Paul
Monday, July 29, 2013
Trouble in Amish Paradise
In searching the internet for video clips of "Arise My Soul Arise", the subject of the previous post, I re-discovered an amazing documentary from the BBC on a couple of Amish brethren who have come to know the Lord Jesus by faith, and the impact of this to their lives. It is such an encouraging message. I love these people! As a Christian man, I feel the great need for other godly men in my life - It really did just encourage my heart to watch this again. Their faith in the Lord is a beautiful testimony & gives glory to God. Hope it stirs you heart, too.
Paul
Paul
Arise, My Soul, Arise
This is one of my favorite hymns. Written by Charles Wesley, it is a majestic, manly song, brimming with sound doctrine. It took some time to find a video clip of the hymn sung in this manner - mostly hit on more modern arrangements that are, in my opinion, tepid and weak compared to this one. Lame, lame, lame! The first video arrangement is not the original, and they skip the fourth verse, and in the fifth verse they have changed "My God is reconciled" to "My soul is reconciled", which TOTALLY misses the point! God, the offended party, must be reconciled. We are saved from Almighty God's wrath & judgement only by faith in the death, burial, and resurrection of the Savior. Aren't you thankful for the cry from the dying Savior, "IT IS FINISHED!" Oh, I am! Thank you, dear Lord Jesus Christ. The second video is a congregational song with fewer verses, but beautiful all the same.
He ever lives above, for me to intercede;
His all redeeming love, His precious blood, to plead:
His blood atoned for all our race,
His blood atoned for all our race,
And sprinkles now the throne of grace.
Five bleeding wounds He bears; received on Calvary;
They pour effectual prayers; they strongly plead for me:
'Forgive him, O forgive,' they cry,
'Forgive him, O forgive,' they cry,
'Nor let that ransomed sinner die!'
The Father hears Him pray, His dear anointed One;
He cannot turn away, the presence of His Son;
His Spirit answers to the blood,
His Spirit answers to the blood,
And tells me I am born of God.
My God is reconciled; His pardoning voice I hear;
He owns me for His child; I can no longer fear:
With confidence I now draw nigh,
With confidence I now draw nigh,
And 'Father, Abba, Father,' cry.
Enjoy, and God bless you.
Let's worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness, together!
Paul
Words: Charles Wesley, Hymns and Sacred Poems, 1742.
Music: Lenox, Lewis Edson, in The Chorister’s Companion, by Simeon Jocelyn and Amos Doolittle (New Haven, Connecticut: 1782)
“I have a record,” said a Wesleyan missionary laboring in the West Indies, “of two hundred persons, young and old, who received the most direct evidence of the forgiveness of their sins while singing ‘Arise, my soul.’ The conversion of the greater number of these persons took place while I was a missionary abroad.”
Music: Lenox, Lewis Edson, in The Chorister’s Companion, by Simeon Jocelyn and Amos Doolittle (New Haven, Connecticut: 1782)
Arise My Soul Arise lyrics by Charles Wesley
Arise, my soul, arise; shake off thy guilty fears;
The bleeding sacrifice in my behalf appears:
Before the throne my surety stands,
Before the throne my surety stands,
My name is written on His hands.
The bleeding sacrifice in my behalf appears:
Before the throne my surety stands,
Before the throne my surety stands,
My name is written on His hands.
He ever lives above, for me to intercede;
His all redeeming love, His precious blood, to plead:
His blood atoned for all our race,
His blood atoned for all our race,
And sprinkles now the throne of grace.
Five bleeding wounds He bears; received on Calvary;
They pour effectual prayers; they strongly plead for me:
'Forgive him, O forgive,' they cry,
'Forgive him, O forgive,' they cry,
'Nor let that ransomed sinner die!'
The Father hears Him pray, His dear anointed One;
He cannot turn away, the presence of His Son;
His Spirit answers to the blood,
His Spirit answers to the blood,
And tells me I am born of God.
My God is reconciled; His pardoning voice I hear;
He owns me for His child; I can no longer fear:
With confidence I now draw nigh,
With confidence I now draw nigh,
And 'Father, Abba, Father,' cry.
Saturday, July 27, 2013
"You Can't Pick The Egg": A Tribute to Sam Gray & Evangelism
We lived in Kentucky for 4 years (2001 - 2005) , and during this time God saw fit for our lives to cross paths with Sam Gray, Pastor of the Patesville Baptist Church. Sam has gone to be with the Lord since then, but I miss him dearly, and look forward to seeing him again in Heaven.
Sam was delivered out of the Church of Rome as an adult, same as I, and he walked a tough road as he witnessed the truth and endured the wrath of family and friend alike for his stand for the Lord Jesus and Bible truth. By the time I met him, the Lord had brought eternal life to most of his family, including father & mother, sisters, brothers, and cousins. He loved the Lord, and we loved him in the Lord. Patesville Baptist Church graciously adopted us Yankees into their church family, and Sam was our Pastor for about 3 years, until we moved here to Iowa in October, 2005. (So, to our dear friends Stevie, Johnny & Sally, Carol, Charlie & Jane, and Cheryl - if you're reading this, we love you and miss you!)
Sam taught me an important truth regarding evangelism, in his common-sense, homespun way. I probably was sharing with him my desire and efforts to evangelize and witness to those around me, and maybe expressing some frustration that so often, it seems that people just don't get it. Sam just said, "You can't pick the egg." And he said a lot in that little phrase. Sam went on to explain, so I will try to share that with you.
I was by no means a "city boy", having lived many years in the northwestern Upper Peninsula of Michigan, and was recently moved from there to the very rural backcountry of Hancock County, Kentucky. I had a chicken coop (came with the house and the dog - really, there was a dog there when we moved in, fleas & ticks and all!), but I knew very little about the nuances of chicken life. Sam's analogy to the new birth was profound, and Frank Chirico suggested today that I write something about it. So, here goes....
God is a masterful designer, and there are so many awesome things in the design & function of the lowly chicken egg that show his handiwork. We see his marvelous creations all around us, yet it is easy to take them for granted. Do a study on the chicken egg - it'll blow you away. But, to be brief, a chick growing in the egg has an egg tooth, a sharp protuberance that allows an emerging chick to break through the hard outer shell during a process called "pipping". As the chick grows in the egg, it reaches a size where it can no longer obtain enough oxygen through the pores in the egg shell. It breaks into the air sack (that space you see when you peel a hard-boiled egg; yep, its there for a reason) and gets just enough extra air so it can do the work of breaking through the hard shell using it's egg tooth, just like you see in the picture above.
Once the shell is broken through, the chick must struggle to free itself. It looks like a real struggle for the baby bird, and it is. However, if you try to "help" the baby chick by picking the egg, the chick will emerge and die. The reason is, the struggle to fully emerge from the shell is necessary to get it's lungs & muscles working properly. By "helping" the chick, in reality you are destroying it.
When we share the hope of the gospel with others, we do so with an earnest desire that they might be saved. But a man cannot be saved without understanding who he is in relation to a Holy God; what sin is and its consequences; the justice of God, and the righteousness of his commandments; to come to a right knowledge of his sin & its penalty; that "...God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3:16). In short, that man or woman has to come to repentance toward God, and exercise saving faith in the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 20:21). And all you and I can do is deliver the message of truth from God's word. If we try to get a response to the gospel using emotional appeal (stirring music, "every head bowed, every eye closed, no one is looking around...raise your hand...come to the altar) or some other method to get a "decision", or pray a prayer for salvation, brothers, we are picking the egg. And this, I believe, is what has filled our churches with false converts, not only in the pews, but in the pulpits! Marketing techniques work in the world of business, but in the business of men's souls, God has to bring them to that place where they are convinced and convicted, and turn to the Lord who bled and died on Calvary for them. All the sales gimmicks in the world won't get them there.
I was relating to Frank this morning a circumstance that happened to me last week, which led to this article. I had a couple of encounters with a man I met last year - in fact, it was June 8th, 2012 - because I wrote it down on one of my prayer chalkboards (see the highlighted area on the upper left of the picture below). Kit is a man from Austin, Texas who has relatives in the area. He was sitting at a picnic table at a small park across from my office, and I engaged him in conversation, witnessed to him and gave him a 180 DVD when we parted. Kit comes from a devout Irish Catholic family, and has plans to be married in Ireland in December of this year. He's a professed agnostic, has genuine questions, and we had a good conversation back then. I saw him one other time late in 2012 when I was out on a street corner with a witnessing cross.
But I met him again last week Wednesday at that same small park by my office. We talked briefly, and I urged him to look to Jesus alone and not his religion for salvation. (As a former Roman Catholic, I was able to relate to things from his religious background). We parted in good spirits, and I commended him to the Lord, who is able to "save to the uttermost." On Friday, I got out of work later than planned, and since it was nearly 5 PM already, I thought I'd get out on the corner too late, having missed some of the heavier traffic. But somewhat reluctantly, I went, and as I put my cross together and turned to the street, there was Kit standing on the other corner, a Hardee's bag in hand, and coming my way.
He was amazed that we ran into each other again - and it was kinda weird - maybe more so when I told him I almost didn't come out. We talked further, and I again presented the clear, simple gospel, discussed the difference between the religious experience of the Roman church and the living, risen Savior. Kit was apparently moved, and expressed sincere desire to buy me a cup of coffee and talk some more about these things. He took my cell phone (he already has both my email & this website address) and said he would contact me before leaving town on Tuesday.
Well, that was last Tuesday, and I have yet to hear from Kit. (Kit, if you read this, you owe me a phone call, dude!) But I'm not bummed. I told Kit that I wasn't trying to get him to make some emotional commitment or anything: he's got to come to that place of understanding & faith in Jesus Christ, on his own. See, as bad as I want Kit to be saved, I've learned the lesson Sam Gray taught me. I'm not going to pick the egg. I was faithful to deliver the message. I pray for Kit. I want him to be saved, and so does God (1 Timothy 2:4; 2 Peter 3:9) But he's got to respond to the truth God has given him: he knows God exists (Romans 1:17-20) and is in rebellion to him. He has the witness of God's law written in his heart; he has a conscience. He's heard the gospel truth, which "...is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth,...." (Romans 1:16).
IN CONCLUSION:
I hope this helps you when you're tempted to get frustrated, discouraged, or bummed-out about your efforts to reach the lost. Don't pick the egg, man. God is faithful; He knows how to hatch a chicken, and he knows how to save a sinner. Let's trust him to do what he promised, and rejoice for every opportunity God gives us to present the precious and only Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, to those around us who are perishing. It's not about you - it's about HIM. In the end, it is all about HIM!
Sam was delivered out of the Church of Rome as an adult, same as I, and he walked a tough road as he witnessed the truth and endured the wrath of family and friend alike for his stand for the Lord Jesus and Bible truth. By the time I met him, the Lord had brought eternal life to most of his family, including father & mother, sisters, brothers, and cousins. He loved the Lord, and we loved him in the Lord. Patesville Baptist Church graciously adopted us Yankees into their church family, and Sam was our Pastor for about 3 years, until we moved here to Iowa in October, 2005. (So, to our dear friends Stevie, Johnny & Sally, Carol, Charlie & Jane, and Cheryl - if you're reading this, we love you and miss you!)
Sam taught me an important truth regarding evangelism, in his common-sense, homespun way. I probably was sharing with him my desire and efforts to evangelize and witness to those around me, and maybe expressing some frustration that so often, it seems that people just don't get it. Sam just said, "You can't pick the egg." And he said a lot in that little phrase. Sam went on to explain, so I will try to share that with you.
I was by no means a "city boy", having lived many years in the northwestern Upper Peninsula of Michigan, and was recently moved from there to the very rural backcountry of Hancock County, Kentucky. I had a chicken coop (came with the house and the dog - really, there was a dog there when we moved in, fleas & ticks and all!), but I knew very little about the nuances of chicken life. Sam's analogy to the new birth was profound, and Frank Chirico suggested today that I write something about it. So, here goes....God is a masterful designer, and there are so many awesome things in the design & function of the lowly chicken egg that show his handiwork. We see his marvelous creations all around us, yet it is easy to take them for granted. Do a study on the chicken egg - it'll blow you away. But, to be brief, a chick growing in the egg has an egg tooth, a sharp protuberance that allows an emerging chick to break through the hard outer shell during a process called "pipping". As the chick grows in the egg, it reaches a size where it can no longer obtain enough oxygen through the pores in the egg shell. It breaks into the air sack (that space you see when you peel a hard-boiled egg; yep, its there for a reason) and gets just enough extra air so it can do the work of breaking through the hard shell using it's egg tooth, just like you see in the picture above.
Once the shell is broken through, the chick must struggle to free itself. It looks like a real struggle for the baby bird, and it is. However, if you try to "help" the baby chick by picking the egg, the chick will emerge and die. The reason is, the struggle to fully emerge from the shell is necessary to get it's lungs & muscles working properly. By "helping" the chick, in reality you are destroying it.
When we share the hope of the gospel with others, we do so with an earnest desire that they might be saved. But a man cannot be saved without understanding who he is in relation to a Holy God; what sin is and its consequences; the justice of God, and the righteousness of his commandments; to come to a right knowledge of his sin & its penalty; that "...God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3:16). In short, that man or woman has to come to repentance toward God, and exercise saving faith in the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 20:21). And all you and I can do is deliver the message of truth from God's word. If we try to get a response to the gospel using emotional appeal (stirring music, "every head bowed, every eye closed, no one is looking around...raise your hand...come to the altar) or some other method to get a "decision", or pray a prayer for salvation, brothers, we are picking the egg. And this, I believe, is what has filled our churches with false converts, not only in the pews, but in the pulpits! Marketing techniques work in the world of business, but in the business of men's souls, God has to bring them to that place where they are convinced and convicted, and turn to the Lord who bled and died on Calvary for them. All the sales gimmicks in the world won't get them there.
I was relating to Frank this morning a circumstance that happened to me last week, which led to this article. I had a couple of encounters with a man I met last year - in fact, it was June 8th, 2012 - because I wrote it down on one of my prayer chalkboards (see the highlighted area on the upper left of the picture below). Kit is a man from Austin, Texas who has relatives in the area. He was sitting at a picnic table at a small park across from my office, and I engaged him in conversation, witnessed to him and gave him a 180 DVD when we parted. Kit comes from a devout Irish Catholic family, and has plans to be married in Ireland in December of this year. He's a professed agnostic, has genuine questions, and we had a good conversation back then. I saw him one other time late in 2012 when I was out on a street corner with a witnessing cross.
But I met him again last week Wednesday at that same small park by my office. We talked briefly, and I urged him to look to Jesus alone and not his religion for salvation. (As a former Roman Catholic, I was able to relate to things from his religious background). We parted in good spirits, and I commended him to the Lord, who is able to "save to the uttermost." On Friday, I got out of work later than planned, and since it was nearly 5 PM already, I thought I'd get out on the corner too late, having missed some of the heavier traffic. But somewhat reluctantly, I went, and as I put my cross together and turned to the street, there was Kit standing on the other corner, a Hardee's bag in hand, and coming my way.
He was amazed that we ran into each other again - and it was kinda weird - maybe more so when I told him I almost didn't come out. We talked further, and I again presented the clear, simple gospel, discussed the difference between the religious experience of the Roman church and the living, risen Savior. Kit was apparently moved, and expressed sincere desire to buy me a cup of coffee and talk some more about these things. He took my cell phone (he already has both my email & this website address) and said he would contact me before leaving town on Tuesday.
Well, that was last Tuesday, and I have yet to hear from Kit. (Kit, if you read this, you owe me a phone call, dude!) But I'm not bummed. I told Kit that I wasn't trying to get him to make some emotional commitment or anything: he's got to come to that place of understanding & faith in Jesus Christ, on his own. See, as bad as I want Kit to be saved, I've learned the lesson Sam Gray taught me. I'm not going to pick the egg. I was faithful to deliver the message. I pray for Kit. I want him to be saved, and so does God (1 Timothy 2:4; 2 Peter 3:9) But he's got to respond to the truth God has given him: he knows God exists (Romans 1:17-20) and is in rebellion to him. He has the witness of God's law written in his heart; he has a conscience. He's heard the gospel truth, which "...is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth,...." (Romans 1:16).
IN CONCLUSION:
I hope this helps you when you're tempted to get frustrated, discouraged, or bummed-out about your efforts to reach the lost. Don't pick the egg, man. God is faithful; He knows how to hatch a chicken, and he knows how to save a sinner. Let's trust him to do what he promised, and rejoice for every opportunity God gives us to present the precious and only Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, to those around us who are perishing. It's not about you - it's about HIM. In the end, it is all about HIM!
Friday, July 26, 2013
Some Dates Added To The Calendar
Some of which are:
- Door to Door evangelism every Thursday in August. I will be joining First Family Church of Ankeny, IA and Tony Didlo of Saving Faith Outreach. All are welcome to join.
- Iowa State Fair I will be there all day Tuesday and Wednesday at the very least witnessing inside and outside the fair. For the past few years I have had some really great witnessing encounters.
- Octemberfest in Marshalltown, IA in September which has for the past few years has been the end of the summer evangelism season.
God bless,
Frank
Gospel Tracts
Over this past Independence Day holiday (July 4th), I had a chance to travel to Millers Creek, North Carolina to visit my son, Alexander, at the Christian summer camp he is working at, called Uplands Reach Conference Center. While driving around, I scanned the radio looking for Christian programming, and came across a broadcast of "Turning Point", with Dr. David Jeremiah.
Dr. Jeremiah is a highly respected and well known by many Christians. He was speaking on being a witness for Jesus Christ, and during his broadcast he made a remarkable statement. I will not try to quote him, but it was something along the lines of this: "Being a witness for Jesus Christ doesn't mean we run out and button-hole the first person we find, and cram a gospel tract down their throat." I believe he was trying to emphasize living a life that reflects the reality of Jesus Christ in our lives, maybe even similar to what I posted earlier this week "That All Men May Know...."
Do you know what a "straw man" is? In debate, a straw man is a logical fallacy, an argument in which you misrepresent your opponents position, which is then is as easily knocked down as you
would a straw man, appearing to have won the argument. The illustration (left) is from Answers in Genesis (AIG), depicting how Evolutionists use straw man arguments when dealing with Creationists. It seemed to me that Dr. Jeremiah was taking the same line in his broadcast: misrepresenting what Christians are doing when using gospel tracts to reach the lost with the hope of the gospel.
I give out a lot of gospel tracts. I do so for many reasons: God is real; sin is real; Heaven and Hell are real; I love my neighbor, and without saving faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, God will bring swift, complete, eternal judgment and justice to bear on their eternal soul - Hell forever and ever and ever. God has given me the gift of eternal life, and I want to pass it on. I want to be busy about the Father's business. These are some of the reasons. I'm not doing it out of guilt, or to make me look good, or to earn God's favor.
But given that, I have never grabbed someone and crammed a tract down their throat, in their ear, or up their nose, for that matter. The way I see it, our job as disciples of Jesus, is to deliver the message, whenever we can, to whoever we can, however we can, as often as we can, in the power of the Holy Spirit, speaking the truth in love, as clearly as possible. If someone I offer a gospel tract is offended, I have already come to the conclusion that I will risk offending them in this life, that they might have eternal life in Christ.
So what do you think? Do you use gospel tracts to reach out to those around you? Or, maybe you feel that is outdated or antiquated, and not effective. I'd like to hear from others, especially from outside the United States.
Dr. Jeremiah is a highly respected and well known by many Christians. He was speaking on being a witness for Jesus Christ, and during his broadcast he made a remarkable statement. I will not try to quote him, but it was something along the lines of this: "Being a witness for Jesus Christ doesn't mean we run out and button-hole the first person we find, and cram a gospel tract down their throat." I believe he was trying to emphasize living a life that reflects the reality of Jesus Christ in our lives, maybe even similar to what I posted earlier this week "That All Men May Know...."
Do you know what a "straw man" is? In debate, a straw man is a logical fallacy, an argument in which you misrepresent your opponents position, which is then is as easily knocked down as you
I give out a lot of gospel tracts. I do so for many reasons: God is real; sin is real; Heaven and Hell are real; I love my neighbor, and without saving faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, God will bring swift, complete, eternal judgment and justice to bear on their eternal soul - Hell forever and ever and ever. God has given me the gift of eternal life, and I want to pass it on. I want to be busy about the Father's business. These are some of the reasons. I'm not doing it out of guilt, or to make me look good, or to earn God's favor.
But given that, I have never grabbed someone and crammed a tract down their throat, in their ear, or up their nose, for that matter. The way I see it, our job as disciples of Jesus, is to deliver the message, whenever we can, to whoever we can, however we can, as often as we can, in the power of the Holy Spirit, speaking the truth in love, as clearly as possible. If someone I offer a gospel tract is offended, I have already come to the conclusion that I will risk offending them in this life, that they might have eternal life in Christ.
So what do you think? Do you use gospel tracts to reach out to those around you? Or, maybe you feel that is outdated or antiquated, and not effective. I'd like to hear from others, especially from outside the United States.
Thursday, July 25, 2013
By This Shall All Men Know....
Jesus made a statement in the Gospel of John that is, well, extraordinary:
"A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another." (John 13:34-35)
The characteristic that identifies a disciple of Jesus Christ is not knowledge, not boldness or zeal, but love that is apparent between believers. Apparent to all men.
Wow.
This is one of those things in the scriptures that I contemplate, and look at those around me, and then look at myself and say, "Oh God, Father: there's no way! I will never be able to love in this way. I can't do it." Does this sound familiar?
I came to know the Lord back in 1995. As a new believer, I was in a discipleship program at Grace United Methodist Church in Hancock, Michigan. Yeah, I know - United Methodist! Long story. There actually were some believers in the church, and an elderly Michigan Tech professor from Asia was leading a discipleship class patterned after the life of John Wesley. Anyway, one of the things we were required to do was to witness for the Lord Jesus Christ. That Sunday afternoon after the church meeting, (I can picture all of this very clearly in my mind), I was sitting in my son's bedroom. It was a sunny day, and I was rocking in our old rocking chair, and thinking about this. Want to know what I was thinking? "Oh God, Father: there's no way!" I was terrified of talking to other people about Jesus Christ and the gospel. I was mortified at the thought.
I don't know how long I sat there rocking in that chair, but this thought was going round-and-round in my head. But at some point, a thought from God broke in upon my mind that shot me out of that chair, full of joy and exhilaration. I heard in my mind: "That's right, Paul. You can't do this. But I can do it through you." The pressure for me to perform was off. Is anything to difficult for the LORD? NO WAY! He can do ALL THINGS! I just have to yield to HIM, and he'll do it through me.
This truth has been a help and a comfort all these years I have walked with the Lord. It is the truth revealed in Philippians 2:12-13...
"Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure."
We don't work for our salvation, we work out what God has worked in. But more than that, scripture tells us it is God that gives us the desire ("to will") and the ability (to do): it is HIS POWER, not mine. This applies in all areas of our lives, including loving our brothers and sisters in Christ. And God knows I need his power to fulfill his will, for I need to love some people that I don't even like very much. He is indeed the God of the impossible, and as a disciple of Jesus Christ, I am to yield to his authority and will in all things, especially in this. And so I do.
What a glorious, gracious, almighty God we serve! "FOR HE IS GOOD" as the Levites of the Old Testament were said to have sung in praise, "AND HIS MERCY ENDURETH FOREVER." (see Psalms 107, 118, 136; also 2 Chronicles 20:21, how Jehoshaphat appointed singers to go before the army when they went up against a great host of their enemies).
By God's grace, I desire to love my brethren through the Holy Spirit working in and through me, so that ALL MEN MAY KNOW....Fight the good fight of faith, brothers and sisters. Maranatha!
"A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another." (John 13:34-35)
The characteristic that identifies a disciple of Jesus Christ is not knowledge, not boldness or zeal, but love that is apparent between believers. Apparent to all men.
Wow.
This is one of those things in the scriptures that I contemplate, and look at those around me, and then look at myself and say, "Oh God, Father: there's no way! I will never be able to love in this way. I can't do it." Does this sound familiar?
I came to know the Lord back in 1995. As a new believer, I was in a discipleship program at Grace United Methodist Church in Hancock, Michigan. Yeah, I know - United Methodist! Long story. There actually were some believers in the church, and an elderly Michigan Tech professor from Asia was leading a discipleship class patterned after the life of John Wesley. Anyway, one of the things we were required to do was to witness for the Lord Jesus Christ. That Sunday afternoon after the church meeting, (I can picture all of this very clearly in my mind), I was sitting in my son's bedroom. It was a sunny day, and I was rocking in our old rocking chair, and thinking about this. Want to know what I was thinking? "Oh God, Father: there's no way!" I was terrified of talking to other people about Jesus Christ and the gospel. I was mortified at the thought.
I don't know how long I sat there rocking in that chair, but this thought was going round-and-round in my head. But at some point, a thought from God broke in upon my mind that shot me out of that chair, full of joy and exhilaration. I heard in my mind: "That's right, Paul. You can't do this. But I can do it through you." The pressure for me to perform was off. Is anything to difficult for the LORD? NO WAY! He can do ALL THINGS! I just have to yield to HIM, and he'll do it through me.
This truth has been a help and a comfort all these years I have walked with the Lord. It is the truth revealed in Philippians 2:12-13...
"Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure."
We don't work for our salvation, we work out what God has worked in. But more than that, scripture tells us it is God that gives us the desire ("to will") and the ability (to do): it is HIS POWER, not mine. This applies in all areas of our lives, including loving our brothers and sisters in Christ. And God knows I need his power to fulfill his will, for I need to love some people that I don't even like very much. He is indeed the God of the impossible, and as a disciple of Jesus Christ, I am to yield to his authority and will in all things, especially in this. And so I do.
What a glorious, gracious, almighty God we serve! "FOR HE IS GOOD" as the Levites of the Old Testament were said to have sung in praise, "AND HIS MERCY ENDURETH FOREVER." (see Psalms 107, 118, 136; also 2 Chronicles 20:21, how Jehoshaphat appointed singers to go before the army when they went up against a great host of their enemies).
By God's grace, I desire to love my brethren through the Holy Spirit working in and through me, so that ALL MEN MAY KNOW....Fight the good fight of faith, brothers and sisters. Maranatha!
Monday, July 22, 2013
A Word From Paul
No, not the Apostle Paul.
It is I, the Author Paul, writing to you from sleepy little Marshalltown, nearly the center of the great State of Iowa
(technically, the town of State Center, just to the west is the exact center, thus the name....)
And as one of the authors of Iowa Seed Sowers, thanks for dropping in to see us. From Frank, Mary, and myself, we hope you find our little website to be an encouragement, or a challenge, or a help if you are looking for opportunities to join others who are reaching out to the lost with the hope of the gospel of Jesus Christ, or just enjoying the new life we have because of him.
We welcome you to subscribe to Iowa Seed Sowers, or to follow us by email, or to join this site by Google Friend Connect. And we welcome your feedback via "comments." Just one caveat, por favor: if you are going to comment, I highly encourage you not to post as "Anonymous" without including your name with the text. If you want to disagree with something we post, and if you can do so without crude language, profanity, or blasphemy, we can handle it.
Really, it's okay.
But I and the other authors here wish for the opportunity to engage with you, and frankly, if you post as "Anonymous", anonymously, what's the point? I get enough "drive-by" hecklers out on the street. So, if you don't include your name, I'm not guaranteeing you'll get rejected, but it probably will. Just saying.
Thank you.
 |
| Your Humble Author... |
(technically, the town of State Center, just to the west is the exact center, thus the name....)
And as one of the authors of Iowa Seed Sowers, thanks for dropping in to see us. From Frank, Mary, and myself, we hope you find our little website to be an encouragement, or a challenge, or a help if you are looking for opportunities to join others who are reaching out to the lost with the hope of the gospel of Jesus Christ, or just enjoying the new life we have because of him.
We welcome you to subscribe to Iowa Seed Sowers, or to follow us by email, or to join this site by Google Friend Connect. And we welcome your feedback via "comments." Just one caveat, por favor: if you are going to comment, I highly encourage you not to post as "Anonymous" without including your name with the text. If you want to disagree with something we post, and if you can do so without crude language, profanity, or blasphemy, we can handle it.
Really, it's okay.
But I and the other authors here wish for the opportunity to engage with you, and frankly, if you post as "Anonymous", anonymously, what's the point? I get enough "drive-by" hecklers out on the street. So, if you don't include your name, I'm not guaranteeing you'll get rejected, but it probably will. Just saying.
Thank you.
Sunday, July 21, 2013
Needful Reminder: We Are Saved By Faith Alone In Jesus Alone. Period.
Check out this short video from our brother Mark his YouTube channel, ProclaimHisWord
I hear teachers - prominent, well respected Bible expositors - seemingly mock the simplicity of the gospel, stating that believing on Jesus Christ is not enough, even citing James 2:19 to "prove" it:
"Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble."
So, does James 2:19 negate John 3:16, Acts 16:31, Romans 1:16, Romans 5:1, and the hundreds of other scriptures which state plainly that we are saved by believing? (Note that the Bible uses the words "belief", "faith", and "trust" as synonyms: If I believe God, I am trusting him; I have faith in what he says. Look at Ephesians 1:12-15, and you will see these three words used just this way.)
Someone has said that you can make the Bible say anything you want it to. The key to correctly understanding & applying scripture is context. Look at James 2:19 again. What is the context in which James is writing? Two things stand out that we must look at:
- James chapter 2 is juxtaposing faith in God which only God can truly see with works which men can see. The former has to do with the vertical relationship between God and man; the latter, the horizontal relationship between man and man. We are saved by faith apart from works, but as a man, I cannot see your faith in God. I can only see what your faith in God produces, which is the fruit or the works that come as a result of the new birth. Faith without works is dead. But what must I do to work the works of God? The Jews asked this of Jesus - check out his answer:
"Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent." (John 6:28,29)
- Chapter 2 verse 19 in particular references the fact that there is one God. "Thou believest there is one God;...." Let's stop here: no where in the holy scriptures are we told that a man may be saved by belief in one God. Correct? In fact, according to Romans 1:18-21 all men know that the one true God exists, and have turned away from him, so that they are without excuse. So, comparing the belief James is writing about here and the saving faith of John 3:16 and others is a wrong comparison. Going on with 2:19, "...thou doest well: the devils believe, and tremble." What do the devils believe? That there is one God. They tremble, because they are on the losing end of their war against Almighty God, and know the fate that awaits them, and that their time is short. They know that God has not provided a Savior for fallen angels. Is this clear to you? Do you see this? They indeed know the Lord Jesus, the eternal Son of God, became a man, to redeem man from the consequences of our sin against God. We are commanded to have faith in God, and to have faith in Jesus Christ, that he died on the cross to pay the penalty for man's sin. The angelic creatures who followed Satan in rebellion against God have no Savior, therefore comparing their belief about the reality of the one God with the command for men to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ to be saved does not comport: it is comparing apples to oranges, so to speak.
Our mighty creator God has proven himself faithful throughout all of history, as we read in the Bible: all he promises to do, he will do. Because Jesus Christ faithfully fulfilled his mission through his death, burial and resurrection, God can forgive a vile sinner like you or I, not because we are good, but because Jesus Christ paid the debt 2000 years ago. To believe on Jesus Christ is to believe what God has said in his word, that Jesus died for our sins according to the scriptures (1 Cor. 15:3) - for my sins against God, and that looking to him by faith alone, trusting in him, that God will forgive my sin and give me the gift of eternal life. Period. Plus nothing. Minus nothing.
Any "good works" we do come as a result of our new life in Christ, through the power of God working in and through our life, so that God alone gets all the glory, praise and honor. Like Mark says in the video, its all about Jesus! So don't let someone fool you into thinking you must do some work in order to be saved; don't start looking at yourself to see if you are measuring up, because you don't! Neither do I. Keep your eyes upon Jesus, and run this crazy race of life with patience, as Paul writes in Hebrews 12. Yes, striving against sin, but to run the race, to fight the good fight of faith, not to be or to stay saved!
Hope this helps. I love you in Jesus Christ.
Paul.
Friday, July 19, 2013
Hebrews 13:3
http://morningstarnews.org/2013/07/eight-converts-in-iran-sent-to-prison-for-threatening-national-security/
Thursday, July 18, 2013
"And Where I Am, There Shall Also My Servant Be"
That's a quote from John 12:26. Below is a video clip I just stumbled across, of a man preaching the Lord Jesus in Dublin, Ireland. Its short - too short - but I was encouraged by hearing this gospel herald laboring in his corner of the harvest field.
It sure is a blessing to me to see & hear this faithful older brother. He's playing the man for his Lord and Savior, and demonstrating love to his neighbor's and countrymen. I've never seen this gentleman, and most likely will never meet him on this side of glory, but I love him!You older brothers and sisters in the Lord: don't let some pipsqueak youth pastor put you out to pasture. We who are laboring in public gospel outreach are few, and there is a great work to be done.
150,000 people dying every day, and without Christ they will perish for ever.
WE NEED YOU!
By the power of the Holy Spirit in you, come out on the street and join us, and lift up your voice like a trumpet, declaring what great things the Lord has done for you. God can and will use you, if not to preach, to encourage and pray for those who do, or to share the gospel in conversation or through a gospel tract. If you are in Iowa, check out our Calendar of Ministry Opportunities, and feel free to contact us or stop by and see us. We would love to meet you.
Tuesday, July 16, 2013
The Sinner's Prayer
What must I do to be saved?
If I blow this one, what else matters? Jesus said,
"For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
(Mark 8:36-37)
If someone asked you this question, how would you answer? And is that answer Biblical?
I really love what brother Michael D. O'Neal wrote on this, way back in 1994. Please click on the link below, and be prepared to be challenged. Let me know what you think.
Here's the link:
"THE SINNER'S PRAYER" by Michael D. O'Neal
Monday, July 15, 2013
P.S. I Love You
Just a P.S. from my last post on the website.As an FYI in this digital age, P.S. stands for Post Scriptum, Latin for "Post Script", and according to TheFreeDictionary.com, it is an additional message after the main body of text in correspondence.
I'm not posting the lyrics to the old Beatles song, but writing to briefly clarify and perhaps amplify the reason why I published the previous post, "Neither a Roman Catholic nor a Protestant."
I wrote to clarify what I am not (obvious from the title), and also what I am (from the body of the text). It is important; its not chocolate versus vanilla ice cream. I didn't just trade one form of religion for another. I was radically brought from death to life, - BORN AGAIN - and not through a religion, but through a relationship with the risen Savior, Jesus Christ. And He alone is able to bring about this reality, in all men's lives, therefore, in your life.
Although I am a sinner, deserving only the perfect judgment and justice of a Holy God, instead He has given me the gift of eternal life. And out of appreciation and love, I want to share that with you. If you are a part of an un-biblical religious organization that does not teach sound doctrine regarding the gospel, you need to hear the truth, even if that truth is hard to hear.
We were created to live in a relationship with our Creator. Because I care about you, your eternal soul, I will speak the truth. The opposite of love is not hate; it is indifference. And I cannot call myself a disciple of Christ and be indifferent about a fellow human being. Paul wrote some hard things to the believers in Galatia, and added:
"Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?" (Galatians 4:16)
Religion of any stripe can never save you. Only repentance toward God (the offended party) & faith in Jesus Christ (the one-and-only Savior) will deliver you from the wrath of God. And if your religion has anti-Biblical traditions, you need to get out of it. Infant baptism. Sacraments - religious acts that impart grace, etc. Idolatry in any form. "ABC repeat after me" sinner's prayer (so called). The Prosperity "gospel" where the $$$ you give (to the preacher) is your connection to God. Its a long list; you must flee these things. Read what God has said in His word, the Holy Bible, and let that be your only foundation. All other ground is, as the hymn writer said, is sinking sand.
"I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed." (Galatians 1:6-9)
"I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed." (Galatians 1:6-9)
That's it. My P.S. to you readers. I love you in Jesus Christ. God commended His love toward you in that while you were yet a sinner, the Lord Jesus died for you. Because God cares, I care.
Tuesday, July 9, 2013
Neither A Roman Catholic nor A Protestant
This may sound strange to some of our readers. For that matter, it may sound strange to some of my brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ. But the truth is, though I was raised in the Roman Catholic heresy, I am not a Roman Catholic, praise be to God. But I am also not a Protestant.
Allow me to explain.
I am not saying that a Roman Catholic cannot be saved. It is highly doubtful, since the little scripture they do get is intentionally twisted to support their false works-based path to mythical Purgatory. I won't say "gospel", for there is no good news in Roman Catholic doctrine. But a person raised in Catholicism may stumble upon the true gospel, trust in the finished work of the Lord Jesus Christ alone and be saved, in spite of what that church teaches. If so, they may stay in the system for a time, but eventually, they will come out.
I am not saying Protestants cannot be saved. Many teach the same error of infant baptism and sacraments of Rome. Many are merely cultural Christians, like Roman Catholics are cultural Catholics, (like Thai people are cultural Buddhists, etc.). I have brothers in Christ who are Protestant, let me be clear. Methodists, Baptists, Presbyterians, Mennonites, Nazarenes, Assemblies of God...all may be saved; all need to be saved. Okay?
So what am I, then?
Well, I am a Christian.
Specifically, if that is not enough of a descriptor, I am a disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Not enough? I am a born-again Bible believer. I was born into the family of God by the Holy Spirit on May 15, 1995 through repentance toward God, and faith towards our Lord Jesus Christ.
Just like all Christians. Just like you, if you are saved.
Am I splitting hairs or being unduly critical? You may judge, but read on.
I am stating that my spiritual heritage does not rest on church fathers, creeds, "-ists" or "-isms", even if they are good and right and Biblically sound. My heritage is with all believers everywhere, throughout all history. Despite the domination of the Roman church, starting with Constantine, there has always been the true church - the true body of Christ - on the earth, by whatever name you wish to call them. Some of the names we know; others, perhaps many, we will never know this side of Heaven.
It is with those brethren that I cast my lot. "For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: That no flesh should glory in his presence." (1 Corinthians 1:26-29)
It is the Bible alone that is my compass, my light, and my anchor. I don't want "that old time religion"; I don't want traditions of men if they conflict with the word of God. I want truth. I want sound doctrine. I want to "...earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints." (Jude 1:3)
Why do I care? Because many professing Christians are ditching the Bible and sound doctrine, heading back into Roman heresy, New Age mysticism, or both. Protestants are signing agreements with Roman Catholics not to proselytize their members, and identifying with them as brethren. Protestant "believers" are "coming home to Rome." That Protestants are embracing these unbiblical practices and beliefs is evident; if you doubt this, just go to your local Christian bookstore and look what is for sale there. Jesus said, "For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." (Mt. 6:21, Luke 12:34)
The "...simplicity that is in Christ" (2 Corinthians 11:3) is not enough for these - they want an experience. I want to tell you that I came out of the apex and pinnacle of religious experience. Roman Catholicism offers more than one can imagine in the way of religious experience: you want it, they got it. Everything EXCEPT new life, eternal life, in Jesus Christ. It is of them that the prophet Isaiah well spake, "He feedeth on ashes: a deceived heart hath turned him aside, that he cannot deliver his soul, nor say, Is there not a lie in my right hand?" (Isaiah 44:20)
Are you satisfied with Jesus Christ? Is He enough for you? Are you looking for something else? Something more? If so, you do not know Him. You need to know Him, whom to know is eternal life (John 17:3). I want to tell you, He is all I want, and all I need. He is my Lord and my God, my Savior, my only hope of Heaven; my Great Shepherd, my Alpha and Omega, my Advocate, and the Author and Finisher of my faith.
And I wanted you to know, because I want Jesus Christ and His word to be all of these, and more, for you.
 |
| My hope is built on nothing less Than Jesus' blood and righteousness; I dare not trust the sweetest frame, But wholly lean on Jesus' name. On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand; All other ground is sinking sand. |
I am not saying that a Roman Catholic cannot be saved. It is highly doubtful, since the little scripture they do get is intentionally twisted to support their false works-based path to mythical Purgatory. I won't say "gospel", for there is no good news in Roman Catholic doctrine. But a person raised in Catholicism may stumble upon the true gospel, trust in the finished work of the Lord Jesus Christ alone and be saved, in spite of what that church teaches. If so, they may stay in the system for a time, but eventually, they will come out.
I am not saying Protestants cannot be saved. Many teach the same error of infant baptism and sacraments of Rome. Many are merely cultural Christians, like Roman Catholics are cultural Catholics, (like Thai people are cultural Buddhists, etc.). I have brothers in Christ who are Protestant, let me be clear. Methodists, Baptists, Presbyterians, Mennonites, Nazarenes, Assemblies of God...all may be saved; all need to be saved. Okay?
So what am I, then?
Well, I am a Christian.
Specifically, if that is not enough of a descriptor, I am a disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Not enough? I am a born-again Bible believer. I was born into the family of God by the Holy Spirit on May 15, 1995 through repentance toward God, and faith towards our Lord Jesus Christ.
Just like all Christians. Just like you, if you are saved.
Am I splitting hairs or being unduly critical? You may judge, but read on.
I am stating that my spiritual heritage does not rest on church fathers, creeds, "-ists" or "-isms", even if they are good and right and Biblically sound. My heritage is with all believers everywhere, throughout all history. Despite the domination of the Roman church, starting with Constantine, there has always been the true church - the true body of Christ - on the earth, by whatever name you wish to call them. Some of the names we know; others, perhaps many, we will never know this side of Heaven.
It is with those brethren that I cast my lot. "For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: That no flesh should glory in his presence." (1 Corinthians 1:26-29)
It is the Bible alone that is my compass, my light, and my anchor. I don't want "that old time religion"; I don't want traditions of men if they conflict with the word of God. I want truth. I want sound doctrine. I want to "...earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints." (Jude 1:3)
Why do I care? Because many professing Christians are ditching the Bible and sound doctrine, heading back into Roman heresy, New Age mysticism, or both. Protestants are signing agreements with Roman Catholics not to proselytize their members, and identifying with them as brethren. Protestant "believers" are "coming home to Rome." That Protestants are embracing these unbiblical practices and beliefs is evident; if you doubt this, just go to your local Christian bookstore and look what is for sale there. Jesus said, "For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." (Mt. 6:21, Luke 12:34)
The "...simplicity that is in Christ" (2 Corinthians 11:3) is not enough for these - they want an experience. I want to tell you that I came out of the apex and pinnacle of religious experience. Roman Catholicism offers more than one can imagine in the way of religious experience: you want it, they got it. Everything EXCEPT new life, eternal life, in Jesus Christ. It is of them that the prophet Isaiah well spake, "He feedeth on ashes: a deceived heart hath turned him aside, that he cannot deliver his soul, nor say, Is there not a lie in my right hand?" (Isaiah 44:20)
Are you satisfied with Jesus Christ? Is He enough for you? Are you looking for something else? Something more? If so, you do not know Him. You need to know Him, whom to know is eternal life (John 17:3). I want to tell you, He is all I want, and all I need. He is my Lord and my God, my Savior, my only hope of Heaven; my Great Shepherd, my Alpha and Omega, my Advocate, and the Author and Finisher of my faith.
And I wanted you to know, because I want Jesus Christ and His word to be all of these, and more, for you.
Tuesday, July 2, 2013
The Eucharist Is What Draws Us Close To God???
Last Saturday at the Des Moines Farmers Market, a woman
approached Paul on the box as he was open-air preaching. Paul guided her to me so that she could say
her peace and that he could continue speaking.
Once in a while people ask questions that just throw me off. This woman, who was really gentle and kind
by the way, said that we should become Catholic because it would make us nearer
to God. I was pretty stunned by the
statement and really had a hard time answering being that both Paul and I escaped
from Catholicism to Protestantism because (well I can only speak for myself) I couldn’t
have been further from God. So I asked
her, “How then does a Catholic get nearer to God being a Catholic?” She responded that it was through the Eucharist,
and then shifted the conversation to John 6, in that he that eats His flesh and
drinks His blood abides in Me and I in him.
53
Then Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of
Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you. 54 Whoever eats My flesh and
drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. 55 For My flesh is food indeed, and My blood is drink indeed. 56 He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him. 57 As the living Father sent Me, and I live because of the Father, so he
who feeds on Me will live because of Me. 58 This is the bread which came
down from heaven—not as your fathers ate the manna, and are dead. He who eats
this bread will live forever.”- John 6:53-58.
 |
| Roman Catholic Error |
So I asked her, “Do you believe you have the Holy Spirit
living within you?”
“Yes, I do.”“Then why do you need the Eucharist if God resides in you already? Why do I need something physical when I already have something (someone) spiritual within me. Do you believe that if the Holy Spirit is residing within me that He abides with me forever?” I asked.
“I know what you’re saying.
I just want to invite you back to the Catholic Church.”
I said, “Well, we are here inviting people to come to Jesus…not
to the church.“
She asked why I left in the first place and then I started
to answer but then she had to go. I
guess she just wanted a quick answer. I’m
sorry, I was in the church 30 years, and one day I woke up and realized when I
read the bible that I either had to remain a Catholic and believe the
Catechism, or I become a Christian and believe the bible. But I couldn’t be both.
What I Should Have Said.
What I probably said was that she had a misunderstanding of John 6 and saw it only through Roman Catholic lenses. You have to take the chapter as a whole and look at what happened previous, and what Jesus said about Himself throughout the book of John. Basically…what was Jesus trying to convey to the people? That He was the Son of God, and that the Father sent Him as the propitiation of sin.Chapter 6
In order to answer this question we need to look at chapter
6 as a whole. Verses 1-14 is the feeding
of the 5,000 where Jesus fed 5,000 men including women and children. Some of these 5,000 wanted to make Jesus king
so He went away from them to be alone.
The following day the people catch up to Jesus and His
disciples and He already knows what lies in their hearts…that they didn’t come
for Him, but for what He can give them.
And since He wasn’t going to give them food, they ask how they can work
the works of God (John 6:28). The rest
of the chapter talks about how it was not Moses who gave their ancestors bread
from heaven but that the bread from heaven came from the Father, and that
Jesus, who is the bread from heaven came from the Father as well. Both are for nourishment…one for the body,
and another for the soul. One for
temporal life, the other for everlasting life.
One will fade, the other lasts forever.
Bread does not last, but Jesus lasts forever more.
All of John
Not only did Jesus say that He was the bread of life (John
6:35), He also said that He was:
·
I am the Messiah who brings living water and
those who drink will never thirst (4:26)
·
I am come in My Father’s name ( 5:43 kjv)
·
I am the bread of life (6:35,48)
·
I am the living bread which came down from
heaven (6:51)
·
I am from Him and He that sent me (7:29)
·
I am the light of the world (8:12)
·
I am not alone but with the Father who sent Me
(8:16)
·
I am from above (8:23)
·
Before Abraham was…I am (8:58)
·
I am the light of the world (9:5; 12:46)
·
I am the door of the sheep (10:7)
·
I am the door by which men are saved (10:9)
·
I am the good shepherd (10:11,14)
·
I am the Son of God (10:36)
·
I am the resurrection and the life (11:25)
·
I am the way, the truth, and the life. No man comes to the Father but by Me (14:6)
·
I am in the Father, and the Father in Me
(14:10,11,20)
·
I am the true vine (15:1,5)
·
I am not alone for the Father is with Me (16:32)
·
I am not of this world (17:14,16)
The truth is, is Jesus is the Messiah and what we need to do to work the works of God is to believe in Jesus whom the Father sent (John 6:29). It’s not about the Eucharist, a specific denomination or church, but it’s about believing on Jesus whom the Father sent, and abiding in Him. That’s what gets us close to God.
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