offensive. Only those elect will respond positively to that call of salvation. We don't know who the elect are. They don't have a big "E" embroidered on them. Our job is to preach the truth without compromise. The elect will respond through the regenerating power of the Holy Spirit. The church should not try to make friends, instead, they should preach the truth and leave the results to our Lord Jesus Christ. He knows His sheep.

"Plus One"

Plus One

In social settings, you may have an invited guest to a special event. The invited guest is the main person being invited. Sometimes, they can bring a “plus one.” The plus one generally is not named. They are not the main guests. They are an accommodation to the main guest. However, in matters of religion, the plus one takes on a much different role. In theology, that “plus one” will move you from theological soundness to theological error. The purpose of this study is to reveal how many church groups have taken the “plus one” and turned it into the main one. The result is heresy and being a danger to your soul. 

We start with the question, what is the gospel? Paul provides us a succinct description of the gospel in 1 Corinthians 15: 1-4: “1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;

2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye 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;

4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures….”

The Gospel message is composed of five parts:

1. Christ died for our sins.

2. Christ buried.

3. Christ rose from the dead.

4. Christ ascended into heaven.

5. Christ coming again.

Following the mistake of the “plus one” church denominations or groups then add a “plus one” to the simplicity of the gospel message. The problem is that, unlike a social setting, the “plus one” becomes the main thrust of the particular church group. They diminish the role of the Lord Jesus Christ in favor of the “plus one.” In effect, they place Christ in a secondary role and this is what makes this error so dangerous. Christ is merely a door to get to the “plus one” experience. We will review different church groups to make this point. 

1. Campbellite denominations, e.g. Churches of Christ and Disciples of Christ: Consequently, these groups have traditionally and erroneously made water baptism an integral part of salvation.  Many teach a baptismal regeneration i.e., that the new birth occurs during water baptism and does not occur without it. These groups add baptism as a “plus 1.” If you ever encounter these groups, they will stress baptism over Christ. Whatever you add to Christ will be the main thrust of the ministry. Christ’s sacrifice is relegated to an inferior act.

2. Roman Catholic Church: Historically, Roman Catholicism has taught that faith alone is not enough for salvation. Instead, the Catholic Church has believed that salvation comes only when faith in Christ is accompanied by baptism, observing Catholic sacraments (especially the Eucharist), and dying without any unconfessed mortal sins. The Catholic Church does not have a “plus one,” they have approximately plus sevens. To a Catholic, there is no salvation apart from the church. Man must be involved to administer the sacraments, otherwise the person is lost. Christ is reduced to an incomplete starting point for salvation.

3. Mormon Church: The Mormon doctrine of salvation involves not only faith in Christ, but baptism by immersion, obedience to the teaching of the Mormon church, good works and “keeping the commandments of God which will cleanse away the stain of sin,” (Journal of Discourses, Volume 2, page 4). This was written by Brigham Young himself. Again, the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ is relegated to only a starting point for salvation.

4. Jehovah’s Witnesses: The Watchtower (the Jehovah Witnesses’ official vehicle to speak for the church) provides four steps for salvation: Accurate Knowledge of God’s purposes, Avoid Debauchery, Watchtower Membership, and Proselytism. Jehovah Witnesses believe in a work based salvation. Christ doesn’t save you, you save yourself through works for the Watchtower Society.

5. Oneness Pentecostals: These heretics deny the Trinity and teach that to be saved, you must be baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus and you must speak in tongues.  If you don’t speak in tongues, you aren’t saved. As you can see, the sufficiency of Christ is missing. Christ doesn’t save you, you save you.

6. Pentecostal Denominations (Pentecostal Holiness and Assembly of God) and Wesleyan Holiness (Church of the Nazarene, Wesleyan Church, and a number of conservative holiness independent groups): These groups believe in a deeper life. Christ saves you, but you are not complete. You need an additional step to be ready for heaven. I want to be clear, I believe in holiness as taught by the Wesleyans. However, I cannot support their minimizing the work of Christ in salvation. Christ and Christ alone saves you. We should strive after holiness and live every day in submission to the Lord Jesus Christ. We should strive to be obedient. However, our striving is part of our sanctification, not our salvation. Salvation is of the Lord (Jonah 2:9) but sanctification is a mutual working together, us and the Holy Spirit.

7. Charismatics: This group has the most variations: prosperity, prophetic, signs and wonders, healing, seeking His Presence, and tongues and gifts. If you just listen to anyone in this group, just ask yourself, what is the most important thing to them? It won’t be the sufficiency of Christ. It will be the “plus one.

The purpose of this study has been to point out that whatever you add to the sufficiency of Christ will become the most important thing to that group.  The “plus one” is dangerous because it can move you to the category of being a heretic. Go back and read the beginning of this study on what is the gospel. It is simple and clear. Paul made it very clear. Our Lord made it very clear. Man has sought to create a number of “plus ones” to keep people from the truth. I urge you to avoid the “plus ones” and stay faithfully to the gospel. 

The gospel message is that no one is saved until they see themselves as a worthless sinner headed to an eternal everlasting hell. Once one sees himself that way, he will come to the foot of the cross, repent and place his faith in the death, burial and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is on Christ you are to cast yourself completely and without reservation. You don’t need a long prayer. “Lord, save me!” This prayer is sufficient when spoken from a heart under Holy Spirit conviction. Don’t allow heretic groups to pull you away or confuse you. It is Christ alone!