The Trinity
Before attempting to understand the Trinity, we must first understand, and accept, that there are things in, and of, the Bible we may never fully understand. Isaiah 55:8-9.
8 “ For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the LORD. 9 “ For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.
Knowing this from Isaiah 55:8-9, then brings fully to life Hebrews 11:1.
Hebrews 11:1 - Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
> Kenneth Boa states, “No man can know or comprehend the Bible exhaustively. If so, the Bible would not be divine but limited to human intelligence.
> Some of the revelations given to us by God in the Bible defy explanation and illustration (Ezekiel Ch. 1).
Are there still mysteries in the Bible? Yes; the return of Jesus Christ; Pre-destination; the rapture.
Revelation 3:3 - "Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent. Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you.
Luke 12:40 - "Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect."
Matthew 24:36 - "But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only.
Matthew 24:42 - "Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming.
Matthew 24:44 - "Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.
Acts 1:7, 8 - And He said to them, "It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority. But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."
Believers are enlightened:
Matthew 13:11 - He answered and said to them, "Because it has been given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given.
Luke 8:10 - And He said, "To you it has been given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God, but to the rest it is given in parables, that 'Seeing they may not see, And hearing they may not understand.'
Mark 4:11 - And He said to them, "To you it has been given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God; but to those who are outside, all things come in parables,
John 15:15 - "No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you.
Romans 11:25 - For I do not desire, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be wise in your own opinion, that blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in.
1 Corinthians 2:6-16 - 6 However, we speak wisdom among those who are mature, yet not the wisdom of this age, nor of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. 7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory, 8 which none of the rulers of this age knew; for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.9 But as it is written: “ Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”
10 But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. 11 For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God. 12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God.13 These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. 14 But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 15 But he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is rightly judged by no one. 16 For “who has known the mind of the LORD that he may instruct Him?” But we have the mind of Christ.
1 Corinthians 4:1 - 1 Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.
1 Corinthians 13:2 - 2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.
Ephesians 1:9-14 - 9 having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself, 10 that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth—in Him. 11 In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will, 12 that we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory.13 In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.
Ephesians Ch. 3
History & Background
1. The word “Trinity” is not found in the Bible.
2. “Trinity” – Latin theologian, Tertullian, was the first to express the concept around 215 AD.
3. In 325 AD, the Council of Nicea set out to officially define the relationship of the Son to the Father in response to the controversial teachings of Arius (founder of Arianism).
> Reasons given for rejecting the doctrine of the Trinity:
1. The word “Trinity” is not mentioned in the Bible.
2. The concept of the “Trinity” does not make philosophical sense (a-logical, or beyond logic).
3. The “Trinity” is not compatible with monotheism (Christianity is monotheistic).
4. The “Trinity” is not necessary in explaining the “specialness” of Jesus.
> Reasons given for believing the Trinity:
1. The “Trinity” is taught indirectly (implicitly) in various statements in the Bible.
2. The “Trinity” explains the divinity of Jesus and the Holy Spirit while affirming monotheism.
3. It is not expected that the nature of God would make sense to human minds (Isa 55:8-9).
4. Early ecumenical councils (primarily Nicea) are authoritive.
Definition of the Trinity (Tri-unity) of God:
> Webster’s dictionary: the union of three divine persons (or hypostases), the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, in one divinity so that all the three are one God as to substance, but three Persons (or hypostases as to individuality); Synonyms sometimes used are Tri-unity, Trine, Triality. The term “Trinity” is form from “tri”, three, and “nity”, unity. “Tri-unity” is a better term than “Trinity because it better expresses the idea of three in one. God is three in one. Hypostases are the plural of hypostasis which means “the substance, the underlying reality, or essence.”
> Christianity teaches monotheism, or is, monotheistic (one God manifested in three Persons).
> Christianity is not tri-theistic – three Gods separate in substance, power, or divinity.
> Christianity is also not poly-theistic – multiple gods
> Warfield’s definition of Trinity: There is one only and true God, but in the unity of the Godhead there are three coeternal and coequal Persons, the same substance but distinct in subsistence.
Is there subordination in the Trinity? In regard to order, but not substance or essence.
1. First is the Father
2. Second is the Son
3. Third is the Holy Spirit
> The Father is not begotten, but the Son is (John 3:16).
> The Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father (John 5:26).
> The Father sent the Son (1 John 4:10; John 6:38).
> The Father and the Son send the Holy Spirit (John 14:26; 15:26)
> The Father creates (Isaiah 44:24).
> The Son redeems (Galatians 3:13).
> The Holy Spirit sanctifies (Romans 5:16).
The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are connected:
1 John 5:7 - 7 For there are three that bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one.
John 1:1 - 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
> The Word - Jesus
Genesis 1:1 - 1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
Revelation 1:8 - 8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End,” says the Lord, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”
> Look at the connection between Genesis 1:1, and Revelation 1:8. Do you see how they are connected?
Colossians 1:19-20 - 19 For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, 20 and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross.
Matthew 18:19-20 - 19 “Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.”
John 14:23 – 23 Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.
John 16:5-15 - 5 “But now I go away to Him who sent Me, and none of you asks Me, ‘Where are You going?’ 6 But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. 7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you. 8 And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9 of sin, because they do not believe in Me; 10 of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more; 11 of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.12 “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 13 However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. 14 He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you. 15 All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He will take of Mine and declare it to you.
John 1:14-15 - 14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.15 John bore witness of Him and cried out, saying, “This was He of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me is preferred before me, for He was before me.’”
> The Word (Jesus) assumes the flesh of humanity.
The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are present in the same space and time:
Genesis 1:2 - 2 The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.
> God and the Holy Spirit together in the beginning.
Genesis 1:26 - 26 Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”
> Since we know Jesus to be God, here in the creation of man, the plurality of “Us” represents the Godhead.
Genesis 1:27 - 27 So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.
> Here, God expresses the only one true God.
Matthew 3:13-17 - 13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him. 14 And John tried to prevent Him, saying, “I need to be baptized by You, and are You coming to me?”15 But Jesus answered and said to him, “Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he allowed Him.16 When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him. 17 And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”
Mark 1:9-11 - 9 It came to pass in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10 And immediately, coming up from the water, He saw the heavens parting and the Spirit descending upon Him like a dove. 11 Then a voice came from heaven, “You are My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”
Luke 3:21 - 21 When all the people were baptized, it came to pass that Jesus also was baptized; and while He prayed, the heaven was opened. 22 And the Holy Spirit descended in bodily form like a dove upon Him, and a voice came from heaven which said, “You are My beloved Son; in You I am well pleased.”
John 1:29-34 - 29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! 30 This is He of whom I said, ‘After me comes a Man who is preferred before me, for He was before me.’ 31 I did not know Him; but that He should be revealed to Israel, therefore I came baptizing with water.” 32 And John bore witness, saying, “I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and He remained upon Him. 33 I did not know Him, but He who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘Upon whom you see the Spirit descending, and remaining on Him, this is He who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ 34 And I have seen and testified that this is the Son of God.”
> The Trinity represented at the baptism of Jesus.
The authority of Jesus as God and creator:
Matthew 16:19 - 19 And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”
Romans 1:19-20 - 19 because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse,
Romans 11:36 - 36 For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen.
Colossians 1:16-18 - 16 For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. 17 And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. 18 And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.
Other Religions
> Judaism – Pharisees, Sanhedrin, and the High Priests of the New Testament rejected Jesus as the Messiah. Jewish philosopher, Maimonides, also rejected the Trinitarian beliefs of Christians. Much of Maimonides’ philosophical critique of Christian theology is similar to Islamic arguments.
> Islam – the Qur’an (Koran) explicitly denies the doctrine of the Trinity. It appears to understand the Christian Trinity as being the Father, Son, and Mary: “and (remember) when Allah will say (on the Day of Resurrection): O’lesa (Jesus), Son of Maryam (Mary)! Did you say unto men: worship me and my mother as two gods besides Allah? He will say: ! Glory be to you! It was not for me to say that which I had no right (to say).
> Arianism – The name given to an anti-Trinitarian belief system taught by Arius, and elder in the Alexandrian church, in the early 4th century AD. Arius affirmed the uniqueness of God but denied the complete divinity of the Son (Christ). Arius taught that Christ was a created and changeable being, who, while superior to humans, is not of the same order as the one God. This teaching brought on the Council of Nicea in 325 AD, who proclaimed Christ was of “the same substance” as the Father. Arianism was finally condemned at the Council of Constantinople in 381 AD.
> Jehovah’s Witnesses – Teaches a doctrine similar to that of Arius – that Christ is the Son of God, a special being, created by God before the beginning of time, but not equal to God.
> Mormonism – Mormons are polytheistic; Mormons believe that the Godhead is made up of three distinct beings, and are “one in purpose”, but not in being. Jesus is affirmed as the Son of God, but not God himself. Jesus is considered to be the first born, created, of God. Mormons believe Jesus and Satan are spirit brothers.
> The Da Vinci Code – Although neither a scholarly, nor a religious source, Dan Brown’s novel claims to present numerous “historical facts” about the development of the Trinity, and other aspects of early Christianity. A learned character in the novel explains that the Trinity was unheard of until the Emperor Constantine (same as Jehovah’s Witnesses and Arianism) enforced the foreign idea of Christ’s divinity on Christendom. Brown writes, “until that moment in history, Jesus was viewed by His followers as a mortal prophet……a great man and powerful man, but a man nonetheless.”
Error to avoid concerning the Trinity:
> Tri-theistic: Trinity, Triune, Trine, and Tri-unity are not compatible with Tri-theistic. Tri-theistic is the teaching that there are three Gods who are sometimes related, but only in a loose association.
2 Corinthians 6:14, “Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness?”
2 John 10-11, “10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him; 11 for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds.”
Friday, April 22, 2011
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Ephesians 1:7
In Him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace......
> In him - Remain; Stay; to abide; greek word meno
John uses meno frequently to describe the perseverence of believers in their relation to Christ, that is, to "remain" or "abide" in him (John 15:4-10, 16; 1John 2:6, 10).
> Redemption - Redeem; exagorazo
Jesus accomplished spiritual redemption for us through his death on the cross. Christ's purpose in entering the world at just the right time was to redeem those who were enslaved to sin and the curse of the law (Galatians 4:4-5). How did he do this? By suffering the death of a curse. In other words, the sinless, uncursed Christ suffered an accursed death (Deut 21:23) so that he could remove God's curse from us.
> Blood - Important element in covenant contexts. When Moses sprinkles blood on the Israelites, he declares, "This is the blood of the covenant that the Lord has made with you" (Exodus 24:8). During the Last Supper, Jesus uses this precise expression when describing the bread and wine as his body and blood (Matthew 26:28; Zechariah 9:11).
> Central to NT teaching on the sacraficial death of Christ is the fact that for the believer, it results in the following:
1. Justification - We have been justified by his blood (Rom 5:9).
2. Redemption - We have redemption through his blood (Eph 1:7).
3. Reconciliation - Making peace through his blood (Col 1:20).
4. Forgiveness - Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness (Heb 9:22).
5. Holiness - Jesus also suffered outside the city gate to make the people holy through his own blood (Heb 13:12).
6. Purification - The blood of Jesus.....purifies us from all sin (1John 1:7).
7. Freedom from sin - To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood (Rev 1:5).
8. Bought and paid - Jesus purchased men for God by his blood (Rev 5:9).
> Grace - Charis; grace, favor
The acceptance of and goodness toward those who cannot earn or do not deserve such gain. The gospel of Jesus Christ can rightfully be called "the word of his grace" (Acts 14:3; 20:32). In the NT, God's grace manifests itself most clearly in the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ (Rom 3:24-26; Heb 2:9). Grace literally means the undeserved love and salvation God gives to each of us. The redemption of sinners through the blood sacrifice of Jesus is brought forth by God's grace, in that "while we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Rom 5:8b).
> In him - Remain; Stay; to abide; greek word meno
John uses meno frequently to describe the perseverence of believers in their relation to Christ, that is, to "remain" or "abide" in him (John 15:4-10, 16; 1John 2:6, 10).
> Redemption - Redeem; exagorazo
Jesus accomplished spiritual redemption for us through his death on the cross. Christ's purpose in entering the world at just the right time was to redeem those who were enslaved to sin and the curse of the law (Galatians 4:4-5). How did he do this? By suffering the death of a curse. In other words, the sinless, uncursed Christ suffered an accursed death (Deut 21:23) so that he could remove God's curse from us.
> Blood - Important element in covenant contexts. When Moses sprinkles blood on the Israelites, he declares, "This is the blood of the covenant that the Lord has made with you" (Exodus 24:8). During the Last Supper, Jesus uses this precise expression when describing the bread and wine as his body and blood (Matthew 26:28; Zechariah 9:11).
> Central to NT teaching on the sacraficial death of Christ is the fact that for the believer, it results in the following:
1. Justification - We have been justified by his blood (Rom 5:9).
2. Redemption - We have redemption through his blood (Eph 1:7).
3. Reconciliation - Making peace through his blood (Col 1:20).
4. Forgiveness - Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness (Heb 9:22).
5. Holiness - Jesus also suffered outside the city gate to make the people holy through his own blood (Heb 13:12).
6. Purification - The blood of Jesus.....purifies us from all sin (1John 1:7).
7. Freedom from sin - To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood (Rev 1:5).
8. Bought and paid - Jesus purchased men for God by his blood (Rev 5:9).
> Grace - Charis; grace, favor
The acceptance of and goodness toward those who cannot earn or do not deserve such gain. The gospel of Jesus Christ can rightfully be called "the word of his grace" (Acts 14:3; 20:32). In the NT, God's grace manifests itself most clearly in the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ (Rom 3:24-26; Heb 2:9). Grace literally means the undeserved love and salvation God gives to each of us. The redemption of sinners through the blood sacrifice of Jesus is brought forth by God's grace, in that "while we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Rom 5:8b).
Friday, May 15, 2009
When life began
Today on Foxnews.com, there is a story (Scientists May Have Found How Life Began) stating that british scientists may have found how life began. Why does this not suprise me? The scientists are moving over to the RNA (ribonucleic acid), which is a single-stranded cousin to DNA, as having come first. They can't figure out the double-helix, so they go to the simpler strand of RNA. For scientists to be so smart, why are they so dumb? Foxnews.com reports that scientists say RNA "looks like a good candidate for Earth's first information-coding nucleic acid." The story states that RNA is used by viruses to store genetic code, but by classification, viruses are not a species with the ability to reason or think. Viruses are programmed to follow genetic codes, which means those codes had to be placed there by some other means so the viruses could function. Otherwise, it's just goop on the ground. Just as a computer cannot process information without a programmer, so is it with DNA and RNA. Life just didn't happen on some warm sunny day. Some single-stranded RNA, or the "more complexed" DNA, just didn't rollover one day and decide (the process of thinking) to establish itself as the producer of all life, and evolve into life as we know it. There is a greater power at work here. Go ahead, put a monitor and a computer on your desk with no power button, or software, and just sit back and wait for it to turn itself on and start asking questions. As absurd as that sounds, so is the idea that life came from some micro-organism lying in a pool of mud somewhere. How can some of the most brilliant minds on earth miss such an "out-in-your-face" concept? But yet they do. What's saddest of all is they have so many people convinced of this lie. God did not give us the ability to think so we could think ourselves into obscurity. God is the author of life, breathing life into the man he created. God created all living things. How is that so hard to understand. The god of this age truly is blinding the unbeliever to the light of Christ, which is the truth.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Mormonism 2: An Independent Account Concerning Mormon History
The craftiness of the Mormon church (Church Of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints; LDS) to cover up, conceal, or not be forthright, concerning their true doctrine and history has caused many people to fall into their picture perfect surface of the church. What members, or prospective members, of the Mormon church are not told is the countless discrepancies which have occurred over the years in their doctrine. Further, they are kept from the truth concerning their true history. No one likes to recall the tragedies, and cruelties, of a history lived in secret and in lies. But, we cannot ignore the past. Here, it has to be explored so the truth of this false religion can be exposed. The Book of Mormon, which is supposed to be the foundation of the Mormon doctrine, has been brushed aside by the many President's of the church. Instead, Mormon's are being taught from the Doctrines and Covenants, and from their own writings submitted by church leadership. Very little, if anything at all, is used from the Bible. In 1 Nephi (Book of Mormon), there is this exaggerated story of a tribe of people called the Lamenites, led by Lehi, who travel somehow to the North American continent. This indigenous people are supposed to be the first Native Americans according to Mormon church doctrine. The Lamenites are supposedly direct descendants of Jewish and Hebrew ancestry, yet scholars and experts all verify that the Native American people descend from an Asiatic, or Central American background, not Jewish or Hebrew. In a story aired by PBS yesterday called "We Shall Remain", PBS documented the lives of Native Americans and their history. One of the programs was about the Ute Indians. What I found interesting was a part of the documentary where Mormon settlers were talked about. These settlers were not a welcome visitor, but were greatly disliked by the Ute Indians. This dislike was brought on not because of their beliefs, or religion, but because of their treatment of the Ute Indians. An elder of the Ute Indians described the Mormon settlers, led by Brigham Young, as coming into their land and taking the land from the Ute Indians. They were no respecter of the inhabitants. The Mormons hunted the game, stripped bare the land, leaving the Ute's with nothing. Sometime after the settlement of the Mormon's, there was a war between the Ute's and the Mormons. This was called the battle of Walker - Blackhawk. Now, if the Mormon doctrine had identified this indigenous people as the Lamenites from their scriptures, and were key to the truth of their doctrine, why the mistreatment of a sacred people prophesied about in the Book of Mormon. Because it's not true, that's why. When Mormon doctrine is changed based on who the church president is, there has to be some question as to the validity of the claims made by the church. In 1979, the Smithsonian Institute issued a statement concerning the Book of Mormon and found no archaeological evidence to verify the church history. In fact, the Institute compared the Bible against the Book of Mormon and found the Bible to be an accurate record of history as it is known. But, no such accuracy accompanies the Book of Mormon.
It saddens my heart to see people being led astray by false teachers and false religions. To see their strong convictions for something that will not lead them to Christ, or to eternal salvation. May God open their eyes to the truth the enemy has so successfully blinded them from, and May the Holy Spirit be their revealer of the true Messiah, Jesus Christ.
Amen.
It saddens my heart to see people being led astray by false teachers and false religions. To see their strong convictions for something that will not lead them to Christ, or to eternal salvation. May God open their eyes to the truth the enemy has so successfully blinded them from, and May the Holy Spirit be their revealer of the true Messiah, Jesus Christ.
Amen.
Mormonism: The Truth Behind The Religion
MORMONISM
THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST AND THE LATTER DAY SAINTS (LDS)
> Founded by Joseph Smith, Jr. in 1830
> Smith claims to have been visited by God, Jesus, and Moses while praying in the wilderness about what church to join. Smith claims God told him not to join any of the churches; that they were all an abomination.
> Smith's necromantic contacts (contact with the dead) were probably the result of use of magic rituals to involve the spirit world. The specific nature of the encounters frequently fit the pattern for magical occult contacts.
* THE BOOK OF MORMON: DIVINE REVELATION?
> Mormon leaders stress divine authority. Many theologians and scholars over the years have shown the falsity of the claim.
> Psychic method of writing - church claims Smith translated the "gold plates" by the power of God using divine implements called the Urim and Thummim. The Book of Mormon was actually produced through psychic methods and has nothing to do with ancient history. Historical documents prove Smith was only engaging in his usual practice of crystal gazing. Three well known witnesses of the Mormon faith make this clear.
> Smith copied material from the King James Bible to use in the Book of Mormon. It is also discovered that Smith's use of outside resources available to him at that time did not stop at just the King James Bible. It was thought that he also used "The Wonders of Nature and Providence Displayed (Albany, NY 1825); The Wayne Sentinel; The Aprocypha; Smith's father's dream; The Westminster Confession and Catechism.
> Alexander Campbell, founder of the Disciples for Christ, wrote, "this prophet Smith, through his stone spectacles, wrote on the plate of Nephi, in his Book of Mormon, every error and almost every truth discussed in New York for the last ten years". Concluding that Smith's translations were not of ancient America, but of the current era masked behind a false ancient America.
> Not one shred of evidence has been found, or exists as of today, to substantiate the archeological history of the Book of Mormon.
> Both the National Geographic Society and the Bureau of American Ethnology, of the Smithsonian Institute, have issued official statements denying Mormon claims to their history as found in the Book of Mormon.
> Lack of ancient manuscripts. There is no preserved evidence to support their Book of Mormon claims of ancient America.
> Mormon teachings are not principally derived from the Book of Mormon, but from the Doctrine & Covenants. The Book of Mormon is primarily a dead book and has little bearing upon current doctrine used.
> The D&C emphazises the Book of Mormon contains basic, or fundamental, Mormon teachings. A conflict in their doctrine.
> According to the D&C, the Book of Mormon must contain at the very least most of the central doctrines of the Mormon faith. But, it contains few major teachings. Such as:
1. Polytheism
2. God as the product of eternal progression
3. Eternal marriage
4. Polygamy
5. Human deification
6. Tri-theism: Trinity as three seperate Gods.
7. Baptism for the dead
8. Maintaining geneological records
9. Universalism
10. God has a physical body and once was a man
11. God organized, not created, the world.
12. Mother gods (heavenly mothers)
13. Temple marriage requirement for exhaltation
14. Concept of eternal intelligence
15. Three degrees of heavenly glory
*Celestial - Highest level of glory where you become god and rule over your own earth.
*Terrestial - Second level where you get to live an eternal life in heaven.
*Telestial - Lowest level where eternity is spent on a "paradise earth" (similar to Jehovah's Witnesses).
16. Salvation after death in the spirit world (where Baptism for the dead comes in)
17. Melchizedek(elders) and Aaronic Priesthood (Aaronic Priesthood being the lesser)
18. Stake President and First Presidency
> Mormon's claim they have present day prophets chosen by God to receive revelation relevant to the LDS church and its members.
> Mormon's repeatedly claim that their scriptures are not contradictory. But because Mormon theology is replete with contradictions, the church has had to go back and cover up embarrassing mistakes made in church doctrine on several occassions.
THEOLOGY
*Many Gods or One?
>Mormonism is polytheistic, or more than one God. Christianity is monotheistic, one God.
> Technically, Mormon theology is "henotheistic", a form of polytheism that stresses worship of a central deity. In Mormonism, the central deity is Elohim, whom Mormons call "God the Father". But, henotheism also accepts other deities which Mormons would consider Jesus, Holy Ghost, and endless other gods who were once men who have evolved into godhood.
> Polytheism encompasses two aspects:
1. There is a predominant "local" polytheism for earth. Earth has three distinct gods who "rule it". Ties to Mormon concept that the biblical Trinity is tri-theistic, or three seperate Gods, not monotheistic or triune (One God as three persons - God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit).
2. Mormon polytheism moves beyond earth. If there are an infinite number of earths, each with its own god or gods, then there are an infinite number of gods (henotheism).
> Bible clearly rejects polytheism (Isaiah 43:10; 44:6, 8; 45:5, 21). From Genesis to Revelation, the Bible teaches monotheism.
Isaiah 45:5 (NIV) 5 I am the LORD, and there is no other; apart from me there is no God........
*A Tri-theistic Trinity
> The Mormon church claims to believe in the Trinity, but not a monotheistic Trinity. Theirs is a tri-theistic Trinity. There lies the contradiction between what they say, and what their church doctrine teaches.
*The Gods are Evolving
> Momonism teaches that God was not always God, but was once a man who evolved into a god. They believe there are endless numbers of "God" (Polytheism; Henotheism).
> Mormons believe that one attains godhood through the good works they preformed when they were finite. Their godhood is earned, and is not free.
> Mormons do not believe in the God of Christianity, even though they call themselves Christians and Saints (Malachi 3:6; James 1:7; Numbers 23:19; Psalm 90:2).
> The Mormon god is utlimately a finite one since he was once a man. A result of their evolution process.
*Jesus Christ
> Mormons do not acknowledge the true Jesus Christ as Lord.
> Mormons deny Jesus Christ's unique deity.
1. Mormons believe Jesus was a created being just as they are.
2. Mormons believe Jesus was the first of billions of spirit children created through by the male earth god and his celestial wife through sexual intercourse.
3. Mormons believe that the male earth god had sexual intercourse with Mary to produce Jesus on earth.
> To Mormons, Jesus is a common God.
1. Jesus is of minor importance in the larger Mormon cosmology.
2. Believe Jesus is just the "greater" of all the spirit children produced.
3. Believe that since there are an infinite number of earths, other gods have existed for eons before Jesus.
4. Mormons believe Christ is their "senior" only by achievement and positioin, not by nature and essence.
5. Mormons believe every person on earth has the same essence as Jesus.
6. Mormons believe all persons are incarnate spirit beings. Therefore, Christ's incarnation is not unique to them either.
7. Mormons believe that Christ is not unique as creator. Mormonism teaches that Adam, Joseph Smith, Jr., and others helped Him create the world. They believe Christ was aided by spirit children.
*Jesus and Satan as brothers
> Mormon theology teaches Jesus is the spirit brother of Satan.
> Mormons believe that Satan and all demons are spirit brothers to everyone on earth.
*Mormons deny virgin birth
> Mormons believe that God (Adam) had sex with Mary.
> Mormons deny that Jesus was conceived by the Holy Ghost because the Holy Ghost doe not have a physical body.
> Mormonism teaches God has a body of flesh and bone. He was capable of having sexual intercourse with Mary.
> Mormons reject Matthew 1:18 and Luke 1:35.
Matthew 1:18 (NIV) The Birth of Jesus Christ 18 This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit.
Luke 1:35 (NIV) 35 The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.
*Christ was not eternally sinless
> Momonism teaches that Christ was only sinless while on earth, not for all eternity past.
> Mormons believe Jesus had to undertake schooling and progression in the spirit world to attain salvation.
> Mormons believe Jesus had to be tested with good and evil, initially at least, falling into evil like every other spirit son.
> Mormons beleive it is only by direct experience of evil that people learn to choose good. They think of Jesus as a person who had to learn good from evil.
> The Momons student manual, Doctrines of the Gospel, teaches that Christ nor Lucifer could of themselves save anyone.
> The Mormon God is "another Jesus" (2 Corinthians 1:4) who has little to do with the true Christian faith.
*Salvation
> Mormonism teaches there is no salvation outside of the Mormon church.
> The Biblical Christian view is that salvation is by God's free gift of grace (Ephesians 2:8-9).
> Mormons believe in Doctrine & Covenants that salvation is by works, by personal merit, and by ones works of righteousness.
> Mormonism teaches that personal salvation is never a free gift secured by grace through faith alone as the Bible teaches.
> According to Mormon doctrine, salvation is earned and secured through zealous good works, and impeccable law keeping.
> Mormons believe they will become gods, or attain godhood, through this process.
> "Grace" incorporates works:
1. Mormons believe that "salvation by grace" is merely referring to being resurrected.
2. Mormons believe that their residency in eternity is determined by one's good works.
3. Grace itself is a "work" and is secured from God based on individual merits (You earn God's grace).
> "Justification" incorporates works:
1. Biblically, justification is an act of God that declares a sinner righteous entirely apart from works and predicated only upon faith in the atoning death of Christ for our sins.
2. Mormon theology teaches justification is bound with conditions of personal merit and righteousness.
> "New Birth" incorporates works:
1. The Book of Mormon teaches that in order to be "born again", a person must fulfill a number of prerequisites, such as, being blameless before God, and having an absence of pride and envy.
2. Mormons believe new birth is a spiritual process secured by good works. It is not a one time event secured by faith in Christ.
3. Biblically, being born again happens in an instant; it is not a process (John 5:24; 6:47; Titus 3:5; 1 Peter 1:3,23).
> "Gift" incorporates works:
1. Redefined by Mormon theology as something earned, not something free.
> "Repentance" incorporates works:
1. In Mormonism, repentance means nothing less than a strict obedience to the law, rather than the biblical meaning of one's turning away from sins.
2. Mormons believe if you are failing in any area of church activity, you are not fully repentant, and not forgiven by God.
> "Sanctification" incorporates works:
1. Biblically, we are (past tense) set apart at the moment of having faith in Christ.
2. Biblically, we are (present tense) progressively being sanctified as we grow in the grace, knowledge and obedience of our Lord.
3. Biblically, we are (future tense) fully sanctified and fully set apart to God for his purpose when we become glorified and sinless at the moment of our going to be with Him.
4. Biblically, the past tense phase and the future tense phase are by God's grace.
5. Mormonism makes everything about sanctification a matter of works.
*Biblical Salvation -
John 5:24; 6:29, 47; Acts 10:43; Romans 3:28; 4:6; 11:6; Ephesians 2:8-9; Galatians 2:21; Titus 3:5
*The Atonement
> Mormons do not believe in the biblical atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
> Mormons believe that forgiveness of sins is not immediately received upon true faith and repentance.
> True forgiveness for them is lengthy; a probationary period.
> Mormonism teaches that the atonement merely provides a way to earn salvation through personal merits.
> Mormon theology denies that Christ's death paid the full penalty for our sins, resulting in complete forgiveness at the moment of faith (1 Corinthians 15:3; Colossians 2:13; Hebrews 9:12).
SCRIPTURE RESPONSES
No other God's Atonement
Isaiah 43:10 Ephesians 2
Isaiah 44:8
Eternal Life False Prophets
John 3:36 Deuteronomy 13
Luke 20:35 Matthew 24:11, 24
Failed Prophecies False Teachers
Deuteronomy 18 Galatians 1:8-9
THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST AND THE LATTER DAY SAINTS (LDS)
> Founded by Joseph Smith, Jr. in 1830
> Smith claims to have been visited by God, Jesus, and Moses while praying in the wilderness about what church to join. Smith claims God told him not to join any of the churches; that they were all an abomination.
> Smith's necromantic contacts (contact with the dead) were probably the result of use of magic rituals to involve the spirit world. The specific nature of the encounters frequently fit the pattern for magical occult contacts.
* THE BOOK OF MORMON: DIVINE REVELATION?
> Mormon leaders stress divine authority. Many theologians and scholars over the years have shown the falsity of the claim.
> Psychic method of writing - church claims Smith translated the "gold plates" by the power of God using divine implements called the Urim and Thummim. The Book of Mormon was actually produced through psychic methods and has nothing to do with ancient history. Historical documents prove Smith was only engaging in his usual practice of crystal gazing. Three well known witnesses of the Mormon faith make this clear.
> Smith copied material from the King James Bible to use in the Book of Mormon. It is also discovered that Smith's use of outside resources available to him at that time did not stop at just the King James Bible. It was thought that he also used "The Wonders of Nature and Providence Displayed (Albany, NY 1825); The Wayne Sentinel; The Aprocypha; Smith's father's dream; The Westminster Confession and Catechism.
> Alexander Campbell, founder of the Disciples for Christ, wrote, "this prophet Smith, through his stone spectacles, wrote on the plate of Nephi, in his Book of Mormon, every error and almost every truth discussed in New York for the last ten years". Concluding that Smith's translations were not of ancient America, but of the current era masked behind a false ancient America.
> Not one shred of evidence has been found, or exists as of today, to substantiate the archeological history of the Book of Mormon.
> Both the National Geographic Society and the Bureau of American Ethnology, of the Smithsonian Institute, have issued official statements denying Mormon claims to their history as found in the Book of Mormon.
> Lack of ancient manuscripts. There is no preserved evidence to support their Book of Mormon claims of ancient America.
> Mormon teachings are not principally derived from the Book of Mormon, but from the Doctrine & Covenants. The Book of Mormon is primarily a dead book and has little bearing upon current doctrine used.
> The D&C emphazises the Book of Mormon contains basic, or fundamental, Mormon teachings. A conflict in their doctrine.
> According to the D&C, the Book of Mormon must contain at the very least most of the central doctrines of the Mormon faith. But, it contains few major teachings. Such as:
1. Polytheism
2. God as the product of eternal progression
3. Eternal marriage
4. Polygamy
5. Human deification
6. Tri-theism: Trinity as three seperate Gods.
7. Baptism for the dead
8. Maintaining geneological records
9. Universalism
10. God has a physical body and once was a man
11. God organized, not created, the world.
12. Mother gods (heavenly mothers)
13. Temple marriage requirement for exhaltation
14. Concept of eternal intelligence
15. Three degrees of heavenly glory
*Celestial - Highest level of glory where you become god and rule over your own earth.
*Terrestial - Second level where you get to live an eternal life in heaven.
*Telestial - Lowest level where eternity is spent on a "paradise earth" (similar to Jehovah's Witnesses).
16. Salvation after death in the spirit world (where Baptism for the dead comes in)
17. Melchizedek(elders) and Aaronic Priesthood (Aaronic Priesthood being the lesser)
18. Stake President and First Presidency
> Mormon's claim they have present day prophets chosen by God to receive revelation relevant to the LDS church and its members.
> Mormon's repeatedly claim that their scriptures are not contradictory. But because Mormon theology is replete with contradictions, the church has had to go back and cover up embarrassing mistakes made in church doctrine on several occassions.
THEOLOGY
*Many Gods or One?
>Mormonism is polytheistic, or more than one God. Christianity is monotheistic, one God.
> Technically, Mormon theology is "henotheistic", a form of polytheism that stresses worship of a central deity. In Mormonism, the central deity is Elohim, whom Mormons call "God the Father". But, henotheism also accepts other deities which Mormons would consider Jesus, Holy Ghost, and endless other gods who were once men who have evolved into godhood.
> Polytheism encompasses two aspects:
1. There is a predominant "local" polytheism for earth. Earth has three distinct gods who "rule it". Ties to Mormon concept that the biblical Trinity is tri-theistic, or three seperate Gods, not monotheistic or triune (One God as three persons - God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit).
2. Mormon polytheism moves beyond earth. If there are an infinite number of earths, each with its own god or gods, then there are an infinite number of gods (henotheism).
> Bible clearly rejects polytheism (Isaiah 43:10; 44:6, 8; 45:5, 21). From Genesis to Revelation, the Bible teaches monotheism.
Isaiah 45:5 (NIV) 5 I am the LORD, and there is no other; apart from me there is no God........
*A Tri-theistic Trinity
> The Mormon church claims to believe in the Trinity, but not a monotheistic Trinity. Theirs is a tri-theistic Trinity. There lies the contradiction between what they say, and what their church doctrine teaches.
*The Gods are Evolving
> Momonism teaches that God was not always God, but was once a man who evolved into a god. They believe there are endless numbers of "God" (Polytheism; Henotheism).
> Mormons believe that one attains godhood through the good works they preformed when they were finite. Their godhood is earned, and is not free.
> Mormons do not believe in the God of Christianity, even though they call themselves Christians and Saints (Malachi 3:6; James 1:7; Numbers 23:19; Psalm 90:2).
> The Mormon god is utlimately a finite one since he was once a man. A result of their evolution process.
*Jesus Christ
> Mormons do not acknowledge the true Jesus Christ as Lord.
> Mormons deny Jesus Christ's unique deity.
1. Mormons believe Jesus was a created being just as they are.
2. Mormons believe Jesus was the first of billions of spirit children created through by the male earth god and his celestial wife through sexual intercourse.
3. Mormons believe that the male earth god had sexual intercourse with Mary to produce Jesus on earth.
> To Mormons, Jesus is a common God.
1. Jesus is of minor importance in the larger Mormon cosmology.
2. Believe Jesus is just the "greater" of all the spirit children produced.
3. Believe that since there are an infinite number of earths, other gods have existed for eons before Jesus.
4. Mormons believe Christ is their "senior" only by achievement and positioin, not by nature and essence.
5. Mormons believe every person on earth has the same essence as Jesus.
6. Mormons believe all persons are incarnate spirit beings. Therefore, Christ's incarnation is not unique to them either.
7. Mormons believe that Christ is not unique as creator. Mormonism teaches that Adam, Joseph Smith, Jr., and others helped Him create the world. They believe Christ was aided by spirit children.
*Jesus and Satan as brothers
> Mormon theology teaches Jesus is the spirit brother of Satan.
> Mormons believe that Satan and all demons are spirit brothers to everyone on earth.
*Mormons deny virgin birth
> Mormons believe that God (Adam) had sex with Mary.
> Mormons deny that Jesus was conceived by the Holy Ghost because the Holy Ghost doe not have a physical body.
> Mormonism teaches God has a body of flesh and bone. He was capable of having sexual intercourse with Mary.
> Mormons reject Matthew 1:18 and Luke 1:35.
Matthew 1:18 (NIV) The Birth of Jesus Christ 18 This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit.
Luke 1:35 (NIV) 35 The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.
*Christ was not eternally sinless
> Momonism teaches that Christ was only sinless while on earth, not for all eternity past.
> Mormons believe Jesus had to undertake schooling and progression in the spirit world to attain salvation.
> Mormons believe Jesus had to be tested with good and evil, initially at least, falling into evil like every other spirit son.
> Mormons beleive it is only by direct experience of evil that people learn to choose good. They think of Jesus as a person who had to learn good from evil.
> The Momons student manual, Doctrines of the Gospel, teaches that Christ nor Lucifer could of themselves save anyone.
> The Mormon God is "another Jesus" (2 Corinthians 1:4) who has little to do with the true Christian faith.
*Salvation
> Mormonism teaches there is no salvation outside of the Mormon church.
> The Biblical Christian view is that salvation is by God's free gift of grace (Ephesians 2:8-9).
> Mormons believe in Doctrine & Covenants that salvation is by works, by personal merit, and by ones works of righteousness.
> Mormonism teaches that personal salvation is never a free gift secured by grace through faith alone as the Bible teaches.
> According to Mormon doctrine, salvation is earned and secured through zealous good works, and impeccable law keeping.
> Mormons believe they will become gods, or attain godhood, through this process.
> "Grace" incorporates works:
1. Mormons believe that "salvation by grace" is merely referring to being resurrected.
2. Mormons believe that their residency in eternity is determined by one's good works.
3. Grace itself is a "work" and is secured from God based on individual merits (You earn God's grace).
> "Justification" incorporates works:
1. Biblically, justification is an act of God that declares a sinner righteous entirely apart from works and predicated only upon faith in the atoning death of Christ for our sins.
2. Mormon theology teaches justification is bound with conditions of personal merit and righteousness.
> "New Birth" incorporates works:
1. The Book of Mormon teaches that in order to be "born again", a person must fulfill a number of prerequisites, such as, being blameless before God, and having an absence of pride and envy.
2. Mormons believe new birth is a spiritual process secured by good works. It is not a one time event secured by faith in Christ.
3. Biblically, being born again happens in an instant; it is not a process (John 5:24; 6:47; Titus 3:5; 1 Peter 1:3,23).
> "Gift" incorporates works:
1. Redefined by Mormon theology as something earned, not something free.
> "Repentance" incorporates works:
1. In Mormonism, repentance means nothing less than a strict obedience to the law, rather than the biblical meaning of one's turning away from sins.
2. Mormons believe if you are failing in any area of church activity, you are not fully repentant, and not forgiven by God.
> "Sanctification" incorporates works:
1. Biblically, we are (past tense) set apart at the moment of having faith in Christ.
2. Biblically, we are (present tense) progressively being sanctified as we grow in the grace, knowledge and obedience of our Lord.
3. Biblically, we are (future tense) fully sanctified and fully set apart to God for his purpose when we become glorified and sinless at the moment of our going to be with Him.
4. Biblically, the past tense phase and the future tense phase are by God's grace.
5. Mormonism makes everything about sanctification a matter of works.
*Biblical Salvation -
John 5:24; 6:29, 47; Acts 10:43; Romans 3:28; 4:6; 11:6; Ephesians 2:8-9; Galatians 2:21; Titus 3:5
*The Atonement
> Mormons do not believe in the biblical atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
> Mormons believe that forgiveness of sins is not immediately received upon true faith and repentance.
> True forgiveness for them is lengthy; a probationary period.
> Mormonism teaches that the atonement merely provides a way to earn salvation through personal merits.
> Mormon theology denies that Christ's death paid the full penalty for our sins, resulting in complete forgiveness at the moment of faith (1 Corinthians 15:3; Colossians 2:13; Hebrews 9:12).
SCRIPTURE RESPONSES
No other God's Atonement
Isaiah 43:10 Ephesians 2
Isaiah 44:8
Eternal Life False Prophets
John 3:36 Deuteronomy 13
Luke 20:35 Matthew 24:11, 24
Failed Prophecies False Teachers
Deuteronomy 18 Galatians 1:8-9
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Spiritual Warfare 101
SPIRITUAL WARFARE 101
From the book by Chip Ingram
Ephesian 6:10-12
(10)Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. (11)Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. (12)For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
The General Command - (10)Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.
> People often have two responses when they find themselves in the midst of spiritual warfare: Fight or Flight.
*Flight: Because they don't feel up to the task.
*Fight: Because they feel strong enough to handle it.
*Answer to both extremes: be strong in the strenght of God's might.
> This general command to be strong in God's power applies to every believer at all times. This is not optional for a Christian.
*You cannot dismiss yourself from the battle.
*Greek word for power is dynamite. This is the same power that raised Jesus from the dead and now dwells in us.
The Specific Command - (11)Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes.
> The second command tells us how to fulfill the first one. Put on the full armor of God.
*Putting on the armor for the purpose of standing firm - holding our ground.
> We don't have time to consider carefully whether we want to be in this war; we are in it whether we acknowledge it or not.
*An action we take for ourselves - there's nothing passive about it.
How does that sit with you? Knowing that you are in the midst of a war that you cannot see, and that you do not have a choice about being involved?
What do you think would happen if you choose to sit out? We relinquish the benefit of our position in Christ as we are bombarded by schemes designed to destroy us and render us ineffective in the kingdom pursuits.
The Reason for the Commands - (12)For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
> This list of spiritual powers has connotations of hierarchy and organization.
> Even though the Bible doesn't tell us how these vast structures function, it does acknowledge the existence of these evil adversaries doing battle in the heavenly realm.
*Very clear this is where our fight is.
FIVE BASIC TRUTHS ABOUT SPIRITUAL WARFARE
1. THERE IS AN INVISIBLE WORLD.
> Both Old Testament and New Testament refer to the invisible world.
*Old Testament -
2 Kings 6:15-19 - Elisha surrounded by a hostile army, tells his servant that invisible hosts are protecting them
Daniel 10 - An angel reveals to Daniel the battle he has been waging.
*New Testament -
Ephesians 6:12 - One of many references by Paul to a conflict that is not of the flesh.
2 Corinthians 10:3-5 - The weapons we use are not of the flesh, the battle we fight is not of the flesh
> Prime-time television has portrayed the underworld, or dark side, since the early sixties. Although these shows are based on fantasy, but the reality from which these fantasies arise is rock-solid, biblical truth.
What do you notice about dark movies and T.V. today verses those of generations past?
> Evil entities exist and interact with human history. The Bible answers this topic emphatically with a "Yes".
Do you believe the Bible to be God's infalable Word? The absolute truth? If you answered yes, then you have to believe in the spiritual world of angels and demons. If we deny the reality of Satan, demons, and angels, we are casting judgement on the Holy Spirit's revelation to us.
> More scriptural references:
1 John 5:19 - "the whole world lies in the power of the evil one"
Revelation - Received by John concerning the end-times is filled with cosmic conflict with references to the dragon and evil spirits.
Luke - Recorded numerous encounters with their opposition and the words coming out of their mouths were pointed and precise:
*Satan and demons are behind unbelief, deception, fear, false religions, and persecution.
Jesus - The Son of God himself had personal interaction with Satan and demons, and he refered to their work frequently.
Is the invisible world still to hard to swallow?
> Examples of things throughout time that were once unseen and not believable:
*Bacteria, Viruses, Electricity, Natural Gas, Carbon Monoxide, Wind, Sound Waves, Atoms
> The truth is that there is an invisible world that is just as real as the visible world.
2. WE ARE INVOLVED IN AN INVISIBLE WAR.
> It is real, serious, ultimate in its consequences.
*We are soldiers in the battle that matters most.
When was the last time you honestly considered that some struggle or relational conflict was rooted in satanic opposition?
> The souls of every man, woman, and child on the face of this earth are at stake. The enemy seeks to blind us all from the truth (2 COR 4:4), and to ruin our lives. That's what spiritual warfare is all about.
What is your reaction to people who periodically attribute their problems to demonic activity?
3. OUR FOE IS FORMIDABLE.
> The goal of Satan is to destroy God's people and discredit the cause of Christ.
*1 Peter 5:8 - Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.
> The lion is a powerful image. Lions prowl around for on reason: they are looking for something easy to kill.
> Not only does he try to devour us on the front end, but he comes from the side and behind to smother is in guilt and condemnation.
> Christians who take Satan lightly are ignoring biblical instructions.
> We ourselves are not more formidable than Satan. But, God is. We are to understand the capabilities of this angelic being and to depend on God's strenght for victory.
IS SATAN FOR REAL?
*He's there in the beginning (Genesis 3:1) tempting Eve.
*He's there in the middle (1 Chronicles 21:1) inciting David to take a faithless census.
*He's there in the end (Revelation 12:9) hurled from heaven along with his fellow rebels to the earth.
*Jesus refered to Satan 25 times.
*Jesus personally encountered him in Matthew 4:1-11
*Western culture envisions him as a cartoon character, a mascot, or just a metaphor for evil.
WHO IS SATAN?
*Job 1:6 and Colossians 1:16 says he's a created spirit.
*Matthew 25:41 and Revelation 12:7 refer to him and his minions as angels.
*Ezekial 28:14 refers to Satan as a Cherub angel. The highest class of angelic beings. Ezekial 28 says Satan was the highest of them all.
What comes to mind when you think of Cherub Angels? Greeting card angels; Cupid; Wall paintings of cute child like angels. Satan. Not so cute anymore, are they?
*The greatest created being.
WHERE DID SATAN COME FROM?
*He was created perfect (Ezekial 28:12-13 as Lucifer)
*He had a heavenly estate (Jude 6)
*He was the guardian of God's glory (Ezekial 28:14)
*Ezekial portrays him as having more power than anyone in the universe except for God.
*He was more beautiful than anything or anyone but God.
*His rebellion against God was because of pride (Isaiah 14:31; 1 Timothy 3:6)
*He is a powerful angel who committed treason against his Creator and convinced a third of the angels to rebel with him.
*He is a created being and has limitations.
4. WE MUST RESPECT OUR FOE BUT NOT FEAR HIM.
> Essential in helping us prepare for the battlefield.
> We give him too much credit - or give God too little credit - if we fear him.
> We are to respect him and not underestimate him.
> We need to be aware of the enemies strategies (2 COR 2:11).
SATAN'S NAMES REVEAL HIS TACTICS:
*Satan - means "adversary" (Job 1:6-7; 1 Thess. 2:18). He opposes God's agenda and works against God.
*Devil - means "slanderer" (1 Peter 5:8). One of his schemes will be to say false things about people; false witnesses; Gossip.
*Lucifer - means "son of the morning" or "shining one" (Isaiah 14:12). He will appear beautiful and winsome. He will appear attractive to seduce you.
*Beelzebub - means "lord of the flies" (Matt. 12:24) Jews understood it as the "god of filth", which is an apt description of Satan.
*Belial - was the name of a false god (2 Cor. 6:15). Anything Satan can do to divert worship from God to himself.
*The Evil One - In greek is the word for absolute corruption (1 John 5:19). There's evil in the world, and it comes from a wicked influence.
*The tempter - has twisted and distorted all good things from above. He will exploit our perfectly good desires (1 Thess. 3:5).
* The prince of this world - master of false systems (John 12:31). Materialism.
*The accuser of the brethren - will condemn you. He points out your sins and reminds you of those God has forgiven. Guilt. (Rev. 12:10)
> Other names in the Bible:
*The serpent - Genesis 3
*The dragon - Revelation 12
*Angel of light - 2 Corinthians 11:14
*Father of lies - John 8:44
SATAN ATTACKS GOD'S PROGRAM, THE CHURCH
> He is the master counterfeiter. He crafts attractive alternatives to the gospel and the church.
> New Testament spells out some of these attacks for us:
*Colossians 2:8 - takes people captive through false philosophies.
*1 Corinthians 10:20 - the mastermind behind false religions.
*2 Corinthians 11:14-15 - inspires many people within his domain to pose as ministers. They will lead people astray as they mix with true servants of God.
*1 John 2:18 - the source of false doctrine through the teachings of many antichrists.
*Matthew 13:24-30 - he makes counterfeit disciples and scatters them among the real ones.
*2 Thesselonians 2:7-12 - False morals are attributed to the work of the deceiver.
*According to the Bible - all falsehood, miguided worldviews, conterfeit religions and philosophies, and all teachers of any belief other than faith in the gospel of Jesus Christ are influenced by the father of lies.
SATAN ATTACKS GOD'S PEOPLE
> Here is a list of attacks:
*2 Cor. 4:4 - he prevents people from coming to faith in Christ by deception; he blinds their minds.
*Heb. 2:14 - he weilds the power of death.
*Rev. 2:10 - he persecutes believers.
*1 Thess. 2:18 - he hinders, or even prevents, or service to God.
*2 Cor. 2:10-11 - he alienates people and provokes schisms.
*Gen 3:1-5 - he plants doubts in our minds.
*1 Tim. 4:1 - he shapes cults and sects.
> One of the biggest lies we fall for today is rampant even in our churches. He has convinced us that life is a playground, that our primary goal is to be happy, and that God is the cosmic vending machine that can make it happen.
*Christian culture bought into the assumption that God's primary purpose for us is to have fun and be personally fulfilled.
*There's some truth to it. God does offer us fulfillment. But it's a by-product of our relationship with God, not number one goal (Matt. 6:3).
*We are never told in scripture to make happiness the object of our pursuit, that's idolatry.
> Here's another one of Satan's deceptions:
*We believe that if we read our Bibles, pray a lot, go to church faithfully, live reasonably moral lives, and serve wherever we can, God will respond with prosperity, peace, and lots of nice times.
> Here's the truth that God tells us:
*Life isn't turning out to be a playground for one very good reason: it was never a playground to begin with. This fallen world is a batlleground, not a playground.
How many of us are in the battle right now? How many of you are beginning to believe you are a warrior?
SATAN'S POWER IS LIMITED.
> Satan is a created being. He is not God's counterpart.
> Scripture is very clear that God is omniscient, omnipotent, and infinite. Satan is none of these.
> Satan's capabilities are not limitless. There are things he cannot do and places he cannot go.
> Satan can be resisted by the Christian who relies on God (James 4:7 - Submit to God and resist the devil).
> The enemy cannot remain where God exercises his power, and God exercises his power in us as we follow him.
> God places limitations on Satan (Job 1:12).
> Satan cannot do to us what God does not allow him to do.
5. WE DO NOT FIGHT FOR VICTORY, WE FIGHT FROM VICTORY.
> The ultimate victory has already been won for us by Jesus.
*That means when we fight, we're not trying to win. We're enforcing the victory that Jesus has already secured. In his power, we are invincible.
> Whenever you feel defeated, discouraged and anything but invincible, rehearse these promises often:
*1 John 4:4
*1 John 5:4-5
*Revelation 12:11
*James 4:7
THINGS TO REMEMBER:
1. Satan is a defeated foe. (John 12:31)
2. Jesus destroyed the works of the devil. (Col. 2:15)
3. We are victors in Christ. ( 1 Cor. 15:55-57)
4. We have the power and resources to resist Satan and demonic attacks. (1 John 4:4)
5. We must learn how to put on the full armor of God to experience in daily living the victory we already possess. (Eph 6:13-16)
From the book by Chip Ingram
Ephesian 6:10-12
(10)Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. (11)Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. (12)For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
The General Command - (10)Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.
> People often have two responses when they find themselves in the midst of spiritual warfare: Fight or Flight.
*Flight: Because they don't feel up to the task.
*Fight: Because they feel strong enough to handle it.
*Answer to both extremes: be strong in the strenght of God's might.
> This general command to be strong in God's power applies to every believer at all times. This is not optional for a Christian.
*You cannot dismiss yourself from the battle.
*Greek word for power is dynamite. This is the same power that raised Jesus from the dead and now dwells in us.
The Specific Command - (11)Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes.
> The second command tells us how to fulfill the first one. Put on the full armor of God.
*Putting on the armor for the purpose of standing firm - holding our ground.
> We don't have time to consider carefully whether we want to be in this war; we are in it whether we acknowledge it or not.
*An action we take for ourselves - there's nothing passive about it.
How does that sit with you? Knowing that you are in the midst of a war that you cannot see, and that you do not have a choice about being involved?
What do you think would happen if you choose to sit out? We relinquish the benefit of our position in Christ as we are bombarded by schemes designed to destroy us and render us ineffective in the kingdom pursuits.
The Reason for the Commands - (12)For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
> This list of spiritual powers has connotations of hierarchy and organization.
> Even though the Bible doesn't tell us how these vast structures function, it does acknowledge the existence of these evil adversaries doing battle in the heavenly realm.
*Very clear this is where our fight is.
FIVE BASIC TRUTHS ABOUT SPIRITUAL WARFARE
1. THERE IS AN INVISIBLE WORLD.
> Both Old Testament and New Testament refer to the invisible world.
*Old Testament -
2 Kings 6:15-19 - Elisha surrounded by a hostile army, tells his servant that invisible hosts are protecting them
Daniel 10 - An angel reveals to Daniel the battle he has been waging.
*New Testament -
Ephesians 6:12 - One of many references by Paul to a conflict that is not of the flesh.
2 Corinthians 10:3-5 - The weapons we use are not of the flesh, the battle we fight is not of the flesh
> Prime-time television has portrayed the underworld, or dark side, since the early sixties. Although these shows are based on fantasy, but the reality from which these fantasies arise is rock-solid, biblical truth.
What do you notice about dark movies and T.V. today verses those of generations past?
> Evil entities exist and interact with human history. The Bible answers this topic emphatically with a "Yes".
Do you believe the Bible to be God's infalable Word? The absolute truth? If you answered yes, then you have to believe in the spiritual world of angels and demons. If we deny the reality of Satan, demons, and angels, we are casting judgement on the Holy Spirit's revelation to us.
> More scriptural references:
1 John 5:19 - "the whole world lies in the power of the evil one"
Revelation - Received by John concerning the end-times is filled with cosmic conflict with references to the dragon and evil spirits.
Luke - Recorded numerous encounters with their opposition and the words coming out of their mouths were pointed and precise:
*Satan and demons are behind unbelief, deception, fear, false religions, and persecution.
Jesus - The Son of God himself had personal interaction with Satan and demons, and he refered to their work frequently.
Is the invisible world still to hard to swallow?
> Examples of things throughout time that were once unseen and not believable:
*Bacteria, Viruses, Electricity, Natural Gas, Carbon Monoxide, Wind, Sound Waves, Atoms
> The truth is that there is an invisible world that is just as real as the visible world.
2. WE ARE INVOLVED IN AN INVISIBLE WAR.
> It is real, serious, ultimate in its consequences.
*We are soldiers in the battle that matters most.
When was the last time you honestly considered that some struggle or relational conflict was rooted in satanic opposition?
> The souls of every man, woman, and child on the face of this earth are at stake. The enemy seeks to blind us all from the truth (2 COR 4:4), and to ruin our lives. That's what spiritual warfare is all about.
What is your reaction to people who periodically attribute their problems to demonic activity?
3. OUR FOE IS FORMIDABLE.
> The goal of Satan is to destroy God's people and discredit the cause of Christ.
*1 Peter 5:8 - Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.
> The lion is a powerful image. Lions prowl around for on reason: they are looking for something easy to kill.
> Not only does he try to devour us on the front end, but he comes from the side and behind to smother is in guilt and condemnation.
> Christians who take Satan lightly are ignoring biblical instructions.
> We ourselves are not more formidable than Satan. But, God is. We are to understand the capabilities of this angelic being and to depend on God's strenght for victory.
IS SATAN FOR REAL?
*He's there in the beginning (Genesis 3:1) tempting Eve.
*He's there in the middle (1 Chronicles 21:1) inciting David to take a faithless census.
*He's there in the end (Revelation 12:9) hurled from heaven along with his fellow rebels to the earth.
*Jesus refered to Satan 25 times.
*Jesus personally encountered him in Matthew 4:1-11
*Western culture envisions him as a cartoon character, a mascot, or just a metaphor for evil.
WHO IS SATAN?
*Job 1:6 and Colossians 1:16 says he's a created spirit.
*Matthew 25:41 and Revelation 12:7 refer to him and his minions as angels.
*Ezekial 28:14 refers to Satan as a Cherub angel. The highest class of angelic beings. Ezekial 28 says Satan was the highest of them all.
What comes to mind when you think of Cherub Angels? Greeting card angels; Cupid; Wall paintings of cute child like angels. Satan. Not so cute anymore, are they?
*The greatest created being.
WHERE DID SATAN COME FROM?
*He was created perfect (Ezekial 28:12-13 as Lucifer)
*He had a heavenly estate (Jude 6)
*He was the guardian of God's glory (Ezekial 28:14)
*Ezekial portrays him as having more power than anyone in the universe except for God.
*He was more beautiful than anything or anyone but God.
*His rebellion against God was because of pride (Isaiah 14:31; 1 Timothy 3:6)
*He is a powerful angel who committed treason against his Creator and convinced a third of the angels to rebel with him.
*He is a created being and has limitations.
4. WE MUST RESPECT OUR FOE BUT NOT FEAR HIM.
> Essential in helping us prepare for the battlefield.
> We give him too much credit - or give God too little credit - if we fear him.
> We are to respect him and not underestimate him.
> We need to be aware of the enemies strategies (2 COR 2:11).
SATAN'S NAMES REVEAL HIS TACTICS:
*Satan - means "adversary" (Job 1:6-7; 1 Thess. 2:18). He opposes God's agenda and works against God.
*Devil - means "slanderer" (1 Peter 5:8). One of his schemes will be to say false things about people; false witnesses; Gossip.
*Lucifer - means "son of the morning" or "shining one" (Isaiah 14:12). He will appear beautiful and winsome. He will appear attractive to seduce you.
*Beelzebub - means "lord of the flies" (Matt. 12:24) Jews understood it as the "god of filth", which is an apt description of Satan.
*Belial - was the name of a false god (2 Cor. 6:15). Anything Satan can do to divert worship from God to himself.
*The Evil One - In greek is the word for absolute corruption (1 John 5:19). There's evil in the world, and it comes from a wicked influence.
*The tempter - has twisted and distorted all good things from above. He will exploit our perfectly good desires (1 Thess. 3:5).
* The prince of this world - master of false systems (John 12:31). Materialism.
*The accuser of the brethren - will condemn you. He points out your sins and reminds you of those God has forgiven. Guilt. (Rev. 12:10)
> Other names in the Bible:
*The serpent - Genesis 3
*The dragon - Revelation 12
*Angel of light - 2 Corinthians 11:14
*Father of lies - John 8:44
SATAN ATTACKS GOD'S PROGRAM, THE CHURCH
> He is the master counterfeiter. He crafts attractive alternatives to the gospel and the church.
> New Testament spells out some of these attacks for us:
*Colossians 2:8 - takes people captive through false philosophies.
*1 Corinthians 10:20 - the mastermind behind false religions.
*2 Corinthians 11:14-15 - inspires many people within his domain to pose as ministers. They will lead people astray as they mix with true servants of God.
*1 John 2:18 - the source of false doctrine through the teachings of many antichrists.
*Matthew 13:24-30 - he makes counterfeit disciples and scatters them among the real ones.
*2 Thesselonians 2:7-12 - False morals are attributed to the work of the deceiver.
*According to the Bible - all falsehood, miguided worldviews, conterfeit religions and philosophies, and all teachers of any belief other than faith in the gospel of Jesus Christ are influenced by the father of lies.
SATAN ATTACKS GOD'S PEOPLE
> Here is a list of attacks:
*2 Cor. 4:4 - he prevents people from coming to faith in Christ by deception; he blinds their minds.
*Heb. 2:14 - he weilds the power of death.
*Rev. 2:10 - he persecutes believers.
*1 Thess. 2:18 - he hinders, or even prevents, or service to God.
*2 Cor. 2:10-11 - he alienates people and provokes schisms.
*Gen 3:1-5 - he plants doubts in our minds.
*1 Tim. 4:1 - he shapes cults and sects.
> One of the biggest lies we fall for today is rampant even in our churches. He has convinced us that life is a playground, that our primary goal is to be happy, and that God is the cosmic vending machine that can make it happen.
*Christian culture bought into the assumption that God's primary purpose for us is to have fun and be personally fulfilled.
*There's some truth to it. God does offer us fulfillment. But it's a by-product of our relationship with God, not number one goal (Matt. 6:3).
*We are never told in scripture to make happiness the object of our pursuit, that's idolatry.
> Here's another one of Satan's deceptions:
*We believe that if we read our Bibles, pray a lot, go to church faithfully, live reasonably moral lives, and serve wherever we can, God will respond with prosperity, peace, and lots of nice times.
> Here's the truth that God tells us:
*Life isn't turning out to be a playground for one very good reason: it was never a playground to begin with. This fallen world is a batlleground, not a playground.
How many of us are in the battle right now? How many of you are beginning to believe you are a warrior?
SATAN'S POWER IS LIMITED.
> Satan is a created being. He is not God's counterpart.
> Scripture is very clear that God is omniscient, omnipotent, and infinite. Satan is none of these.
> Satan's capabilities are not limitless. There are things he cannot do and places he cannot go.
> Satan can be resisted by the Christian who relies on God (James 4:7 - Submit to God and resist the devil).
> The enemy cannot remain where God exercises his power, and God exercises his power in us as we follow him.
> God places limitations on Satan (Job 1:12).
> Satan cannot do to us what God does not allow him to do.
5. WE DO NOT FIGHT FOR VICTORY, WE FIGHT FROM VICTORY.
> The ultimate victory has already been won for us by Jesus.
*That means when we fight, we're not trying to win. We're enforcing the victory that Jesus has already secured. In his power, we are invincible.
> Whenever you feel defeated, discouraged and anything but invincible, rehearse these promises often:
*1 John 4:4
*1 John 5:4-5
*Revelation 12:11
*James 4:7
THINGS TO REMEMBER:
1. Satan is a defeated foe. (John 12:31)
2. Jesus destroyed the works of the devil. (Col. 2:15)
3. We are victors in Christ. ( 1 Cor. 15:55-57)
4. We have the power and resources to resist Satan and demonic attacks. (1 John 4:4)
5. We must learn how to put on the full armor of God to experience in daily living the victory we already possess. (Eph 6:13-16)
The mind of Christ
THE MIND OF CHRIST
Name of Christ: The Bread of Life (John 6:35)
We are going to explore how to develop a mind like that of Christ. How to think like he did, and using those thoughts, putting them into motion in our own lives. We are called to have the mind of Christ. Not just a good mind, a sharp mind, or the most intelligent mind, but the mind of Christ.
Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
And be not conformed ... - The word rendered "conformed" properly means to put on the form, fashion, or appearance of another. It may refer to anything pertaining to the habit, manner, dress, style of living, etc., of others.
Of this world - The word used here properly denotes an age, or generation of people. It may denote a particular generation, or it may be applied to the race. It is sometimes used in each of these senses. Thus, here it may mean that Christians should not conform to the maxims, habits, feelings, etc., of a wicked, luxurious, and idolatrous age, but should be conformed solely to the precepts and laws of the gospel; or the same principle may be extended to every age, and the direction may be, that Christians should not conform to the prevailing habits, style, and manners of the world, the people who know not God. They are to be governed by the laws of the Bible; to fashion their lives after the example of Christ; and to form themselves by principles different from those which prevail in the world. In the application of this rule there is much difficulty. Many may think that they are not conformed to the world, while they can easily perceive that their neighbor is. They indulge in many things which others may think to be conformity to the world, and are opposed to many things which others think innocent. The design of this passage is doubtless to produce a spirit that should not find pleasure in the pomp and vanity of the World; and which will regard all vain amusements and gaieties with disgust, and lead the mind to find pleasure in better things.
Be ye transformed - The word from which the expression here is derived means "form, habit" morphē. The direction is, "put on another form, change the form of the world for that of Christianity." This word would properly refer to the external appearance, but the expression which the apostle immediately uses, "renewing of the mind,." The meaning is, do not cherish a spirit. devoted to the world, following its vain fashions and pleasures, but cultivate a spirit attached to God, and his kingdom and cause.
By the renewing - By the making new; the changing into new views and feelings. The Christian is often represented as a new creature.
Your mind - The word translated "mind" properly denotes intellect, as distinguished from the will and affections. But here it seems to be used as applicable to the whole spirit as distinguished from the body, including the understanding, will, and affections. As if he had said, Let not this change appertain to the body only, but to the soul. Let it not be a mere external conformity, but let it have its seat in the spirit. All external changes, if the mind was not changed, would be useless, or would be hypocrisy. Christianity seeks to reign in the soul; and having its seat there, the external conduct and habits will be regulated accordingly.
> Six times the New Testament describes or implies what the Christian's mind is to be like:
1. ALIVE - ROMANS 8:6
2. SINGLE-MINDED - 2 COR 11:3
3. LOWLY - PHIL 2:3
4. PURE - TITUS 1:15
5. RESPONSIVE - LUKE 24:45
6. PEACUFUL - ROMANS 8:6
ALIVE
Romans 8:6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
For to be carnally minded - Margin, "The minding of the flesh." The sense is, that to follow the inclinations of the flesh, or the corrupt propensities of our nature, leads us to condemnation and death. The expression is one of great energy, and shows that it not only leads to death, or leads to misery, but that it is death itself; there is woe and condemnation in the very act and purpose of being supremely devoted to the corrupt passions, Its only tendency is condemnation and despair.
But to be spiritually minded - Margin, "The minding of the Spirit." That is, making it the object of the mind, the end and aim of the actions, to cultivate the graces of the Spirit, and to submit to his influence. To be spiritually minded is to seek those feelings and views which the Holy Spirit produces, and to follow his leadings.
Is life - This is opposed to death in Rom_8:5. It tends to life, and is in fact real life. For to possess and cultivate the graces of the spirit, to be led where he would guide us, is the design of our existence, and is the only path of happiness.
John 3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of
God abideth on him.
Hath everlasting life - Has or is in possession of that which is a recovery from spiritual death, and which will result in eternal life in heaven. The
Christian here has a foretaste of the world of glory, and enjoys the same kind of felicity, though not the same degree, that he will there.
> Jesus went further than saying we live. He wants us to be alive. Jesus says in John 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to
kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. Our choices reflect and
demonstrate whether we have life or death. When you set your mind on the Spirit, you experience life. The mind that is alive chooses the spiritual in
preference to the fleshly.
SINGLE-MINDED
2 Corinthians 11:3 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be
corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.
As the serpent beguiled Eve - The word "serpent" here refers doubtless to Satan, who was the agent by whom Eve was beguiled. Satan adapts his temptations to the character and circumstances of the tempted. He varies them from age to age, and applies them in such a way as best to secure his object. Hence, all should be on their guard. No one knows the mode in which he will approach him, but all may know that he will approach them in some way.
Through his subtilty - By his craft, art, wiles. The word implies that shrewdness, cunning, craft was employed. A tempter always employs cunning and art to accomplish his object.
So your minds should be corrupted - So your thoughts should be perverted. So your hearts should be alienated. The mind is corrupted when the affections are alienated from the proper object, and when the soul is filled with unholy plans, and purposes, and desires.
From the simplicity that is in Christ -
(1) From simple and single-hearted devotedness to him - from pure and unmixed attachment to him. The fear was that their affections would be fixed on other objects, and that the singleness and unity of their devotedness to him would be destroyed.
> The mind of Christ is single-minded in devotion to Christ.
> There is a Spiritual problem: Concentration is difficult because we are being bombarded by so many distractions. We think about a hundred different things in a day.
> *My thoughts: We are not able to control our minds. Our minds wander thinking about things that have little value to our lives. Because we are so distracted, God gives us a way to bring our focus back into perspective. He gave us His Son, Jesus Christ. We are think as He did. Have the mind He had. Have a one track mind devoted to things of Christ. We could not handle, nor are we responsible enough, to control our own minds. That's why God seeks for us give Him control over our lives. This includes our minds and thoughts. God giving us ultimate control over our minds would be like puting an ant behind the wheel of an 18 wheeler, fully loaded, traveling at 100 mph. It's not possible.
> Single-mindedness is the discipline of attention. The single-minded Christian pays attention to Christ, His commands, His Person, and His ways.
LOWLY
Philipians 2:3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than
themselves.
Let nothing be done through strife - With a spirit of contention. This command forbids us to do anything, or attempt anything as the mere result of strife. What we do is to be by principle, and with a desire to maintain the truth, and to glorify God. And yet how often is this rule violated! How often do Christian denominations attempt to outstrip each other, and to see which shall be the greatest!
Or vain glory - The word used here - κενοδοξία kenodoxia occurs nowhere else in the New Testament, though the adjective - kenodoxos - It means properly empty pride, or glory, and is descriptive of vain and hollow parade and show. Suidas renders it, "any vain opinion about oneself" -
But in lowliness of mind - Modesty, or humility. It here means humility, and it stands opposed to that pride or self-valuation which would lead us to strive for the ascendancy, or which acts from a wish for flattery, or praise. The best and the only true correction of these faults is humility.
Let each esteem other better than themselves - Compare 1Pe_5:5. This is one of the effects produced by true humility, and it naturally exists in every truly modest mind. We are sensible of our own defects, but we have not the same clear view of the defects of others. We see our own hearts; we are conscious of the great corruption there; we have painful evidence of the impurity of the motives which often actuate us - of the evil thoughts and corrupt desires in our own souls; but we have not the same view of the errors, defects, and follies of others. We can see only their outward conduct; but, in our own case, we can look within.
> The mind is to be lowly. One cannot be humble unless he is lowly. The opposite of lowliness is haughtiness, pride, or arrogance. We learn to submit to one another through the body of Christ by lowliness. The lowly Christian has the security of understanding his position under the greatness of God.
PURE
Name of Christ: Image of the invisible God (Colosians 1:15)
Titus 1:15 Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.
Unto the pure all things are pure - The principle of the declaration is, that a pure mind - a truly pious mind - will not regard the distinctions of food and drink; of festivals, rites, ceremonies, and days, as necessary to be observed in order to promote its purity. The conscience is not to be burdened and enslaved by these things, but is to be controlled only by the moral laws which God has ordained.
But even their mind and conscience is defiled - It is not a mere external defilement - a thing which they so much dread - but a much worse kind of pollution, that which extends to the soul and the conscience.
> Purity is depicted as the natural state of the Christian. Impurity is reached by corruption of the mind and conscience.
? Why is it difficult to maintain a natural spiritual state? Constant assault of information on our senses. Tempters have opportunities to take us into realms of thought never known before. T.V., RADIO, INTERNET, MOVIES, MAGAZINES. Lets look at what these devices bring into our lives:
LUST, JEALOUSY, ENVY, GREED, ANXIETY/WORRY.
> To overcome the temptations of impurity, you must want to be pure. You have to have a passion, a desire to be sincere in purity, and God will provide you with a way to escape.
Psalm 101:3 I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me.
I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes - That is, I will propose no wicked thing to be done; I will have no such object in view; I will employ no one to do that which is wrong.
1 Corinthians 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
But God is faithful - This was the only source of security; and this was enough. If they looked only to themselves, they would fall. If they depended on the faithfulness of God, they would be secure. The sense is, not that God would keep them without any effort of their own; not that he would secure them if they plunged into temptation; but that if they used the proper means, if they resisted temptation, and sought his aid, and depended on his promises, then he would be faithful.
But will with the temptation ... - He will, at the same time that He allows the trial or temptation to befall us, make a way of deliverance; He will save us from being entirely overcome by it.
? What is the safest way to maintain purity in the face of temptation? Knowing you have God's strenght already before the temptation, and seeking to be pure in mind according to the mind of Christ.
RESPONSIVENESS
Luk 24:45 Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,
Opened he their understanding - Enabled them fully to comprehend the meaning of the prophecies which foretold his death and resurrection.
Hence, we may learn:
1. That "facts," or the farther disclosure of truth, will yet remove the "mysteries" that we now see in religion.
2. That our prejudices and our preconceived opinions are one cause of our seeing so many mysteries in the Bible. If a man is willing to take the plain declarations of the Bible, he will commonly be little perplexed with mysteries.
3. That God only can open the mind so as fully to comprehend the Scriptures. He only can overcome our prejudices, open our hearts, and dispose us to receive the ingrafted word with meekness, and with the simplicity of a child. See Act_16:14; Jam_1:21; Mar_10:15.
4. The design of God’s opening the understanding is that we may be acquainted with the Scriptures. It is not that we may be made wise above what is written, but that we may submit ourselves wholly to the Word of God.
> Christ saw in His disciples their willingness to want to learn from Him. Their minds were open to Christ, yet they were single-minded.
> Here is the opposite of responsiveness:
2Co 3:12 Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech:
2Co 3:13 And not as Moses, which put a vail over his face, that the children of Israel could not stedfastly look to the end of that which is abolished:
2Co 3:14 But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ.
2Co 3:15 But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart.
2Co 3:16 Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away.
But their minds were blinded - The word used here (πωρόω pōroō) means rather to harden; to make hard like stone; and then to make dull or stupid.
Which vail is done away in Christ - In the manifestation, or appearance of Jesus the Messiah, the veil is removed.
> To be unresponsive to God is to be spiritually dull-witted. We must not be responsive to anything and everything. Only to God. Spending time with God in prayer, and in His Word, will help cultivate the kind of responsiveness God desires from each of us.
? What are two disciplines that can indicate a responsive mind? Spending time in God's Word; Prayer.
PEACEFUL
Romans 8:6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
Peace - But to be spiritually minded, phronēma tou pneumatos - a spiritual savour (the wisdom that is from above, a principle of grace) is life and peace; it is the felicity and happiness of the soul. The life of the soul consists in its union with spiritual things by the mind. A sanctified soul is a living soul, and that life is peace; it is a very comfortable life. All the paths of spiritual wisdom are paths of peace. It is life and peace in the other world, as well as in this. Spiritual-mindedness is eternal life and peace begun, and an assuring earnest of the perfection of it.
> Peace is a fruit of the Spirit.
Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Peace - As the result of reconciliation with God;
> It is God's work that is providing peace. Jesus had peace. He promised rest to the weary and burdened (Matt 11:28).
* 3 things to do in developing the mind of Christ:
1. Set your mind - be Alive, Single-minded, Lowly, Pure, Responsive, and Peaceful.
2. Renew your mind - Rid yourself of those things of the world. Get rid of those things that pollute your mind.
3. Gird up your mind - Pray without ceasing; Be in God's Word constantly.
Name of Christ: The Bread of Life (John 6:35)
We are going to explore how to develop a mind like that of Christ. How to think like he did, and using those thoughts, putting them into motion in our own lives. We are called to have the mind of Christ. Not just a good mind, a sharp mind, or the most intelligent mind, but the mind of Christ.
Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
And be not conformed ... - The word rendered "conformed" properly means to put on the form, fashion, or appearance of another. It may refer to anything pertaining to the habit, manner, dress, style of living, etc., of others.
Of this world - The word used here properly denotes an age, or generation of people. It may denote a particular generation, or it may be applied to the race. It is sometimes used in each of these senses. Thus, here it may mean that Christians should not conform to the maxims, habits, feelings, etc., of a wicked, luxurious, and idolatrous age, but should be conformed solely to the precepts and laws of the gospel; or the same principle may be extended to every age, and the direction may be, that Christians should not conform to the prevailing habits, style, and manners of the world, the people who know not God. They are to be governed by the laws of the Bible; to fashion their lives after the example of Christ; and to form themselves by principles different from those which prevail in the world. In the application of this rule there is much difficulty. Many may think that they are not conformed to the world, while they can easily perceive that their neighbor is. They indulge in many things which others may think to be conformity to the world, and are opposed to many things which others think innocent. The design of this passage is doubtless to produce a spirit that should not find pleasure in the pomp and vanity of the World; and which will regard all vain amusements and gaieties with disgust, and lead the mind to find pleasure in better things.
Be ye transformed - The word from which the expression here is derived means "form, habit" morphē. The direction is, "put on another form, change the form of the world for that of Christianity." This word would properly refer to the external appearance, but the expression which the apostle immediately uses, "renewing of the mind,." The meaning is, do not cherish a spirit. devoted to the world, following its vain fashions and pleasures, but cultivate a spirit attached to God, and his kingdom and cause.
By the renewing - By the making new; the changing into new views and feelings. The Christian is often represented as a new creature.
Your mind - The word translated "mind" properly denotes intellect, as distinguished from the will and affections. But here it seems to be used as applicable to the whole spirit as distinguished from the body, including the understanding, will, and affections. As if he had said, Let not this change appertain to the body only, but to the soul. Let it not be a mere external conformity, but let it have its seat in the spirit. All external changes, if the mind was not changed, would be useless, or would be hypocrisy. Christianity seeks to reign in the soul; and having its seat there, the external conduct and habits will be regulated accordingly.
> Six times the New Testament describes or implies what the Christian's mind is to be like:
1. ALIVE - ROMANS 8:6
2. SINGLE-MINDED - 2 COR 11:3
3. LOWLY - PHIL 2:3
4. PURE - TITUS 1:15
5. RESPONSIVE - LUKE 24:45
6. PEACUFUL - ROMANS 8:6
ALIVE
Romans 8:6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
For to be carnally minded - Margin, "The minding of the flesh." The sense is, that to follow the inclinations of the flesh, or the corrupt propensities of our nature, leads us to condemnation and death. The expression is one of great energy, and shows that it not only leads to death, or leads to misery, but that it is death itself; there is woe and condemnation in the very act and purpose of being supremely devoted to the corrupt passions, Its only tendency is condemnation and despair.
But to be spiritually minded - Margin, "The minding of the Spirit." That is, making it the object of the mind, the end and aim of the actions, to cultivate the graces of the Spirit, and to submit to his influence. To be spiritually minded is to seek those feelings and views which the Holy Spirit produces, and to follow his leadings.
Is life - This is opposed to death in Rom_8:5. It tends to life, and is in fact real life. For to possess and cultivate the graces of the spirit, to be led where he would guide us, is the design of our existence, and is the only path of happiness.
John 3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of
God abideth on him.
Hath everlasting life - Has or is in possession of that which is a recovery from spiritual death, and which will result in eternal life in heaven. The
Christian here has a foretaste of the world of glory, and enjoys the same kind of felicity, though not the same degree, that he will there.
> Jesus went further than saying we live. He wants us to be alive. Jesus says in John 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to
kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. Our choices reflect and
demonstrate whether we have life or death. When you set your mind on the Spirit, you experience life. The mind that is alive chooses the spiritual in
preference to the fleshly.
SINGLE-MINDED
2 Corinthians 11:3 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be
corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.
As the serpent beguiled Eve - The word "serpent" here refers doubtless to Satan, who was the agent by whom Eve was beguiled. Satan adapts his temptations to the character and circumstances of the tempted. He varies them from age to age, and applies them in such a way as best to secure his object. Hence, all should be on their guard. No one knows the mode in which he will approach him, but all may know that he will approach them in some way.
Through his subtilty - By his craft, art, wiles. The word implies that shrewdness, cunning, craft was employed. A tempter always employs cunning and art to accomplish his object.
So your minds should be corrupted - So your thoughts should be perverted. So your hearts should be alienated. The mind is corrupted when the affections are alienated from the proper object, and when the soul is filled with unholy plans, and purposes, and desires.
From the simplicity that is in Christ -
(1) From simple and single-hearted devotedness to him - from pure and unmixed attachment to him. The fear was that their affections would be fixed on other objects, and that the singleness and unity of their devotedness to him would be destroyed.
> The mind of Christ is single-minded in devotion to Christ.
> There is a Spiritual problem: Concentration is difficult because we are being bombarded by so many distractions. We think about a hundred different things in a day.
> *My thoughts: We are not able to control our minds. Our minds wander thinking about things that have little value to our lives. Because we are so distracted, God gives us a way to bring our focus back into perspective. He gave us His Son, Jesus Christ. We are think as He did. Have the mind He had. Have a one track mind devoted to things of Christ. We could not handle, nor are we responsible enough, to control our own minds. That's why God seeks for us give Him control over our lives. This includes our minds and thoughts. God giving us ultimate control over our minds would be like puting an ant behind the wheel of an 18 wheeler, fully loaded, traveling at 100 mph. It's not possible.
> Single-mindedness is the discipline of attention. The single-minded Christian pays attention to Christ, His commands, His Person, and His ways.
LOWLY
Philipians 2:3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than
themselves.
Let nothing be done through strife - With a spirit of contention. This command forbids us to do anything, or attempt anything as the mere result of strife. What we do is to be by principle, and with a desire to maintain the truth, and to glorify God. And yet how often is this rule violated! How often do Christian denominations attempt to outstrip each other, and to see which shall be the greatest!
Or vain glory - The word used here - κενοδοξία kenodoxia occurs nowhere else in the New Testament, though the adjective - kenodoxos - It means properly empty pride, or glory, and is descriptive of vain and hollow parade and show. Suidas renders it, "any vain opinion about oneself" -
But in lowliness of mind - Modesty, or humility. It here means humility, and it stands opposed to that pride or self-valuation which would lead us to strive for the ascendancy, or which acts from a wish for flattery, or praise. The best and the only true correction of these faults is humility.
Let each esteem other better than themselves - Compare 1Pe_5:5. This is one of the effects produced by true humility, and it naturally exists in every truly modest mind. We are sensible of our own defects, but we have not the same clear view of the defects of others. We see our own hearts; we are conscious of the great corruption there; we have painful evidence of the impurity of the motives which often actuate us - of the evil thoughts and corrupt desires in our own souls; but we have not the same view of the errors, defects, and follies of others. We can see only their outward conduct; but, in our own case, we can look within.
> The mind is to be lowly. One cannot be humble unless he is lowly. The opposite of lowliness is haughtiness, pride, or arrogance. We learn to submit to one another through the body of Christ by lowliness. The lowly Christian has the security of understanding his position under the greatness of God.
PURE
Name of Christ: Image of the invisible God (Colosians 1:15)
Titus 1:15 Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.
Unto the pure all things are pure - The principle of the declaration is, that a pure mind - a truly pious mind - will not regard the distinctions of food and drink; of festivals, rites, ceremonies, and days, as necessary to be observed in order to promote its purity. The conscience is not to be burdened and enslaved by these things, but is to be controlled only by the moral laws which God has ordained.
But even their mind and conscience is defiled - It is not a mere external defilement - a thing which they so much dread - but a much worse kind of pollution, that which extends to the soul and the conscience.
> Purity is depicted as the natural state of the Christian. Impurity is reached by corruption of the mind and conscience.
? Why is it difficult to maintain a natural spiritual state? Constant assault of information on our senses. Tempters have opportunities to take us into realms of thought never known before. T.V., RADIO, INTERNET, MOVIES, MAGAZINES. Lets look at what these devices bring into our lives:
LUST, JEALOUSY, ENVY, GREED, ANXIETY/WORRY.
> To overcome the temptations of impurity, you must want to be pure. You have to have a passion, a desire to be sincere in purity, and God will provide you with a way to escape.
Psalm 101:3 I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me.
I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes - That is, I will propose no wicked thing to be done; I will have no such object in view; I will employ no one to do that which is wrong.
1 Corinthians 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
But God is faithful - This was the only source of security; and this was enough. If they looked only to themselves, they would fall. If they depended on the faithfulness of God, they would be secure. The sense is, not that God would keep them without any effort of their own; not that he would secure them if they plunged into temptation; but that if they used the proper means, if they resisted temptation, and sought his aid, and depended on his promises, then he would be faithful.
But will with the temptation ... - He will, at the same time that He allows the trial or temptation to befall us, make a way of deliverance; He will save us from being entirely overcome by it.
? What is the safest way to maintain purity in the face of temptation? Knowing you have God's strenght already before the temptation, and seeking to be pure in mind according to the mind of Christ.
RESPONSIVENESS
Luk 24:45 Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,
Opened he their understanding - Enabled them fully to comprehend the meaning of the prophecies which foretold his death and resurrection.
Hence, we may learn:
1. That "facts," or the farther disclosure of truth, will yet remove the "mysteries" that we now see in religion.
2. That our prejudices and our preconceived opinions are one cause of our seeing so many mysteries in the Bible. If a man is willing to take the plain declarations of the Bible, he will commonly be little perplexed with mysteries.
3. That God only can open the mind so as fully to comprehend the Scriptures. He only can overcome our prejudices, open our hearts, and dispose us to receive the ingrafted word with meekness, and with the simplicity of a child. See Act_16:14; Jam_1:21; Mar_10:15.
4. The design of God’s opening the understanding is that we may be acquainted with the Scriptures. It is not that we may be made wise above what is written, but that we may submit ourselves wholly to the Word of God.
> Christ saw in His disciples their willingness to want to learn from Him. Their minds were open to Christ, yet they were single-minded.
> Here is the opposite of responsiveness:
2Co 3:12 Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech:
2Co 3:13 And not as Moses, which put a vail over his face, that the children of Israel could not stedfastly look to the end of that which is abolished:
2Co 3:14 But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ.
2Co 3:15 But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart.
2Co 3:16 Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away.
But their minds were blinded - The word used here (πωρόω pōroō) means rather to harden; to make hard like stone; and then to make dull or stupid.
Which vail is done away in Christ - In the manifestation, or appearance of Jesus the Messiah, the veil is removed.
> To be unresponsive to God is to be spiritually dull-witted. We must not be responsive to anything and everything. Only to God. Spending time with God in prayer, and in His Word, will help cultivate the kind of responsiveness God desires from each of us.
? What are two disciplines that can indicate a responsive mind? Spending time in God's Word; Prayer.
PEACEFUL
Romans 8:6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
Peace - But to be spiritually minded, phronēma tou pneumatos - a spiritual savour (the wisdom that is from above, a principle of grace) is life and peace; it is the felicity and happiness of the soul. The life of the soul consists in its union with spiritual things by the mind. A sanctified soul is a living soul, and that life is peace; it is a very comfortable life. All the paths of spiritual wisdom are paths of peace. It is life and peace in the other world, as well as in this. Spiritual-mindedness is eternal life and peace begun, and an assuring earnest of the perfection of it.
> Peace is a fruit of the Spirit.
Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Peace - As the result of reconciliation with God;
> It is God's work that is providing peace. Jesus had peace. He promised rest to the weary and burdened (Matt 11:28).
* 3 things to do in developing the mind of Christ:
1. Set your mind - be Alive, Single-minded, Lowly, Pure, Responsive, and Peaceful.
2. Renew your mind - Rid yourself of those things of the world. Get rid of those things that pollute your mind.
3. Gird up your mind - Pray without ceasing; Be in God's Word constantly.
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