Great advice, wisdom, and discussion between two of my dear family members.
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Monday, January 29, 2018
Friday, January 12, 2018
New Year, specific new goals, but same one desire! Two-thousand and eighteen.
I love January 1st. I find it highly fun that everything I do that day is the first time I've done it all year, I love the "I haven't seen you since last year"jokes my local friends and family exchange. Lots of fun and lots of puns. Of which I love both of those things.
For many, it's obviously time to start afresh, to set their eyes on achievements they desire to accomplish, and a time to tuck away the ones they didn't succeed into the extent they had wished for the previous year. Our American culture often views the turning of a New Year as a reset button to cleanse all the past mistakes of last year, in hope of just getting past those and looking forward to new beginnings. This is a magical, sentimental and blissful thought. It is also can be extremely dangerous.
Because it's a lie. A great many problems we had last year, like debt, failed classes, or the greatest crushing burden of all, the multitude of sins against God who is Holy and good, these weighty issues don't mystically disappear because from 11:59pm one December 31st to January 1st 12:00am. I sense that many people see me as a pessimist or a party pooper because I believe truth should be believed in real life. Such as situations like this. Some might think "can't you just let us have this one? It gives us a spark of hope, even if it isn't real, it helps us"
My response is no. I won't let you have this one. This fake hope is meaningless. Sometimes it may seem I lack compassion due to this mindset however, it is quite the opposite intentions for speaking up knowing I will get backlash. It because of my immense love and genuine compassion for the people in this world, that I post (primarily on facebook up to date) about treacherous traditions, harmful self-hope philosophies, the so popular charlatans who claim to be Christian preachers, teachers, bands or even holistic practices (that deceive many with false promises to closeness to God through extra-Biblical means).
I speak up in order to magnify and passionately point back to the one source of truth we can absolutely bank on. The Bible itself. "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path."-Psalm 119:105-106
I am not only not a pessimist, but I am a joyful believer in hope. But I want the real hope, not the parody of it.
I believe in hope but He has a name not a date of the year. There is real hope! He is glorious and His name is Jesus. I am just one of many weak and simple-minded guides on this planet that deeply long for you to know God. How? Through the reading of, studying, and listening to sound teachers of the Bible. Through earnest prayer. Through meeting weekly with His Body and Bride; the Church.
We want for you to be given the gift from God through knowing God, the 2nd gift of loving God. And we want you to obey God out of the joy and desires of your heart.
One of my New Year's resolutions is to exhibit better that my love for theo (meaning God) ology (the study of) has not made me cold or uncaring. But as someone once recently said I am "seriously joyful and joyfully serious"! That is who I am by God's grace. I struggle daily and consistently but He is with me, and I want people to see, read, hear and watch the fact that "the things of this Earth grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace." is what is welling up inside of me right now.
And I am compelled to share that. Pray for me to convey that love for God that only comes from Biblical theology and extends to the people in the world around me
2018 is a year to live for my friends!
Literally and metaphorically. Literally as in many of us will reach December 31st of the upcoming year alive. Metaphorically, as in, to the fullest. If that means setting resolutions for some if that means being kinder to others, or perhaps being more accessible to people and intentional about teaching them what Jesus did then that is all great!
Seeking joy in small things, having genuine compassion towards everyone no matter what, and to know, love, and obey God above all pursuits and passions. To live as a "human-doing" rather than a mere human being.
Let's live this year to Do Hard Things to the glory of God in all nations.
THE SAME ONE DESIRE: God and His Glory among all nations.
Soli Deo Gloria!
"May God be gracious to us and bless us
and make his face to shine upon us, Selah
2 that your way may be known on earth,
your saving power among all nations.
3 Let the peoples praise you, O God;
let all the peoples praise you!
and make his face to shine upon us, Selah
2 that your way may be known on earth,
your saving power among all nations.
3 Let the peoples praise you, O God;
let all the peoples praise you!
4 Let the nations be glad and sing for joy,
for you judge the peoples with equity
and guide the nations upon earth. Selah
5 Let the peoples praise you, O God;
let all the peoples praise you!
for you judge the peoples with equity
and guide the nations upon earth. Selah
5 Let the peoples praise you, O God;
let all the peoples praise you!
6 The earth has yielded its increase;
God, our God, shall bless us.
7 God shall bless us;
let all the ends of the earth fear him!
God, our God, shall bless us.
7 God shall bless us;
let all the ends of the earth fear him!
Psalm 67English Standard Version (ESV)
Thursday, January 4, 2018
Baptists, baptizing Believers, boldly and "baptistly" (but not babies).
NOTICE: Just this week I have had two different men from two different denominations or belief systems, ask me about my thoughts/reached out to discuss God's plan and command for the Matthew 28:19-20. So I thought I would simply get the ball rolling here as I prepare to discuss the similarities and differences in our understanding of God's Holy Word. This is not to stir division but to seek truth genuinely and humbly.
I believe that the Bible clearly states the fact that baptism happens after Salvation has taken place. In order for Salvation to take place one must hear the Word of God preached and as God calls evil men and women to Himself, convicts these rebels of their sins, and by His Grace alone saves sinners when He ultimately converts them to Himself. What role do we play in our Salvation? We are the sinners. It is He that is the Savior! Jesus came telling all to Repent and Believe the Gospel, the wrath that He took on the cross was for evil slimy-souled sinners who deserved Hell the day they were born.
Once God allows us to humble ourselves and admit desperation and need for Jesus and we truly are born-again, then we are a part of the global and eternal church! Right then. At the moment of sincere confession of sins before an all righteous God, we who are unrighteous
"Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality,
nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. - 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 English Standard Version
Did you catch verse 1️⃣1️⃣? Because we can now become righteous due to the penal substitutionary atonement of Christ alone?? Hallelujah. Sinners can be saved. Not one sinner deserves a beautiful loving relationship with the God of all Creation. What does mankind deserve, rather fine-tuned specifically to, what do sinners (Romans 3:23) deserve?
Hell.
Forever.
This is a horrifying reality for all of us. We have earned this, it's our wages for working day in and day out, with every bad attitude, every sinful sexual thought, deed or condoning of others doing the same. With the list above in Romans, it is clear that we are all not fine, but in grave trouble...apart from (I just love that phrase, "apart from") Jesus; the substitute for us.
In my personal opinion, the most concise and pointed sermon on the doctrine of baptism is from the current (2018) IMB President, Dr. David Platt. An expositional preacher and my personal favorite teacher of the Word who is alive today. take some time to listen, download the sermon notes, and consider if the Word is being explained correctly.
I have dear friends and brothers in the faith who have slightly different views on whether it should be Credo-baptism (which is the Southern Baptist's believe and adhere to) as well as dear Brothers in the Faith who disagree with me and support Paedobaptism , yet in spite of this particular disagreement, I trust them with my life and we agree on the essential primary doctrines that make it orthodox Christianity.
But enough of this talking, please take a moment and watch this video sermon and pray that God would open your eyes to the truth and that we can all agree that Baptism is an act of obedience for those who follow Jesus! May we prayerfully, passionately, and proactively seek, in this order, to know, to love and to obey God with all we have.
:
Let me know in the comments what you think about this post and the sermon. But don't comment on the sermon unless you've watched it all the way through. SO we can have intelligent and informed discussions. Also, post your favorite sermons or articles below that are Baptism related. Be cordial, and let's lovingly, genuinely, and truthfully make attempts to find truth from the Holy flawless Scripture of revealed by God, the Bible itself.
Soli Deo Gloria,
Zack Anderson
 |
| Charles Haddon Spurgeon Meme (source unknown) June 19, 1834, ~ January 31, 1892, |
I believe that the Bible clearly states the fact that baptism happens after Salvation has taken place. In order for Salvation to take place one must hear the Word of God preached and as God calls evil men and women to Himself, convicts these rebels of their sins, and by His Grace alone saves sinners when He ultimately converts them to Himself. What role do we play in our Salvation? We are the sinners. It is He that is the Savior! Jesus came telling all to Repent and Believe the Gospel, the wrath that He took on the cross was for evil slimy-souled sinners who deserved Hell the day they were born.
Once God allows us to humble ourselves and admit desperation and need for Jesus and we truly are born-again, then we are a part of the global and eternal church! Right then. At the moment of sincere confession of sins before an all righteous God, we who are unrighteous
"Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality,
nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. - 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 English Standard Version
Did you catch verse 1️⃣1️⃣? Because we can now become righteous due to the penal substitutionary atonement of Christ alone?? Hallelujah. Sinners can be saved. Not one sinner deserves a beautiful loving relationship with the God of all Creation. What does mankind deserve, rather fine-tuned specifically to, what do sinners (Romans 3:23) deserve?
Hell.
Forever.
This is a horrifying reality for all of us. We have earned this, it's our wages for working day in and day out, with every bad attitude, every sinful sexual thought, deed or condoning of others doing the same. With the list above in Romans, it is clear that we are all not fine, but in grave trouble...apart from (I just love that phrase, "apart from") Jesus; the substitute for us.
In my personal opinion, the most concise and pointed sermon on the doctrine of baptism is from the current (2018) IMB President, Dr. David Platt. An expositional preacher and my personal favorite teacher of the Word who is alive today. take some time to listen, download the sermon notes, and consider if the Word is being explained correctly.
I have dear friends and brothers in the faith who have slightly different views on whether it should be Credo-baptism (which is the Southern Baptist's believe and adhere to) as well as dear Brothers in the Faith who disagree with me and support Paedobaptism , yet in spite of this particular disagreement, I trust them with my life and we agree on the essential primary doctrines that make it orthodox Christianity.
But enough of this talking, please take a moment and watch this video sermon and pray that God would open your eyes to the truth and that we can all agree that Baptism is an act of obedience for those who follow Jesus! May we prayerfully, passionately, and proactively seek, in this order, to know, to love and to obey God with all we have.
For resources links below are copyrighted by Radial.net and I own none of it.
Let me know in the comments what you think about this post and the sermon. But don't comment on the sermon unless you've watched it all the way through. SO we can have intelligent and informed discussions. Also, post your favorite sermons or articles below that are Baptism related. Be cordial, and let's lovingly, genuinely, and truthfully make attempts to find truth from the Holy flawless Scripture of revealed by God, the Bible itself.
Soli Deo Gloria,
Zack Anderson
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