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The gifts of the Spirit: Part 1

  The Gifts of the Spirit: Part 1 1 Corinthians 12                  Back in the day, 1974, the gifts of the Spirit were the talk o’ the town. Everybody wanted to speak in tongues, having no idea what the Biblical gift was. Gibberish was the order of the day. But a closer examination of Acts 2 and 1 Corinthians 12 and 14 reveals that speaking in tongues was actually speaking in known languages and that should have settled the matter once and for all; but it didn’t. Charismatics preferred to ignore Scripture and do what they wanted. Speaking in gibberish was just fine with them. Interpretation? Never heard of it. It was common to visit a local congregation that had a strong charismatic influence in it where many people spoke in gibberish at once. It seems charismatics wanted to pitch their tents in 1 Cor. 12 and again, ignore chapter 14.                So, let’s go to chapter 14 and see what it has to say concerning the gift of tongues. 1 Corinthians 14:1 Pursue love, and earnes
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Once kept; always kept. Jude 1:1

 In my studies in Jude, I came across these three powerful words, called, beloved and kept. But it was the word "kept" that got my attention. Why? Because in the Greek text the verb kept is a perfect tense verb. That means we are kept because of an action in the past that has present and lasting results. We were kept, we are being kept, and we will continue to be kept. "Once kept; always kept."
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Jude and the deceivers, the prototype

  Jude On Heresy   Introduction   This little book is about another little book, the one-chapter New Testament book of Jude. It’s only 25 verses, but those verses are packed with truths that are relevant to our day and time. By that I mean, the “certain people ” of Jude 4 that got Jude’s attention and prompted him to change his mind about his letter’s topic, are active in the visible church now. Jude’s deceivers were the prototype of our current batch of deceivers. There really is nothing new under the sun. This will not be an exhaustive study of Jude but will focus on the people Jude said have crept into the church. *BTW, the word heretic originally meant “to make a choice.” Since that time, it has come to mean “one who promotes lies and deceptions under the pretense of orthodoxy.” So, it deals with those who have made the choice to promote error rather than truth. And in this work, I will name names. Paul did not hold back in naming those who opposed the gospel in his day.
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Contending for the faith against great evil. Part 1

  Jude “Contending For the Faith” (in the face of great evil) Part 1                  We are entering into a study of the one-chapter book of Jude. It’s only 25 verses, but those verses are packed with truths that are relevant to our day and time. One commentor said Jude is the most overlooked book of the Bible. Every disciple of Christ should familiarize himself/herself with Jude’s message considering the state of Christianity in our day. By that I mean the visible church has been inundated by thousands of false teachers and false prophets and false apostles and false pastors who are evil men and women, teaching things contrary to the word of God. Many of them if not most, claim to be apostles and prophets, when in fact they are servants of the devil.   Second Corinthians 11: 13-15. The Word Faith cult as well as The New Apostolic Reformation cult are deceiving millions by scratching their ears.   The Creeps Taking my cue from Jude 4, I am labeling these deceivers   the
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The Health and Wealth Gospel; another gospel, another Jesus

The Idolaters of the Word Faith Cult                The apostle Paul pronounced an eternal curse upon those who preach a different gospel and a different Jesus. He wrote this, 6 I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel--  7 not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ.  8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed.  9 As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed.  (Gal. 1:6-9 ESV). There is no way to sugar coat his pronouncement of this curse. His curse upon all who preach such deception still applies to those deceivers of our day.     If it might be that you are not familiar with the Word Faith movement, let me give you a concise lesson on this heresy that h
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Something to think about. Ephesians 5:18, "Filled with the Spirit," or "filled spiritually?"

  “Be Filled With the Spirit?” Ephesians 2:18 Something To Think About                  For years this verse has served as a command to be filled with the Holy Spirit for not only Pentecostals and charismatics but for anyone who read it including yours truly. However, upon further reflection and an examination of the Greek text, I now disagree with the excepted interpretation. I believe that it is saying, “but be filled spiritually.” I no longer see it as a commandment to be filled with the Holy Spirit. The verses that follow seem to support my conclusion. 18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled spiritually, (in one’s spirit)   19 addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart,   20 giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,   21 submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ. (Eph. 5:18-21 ESV) Those four
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He is risen! He is risen, indeed. Crossway Community Church

      I hope all disciples of Christ heard as wonderful and powerful Easter message this morning as we did at Crossway Community Church in Charlotte, N.C. 
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