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Sunday sermon: 7/14/2002, Overheard at a Calvary Chapel, Placerville, CA
"Serving God is a total blast.
You didn't do anything. He does it all. The number one thing in my
life's experience was my salvation. Number two is serving him."
"He doesn't want us to go out there with a gospel contaminated with the
traditions of men." "When someone demands good works, then they are
today's Pharisees. They are following in the footsteps of the Jewish
legalists who, as in the Old Testament, are continually demanding good
works. This is who Jesus rebuked when he was here on earth."
"Every good thing that God is doing in you - let it be displayed. Let's
say, you were angry. But, now that you are saved, you feel this
gentleness being poured into you. If that's you, let the gentleness
flow. Maybe you were a "guy" before you were saved, you know, huh,
huh. Now, God is making you "sensitive". You cry now. You find yourself
crying at the movies. They touch your heart. Go with that. Let it be
seen in you. Its message is grace. It shows compassion. Amen?"
(Women in audience give hearty
amens). -end of quoted sermon-
The foregoing is not the
entire sermon, of course. But, these things were said and they are not
quoted out of context. These things are not Biblical nor are they of
God. Let's see why not:
Serving God is not a total blast. Philippians 2:12, 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. Romans 9:1-2, I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my
conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost, that I have great
heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart. 2 Timothy 2:3-4, Thou
therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No man
that wars entangles himself with the affairs of this life; that he may
please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.
Salvation is not a "was"; it is either "now" or it doesn't exist.
Romans 13:11 And that, knowing
the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our
salvation nearer than when we believed. 2 Corinthians 6:1-2, We then, as
workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the
grace of God in vain. (For he says, I have heard thee in a time
accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now
is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.) Philippians
2:12 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.
You cannot be saved unless you serve Christ. It is not number two after
salvation. Luke 19:13 And he called his ten servants, and delivered them
ten pounds, and said unto them, "Occupy till I come". Luke 19:20 And
another came, saying, "Lord, behold, here is your pound, which I have
kept laid up in a napkin: For I feared you, because you are a harsh
man: You take up what you did not lay down, and reap what you did not
sow! "And he says to him, "Out of your own mouth I will judge you, you
wicked servant! If you knew that I was a harsh man, taking up what I
did not lay down, and reaping what I did not sow, then why didn't you
give my money to the bank, so when I came I could demand my own money
back with interest?" And he said to those who stood by, "Take from him
the pound, and give it to him who has ten pounds." (And they said unto
him, Lord, he hath ten pounds.) "For I say to you, that to every one who
has will be given more; and from him who has not, even what he has shall
be taken away from him. But those enemies of mine who hoped I would not
reign over them, bring here, and slay them before me!"
Everyone claims to have the true gospel, unpolluted by tradition. But,
Paul said this: "Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the
traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle."
2 Thessalonians 2:15.
Today's gospel despises good works. Luther is quoted, but he knew what
he was talking about. Many of today's churches borrow from Luther but
despise Luther's meaning. But we'll let the scriptures speak for
themselves.
Matthew 5:16 Let your light so
shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your
Father which is in heaven.
John 10:32 Jesus answered
them, Many good works have I showed you from my Father; for which of
those works do ye stone me? Acts 9:36 Now there was at Joppa a certain
disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this
woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did.
Ephesians 2:10 For we are his
workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath
before ordained that we should walk in them.
1 Timothy 2:9-11 In like
manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with
shamefacedness and sobriety; not with fancy hair, or gold, or pearls, or
costly array; But (which becomes women professing godliness) with good
works. Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection.
1 Timothy 6:17-19 Charge them
that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in
uncertain riches, but in the living God, who gives us richly all things
to enjoy; That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to
distribute, willing to communicate; Laying up in store for themselves a
good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on
eternal life.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is
profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in
righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished
unto all good works.
Titus 2:7 In all things
showing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine showing
incorruptness, gravity, sincerity;
Titus 3:7-8 That being
justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of
eternal life. This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that
thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be
careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable
unto men.
Titus 3:14 And let ours also
learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not
unfruitful.
Hebrews 10:24-27 And let us
consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not
forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some
is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day
approaching. For if we sin willfully after that we have received the
knowledge of the truth, there remains no more sacrifice for sins, But a
certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which
shall devour the adversaries.
1 Peter 2:12 Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that,
whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good
works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.
Are we saying that good works are necessary for salvation? If the
question is: Can we earn our salvation? Then the answer is no. If the
question is: Are works inherent in the definition of salvation? Then the
answer is yes. Those that say otherwise may find themselves in a gospel
that requires no good works: Titus 1:16 They profess that they know God;
but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto
every good work reprobate.
But this is not preached from the pulpits because it would drive away
the pleasure seekers who want to be saved nonetheless. It is a
dangerous but necessary thing to preach that good works do not save men,
but good works are required as a part of salvation (as Martin Luther put
it in his Commentary on Galatians).
Now we get to the crux of the new age church. They feel justified
because they cry once in a while or get a charge out of something
normally seen as feminine. Anger in a male is feared greatly by the new
age church. The hyenas that harass the true believers do not want anyone
to see their cunning ploys. They work under cover of darkness and
pretend much love. However, they have their goal of weakening God's
people to the point where they can no longer defend themselves. Once
weak, they must submit to the leadership of the hyena pack. Once in a
while, however, a lion gets fed up with the whole thing and comes after
a hyena or two. Such occurrences are also a message of God's grace. In
so alerting his elect through uncovering doctrines of demons, He is
being gracious, not imputing to them their sins of rank unbelief, but
sending deliverers along who preach the true message of the gospel.
Let us be compassionate and bear with one another. When we see a brother
falling for the feminized gospel, let us warn him and show him the
scriptures. If we are passionate, let us be vehement towards the gospel.
If we cry, let us cry over the sins committed so casually by our fellow
believers and ourselves. If we have joy, let it be for seeing the evil
routed by the truth. If we have feelings, let them be controlled by the
Spirit and not by the flesh.
Romans 12:9,
"Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good."
- Chris Simonson
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