Wednesday, January 30, 2008

The Biblical Case for Soul Winning

Pro 11:30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.

There is actually a minority of supposedly born-again Christians who argue that soul winning is not in the Bible. So I would like to begin where the Bible actually talks about soul winning, Proverbs 11:30. Now believe it or not, there are modern translations that contend with this verse.

“The fruit of righteousness is a tree of life; but lawlessness takes away lives” Revised Standard Version
In this version the second half of the verse is completely different! Instead of being wise one is lawless and instead of winning souls one is essentially murdering.
Now many older conservative Christians may recall that Revised Standard Version had a reputation as a liberal Bible. Many of the translators were evolutionist, liberals and a few even had affiliations with the communist party. So much so that Revised Standard Version was nicknamed the “red” Bible in the 50’s and 60’s.
Now the revised standard was a literal translation. Yet the translators would purposely translate the Bible in ways that seemed to contradict itself. A popular example is in Isaiah 7:14, a popular prophesy of the virgin birth is translated a young woman giving birth instead of a virgin.
This Bible was soon regulated to liberal protestants in Catholics. In fact if you go to an older church that lines up the pew Bibles with this version, it is highly likely that they either were at one time or still are liberal. Some translations like the HCSB still argue this while others( NIV, NKJV, ESV, NASB) have stayed with the Authorized Version’s translation.
It is said by the RSV defenders that the Hebrew was too hard to understand and so they went with the Greek LXX. So let us investigate the Hebrew.

Pro 11:30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.
03947 laqach {law-kakh'} [winneth]
a primitive root; TWOT - 1124; v
AV - take 747, receive 61, take away 51, fetch 31, bring 25, get 6, take out 6, carry away 5, married 4, buy 3, misc 26; 965
1) to take, get, fetch, lay hold of, seize, receive, acquire, buy, bring, marry, take a wife, snatch, take away 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to take, take in the hand 1a2) to take and carry along 1a3) to take from, take out of, take, carry away, take away 1a4) to take to or for a person, procure, get, take possession of, select, choose, take in marriage, receive, accept 1a5) to take up or upon, put upon 1a6) to fetch 1a7) to take, lead, conduct 1a8) to take, capture, seize 1a9) to take, carry off 1a10) to take (vengeance) 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be captured 1b2) to be taken away, be removed 1b3) to be taken, brought unto 1c) (Pual) 1c1) to be taken from or out of 1c2) to be stolen from 1c3) to be taken captive 1c4) to be taken away, be removed 1d) (Hophal) 1d1) to be taken unto, be brought unto 1d2) to be taken out of 1d3) to be taken away 1e) (Hithpael) 1e1) to take hold of oneself 1e2) to flash about (of lightning)

02450 chakam {khaw-kawm'} [wise]
from 02449; TWOT - 647b; adj
AV - wise 109, wise man 13, cunning 6, cunning men 4, subtil 1, unwise 2, wiser 2; 137
1) wise, wise (man) 1a) skilful (in technical work) 1b) wise (in administration) 1c) shrewd, crafty, cunning, wily, subtle 1d) learned, shrewd (class of men) 1e) prudent 1f) wise (ethically and religiously)

While one could argue that “winneth” could mean destroy the word for “wisdom” is pretty well settled. Also the Hebrew clearly uses the word souls “nephesh” in the Masoretic text. We know that killing souls is not wise! So it would have to be taking or winning souls that is wise!
Now as to the early part of the proverb…
“30. The righteous are as trees of life; and their influence upon earth,
like the fruits of that tree, support and nourish the spiritual
life in many.” Matthew Henry
So essentially righteousness bears fruit, and the people who win souls for righteousness are wise.
But one may argue:
“Yeah, but that was for the Old Testament. Would Jesus really say that?”

In a matter of speaking he did!
Mat 4:19 And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.
Luk 5:10 And so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men.
Now if the Hebrew word for winning has a sense of capture in it’s meaning then it is a perfect parallel for fishing which is to capture fish! So metaphorically speaking Jesus taught his disciples to be soul winners!

Anti-soul winning false teachings
1. The great commission was fulfilled by the apostles
This lie was around for Catholics and early protestants it stated that the great commission had been specifically to the Apostles and that they had fulfilled it. Now it is true that Apostl according to tradition had cover most areas of the known world of that time. They covered Africa, Britain, Europe, Arabia, India Russia, and probably Spain. Yet they obvious didn’t cover everything in these countries nor did they hit every inhabited land. For instance, what of the Aboriginies?
Mat 24:9-14 Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake. And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.
Here we see that Jesus is prophesying the Great Commission in fulfillment and yet prior that the Apostles must die, and have their faith endure unto death. It seems obvious that the great Commission must be fulfilled by more than the apostles.
Mat 28:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
Here we see that all orders to the Apostles have been given to the Christians. It would only be natural to understand that Christians had been given the great Comission.

2. That was just for the Gospel of the Kingdom
Many from the Dispensational Community argue that the Apostles taught the gospel of the Kingdom while Paul taught the Gospel of Jesus Christ or the Gospel of grace. Some would build upon this argument to declare that the Great Commission is referring to the Gospel of the Kingdom only.
While it is obvious from study that there is a significant shift from the ministry of the 12 apostles to the ministry of Paul, there is according to Paul one gospel.
Gal 1:8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.
We see that Paul held the other Apostles accountable to this gospel.
Gal 2:14 But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?
Yet we also see that this gospel is what he had received from the apostles
1Co 15:1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;
1Co 15:2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.
1Co 15:3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
Finally, Paul like the Apostles, also preached the Kingdom of God.
Act 28:30 And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him,
Act 28:31 Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him.
Therefore, this one gospel is to be spread across the world.
3. Jesus already briefly returned
This lie proceeds from two heretical camps. First, from consistent preterist amillennialists, who teach that The Lord briefly came back in 72 A.D. at the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem. Second from historicists adventist, who claim that Christ came back in the 1840’s. Both groups say that Jesus came back spiritually.
This is recognized historically as a heresy on the level of denying the virgin birth.
The Apostle Paul deals with it specifically.
2Th 2:1 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,
2Th 2:2 That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.
2Th 2:3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
In other words, Jesus will not come back until the Antichrist returns and takes over the world.
4. We must evangelized through the sacraments
Many Christians argue for the doctrine of sacramantalism. They believe that the grace of God flows through the rituals of the church, most especially baptism. Once they do this, they tend assume that salvation has taken place solely through the church and it’s rituals and forget to hold it’s members accountable.
a. The Bible does not give assurance to people do to sacraments and church membership.
Heb 6:4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,
Heb 6:5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,
Heb 6:6 If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.
A friend of mine once put it like this “If that’s all it takes, why don’t I get a super-soaker and we’ll all get saved!” The idea of faith in ritual is honestly ludicrous. People and rituals are not Jesus Christ and they can not save us. Here we see the grim possibility of people in scripture who have had every benefit of the New Covenant church. Yet none of these things has the power to give us assurance. Th only thing which gives us that power is the gospel.
Rom 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
This gospel must be believed but..
Rom 10:14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?
Once again, we need the gospel.
b. The Bible shows faith and repentance to be exclusive and primary
Mar 16:16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
Act 16:31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.
Act 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
The power in these invitations is in the faith in the gospel, not the works of the individual.

c. Sacraments are not necessary
Mar 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
1Co 1:17 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.
Act 10:43 To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.
Act 10:44 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.
Act 10:45 And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Act 10:46 For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,
Act 10:47 Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?
Once again we see no power in ritual, and no power in membership; the power is in the work of the Holy Spirit on the heart of an individual.

5. You can’t just bring someone to Christ through a first time encounter
Act 8:30 And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest?
Act 8:31 And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him.
Act 8:32 The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth:
Act 8:33 In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth.
Act 8:34 And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man?
Act 8:35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.
Act 8:36 And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?
Act 8:37 And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
Act 8:38 And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.
Many people have argued that you can not evangelize in a chance occurrence. /that evangelism takes years of discipleship. For the most part this may be true yet our ultimate shepherd is Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. In his providence God usually uses different people at different times to reach an unbeliever. You might be the one to plant the seed, you might be the one to water it.
1Co 3:6 I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.

6. In the New Testament they never had organized missions
This was a popular false teaching among the anti-missions movement. Arguing that our system of missions was unbiblical and that only the apostles did mission and other wise the gospel was only spread through persecution.
Act 13:1 Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.
Act 13:2 As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.
Act 13:3 And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.
Here we see the local church at antioch and not the twelve responsible for ordaining missions efforts.
1Co 16:1 Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye.
1Co 16:2 Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.
1Co 16:3 And when I come, whomsoever ye shall approve by your letters, them will I send to bring your liberality unto Jerusalem.
Here we see a regular system of giving for mission purposes.
Tit 1:5 For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee:
Here we see Paul authorizing a non-apostle with the work of church planting.
One may critique current administrations on how Biblical the modern mission systems are. However, it is obvious that the Bible condones and even encourages systemic missions.

7. Only God can save souls
This is the argument of the Hyper Calvinist who argue that to go witnessing and evangelize is to challenge the sovereignty of God. Some use the argument of Irresistible grace and the effectual call. While others argued for the “two seeds” doctrine of double predestination style election. A few have even argue eternal Justification where we are born saved. Let us look at these doctrines.
Iresistable grace/effectual call) This is where an elect soul must wait for a spiritual call from the Holy Spirit to be saved.
This is false, God’s grace is not irresistible
2Co 6:1 We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.
Heb 10:29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?
It seems obvious that the grace of God is not an unstoppable force, but instead it is an offer.
Rom 5:2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
So are there are any people that God does not want to reach?
2Pe 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
1Ti 2:3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;
1Ti 2:4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.
1Ti 4:10 For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe.
1Ti 4:11 These things command and teach.
It amazing thing to watch these hardened Calvinists who have made claims of preach the whole counsel of God, resisting the obvious clear teaching of scripture even when brought to their face.
But what about?
Rom 9:13 As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.
First it should be noted that this is a quote from the book of Malachi 1:2-3. Here God is referring to the ancestors of Jacob and Esau, Israel and Edom. Secondly, most linguists would recognize this as an idiom. In other words, hate is used as slang for “loved less”. If God truly hated Esau he would killed him. Esau would later reconcile with His brother who had stole his inheritance is that worthy of hatred? Another example of this is that the book of Genesis states Jacob love Rachel and hated Leah. If he “hated Leah” why did he have three children with her? It is easier to understand “hate” as an idiom. Jacob loved leah more and that is it.
Rom 9:17 For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth.
God used Pharaoh’s hardened heart as an excuse to set Egypt free. He was not concerned with the topic over whether he had elected Pharaoh to heaven or Hell.
Finally we are not born saved/justified we must repent.
Eph 2:2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
Joh 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
We all must change.
Luk 11:13 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?
Act 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
It also seems to me that the Bible teaches that we need to respond to God before we receive the Holy Spirit.

8. People will never listen
Gen 12:3 And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.
Joh 12:32 And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.
Act 17:30 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:
God’s Word declares that all people groups will receive the word of God and that Jesus will draw them and that God wants them to repent. Therefore, if we keep on witnessing God will draw someone to salvation. We need to preach the gospel because…
Rom 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
1Co 1:18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.
Luk 10:2 Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest.

9. Witnessing is dangerous
Luk 10:5 And into whatsoever house ye enter, first say, Peace be to this house.
Luk 10:6 And if the son of peace be there, your peace shall rest upon it: if not, it shall turn to you again.
Luk 10:19 Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
God is not going to call you home to be with the Lord until he is ready. When you go to witness you are doing God’s work no matter what the devil has to throw at you, it is obvious that any of these forces can not overcome God in any of His plans. Plus if you die you take a step forward in salvation!

10. People are not ready for the gospel they need to be brought first to church
This may sound good as a marketing strategy, yet it completely confuses New Testament teaching!
2Co 6:14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
2Co 6:15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?
2Co 6:16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
2Co 6:17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.
The church is for believers it is not nearly as efficient as having a church of evangelists. Churches filled with unbelievers tend to hurt the born again community more often than it helps the lost world. When Jesus gave the great comission he said “Go” so therefore we ought to Go!

11. Altar calls and invitations are unbiblical
Mar 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

12. Whatever you do, do not mention hell
Mar 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
Mar 16:16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
This a lie that comes from the seeker sensitive movement
13. You don’t want to drive your friends away
1Jo 2:15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

14. Maybe God will save them some other way
Joh 3:18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
Joh 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.


15. We need to leave it to the professionals like Billy Graham and our Pastor!
Mar 8:38 Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.
This cowardice argument, I think, must have been constructed by the Devil himself. Jesus doesn’t want us to be righteous enough tell people about him. He wants us to be humble enough confess how weak we are and how he saved us!
1Co 2:5 That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.
I have been studying apologetics long enough to out argue any non-believer of any persuasion, yet I have not seen it change a single heart. The power of the gospel is always seen in changed lives. It’s not just the pastor the evangelist’s duty to witness.
2Co 3:2 Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men:
2Co 3:3 Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart.

So we see that the Bible wants us to be soul-winners.
I know this can be a fearful thing, but all you need is knowledge of the gospel and the testimony of how God saved your soul. God will take care of the rest. If you go door to door you my find a scary reaction, but just keep on moving eventually someone may hear the gospel. And whether they do through you or not, someone may get saved. It will be the greatest reward to have the Lord Jesus give us a crown for helping some come to the Lord to receive salvation.
1Th 2:19 For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?
1Th 2:20 For ye are our glory and joy.
Also keep the main thing the main thing. We want to be concerned about winning souls, not freinds or members or popularity.
In Christ,

Matt

Friday, January 25, 2008

The perfect candidate

The Perfect Candidate
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Picture unavailable: Busy building a place for us.
Jesus “Christ” Son of David/Son of God


I. Background

Qualifications
A. Office of deity (held indefinitely since before time)
Joh 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
Isa 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
1Ti 3:16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.
The most obvious appeal of our candidate is His own deity. While Jesus was a man, he was not just a man. He didn’t start out as a man. Many people, who have heard his name, assume he was just a man. Others assume that he was unique maybe he was a prophet, angel or lower case “god”. Yet in fact he was the “Son” or “Word” before there was time, and in fact he is the almighty God. You see, when we look at Jesus, we have to understand that man by no means became God, instead the opposite happened, God became a man. Now many may ask how did God become a man without giving up the universe? Well, a great mystery was revealed in the Old Testament, God is more than one person!
Gen 1:26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.
In the New Testament we will find out that there are three persons in God. (Father, Son, Holy Spirit matt.28:20, 1john5:7). Now although God has three persons there is only one being (or God is made of one substance) whom we know as God. (Deut. 6:4)
So that person of God was predestined to come to the earth and be our Messiah (or ruler of the world).

B. Son of God/Son of David
Psa 2:7 I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.
Mat 3:16 And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:
Mat 3:17 And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
Psa 110:1 The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.
Mar 16:19 So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.
So as with many things of God he was going to mysteriously come to the earth born of a virgin (Isa.7:14) He announced that the Messiah would come about a thousand years earlier. There are around 300 specific prophecies made detailing everything about him from his birth to his life and death and even his incredibly unique resurrection.
Though we don’t have time to go through all these let me give you a for instance.
Psa 22:14 I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint: my heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of my bowels.
Psa 22:15 My strength is dried up like a potsherd; and my tongue cleaveth to my jaws; and thou hast brought me into the dust of death.
Psa 22:16 For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet.
Psa 22:17 I may tell all my bones: they look and stare upon me.
Psa 22:18 They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture.
Now at his crucifixion, Jesus was pierced with a spear in which blood and water came out of his side. (vs.14) Hanging from a cross could in fact mangle bones out of joint, and forensic scientists say that the spilling of water from the body would indicate a massive explosion from the heart. (vs.14). Jesus’ previous beatings and current hanging would cause dehydration. (vs.15). Dogs would be a metaphor for the Roman soldiers. Dogs were violent, unclean animals and the soldiers were violent and being gentiles, unclean. It is shown how the “Assembly”of dogs (Roman soldiers) has come to destroy him, and how? By piercing his hands and feet. This is true of Roman crucifixion, which pierces the hands and feet. This would point to the Roman crucifixion and yet there are some natural problems. Crucifixion didn’t exist in 1000B.C, their method was stoning, when David wrote it. The city of Rome didn’t exist until 700 B.C., much less the empire around 200B.C. The prediction of the Roman Empire is obvious all the way down to gambling of garments. How could this be unless God was prophesying the coming of Jesus Christ?!

C. Heroic sacrifice
Rom 5:6-10 “For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.”
What other religious or political leader gave his life in order to save his enemies. Buddha didn’t neither had Mohammed or Alexander the great, neither the Pharaoh’s, nor Joseph Smith. There is no leader in human history that can compare with Christ. While many of the greatest leaders who try to come close; they are only imitators and followers of the Lord Jesus. His life divides time in fact in ways that are not common (!).

D. Son of Man = sinless record
Luk 4:34 Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art; the Holy One of God.
2Co 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
Heb 4:15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
Heb 7:26 For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;
One thing that we have to remember which makes Him qualified for office was his sinless nature. This sinless nature is the Backbone of what makes his sacrifice so important. We may not be able to arbitrarily prove that Christ had no sin in his heart. Yet we can see evidence that points to this. No one can look at the records of Christ and ever paint him as immoral. Even the staunchest pagans and atheist have referred to him as a morally virtuous person. He was a great miracle worker: casting out demons, healing the sick, raising the dead. He was a great teacher teaching people to love all mankind and honor God in their charity and humility and having faith in God above our circumstances. He was a great prophet holding leaders accountable. Whether the Pharisees who abused religion, his own disciples who coveted political power or economic leaders like the rich young ruler who found security in possessions. (He focused on the Jews because this was his ministry, to the Jews.)
So we know that he was a good man and yet claimed to be deity.
Joh 14:11 Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works' sake.
Now who would claim to be God? C.S. Lewis framed this question and reckoned only 3 possible explanation, “Either Christ was the Lord, He was a Liar or he must have been a lunatic.” Jesus could not only be a good man because good men do not claim to be God. He could have been a man who was a liar but that would make him evil and maniacal. Plus, why would somebody make such a positive difference in the world and inspire others to the same and yet make this claim without any incentive? There was no way that he could overcome the Pharisees with the power of the Roman Empire backing him, plus he had repeatedly refused to start such a revolution. Some would think that he was a maniac. However, intellectuals around the world have to admit that he was seductively brilliant in His teachings and so much the majority of the world now relies on His proverbs and teaching. His ministry was for only 3 years so he did not have the time to lose his mind. So he had to be who he said he was. Which was the sinless messiah. Why else was he so hard to convict of crime? Most people are easily framed, yet nothing seemed to stick to Christ. Earlier, Pharisees accused him of being a glutton and a drunkard. Yet, he fasted for over 40 days and on the cross, denied intoxicating vinegar even when dehydrated in excruciating pain. Many have charged that he broke the Sabbath but in fact he only broke man made tradition of the Sabbath, not biblical teaching by healing the man’s hand. The Old Testament teaches that you should do good works on the Sabbath.
Isa 58:13 If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the LORD, honourable; and shalt honour him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words:
Since modern times many have made up sins for Christ to commit, but in the end the history of Christ does not have anything sinful in it.

D. His resurrection)
1Co 15:1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;
1Co 15:2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.
1Co 15:3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
1Co 15:4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
One major qualification and sign of the authority and salvation of Christ is his resurrection from the dead and eventual Ascension. Roman Historians recorded that they indeed crucified Christ. The 4 gospels, along with church history and the major Creeds record his resurrection. The burden of proof is then on the skeptic; what proof do we have that he did not rise from the dead?
Most start off with the argument of naturalism. These argument states that the laws of science are always fixed in place in a “closed system” and that a miracle could never take place. Most contemporary thinkers have given up on this law. Because, it is impossible to be able to determine that there were never any instances in the entire universe, in all history of the supernatural. Secondly, if the all-powerful God exists then it would be obvious that he would be empowered to raise someone, especially Christ from the dead.
So how would Jesus have not risen from the dead? We know that his body was missing. Yet how did his body end up missing? Some say, maybe he didn’t totally die. But he had received 40 lashes, which can kill many. Then he had to carry railroad tie sized crossed about a mile and then endured the crucifixion. If that didn’t kill him the Roman guard would have with His spear. These men would have been experts at determining death and would have noticed life. Then he was taken and essentially mummified with roughly 75 lbs. of spices they took a stone weighing around 1000Lbs. The stone was sealed with a cord about 1.5 inches thick, and then guarded.

Mat 27:62 Now the next day, that followed the day of the preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees came together unto Pilate,
Mat 27:63 Saying, Sir, we remember that that deceiver said, while he was yet alive, After three days I will rise again.
Mat 27:64 Command therefore that the sepulchre be made sure until the third day, lest his disciples come by night, and steal him away, and say unto the people, He is risen from the dead: so the last error shall be worse than the first.
Mat 27:65 Pilate said unto them, Ye have a watch: go your way, make it as sure as ye can.
The Roman soldiers were as well trained as today’s Green Beret or navy seals. There is no way that the disciple’s with as little resources as they did could have acquired the body. Plus, if your religious leader were dead would you make up a lie that he was alive and tell it for years; being persecuted and hounded until you were cruelly crucified when in fact you new that it was simply a hoax? Finally wouldn’t the soldiers have simply gone to get reinforcements to destroy the disciples right then and there? Jesus was reported to walk the earth for forty days and was seen by 500 eyewitnesses.
So if this is true then we can also trust that Christ is who says he is and therefore was sent to save the world from their sins and reign. So this why Jesus is qualified as the perfect candidate.


II. Positions:
Life issues:
Luk 18:15 And they brought unto him also infants, that he would touch them: but when his disciples saw it, they rebuked them.
Luk 18:16 But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.
Mat 18:10 Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven.
Mat 18:14 Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.
Mat 18:6 But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.
Many have argued over the issue of abortion over whether there should be a freedom to execute the unborn. Yet Jesus had a great love of children and cared about the Lives of every human being otherwise, He would not have allowed humanity to exist in the womb.
Joh 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
Yet many would argue that if Jesus were Lord, then He must be responsible for death. Actually, God has held mankind responsible for their actions for eons.
Deu 30:19 I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:
Many argue that it was God’s decision to put mankind in a compromised position. Actually under the original administration of Adam. It was Adam who under Satan’s rebellion plan decided to give mankind authority over moral decisions.
Gen 1:27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.
Gen 1:28 And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.
Gen 2:16 And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat:
Gen 2:17 But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.
Gen 3:4-5 And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.
So the Lord Jesus always was pro-life in the deepest sense of the Word. Some may argue about free will, but good could not exist without freedom and the Lord created good things.

Self defense and 2nd amendment rights):
Luk 22:36 Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one.
Luk 22:37 For I say unto you, that this that is written must yet be accomplished in me, And he was reckoned among the transgressors: for the things concerning me have an end.
Luk 22:38 And they said, Lord, behold, here are two swords. And he said unto them, It is enough.
Jesus was never a pure pacifist, at least in terms of surviving this violent world. He allowed His disciples to bear arms or deadly weapons for the purpose of protecting themselves and their families.
Mat 26:52 Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.
Mat 5:38 Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:
Mat 5:39 But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.
At the same time this kingdom is one of peace and non-violence where we should be very restrictive concerning the use of our weapons and violence. It is essential that we humble ourselves so that we do not get just as proud and sinful as our enemies.

Crime & death penalty:
Gen 9:5 And surely your blood of your lives will I require; at the hand of every beast will I require it, and at the hand of man; at the hand of every man's brother will I require the life of man.
Gen 9:6 Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man.
Mat 26:52 Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.
Living in this world, which has become irreparably evil, we understand that people must be held accountable to even thrive. The ultimate earthly crime is to end another’s life. This crime must be held with the justice of the death penalty. Why? Because justice is to repay the damage one has caused. The damage of murder is death, therefore the only recompense is death. Regardless of how people feel about it, this is the only way to preserve Justice.
So what is justice like in the kingdom concerning other crimes?
Crime or sin is not allowed in the Kingdom
1Co 6:9-10 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
This is one of the most controversial points of the Kingdom. Is Humanity able to live up to that type of standard? No, of course not.
Rom 3:10-12 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.
We know this when we break the Law
Rom 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Jam 2:10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.
Gal 3:11 But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.
So what is the penalty of these crimes?
Mar 9:43-49 “And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:
Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire: Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. For every one shall be salted with fire, and every sacrifice shall be salted with salt.”
The fires of Hell
So how do we get past these crimes?
Rom 3:24-25 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;
Jesus actually acts as our source of salvation.

Globalism vrs. Nationalism
Luk 20:22 Is it lawful for us to give tribute unto Caesar, or no?
Luk 20:23 But he perceived their craftiness, and said unto them, Why tempt ye me?
Luk 20:24 Shew me a penny. Whose image and superscription hath it? They answered and said, Caesar's.
Luk 20:25 And he said unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which be Caesar's, and unto God the things which be God's.
The Kingdom administration is currently spiritual. The Lord recognizes the Kingdoms of this earth. In fact, the Lord uses the earthly kingdoms to administer God’s wrath.
Rom 13:4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.
It is quite obvious, that Jesus first coming was not to build a worldly kingdom.
Joh 18:35 Pilate answered, Am I a Jew? Thine own nation and the chief priests have delivered thee unto me: what hast thou done?
Joh 18:36 Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.
Therefore, we should remember this in light of two current philosophies. One argues that we can bring the Kingdom here on earth with our own human effort. Yet this is only scheduled to come with the 2nd coming of Christ.
Mat 25:31 When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:
Secondly, that we can bring about a one-world unity without Christ Second Coming is a myth.
Mat 24:6 And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.
Mat 24:7 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.
We will start with peace in our hearts
Mar 9:50 Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his saltness, wherewith will ye season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace one with another.
Luk 2:14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
Isa 11:4 But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth: with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked.
Isa 11:6 The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them.
Isa 11:7 And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together: and the lion shall eat straw like the ox.
Isa 11:8 And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice' den.
Isa 11:9 They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.

Economics
Isa 65:21 And they shall build houses, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and eat the fruit of them.
Isa 65:22 They shall not build, and another inhabit; they shall not plant, and another eat: for as the days of a tree are the days of my people, and mine elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands.
Isa 65:23 They shall not labour in vain, nor bring forth for trouble; for they are the seed of the blessed of the LORD, and their offspring with them.
God’s system is beyond capitalism and socialism! Capitalism leaves us in dependence upon the market. Socialism leaves us in dependence upon the government, yet the New Kingdom will leave us in dependence upon the Blessing of God, which is boundless. In the kingdom people will be economically independent of all the rest of society. They are similar to the pioneers in that they will live off of nature and therefore be dependent solely upon the blessings of God

Taxation
Mat 17:24 And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, Doth not your master pay tribute?
Mat 17:25 He saith, Yes. And when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their own children, or of strangers?
Mat 17:26 Peter saith unto him, Of strangers. Jesus saith unto him, Then are the children free.
Mat 17:27 Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee.
“Read my lips! No more taxes!!” Many a politician has made a promise regarding taxes and the annihilation of further taxation. Yet it has also been said that there are only two inevitabilities in this life “death and taxes”.
Yet Jesus had found a way out of this system. In the Old royal systems the earth was owned by the Kings and the peasants were essentially own by him. They needed taxes to strengthen the power of the government. However, taxes do nothing for the people but weaken them. However in Christ Kingdom this doctrine is done away with in two ways. First, God is the owner of the earth. The Son is never taxed since he is of royal blood and therefore of the government. Those who are citizens of the Kingdom are actually adopted as children of the King. Therefore, they are not taxed. So if you are a member of the New Kingdom, you will never be taxed.

Immigration
Joh 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Joh 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
In the Kingdom Christ has a perfect record concerning illegal immigration. Since Jesus Christ is the Lord God, none can cross over into the Kingdom without immigrating through him. Although there have been many who have sneaked into the political party on earth. There is still a guaranteed
However, immigration has much better process through the Holy Spirit.
Gal 4:6 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.
Gal 4:7 Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

Healthcare
Mar 1:40 And there came a leper to him, beseeching him, and kneeling down to him, and saying unto him, If thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.
Mar 1:41 And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth his hand, and touched him, and saith unto him, I will; be thou clean.
Mar 1:42 And as soon as he had spoken, immediately the leprosy departed from him, and he was cleansed.
Luk 9:6 And they departed, and went through the towns, preaching the gospel, and healing every where.
Mar 16:18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
Under the Moses administration there was diet given and special laws in place for cleanliness and a blessed life. Yet people abused the system and used it as a form of pride for themselves and bigotry toward outsiders.
Jesus had a positive action towards health care personally healing multitudes. However, bad health is only a system of the ultimate problem of sin. Since people still live in sin then we will always ultimately die; therefore Christ is providing us with an even better proposal, which is the Resurrection.
John 11:3-4 Therefore his sisters sent unto him, saying, Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick. When Jesus heard that, he said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby.
This life is still cursed with sin therefore sickness and death will never leave as long as the devil is the god of this world. But, when the Kingdom comes and there is a resurrection we will never have to worry about health issues again. Most of the party agrees that God can heal in this life and there are biblical ways of maintaining good health. Yet, ultimately the Position of the new administration is that the resurrection will cure all health issues.

Energy
Act 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
In the modern age, we have become dependant and reliant upon man made technology. In recent times God has enabled us to take technology in places we never thought imaginable. Yet technology has brought us many problems along the way. We have seen weapons of mass destruction. We have seen people become lazier. We have seen people become less personal. We have seen massive job loss. We have seen pollution. We have seen an increase in diseases. We have seen massive destruction with car wrecks. It’s as if with every step forward we see two steps backward. The power of technology has come with a price. That’s why in the New Kingdom there is an emphases on the power of God and the Holy spirit and man working more naturally in the new earth, as opposed to technological dependence. Ancient societies were not as up to date as today and yet their technology required much more brilliance than what we have today in our pampered environment. Thousands of years ago, The Inca tribes were able to make knives sharpened all the way down to sub atomic levels and we still have no idea how the Egyptians made their geometrically perfect pyramids. Instead of technology we will use a moderate appropriate amount of technology and instead rely upon the extra-power of God through the Holy Spirit. When we depend on God for our energy we do not have to worry about crazy lunatics who will cause the next 9/11.

Education
Heb 8:10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:
If there is anything that Jehovah’s people emphasized it was education. It was the most literate society on earth. Even when the highly technological Egyptians were simply focused on their hieroglyphics, the Hebrews were superior with their incredible poetry as noted by the book of Job.
They had the advantage in the fact that they were not into literacy just to be smart but in fact they read in order to learn the very words of God. In today’s American educational system we are taught to read for absolutely no reason whatsoever. Today, we have a huge literacy problem 26% of students’ can either barely read or not read at all. In the colonial era, there was vastly more education and skill. Only 00.026% of children could not read and write properly.
Most secular literary critics today will admit that the King James Bible is the most intense and beautiful peace of literature in Western Society. The children wanted to know the word of God, so they learned. In the New Administration Jesus will use the Holy Spirit to insure that we have the Bible entirely memorized. Imagine how effective society will be.

Transportation
Gen 28:12 And he dreamed, and behold a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven: and behold the angels of God ascending and descending on it.
Gen 28:13 And, behold, the LORD stood above it, and said, I am the LORD God of Abraham thy father, and the God of Isaac: the land whereon thou liest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed;
Gen 28:14 And thy seed shall be as the dust of the earth, and thou shalt spread abroad to the west, and to the east, and to the north, and to the south: and in thee and in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed.
Joh 1:51 And he saith unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Hereafter ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man.
With an independent economy there will be less need to travel at as great a rate, except for social reasons. However, we will have access to both Heaven and earth through Jesus Christ. I can only speculate but I wonder if this could give us the ability to teleport to other lands.

Post-service)
Rom 8:26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
Rom 8:27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
Isa 65:24 And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.
We are now on the verge of internet technology and yet in the Kingdom we have been allowed through the Holy Spirit telecommunications across the Heavens. It appears this communication will now be two-way. Therefore we will have direct a relationship to our God at all times.

III. Joining the campaign
The Election
Joh 15:16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.
Eph 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:
Eph 1:4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
What? That’s right the election is not for you but for God. In a Kingdom the King owns everything. Therefore it is up to Christ through the Father as to who is allowed in and who is not allowed at all.
Many skeptics will protest “that’s not fair!” much kids in a baseball game. Yet it is entirely fair.
Rom 9:15 For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.
Rom 9:16 So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.
We are not living in the house that we built! God made this world and He is Sovereign over it. Remember when you see Jehovah “Here come the judge!”
2Pe 1:10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:
So how do we no the vote? How do we know that he has chosen us to be with Him?
1Pe 1:2 Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.
God Knew us before we were born and he chose to save everyone who would put their faith in Him.
Joh 17:20 Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;
Joh 6:39 And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.
Joh 6:40 And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.
So if you want to Know if you were elected in the most important election in History then you must believe in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior.
Joh 6:47 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.
If you believe in Jesus you will receive the free gift of salvation which promises you free access through the Heavenly government program of redemption and giving you access to Citizenship!

The constitution
Mat 26:28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.
The Bloody Sacrifice of Jesus Christ pay the price of all your penalty for sin. Through his good works you have had righteousness accredited to your Holy account. While your sin was paid with His sacrifice. This gives you a Bill of rights to eternal life.

Your Visa
Luk 18:13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.
Luk 18:14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
Joh 3:18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
Rom 5:2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

Your citizenship
Joh 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
Joh 3:6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
Joh 3:7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
You made it through the courtroom, Amen! But you do have to be rehabilitated as a righteous person to enjoy this perfect country. This is where we will send you the ultimate government agent the Holy Spirit to get you ready. He will take of helping you change your heart and life. Now the Holy Spirit is a covert operative and works in invisibility. But you must have the Holy Spirit if you are to advance into the Kingdom. Many people get lost in immigration and have to wait in line to find out if they were in fact saved. Here’s is what you must remember to receive the Holy Spirit.
A. You must humble yourself and receive the grace of God
Joh 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
Joh 1:13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
B. You must repent to welcome the Holy Spirit
Act 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Act 3:19 Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.
If this has happened then you will receive the following
Gal 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

Your New Birth certificate
Mar 16:16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
Rom 4:11 And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also:
Col 2:11 In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:
Col 2:12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.
Gal 3:27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
The traditional initiation ritual for the Christian party is baptism, different camps argue over the style of it. Read the manual (Bible) and figure it out yourself. Yet it is meant to be a sign of your membership. It is a seal or ID card by which God let’s us identify with the campaign. If you’re really a member of the campaign you should not be afraid show the world with Baptism. It is a privilege to serve on this ultimate campaign.

Your political Party
Joh 15:5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
Joh 15:6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.
Joh 15:12 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.
Heb 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
It is obvious that our Lord Jesus would like us to get involved in the party. If we do not get politically active in this life we never make a difference. Just the same we will never receive any reward in the next life.
Membership dues:
1Co 16:1 Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye.
1Co 16:2 Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.
Non-essential to membership but reimbursed by God:
2Co 8:5-9 “And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God. Insomuch that we desired Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also finish in you the same grace also. Therefore, as ye abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also. I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love. For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.”
2Co 9:6-12 “But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work: (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever. Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;) Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God. For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God;”
exclusive membership:
Act 3:19 Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.
1Co 3:10 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.
1Co 3:11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
2Co 6:14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
2Co 10:5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
We have to be very careful that we are with the right party and that they are following the manual (the Bible). We have to be careful that are we do not have fake party members from the other side of the aisle (or Hell).
1Jo 2:18 Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.
1Jo 2:19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.

Continuing the campaign:
Mar 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
Mat 28:18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
Mat 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
Mat 28:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
1Co 15:1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;
1Co 15:2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.
1Co 15:3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
1Co 15:4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
We have to continue the campaign because everyone deserves this opportunity just as much as us.

The institution of the New Kingdom
Mat 6:10 Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
Joh 14:3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
Rev 11:15 And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.
Rev 20:4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.
2Co 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.
One thing that must be remembered is that this administration is coming soon whether we vote for it or not. We must not act like we don’t know this, it’s time to make our reservations now while the offer last. But remember that this is the greatest offer that we will have and we do not deserve it.

Why I like Mike.

In the heat of the political season I want to go ahead and endorse my favoprite candidate.
I do this as a concerned citizen.
My position as a minister should be seen as a biblical expert but not that it should have any spiritual authority of it's own upon your vote.

I usually vote Republican.
because republican usually favor conservative Christian values.

In the primary I have only seen one legitamite among the current top candidates in the primary and that is Mike Huckabee.

I can't vote for Rudy Guiliani because of his pro-abortion, pro-gay, anti-gun views.

I can't Vote for Ron Paul because of his refusal to defend our country from Islamic terror.

I can't vote for John McCain because of his many compromises of our country on issues of free speech, judicial tyranny(which stops the stopping of abortion), illegal immigration, gay marriage rights and a host of other liberal stances.

I can't vote for Mitt Romney of his bishopric over a dangerous cult, his record of being pro-abortion, pro-gay, anti-gun.
Finally the fact that Romney, McCain, and Guiliani want to bleed America dry through Globalist economics.

I believe Mike Huckabee is the best cadidate because.

1. He will fight to stop abortion altogether which has cost us almost 50,000,000 American lives.
2. He will fight for the traditional marriage amendment. which will protect families from unfair taxation, protect adoptive children, and discourage the list of problems that we face in society from gay marriage, lesbian marriage, polyamerous marriage, polygamy, incest, beastiality etc.
3. He will do away with the IRS which is the main source of big government abuse and government persecution of churches.
4. He will support Israel which is our only trustworthy ally in the war on terror and God's chosen people.(many curses on America have been timed to have happened whenever Israel gives up land.)
5. He will support the 2nd Amendment and make sure that Americans are not taken over by tyranny. He is is either #1 or #2 among candidates and has spoken the most on this subject in the debates.
6. He will stop the flow of illegal immigrant and deport all of the illegal criminals and end the alien identity theft, ultimately he will oppose the North American Union.
7. He will stop the globlism which is launching us into a one world government. HE is against the NAfta treaties.
8. He will fight the War on Terror.
9. He will be cautious not launch into wars without prematurely.
10. He swore He would not raise taxes
11. He believes that Federal government should not intervene in state government issues
12. He was ranked among the top 4 governors in the USA.
13. Being a conservative Baptist minister and former president of Arkansaw Baptist convention He has a more accurate worldview that realizes for instance that the God of Islam is not the God of Christianity.
14. He understands that every politician has been ordained of God to be a minister of righteousness.
15. He is undefeated in taking on the Clinton political machine (4 campaign victories)The Clintons have even admitted to being afraid of Him!
16. He is the only outspoken creationist of the toptier candidates.
He really cares for the poor and was given awards for such work in arkansaw standing out among others for Arkansaws help for Katrina victims who immigrated to Arkansaw in 03'
17. He is talented at cutting spending which we need since Bush2 spent too much.


This is why I endorse Mike Huckabee and will never change mind in this election.

Wednesday, January 9, 2008

How shall we defend the faith?

1Pe 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
I remember the first time I had to defend the gospel I was in High School. I was sitting in Spanish class, when suddenly I heard a conversation behind me start to escalate, a boy ( C) behind me started to go about his evolutionary beliefs when suddenly he exclaimed “God is a B@#$%!” I couldn’t believe it, I couldn’t believe he would say something like that in class. Then he yelled it again “God is a B#^$*!” and he dared anyone to challenge him. The teacher was in the room, but she said absolutely nothing. I look around and no one was going to take him to task; people I had assumed were Christian were so silent that they were in agreement. Some of my Jock friends who could have easily beat him up and could have easily stould up to him were suddenly silent. I had always been afraid to be outspoken about my faith, because I had a bad swearing habit and I couldn’t imagine witnessing to someone who had previously heard me cuss. (Even though they had heard everyone else curse too!) But now the gospel for this classroom was on the line. It was obvious that most had in fact given up on the gospel. But could I be silent and allow this to go on? I couldn’t do it, I may have failed God before, but I couldn’t fail him now. Jesus died on the cross for me and I depend on him for my salvation, how could let him down!!
So I gathered every ounce of moral strength I had and said, “No, he is not…” This ignited C who then began yelling at me at the top of his lungs. Some of the details I have forgotten due to the emotion of the memory. But basically He said evolution was a proven fact, I whimperingly denied it. He ask for proof I looked over at the grass and started talking about dna and what I would later learn was intelligent design. He then overwhelming yelled at me and ended with the moral argument against God. “If God exists, why is there so much evil in the world!?!” I felt like I could have given an answer to it and yet with all the pressure on me, I just couldn’t say anything. I think I remember a few classmates scolding me for arguing with C. He then went to leave a minute later and told me that the reason God allows evil was that he allowed free choices. It was kind of shocking to have an atheist give me my talking points. I would like to think however that he had an ounce of respect for me to stand up to him.
How should we react to challenges to our faith? What would you do if your faith is challenged?
Many of you have already developed personal approaches from experience. Some of you change or modified your faith so that you don’t have to defend the Bible or even faith in Christ. Maybe it is simply something in your heart, which you can hide from all opposition.
However remember the words of Christ.
Mar 8:38 Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.
And…
Mat 7:24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:
Mat 7:25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.
Mat 7:26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:
Mat 7:27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.
We must remember what we stand for quite frankly the biggest problem in evangelism apologetics church growth, ministry etc. Is that we have in fact forgotten this fact!
In the 10 years since that high school incident I have learn many facts and experiences on how to defend my faith and I would like to take this time to go over a few biblical principles for defending the faith.
1. We possess the truth
Joh 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.
1Ti 3:15 But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.
2. We must argue for all the truth of scripture
2Co 10:4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)
2Co 10:5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

3. The truth is available!
Joh 16:8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:
Joh 16:9 Of sin, because they believe not on me;
Joh 16:10 Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more;
Joh 16:11 Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.
Rom 1:19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.
Rom 1:20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:

4. The unbeliever is foolish and blinded
Psa 14:1 The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.
Rom 1:21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
Rom 1:22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,
Rom 1:23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.
Rom 1:24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:
Rom 1:25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.
2Co 4:3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:
2Co 4:4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
5. Morality works
Isa 1:18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.
Isa 1:19 If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land:
Isa 1:20 But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.
Rom 3:19 Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.


6. Sinners hate the truth because it makes them feel guilty
Joh 3:18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
Joh 3:19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
Joh 3:20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.
Joh 3:21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.


7. If they are guilty however it will make them appreciate the cross
Gal 3:24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.

8. Always take the opportunity to present the gospels of Jesus Christ
Mar 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

9. The gospel enables them to have the power of salvation
1Co 1:18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.
Rom 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

10. Don’t forget to pray!
2Co 1:11 Ye also helping together by prayer for us, that for the gift bestowed upon us by the means of many persons thanks may be given by many on our behalf.
1Ti 2:1 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;
1Ti 2:2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.
1Ti 2:3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;
1Ti 2:4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.
1Ti 2:5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;



One thing I have notticed in my time of study and practice is that fleshly nature of the christian constantly draws us to be submissive to the ways of the world. Yet we have to remember and believe the facts. Everything in the Bible is absolute truth; Every unbeliever is foolish in their unbelief. We should never lose confidence in our encounters with the world, since our confidence is in Christ. The evidence and reason is always out their somewhere you simply need to find it and be ready to present it. The more sanctified your heart is the better you will be about defending your faith. The real goal in an apologetic encounter is not a battle of wits but a battle of spirits.(demons vrs. Holy Spirit) Therefore do not limit yourself to reason but instead bring in morality spirituality and the consequences of sin against God’s Law. The power of the unbelievers skepticism lies not in the fact that they are objective, but instead in the power of the sin in their heart. The goal of our apologetic and evangelism is not a changed mind but a repentant heart. The unbeliever must be convicted of sin and receive the gospel in order for them to be empowered to accept Christ. So your apologetic will convict while you evangelism presents the gospel. Remember the power of the Old Old story to show people the grace of God through Jesus Christ. Finally never forget to pray God work miracles through obedience of prayer.

In Christ,
Matt