Month: October 2016

The Good News is there is a Way That Leads to Heaven

The religious world today leads us to believe that there is no punishment for those who believe in God and continue to sin. Pastors say that there are many ways to get to heaven. This false teaching includes those who do not even believe in God. Statements like, “He didn’t go to church but was a good man while he lived; he has got to be in heaven even though he did not obey God. God will certainly not condemn him.” God will judge but this false belief stems from wanting to justify ours sins and the sins of the ones we love. This man-made doctrine makes us feel good. Will any of these non-biblical beliefs lead us to heaven? If we are all honest with ourselves we know the answer to that question. Our way will leads us to eternal destruction and darkness. God’s way is the only way that will lead us to heaven through and by His Word. He who can hear let him hear and consider the following statements, are they true or not?

All branches are not individuals but all the churches and Jesus recognizes them all. It is alright to have many churches and faiths and baptisms.

John 15:4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. 5  I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. 6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. KJV

Eph 4:3  Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; 5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism, KJV

Mat_16:18  And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

1Co 3:11  For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

 

All I have to do is follow my heart and what I feel is right. That will be good enough to get me into heaven.

Pro 14:12  There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. KJV

Jer 17:9  The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? KJV

I cannot find the Sinner’s Prayer anywhere in the Bible and have been taught this my whole life, but it is enough to get me into heaven. It is a very popular teaching. Everyone who believes in God is going to heaven.

Mat 7:13  Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. 15  Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. 16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? 17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. 21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23  And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. KJV

I trust our pastor, he would not lead me astray. I trust him and my eternal soul to what he teaches.

1John 4:1  Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. KJV

Acts 17:11  These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. KJV

Anything that is written in the Bible that is a direct command is a work and I do not have to obey because I am saved by grace. All I need to do is believe.

James 2:17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. 18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. 19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. KJV

2Thes 1:8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: 9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; KJV

1Peter 4:17  For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? 18 And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? KJV

 

I love Jesus that is all I need to do.

John 14:15  If ye love me, keep my commandments. KJV

So what command from Jesus do I need to obey to have eternal life?

Mat 28:18  And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

Mark 16:15  And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. KJV

Surely all these different ways the denominations teach about being saved and attaining eternal life cannot be all wrong. Can they?

2Cor 11:3  But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. 4  For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him. KJV

Gal 1:6  I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: 7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. 9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed. KJV

All this talk about hell, what about heaven?

John 14:2 In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. KJV

Romans 6:23  For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. KJV

 

Acts 2:38  Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. KJV

Rom 6:3  Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:

 

1Jn 2:27  But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him. 28  And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.

1Th 4:16  For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17  Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

The Good News is, there is a Heaven. Heaven is something that can be attained if we follow God’s road map and not man’s way. God’s grace has let you live to this very moment to act on your belief and obey His Gospel. The Good News is you can share this Gospel with the ones you l0ve. The Good News is you can be sure that your belief and faith after obeying the words of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will lead you to a home with Him when this life is over.

By Tim Anderson

 

The Good news is you can have purpose in this life.

Today suicides are increasing in all age groups especially in our youth. Why? When all the expectations of this life’s goals are met, the euphoria is realized as only temporary. Consider rock stars and entertainers who have reached what they would define as life’s precipice. Sadly, theses iconic models fall dramatically, dispatching themselves from their lofty heights.  We need to honestly analyze the things here in this life we think will bring happiness. In the end, will these temporary things be defined as only benefiting one’s self? Self-servitude is a dark and lonely place and breeds disparity. These loveless feelings and lack hope discourages a person’s ability to look forward. The temporal faith creates a personal god that is self-condemning. Denial of a life to come also justifies the disappointment this life has to offer.  The deception of no eternal goal is the devil’s tool to create hopelessness and a life without purpose. An honest self-examination gives us the real reason we find ourselves in such a dark and loveless state. Consider the following:

Why am I so conflicted?

Jer. 31:33  But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people. 34  And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more. KJV

Ecc. 3:11  He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end. KJV

Does God really have a purpose for me?

Jer. 1:5  Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations. KJV

I have done so many ungodly things, does God still want me?

2Peter 3:9  The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. KJV

If I repent and follow God, I will have to leave some things behind to move forward.

Mark 10:29  And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel’s, 30  But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life. KJV 

How do I overcome being self-serving?

Mark 9:35  And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all. KJV

How do I begin having purpose in life serving and loving God and then having eternal life?

John 14:21  He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.

Mark 16:16  He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. KJV

Have I waited too long to serve Christ with my life and receive a servants reward?

Mat. 20:8  So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the labourers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first. 9  And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny. 10  But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more; and they likewise received every man a penny. 11  And when they had received it, they murmured against the good man of the house, 12  Saying, These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day. 13  But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny? 14  Take that thine is, and go thy way: I will give unto this last, even as unto thee. 15  Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good? 16  So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen. KJV

The Good news is you can start a new life now that has purpose. The Good news is you can be a servant as a good example of repentance and lead others to Christ. The Good news is that you can now have the hope of eternal life. Would you like to start that life now? The Good news is you can obey the Gospel!

By   Tim Anderson. Evangelist and minister at the Eastern U.P. Church of Christ

The Good News Is I Can Find Strength

Weakness in faith is one of the most effective tool in the devil’s tool box. All of us at one time or another have doubted the power of the Word of God. The deception lies in the devil’s ability to convince us we can be alright outside of the authority that is in God’s Word. None of the benefits and strengths can be realized in disobedience to God’s Word. Outside of the living Word of God an individual becomes a god to themselves. An unhardened heart gives an honest self-examination. An honest heart tells us that separation from God’s Word will eventually leave us separated from God eternally. How do we keep strong in what we believe?

Very Simply:

Consider keeping your mind receptive to the Word of God

Hebrews 3:8  Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness: 9  When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my works forty years. 10  Wherefore I was grieved with that generation, and said, They do alway err in their heart; and they have not known my ways. 11  So I sware in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest.) 12  Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. 13  But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. 14  For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end; 5  While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation. KJV

Consider going to God and His Word and not away from Him

Hebrews 10:22-23  Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) KJV

James 4:7-8  Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8  Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. KJV

Consider the benefits of having the faith that leads to obedience to the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ

Php 4:13  I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. KJV

Rom 8:38-39  For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39  Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. KJV

1John 1:9  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. KJV

Mat 25:23  His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. KJV

Consider the lack of faith that does not lead to obedience to the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ

2Thes 1:8-9  In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: 9  Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; KJV

Consider that our faith needs to be with the Word of God only, so there is no weakness and doubt

Romans 10:17  So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. KJV

Consider if the Word of God was compromised when we came to have faith, what validity does that belief have in the eyes of God?

Mat 7:21-23  Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22  Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23  And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. KJV

Consider that there is a way to have confidence in your faith

Heb 11:1  Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. KJV

John 14:6  Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. KJV

Consider that when our faith and our belief in the Word of God in Jesus Christ has power, our sins are truly forgiven

Act 2:37-38  Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? 38  Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. KJV

The Good News is that we can have confidence in our belief when our faith is based only on what the Word of God through Christ Jesus teaches. The Good News is that when we become weak, that through prayer we can be strengthened. The Good News is that the pure Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ saves us and if we obey that Gospel and remain faithful we will have a home with him for eternity.

By Tim Anderson

Am I on the right road that leads to eternal Life?

Steven Covey references an individual who works hard his whole life climbing the ladder of success only to find when he gets to the top that his ladder was on the wrong wall. How sad would it be for those who had followed the doctrine of one of 300,000 denominations only to hear these words at the Judgement Day from our Lord and Savior, “Mat 7:21  Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22  Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23  And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. KJV  The Apostle Paul found his ladder on the wrong wall on the way to Damascus.  Acts chapters 9, 22 and 26 recounts Paul’s realization to how misguided he was. Paul was sincere in what he believed but was sincerely wrong. We can see from his actions that Paul moved his ladder. There are questions we should all ask when it comes to what we belong to and where it will lead us.

If there are a lot of People who belong to this or that denomination, are they automatically right?

Mat 7:13  Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14  Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. KJV

So what foundation should the church have in the doctrine it teaches?

Mat 7:24  Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: 25  And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.

Mat 16:18  And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. 19  And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. KJV

Eph 2:19  Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; 20  And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;  21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: KJV

Acts 2:42  And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. KJV

What will happen to the churches that are based loosely on scriptures and more on what men have introduced?

Mat 7:26  And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: 27  And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it. KJV

Mat 15:13  But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up.KJV

How many churches does the Bible recognize, and how many beliefs or faiths are there?

Eph 5:23  For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. KJV

Eph 4:4  There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; 5  One Lord, one faith, one baptism, KJV

Eph 5:25  Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;26  That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 27  That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. KJV

As long as there is some of the doctrine from the New Testament included is it ok to add man’s rules and teaching to the church?

Mat 15:9  But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. KJV

Rev 22:18  For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: 19  And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. KJV

 

Does what I feel like doing a guide for worship?

Pro 14:12  There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

 

Do I or anybody else get to decide how a person becomes a Christian?

Mat 28:19  Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20  Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. KJV

 

Mark 16:15  And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 16  He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. KJV

1Cor. 12:12-14  Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. 13  For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body–whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free–and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.

 

2Th 1:8  In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:

The good news is there is one Church. The good news is you can belong to that church that teaches the true way that leads to eternal life according to scripture. The good news is you can get off the ladder that leans on a wall that will fall and get on the new wall that will take you up to eternal life. Start climbing today. Make the move that leads to Heaven.