A Quick thought on Halloween

As the pagan festival of Halloween approaches the shops in our towns are full of Halloween paraphernalia. It seems as each year passes this particular holiday is growing in significance. Part of this is driven by Retail Commercialism and the desire to squeeze a few more pounds out of shoppers, however, I would have some concern as to the growth in popularity of what is nothing more than lightly veiled Satanism.

When I was a kid Halloween was a false face and a packet of sparklers but it seems there is an increasingly sinister element to it in these days. It should not be forgotten that Halloween is a high day amongst witches which although are very private are non the less growing in numbers and influence in our nation.

Halloween is a wonderful marketing tool for such groups for it gives many young people a taste and an interest in the occult. We should be careful to warn the young people under our influence whether it be a Sunday School class or indeed Children within our own family situation of the dangers of the occult.

Let us ever remember the words of the Apostle Paul.

'for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?' 2 Corinthians 6 v14

Worship Leader

I was leading the singing at my Church the other night and after the meeting a visitor to our Church asked me a question that I had never been asked before. 'Are you the worship leader here?' I suppose I know what the person meant. There is a position in the contemporary church called the 'Worship Leader' and I suppose the reason I was taken by surprise was that I am not entirely comfortable with this 'job title'.

In the first instance there is no basis within New Testament Revelation to have within the church a person called a 'Worship Leader'. I read of pastors, teachers, evangelists, prophets, elders and deacons, but nowhere do I read of 'worship leaders'.

Secondly I wonder how it might be possible to lead worship. You can lead the singing, as long as you can carry a tune you can do that, you can lead in prayer, these things are all possible,but how can a person be said to lead worship.

Worship is an exercise of the heart and is intensely personal. You could be in a Church of 300 people all singing 'How Great Thou Art' but are all 300 people worshipping. First of only the saved people in the gathering can really be said to be worshiping for all acceptable worship must come the blood sprinkled way, if a person has not had the blood savingly applied then their worship will not be acceptable to God. Then we turn our attention to the remaining saved people in the meeting, could they all be said to be worshipping. Some of them may be singing out of habit but really they are thinking about what's for dinner, or what they have to do in work tomorrow. Then there are those who really are pouring out their hearts in praise and thanksgiving to God, however, this worship has not been drawn from them by some person at the front with a microphone, no, this worship is being poured out of a heart that is bursting with gratitude and adoration to our wonderful Lord.

The Lord Jesus taught the woman of Samaria this lesson in the days of His flesh, He taught her that the dead forms of religion were passing away and that a time was coming and in fact had come 'when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth:' Worship is a spiritual exercise not a physical one that can be lead, it can only be drawn from us by the Holy Spirit.

Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness. Psalm 29 v2

Saved by Grace

One of the greatest portions in the Bible is found in the second chapter of Paul’s letter to the Ephesians where he proclaims, ‘For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.’ V8-9.

When speaking about salvation and commenting on these verses Evangelical Christians often use the phrase, ‘Salvation is by Grace alone, through Faith alone in Christ alone’.

There is a beautiful picture of this truth to be found in the conversion of one of the thieves who were crucified along with the Lord Jesus. Luke records in his Gospel: -

‘And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us. But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss. And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise.’ Luke 23 v 39-43

If ever there is an example of the Grace of God in Salvation here it is. This man was incapable of doing anything to work for his own salvation. He had no opportunity to turn over a new leaf and become a better citizen, he had no opportunity to go to Church, he had no opportunity to be baptized, he had no opportunity to feed the hungry, or comfort the broken hearted, he had no time for pilgrimage or penance. He just called out to the Saviour ‘Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.’

Repentance & Faith

The dying thief exercised these essential acts. He clearly repented, earlier in the day he too had mocked the Lord Jesus, but some how during the day he had a change of heart, perhaps it was the Saviours gracious words, ‘Father forgive them for they know not what they do’. Perhaps it was the events at Calvary like that unnatural darkness that shrouded the earth that day. I don’t know what changed his mind but God by his Spirit drew him and he repented. Not only did he repent but also he exercised faith in Christ. His short prayer shows us that he recognised who Christ is; he is the King of Kings. He threw his faith on Christ and cried ‘Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.’ At that very moment he found the promise of scripture to be true ‘Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved’. For just then the Saviour replied ‘Today shalt thou be with me in paradise’.

What an act of pardoning grace, it was all of grace nothing of works. This man when he got to paradise had no works to boast in, he was just a rotten criminal saved by God’s Grace. You know it’s the same for us all, anyone who is saved is saved by an act of God’s Grace based on their repentance and faith in Jesus Christ, it is nothing to do with any good work that we have or will do. We must come the same way the thief did.

‘Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;’ Titus 3 v5

Discerning Music

With modern media such as Youtube and Social Networking sites it is now easier than ever before for music artists to distribute their work. This is not only true for Secular musicians but creators of sacred music are also employing these methods to get their work out there as well. There is of course nothing wrong with people using modern media in this way but it results in artists having a more direct link to their market place than ever before. As a result Christian leaders are out of the loop and unaware of the musical choices of those to whom they feel a spiritual responsibility.

In the past Christian leaders were aware of what was on sale at the local Christian book store and if they had doctrinal concerns about the lyrical content of a particular artist they could warn those in their charge. However, with increasing sales of music in a virtual world this luxury is no longer available.

To combat this threat I believe it is important that young believers are taught how to discern for themselves between that which is pleasing to the Lord and therefore that which is helpful to the Saint and that which is questionable. Young believers need more than their musical tastes to be satisfied when they are making their musical choices. In Paul's letter to the Colossians he give us a wonderful Scripture that is extremely helpful is this area.

'Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.' Colossians 3 v16

This verse is extremely helpful for in it we find the Ingredients of Sacred music and the Intention of Sacred music.

INGREDIENTS
Paul says that our sacred music should be rich in the word, for he starts by saying 'let the word of Christ dwell in you richly'. If I describe a fruit cake as being rich I mean that it is jam packed full of raisins and sultanas etc. Our Sacred music should be jam packed full of Scripture. When I hear so called Christan music with little or no Scriptural language I get concerned. It should also be full of wisdom, that is good advice based on Scriptural principles, it follows that if it is rich in the word then it will naturally be wise. Please note it should not be human wisdom or opinion it should be the wisdom of God. And why is this so important? It is so important because of God's Intention for sacred music.

INTENTION
Why has God given us this wonderful gift of music and singing? Did He give it to us to brighten our days? Did He give it to us to stop us getting board when we are driving or working? No! He has given it to us to teach us. Teach us? Yes, to teach us. Is that not what Paul goes on the describe as the intention of music? 'to teach and admonish one another'. Admonish means to build up. If our sacred songs are full of the word of God and therefore full of the Wisdom of God then naturally they will teach us great Biblical truths that will help build us in our faith. Notice I did not say to make us feel happy, or appeal to our musical tastes (although they might well do so) but the primary purpose it to teach us and build us up.

In conclusion, ask yourself this question. have I chosen my Christian music because it appeals to my tastes or have I chosen it because I know it contains the ingredients that God can use to teach me and build me up? Look at your music collection, read the lyrics and ask yourself these questions. Are these song rich in God's word and wisdom? Will they teach me and build me up?

May the Lord bless you as you seek to make God honouring choices.

Pagan Britian

I was listening to an interview this morning with the newly elected leader of the British Labour Party, Ed Miliband. He was asked the 'big question' by Radio 5's Nicki Campbell, 'do you believe in God?'

His answer was sad if not unsurprising, he answered that he did not personally believe in God but went on to explain that he was a tolerant enough to accept that many people did.

This now means that the leaders of two of the big three British Political party's do not believe in the existence of their creator. Of ED Miliband, Nick Clegg and David Cameron only our present Prime Minister David Cameron actually believes there is a God. It does not say much for the judgement of those who would seek to lead our nation that they can look at creation and not believe there is a creator. I suppose they have been brain washed by evolutionary propaganda like so many of the rest of the population and they are to be pitied more than vilified.

I suppose this is just further evidence that Britain is now firmly post Christian or Pagan. How we need the Lord to move in these days by His Holy Spirit and open the blinded eyes of our fellow country men and women, all we can do is keep being faithful to Him and carry out the great commission given by our blessed Saviour.

'And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.' Mark 16 v15

What is a Saint?

As one of his final acts before leaving the UK pope Benedict has beatified Cardinal Newman the 19th Century Anglican who infamously converted to Catholicism. In case you don’t know what it means to be beatified it is simply the pope making someone a Saint.

In order to be made a Saint by the Roman Catholic Church one must first be declared after their death to have been a ‘Servant of God’, then someone latter the person will be given the description of ‘venerable’, if then a miracle can be attributed to you, you are the well on your way to Sainthood. However, one miracle is not enough, there must be a second miracle that is clearly attributed to you and then you can be declared a Saint by the pope.

The second miracle attributed to Cardinal Newman was that of a man called Jack Sullivan who suffered from severe back pain due to a vertebrae on his lower back turning inwards and squeezing on his spine. He claims that he was healed after praying to Cardinal Newman for healing. I do not know enough about Mr Sullivan’s medical case to comment on the veracity of his claims for healing but I do not this, if he was healed it was nothing to do with Cardinal Newman it was all down to God graciously touching his infirmity. Even the miracles of the Bible carried out by Elijah or Peter were really attributable to God alone. So for the pope to announce a man to be a Saint on the grounds of something attributable to God we must question Rome’s beatification process.

What does the Bible say?

That should always be our question in all matters of faith, ‘what saith the scriptures’? Who does the Bible recognise as saints? Is there some class of extremely venerable super Christians classified as Saints in Scripture or is it a general term of reference to all believers?

In his first letter to the Corinthians the Apostle Paul uses a phrase that clearly indicates that all of the people making up the Church are saints. ‘For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.’ 1 Cor 14 v33 In fact Paul uses this term Saints literally scores of times when addressing the believers in the various churches to which he is writing, here are just two examples where in his opening Salutations to the Churches to which he writes he is clearly identifying the body of Christ in it’s entirety in that location as Saints.

‘Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus:’ Ephesians 1 v1

‘To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ which are at Colosse: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.’ Colossians 1 v2

The term is so tied up with believers in a local church that it must refer to all believers and not some super class of Christian as Rome would teach. Jude too in his little Epistle refers to the original body of believers that received the gospel all as saints. ‘Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.’ Later (v14) in the same letter Jude refers to Christ coming in judgement with ten thousands of his saints. Now I’m not sure how many Saints Rome claims to have but I don’t believe in runs into the tens of thousands.

Finally by way of evidence can I appeal to the description that John gives in the book of the Revelation, in Chapter 14 v12 the saints are seen as a group of people who have faith in Jesus. ‘Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.’

It is clear beyond argument that when the Scripture speaks of a Saint it speaks of a believer in Christ, a Child of God, a Christian. I am a Saint and I don’t need the pope to tell me that. God tells me in His word.

Once again the pope of Rome is trying to play God. This should not surprise us from an institution that claims to have the power to forgive sins, an act that God alone can do, even the Scribes of Jesus day knew enough to know that. Yet the priest of Rome claim this power in the confessional every day.

But there was certain of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts, ‘Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only? And immediately when Jesus perceived in his spirit that they so reasoned within themselves, he said unto them, Why reason ye these things in your hearts? Whether is it easier to say to the sick of the palsy, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and take up thy bed, and walk? But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (he saith to the sick of the palsy,) I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house. And immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went forth before them all; insomuch that they were all amazed, and glorified God, saying, We never saw it on this fashion.’ Mark Chapter 2 v7-12

I don't know about you but I'm sure glad Benny the Blasphemer has gone home to Rome. I trust it will a long time before his like returns to our shores again.

The Pope is a Thief

In one way I am sad because of the papal visit to my nation but in another way I am glad because it has caused me to once again focus on the Church of Rome and her doctrines and claims. So often we can become indifferent and complacent to the presence of this institution in our midst and the popes visit has given me reason to once again focus on these things.

I was reminded this morning as I listened to the media coverage of this visit of another one of the popes many titles, this one he has stolen form God Himself, I refer of course to his title ‘Holy Father’.

In the scriptures we only find this title being used once. In John chapter 17 we have what is termed the ‘High Priestly Prayer’ of our Lord Jesus Christ. As we approach John 17 we should really take our shoes off because we are standing on ‘holy ground’. This chapter is a record of the outpouring of the heart of our Saviour (the second person of the Godhead) to His Father (the first person of the Godhead). In verse 10 & 11 the Saviour utters these words.

‘And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them. And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are.’

Right here in this passage the Lord Jesus refers to His Heavenly Father as ‘Holy Father’, who does the pope of Rome think he is stealing this Divine title?

Not only is it stealing for him to take this title but it is also a lie, for he in neither holy, nor a father (although with all Rome’s scandals you never know).
Holiness is an attribute that belongs to God alone, no man can be said to be holy for all have sinned and come short of the Glory of God, the scriptures call upon us to strive for holiness but we know that we can never attain it, that is why we need a Saviour to get into heaven.

With regard to the name father, has the Church of Rome forgotten what the Saviour said in Matthew 23 v 9 ‘And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.’ Even the very Priests of Rome want to be called ‘father’ in violation of this command.

How we need to pray more earnestly in these days for the masses of deluded Roman Catholics that are depending upon this system for their Salvation. We love them for Christ, our quarrel is not with them but with the system that blinds them.