Category — general

Just sixteen days till a new year but God has been moving, changing, rearranging and positioning things according to His plan. He has taken some higher and moved others to a low place. We have been shocked, amazed and astonished at people and their larger than life lies. But still, the eternal word of the Lord has not changed one iota. For that we are grateful. As the song says, “Time is filled with swift transitions”. One day its one way, the next day everything has shifted. Knowing that though people, places and things change; situations and circumstances change; you and I change, but God never changes is what keeps us steadfast through the vissicitudes of life.

You may have missed some of these stories, but we wrote and reported it to you with a healthy dose of truth. In no particular order, here are the top ten stories making GCM Watch headlines in the year 2011.

• Reposition yourself: TD Jakes ‘spiritual son’ does soft porn for gay marriage
• COGIC prepares to ‘consecrate’ sexually immoral pastor
• Blog says ‘Gospel’ singer DeWayne Woods serenades lesbian “wedding”
• Alien tongues: Using the bible “divisive” says gay christian cleric
• Black Gospel Music riding “new cart” apostasy
• Oprah: Goodbye, Farewell and Good Riddance
• A sexier, sensual gospel?
• False ‘it gets better’ promise claims a victim
• Are church gays killing gospel music?
• Is TBN silencing God’s prophets?

I have been mega busy as of late and though I love writing as often as possible, my engagements have slowed that to a crawl.

To that end, I want to invite you to come out of your closet (to all the gcmwatch lurker readers) and put something on the table for discussion. Its an open book so whereever you open the page to, we’ll take a stab at it. Get on your soapbox, open your book and talk about it. Even gratuitous self promotions! lol

If something newsworthy comes up, I will post a blurb here.  Standard commenting rules apply.

Concise and excellent teaching from Grace in Focus writer/teacher Bob Wilkins. Bob lays out five ways the church (and its leadership) can significantly reduce sexual immorality in the body of Christ. Read and discuss.

First, let’s not deny that it is a very significant problem. Recognizing the problem is a key step in dealing with it.

Second, let’s avoid changing the gospel message as a solution. Lordship salvation has a deep concern that believers live holy lives. I share that concern. However, the solution which Lordship salvation offers, adding works to the gospel, is one I cannot adopt. Salvation is a free gift. It is received by faith alone, not by faith plus works.

To tell a person that he or she must stop living with their lover in order to be saved from hell is to contradict the idea of a free gift. If I must give up something (other than self-righteousness and unbelief)–or even be willing to do so–then salvation costs me something. Lordship salvation advocates do not deny this. Dr. James Boice, for example, in his book Christ’s Call to Discipleship (Chicago: Moody, 1987) in a chapter entitled, “Counting the Cost,” asks the question, “What must I pay to be a Christian?” (p. 112). Notice that he is speaking of what we must PAY. We do not pay for gifts. Boice then answers his own question, in part, by noting, “I must pay the price of those sins I now cherish. I must give them up, every one. I cannot cling to a single sin . . .” (pp. 112-13).

Third, let’s avoid changing the basis of assurance. Some pastors preach and counsel that believers engaged in ongoing sexual sin are probably not “true believers” and hence are probably not saved. Sadly this encourages believers to look at their works instead of the Word for assurance. It turns their eyes off of the Savior and onto themselves. The cross goes out of focus. Grace becomes forgotten.¹ Such teaching can lead believers to despair, depression, and such an overwhelming sense of frustration that some give up completely their efforts to live for God.

Fourth, it is vitally important in terms of discipleship that we maintain lives of sexual purity ourselves. All of us are capable of adultery, premarital sex, homosexuality, addiction to pornography, etc. To avoid these calamities we need accountability in our families and churches, high standards carefully maintained, and a track record of obedience over time. If we who proclaim his grace and the freeness of the gospel fall into sexual sin, many will point their fingers and say that it was the doctrine which produced the immoral conduct. Sexual sin can destroy lives, ministries, and reputations.

Fifth, in our preaching, teaching, and interacting with other believers, let’s be clear that sexual immorality is a big problem, one which can easily trip us up, and one which has terrible consequences. Rather than occasionally making a reference to adultery, pornography, homosexuality, or premarital sex when we preach or teach, it seems to me that we should address these problems frequently.

If done tactfully, I think that sharing some of the illustrations which Alcorn and other Christian authors provide may have a very beneficial effect. When talking about sexual sin we can discuss the chastising ministry of God, the Judgment Seat of Christ, the ridicule such actions bring to the cause of Christ, and how the powerful motivation of gratitude can transform the lives of those touched by His grace.

We can counter the claim that we give people a license to sin by living godly lives ourselves and by repeatedly calling others to do so. May the grace of God spur us on to live exemplary lives. While the rampant immorality of our day is a terrible thing, it does provide us with even more of an opportunity to stand apart and to let our lights shine before men so that they might see our good works and glorify our Father who is in heaven.

If the sin of Sodom was really inhospitality as gay theologians claim, it reared its head in typical nasty fashion in Portland, Oregon over the weekend. Last month, GCMW reported on the Mars Hill Church’s struggle with its homosexual “neighbors” who bullishly threatened the church with verbal violence. Sunday they made good on the threat. Charisma Magazine reported that even children were subjected to profanity and raw hate of the gay protestors.

Nearly two dozen banner-toting protesters made a scene in front of Mars Hill Church’s new campus in southeast Portland on Sunday morning.

The angry pro-homosexual protesters were shouting obscenities at congregants as they left a satellite location of the Seattle-based church, according to The Oregonian.

“Shame on you bigots,” the paper reports one woman yelled at worshippers as they left. “Shame on you homophobes. You’re not welcome here. You’re going to burn in hell.”

Mars Hill first launched in Seattle in 1996, led by Mark Driscoll in the living room of his home. Today the church has multiple campuses, including the new one at the college campus. Mars Hill Everett launched with 787 adults and kids at two services on Sept. 18. The services are held in the Everett Community College Fitness Center.

Driscoll has preached against homosexuality, so Tim Smith, lead pastor at Mars Hill Everett, told The Oregonian he expected a protest. The protesters had reportedly scheduled a kiss-in for the first service, which was originally set for Sept. 10. Instead, some of the protesters shouted profane words at children and adults alike.

“That’s not how we would go about it,” the paper reported Smith as saying. “But they have the right to say what they want to say.”

If homosexual theology is correct, Portland may soon become the next city of ashes. Strangely, there are no calls for “civility”, “respect” and “tolerance” from the anti-bullying drum majors in the gay community.

Also in Arlington Heights, IL, homosexuals smashed windows with bricks and threatened a church for hosting a conference which educates people on homosexuality. Americans for Truth about Homosexuality said the Christian Liberty Academy was attacked and vicious notes left online and at the church demanding that the conference be shut down [source]

Lot experienced the same violent threats and demands from the homosexual citizens of sodom. The threats were so severe, he was forced to make decisions under the duress that would be unimaginable in normal circumstances. You can read the story in Genesis 19.

Excellent commentary on lesbianism and the folly of attempting to legitimize sin from Pastor Fred Rochester at Prevailing Word blog.

We all know that the word “lesbian” describes female homosexuality but where did it come from?

According to one source, it is Lesbos, the name of a Greek island located northeast of the Aegean Sea. One meaning of the word lesbian derives from the poems of Sappho, who was born in Lesbos and who wrote with powerful emotional content directed toward other females. It is interesting to note that she was married and did have children.

It is known that lesbians would take tourist trips to this island. While this may not seem important, everything has a place of origin. While this is not the place of origin for homosexual behavior, we aware of the strong emotional attachments to this island and to Sappho’s poems regarding the lifestyle is present.

Regardless, I find that any reprehensible lifestyle cloaked in the cultural aspects of poetry is demonic smoke in mirrors. I know that this will make many readers very angry, however, my intent is not to stir the brew of militant anger.

I just want to reveal the fact that there is an objective to the cloak.

There is no way possible to dress sin up to make sin seem harmless. We must be careful not to be sympathetic to what God hates.

This is why many homosexuals accuse believers in Christ of being narrow minded or un-inclusive. No matter which way you explain the fact that sin is what Jesus died for, the homosexual community doesn’t mind if any other sin is reprehensible. Just their “sexual orientation” is not to be considered sin.

That’s the whole idea about hate legislation and same sex marriage.

The other argument is that it’s about love for another person of the same sex. Have you considered the fact that the “love” for that person needs to be transposed into searching for the deep seated need to be loved by God?

If I can reduce or completely eliminate the pain of the stigmatization attached to homosexuality without coming to God on His terms, then I can be at peace about the way that I want to live my life. But have you noticed that your conscience is still talking to you?

Even your own conscience is suppressed because of accepting the false notion that this is what you want and that you are happy.

Read the entire blog  The “L” Word; Understanding The Origin Of Lesbianism

Well, it’s time for us to dive into the word of God again. I know many of you will probably skip past this because the truth is of no concern to you, but for those of you who love the truth, believe the truth, desire the truth, and live the truth we know, just as the Apostle Paul did, that the word of God (The Gospel):

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.” Romans 1:16-17 ESV

We are not ashamed or dismayed by the truths found in God’s word. We don’t shrink back from them nor avoid them because of the hardheartedness of men. We don’t care if we will be embarrassed or made fun of by those who would consider the word of God to be foolish or out of date. Why? Because we know that God’s word is the power of God unto salvation, and in it, the righteousness of God is revealed.

In this study we are going to deal with soteriology or the study of salvation. I want to present to you exactly what God’s word says concerning His salvation. May God’s word do exactly what He has ordained it to do….(brdavision)

“And you were dead in the trespasses and sins.” Ephesians 2:1

I love how Paul always gets right to the most important point when he is teaching. In Ephesians chapter 1 he explains how we (those of us who believe) have received all spiritual blessings! This is a big contrast to the man centered preaching that goes on in the pulpits today. “God wants to bless you, all you gotta do is praise Him.” or “If you will just open your mouth and shout yes then God will move on your behalf no matter what you need.”

This types of apostate church vernacular plagues the pulpits and curses those who receive it. But I digress….

Paul lets these believers know exactly what state they were in before God saved them: “And you were dead….”. Today, many attempt to interpret Paul as merely saying that we were on sleep state or just dead in our minds. But upon further study of the original Greek we can know exactly what Paul meant. The word translated for dead is νεκροὺς pronounced {nek-ros’}.

The greek word means this: “one that has breathed his last, lifeless  1b) deceased, departed, one whose soul is in heaven or hell  1c) destitute of life, without life, inanimate  2) metaph.  2a) spiritually dead  2a1) destitute of a life that recognises and is devoted to God,  given up to trespasses and sins  2a2) inactive as respects doing right  2b) destitute of force or power, inactive, inoperative .”

Lets use our heads here: If a man has breathed his last or is lifeless, deceased, departed, destitute of life, inanimate, spiritually dead, inactive as respects to doing right and so forth then it is proper for one to understand that the Apostle Paul is not talking about a sleep state or mind deadening state here. But exactly what he says: “DEAD”. Paul lets us know that we were spiritually dead, unable to breath, move, and most importantly unable to chose God. Another word for this state is totally depraved. Paul said:

“The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.” 1 Corinthians 2:14

Dead people don’t chose life. They are unable to do so. I drive by an old cemetery every Sunday on the way to church, and I have yet to see a dead man rise from the grave, walk to my church and sit next to me in the service. If I do that will be another blog post….

Not wanting to be redundant but to stress my point, Paul refers to us (in our unregenerate, natural state) as dead. Unable to accept, nor understand the things of God. However, these Ephesians believers were now alive:

“In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.” Ephesians 1:13-14

How were they alive? Because the Gospel Message had been preached to them, and they had believed in the work of Christ on the cross. By their faith they had been sealed with the Spirit of God, who is the guarantee (not our works) of salvation until it is made manifest, with all glory going to God. In laymen terms He saved them, He gave them all the spiritual blessings, and He filled them with His Spirit. Therefore all the glory goes to Him.

Are dead men capable of doing this for themselves? Of course not. This gives further proof to the doctrine of regeneration. It is the Spirit’s job to give life to those who have been called. The bible says:

“And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.” 2 Corinthians 3:18

Now this is a awesome truth! But we need some back ground to fully understand what Paul is saying here. This just so happen to be apart of my Pastor’s sermon this Sunday.

First Paul makes it clear that his ministry did not need to be affirmed by any human. His ministry was confirmed by those whose lives were changed by God through the preaching of the gospel.

“Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God, who has made us competent to be ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.”2 Corinthians 3:5-6

Paul makes it clear that he is not boasting in himself but in God. And then he makes an interesting statement, one that he actually has been building upon for the two previous chapters. He is comparing Moses to Jesus, and making a solid argument that Jesus is indeed far superior. Moses gave us the law and that covenant which God made with him actually only leads to death. Which is why he says “the letter kills” and calling it a “ministry of Condemnation”. See Hebrews 3 and Romans 5 for more information.

Those who follow (work) the law of Moses will end up in Hell! But those who believe in Christ shall have eternal life. Those who make this transition from death (Moses and the law) to life (Christ and the cross) do so because of the power of God’s Spirit. We (me and you) were just as veiled as those who still follow the law but now, because of the “Lord who is the Spirit”, our eyes have been unveiled and can now behold the glory of the Lord! Praise God for His salvation!

This scripture (2 Corinthians 3:18) can be used to defend the deity of God the Holy Spirit.

This brings us back to our first point, as we walked this earth we were dead in sin. But God, who the bible says “is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy” (Jude 1:24), has made us alive through Christ Jesus. Amen….

stay tuned for the next study!