The Gospel (talk for evangelistic tea)

Friends, I hope firstly this will be of some help to you. I am basically finished my preperations for Sunday although now revising my notes and comitting them to memory. If you find any rank heresey in these few words then do let me know. Otherwise I am posting them because it was a blessing to me preparing it. Tihs is the Gospel. And its marvelous right?
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This is my second visit to March and as a town it has gone from being somewhere I had never heard off to somewhere I like very much. Reminds me of the town in Yorkshire where my parents live in many ways the only difference March had a lot more going for it. I mean you've got an Argos these days, moving up in the world. As I walked around this town I remember thinking "you know, March has everything you need.... except a cinema!" Anybody else here a keen Cinema goer? Well I am, its something I've developed since I started courting my fiance, and even more since I got a free pass as a cinema critic for the radio station I work for. One of the films I went to see recently was a film called twilight. I went on a recommendation from a close friend, a film involving vampires not normally my cup of tea. But it was clean, no swearing that I remember anyway and fairly entertaining. A really worthwhile trip out.

I've not seen many buses around since I arrived on Friday, have you guys seens the adverts for this film on the side of them? Well let me describe it to you in case you haven't. On the side of the bus you've got pictures of Edward and Bella the two main characters in the film, also the date it is released and then the films tagline which reads "When you can live forever what do you live for?"

This evening, I want to turn that question around from it rehetorical meaning and point it at you. When you can live forever what do you live for? Or maybe a more accurate question is, When you can live forever who do you live for?

You see the bible makes it clear in the book of Genesis in Chapter one that we are "made in the image of God!" That means that every single one of us, has an eternal soul, that by definition will never die. Maybe you're thinking "now Jason you've drank a little too much coffee this evening you surely can't believe this." Maybe to you, that sounds more like a movie plot line than the Twilight one.

But it makes sense doesn't it? Just think about! Inbuilt into every single human being is the desire for something else. Something more. Death does not seem to be the end right? You can't deny there is a basic human desire to believe in the after life. Look around the town, and around the country, and then around the world. Millions of incarnations of the same idea. World religion, all different stories, different traditions and different methods that either claim you get another chance at this life, or there is an after life to come where (depending on whether you are good or bad you go to a good place or a bad place.) You see I am a keen observer of human nature. People interest. I am the sorta guy who takes a walk to the supermark just to watch people. Near where Abi lives is an airport and many times I will wander there to watch people. Sometimes to talk to them. And I am convinced that God has built into our nature the belief that surely there is something after we die, because we have a soul that is eternal.

Another reason I believe there is an after life is because this book says so! And I believe it 100% Remember I said there were millions of incarnations of basically the same belief? Islam? Hinduism? Sikism? And many many many more. All the same idea. If I am good, I go to a good place. If I am bad, I go to a very bad place, a bad place I really do not want to go there. I am going to be as good as I can and if when I die I my good deeds out weigh my bad deeds then I get to go to heaven. I am going to call this group general religion.

But there are 2 exceptions. One is what I want to call the "Bury your head in the sand philosophy" and that is the every increasingly popular Atheism. Observations on life, a general belief about the inner goodness of man and some half baked scientific theories lead to mantra there is no God, there is rule book. I determine my own morality. That is a very common belief, it is not recognised as a religion but it should be. You are basing your eternal hope, that is no eternity and you are your own God. Thats is exception number one. Exception number two is biblical Christianity.

Now maybe you are a little surprised by this. After all maybe you call yourself a Christian and yet you agreed with the theological statement I gave for General religion. Then you will be pleased you came this evening because now you will learn that such a belief while acceptable as general religion is not biblical Christianity and you can leave this evening absolutely sure you are not a Christian.

Biblical Christianity, states that there is a God. He is an alpowerful, he is the creator God and he sets the rulebook. But he is also a loving God, a compassionate and a just God. The problem every single one of us in here has broken his rules. You guys heared of the 10 commandments? Do you reckon you've kept them all perfectly all your life? Let me share you a little insight with you from the bible. Jesus teaches this:

Murder- If you have hated someone, been angry with them and had negative, murderous thoughts towards them. A mood that passes often but nonetheless if you feel that way about them the bible says you are guilty of breaking the do not murder commandment. If you've ever done that. You've broken the law.

Adultry- We're good people here, we've not done that. Well the bible teaches that if you've ever lusted after someone. You've already broken this commandement too.

Ever lied? Even once? Broken that one too.

Ever been jealous wanting something someone else has? Broken the 10th one there.

Have you loved God will all your heart and given him all the glory and devotion today and every day of every year you have been on this earth? If not, you've broken the first and second.

You see when it comes down to it, we break those commandments all the time. The 10 commandments are not a ladder we climb to heaven but a mirror to show us why we can't.

But there is a bigger problem here.

Think of a pair of scales? One one side you have your good deeds on the other you have your bad deeds. I am sure some of you believe that if on the final day when you stand before God the scales tip over on the good side, and you have done more good than bad then you will get into heaven. Sadly first of all that is impossible and secondly, it is irrelevant.

The standard God has set is a perfect standard. If you break even one command, once then you deserve the punishment. A guy who has murdered once deserves the life sentence we impose upon him. A murderer who is sorry doesn't get let off the charge. Why? Because they comitted the crime. Here is the bad news, and here is why Christianity is different from every other religion on the planet. The bibles message is that we are not, and can never be good enough for God. You see at heart we are sinful. Any parents in the room? Did you teach your kids how to do bad things? No! They do them naturally! A man called David in the bible wrote this "in sin my mother concieved me!" We are completley and utterly unable to save ourselves.

Who wants some good news? Because there is great and essential news for you this evening. You see because we cannot save ourselves, but God has provided a way for us.

John 3:16 says

For God so loved the world
That he gave his one and only son
That whoever believes in him will not perish but have everlasting life.

Here's the deal. Jesus, fully God fully man, lived the perfect life. Died, and rose again for the salvation of people like me and you. You see he lived the perfect life that we couldn't! And he died to take the punishment we deserve.

So we all good yeah? Thats it now! Eat drink and be merry. Well, almost. This is goodnews and it is unconditional love and sacrifice. Although you're in the hospital with a disease you need to take the medication to get better right? The bible says we need to repent and believe. Turn from our sin and follow Jesus.

AEOPLANE ILLUSTRATION- I know what this means, you won't! But I basically explain what I said above.

I will finish with another quote from Twilight. At the end of the film Bella says to edward "Edward, I am dying. Every day is a day closer to the day I die. I am getting older!" That is true not just for Bella, but for you too. A day is coming when our earthly bodies will die. Or a day will come before then when Jesus will return to bring an end to the world. Either way, the situation remains, made in the image of God we have sinned and we deserve hell. But God in his great love for us has offered a way to be saved. And on that final day he will look at us and see Jesus sacrifice on our behalf. He will see Jesus righteousness and not our own. But for everyone outside of Christ. Forget trying the good deeds vs bad deeds route. Right now your biggest sin is rejecting Jesus. He will take care of the rest.

I ask you again When you can live forever what do you live for?

How To Change The World

Ok, I'll be honest, I had and have been thinking about some world issues recently (issues being a word I use far too much these days) and the answer I suddenly thought off came from a song and not from the bible first and foremost. Although it was a Christian song so as far as I'm concerned thats next best thing. But today I want us to ask the question, how can we save the world? I know, I know you are going to make the point that God is sovereign and we can do nothing of ourselves and yes you are right, BUT, What is the way forward?

There are many possibilities. We could get involved in the Christian institute, we could write to members of parliament, we could get petitions together to change big national issues. These are all good things to do but do they do the trick? Or more to the point, are they the biblical main response to fight back against injustice, poverty and sin within western society?

I don't think they are. And therefore I have a number of points where I think we as believers need to really sharpen up on as while we cannot say that it will change things, it is the bibles way of dealing with things.

1. PRAY
Casting Crowns have a song called "What if his people prayed" and the song asks the question, if we prayed do you reckon that maybe
- Families would stay together
- Kids could pray in Schools
- Unborn Children would not be killed
If we prayed do you think that God might do those things? Not because of us, but somehow God responds to prayer. I do not understand the concept, I do not understand the eternal depths of a prayer life but can I make a suggestion church? Come on church! Wake up! Wake up! Why can't we turn of the TV and get on our knees. How many famous missionaries do we know to spend time on their knees every day for years and see no results. Its not about results, thats Gods thing! Not ours! Gods! Our job is simple. Lets get on our knees!

2. PREACH
The world changes all the time. But the truth is it is rarely for the better. We debated on this blog a lot recently about McCain against Obama and in the end any neutral observer will have come to the conclusion that neither of them were right and they were both a right piece of work :D

So the best and greatest thing we should pray for is salvation. And salvation comes from hearing. So preach the word to them. Read 2 Timothy Chapter 4, the final chapter Paul wrote to Timothy. Surely in his last letter he would point out the most important truth. So what does he say? "Preach The Word!" Enough said!

CONCLUSION
A good radio friend of mine in the USA said something very insightful about the election result in the USA. In the light of the result, the life issue, the economic issue, the regulation in business issue and every other issue that bugs the church and bugs each one of us. In the light of all that- no matter what political opinion you are:

Elections over- lets preach the gospel!

Blowing the Christian Gasget

I was provoked to thinking by something that was said to me by a couple of people yesterday about the article I wrote on the USA elections. I was surprised at who spoke to me on the subject and who agreed with me entirely. Those I expected to object actually agreed with me. Trying to get over the shock of this took a little while, but a number of people who I love and respect questioned my tone and for this I am grateful. The beauty of putting an article out in the public domain is that people have a chance to debate, criticise and correct. By either leaving a comment on the blog or speaking with me directly.

I decided to think about the whole issue of anger. Here's a confession (I think) I was very angry yesterday. I have been praying that God would give me a heart to grieve me about sin and to cause me to feel empathy in a loving caring prayerful way. After spending some time in thought and in prayer about anger I have come up with some thoughts for my own benefit and hopefully this will help you too.

Anger is a live issue. We all feel it, but is it right? Can I encourage you to leave comments whether reading this on www.jasonramsey.blogspot.com or on FACEBOOK if you have any helpful comments to make or agree. As Iron sharpens Iron right? Finally before we launch into this, if I offended anyone in my tone yesterday then please forgive me. I still stand by comments, and I hope that some of us will have woken up the the realities about abortion. But as I said I was angry and therefore if I have caused undue offence then I confess and repent of my sin against you.

Here we go then, grab and ore and get into the boat as we explore this issue together today.

1. Biblical differences about Anger
I don't want to over state points of view here. But after giving the whole thing consideration I came up with a simple maths equation that seemed to make sense to me and also condemn my anger.
a) Jesus Got Angry
b) We are told "in your anger do not sin"
c) We are such rotton sinful creatures we sin every second of every day anyway in our thoughts and actions.
therefire
d) Anger is wrong.

While you may think this over simplistic I did not make it up out of the top of my head, it seemed to make sense but then I was troubled by this verse "in your anger do not sin." The verse does certainly imply an anger that does not lead to sin. It is sin that leads from anger that is condemned. Is anger itself ever listed as a sin in the bible?

Harsh words when angry maybe would be a sin. But then what are harsh words? A good sermon for example will tell the truth and use strong words to bring home the reality of sin to shake us apathetic fools (if you are not one apologies, but I am) out of our comfortable state and shake us to our knees in repentance to our loving and Holy God.

I leave the question open, maybe after some more study I could share some more about harsh words and what is appropriate. I'll leave you with examples of "angry men" who did wonders for the gospel:
- Martin Luther
- John Calvin
- CH Speurgeon
All these men had hard things to say and yet God used them. Hard words used to because we are talking about the truth are surely not hard words at all.

2. God is angry
As a good little catechism learner as a boy I remember learning the answer "Yes, God is angry with the wicked every day." God is angry with sin. God hates sin. As we become "immitators of God" should we not also grow in anger against the wickedness of society. God is a God of love, and he would not be a good of love if he did not punish sin which naturally should give us a sense of justice and desire to see wickedness cease. (Lets be honest, we'd love to see wickedness cease in our own lives wouldn't we?)

Conclusion
I think we've all gone soft! Evangelicalism is soft these days it really is. We are slowly falling into the trap of truth becoming a relative thing. That is sad. I believe that has grown out of poor doctrine and desire to win the lost in any way but the right way of preaching the gospel honestly.

Maybe this will be helpful to others out there, I h=ave struggled with anger recently for a whole load of very legitimate reasons, although on no occasion have I actually dealt with it particularly well. But maybe when we are angry and upset over issues of sin and injustice maybe it should drive us to our knees. Maybe thats why God uses it.

I think there is a place for anger and a real place for hatred of sin and sinfulness. But never get so caught up in your anger that you are unwilling to prayerfully acknowledge you have sinned and come on your knees before your God. He has loved you and will forgive you for your sin! And that is one part of the gospel! Just don't forget the first bit! Half a jigsaw is still only half a jigsaw!

PS. Again I am sorry for any offence caused by yesterday's article. We're all learning and the beauty of having stuff in the public spere is we can be wrong and people can put us right. Let us pray for President Elect Obama.

Tragedy or Triumph?

As part of my A Level history qualification I studied racial history within America for the past 100 years. A nation that said one thing in its constitution and yet acted entirely differently in practice. Last night, as Barak Obama won the US presidential race and became President Elect Obama, a major part of the evils of the past was laid to rest.

Here in the UK the reporting has been very positive of this moment and to a point there is good reason. The BBC claim to be neutral, that is of course absolute rubbish, no reporter is neutral. We all come at things from a set state of beliefs, myself included, and I have seen for a while a strong slant towards Obama from the BBC’s coverage of the elections and therefore (as they should) they are singing the joys of a “black” man president of the USA, it is truly a historic night.

But I could’ve called this article “Historic night” or “the night that made history” but I haven’t because while the BBC may report this victory as a victory for morality and truth, as Christians we need to view this from a biblical standpoint. I ask the question today then, is this a Tragedy or a Triumph?

Black History
50 years ago in the southern states of the USA blacks couldn’t vote! Today an African American is holding the keys to the white house as president elect of the very same nation, we undoubtedly have seen a real and radical change in the past 50 years within America. A change that can only be regarded as positive. I am not one of the political correct lobby who insists that for a Black man to be equal one needs to have won the presidency, but there is no doubt last night reflects a certain colour blind attitude that can only be positive within a large section of the USA. The majority that Barak Obama holds also shows the extent to which we have seen a change in attitude. Also we have seen a mobilisation of black voters.

I do not believe democracy is the only way for a civilised country to operate. I have to take my basis from the scripture as a child of the king and certainly the bible does not champion democracy over other forms but nonetheless I am pleased we have it in the west as a system, and therefore I am encouraged to see all sections of the community in the USA participating in a system which encourages their interaction.

Healthcare
The democrats are famous for being the party for the redistribution of wealth. What that means in practice is they believe in something closer to the NHS that we have within the UK. Admittedly not even they would go that far. Republicans hold a very different system of “pay for yourself/insurance” health care that goes with the mentality.

A number of my Christian brothers stateside believe that Democrat healthcare policies are socialist and communist leaning and therefore a bad policy. They argue that the bible says “Don’t work, don’t eat!” (Complete Ramsey paraphrase) and therefore the same principle applies to the healthcare system. I respect their views naturally but completely disagree.

The bible teaches principles of caring for the poor and the destitute. That is something we must accept and understand. There is a lot of Christian scope for Charity work and caring for unbelievers. And while I agree the bible tells us to care first and foremost for believers as they are our brothers and sisters in Christ, a social work is something that is not only right but also is essential to Christian living. We care for those who are weak. We have been loved and therefore we love. Admittedly in the end we have one ambition and one ambition only- to see the salvation of souls.

There is a social gospel movement that claims charity work is an extension of “your kingdom come on earth” in the Lord’s Prayer. Can I respectively suggest we stop such foolish interpretation of scripture? You could house a poor man for his entire life and he’d die and go to hell. Salvation matters more than anything else. I think of the Rich man and Lazarus in the bible. It is not the poor state of the mans condition but his eternal destiny that is the focus of the story.

Barak’s healthcare policy will benefit the USA as a nation, especially those neighbourhoods that are struggling from the very real depression that is currently taking its deathly hold on society.

Economy
I personally feel the economy changed the election for Barak Obama. McCain the war hero was strong on war, experience and foreign policy. But Barak Obama held his nerve when the stock market went through the floor, I do believe the best man on the economy is Barak despite his inexperience and there will in the end be a strong chance for that the USA will pull through this difficult time.

Is Jason Ramsey pleased Barak Obama won?
NO! Absolutely not! I have tried to be honest in naming the policy strengths of Mr Obama but in the end I believe today is an absolute tragedy for the USA. It is policy weaknesses from Obama and strengths from McCain that make this election in my opinion clear cut for a Christian. There was one issue that meant when Barack got the 270 electoral college votes to win the election that brought literal tears to my eyes:

Abortion
Abortion! I encourage you to go on YouTube and find Barak Obama’s views of abortion and contrast them with that of John McCain and Sarah Palin. I will not be outlining them in detail because it will make me sick! But it is fair to say that the election for every Christian was not Obama Vs McCain it was Abortion as contraception Vs Abortion Illegal! Today is a sad day when evil reigns because a pro Abortion (I do not like the term “pro choice” because the poor baby being murdered actually fails to get a choice in the matter) candidate has won a comfortable victory.

My friend, Abortion is a single issue election winner! Can you seriously vote for a man that believes in systematic murder? And if what I’ve said make you think I am over dramatising then you need to work out what you believe a baby is. If a baby is less human than all the rest of us then maybe its just like putting down a dog yeah? If your wife, or you yourself is pregnant at which stage does the baby inside you stop being a disposable commodity and start being an actual baby?

Life has to begin at conception in a Christian view of life and therefore be it 2 weeks; 2 months or 2 years you have a baby, a soul, a real life. It looks slightly different? Yes! But so would I if I was involved in a serious car accident. Would you then support putting me down because I look different? Looking different was the same issue that caused problems with race originally anyway! Because a man has a black face he is all of a sudden to be despised? So because a baby is not fully formed we can murder it? The logic doesn’t add up!

To allow abortion or even consider it condones Nazi Germany and the murder of millions of Jews. It condones the killing of the disabled and the old. We have even seen enforced euthanasia suggested by some members of the UK government’s advisors. If you disagree with what I have said, then like it or not you hold a view that a baby is less human than me and you.

Many so called Evangelicals have shown themselves up to be frauds claiming to believe in life and yet supporting Barak Obama! If these people are truly saved I hope one day they go on their knees and repent for their sick, evil and murderous support of this man.

Conclusion
For those who argue that the economy out weighs the abortion argument then please, “grow up and stop being selfish.” I’d rather have the UK in recession and all of us struggling to make ends meet than I would have Gordon Brown declare all black people to be murdered. It’s the same issue!

Evangelicals in the west need to take a long hard look at themselves! If you out there supported Obama can you please consider your views on abortion again against the bible. And for those high profile, theological perverting, Obama supporting so called Christian leaders, I suggest you stop teaching the doctrines of hell and follow the bible. Repent and believe the good news of Jesus Christ.

I am distraught today. Because this is not just an American liberal so called Christian victory but it’s a matter I have found in my own church. People I know and love within my own church and family have sided with Obama. That terrifies me! Maybe I am on my own in taking this matter seriously within Evangelical Christianity, maybe here in the UK we have become so accustomed to the disaster we go around without even thinking about it. Either way today Wednesday 5th November 2008 is the first day of a bad turn for the USA. A day when the USA became one step closer to being just like the UK.

Epilogue
Today demonstrates the ending of intolerance and prejudice within US society! WRONG! The of 1950’s racism is alive and well in a new form. Except these days its worse. These days we murder millions of young children at government level! TAGIC, TRAGIC, TRAGIC DAY!

How To Make The Gospel Relevant

Series: YOUNG MEN WAKE UP!
Title: How to make the gospel Relevant

It is the buzz word of the moment. “Relevant!” How do we make the gospel of Jesus Christ relevant to 21st Century people.

After all we do not live in the 1600’s anymore. We are modern people and while we love the theory we learn sometimes it doesn’t seem to help the minute we leave the door. We don’t want to invite our friends and neighbours to where we “do church” because frankly it suits us and would bore them. That pastor guy at the front is balding slightly and seems to be a bit out of touch with the world as it is today. Spent too much time in the books I think!

Sound familiar? Is that your heart? I do a pretty good job of being a radical moderniser because I am one at heart. I go through stages of the status quo and then spend time wishing we had a band at the front and people singing lots of songs that were written in the last 30 years or so with guitars and drums. I am not saying such things are wrong, but as I come to start this series of articles aimed at the young men withing Dewsbury Evangelical Church of which I am one, exhorting my brothers to be men of God and join me in the daily battle, I thought it might be beneficial to start with the issue that has consumed my mind for what could be considered as, far too many hours.

The Premise and Prejudice
Hey guys guess what? This article is prejudiced! Thought I’d let you know that one from the very beginning. If you want a long thesis analysing all the opinions and drawing a long pointless conclusion the go read some other drivel- what you are getting here is an article based on one fact. The Word Of God is infallible and accurate and everything must be based on that. All other opinions are worthless outside of the bible. That’s not particularly politically correct but its true.

There are two principles on which I can live my life. One is “I can live life by the Word Of God” as outlined previously and the second is “I can live life for myself” which is I must point out in the majority preference in this world. Ha, that means I am now officially a minority. Very exciting.

What is Relevant?
But lets look at our question again (as we come in a round about way to the main section of this article.) There is no point being a Christian, possessing this life transforming (no scrub that idea, its not biblical)- Life GIVING faith that we enjoy together without being able to present it to others. But what is the right way?

Those within the emergent Church movement (Rob Bell and the like) are advocating a new approach to Church altogether. Rob Bell’s church is the fastest growing Church in America at the moment and therefore it is indeed natural. From reading the material put out by the emergent church movement it seems that they advocate the dropping of preaching in its traditional form. Preaching is no longer relevant (jumps up and down and waves his arms to point out the key word there) in a society where people can barely concentrate for more than 10 minutes (ask my Maths teacher.) It seems to employ a lot of psychological studies and innovative ideas using such things as drama within the Church service. Taking the message to the people and putting it down to their level. I do hope that I have done them justice there; any emergent’s out there want to correct me do write in but from my reading this seems to be the thrust of it.

Those who are of a liberal theological persuasion will argue that the problem with the gospel today is that no one can believe it. We have moved on in today’s society. Evolution has disproved creation and of course there was no virgin birth. Its all about social justice now! You won’t hear such outdated statements as sin from the Archbishops pulpit these days. He instead will focus on poverty, injustice and the favourite of all topics- climate change!

Our Charismatic brothers and other people who are a bit like me (often us younger brothers too but not exclusively) will argue we need a band and upbeat music to bring folks in. lets face it those hymns are boring aren’t they? Get the band on stage with the drums and guitars and you’ll soon bring people in. After all, look at those churches who do? Hillsong? One of the biggest churches round the world. It clearly works right?

Are they right?
Having told you I wasn’t going to give you a whole list of opinions I have just gone and…. Well… given you a whole list of opinions that go under the corporate umbrella of Christian! But it is important I think to examine them I think.

Lets start with the easy ones. First of all we need to look at Liberal theology and with this I would like to add in the health wealth and happiness stuff I hear preached all over on the internet. These two need to be ruled out immediately for one simple yet vitally important reason. They’ve got the wrong Jesus! This isn’t the gospel. Far from making the gospel relevant in today’s society they have managed to throw out the gospel all together. Next time you hear anyone deny the virgin birth, the cross, the resurrection, heaven or hell and they’re wearing the dog collar (or have father, minister, reverend or bishop before their name) then resist the temptation to throw your remote through the TV (very costly!) and instead get on your knee’s and fight Satan’s lies. Maybe this makes you uncomfortable young men but liberalism is Satanism dressed up in Christian clothes. Listen to what the bible says.

For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear
1 Tim 4:3

Here you have it. So called “Christians” will only listen to what they want to hear. Men! Think back over your past weeks Quiet times, how often have you wanted to shut your bible and lock it away (or even worse throw it at the wall) because you hated what it was telling you? I am guessing more than once or twice. The gospel is not comfortable reading. But it is truth and my friends if I ever compromise truth for the sake being liked then you have my permission to slap me violently round the face! Truth is Truth- Period!

What about the Emergent Church movement? Large numbers of Christians in those Churches right? Are you sure? I have to be careful because this morning’s Quiet time is still fresh in my mind where God warned me about judging others. But I do seriously fear for the salvation of people in a Church that pretty much fails to preach sin and repentance. I mean is it me or did repentance like, fall out of the English language recently? It is a life or death issue and lots of Churches are so worried about reaching the seekers that they have dropped it altogether. Men do you buy the “seeker sensitive” approach to Church promoted by Rich Warren (Book review coming soon?) Rick says many nice and good things in his work but they are pretty much all entirely useless to humanity by what he misses out! Listen to me, read the word! Interperet the books by the word- NOT the other way round!

Here comes the HOT issue! MUSIC! Oh wow this is going to amaze some of you because a lot of you know that I am all for modern music with drums and guitars and I do believe that such things are profitable to be used within worship. If you’ve got the people with the gifts and the heart you should use them to glorify God. BUT (and you’ll fall off your chair with this one) we should never use music to try and attract people into the Church. Since when did Church become about something other than worship? I am guilty and so are you but every Sunday we should come (Morning and Evening! I’ll let you kill me for saying that) and throw ourselves into it 100% You can waves your arms in the air, have a little jig or stand stone still, I couldn’t care less as long as you have a heart for worship. People are saved by God! He is the mover. Music will never save anyone! God will!

Bottom Line
So here it goes. My answer to you young men in Dewsbury Evangelical Church this day is finally here. How do you make the Gospel relevant?

PREACH IT!

Preach it with passion, power and much prayer. Preach it in its fullness. Do not be afraid to tell your friend they are hell deserving sinners because its true. It is the greatest kindness you can ever do to a person. Don’t interpret the bible by the culture. But interpret the bible and then slam it home every chance you get.

Young people are leaving biblical churches in droves because of music. This is very serious. I agree that there are Churches I would do my best not to attend because their worship services are like a bad funeral service. But I lay the blame at your feet and mine believer. We need the word more than anything. Read it, love it, believe it and obey it every day. As always in these articles I want to thump my head against the desk because I cannot express myself here correctly through my writing limitations. I would much rather speak to you so please do come and talk to me about this. We could have a coffee!

These folks you come telling us we need more than the word of God preached from pulpits, expository preaching, can go and take a running jump. They may well be believers but they are working on behalf of Satan just as the Pharisee’s did back in Jesus day.

As we continue this series let me plead with you, even with tears, to search the scriptures day and night to find the answers to how you will live your life. Today is the first day of the rest of your lives. Do not waste it away from the word of God. It will hurt you, break you and show you sin- and praise the Lord for that.

The Attributes Of God (Hebrews 1:9-14)

You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy." He also says, "In the beginning, O Lord, you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. They will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment. You will roll them up like a robe; like a garment they will be changed. But you remain the same, and your years will never end." To which of the angels did God ever say, "Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet"? Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?
(Hebrews 1:9-14)


God- Loves Righteousness
Maybe this is one of the most understated attributes of God yet it is the first one we come across in today's passage. God loves righteousness and absolutely hates sin. The bible really spells it out here. Look at the verse:

You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness;

Now you may think there is nothing unusual about that. But to me it is so strange that it spells it out. And yet the bible so often leaves us with no excuse. Back up with me here and we'll have a look into it again! In my opinion (and I think you will agree) to say that God loves righteousness automatically means that he will absolutely hate wickedness. Righteousness is defined surely by the hatred of all that is wrong and evil. You can't love righteousness and be alright about wickedness, it isn't possible and certainly not with God!

Keep with me here, so why have they mentioned it? Well two reasons I think:
1) So noone can twist scripture on this issue. We all know how the bible has been twisted by many people and cults over the years. By stating the obvious here people will find it hard to corrupt.
2) It shows how important the issue is. So important that it is stated when you would expect it just to be accepted with no issue at all. It is there in black and white. If you remember anything about God remember this: God loves righteousness and hates wickedness!

Stay with me, this is going to be no use to you as a piece of theology until you open yourself up to embrace the truth. Excuse the expression, but the thought of sinning should put the fear of God into you. I apologise because that is absolutely what it will do! We know how much God hates sin and yet we still will-fully sin? I question mine and your salvation if this is the case. Don't let that shock you too much, but we are told to test ourselves. Have we repented and believed? My prayer is that today's study will open your eyes and mine to the horror of sin and the truth of Gods love of righteousness.

God - Creator
It really annoys me when people use prayers in prayer meetings to teach everyone theology. You get the old "In the beginning Lord you made the heaven and the earth and made male and female, birds and animals, cars....." and so on, but it is interesting that the psalmist talks about God in such a way in his words here. I am not condoning a theology lesson instead of a prayer every prayer meeting. But in our own time with God it is good to think and talk about what he has done especially creation.

But why is creation so important! I will let you go and spend time talking with Answers in Genesis and other organisations of the same ilk to let you know that truth! But let me encourage you to take yourself a crash course on creationist apologetics. Probably only because they have a really cool name.


God- Eternal
Let us never forget finally the eternal nature and aspect of God and it is from here that I will draw today's final conclusion. Each of you and myself here need to take on some responsibility for our own personal walk with God! And therefore I challenge you to take God at his word and make sure you take these applications and actually apply them to yourself personally.

God is Eternal, he was and is and always will be. He is also righteous. What does all this add up too if you're a Christian? Simple!

You can place your trust in every situation in the Lord Jesus Christ

My friend never let it be said of us that we messed up our lives because we didn't trust God. Yet so often the fear and laziness, apathy and carelessness and everything else we see in our own lives as well as in the Christian Church worldwide is because we do not take the truths and applications we KNOW and live them with all we've got. This is a hard one, but by the grace of God pray that we will trust him!

May God be with you and me as we press on in grace!

Jesus- Saturated in Scripture (Hebrews 1:5-8)

For to which of the angels did God ever say, "You are my Son; today I have become your Father"? Or again, "I will be his Father, and he will be my Son"? And again, when God brings his firstborn into the world, he says, "Let all God's angels worship him." In speaking of the angels he says, "He makes his angels winds, his servants flames of fire." But about the Son he says, "Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever, and righteousness will be the scepter of your kingdom.

This is a hard passage, in fact all the passages we have dealt with so far have been. Hebrews is indeed rich in deep theology and it takes a level of skill to pitch it at the right level. Pray that God will open our eyes. Due to the difficulty here I have deliberately kept this one short for you. Let us notice 3 things.

Jesus is rooted in OT
Ok, let’s theorise around secular Christian theology for a minute (and yes I did just invent that term to sound a little bit clever.) To many people who don't know their bibles but think they do they might say Jesus is New Testament and the Old Testament is all about Israel. Well today's passage rubbishes (sure I invented that word too) those ideas. The Old Testament is saturated with Christ. From here to the end of the chapter he uses no less than 8 Old Testament quotes about Jesus. That is not just one or two. If you'll allow me the honour, let us jump back into yesterday.

You are my son
This is an amazing statement. No one ever thought that the messiah could be the Son of God and yet a man at the same time. And yet the clues were always there in the bible. In fact 3 of the verses used major on this subject. Now I can imagine what you're thinking. Why does he make such a big deal of all of this? Jesus being quoted in scripture and Jesus being God's son. Well in my opinion its a two fold thing.
1) Jesus is in Scripture- It is absolutely vital for salvation that Jesus is in scripture.
2) Jesus is God's son- It is absolutely vital for Salvation that Jesus is God.
HANG ON A MINUTE. Let us back up a few steps here and take this in. The reason the author is pointing out these issues

True Worship
I don't know if you find it the same but when the bible speaks of Worship the language used is so hard to relate. Is worship what we do every Sunday or is it rocking out to Delirious? Well, truth be told I think it is probably neither entirely. You see think less in the terms of the words here and more in terms of the attitude in worship. It is a full life commitment thing.

What we have here is some very difficult and challenging verse and I think in truth I will be happy when I am through with them in some ways as they are taxing my brain. Yet Hebrews does that, so I shall leave you with one application, food for thought anyway.

1) If your Jesus is rooted in OT and shown out in New Testement then surely he is saturated in scripture. If you want to know your God. Then know your bible!

Let me leave that with you! And may it challenge us both!

Jesus- The Greatest Subject (Hebrews 1:3-4)

The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs.
(Hebrews 1:3-4)

There is a “talking bit” in the middle of the Casting Crowns song “The Word Is Alive” where the speaker say of the bible “Jesus is it’s great subject!” I guess when you’re stuck in the middle of Leviticus or in the case of me and Abi in the middle of numbers you soon fail to appreciate that statement. Yet today as we come to the next study in our series on Hebrews, we find the author is absolutely enthralled by the subject of the Lord Jesus. Today we’ll be looking at a number of the attributes and things accredited to the Lord.


Like Father Like Son
V3 tells us that the Lord Jesus is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation. The doctrine of the trinity is a difficult one and one that even while having preached on it recently I am convinced holds riches far deeper than anywhere my level of understanding took me. But here is its practical implications. The man who came to save me from my sins needs to have real power doesn’t he? After all my sin is so great. Well, try this one out for size. He is God. The exact representation shining the radiance of the glory of God is human form. Don’t forget the key word there either. “Exact!” Jesus is no mere substitute. He is the real deal my friends, and he is our God.

Sustainer
We are told in this passage that all things are sustained by Christ. If this does one thing it absolutely and comprehensively emphasises his power. If you were rocking on the bridge of uncertainty about whether your hero, the Lord Jesus Christ, has the power to save then this is the big hitter for you. He sustains everything. And that includes you! Friend, learn to rest in the arms of the Lord Jesus in a very practical way. Prayerfully do business with almighty God and then let go off all you have and seek to live for him. It reminds me of a jungle gym I used to go to play on when I was younger. We were high up and there was a gap full of loose rope in the floor. It was scary but the minutes I let myself lie down on the rope and felt it take my weight I knew right then that while I felt entirely helpless in and off my self at this height, the rope was holding me. Jesus will, can and is holding me.

But there is another practical realisation to all this which is breathtaking (if you excuse the pun.) Every single breath we take today is given to us by the Lord Jesus. Imagine there was a button that if someone pressed it you would die instantly and you were powerless to stop it. In a way that is the truth. Who would you want with their finger on the button? The Lord Jesus may not have been my choice at first but he sure is now. It still amazes me that he allowed me to live even though I rejected him entirely for 9 years of my life. Right now I know that unless he comes again one day the metaphorical button will be pressed as Jesus welcomes me home as his child. Such a thought thrills my soul.

Christian, are you involved in a local Church? If not then let me encourage you that you really should be! If you are, does your little fellowship worry you (if indeed it is little.) Sadly for many of us who are lovingly involved in our Churches we live in the constant worry that today’s small and insignificant Church will be snuffed out and become extinct in no time at all. Friends if you feel like that then today is a good day for you as we study this truth. Think with me on this one, if Jesus is the sustainer of all, then he sustains the Church, and if Jesus sustains the Church then we aint going nowhere my friend! As an ex BBC director general said “The Church of Christ will stand at the gave of the BBC” until the Lord comes again the Church will stand as a living testament to the Lord Jesus Christ.

Forgiver
Won’t spend too long on this because if I get started you will be here ALL night, just let us not forget that “he had provided purification for sins.” There is a key word here. Underline it, highlight it, jump in circles around the room singing it if you want, but the key word here is purification. Yes guys, that is right. Our sins our forgiven. We have been purified. Now I don’t know about you but if I was writing down a list of attributes to describe myself then pure would most certainly not be one of them. But here is the most amazing thing about the gospel! In Christ we find true purity and beauty. What a wonderful wonderful saviour!

Greater than the angels
So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs.
Today sadly many people worship angels. Let this final section of today’s verse blows a million holes in that idea. Why worship something lower than the highest. And who is the highest? Jesus Christ! Normally if anyone uses that name on its on they are taking the Lord’s name in vain sadly but today we are answering a question. Jesus is the greatest, Jesus is the highest, Jesus is the Righteous and Holy one. My friends, let us today remember that Jesus is the Greatest Subject of all!

Apply
So as we come to consider the greatest subject of all, the subject of the Lord Jesus, let us spend a few minutes to reply today. I am much shorter on time today sadly. Today being such a huge subject. It’s maybe a good job though because if I had lots of time today to study and think on this subject it might just drive me insane for everything I open up in my minds eye here shows more mysteries and beauties in this Saviour of mine.
1) Jesus sustains everything. Every breath we take is by his grace alone. So what are we waiting for? Why fear? What can man do to me? Let us wake up before its too late and radically live a life that is saturated by the glorious gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. If we have friends who don’t know we’re believers, let us make sure they do soon enough! Why? Why not guys! He gives us every breath- Don’t waste a single one of them!
2) The Church is more of a power that you will ever realise. It is how God has decided society should work. So if I can put on Jason Ramsey’s favourite stuck record, you need to be at all the meeting you can possibly make. Spending time with God’s people and in God’s word is the best way to spend a Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday evening. Also if your Church has a Sunday prayer meeting, do your utmost to get there! I confess to you right now that I am a poor example as I may not make the bible study on Wednesday night here in Dewsbury due to work commitments, but I do long to be there. Let us all long to be there.

Worship is not just a song it’s a lifestyle. Let us stop living for us and live all out, sold out, for the one and only, holy, awesome mighty God!

Have a great day!

Jason

How to hear God (Hebrews 1:1-2)

How to hear God (Hebrews 1:1-2)

In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe.
(Hebrews 1:1-2)

How does God speak to you? I am sure you have heard at least someone say “If God opened up the sky and spoke down to earth in a big booming voice I would believe he exists.” I have had people use that argument and I hope it’ll encourage you that it always leaves me speechless. How anybody could so uncategorically miss the point boggles the mind! The truth is God has not chosen to speak in that way and as “God” he has absolutely every right to chose how he communicates with us. The thinking person who has some regard for himself and know’s his own sin will seek out the God of the bible to see whether what he says is true, finding out how he communicates with the people of earth.

The truth is this is the most important issue facing mankind today. In the days of global warming, the war on terror and an international credit crisis, all fall into insignificance when thought of in the light of eternity. There are so many religions out there claiming to be the answer to the problem that we know deep down we have. But only one of them can be right, as all claim to be mutually exclusive.

How Does God Speak?
What does the bibles say on this issue? Well, it says many things showing us why we are without excuse when it comes to faith in God such as creation, conscience and the bible itself. But today we’ll deal with the passage at hand and see what God has to say about his own communication methods.

The passage says that the current way of communication is not the same as it always has been. In the past God spoke through prophets. Men like Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel and others. These men stand out for me in the bible partly because of how exciting it is to hear prophesy and watch it be fulfilled and partly because they had the hardest lives. Let the prophets be an example to you, Christian, that you cannot expect an easy life when you become a believer. The health, wealth and happiness delusion in today’s church has a huge weakness. It gets blown apart by the bible from cover to cover. If you learn one lesson today let it be this: Don’t accept what the tele-evangelist says alone, or don’t accept what I say on this blog alone. Go into the scripture and search them to see if we are right.

But today we don’t have prophets any more in the same sense as we had them in the past. We do need a bit of a reunderstanding of what counts as prophesy and if God brings it along our path in way of our study then we shall deal with it then. But notice what the passage says:

but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son (1:2)

The message through the prophets went on for many years yet it came to an end with the most amazing, earth shattering display of God’s message to mankind. In Jesus we don’t only have God himself speaking to us his words from his own mouth. But we have his life lead living in the ways of godliness.

Today many so called Churches want to tell us that Jesus was just a good example and they are partially right. He is a good example. The problem we have is the word “Just!” Oh my friend there is nothing about the Godman Jesus that requires the word “just” to be placed before his attributes. In Jesus we have the perfect example lived out, absolutely, but don’t miss the point here my friends. We’re in serious danger of finding the tin or missing the biscuit on this one. It’s really not worth knowing the biscuit tin is where you find biscuits if you never take hold of one of them.

The Biscuit
Well here is the biscuit. Jesus Christ was and is the son of God. In this historical event (the life of Jesus) we see the old constricting legislation that Israel had followed for many years fulfilled and a new and more gloriously direct salvation route shown.

Think with me here (I am trying to convey my enthusiasm for this over the internet, it is not easy. Imagine me jumping around and waving my arms in a frenzy as you’ll get the idea. It’s hard to type while waving my arms.) The Lord is teaching me this here too at the same time and I am under pressure to communicate this accurately enough. So listen!

All we need to know from God or about God is found and wrapped up in the Lord Jesus Christ. Christian, which Jesus do you follow? Because the one in the bible is a lot different to how many churches and Christians view Jesus today.

Look back at the verse finally to see that Jesus was “appointed heir of all things, and through whom he (God) made the universe.” To those who say Jesus was just some mere man, that he was only a prophet, that he wasn’t God, that he wasn’t real, that he was a rebellious revolutionary, that he was a good example alone, that he was a good moral leader, that he was a bit of a crack pot, then this verse is the sucker punch to all religions and cults outside of the truth, the way and the life. Friends tremble before almighty God! Because this Jesus who we mock in our lack of worship, is God indeed, creator of the universe and heir of all things.

Apply
So here we are, time to look at the practical implications of all we’ve learnt today. As we start our studies in this book of Hebrews, let me make you a promise that you can hold me too for the rest of my life. I am no longer willing to play the game of faith. I will take this book (the bible) seriously and long to learn what it demands. And yet there is such a need for application of the word of God to our lives. Let us make prayerful, serious applications and seek together to apply these to our lives.

1) Don’t listen to me! We have grown up in a personality based culture where we listen to charismatic characters not what they say. Tony Blair was elected partly at least because of a fresh look that he brought to politics. Today exciting tele evangelists are making many false statements and being believed because they look good. Stop listening to me and start listening to God. Make sure everything that you hear is wrapped up in the bible and not in personality. If I say something wrong I want to know.
2) Learn to Love the Lord. On Branch FM we ran a drama series that challenged me a lot. The challenge was, do we know about God without loving him. I confess to being a complete geek! I love theology and the study of God. But I was made to have a relationship with him, I think sometimes I stunt that relationship by seeking to be too analytical with the word.
3) What is God telling you through his word? It has been said we should live by this rule: God Said It- I believe it- I do it! I believe that is wrong. God said it, I do it, whether I believe it or not is out of the question. A right view of the triune God brings a proper respect for the word.
4) What do you think of Jesus? Do not tolerate his name being used in a wrong way. He is your precious saviour and you love him from the bottom of your entire being.

Let all that is within me burst forth in praise of almighty God for his son, the Lord Jesus Christ is my perfect Redeemer!

Any comments, questions, stories or encouragements, please e-mail me jesus.saves99@gmail.com

Yours in Christ

Jason