Standing for the Gospel – It is a Small Price to Pay

There is one ministry that I have come to know that has stood against the christian culture movement that opposes the Truth of God's Holy Word. It is Understanding the times, headed by Roger Oakland. He has constantly been faithful to the Gospel Call. Please Pray and support their ministry. I have posted his articles and videos in the past. This was posted on his site on March 16. He is also starting a online Bible School. Which I will be sharing more about as the information comes in. Standing for the Gospel – It is a Small Price to Pay Commentary by Roger Oakland http://www.understandthetimes.org/ According to the Scriptures and the events that we see happening around us, we are living in the last days. The Bible states that the last days will be perilous. Webster’s Dictionary defines the word perilous to mean dangerous, grave, threatening, unsafe, and unhealthy. Does this not describe the world today? This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2 Timothy 3:1 There will be many deceivers during this time. The blind will be leading the blind. There will be wolves in sheep’s clothing that desire to devour the sheep and drive them to market. These wolves may know they are wolves, or they may not. They are under strong delusion. The world is under strong delusion as well. What is delusion? “Something that is falsely or delusively believed or propagated.”1 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie. 2 Thessalonians 2:11 More often than not, sheep will follow a shepherd because that is the nature of sheep. They will even trust the shepherd and do whatever he says because they believe he will protect them against all wolves. But earthly shepherds cannot be relied on. Jesus is the Good Shepherd, and He is the only one who can protect the sheep. I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. John 10:11 When we put men into the place of power, they become corrupt and obsessed for the love of money and more power. In short, shepherds can become wolves when they are led by the flesh rather than by the Spirit of God. For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Romans 8:5-6 When the sheep finally see what is happening, it is often too late. Even though shepherd’s may know what the Word of God teaches, they often use the Word as a means to their own end. They say things such as “do not touch God’s anointed” in order to avoid being challenged by those who try to direct them back to the Word of God. My people hath been lost sheep: their shepherds have caused them to go astray, they have turned them away on the mountains: they have gone from mountain to hill, they have forgotten their resting place. Jeremiah 50:6 In the last days, we can expect to see the faith of many people being influenced by Satan in a powerful way. Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition. 2 Thessalonians 2:3 It appears from Bible prophecy that an apostate church actually becomes Satan’s footstool. “I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan” Revelation 2:9. Satan is the master of lies. What better master plan than to deceive multitudes in the name of the Savior. He sets up a peace plan in the name of Jesus, but it is a peace plan that will ultimately bring God’s wrath. We live in the very day that this plan is unfolding, and so few seem aware of it. In the past, God’s servants warned about what was coming in the future, but like Noah, they were not heard. Now that the signs are increasingly more obvious, fewer and fewer believers seem to be responsive. But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. Matthew 24:37 Instead of warning that disaster is coming, many pastors have become false teachers and are actually helping expedite this great delusion. And while the economies of the world are collapsing, charlatans are doing all they can to hang on to their assets and build up their empires, often in the name of God. Instead of serving people and being involved in reaching the poor, widows, and the orphans, they are forever looking for further ways to grow their “kingdoms”: more radio stations, bigger buildings, more property, and large screen monitors for broadcasting their own messages to satellite outreaches reaching millions across the globe with their agendas to reproduce themselves. Instead of churches, these TV entertainment centers have become like fast food franchises. Graphic designers design logos that stand for brand names like the “M” in Mc Donald’s. The Bible, once taught faithfully, now becomes a manipulated spring board for postmodern “googly-gook” that destroys the truth. Large meetings are held in stadiums with bands that are popular with the world. More funds are spent on entertainment than on promoting Jesus Christ. The appeal to the senses is part of the appeal to attract the postmodern generation trained to have their ears tickled by worldly methods. For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. 2 Timothy 3: 6-7 Organizers hope their followers will be attracted to this style of program, so they can be introduced to the “Lord” and a gospel that may not even be based on the Scriptures. When “converts” go forward, everyone in the audience claps. Some may truly become believers but countless of them do not. Christian believer, be exhorted to reach out to the lost with the true Gospel. The world is being deceived, and so is most of organized Christianity. Strong delusion has made its mark. An apostate church is emerging, while Bible believing, discerning Christians are being left on the side of the road, scorned and displaced with often no church to attend. This apostate church has left the light of the Word and is headed into the darkness. But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them. 2 Timothy 3: 13-14 Because men love darkness more than the light, they refuse to take biblical correction. Rather they call those who challenge them divisive, liars, and troublemakers. They say that white is black and black is white. While certain men have crept in just like in the days of Jude, and while this apostate church is rising to the “top,” let those who have ears to hear, hear what the Spirit says. Let us proclaim the Good News about our glorious salvation; let us not put our hope in building a “Christian” nation and a Kingdom of God on Earth (there will be no Kingdom of God on Earth until He returns in judgement at His second coming); rather let us put our hope in the Gospel. Satan has been the god of this world since the fall of man, and that has never changed. 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. 2 Corinthians 4:4 According to the Scriptures we should prepare for a dark time ahead. Are we willing to tell others what true salvation is (centered around Jesus Christ and His sacrifice on the Cross), or are we planning to help build an interfaith, universalistic, mystical kingdom on earth? Maybe it is time to count the cost. Are we willing to share the truth about Jesus Christ and shout it out loud? Let us exhort one another to become fishers of men as Jesus challenged us? Follow Him! Is it not a small price to pay in light of what He has done for us? Lord help us to be faithful servants. It is indeed a small price to pay for what you have done for us. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. Revelation 12:11

The Gospel is bigger then "Love Wins"

Here is Todd Friel from Wretched T.V. giving a overview of Rob Bell's Book, Love Wins. Check out the web site. It is full of helpful information. http://http://wretchedradio.com/ Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Panel Discussion on "Love Wins"

A great resource to help you understand Ron Bells Book: Love Wins. Is a Panel with
R. Albert Mohler, Jr., Justin Taylor, Denny Burk, Russell Moore from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. They bring out the great concerns that a Believer should have with the concepts that Rob Bell brings forward.

Rob Bell's Presuppostion Wins

It started back in February regarding the news of Rob Bell's new Book, Love Wins. HE continued his questioning style in his promotional video. But his doubts on the punishment of Hell for those that have not repented of their sin and placed their trust by faith in Jesus Christ. And the doubt that 'good people' can't be punished was very clear in the video.

The interviewer hit it on the money when He asked: "How much of this book, you working out your own childhood experiences of being brought up in a fairly cramped evangelical family. And really finding that difficult as you became a adult. How much is this? Actually that? "

Rob Bell: "Oh I would totally own up to that in a heartbeat. We are all on a journey, we are all were handed things. You were handed things. I was handed things. This is the way the world works. This is what matters. This is what doesn't. Here's who these people are. Here's who these people. Here's who is in and who is out. We all have been handed these things. We spend our lives sort of pushing back and questioning and probing. I think that's what makes it so engaging. Part of the joy of life."

Either he didn't understanding the question or he did not want to say, yes, I reject this Biblical concept of Hell that was taught to me as a child. And because of that rejection it has influenced my thinking today.

It is called a presupposition. What he brings to the facts and then interprets the facts with his worldview. And not let the facts just speak for themselves.

He is a link to a very thorough review of Rob Bell's Book:

http://http//thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/kevindeyoung/2011/03/14/rob-bell-love-wins-review/

More to come!

Sorry for Not Posting

That you for your patience for not posting. I did more heart searching for why this blog should exist or not. After the events surrounding the recent book of Rob Bell's book Love Wins. I revisited my first post and helped refuel the fire of warning the Biblical Church of dangerous teaching and trends that the church adopts.

There was a story of a man that was driving through the night on a small country road. It was raining hard and so the fella turned the radio on to hear the weather report. The news reporter stated that there was a man missing from Mental Institution near by. And he was considered dangerous because of his mental state. He drove for another 30 minutes and the rain was still pounding on the windshield. He had to slow down at times because of the poor visibility. Out of nowhere a man was seen down the road, waving his arms. The closer the car got to man, the driver started to hear the words, stop, stop, stop. The thought came to the driver, wow! This must be the guy that has escaped from the Mental Institution. Just look at his eyes! They have that crazy look in them.
So fear overtook the driver and he turned the car to the left and the man with his hands on the hood still was yelling, Stop, Stop, Stop! The driver was still full of fear about what this guy will do next. So he turned the car around and drove back to the village that he past awhile ago.
Next he saw a set of headlights coming toward him and with a flashing blue and red lights on the top of the car. It was the police. They stopped in front of the car and came to the drivers window. The driver said that he was so glad to see him. There was a crazy man down the road yelling for me to stop. The police said,
Crazy Man! I don't know anything about a crazy man. But it was a good thing that you did stop and turn around. The Bridge down the road that you were headed for was washed out by the river. That man whoever he was, saved you from falling from the bridge and into the river.

I understand the biblical mandate:


•Matt 7:15-20 Jesus says, "Beware of the FALSE PROPHETS, who come to you in SHEEP'S CLOTHING but INWARDLY ARE RAVENOUS WOLVES. You can identify them by their FRUIT, that is, by the way they ACT. Can you pick grapes from Thornbushes, or Figs from Thistles? (17) A GOOD TREE produces GOOD FRUIT, and a BAD TREE produces BAD FRUIT. A GOOD TREE can’t produce BAD FRUIT, and a BAD TREE can’t produce GOOD FRUIT. So every TREE that does not produce GOOD FRUIT is chopped down and thrown into the Fire. Yes, just as you can identify a TREE by its FRUIT, so you can IDENTIFY PEOPLE BY THEIR ACTIONS."


•Matt 24:4-5 Jesus told them, “Don’t let anyone Mislead you, for MANY will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah.’ They will deceive MANY."


•Matt 7:21-23 Jesus warns, "Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the WILL OF MY FATHER in Heaven will enter. On Judgment Day MANY will say to me, ‘Lord! Lord! We PROPHESIED IN YOUR NAME and Cast out demons in your Name and Performed many Miracles in your Name.’ But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you who BREAK GOD'S LAWS."


•Matt 24:11 Jesus says, "MANY FALSE PROPHETS will appear and will deceive MANY people."


•Matt 24:23-26 Jesus says “Then if anyone tells you, ‘Look, here is the Messiah,’ or ‘There he is,’ don’t believe it. For FALSE MESSIAHS and FALSE PROPHETS will rise up and perform GREAT SIGNS AND WONDERS SO AS TO DECEIVE, IF POSSIBLE EVEN GOD'S CHOSEN ONES. See, I have warned you about this ahead of time. “So if someone tells you, ‘Look, the Messiah is out in the desert,’ don’t bother to go and look. Or, ‘Look, he is hiding here,’ don’t believe it!"


•Mark 13:22 Jesus warns, "FALSE CHRISTS & FALSE PROPHETS shall rise, and shall show SIGNS & WONDERS, IN ORDER TO LEAD ASTRAY, IF IT WERE POSSIBLE, EVEN THE ELECT. But take heed; behold, I have told you everything in advance."


•Rev 2:2 Jesus says, "I know ALL the things you DO. I have seen your Hard Work & your Patient Endurance. I know you DON'T TOLERATE EVIL PEOPLE. You have EXAMINED the CLAIMS of those who SAY they are APOSTLES but are NOT. You have DISCOVERED they are LIARS. You have Patiently Suffered for Me without Quitting...(6) You HATE THE EVIL DEEDS of the Nicolaitans, just as I do."
•Matt 16:4 Jesus says, "ONLY an EVIL, ADULTEROUS generation would demand a Miraculous Sign..."


•Acts 20:29-32 "I know that FALSE TEACHERS, like VICIOUS WOLVES, will come in among you after I leave, not sparing the Flock. Even some men from your own group will rise up and DISTORT THE TRUTH in order to draw a following. Watch out! Remember the three years I was with you—my constant watch and care over you night and day, and my many tears for you. “And now I entrust you to God and the Message of his Grace that is able to build you up and give you an inheritance with all those he has set apart for himself."


•Rom 16:17-18 "WATCH OUT (MARK THEM) for people who cause Divisions and Upset People’s Faith by TEACHING THINGS CONTRARY to (TO THE DOCTRINE) what you have been taught. STAY AWAY from them. Such people are not serving Christ our Lord; they are serving their own Personal Interests. By SMOOTH TALK and GLOWING WORDS THEY DECEIVE INNOCENT PEOPLE."


•2 Peter 2:1-3 "But there were also FALSE PROPHETS in Israel, just as there will be FALSE TEACHERS among you. They will CLEVERLY TEACH DESTRUCTIVE HERESIES and even DENY THE MASTER (JESUS) who bought them. In this way, they will bring sudden destruction on themselves. Many will follow their Evil Teaching and Shameful Immorality. And because of these Teachers, the way of Truth will be slandered. IN THEIR GREED THEY WILL MAKE UP CLEVER LIES TO GET A HOLD OF YOUR MONEY. But God condemned them long ago, and their Destruction will not be delayed."


•1 Tim 4:1 "Now the Holy Spirit tells us clearly that in the LAST TIMES some will turn away from the TRUE FAITH; they will follow DECEPTIVE SPIRITS AND TEACHINGS that come from DEMONS."


•2 Tim 4:3-4 "For the time will come (END TIMES) when they will NOT ENDURE SOUND DOCTRINE; but wanting to have their EARS TICKLED, they will accumulate for themselves TEACHERS IN ACCORDANCE TO THEIR OWN DESIRES, and will TURN AWAY THEIR EARS FROM THE TRUTH and will TURN ASIDE TO MYTHS."


•Titus 1:10-11 "For there are many REBELLIOUS PEOPLE WHO ENGAGE IN USELESS TALK AND DECEIVE OTHERS. This is especially true of those who insist on Circumcision for Salvation. THEY MUST BE SILENCED, because they are turning WHOLE FAMILIES AWAY FROM THE TRUTH by their FALSE TEACHERS. And they DO IT ONLY FOR MONEY."


•Gal 1:6-12 "I am shocked that you are TURNING AWAY SO SOON FROM GOD, who called you to himself through the loving Mercy of Christ. You are following a DIFFERENT WAY that PRETENDS TO BE THE GOOD NEWS but is NOT the Good News at all. You are being FOOLED by those who deliberately TWIST THE TRUTH CONCERNING CHRIST. LET GOD'S CURSE FALL ON ANYONE, INCLUDING US OR EVEN AN ANGEL FROM HEAVEN, WHO PREACHES A DIFFERENT KIND OF GOOD NEWS THAN THE ONE WE PREACHED TO YOU. I say again what we have said before: IF ANYONE PREACHES ANY OTHER GOOD NEWS THAN THE ONE YOU WELCOMED, LET THAT PERSON BE CURSED. Obviously, I’m not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ’s servant. Dear brothers and sisters, I want you to understand that the GOSPEL MESSAGE I Preach is NOT based on mere HUMAN REASONING. I received my message from No Human source, and no one taught me. Instead, I received it by DIRECT REVELATION FROM JESUS CHRIST."


•2 Cor 11:13-15 "These people are FALSE APOSTLES. They are DECEITFUL WORKERS who DISGUISE THEMSELVES AS APOSTLES OF CHRIST. But I am not surprised! SATAN DISGUISES HIMSELF AS AN ANGEL OF LIGHT. So it is no wonder that his Servants also DISGUISE THEMSELVES AS SERVANTS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS. In the end they will get the Punishment their Wicked Deeds deserve."


•Phil 3:18-19 "For I have told you often before, and I say it again with Tears in my eyes, that there are MANY whose CONDUCT SHOWS they are really Enemies of the Cross of Christ. They are headed for DESTRUCTION. Their god is their Appetite, they Brag about shameful things, and they THINK ONLY ABOUT THIS LIFE HERE ON EARTH."


•Col 2:8 “BEWARE lest any man spoil you through PHILOSOPHY and VAIN DECEIT, after the TRADITION OF MEN, after the RUDIMENTS OF THE WORLD, and NOT after CHRIST.”


•Col 2:18 "Don’t let anyone condemn you by insisting on PIOUS SELF-DENIAL or the WORSHIP OF ANGELS, saying they have had VISIONS ABOUT THESE THINGS. Their sinful minds have made them proud.."


•2 John 1:10-11 "If anyone comes to your meeting and does NOT TEACH THE TRUTH ABOUT CHRIST, don’t invite that person into your home or give any kind of encouragement. Anyone who encourages such people becomes a PARTNER IN THEIR EVIL WORK."


•2 Pet 2:18 "They Brag about themselves with Empty, Foolish Boasting. With an Appeal to twisted Sexual Desires, they lure back into Sin those who have barely escaped from a Lifestyle of DECEPTION."


•Amos 8:11 "Behold, the Days are coming," says the Lord God, "That I will send a Famine on the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of HEARING THE WORDS OF THE LORD."


•1 Tim 6:8-10 "So if we have ENOUGH FOOD and CLOTHING, LET US BE CONTENT. But people who long to be RICH FALL INTO TEMPTATION and are TRAPPED BY MANY FOOLISH and HARMFUL DESIRES that plunge them into RUIN AND DESTRUCTION. For the LOVE OF MONEY is the ROOT of ALL KINDS OF EVIL. And some people, CRAVING MONEY, have WANDERED from the TRUE FAITH and pierced themselves with MANY SORROWS."


The hardest thing to show people that to correct or warn people is to show love for them. I pray that the above story of the man warning that the bridge was washed away. Would show that He did care enough to stop their car from great danger. Please understand this as I post very hard subjects in the future.

2 Timothy 3:16 (English Standard Version)
16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness

Accountable to Jesus Christ

Noah316