"Let Us Make A Name For Ourselves"

In the generations that followed the Great Flood, there was a tower built in the land between the rivers, the land of Shinar, perhaps better known as Mesapotamia.  This was the Cradle of Civilization, located between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers in the area of modern day Iraq.  It was there that men became quite advanced.  Hebrews Chapter 11 reveals the hope of Abraham.  He was looking forward to a city "whose architect and builder is God." (1) But men became impatient waiting for the city God would build so they took upon themselves the task of building a city.  It would be a city built, not to bring glory to God, but to satisfy the desires of the human flesh.

"Let usmake a name for ourselves", they said. (2)  Has that not been the theme of man down through the ages?  I walked into our new multi-million dollar public library in Columbus, Georgia recently.  Near the entrance I saw a plaque with the names of major contributors to this community structure.  It is fundamental to a race of fallen men to have an urge to "make a name for ourselves."  It is the basic tenet of humanism; stealing glory from God and elevating man.

The Tower of Babel was a religious tower.  The purpose of its construction was to reach God.  But their motive was corrupted by their desire to make a name for themselves.  There is a corner stone on many churches I've seen.  "Erected in the year ________, to God be glory".  As the years pass, the glory of God fades from the institution while the centrality of man emerges.  In a God-centered church the purpose of music is to bring glory to God, in a humanistic church the purpose o music is to entertain people.  A God-centered church has a God-centered pastor whose primary goal is to preach for the glory of God.  A humanistic church wallows in spiritually shallow waters with a pastor who is often humorous and can entertain people with catchy quotes and funny stories.

Humanism has so invaded our culture that God has been relegated to a back burner.  We are not atheistic, atheism leads to a despair that few can endure for any length of time.  Many in  the American culture are more interested in calling the shots when it comes to God.  God is placed on a shelf to be reached for at our own convenience.  Our "don't call us, we'll call you" attitude toward God indicates that we think ourselves more important than he.  The words of the Psalmist are foreign and confusing to us, "As the deer pants for the water brooks, so my soul pants for You, O God." (3) Our callings  to God are now limited to 911 calls.  We have little thirst for God but we are quick to pull him off the shelf if we are experiencing a crisis in our lives.

I have read recently of three people in the state of Georgia who are suffering from an infection called Necrotizing fasciitis.  (4) One of those is Aimee Copeland (5) who has had one leg amputated at the hip and her fingers removed in an attempt to save her life.   This is a horrifying disease for which there is no cure.  Humanism as infected our culture and the church like a flesh eating disease.  The spirit of the church is being consumed by a philosophy that makes the happiness of man a priority and conveniently ignores the glory of God. 

Liberalism in the church flowered in the mid-1800's.  Charles Darwin explained away the role of God in creation.  Humanist philosophers taught that the chief end of man's existence was his own happiness.  Religious liberals embraced the cancer of humanism when they declared their uncertainty about the existence of God, heaven or hell.  Their unbelief made it impossible for them to offer any hope beyond our earthly existence so they began to address the happiness of man in this world.  They offered a watered down version of Christianity that focused on the happiness of man in this life.  The doctrines of sin, eternal life and hell were avoided and the focus was on "Your Best LifeNow."  (6) 

A movement arose in answer to the liberals of that day and they called themselves fundamentalists.  But humanism is not selective in its choice of victims and fundamentalism also became a victim of the deadly virus of humanism.  Fundamentalists grew as a conservative movement because of their common beliefs in holding to the traditional teachings of the word of God.  They defined themselves as those who belief in the divinity of Christ, the creation, the holiness of God and the authenticity of the Bible.  If you believed in this list of essentials you were labeled a conservative fundamentalist.

In successive generations, fundamentalists began to teach that one might be saved by simply giving mental assent to a list of basic scriptural doctrines.  The measure by which one became a Christian was not the confessing of sin and experiencing a Holy Spirit- induced soul cleansing.  The evidence of one's Christianity was a simple vocal affirmative to a few basic questions regarding the nature of God.  A radical change in one's lifestyle was no longer associated with true Christianity.  A card carrying Christian was no longer expected to demonstrate righteous living or freedom from the bondage of sin.  Experiential Christianity was thrown out the door in favor of a simple "I believe." 

Liberalism set about focusing on this life instead of the next life.  The assortment of social programs developed to improve the lives of the masses are too numerous to mention.  Great declarations were made about eliminating poverty, drugs and war.  But their utopian goal was shattered when the First World War erupted and men set about to destroy one another.  The War to End All Wars was followed by another horrendous war and men began to question the idea that the heart of man is essentially good.  Then men proved how short their memories are and liberalism made another great comeback.  L.B. Johnson declared his War on Poverty.  The flower children of the 1960's demanded the end to all war.  Liberalism continues its march through the modern age.  Al Gore seems nearly insane and certainly delusional in his attempt to create a better earth.  Our first lady is strongly dedicated to manipulating the diets of our children. 

The liberal says that man must be made happy while he lives on this earth.  The fundamentalist says that man must be made happy in the afterlife.  Both have succumbed to the primary teaching of humanism:  the happiness of man.  When a fundamentalist preacher declares that a person ought to accept Christ so that he can escape the fires of hell, or so he can live in eternal bliss, is he not focusing on the humanistic idea of the happiness of man?  Should men not accept Christ because he "deservesto receive the reward of his suffering." (7)  

Christ did not walk away from the glorious splendor of heaven and submit to the humility of humanity solely to make us happy.  Christ did not drag his cross to Golgotha and allow the Romans to pierce his hands with spikes and his side with a sword only to make us happy.  Believing that or preaching that is replacing God with man as the central purpose of our salvation.  Does this not border on blasphemy? Did Christ not go to the cross and die for men because it was the only way men might be saved and thus bring glory to God.  It wasn't so much about saving us from hell or making us happy in heaven, it was all about bring glory to God.

How many today get saved as a way of making a deal with God?  It is true that salvation comes with benefits but the benefits are a byproduct.  Modern day ministers will one day be accountable for the steady stream of lies that come from their pulpits.  We are no longer being told that sin corrupts the soul.  We are no longer told that the grace of God can bring deliverance to hungry hearts.  Instead, we are being fed a steady stream of heresy.  We are being told that if we accept Christ he will make us millionaires, he will cure our diseases and dedicate himself to our happiness.  We are being sold a bill of goods. 

Humanism teaches us to look for human solutions to human problems.  We are the most over-medicated society in history.  We run to counselors instead of running to Christ.  We read self-help books written by pop-psychologists instead of turning to the word of God.  If we would only turn to the right source we could find a cure to alcoholism, to drug addiction, to sex addiction and to dysfunctional families.  But all of this is frosting on the cake.  The true motive for submitting to Christ should not be "to make a name for ourselves" or for our own happiness, it should be because doing so is the only possible way an earthly soul can bring glory to a deserving God.    

1.  Hebrews 11:10

2.  Genesis 11:4

3.  Psalm 42:1

4.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Necrotizing_fasciitis

5.  http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/story/2012-05-21/flesh-eating-bacteria/55105650/1

6.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Your_Best_Life_Now

7.  http://forallnations.wordpress.com/2008/08/22/the-worthy-lamb-history-of-moravian-missions/

Kevin Probst - Teaches History, Government and Apologetics at the high school level in Columbus Georgia.

Ministry: For Our Convenience or God's Glory

Micah was unable to worship in Jerusalem so he built a shrine in the hill country of Ephraim.  His mother assisted him in purchasing a graven image made of silver by the local silver smith.  Micah installed one of his sons as priest of his shrine and in those days Israel had no ruler and the people did what was right in their own eyes. (1)

A young man from Bethlehem, from the tribe of Levi, was traveling through the area and he came upon Micah's house and Micah asked him, "Where are you from?"  The Levite said, "I am from Bethlehem and I'm looking for a place to stay." (2)  Micah then made him an offer he couldn't refuse:  "Live with me and be my priest and I'll give you ten shekels of silver a year and I'll clothe you and feed you."

  

Some time later the Danites would invade the land of Laish, home of Micah.  They stole the silver images and ravaged his temple and asked the Levite priest to leave Micah and come with them.  "Isn't it better that you serve a tribe rather than one man's household." (3)  These words brought gladness to the heart of the priest and he followed them with enthusiasm. 

Paris Reidhead addresses the issue of utilitarian religion and expedient Christianity in his sermon, Ten Shekels and a Shirt. (4)  Utilitarianism is defined as an ethical theory that holds to the idea that the proper course of action is always the one that maximizes one's overall 'happiness' .  The morality of any action is determined by the consequences of that action, the resulting outcome.  (5)  In expedient Christianity the end becomes more important than the means to achieving that end.

Were we to apply this pragmatic standard to the ministries of some of the Bible's greatest men they would be judged to be men who had failed miserably.    John the Baptist was able to conjure up a few disciples but it seems he was lacking in the skills of diplomacy.  Rather than stay on the side of political correctness, he spoke truth to the king and he lost his head as a result.  By today's standards he was a failure.

Noah was a great builder of boats.  He built a vessel that endured the greatest flood in world history but as an evangelist, as a soul winner, he might be considered an utter failure.  When the rains came and the earth filled with water he had only convinced seven people, his own family, to follow God.  A hundred years of labor, a magnificent boat and seven converts…he would be categorized as a colossal failure in the mega-church mentality of the modern world.

The definition of success has changed down through the ages.  The modern church has been infected by the philosophies of the culture.  God-centered doctrines like salvation and eternal destiny have been replaced by man-centered beliefs in political correctness, self-esteem and acquired prosperity.  Modern ministers have been distracted from the truth by the philosophies of humanism.  These cancerous beliefs have been inching their way through the church for over 150 years until we now no longer question them, but willfully embrace them.

Humanists believe that the chief end of all being is the happiness of man.  Achieving that goal is justified no matter what means are required to get there.  If power is what makes you happy then by all means, strive for power, even if it means stepping on some and wounding others to achieve your goal.  Hitler believed that happiness would only come to men through a pure race.  He justified his racism and his murder as an ugly necessity to reach a worthy means:  the happiness of man.

Humanism has so saturated our culture that we have become sex-crazed.  The idea that the primary reason for living is to satisfy ourselves has led to an over-indulgence in sexual experiences.  Salvation no longer has anything to do with the soul but everything to do with the fulfillment of our sensual desires. 

Humanism has education has become a shell game.  It is no longer subject-centered.  It is now child-centered.  The Three R's have been cast aside in favor of ensuring the happiness of the child.  Failing grades are no longer distributed to those who are slack in their preparation for fear of wounding their self-esteem.  Subject matter is being scrapped in favor of allowing the pupils to find themselves.  The question is no longer "Is the child learning?"  The question now is "Is the child happy?"

If the goal of the environmentalist is to create an environment that will contribute to the happiness of man they will go to any means to achieve that goal.  They will suppress the poor, they will destroy national economies and they will become violent if necessary.

Even murder is condoned if it will lead to the happiness of man.  The life of an unborn infant is expendable if it causes inconvenience or threatens the happiness of the mother.  It is a sad state of affairs when our minds are so warped as to believe that our own happiness has more value than the life of another.

So many modern day ministers propagate the humanist philosophy by declaring that God is primarily concerned with the happiness of man.  This teaching borders on blasphemy.  How dare we elevate ourselves to a level of such importance! This violates the spirit of John who said, "He (Jesus) must become greater and greater and I must become less and less."  (6)   Our earthly happiness is a by-product of a saving relationship with God.  The primary goal of a Christian is not his own self-serving goal of happiness.  Rather, it is to bring glory to God. 

The Levite was more interested in utilitarian Christianity.  How much will I get paid and what benefits are available to me?  When the Danites came along with a better deal, the Levite was only too eager to graze on greener grass.  His concern was, "What is in it for me?"  How rare is the man who will ask, "In what way might I best bring glory to God?"

Paul wrote to the Romans, "They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator…"  (7)  The truth is that the chief end of man is to bring glory to the God who created him.  The lie that has replaced this truth is that the chief end of man is his own happiness.  Truth happiness can never be found when in pursuit of a lie. 

1.       Judges 17:5

2.      Judges 17:9

3.      Judges 18:19

4.      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=76BUB9IchNU

5.      http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/utilitarianism?s=t

6.      John 3:30

7.      Romans 1:25 

Kevin Probst - Teaches History, Government and Apologetics at the high school level in Columbus Georgia.

The Watchman on the Wall (2) - Three Lies Christians Are Being Taught

A watchman is someone who looks out for danger and sounds the alarm if he senses that a threat is approaching. 

When I was a small boy growing up in northwestern Pennsylvania, we didn't have an electrical alarm system in our rural home but that doesn't mean we weren't protected.  Our alarm system had a name.  It was Buster.  Buster was a large, full grown Collie and in all his years with us he never failed to warn us.  Buster once warned us of a bear roaming around in the ravine behind our home.  Buster provided security for my mother who was a nurse when she arrived home at 11:00 at night.  He was constantly on the lookout for danger and he never once failed to sound the alarm when a stranger approached.

Buster was a loner.  He didn't run with the neighborhood pack.  It's as if he knew he had a job and he was totally committed to doing that job well.  Those whom God has called to be watchmen often find themselves as loners.  They share an unpopular message with an unreceptive people.  God wants his people to be distinguished, he wants others to recognize a difference in those who call themselves Christians.

"Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord.  Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you." - 2 Corinthians 6:17

"Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues.  For her sins have reached to heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities."  Revelation 18:4

We are to live in the world but we must allow the Spirit of God to distinguish us from the world.  Many modern Christians are more interested in blending than in distinguishing.  There is a deception common among Christians that says a Christian can act just like a non-Christian, they can use the same language, they can go to the same places and they can enjoy the same sins. 

Let me share with you three lies Christians are often taught:

a.   Christians are often taught  believe that prosperity is a fruit of the Spirit.

            If you have really given your heart to Jesus he will make you wealthy.  We are told that somewhere in the Bible Jesus said:  "If you believe in me:

•          You will be prosperous

•          You will be healthy

•          You will get a better job

•          You will find a spouse

•          You will be spared physical illness or pain.

There is no guarantee that God will bless you with any of these things. 

God never promised us a rose garden.  This health and wealth gospel is cotton candy theology that has replaced the real meat and potato gospel of Jesus Christ.  Christ never promised his disciples wealth and power.  He said,  "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me." (Matthew 16:24)  Some ministers are more concerned about making people feel good so they will come back.  A real watchman on the wall will declare that Christ is the Messiah, he died on a cross, he arose from the dead.   "For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him." (John 3:17) He came as a lamb to the slaughter so we might be saved and have a relationship with him.  A real watchman must say that when Jesus comes again, he will not come as a lamb, he will come on white steed with sword in his hand and he will administer a fiery judgment on all of the injustice and evil that reigns in this world.

           

b.   Christians are often taught that a solitary, simple prayer one time spoken is all that is necessary to get to heaven.

            Are you a Christian? The reply is often; "Yes, I walked the aisle when I was seven years old."  "Yes, I said the Sinner's Prayer at age ten".

             Jesus never taught such easy believism.  There was nothing easy about Christ's purchase of our salvation:  “He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed.  All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, every one, to his own way; and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all” (Is 53:5-6)

            Jesus was a watchman and his message was:  "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."  (Matthew 4:17)

            Jesus shared an unpopular message with an unreceptive people:  "But unless you repent, you too will all perish."  (Luke 13:3)

            Jesus said this, even though he knew it would hasten his own death, "I am the way, the truth and the life.  No one comes to the Father except though Me."  (John 14:6)

            He didn't die to provide us an escape from all suffering.  He died so that we might draw on his grace when given the privilege of suffering with him.

            The true message of salvation is that the cleansing blood of Christ is transformative.  "…do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind."  Becoming a Christian is not just saying a simple prayer and continuing in your old ways, rather, it is a radical transformation described by the watchman Paul who said, "…sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace."  (Romans 6:14)

c.         Christians are often taught that a nation can be spiritually transformed through politics.  

            Christians often confuse the power and authority of American government with the power and authority of Christ.  We must not confuse the two kingdoms.  One kingdom is worldly and it will surely pass away.  The other kingdom is far more important because he who rules the eternal kingdom is Christ himself!  He is pure and incorruptible.  The government of that kingdom is "upon his shoulders and he shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." 

            Jesus was not opposed to Christians influencing earthy governments.  He said we were to "render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's and unto God the things that are God's".   (Luke 20:25)  But let us not confuse the two kingdoms.  Because the world is corrupted by sin God will continue to work through those who "bear the sword" (Romans 13:4) 

            This truth is captured in the old Negro spiritual, Wayfaring Stranger;

            "I am a poor wayfaring stranger,

            While traveling through this world of woe.

            Yet there’s no sickness, toil nor danger

            In that bright world to which I go.

            I’m going there to see my Father;

            I’m going there no more to roam."

            Let us not confuse the temporary purpose of the American government with the eternal purpose of the kingdom of God.  Let us fight to make America a better country.  Let us be found on the front lines fighting for the lives of the unborn, for the sanctity of marriage and for the purity of our youth.  But let us not lose sight of the fact that as watchmen on the wall our primary responsibility is to point lost wanderers to the King of Kings!

Kevin Probst - Teaches History, Government and Apologetics at the high school level in Columbus Georgia.

Martyrdom in the US: Not Enough Evidence to Execute

God revealed his nature in his creation. (Romans 1:19-20) A more complete revelation of God was realized in the coming of his Son, Jesus Christ. This revelation was preserved for the ages by though the written word. When Jesus stood before Pilate he was asked this question, “What is truth?” (John 18:38) Had Pilate known Jesus and had he been familiar with his words he would not have had to ask that question. Jesus had already defined truth, he said, “I am the truth” (John 14:6) and God’s “ “word is truth.” (John 17:17) God is the source of all truth, Jesus is the human revelation of truth and the Bible is the written preservation of truth.

The truth in God’s word is perfect and complete. Because we are fallen creatures and our minds are limited we are unable to interpret this truth perfectly. But God assures us that when it comes to the essential truths regarding the salvation of our souls he will simplify those truths in a way that even a child can understand.

This truth has endured throughout the ages. It has survived the inquisitions and the persecutions of wicked men who would suppress truth and destroy it. God is storing up wrath in heaven to release on evil men who would suppress truth with their wickedness. (Romans 1:18) This truth has survived the philosophies of Lenin, Marx and Russell. This truth has weathered the assault of numberless evil rulers through the ages. Truth is eternal and indestructible. God is truth.

All of the early apostles, with the exception of John, were martyred for this truth. A martyr is someone who willingly suffers death rather than to renounce his faith. This word is being redefined in our modern age. We bounce that word about so carelessly. We identify certain terrorists as martyrs but they are actually suicidal assassins whose purpose is the murder those who might believe differently than they do.

Those who were martyred for the preservation of truth are of a different ilk. Polycarp was a contemporary of John the Apostle and a Christian from his youth. Because he was a leader of the hated Christians, Roman authorities called for his execution. Polycarp did not flee. Instead, he turned himself over to them. They dragged him before a crowd driven by their bloodlust. He was asked to recant. The old man defied the crowd and said, “Eighty-six years have I served him, and he never once wronged me. How then shall I blaspheme my King who has saved me?”

When the soldiers came to secure Polycarp he said, "Leave me as I am. For he who grants me to endure the fire will enable me also to remain on the pyre unmoved, without the security you desire from nails." His words have inspired Christians for nearly two thousand years.

In the mid sixteenth century William Tyndale committed his life to the translation of the scriptures into common English. “It is impossible to establish the people in any truth unless the scriptures were plainly laid before their eyes,” he said. (1) Tyndale was betrayed by a friend. He was captured and imprisoned for 500 days enduring a torture that was unimaginable yet he would not recant. A ridiculous trial was conducted in which he was found guilty of heresy. On October 6 of 1536 at the age of 44 Tyndale was strangled and burnt at the stake. He was willing to die rather than compromise his love for the truth of God’s word. While the flesh dripped from his bones Tyndale said, “Lord, open the King of England’s eyes.”

That great American hymn popularized during the Civil War and written by Julia Ward Howe, declares “His truth is marching on.” Its march is relentless. It marches through enemy lines. It marches into the face of evil. It is assaulted, it is ridiculed, it is mocked and yet it marches eternally on. “As He died to make men holy let us die to make men free…” What motivated these men to die for the freedom of others? Did these men not find something bigger than themselves, something more important than their own lives, a truth worth dying for?

Now let me ask a sobering question? Imagine you country has been overrun by an enemy determined to eradicate Christianity. Image our Christian leaders were rounded up and taken to the stadium for torture and execution. Would there be enough evidence of their love and commitment to the truth of God to convict them in an atheist’s court?

Let’s watch as some of these leaders are dragged into court:

Joel Olsteen, the pastor of the largest church in America is first to be tried. “Mr. Olsteen, if a person doesn’t believe in Jesus will he go to hell?” Joel stumbles and stammers as he tries to answer the question. The court senses theological ignorance and feels much pleased as he waters down the word of God. Joel finally answers by saying, “I don’t know.” Joel is quickly released as they consider him more an ally than an enemy. The jurors compare Joel’s words “God wants us to prosper financially, to have plenty of money, to fulfill the destiny He has laid out for us” with those of Charles Spurgeon, “There are some who stumble at Christ because of his holiness. He is too strict for them; they would like to be Christians, but they cannot renounce their sensual pleasures; they would like to be washed in his blood, but they desire still to roll in the mire of sin.” A gospel that tolerates sin is devoid of truth. Real truth offends.

Next, we see Rob Bell being dragged before the court. Rob Bell is a very prominent leader among young American Christians and the court anticipates his martyrdom:

“Mr. Bell, what does it mean when you Christians call yourselves believers?”

“Everybody is following somebody. Everybody has faith in something and somebody. We are all believers." The court is dumbfounded as they expected to hear the name of Jesus in his answer.

“Mr. Bell, what is your stand regarding the Holy Scriptures?”

Bell declared that he views the Bible as a “human product” rather than a truth originating in the heart and mind of God.

Bell’s wife, Kristen, pipes up at this point by saying, “The Bible is still the center for us but…I have no idea what most of it means. And yet, I feel like life is big again – like life used to be black and white but now it’s in color.”

The members of the court look with confusion at each other. This was certainly not the Christianity they had expected to confront.

The judge of the court drops his gavel and dismisses the couple. No evidence for martyrdom here. The next name called was that of Brian McLaren, the emergent leader who had authored many books and influenced countless numbers who were searching for truth.

“Mr. McLaren, do you declare the Bible to be truth, eternal and unchangeable. Would you insist that the God you worship is truth?”

McLaren scratches his chin and then submits to the judge that many would like to “have the truth captured, stuffed and mounted on the wall” but truth is something that is pliable and certainty is never something that can be applied to truth.

The judge shatters his gavel as he slams it down in frustration. “We have come to torture and destroy those who call themselves Christians and boldly stand behind their sacred book. We have found no one who meets the criteria for execution. Court dismissed!”

It’s a sad fact that were our country were ever occupied by those with a goal to destroy Christianity they may find there are very, very few who qualify for martyrdom because we have forsaken truth.

1. Martyrs for the English Bible, Dr. Clyde Votaw
2. The Truth War, John MacArthur
3. Joel Olsteen Interview on CNN
4. Joel Olsteen interview on Fox News
5. Rob Bell on MSNBC

Kevin Probst - Teaches History, Government and Apologetics at the high school level in Columbus Georgia.

Pulling The “Don’t Judge Me” Card.

Love Not The World



A recent poll indicated that 80% of Americans claimed to be Christians. Can you possibly imagine the impact on our culture of 80% if us were true, genuine followers of Jesus Christ. There must certainly be a lot of people deceived into believing that they are truly Christian. It would seem it is the proper or cool thing to claim a type of nominal Christianity but in fact, genuine Christianity is not cool in our culture. What is cool is to muddy the name of Christ and people do that in two ways:

1.) Many out and out deny that Christ exists. They claim to be atheist. They feel a certain sense of relief if God doesn’t exist. If there is no God they can be their own gods.

The humanist hates the Christian who claims that Jesus is God because if Jesus is God, he isn’t. He doesn’t want to answer to a more powerful and moral being. And besides, he will get a lot of attention by stirring up his religious friends and relatives if he claims atheism.

The atheist reminds me of the athlete who hits a homerun or scores a touchdown and then stands in the end-zone beating his chest and pumping his fist and pointing his finger at himself desiring the admiration and worship of millions because of his athletic feat. In reality he is a little parasite who does not seem to realize that he could not even walk or breath accept for the grace of a God that does exist.

2.) They claim Christianity but they live in sin. Many have a crazy idea that they can be Christians and still have a strong love for sin and the world. A true Christian is sensitive to sin. A true Christian keeps the commandments of God and he is grieved in his heart if he fails. He repents with great sorrow when he hurts the heart of God.

There is one, I’ll refrain from naming her, who has become a cultural icon in America and she makes a claim to be a Christian. I’ve seen her recent video. I’ve seen the way she dresses. I’ve always been told “If it looks like a duck, if it walks like a duck, if it quacks like a duck, then it is a duck.” I will say with full assurance and on the authority of God’s word that a woman who spouts those words and promotes a sinful, sex-saturated lifestyle has a master and he is not the holy God of scripture. I see a woman who loves the pleasures the world can offer her and she wants others to share in her lust for depravity.

By now you may be asking, “How can you be so judgmental?” If God chooses you to point out the sins of the artificial Christian or of the blatant sinner you will feel their seething hatred. You may be surprised how many people can’t quote John 3:16 but they can quote Matthew 7:1. It’s the flagship verse used to checkmate and handcuff the Christian who would dare challenge the politically correct thought of the present age.

Matthew 7:1 “Judge not…that you be not judged.”

This verse is often taken out of context. Satan uses this verse just as he did the verses he shared while tempting Jesus in the wilderness. You can separate a verse in the Bible and make it say anything you like. But read all of Chapter 7. Verses 15 and 16 say “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them.”

There is a final judgment that is holy and untouchable and belongs to God alone and we are not to interfere or meddle with that judgment.

Divine judgment is not our realm. But we all make judgments here on earth and God expects us to. The policeman who sees a man enter a bank carrying a gun is going to make a judgment. If I tell my son to stay out of the cookie jar yet I see cookie crumbs on his mouth I’m going to make a judgment. We can and must make biblically-based judgments regarding the cultural icons of our day. We will fail our children and the next generation if we refuse to judge the music they listen to, the videos they watch and the cultural heroes they idolize. What we must not do is make a judgment without love. Many who say “Don’t judge me” are actually pleading, “Still love me.”

Genuine Christians have no love for the sinful things of the world. “Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” (1 John 2:15) Why not love the world? Because God’s word says that “the world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.” – (1 John 2:17)
The great deception of Satan is that those things in the world will bring you satisfaction. We binge on food and we only want more. We binge on drugs and alcohol and them we want more. We binge on sex and we binge on materialism and possessions and wealth and we only want more. Jesus counteracts this ‘great deception’ by telling us “there is an everlasting stream of living water that flows from Calvary.” It is never ending. You may drink from this fountain and you will be entirely satisfied. This precious flow will take away your lust for sin and for the world and once you taste its sweetness you will want only to share in the holiness of God and experience the joy and fullness of his salvation forever and ever.

During WWII, Adolph Hitler had a plan for the destruction of England’s economy. It was a great deception. He never did employ it so we will never know if it would have been successful. He wanted to make millions of dollars (pounds) in counterfeit money and drop them from the air all over London and other British cities. The Brits would run out into the streets and hoard the money. The infiltration of these counterfeit monies would destroy the British economy.

Satan’s plan is to infiltrate the church with so much false doctrine so as to destroy the church. He wants to dress it up so it appears to be genuine. He wants to fill our pulpits with false prophets who will declare these lies to be truths and who will bring great confusion to the church.
There is a great lie that has invaded the church today. The lie is that God no longer has a standard for righteousness. He no longer has any requirement for entering into the kingdom. You can have your cake and eat it too. You get to choose your own standard of morality. You can do what you want to and still claim Christianity as long as you said that little prayer of repentance somewhere along the way you’re in.

Genuine Christianity demands a genuine repentance accompanied by genuine faith which qualifies us for a genuine salvation bought by the precious blood of a genuine Savior. Believing and doing are twin sisters. When we strive to live up to God’s standard (doing) of holiness we demonstrate to the world what we believe and whom we love.

Kevin Probst - Teaches History, Government and Apologetics at the high school level in Columbus Georgia.

Shallow Men Sharing A Shallow Gospel: The Glass Cathedral Shatters

Men are always drawn to the easy way. We sometimes make the gospel so easy it becomes no gospel at all. Conversion is so easy it is no conversion at all. John MacArthur tells of a mega-church that had 28,000 conversions in the last year, they baptized 9,600 people and they only added 123 to the church! There is something wrong with this picture. A man on the staff of that church looked at that and said, “There is something very wrong with this.” He left and learned how to do it right.
It’s easier to go the way of the flesh. It’s a lot easier to build a big mega-church and ride the prosperity gospel into a mega-mansion and drive a mega-car and go on mega-vacations and give jobs to your mega-families than it is to build the church on the solid rock foundation of Jesus Christ. The easy way doesn’t include hours on your knees praying and interceding for the lost. The easy way doesn’t include going out into the streets and among the hedges attempting to minister to the lost and dying. It’s much easier to put on your silk robe and climb into your pulpit and spout forth a humanistic gospel that offends no one and promises everyone who is present a place in the kingdom if they will only write a check to the church.
Robert Schuller, pastor of the mega-church Crystal Cathedral, criticized his own daughter, Pastor Sheila Schuller-Coleman, as being intolerant because she tried to protect the sanctity of God-sanctioned marriage between a man and a woman by asking members of the choir to agree to a covenant declaring as much. Her father’s reply to this attempt to protect traditional marriage was: “I have a reputation worldwide of being tolerant of all people and their views. I’m too well-educated to criticize a certain religion or group of people for what they believe in. It’s called freedom.”
Though Schuller seems to have a conscience about criticizing some sin, he certainly has no conscience about criticizing the major doctrine of sin embraced by traditional Christians: “I don’t think anything has been done in the name of Christ and under the banner of Christianity that has proven more destructive to human personality and, hence, counterproductive to the evangelism enterprise than the often crude, uncouth, and unchristian strategy of attempting to make people aware of their lost and sinful condition.” This statement is just stunning in its blatant misdirection. Can you imagine the Savior coming to earth and declaring, “I don’t want to offend anyone by pointing out they might actually be sinning”?
I am aware that one statement taken out of context may be a misrepresentation of what a man actually believes. I would like to give Schuller the benefit of the doubt. He is also known for believing that “sin is a condition before sin is an action.” This statement seems to indicate his belief in original sin but it doesn’t eliminate the impression that Schuller lacks backbone when addressing sin, the greatest enemy of the God he claims to love.
Schuller’s new age Christianity is a shallow substitute for the real, genuine message of God’s Word. Jesus isn’t just a psychotherapist or a life coach who has come to make people feel good. He isn’t in the business of building a shallow self-esteem in weak-minded, wimpy people looking for a crutch to lean on only when they go through hard times. Christ came to die on a cross so that we might be genuinely saved and he will come again, not as a sacrificial lamb, but as a warrior to drive his sword into the heart of Satan.
The rock upon which Christ will build a new kingdom will not be those who have lived some superficial, shallow life based on principles that run a mile wide and an inch deep. He will build his kingdom on those who have invested the time and energy to achieve a deep and lasting relationship with him.
When Jesus had harsh words of admonition for Peter he wasn’t too concerned about his self-esteem. He was concerned about the destination of his eternal soul. The account is found in the book of Matthew chapter 16. Jesus had been explaining to the disciples how he must suffer persecution and finally die. Verse 22 records that “Peter took him aside.” Can you imagine, “taking aside” the very Son of God. “Jesus, would you please step in my office. I need to have a few words with you.” Peter had the gall to begin rebuking the Son of God. No wonder Jesus’ words were harsh, “Get behind me, Satan!”
It was Jesus next sentence that seems to address the striking truth of what is happening to many of our mega-popular pastors as they build shallow churches. “You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.” Many of our Christian leaders are so frightened they might offend the frail minds of men but they don’t hesitate to dress down the very God of the universe as if they are his equal.
Schuller’s Crystal Cathedral filed for bankruptcy in the fall of 2010 claiming to be drowning in $46 million of debt. The 84 year old leader had planned for ten years to pass the baton on to his son. But in 2008 the mega-pastor fired his son. The ministry now lay in ashes as creditors demand they be compensated for their lost investments.
It is not uncommon for ministries built on the names of men to falter and die. When the frailties of these men are discovered or when they die their ministries generally crack and crumble. Jim Baker, Oral Roberts and Ted Haggard come to mind. The church must be built on the Rock, Jesus Christ. He must increase and we must decrease. A ministry built on Christ is eternal, a ministry built on the name of a single man is sure to die.

Kevin Probst - Teaches History, Government and Apologetics at the high school level in Columbus Georgia.