God's Word to You: A Summary of the Bible

From inside the cover of Lifeway's The Gospel Project Chronological: 

God's Word to You: A Summary of the Bible

In the beginning, the all-powerful, personal God created the universe. This God created human beings in His image to live joyfully in His presence, in humble submission to His gracious authority. But all of us have rebelled against God and, in consequence, must suffer the punishment of our rebellion: physical death and the wrath of God.

Thankfully, God initiated a rescue plan, which began with His choosing the nation of Israel to display His glory in a fallen world. The Bible describes how God acted mightily on Israel's behalf, rescuing His people from slavery and then giving them His holy law. But God's people - like all of us - failed to rightly reflect the glory of God.

Then, in the fullness of time, in the Person of Jesus Christ, God Himself came to renew the world and restore His people. Jesus perfectly obeyed the law given to Israel. Though innocent, He suffered the consequences of human rebellion by His death on a cross. But three days later, God raised Him from the dead.

Now the church of Jesus Christ has been commissioned by God to take the news of Christ's work to the world. Empowered by God's Spirit, the church calls all people everywhere to repent of sin and to trust in Christ alone for our forgiveness. Repentance and faith restores our relationship with God and results in a life of ongoing transformation.

The Bible promises that Jesus Christ will return to this earth as the conquering King. Only those who live in repentant faith in Christ will escape God's judgment and live joyfully in God's presence for all eternity. God's message is the same to all of us: repent and believe, before it is too late. Confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, and you will be saved.

Happy b/c of Jesus,

Pastor James

The Immutable Counsel belongs to God!

"Repenting means revising one's judgment and changing one's plan of action.  God never does this; he never needs to, for his plans are made on the basis of a complete knowledge and control which extend to all things past, present and future, so that there can be no sudden emergencies or unexpected developments to take him by surprise....What God does in time, he planned from eternity.  And all that he planned in eternity he carries out in time.  And all that he has in his Word committed himself to do will infallibly be done.  Thus we read of "the immutability of his counsel" to bring believers into full enjoyment of their promised inheritance, and of the immutable oath by which he confirmed this counsel to Abraham, the archetypal believer, both for Abraham's own assurance and for ours too (Heb 6:17-18). So it is with all God's announced intentions.  They do not change.  No part of his eternal plan changes....
Jesus Christ is "the same yesterday and today and forever" (Heb 13:8), and his touch has still its ancient power.  It still remains true that "he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them: (Heb 7:25). He never changes. This fact is the strong consolation of all God's people."

-J. I. Packer, Knowing God, p. 80

What is Scientism?

I accidentally found this article on the Social Justice Wiki, and thought it was very clear and concise.  Hope you like it.

Scientism entry on SJ Wiki

How We Vote for the Lesser of Two Evils

I won't vote for “the lesser of two evils.” Really? Why not?

Perhaps the desire could be framed, “I will vote for the better politician.” That's an ironic term to be sure, but it lets us make a good choice in light of the true situation.

The hope for an ideal candidate in any election is surely a fond one. “Hope springs eternal” the marketers know. Politicians always strategize to maximize their benefits and minimize their liabilities. It is up to their opponents to maximize liabilities, right? This should be no surprise to anyone.

For some reason, people are “shocked” and “surprised” when American political campaigns swerve into the gutter. Or when they are swerved intentionally in the gutter.

Proverbs 18:7 says, “A fool's mouth is his ruin, And his lips are the snare of his soul.” A few verses later we read, “The first to plead his case seems right, Until another comes and examines him.”

We don't like to be disappointed with politicians. Like optimism and hope, disappointment is ever-present and looms around every new sunrise in politics and government. Many of us would like to cast a vote and solve some problems. There are so many problems that it is hard to keep track of any progress if you are actually trying to hold down a job.

So why the insistence on idealism? On Godly, righteous people in government, especially if they are not running? At the end of the day we have to “give to Caesar the things that are Caesar's.” The Kingdom of God is not equal to any human government, no matter what Evangelicals fondly wish.

And just because a particular politician is sub-optimal is many ways this does not mean voting for that person is a dramatic and revolting act of evil. It is actually a rather mundane act, like raking leaves. It may not be fun or “holy,” but it needs to be done.

Character counts, but only if character is a selection on the ballot. Character is measured against promises of action and policy. Politicians influence public policy, laws and their enforcement, regulation and initiatives of public investment, and hopefully moral leadership. Only with time will the true nature of politicians be revealed, so you have to look at the record, not the mud that is slung.

So, when one candidate is to you better or worse than another (after you've formed evidence based opinions) then you have to “pay your money and take your choice.”

It may not do any real good to see candidates as “evil” just because they are less (or even very far less) than ideal. This is silencing your own vote.

If you chose not to decide, you still have made a choice.

Compassion v. Power

With the coming disclosure of Hillary Rodham Clinton's Parkinson's Disease, the true sick nature of modern global politics will be revealed. We will see just how low they will go to get their person in position. How far they will push our collective conscience in their never ending quest for more power. Is it fair to subject us to all this craven display of dishonesty and pride called the 2016 Clinton Campaign? Realize how many people know the true nature of her health struggle, and consider that this may explain Benghazi, the slack handling of classified information (even when it was important to cover up her crimes!), why Uncle Joe “didn't” run but will likely be the next President, and the “non-indictment indictment” by the FBI. This is an outrageous insanity we have been witnessing. Power has trumped compassion.

I believe she could have already shown great compassion by being honest with us all. But this is not her character. Can any sane person deny the character flaws that we have seen to date? Even reducing by ¾ the reports we have heard? Her moral code, like many politicians and other sociopaths, is very likely “seared.” For example, the Bible says, “...in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons, by means of the hypocrisy of liars seared in their own conscience as with a branding iron...” I Timothy 4:1-2. I hope not.

Even now I believe she can still show compassion, and join openly the struggle against Parkinson's that families wage around the world on a daily basis. I sure hope this is what she does, and soon. Maybe her later years will be spend doing something positive and productive, like donating millions of “Clinton Cash” to Parkinson's research and treatment. I mean, for crying out loud, y'all.

Compare her actions with Michael J. Fox or Billy Graham. We may be about to see many hurtful things said, things which may end up wounding many thousands who are living with Parkinson's. Hillary Rodham Clinton will go down with this great opportunity lost, sacrificed on the altar of power.

We must brace ourselves for what may come in the public discourse. Christians must commit to seeking truth, speaking truth, and showing compassion. Sympathy, understanding, and watching one's manners about a devastating disease are what is called for. As we go through this together, please consider how this affects those suffering with Parkinson's, and other debilitating illnesses. Realize that they will deserve our thoughts and prayers as they see this unfold in the coming days. 

HRC in Blue Glasses

Keeping Cool During Hot Elections

Keeping Cool During Hot Elections

Rush Limbaugh is famous for saying that “everything is political.” To this we may all say together, “Oh no!” As we begin to see hundreds of TV ads from Trump vs. Clinton, it is important for Christians to not loose composure (2 Thessalonians 2:2) and remember what is truly and eternally important.

It's important to think about the relationship between Christians and their government. We find this in God's Word. We know that God has some requirements.

First, we are to occupy positions in our government if we can do so. You will recall that Joseph was appointed to positions, and eventually was a very powerful person in Egypt (Genesis 42:6). Next, we are to pay taxes to our government. Jesus famously said, “Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar, and unto God the things which are God's.” (Matthew 22:18-21). Next we are to pray for our government. This means praying for people individually, even those politicians we don't like or agree with (I Timothy 2:1-3). Christians are to be promotors of a “righteous peace,” and this begins with prayer. Next, we are to obey the rules of government. The basic formulation of our obedience to law is found in Romans 13:1-7. Here Paul gives a perspective that we should cherish ourselves. We don't control everything, but we know that God does! Finally, I'll remind you that we are called to obey God first. Gov. Mike Pence famously says, “I'm a Christian first, an American second, and a Republican third- in that order.” To most Christians that sounds like good priorities. In Acts 5:29 you see that people “must obey God rather than men.” Obeying God is our first priority. This is where the idea of God-given rights comes in our Democratic Republic form of government.

Whatever your political beliefs, always remember to try and let them be influenced by God's Word. While we may be moved to tears by our nation's problems, or frustrated by the decades of social decline and injustice, we can always show others that our hope is in God and not man. Further, we must always recall that our enemy is not other people, but the evil one who wants to deceive the whole world, the enemy of God, the devil.

If you're going to watch TV or hear the news, there is really no telling what we are in for this time. With all of you, I'll be hanging in there. While everything may have a political aspect, what is most important is the mission of Jesus and of Rolling Roads Baptist Church!

Happy Because of Jesus,

Pastor James