False Christian teachings, trends….
In this issue of Behind the Scenes with Curtis Bowers, the church is called to take the lead in this cultural battle for freedom. Curtis uses clips from a Eric Metaxas speech to encourage his viewers, and to explain just how the church should be conducting itself in a time such as this. Individual Christians will receive plenty of specifics about their roles in God’s world at this time.
Though many Christians talk about being “born again,” few actually understand what this phrase means. What is this mysterious work of the Holy Spirit that changes our hearts and causes us to place our faith in Jesus Christ for salvation? In this message, R.C. Sproul addresses the mysterious nature of regeneration and the effects that the new birth produces in our lives. [Sermon highlights are provided]
A few points that Curtis Bowers discussed on this episode of behind the scenes: Children taught to hate America and White people; Rioters, anarchists and thieves get no consequences; Parents do not have a right to know what their children learn in school; Mainstream is no longer protecting the innocence of children, but trying to defile them, their thought processes and their morals: anyone who is permitted to do this will succeed at destroying this nation; Creating conflicting narratives about masks, to cite one example, so that there is confusion and division among the citizens (later, he talks about the ‘Occupy Wall street movement and how the elite distracted the movement by creating a narrative on ‘racism’ because they feared unification of citizens against them) [Hillary used this same strategy by creating the Russia Hoax to distract from her email problem]
In the 7 minute video of this post, Pastor Matt offers a few suggestions to help parents teach Christian basics to their children.
Pastor Matthew Everhard explained what it means to be a Presbyterian. His explanation explained touched on Protestantism and Reformed Protestantism. I used the narrative that accompanied his 7 minute video to make 8 points for quick reading for those who do not have time to listen. He intended a brief overview for those who never understood the definitions the terms Protestantism and Presbyterianism
The Global Imams Council (GIC) of Muslim faith leaders on Dec. 30 banned followers of Islam from participating in and attending the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, citing the oppression of Uyghurs in China’s northwestern Xinjiang region. The GIC is the world’s first and largest transnational non-governmental body of Muslim religious leaders from all Islamic denominations and schools of thought, with over 1,300 members worldwide, according to its website. …“We stand in support of, and united with, the oppressed Uyghur Muslims. …Uyghurs—the majority of whom are Sunni Muslim—alongside other ethnic minorities such as Tibetans—the majority of whom are Buddhist—as well as believers of other faiths, such as house Christians and Falun Gong adherents, have long been targeted by the CCP and its atheistic social policies for transformation through “thought reeducation,” also known as brainwashing.
The following commentary on Proverbs 15:19 is from Charles Bridges commentary on Proverbs. A week or so ago, while doing my morning reading, I was moved to explore commentaries on this verse, Bridges had the most meaningful comments on it. I have read over his comments several times since then, because I was convicted by his words and needed to hear them and understand this problem better. Furthermore, Bridges words refocused my attention towards God, and thereby gave hope.
This post contains a 30 minute video by Good Fight Ministries about a correct focus for Christians at this time; as he provides that, he discusses wrongheaded perspectives held by many; increasing depression numbers and the sources of that, and more; highlight points are given for the initial half of the Good Fight Ministry video; a song follows the news video, the song helps provide a healthy perspective for this time in history; then a bonus video appeared as I posted Good Fight Ministry’s links, it is one of their series on Bethel church
According to the standard of the Bible, it does cost something to be a real Christian. There are enemies to be overcome, battles to be fought, sacrifices to be made, Egypt to be forsaken, a wilderness to be passed through, a cross to be carried, and a race to be run. Conversion is not putting a man in an armchair and taking him easily to heaven. It is the beginning of a mighty conflict in which it costs much to win the victory. Therefore arises the unspeakable importance of counting the cost…. It will cost him his self-righteousness. He must cast away all pride and prideful thoughts and any conceit of his own goodness. He must be content to go to heaven as a poor sinner saved only by free grace, owing all to the merit and righteousness of another. He must really feel the words of the prayer book that he has “erred and gone astray like a lost sheep,” that he has “left undone the things he ought to have done, and done the things he ought not to have done, and that there is no health in him.” He must be willing to give up all trust in his own morality, respectability, praying, Bible reading, church-going, and sacraments, and he must trust in nothing but Jesus Christ.
For failure to count the cost, the children of religious parents often do not turn out well, and they bring disgrace on Christianity. Familiar from their earliest years with the form and theory of the gospel, taught even from infancy to repeat the most common Bible verses, being used to being instructed in the gospel every week, or even to instruct others in Sunday school, they often grow up professing Christianity without knowing why or without ever having thought seriously about it. Then when the realities of grown-up life begin to press upon them, they often astound everyone by dropping all their Christian ways and plunging right into the world. Why? Because they had never thoroughly understood the sacrifices that Christianity involves….