Exodus 32:30-34

This passage states the same thing that Romans 6:23 states: “the wages of sin is death.” We are all going to die because of sin! The Biblical truth goes clear back to Eden in Genesis 3:3-4. God said if you eat of the tree you will die. What can we take out of Exodus 32:30-34? God will blot your name out of the Book of Life if you sin. Notice it doesn’t say this blotting out is immediate.

What is the Book of Life?

The most common misconception: The Book of Life is a ongoing record in heaven in which God records the names of those who are saved as they are saved-this is a common belief but has NO scriptural support whatsoever.

Revelation 17:8

When was the Book of Life written?

According to the Bible the Book of Life was written before the foundations of the world. God knew all who will be born and recorded their names in his book. The Book of Life is simply a book of all who have life. No where in scripture does it mention God writing names in the Book of Life at any other time.

Psalms 69:18-28

This Messianic psalm in which the reader gets a inside view of Christ during his crucifixion. Those that the psalmist asks to blot out would include: Judas Iscariot and Caiaphas. These two men had their names in the Book of Life, but had them blotted out because they died! It is really that simple. the Book of Life is a record of Life.

Do you believe in Eternal Life?

John 3:16

All who believe in Christ have eternal Life! They will never perish(die). Therefore their names are not blotted out of the Book of the living.This  statment is backed up in Revelation 3:3-4.

Revelation 3:3-4

This often twisted passage says he that has on a white robe (compare to Rev 7:14)will not be blotted out of the Book of Life. This is emphatic assurance of Eternal Security. The statement in the Greek contains a double negative which could say: “I will by no means blot out his name.”

This passage of scripture teaches the doctrine of being “Baptized Into Christ.”  It is a wonderful thing to be immersed into Jesus, bringing about many important changes. Without one being immersed into Christ he cannot see the Kingdom of Heaven.

Notice, I didn’t say immersed in water. Neither I or the Apostle Paul are speaking of water baptism. For water baptism would be being immersed into H2O not into Christ.  Water Baptism is merely a pictorial ordinance picturing the Baptism into Christ! One wades off into deep heresy when taking the word “baptism” out of context. Be very careful with this word not to speak of the wrong baptism.  As I mentioned in a early post there are many baptisms in scripture: water, suffering, Holy Spirit, repentance, and into Christ.

Being baptized into Jesus Christ:

1. Crucifies the Flesh.

2.Presents us to the Father.

3. Performs a Spiritual Operation.

Looking carefully at the first point we must address a familiar question. As an Eternal Security believing Baptist I get this a lot: “Well you Baptist think you can just live how ever you want to.” This not true. Paul says in Romans 6:1-2, “God forbid how can we who are dead to sin live any longer therein.”

That’s how we are to view sin in our lives. I don’t try to live above sin so I can earn salvation or earn the right to maintain it. I try to overcome sin because I’m a new creature in Christ! My want to has been fixed because I was Baptized into Christ by placing faith in him!

This immersion into Christ has also presented me justified to the Father. This is first pictured with Adam and Eve. Fig leaf religion didn’t hide sin. Fig leaf religion is man’s way to try to cover up sin. God saw right through it and covered them with animal skins which pictured Christ. One day we’ll all stand before God, do we want to put on fig leafs or put on Christ? (Gal 2:22-26)

Through Baptism into Christ we receive the circumcision of the Heart. Man can’t see it but God can!

Jude’s epistle was addressed to people who were:

1. Sanctified

2. Preserved

3. Called

Jude wrote to true Christians. His epistle was written to exhort them to earnestly contend for the faith once delivered to the saints. He was not addressing the spiritual unborn, the saved today lost tomorrow crowd, or the false professor.

Jude understood there was a huge problem within the work of Christ, false teachers snuck in unawares.  It was most imperative that this problem be addressed. Eternal bound souls were at risk from the deception within.

To exhort them to earnestly contend meant to urge them strongly to stand up to opposition to the faith and to do it zealously! Today as we read Jude’s epistle we must recognize Satan is still sending his spies into the Kingdom of God. This same exhortation needs to be made today.

The question I will pose to you all is: Will you earnestly contend? I actually preached this sermon last Sunday and since then we have been put to the test. God seems to be asking me to practice what I preach and it has not been easy.  One must be very confident in his doctrine to contend. The only way you gain faith is to read, study, and hear God’s Word everyday. Earnestly contending is not for the lazy, weak, or the wimpy, yet God ask us to do it.

I will stand up for God’s truth no matter who it offends or contradicts. Will you? If you are sanctified, preserved, and called you can’t escape your obligation to earnestly contend for the faith once delivered to the saints!

I’m about to layout a Biblical guideline for starting churches. This may be boring, but it is crucial to church planting. Many people today think they can just go out and start a church. So many men go out with no Biblical authority and put up a building and call it a church. It maybe a church in their eyes, but not in God’s. The other side to this is some churches just sit idle and don’t pull their weight in world-wide church planting.

I ask you a question:

Is your church a man-made church?

If God had His hand in it, the planting process would have gone as follows:

I. Churches:

It is a undeniable fact that local churches are to extend out an arm of:

1. Gospel Evangelism.

2. Scriptural Baptism.

3. Bible Doctrine.

4. Financial Ability to Function.

When Paul evangelized and discipled, he planted churches. Multiplication should be the core value of every New Testament Church.

II. The Call and separation

Acts 13:1-3

The church at Antioch sent these workers away after spending time in fasting and prayer. They wanted to be sure of the Spirit’s call. The Holy Spirit calls and separates, but a church has its part in recognizing and sending God called workers. We should follow the same mode when ordaining our missionaries.

III. Missionary Authority.

The church at Antioch gave these missionaries authority to establish churches.

1. Authority to preach Gospel. (Acts 14:21)

2. Authority to Baptize. (Matthew 28:18-20)

3. Authority to Teach. (Acts 14:21)

They were establishing new congregations, each of which were a church in their own right. They were committed unto the Lord, symbolizing God as the head of each body.

IV. Scriptural Steps of Establishing N.T. Churches.

1. A church has an understanding of her mandate and act on her purpose of starting churches. (Matt. 28:18-20)

2. A missionary responds to God’s call to start churches.(Acts 13:2)

3. The church sends out the missionary. (Acts 13:3)

4. The Gospel is preached and converts are made.

5. The missionary baptizes the converts.

6. The missionary teaches doctrine, thus making disciples.

7. He confirms the faith (makes sure they are doctrinally sound). Acts 14:22

8. The missionary ordains elders. (Elders: Pastors and Deacons)

9. At this point they move from “mission status” to an established Church.

Before elders are ordained the sponsoring church exercises authority over the church through the missionary. God’s running things through the missionary. Upon establishment God is running things through the elders.

Baptismal Regeneration (known as BR throughout this post) is literally the belief that one is born-again through water baptism. BR is currently taught by: Catholics, Mormons, Lutherans, and Churches of Christ (so-called). I for one am glad I don’t mix within that company but none the less these groups boast as Baptismal Regenerationist. BR is taught within these sects based upon their misinterpretation of Biblical verses throughout the entire New Testament. I plan to take a in-depth look at each verse and put forth my commentary.

BR stems from a misunderstanding of single words within scripture and followed up by failure to continue reading the verse or surrounding verses. It really doesn’t take a Doctorate Degree to understand scripture. The Holy Spirit and a little less dogma is all you need.

The words BRist often misinterpret are: baptism, saved, and water. Baptism doesn’t always imply water baptism. In scripture there is a baptism of: spirit, water, repentance, suffering, and fire just to name a few. There are also many things from which one can be saved from. For instance you can experience salvation from: embarrassment, Hell, physical death, or financial crisis just to scratch the surface. Water doesn’t alone mean water baptism, it most certainly does not in John 3:5.

“Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.”

For we must read the following verse that explains the preceding verse. John 3:6:

“That which is born of flesh is flesh; and that which is born of Spirit is Spirit.”

The water and the flesh are the same. The water is in context to the physical birth. We all know the illustration the Lord is using here.

The Thief on the Cross

The thief on Jesus’ right hand side at Calvary has been the BRist worst nightmare for centuries. How can we explain away the Regeneration without water baptism? The BRist will respond:

“well that was before Jesus died, therefore still in the former covenant.”

Give me a break! The covenant was already in place. Jesus had already been baptized thus anointing him as the new High Priest of Israel. His miracles had replaced the Temple miracles. Besides how could one be saved by Grace in the Old Covenant and need water in the new. This is out right blasphemy.

Luke 23:39-43 gives us a Biblical example of Regeneration by faith alone in the Lord Jesus Christ! We cannot stand for daffy denial of the scripture.

Mark 15:16

“He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.”

This verse is a version of a similar passage known as the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20). In these verses Jesus’ primary goal is to expound on the church’s job to make, baptize, and disciple Christians in all nations. Note once again, the BRist failure to continue reading. The verse doesn’t end with “saved” but continues on to say, “he that believeth not shall be damned.” Not, “he that believes and is not baptized shall be damned.” Mark, under Holy Ghost inspiration, makes a point to explain any misunderstanding, but the BRist ignore the latter part of this verse.

Acts 2:38
“Repent and baptized everyone of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.”

Notice once again the scriptural order: Repentance, then Baptism. The summarizing of the Apostle Peter needs to be heeded. Jesus has already stated one is to be baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and the Holy Ghost (Matt.28:19). A baptism is not to be done in the name of Jesus alone. However, salvation is only found in one name under Heaven, and that’s the Lord Jesus Christ! The whole Bible teaches Salvation by faith in Jesus. Don’t try to build a new plan of salvation based upon two verses in the Bible when it refutes literally 1000’s that make the proclamation of Salvation by grace through faith.

Does the BRist fail to read Acts 2:21? Maybe he has never read on to Acts 10:44-48 which clearly reveals brethren who had received the Holy Ghost before water baptism. If you read and deny that fact you do have serious problems and need to be saved.

I’m getting tired.

To be continued…………

The great story of Christmas, as recorded in the KJV Bible gives an account of three wise men. These wise men sought Jesus and when they found him, they worshiped him!  These  wise travelers from the East presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. The Biblical teaching is quiet clear-wise men come to Jesus.

Fast forward 2,000 years. The celebration of our savior’s birth is no longer viewed as God’s present to mankind. It is no longer viewed as wise to come to Jesus Christ for forgiveness of sin. Despite these godless views people still selfishly celebrate the birth of Christ.

Is Christmas about what you can get?

or

Is Christmas about what you can give to Jesus?

These wise men brought Jesus a gift on his birthday. Let me remind you of their wisdom. The fool has said in his heart their is no God, and the selfish have made Christmas about what they can get rather than give.

Will you be a fool this Christmas season?

or

Will you be wise this Christmas Season?

A wise person will come to Jesus as God’s gift to mankind, worship, and bring him gifts (offerings) this Christmas season. Let us remember the purpose of his birth, and let us keep the Christ in Christmas!

I began my ministry with little mentoring. The lack of example setting laid before me has both helped and hurt me throughout the years. I had to learn to rely on God and not man, and on doctrinal issues, that was a real big plus. However, when it came to soul-winning I was completely in the dark. It became an area of insecurity and conviction in my ministry. The real struggle was, I knew, was of the utmost importance and I wasn’t very good at it.

One encounter with a young lady forever changed my approach and it has only built from there. The young lady asked to speak with me. She proceeded to tell me she wanted to be saved. This was great, but the problem was she was relying on me to lead her to Jesus.

Nervous and excited I did all I knew and uttered the dreaded words: “Repeat after me.” To have someone to repeat word for word your prayer for their salvation is a popular, yet dangerous soul-winning technique. A hard lesson I know too well.

I remember walking away from that experience with a sinking pit in my stomach, vowing to never do it like that again. I’m not saying one cannot be saved by repeating a preacher’s prayer. They most certainly can if they make it their prayer and place faith in Jesus Christ. Tragically, it does not work the majority of the time.

Dirty Hands

The last couple of months I have learned a little bit about blogging. I have not learned any English, but I have discovered where ideas come from: pictures. While looking through our summer pics, I saw this one of Jackson. Immediately after thinking I can’t believe this not Noah, I thought of a blog!

I remembered a Tabernacle Series I studied a few years ago in which I have taught on several times. The priest would daily approach the Laver of  Brass for the purpose of purifying his hands for the service of God. The priest could not have unclean hands and assist people at the Brazen Altar.

Perhaps we could combine this study with this picture and get a idea what we look like and others feel sometimes. What would you do if Jackson wanted to come in your home?  Touch your hand to lead you somewhere? Don’t forget the image; he’s really dirty. Most of you would not even consider the idea until he first washed up!

The Old Testament Laver represents the Word of God. As Priest of God we are to daily cleanse our hands there also to do the service of God and assist people at the Cross (soul-winning). However, if we look like Jackson nobody wants us in their home or leading them by the hand. They would not even consider the idea!

The Laver in the Old Testament Tabernacle was made out of women’s looking-glasses (mirrors). As the priest gazed down in to the water he was looking at good ole number one. As we look into God’s cleansing agent today (the Bible) we are to also see ourselves and wash OUR hands. The Word of God is not a tool to judge others but to clean up yourself.

Next time those precious souls will not come around you and your church, will not listen to a word you say, and run off the other way. Maybe you need to look in the mirror and wash your hands because you’re dirty!

“Break up your fallow ground.”

What does that mean? It means to plow up the ground that you have just sitting there and allow it to bear fruit for God.

We all are richly blessed by the Lord! We have so many opportunities, talents, and abilities that we allow to just sit idle and grow up with weeds. Are we not to make the most of this life to serve our creator? Bearing fruit is the sole purpose of our lives, so  let’s break up our fallow ground and make the most of this vapor of time.

When ground is allowed to become fallow it turns into a briar patch. Therefore, we have a lot of briar patch Christians living in the world today. The Bible tells us in Mark Ch. 4:18-19 that the briar patch represents the cares of the world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the lust of other things. Have we allowed ground that God has blessed us with to become overgrown with these rather than with fruit for God?

Reasons why people will not plow:

1. Lazy- some people are just to slothful to try anything new. My charge is for you to get out of your rut and become ambitious about your God!

2.Like the Brairs- As sad as it may sound, some people just like the thicket. They would rather dwell in the pricking thorns of the world instead of in a lush green field of God’s service. Are you in  a love affair with the world?

3. Not enough time- “I just don’t have enough time” is the oldest excuse within modern day Christianity. We had better time or we’ll spend an eternity wishing we had!

4. Saved and satisfied- How many Baptist carry this ungodly attitude around with them? They have been saved and that’s all they really care about.

We must “break up our fallow ground” and allow God to rain His righteousness upon us. If we want to reap a great harvest we got to plow the ground first.

Pastor Matt Donnell

Noah Donnell July 4th

 It maybe a little premature to blog about the summer of 2009, considering we still have a VBS and Revival before it’s all said and done. I choose to do it now because I feel as if I’m home at last. The rest of the summer will involve me sleeping in my own bed. I’m extremely grateful for that ol’ wore out mattress, at least it’s mine! Those church camp bunks have taken a toll on me and my back.

I guess I appear to be a pestimistic person sometimes. It looks and sounds like a I’m complaining, actually I am not. I have had a great summer and one I will never forget! I want to thank God who I serve and my church whom I serve through for the summer of 2009.

Let me recap the summer for you. I was able to go on mission trips to New Jersey and Mexico, preach three Revivals, one being in Minnesota. I also attended my first ever National ABA meeting and dared to attend two church camps back to back. In the process, I’ve seen God move. Souls have been saved, baptized, and discipled. Churches have been encouraged, assisted, and revived.

WOW!

Just to know I had a small role in it all makes me say “It was worth every mile, hour, and sleepless night.” If asked if I’d do it again I would say yes, if asked if I’ll do it next year I would say no. I plan on spending more time with my family next year, those kids are only small for a little while.

I also hope to get a 3rd annual picture of Noah eating watermelon at the Parrish’s 4th of July Bash! I really enjoyed the celebration at Don and Mary Ann’s, it was relaxing and time well spent with friends and family.

My focus now turns to our VBS and the Revival, I’ll be preaching at Enon Missionary Baptist Church in the Rye community. I’m praying for the VBS to have record attendance and for souls to be saved. I also am currently studying for the messages God has for this Revival. I covet your prayers as the Summer of ‘09 comes to an end.