The Bible and Our Culture

There is nothing that was stolen from the first century Church that God isn't restoring to better in quality and quantity.   How Jesus lived His life is our floor not our ceiling.  John 14:11-12   The Dark Ages were dark because the enemy stole doctrines.  God is restoring these doctrines.   God is restoring truths that were lost to something better than what was stolen.

Beware of proof-texting; it's dangerous. Ceasationalism should cease when the Bible is valued over individual preferences. Context shows "that which is perfect" has not yet come as we have not seen Him "face to face:".  1 Corinthians 13:12  Still waiting for perfect.

Romans 1:1 Paul, Barnabas, Titus and an unnamed brother were apostles.  What is an apostle and how to Christ's gifts work together? Ephesians 4:3-13 Intro into the fallacies of Ceasationalism

The Bargain of all time: become Christ's slave. Though Jesus has made our identity amazingly positive as His child, co-worker, bride, ambassador, etc.; but we come to Jesus first as a slave to a Master. How else can you come to the Almighty but first as a slave because He is the Transcendent, Sovereign, King of the Universe? Be a slave who loves His Master for all His amazing goodness, generosity and kindness! He does expect us to give up our entire life to follow Him.

Reasons why the book of Romans is unique in comparison to his other letters. Everyone is a slave to someone or Someone or something.   Like Paul we are slaves of Jesus Christ and we have no rights to assert in opposition to what God asks us. God has given us the ability to reject Him but not the permission to do so. We have no rights to assert in opposition to God. What about the government?

What is the vision of Liberty Remnant Church? Most of a local church's vision is the same as every other true church: make disciples, love, teach, etc.  But each local church will have a slightly different vision, mission and reason to exist.  Unity of vision is important in whatever church you call home.

Unity requires a handful of key ingredients. Why does God refer to unity as running down old Aaron's body?

Many believers are not longing to see the lost get saved because they are simply focused on themselves. The 99 must look to reach the 1 lost soul. What are you willing to risk for one lost soul to come to Jesus? God doesn't mind inconveniencing those who have been found for a while to reach the lost.

Rooting out the insecurity you still have since you came to Jesus. Deep and heavy material everybody needs to hear. Michael W. Smith "You're Alright" from The Big Picture. Jesus is still seeking you.   There is such a joy when something or someone lost is found.

Seeking and saving the lost doesn't mean to agree with their lies. Restore to me the joy of Your Salvation.  (Ps 51:12a) We are "co-laborers with Christ" "to seek and to save that which is lost." Though we seek to save the lost, we have to disagree with their worldview.

All humanity was lost and Jesus searches for each soul. Luke 19:10  for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost. Jesus came to accomplish the first item on His to-do list: Save the lost. Christ’s First Item on His “To-do” List.

Part 2 from yesterday with Joshua and Caleb. The difference between secular PMA and speaking the Word of God in faith is the foundation and the direction.   Jesus commanded us to hear his words and do them.  This will cause you to believe His Word in faith or mourn for sin.   Your mouth sets the course of your life. The difference between secular Positive Mental Attitude and faith.

Taking a stand against fellow believers. It happened for Joshua and Caleb. In this dramatic story, Joshua and Caleb had to take a stand, not against the Gentiles but against their fellow worships of the true God.  How about you? Joshua and Caleb built their lives on the Rock!

"Not Under Law, But Under Grace" so what do we do with it? Romans 6 seems to good to be true, what do we do. God's law shows how glorious God's grace really is! Grace never lowers God's standard or gives an excuse to sin. We don't need to commit sin to know sin is exceedingly sinful, we need God's law.

We appreciate grace more when we truly know sin is an outrageously big deal that prohibits us from fellowship with God. The deceitfulness of the sinful human heart, makes sinner excuse their sin rather than repent from it. Despite what the world might claim, sin is a big deal.

The New Covenant gives us power! Grace allows you to love God's Law passionately and genuinely.   God's Law and God's grace are not in conflict with each other, but team up against sin.

Loving God’s Law does make you at risk of being a Pharisee but vice versa. Live in God’s Glorious Grace with victory over sin. Understand God’s Grace and its relationship to His Law. God has a Marvelous Purpose for His Law.

Many who do "Christian" ministry don't truly and absolutely know God! We can "ginosko" God and flow in gifts of power, but just because you flow in power doesn't mean you "ginosko" God.  God's law partners with God's grace against sin.   God's law is something we love. If your lawless, you don't really know God.

Beware of false prophets.  What is a false prophet and how can you spot them? Some have God's anointing but don't know Him.  They don't get to heaven.   Some with God's anointing don't get to heaven.  Why? Matthew 7:15f Wolves might do God's will in God's power but not know Him. How?

Abortion is unthinkable and should be illegal.  How do we show society this truth? Abortion is violence against the innocent.  Life is sacred! How to make an effective case the abortion is equal to murder.

Wolves might do God's will in God's power but not know Him. How? Beware of false prophets.  What is a false prophet and how can you spot them? Some have God's anointing but don't know Him.  They don't get to heaven.   Saul versus David. Phonies might do God's will in God's power but not know Him. Matthew 7:15f

Progressivism has sought to remove fathers' influence if they can't remove the father completely.  Society no longer respects the role of a father.

Progressivism has sought to remove fathers' influence if they can't remove the father completely.  Society no longer respects the role of a father. God calls Himself "Father" and we probably call Him "Father" more than any other term.

Out of order?  Take the narrow path only a few find. A Biblical Church speaks out against injustice. Jesus loves to separate. He looks to divide the holy from the common.

The Golden Rule (Mt. 7:12) affects every area including economics. The Golden Rule: God's blessing for economics and much more. Capitalism: A key pillar in Biblical Economics Every group is bettered by practicing the Golden Rule.  Jesus' warnings about wolves in sheep's clothing is serious and relevant for today.  Mt. 7:12-20

Choose the 1 path, the 1 gate, that leads to life.  It will put you with a different crowd than if you go with the wide path, the wide gate that leads to destruction.   The behavior of the "narrow path" crowd is the "Golden Rule".  That is, the Golden Rule can be seen in their hearts and the way they live their lives.   Don't go along with the crowd.  It's not easy to go against the flow in a crowd or in a river.

Motives are important, but don't wait to ask. Obey Christ's command to ask. Sitting on Santa's lap a helpful analogy for how we should ask God? Learn to ask, but also learn to ask for treasure, not trash.

Do you correct mockers?   Bible verses have different applications when you look at passages from different perspectives.  That is, it all lines up beautifully; but we can see different truths when we look at passages from a bird's eye view, versus viewing from a microscope. Wise people welcome correction. Getting into arguments on social media?  Do's and Don'ts.

When should we take a stand or shut up? How does hide and seek fit with dogs and pigs? Take a Strong Stand, but Wisely Correcting fools? When and why. There is a time to avoid giving correction, but there is a time to be willing to do so.

1Corinthians is consistent that we must echo God's judgments as we "judge" righteously. We must aspire to be good at Judging. The world loves to tell Christians they are judgmental, but don't see how judgmental they are about how judgmental they think Christians are.   Many "Christians" are terrified about being labeled judgmental by the world; consequently, they water down judgments God has already made (or try to explain away God's judgments altogether).

The gospel of John is consistent that Jesus didn't judge but simply re-stated the Father's judgments. "Judge Not"....in context.

"Lose your soul," "take up your cross" "surrender all" versus typical American sales and marketing. Why are we ashamed of our biblical morals? The lies the world and "Christianity" tells about following Jesus.

Why does God call His people the "New Jerusalem", the "Heavenly Jerusalem", and the "Jerusalem from above"? If He calls His Church the New Jerusalem then He must love and have plans for the natural Jerusalem as well.  Who is the New Jerusalem?

How to ascend into the mountain of the LORD. Worshipping together brings a different anointing. God's command to party regularly. There was no physical house when David wrote songs about the house of the Lord.

Our hope as believers brings a stark contrast to the world's lack of hope. Focus on the unseen--focus on the eternal! What hope do we have that the world wants to hear. Jesus gives us hope in so many different facets.  Focusing on eternity is hope the world can't boast about. The world's lack of hope must be addressed.

2 Corinthians 4: 7-18.   We truly have hope in a way the world never could.  We must boast, but boast in God! Suffering often solidifies our convictions.

God's thoughts and ways are higher than ours so we must forsake our thoughts. Too many believers underestimate the Bible. Jesus is the Word made flesh. God's Thoughts vs. Your Thoughts.

Pastor Jay's address to Spokane City Council regarding "Climate Resiliency" funding.   Economic freedom is far more important to Third World Countries (and all countries) than environmental protections.

There are a lot of "environments" to be concerned about more than geological environment. The Data has to match what your funders want.  Honest people would find it difficult to look for data that would cause them to lose their job.   Climate Change Hysteria is anxiety we reap from not trusting God.

Many who call themselves "anti-racist" insists there is "good" racism. The CNN spirit wants to inflame society with more and more racism. Neo-racism is the Left trying to put out a fire with gasoline.

How have we gone so far that we think racial segregation is combating racism? Today's racists call themselves antiracists. There is more racism on the Left, but there are pockets of antiquated racism on the Right.   Segregated graduations tries to put lipstick on a pig, but contributes to more racism. Antiquated racism versus Neo-racism.

Biblical Worldview is what our society lacks, and what believers today should prioritize.  The Holy Spirit will unlock new levels in understanding of the Holy Scriptures. Theopneustos! Many Christians are not making the Bible a priority, which makes a "biblical church" more of a priority.

Biblical Christianity cannot be "Progressive" Christianity. What matters on everything important is what the Bible say. There is so much proof the Bible can be trusted. Biblical Christianity never adapts, updates, evolves or progresses.

The Bible calls us out of the world's systems. Many denominations that were founded on hardcore biblical principles generations ago, no longer value a biblical worldview and even attack it.   Many who call themselves Christians, live out a secular worldview unaware of the importance of a biblical worldview. A new believer can minister in many ways even before they learn a lot of biblical theology, but it is important for each of to grow in biblical understanding.

Relationships hurt sooner or later, but they are worth the risk, they are worth the pain.   Whether an extrovert or introvert, valuing and stewarding relationships or part of God's plan, part of a biblical worldview.

There are challenges of remaining simple like Jesus taught. We are called to keep the gospel and our lives with Jesus simple.  What does that mean? What does it look like?

There is power in your testimony! God is faithful to work His character in His saints regardless of the challenges they face.

The first key to victory over demons is: Don't Sin. Paul's ministry in Ephesus shows the devil's plans backfire. Demons and Satan often shoot themselves in the foot; that is, their plans will backfire if we stand against them in faith and truth. Time with the Lord alone and time with Lord collectively are important to your health. Time with God is an epic fight but keep fighting!

Paul's ministry in Ephesus was successful!  Because they were able to replicate themselves starting with Paul. Even if you find yourself within tyranny, keep sharing your testimony.  The kingdom of God cannot be oppressed.   A daily grind and routine of regular Bible Study is what led to success! The church of Ephesus shows kingdom methods for advancement.  Replication is God's method of growth. The Ephesus Church reached all of Asia.  How?

Apollos, humility, and the baptism of the Holy Spirit.  (Acts 18) Apollos was an amazing minister even though he didn't know about this second baptism of the Holy Spirit. If you haven’t experienced the subsequent baptism of the Holy Spirit, please leave your heart open to it. If you have experienced this subsequent baptism of the Holy Spirit, please receive from today’s Apollos-type believers. This subsequent baptism is biblical, but it is not the central thrust of the New Testament. Please be open to what the Holy Spirit may be doing.