The Gifts of the Spirit Part 2

In Part 1 I shared a video of a debate between well-reasoned Christian brothers on whether the gifts and manifestations of the Spirit have ceased, and I mention the fact that there are charlatans on either side of the debate.

The Strange Fire conferences point out some of the charlatans on the charismatic side. For the most part they are respectful in their rebukes of the stupidity on display by the "anointed" (self proclaimed as such, though I see no evidence for it). Some of the time they giggle and joke about it, which I believe is not helpful. John MacArthur gives sound arguments for the damage that these strange fire people are doing.

Although I fully agree with the fact that the people they are joking about, and the videos they show attest to the fact that these "pastors" and performers haven't a clue about the Holy Spirit, or anything Biblical, I don't think it would be fair to classify all who believe in the gifts of the Spirit with this class of heretical wolves in sheep's clothing. I personally wish they could have been more respectful (although I think John MacArthur was very sober and respectful) regarding this, and been more clear about the fact that this is not the prevailing norm with all churches that classify themselves as charismatic.

The Gifts of the Spirit Part 1

Whether you are a Cessationist or a Charismatic, you will (I hope) enjoy this dialogue on the subject. I myself do not go so far as to label myself a Charismatic nor a Cessationist. I agree that the Lord by His Spirit can do all things that are needful to truly and powerfully bring His chosen into the family of God. I find in the gospel of John that it is the Holy Spirit who brings all things Jesus said to our remembrance.

When I think of a scripture that is an answer to something that is arbitrarily believed contrary to what the scriptures actually say, I know it is the Spirit of God teaching me what to answer in due season, and that He gives me the discernment that is needed to know the difference between right and wrong teaching also corroborated with looking to what the Bible says on these things just as the Bereans made sure what was being taught lined up with scripture.

I think both sides of this debate have persons who we can agree tend to "go too far" in either direction of for or against. I think there are indeed charlatans on the side of the charismatic side, but that there are also deceivers on the cessationist side, and stifle the Spirit of God, and therefore to only disagree with a position because you have interacted with some of those deceivers and not because of having a direct and fully formed basis for that position by careful study in the matter is somewhat shortsighted.

Having given as a small introduction a few things as I understand them on this topic, I give you this debate to pray about and may you be blessed by the discussion and may they be for further study and prayer in your life and the Lord's developing His gifts to His current disciples in the faith, as He determined beforehand to do for His people, and for the truth He has revealed in His word to reach all those that are to be found in Him.

The Problem of Evil Points to the Reality of God

A couple of Bible excerpts and then a powerful message from R.C. Sproul

But Joseph said to them,
 "Do not fear, for am I in the place of God?  As for you, 
you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good,
to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today..."
Genesis 50: 19-20 (ESV)

and

Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand. He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.
Isaiah 53:10-11

It seems that inevitably those who question God, call Him a liar, etc, inevitably bring up the subject of how an omnipotent and good God cannot and would not create or allow for evil.

In the video which follows, R.C. Sproul talks about evil, what it is, what it is not, why God allowed for evil (he admits he doesn't know, and then gives the best explanation I have ever heard for why God would allow for evil), and why what is terrible and evil would be in accordance with His supremacy and His perfect will.

On Finding Contentment With God Part 2

In a recent post on this blog I mused about finding contentment with God. Paul said he had found the secret to finding that contentment:

Not that I am speaking of being in need, 
for 
I have learned 
in whatever situation I am to be content.  

I know how to 
be brought low,
and
I know how to 
abound. 
In any and every circumstance, 

I have learned 
the secret 

of facing 
plenty and hunger, 
abundance and need.   
I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
(Philippians 4:11-13 KJV)

In that blogposting one of the questions I ask is:

"One day we will die and stand before Jesus.What will matter in that day?"

Will what I had for breakfast, lunch or dinner on any given day matter? Will what I wear today matter on that day? Will what I think of myself...

Perilous Times

Anyone following what I've been posting on lately knows that I've been binging out on some great Voddie Baucham sermons. His series on the book of Revelation is excellent. This one talks about the church compromising with the world. Surely the Lord will be gentle and merciful with our weaknesses in this matter, won't He? He is loving and forgiving and He loves sinners. Yes...however....God is righteous, and requires repentance in His forgiving. That is the part everyone wants to sweep under the rug these days.

Tolerating the Intolerable by Voddie Baucham 

Judgment is coming, where do you stand before a holy God?

On Finding Contentment With God

Many have already spoken about the modern fallacies being promoted from many modern pulpits. Some of us realize that it is foolishness to pray for worldly stuff like money or fame or even long life if it goes against the plans the Lord has already designed for us. I'm not saying having lots of money or being famous or wanting to be healthy is wrong in and of itself. What I am saying is that those things can become our god and be put in place of true worship of God. True worship, by the Biblical standard, says we will trust God even when we go through extreme hardship or poverty and lack of worldly comforts.

Again I hope that when you read what I'm saying you don't think I'm promoting being a monk, or nun, or Amish, and I'm not saying that the Lord cannot reach such persons as they mortify their flesh in these externals, but that isn't what I'm talking about.

Well then, what am I talking about? I'm....

What is Sanctification?

Justification and sanctification are terms that get tossed about when discussing salvation. What are they? Are they different terms that describe the same thing? If not, how are they different?

Let's look at their definitions:

Justification

1.a reason, fact, circumstance, or explanation that justifies or defends: His insulting you was ample justification for you to leave the party.

2.an act of justifying: The painter's justification of his failure to finish on time didn't impress me.

3.the state of being justified.

4.Also called justification by faith. Theology . the act of God whereby humankind is made or accounted just, or free from guilt or penalty of sin (legal position of being set free of the legal obligation of debts).

Sanctification 

actually the word being defined is "sanctify":

1.to make holy; set apart as sacred; consecrate.

2.to purify or free from sin: Sanctify your hearts.

3.to impart religious sanction to; render legitimate or binding: to sanctify a vow.

4.to entitle to reverence or respect.

5.to make productive of or conducive to spiritual blessing.

>>>>*<<<<

So from this definition for the word "sanctify" we can establish that sanctification is a process of becoming sanctified (purified, made holy, set apart). 

Still continuing on my Voddie Baucham binge, I happened across this wonderful sermon on the topic of sanctification. I tried to find it all in one piece, but could only find it given in three parts:

 

Sermon Audio also provides many of Voddie's sermons online in the audio format only. Enjoy!