To Fight Or Not To Fight

Jude 1:3-4 “Beloved, while I was making every effort to write you about our common salvation, I felt the necessity to write to you appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints. For certain persons have crept in unnoticed, those who were long beforehand marked out for this condemnation, ungodly persons who turn the grace of our God into licentiousness and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.”

Sometimes, in the Christian life, we are called to fight. Sometimes we have to earnestly contend for the faith. “Contend” means to fight. Sometimes, the Faith “once for all handed down to the saints” is called into question. Sometimes, the truth is attacked, souls are at stake, the church is assaulted and we have to fight spiritually for the sake of all that is right and the protection of truth and the souls who would be lost, if the truth is maligned.

I believe we must contend for the Faith. I am grieved by those cowards who refuse to stand for what they know is right. I am also grieved by those who claim to contend for the faith but in reality are not. Rather, they are really fighting because it gives them some twisted pleasure which they derive from controversy. They find some sick joy from trying to win pointless arguments. We must contend for the Faith but we must not be contentious. Some people want to fight for fighting’s sake alone. They are the professional wrestlers of Christianity. They set up “straw men” to wrestle and fight in fake scripted battles. The battle is not about persuading men to the truth but rather making themselves smarter than everyone else. They are haughty, proud and loud. They come to church and they are “READY TO RUMBLE!”

Jesus said in Matthew 5: 3-12, "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

Notice, the “blessed” people are the pure in heart. They have no pride to defend, no axe to grind, and no pound of flesh to get. It also says the merciful are blessed. Many times, people who claim to be defending the Faith are just defending themselves. By taking out some twisted form of tongue thrashing justice upon their “enemy,” they feel justified. What is the purpose? Jesus teaches us that we should be “peacemakers.” Is it to bring people to peace with God or to look good winning an argument? Is it to defend the faith or defend your pride? When you fight, it should be for the pursuit of peace, not personal vindication.

Proverbs 26:4 teaches us, “Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you will be like him yourself.” But then in verse 5, the very next verse, God teaches us to, “Answer a fool according to his folly, or he will be wise in his own eyes.” This is one of the hardest things to figure out. There is a time not to answer a person, because what they have said is so ridiculous, it is not worthy of a response. In this case, if we answer them then we sink down to their pathetic level. On the other hand, sometimes we must “answer a fool according to his folly” because his listeners actually believe what he said and it needs rebuked. It’s a hard to always know what to do. If we pray to God for the wisdom, he promises to give us the wisdom we need to know what to do. James 1:5 says, “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.”

When we contend for the faith, there is a time to answer a fool and a time to say nothing and let the fool’s folly expose him. One thing is for sure, pride is the source of all fighting. Contention comes from pride. If there is strife, either one of the individuals or both the individuals have a pride problem. Proverbs 13:10 explains, “By pride comes nothing but strife, But with the well-advised is wisdom.” The pride of not admitting you are, when wrong or not wanting to look bad spawns most disagreement. That is why some people like to fight. They live under the same immature philosophy that they can build themselves up by tearing others down. They stomp around like bullies in a playground. If there are no fights, then they pick on people and create one. Proverbs 26:21 says, “As charcoal is to burning coals, and wood to fire, so is a contentious man to kindle strife.”

Fools want to fight. The righteous realize they have to fight to defend the souls of the lost and defend the truth that saves, but they don’t want to fight. Proverbs 18:6 tells us, “A fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calls for blows.” A fool enters into contention and looks for a fight and then walks right into it. A fool likes to fight. A fool calls for contention and calls on you to exchange blows. Remember the bullies in school? They would pick on those they thought they could beat. They haughtily pranced around seeking a fight. They would say things like, “bring it on” or “come on hit me you chicken.” Or they might say, “You’re just afraid to fight.” Full of pride themselves they tried to appeal to the pride of others to induce their fights. Name-calling was their favorite tactic. Then, if someone would reciprocate, they would use that as the excuse to justify their further attack and escalation of the conflict.

Bullies would fight for any reason and were always looking for a chance to seem dominant in front of the other kids. The good kids would only fight when they had to. They tried to make peace first. They only fight when they have to defend themselves or others from these provoking bullies. The pathetic thing is how many theological bullies there are looking for a fight in the church. When there is no doctrine to fight over these bullies invent new doctrines and thus introduce heresies in order to have new ground to battle over. They want to look wise to the others whom they hope are watching. They are name callers who are full of pride and try to appeal to the pride of others to escalate their contentious wrangling.

So how do you handle people like that? I pray for wisdom and remember Proverbs 22:10 which says, “Cast out the scoffer, and contention will leave; Yes, strife and reproach will cease.” There is a time to walk away from the contentious. There is a time to separate yourselves from contentious “brothers” and not fellowship with them. Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 2:23-26, “Have nothing to do with stupid, senseless controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kindly to every one, an apt teacher, forbearing, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant that they will repent and come to know the truth, and they may escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.”

Paul commands the evangelist in Titus 3:9-11, “But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless. Warn a divisive person once, and then warn him a second time. After that, have nothing to do with him. You may be sure that such a man is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.” Some people you don’t have to condemn because their teaching and pompous prancing condemn them for you. Sometimes the way to handle a contentious person who loves to use their peculiar goofy doctrines to bully people, is to just ignore them and walk away. Give them enough rope and they’ll hang themselves. Proverbs 20:3 says, “It is honorable for a man to stop striving, since any fool can start a quarrel.”

So there is a time to fight and a time to walk away. When truth needs fought for and souls are in the balance, we must stand up for God’s Word. But don’t fight unless you have to. Seek peace and you’ll be like God. Too many people desire debates for selfish reasons. Sometimes you walk away from the bullies and leave them to their name calling because their bark is worse than their bite and they are just noisy boasters whom we should not give a platform to espouse their folly. Sometimes it would be easy to rip a contentious Christian to shreds with words but what good would that do? Is that the mercy Jesus has shown us? If we want mercy, for when we are fools, we must show it to others when they are. We should seek peace. Sometimes, we have to fight for what is right but it should be a fight for peace.

“Wisdom is proved by her actions.” If you stand for the truth and don’t involve yourself in the proud controversy of the contentious, your peace and truth loving ways will speak volumes to the sincere seeker. James 3:13-4:1 “Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members?”

So let the wise show their wisdom by their good conduct. If you claim to know the truth you should show it in meekness and self-control. Bitterness, envy and pride are not the wisdom that is from God. Wisdom is pure, peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, and full of mercy. You can’t be that way and be contentious. A wise man doesn’t want to fight and only does so when he has to. It’s the proud fool who says, “Bring it on!”

So the way to handle the contentious is to not associate with them. Let their foolishness be evident to all. Just patiently teach and preach what is true and silence the contentious by doing good. The outspoken apostle says in 1 Peter 2:15, “For it is God's will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men.”

Thou Shalt Not Murder

Click on the picture obove to read Bill Clinton's reasons for removing Saddam from Power in 1999

Genesis 9:6 "Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed; for in the image of God has God made man."

Saddam Hussein is the first world leader in modern times to have brutally used chemical weapons against his own people. His goals were to systematically terrorize and exterminate the Kurdish population in northern Iraq, to silence his critics, and to test the effectiveness of his chemical and biological weapons. Hussein launched chemical attacks against 40 Kurdish villages and thousands of innocent civilians in 1987-88, using them as testing grounds. The worst of these attacks devastated the city of Halabja on March 16, 1988.

Exodus 21:12 "Anyone who strikes a man and kills him shall surely be put to death."

Saddam's regime purposefully mixed mustard gas and nerve agents to magnify their initial and long-term effects. Mustard gas, a blistering agent, affects membranes of the nose, throat, and lungs. Nerve agents such as sarin, tabun, and VX attack eyes and respiratory tracts. Chemical weapons contaminate the food and water supplies, soil, and animal populations.

5,000 civilians, many of them women, children, and the elderly, died within hours of the attack. 10,000 more were blinded, maimed, disfigured, or otherwise severely and irreversibly debilitated.

Immediate Medical Effects in Halabja

Chemical Weapons Used

Death by asphyxiation

Skin burns and blisters

Impaired vision, blindness

Breathing difficulty, respiratory shutdown

Vomiting, diarrhea, digestive shutdown

Neurological disorder

Convulsions, coma

Thousands died of horrific complications, debilitating diseases, and birth defects in the years after.

Long-term Medical Effects

Permanent blindness

Disfigurement

Respiratory, digestive, and neurological disorders

Leukemia, lymphoma, and colon, breast, lung, skin, and other cancers

Increased miscarriages and infertility

Severe congenital malformations and other birth defects

Iraqi soldiers in protective gear returned to Halabja to study the effectiveness of their weapons and attacks. They divided the city into grids, determining the number and location of the dead and extent of injury. Halabja helped Saddam Hussein gauge the ability of his chemical agents to kill, maim, and terrorize population centers.

"Iraqi government troops would be surrounding the attack site and they would have chem-bio suits on...included would be doctors and interested observers...they would go in and find out how many people were dead...and how many survived. What ages ...did men, women or children or the elderly suffer more? From there they would shoot the survivors and burn the bodies... " -Dr. Christine Gosden, Liverpool University, who has developed treatment and research programs for Halabja survivors The proceeding information can be found here

Exodus 21:14 "But if a man schemes and kills another man deliberately, take him away from my altar and put him to death."

Leviticus 24:17 "‘If anyone takes the life of a human being, he must be put to death."

Why Is War Againt Saddam Not Wrong?

Romans 13:2-5 "Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. For he is God’s servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God’s servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience."

For the Saddam Defenders:
Psalm 82:2 "How long will you defend the unjust and show partiality to the wicked?"

Proverbs 31:8-9 "Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute.Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy."

Proverbs 20:26 "A wise king winnows out the wicked; he drives the threshing wheel over them."

Matthew 18:10 "See that you do not look down on one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven."

Exodus 20:13 "You shall not murder."

Proverbs 16:12 "Kings detest wrongdoing, for a throne is established through righteousness."

Proverbs 25:5 "remove the wicked from the king’s presence, and his throne will be established through righteousness."

Sometimes War is right and just.
Revelation 19:11 "I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and makes war."

Saddam killed 5000 of his own people with Mustard Gas in one town alone. He killed millions over the 20 some years he was in power. It is not wrong to remove him from power. Less Iraqi's will die because they did.

Who is the greatest?

Ever wonder who is the greatest person? The disciples of Jesus did. They asked Jesus about it in Matthew 18:1, "At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?"

The reason they wanted to know is because they wanted to find out how they could be the greatest. Pride motivated this question. But Jesus answer surprised them for sure. It was not an answer that human pride, lust or greed would produce. It is the answer of truth, love, and righteousness.

Matthew 18:2 -4 says, "He called a little child and had him stand among them. And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven."

Greatness does not come from wealth, fame, power or even usefulness. Greatness is not determined by what you have to offer or what you have given. Greatness comes from the virtue and character of humility. Hummm! Who knew?

Abortion Is Murder!

Exodus 20:13 "You shall not murder."

This is baby Madeline when she was born on June 1989. She weighed just 9.9 ounces.

Here is a baby almost the same age who was aborted

Here is Madeline Mann Today. She is now in high school, an honors student, plays violin and likes to rollerblade.

Proverbs 24:11 "Rescue those being led away to death; hold back those staggering toward slaughter."

Read the book "Seeing The Unseen"

Click on the picture to learn more about Joe Beam

There are many good and many bad books that have been written about spiritual warfare. This is one of the many good ones.

In Seeing the Unseen, Joe Beam reveals Satan's powerful weaponry--his lies, deceptions, and manipulations--and unmasks his strategy to destroy your life and those you care for.

Joe discusses the activity of angels (both good and bad), demons, and the devil in today's world based on what the Bible tells us about spiritual warfare.

He shows Christians how to determine if problems and temptations in life could be spiritual warfare and how to be successful in such battles and strongholds.

This is not a book of wild sensationalism; rather it is a dedicated study of God's Word and a sharing of stories of tragedy and triumph. Open this book, uncover your enemy, and prepare for victory!

Pick up a copy by clicking here

A Salamander Man in the House of God

Have you heard in the news about a thief they dubbed the "salamander man" who talked his way into the homes of dozens of unsuspecting people by saying he was looking for his lost salamander, hamster or iguana. (click here)

That reminds me of what Satan does. He comes under false pretences and sometimes even appeals to our good intentions just so he can get his foot in the door of our heart and rob us spiritually blind. 1 Peter 5:8 says, "Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour."

Likewise, false teachers also use deception and lies, appealing to peoples good intentions only to deceive them with false teaching. False teachers often pose a real problem but then give an ungodly solution. Usually, it involves giving the false teacher money. Example Robert Tilton.

In 2 Timothy 3:6-8 Paul said, "They are the kind who worm their way into homes and gain control over weak-willed women, who are loaded down with sins and are swayed by all kinds of evil desires, always learning but never able to acknowledge the truth. Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so also these men oppose the truth— men of depraved minds, who, as far as the faith is concerned, are rejected."

In 1 Timothy 6:3-5 Paul said, "If anyone teaches false doctrines and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, he is conceited and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions and constant friction between men of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain."

The Apostle Peter warned in 2 Peter 3:17, "Therefore, dear friends, since you already know this, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of lawless men and fall from your secure position."

Click here to learn what to do about false teachers

Discover the Tabernacle

Discover the Tabernacle

Check out these cool videos which what the Tabernacle was like. Click Here.

This site contains several animated movies about how the tabernacle and items in the tabernacle were constructed. It's neat to watch. Check them out.

Almost 46 Million Babies Killed Since 1973

"Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those who are perishing." - Proverbs 31:8

Sunday January 22, 2006 is the 33rd anniversary of Roe Vs. Wade. There have been 45,951,133 babies murdered since 1973. (Learn more here.)



"We cannot diminish the value of one category of human life--the unborn--without diminishing the value of all human life."--Ronald Reagan

Abotions drastically increase the probablity of a woman getting Breast Cancer. Learn more Here. Watch a video click here!

Not sure what abortion is? Click here to watch video.

HOW CAN ANYONE BELIEVE THAT THIS IS NOT MURDER?

THE ONE HOPE

ONE HOPE

Ephesians 4:4 -6 "There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all."

There is only one hope though there are many false hopes preached in various churches today:

• Health, wealth, financial success, marital bliss, no earthly problems
• Miraculous powers, tongues, healings
• Super human morality via the Holy Spirit as being our hope instead of the seal guaranteeing our hope

Define the One Hope:
Hope: an expectation of good (1a) in the Christian sense a joyful and confident expectation of eternal salvation. (STRONGS)

There are three tests of the true One Hope.

1. THE ONE HOPE CONTINUES TODAY.
I Corinthians 13:13, "And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love."

2. THE ONE HOPE IS FOR SOMETHING CHRISTIANS DO NOT YET HAVE.
Romans 8:24-25, "For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently."

3. THE ONE HOPE FOR CHRISTIANS IS NOT IN THIS LIFE.
I Corinthians 15:19, "If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men."

So What Is The One Hope?

OUR HOPE IS BASED UPON THE BIBLE

• Romans 15:4, "For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope."

THE ONE HOPE IS THE RESURRECTION TO ETERNAL LIFE AT CHRIST JESUS' RETURN.

• Acts 24:15, "I have the same hope in God as these men, that there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked."
• Titus 3:4-7, "But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life."
• Titus 1:1-2, "Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ for the faith of God’s elect and the knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness— a faith and knowledge resting on the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time"

THE ONE HOPE IS PART OF THE GOSPEL WHICH WE MUST GET RIGHT.

• Colossians 1:5, "the faith and love that spring from the hope that is stored up for you in heaven and that you have already heard about in the word of truth, the gospel"
• Colossians 1:21-23, "Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation— if you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant."
• Galatians 1:8-9, "But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned! As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let him be eternally condemned!"

THE HOPE OF GLORY IS RESURRECTION AT JESUS RETURN.

• Romans 8:18-25, "I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God. We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently."
• Colossians 1:27, "To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory."
• II Corinthians 4:16-5:1, "Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands."

OUR HOPE ACTS AS AN ANCHOR FOR THE SOUL.

• I Peter 1:13, "Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed."
• Hebrews 6:19, "We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure."
• I Thessalonians 1:3, "We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ."

WHAT DOES ALL THIS MEAN?

1. The hope of Christians is in the next life, not this one.
2. Hope can be given through Bible study.
3. Hope is in eternal life at Jesus return.
4. Hope is a great motivator to do good.
5. The One Hope must be held on.

SO WHAT IS HOPE?
The One Hope is a confident expectation of Christ's return and our glorification into eternal beings. By this hope we are saved if we are not moved from it. This hope held out in the Gospel message that must not be changed, compromised, watered down, twisted or tarnished, for it is the message of love, forgiveness and reconciliation to us all, each sinner bought back by the physical death of Jesus on the cross for us.

The One Hope must shine like a jewel, call like a beacon, inspire like a song, encourage like a prize, and hold like an anchor. Therefore, cursed is the man who ever changes the message of the Gospel and that One Hope which it holds out to all peoples, to all nations, at all times: the hope of eternal life.

Praise God, for the hope of Israel has come to all nations through Jesus Christ! Amen?

Liberal Goatherd Movie

Click on the above picture to see The Liberal Goatherd Movie.

THEY SMELL LIKE SHEEP

What kind of leadership will effectively lead the church into the morally turbulent twenty-first century? The same kind of leadership that led itthrough the morally and politically chaotic first century. Shepherding.

This is the kind of leadership Jesus used, and this is the kind of leadership that will take his church where he wants it to go. While the term "shepherd" produces warm images of love, care, and tenderness, it also describes a form of leadership that is perilously protective, dangerous, dirty, and smelly.

"Shepherd" is something that every follower of Christ, the Good Shepherd, is called to become. Lynn Anderson, in this important book, leads us backwards in time to discover and identify the biblical leader for the future needs of the Christian community. Anderson’s deep dig for truth will concern, convict, and confront us about where leadership has been, and will set a new standard for where the future leader must go.

While, The Scirpturist does not agree with Anderson's views on the qualification's of sheperds, the overall message of this book is to important to miss. We highly recomend all that church leaders and anyone who wants to understand Biblical leadership read, THEY SMELL LIKE SHEEP.

Click here to buy THEY SMELL LIKE SHEEP

We Share The Dream

"I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character." - Dr. Marin Luther King Jr.

Many have pointed to the fact that Dr. Martin Luther King Jr's personal life was marred by the indiscretion of an extra-marital affair. Though King David made the same mistake and worse, we still read the many Pslams which he wrote knowing God used a fallen man to say things wonderful and true.

Likewise, though Dr. King was not a perfect man, his speech about equality is wonderful and worthy of being repeated. The fact is, Dr. King did a lot of good for our nation. And we share his dream and vision of a nation where we will not be judged by the color of our skin but by the content of our character.

Click here to read the I HAVE A DREAM speech.

Click here to see a a video of the I HAVE A DREAM speech.

Click here to hear audio of the I HAVE A DREAM speech.

A Biblical Job Description For An Elder

In the Bible several terms are used for the office of elder. These terms are used interchangeably. They are Elder, Overseer (also transliterated Bishop) and Shepherd (also transliterated as Pastor).

Elders is the descriptive of the qualification. They must be older. An example is in Acts 20:17 “From Miletus, Paul sent to Ephesus for the elders of the church.”

Overseers (or Bishop) is descriptive of the role. Notice that when ever it refers to Elders overseeing it is always via the role of a shepherd. An example is Acts 20:28 “Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood.” And again in 1 Peter 5:1-2 “To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder, a witness of Christ’s sufferings and one who also will share in the glory to be revealed: Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, serving as overseers” They would oversee people not programs, saints not services, delegation not details.

Shepherds (pastor) is descriptive of role as well. It is the direct analogy of who an Elder is to be. Acts 20:28 says, “Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood." And 1 Peter 5:1-2 says, “To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder, a witness of Christ’s sufferings and one who also will share in the glory to be revealed: Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care...”

Therefore, the only people referred to as shepherds or pastors in the church are the elders. Many people today will call the preacher or minister the "pastor." That is Biblically incorrect. The preacher in the Bible is called the evangelist. The elders are the pastors and must meet the qualifications of elders and overseers listed in 1 Timothy and Titus. Click here to learn more

What does a shepherd/Overseer do?

1. Feeds the flock

Preach and Teach
Acts 6:3-4 “We will turn this responsibility over to them and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word."
1 Timothy 5:17 “The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching.”
1 Timothy 3:2 “Now the overseer must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach”

Equip the saints for service (teaching and training)
Ephesians 4:11-12 “It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up.”

2. Help those who are sick

Visit with and pray for the physically and spiritually sick
James 5:14 “Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord.”

Encourage with sound doctrine
Titus 1:9 “He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.”

3. Guide the overall direction of the flock

Leading by example not micromanagement
1 Peter 5:3 “not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.”
Acts 6:2 "It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables.”
Acts 6:3-4 “We will turn this responsibility over to them and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word."

Be willing servant leaders who oversee people’s spiritual lives
1 Peter 5:2-3 "serving as overseers— not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve"

4. Protect from predators

Oversee to guard the flock from false teachers and distorted truth
Acts 20:28-31 “Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood. I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. So be on your guard!”
Titus 1:9 “He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.”

Help decide difficult issues that the flock can’t work out on their own.
Acts 15:2 “This brought Paul and Barnabas into sharp dispute and debate with them. So Paul and Barnabas were appointed, along with some other believers, to go up to Jerusalem to see the apostles and elders about this question.”
Acts 15:6 “The apostles and elders met to consider this question.”

5. Delegate to others various roles within the flock

Ordain and appoint evangelists and deacons according to qualification
1 Timothy 4:14 “Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through a prophetic message when the body of elders laid their hands on you.”
Acts 6:6 “They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them.”

Periodically review the ministry of those they ordained
Acts 15:4 “When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and elders, to whom they reported everything God had done through them.”

Pray Tonight For Christians In India

10th January 2006

Dear Brothers and Sisters in America,

Love and greetings to you from Central India Christian Mission. Just want to share an urgent prayer request with you. As some of you know that our present Hospital building is over 100 years old and is limited to 50 beds.

We have been planning to build a new hospital building. Still, with limited resources, stepping into faith we are starting the construction of the 1st phase of the building. The ground breaking ceremony is scheduled for tomorrow (11th January 2006). We have the teams from Central Christian Church, Carmel, Indiana, Indian Creek Christian Church, Indianapolis and FAME with us. We are planning for a public function for the ground breaking ceremony tomorrow at 10 a.m. (11:30 PM EST, Tuesday, January 10, 2006)

Well, today we have received 5 telephone calls from different extremist groups saying 'since hospital is being used for Christian witness we should not expand this building'. Other doctors in town are also supporting these extremist groups. Since our state is ruled by the Hindu legalistic political party (BJP), even some government officials are coming to us saying 'do not have this ceremony as there may be problems during the ceremony and even afterwards'.

Please know, we are going to move ahead with what we believe is God's plan for the mission. We are doing our best for security. However, with thousands and thousands of extremists around us, we thought we will share this prayer request with all of you. We will be grateful to you if you pray as soon as you get this letter. We will keep you informed.

With grateful hearts,

Ajai & Indu Lall with CICM
family e-mail: ajai@indiamission.org

2 Thessalonians 3:2 "And pray that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men, for not everyone has faith."

The Biblical Job Description For An Evangelist

Some Biblical facts to help understand the job description

The title Evangelist is descriptive of the work. The word from the New Testament translated as evangelist means “preacher of the good news.”

Some evangelists had short ministries (Titus) some were long term ministries (Philip).
· Acts 8:40 “Philip, however, appeared at Azotus and traveled about, preaching the gospel in all the towns until he reached Caesarea.”
· Ac 21:8 “Leaving the next day, we reached Caesarea and stayed at the house of Philip the evangelist, one of the Seven.”
· There is at least a 20 year time period between Acts 8 and Acts 21. The idea that Evangelists didn't have long term located ministries is wrong.

Timothy and Titus were evangelists written similar letters (epsitles) from Paul. In these two letters is an outline of the job description of an evangelist. By reading these two books, a preacher can know what his job descrition is.

Evangelist Job Description

Submit to the Oversight of Elders

1. Ordained by elders (this implies accountability)
· 1 Timothy 4:14 “Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through a prophetic message when the body of elders laid their hands on you.”

2. Obey the eldership (obviously not to the point of disobeying God)
· Hebrews 13:17 “Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you.”

3. Periodically report what you have done to elders
· Acts 15:4 “When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and elders, to whom they reported everything God had done through them.”
· Acts 21:18-19 “The next day Paul and the rest of us went to see James, and all the elders were present. Paul greeted them and reported in detail what God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry.”

4. Seek the Elders input, guidance and intervention when you can’t fix a problem yourself
· Acts 15:2 “This brought Paul and Barnabas into sharp dispute and debate with them. So Paul and Barnabas were appointed, along with some other believers, to go up to Jerusalem to see the apostles and elders about this question.”
· Acts 15:6 “The apostles and elders met to consider this question.”

Guard the responsibilities and authority given so you can discharge all your duties
· Titus 2:15 “Encourage and rebuke with all authority. Do not let anyone despise you.”
· 1 Timothy 4:12 “…Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young”
· 1 Timothy 6:20 “ O Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you”
· 2 Timothy 4:5 “…do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry”

Set in order what is out of order
· Titus 1:5 “For this reason I left you in Crete, that you would set in order what remains”

Set in order the Eldership (mutual accountability)

1. Appoint Elders by Biblical guidelines
· Titus 1:5 “…appoint elders in every city as I directed you,”
· 1 Timothy 5:22 “Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, and do not share in the sins of others.”
· The Qualifications are given to evangelists.

2. See to the pay of fulltime elders
· 1 Timothy 5:17 “The elders who rule well are to be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching.”

3. Receives accusations against elders
· 1 Timothy 5:19 “Do not entertain an accusation against an elder unless it is brought by two or three witnesses.”

4. Rebuke sinning elders
· 1 Timothy 5:20 “Those who sin are to be rebuked publicly, so that the others may take warning.”

Set in order the teaching of doctrine

1. Study the Word Diligently to prepare to teach
· 2 Timothy 2:15 “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”
· 2 Timothy 4:2 “…be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.”

2. Preach the Word
· 2 Timothy 4:2 “preach the word”

3. Teach Sound doctrine
· Titus 2:1 “You must teach what is in accord with sound doctrine.”

4. Guard against false doctrine and false teachers
· 2 Timothy 4:15 “Be on guard against him yourself, for he vigorously opposed our teaching.”
· 2 Timothy 1:13 “Retain the standard of sound words which you have heard from me, in the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. Guard, through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us, the treasure which has been entrusted to you.”

5. Rebuke with full authority
· Titus 2:15 “Encourage and rebuke with all authority.”
· 1 Timothy 5:20 “Those who sin are to be rebuked publicly, so that the others may take warning.”
· Titus 1:13 “This testimony is true. Therefore, rebuke them sharply, so that they will be sound in the faith”

6. Encourage with full authority
· Titus 2:15 “Encourage and rebuke with all authority.”
· 2 Timothy 4:1 “…correct, rebuke and encourage— with great patience and careful instruction.”
· Titus 2:6 “Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled.”

7. Decide who teaches
· 1 Timothy 1:3 “ …stay there in Ephesus so that you may command certain men not to teach false doctrines any longer”

8. Warn divisive persons
· Titus 3:10 “Warn a divisive person once, and then warn him a second time. After that, have nothing to do with him.”

9. Remove false teachers
· Titus 1:11 “They must be silenced, because they are ruining whole households by teaching things they ought not to teach— and that for the sake of dishonest gain.”
· 2 Timothy 3:5 “having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them.”

Set in order the Various Ministries delegated to deacons (below some examples)

1. Mission giving
· Titus 3:13 “Do everything you can to help Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way and see that they have everything they need.”

2. Public Services
· Public scripture reading, preaching, and teaching
· 1 Timothy 4:13 “Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching.”
· Corporate Prayer
· 1 Timothy2:1 “I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone”
· 1 Timothy 2:8 “I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer”
· Public dress
· 1 Timothy 2:9 “women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety”
· Who teaches
· 1 Timothy 2:12 “do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man; she must be silent.”

3. Benevolence ministry (the ministry of the seven original deacons)
· 1 Timothy 5:3 “Give proper recognition to those widows who are really in need.”
· It then gives 13 more verses about how benevolence should work in the church

4. New Leadership Training
· 2 Timothy 2:2 “And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others.”

Set a good example
· Titus 2:7 “In everything set them an example by doing what is good.”
· 1 Timothy 4:12 “… set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.”
· 1 Timothy 4:16 “Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.”

Nobody Left Behind

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More NBC affiliates wont show BOOK OF DANIEL

More NBC affiliates have announced they will not be carrying NBC’s "The Book of Daniel.” KSNG in Garden City, KSNC in Great Bend and KSNK in Oberlin have responded to community concern and will not air the program.

They join KNSW-TV in Wichita, Kan., KARK-TV in Little Rock, Ark. and WTWO in Terre Haute, Ind., in refusing to carry NBC’s new series.
American Family Association (AFA) says that NBC has received more than 600,000 emails protesting the program.

After viewing the first episode at WBIR in Knoxville, several religious leaders gave their views on the program. Brian Kearns, minister at Lighthouse Christian Church, said, "I think it’s very demeaning to Christianity. It’s an assault on the Christian faith.”

Tom Seay of the Bearden United Methodist Church, described it as "just a pretty sorry piece of work.” Dale Powers of the Catholic Diocese of Knoxville said "You’re portraying something as normal that is just absurd.”

Donald E. Wildmon, chairman of AFA, said NBC is running the program despite the loss of millions of dollars in advertising revenue. "Advertisers are shying away from the program,” Wildmon stated. "But NBC’s hostility to Christians and Christianity runs deep.”

The program’s main characters include Daniel Webster, a drug-addicted Episcopal priest; his alcoholic wife; his son, a 23-year-old homosexual Republican; his daughter, a 16-year-old drug dealer; a 16-year-old adopted son who is having sex with the bishop's daughter; his lesbian secretary who is sleeping with his sister-in-law; and a very unconventional white-robed, bearded Jesus who reassures the priest that his drug-dealing daughter and promiscuous son are just being kids and don't need to change.

According to media reports, it is written by Jack Kenny, a practicing homosexual, who describes himself as being "in Catholic recovery,” interested in Buddhist teachings about reincarnation, and not sure exactly how he defines God and/or Jesus. "I don't necessarily know that all the myth surrounding him (Jesus) is true,” he said. He will know it for sure someday.

NBC portrays Christians as unrepentant addicts, alcoholics, and sexual perverts

"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable— if anything is excellent or praiseworthy— think about such things." -Philippians 4:8

This latest jab at believers focuses on the Rev. Daniel Webster (Aidan Quinn), a Vicodin-addicted Episcopal priest who has irreverent conversations with a Jesus (Garret Dillahunt) only he can see.

Although the Websters are an attractive looking family, this is not a family show. This show is an adult look at a family mired in sin. Wife Judith (Susanna Thompson) drinks too much. Daughter Grace (Alison Pill) sells marijuana. Son Peter (Christian Campbell) is made the most stable and caring member of the family but draws his family's ribbing and prying because he's gay. Son Adam (Ivan Shaw) enjoys a busy and dangerous sex life. Another son's death hangs over the family.

The Book of Daniel treats these situations in a flippant manner that that belittles the wickedness of sin. Particularly offensive is the series' zany portrayal of a Catholic priest connected to the mob. The show won't be a boon to the Episcopal denomination, which has more than enough trouble in the real world.

Serious sin problems should be dealt with condemnation of sin not comedy. It should encourage repentance, forgiveness, and redemption not irreverent jokes. They are trying to make Jesus a joke by portraying Christians as totally depraved and by abusing Jesus character and message.

Webster even delivers a sermon stating maybe temptation isn't such a bad thing. So much for when the real Jesus taught us to pray, "lead us not into temptation." Hollywood loves making a mockery of all that is good and this is the latest secretion of their anti-Christian poison. Do yourself a favor, don’t' lead yourself into the temptation to watch a depraved show that doesn't take sin, repentance or grace seriously and mocks the very core of who Jesus is and what he stands for.

Romans 13:13-14 "Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh."