Don't go to Church tomorrow. (Part 1 of Church misconceptions)

I will start by saying that based on the entire New Testament every believer should be a committed member of a local Church body of a Bible-preaching, Gospel, and God-loving people, and then attend as regularly as they can. Yes, including tomorrow.

Here is something that may be a surprise to many there is NO COMMAND or even mild instructions from God in the New Testament to build, renovate, or purchase any buildings for the church. Check it out, read the New Testament and do a word search for the times the New Testament refers to buildings.

Here are a few verses that might help explain the primary content of this blog.

For we are God's fellow workers. You are God's field, God's building. - 1 Corinthians 3:9

For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. - 2 Corinthians 5:1


But check the Word of God, under the NT covenant, a certain building or inviting lost people to Jesus Christ is strictly not mentioned and never prescribed.

I believe it is entirely unnecessary for Americans to ever renovate, and even in some situations build a new place at all as the church for the reason of making it seeker-sensitive, more inviting, or easy on the eyes.

 If a church already owns a building, it is vitality important to have everything up to codes by law and safe in all ways for the Church (remember the people), that attend the building, to meet as commanded.

TBH (a way cool kids say to be Honest) the word "renovation" makes me cringe. I physically tense up when it is brought up in this context.

Especially since we build these big buildings bigger and more resource-draining constantly when there are people at this very minute starving to death all over the world, hideously malnourished and should be of greater priority. We must see, that the Bible DOES in fact COMMAND the church to look after the orphans, widows, poor, sick and the weak.
 "The church of Jesus is concerned with all suffering, especially eternal suffering."-John Piper 

 Since God has commanded the saints to work hard and help where we can, the Church people in part meet every week to encourage and equip each other to do everything in our power to alleviate these dear unsaved souls(which is simply by making disciples of all nations) and their body's temporary yet tragic, suffering that happens all the time.


So don't go to Church tomorrow, but absolutely go to wherever the local church you are a serving at, gathers to worship in your community.

Consider the following: Hebrews 10:23-25

Hebrews 10:23-25 English Standard Version (ESV)

23 "Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."

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If you believe I am wrong (which I often am, very often, unfortunately, I'd like a "chapter and verse" dear brothers and sisters.) let me know with love and gentleness please, for that pleases the Lord, in the comments. Subscribe for assurance of being notified of when my next "Church Misceptions" posts and other topical posts of this nature comes out.

New Year, specific new goals, but same one desire! Two-thousand and eighteen.

 I am excited by the way God has ordained anyone reading this to live this long into the year 2018 (possibly further if you are reading this at a later year and the whole "internet" fad hasn't ended haha).

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!

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!

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!

Psalm 67English Standard Version (ESV)

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.

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. 

:

• Video (MP4)
• Audio (MP3)
• Small Group Guide
• Message Notes
• Transcript

 Listen

Transcript

Favorite

 Downloads 1 languages

 David Platt. Copyright David Platt. Used by permission. Website: Radical.net.

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

Josh Wilson's Lyrics of sobering truth.and the cure in the LINKS in post.

When everything we say and do take just leads to war and hate
We only pass the blame, sedate the pain and move along
But something feels so wrong, so deep inside, so hard to hide
So desperately we try and try and come to find
That we are not what we've been looking for

I can't believe I'm hearing people say that all is well
I think it's time we all admit we have no good within ourselves
'Cause we are not okay, we're not alright and we need to pray for help
Forgive us for our pride, oh God, oh God please save us from ourselves

'Cause everybody says we're all so different
But everybody knows we're all the same.

Something's got to change.--

      Joshwilsononline.com  - Something's Got To Change Lyrics | MetroLyrics 


If you agree that something is very wrong in all societies, within our very communities, and possibly within our churches and very own souls please take a minute to examine the following resources. And pray to God.

1 Timothy 2:1-2

https://www.9marks.org/answer/what-gospel/

http://www.needgod.com

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eyf96Xnmz8o

Y'all should be mindful of this devout thesis: All of the Bible is about Jesus"-Shai Linne

The title of this post(and lyrics of my favorite hiphop song and artist) is evident from the promise from God, the 300+ prophecies fulfilled in Christ but also in the words  Of Jesus Himself in Doctor and disciple of Jesus, Luke' Gospel account in chapter 24. We come in to this historical account suseded shortly after the Cruxifiction and Resurecttion of Jesus Himself. We find here the inspired Word of God explaining the brisk walk of two downtrodden believers of Jesus on the road when a Man joins them and strikes up an amazing conversation that should define how we view, study and teach all of the Holy Scriptures. As we enter this account take great notice of the verse 27!


13 That very day two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem,14 and they were talking with each other about all these things that had happened.
15 While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them.
16 But their eyes were kept from recognizing him.17 And he said to them, "What is this conversation that you are holding with each other as you walk?" And they stood still, looking sad.
18 Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered him, "Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?" 19 And he said to them, "What things?" And they said to him, "Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, a man who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, 20 and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him. 21 But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things happened.
22 Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning,
23 and when they did not find his body, they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive. 24 Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see."25 And he said to them, "O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?"27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself. - Luke 24:13-27 English Standard Version.

My pastor is doing a series of sermons on this very Biblical Truth I highly recommend it here is the link to the first one.

Soli Deo Gloria my dear readers,
Zachary Anderson.

"WOW this really works." Lessons from a tricky meme.

Without reading any of my comments below the meme*, try this meme's challenge and see if it works(if you have already had your birthday this year)!

Stated above are these two sentences:

"Today, if you add your AGE +YEAR OF BIRTH you will get 2017. This ONLY happen once in 1000th years."

Let's quickly examine and debunk the astounding "facts" about this meme. 1st if you add your age (conditionally, for this to work you have to already have had your birthday that year) to your year of birth it will equal that current year.

In this example, if you were born in the year 1989 add that to the age (28) you will turn in 2017 it will equal the present year, which is 2017.

This first statement is true in the meme. It is a fact. While this fact is not very impressive if one takes a moment to really examine what you are reading in white letters, with green as the background.

It looks official, lots of people are posting it, and when tried it actually works!

Here comes 2nd "meme fact" claimed in the above white letters. It states just as factually as the first claim, "This only happen Once in 1000th years". If the first part is simply not impressive when thought through, making it somewhat misleading then the second sentence will really be a shock. Why? Because it is just absolutely not true. Since the elaborately worded mysterious first part (that took you a little time to calculate) worked perfectly, few people take the time or thought to even question the second statement, much less care if it is accurate because the first part was so cool! Again the first sentence only works if your birthday has already been that year.

But upon further examination, we see that this happens every year. That is more of a basic fact than exciting trivia.

Your birth year + how old you are in the current year = current year.

Per our example...

1989+28=2017

Let's take it further...

1989+29=2018

1989+30=2019

1989+31=2020

1989+31=2021

See where I am going with this?

Not as interesting when worded this way. It is like saying, "2+2 =4. this only happens once in 1000 years." The first statement is basic but true. The second is an obvious lie.

Yet taking it back to the original meme, this slick way of wording the first sentence has successfully won many people's trust. They worked it out for themselves, maybe even used a calculator, using their own ages and years of birth,.One might think while solving it, "the meme couldn't have possibly known my specific age or year of birth!" This is how many illusionists work their tricks. It is like sleight of hand for our minds by simple misdirection.

Many have already re-posted on social media as soon as the first sentence worked out as true with even caring if the second statement is accurate. But it this is disguised as a clever fact that is neat and even if we don't know how it works it is just simply amazing and we genuinely want others to enjoy and get impressed by this puzzling truth.

I posted this here as a humorous way of pointing out a significant fact. We (we, being mankind) are easily lured by truth right into a lie trap.

I hope that by the Grace of God alone we are not blown around by every wind of doctrine. I hope that we all see this and just as it seems amazing and "works", we can take a lesson from this silly meme. That we might actively veer away from things that simply seem right and/or even pragmatically successfully in our lives, our culture, and in our churches. But rather, in all that we believe and act on, we should rely on that perfect Scripture as B.B. Warfield once said, "If the Bible says it, God says it.".

May we study diligently and seek sound doctrine. It is so easy to be deceived. We hear a bit of truth and we agree to that but then someone slips a lie in or doesn't give the full story and lies by intentional omitting pieces of information to make things look better than they are. 

Two verses to glean Biblical Godly wisdom from,

3 If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness,4 he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions, 5 and constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain. 6 But godliness with contentment is great gain, - 1 Timothy 6:3-6

12 Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. 13 No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. - 1 Corinthians 10:12-13

*I did not make this meme and take no credit for or am slandering whoever did, Whoever the makers of the meme are, may have meant this as a creative joke or to troll the internet. I am not making any claims of their intentions whatsoever as I do not know where this originated from or why they made it.

“Be like the Bereans” Acts 17:11 Breakfast at NCB Church Oct, 21st 2017

My sister graciously filmed most of the sermon on her iPhone, 

You can watch the video by clicking here.

I was recently invited to speak at the "Breakfast day" at New Center Baptist Church. I spoke on the theme verse for all of the book studies we do at the Bible study I co-teach at. It is imperative for the discerning believer in Christ to be cautious when listening, reading, or studying any and all sources that say something about God, man, or anything that falls within the bounds of worldviews. It was a humbling blessing to be invited or even able by God to talk about Him and His Word. Just as it is every time I have the privilege to teach and preach solely on the authority of God's Word enabled by the Holy Spirit. I have a great passion for preaching and hope to do so in some capacity full-time someday, but only if the Lord Jesus Christ has decided that be my lot in life.

Below is the message notes that go along with the sermon.

"fill-in-the-blank Sermon Notes" 

Brotherhood Breakfast at New Center Baptist Church Oct, 21st 2017

“Be like the Bereans”

Guest Speaker: Zack Anderson

Acts 17:11

One point sermon: Study the Bible.

Four applications for every single one of us…

    Know God______________________.

How can one know God?*

    Read the ________ of God for yourself daily.
    Obey the Word __________________.

    Spread the Word_________________.

Fundamental Truths about the Bible

·         It is Inspired by God: -2 Tim. 3:16-17

·         It is Absolute truth: Psalm 119:151

·          It is forever unchanging: “The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.”- Isaiah 40:8

·         It is Complete Revelation: Deuteronomy 4:2

·         It is all about Jesus: Luke 24:44-49; Ephesians 2:19-20

·         It is preached to make faith, repentance, and Salvation possible: -Rom. 10:14-17; Mark 1:15; Acts 20:21

·         It is alive and judges our actions: -Hebrews. 4:12.

*How can a sinner know God? Romans 10:9,13-15

God Calls, Convicts, and Converts sinners into saints.

 Sinners must repent and believe in Jesus Christ.

                                  Mark 1:15; John 3:16-17

"A true disciple inquires not whether a fact is agreeable to his own reason, but whether it is in The Book." -Adoniram Judson, Baptist missionary, who served in the country of Burma for almost forty years.



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Other quotes on the supremacy and importance of Scripture: 

“Whatever the Bible says, God says”- Dr. Benjamin Warfield

"When God has spoken, that settles the matter. No room is left for debating or reasoning. It is vain for us to discuss and dispute. Our duty is to submit. The Word itself must regulate our worship and service, as well as everything else. Human opinions, human traditions, custom, convenience, have nothing to do with it. Divine revelation is our only Court of Appeal."~ Arthur Pink, "Gleanings in Exodus"

[Talking to a room of pastors]

"Their greatest need is not tips from you. Their greatest need is Truth from God!!"-IMB President. David Platt 

Jesus; the better David. Preaching to a local church in Jacmel, Haiti

Above is a short sermon I had the privilege to preach twice while in Haiti in 2015. First to the children for a Vacation Bible School-style bible study and then again for the local men who had gathered outside of the building where this particular church met every Sunday. 

The story I told was the historical account of David and the large enemy known as Goliath. The story is not the first time David is mentioned but it was a turning point in the boy's life. In the video, I briefly recap all of 1st Samuel Chapter 17. 

1.      We taught stories from the old testament about God’s deliverance of his people in the account of David and Goliath. Each day we made clear that the Bible stories we were telling were actual historical events and not fantasy. We also stressed the Biblical truth that all of the Bible is about Jesus.And that is a good reminder for us here today. Who is the hero of the Old Testament? Jesus is. David knew this! He gave credit for the win to God. You see God is the hero, not David. God delivered Israel that day! Not David. Now David was obedient, but it is a dangerous fallacy to think that God needed David to accomplish this. God doesn’t need us. Right? He chooses to use us, but not because he is in need in any way whatsoever.

The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the point of all the Bible and if that is true then the Gospel should be what every sermon points to.

Every day after the first day I asked the following questions, first,  "do yall remember what we talked about from the Holy Bible yesterday?" and second "do yall remember who the main Character of the story was?" Jesus is the ultimate answer to the question every time we ask that and they did recall it!