THE EXODUS OF MOSES

EXODUS 2

Pastor Rick Jackson

I. FROM A DEATH SENTENCE [v. 1-9]

1. The Faith of Amram & Jochebed [v. 1-2, Heb. 11:23]

By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king's commandment.

2. The Part of Jochebed & Miriam [v. 3-4]

3. The Part of God & Pharaoh's Daughter [v. 5-9]

II. FROM A DEVOUT SETTING [v. 10, Acts 7:21-22]

1. The Adoption [v. 10]

2. The Education [Acts 7:21-22a] Astronomy, chemistry, mathematics, architecture, physics, etc.

3. The Application [Acts 7:22b] Construction, warfare, etc.]

III. FROM A DANGEROUS SITUATION [v. 11-15, Acts 7:23-29]

1. A Decision Made, An Action Taken [v. 11-12, Acts 7:23-25, Heb. 11:24-27]

2. An Attempt Made, A Man Mistaken [v. 13-14, Acts 7:26-28]

3. A Mistake Made, An Exit Taken [v. 14b-15, Acts 7:29]

GOD KNOWS, GOD IS, GOD HAS!

PSALM 139

Pastor Rick Jackson

The Bible truths we will be looking at may be considered simple on one level and yet profound on another. The Bible as a whole, and for today this Psalm in particular, is profound in its simplicity while at the same time it is simple in its profundity. A child or baby Christian can read the Bible with great blessing but the seasoned saint after searching the Scriptures for scores of years still finds it fresh and discovers golden truths within its pages. The Scripture stands as one of the two greatest co-operative works of God and man. The other great work is the Word Incarnate, the Lord Jesus Christ Himself.

I. GOD KNOWS EVERYTHING! [v. 1-4]

1. Our Past [v. 1]

2. Our Present [v. 2]

3. Our Path [v. 3]

4. Our Future [v. 4]

II. GOD IS EVERYWHERE! [v. 5-12]

God it there for His children.

1. Despite Our Bafflement - He's All Around Me [v. 5-6]

2. For Our Benefit - He's Everywhere We Could Go [v. 7-10]

3. For Our Betterment - He's Aware of Our Every Move [v. 11-12]

III. GOD HAS A PLAN FOR OUR LIVES [v. 13-24]

1. God Knows Each Individual's Limits & Capabilities [v. 13-16]

Luke 12:7 But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.
Ex. 4:10-12 And Moses said unto the LORD, O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since thou hast spoken unto thy servant: but I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue. And the LORD said unto him, Who hath made man's mouth? or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? have not I the LORD? Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say.

2. God Knows His Way is the Right Way & the Best Way [v. 17-20]

Isaiah 55:8-9 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

3. God Knows Us- We Need To Know Him and His Ways! [v. 21-24]

QUESTION OF THE WEEK! - Q: Thirty miles of dirt in a day?

Q: Thirty miles of dirt in a day?

A: It may come as a surprise to some, but not all rock layers were laid down during Noah’s Flood. In fact, the evidence indicates that more geologic layers may have been formed during Day Three of Creation Week than during the Flood.

The opening verses of Genesis 1 tell us that at the beginning, on the first day, God created the earth with water on its surface. We are not told what was under the surface water. Perhaps God had created the earth’s internal structure of core, mantle, and crust, which were located under the water. What we do know is that on the second day God placed some of the waters of the earth above “the firmament.” Then on the third day God commanded the earth’s surface waters to be gathered into seas and the dry land to appear.

This statement in Genesis 1:9 is simple yet geologically profound. Although the verse indicates that the water moved, it does not indicate exactly how the land came to be above sea level. One possibility is that God used catastrophic earth movements to almost instantaneously raise and lower blocks of the earth’s Day One crust to form dry land and sea basins. If that were so, as the crustal blocks were raised, the surface waters that had been covering them would have drained rapidly off the land. Rapidly moving water catastrophically erodes, so massive erosion must have occurred. Thus laden with sediments, these waters would have drained into the ocean basins, where the sediments would have been deposited rapidly. Because neither plant nor animal life had yet been created, the resultant sedimentary rocks would be devoid of animal or plant fossils.
When most people visit Grand Canyon in northern Arizona, their eyes are riveted on the spectacular walls, which display about 4,000 feet (1.2 km) of flat-lying sedimentary rock layers (limestones, sandstones, and shales). Filled with the buried remains of plants and animals, these layers must have been deposited during the Flood, which God sent to destroy every living substance on the face of the earth (Genesis 7:23).

Underneath these layers—near the bottom of the canyon—are many other layers that do not contain plant or animal fossils. Violent processes, including volcanoes and rapidly moving mud and sand, must have created these layers. Many tilted sedimentary and volcanic rock layers (about 13,000 feet [4 km] thick) sit on top of other folded and metamorphosed layers of both sedimentary and volcanic rocks (estimated to have been originally about 40,000 feet [12 km], thick). After these metamorphic rocks formed, hot granites from deeper in the earth must have intruded into them.

Read the rest of Dr. Andrew Snelling’s expert analysis in Thirty Miles of Dirt in a Day, a special sneak peek into the upcoming October–December issue of Answers magazine that features the creation model and examines global warming.

News to Note Quick Look

Neanderthal intelligence: To our Neanderthal readers: on behalf of all Homo sapiens, pardon our past arrogance—not to mention our incorrect portrayals of you! Read more.

Evolution of Mickey Mouse: A lengthy article in the New York Times examines a microcosm of the controversy over evolution education in public school classrooms—and even mentions AiG’s student-aimed bestseller Evolution Exposed. Read more.

Also: beetles to beetles, finding Nemo, and a cattle compass. Read more.

This information was provided by Answers In Genesis, an excellent source of material relating to Creation and evolution. Please visit their website using the link in the upper left

Look what God did in a Doctor's office Tuesday!

This happened Tues. This is what I hope to be teaching and you are learning from it. . This (Tuesday) morning I prayed especially to see someone get saved. What a way to see Him do it.

Great lesson I had an appointment with my radiant Christian doctor about my horrible hip pains. He has a nurse that I have never been able to get alone and witness to her. Tuesday, as she was finishing, I gave her "Your Ticket to Heaven,"
She blurted out, "O I need that."
When I asked if she knew for sure she was going to heaven she said, "I read the book 'Left Behind' and it scared me to death and I have been wanting to get saved ever since."

Knowing I had only a few minutes, I told her how God loves her and how we are all in the same boat, we have all sinned and the wages of sin is death. The good news in that the Lord Jesus suffered and died for our sins, paid our debt in full, was buried, rose again and was seen by hundreds. The whole issue is did He pay for your sins and mine in full or didn't He. God said He did. God wants to know if you will trust Him that Jesus paid for your sins too and will receive Him as your Savior, just as you said, "Yes I will receive this man as my husband" when you got married. It was beautiful the way God opened her eyes and she understood it.

Any Christian could have led her to Christ, she was so ready. She prayed out loud to receive the Lord Jesus, looked up beaming all over the place and had the assurance she was saved and thanked me over and over. Of course I am going to follow up with her in several ways. More on this later too. Here is a big key, as you get alone with someone, no matter where it might be, just look for the ones God has ready and give them the gospel and a chance to go to heaven. Make sense?

People often say, "Sumner, you make it sound so easy." IT IS. I know better than you, that God did it all. I do not take one ounce of credit for it. I just love getting in on it.

FATHER, please let the man, the lady who just read this to help change the world for good and God by getting the gospel to someone today. In Jesus Name. I love YOU. ABC Sumner

Go to www.sumnerwemp.com Steve puts up all new material each month. The health tips both physical and Spiritual are being well received. Please give us your opinion. Do enter the drawing. We have given out at least 15 packets of tracts to you people this month, now go "Fishing for men." Remember, I do not sell the tracts and get nothing from them. To order tracts, call -1-877-872-2871 (free call)

"I and you are debtors to the wise and the unwise" Rom 1:14 to preach the gospel to them.

QUOTES OF THE WEEK!

The devil did not tempt Adam and Eve to steal, to lie, to commit adultery; he tempted them to live independent of God. - Dr. Bob Jones Sr.

I have stood any number of times and given what was in the Book. And I have heard people say on the way out the door, "Oh my soul! I was marvelously fed. My soul was nourished. I received the Word of God and I come here because I know every single service that I am going to hear the Word of God and I am going to be blessed." And in that same line just two people behind that person there was somebody who said, "Pastor this is our last Sunday. We're leaving the church because we're not being fed." Now- the Word is given out, the Gospel is preached, and all of us heard it but there was response by one group that made them "us" and there was no response from another group that made them "them". And you say what is the difference between "us" and "them"? the difference between "us" and "them" is we heard it, and received it, and by faith we tied on to it! - Shelton Smith

Hebrews 4:2 For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.

THE PERFECT CHURCH

REVELATION 3:7-13

Pastor Rick Jackson

Of course we all know there are no perfect local churches. If you ever find one, someone has said, don't join it! Because the moment you join it- it will no longer be perfect. The lesson is, of course, that since none of us is perfect, no church made up of imperfect people can be perfect. With that in mind however turn to our text. Jesus directed John to write to 7 local churches in his day. Jesus complimented each church on what was right about them (if anything) and then told them what was wrong with them. Just as one church had no good things Jesus said about them- one church had no bad things that Jesus discussed with them. What about this "perfect" church? What are some characteristics of this church? What lessons can we learn about churches we see, hear, and or know about?

Before we get started note Who the Authority on this matter happens to be--- the Lord Jesus Christ[v. 7]

I. THE PERFECT CHURCH HAS AN OPEN DOOR [v. 8]

1. It's Power is Not in Itself [Rm. 1:16, II Co. 12:9-10]

2. It's Keeping is a Two-fold Testimonial [1:3, 2:6, 3:3, 8; 12:17, 14:12, 16:15, 22:7, 9]

3. It's Non-denial is Noteworthy

Acts 5:41 And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.

II. THE PERFECT CHURCH HAS OPPOSITION [v. 9]

1. Religious Professors

2. Liars

3. Destined to face the Master

III. THE PERFECT CHURCH HAS OPPORTUNITIES [v. 10-12]

1. To Escape the Great Tribulation [v. 10, 14:7]

2. To Engage in the Great Task [v. 11]

Matthew 6:19-20 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:

3. To Enjoy the Great City [v. 12]

1 John 2:13 I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father.
1 John 2:14 I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one.
1 John 4:4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
1 John 5:4-5 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?

INVITATION [v. 13]

How to help people have assurance they are saved

Sumner Wemp (see link at left)

How to help people have assurance of their salvation.

After they have prayed out loud with you to receive the Lord Jesus as their Savior, ask them "Did you really mean what you just prayed?" Of course almost all will say they did. Now I ask, "Do you really believe the Lord Jesus suffered and died for your sins? Did He pay your debt of sins in full too?" You just cannot emphasize this enough. They answer ."Yes". Quote John 3:36, God says, "He that believeth on the Son, HAS everlasting life." God did not say, he will hope so, or feel he has everlasting life but that he HAS, right now, everlasting life. He is saved. Do you believe you have everlasting life, that you are saved? Most will say, "Yes, I do." How do you know? Because God said so. During the 15 years I pastored, 95 percent of the people who prayed with me got assurance they were saved and confessed Christ publicly went on with the Lord. Some produced 30 fold, some 60 and some 100 fold. Matt 13:23. More on this later.

NEVER tell them they are saved, let them tell you they are saved. We cannot see their heart and you too will have some say they are when they are not saved. You and I must not give them a false hope.

And remember this, Jesus had a Judas who had never been saved. NOW, get them to tell someone that are now saved. If it is someone at our door, I always call Celeste to the door and ask the person "Can you tell my wife what you just did." Believe me we have had a revival time when they tell it. Often they and we will weep with joy. Then I tell them, there is joy in heaven over one person who gets saved. Lk 15:7.

YOU are loved by God and me. ABC Sumner

"The harvest in plenteous" Have the thrill and eternal joy of witnessing and see someone get saved. Go to www.sumnerwemp.com enter the drawing to win a pack of tracts, to obey God and get the gospel to people. Read the challenging articles to bless and help you.

Call 1-877-872-2871 ask for "sales" to order tracts for yourself or write to Good News Publishers, 1300 Crescent St. Wheaton, IL 60187. I do not sell them. I order and pay for them just like you do. I GET NOTHING FROM THEM.

This is reality. Remember, Winning that soul to Christ is far, far greater than winning the gold metal and this is not demean the Olympics. They are great winners.

Q & A

A dear lady wrote me not too long ago: I see photos like this of Jesus and wonder, Why do they usually depict Jesus with a clean-cut beard (of course, I know he can do anything). Were there tools in those days & times for men to cut or shave their beards & moustache?

Others have asked: Did Jesus have long hair?

First it's always good to remind ourselves that the portraits of Jesus were done by individuals that never saw the Lord and drew, painted, or whatever from their own imagination.

Secondly it's good to note that Jesus did not have long hair. Paul, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit wrote in 1 Corinthians 11:14 Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him? Surely he would not have said this had Jesus had long hair.

Thirdly we do know Jesus had a beard because it was prophesied that concerning his pre-crucifixion experience [Isaiah 50:6] I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting.

Finally, to answer your actual question. Yes, they were implements to cut and shave hair long before Jesus walked the earth as a man. You may recall that some 1500 years before Jesus a woman named Delilah gave Samson a haircut, and about 400 years before that Joseph shaved before going before Pharaoh (Gn. 41). There are many other examples but these 2 are pretty well known so I'll let it go at that.

Thanks for your patience and I hope this helps. In Jesus' Name, Brother Rick

THE EXODUS OF APATHY

EXODUS 1

Pastor Rick Jackson

I. THE STAGE IS SET [v. 1-8]

1. The Generations of Jacob [v. 1-6]

2. The Multiplication of Israel [v. 7]

3. The Application of Ignorance [v. 8]

II. THE PARANOIA IS SATANIC [v. 9-19]

1. The Politics of Fear [v. 9-10]

2. The Pattern of Bondage [v. 11-14]

3. The Progression of Infanticide [v. 15-19]

III. THE DIFFERENCE IS GOD [v. 20-22]

1. His People [v. 20]

2. His Blessing [v. 21]

3. His Opposition [v. 22]

BEHOLD!

Pastor Rick Jackson

"Behold!" What an attention grabbing word! The dictionary tells us when behold is an intransitive verb —it is used in the imperative especially to call attention. This is how the Lord uses it in the verses we will look at in this message.

I. A "BEHOLD" TO TAKE AWAY PRIDE [Ps. 51:1-5]

David not only confesses sin in Ps. 51 he readily admits he was born a sinner as were we all! Of what do lost sinners have to be proud? Nothing. Some are proud of their heritage but their heritage is that of being a sinner, born of sinners and condemned to producing sinners. We are not sinners because we sin, we sin because we are sinners. A cow isn't a cow because it moos, it moos because it is a cow! All of us are born wrong and all need to be born again. A few years ago I heard the pastor of a presidential candidate saying on nation-wide TV that his church member candidate didn't need to be born again because he was born right the first time. I daresay that candidate and his pastor need to heed the admonition of the Lord Jesus Christ who said, "Ye must be born again!"

II. A "BEHOLD" TO TAKE AWAY SIN [John 1:29-34]

John gives a clear identification of Who can take sin away. it wasn't Buddha, Mohammad, Joseph Smith, science or ourselves. It was the sacrificial, perfect, Lamb of God! In the law God had required the Jews to bring as near perfect an offering to illustrate the perfect sinless coming Saviour, God incarnate, the Lord Jesus Christ! Simon Peter agreed with John the Baptist's assessment as he wrote under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit in 1 Peter 1:18-25. Here is not a partial payment. Here is not a limited atonement [I Jn. 2:2]. Here is God doing for man what he could not do for himself. Like the blood of the Passover lambs it must be applied to be effective.
Paul adds his own "behold" to this point in 2 Corinthians 5:17.

III. A "BEHOLD" TO TAKE AWAY WORRY [Mt. 6:26-30]

What Jesus is trying to teach here is quite simple. Let me make 3 statements.
God CAN take care of you!
God WILL take care of you!
Are you in the right line? [Mt. 6:33]

IV. A "BEHOLD" TO TAKE EXCUSES AWAY [Rev. 3:8]

God opens the door. No man can shut it. There is no excuse for not serving Him. We are not the first to say we can't (Moses, Gideon, Saul - son of Kish, Jeremiah, etc). We can do all things through Christ!

V. A BEHOLD TO TAKE BELIEVERS AWAY [1 Corinthians 15:51-58]

Jesus is coming! Paul expected it in his lifetime we should expect it in ours! We are almost 2000 years closer than Paul was though he was right to expect it. The rapture of the Church. For all believers. he will not leave part of His body here and take part away. It's the rapture not the rupture of the church.

Are you ready?

Based on a series of devotionals given over Gospel Dynamite (WDYN-FM) by Dr. J. R. Faulkner in the year 1990. May the Dear Lord continue to bless that great soul!

QUESTION OF THE WEEK! - WHY WAS LUCY BURIED FIRST?

This information was provided by Answers In Genesis, an excellent source of material relating to Creation and evolution. Please visit their website using the link in the upper left.

Q: Why was Lucy buried first?

A: God commanded humans and animals leaving Noah’s Ark to reproduce and multiply and fill the earth. According to the Bible, humans disobeyed God’s command and settled at Babel. In contrast, if biblical geologists are right about which rocks were formed after the Flood, animals quickly spread over the earth as God had commanded.

Dotted around the world, sitting on top of rocks we think date from the end of the Flood, are piles of sediment thousands of feet thick. We deduce, then, that these are post-Flood sediments, leaving a record of conditions on the earth for the centuries immediately following the Flood.
The nature and thickness of the sediment suggests that centuries of catastrophes continued to occur while the unstable earth was recovering from the violence of the Flood. Some of these catastrophes, such as supervolcanoes, created excellent conditions for preserving fossils. These fossils show animals appearing on each continent—and being buried in local catastrophes—long before humans are found on that same continent.

Most mammal “kinds,” such as horses and dogs, left the Ark by family. Biology research suggests that each kind diversified into scores of species and varieties before humans ever left Babel. Most of the diversity of animals died out quickly, leaving fossils of many extinct species but just a few species surviving in the present. (By Abraham’s day, it appears that sheep, oxen, camels, and donkeys were already similar to the ones we see today; see Genesis 12:16).

Apes follow this same pattern. Before humans left Babel, it appears that apes had already spread over much of the Old World and had diversified into a large array of species. “Lucy” is one of the more famous specimens of one of these ape species—Australopithecus afarensis.

To read more about the post-Flood world, see Lucy Was Buried First by Dr. Kurt Wise.

News to Note Quick Look

Keeping the Bible out: A Discover magazine reporter takes an insider’s peek into the Pontifical Academy of Sciences. Sadly, the fruits of an old-age mentality are on display at the Vatican. Read more.

Lily proof: Darwin fans fret no more. From the climes of Canada comes definitive proof of evolution in action. At least, that’s what the headline says. Read more.

New neighbor: It may not have an impressive name, but minor planet 2006 SQ372 has a big role to play. Could this be the answer to the comet conundrum? Read more.

Also: bursting through millions of years, counting on it, raising the GPA, and eBaying for science. Read more.

Very important point

Very important point to emphasize to see people born again right before your eyes

Sumner Wemp (use link in top left corner)

Aug 22, 2008

First, I tell them "God loves you." The first sermon I heard as a 17 year old lost person, the preacher said, "God loves you." Believe me that caught my attention for I thought God was the Big Cop just waiting to clobber me into hell. Most lost people, I have found, have a wrong idea about God. No other religion in the world talks about their god loving lost people. I usually say it two or three time as I share the gospel. Listen carefully and see how little it is said.

Secondly, I emphasized Christ DIED FOR OUR SINS" over and over. Forgive me but John 3:16 is not the greatest gospel verse. No way does it say Christ died for our sins. That lost person does not have a clue what "gave His only begotten son" means. Amazing but "all have sinned" and "the wages of sin is death" is hardly ever left out but "Christ did for our sins" is often left out and that is the good news.

Thirdly, "He rose from the dead" is too often left out and have you ever heard and "was seen by hundreds" which is proof he rose again and is alive today?. No one saw Allah. Buddha, or any other religions "savior" die for their sins, rose again and was SEEN alive by hundreds of people. Please note that is part of the divinely revealed Gospel in 1 Cor 15:1-4. I have had hundreds tell me, "I never heard that before." It makes a big difference in presenting the gospel.

Fourthly we must emphasize they must believe and receive the Lord Jesus. They must believe God that Christ suffered and died for their sins, paid their debt in full. Many will say they believe the facts but they do not believe in their heart He really died and paid for THEIR SINS. Celeste believed I love her but it all came to reality when she said, "I do" receive him as my husband to the one who had the authority to pronounce us married. God climaxes the whole matter of being saved when we too say, "I do receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior too." Many love the one they are dating but are not willing to take the final step because they know there will be a blot of changes in the way they live when they say, "I do". And so it sis with a lot of people who know when the do receive the Lord Jesus as THEIR Savior there will be a lot a changes made and they are not ready for that.

O dear people there is much more could be said about each point and we should emphasize each point as much as we feel the person we are sharing the gospel with seems to need to hear. "You learn to discern" as you witness more and more. "You learn by doing" Don't miss how to give them assurance they are saved. Never tell them"you are saved" let them tell you, "I am saved" don't miss these next time.

Today at the hospital, we asked a receptionist for some directions. Then I handed her "Your Ticket to heaven" and told her here are the directions to get to heaven. She grabbed the tract, pressed it to her heart and said, "I need that." As always I replied, we all do. Just read it carefully and if you really understand it, do what it says at the end. With her face beaming she said, "I will do it tonight" and reached over and gave me a kiss on the side of my face and thanked me over and over. I really believe she will and I will see her in heaven one day. That is JOY.

I LOVE YOU ALL, ABC Sumner Go to http://www.sumnerwemp.com/ enter the drawing to win a pack of tracts, to obey God and get the gospel to people. Read the challenging articles to bless and help you. Call 1-877-872-2871 ask for "sales" to order tracts for yourself. I do not sell them. I order and pay for them just like you do. I GET NO comissions from the tracts.

"Today is the day of Salvation." we must let them know it.

Fay, Fay Go Away...

Well unless you are hiding under a rock you know that North Central Florida is now under the sway of Fay, Tropical Depression, Tropical Storm, Hurricane or whatever she happens to be at the time. Kinda hard to blog with power going off unexpectedly and coming back on the same. So... stay dry and trust the One who will see you through the storm... the Lord Jesus Christ.

WHO GOES THERE - FRIEND OR FOE?

PROVERBS 27:6

Pastor Rick Jackson

I am sure that one of the things my mother must have hated to do when Becky and I were little was take us to the doctor's office. Especially if shots were involved. We were none to fond of needles as tots and I can remember the weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth that was involved. And that was just on mom's part... it got worse when you added mine and Becky's! I am fairly certain we saw the needle as an enemy, a foe that needed to be avoided at all costs. I mean, good grief, you've stepped on a nail and go to your mom for sympathy and she says, "Oh, you need to be stuck with another sharp object!" What was up with that? What was up with that was the wisdom of a generation that had seen lockjaw, tetanus, polio and numerous other ailments that could be avoided by needle. What was up with that was the love of a parent who put up with the crying and the hurt to help the object of that love, even if that object didn't understand.

I. FAITHFUL ARE THE WOUNDS OF A FRIEND

1. Wounds - speaks to hurt

Sometimes we are wounded by people. Sometimes those people are enemies, sometimes they are friends. Wounds are not pleasant. Wounds are painful. But wounds are not always bad. The shots caused wounds.

2. Faithful - speaks to help (motive)

We've discussed the mother wanted her child to have shots because she knew what they could prevent, what they could do to help the object of her love. The Hebrew word (!ma 'aman) is used over 125 times in the OT. 20 times it is translated "faithful" as in our text, 45 times is it translated as a form of "believe". Fully 40 times it is translated "verified, assurance, trusted, continuance, sure, established, or stedfast". Twice it is given as "father" and thrice as "nurse". God uses this word to establish a motive that is positive, that builds up, that can be counted on.

So who wounds you but with a positive motive, that is, for your good?

3. Friend - speaks to heart (affection)

Here's a Hebrew word that appears in 195 OT verses. It is translated as a form of "love" in over 95% of the verses. Here's a few in Proverbs [12:1, 13:24, 14:20, 15:9, 12; 16:13, 19:8, 20:13, 21:7, 22:11, 27:6]
Proverbs 27:17 Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend

II. THE KISSES OF AN ENEMY ARE DECEITFUL

1. Kisses - sounds pleasant

Not everything that sounds pleasant really is. Think of eating all the chocolate you want--- what would be the eventual outcome if we did not curb this appetite?

2. Deceitful- sounds insincere, purposefully miscommunicating

3. Enemy - sounds like hate

Indeed most of the 120+ times this word occurs it is thus translated.

So what is better, to be hurt by someone who loves you and is trying to help you and the pain is actually part of that process--- or ---to be kissed by someone who hates you and is doing great harm to you while pretending to be your friend? Look at:

III. THE ULTIMATE EXAMPLES

1. The Ultimate Enemy - the Devil

John 8:44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.
1 Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
2 Corinthians 11:13-14 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
2 John 1:7 For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist

2. The Ultimate Friend - the Lord Jesus Christ

Proverbs 17:17 A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.
Proverbs 18:24 A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.
Matthew 11:19 ... a friend of publicans and sinners. But wisdom is justified of her children.
John 15:13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

3. The Ultimate Decision - what will you be?

John 15:14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.
John 15:15 Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.
Mark 5:19 Howbeit Jesus suffered him not, but saith unto him, Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee.
James 2:23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.
James 4:4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.

QUOTES OF THE WEEK!

Don't try to solve tomorrow's problems with today's grace. - Dr. J. R. Faulkner

When a man raises kids these days to love Christ, and marry Christians, and establish homes--- that to me is the greatest testimony a man can bear in this world. And if you fail in that area you have failed in the most important area of your life! You've struck out. If you raise your children to love God, to establish a Christian home--- that's the most successful Christian ministry you'll ever have. - Evangelist Fred Brown

I decided I'd go. I didn't have a nickel. Not a penny. I couldn't ride the bus, couldn't ride the train... so I went by air! I got out on the highway and said, Air you goin' my way?" - Fred Brown

I wasn't the smartest fellow in the world... but I was the fast one in the slow group and I could figure out that's what they had done! - FB

One of my friends called me and said, "Brother Fred have you built your air-raid shelter?" I Said, "Nope! I'm going to be part of the fallout!" - FB

You'll always have somebody to vote "no". (sarcastically)"Never be a unanimous vote as long as I'm a member here." I preach to some of the best people in the world. I mean good people. Good for nothing!! They never try anything. - FB

Olympic gold medals, GREAT, this is a billion times greater‏

Sumner Wemp (see link - left)

Aug 18, 2008

Olympic gold medals- great-here is something a billion times greater!

First of all a hearty congratulations and admiration to all the winners at the Olympics. Who can forgetTomescu-Dita from Romania, the 35 year old lady who won the gold metal in the marathon race of 26 miles. I love Romania. It has been my joy to preach over there scores of times during the communists rule. They were the most godly wonderful people I ever saw.

Then who can ever forget Michael Phelps winning 8 gold medals, the most ever by one person. His humbleness and enthusiasm are beyond description.

Now here is the most awesome thought you and I may ever have. Winning one soul to Christ is worth a zillion times more than all the gold medals ever won at all the Olympics put together. Relatives, friends and millions of others rejoiced and what a wonderful sight. You win a soul to Christ and all heaven rejoices, including the Father, the Lord Jesus , the Holy Spirit and all the saints of heaven.

The eternal rewards? A crown that we will have the unfathomable joy of casting at the feet of and honoring the Lord Jesus.

Think of all the training, sacrifice, hard practice and labor that goes into winning a gold medal. Think carefully about how much effort, labor, training and performance have you put into winning souls. No wonder God said, "He that winneth souls is wise". Someone else said, "He that does not win souls is foolish" make sense? Set a goal and ask God to give you at least one soul a month to win to Christ. We would change the WORLD doing that. RIGHT?

A word from hell, "O father send someone to my father's house. For I have five brothers that he may testify unto them lest they also come into this place of torment" Lk 16:27,28.

Go to www.sumnerwemp.com enter the drawing to win a pack of tracts to obey God and get the gospel to people. Read the challenging articles to bless and help you.

Call 1-877-872-2871 ask for "sales" to order tracts for yourself. I GET NOTHING FROM THEM.

A pastor wrote me last week he led a prisoner to Christ using "Your Ticket to Heaven. You can too.

I LOVE YOU DEAR PEOPLE. ABC Sumner

WHEN GOD USES A BABY

Pastor Rick Jackson

Have you ever read something that just seemed to reach out and slap you in the face and say "pay attention"? As I explained in the earlier message that happened to me twice this week. Once with the phrase "the Lord hath need" and the other with the quote I am about to give you. In his comments on the book of Exodus Ray Stedman wrote, "When God wants to do something big, He starts with a baby. That's God's pattern. His modus-operandi. He uses the weak things, the simple things, the small things, to confound the great and the wise."

That's pretty thought-provoking is it not? And how true. We could show where God uses small things, weak things, etc. all through the Scripture but lets narrow the field a little bit and look at WHEN GOD USES A BABY!

I. GOD USED THE PROMISE OF A CHILD [Gn. 3:15]

1. To make a great man and a great nation [Gn. 12:1-2, 15:1-6, 18:9-15, 21:1-3]

2. To maintain faith in the face of fear or pleasure [Heb. 11:23-29]

3. To motivate dedication and determination [Judges 13:1-5]

II. GOD USED THE PRESENCE OF A CHILD

1. To answer a prayer [I Sam. 1:9-20]

2. To answer a kindness [II Ki. 4:8-17]

3. To anticipate a visitation [Lk. 1:11-17]

III. GOD USES THE POWER OF A CHILD

1. To provide a Heavenly Heritage [Ps. 127:3, Mal. 2:15]

2. To change a life [Gn. 5:21-22]

3. To redeem mankind [Mt. 1:21, Jn 3:16]

THE UNUSUAL USUALNESS OF JESUS

MATTHEW 21

Pastor Rick Jackson

It's really a wonderful thing that after all these years as a preacher of the Word of God and even longer as a student of the Word, and longer still as a Christian that Jesus can still surprise me! No matter how much you learn there is still an infinite amount you don't know and so there's still so much more we can know. I was reading this week and a man wrote "the Lord hath need" and I thought God doesn't need anything but he gave a Scripture reference and sure enough... "the Lord hath need." It's just THE USUAL UNUSUAL JESUS!

I. A USUAL UNUSUAL WORD [Mt. 21:1-11]

"THE LORD HATH NEED..." [v. 1-3] for us

1. TO FULFILL SCRIPTURE [v. 4-5]

2. TO FOLLOW JESUS [v. 6-7]

3. TO FOCUS ATTENTION [v. 8-11]

II. A USUAL UNUSUAL WORK [v. 12-13]

Jesus didn't do things the same way every time. With the blind for example... sometimes he touched their eyes, another he spit in the man's eyes and touched him, he spoke to Bartimaeus, another time he spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and he anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay --- in every case the blind person was healed and could see! Isn't Jesus wonderful?

So look at this usual unusual work of Jesus.

1. IT WAS A RIGHTEOUS WORK [v. 12a]

It speaks of Jesus' righteous strength of character!

2. IT WAS A PHYSICAL WORK [v. 12b]

It speaks of Jesus' physical strength!

3. IT WAS A SPIRITUAL WORK [v. 13]

It speaks of Jesus' spiritual strength!

III. A USUAL UNUSUAL WISDOM [v. 14-16]

1. SUPREME POWER DISPLAYED [v. 14]

2. SOME PEOPLE DISPLEASED [v. 15]

Luke 6:26 Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets.

3. SPIRITUAL PERCEPTION DEFENDED [v. 16]

WHAT'S IN A NAME?

PROVERBS 22:1

What's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet. -William Shakespeare

Names are very important. Names identify places, items, animals and people. Names are often descriptive in the Bible much like nicknames in our day.

Abraham=father of a multitude
Nabal=fool
Daniel=God is my judge

Shorty
Greedy
Professor

Names may mean one thing but take on a different connotation:

Lucifer means "Bright One" but has a bad connotation as does Judas "Praise"

I. WHAT'S IN A NAME?

Let's play a little game. I'll call out a name and you raise your hand and tell me what you think of first when you hear that name.

Michael Jordan
Joshua
George Washington
Shadrach
Hitler
Paul
Benedict Arnold
Noah
Michael Phelps

What if I had called out your name? What would people say? What would your teachers say? Your friends? Your family? Other kids at school?

Proverbs 22:1 A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.

Sometimes a bad "family name" can be overcome. Proverbs 10:7, 21:24

II. THE NAME OF JESUS [Pr. 18:10, 30:4-5, Mt. 1:21]

Many use His name as a curse word [Exodus 20:7, Deuteronomy 5:11]

Look at how the early Christians saw it! [Acts 2:21, 38; 3:6, 16; 4:7, 10, 12, 17-18, 30; 5:28, 40-41; 8;12; 9;13-15, 21, 27-29; 10:43, 48; 15:14, 17, 26; 16:18; 19:5, 13, 17; 21:13; 22:16

III. OUR NAME AS CHRISTIANS [Pr. 30:8-9, Jm. 2:7]

DON'T SHAME THE NAME!

David did! [2 Samuel 12:14]

Demas did! [Philemon 1:24, Colossians 4:14, 2 Timothy 4:10

Do you?

Do your actions make people say, "If that's a Christian I want no part of it!"

"Christian" means "little Christ"
Acts 11:26 And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.
1 Peter 4:16 Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.

Did you know you are probably the best Christian somebody knows? So do you talk like a Christian? Dress like one? Act like one?

Do YOU have a good name?

Have you called on the Name of the Lord? [Rm. 10:9-13]

Are you dragging His name through the mud or are you honoring His name?

QUESTION OF THE WEEK! #2 - What brought a radical Muslim to Christ?

What brought a radical Muslim to Christ?


His dark, deep-set eyes and chiseled chin fit the stereotype of a middle-eastern political leader. His broken English resounds with the halting grammar of one who is foreign to the soil he now calls home.

He knows danger and has paid the price of power. His body language reveals shadows of suspicion and readiness for unflinching response to any threat.

However, there is an unexpected incongruity. His handshake is a greeting. Joy-filled eyes join an ever-widening smile. Most amazing of all is his story; one that few have lived to tell. As a former radical Muslim who was heavily involved in the Iranian fundamentalist revolution, Daniel Shayesteh was once committed to exterminating Jews, Christians, and other “infidels.”
That was before his Creator became his redeemer. His heart transformed by the love of Christ, Daniel is now a born-again Christian who is committed to helping others understand and properly respond to the Islamic faith. He reveals the inconsistencies and alarming directives of Islam’s holy book and its associated worldview.

There is much more that Christians need to know.

To read more of this incredible journey, see Escape from Darkness.

News to Note Quick Look

Finding bigfoot: Two bigfoot hunters claim to have made the ultimate discovery in the woods of Georgia: the body of a dead male sasquatch. Is this all a hoax? What can it tell us about the creation-evolution controversy? Read more.

Denied: The San Francisco Chronicle reports on Judge James Otero’s ruling that the University of California may deny science credit for students from Christian high schools. Read more.

Arch purposes: If an arch collapses in a desert and no one is around to hear it, does it still shout “millions of years”? Read more.

Also: Stemming the tide, making strides, elephant memories, and a homeschool victory. Read more.

This information was provided by Answers In Genesis, an excellent source of material relating to Creation and evolution. Please visit their website using the link in the upper left.

QUESTION OF THE WEEK! #1 - Is Creationism Scientific?

The accusation has often been made that creationism is not scientific. And evolutionism, of course, is. After all, today it’s common to believe that most scientists are evolutionists. So, is evolutionary thinking responsible for all the great scientific advances, or can creationists take the credit?

Ironically, every major branch of science: astronomy, chemistry, microbiology, etc., was established upon the work of creationists. In fact, today’s evolutionists are merely standing on an entire mountain of work built by creationists. While the evolutionist assumes his theory is true in spite of “trivial” elements of science (such as the first two laws of thermodynamics, Boyle’s gas laws, and biogenesis), the creationist understands that science was established by God, and thus seeks to follow the clues in God’s creation that help him better understand the natural world. To a creationist, science and the Bible were both authored by God: he therefore has no problem accepting the scientific method of observation to further validate that which he takes on faith.

The early scientists—whose ranks include the likes of Galileo, Sir Isaac Newton, Johannes Kepler, and Robert Boyle—believed in an intelligent Designer/Creator who laid down not only laws of conduct for humanity, but also for nature. With this common understanding in mind, they then set about to identify and explore these laws of nature. This search resulted in the revolution of scientific information we now enjoy and the establishment of the major branches of scientific understanding. So the idea that creationists are not scientific is absurd. It mocks the great heritage of creationists that modern science harks back to—and upon whose work modern science now rests. Evolutionists allow evolutionism to govern their exploration of the natural world to the detriment of science, while creationists continue to merely demonstrate how the God of the Bible is also the true Architect of what we call science.

Watch this edition of Creation In Common Sense as we discuss the incredible scientific advances made by creationists.

This information was provided by Creation Science Evangelism (articles@drdino.com)

"Wise" Fools‏

"As the thief is ashamed when he is found, so is the house of Israel ashamed; . . . Saying to a stock, Thou art my father, and to a stone, Thou hast brought me forth: for they have turned their back unto me, and not their face." (Jeremiah 2:26-27)

Indeed, the leaders of Israel should have hidden their faces from God! The very idea of repudiating the God who had created them, redeemed them from death, and then established them as a great nation, in favor of a vain evolutionary, pantheistic polytheism rampant among their heathen neighbors, is preposterous. God's people should have tried to lead these pagan evolutionists back to the Creator, instead of adopting their own utterly impotent cosmogony. They surely had sense enough to know that wooden images and stone idols could never generate living human beings!

But this ancient delusion is highly sophisticated and realistic, compared to our modern "scientific" evolutionism. Modern "inflationary" cosmogonists actually believe that the entire ordered universe evolved out of a "quantum fluctuation in a primeval state of nothingness." Modern "origin-of-life" biochemists have faith that dead chemical elements in a primordial soup generated complex living cells against infinitely impossible odds. And many modern physical anthropologists credulously insist that chattering chimpanzee-like "hominids" were miraculously transmuted into intelligent, spiritual human beings--all in spite of the fact that true science utterly repudiates every aspect of this impossible evolutionary fantasy.

Paul, speaking of the ancient evolutionists, commented as follows: "Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools" (Romans 1:22). Yet these early idolaters never carried their anti-creationism to such absurd reductionist extremes as do their modern descendants. The Bible calls them fools. HMM

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INSTITUTE FOR CREATION RESEARCH www.icr.org

August 14, 2008

WHAT'S RIGHT WITH THE CHURCH?

MATTHEW 16:13-21

Pastor Rick Jackson

I. THE FOUNDATION OF THE CHURCH IS RIGHT!

1. JESUS SAID HE, HIMSELF, IS THE FOUNDATION [Mt. 16:13-21, Lk. 6:46-49]

2. PAUL SAID JESUS CHRIST IS THE FOUNDATION [I Cor. 3:10-11]

3. PETER SAID JESUS CHRIST IS THE CORNER STONE [I Pet. 2:1-8]

II. THE FOCUS OF THE CHURCH IS RIGHT!

At least it is if the Church:

1. EVANGELIZES THE LOST [Mt. 28:18-19a]

2. INSTRUCTS THE SAVED [Mt. 28:19b-20]

3. GLORIFIES THE LORD [Mt. 5:16, Jn. 15:8, I Co. 10:31, Col. 3:17, 23]

III. THE FUTURE OF THE CHURCH IS RIGHT!

1. THE RAPTURE OF THE CHURCH [I Co. 15:50-58]

2. THE RETURN OF THE CHURCH [Jude 14, Rev. 19:11-16]

3. THE REIGN OF THE CHURCH [2 Timothy 2:12, Revelation 5:10, 11:15, 20:6, 22:5]

Inspired by a message from Pastor Mike Norrris

I Never Tire of this emphasis--- and neither should you!

We are commissioned to preach the gospel-GOOD NEWS

Sumner Wemp

We are commissioned to "Preach the gospel" Mk 16:15. What a privilege

This divides the winners from the losers. Satan won't care if you talk about religion, or your church or how wonderful Jesus is to you but he is terribly bothered when you tell how the Lord Jesus suffered and "died for our sins, paid the debt in full, was buried, rose again and seen by hundreds" 1 Cor 15:1-4. for this "full" gospel is the "power of God unto salvation" to everyone who hears and believes this to get them to heaven. Rom 1:16.

Please be discerning but not divisive. Read tracts, listen to sermons and it will shock you how the gospel is not presented clearly, completely and Biblically. The gospel is not that Christ died on a cross, those two thieves died on a cross. It is not that Christ died for us, those dear military people are dying for us. The gospel, the good news is that Christ DIED FOR OUR SINS. That is the whole problem, we are all in he same boat, we had all sinned and the wages of sin is death. He paid the debt in full. He was buried for three days, proof He was dead. He rose again and was seen by hundreds of people, proof that He was alive. You cannot stress this too much. It must be said over and over for people to catch on.

It is so important that we really believe we have good news, the best news ever, to tell people. If you were in your bank and the manager asked, "Isn't Bill next door to you a good friend?"
You would reply, "He is my best friend."
The banker then said, "He just inherited a million dollars. Would you go tell him the good news?" You would not say, "Well that is a personal matter, I don't want to butt into his personal affairs."

Like some fun. You would run like mad and holler out, "Bill, I have some good news. You just inherited a million dollars." We must look at witnessing in the same way. I am passionate about having the best news anyone ever heard. People will catch this when you have the same attitude about witnessing. It makes a world of difference.

II Cor. 4:3-4 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
4:7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.

I LOVE YOU, ABC Sumner

HAVE YOU SEEN THE HEALTH TIPS? PLEASE GIVE ME YOUR OPINION. thanks go to www.sumnerwemp.com click on Health tips.
Call 1-877-872-2871 ask for "Sales" to order tracts. I DO NOT SELL THEM. I get no commission. THANKS

"Nobody trips over mountains. It is the small pebbles that cause you to stumble."

The Hillbilly's Ten Commandments

(1) Just one God

(2) Put nothin' before God

(3) Watch yer mouth

(4) Git yourself to Sunday meetin'

(5) Mind yer Ma & Pa

(6) No killin'

(7) No foolin' around with another fellow's gal

(8) Don't take what ain't yers

(9) No tellin' tales or gossipin'

(10) Don't be hankerin' for yer buddy's stuff

Now that's kinda plain an' simple, don't ya think? Y'all have a nice day.


Rose sent me this thought-provoker which reportedly hangs on the wall of a church in Tennessee.

SETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHT

John 1:1-34

Pastor Rick Jackson

I. SALVATION IS IN THE PERSON OF CHRIST [v. 1-14]

1. Jesus Christ is the Life-Giving Creator [v. 1-4]

2. Jesus Christ is the Light-Giving Creator [v. 4-10]

3. Jesus Christ is the Power-Giving Creator [v. 11-14]

II. SERVICE IS TO BE TO THE PERSON OF CHRIST [v. 15-27]

1. The Baptizer’s Authority Is Not his Own [v. 15-18]

2. The Baptizer’s Message Is Not his Own [v. 19-23]

3. The Baptizer’s Life Is Not his Own [v. 24-27]

III. SUBMISSION IS TO BE TO THE PERSON OF CHRIST [v. 28-34]

1. Jesus Christ Takes Away Sin (NOT baptism) [v. 28-29]

2. Jesus Christ’s Work Is Pictured In Baptism [v. 30-31, Rm. 6:3-5]

Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:

3. Jesus Christ Baptizes With The Holy Spirit [v. 32-34]

Christ baptizes every believer with the Holy Spirit, every lost person with fire. We baptize with water as a symbol.

WHY ATTEND A LOCAL CHURCH

Pastor Rick Jackson

At one point everyone who is a Christian was not a Christian. No-one is born a Christian. “Well, I was a born in a Christian home.” Being born in a Christian home doesn’t make you a Christian anymore than being born in a Burger King would make you a whopper! The Bible does say we are all born as sinners. We are sinners by birth, by nature and very quickly thereafter, by choice. Because of our sin we have earned an eternal home in the lake of fire. But God commended His love toward us and sent Jesus. Jesus loved us and died on the cross paying the penalty for our sins and rose again proving He is Who He said He was---God in the flesh, and that He did what He came to do! Now whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved!

When we are saved we become a member of His body, the Church. Sometimes called the universal church or the invisible church--- everyone who is saved is a member of that body. But what about the local, visible church? Why bother? If being a member of a local church doesn’t save me why should I become associated and attend a local church?

I. TO BE FAITHFUL TO GOD

1. God Ordained the Local Church [I Cor. 1:2, II Cor. 1:1]

Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:

Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, unto the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints which are in all Achaia:

2. God Owns the Local Church [Acts 20:28, I Tm. 3:15]

Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.

But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of t he truth.

3. God Oversees It [Rev. 2:1-11, 1 Corinthians 3:7]

We don’t see all the results but fear not, God keeps excellent records. Did Stephen know the day he died what an impact he had made on the life of Saul of Tarsus?

So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.

II. TO FURTHER THE FELLOWSHIP [Heb. 10]

1. By Encouraging the Brethren [v. 23-25a]

2. By Exemplifying the Saints [v. 24-25, I Tm. 4:12]

Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

3. By Evangelizing the Lost [v. 26-31]

III. TO FEED THE NEW NATURE

1. Some Need Milk [1 Peter 2:2]

As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby

2. Some Need Meat [I Cor. 3:2, Heb. 5:12-13]

I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.

3. Some Need Motivation [II Tm. 4:2-4]

Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

Now the truth is not every lost person will get saved, not every saved person will do God’s will but that doesn’t remove our responsibility to do our part. Jesus preached and some left Him [John 6:60-67]

Paul had people fall asleep while he was preaching and others criticized him as he reported in 2 Corinthians 10:10 For his letters, say they, are weighty and powerful; but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible.

Stephen preached and some got saved and some got mad and killed him. The response of others is not our responsibility, the response of ourselves is! How will you respond to the Word of God today?

QUESTION OF THE WEEK! - Has Noah's Ark been found?‏

A: The ancient Greek historian Herodotus mentioned that religious pilgrims journeyed to Mt. Ararat, which traditionally has been accepted as the landing place of Noah’s Ark. The Armenian people, who have lived at the foot of Ararat since before the time of Christ, maintain a strong attachment to Noah and the Ark.

In recent centuries, interest in the mountain and the huge wooden boat that may rest there has spread. Adventurous mountain-climbing Europeans first conquered the 17,000-foot (5,182-meter) summit in 1829. Reports in the twentieth century of wood being found high above the treeline fueled intense interest in new expeditions. Most notably, French explorer Fernando Navarro claimed in 1955 to have discovered wooden timbers in a glacial crevasse, stimulating even more interest among Western Christians.

Many questioned Navarro’s find, but in 1969 a carefully planned expedition, with Navarro as a guide, discovered only another controversial piece of supposed wood. Yet excitement continues today, fueled by hopes of discovering a mostly intact ship—or at least indisputable remnants—high on this or another mountain in the Ararat range.

The modern search for the Ark actually commenced with Eryl Cummings in the 1940s when he began to gather anecdotal evidence of sightings. He and colleagues made several trips to Ararat to explore and study this remote mountain in the Muslim nation of Turkey. His 1972 book Noah’s Ark: Fact or Fable captivated the imagination of those who read it. Soon several expedition teams trekked to Mt. Ararat.

Find out more about these modern expeditions in Has Noah’s Ark Been Found? by Dr. John Morris.

News to Note Quick Look

Spoiled soil: In the emotional soap opera that is the search for life on Mars, one of the main players—the habitability of Martian soil—may have just lapsed into a coma. Read more.

Uncoiled: If the riddle of where fangs fit into snake evolution has been gnawing at you, biologists may have come up with an answer. But what can we glean from the Bible? Read more.

Also: all flat, an ancient bite, the bottom of the world, and “the Dragon.” Read more.

This information was provided by Answers In Genesis, an excellent source of material relating to Creation and evolution. Please visit their website using the link in the upper left.

You must be confrontational to win souls.‏

Sumner Wemp

Aug 8, 2008

You must be confrontational- Don't miss this. It is one of the most essential traits for effective witnessing. It must be gracious, from the heart and in the Spirit.

Many years ago I had a good friend who would hear me tell about leading a man to Christ on a plane, in a store, at our door and thought of me as confrontational in the sense that I was in their face, hammering away at them. One day he sat right in front of me on a plane and heard me lead a man to Christ. Afterward he apologized and said "You were the most kind, gracious with that man and no way could he have been offended. The devil wants to muddy the waters. People don't get mad at you when you share the gospel in love and in the power of the Holy Spirit.

MOST of the time, people are going to respond in the same manner you approach them. It has been years since I had someone get bothered as I shared the gospel. Jesus was confrontational with that woman at the well in Jn 4. Phillip was confrontational with the Ethiopian in Acts 8. Paul was confrontational with the jailer in Acts 16. . We must take the initiative and direct the conversation or people will interrupt, ask questions, and get you side tracked unless you dominate the conversation in a good sense. to give out the gospel.

People don't come running up to us asking us to lead them to Christ. Think of this and let it soak into you mind so you take the indicative. and we do it All Because of Calvary, ABC Sumner

"The love of Christ constrains us" That must be the primary motive to witnessing Healthy tips, both physical and Spiritual, are now on the web site www.sumnerwemp.com We make no guarantees, of course but many have found all 4 this month to be very useful. One dear friend of this ministry sends a note and at least one new subscriber each week, to these emails. Wish you would too. Love you, ABC

I just got word, "Your Ticket to Heaven" was the third highest purchased tract this year at GNP. Call toll free 1-877-872-2871 ask for sales and get some for you and your church. Please remember, I GET NOTHING from it.

Pictures of the Week - WHEN WOMEN GET ANGRY

"Honey... I had a little accident... by the way... your girlfriend called!" Never cheat on a woman who can drive a stick!

Shouldn't cheat on a woman who works at a hardware store or can shop at one.
Or a paint store...
In fact... NEVER cheat on your wife...
'cause when she's done with you...
You still will have to answer to the Lord for your sin! God takes vows, including wedding vows, very seriously [Eccl. 4:4-5]

Rose sent me these pictures.

SATAN'S THIEF --- WORRY!

MATTHEW 6

Pastor Rick Jackson

Don Wildmon calls worry, "the world's worst energy waster." He may just be right. Worry is a tool of the Devil to rob people of peace, time, thoughts, prayers, faith, health and more. Evangelist Lester Roloff said, "I'd soon cuss as worry... both are sins." W.R. Inge wryly said, "Worry is interest paid on trouble before it comes due." What causes worry? What does worry cause? What can cure the condition of worry? As always, God has the answer!

I. WHAT CAUSES WORRY? [Mt. 6:25-34]

1. A Lack of Security - we worry [v. 25]

2. A Lack of Faith - we don't trust [v. 26-29]

3. A Lack of Facts - we don't know the future [v. 30-34]

Worry is not a lack of concern--- it is undue concern. Worry is invalid concern. We need genuine, valid, sincere concern - it can properly motivate us. Worry cannot and does not!

II. WHAT DOES WORRY CAUSE?

1. Loss of Time & Energy [Luke 10:41]

And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:

Someone has said the Devil would "continually have us crossing streams that do not exist."

2. Loss of Health & Well-Being (Heart attacks, ulcers, etc.) [Ecclesiastes 2:20]

Therefore I went about to cause my heart to despair of all the labour which I took under the sun.

Dr. Charles Mayo said, "Worry affects the circulation - the heart, the glands, the whole nervous system. I have never known a man who died from overwork, but many who died from doubt."

3. Loss of proper Perspective & Attitude [Jeremiah 18:12]

And they said, There is no hope: but we will walk after our own devices, and we will every one do the imagination of his evil heart.

Blaming God, cursing, intemperate speech, whining, murmuring...

III. THE CURE FOR WORRY - WORKING FAITH!

1. Seek God's Way [Isaiah 26:3-4]

Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength:

2. Do God's Will [2 Corinthians 8:16]

But thanks be to God, which put the same earnest care into the heart of Titus for you.
Philippians 2:20 For I have no man likeminded, who will naturally care for your state.
Philippians 4:10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care ° of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity.

3. Let God Work [Philippians 4:6-7]

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds ° through Christ Jesus.
1 Peter 5:7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

Quotes of the Week

In a message entitled "3 Things Joseph Learned in Jail" Evangelist Bill Rice III said the following:

Character is doing right no matter what.

Character is the desire and the ability to do what's right despite outward circumstances or inward yearnings.

A person of character does what's right because it's right.

Are you ready to be used of God?

Sumner Wemp

Aug 4, 2008

Are you ready to be used of God? There is a specific reason I am asking this right now. Trust me, it is vital

1. "If a man purge himself...he shall be a vessel unto honor, 'fit' for the masters use and prepared unto every good work" [2 Tm. 2:21]. Celeste and I have been to doctors scores of time in the last 10 years. They NEVER go from examining one patient to the other without washing their hands. We must also.

2. "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" [1 Jn 1:9]. We are then "fit" for the master to use. "God is not going to take the pure water of life to thirst souls in a dirty vessel." Make sense.

Now you are ready to be used. This must be an every morning routine and every soul winning attempt.

You and I must take the initiative in witnessing. I never feel I should ask if I should witness to a person, or ask Him to lead me to speak to someone. I am already commanded to preach the GOSPEL to EVERY person I have a chance to. OF COURSE, you do not walk down the street and stop everyone and give them a tract. You do it as you have a moment of verbal contact with them. I must do it graciously and in total dependence on the Holy Spirit to do the convicting as He said He would. I NEVER try to convict a person. That is the Holy Spirit's job.You don't go there.

If you have proved a better way to approach someone than giving them a tract. PLEASE tell me what it is. I will try it. BUT, I have proved it a couple of thousands of times that graciously giving a person a tract does two things. They now have a chance to get saved. Secondly it opens the door to share the gospel so easily. Plan on it. NEVER leave home without this superb tool, tracts.

What will be a most thrilling moment is when we cast our crowns at Jesus feet. [Rev 4:10]. Well Glory! Don't miss out on that moment "when we see Jesus"

How thrilling to hear from you how God used our tracts to get the gospel to people and lead someone to Christ.

Go to www.sumnerwemp.com for encouraging articles. Call 1-877-872-2871 (no charge) or to a Christian book store to get "Your Ticket to Heaven" Published by Good News Publishers. PLEASE understand, I do NOT get one penny from the sales.

The Glory of God, and, as our only means of glorifying Him, the salvation of human souls, is the real business of life.-- C. S. Lewis

JOSEPH'S BE-ATTITUDES

GENESIS 50

Pastor Rick Jackson

There are bad attitudes and good attitudes. There are heathen devilish, worldly, carnal attitudes and there are Christian attitudes. A Christian can be just that, and yet have the wrong attitudes. Lot, Balaam, King Saul, Diotrophes and others are examples of Christians with bad attitudes. And then there is Joseph... only one time in the Genesis account do we see the hint of a bad attitude with Joseph. He may have had one at other times but the Scripture does not record them. In this final chapter of Genesis we see attitudes to Be illustrated in the life of Joseph.

I. THE RIGHT ATTITUDE CONCERNING LOSS [v. 1-13]

1. A Recognition of Earthly Loss [v. 1-4a]

2. A Recognition of Earthly Authority [v. 4-6]

3. A Recognition of Earthly Promises [7-13]

Why didn't Jacob want to be buried with Rachel? Could he have know the truth expounded in Matthew 22:29-32 Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God. For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven. But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying, I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.

II. THE RIGHT ATTITUDE CONCERNING FORGIVENESS [v. 14-21]

1. A Recognition of Human Frailty [v. 14-17]

2. A Recognition of Divine Responsibility [v. 18-19, Romans 12:19]

Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

3. A Recognition of Human Responsibility [v. 20-21, Romans 12:20-21]

Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

III. THE RIGHT ATTITUDE CONCERNING LIFE & DEATH [v. 21-26]

1. A Recognition of Familial Responsibility [v. 21-23]

2. A Recognition of Faith's Realities [v. 24-25, Hebrews 11:22]

By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones.

3. A Recognition of Final Rest [v. 25-26, James 4:10-17]

Do You Love Jesus?

John 21:1-15

Pastor Rick Jackson

That God loves us is an indisputable fact of Scripture. [John 3:16, Rm. 5:8, I Jn. 4:10]

That we love God is a very disputable thing. The depth of our love is in question by the lives that we live. Simon Peter, fresh off denying the Lord, being remembered by the risen Lord, is confronted with the question that confronts each one of us, that Jesus might ask us the same question He asked Simon Peter, "lovest thou me more than these?"

I. THAN THESE PEOPLE?

Do you love Jesus more than:

1. Family - was Andrew there? [v. 2]

Matthew 10:37 He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.

2. Long Time Friends - James & John [v. 2, Deuteronomy 13:6-10]

3. New Christian Friends - Thomas called Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, ...and two other of his disciples [v. 2]

1 Corinthians 5:11 But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.

II. THAN THESE THINGS?

1. An Activity (occupation, hobby, pastime, etc.) [v. 3, Matthew 6:33]

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

2. A Place [v. 1, 3; Acts 8:5-8, 25-27]

3. Favorite Food [v. 9-13, I Cor. 10:31-33]

III. LOVEST THOU JESUS MORE THAN THESE?

1. Do You Love Jesus? [v. 15-17]

2. Do You Love Jesus Supremely? [v. 15, Joshua 23:11]

Take good heed therefore unto yourselves, that ye love the LORD your God.

Psalm 31:23 O love the LORD, all ye his saints...
Mark 12:30 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.
1 Corinthians 16:22 If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema Maranatha.
Philemon 1:5 Hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints;

3. Do You Love Jesus Enough To Live For Him? [v. 15-17]

Psalm 97:10 Ye that love the LORD, hate evil:
Daniel 9:4 And I prayed unto the LORD my God, and made my confession, and said, O Lord, the great and dreadful God, keeping the covenant and mercy to them that love him, and to them that keep his commandments;
John 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.
John 15:10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love
1 Thessalonians 1:3 Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;

Question of the Week - Creation: where’s the proof?

Creation Archive > Volume 22 Issue 1 > Creation: ‘where’s the proof?’

First published:Creation 22(1):39–42December 1999

Browse this issue

by Ken Ham

Over the years, many people have challenged me with a question like:
‘I’ve been trying to witness to my friends. They say they don’t believe the Bible and aren’t interested in the stuff in it. They want real proof that there’s a God who created, and then they’ll listen to my claims about Christianity. What proof can I give them without mentioning the Bible so they’ll start to listen to me?’

Briefly, my response is as follows.

Evidence

Creationists and evolutionists, Christians and non-Christians all have the same evidence—the same facts. Think about it: we all have the same earth, the same fossil layers, the same animals and plants, the same stars—the facts are all the same.

The difference is in the way we all interpret the facts. And why do we interpret facts differently? Because we start with different presuppositions. These are things that are assumed to be true, without being able to prove them. These then become the basis for other conclusions. All reasoning is based on presuppositions (also called axioms). This becomes especially relevant when dealing with past events.

Past and present

We all exist in the present—and the facts all exist in the present. When one is trying to understand how the evidence came about (Where did the animals come from? How did the fossil layers form? etc.), what we are actually trying to do is to connect the past to the present.
However, if we weren’t there in the past to observe events, how can we know what happened so we can explain the present? It would be great to have a time machine so we could know for sure about past events.

Christians of course claim they do, in a sense, have a ‘time machine’. They have a book called the Bible which claims to be the Word of God who has always been there, and has revealed to us the major events of the past about which we need to know.

On the basis of these events (Creation, Fall, Flood, Babel, etc.), we have a set of presuppositions to build a way of thinking which enables us to interpret the evidence of the present.

Evolutionists have certain beliefs about the past/present that they presuppose, e.g. no God (or at least none who performed acts of special creation), so they build a different way of thinking to interpret the evidence of the present.

Thus, when Christians and non-Christians argue about the evidence, in reality they are arguing about their interpretations based on their presuppositions.

That’s why the argument often turns into something like:

‘Can’t you see what I’m talking about?’

‘No, I can’t. Don’t you see how wrong you are?’

‘No, I’m not wrong. It’s obvious that I’m right.’

‘No, it’s not obvious.’ And so on.

These two people are arguing about the same evidence, but they are looking at the evidence through different glasses.

It’s not until these two people recognize the argument is really about the presuppositions they have to start with, that they will begin to deal with the foundational reasons for their different beliefs. A person will not interpret the evidence differently until they put on a different set of glasses—which means to change one’s presuppositions.

I’ve found that a Christian who understands these things can actually put on the evolutionist’s glasses (without accepting the presuppositions as true) and understand how they look at evidence. However, for a number of reasons, including spiritual ones, a non-Christian usually can’t put on the Christian’s glasses—unless they recognize the presuppositional nature of the battle and are thus beginning to question their own presuppositions.

It is of course sometimes possible that just by presenting ‘evidence’, you can convince a person that a particular scientific argument for creation makes sense ‘on the facts’. But usually, if that person then hears a different interpretation of the same evidence that seems better than yours, that person will swing away from your argument, thinking they have found ‘stronger facts’.
However, if you had helped the person to understand this issue of presuppositions, then they will be better able to recognize this for what it is—a different interpretation based on differing presuppositions—i.e. starting beliefs.

As a teacher, I found that whenever I taught the students what I thought were the ‘facts’ for creation, then their other teacher would just re-interpret the facts. The students would then come back to me saying, ‘Well sir, you need to try again.’

However, when I learned to teach my students how we interpret facts, and how interpretations are based on our presuppositions, then when the other teacher tried to reinterpret the facts, the students would challenge the teacher’s basic assumptions. Then it wasn’t the students who came back to me, but the other teacher! This teacher was upset with me because the students wouldn’t accept her interpretation of the evidence and challenged the very basis of her thinking.
What was happening was that I had learned to teach the students how to think rather than just what to think. What a difference that made to my class! I have been overjoyed to find, sometimes decades later, some of those students telling me how they became active, solid Christians as a result.

Debate terms

If one agrees to a discussion without using the Bible as some people insist, then they have set the terms of the debate. In essence these terms are:

‘Facts’ are neutral. However, there are no such things as ‘brute facts’; all facts are interpreted. Once the Bible is eliminated in the argument, then the Christians’ presuppositions are gone, leaving them unable to effectively give an alternate interpretation of the facts. Their opponents then have the upper hand as they still have their presuppositions — see Naturalism, logic and reality.

Truth can/should be determined independent of God. However, the Bible states: ‘The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom’ (Psalm 111:10); ‘The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge’ (Proverbs 1:7). ‘But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned’ (1 Corinthians 2:14).

A Christian cannot divorce the spiritual nature of the battle from the battle itself. A non-Christian is not neutral. The Bible makes this very clear: ‘The one who is not with Me is against Me, and the one who does not gather with Me scatters’ (Matthew 12:30); ‘And this is the condemnation, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than the Light, because their deeds were evil’ (John 3:19).

Agreeing to such terms of debate also implicitly accepts their proposition that the Bible’s account of the universe’s history is irrelevant to understanding that history!

Ultimately, God’s Word convicts

1 Peter 3:15 and other passages make it clear we are to use every argument we can to convince people of the truth, and 2 Cor. 10:4–5 says we are to refute error (like Paul did in his ministry to the Gentiles). Nonetheless, we must never forget Hebrews 4:12: ‘For the word of God is living and powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing apart of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.’

Also, Isaiah 55:11: ‘So shall My word be, which goes out of My mouth; it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall certainly do what I sent it to do.’
Even though our human arguments may be powerful, ultimately it is God’s Word that convicts and opens people to the truth. In all of our arguments, we must not divorce what we are saying from the Word that convicts.

Practical application

When someone tells me they want ‘proof’ or ‘evidence’, not the Bible, my response is as follows:
‘You might not believe the Bible but I do. And I believe it gives me the right basis to understand this universe and correctly interpret the facts around me. I’m going to give you some examples of how building my thinking on the Bible explains the world and is not contradicted by science. For instance, the Bible states that God made distinct kinds of animals and plants. Let me show you what happens when I build my thinking on this presupposition. I will illustrate how processes such as natural selection, genetic drift, etc. can be explained and interpreted. You will see how the science of genetics makes sense based upon the Bible.’

One can of course do this with numerous scientific examples, showing how the issue of sin and judgment, for example, is relevant to geology and fossil evidence. And how the Fall of man, with the subsequent Curse on creation, makes sense of the evidence of harmful mutations, violence, and death.

Once I’ve explained some of this in detail, I then continue:

‘Now let me ask you to defend your position concerning these matters. Please show me how your way of thinking, based on your beliefs, makes sense of the same evidence. And I want you to point out where my science and logic are wrong.’

In arguing this way, a Christian is:

Using biblical presuppositions to build a way of thinking to interpret the evidence.

Showing that the Bible and science go hand in hand.1

Challenging the presuppositions of the other person (many are unaware they have these).
Forcing the debater to logically defend his position consistent with science and his own presuppositions (many will find that they cannot do this).

Honouring the Word of God that convicts the soul.

Remember, it’s no good convincing people to believe in creation, without also leading them to believe and trust in the Creator/Redeemer, Jesus Christ. God honours those who honour His Word. We need to use God-honouring ways of reaching people with the truth of what life is all about.

Naturalism, logic and reality

Those arguing against creation may not even be conscious of their most basic presupposition, one which excludes God a priori, namely naturalism/materialism (everything came from matter, there is no supernatural, no prior creative intelligence).2 The following two real-life examples highlight some problems with that assumption:

A young man approached me at a seminar and stated, ‘Well, I still believe in the big bang, and that we arrived here by chance random processes. I don’t believe in God.’ I answered him, ‘Well, then obviously your brain, and your thought processes, are also the product of randomness. So you don’t know whether it evolved the right way, or even what right would mean in that context. Young man, you don’t know if you’re making correct statements or even whether you’re asking me the right questions.’

The young man looked at me and blurted out, ‘What was that book you recommended?’ He finally realized that his belief undercut its own foundations —such ‘reasoning’ destroys the very basis for reason.

On another occasion, a man came to me after a seminar and said, ‘Actually, I’m an atheist. Because I don’t believe in God, I don’t believe in absolutes, so I recognize that I can’t even be sure of reality.’ I responded, ‘Then how do you know you’re really here making this statement?’ ‘Good point,’ he replied. ‘What point?’ I asked. The man looked at me, smiled, and said, ‘Maybe I should go home.’ I stated, ‘Maybe it won’t be there.’ ‘Good point,’ the man said. ‘What point?’ I replied.

This man certainly got the message. If there is no God, ultimately, philosophically, how can one talk about reality? How can one even rationally believe that there is such a thing as truth, let alone decide what it is?

Ed. Note: for more information on formal logic and the Christian faith, see Loving God With All Your Mind: Logic and Creation. Return to text.

This information was provided by Answers In Genesis, an excellent source of material relating to Creation and evolution. Please visit their website using the link in the upper left.