When I look at the world today, especially as we have just this
morning heard of more terrible terrorist attacks in Paris, and the
changes in morals world wide, the spread of drug addiction and it's
horrors and the continual attacks on Christians ad Christianity by the
media at large and many individuals it causes me to reflect once again
how come the Church is not a more positive influence in this world as it
was in the reformation.
I picked up a book the other day by Helmut Thielicke called "The trouble with the Church".
It was published in 1965.
I haven't read it all but can say amen to some of his points.
He probably was feeling like I do today.
I
am disturbed in this day and age by lots of things I see happening in
the Church and things I don't see that should be happening
I firmly believe the Church is the Bride of Christ and still has a huge role to play in the Drama of the Ages.
However
I think we may well be like the Church in the book of Revelation that
it is said of
15 “I know you well—you are neither hot nor cold; I wish you were one or the other! 16 But since you are merely lukewarm, I will spit you out of my mouth!"
Here is the passage in context.
Are we the Church of Laodicea?
Are we lukewarm?
Revelation 3 Living Bible
13 “Let all who can hear listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches.
14 “Write this letter to the leader of the church in Laodicea:
“This message is from the one who stands firm,[f] the faithful and true Witness of all that is or was or evermore shall be,* the primeval source of God’s creation:
15 “I know you well—you are neither hot nor cold; I wish you were one or the other! 16 But since you are merely lukewarm, I will spit you out of my mouth!
17 “You
say, ‘I am rich, with everything I want; I don’t need a thing!’ And you
don’t realize that spiritually you are wretched and miserable and poor
and blind and naked.
18 “My
advice to you is to buy pure gold from me, gold purified by fire—only
then will you truly be rich. And to purchase from me white garments,
clean and pure, so you won’t be naked and ashamed; and to get medicine
from me to heal your eyes and give you back your sight. 19 I
continually discipline and punish everyone I love; so I must punish you
unless you turn from your indifference and become enthusiastic about
the things of God.
20 “Look!
I have been standing at the door, and I am constantly knocking. If
anyone hears me calling him and opens the door, I will come in and
fellowship with him and he with me. 21 I
will let everyone who conquers sit beside me on my throne, just as I
took my place with my Father on his throne when I had conquered. 22 Let those who can hear listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches.”
One of those who challenged us in Australia and
overseas to look with discernment about spiritual things,in particular
spiritual gifts, was Rev Bryce Hartin.
Quite rightly of course he
will argue as the Bible tells us "we do not fight with flesh and blood,
but the evil unseen rulers of this world."
I have many of Bryce's tapes in my collection including the one you are about to listen to if you follow the link.
So listen if you will with discernment.
http://blessedassurancepromisebox.com/MP3D/G0930gt%20-%20Bryce%20Hartin%20-%20AnAnalysisOfTheCharismaticMovement-1Tim%204.1%201Jn4.1%20Rom16.17-Tape2-8.25Mb-70m35s.mp3
I have put this link here rather than create my own online audio of his tapes.
There
are many other audio links to many other speakers I have never heard
of so I cannot recommend the site per se at this stage.
It is unlikely that you or I will agree with everything on that website.
We do, however, need to be challenged and not just passively sit back and let the unseen rulers do their thing.
Showing posts with label hearing the Christian message. Show all posts
Showing posts with label hearing the Christian message. Show all posts
Friday, November 13, 2015
Thursday, November 8, 2012
"Spiritual Death" by Frank Hunting
This sermon by Frank Hunting is a challenge to us all. Particularly if you are not yet born again you may find this something you will dismiss.The Bible teaches that all people are either in the process off perishing or being saved.
At our peril we turn away from God.
My prayer is that if you listen to this and are not yet a Christian,that if the Holy Spirit speaks to you, don't delay.
I sat in Church for 3 years as a believer in God in a vague way but one who could not swallow the "Born Again" stuff.
After to listening to preaching by Harold Long in that 3 years I ran out of arguments and took the steps to receive Christ as my Saviour.
I used to sit in the very back row of the Church in the corner thinking I was safer there for most of that 3 years.
My wife was already a Christian and I had agreed to attend Church with her.
I was not going to become some sort of "fanatic"
On the night I made my "decision" I was sitting 2 rows from the front.
"Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God" the Bible teaches.
That was 38 years ago.
There have been ups and downs and strong challenges along the way.
We were fortunate that Harold Long's preaching was used by God to convict me of my need.
Frank Hunting arrived at our Church after I had been a Christian for about a year.
Not long after he arrived I was facing a personal crisis.
His personal counselling set me free from things that had me tied up in knots.
Listen with an open mind to what Frank has to say.
Don't delay taking those steps to Jesus.
You will not be disappointed.
Click on the arrow to activate the audio podcast.
At our peril we turn away from God.
My prayer is that if you listen to this and are not yet a Christian,that if the Holy Spirit speaks to you, don't delay.
I sat in Church for 3 years as a believer in God in a vague way but one who could not swallow the "Born Again" stuff.
After to listening to preaching by Harold Long in that 3 years I ran out of arguments and took the steps to receive Christ as my Saviour.
I used to sit in the very back row of the Church in the corner thinking I was safer there for most of that 3 years.
My wife was already a Christian and I had agreed to attend Church with her.
I was not going to become some sort of "fanatic"
On the night I made my "decision" I was sitting 2 rows from the front.
"Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God" the Bible teaches.
That was 38 years ago.
There have been ups and downs and strong challenges along the way.
We were fortunate that Harold Long's preaching was used by God to convict me of my need.
Frank Hunting arrived at our Church after I had been a Christian for about a year.
Not long after he arrived I was facing a personal crisis.
His personal counselling set me free from things that had me tied up in knots.
Listen with an open mind to what Frank has to say.
Don't delay taking those steps to Jesus.
You will not be disappointed.
Click on the arrow to activate the audio podcast.
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
"Emptying the Cross of it's Power" by F C Hunting
Frank Hunting uses the words of St Paul
to remind us as Christians how we readily empty the cross of it's
power.Something that the Apostle Paul was determined not to do.There is
strong teaching here for Christians, in particularly those in the pulpit
or leadership who seek to bring men and women to Christ.This goes for
25 mins.This sermon was delivered in the 1970's at The Church of Christ
Grote Street Adelaide.The congregation no longer occupies the building
as the building was sold due to major structural problems.The
congregation continues as the Market Place Church meeting at Flinders
Park Primary School.Frank went to be with his Lord some years ago now.
Below is a link to the Market Place church website
http://themarketplace.net.au/about.php
Monday, September 17, 2012
"Hearing God's Word" by Frank Hunting
The Bible says "Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of
God".How do we,Christians and others, ever get to hear God's word when
we put so many barriers in the way?
A challenging study by Frank Hunting.You will find out more about Frank Hunting on this blog.
This message was recorded at The Church of Christ Grote St. Adelaide in the 1970's.
There are two Bible readings by members of the congregation before the sermon.
You may benefit by looking up the Bible readings in a more modern version of the Bible.
I have included such a translation below.
Click on the arrow to hear the taped message.
1st reading John 5:30-40 New Living Translation
30 I can do nothing on my own. I judge as God tells me. Therefore, my judgment is just, because I carry out the will of the one who sent me, not my own will.
2nd reading New Living Translation
14 Jesus told them, “These claims are valid even though I make them about myself. For I know where I came from and where I am going, but you don’t know this about me. 15 You judge me by human standards, but I do not judge anyone. 16 And if I did, my judgment would be correct in every respect because I am not alone. The Father[a] who sent me is with me. 17 Your own law says that if two people agree about something, their witness is accepted as fact.[b] 18 I am one witness, and my Father who sent me is the other.”
19 “Where is your father?” they asked.
Jesus answered, “Since you don’t know who I am, you don’t know who my Father is. If you knew me, you would also know my Father.”
A challenging study by Frank Hunting.You will find out more about Frank Hunting on this blog.
This message was recorded at The Church of Christ Grote St. Adelaide in the 1970's.
There are two Bible readings by members of the congregation before the sermon.
You may benefit by looking up the Bible readings in a more modern version of the Bible.
I have included such a translation below.
Click on the arrow to hear the taped message.
1st reading John 5:30-40 New Living Translation
30 I can do nothing on my own. I judge as God tells me. Therefore, my judgment is just, because I carry out the will of the one who sent me, not my own will.
Witnesses to Jesus
31 “If I were to testify on my own behalf, my testimony would not be valid. 32 But someone else is also testifying about me, and I assure you that everything he says about me is true. 33 In fact, you sent investigators to listen to John the Baptist, and his testimony about me was true. 34 Of course, I have no need of human witnesses, but I say these things so you might be saved. 35 John was like a burning and shining lamp, and you were excited for a while about his message. 36 But
I have a greater witness than John—my teachings and my miracles. The
Father gave me these works to accomplish, and they prove that he sent
me. 37 And the Father who sent me has testified about me himself. You have never heard his voice or seen him face to face, 38 and you do not have his message in your hearts, because you do not believe me—the one he sent to you.
39 “You search the Scriptures because you think they give you eternal life. But the Scriptures point to me! 40 Yet you refuse to come to me to receive this life.2nd reading New Living Translation
Jesus, the Light of the World John 8:12-19
12 Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I
am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in
darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.”
13 The Pharisees replied, “You are making those claims about yourself! Such testimony is not valid.”14 Jesus told them, “These claims are valid even though I make them about myself. For I know where I came from and where I am going, but you don’t know this about me. 15 You judge me by human standards, but I do not judge anyone. 16 And if I did, my judgment would be correct in every respect because I am not alone. The Father[a] who sent me is with me. 17 Your own law says that if two people agree about something, their witness is accepted as fact.[b] 18 I am one witness, and my Father who sent me is the other.”
19 “Where is your father?” they asked.
Jesus answered, “Since you don’t know who I am, you don’t know who my Father is. If you knew me, you would also know my Father.”
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