Tough Words

Jesus says some tough things in the Bible. Sometimes they are tough because they are hard to understand what He means or they are hard to follow and be obedient too or  they simply pierce our hearts and convict us.

Nevertheless, one saying that He says is found in Matthew 10:32-33

"So everyone who acknowledges me before men, 

I also will acknowledge before my Father who is heaven, 

but whoever denies me before me, 

I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven."

The structure of this seems simple:

If we acknowledge Jesus before others, then He will acknowledge us to the Father.

But if we don't acknowledge Jesus before others, then He will not acknowledge us to the Father.

Really??????

It bring some questions to my mind when I read these things, particularly the question:

If we believe in Jesus, but someone is trashing Him in front of us, are we obligated to say something?

I want to think, "No! Of course not!"

But part of me says, "Yes, of course you are!"

What makes it so hard to acknowledge Christ?

I guess the real question that hits me is this:

If we believe in Jesus, why wouldn't we want to say something? What do we have to fear?

Pain? Rejection?

If we read the prior verses to vs 32 and 33 we find this in Matthew 10:28-31

"And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. 

Rather ear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. 

Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? 

And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. 

But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. 

Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows."

We shouldn't fear being rejected or hurt or whatever by acknowledging Jesus. When we stand up for Jesus, acknowledging His name; someone hears the Gospel. Someone hears the glorious truth that salvation is possible. 

Therefore, we acknowledge Jesus because souls are at stake here. 

Souls are on the line.

Will you acknowledge Jesus?

A Response To Jesus Christ's Resurrection

So Easter (the celebration of Jesus' resurrection from the dead) has come and gone like a leaf blowing in the wind down the road.

But what is our response?

How should we feel?

What should we do?

What can we do?

How should we respond to this event?

I would argue that the Gospel writers (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) show the proper response to Jesus Christ's resurrection from the dead.....

Take a look for yourself.

Matthew 28:8-9

"So they departed quick;y from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell His disciples. And behold, Jesus met them and said, "Greetings!" And they came up and took hold of His feet and worshiped Him."

Mark 16:8

"And they went out and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had seized them..."

Luke 24:12

"But Peter rose and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; and he went home marveling at what had happened."

John 20:8

"Then the other disciple (John himself), who had reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed..."

John 20:28

"Thomas answered Him,"My Lord and my God!"

Therefore, the Gospel-writers display to us a very emotional response to the resurrection of Jesus. Through all these responses, one word sticks out above all the others. And that word is the proper response to the resurrection. 

The proper response to the resurrection from the dead of Jesus Christ is not some warm-fuzzy-feeling we get inside.

The proper response to the resurrection from the dead of Jesus Christ is

AWE.

Belgic Confession Article 7: "The Sufficiency of Scripture"

After distinguishing the Canonical and Apocryphal books in Article 6 Guido de Bres now moves to an article in which he names "The Sufficiency of Scripture" which reads like this:

We believe that this Holy Scripture contains the will of God completely and that everything one must believe to be saved is sufficiently taught in it.

For since the entire manner of service which God requires of us is described in it at great length, no on--even an apostle or an angel from heaven, as Paul says (Galatians 1:8)--out to teach other than what the Holy Scriptures have already taught us.

For since it is forbidden to 
add to or subtract from the Word of God (Deuteronomy 12:32, Revelation 22:18-19), this plainly demonstrates that the teaching is perfect and complete in all respects.

Therefore we must not consider human writings--no matter how holy their authors may have been--equal to the divine writings;
nor may we put custom, 
nor the majority,
nor age,
nor the passage of time or persons,
nor councils, decrees, or official decisions 
above the truth of God, for truth is above everything else. 

For all human beings are liars by nature and more vain than vanity themselves.

Therefore we reject with all our hearts everything that does not agree with this infallible rule, as we are taught to do by the apostles when they say, 

"Test the spirits to see if they are of God," 

(1 John 4:1) 

and also,

"If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house" 

(2 John 10).

Here are the Scriptures which are referenced, but not written out fully in this article:

Galatians 1:8
"But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a Gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed."

Deuteronomy 12:32
"Everything that I command you, you shall be careful to do. You shall not add to it or take from it."

Revelation 22:18-19
"I warn everyone who hears the words of prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book, [19] and if anyone takes away the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book."

The main question that comes out of this article is this:

Does Scripture contain all things sufficient for the knowledge of salvation?

The answer for this a resounding YES!

The word sufficient can be defined as this (and hopefully more clear throughout the rest of this post): "adequate for a purpose." 

Therefore, to say that Scripture is sufficient; it must be asked, "What is Scriptures adequate purpose?" Well the purpose of Scripture is to reveal God's plan of salvation for us. 

And Scripture does just that.

Scripture clearly reveals the following:

• The creation created good.
• The fall of all humanity into sin.
• God choosing a people group, a nation to serve His purposes in the world
• Jesus Christ, the God-man, entering the world He created to be like His brothers (and sisters) in every way.
• Jesus Christ dying a death to save those who believe in Him as Lord and Savior.
• He stayed in the grave for three days and then was raised from the dead to life again.
• He then ascended into heaven to sit at the right hand of God.
• Before Jesus ascended, He promised the Holy Spirit, as a comforter to live in and among us (those who believe in Him as Lord and Savior)
• God's chosen people was expanded from one chosen nation to the possibility of people of all nations on the entire globe being saved from sin and death.
• And God has promised that Jesus Christ will come back to this earth to completely conquer sin and death so that we who believe in Him as Lord and Savior can live and reign with Him forever.
• God also promises to usher in a New Heaven and New Earth to live with Him forever.
• Those who do not believe will be condemned and sent to hell because of their sin not being forgiven.

This is the Gospel, the good news: 

Our gracious God has selectively saved soiled sinners from eternal destruction and damnation to rule and reign with Him fully forever.

And this is what the sufficiency of Scripture means for you and for me.

The first paragraph deals with this answering any objection to it. The first paragraph anyways, is very anti-Catholic. Catholics believe that Scripture and tradition prove to sufficient for the knowledge of salvation. However, Guido combats this by clearing stating that "the Holy Scriptures [which he mentions in Article 4 and Article 6 ] contains the will of God completely....everyone one must believe to be saved is sufficiently taught in it." 

And then Guido makes two sub-points which prove the initial statement above. His first sub-point is in paragraph two where he says that no one should teach other than what the Bible teaches. Just as Paul says in Galatians 1:8 that if anyone teaches another Gospel not found in Scripture (although there really is truly only one Gospel...) "..let him be accursed." The word here for "accursed" in the Greek is "anathema" meaning some sort of divine punishment will be on him or her who teaches a false Gospel. 

In the third paragraph, Guido states his second sub-point saying that we (NO PERSON) should not add or subtract to the Word of God. The Word of God is "...perfect and complete in all respects." And the verses from Deuteronomy and Revelation clearly explain the repercussions if a person decides to add or subtract from this book--the Word of God. Once again, here are the verses:

Deuteronomy 12:32
"Everything that I command you, you shall be careful to do. You shall not add to it or take from it."

Revelation 22:18-19
"I warn everyone who hears the words of prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book, [19] and if anyone takes away the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book."

Deuteronomy 12:32 clearly explains that we should do all that God commanded. Nothing should be added nor taken away from what God (this is the key component) has commanded.

Revelation 22:18-19 clearly shows the warning if a person adds or subtracts. First, God will add to that person the plagues which are described in this book. I cannot begin to name all of the plagues or things that will happen to the person who chooses to do so, but I think Galatians 1:8 (explained above) proves to be noteworthy and sufficient for now. Secondly, God will take away this person share of eternal life. In other words, Galatians 1:8 proves to be sufficient again, "...let him be accursed."

When Guido states that the Word of God is "...perfect and complete in all respects." The doctrine that Scripture is infallible comes to my mind. This means literally, "immunity from error." The Bible is incapable of being in error. There is nothing in the Bible that holds an error; it is "perfect and complete in all respects."

Guido moves on to explain this further in the fourth paragraph summarizing it stating that no matter what books, articles, etc. were written by whatever person; these writings are not "...equal to divine writings...above the truth of God for truth is above everything else." And then the next line is awesome, in as far as it proves the point of the fourth paragraph. It states this,

"For all human beings are liars by nature and more vain than vanity itself." 

Tough words to hear, but true words. 

Harsh words indeed, but ever so true.

Therefore, Guido ends this article by stating that we reject anything that does not agree with Scripture. This article piggybacks on Article 6 for good reason and it has huge implications for Christians.

First, for the pastors and teachers of Scripture. We should not consider other books about Christianity to be equal to or higher in authority than God's Word. As John says in 2 John 10 we should not even receive him or her into our house!

Second, for the Christian sitting in the pew. 1 John 4:1 has huge implications for you, "Test the spirits to see if they are of God." Be like the Bereans in Acts 17:10-15. They examined the Scriptures to see if what Paul was saying was true. Imagine that, the Apostle Paul comes to your church and you still examine the Scriptures to see if what he was saying was true....if the Bereans did this of Paul, how great and often should you and I do this when we hear the Word of God each week from the pulpit. Not only that, but also examining Scripture to see if what we read in a book or wherever we heard or read it is true. Check the Scriptures time and time again. 

"Test the spirits to see if they are from God."

1 John 4:1

For when we do this, we will know if we are being taught a false Gospel or the true Gospel. 

"But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a Gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed."

Galatians 1:8

Belgic Confession Article 6: "The Difference Between Canonical and Apocryphal Books"

Guido now moves his readers from stating what the Biblical Canon is (Article 4) to the authority of this Canon (Article 5) and he takes time to distinguish between the canonical books and the apocryphal books.

We distinguish between these holy books and the apocryphal books which are
the third and fourth books of Esdras;
the books of Tobit, Judith, Wisdom, Jesus Sirach, Baruch;
what was added to the Story of Esther;
the Song of the Three Children in the Furnace;
the Story of Susanna;
the Story of Bel and the Dragon;
the Prayer of Manasseh;
and the two books of Maccabees.

The church may certainly read these books and learn from them as far as they agree with the canonical books. But they do not have such power and virtue that one could confirm from their testimony any point of faith or of the Christian religion. Much less can they detract from the authority of the other holy books.

After reading this article for the first time, many people (including myself) react in similar fashion to how they reacted after reading Article 4: "The Canonical Books" which did just that, listed the canonical books. We tend to ask the question:

Why did Guido spend time doing this?

Well, to begin; Guido is writing this to King Phillip II in order to set the believers of the Reformed faith apart from the Roman Catholics as well as the Anabaptists. Therefore, this was one way that he could do this since the Roman Catholics understand and believe the Apocryphal books to be in the canon.

To read the Apocrypha, click here. 

Guido states third important things to know about the distinction between the Canonical books and the Apocrypha books.

First, "the church may certainly read these books [Apocrypha] and learn from them..." Guido is giving us permission to read from them and learn some valuable information that might be in them. It is like reading a novel or some other sort of literature other than the Bible. It is okay to read other literature than just the Bible and certainly learn from these various types of literature, but there is a word of warning or a stipulation named by Guido also 

"..as far as they agree with the canonical books."

We can read these books and learn a great deal from them just like any other piece of literature that isn't in the Biblical Canon, but we cannot believe what they say if it doesn't agree with the Biblical Canon. If it doesn't agree with the Biblical Canon, then we shall not and must not believe what they say. This is one issue that the Apocrypha has. In and of itself it contradicts itself throughout the various books as well as contradicting what is in the Biblical Canon.

Secondly, "But they [Apocrypha books] do not have such power and virtue that one could confirm from them their testimony any point of faith or of the Christian religion." Guido clearly lays it out that the power and virtue that the Apocrypha books have is nothing in comparison to the authority and power that the Biblical Canon has in which he just explained in Article 5. There is absolutely no power because nothing of faith can be learned from them and nothing of the Christian religion can be learned from them; therefore, ultimately, they are simply a form of literature just like any other piece of literature outside the Bible. This proves also that when we read them, we shall not take what they say and raise it to a greater importance over what the Biblical Canon states for us clearly.

And thirdly, "Much less can they [Apocrypha books] detract from the authority of the other holy books." The Apocrypha books' authority cannot take away the authority that the Biblical Canon can. They cannot prove them false or trump them in any way, shape or form.

I have personally read a good number of the 14 Apocrypha books and bits and pieces of others and I have learned some things from them, but ultimately I think that there is a great contradiction between them and the Biblical Canon. I personally, cannot stand reading them because they are frustrating to read at some points.

I also never really liked to read anything outside of the Biblical and theological realm. However, as a Senior in college, I needed to take a World Literature class in which we had to read a good 150-200 page novel each week and write a paper about it (therefore we had to actually read it!). I was dreading this class. However, I finished that class full of a great and new respect for other literature outside the Biblical and theological realm. 

Therefore, I don't regard it as bad to read them;

however I think many Christians 

neglect the Book they should be reading 

for the books that they don't necessarily have to read.

I have heard far to many Christians getting all wrapped up in a novel or novel series that they literally can finish a 250 page novel in 6 hours or something similar to that outrageous number. But then you ask them when was the last time they read the Bible, they often respond, "I don't know; I just don't have much time for that."

My heart sinks. 

It becomes hard (for me) not to judge them and ridicule them for what they are doing.

Reading God's Word revives our souls.

Reading God's Word provides us with wisdom.

Reading God's Word causes us to rejoice.

Reading God's Word gives light to our eyes.

Reading God's Word is to be desired like one may desire a piece of gold.

Reading God's Word is to be desired like sweet honey.

Reading God's Word directs us in the way to live our life in which there is a great reward.

For reading God's Word affects the words we use and the meditations of our hearts.

[That list of things about the Word of God is from Psalm 19:7-14]

So take the challenge. 

Open your Bible and read it. 

Did you know that reading 3 chapters a day for 365 days will get you through the entire Bible?

Praise God for His Word given to us.

Fleming-Neon, Kentucky

Fleming-Neon, Kentucky; or simply "Neon" for short is an amazing town.

Many have not even heard of Neon and many don't even bother knowing about Neon.

In case you have no idea where it is; here is a map to locate it (the green star):

And for a closer view....the red/pink color in the middle is "Flemming-Neon"

Fleming-Neon was established in 1913 by the Elkhorn Coal Corporation in the Northeast part of Letcher County (Letcher County has 23 small towns in it). Fleming-Neon was actually two separate towns which eventually merged together in 1978. Not much is known about Neon and its beginnings. But we do know some things.

The train that would haul the coal out of Fleming would stop in Neon. As others would board the train cars; the conductor would tell them to "Knee-On" as they boarded; thus the name stuck for the town even today. Now the town is still known as Fleming-Neon, but people shorten it to be known as simply Neon.

The population has declined in the past 30 years. It was roughly 1,200 people in 1980. However, the present day population is roughly 750 people. 

There is little diversity in Neon with 97% of the people being white and the remainder being African-American, Latino.

The land mass of the city of Neon is extremely small being only 1.7 square miles big. 

54% of the population is married and 16% of the households have no husband present. And the average family size is 2.5 persons. 

The median income for a household in the city was $18,421 in 2012, and the median income for a family was $20,795. This results in roughly 45% of the population living below the poverty line (The USA poverty line is currently at $24,587). The median home price is $40,000 for an average size house.

As far as education goes; Neon recently, in 2005 closed their high school and two other neighboring high schools of Whitesburg and Letcher High School merged to form Letcher County Central High School. Before 2005; the school was started in 1925 by the Elkhorn Coal Corporation to provide education for the coal miners children. However, in 1958 the school was destroyed by a fire; therefore the classes were held in the evenings at the Elementary School building until a new building was constructed. Sadly, the school shut its doors once and for all on June 6, 2005.

My first visit to the little town of Neon was on a mission trip in April, 2000. I have been there all but four years since then and I have loved every single visit. When I first drove through the little tiny town; I was shocked at what I saw. Here are some pictures of Neon.....

If you blink while driving through, you might miss it. But even though it is small, seemingly run down; the city in and of itself is making some big changes.

The picture above is of the Volunteer Fire Department that was recently built to fit the needs of the trucks. This year we also noticed that the Library was rebuilt.

And the city of Neon in general has become a cleaner city. The street sidewalks seem to be cleaner, the sides of the streets and the trash seem to be getting cleaned up.

It has been amazing to see first hand, how God has been transforming this city.

One way that God is transforming this city is through the work of an organization called Housing Oriented Ministries Established for Service (HOMES). HOMES began in 1984 with the same mission that it has today:

HOMES mission is to provide affordable housing solutions to low income families in Letcher and the surrounding counties. These affordable housing solutions include affordable energy efficient homebuyer opportunities, quality affordable home repairs and affordable rental opportunities.

Through this organization, volunteers come and stay at an outpost in the mountains which used to be an old coal mining station. The volunteers that come and go help HOMES with completing its mission. From 1984 until now, HOMES has built 233 newly constructed homes, repaired nearly 300 owner occupied homes and has developed 36 affordable rental units.

This small organization has made a huge impact in the counties surrounding Letcher and Letcher itself, but even more specifically than that is the city of Neon.

Through 11 years of serving in Neon with HOMES I have deconstructed three homes so that new ones can be built on that same site as well as deconstructing an office building for a new one to be built. I have assisted in replacing a wood floor in an occupied home as well as painting an office building. I have began building 6 homes through the HOMES organization.

Besides the transformation that has taken place in the city; there seems to be a new hope for the people. Each year I make an attempt to go to the houses that I have helped with and talk with the owners and maybe even meet them for the first time. This is such a pleasant opportunity and time for me; the joy and hope on their faces that things are well is stunning to me with how little they have.

It teaches me that I don't need much to have the 

real joy 

and 

real hope

of the 

Gospel.

There are also many churches in Neon which are helping with the transformation of this city. And one of those churches is the church that I attend every year I go down there; the Neon First Church of God. 

This church is the most hospitable and compassionate church that I have ever met. It is such a kind and caring Christian community committee the the purest Gospel of grace. Throughout the years, I have built a great relationship with many members of this church as we have been there each year.

However, my time serving in Neon, Kentucky. And my relationship with the Neon First Church of God may be at  standstill for a little while.....

And this pains me.

I love Neon. I love serving there. I love the atmosphere. I love the cold, crisp mornings. I love the fog in the mornings covering the tops of the mountains. I love the bunks we sleep in (not really, but I will miss them).

I love the basketball court. I love the HOMES employees.

But Lord willing, I will be back.

I pray that this may come true. 

For when Neon gets a hold of your heart, 

it is hard to let it go. 

Neon is almost apart of me. 

There seems to be a piece of Neon in my blood 

which I simply cannot separate and get rid of out of my body.

But if I never make it back to Neon, that will be okay......

                                It's okay because 

I know and I am certain that

 God is the God of this city 

and 

He will always be the God of this city.

Belgic Confession Article 5: "The Authority of Scripture"

After listing the Canonical Books in Article 4; Guido de Bres continues the section on Theology Proper (God) by explaining the Scripture's authority; where it comes from and who gives it to it.

Article 5 is stated this way:

We receive all these books and these only as holy and canonical, for the regulating, founding, and establishing of our faith.

And we believe without a doubt all things contained in them--not so much because the church receives and approves them as such but above all because the Holy Spirit testifies in our hearts that they are from God and also because they prove themselves to be from God.

For even the blind themselves are able to see that the things predicted in them do happen.

This article in the Belgic Confession is said and known to be the "most Calvinistic" article; meaning that it is the most likely something that the Reformer John Calvin would have written or said; which he has done in many different places.

I have been asked the questions like the following by many people,

"How can we know that the Bible/Scripture is authoritative?" 

"Where does it get its authority from?"

And maybe you have asked this question as well. 

"Where does the authority of the Bible come from?" 

"How do we know that these books in Article 4 are true, authoritative Word of God?"

As I am sure Guido de Bres was asked this and as he is writing this; he probably was anticipating this question also. Therefore, he writes a defense of the authority of Scripture in this article.

In the first paragraph; Guido states that these books are for the "regulating, founding and establishing of our faith." This basically means exactly what 2 Timothy 3:16-17 says:

"All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work."

What this passage from Paul to the young Timothy and what Guido means by these words is that the Bible is our source of God's revealed words to us--to all of humanity. And these revealed words from God are helpful to us for teaching us, for rebuking us, for correcting us and for training us in righteousness. These are all necessary for the purpose of (key words in 2 Timothy 3:16-17 "so that") the man/woman of God may be competent or prepared and equipped for every good work that God has planned out for them today in advance (see Ephesians 2:10).

In the second paragraph Guido states three distinct things (bad word) that have proved them to be the true Words of God.

And notice the first part, his great confidence he has, "And we believe without a doubt..." Therefore, we too, as Christians living in the 21st century can have this same confidence as Guido had in this truth.

First, the church has testified to the Scriptures truth as the Word of God. They have received them as such and approves them as the true Word of God.

Secondly, and the most important as Guido states, "but above all because the Holy Spirit testifies in our hearts that they are from God..." The Holy Spirit works in our hearts to acknowledge the truth and authority that is found in the Word of God.

And thirdly, the Scriptures themselves prove themselves to be true and from God as 2 Timothy 3:16-17 stated for us.

And then in the last paragraph Guido gives a reason why they testify themselves to be true. This is known as the "Argument from Prophesy". I won't go into details about this too much, but the Old Testament prophesies in the Bible all have come true today in Christ and those that are not fully fulfilled will be fully fulfilled when Christ comes to this earth again.

"For even the blind themselves are able to see the things predicted in them do happen." 

Basically Guido is saying, "Hey dummy, wake up, there is something going on here that you don't need eyes to see." We don't need physical eyes, we need spiritual eyes. And the Holy Spirit provides them for us as He works in our hearts, minds and souls.

Praise be to God for His revealed Word to us!