Jesus And Allah: Do Christians And Muslims Worship The Same God?

Jesus And Allah: Do Christians And Muslims Worship The Same God?

"Protestant Reformers rejected the notion that Allah, as understood in Islam is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob or the God and Father of our Lord Jesus. Not only does Islam deny the deity of Christ and reduce him to an inferior precursor of Mohammad, it denies that he died on the cross—Muslims hold either the swoon theory or assert the Simon the Cyrene was crucified in Jesus’ place. Therefore, they deny the resurrection. In other words, as we consider the basic articles of the holy catholic (universal) faith as summarized in the Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed (381) and the Apostles’ Creed, Islam rejects the core message of the Christian faith."  R. Scott Clark

What Music Should We Sing in Worship?

Are the words Scriptural and theologically sound? Hymnody has been an effective means of teaching theology in ages past. Is the music suitable to the words? If you are confessing sin, the music ought not to be bouncy and happy. Some of this is culturally relative but as a rule, confession of sin is a somber, holy event. On the other hand, singing a joyful anthem of praise to God for his wondrous works of creation, providence, and redemption should not sound or feel like a funeral dirge. A song of thankfulness for salvation perhaps should be happy and bouncy.
Access the article here.

Perry Noble's Justification of Women Preachers at Newspring

Perry Noble, pastor of Newspring church in Anderson, has had women to preach for him during their services more than once over the years. Recently another woman preached at their services. Perry wrote a blog post justifying the use of women preaching to their congregation. It was a pitiful defense of an indefensible practice. You can read it here.

Noble said:

1. "I do not have a problem with women preaching the Gospel because Jesus did not have a problem with them doing so."

Answer: People use the same argument in defending homosexuality, saying that Jesus never mentioned it, so it must be OK. Jesus' authority was given to his apostles, who were all men. Though women had much to do with helping Jesus in his ministry, none were called to preach. So, if you want to use an argument of silence, this would argue against women preachers. But the main point is that Jesus gave his authority to these men, not only to preach, but to write Scripture. And clearly the apostles taught in Scripture that, “A woman should learn in quietness and full submission. I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man; she must be silent” (1 Timothy 2:11–12).

2. "Though I believe every word of it (the Bible) is true and can be fully trusted, there are passages that had more relevancy at the time they were written than they do today."

Answer: Noble is using the argument that the clear teaching of Scripture against women teachers and preachers in church is culturally irrelevant today. However, in the context of the 1 Timothy 2 passage Paul is dealing with the order of creation. The context has nothing to do with cultural matters at all.

3. "While I acknowledge Paul addressed the issue on a limited basis, I really do believe to base our view of women on these few passages means we have to ignore an enormous portion of Scripture that validates the preaching, teaching and leadership of women."

Answer: Noble is pitting Scripture against Scripture! Huge red flag here. Scripture does not contradict itself. And simply because the Bible only addresses the matter a few times makes no difference at all. If the Bible says it once that is enough to be authoritative for the church. But not for Noble, who picks and chooses passages he likes, while ignoring passages he doesn't agree with, in order to support his unbiblical position.

4. "I've often heard people call these ladies "exceptions" - but I see them as examples as I honestly do not believe women are forbidden to preach the Gospel."

Answer: Of course women are not forbidden to preach the gospel. They may preach it to other women, to their children, and even to other men in their personal witnessing. However, Paul said a woman must not teach or have authority over a man in the church. To invite a woman into the pulpit to address the church is to place that woman in a position of authority that the Bible forbids. Newspring went against Scripture and brought a woman in to preach at their services.  

5. "Let me conclude this article by once again saying I will not debate this, nor will I allow a theological cesspool to form on my FB page."

Answer: Noble has made up his mind and will not discuss it or allow dissent. Those who question him are usually asked to leave his church. But he is wrong here. This is a serious error that liberal churches have committed for many years. But because Newspring is successful, then no one must challenge what is said or done there. But even the apostle Paul commended the Bereans for examining the Scriptures in order to determine whether his own teaching lined up with them. Noble is wrong and no doubt others will call him out on his error. I pray that true believers at Newspring will cease to tolerate his false teaching on this. Here's a helpful article to explain what Scripture teaches and correct Noble's views.

Jesus Calling?

Christian bookstores and online booksellers prominently display the "Jesus Calling" books for unsuspecting Christians to buy.  The books claim to be the words of Jesus as directly revealed to some woman who writes them down.  I don't think so.  Read Tim Challies excellent review here.  So many Christians, especially women, are led astray by this false teaching.  And their husbands don't seem to be discerning enough or interested enough to correct their wives and get this junk out of the house and out of their minds.  Tim Challies calls it a "deeply troubling book" and points out "10 serious problems with Jesus Calling in the hope that you will consider and heed these warnings."  Read the review here:

http://www.challies.com/articles/10-serious-problems-with-jesus-calling 

True Faith

Westminster Confession of Faith - Chap. 14 - Saving Faith

By this faith, a Christian believes to be true whatsoever is revealed in the Word, for the authority of God himself speaking therein; and acts differently upon that which each particular passage contains; yielding obedience to the commands, trembling at the threatenings, and embracing the promises of God for this life, and that which is to come. But the principal acts of saving faith are accepting, receiving, and resting upon Christ alone for justification, sanctification, and eternal life, by virtue of the covenant of grace. 

Faith is a response to God's written word. Faith does not arise from ourselves or apart from Scripture. Test your own faith by this rule - What does Scripture say?  Whatever Scripture says, God says and I believe.  

Rome & Her Desecration of Christ

This post titled Rome & Her Desecration of Christ by Eric Davis exposes the utter blasphemy and heresy of the Roman Catholic Church.  Davis comments, "Today, nothing has changed. To my evangelical and Catholic friends, it’s important that we no longer erroneously say that Roman Catholicism differs from Scripture only on minor points of doctrine and history. As the Reformers saw clearly, and will be demonstrated here, the differences could not be greater."

Skipping Church

"The Selfishness of Skipping Church" by Art Heinz is a thought provoking piece on how Christians today are not as committed as they used to be.  "The overwhelming consumerist mentality in our nation has spilled over and saturated the thinking of Christians throughout the Church in the United States. The worship environment, the style of music, the dress code, the church programming, and the overall focus of the church, is no longer about the Lord and His agenda, but about the personal preferences of individual church shoppers."

To the men and leaders of our church:

To the leaders and men of our church:

Would to God, as Moses said, "that all the LORD’S people were prophets, and that the LORD would put his spirit upon them!"  So, we must pray that the Lord would put His Spirit upon the men in our church, upon ourselves first and foremost, that we might walk in humility, holiness and thereby lead by our example and precept.  We who are serving as officers feel our weakness and our sins are always before us.  Knowing ourselves to be far from what we should be, let us seek more of God's grace, more of His Spirit to serve him in the fear of the Lord and faithfulness to his cause and gratitude for such a great salvation.

God, breath new life into the men of this church, that they might have your Spirit upon them in great measure and that they might commit themselves to doing whatever you call them to do in your church.  May each of us hear the still small voice calling us to lay down our lives for our brethren for the sake of Christ and his glory. Amen.

Jesus Died to Make You Rich!

The prosperity gospel preachers have been fleecing the flock for years and getting away with it.  It is time we all in the Christian community call them to repent of their egreious sins against God's church.  In a response to Creflo Dollar's statement, Dylan Justus highlights what is wrong with the prosperity gospel, and calls those who make an idol of money into repentance.

Jesus Died to Make You Rich (Spiritually)

“Mr. and Mrs. Prosperity Teacher, Scripture calls you to repent of your sin: Your sin of leading astray the sheep, robbing them of their money, and lying to them. Jesus died for the sins of the world; that’s a heavy thing to disregard as secondary to prosperity.”

The Who, What, How of Prayer

How's your prayer life?  Need some help?  The Westminster Larger Catechism instructs us in prayer:

Q. 183. For whom are we to pray?
A. We are to pray for the whole church of Christ upon earth; for magistrates, and ministers; for ourselves, our brethren, yea, our enemies; and for all sorts of men living, or that shall live hereafter; but not for the dead, nor for those that are known to have sinned the sin unto death.

Q. 184. For what things are we to pray?
A. We are to pray for all things tending to the glory of God, the welfare of the church, our own or others' good; but not for anything that is unlawful.

Q. 185. How are we to pray?
A. We are to pray with an awful apprehension of the majesty of God, and deep sense of our own unworthiness, necessities, and sins; with penitent, thankful, and enlarged hearts; with understanding, faith, sincerity, fervency, love, and perseverance, waiting upon him, with humble submission to his will.

Are You Catholic?

The following excerpt is from the tract Are You Catholic? produced by the Trinity Foundation:

In the Roman Catholic Church, justification means God's actually making a man innocent, God's working in a man's heart. The church changed grace, an attribute of God, his undeserved mercy and favor, into a quality of man. The Roman Church taught and still teaches today a different gospel: men are justified by God's grace in their hearts. That is not the Gospel proclaimed by the apostles. The Roman Catholic Church's teaching is accepted by many who think they are Christians, many who do not even belong to the Roman Catholic Church.

What Does the Bible Say?

The Bible teaches that believers in Christ are saved, not because of good works, good intentions, religious experiences, or religious rituals “not even because of what the Holy Spirit has done in their hearts “but solely and only because of what Christ did 2,000 years ago when he carried out the plan of God in salvation. Jesus Christ lived a perfect and sinless life, thus fulfilling the demands of God's law for his people. He died a substitutionary death, taking the punishment that his people deserve for their sins. He came to life again the third day, proving that God was satisfied with his perfect life and sacrifice.  

False Shepherds and Planned Partenthood

There are ministers today who are supporting the murderous agenda of Planned Parenthood.

Presbyterian Pastor: “I Love Planned Parenthood.” Calls Abortion Business a “Ministry”

I have only one thing to say to such false shepherds:
John 8:44 "You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it."

Pope Francis

What should we think of Pope Francis?  The Westminster Confession of Faith 25.6 states that,
"There is no other head of the Church, but the Lord Jesus Christ; nor can the Pope of Rome, in any sense, be head thereof; but is that Antichrist, that man of sin, and son of perdition, that exalteth himself, in the Church, against Christ and all that is called God."

Tim Challies has written a helpful article on Pope Francis.  Like other popes before him, Francis is a false teacher who teaches a false gospel.
http://www.challies.com/articles/the-false-teachers-pope-francis

The Ark of the Covenant and its Contents

"Behind the second veil, the part of the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of All, which had the golden censer and the ark of the covenant overlaid on all sides with gold, in which were the golden pot that had the manna, Aaron’s rod that budded, and the tablets of the covenant; and above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat." (Hebrews 9:3-5)

The “Holiest of All” is the same thing as “The Most Holy Place” or “the Holy of Holies.” Only the High Priest could enter the Holy of Holies and he could only enter it once a year on the Day of Atonement. There was only one piece of furniture in this room – the Ark of the Covenant. It was overlaid with pure gold. Inside the ark were three special items of significance to God’s people –the golden pot that had the manna, Aaron’s rod that budded, and the tablets of the covenant. The jar of manna was a memorial of God’s miraculous provision for the people of Israel during their time in the wilderness. Manna signifies Jesus as the living bread who daily sustains us by his grace. Each day the Israelites had to go out and gather the manna. If they kept it over to the next day it would spoil. So the believer in Jesus needs to feed on Him daily and receive new grace each day. We cannot rely on yesterday’s prayers and time in the word. We must seek the Lord each day and abide in him always.

Aaron’s rod was also inside the Ark. This was Aaron’s rod which had budded overnight to indicate that out of all the tribes, the tribe of Levi and the descendants of Aaron alone were authorized to serve in the Tabernacle. According to Numbers 17 each of the 12 tribes were to place a rod with their name on it before the Lord. The name of Aaron was written on his rod. The next day the one which budded would be the one God had chosen. The reason this was done was to silence the complaints of the people against Aaron and Moses and to prove that Aaron’s authority as High Priest was of God. Aaron’s rod budded, proving that he was the one God had chosen. Aaron's rod that budded also speaks of Jesus. The rod was something that had died and supernaturally came to life again. Jesus died and came to life again on the third day. He also said, "I am the resurrection and the life." 

The last item mentioned that was in the Ark were the two unbroken tablets of the covenant with the Ten Commandments written on them. The unbroken tables of stone set forth Jesus as the One who perfectly kept the Law and never broke God's Commandments. The Bible says that He "committed no sin, nor was deceit found in His mouth."  The Ten Commandments reflect the very character of God and also reveal His will for our lives. He desires that we be like His Son Jesus, who kept the law perfectly. The Ten Commandments show us our sin, our need of a Savior and then they show us the way of life as saved sinners.

The Ark itself was important for it was the place where God especially dwelt and would speak from there. We might say that the Ark was God’s throne on earth. Verse 5 says that above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat. The Ark of the Covenant was where Gods justice and judgment toward sin was satisfied.  It represents the Lord Jesus because he is the Mercy Seat where sin was atoned for. When Jesus died, the veil of the Temple was torn in two. It was the veil to the Holy of Holies, which signified that through the atoning death of Christ the way has now been opened for believers to be ushered into the very presence of God and His throne of grace. God no longer communes with man from between the wings of the cherubim on top of the mercy seat. He communes with man through his Son Jesus Christ. He alone is the propitiation for our sins, the one true Mercy Seat. When we come to God by Him, we have atonement for our sins, we have access to God and we have communion with God.

The Tabernacle was a symbolic sanctuary. It was an outwardly beautiful, sensory experience of worship. But remember, it was all a parable for the true sanctuary and the true worship we are to bring to God in and through Jesus Christ. Today in the church we must not become enamored with the material building of worship and its accouterments. When we make the outward, visible things more important than the things of the Spirit, we are in danger of going back to a form of Judaic religion. The worship of the New Covenant is simple worship of the Father in spirit and truth. Apart from the elements used in the sacraments of baptism and the Lord’s Supper, the worship we engage in today is not focused on earthly things, but on heavenly realities.

In conclusion, the Tabernacle was given by God as a display of grace and truth as it is found in Jesus Christ. Each item in the Tabernacle was a visual aid to show the sinner his true need, to symbolize God’s provision to meet that need, and to point them to the coming Messiah who fulfilled all that it symbolized. Thank God for this symbolic sanctuary. And thank God for the true Tabernacle of God, the person of Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, the Lord of Glory, the true Mercy Seat, the Lamb of God, the Great High Priest, the Way, the Truth and the Life! Come to Jesus today. Worship Him, trust Him, serve Him. "Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom, And strength and honor and glory and blessing!"

Pray for God's Mercy on America!

"Your mercy, O LORD, is in the heavens; Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds."  (Psalm 36:5)

God’s mercy is free. To set up merit is to destroy mercy. Nothing can deserve mercy, because we are polluted in our blood; nor force it. We may force God to punish us, but not to love us. ‘I will love them freely.’ Hos 14:4. Every link in the chain of salvation is wrought and interwoven with free grace. Election is free. ‘He has chosen us in him, according to the good pleasure of his will.’  Eph 1:1. Justification is free.  ‘Being justified freely by his grace.’ Rom 3:34. Salvation is free.  ‘According to his mercy he saved us.’  Titus 3:3. Say not then, I am unworthy; for mercy is free.  If God should show mercy to such only as are worthy, he would show none at all.

God’s mercy is an overflowing mercy; it is infinite.  ‘Plenteous in mercy.’  Ps. 86:6. ‘Rich in mercy.’ Eph 2:2. ‘Multitude of mercies.’  Ps. 51:1: The vial of wrath drops, but the fountain of mercy runs.  The sun is not so full of light as God is of mercy.  God has morning mercies.  ‘His mercies are new every morning.’ Lam 3:23.  He has night mercies.  ‘In the night his song shall be with me.’  Ps. 13:3. God has mercies under heaven, which we taste; and in heaven, which we hope for.

God’s mercy is eternal.  ‘The mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting.’  Ps. 103:37. ‘His mercy endureth for ever,’ is repeated twenty-six times in one psalm, Ps. 136.  The souls of the blessed shall be ever bathing themselves in this sweet and pleasant ocean of God’s mercy.  God’s anger to his children lasts but a while, ‘but his mercy lasts for ever.’ Ps. 103:3.  As long as he is God he will be showing mercy. As his mercy is overflowing, so it is everflowing.  Use one: We are to look upon God in prayer, not in his judgement robes, but clothed with a rainbow full of mercy and clemency.  Add wings to prayer.  When Jesus Christ ascended up to heaven, that which made him go up thither with joy was, ‘I go to my Father;’ so that which should make our hearts ascend with joy in prayer, is, ‘We are going to the Father of mercy, who sits upon the throne of grace.’  Go with confidence in this mercy; as when one goes to a fire, not doubtingly, saying, perhaps it will warm me, perhaps not.
Believe in his mercy.  ‘I will trust in the mercy of God for ever.’ Ps. 52:2.  God’s mercy is a fountain opened.  Let down the bucket of faith and you may drink of this fountain of salvation.  What greater encouragement to believe than God’s mercy?  God counts it his glory to be scattering pardons; he is desirous that sinners should touch the golden sceptre of his mercy and live.

Taken and adapted from, “A Body of Practical Divinity, Volume 1: The Mercy of God (sermon)” by Thomas Watson, pp. 101-107, London, 1869.
http://deadpuritansociety.org/thomas-watson-on-gods-mercy/

Pray for God’s Mercy upon Our Land – Holy Father, I humbly plead for Your undeserved mercy upon my life, my church, my nation and world. Lord, help us come before You with deep awareness we deserve Your judgment far more than Your blessing. By Jesus’ blood alone, we plead for Your merciful grace to revive and bless us once again. (Psalm 85:4-7; Lamentation 3:22; Daniel 9:18-19)

Psalm 85:4-7 Restore us, O God of our salvation, And cause Your anger toward us to cease. Will You be angry with us forever? Will You prolong Your anger to all generations? Will You not revive us again, That Your people may rejoice in You? Show us Your mercy, LORD, And grant us Your salvation.

Lamentations 3:21-23 This I recall to my mind, Therefore I have hope. Through the LORD’S mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.

Daniel 9:18-19 "O my God, incline Your ear and hear; open Your eyes and see our desolations, and the city which is called by Your name; for we do not present our supplications before You because of our righteous deeds, but because of Your great mercies. O Lord, hear! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, listen and act! Do not delay for Your own sake, my God, for Your city and Your people are called by Your name."

Prayer: Access to God's Throne of Grace

Hebrews 4:14-16  Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.  For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.  Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Ezekiel Hopkins writes: "All access was barred against sinners until Christ opened a passage for us by his own death and precious blood. Shall we not make use of this privilege purchased for us at so dear a rate? Nothing is so desirable in this world as a faithful friend, to whom we may at all times unburden ourselves, and make all our secrets and grievances known. Prayer directs us to go to God himself; he is our most faithful friend who can best counsel and help us."

We ought to make use of this privilege of access to God's throne of grace and contemplate how we might take more advantage of this privilege.  Psalm 20 encourages us to approach God's throne in prayer.

1 May the LORD answer you in the day of trouble; May the name of the God of Jacob defend you;
2  May He send you help from the sanctuary, And strengthen you out of Zion;
3  May He remember all your offerings, And accept your burnt sacrifice. Selah
4  May He grant you according to your heart’s desire, And fulfill all your purpose.
5  We will rejoice in your salvation, And in the name of our God we will set up our banners! May the LORD fulfill all your petitions.
6  Now I know that the LORD saves His anointed; He will answer him from His holy heaven With the saving strength of His right hand.
7  Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; But we will remember the name of the LORD our God.
8  They have bowed down and fallen; But we have risen and stand upright.
9  Save, LORD! May the King answer us when we call.

Father in heaven, help us to see how great a privilege we have in prayer.  Help us to make use of the access we have to your throne of grace.  Oh Lord, answer us when we call.  Send help when we need it this week.  Only let us remember to give thanks and praise to your great name.  Thank you for Jesus, our great High Priest who has passed through the heavens and cares so much for us.  In His name.  Amen.

Hopkins wrote that "Our prayers are like two buckets in a well. Our prayers ascend to God in heaven, and his mercies and blessings descend upon us."  Send up buckets full of prayers and then look for buckets full of blessings.