Who To Follow

We often have Friday night fellowshp at our home. One Friday, part of the conversation was around how to go about determining who is a good teacher and who to believe. With so many voices in the evangelical and Christian world, it can be difficult to determine who's right and who's wrong. Here are some things I have learned over the years, and some things I have put into practice. 

1. Don't follow personalities. Follow who is teaching the Gospel, clearly and persistently.
2. Don't trust everyone. Follow those with a true desire to nurture and protect Christ's sheep, doctrinally and practically over time.
3. If it's new, it's probably wrong. Trace the teaching back and back and back. The Lord has preserved His truth from generation to generation, back to the time when Scripture was being penned.

With those things in mind as you study and read, I believe you will be encouraged, growing, and strengthened in your faith.

Assurance: Canons of Dordt: Fifth Head of Doctrine: Articles 6-11

Assurance: Canons of Dordt: Fifth Head of Doctrine: Articles 6-11 "But God, who is rich in mercy, according to his unchangeable purpose of election, does not wholly withdraw the Holy Spirit from his own people, even in their melancholy falls; nor suffers them to proceed so far as to lose the grace of adoption, and forfeit the state of justification, or to commit sins unto death; nor does he permit them to be totally deserted, and to plunge themselves into everlasting destruction.

For in the first place, in these falls he preserves them in the incorruptible seed of regeneration from perishing, or being totally lost; and again, by his Word and Spirit, certainly and effectually renews them to repentance, to a sincere and godly sorrow for their sins, that they may seek and obtain remission in the blood of the Mediator, may again experience the favor of a reconciled God, through faith adore his mercies, and henceforward more diligently work out their own salvation with fear and trembling.

Thus, it is not in consequence of their own merits, or strength, but of God's free mercy, that they do not totally fall from faith and grace, nor continue and perish finally in their

backslidings; which, with respect to themselves, is not only possible, but would undoubtedly happen; but with respect to God, it is utterly impossible, since his counsel cannot be changed, nor his promise fail, neither can the call according to his purpose be revoked, nor the merit, intercession and preservation of Christ be rendered ineffectual, nor the sealing of the Holy Spirit be frustrated or obliterated.

Of this preservation of the elect to salvation, and of their perseverance in the faith, true believers for themselves may and ought to obtain assurance according to the measure of their faith, whereby they arrive at the certain persuasion, that they ever will continue true and living members of the church; and that they experience forgiveness of sins, and will at last inherit eternal life.

This assurance, however, is not produced by any peculiar revelation contrary to, or independent of the Word of God; but springs from faith in God's promises, which he has most abundantly revealed in his Word for our comfort; from the testimony of the Holy Spirit, witnessing with our spirit, that we are children and heirs of God, Romans 8:16; and lastly, from a serious and holy desire to preserve a good conscience, and to perform good works. And if the elect of God were deprived of this solid comfort, that they shall finally obtain the victory, and of this infallible pledge or earnest of eternal glory, they would be of all men the most miserable.

The Scripture moreover testifies, that believers in this life have to struggle with various carnal doubts, and that under grievous temptations they are not always sensible of this full assurance of faith and certainty of persevering. But God, who is the Father of all consolation, does not suffer them to be tempted above that they are able, but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that they may be able to bear it, I Corinthians 10:13, and by the Holy Spirit again inspires them with the comfortable assurance of persevering."

~Canons of Dordt: Fifth Head of Doctrine: Articles 6-11

Church History: Orthodox Creeds and Confessions

Affirming creeds and confessions is absolutely consistent with Sola Scriptura, which was the position of those who wrote the confessions and catechisms, such as Luther, Zacharias Ursinus, and the Westminster Divines. But Sola Scriptura is not the same as solo Scriptura. We do not learn in islolation, but
can learn from godly teachers, past and present. The Lord has always preserved Scripture and he has always prepared and provided godly, gospel-believing teachers.

Horton is helpful on this matter:

"The Latin slogan [sola Scriptura] means “by Scripture alone,” not “Scripture alone” (solo Scriptura). For example, both Lutheran and Reformed churches regard the ecumenical creeds, along with their own confessions and catechisms, as authoritative and binding summaries of Scripture, to which they are all subordinate." (https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/justin-taylor/horton-canon-and-covenant-sola-vs-solo-scriptura/)

Observing the historical documents: orthodox creeds and Reformed Confessions assists the church by providing structure and clarity. They protect from gross error (heresy) and from unsafe and aberrant practice (heteropraxy), as they align and subordinate to Scripture. They instruct us with and point us to the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.

"If we close our minds to church history we say in effect that the story of what God has done since that time means nothing to us." ~quoted.

Orthodox Ecumenical Creeds:

The Apostle's Creed: https://www.urcna.org///urcna/Creeds/Apostles'%20Creed%20URCNA%202018.pdf

The Nicene Creed

https://www.urcna.org///urcna/Creeds/Nicene%20Creed%20URCNA%202018.pdf

The Athanasian Creed

https://www.urcna.org///urcna/Creeds/Athanasian%20Creed%20URCNA%202018.pdf

Reformed Confessions/Catechisms:

Westminster Standards: http://thewestminsterstandard.org/the-westminster-standards/

Heidelberg Catechism:

http://www.heidelberg-catechism.com/en/

39 Articles:

http://www.anglicanchurch.net/media/Articles_of_Religion_1571.pdf

Conversion

When exactly our Triune God brought me from death to life, I do not know, but I know that He did because He has taught me the Gospel, the power of God unto salvation to everyone who believes. He revealed His love to me in the person of His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, Who lived for me, died for me, was buried for me, and rose for me. He translated me from the kingdom of darkness into His marvelous light. He placed me into His family with the adopted, beloved brothers and sisters in Christ, both corporately and universally. He sanctifies me and assures me that I will never be lost, through the proclamation of the Gospel, in Word and Sacrament. He gives me hope, by reminding me that like Him, I will rise, glorified at the consummation, and nothing shall separate me from His love. 

You too can have this assurance.
Take Him at His Word.
Receive and rest. 
Colossians 1:12 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: 13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: 14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins

The Bread of Life and Living Water

I read a post on social media this morning that got me thinking. It said, "I'm looking for a Biblical church that will tell me how wonderful I am every Sunday." I get it. You won't find one. Jesus is a real Savior Who came to save real sinners, not the righteous or "wonderful".
The sad reality is, that many churches that are perceived as Biblical and seem to understand human depravity still over-emphasize human-responsibility, to the degree that we go away burdened and undernourished. They will give you a checklist or a measuring stick to size up your faith and faithfulness, rather than delivering our Wonderful Jesus through Word and Sacrament. When I go to church or listen to a sermon, I crave the Bread of Life and the Living Water. A focus on me leaves me famished.

But the Bread of Life; the Living Water satisfy the weary, not- so-wonderful soul.
11 The woman said to him, “Sir, you have nothing to draw water with, and the well is deep. Where do you get that living water? 12 Are you greater than our father Jacob? He gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did his sons and his livestock.” 13 Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, 14 but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” 15 The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water, so that I will not be thirsty or have to come here to draw water.” ~John 4

35 Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst. ~John 6 Isn't He Wonderful?! More on this topic: "Health Food Diet in a Fast Food World" by Dr. John Fonville: http://www.paramountchurch.com/sermons/sermon/2018-01-28/health-food-diet-in-a-fast-food-world

Not Novelty. The Gospel!

Not Novelty. The Gospel! 

"...however vile and however bad, and however much a Law-breaker as I have been, and continue to be, I am justified by grace, apart from the works of the Law. I am covered in

robes of perfect righteousness. I am allured daily by the enticements of unconditional love. I am adopted into God's family as an eternal beloved son, loved as much as the Son Himself all for the sake of Christ alone. That is not novelty. That is the Gospel!" 

Listen to "A Gospel Greeting, Part 2" with Dr. John Fonville at 
http://www.paramountchurch.com/mediaPlayer/#/sermonaudio/274

The Deliverer, Not the Pit

Yesterday, I read a quote that struck me because there was a time I would have nodded in agreement, but have come to understand differently. It said something to the effect that it is not by books, study or sermons that we grow in sanctification, but by hardship. I have some experience with hardship... I was in that miry pit that the Psalmist describes... a pit created by me. I recognize that God used it for my good, however, it was not the pit itself that sanctified me. Many people suffer great harm and it does nothing to save or sanctify them, but further pushes them into despair, anger, and bitterness. I've witnessed this, too. It is not the hardship that sanctifies, rather the Lord who sanctifies. It was the Lord who came and ministered to me in the pit and then delivered me from it, that sanctified me. It was there that I learned about myself, my fallenness, my misery and my desperate need of my Savior. Learning of Him and His grace alone, to rescue was what was working my sanctification. He taught me of Himself through the Word and through His people most of all. Lots of study, reading, sermon-listening and receiving from Him. It is His faithfulness to complete what He began in us, that sanctifies us, and He does that through the Good News of Jesus... the life-giving work of the Gospel. "He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings." ~Psalm 40:2

Additional Resource: 

The Gospel Mystery of Sanctification: Growing in Holiness by Living in Union with Christ by Walter Marshall (Author), Bruce H. McRae (Translator) https://www.amazon.com/Gospel-Mystery-Sanctification-Growing-Holiness-ebook/dp/B07BKNYPSJ

Thoughts&Resources on Forgiveness&Reconciliation

Thoughts&Resources on Forgiveness&Reconciliation

And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses. ~Mark 11

And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.~Ephesians 4

Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him.~Luke 17

Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.~Matthew 18

Forgiveness... Often we refuse to forgive others because we mistakenly think that to do so is to minimize their sin. “And that’s not fair! He really hurt me. If I forgive, who’s going to care for me and take up my cause and nurse my wounds?” God is. We must never buy into the lie that to forgive means that sin is being whitewashed or ignored or that the perpetrator is not being held accountable for his/her actions. It simply means we consciously choose to let God be the one who determines the appropriate course of action in dealing justly with the offending person… To long for justice is entirely legitimate, but to seek it for yourself is not. Let God deal with the offender in his own way at the appropriate time. He’s much better at it than your or I. Forgiveness] is [often] deciding to live with the painful consequences of another person’s sin. You are going to have to live with it anyway, so you might as well do it without the bitterness and rancor and hatred that threaten to destroy your soul. True forgiveness pursues relationship and restoration. True forgiveness is not satisfied with simply canceling the debt. It longs to love again. ~Sam Storms

Differing from forgiveness, reconciliation is often a process that is conditioned on the attitude and actions of the offender. While its aim is restoration of a broken relationship, those who commit significant and repeated offenses must be willing to recognize that reconciliation is a process. If they’re genuinely repentant, they will recognize this. 

In many cases, even if an offender confessed his wrong to the one he hurt, and appealed for forgiveness, the offended person could justifiably say, “I forgive you, but it might take some time for me to regain trust and restore our relationship.” The evidence of genuine forgiveness is personal freedom from a vindictive or vengeful response (see: Romans 12:17-21), but not always an automatic restoration of relationship. 

http://thinkpoint.wordpress.com/2007/07/28/forgiveness-is-one-thing-reconciliation-is-another/

It is hard to genuinely restore a broken relationship when the offender is unclear about his confession and repentance. You must be as certain as you can of your offender’s repentance—especially in cases involving repeated offenses. Even God will not grant forgiveness to one who is insincere about his confession and repentance. The person who is unwilling to forsake his sin will not find forgiveness with God (Proverbs 28:13).

Of course, only God can read hearts –– we must evaluate actions. Jesus said, “By their fruit you will recognize them” (Matthew 7:16a). We must not allow superficial appearances of repentance to control our responses. Displays of tears or appearing to be sorry must not become substitutes for clear changes in attitude and behavior.

Seven signs of genuine repentance:

The offender:

1. Accepts full responsibility for his or her actions. (Instead of: “Since you think I’ve done something wrong…” or “If have done anything to offend you…”).

2. Welcomes accountability from others.

3. Does not continue in the hurtful behavior or anything associated with it.

4. Does not have a defensive attitude about his or her being in the wrong.

5. Does not have a light attitude toward his or her hurtful behavior.

6. Does not resent doubts about his or her sincerity – nor the need to demonstrate sincerity — especially in cases involving repeated offenses.

7. Makes restitution where necessary.

“If we can restore to full and intimate fellowship with ourselves a sinning and unrepentant brother, we reveal not the depth of our love, but its shallowness, for we are doing what is not for his highest good. Forgiveness which by-passes the need for repentance issues not from love but from sentimentality (John R. W. Stott, Confess Your Sins, p.35).

http://thinkpoint.wordpress.com/2007/07/28/forgiveness-is-one-thing-reconciliation-is-another/

(Amos 3:3 --God and man cannot walk together, except they are agreed. Unless we seek his glory, we 

cannot walk with him.-~Matthew Henry)

Additional Resources:
1. Do We have to Forgive Someone If They Don't Repent?: Timothy Massaro:Core Christianity

https://corechristianity.com/resource-library/articles/do-we-have-to-forgive-someone-if-they-dont-repent

2. How to Move from Forgiveness to Reconciliation: The Gospel Coalition

http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/tgc/2012/03/29/how-to-move-from-forgiveness-to-reconciliation/

3. What Came First: Repentance or Forgiveness?: Mortification of Spin 

http://www.alliancenet.org/mos/podcast/42915
4. Pray This Way: John Fonville: Paramount Church https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DZnPBP5z_SE

5. Forgiveness and Reconciliation: Theocast
http://theocast.org/forgiveness-reconciliation/
6. Pursuing and Granting Forgiveness: Tim Lane
http://www.gigr.org/uploads/Forgive.pdf
7. Reconcile before worship?: Pastor Sam Powell
https://myonlycomfort.com/2020/01/10/reconcile-before-worship/

Dear New Believer: Pastor Chuck Collins

I thought this was very encouraging for believers, new and struggling, from my friend, Pastor Chuck Collins. Praying this is edifying and comforting to you also...


"Dear new believer,

Welcome to his family! There is rejoicing in heaven over what has happened in your heart and life!! I rejoice with the angels, archangels and all the company of heaven! It is exciting to share God’s love with you.

When I first heard and believed, so long ago, I was told that new believers must do certain things to get settled in the Christian life. “You should read your Bible and pray every day,” I was told, “find a Bible-believing church and join it, and share your testimony with others.” It made sense: if I was to grow, I needed to apply myself to being Christian and doing Christian things. Later I was informed that the list of things Christians should do is longer, including being nicer, and trying harder and doing more for God - like tithing, helping the poor, and teaching Sunday school! Especially tithing.

While all this was well-intentioned church advice, it took me many years to learn that God doesn’t want me doing anything before he wants me. You see, the gospel that changed your heart and mine is not dependent on our faithfulness, but on God’s faithfulness. I wish that someone had taken me aside back then to explain who I am in Christ and the cosmic wonder of being “in Christ.” The church put on me a heavy weight of duty before they explained to me my new identity. In Christ the most important thing settled is our identity, who we are, and how the Christian life then becomes a matter of living into who we are in Christ. It’s not about entering onto the treadmill of pietism and moral improvement, but heart-felt gratitude for our new identity as God’s adopted children. We don’t have to become the kind of person God will accept because we are already accepted! “Being” leads to “living,” of course, but there’s no living apart from being that doesn’t soon become a drudgery. John Steinbeck (East of Eden) was right, “And now that you don’t have to be perfect, you can be good.”

Coming to see Christianity from your identity in Christ, rather than your performance for him, is what I missed for many of my early Christian years. So, this is my advice to you as a new believer: don’t get being and doing backwards. Don’t do a thing until you have time to contemplate and appreciate what was done for you in Christ. Go on a long retreat, take long walks, to “behold what manner of love the Father have given unto us that we should be called the children of God” ( 1 Jn 3). That “there is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus” (Rom 8). That nothing in all of creation can separate us from the love of God (Rom 8) because “we have been blessed in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places” (Eph 1).

And once the “it is finished” message is the song that runs in the background of your life, then the disciplines of the Christian life will be a joy. It’s not moral progress that makes you a Christian, but God’s love. Start then by resting in God’s approval of you. This is your new identity. You are his beloved and he delights over you with gladness!

In Christ,

Chuck"

Chuck is Interim Rector at Christ Church Anglican (ACNA) in Pheonix, AZ. https://christchurchphoenix.org/about/leadership/

Spiritual Abuse

Spiritual Abuse

Several years ago, my husband and I were meeting with a seminary student in hopes of starting a church plant in our area. The relationship was cordial and edifying at first, but soon attention turned to me and I became the target of his manipulation. When I began having difficulties with his theology, he would become aggressive and more dogmatic. When the tone switched from polite conversation to lecture, I would direct the student to my husband for further clarification. This was not well received. He would demand conversations with me. If I participated, he would charge me with a "Jezabel Spirit" for attempting to teach a man. If I would decline conversation, I would be charged with cowardice, and all cowards would inherit the lake of fire.

This is one form of spiritual abuse: Damned if you do. Damned if you don't. I think it's

important to recognize that spiritual abuse is a clear and present danger among those who desire to lead Christ's sheep. There are those who lord it over the flock, which is directly condemned in Scripture. And there are those who fail by tearing the sheep apart through the use of anti-gospel messages. These are wolves and not shepherds. Undershepherds nurture and protect Christ's sheep. They don't devour them.

I appreciate Jack Wellman's definition of spiritual abuse in his article: "5 Warning Signs of Spiritual Abuse"

"Spiritual abuse could be defined as someone in a position of authority or leadership in the church taking advantage of such a position by misusing such a position that God has placed them in to try and manipulate, undermine, control, abuse, or coerce them into something unbiblical and ungodly."

My experience with spiritual abuse ended well. It was during that time of trial that the Lord drew me even closer to Himself, and taught me in a deeper way, not to put my trust in man, but in the Lord. Good and faithful undershepherds are truly a blessing, but the Lord is my Shepherd, my Faithful Friend, my Great High Priest, and Tireless Advocate. In Him, there is no condemnation.  

Source: 5 Warning Signs of Spiritual Abuse: https://www.theaquilareport.com/5-warning-signs-of-spiritual-abuse/

See also:
"Pastors Are Not Cowboys" at http://www.agradio.org/pastors-are-not-cowboys.html .

"Spiritual Abuse and Toxic Systems" at  http://www.dianelangberg.com/2018/03/spiritual-abuse-and-toxic-systems/

A Collection of Sermons on our Standing and Hope in Christ

A Collection of Sermons on our Standing and Hope in Christ
courtesy of John Fonville and Paramount Church

1. (series) Become Who You Are ttp://subspla.sh/8pks4gd

2. Worthy Of His Calling - Part 1 http://subspla.sh/fhz5yn6

3. Beautified by Grace http://subspla.sh/bjhakwy

4. The Normal Christian Life: http://www.paramountchurch.com/mediaPlayer/#sermonaudio/378

5. Let A Man Examine Himself: http://www.paramountchurch.com/sermons/sermon/2017-06-04/let-a-person-examine-himself