10 Lies About God And The Truths That Shatter Deception

Over the last few weeks I have been preaching through the book, 10 Lies About God And The Truths That Shatter Deception written by Dr. Irwin.  There are some lies that have been started and for the most part accepted by the vast majority.  In each chapter Dr. Irwin presents the lie, and then refutes it.  Some topics we have dealt with, God is whatever we want Him to be, Many paths lead into God's presence, and the list goes on.  The problem is many people have accepted these lies as fact with no regard to what the Bible says.  This has led to many having a totally wrong view of God. 

 So far we have dealt with four of these lies, if you would like to check those sermons out click on the title above.

I Am Good

We here those three little words a lot, mostly after a good play or the accomplishment of something we thought we could not do. Usually it is said in jest, and there are others there to help bring us back in check quickly. When it comes to getting in to Heaven many honestly feel that some how some way they can be good enough to get into Heaven on their own. How, by being good enough on their own.

The problem with that way of thinking, the Bible does not agree. In fact in the book of Romans Paul tells us there is no way we can do it on our own. If you want to know more click on the title above and check out my sermon Am I Good, the next one would be a good one to listen to as well.

Our Position, Our Message, Our Burden

On Sunday we began a series in Romans, called Roaming through Romans. We will not be taking this verse by verse, but more section by section. The first Sunday we saw Paul share 3 things with his readers that he understood. Paul understood his position, a servant of Jesus Christ. He understood his message, the gospel with Jesus at the center. He understood the need for a burden, He had wanted for a long time to visit those in Rome.

If we are going to impact our world we have to understand and have these 3 things as well. If you want to hear more click on the title above it will take you to the sermon. Have a great day.

Good Dirt

In the parable of the soils, Matthew 13:1-9, Jesus is sharing what happens to seeds in different kinds of soil. Most of the time it is not good. I shared with our church that I take it that this parable is really describing how we react to God's word. The bird snatching the send from the path is the unsaved, but the rest really describes our reactions.

If we are honest most of us fall into the stony or thorny soil. We usually try to follow what we have read or heard, eventually it gets scorched by the heat or choked by the weeds. Following the idea of how are we to live today, we have to prepare our lives to be like the good soil. We can not allow God's word to be scorched with the things of life heat up, and we cannot allow those things to choke them out. the world will only see a difference in us when we allow God's word to make a difference in us. If you are interested in hearing more click the title above it will take you to the sermon.

Satan

What do you get when you bring together a pastor, a former hooker, an atheist, and another pastor who does not believe the Bible? Nightline's debate on whether Satan exists or not. If you happened to watch Thursday nights program, you saw really nothing accomplished. There was one statement made that I thought really stood out. The pastor who does not believe the Bible said you can just pick and choose what you want to believe. While we think what a heretic he is, many of us may be more like him than we want to believe.

Many people do not believe that Satan or Hell exists, that includes people in the church. We do not like to talk about sin, and many really are not convinced that there is only one to God. That includes people in the church. Yet the Bible talks about Satan, Hell, and sin. It also talks about a lot more things that we tend to get squeamish about.

If we are going to impact this world it will have to be done using God's word. We have to allow God's word to impact our life, then through us impact the lives of those around us. This is where it has to start, Satan does exist and there is a place called Hell. We have family and friends that are dying without Christ and they will be spending eternity in Hell. Let the debates end and the impacting this world for Christ begin.

Being Blessed Or Getting Rich

This past Sunday we dealt with the idea of being blessed or getting rich. Many times we hear that if you are faithful God will heal you or bless you. In today's society we have come to equate blessings with riches or good health. After something good happens you hear that person say that they have been blessed. I wonder if they had not won the game, or the money, or the doctor had bad news would they still feel blessed?

I look through the Bible and I see people that were far more faithful than you and I, and today's world would not call them blessed. If you would like to hear more click on the title above and listen to my sermon on Being Blessed or Getting Rich. You might get a blessing, you had to know I was going to say that. Let me know what you think.

Being Different

Most of us really do not want to be considered different. Yeah, there is always that one that will do whatever it takes to get noticed. Just watch the episodes of people auditioning for American Idol. But for most of us we just want to fit in, to be just a face in the crowd, or one of many.

The question that you and I have to ask is how far will we go not to be considered different. The Bible says that we are different from this world, and there will be those that do not like us because we are followers of Christ. Living for Christ will cause us to be different, it will cause us to stand out.

This takes us back to the question, how far will you go not to be considered different? Just be silent, reject the Bible, or go as far as to reject Jesus. We have to be who we are, which is followers of Christ. It is not always easy, but what an impact we make when we strive to be not different but a son or daughter of our Heavenly Father.

God's Financial Advice

Money seems to have be the hot topic recently, and usually the word lost is connected. How much money has your 401k lost? How much value has your house lost? Since I lost my job we have no money. It just seems to be getting worse. There is a financial guy I listen to each Saturday while delivering mail, and he said today there are some things that have happened in this recession that has never happened before. He just keeps saying it has to hit bottom sooner or later. Even the experts are not sure of what is to come.

Here is an interesting contrast, the One who does know what is coming speaks about finances as well. His advice is to keep on investing, but not necessarily in the stock market. We are to keep investing in His work. I know that flies in the face of conventional wisdom, our thought at the present is sock it away save all we can. To do this we stop spending, looking for ways to save money. We also stop giving, charities say their resources are running out.

It is alright to save, to spend less, God's word reinforces that. It also tells us to keep giving, take a moment to sit down and read Malachi 3:6-12. When you look at those verses you see we can not afford to stop giving. Here is the real question we have to ask in this, which do we trust money or God?

Life

There is a debate that has been raging for a while, and it involves life. When does it begin, when does it end? Am I someone special, or does it really matter if I am here or not? This week the issue we are dealing with is life, and we will deal with some of the statements that I have already listed.

Abortion, suicide, euthanasia are all topics that are being dealt with in congress and in society. Whether you realize it or not the Bible does talk about life, and it addresses some of these very topics. Join us at Edgemere Bible Church as we talk about this issue, and if you would like to comment feel free.

Marriage Peripherals

When we think of peripherals it usually causes us to think of something that is on the side, not overly important. If you watched the Superbowl last Sunday you were one of 90 million people who watched. That is a fact, but it has no bearing on the game.

When we look at marriage we think a lot of things are peripheral, but they may have a bigger impact than we ever thought. Ever thought about how friends play an important part in our marriage? Do you know there are parasites at work? How about some of the habits we have, think they affect our marriage? We will be looking at the marriage peripherals on Sunday. Missed this sermon, click on the title above. If you have a thought to add feel free. See you Sunday.

I Love Lasagna

Yesterday was my birthday and my mother made lasagna for dinner. I love lasagna, it is even better when it has been heated up 2 or 3 times. Isn't it amazing how we use the word love. I love that song, I love the Ravens, I love you dear. We really do not understand love.

If you look through the Bible you see a perfect example of love. Christ's love for us. He loves in spite of the fact that we do not deserve it. When you think of the love you have for your spouse, is it conditional or unconditional. We will talk about that this week. If you missed this weeks sermon click on the title above it will get you there. If you have a question or comment feel free to add it. See you soon

So How Are Doing?

We are now 4 day in to the new year, and I am curious. I wonder how many resolutions were made and how many have already been forgotten. Over the past couple Sundays we have talked about some goals we should have for the new year. The first we took from Nehemiah, developing a burden for others and praying on their behalf. Today we looked at Malachi and being careful not to give God our leftovers, God really does not like that. After giving Him our least we expect His best. It seems it will work better if we give Him the firsts instead of the leftover.