The Gospel Of Repentance

  What causes someone to make that statement, I no longer believe in God?! Someone declared to a podcast host recently that she no longer believes in God due to some tragedy and evil that has devastated her life. The reply from the host was the thing that has come upon you has affected billions of people around the world. You believed in God then, why don’t you believe in God now that you are suffering? I am paraphrasing, but that was the gist of his reply to the person that complained to him. I agree with his reply, but he should have gotten to the root of the problem – man’s sinful nature. That is the reason we suffer pain, poverty, disease and death. Also, to his credit he said that God is not a “celestial butler.” His exact words. He is correct. God is not our cosmic Jeanie in a bottle. God is not here to serve and grant our wishes. It is the other way around. We exist to serve and glorify Him. Because of mankind’s sin, death is working in all of us. It is a universal sentence

  It is very easy to forget the power of God’s word when we fail to consistently study and meditate on it. When we do not allow the word to rule our lives, it does not have the compelling influence it needs to have. Jesus said my words are Spirit and they are life (John 6:63). The word of God is what I call Spiritually Organic. It is alive!  Job said, “I have esteemed the words of His mouth more than my necessary food” (Job 23:12). The word of God has to be preeminent in the life of the Christian. Without it, we are defeated and walking in darkness. The Psalmist said, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (italics added for emphasis, Psalm 119:105). In this same chapter we read, “Your word I have hidden in my heart that I might not sin against you ” (Psalm 119:11). The difference between  a mature and immature Christian In 2 Timothy 2:15 we read these words, “Study to show yourself approved unto God. A workman that does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the wo

  Seeker sensitive Churches basis is emotional more than doctrinal. They base their faith heavily on experience. Those that lead these types of Churches will use an entertainment atmosphere - light shows, hype music to draw in the unchurched. The target audience are young people. From what I have seen online, seeker sensitive centers are often large Mega Churches with plenty of money. The preacher’s message is non-offensive. He / she rarely discusses the need for repenting of sin for that is negative. Rather, it often is a “positive” message about living your best life now. It’s about positive affirmations and “good vibrations.” Seeker centers are primarily based on two factors: the speaker and the audience, not on God. It focuses on the speaker because they’re often very loud, demonstrative and charismatic. Their presence is so powerful it can be hypnotic. Secondly, these centers focus on the parishioner because they react to the heretical message being delivered. They respond by shou

  The Interrogative Sin still romancing your soul Love losing the battle of your flesh? Not sick and tired of being sick and tired? Seduction still sweet like candy How tired are you restless spirit How long will you fight endless love? The Almighty will not wrestle for you forever  You’re one of hell’s most wanted Your burdens too heavy for you to bear Marrow on the bones grow thin                                         I see vitality escaping your eyes Evil has you on life support How tired are you child of the earth Your “joy” is a wicked placebo Turn to the Lord the streets are killing you Forsake your pride and humble your heart

  There are several words for fear in the Bible. One of the words for fear in the Old Testament is Yare. It means to be afraid, to fear, to be in awe of. According to Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words, the emphasis on Yare is a reverential fear - a person that is in an exalted position so the one revered is given proper respect. One of the Greek words for fear is phobeo. It is where we get the English word phobia. The world does not fear their Creator at all. As a matter of fact, they hate Him. A healthy fear of God means we acknowledge that He is the Almighty. We revere and worship Him. We realize He is the Creator of all things good. We honor His name instead of blaspheming Him. We do not mock or curse Him or His children. Remember, Jesus said that God is His Father. Anyone that attacks the Father’s children attacks the Father Himself - it's personal, very personal.                                                                        Proverbs 1:7 say

  When Jesus arrived in the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” Some say John the Baptist, some say Elijah, and others say Jeremiah or one of the prophets,” they replied. “But what about you?” He asked them. “Who do you say I am?” “You are the Messiah (or Christ), the Son of the Living God,” Simon Peter replied.         - Matthew 16:13-16 When Jesus came on the public scene there was speculation about who He was. Of course, the best way to know something about someone is to simply ask them. There was always confusion and controversy regarding Jesus’ true identity. Jesus did not come into the world through noble birth. He was born to a young peasant girl named Mary – in Bethlehem. Even worse, He was born in a stable with smelly animals. The religious leaders were telling lies regarding Jesus’ birth saying He was born illegitimately – of course not knowing Mary’s conception was by the Holy Spirit (Luke 1:35; John 8:41).

This past Sunday April 16th I heard a sermon where the Pastor felt the need to apologize to unbelievers who may have been sitting in the congregation and those who may have been watching online. He did this because of the hypocrisy of Christians toward them - the unsaved. He said many unbelievers will not attend church due to Christians two-faced lifestyle. While I have to admit that many “Christians” live hypocritically, it is unfair to write a blank check and label all Christians hypocrites. A lot of us are living holy and faithful (never perfect) lives before God and man.  I want to analyze some reasons why unbelievers do not attend church. True worship and Bible teaching will convict them ·         The last thing a sinful person wants is to feel bad about the life they’re living. Men love darkness rather than light because their deeds are evil (John 3:19).  A person that is hostile toward God and His children is unwilling to sit still long enough to hear the word of God, ha