Recently a story emerged about a pastor named Gary Dopson, whom found himself being conned by a con's consman.

In one of his sermons, Dopson said, "God wants to bless us and bring us into abundance. Now the word 'prosperity' is not a dirty word." You see, Dopson is one of those preachers whom openly believes that having wealth and riches here and now is good 'n godly; he legally fleeces the sheep under the non-profit status through the false prosperity doctrine.

Unlike most pastors, Mr. Dopson has 'come out of the closet' with his theology, and has dug down right to the root of the spirit: "For every thousand you give, God will give ten thousand".

Mr. Dopson had delusions of grandeur, envisioning a new church/resort building with seating for 15,000 as well as three restaurants, a swimming pool and a golf course; he presented the idea before the church and church board, one of whom responded thusly: "If we don't do this, we might as well close those doors. Because God will leave us."

So, in his greedy haste to attain mega-church status, this pastor found himself a man with whom to put his trust, a man named Cooper, an alleged successful real estate agent, an experienced Antagonist recovering from several prior felonies. Cooper set up the deal and worked the books; he told the church board and the congregation that the plan was backed by "a conglomerate of very successful businessmen and women that look for business to be able to contribute to the glory of God."

Pastor Dopson, wielding the power of the pulpit, brow-beat his sheep with messages of investing in his mega-church dream, trying to follow the Joel Osteen formula for church riches and earthly success. To help with securing the loan, many of the tongue-speaking parishioners bought Cooper-issued certificates, with no less than an emblem of "the favor of God" emblazoned upon them.

Millions of dollars later the parishioner suddenly realized, too late, that their glorious complex, restaurants, golf course and pool had somehow turned into a conman's fleet of corvettes, $2000 bottles of wine and trips around the USA with an un-named stripper.

the pastor, befuddled and dismayed, realized that his ongoing prosperity con had been fleeced; after the lawsuits, church splits and God only knows what else, Dopson promptly took about 100 of his faithful followers and started a new congregation nearby. 

Yes, this conning pastor found himself conned; likewise, pastors, boards, elders and congregations whom bury their talent in the things of this earth also get conned, robbed of the true and everlasting treasure that comes of investing in the Kingdom of Heaven, whose builder and maker is God.

Steven  9/30/2005

I marvel at how generous the Christian church has been in helping the general unsaved populous during times of publicized, worldly crisis. hundreds of thousands of dollars have simply poured into Christian non-profits aiding the victims whom have been struck by "Acts of God", which has some good profit; however, do we have the same ambition to show love to our own Brethren & their families?

For example, if you could not pay your rent or mortgage this month, due to no direct fault of your own, and your landlord or bank was preparing to toss you out of your home, would there be the same ad campaign, as for the afore mentioned meteorologically-victimized, in your local church to help you? OR, would you receive the standard response of "We are not a bank", followed by the inevitable "go talk to so-an-so about the Food Closet Program and help yourself to some canned yams".

What is the problem here? We bend over backwards to throw money towards the lost, and yet we won't even help our Brethren in the Lord support their families. How can we claim to be unified in Christ, but have no love to supply basic necessities for our poorer Brethren?

The fact is that out of the millions of dollars of church revenue generally only 10% goes back out towards 'charitable purposes', but, according to most church admen that 10% is given fanfare as if heaven itself has poured down through their praying hands onto the less-fortunate and uneducated.

So, this week, when you determine to tithe your 10% allotment, why not take that money, find some poor brother struggling to pay his bills and quietly give to him, with no strings attached. As a result, you may find abundant blessing, being begrudged by your fellow church-attendees that this week you did not drop your tithe envelope into the Endeared Velveteen Pocket With mahogany-like Handles; instead you invested in the Kingdom and blessed a brother.   

Steven  9/29/2005

We see Jesus laying down the foundations of the Earth, turning void and chaos into His Glory. We see Jesus walking in the Garden with Adam and Eve, and, as commonly believed, even Abraham offered Him a tithe when He appeared as Melchiesedek; we see Jesus speaking to Moses in the burning bush, and then appearing in the fire with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego; these are just a few instances... for the entire Old Testament points to and looks forward to Christ the Revealed Messiah. We see Jesus in Colossians, that He is he author, maker and finisher of all things, we see jesus preeminent over all things. 

We see Jesus through the virgin birth; we see Jesus finding contentment in His Father's house. We see Jesus being tested and tempted in the desert, rebuking the devil to depart, saying "Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve." (Matt. 4:10) We see Jesus' death, burial and resurrection, by the testimony of over 500; we see Jesus spoken of throughout the New Testament as the King of Glory.

We see Jesus as Immanuel, God with us. We see Jesus spoken of by the Old Testament Prophets, and we see Jesus through the disciples in the New Testament. We see Jesus through his apostles, Prophets, pastors, teachers and evangelists. We see Jesus through His church, by the work of the holy Spirit; we see Jesus when the Gospel is preached. We see Jesus through his own words, in the Bible.

But, do we see Jesus through you?

Steven  9/28/2005

Somehow, they left reality and joined the ranks of Fantasyland. For sure, the United States government is in on it, yes, almost all schools whether public or private, kindergarten through college (and most churches) but reality says different. There are winners and there are losers.

Hypocrite governments lob bombs in after they smile and say, "Let's all agree together, O.K.?" Hypocrite schools cheer on kids when they beat their opponents, after telling them they must not do this in real life. No wonder our leaders are so wishy-washy. In life, you are constantly reminded of dog-eat-dog regardless of all the hype about bullying and human rights. Does one have to lose in order for one to win?

 That's pretty much the way it's set up. Someone is going to lose. It's the devil who is in the details of this, of course. The devil, that old serpent, who kept winning at everything during his little time here on earth, boy, is he gonna lose! So are those who refused to submit to Christ. Period. But let's set the record straight: Most people are going to be condemned by God for their evil works, regardless whether they called themselves Christians or critical thinkers. The modern church has watered this down to assure its lobotomized flocks that because they "made a decision for Christ" once in the remote past, there will be no judgment of works by God for the "believer".

That's just not the way the scriptures read. And why does the Bible warn us over and over again to not lose our faith? "Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God. Goodness towards you if you remain in his goodness, otherwise you also will be cut off." There is only one way to remain in God's goodness, or good graces if you will, and that is by faith in Jesus Christ. 

The devil isn't just going to sit there knitting socks for the condemned, he is out for souls. In order to win the day, we must make sure the devil loses. If we listen to the hypocrites, our faith will be cooled off until we are spewed out of the mouth of God. Let's keep fighting the good fight of faith so that we can say to our enemies on That Day, "I win, you lose".

Chris Simonson  9/27/2005

What about you?

The scary guy at the end of the conference table leaned in and said, "So, how about it then? We can let each other operate in our own territory and let bygones be bygones?"

It was a privilege, really, to be sitting here with this distinguished bunch. Down at the far end was either the devil himself or one of his generals, or I'm easily overawed at shows of power. He had been leading the discussion by acuity and rhetoric, leaving most of the rest of us behind. As a matter of fact, I think I hadn't said two words. I felt ashamed, because here I thought I knew something. The others had varying levels of learning and legitimacy, but all seemed superior to my own abilities. And there I was, at the opposite end of the table from the devil, or whoever, and he was looking all around at the conclave, waiting for the conciliatory cave-ins.

The ones with the most vestments caved first. "We think this is reasonable. It is viable. It is ecumenical and diabolical. We like it."

Some of the others quavered for a few minutes, exchanging apologetic aphorisms among themselves. But they smiled and said, "Yes, we see the wisdom of compromise. We will return to our people and convince them it's all about image. We will buy them images and they can worship at the church of their choice."

Some held out longer than the others, but under the withering glare of the nasty-looking businessman at the head of the table, they acquiesced so humbly and politely.

Then there was only me. I was glad I was sitting at the other end of the table. But now, all of the team players were staring at me. Mr. Mephisto is leaning in all the more. Their smiles indicate assurance, but their astringent hearts make them sneer. Why does it always have to be me?

The guards are getting anxious. They have been standing all around for what seems like years, decked out in finest regalia, automatic weapons ready. Before I answer, I look around one last time. It is then that I notice you, sitting there quietly beside me, sweat running down your brow. So I'm not the last one. Encouraged by this and wanting to encourage you, I say, "Jesus Christ is the only way. All other ways lead to hell. The devil over there would try to convince us otherwise, and he is very good at what he does, but he knows he only has a short time before he will be thrown into the lake of fire that burns forever and ever. I don't know about you gentlemen, but I'm going to heaven to be with my Lord."

This did not please Old Nick down at the end of the table. He has assured me that my end will be miserable. Now, the question remains...

What about you?

Chris Simonson  9/26/2005

Pointers on Preaching the Gospel in Public:


1. Be committed to preaching the Gospel. If you are going to preach, then commit yourself; once a week is a great way to start. The most effective way to preach is continually being out there.

2. Find some brethren, at least one, to go with you.

3. Spend some time in the Scriptures with the brethren you are going out preaching with (before you go out), and have a time of prayer, specifically for the brethren, and their families and that the hearts would be open to receive the Gospel.

4. Try to connect with some local fellowships; not so much to proselytize, but to find brethren that are like-minded. Sometimes, you will find a fellowship with other brethren willing to spend time preaching the Gospel. Avoid bringing out groups to advertise this fellowship or that fellowship; it appears schismatic and often lead to agendas other than the preaching of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

5. Find some good gospel tracts. A lot of times people will try to find specific tracts relating to specific types of people, but the fact is that all people fall short of the glory of God and are in need of a Savior, and you can't ever go wrong picking a tract with the basic, Gospel message. The tracts should focus on the fact that to reject Christ has eternal consequences. Avoid the 'god-shaped hole in your heart', 'five steps to spiritual success', type of tracts; these type of tracts skip daintily around eternal damnation and are often void of the Gospel, leading to false converts. Avoid tracts that have a contract signature on them, as if one will now go to heaven because they signed the tract.

6. The most important event is the preparation before you go preach. Memorize Scripture; I recommend putting Scriptures on index cards, like makeshift flash-cards. This is important as many times people are in a hurry and you usually only have 1-2 minutes to present the Gospel to someone. This is where Scripture memory really comes in handy, as you may not have time to pull out your Bible to find that specific Scripture to communicate the Gospel; many times they respond better when Bible verses are presented, with responses of "What do you mean by that?" or "What does that mean?", which is better than winning the lottery as you get to explain the Gospel further.

7. When you go to the streets, take a specific area of the block or a particular corner, so the people get to know you there. Find a corner about 8-10 feet away from any entry/egress door, as not to block, and make sure your team stays away from standing in the middle of the sidewalk. When you present the tract, a good way to break the ice is to say "This is about Jesus." It is good to extol the name of the Lord every chance you get. Keep an eye on your team.

8. Continually pray to yourself while preaching, for conviction as people walk by and for repentance of sin. If you have time, pray for the brothers around you, pray for the Body of Christ in your area, and for those whom feed the flock. Pray for the persecuted Church. Pray that people would be drawn to you to hear the Gospel.

9. People respond to tracts mostly because they have something tangible in their hands, and sometimes feel obligated to inquire as to what the message is about.

10. Remember that when you present the Gospel it is always by faith; you don't know whether someone is going to come to Christ that day, or two years from then, or even at all. You go out because you are being obedient to the Scripture to peach the Good news of Jesus Christ, not because you see people 'coming to Christ'. That thinking is a common error and will often lead to frustration; you are not there to bean-count, but are there to present the Gospel. Whether you see them respond to the Gospel in repentance or respond to it by rejecting it, the Gospel is always effective; the word of God never comes back void.

So, when we are preaching the Gospel, we must have a Kingdom perspective, knowing we are winning souls for the Kingdom, through the work of the Holy Spirit. We should keep this in mind when we find ourselves hasty to ‘see’ people come to Christ. It is Christ whom is ultimately responsible for His Church and His Body; we are but mere servants of our Lord to present His Gospel.

Steven  9/23/2005

The Contract

Salvation is eternal, not a thing in the past.  It is continual: The word of Jesus Christ washed us and his word keeps on washing us.  Once we have believed, we are washed.  We know that the blood of Jesus Christ washes away sin and we are washed.  We are sanctified and we are justified by the Name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.  This is not something that stops in the past and something else starts.  Salvation is eternal, not the beginning of some other process. Religious reductionism makes false dichotomies and methodologies which do nothing to help a person be saved.  Sanctification is a part of salvation, in other words, not icing on the cake. 

To believe otherwise is to become antinomian in one's beliefs, whereby obedience becomes secondary to assurance. Because the servant is not sure of his track record, he loses assurance, then gets it back via priests who pat him on the head like a lapdog.  Instead of receiving repentance unto salvation, he gets mere pittance unto bankruptcy. If he has broken contract by denying the faith, God is faithful and cannot deny Himself.  

Therefore, the contract broken is the witness against the unfaithful and disobedient. But if we run the race with hope, not just for exercise, then we will win. That work God has started will be completed, because we have full assurance until the end that what God promised, he is also able to perform.

Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.  1 Cor. 15:1-2

But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end.  Hebrews 3:6

Who will render to every man according to his deeds:  To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life: Romans 2:6-7

Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.  Romans 11:22

My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.  And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him. 1 John 3:18-19

Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. Jude 21

Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own steadfastness. But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.  2 Peter 3:17-18

Chris Simonson  9/22/2005

Our Main Enemies

In my brief history of passing out tracts on the city streets over the last thirty years, I have found that our main enemies are... Christians!

Of course, our only support comes from Christians, so what gives? It seems that many who profess to be Christian feel emboldened to judge us because they belong to this or that organization. This tactic seems to be the only thing they are capable of doing at the moment, because we catch them in their sin.

In order to cover themselves up, they must shout things like, "Judge not, lest you be judged!" while engaging in their secret lives of wickedness. God will judge them out of their own mouths. But there are many brethren who have been misled by these enemies of the cross of Christ. That's why we go to them, to find them in their places of sin and warn them to come out from there.

These have been brought up in the false doctrines that take them from licentiousness to legalism and back again, over and over. That's why they are so quick to say, "I'm a Christian and I'm going to church tomorrow morning!", after they spend the night in what they hope to be sensuous pleasure.

Their pastor will tell them they are saved no matter what (and be sure to tithe and smile) and not to worry about those jerks in the street who warn them of their hypocrisy. But if they are God's children, they will soon see they horror of false Christianity and separate themselves from the doctrine of demons.

Their pastors are quick to quote, out of context, Ephesians 2:8, but they would never quote Ephesians 4:17, "This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind" or Phil. 3:18-19, "For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things" or Ephesians 5:6, "Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience" or Col.3:6, "For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience."

Chris Simonson  9/21/2005

Christian Garage Sale

We had a garage sale the other day. I suppose this might qualify for, "Go and sell all that you have, give the money to the poor, and come, follow me," but, unlike the command, we were only selling off things that we had no more use for. The clutter is becoming unbearable, and unlike some other Christians who can afford to rent a mini-storage, or buy a large house capable of storing much worldly wealth, we must live the small spaces left over between it, or sell the junk.

Some friends and neighbors brought up their goods to sell. They are trading up, and had to get rid of old doors and windows, furniture, bicycles, lawnmowers, children's toys, children's clothes, children's computer games, children's computers and other electronics, and children's trinkets to make room for the new. We adults talked of weddings and anniversaries. We talked of college careers and the price of tuition. We talked of jobs and health insurance, retirement and health insurance, and the high price of living and dying.

New pickups and SUV's and sedans drove up all day long, disgorging ardent rag pickers. The children witnessed the haggling of prices and the handling of cash. If they were paying attention, they were absorbing the realities of American Christianity.

This is Saturday. In order to keep up appearances, we will go to church tomorrow and see all our friends in a religious setting. We will talk of sales and real estate, and how the Lord watches over us and gives us deals. We will neglect the fact that our riches come at the expense of some Chinese or Koreans or Mexicans or Indonesians or some other sweat shop community. We will show up in our new summer outfits sanctioned by Casual Chapel and blessed by Consumers Guide.

We will tell our fellow parishioners how much money we made at the garage sale (just look at my new outfit!), and, we will drop the tithe in the plate because we know this is God's command for good little Christians who go to church and think holy thoughts during the worship service.

The stuff we didn't sell wound up at 'U-Turn for Christ', at their thrift store. The money goes to help this Christian ministry that uses recently released inmates to buy and sell things in order to teach them how to be useful citizens and worthy consumers, hopefully keeping them out of jail. I suppose these ex-cons substitute for the poor of whom Jesus spoke in his command to go and sell everything. I notice they wear better clothes than the migrant fruit pickers who work in the adjacent orchards; work that the inmates disdain. The leader drives them around in the new van the ministry purchased with church funds, and takes them on missionary trips to Thailand for a couple of weeks at a time. They do work around the neighborhood, if you are willing to 'donate'.

Well, I hope we are fulfilling Jesus' command to love anyway, because I really can't part with my collection of Beanie Babies.  See you at church.

Chris Simonson  9/20/2005

Divert from the point

The story of the rich man and Lazarus is used as a diversion from the point of the story by all too many 'expositors' out there. They love to grind time and sense from it. The favorite is to get into arguments as to whether it is a parable or not. After exhausting that pointless subject, they get to their reason for arguing about whether it's a parable, and that is, they say the story has nothing to do with just punishment and rewards.

Pretty soon, we have elaborate theological systems worked out from this story regarding the whereabouts of the dead. There are systems of where the dead were before Christ came, where they are after Christ came, the state of them during either of these periods, and on, and on. But ask them what the point of the story is and they will refuse the plain meaning: "During your life, rich man, you had comfort and ease at the expense of poor Lazarus."

Now the tide has turned and Lazarus goes to be with Abraham and you get your just reward for your selfishness. That is the point of the story. The rich will study their Greek and their favorite authors but will never come to repentance, unless they become conscious of their own greed. They have only Moses and the prophets, who warned them about these very things (Luke 16:29).

Chris Simonson  9/19/2005

How to preach the gospel without converting a soul.
Adapted from George Finney

Rule #1: Most important of all, win people to yourself. Rest assured, your preaching will be adapted to that end. Try to please, rather than convert your hearers.

2. Inasmuch as possible, let your preaching be short on scriptural content, long on entertainment.

3. Sermons should be universal in appeal, ambiguous in application. Do not ever be specific enough to disturb the consciences of your hearers. Make no distinct points, and take no disturbing issues with the consciences of your hearers, lest they remember these issues, and become alarmed about their souls.

4. Give your sermon the form and substance of a flowing, beautifully written, but never-to-be-remembered essay; so that your hearers will say "it was a beautiful sermon," but can give no further account of it.

5. Avoid preaching doctrines that are offensive to the carnal mind, lest they should say of you, as they did of Christ, "This is a hard saying. Who can hear it?" and that you are injuring your influence. Never preach the Law, unless to show it is no longer part of God's program.

6. Denounce sin in the abstract, but make no reference to known sins of your present audience. Preach the Gospel as a remedy, but conceal, or ignore the fatal disease of the sinner. Avoid especially preaching to those who are present. Preach about sinners, and not to them. Say they, and not you, lest any one should make a personal and saving application of your subject.

7. Preach salvation by grace; but ignore the condemned and lost condition of the sinner, lest he should understand what you mean by grace, and feel his need of it. Preach Christ as an infinitely amiable and good-natured being; but ignore those scathing rebukes of sinners and hypocrites which so often made his hearers tremble.

8. Aim to make your hearers pleased with themselves and pleased with you, and be careful not to wound the feelings of any one. Preach the love of God, but ignore the holiness of His love, that will by no means clear the impenitent sinner. Try to convert sinners to Christ without producing any uncomfortable convictions of sin.
9. Often present God in His parental love and relations; but ignore His governmental and legal relations to His subjects, lest the sinner should find himself condemned already, and the wrath of God abiding on him.

10. Should any express anxiety about their souls, do not convict them of their sinful condition before God, or their lack of care about their souls, but encourage them to join the church at once, and exhort them to assume their perfect safety within the fold.
11. Stress that religion is not necessary but rather 'relation'; in other words, tell your hearers that instead of continuing in sacrifice of one's own desires for obedience to God, it's O.K. to maintain a casual relationship with God that allows self-indulgence. By thus doing, you will prevent sound conversions to Christ, and you will rather convert your hearers to yourself.

12. So you don't experience embarrassing scenes of true repentance, with loud crying out to God and confession of sins, encourage church socials, parties, picnics, retreats, excursions to foreign lands, and other worldly amusements, so as to divert attention from the serious work of saving souls.

13. Ridicule doctrines that allude to pulling sinners out of the fire. Treat them as obsolete and unrefined. Show that serving Christ is a 'blast', that ours is a jovial, fun-loving religion, and sinners will have little respect if you ever do some serious preaching.

14. If your Bible text suggests any alarming thought, pass lightly over it, and by no means dwell upon and enforce it.

15. Address the imagination, and not the conscience, of your hearers. Make sure you tell all sorts of stories, replete with anecdotes and allegories, but never challenge your hearers to repent.

16. Be tame and timid in presenting the Biblical claims of God, as though they are your opinions only and others have different opinions (and present the other opinions as options). Do not speak with authority, because you want your hearers think you are humble and meek.

17. If you happen to say something that is specific to your audience, make sure it's flattering.

The experience of ministers who have steadily adhered to any of the above rules, will attest the soul-destroying efficacy of such a course, and churches whose ministers have steadily conformed to any of these rules can testify that such preaching does not convert souls to Christ.

Chris Simonson   9/18/2005

Dear Brothers & Sisters in Christ,

It is time to be honest with ourselves and evaluate our motives. What is it, exactly, that you are doing to serve Jesus?

Do we indeed serve the God of all Creation, the Savior whom has redeemed us from eternal damnation, whom has empowered us with His Holy Spirit unto good works and has given us His Word, The Bible, and testimonies of righteous men whom were justified by faith, some of whom were tortured and persecuted for the sake of the Gospel... so that what? So that we can get that two-hour commitment out of the way on Sunday mornings... what we call 'church'?

What are you going to say to God on that Day, when all your works will be tested by fire? Are you going to say "Lord, Lord! Look at all these wooden structures I have erected in your name! Do you not hear the bleating of all those sheep? I saved them as a sacrifice for you!"

What will you say on that Day?

Steven  9/16/2005

Members of the American modern church are being 'called' to go abroad to places like Africa for short stays; these trips are anywhere from 1 month to 3 months and cost 4 thousand dollars or more per individual. I find it fascinating that many of these individuals, whom have felt the very public African 'calling', were not so public about preaching the Gospel to their own people, in their own land.

When questioned about their intent in going to Africa, The typical response has been: We are going to go over to dig ditches, build buildings, distribute goods.

The answers made me wonder, why is it that these same individuals cannot preach the Gospel to their fellow Americans, and in the same public boast?

Did not the preaching of the Gospel start first in Jerusalem, and go out from there? In spite of this, the Modern church here in America has bought this idea that they can skip Jerusalem altogether and go straight to what they call "the mission field".

if this Gospel preaching is so important, why go do missionary work in places like Malawi, Kenya or South Africa, countries which are known to be about 80% Christian? Why not go to Yemen, Sudan or Iraq, which are perhaps 1% to 3% Christian? (Countries where Christians are being slaughtered by the thousands, places that could use the Gospel.)

I don't buy this idea that these 'missionaries' are indeed going to preach the Gospel, as they have themselves admitted, but merely to "help out".

As Christians what business do we have going over there unless to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ? Ten thousand years from now, when we are in the Kingdom of God for Eternity, what is going to be left of these so-called works? The only thing that will remain is the Gospel that was preached; the buildings will be gone, the ditches un-dug, the grass huts deteriorated and the food eaten. The scriptures say: "Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away." Matt. 24:35

Finally, instead of going on your 'missionary vacation', why not take that same 4 thousand dollars and send it to the African Church, or the persecuted Church, ministering to the needs of their people, to buy much food and promote the Gospel for which they have suffered? I am certain they are not short of laborers, but perhaps food for the body and soul.

Steven  9/15/2005

Almost the entire world has witnessed the devastation of this hurricane named 'Katrina'. We have been frightened and dismayed at the sight of the corpses floating in the sewage-laden water and at the defiled filth and chaos that rose up out of the city of New Orleans.

We have heard reports of mass looting, rampant murders and horrific neglect of the sick and elderly; in the Superdome we heard about more murders and about children being raped in the restrooms. The death toll continues to rise in the hundreds, possibly ending in thousands.

Three days ago, we heard about the anniversary of a previous disaster called 9/11, horrors mentioned in passing by the media, caused by bloodthirsty, diabolical deceivers, whom swear under the false god named Allah. We saw buildings collapse, fire and death; we saw Men and women jumping from the upper stories of the World Trade Center towers, wishing to die in such a manner rather than be burned to death. Thousands of men, women and emergency workers were murdered on that day.

What, then, is the Christian response? Do we rise up and slay the wicked? No, for these things are in the hands of God, and as the Scriptures say: " Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord." Rom. 12:1

instead, under the heading of the red cross and salvation army, The Church historically has compassionately provided aid, instead of death, through the Gospel.

In light of these disasters, one is compelled to ask: "Why has God allowed these things to come upon our country?" Perhaps we should take note that God is judging this nation for it's defiled and wicked ways: it's idols of feminism, it's slaughter of the unborn, it's embracement of homosexuality and it's covetous appetite. Ultimately, the Christian church here in America has become so ashamed of the Gospel that it has almost lost it's salt, it's savor and the ability to test and approve God's perfect and pleasing will.

Will we not repent? Must we face yet another calamity brought forth by the vengeance of God, due to an apathetic church?

I am speaking to you, Christian, because you have claimed to be born again and saved from the wrath of God and, yet, you have read the Scriptures: you know where those whom reject Christ are going. You have made sure that you are 'saved', but have made little effort to show anyone else the only Way, the only Truth and the only Life.

Are you going to attempt to give material aid, yet shamefully neglect to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ? Are you going to render temporary service to a generation heading to Hell and yet withhold the Gospel, an apathetic action which has eternal consequences?

Do you fear man over God? Do not fear the one whom can merely destroy the body, but fear Him which has the power to cast the soul into Hell.

" but if a man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God in this name. 17 For the time is come for judgment to begin at the house of God: and if it begin first at us, what shall be the end of them that obey not the gospel of God? 18. And if the righteous is scarcely saved, where shall the ungodly and sinner appear?" 1 peter 4:16-18

Steven   9/14/2005

Our permit allowed us to occupy a 'free speech zone.' This meant that we were not free to wander around the sidewalk in front of the main gate to CalExpo where the California State Fair is held. However, our 'free speech zone' borders the sidewalk that leads from the parking area to main gate. This gives us the opportunity to preach to a flowing crowd, sometimes a couple of dozen hearers in a dynamic five second gathering. The sidewalk performs as a conveyor belt, allowing us to remain stationary while the souls pass by.

Some years ago, we tried silently passing out tracts in front of the main gate but were threatened with arrest by the California State Fair Police. Then we found out about the 'free speech zones.' This actually works to our benefit, because we are reaching at least twenty times more people in four days than we could in two hours of passing out tracts. Plus, we are able to open air preach as well.

Many Christians are timid when it comes to the gospel. They need encouragement. We need encouragement. Jesus said that whoever is ashamed of him and his words, he will be ashamed of in that day when he returns with the host of his Father's angels. The opportunity to preach the gospel is being shut down little by little while ?Christians? sit by apathetically, while their legislators vote for gay marriage and other abominations. Do not call this love or tolerance, but fear of man.

Paul always asked for prayers that he might be bold in presenting the gospel. What else is left for you, dear reader, but to pray the same for us?

Chris Simsonson  9/13/2005

Allegories in modern preaching
by Martin Luther

To play with allegories in Christian doctrine is dangerous. The words, now and then, sound nice and smooth, but they are to no purpose. They serve well for such preachers that have not studied much, who know not how to correctly expound the histories and texts, whose 'leather is too short' and will not fit. These resort to allegories, wherein nothing is taught "certainly not on which a man may build" therefore, we should accustom ourselves to remain by the clear and pure text.

The allegory of a sophist is always twisted; it slithers and curls itself like a snake, which is never straight, whether she speed, creep, or sleep (only when she is dead, she is straight enough!). Allegories and spiritual significations when applied to faith are seldom commendable, but when they draw doctrine from anecdotes and earthly behavior, they are dangerous; and when men make too much of them pervert the doctrine of faith.

Allegories are fine ornaments, but not proof of anything. We are not lightly to make use of them, except the principal cause has been first sufficiently proved, and that with strong grounds and arguments, as with St Paul in the fourth chapter to Galatians. The body is the logic, but allegory the rhetoric.

Rhetoric, which adorns and enlarges a thing with words, is of no value without logic, which roundly and briefly comprehends a matter. When with rhetoric men will make many words, without ground, it is but a trimmed thing, a carved idol.

[Sophist: Greek teachers and their progeny who use clever and plausible, but fallacious, arguments or reasoning, whether or not to intentionally deceive].

9/12/2005

...when he said, "It will be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment, than for that city"? Those of us who know what the term 'sodomite' means understand that the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed for their extreme wickedness. They had become so depraved, so degenerate, that when they saw the attractive angels sent by God to rescue Lot, they wanted to have sex with them. This is how America has become, especially the state of California, of which I am a resident. God has given them over to a reprobate mind, says Romans 1. They decided that worship of God consisted of having a nice feeling in their flesh, and so He gave them over to crude desires of sex, and even their natural lust for the opposite sex was not good enough, so they burned in their desire for their own. This is so God can judge them. He gave them more than enough chances. Sodom did not hear the word of salvation through Jesus Christ. Therefore, they have much less punishment in store than the average American homosexual, and they have very little punishment compared to the eternal torment that lies ahead for those who call themselves Christians but, in the name of tolerance, do not warn the wicked to repent.

"And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear you, when ye depart thence, shake off the dust under your feet for a testimony against them. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment, than for that city." And they went out, and preached that men should repent. Mark 6:11-12

Chris Simonson  9/09/2005

Chris Simonson  9/08/2005

IN Luke 16, verses 19-31, We see a certain rich man who lived his days long and full, a man whom probably invested wisely, preparing for the future, having his storehouses in order. Outside his gate lay this decrepit, starving beggar, named Lazarus, whose name is written in the Book of Life.

Lazarus, whom God did not visibly bless with health or wealth, was provided no earthly aid in this parable. But, the rich man had an overflowing abundance, so much so that Lazarus wished he could eat but the crumbs that fell from the rich man's table.

It turned out that both Lazarus and the rich man died; the rich man was placed in hell. In the midst of his torment, he somehow communicates across the chasm with Abraham, asking for just one drop of water to cool his tongue; when this is denied, he asked that Lazarus go back from the dead to warn his brothers at his house of this horrible place, that they may avoid it. Abraham denies this request, and says to him: "They have Moses and the Prophets, let them hear them."

Today, we have Christ and those whom preach His Gospel, warning men of sin, judgment and of Hell; just like the rich man from the parable, the ones whom hear the Gospel and reject the Son of God will have all Eternity to know what they missed and why they missed it.

Thus is the reason it is so vital to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the world, that men may have the opportunity to be spared from the torment of Hell; just as the rich man longed for someone to go back and warn his family, so these whom reject Christ will long that they had heard the message of Jesus Christ and repented.

While you, Christian, are attending your next Sunday Services, how many souls have you passed by, being careless and apathetic with God's Word? You say you believe, but you don't want to preach the Gospel because you fear an offense, or somehow being made to feel 'uncomfortable'.

Which is worse: being made uncomfortable for the sake of the Gospel, or watching those eternally damned being thrown into the lake of fire because you were ashamed to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ?

Steven  9/07/2005

Those whom walked past our booth this weekend, outside the main Gate of the California State Fair, heard the Gospel; on the day of judgment they will have no excuse and will not be able to say "Why did you not warn us of this awful, eternal torment?"

We preached the Gospel of everlasting life to those whom would receive the Son and the Gospel of everlasting death to those whom rejected the Son. Thanks to your prayers we were emboldened and empowered by the Holy Spirit to present the Gospel effectively and accurately from the Scriptures. For the multitudes whom passed through the valley of decision, the day of the Lord seemed near, as men were challenged to make a decision for Christ.

Many claimed faith in Christ, but continued to walk away as quickly as they had made their claim. Some claimed to be pastors and/or pastor's wives, as if that was going to shut us up from preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Others claimed to know everything they needed to know about Jesus, but had no Scriptures to share. Others chanted the quasi faith-driven mantra of atheism, while trying to convince themselves that there was no God. Still others became angry & enraged, hastily & hypocritically assuming that the 'loving God' would not preach His Gospel of love.

Others received the Gospel pamphlets with graciousness, and some heard the Gospel and pondered to themselves, "Where will I spend eternity?" The Christian Church responded with joy and delight, encouraged and strengthened by our presence, seeing us presenting the Gospel which they believed. We had fellowship with some  brethren, gracious men whose names will be found in the Book of Life on that Day.

After approximately 20,000 tracts and 48 hours of preaching, we closed the booth and thanked our Lord with joy for the privilege of being able to present the Gospel of Jesus Christ, our Lord and our King.

Steven  9/06/2005

Each religion in the world has its own outward rituals to please some god or to secure their righteousness and each one thinks he is right. However, while the way of every man is right in his own eyes, there is One who judges the heart.

What He finds in men’s hearts and how He weighs the thoughts of men are radically different from what the world esteems. The Son of God bore testimony to us that the hearts of men are desperately wicked above all things. It is not any sort of food that a person puts into his mouth that will condemn him but what comes forth from the heart; and from the heart comes evil thoughts, murder, adultery, other sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, and slander.

Change your heart and mind, and be forgiven. Do not be satisfied with a debased nature. The natural man will be destroyed because he follows the desires of the flesh; but a mind like Christ’s will be renewed by the Word of God. Oh, stubborn man, who will save you? None other than Jesus Christ, the Son of the Most High God. Anyone who trusts in Him will never be put to shame.

Matt Simonson   9/05/2005

Come out and see that the Lord is good; come preach the Gospel. The God of mercy is calling for repentance. For all those whom have ears to hear, come join us and preach the Gospel which leads to eternal life, for the calling and time is now.

Let not another soul go to the abyss without hearing the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Motivate yourself! Do something for Christ. Motivate yourself: respond to the conviction of the Holy Spirit, and do something for Christ by preaching His Gospel. Please join us, or pray for us, but stand not against us, for we are commanded by and empowered by God to preach His Gospel; hear the calling and obey. 

We will be out in front of the Main Gate at Cal Expo, the Ca State Fair today, Saturday, Sunday and Monday. I look forward to meeting some of you.

Blessings; may the Lord cause His face to shine upon you, may you serve Him with diligence as the time is short.

Steven  9/02/2005

We should know through a study of scripture that worship means to bow before, and give the reverence and praise to, some person or object. Singing songs is a part of this, but Jesus said a hypocrite loves to do this. They feel they have drawn near to God, but their works betray their hearts.

And what about fellowship? 95 times out of 100 they mean church socials, church retreats, church functions, etc. They do not mean fellowship in the gospel. If we listen with unclogged ears, we can hear their fellowship consists of the same fellowship as the world, minus cuss words and overt sexual references (usually). In the Bible, fellowship has to do with fellowship in the words of Jesus Christ. Do we hear the words of Jesus Christ as they stand in the lobby just after "Sunday service"? Do we hear the words of Jesus Christ as they go on tour to Israel?

Of course, they will tell you they do well, at least 75% of the time, so don't judge them. My Bible says to judge them by their works. They insist that their fleshly fellowship is the equivalent of spiritual fellowship and they don't want to argue about words, especially ones put together as spiritual thoughts. This is not fellowship.

So that leaves teaching. If there is a church out there with lousy worship, lousy fellowship, but good teaching, then I suggest you attend that church and pay them their tithe. But as I said at the beginning of this message: "One cannot be without the other."

Chris Simonson   9/01/2005