RC 180703 S5 1149

Intro 00:00 - 02:10

Hooks:

1st Segment - 02:10 - 17:10 Solus Christus NO More -

Theology/Doctrine: Universalism & Postmodernism

Christ alone no longer part of Gospel message

No need for the cross/ atonement

Apparently the cross is not necessary to reconcile humans to God. According to the Presbyterians Church, God would not need to send His Son to die because He (God) dispenses His grace on all.

Story Background:

https://www.theaquilareport.com/no-solus-christus-for-the-pcusa/

Apparently the cross is not necessary to reconcile humans to God. According to the Presbyterians Church, God would not need to send His Son to die because He (God) dispenses His grace on all.

During the Presbyterian Churches General Assembly this year, they offered prayers, as many other denominations do during their assemblies. The opening leader is not a muslim invoking a muslim prayer as in last years General Assembly in Ga. However here is the prayer that was offered up.

We praise you for the gift of faith we have received in Jesus Christ. We praise you also for diverse faith among the peoples of the earth. You have bestowed your grace that Christians, Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, Practitioners of traditional religions and others may celebrate your goodness, act upon your truth and demonstrate your righteousness. In wonder and awe we praise you great God (see pg. 113 of the 223GA Program Book).

Bestow Your grace -

We as Christians believe in 2 types of grace, Common grace and Special Grace. Reformed theology, however, insists on the essential difference between common and special grace. Special grace is supernatural and spiritual: it removes the guilt and pollution of sin and lifts the sentence of condemnation. Common grace, on the other hand, is natural; and while some of its forms may be closely connected with saving grace, it does not remove sin nor set man free, but merely restrains the outward manifestations of sin and promotes outward morality and decency, good order in society and civic righteousness, the development of science and art, and so on. It works only in the natural, and not in the spiritual realm. It should be maintained therefore that, while the two are closely connected in the present life, they are yet essentially different, and do not differ merely in degree. No amount of common grace can ever introduce the sinner into the new life that is in Christ Jesus.

The effects of common grace:

(a) The sentence of death on man is deferred. God did not at once fully execute the sentence of death on the sinner, but gives him time for repentance, ; 2 Pet. 8:9.

(b) Sin is restrained in the lives of individuals and nations The corruption that entered human life through sin is slowed and not yet permitted to complete its destructive work, ; ; ; .

(c) Man still has some sense of the true, the good, and the beautiful, appreciates this in a measure, and reveals a desire for truth, morality, and certain forms of religion, , ; .

(d) The natural man is still able to perform natural good or civil righteousness, works that are outwardly in harmony with the law, though without spiritual value, , ; ; ;; .

(e) All men receive numerous undeserved blessings from God, , , ; , ; , ; , ; ;10.

Here Inlies the problem and issues in the prayer offered up. It magnifies the theology of Universalism, postmodernism. All roads can’t lead to God. If so then much in God’s word is not necessary. But so goes the conundrum when truth has no foundation. When truth is a moving and subjective thought.

All Faiths “act upon Your (God’s) truth” - How can a faith that doesn’t believe in Jesus as Savior act on God’s truth? You can’t claim God’s truth in one breath and deny Him in another. God’s word says ; ;

PCUSA claims of defends that people of all faiths can claim the truth of God, while denying the truths and beliefs in Jesus Christ. In most religions, you can find some moral and spiritual truth. But does this truth point to God, Jesus or the Holy Spirit. Is the truth one that is built of a foundation of solid truth, or is it a partial truth that can move when the mood hits them.

Demonstrate Your Righteousness - You can look into many religions and you will find a righteous attitude. In many cases you will find legally defined righteousness, as religious folks may define it. When you look at man as a whole you will find dirt. Isaiah even stated that our righteousness is nothing but dirty rags (). claims that “no, not one is righteous”, We hold no candle to God in any fashion. Even through Special Grace we are not righteous, we are cloaked in the righteousness of Jesus Christ. PCUSA may claim or desire to believe that common grace can give people the ability to present themselves as righteous. But that is false, only through the redemptive work of Jesus Christ can our sins be cleansed. You can’t deny Christ and have Him do the work atonement in your life.

“A policeman has a book of law, or better known as a codebook. The policemen shows up because a law has been broken. But the book does not take you to jail. The book does not condemn or go after the person who’s hurt you. All the codebook does is give you guidelines by which the laws can be manifested.

When someone is breaking into your house, you don’t need a codebook. You need a person who represents the codebook. That is, you need the codebook brought to life in an individual. You need a person to bring alive what’s been written in the law book against trespassing on private property. You can’t say to the criminal, here is the law. You’re trying to break into my house, let me read to you what the law says: “Thou shall not trespass on private property”. While you are right with the law, there is no power in simply reading it. You have to pick up the phone and call 911 because you want the law enforced by somebody who’s got the power to pull off what the book talks about.

The Grace of God has appeared. It teaches us from the book what’s godly and what’s not, but you’re looking to the officer to enforce the book in the context of your environment. When you get the combination of the written Word connected with the Living Word, you get to experience the engine of Grace.” Tony Evans

Common grace may give man the ability to know what is moral. Man may know what is right or wrong or even what is good or evil. As Christians, we may share what the Bible says about morality, right and wrong, good and evil; However, until man experiences the Living Word, Jesus Christ, he cannot know the goodness of God, He cannot act on the truth of Jesus or God, and most definitely cannot demonstrate the righteousness of God. Because this all comes from the atonement and redemptive work of Jesus Christ on the Cross. You can’t deny the cross and experience any of what some churches promise. Christ alone is our Hope and nothing else.

Bumper 17:10 - 18:10 Media - Everyday

Break 18:10 - 19:25 Media - Coffe dot org Media - Refuge Life

Bumper 19:25 - 19:35 Media - Everyday

Media 19:35 - 19:40 Media - Air Horn

2nd Segment - 19:35 - 24:45 5 Min Rant - Hillsong Has ruined it for everyone

Hillsong Teaching Evolution

Background Story:

https://answersingenesis.org/culture/hillsong-united-lyrics-and-evolution/?utm_source=articlesmedia&utm_medium=email&utm_content=1-banner-cta&utm_campaign=20180630&mc_cid=fb5edcca62&mc_eid=a7a0c636db

Hillsong has ruined it for everyone. It is all over now.

All worship, praise and contemporary songs need to be removed from the Church and any services. Words are mistranslated and hidden meanings are contained in there. Don’t believe me listen to these lyrics:

All nature and science

Follow the sound of Your voice

And as You speak

A hundred billion creatures catch Your breath

Evolving in pursuit of what You said

If it all reveals Your nature so will I

These come from a song by Hillsong. In an interview with Hillsong United, published on the Hope 103.2 website in July 2017, we read,

So [the song] is a journey of creation, and all the things in the world that were created by God and for God. And following along that line, the Bible talks about singing with creation. So for us it’s reminding ourselves, we’re a part of this journey [of creation] as well. We’re all singing out this one song.

The song begins within the context of creation. In the same July 2017 article, we also read that Joel Houston (son of Hillsong founder Brian Houston) had a lot to do with the lyrics. According to the Hillsong.com website, Joel is a lead pastor of NYC, and he “is a Creative Director for Hillsong Church globally and he currently lives in New York City, where he is helping to build Hillsong NYC.” The July 2017 article says,

And Joel [Houston] is an incredible lyricist as well. Ben had this song, called Artisan, originally. It was a great song, and a lot of what’s in there now, was in there at the start. But Joel, as he does, took it and was like, “I feel like there’s more to this. God wants to say more in the song.”

Evil I declare, evil. How dare a song not portray God’s word 100% accurately. Oh wait, have you looked at some of the translations of Bibles coming off the printing press. Changing pronouns and adjectives to prevent someone from feeling oppressed. Bursting the bubble on their safe zone.

When did music become something more than entertainment. When did it become a place to get your theology from? Joel Houston was asked in interviews and on Twitter about tackling evolution. His response was ok, He was sound in the fact that God is our creator. He did leave the door open for evolution (or adaptation to environment) but all is according to God’s plan.

I do have issues with some songs that are portrayed as Christian, or artist that take on that role without living out a life or imitating a life of Christ. Normally these titles are given with the prospect to make more sales than converts. In fact I would be suspicious of anyone making a profession of faith because of a song than on being given the gospel music. Not saying that God can’t use a song to convict someone.

Scripture tells us to make a joyful noise, and that’s exactly what I do when I sing, make noise. But I don’t count that as my testimony but as worship to God. Many songs that I hear and that we play on Refuge radio are not what you would call theologically sound or groundbreaking. But they do edify, worship and glorify God. That is what our worship should do. But in many cases, these songs are for enjoyment, entertainment and building others up.

We should not be going to contemporary Christian, nor worship or even gospel music for our doctrine. Our doctrine, our theology should come from one place, God’s word. Nowhere in scripture does it say to check others preaching against a song.

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 complete.

We need to be careful to what we do listen to. But in the same hand, we must be careful not to lift music up to the status of God’s word. I understand that people are complaining about this song and others because they worry how some people may see or interpret the song and what it “may mean”. People misinterpret the Bible every day. They cherry pick and twist God’s word to fit their agenda. I am more concerned with these people because they are perverting the word of God and not some piece of music meant for entertainment.

Bumper 24:00 - 25:00 Media - Everyday

Break 25:00 - 26:15 Media - Pureflix Media - Refuge Life

Bumper 26:15 - 27:00 Media - Everyday

3rd Segment - 27:00 - 40:30 I’m A Christian Again

Theology/ Doctrine: False Conversions I’m Christian again, but I’ve always been one

I’m Christian again, but I’ve always been one

Backstory:

https://www.theblaze.com/news/2018/06/28/rapper-snoop-dogg-says-hes-a-brand-new-man-preaches-baptism?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Daily-Newsletter__AM-Final%202018-06-29&utm_term=TheBlaze%20Daily%20AM%20-%20last%20270%20days

There are those people that just make you scratch your head. That make you go huh??? Especially when they make that declaration “I’m a Christian and always have been, and we all need baptism to cleanse our sin.”

One such person that causes head scratching is Rapper Snoop Dogg. This revelation came during a performance at the BET awards where Snoop donned a choir robe singing one of his latest songs about Christianity and Baptism.

Snoop rapped, “I guess you could say I’m a brand new man. See, rap guys usually don’t get baptized but how could you cleanse your sins without it? Make you wanna think about it, the right reverend the reverend right, recite light you see today is the day to get your life right.”

Another portion of the song raps, “Voices from vices got me standing me here singing praises to Your name for saving me from my yesterday, second chances come with every sunrise.”

Now I’m not going to say that God is not a God of second chances, in fact He has given us more than one or two chances but hundreds if not thousands. But this is one of those head scratching moments when I just go huh! But let’s look at his own words before I interjet my thoughts. He (Snoop) says the decision to release the album was not a money-grab, but a return to his roots.

“The record is called The Bible of Love; it’s to erase the hate, to end the misunderstanding, the judgment,” Snoop said about the album.

“You know, ’cause the church is so full of judgment, that’s what runs people away from church because they always prejudge before they get there. Don’t judge me for what I did on Saturday if I show up on Sunday. It ain’t our job to catch judgment, it’s our job to come and try to bring as many souls as we can bring to the table,” he explained. “And us being out in the field, we have access to more souls that need to be saved than the church. So, they should be congratulating us and thanking us for bringing more eyes and ears and more awareness to the church.”

“This is not a money-driven project. This is a spirit-driven project,” he said. “It was always in me. The moment that I came into the music industry, I’ve always had gospel music influences, I always referred to my savior Jesus Christ on most of the records that I spoke on.”

Again, I’m not against second, third or even more chances, and truly believe that God can call anyone at anytime. But I do have my doubts on this “so-called” declaration. Snoop, well let’s not make it about just him, many people say “don’t judge me.” Many say that the church and the judgement is the reason I don’t go anymore. That the Church is not a place for judgement.

Words are just that words. So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. And this is not saying that we are saved by our works but that words are not enough. True faith will manifest itself through works and walk. Jesus says in not everyone who says Lord, Lord will enter and He will say depart from me, I never knew you. I also think that is very important where Jesus says “why call me Lord, Lord and not do what I tell you.”

There is more to being and claiming to be a Christian than just words. Actions are very important. Submission and obedience is a key factor in allowing God to shape us into the image that He wants instead of trying to shape God into the image we want Him to be for that particular day.

Many claim that the Church is judgemental and that’s their issue with going to Church or being a part of the Church. As Christians this is something that we do have to work on. Jesus warns us that by what measure we judge others, we shall be judged by the same measure. Forgiveness in Love is the measuring tool that we should use. In love and Truth. Is it judgement when we speak God’s word in truth? By no means, but beware, are we speaking in love and humility or are we enjoying the rebuting to much?

Snoop and others say don’t judge me for what I do on Saturday night as long as I’m in Church on Sunday. Where is that in God’s word? Answer nowhere! There is the first clue that the conversion is not authentic. The second is wanting praise and admiration for bringing people to Church.

“And us being out in the field, we have access to more souls that need to be saved than the church. So, they should be congratulating us and thanking us for bringing more eyes and ears and more awareness to the church.”

This sounds a lot like the group Jesus was talking to about departing. Just because we prophesied in His name, witness in His name, heal in His name, doesn’t mean a thing. What was in our heart? What is our focus on? Is it fame, is it admiration, praise then that is an idol and not a God thing.

I hope and will pray for this man and many others like Him for true repentance, regeneration and salvation. These people need prayers and a real relationship with Christ. They do have influence with many people and could have a large impact on spreading the gospel. Billy Graham made a large impact for God but it was never about garnishing publicity for Him but God. He never sought accolades for Himself but proclaimed the name of Jesus as Savior.

In 2009, Snoop announced that he joined the Nation of Islam. The move apparently didn’t last too long, because in 2012, he revealed that he’d become Rastafarian instead, and changed his name to “Snoop Lion,” which did not stick.

In 2017, Snoop released a video for his single, “Lavender,” which featured the rapper fake-shooting a likeness of President Donald Trump. The video even caught the attention of the Secret Service at the time.

Bumper 40:10 - 40:35 Media - Everyday

Break 40:35 - 41:40 Media - Pureflix Media - Refuge Life

Bumper 41:40 - 42:00 Media - Everyday

4th Segment - 42:00 - 54:45 God is Racist

Theology/ Doctrine: Racism - Racism - Social Issue of the Day

SJW - God Is Racist

Background Story:

https://drudgenow.com/article/?n=0&s=2&c=1&pn=Anonymous&u=https://www.charlotteobserver.com/latest-news/article213937944.html

Social issues can tear apart a community, state or country. Political ideology no longer just define a party or their talking points but define people. If you don’t hold the same beliefs as me then you are the enemy and there is no talking with you. Conversations between people of differing beliefs have become a thing of the past. As long as this is outside the Church, no problem, right?

What happens when this belief system eroded itself into the Church? Social issues are quickly becoming issues that not only permeated the Church but could completely separate and destroy the Church. Christians take sides quickly and vehemently to put themselves on a higher moral ground. Two issues that have quickly gained in prominence is race and feminism.

With Feminism we are talking about females in leadership roles, equal pay, and sex abuse (#me too movement). Not the everyone deserves an abortion, stay out of my wahoo, kill the men promote the women. But when you hear some of the talking points, you might not be so persuaded in believing that. But that is for another conversation. Today I want us to look at an issue that not only outside the Christian faith but currently is eroding away at the foundation of many who are of faith - Racism.

There are two specific issues right now that should have our attention. In Charlotte North Carolina, a man running as a Republican for a house seat claims God is a racist white supremacist and that Jews are the spawn of Satan. Another candidate in Illinois running for congress is a nazi that is anti-America, and anti-Jew. Now why should this have our attention? Both of these men, claim that they are men of faith. The backlash from Churches, the republican party has been swift but in reality there is not much they can do since both of these people played by the rules and won their primaries. Racism has and is part of our history, sadly but it is. Another part of our history is what we did to combat it.

The emancipation proclamation by Abraham Lincoln, the 13th amendment in 1865 abolished slavery, the 15th amendment in 1870 gave the right to vote, IN 1954 an decision on a case ended segregation (Brown v. Topeka Board of Education), in 1964 the Civil Rights Act. All landmark cases and decisions. All directed at the end of racism and unfair treatment of people due to the color of their skin.

Does this mean that racism is completely wiped out, by no means. We just indicated two very ignorant individuals that hold fast to that belief, they are better than others. With racism it truly does not matter if it is color of skin, country of origin, color of hair, eyes or whatever the determining factor is that causes someone to feel they are superior to others. It is wrong and though some my spout of scripture it has no true bases in God’s word. They twist and turn a verse or two into a warped sense of validation for themselves. Yes Jesus did say we will always have the poor, and it is true that Jesus made a distinction between Master and slave (servant). Yes Paul said for the slaves to obey the master But these are not approvals, instead they are governance over it. Just like God did not approve of polygamy, or divorce but God did make provisions in the Old and New Testament to regulate. The people that argue this way are using poor scripture hermeneutics t make this claim.

Christ said love the Lord with all your heart, mind and soul and second love your neighbor. How can you love your neighbor if you don’t think they are equal to you? How can you serve your fellow man if you feel that you are superior to them. The Disciples continually asked Jesus who is more important between them. And His answer was always very similar that whoever receives the less than (luke), Matthew which lowers themselves and serves the others. It is never about ruling over others but serving others.

Some 2,000 years Jesus went to the cross to die for the sins of all, not owners, not slaves, not men, or women, not children, not jews nor greek but all. In the eyes of Christ, we are all worthy of His atonement work on the cross. We are not worthy for His work but He humbled himself to do the work anyway.

But we still try and take more authority on ourselves than we deserve.

“God is not asking blacks to be white or whites to be blacks. He’s asking both to be Biblical. If I say I am a black Christian and somebody else says that they’re a white Christian, what they’ve done is made black or white an adjective. The job of an adjective is to modify a noun.

If the word Christian is in the noun position and your race in the adjectival position, since the job of the adjective is to modify and explain the noun, that means you’ve always got to change the noun of your faith to reflect the adjective of your culture. However, the way it’s supposed to work is that your history, background, race and culture are to be in the noun position. Your Faith should always be in the adjective position, so that you’re always adjusting the noun of your culture to the adjective of your Faith.

In other words, you’re bringing who you are - your history, your background and your culture - to look like the description of what you say you believe about God and Jesus Christ.” Tony Evans

There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. ESV We are to look like Christ image not Him to look like us.

Bumper 54:45 - 55:10 Media - Everyday

Break 55:10 - 55:45 Media - Pureflix Media - Refuge Life

Bumper 55:45 - 56:05 Media - Everyday

4th Segment - 56:05 - 68:35 Mental Health

Theology/ Doctrine: Care

Mental Health

Background Story:

http://bpnews.net/51172/study-shows-troubling-picture-of-teens-mental-health

http://bpnews.net/46422/depression-suicide-draw-focus-of-counseling-conf

http://bpnews.net/46792/suicide-stats-prompt-call-for-ministry

http://bpnews.net/44405/page-offers-mental-health-hope-at-gardnerwebb

Mental health issues are growing at an alarming rate. This is not just an adult problem. 1 in 3 high school students report (31.5 percent) say they've experienced persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness, according to the Youth Risk Behavior Survey recently released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This same report shows 1 in 5 middle schoolers are struggling with this also

Additionally, 17.2 percent say they've seriously considered attempting suicide, while 13.6 percent say they've made a suicide plan, 7.4 percent have attempted suicide, and 2.4 percent were injured in a suicide attempt. The study also indicates a 200% increase of suicides for girls between 10-14 years old.

When adding the adults to this you see an increase of 25% over the last 10 years in suicides. Among those ages 10 to 34 years old, suicide is the second leading cause of death, according to CDC data compiled by the National Institute of Mental Health.

Why are we seeing such an increase? Sadness, hopelessness and depression are hard a cruel emotions. People’s feelings of helplessness in changing their current situation is one that is hard to overcome. I think that all these underlying issues also manifest in another emotion, loneliness. If you feel all alone, then where do you turn?

What is the role of the Church?

1st we need to take this subject and get it out in front of others. It is shown that people that have already formulated a plan, usually carry it out. Whether it is by a gun, overdose on pills, if a plan is in place 95% of the time an attempt is made. However if we put the loneliness factor in the spotlight, you see a dramatic swing. Even if there is a plan in place, people that are talked to on a regular basis, shown that they are not going through this alone, the attempt rate drops to only 12%.

Talking is the number one thing that can be done. But not just any words can help. Many words can hurt if not carefully presented. Pastor and Churches should have many conversations with multiple mental health professionals to be prepared. Also and more important, look to God’s word. Scripture may not be loaded with specific instances but there are a few.

7 times the act of suicide is shown.

1. [Abimelech] called hastily unto the young man his armour-bearer, and said unto him, Draw thy sword, and slay me, that men say not of me, A woman slew him. And his young man thrust him through, and he died ().

2. And Samson said, Let me die with the Philistines. And he bowed with all his might; and the house fell...upon all the people that were therein ().

3. Saul took a sword and fell on it ().

4. When [Saul's] armour-bearer saw that Saul was dead, he fell likewise upon his sword, and died ().

5. When Ahithophel saw that his counsel was not followed, he...got him home to his house, to his city, and put his house in order, and hanged himself, and died ().

6. It came to pass, when Zimri saw that the city was taken, that he went into the palace of the king's house, and burnt the king's house over him with fire, and died ().

7. [Judas] cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself ().

J. L. Meredith, Meredith's Big Book of Bible Lists, (Inspirational Press, NY; 1980), pp. 143-144

In each of these cases, except Samson, the people's surroundings and actions cases great fear and separation. A lot of what we see in the reports mentioned before. Fear and depression was a driving force in each of these situation.

Words matter. Studies from Lifeway show that the most common question that a Pastor get’s about suicide is “If I commit suicide, will I go to hell?” Of course the answer to this is no. A person’s action or sin does not determine their eternity, nor does it define them. The only thing that matters whether they have accepted Christ as their savior. The most important conversation anyone can have is the Gospel message.

People struggling with any issue need to hear about the hope, love and grace of God our Father. How Christ was sent to bridge a gap that we created and took a punishment due us. The more the Gospel, love and hope is shared with people, their hopelessness fades. When we share the love of Christ, their loneliness disappears.

There is not a magic cure or wand to wave. Compassionate, persistent prayer and constant and intentional presence is a much needed prescription. The people are broken in some way. They need to be made aware that we all are broken. Only one has come that can mend us and create anew person.

Each day we make decisions that affect our future. What to eat, where to live, the type of job we will pursue. We also make decisions about our eternity, whether or not we will follow Jesus. These are all important decisions. Another one is if we are going to believe the evil one and allow him to keep us in the dark. To believe his lies that we are not worthy and can never be forgiven. This is contrary to the truth that we are given by Jesus Christ. Who wants to bring us out of the dark, to not only give us the hope, but provides the commitment and promise to fulfill this hope.

ESV

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

ESV /

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

ESV /

Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.

ESV /

Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

ESV

But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.

ESV

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

ESV

“And now, O Lord, for what do I wait? My hope is in you.

ESV

Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.”

ESV

For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

ESV

So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

ESV

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

ESV

But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.

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