The Doctrine of Creation in Revelation and the Gospel of John

And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: The Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God, says (Rev. 3:14 NASB)

Worthy art Thou, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honor and power; for Thou didst create all things, and because of Thy will they existed, and were created. (Rev. 4:11 NASB)

And every created thing which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all things in them, I heard saying, To Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, be blessing and honor and glory and dominion forever and ever. And the four living creatures kept saying, Amen. And the elders fell down and worshiped. (Rev. 5:13-14 NASB)

And the angel whom I saw standing on the sea and on the land lifted up his right hand to heaven, and swore by Him who lives forever and ever, who created heaven and the things in it, and the earth and the things in it, and the sea and the things in it, that there shall be delay no longer (Rev. 10:5-6 NASB)

And all who dwell on the earth will worship him, everyone whose name has not been written from the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who has been slain. If anyone has an ear, let him hear. (Rev. 13:8-9 NASB)

and he said with a loud voice, Fear God, and give Him glory, because the hour of His judgment has come; and worship Him who made the heaven and the earth and sea and springs of waters. (Rev. 14:7 NASB)

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being by Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. (Jn. 1:1-3 NASB)

He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. (Jn. 1:10 NASB)

Jesus said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was born, I am." (Jn. 8:58 NASB)

 "Since the beginning of time it has never been heard that anyone opened the eyes of a person born blind. "If this man were not from God, He could do nothing."(Jn. 9:32-33 NASB)

And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed. (Jn. 17:5 ESV)

John is convinced that humans are created beings and the triune God is our Creator. God created by divine fiat at the beginning. The Word, the son of God, the Lord Jesus Christ was the special agent of creation. The same power that is used in the beginning is used at the ending. The power to make is no greater than the power to destroy. What God created in love in the past  is brought low by the power of God in holy wrath administering justice during His visitations throughout the earth’s history, but especially at the end of the age. There is no point in believing Revelation if your unbelief will not let you believe Genesis. The supernatural seals, trumpet and bowl judgments require no more divine power than acts of creation. The virgin birth and resurrection, also clearly taught by John, also require supernatural intervention as do the sign miracles John records.

Doc Belcher, Richard P., Sr. Homegoing

Rev. Dr. Richard Paul Belcher, Sr., TEGA CAY, SC - Richard Paul Belcher, 85, of Fort Mill, SC went to be with the Lord on January 3, 2020. Born October 12, 1934 in St. Joseph, MO, he was the son of Delbert and Virgie Belcher. He is survived by a son, Dr. Rev. Richard Paul Belcher, Jr. (Lu) of Fort Mill, SC and daughter, Ann Jeanette Gottman (Tom) of Springfield, MO; a brother Delbert Belcher of Scotts, MI, a sister Joan Teachout of Trenton, MI; five grandchildren and twelve great grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his mother and father, and his wife Mary Anne Belcher. He attended Hannibal-Lagrange college for two years and graduated from Wheaton College. He became an evangelist before he pastored Washington Park Baptist Church in Washington Park, IL from 1961 to 1976. While pastoring he pursued an M.Div. from Covenant Theological Seminary and a Th.D. from Concordia Theological Seminary, both schools in St. Louis, MO. In 1976 he took a teaching job at Columbia Bible College (now Columbia International University) in Columbia, SC and taught for twenty-nine years. He authored many books, including his best-known Journey in Grace.

He had a heart for missions and went on numerous mission trips to India, Brazil, Africa, Taiwan, and other parts of the world. He became pastor of Covenant Baptist Church, Columbia, SC in the years before his retirement from teaching in 2005. The last years of his life he lived in Fort Mill, SC. Funeral service were conducted at 11 AM on Tuesday, January 7, 2020 at Palmetto Funeral Home in Fort Mill, SC with Dr. Rev. Richard Belcher, Jr. officiating. The burial was conducted at 3 PM at Bush River Memorial Gardens in Columbia, SC. The family received friends prior to the service on Tuesday, from 10 AM until 11 AM at the funeral home. The family is being served by Palmetto Funeral Home and Crematory of Fort Mill, SC.

• Richard Belcher's students called him Doc
• He founded Evangelizing India for Christ in 1993
• Doc invested himself in numerous students for many years. He would call, email and meet them for lunch. He would come and preach at the churches they would pastor.
  
• He was a mentor to many young men. He would even pay for the lunch of students off campus who disagreed with some of his convictions and encourage them with matter upon which they both agreed.
• Doc would encourage men who had been rejected by others and were struggling. He never gave up on them. Doc rooted for the underdog, and if that was you, you greatly appreciated it.
  
• After teaching at Columbia Bible College during the day, he would preach at revivals and Bible studies during the evening hours or on weekends
• He founded Richbarry Press with a local Pastor to distribute his many written works
• He planted Covenant Baptist Church in West Columbia, SC
• He was Chairman of the Board of Christ for India for several years before founding EIFC
• He taught Bible, Preaching, Advanced Greek and Theology at CBC in the 1980s
• Doc wrote and performed the life of Bible characters and great Christians in music and script. He would read the narrative and punctuate it with meaningful hymns and worship songs. These include Adnorium Judson, David Brainerd, and Pontious Pilate and about 11 more. The Judson one is available online at Sermon Audio.com.
• Doc took many teams to India and Africa for a week or two of ministry and went alone to do specialized training for many years. It is estimated that he went to India over 35 times.
• J.A. Medders wrote: "Don't do ministry and missions as if it rests on you. Work and sleep like a Calvinist. Work like it is all up to the most powerful person in the universe. Work like you are God's humble coworker, pointing people to the person and work of Jesus Christ. Go the the nations, evangelize your friends, and plant churches because you know God is sovereign. Be a hard-working, expectantly-evangelizing Calvinist who trust God's sovereignty. Work hard for the glory of God. And enjoy watching what he lets you be part of." (Humble Calvinism, 2019, The Good Book Co., Loc. 1393). Doc did not write this, but he lived it.
• After teaching and meeting with students all day, Doc would work on books he was writing and travel to preach revivals and mini-Bible conferences. I rode with him to a revival he was preaching at in SC one hours' drive away on one occasion. He took time to share his faith at the gas station we had to stop at on the way home and gave the cashier one of his books. John Cummings drove Doc back and forth to preaching engagements many times when he had bad headaches or was too sick to drive, but he kept his ministry promise.
• Doc banked on prayer. On my first trip to India in 1994, our team was in a large diesel van heading to the airport. The driver ran it out of diesel fuel, and we had to pull over 0.3 tenths of a mile from a fuel station. Doc stood up and prayed. The van started after the prayer and made it to the fuel station and then to the airport. There were many other instances like this through the years.
  

The Homegoing of Mary Anne Belcher

Mary Anne Belcher of Fort Mill, South Carolina, was born on May 1, 1935 in Troy, Missouri, and went home to be with the Lord on September 30, 2016. She was 81 years old and was the daughter of Robert and Edna Casner.

Mary Anne is survived by her beloved husband of 62 years, Dr. Richard Paul Belcher, Sr. of Fort Mill, South Carolina; a son, Dr. Richard Paul Belcher, Jr. and his wife Lu of Fort Mill, South Carolina; a daughter, Anne Jeanette Gottman and her husband Tom of Springfield, Missouri; a sister, Mae Martin of St. Louis, Missouri; a sister-in-law, Frances Haley of Troy, Missouri; five grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren. Her mother and father, sister Jeanette Hamlett (Tom), brother Marvin Handlong, and brother-in-law Walter Martin, all preceded her in death.

Mary Anne was in banking most of her life, was an accomplished mortgage loan officer, and was Vice President of Service Corporation of South Carolina after moving to Columbia, South Carolina from Missouri. When her mother-in-law needed extra care many years ago, Mary Anne and Doc took her into their home. Mary Anne faithfully provided the care she needed for many years until the Lord took Doc’s mother home to heaven. Her story as a prayer warrior is told in Dr. Belcher’s book, A Journey in Christian Heritage.

Mary Anne was a big help to her husband in his publishing business. She typed many manuscripts and after she retired she helped manage Richbarry Press. She also provided many hours of support for Evangelizing India for Christ (EIFC). She was a volunteer bookkeeper and also provided secretarial support for several years as well. She made numerous sacrifices for the work in India with a willing servant’s heart.

Mary Anne loved working in the nursery at church and served as nursery coordinator for many years. She also enjoyed singing hymns. After Dr. Belcher retired from Columbia International University, they moved to Fort Mill. She also enjoyed crocheting, reading, crossword puzzles, jigsaw puzzles, and feeding birds.

Mary Anne was also an excellent housekeeper and a gracious host. She may have been too gracious of a host, at times, for Dr. Belcher’s liking, as the following story will illustrate. Dr. Belcher used to pick up board members at the airport and train station in Charlotte twice each year for the EIFC board meetings held in Rock Hill. On one occasion, after stopping for an early lunch, Doc drove a board member he was transporting to his house for a short visit while he worked briefly on a project with a deadline. Those who know Doc well know that he has a special love for ice cream. (He used to even eat ice cream in India, even though they don’t pasteurize their milk, and this involved a risk of “Delhi belly.”) As the story goes, when Doc came downstairs, Mary Anne and the board member he left downstairs were enjoying two of his Dove bars. He used to tell others how great they were. He would say, “D-O-V-E, Dove bars—you need to try one.” When Doc saw the Dove bars being consumed, he noted, “Now you know how good they are.” This board member would tease Doc on the way to Rock Hill from Charlotte for the next few board meetings that he dare not stop at his house in Fort Mill. Mary Anne was such a gracious hostess that she would give away all his Dove bars, significantly reducing his inventory.

Mary Anne is greatly missed by her husband, family, church family, the board of EIFC and many friends. We are looking forward to spending time with her in heaven and joining her in the resurrection on that great day. Please continue to pray for Dr. Belcher and the extended Belcher family as they reorient their lives over the next several years without Mary Anne’s special presence.

How to Use a Tactical Plan with Difficult Skeptics

Helps for the Answers Class: How to Use a Tactical Plan with Difficult Skeptics

Columbo Questions[1]

Bring these questions with you to the Answers Class. The right tactics can assist you in staying in the driver’s seat by directing the conversation.  Questions are a good way to approach group members with diplomacy rather than with verbal combat.  Use questions to make your case without a lecture and making claims you will be responsible to defend when dealing with skeptics who have not thought out their own positions carefully. The truth is on our side!

Once a participant answers a question about your topic stating a non-biblical point of view, ask them a series of questions.

1)      What do you mean by that? [You are asking, “What do you believe?”] Make them define their terms.  Gather information by using clarification questions.

2)      How did you come to that conclusion?  (or)

·        Why do you say that?  (or)

·        What are your reasons for holding that position? (or)

·        I am curious, why would you say such a thing? (or)

·        Why should I believe what you just stated? (or)

·        Can you give me some reasons why I should believe that is truth? (or)

·        What makes you think that is the right way to see it?

·        And what would be your evidence for that? 

·        And what support do you have for that idea?

·        The essence of this second type of question is: How do you know that is true? What are your reasons for coming to this conclusion?

You are reversing the burden of proof.  The person who makes the claim bears the burden of proof.  Challenge their commitment to unbelief.  Don’t go into a defensive posture when the skeptic makes a claim.  Ask them for their reason for holding their view.  If they change the subject, navigate the discussion back to their reasons for holding their view.  They have made an argument; they should do the work of proving why their view is the most reasonable solution to the evidence. Once they make a claim, the burden of proof is on them.  Don’t fall for the trap to have to defend your view.  Ask them to slow down and give you their view and the reasons for it, and let you think about it.  Don’t let them reverse the burden of proof when they made the claim, they must give reasons why their view is the most plausible, not just possible.  It is their job to not only make a point; they must also give reasons why this is the best understanding of the facts.  An alternative explanation is not a refutation.  He must show that his explanation is the best explanation, most plausible pointing to the facts, evidence, and truth.  Don’t let them dodge the issues.  If they make a controversial claim, they should be able to defend it with reasons. 

We should all listen while they explain why they think what they are claiming is true.  Ask them to carefully explain their view and the reasons why they hold this view so that you can think about it.  Ask simple leading questions that are interactive, probing, and amicable.

3)      Have you ever considered (or),

·        Can you help me with this? 

·        Maybe you can clear this up for me. 

·        The third type of Columbo question is to use more questions to find a flaw, a clear weakness, a wrong assumption, or a contradiction in their thinking. (Carefully listening to how they reason from the # 2 question above)  Here is sample conversation using this third type of question:

Participant: “You should not push your morality on me.” 

Facilitator: “Why not?”  Notice they just pushed their morality on you by saying there is something you should not do.  Everything they say next will be attacking themselves.

Participant: “You are intolerant because you believe in absolute truth.” 

Facilitator: “What do you mean?” 

Participant: “Well, you think you are right about this and others are wrong.”

Facilitator: “Help me out, here.  Something is bothering me.  How is it when I think I am right I am intolerant, but when you think you are right, you are just simply right?  You can’t have it both ways.” 

Participant: “That is just your interpretation.” 

Facilitator: “What do you mean by ‘just’?”  If they mean all interpretations are equal, then misinterpret something they just said to force them to admit that some interpretations are incorrect and some are correct. 

Participant: “How can there be evil if there is a good God?” 

Facilitator: “What do you mean by evil?  How can there be an objective standard of good and evil if there is no great lawgiver?” 

Facilitator: “Would you be willing to consider an alternative explanation?”  Anticipate objections and think of questions in advance (see Luke 20:1-8, 20-26). 

Facilitator: “Let me ask you a question.”  You as the facilitator are going on the offensive in a disarming way by the repeated use of questions.  Your plan is to point out errors with questions rather than with statements.  When they evade your questions by making other claims, question those claims as well.  What if they start using the Columbo method on you?

Facilitator: “I am sorry; I am not prepared to answer that question tonight.  Why don’t you tell me what you believe about this and the reasons why you believe it.  Once I understand your view, I will see if I can offer an alternative or state my agreement with you.”

After the session, think through the false claims that were made.  Think through the questions that you could have asked to make the person think about the self-contradictory and illogical statements that class members made.  Write these down for the next time you teach this session.  Pay close attention to ideas that have internal contradictions and learn to expose these with questions to get the entire group to think.  For example, Participant: “There are no absolutes.”  Facilitator: “Are you absolutely certain about that?”  Participant: “There is no such thing as truth.”  Facilitator: “How do you know that what you just said is true?”

See www.str.org for more information on using questions to expose error.

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[1] The material in the section is adapted from Gregory Koukl’s lecture, “Tactics in Defending the Faith,” available from Stand to Reason, at www.str.org .

Doctrines of Grace Acrostic from Roger Nicole, 6 Points

   WHAT IS THE GOSPEL?

Grace -                                      God has freely given us His love and has powerfully drawn us to Himself; when we deserve His punishment for our sin.  We are saved because He bestowed His loving favor on us, giving us the opposite of what we deserve.

Original Sin -                             (or Omnipresent Depravity) Depravity is Radical and Pervasive.  It has affected all of man's body and soul, including his will, mind, and emotions.

Sovereign Selection -                God has selected some people out of the sea of lost humanity from every people group, this choice being based only on His own good pleasure, glory, and His Sovereign will.  See Abstract of Principles, # 5.

Particular Redemption -            (Definite Redemption) Christ's Substitutionary death was particularly intended and planned for His people.  It actually accomplished the full redemption of everyone who will trust in Christ.  His death paid the price in full for all our sins, past, present, and future, including our unbelief.

Effectual Grace -                       Everyone whom the Holy Spirit draws to Christ, comes to Him.  It is Grace that works every time and can not fail.  The Holy Spirit applies the work of Christ to the people of God.

Lasting Grace -                         God’s people are kept by the power of God from departing from Him.  Furthermore, He will not abandon us at any time or for any reason.  God is the One who perseveres, His grace lasts forever.  Everyone who has been chosen by the Father, redeemed by the Son, and drawn by the Holy Spirit will persevere to the end.   
              

These beliefs drive one to be involved in evangelism and missions.

 adapted from a message by Dr. Roger Nicole

TULIPER 7 Points of Calvinism - Richard P. Belcher, SR.

TULIP-ER

Total Depravity (or total inability): The unbeliever is in bondage to Satan and is incapable of exercising his will freely to turn to Christ. Man is beyond all self—help because he is ‘dead in his trespasses and sin.̓ (This is not absolute depravity as everyone could be worse.) Man is “as bad off” spiritually as he can be and is naturally in rebellion against God.

Unconditional Election: Before the foundation of the world, God chose certain individuals out of His free grace and love and by His sovereign will. His choice was not based on any foreseen response, obedience, faith, repentance, or any condition, but according to His unchangeable purpose, secret counsel, and the good pleasure of His will.

Limited Atonement (definite atonement or particular redemption): “Christ died to save particular persons who were given Him by the Father in eternity past. His death was, therefore, a one hundred percent success, in that all for whom He died will be saved, and all for whom He did not die will receive 'justice' from God when they are cast into hell.” (D. E. Spencer) The intention of the atonement was for the elect and it actually obtained salvation for them.

Irresistible Grace (or effectual call): Salvation is based on God̓s free will and because God is all—powerful (omnipotent),, His grace cannot be resisted. “In addition to the outward general call to salvation which is made to everyone who hears the Gospel, the Holy Spirit extends to the elect a special inward call that inevitably brings them to salvation. The external call” (made to anyone) “can be, and often is, rejected; whereas the internal call (which is made only to the elect) cannot be rejected; it always results in conversion.” (Loraine Boettner)

Perseverance of the Saints: Every individual who was chosen by Cod, redeemed by Christ, regenerated and given faith by the Holy Spirit will persevere to the end. Once truly believing, always persevering. Their assurance and trust will remain in Christ̓s finished work and in the promise that ‘salvation is of the Lord.̓ God will keep His sheep that He brings into His fold. His sheep have a love for the Savior, a hatred of sin, and a growth in holiness.

Evangelism: All believers must share the Gospel with the lost. We are commissioned by Christ to bring the gospel to everyone in our world. All people groups must be discipled. God ordains both the means and the ends. The people of God and the Word of God are key means to spreading the gospel to every people group on the earth and establishing a church among each people group to further the work of the gospel. Missions must be our heartbeat and it is not optional.

Responsibility: The Bible holds all men responsible to repent, believe, and turn from their rebellion to the Lord Christ. All people are without excuse for ignoring general revelations and special revelation. Believers are responsible to follow Jesus fully, including to be witnesses for Him to the uttermost parts of the earth.

Concerns about the Motives Behind the Anabaptist Kinship Theory Proponents

The roots of Baptist’s in America are from the Particular and General Baptist in England that were part of the non-conformist movements that started in the 1500s and developed into Baptists in the 1600s.

For documentation on the impact of Particular Baptists on Southern Baptists, see Thomas J. Nettles, A Foundation for the Future: The Southern Baptist Message and Mission (Cape Coral, FL: Founders, 1997), 11–12.

However, there is a growing group of Baptists who are now embracing the “Anabaptist kinship theory.” Could it be that some of the strongest proponents link back to Page Patterson, Richard Land and Gerald Cowen at Criswell College in Texas in the 1980s? This theory has been sufficiently refuted in the following works: Jesse C. Fletcher, The Southern Baptist Convention: A Sesquicentennial History (Nashville: Broadman & Holman, 1994), 19–27; Clarke, Our Baptist Heritage, 2–9; Michael A. G. Haykin, Kiffin, Knollys and Keach—Rediscovering Our English Baptist Heritage (Leeds, England: Reformation Today, 1996), 15–32; and Mark A. Noll, A History of Christianity in the United States and Canada (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1992), 55–56.

There were many indirect influences on the early Particular Baptists in England including Lutheran, Puritan, Separatists, Congregational, Presbyterian, Zwinglian, Anglican, Anabaptists, General Baptists, and other non-conformist groups. There is a difference, however, between being an “influence” and a “root.” See Paul Clarke, et al., Our Baptist Heritage (Leeds, England: Reformation Today, 1993), 2–8; and Richard P. Belcher and Anthony Mattia, A Discussion of Seventeenth Century Baptist Confessions of Faith (Columbia, SC: Richbarry, 1983), 5–48. Samuel E. Waldron, Baptist Roots in America (Boonton, NJ: Simpson), 1–8.

These early British Baptists followed the example of their spiritual forefathers, the English Separatists, who immigrated to Plymouth, MA, in 1620. See S. M. Houghton, Sketches from Church History (Carlisle, PA: Banner of Truth, 1980), 149, 152, 167. Philadelphia Baptist Confession of Faith: Tri-Centennial Edition (Asheville, NC: Revival Literature, 2007), 3–70; and A. H. Newman, A History of Baptist Churches in the United States (New York: Christian Literature, 1894), 272. H. Leon McBeth, The Baptist Heritage: Four Centuries of Baptist Witness (Nashville: Broadman, 1987), 44–48. See also Robert C. Walton, Chronological and Background Charts of Church History (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1986), 44, 69; and John S. Hammett, Biblical Foundations for Baptist Churches: A Contemporary Ecclesiology (Grand Rapids: Kregel, 2005), 91–93.

John Gill, John Brine, Augustus Toplady, and John Ryland, Jr., all taught that the moral law of God was the rule of conduct for the believer and none of them embraced Anabaptist doctrines. See Peter Naylor, Calvinism, Communion and the Baptists: A Study of English Calvinistic Baptists from the Late 1600s to the Early 1800s (Waynesboro, GA: Paternoster, 2003), 169. Thomas J. Nettles, By His Grace and for His Glory: A Historical, Theological, and Practical Study of the Doctrines of Grace in Baptist Life (Grand Rapids: Baker, 1986), 44–48. (The Baptist Faith and Message was updated in 1963, 1998, and 2000.) See Baptist Faith and Message, 2000, 4. Also see Robert W. Oliver, History of the English Calvinistic Baptists, 1771–1892: From John Gill to C. H. Spurgeon (Carlisle, PA: Banner of Truth, 2006), xvii–xxi. Also see The Shorter Catechism: A Baptist Version (Boonton, NJ: Simpson, 1991), 20–36. A Faith to Confess: The Baptist Confession of Faith of 1689: Rewritten in Modern English (Leeds, England: Carey Publications, 1975; reprint, 2005), 45–47; and Waldron, Modern Exposition of the 1689 Baptist Confession, 232–42. Peter Masters, ed., The Baptist Confession of Faith, 1689: Updated English with Notes (London, England: Wakeman Trust, 1998), 34.

Some modern day proponents of the Anabaptist kinship theory have claimed that the first Baptist Church founded in GA was in Kiokee in 1789. This is not correct. The first Baptists in GA were in other areas significantly prior to 1789. Is it accidental that those proposing this theory had strong doctrinal motivation to separate Southern Baptist from their Particular Baptist roots? Could the reports be true that Criswell College professors and students had a goal of removing the Liberals, Calvinists and Charismatics from the SBC? Were students recruited to seek professional degrees to provide the platform to replace Baptist history with a view that would justify the removal of modern day Particular Baptists?

The Anabaptist kinship theory relies heavy on trying to connect the English Baptists with Hubmaier. The best research suggests that Balthasar Hubmaier (AD 1480-1528) was a Zwinglian, and not an Anabaptist at all. Zwingli died while a chaplain in an army and was very different theologically that the Anabaptists (the majority are pacifists and teach that the military is under the devil’s rule). However, don’t forget what the Anabaptist did at Munster, Germany. Or the continued revelation and ungodly prophecies’ of the Anabaptist that Luther refuted by name in his writings.

Hubmaier did not hold to the Anabaptist doctrine of two worlds. This view teaches that the government, all representatives, the army, and police are under the kingdom of Satan. The Church alone is the kingdom of God. Therefore, one must remove oneself from the world system, including political offices, taxes, and clothing (including buttons and gold wedding rings).

Did Hubmaier practice foot washing as a third ordinance of Christ? Was he a rejecter of the Old Testament like Marcion and most Anabaptists even to this day? Was he a pacifist as are Anabaptists today? Where is the proof that he was an Anabaptist?

True Baptist history acknowledges that Stubal Shearns came down from New England during the Great Awakening, after coming to faith under the ministries of the Calvinists Johnthan Edwards and George Whitefield. He and Daniel Marshall started a new movement in North Carolina and rejected many of the Baptist that had been in the Colonies since the late 1600s. The Charleston Association Baptist did not recognize these two as part of the historical Baptist movement, but as a brand new denomination whose formers had drunk deeply from the wells of Arminianism in their latter years. These two most likely invented the invitation system which was latter used by the arch-heretic, Charles Finney as an anxious bench. It should be no surprise that whole congregations of Sandy Creek Baptists joined the Freewill Baptists who also taught that one could loose their salvation over and over again, but be prayed back into fellowship with God by the church at a regular service. Those who departed could not accept that the Sandy Creek Baptist were uniting with the Charleston Association Baptists, the first Baptists from England in the Southern Colonies. Baptists have participated in every war in England and the USA since the first Baptist immersion in 1641. They are not theologically pacifists and do not accept the two world theory.

Could it be that there were two Criswell college students in Richard Land’s Church History class about 1992, which accepted his challenge? It has been reported that Land lamented to his students the fact that no conservative church historians would propagate the Anabaptist kinship theory that he had embraced.  If that is true, is it possible that Paige Patterson, Gerald Cowen, and Richard Land had all agreed that to be able to remove the Calvinists from the SBC conventions after they removed the Liberals and Charismatics—they needed to change the average Baptists understanding of church history? Did they dream of these changes while at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary studying under Clark Pinnock years before? Could it be that certain Criswell College students took the challenge to earn Ph.D.’s and to start the revolution in Baptist history by promoting the Anabaptist kinship theory?

With unwashed feet, buttons on their shirts, and gold on their fingers they tell unsuspecting Baptist students that they are just confused Amish and Mennonites. Students who have health insurance, call the police when they see a crime committed, vote in elections, run for offices and serve in the military accept this falsehood without any research on what their “so-called” cousins really believe and practice. Students who use computers to type their papers, have electricity in their apartments and even drive gas powered red cars to class with chrome bumpers never take the time to see the vast gulf the doctrine of two worlds produces between our English Particular Baptist forefathers and the Continental Anabaptists. The Anabaptists for centuries have forsaken the great commission in order to practice their separation from the world. Unfortunately, they are a parasite in every country they enter, and could not have their own country for longer than three seconds. An Anabaptist man will stand passively while a single man without a weapon rapes his wife or daughter. This is not what Jesus taught in the Sermon on the Mount. This is not loving your neighbor as yourself.

See the Anabaptist, Robert Friedmann, "The Doctrine of the Two Worlds," in: The Recovery of the Anabaptist Vision, 1957 where he describes his people's views on culture.

A Possible Model for a Skeptics Form, Answering the Questions of those Outside of Christ

1990s Skeptic’s Forum at Open Door Church

 

Finding Answers to Life’s Most Important Questions

 

This is a six-week general introduction to the issues that one needs to understand to embrace the Lord Christ by genuine saving faith and real repentance.  Each week those who are willing to attend will be provided supper by the Evangelism Team along with coffee, drinks, and snacks.  They will attend this Wednesday night discussion along with any friends (ODBC members) that invited them, and other members requested to attend and love on these folks by invitation of the elders.  There will be a different person each week to lead the discussion.  Each leader will need to come prepared with a list of questions to help lead the discussion on the topic below assigned for that week.  The leader will also need to be prepared to answer questions with propositional truths appropriate for each topic.  There is a stated goal below for each person to come to in his or her understanding as a result of each group discussion.  The leader should honestly, patiently, and lovingly answer the questions that are germane to the topic under consideration.  As facilitator, seek to diffuse any excessive passion being expressed by a skeptic by asking questions in return or asking the person to rephrase the question according to some stated guidelines.  (Lets, talk about that subject, but please re-word that question to be more polite.  We are all friends here.)  Also, turn questions that are off the subject into a question that is back on the topic for discussion by returning with a bridge question back into the topic.

Week One:  “What are the issues?”  Defining faith and reason and how they relate to seeking the truth and true understanding of life’s issues.

Ending Goal of discussion:  Leading each participant to realize that faith is important and when properly understood, it is a reasoned step into the light.  You do not check your brains at the door to trust biblical truth or to begin a relationship with Jesus Christ.

Week Two:  “Does God exist?”  Intelligent design, reason, justice, love, and creation all point to the fact that a greater being than man must exist. 

Ending goal of discussion:  Leading each participant towards the concept that there has to be someone greater than ourselves and to explore the possibility that this person is the God of the Bible.

Week Three:  “Has God spoken specifically?”  Considering the reasons why God special revelation in the Bible can be trusted and is true truth.  If God has spoken, what authority should His truth have in and for our lives?

Ending goal of discussion: Leading each participant towards acknowledging that the Bible might be true, thus they should seriously consider its claims.

Week Four:  “Who is man?”  Is man basically good with a proclivity to err some of the time or is man basically a lawbreaker with the appearance of doing good some of the time?  Is man the measure of all things or a dependent being to the only independent being?  If man is a sinner and God is holy as the Bible teaches, man is under judgment and is separated from God.

Ending goal of discussion: Leading each participant to consider seriously the implications of radical and pervasive depravity and the humility this recognitions should produce.

Week Five:  “Who is Jesus?”  There clearly was a historical person who was named Yeshua.  This person was and is God and Man, the God-Man.  What was His life and work all about?

Ending goal of discussion:  Leading each participant to consider the claims of Christ that He was and is God, yet at the first Christmas became fully human as well.  He is Lord of the universe and of His church.

Week Six:  “What is salvation?”  How can a person be delivered from the guilt and penalty of their sin?  What does genuine faith, repentance, and surrender look-like?  Why is it not good enough to have just “prayed a prayer?”

Ending goal of discussion: Leading each participant to understand what the gifts of faith and repentance are and look like as they struggle with surrendering their obstinate will to Christ.

There will be a final fellowship time for further questions from the group members in a home for those who are interested.  Likewise, all will be invited to our ABF ministry with specific suggestions on the class they should visit.

Invitations will come from members to co-workers, family members, neighbors, and friends, as well as from letters to those who attend special events at Open Door (Party-on-the-block).  Church guests, prospective members, and new believers can also be invited to attend.  Certain types of members will also be asked to attend to help with the group dynamics and to build a bridge to the ABF ministry for those who are saved or who will commit to further instruction.  Once the program is working smoothly, we can advertise through our members, church signs, mail-outs, radio spots, for the community announcements, etc.

 

Week 1:  Dwayne Milioni                               “What are the Issues?”

Week 2:  Robby Rose                                     “Does God Exist?”

Week 3:  Pete Schemm                                   “Has God Spoken?”

Week 4:  Bob Jones                                        “Who is Man?”

Week 5:  Wesley Price & Zack Nelson           “Who is Jesus?” 

                                                                        Wes = His person, Zack =His cross-work

Week 6:  Ted Manby                                     “What is Salvation?”

 

 

Investing a Portion of Savings is Not the Same as Gambling Away Living Expenses

By Ted Manby

When someone buys a stock in a company they become a part owner of the assets that business requires to operate each day to complete their mission statement. For instance, let’s say Bob buys $1,000.00 worth of shares in Wal-Mart. For Wal-Mart to make a profit they must keep their shelves stocked with a selection of goods to sell to their customers. One way this business can keep their shelves stocked is that they could borrow the money from a bank and pay interest on the money to keep the goods in their warehouses so that they have available products for the stores. The interest would be part of their overhead. This is the most expensive way. Another way is for them to sell stocks, which make the stock purchaser a co-owner of the company’s assets. Each year Wal-mart divides its annual profits among it co-owners as dividends based on the percentage of the company they own. If the company loses money in a year, then the co-owners not only do not have profit to share, but their initial investment is worth less because the company assets are less because it did not make a profit that year.

Investors have several choices in how to take money they have earned by the sweat of their brow (Gen 3:19) and use that money to work for them to earn additional funds. The Bible forbids charging excessively high interest rates that take advantage of others. This is called usury (Lev 25:36).  If I loan money to my brother to buy the materials to run a bakery, where I am providing the capital and he is doing all the labor, then I should not have a higher return on my funding investment at the end of the year than my brother physical labor investment. If he works 60 hours a week and his return is $20,000.00 a year and I provide the capital and my interest charges earn me $40,000.00 a year—then I am taking advantage of him. I am violating the biblical commands against usury. But, if the return is justly proportional between the business partners, it is not wrong to receive interest on funds invested.

Wise people make investments so that their savings will provide income as well as their labor each year. Along with every investment is risk. The word “risk” is defined by Dictionary.com as: “to take/run a risk, to expose oneself to the chance of injury or loss; put oneself in danger; hazard; venture.” When I invest a portion of my savings, I have to choose how safe or how risky I want to be with these funds set aside to earn me additional money. Experts often say, “The higher the risk, the higher potential there is for profit.” The reason is that when I become a co-owner of a new and unknown company through a stock purchase, this company may or may not succeed. While the company is new, the stock prices for this company are low. If after five years that company makes large profits each year, however, not only will I receive a large annual dividends check, but the stocks I purchased will increase in value because of the company’s success and proven track record as well as asset growth.

So the potential for a person who has done extensive research to invest a portion of their savings and have it earn a fair and just but large return is possible. Other investors may choose an insured bank to allow their funds to earn a small fixed rate of return (Matt 25:27), but without the possible losses based on a few businesses performance. So, this investment has less potential for return, but also less potential for a loss. Thus, one can say a bank is less “risky” than being a co-owner of a company through stock purchases. But the bank deposits (Luke 19:23) also involve risks. Embezzlers’ have taken funds out of peoples accounts in such a way that the account owner could not prove that they did not make the transactions themselves. Savings and Loans verbally claimed to customers that they were federally insured when they were not and some people only received 5% of their savings back from the court settlement when these institutions failed. This happened to one of my uncles in Virginia.

The USA Federal Reserve controls the interest rates, banking rules, and the value of the dollar. A major failure of the federal government could result in a total loss of funds even in an insured bank. This has happened in other countries during the twentieth century. Thus, all investing results in a certain amount of risk. A wise person understands this and still uses funds to earn additional money as well as their physical labor.

However, some people will use English terms loosely and assume words like “risk” and “gamble” are identical terms when they are not full synonyms.  Dictionary.com lists the first and major definition of “gamble” as: “to play at any game of chance for money or other stakes.” It also lists “to lose or squander by betting.” Another definition is listed as “to take a chance on; venture; risk.” This last definition is not the technical use of the term, but is one possible nuance when the term is used in a figurative sense in certain contexts. However, when you come to the act of “gambling,” it is not the same as investing a portion of savings by becoming a co-owner in a company with the hope of earning a profit with that investment. The Legal Dictionary defines gambling as the following action: “to risk something of value for the chance of winning a prize.”

The Bible encourages us to invest our time, talents, treasure, and truth in worthy causes and individuals. When we invest our money as stewards before the Lord in a legitimate businesses and business services that help other humans, we are involved in an enterprise of blessings to others. Likewise, the money we earn is a share of the profit earned from the business venture. We can do this as an act of faith in God (Rom 14:23).

Gambling is not an act of faith in God, but is based on blind faith in the false gods of “chance” or “luck.” The Bible does not acknowledge either “chance” or “luck” as being real. When one buys $10.00 worth of a state run lottery tickets and they have a “so-called” chance of winning, 3, 863,211 to 1, they are not investing money at all. As Dave Ramsey says, “The lottery is a stupid tax.” When you buy a ticket trusting in “chance” to overcome an almost four million-to-one odd, you are just giving the state additional tax money. In North Carolina in 2010 the two poorest counties in the state sold significantly more lottery tickets than the other counties.  Gambling is not taking an investment risk—this is throwing away money. This behavior does affirm the religion of evolution’s belief that time and chance produced everything (nothing + time + chance = everything). Furthermore, a large percentage of gamblers will become addicted (1 Cor 6:12) and will use any winnings to gamble even more. When the gambling expenses are compared to gambling returns for 99% of gamblers, only the ones who cheat receive more than they spent. Even when one includes the 1% of gamblers that receive a large gambling payoff, most of these also lose all their winnings within one year. The covetous beggar spirit that leads one to buy thousands of lottery tickets will lead one back to poverty in a short period of time.

When one wins cash or possessions by gambling, where does the money or assets come from that they receive? It comes from the poorest, least educated, lowest IQ members of society. Moreover, it did not come from their savings. These funds are part of the money their family needs in order to live each day. When someone owes $500.00 rent and then cashes their check for $800.00 and looses the entire amount gambling in a poker game, betting on horses or sports, online gaming, slot machines, poker machines, or even in a state run lottery, whose money did they lose? The money owed for rent or to a utilities company was not additional savings. This is money they owed to someone else. Dictionary.com defines stealing as follows: “to take (the property of another or others) without permission or right, especially secretly or by force; to appropriate (ideas, credit, words, etc.) without right or acknowledgment; to take, get, or win insidiously, surreptitiously, subtly, or by chance.”  Did the gambler get the permission of the landlord or utilities company to use their money to play a game of chance? If not, when the money is lost is has been stolen from the rightful owner and lost without their permission.

But a gambling addict will keep trying to win money that was collected from other less intelligent poor people that often was not really their money (it belonged to their creditors), so that the gambler can receive funds for which he did not work or earn by capital investments (2 Thes 3:10). Millions of lottery and other gambling funds were taken from children who needed food, clothing, shelter, and medicine as well as needy adults by someone with blind faith in the false gods of “luck” and “chance.” They had no reserve funds with which to replace this money. Millions of gambling funds come from people who have declared bankruptcy and cheated their creditors out of large amounts of money. Instead of paying back what they owe, they try to get riches without hard work and honest labor. Gambling is not a biblical way of receiving funds (Eph 4:28). When you receive money that was owed to a landlord, utility company, or child needing food —you are receiving stolen funds. This is immoral and unethical even though some gambling is legalized by certain state and local governments (Exod 20:15). The state does not make sure that these funds were not owed to others or even that they were not acquired by an armed robbery. In lottery states, if you have the cash in your hand, the conveyance store clerk will sell you the lottery ticket if you are old enough to buy them.

What mental attitude must one have to gamble? They must long for something that belongs to someone else. These assets are also resources for which they want to obtain without working, trading, investing, or saving. The Bible calls this mental attitude “coveting.” The Bible says: "You shall not covet your neighbor's house. You shall not covet your neighbor's wife, or his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor." (Exod 20:17 TNIV). What mental attitude must one have to become a co-owner of a company that might not succeed? It requires courage. They are willing to risk losing a small portion of their savings so that they can share in the profit this company will make if it succeeds. However, some investors only invest in companies with a long proven track record, and so their stock prices are already high and the investor will only earn a dividend on their capital investment into that company. Neither of these investment plans involves “coveting” the belongings of others or stealing from unpaid creditors or poor children. The dividends earned are profits from honest business ventures.

Do gamblers every cheat? The newspapers are full of cheating stories that takes place even in state lotteries. So these covetous individuals are longing for resources that are in the possession of others that are often stolen from the creditors and they obtain them by fraud so they can have twice stolen resources.  Paul reminds genuine Christians, “Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. (Eph 5:11-12 NIV)

Jesus said,” But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31 Therefore do not be anxious, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32 For the Gentiles [Pagans] seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. 34 "Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble” (Mat 6:30-34 ESV).

Are you walking by faith in the God of the Bible to meet your daily needs if you are spending God’s money on lottery tickets with a four million-to-one odd that you will win a prize of money taken from the poorest of the land? What kind of stewardship is that (Luke 12:42-48)? “Now without faith it is impossible to please God, for the one who draws near to Him must believe that He exists and rewards those who seek Him” (Heb 11:6 HCSB). Gambling is the opposite of walking by faith. Please do not behave like the pagan Roman soldiers who gambled for Jesus’ seamless tunic. The Bible records that the soldiers “said to one another, ‘Let's not tear it, but cast lots for it, to see who gets it.’ They did this to fulfill the Scripture that says: They divided My clothes among themselves, and they cast lots for My clothing.3 And this is what the soldiers did” (John 19:24 HCSB). But do chose to follow Solomon’s advice which requires wise, careful, and well researched investing. “A good man leaves an inheritance to his grandchildren, but the sinner's wealth is stored up for the righteous” (Prov 13:22 HCSB). “Wisdom, like an inheritance, is a good thing and benefits those who see the sun” (Eccl 7:11 TNIV).

So, is investing in the stock market the same as buying lottery tickets or playing a high stakes poker game? The answer is: absolutely not. Is risking one’s life on a foreign mission field for the gospel of Christ the same as playing a slot machine in Las Vegas? Again, the answer is: absolutely not. “Chance” and “luck” are not enthroned on the mission field by a Christian missionary. There you can observe a dependent obedient trust in the living God being worked out in real life. This is a risk worth taking because the motive is to bring glory to the Sovereign God of the universe, namely, Yahweh. He is worthy of risking our lives and fortunes. Furthermore, excellent leaders and wise men are willing to take risks for the right causes. However, attempting to receive stolen money at four million-to-one odd is not worth the gambling risk, especially for one who is assigned to be a steward of God’s money (e.g., a Christian, 1 Cor 4:7) and is forbidden to be greedy (Col 3:5) or covetous (Eph 5:5).

All Sins Are Not Equal, Bible Verses

Verses that teach all sins are not equal, there are greater and lesser sins and greater and lesser punishments for sins. The moral law always trumps the ceremonial law.

 

Jesus answered, "You would have no authority over Me, unless it had been given you from above; for this reason he who delivered Me to you has the greater sin." (John 19:11 NASB)

 

Gen 39:9

Exod 21:12

Lev 11:23-25

Judg 20:4-13

2 Kngs 21:11-17

2 Sam 13:16

Ezek 8:6-5

Jer 26:11-19

Lam 4:6

Psalm 51

Psa 62:12

Prov 6:16-19

Prov 7:7-23

Prov 11:31

Ezra 9:13-15

Neh 13:27

Hos 13:2-5

Matt 7:21-27

Matt 11:20-24

Matt 16:27

Matt 22:36-40

Matt 23:13-36

Matt 25:41-46

Mark 12:28-34

Luke 12:42-48

Luke 16:10

Luke 20:43-47

John 5:14

John 14:12

John 15:13

John 19:11

Rom 1:26-2:13

Rom 14:7-13

1 Cor 6:9-10, 18

1 Cor 9:23-27

2 Cor 5:10

Gal 5:19-21

Eph 5:1-20

Eph 6:8

1 Tim 3:1-13

1 Tim 5:8

2 Tim 3:13

2 Peter 2

Jude 4-19

Rev 2:19

Remaining Sin Romans 7:1-25

Introduction

 

1.  (Ill.) Do you remember our last time - ill. about a  

     make-believe U.S. invasion of Cuba?  Castro is in

     the woods hiding w/ his authority gone.  Now,       

     when his guerilla forces attack, where do

     you think they will strike?  The strongest spot or

     the weakest?  The unprotected areas get hurt -         

     worse, but they will attack any effort to supply

     the new forces w/ strength.  They are deadly             

     when they are quiet, because you don't know             

     where they will strike.  And they will work               

     against in vulnerable spots in the supply lines for the new rulers troops. 

     Such is your indwelling sin.

  "When it is least felt, it is in fact the

     most powerful."  Thankfully - Christian is not

     schizophrenic, or w/ 2 separate personalities or

     2 natures, no we have one new nature, the old        

     one died w/ Christ.  But we do have 2 forces in          

     us, one is in control, one seeks control.             

     Our redeemed, new, inner man vs our indwelling       

     sin.  The battle has begun.

 

2.  (Review)  if you can remember a few - Rom. 6-

     Tells us the good news.

     Sin's, dominion, rule, and authority has been

     destroyed in - life of every real Christian.

     Authority is different than power.

     Sin's authority, dominion, rule, & reign is over

     Sin's guerilla warfare is not                                                  

          We saw from chpt. 6:

 

  a.  The kingdoms have been changed for every genuine Christian.  vs 5-11

 

  b.  Every genuine Christian is responsible to live like a regenerate person. vs 12-14

 

  c.  Every human being serves either king Sin or king Christ.  Vs 15 -23

       Sin no longer has authority over us.

       That leads in to our relationship w/ - law.

 

3.  (Direction) We will see today that our    

      relationship to the law also changed w/ our              

      conversion to Christ & from sin's rule.

 

  I.  The law has no power to justify - it can only bring condemnation.               

 II.  The law has no power to sanctify - it can only expose our failures in obedience. 

       vs 14-25        

      As we look at our relationship to the law, we will

      also learn about our indwelling sin, our enemy

      on the inside.

 

  I.  THE LAW HAS NO POWER TO JUSTIFY - IT CAN ONLY BRING                                 CONDEMNATION. vs 1-14

           

      A.  Paul challenges the Jews about the law's role.  

 

                

                                                                         

 

           1.  It never was designed to justify a fallen sinner.

           2.  It restrains sin, exposes sin, & reveals the

                right path to take.

 

      B.  Ever alive sinner is under the law's authority.

           1.  The law is written on every heart.

           2.  While you are living, the law says do this or you will die.

           3.  Once you die, the law is silent.

 

      C. Marriage relationships illustrate our new position.

           1.  Marriage to Mr. Law as - unbeliever.

           2.  Here is my list to have done, dear.

                Not a hair out of place, not a speck of lent on 

                his suit.  - Comes home exactly at 5:32 p.m. 

                every evening w/o exception.  He is so perfect.

           3.  Didn't finish - list, pow!  You must pay for not 

                being perfect every time.

           4.  Marriage to Mr. Christ.

           5.  Here's Mr. Law's list, let me help you do it, dear. No pow!  Power &                                  assistance to attempt to do what was impossible to do both now & before. It                  still the goal.  Mr. Law's stick is gone.  Mr. Christ has already bore our                            punishment for our failure.  No more beatings.

      D.  Sin and the law are not friends.

            But they do work together in - unbeliever.                 

      E.  The law provokes a person's sin nature.                

            1.  Only the unbeliever's & make-believers have one.

           2.  Don't touch, wet paint. Read vs 5-6

                What kind of fruit do you bear?  Two kinds

                 - fruit to death, fruit to God.

                Be your own fruit inspector.  Are you still married to Adam, or have you married Christ?  Are you different than you were?

              How are you different?  Are you a pharisee?

                Or are you a new creation in Christ?

               (Ill.)  John Newton had a Christian mother who died when he was a young                 boy, he made a profession of faith, but quickly forsook it for many years, then                 God saved him, he was a different man. Are you like John at 9 or at 40?  It                     makes a world of difference.

 

 II.  THE LAW HAS NO POWER TO SANCTIFY - IT CAN ONLY EXPOSE OUR FAILURES IN OBEDIENCE.  VS 14-25   

 

      A.  Every believer's puzzling situation.  (15)

           1.  I don't understand myself because of the war

           2.  I do the opposite of what I desire to inside of me.

      B.  Every believer's necessary admition.  (16)

          1.  The law shows me what to do - it is good.

          2.  I am the problem, I am the one who fails.  

      C.  Every believer's needed understanding.  (17-19)

 

(Rom 7:17-9 NKJV)  But now, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me.  For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find.  For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice.

 

           1.  Sin dwells inside of me.        

           2.  Sin is not just outside - my enemy - is on the inside.

           3.  This fact never fails, evil is present in me.

            4.  Indwelling sin is an operating force inside me.  (powerful & successful)

           5.  We must personally discover our indwelling sin  (found it).

           6.  We find this force in us when we desire to do

                good.  Indwelling sin fights against all the means of grace.

           7.  Notice the place and strategy of our remaining sin.

           8. Sin is not around us, it is in us.

               Indwelling sin attacks our new desire to do 

               good & our specific  attempts to do good.

               You sit down write tithe check, indwelling sin is

               there, you plan to come to worship God on His

               day, indwelling sin is ready to fight, you plan to

               call and  build up your brother, it is there.

          you sit down to read the Wounded Heart Book

          or Bold Love , along w/ Bible, whatever is good, it fights.

        John Owen "How woeful is the sloth and negligence then of so many who live                 blind and are asleep about this internal reality of sin in them. There is an                     exceeding efficacy and power in the indwelling sin of believers, for it constantly             inclines itself towards evil.  We need to be awake, then, if our hearts would know          the ways of God."

      D.  Every believer's clear conclusion. (22, 23)

           1.  My inner man delights in God's law.

           2.  My indwelling sin fights against obedience.

           3.  I am at war inside, new nature vs

                indwelling sin.

      E.  Every believer's painful confession.  (24)

           1.  I am a mess, a wretched person.

           2.  I seek to do & chose right, but I fall flat on my face.

      F.  Every believer's victorious proclamation  (25)

           1.  I am thankful for deliverance is coming.

           2.  Christ Jesus' return will correct my problem with remaining sin.       

     G.  Every believer's honest disclosure.  (25)

           1.  My inner man serves God's law.

           2.  My indwelling sin serves the law of sin.

          (Heb 3:13 NKJV)  but exhort one another daily, while it is called "Today," lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.

          (Jer 17:9 NKJV)  "The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it?

           Indwelling sin is deceitful & resides in the heart & body of believers.

          3.  In my own power I will fail every time.

          4.  My sin lost its right to rule at my conversion,

               but not its power to exist.

          5.  The power that works, is not - law, not me in my own strength,

              Power- gospel, - Holy Spirit. (Rom. Chpt. 8)

          But He will not fight my sin for me

          He helps me every time I get up to

          fight, but I have to chose to war in dependent trust on Him

            and His power.

          (Gal 5:17 NKJV)  For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.

            H.  There is no escape from struggle & tension in the Christian life.                                     Life is a War, w/ many a battle.Indwelling sin must be killed, & chased                   just like a band of guerrilla soldiers.

                    Kill sin or it will kill you.

                    I have found you, oh, my enemy.

                    You are a walking Trojan horse, the enemy is on the inside, it seeks to                             deceive, guide you, destroy you.

                    You must walk by Faith, Battle w/ sin

                    be ready for its surprise attacks.

                    (ill.)  I have to be careful w/ alcohol

                    I was drunk for - 3 yrs. I can't make provision for the flesh, or I will return

                    to that sinful way of coping w/ the pains

                    of life, but using food to replace alcohol

                    is not spiritual either.  Dan Allender in Bold Love, drives the knife deep into                     my heart.  He writes, "Every time I come home from work, walk into -                            pantry, grab a few bags of processed junk food & engage in a fifteen-                           minute culinary orgy, I live out a foolish hatred of discipline."  Replacing                        one addiction or habit w/ another is not spiritual or wise.

                    The root problems must be dealt w/.

                    I thought, because you had the gift of teaching you didn't struggle w/ sin.                      That a lie, smells like smoke.  If Paul lived in Romans 7 what makes you                         think you can get a Pastor who doesn't? There is no higher standard or                         second blessing. Every Christian has indwelling sin.

                                   

Conclusion

 

      1.  The law has no power to justify - it can only bring condemnation. 

                

      2.  The law has no power to sanctify - it can only expose our failures in obedience.  vs 14-25        

          The gospel & the H. Spirit are the sources of power for justification & sanctification.

          The law restrains, exposes sin & guides the believer on the path of righteousness.

 

          Indwelling sin is deceitful, powerful, effective,

          it wars against our habitual desire to do good

          & all specific attempts to do what is right & good. 

          It is no match for the word of God and

          the Holy Spirit when we take advantage of God's

          grace & war against it.

          Indwelling sin ignored is like a bull in a china shop.

          You'll have a mess to clean up.

          My uncle was told he had cancer.  He would make it 6 months if they fought it.               He chose to live and endure - pain by warring w/ the cancer.  My boss at CBC              fought it & has been in remission for many years.  God has called us to war w/              the cancer inside us.  Short or long term is - Master's choice.

          Will you take the call to arms and begin the war?  And if you are a religious                  professor but you are not converted, you need to get rid of your sin nature.                  Come to Christ by faith & repentance.  Don't let sin deceive you & harden your             heart.