Where is Your Passion?

“We find that people exercise the affections in everything else but religion!  When it comes to their worldly interest, their outward delights, their honor and reputation, and their natural relations, they have warm affection and ardent zeal.  In these things their hearts are tender and sensitive, easily moved, deeply impressed, much concerned, and much engrossed.  They get deeply depressed at worldly loses, and highly excited at worldly successes.  But how insensible and unmoved are most men about the great things of another world!  How dull then are their affections!  Here their love is cold, their desires languid, their zeal low, and their gratitude small.  How can they sit and hear of the infinite height, depth, length and breadth of the love of God in Christ Jesus, of His gift of His infinitely dear Son offered up as a sacrifice for the sins of men, and yet be so insensible and regardless!  Can we suppose that the wise Creator implanted such a faculty of afflictions to be occupied in this way?  How can any Christian who believes the truth of these things not realize this?” – Jonathan Edwards

Dispensationalism

By Pastor Steven Hathaway
Heritage Baptist Church

All of human history can be broken into seven periods of time. These periods are known as dispensations.  A dispensation is a period of time where God gives man certain stewardship responsibilities.   Each dispensation ends with a failure on man’s part bringing God’s judgement.  The purpose of each dispensation is to illustrate man’s inability to coexist with (or manage) sin.  Studying these dispensations demonstrates unequivocally man’s whole dependence on God and the necessity of sin being eradicated from the universe.  There are seven dispensations revealed in God’s word.  It is important to note that God’s way of salvation, which is by grace through faith, is constant throughout these dispensations. 

1.  THE DISPENSATION OF INNOCENCE.  This dispensation began with the creation of man in the Garden of Eden.  During this time man was in a state of innocence concerning sin (Genesis 2:17).  However, sin’s presence in the Garden, through Satan, was more than man could resist as evidenced through man’s yielding to sin’s temptation (Genesis 3:1-6).  Man’s failure in regards to his innocence brought about God’s judgement (Genesis 3:17:24).  The lesson of this dispensation: Man cannot co-exist with sin without being contaminated and destroyed.

2.  THE DISPENSATION OF CONSCIENCE.  This dispensation begins after the fall and extends to the judgment of the flood.   While the Word of God would have been available through oral and written sources man is left solely to his conscience as a guide.  Concluding this dispensation we see the failure of man regarding his conscience in that “every imagination of the thoughts of his heart” were only evil continually (Genesis 6:5).  The lesson of this dispensation: Left only to conscience man will utterly fail. 

3.  HE DISPENSATION OF HUMAN GOVERNMENT. This dispensation begins with the covenant God makes with Noah and his descendants.  One of the components of this covenant is the institution of capital punishment (Genesis 9:6).  Capital punishment requires a human government agency to apprehend and try a murderer, and administer the sentence of execution.  Thus, when God ordained capital punishment, He thereby instituted human government as a restraint against the lawless rebellion of mankind. In Romans 13:1-4 the Apostle Paul indicated that human governmental authority derives its existence and authority from God.  The failure of man concerning this third dispensation is seen when men collaborated together to rebel against God through the building of the Tower of Babel (Genesis 11:1-9).  Concerning this dispensation God’s judgement is seen by the confounding of human language.  The lesson of this dispensation: Human government is not capable to shield man from the poison of sin. 

4.  THE DISPENSATION OF PROMISE.   This dispensation began with the covenant God made with Abraham (Genesis 12:1-3).  Prior to this point God dealt with all mankind in general.  With the calling of Abraham God is now dealing with a specific man and his descendents.  Governing this dispensation is the dependence Abraham and his descendants must have on God’s promise.  By the time of Israel’s existence in Egypt, the people of promise have been thoroughly contaminated by the religions of their society.  The giving of the Law is both a judgment and the beginning of the next dispensation.  The lesson of this dispensation: Man will fail even when depending upon the promises of God.

5.  THE DISPENSATION OF LAW.    This dispensation begins with the giving of the law in Exodus 19:3.  It is important to note:

 a)  A specific people are dealt with (the nation of Israel).  As in the previous dispensation separation from society  was an important part of this time period. 

 b)  Specific and exhaustive commands are given to the people.  The specificity of the commands and the required  separation from the world will leave man’s will to the test.

This dispensation ends with the judgment of Calvary.  The cross was God’s public and clear statement that men had failed in regards to the law.  The lesson of this dispensation: Man is incapable of keeping the Law. 

6.  THE DISPENSATION OF GRACE (OR THE CHURCH AGE).   This dispensation begins with the preaching of the Gospel and the founding of the New Testament local church.   In this time period man now will exist with regeneration, the permanent indwelling of God Himself through the Holy Spirit, and governance by the local church.  This dispensation will also end in failure as fearful predictions are presented in the Bible (2 Timothy 3:1-5; 4:3-4).  The judgment of this dispensation will be the universal seven years of Tribulation coupled with the Second Coming of Christ.    The lesson of this dispensation: Regeneration, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and governance by the local church are unable to immunize man from sin’s affects. 

7.  THE DISPENSATION OF THE MILLENNIAL KINGDOM.   This dispensation begins with the establishment of the thousand year Millennial Kingdom (Revelation 20:4).  This time period will involve the following details:

 a)  Christ will establish His righteous government.  Outward manifestations of sin will be brought under subjection  (Zechariah 14:16-17). 

 b)  Satan will be bound during this time (Revelation 20:1-2). 

At the end of this dispensation the nations shall rise up in one final rebellion against God (Revelation 20:7-9).  The Lesson of this dispensation: Man will fail even under righteous government. 

CONCLUSION

The lesson of all seven dispensations can be summarized as follows: Man cannot co-exist with sin.  Not innocence, not human conscience, not human government, not righteous government, not depending on God’s promise, not depending on God’s Law, no not even conversion can enable man to co-exist with sin! Sin must be removed from the universe. 

Yes, I’ve Been Unfaithful…

South Shore Christian School welcomes back grades one through six tomorrow.  As the principal, you can imagine that these past two weeks have been difficult and busy.  Yes, in other words, I am making my excuse for not faithfully uipdating this blog.

However, I believe the unfaithfulness is justified.  The work of the ministry must always come before this blog.  I know, you’ve heard that a thousand other times from every other blog you’ve read…  But, it is true.  A proper balence must always be kept.  So, I will not be writing much new material here for the next two weeks or so.  However, to fill the large void I leave (insert any fat joke you wish), I will be posting articles, quotes and other material from other sources. 

If you absolutely cannot live without my blogging skills, you can catch me on the South Shore Christian School blog.

Farewell for now!

Christian Education: An Interview with Dr. Leon Moody

This week on the Delve into the Depths Podcast…

This week we are airing a special back-to-school podcast.  We are featuring an exclusive interview with Dr. Leon Moody on the subject of Christian Education.  Dr. Moody was one of the founders of Dublin Christian Academy in 1964 and has been a powerful influence in New England Christian education ever since.

Interview - Christian Education
Dr. Leon Moody - Dublin Christian Academy

Download the mp3 file here
Listen to the stream here
Subscribe with RSS feed here

  
Dr. Leon Moody
with Pastor Kevin Thompson

 

For a complete listing of all archived podcasts,
please visit our podcast page at:

http://delveintothedepths.podomatic.com

Revival Meetings

Revival Meetings with
EVANGELIST LIN CROXTON

at

North Baptist Church
Brockton, Massachusetts
AUGUST 27-30

Bro. Croxton has been focusing on missionary evangelism for the last few years and now holds the majority of his revivals outside of the United States. He’ll be giving reports of the blessings God has bestowed in other nations such as Haiti and Moldova. We hope you can come out!

• Meetings begin at 7:00 on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday evenings. 

• As always we desire that you be at your home church any time it is having services.

• Make plans to attend – it will be worth the trip!

For more information call 508-580-1400
Visit us on the web at www.nbc-sscs.org/

Music To Free The Heart-program

I just recieved this e-mail from Brother Byron Foxx at Bible Truth Music.  BTM produces conservative, God-honoring music that has blessed me everytime I listen.

I believe Christian music can make a difference! Everyone needs to hear music that is Christ-centered and Bible-based!

We have a new program here at BTM – titled MUSIC TO FREE THE HEART.

We have had requests for BTM Music CD’s for prison libraries. We want to send boxes of 30 different recordings, to each prison. We are looking for people or churches that would sponsor a box for $109 each, which covers our cost of duplication, royalties and shipping. (The retail price on a box of 30 CD’s is $479)

We also have donated recordings in the past to other places like nursing homes, mission agencies….

If you are interested in sponsoring a box in this program MUSIC TO FREE THE HEART, simply reply to this e-mail, or call our office.

Already one church has promised their mid-week offering will be designated to help start this program.

God bless!

Evangelist Byron Foxx
www.BibleTruthMusic.com

Tag, Derek is It

Derek Makri over at The Faithful Word has responded to my tag, thought some of you might want to check that out.  While you are there, take some time and read some of the other posts Derek has thrown up there, it will be worth your while.  By the way, Derek, I like the new look you given to the site.  In honor of that new look, here is a old look back…  As Derek mentioned on his blog, in college we both interned at Smyrna Baptist Church in Pensacola, Fl together.  Here are some Smyrna memories…

Smyrna Interns with Pastor Roy Julian

Smyrna Interns with then Youth Pastor Jason Stricklin (now a church planter)

Smyrna Interns with Evangelist Phil Kidd (don’t even ask…)

The Epistle of Jude, part 4

Jude 4

I.  The Creeping of the Creeps

A.  These are men who claim to be Christians, just as we are.  They are never quite honest about what they really believe.  It would be easy if they all proclaimed themselves to be false teachers and heretics, but as any good thief can tell you, the element of surprise is key.

B.  There are many who enter into a church who seem to be just like us.  They dress like us, they act like us.  They carry a Bible in their hands and a smile on their face.

C.  These men are subtle, they don’t just barge in the door, they come in secretly.  These people are those who slip in as if by a side door.  The literal meaning of this phrase is to enter in beside.  They don’t people knowing who they really are.

D.  This is how they get their foot in the door.  Sure they agree with pastor’s preaching, but little by little they start to cause doubt.  We love pastor, but he’s not fully aware of the latest study on this passage…  We love this church, but if we were in charge we do things a little differently…  they might claim. 

E.  Right now in Connecticut there’s a church that is being besieged by a growing home church movement – and it all started with one family visiting the church, and then one by one the get into each the homes of each family, and soon discussion begins to take place…  One thing leads to another and soon you have a divided church.  If this one family had been honest about their disagreements up front, none of this would have ever have happened.  But instead they chose to creep in unawares…

F.  This is how cults steal members away from good churches.  The problem with many cults is they we all use the same words, same lingo, but complete different meanings behind them.  Any Roman Catholic, for example, believes that salvation is by grace through faith.  But what does he man by that?  Jehovah Witnesses will tell you that Jesus Christ is absolutely the Son of God, but what do they mean by that?  I remember Mormons coming to my door once and were so thrilled I was reading the Bible, because they do to!  Now, that we have a foot In the door, let me tell you about another great book…

G.  II Corinthians 11:13-15 warn us that false teachers are going to transform their appearance into something more appealing and deceptive.   This is a work of Satan himself.

H.  This is how the new evangelicals and ecumenists get their way.  They talk about love and unity, and after awhile they can slip in false doctrine and watered-down orthodoxy.  Liberals operate the same way.

I.  We need to test all spirits.  We must start showing some discernment.  We need to realize that not everyone who says thus saith the Lord is speaking the truth.  Examine what people are saying. 

J.  And just a side not, we need to make sure of our own intentions and honesty.  When we have disagreements and problems with the church, lets not creep around unawares and spread gossip and slander, lets be honest enough to talk with the pastor and leave quietly if need be.

II.  Condemnation of the Creeps

A.  This is not talking about predestination or anything of that nature.  God is not saying these men are forced to do what they are doing and cannot help but to do it.

B.  This verse means that they have been warned of before.  The book that goes right along with Jude is the book of II Peter, the two go hand-in-hand.  

C.  II Peter 2:1-3 is kind of a parallel passage with Jude 4.  II Peter warns they are coming and in Jude 4 they are already there.  But if we go back to II Peter we find some similarities and a little bit more detail about these wicked men.

1.  They will be among you – not just in bad churches or in other churches, but in yours.  Be on guard!

2.  Many will be led away because of their lies – they actually speak evil of good things.  How many times do we see that happening today?  Someone wants to stand up for what is right and they are labeled a legalist, a bigot, or arrogant.

3.  They want to make merchandise of you – they do not care about you at all.  They want your money in the hands and their products in yours.  You are nothing more than a demographic, or consumers to them.  Watch their tv programs and see how many things there are to purchase.

D.  But don’t worry, this verse does speak of condemnation.  In other words, destructions awaits them.  II Peter calls it swift and it does not slumbereth.  In other words, they are already caught.  They have not gotten away with anything.  They may be successful now, but the destruction is in their future.

E.  God will not allow His name to be mocked, defamed, used or blasphemed forever!  Remember, what you teach, doctrine, reflect on how other see God.  Doctrine is of the utmost importance.  Those who treat it nicely will pay. 
III.  Characteristics of the Creeps

A.  Ungodly

1.  They are completely without God.  Let’s remember that not everyone who is successful is that way because God is blessing them.  The Redsox can get thousands into a stadium, has nothing to do with God.  Tony Robbins can get thousands of people across the country into his motivation seminars, has nothing to do with God.

2.  God is not blessing them, empowering them or helping them.

B.  Turning grace into lasciviousness

1.  This means they are using God’s grace as an excuse to do whatever they want.  This word describes all kinds of excess, unbridled living.

2.  We need to watch the actions of some of these men.  I think all of people learned a big lesson a few years back when the Jim Bakker, Jimmy Swagert scandals broke. 

3.  But we have people like that in our own midst.  I just learned of an fundamental Baptist preacher who I have actually had some contact with who is now embroiled in a money scandal.  Famous preachers are now dealing with horrible sin – they have turned the grace of God into lasciviousness

C.  Denying the Lord

1.  This does not mean they are atheists.  They could never get into any church that way.  But perhaps they would deny that Jesus is God or that Jesus is human.

2.  But they are one who put a cloak of religion upon them, but have no submission to God at all.  (II Timothy 3:5-6)

3.  They are not denying His existence actually, but denying His existence practically – not obeying His authority.  They live how they want to, regardless of what Scripture teaches.  (Ezekiel 8:1-12)

The Four Dimensional Love of God with Pastor Kevin Thompson

This week on the Delve into the Depths Podcast…

Song – I Will Not Let Thee Go
Mac Lynch and Tim Fisher – Proclaim His Name
Sermon – Four Dimensional Love
Pastor Kevin Thompson – North Baptist Church

Download the mp3 file here
Listen to the stream here
Subscribe with RSS feed here

  
Pastor Kevin Thompson

Related Links:

Galilean Baptist Church - Stafford Springs, CT

For a complete listing of all archived podcasts,
please visit our podcast page at:

http://delveintothedepths.podomatic.com

A Little Blog Humor…

Someone had sent this through an e-mail list a little while back. It still makes me laugh…