Stand Firm and Stay Free in Christ

Stand Firm and Stay Free in Christ  

Galatians 4:21-5:1

Tell me, you who want to be under law, do you not listen to the law?  For it is written that Abramham had two sons, one by the bondwoman and one by the free woman. 

But the son by the bondwoman was born according to the flesh, and the son by the free woman through the promise.  This is allegorically speaking, for these women are two covenants:  one proceeding from Mount Sinai bearing children who are to be slaves; she is Hagar.  Now this Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is in slavery with her children.  But the Jerusalem above is free; she is our mother. 

For it is written,

"REJOICE, BARREN WOMAN WHO DOES NOT BEAR;
BREAK FORTH AND SHOUT, YOU WHO ARE NOT IN LABOR; FOR MORE NUMEROUS ARE THE CHILDREN OF THE DESOLATE THEN OF THE ONE WHO HAS A HUSBAND."

And you brethren, like Isaac, are children of promise.  But as at that time he who was born according to the flesh persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, so it is now also.  

But what does the Scripture say?

"CAST OUT THIS BONDWOMAN AND HER SON, FOR THE SON OF THE BONDWOMAN SHALL NOT BE AN HEIR WITH THE SON OF THE FREE WOMAN."

So then, brethren, we are not children of a bondwoman, but of the free woman.

Gal. 5: 1 It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery. 

 

Mysticism in the Church

Mysticism in the Church

What is Christian Mysticism?  New Age Spirituality and Contemplative prayer, and a list of other heretical practices that are not consistent with Christianity.  In 2 Tim. 4:3,4  it says; "For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to there own desires, and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths. 

Gary Gilley's new book: "This little church had none - A Church in search of the Truth",  in the chapter titled:  'The Emergent Church goes Ancient' ,  Gilley explains that there is a keen interest in Mysticism and also an attraction to mystics such as Meister Eckhard, Teresa of Avila, John of the Cross, George Fox, William Law and Thomas Merton.  Gilley writes this on mysticism: "the whole goal of mysticism is to experience something in a super-rational way."  

If you are interested in learning more about the dangers of mysticism in the church, what it is, and it's affects on  biblical christianity this book is a good starter on mysticism in the church.

 

  

Is the Modern Church losing it's Purity?

God always has a remnant -- Those who say it doesn't matter what the majority of people say  (John 14:15  "If you love Me, you will keep my commandments.")  They will hold to God and His word, staying faithful to the One who saved us. 

Gal. 5:1 "It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery."

Are you standing firm?

SEE VIDEO HERE:  http://youtu.be/rn_AeINu22Y

The Church is defined as 'A Community of Believers'.   Eph. 4:11-12,  Heb. 13:21, Gal. 6:2,  James 5:16,  Hebrews 10:25,  1Cor. 6:19,20.  To follow the teachings of Christ, Those in the church are to help each other, to equip to do good works, bear each others burdens, pray for each other, help in time of need. Believers come together to worship and to glorify God in what they do.  To preach the Gospel, to evangelize, and to witness.

The Church is for Believers -  Acts 10:42,  John 6:44
The Church is clear in purpose.  The Church conforms to God's Word - Matt 28:18.

The church is unified because it submits to God's Word.
When a biblical church does what it's suppose to do it continually repents and confesses - 2 Cor. 13:5,  Matt 5:16,  Colossians 1:16-18

** Jesus Christ is Represented by the JAR - and it's content the water represents the purity of the church - The Believers.  (Watch the visual illustration in the video)

What Happens when sin or false teaching enters the Church?  2 Cor. 13:5,  Gal 6:1,  Psalms 51, 2 Tim 2:21

The definition of a Church is :  A Collection of Believers.

A look at the Seeker-Sensitive ,  Emerging church, and Modern-church:

1. The church wants to be more Relevant  - Eph 4:12, Heb 13:21 ,  So it can reach out to more people.

Instead of equipping it's members to witness and testify to the One who saved them, Jesus Christ, they don't do that. 

What do they do?  They change the format of their church to appeal more to unbelievers then believers. 2 Cor. 6:14

What does the Dye represent?  False teaching and...
1. having people who don't believe
2. Messages that leave out the gospel
3. Entire books are left out   (John 3:18) because they might be too offensive to unbelievers
4. We're not going to talk about Sin
5. We're not going to talk about Judgment (Heb 9:27)
6. We're not going to talk about Romans
7. Or talk about Hebrews  (2 Tim 2:15)
8. We're not going to talk about 'Sin' or peoples actions, and how it offends God, because their breaking God's law.  (Acts 17:30)

We're going to teach a Positive Message
1. Life skills
2. How to deal with stress
3. Financial success
4. The Church to be relevant
5. reach only a certain demographic (2Peter 3:9) Those who make 40,000 -80,000 a year.
6. Youth-groups - Pizza, six-flags, video games, bring in non-believers.

What is the end result?  What does the outside world see when it looks?

LOOK AT THE JAR - WHAT DO YOU SEE?

WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO THE PURITY OF THE WATER?

1. They can't see Jesus anymore

2. The world only sees the problems

3. All they see is sin, hypocrisy, drug use, divorce --- The church looks just like the world. The church is no different then the world.  (Matt 16:18)

This is not the church that God Instituted.  Eph. 2:19-22.  Sadly for the Modern church; this is what it has become.

God always has a Remnant.  Those who say it doesn't matter what the majority of people say (John 14:15)  They will hold to God and His word,  be faithful to the One who saved them. 

Gal 5:1 Talks about Standing Firm. But, first you must decide:

1. If you are going to Stand

2. Then you got to Stand Firm

3. Jesus is looking for a pure bride

Which one are you?