Gracious Speech

I'm not the poster person for perfect speech online or offline.

I may wish I was, but I'm not.  

I still need to be reminded about what the Bible says about speech. 

I also know that if I loved God more, trusted Him more, and had right thinking about Him, then it would change my attitude which would change the way I respond to people.

Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned, as it were, with salt, so that you may know how you should respond to each person. 

 Colossians 4:6 NASB (1977)

Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, that it may give grace to those who hear. 

 Ephesians 4:29 NASB

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart 

Be acceptable in Thy sight, O LORD, my rock and my Redeemer.  

Psalm 19:14 NASB

To sum up, let all be harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted, and humble in spirit; not returning evil for evil, or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead; for you were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a blessing.
1 Peter 3:8-9 NASB

Words show what is in the heart.

It troubles me that I still have such negative sinful irritableness and thoughts even as a Christian whether or not I verbalize them.

It is something I desire to see change.  It isn't just what I say.  It's the heart that needs to change more.

What we are in the heart often comes out in what we say and how we act.

Anxiety, irritation, anger, impatience, rebelliousness, doubting God's goodness and care to me, and many other sinful type of things can infiltrate my mind.

I pray for God to change me.  I realize that putting things into my mind (that are Scriptural and true and good) is something God will use to combat sinful thinking.  It does, but I have so, so, so far to go in sanctification.  

For we all stumble in many ways. 

If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body as well. 

James 3:2 NASB  

(More from James 3 about the tongue with the LSB Version HERE.)

“The good man out of his good treasure brings forth what is good; and the evil man out of his evil treasure brings forth what is evil. 

“And I say to you, that every careless word that men shall speak, they shall render account for it in the day of judgment. 

“For by your words you shall be justified, and by your words you shall be condemned.”  

Matthew 12:35-37 NASB

On Swearing & Misuse & Abuse of God's Name

But above all, my brethren, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath; but let your yes be yes, and your no, no; so that you may not fall under judgment. 

 James 5:12 NASB

“You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not leave him unpunished who takes His name in vain. 

 Exodus 20:7 NASB

This would include the way people (even some Christians) misuse God's name by using it lightly (even using initials).  God is holy, and so His name should also be treated holy.

God knows our sinful thoughts about Him even when we don't say something out loud.

Speaking Well Even When Persecuted

Bless those who persecute you; bless and curse not.
Romans 12:14 NASB

“But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you in order that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
Matthew 5:44-45 NASB

Gossip & Slander is Wrong

Online, people often share things that may or may not be true.  People also can say things about others that destroy their reputation (online or offline).

It is something that we should try to be very careful about, because the Bible warns about gossip (whisperers, talebearers) and slander.

He who goes about as a slanderer reveals secrets, 

Therefore do not associate with a gossip. 

 Proverbs 20:19 NASB

Mike Riccardi did a message on the topic called "How To Kill Your Neighbor."

If you have the time, it is worth hearing.

My little children, I am writing these things to you that you may not sin. 

And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; and He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world.
1 John 2:1-2 NASB

Bonus Link:

Speech Seasoned with Salt (GTY).

(P.S.: I likely posted on this topic before, but it's good for me to review it anyway.)

Este é o Evangelho!

Amigo, Deus é Santo.
Há um Deus no Céu o qual criou você e eu, e ele é a autoridade sobre ambos.
Ele é perfeitamente santo.
"Deus é luz, e não há nele treva nenhuma" (1 João 1:5).
E o problema com isto é que se nós quisermos ter comunhão com Deus, nós temos que ser luz e nenhuma escuridão.
E aqui está o problema: nós somos escuridão.
Nós somos cheios de pecados.
Todos quebramos a lei Dele.
Todos mentimos, roubamos, todos olhamos com luxúria, todos tivemos ódio contra nossos irmãos em nossos corações.
Todos estamos aquém do glorioso padrão de perfeição que Deus requer (Rom 3:23).
E não há nada que possamos fazer sobre isto.
Nenhuma quantidade de trabalhos, nenhuma quantidade de contrição, nenhuma quantidade de sentimentos ruins, nenhuma quantidade de presença em Igreja, nenhuma quantidade de leitura da Bíblia, nenhuma quantidade de evangelismo pode obter o perdão dos nossos pecados e a retidão que Deus requer (Tito 3:5; cf. Isa 64:6).

E ainda assim Deus é gracioso, e Ele nos ama, e enquanto Suas criaturas Ele quer mostrar a nós Sua glória ao nos resgatar disto.
E então Ele enviou Seu Filho – Deus na carne, o Senhor Jesus Cristo – para nascer como um bebezinho indefeso (João 1:14; 3:16; Col 2:9).
Deus do universo, sustentador do universo, Ele mesmo sendo sustentado no útero de uma jovem Hebraica, e sustentando o mundo pela palavra de Seu poder (Heb 1:3) enquanto Ele é sustentado pelos nutrientes do corpo dela!
Inexprimível!
E em grande humildade, Ele cresceu com as dores da vida num mundo caído, apesar Dele Mesmo nunca ter pecado algum em si – inteiramente sem pecado (2 Cor 5:21; Heb 4:15; 7:26).
E Ele viveu uma vida de perfeita retidão.
Da forma que você e eu falhamos em viver às vistas de Deus – do jeito que nós falhamos em pensamento, palavra, e ato, e ficamos aquém da glória de Deus – Cristo nunca o ficou.
Nem sequer em pensamento.
Ele amou Deus, Seu Pai, perfeitamente.
Ele sempre caminhou em perfeita retidão.
Ele viveu a vida que você é comandado viver, que eu sou comandado viver, que nós falhamos em viver.
Ele viveu a vida perfeita que a dignidade de Deus demanda.

E não somente Ele viveu por nós, Ele morreu por nós.
Ele foi à Cruz.
Nosso Pecado exige a morte.
Nosso pecado exige punição eterna.
Nosso pecado exige a ira – a justa ira exercida em nós por toda a eternidade (Rom 6:23).
Mas por causa da infinita dignidade da pessoa de Cristo, Ele estava naquela cruz.
E naquela cruz, Deus exerceu Nele a complete fúria de Sua própria ira (Rom 3:24-26; 2 Cor 5:21; Gal 3:10-14), que a mim e a vós era justamente devida, e que você vai receber se não se tornar do seu pecado e confiar neste Messias.
Cristo nasceu, viveu, morreu, e foi erguido (1 Cor 15:3-4).
E ele se ergueu do túmulo após ter sido morto, demonstrando assim Sua vitória sobre o pecado e a morte.

E agora Deus promete que se você se tornar do seu pecado, se você repudiar tudo que você é e tudo que foi e tudo que amas, e você se tornar contrário a uma vida procurando o pecado – e se você repudiar não somente seus trabalhos malignos como também suas benfeitorias, se você se tornar de tentar obter sua salvação por todos os bons atos que você possa desejar fazer enquanto uma pessoa moral – se você se tornar de tudo isso (Atos 17:30-31), e você confiar em Cristo sozinho para retidão (Filip 3:7-8; cf. Rom 3:28; 10:4), Deus promete que Ele vai te perdoar.
Ele terá tratado Cristo na cruz como se Cristo tivesse vivido sua vida.
E Ele então tratará você, justamente e legalmente e em retidão, como se você tivesse vivido a vida reta e perfeita de Cristo (2 Cor 5:21).
E você pode ser salvo para conhecer o Deus que o criou para amar e apreciar.
Você pode ter a totalidade da alegria, o eterno desfrutar que há à mão direita do Pai no Céu(Salmo 16:11), e começar mesmo agora, porquê vida eterna é conhecer Deus (João 17:3).

Amigo, você se arrepende? Você se torna do seu pecado e passa a confiar neste perfeito Salvador para te redimir frente a Deus, para pagar por seus pecados e te prover retidão?

Este é o Evangelho!

The English text translated from is used by the permission of Mike Riccardi and translated into Portuguese by T. C.
The original video and text in English are HERE.

You can also find the Portuguese translation HERE.

Truth Matters Update, Masters of Disguise, & My Father's Care

Truth Matters Update
The Truth Matters Conference is this week at Grace Community Church in southern California (October 16-18th, 2019).

For those who didn't see my update on my previous post, you should be able to live-stream it on GTY.org (or HERE).

Session 1 with John MacArthur began at 10 AM Pacific / 1 PM Eastern / 6 PM BST

UPDATE:  They are now adding some of the audio to the conference page HERE.

Day 2  starts with Jeff Williams at 9 AM Pacific / 12 noon Eastern / 5 PM BST
John MacArthur is scheduled for 11 AM Pacific / 2 PM Eastern / 7 PM BST
Mike Riccardi, a Q & A, & Phil Johnson come later.

Day 3 is scheduled to start with Voddie Baucham at 10 AM Pacific / 1 PM Eastern / 6 PM BST
Next comes Mike Riccardi, another Q & A, and then John MacArthur is scheduled to close out the conference.

You can find the rest of the schedule on the conference page HERE.

Masters of Disguise

Mike Riccardi (at Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, CA) preached a message recently on Satan painting sin with virtue's colors & the really good costumes Satan makes for his followers.

You should be able to hear it HERE.

My Father's Care 
Recently I shared another music track by Darby Hughes on my blog, and I ended up listening to other music by him after that.
My family has been going through a difficult time lately physically, and it is making it a challenge to even get a dinner ready or groceries.
Even using my hands on here is painful.

If you are going through a hard time as a believer, this song may encourage you.

The Problem of Evil

We live in fallen & cursed world because of sin, but Heaven will not be so.

Recently in social media someone asked about why there is evil in this world.

The person asked about Lucifer's sinning, and if he could sin, couldn't we in Heaven?

These types of questions get me searching things out...sometimes from things that I have shared in the past from others!

My responses may not always be direct answers, but I hope that they are helpful in some way.

God uses secondary causes. He is not the chargeable cause of evil, but He foreordains all things.
(I think that this was from Mike Riccardi.)

Evil serves God's purpose.
We have a God who is sovereign over evil.
He is not victimized by the problem of evil.
His Son the second Adam will resolve evil and bring satisfactory judgment.
(This was from listening to Abner Chou.)

What Joseph's brothers meant for evil (putting him in a pit and selling him into bondage), God meant for good. 

Job's suffering was also something that God purposed for his ultimate good. 

The same is true of all believers.

"God continually upholds His entire creation and sovereignly works in absolutely everything that happens and thus directs all creatures and events to accomplish His purposes."

- Don Green (Truth Community Church)

-----------------------------------------------

We will not sin anymore in our resurrected bodies in Heaven.
I can't tell you why Lucifer wanted to exalt himself, but rest assured there will be no more of that after the final judgment.

Also, there will be no more death for believers.

“Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.
Matthew 25:34 NASB

for they cannot even die anymore, because they are like angels, and are sons of God, being sons of the resurrection.
Luke 20:36

Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is.
1 John 3:2 NASB
There will no longer be any curse; and the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and His bond-servants will serve Him;
Revelation 22:3 NASB
--------------------------------------------

The unbeliever is enslaved to sin. Only in Christ is there freedom. Christians are being conformed into the image of Christ. 

"For we know that if the earthly tent which is our house is torn down, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.
For indeed in this house we groan, longing to be clothed with our dwelling from heaven, inasmuch as we, having put it on, will not be found naked. For indeed while we are in this tent, we groan, being burdened, because we do not want to be unclothed but to be clothed, so that what is mortal will be swallowed up by life. Now He who prepared us for this very purpose is God, who gave to us the Spirit as a pledge"
2 Corinthians 5:1-5 NASB

Czym jest ewangelia? - The Gospel in Polish

Przyjacielu, Bóg jest święty. 

Istnieje Bóg w niebie, który stworzył ciebie i mnie, i posiada autorytet nad nami. 

Jest doskonale święty. „(Bóg) jest światłością, a nie ma w nim żadnej ciemności” (1 Jana 1:5). Problem w tym taki, że jeśli chcemy mieć relację z Bogiem, musimy także być światłością bez żadnej ciemności. Problem jednak jest taki: jesteśmy ciemnością. Jesteśmy grzeszni. Złamaliśmy Jego prawo. Wszyscy kłamaliśmy, kradliśmy, pożądaliśmy, wszyscy gniewaliśmy się na naszych braci w sercach swoich. Nikt z nas nie spełnia wymaganego przez Boga standardu Jego chwalebnej doskonałości (Rzym. 3:23). I nie jesteśmy w stanie nic z tym zrobić. Żadna ilość uczynków, żadna ilość skruchy, żadna ilość żalu, żadna ilość uczestnictwa w kościele, żadna ilość czytania Pisma Świętego, żadna ilość ewangelizacji nie są w stanie sprawić, byśmy zasłużyli na Boże przebaczenie naszych grzechów i osiągnięcie sprawiedliwości, której oczekuje Bóg (Tytus 3:5; Izaj. 64:6). 

Ale Bóg jest łaskawy i nas kocha. I pragnie wyrazić Swoją chwałę w nas, jako w Swoim stworzeniu, poprzez uratowanie nas od grzechu. Tak więc posłał Swojego Syna – Boga w ludzkim ciele, Jezus Chrystusa Pana – by ten narodził się jako bezbronne dziecię (Ew. Jana 1:14; 3:16; Kol. 2:9). Bóg wszechświata – ten, który podtrzymuje wszechświat Swoja mocą – sam potrzebował podtrzymania w łonie młodej Hebrajki. Ten, który podtrzymuje świat mocą Swego słowa (Hebr. 1:3), potrzebował podtrzymania składnikami odżywczymi jej ciała! Niepojęte! Następnie, w wielkim uniżeniu, dorastał pośród cierpień i boleści życia w upadłym świecie, choć sam pozostał bez grzechu – całkowicie bez grzechu (2 Kor. 5:21; Hebr. 4:15; 7:26). Żył życiem doskonałej sprawiedliwości. W tym w czym ty i ja zawiedliśmy przed obliczem Boga – w naszych myślach, słowach, i czynach, nie spełniając standardu chwały Bożej – Chrystus nigdy nie zawiódł, nawet w myślach. Kochał Boga Swego Ojca, w sposób doskonały. Zawsze postępował doskonale sprawiedliwie. Żył tak jak nam zostało przykazane byśmy żyli, a jednak zawiedliśmy. Żył doskonałym życiem, takim jakie jest godne Boga. 

I nie tylko żył za nas, ale także umarł za nas. Poszedł na krzyż. Nasz grzech wymagał śmierci. Nasz grzech wymagał wiecznej kary. Nasz grzech wymagał gniewu – sprawiedliwego gniewu Bożego wylanego na nas przez wieczność (Rzym. 6:23). Lecz ze względu na nieskończoną wartość Chrystusa, zawisł On na krzyżu. A na tym krzyżu, wylana została na Niego pełnia Bożego gniewu (Rzym. 3:24-26; 2 Kor. 5:21; Gal. 3:10-14), który należał się mnie, i należał się tobie, i którego doświadczysz, jeśli nie odwrócisz się od swoich grzechów i nie złożysz ufności w Mesjaszu. Chrystus narodził się, żył, zmarł i został z wzbudzony z martwych (1 Kor. 15:3-4). Powstał z grobu po tym jak umarł, demonstrując Swoje zwycięstwo na grzechem i śmiercią. 

Teraz Bóg składa obietnicę, że jeśli odwrócisz się od swoich grzechów, wyrzekając się tego wszystkiego kim jesteś, kim byłeś i co kochasz, odwracając się od życia podążającego za grzechem – jeśli wyrzekniesz się nie tylko swoich złych czynów, ale także tych dobrych, odwracając się od starań by zapracować i zasłużyć samemu na zbawienie dobrymi uczynkami i byciem moralną osobą – jeśli odwrócisz się od tego wszystkiego (Dzieje Ap. 17:30-31) i złożysz ufność i pewność jedynie w Chrystusie ku byciu usprawiedliwionym przed Bogiem (Fil. 3:7-8; Rzym. 3:28; 10:4), Bóg obiecuje tobie, że przebaczy twoje grzechy. Bóg spojrzy na Chrystusa na krzyżu jakoby żył On twoim życiem. A następnie spojrzy na ciebie, poczytując ciebie za sprawiedliwego, jakobyś sam żył doskonałym i sprawiedliwym życiem Chrystusa (2 Kor. 5:21). Możesz dostąpić zbawienia, by móc znać Boga. który cię stworzył po to, byś Go kochał i Nim się radował. Możesz posiąść pełnię radości i wieczną przyjemność które pochodzą z przebywania po prawicy Bożej w niebie (Ps. 16:11), a które zaczynają się już tu i teraz, ponieważ życiem wiecznym jest znać Boga (Ew. Jana 17:3). 

Przyjacielu, czy upamiętasz się? 

Czy odwrócisz się od swoich grzechów i założysz ufność w doskonałym Zbawicielu by ten pojednał cię z Bogiem, jako zapłata za twoje grzechy i jako zapewnienie twojej sprawiedliwości?

Oto ewangelia!

Used by permission of Michael Riccardi.

See original text HERE.

First Thanksgiving, When Healing Doesn't Come, & Evangelism

Thanksgiving Day - Andrew Rappaport tells the story behind Thanksgiving in the U.S.
THE FIRST THANKSGIVING

When the Healing Doesn’t Come - Don Green gave such an encouraging and timely message this past Sunday  Our bodies will fail us.  We will die unless the Lord returns soon.  How should we think about these things as believers?

You can listen to it HERE .

It is better to have a body riddled by cancer & a soul that is saved by Christ than a perfectly healthy body & a soul headed for judgment.
If you have Christ, you have everything ...and a better hope that lies ahead.
The suffering in this life is a wisp of smoke that blows away.

— K T (@KTinHills) November 18, 2018

Evangelism
Mike Riccardi tells about ways to transition to the Gospel in conversation.  It's not about a script!

 

Gossip or Slander?

Gossip is spreading information about someone, generally that has not been confirmed to be true.

To slander is to make false statements about someone.

Is what we are sharing & reading online fitting in those categories? 

Are there confirming witnesses even in a news story?

He who goes about as a slanderer reveals secrets,
Therefore do not associate with a gossip.

Proverbs 20:19 NASB

He who goes about as a talebearer reveals secrets,

But he who is trustworthy conceals a matter.

Proverbs 11:13 NASB

Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD,
But those who deal faithfully are His delight.
A prudent man conceals knowledge,
But the heart of fools proclaims folly.
Proverbs 12:22-23 NASB

Argue your case with your neighbor,
And do not reveal the secret of another,
Or he who hears it will reproach you,

And the evil report about you will not pass away.
Proverbs 25:9-10 NASB

The words of a whisperer are like dainty morsels, 

And they go down into the innermost parts of the body.

Proverbs 18:8 NASB

A trustworthy witness will not lie, 

But a false witness utters lies.

Proverbs 14:5 NASB

He who conceals a transgression seeks love, 

But he who repeats a matter separates intimate friends.

Proverbs 17:9 NASB

A perverse man spreads strife, 

And a slanderer separates intimate friends.

Proverbs 16:28 NASB

For lack of wood the fire goes out, 

And where there is no whisperer, contention quiets down.

Proverbs 26:20 NASB

Do not be a witness against your neighbor without cause,
And do not deceive with your lips.

Do not say, “Thus I shall do to him as he has done to me;
I will render to the man according to his work.”
Proverbs 24:28-29 NASB

And the tongue is a fire, the very world of iniquity; the tongue is set among our members as that which defiles the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our life, and is set on fire by hell.

James 3:6 NASB

Here is an excellent message that deals with gossip:

How To Kill Your Neighbor by Mike Riccardi

“Scripture quotations taken from the NASB. Copyright by The Lockman Foundation"

Cessation, Banana Man, & Sundays in July

CESSATION & FALSE PROPHECY

The following are 3 articles from the Cripplegate Blog which address what cessationism means and why claiming words are from the Lord is not something to be taken lightly.

What Cessationism Is Not
by Nathan Busenitz

The Cripplegate on Cessation and Continuation
by Mike Riccardi

Five Dangers of Fallible Prophecy
by Nathan Busenitz

BANANA MAN STORY

Ray Comfort has a new film which should be available early for a price on August 24th, 2018. 
A couple of the the people who have recommended it are people I'm familiar with (Andrew Rappaport & Justin Peters).
Learn more HERE.

SUNDAYS IN JULY

Grace Community Church has something like a mini-conference in July with different teachers to choose from for people who go to the church.
You can now listen to the seminars they had which are online.
Sundays in July Audio

Don't Host The Wolves & Careful Companionships

What does the Bible say about hospitality to false teachers and giving people a platform to speak their false religion to believers?

Based on 2 John 10:7-11, we can see that those who come with a wrong teaching of who Christ is should not be given a greeting. This was written to a lady whose house hosted a church.

John MacArthur interprets this to mean not letting them into the house (see about halfway down). Declaring & Defending The Deity of Christ

On the other side, we see Paul and the other apostles taking the Gospel to synagogues and other public places (like Mars Hill) not within a church. Paul reasoned with people whom he was brought before. I don't see believers ever encouraged to bring false teachers into a church of believers to allow them to share what they believe up front (even with the motive of evangelizing the false teacher or to educate the Christians).

In the Old Testament, I see how the prophets of Baal were treated in 1 Kings 18.

Elijah mocked them. 

Yes, people who served idols were not treated like those who genuinely listen to hear the truth proclaimed. 

They were shown up as false to the people who were already being deceived by them.

Letting a wolf into a church (who we know has the motive to steal and influence weak flock members) is not wise.

Yes, I know that people can be confused and influenced by false religions.

On the other side, an evangelist or preacher going to speak to a primarily pagan audience to proclaim the Gospel is a different matter altogether.

This series by Nathan Busenitz is an example of how you can educate Christians how to evangelize and to spot false teachers.

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

We are to love our enemies, yet we are to guard our hearts with all diligence. We are to proclaim the Gospel and make disciples, but our intimate friends should be those who will help us grow and sharpen us in the faith. We don't want intimate friends who will encourage us to love the world, but we are to be lights in the world and imitate Christ.

Do not be deceived: "Bad company corrupts good morals."

1 Corinthians 15:33 NASB

He who walks with wise men will be wise, But the companion of fools will suffer harm.

Proverbs 13:20 NASB

How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked,

Nor stand in the path of sinners,

Nor sit in the seat of scoffers! But his delight is in the law of the Lord,

And in His law he meditates day and night. 

Psalm 1:1-2 NASB

Discretion will guard you, 

Understanding will watch over you, 

To deliver you from the way of evil, 

From the man who speaks perverse things; 

From those who leave the paths of uprightness 

To walk in the ways of darkness; 

Who delight in doing evil 

And rejoice in the perversity of evil; 

Proverbs 2:11-14 NASB

Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you,
2 Corinthians 6:17 ESV

Additional sermons on being equally yoked (by Mike Riccardi)

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Hymns, Theology, & Conferences • Excitement Building

Want to hear some "Calvinistic" hymns?

How about hymns sung at Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, CA?

HYMNS

Are you waiting for the systematic Theology book on doctrine that MacArthur had a part in writing? 

It's scheduled to be released on Amazon on January 31, 2017. 

Reportedly it's already available for those who live close to the church.

Biblical Doctrine: A Systematic Summary of Bible Truth

The Character of Godly Contentment ...this message given by Mike Riccardi was exceptional.
If only I would love and value Christ more!

Are you waiting to hear the G3 Sessions?  I watched a number of sessions live-streaming.

They are making them available on Apps first.

G3 Apps Announcement 
UPDATE:  You can find the G3 Conference videos HERE.

Lastly, don't forget the Shepherds' Conference is coming up!  

I hope to be able to live-stream it again this year.  

A number of my Twitter friends will be there.

Also, there are those of us who watch and tweet together online.  

Don't miss out!

Shepherds' Conference • We Preach Christ • 500th Anniversary of The Reformation

Social Action, Gospel Proclamation, & What Do They Believe?

Social Action Is Not The Gospel 

Too many people think social action is equivalent to Gospel proclamation.  It isn't.
Unbelievers can do social action.
Some ministries do connect with churches, yes, but are they making sure the Gospel is proclaimed?
Is the church even a Biblical church?  Are they hearing a Biblical Gospel?
I wasn't able to watch this conference, but this nails things right on the head.

The Mission of the Church - Ekklesia 2015 from Ekklesia Conference on Vimeo.

Gospel Proclamation in the Midst of Hostility

Mike Riccardi had to pinch hit for John MacArthur the other week in the evening, and in my opinion he hit a homerun.
Grace Community Church has some under-shepherds that are excellent teachers and preachers.
http://www.gracechurch.org/Sermons/11282

What Do They Believe

An online friend of mine,  named Andrew Rappaport of Striving for Eternity Ministries, wrote a book that quickly was sold out, but more are coming.  

The book (What Do They Believe) explains what other religions teach according to their actual sources.

Now, I don't believe it's mandatory to know what others believe, and before people read about what others believe they need to study the Bible well.  There is nothing better for recognizing the false when you know the truth well.  For mature Christians though, I believe it can be very helpful to know enough about what others believe in order to be able to know the points where someone is wrong by comparing it with the Scripture.  There are oftentimes straw men Christians can mistakenly bring up when trying to point out what is wrong about world religions.  I have ordered a copy, as I have heard Andrew online enough to know he is trustworthy and knowledgeable (though we don't always agree on every issue).  He has spent many years on this book!  

http://whatdotheybelieve.com/

In addition to the websites linked, you can also find the book Here.