To Go Against Conscience

This is one of my favorite days of the year, Reformation Day.  On October 31, 1517, Martin Luther with the nailing of his 95 Theses changed the world forever.  His courageous stand for the gospel of grace through faith stands as a testimony to us today. 

Today, I had the great joy of recounting the legacy of Luther to my students in school.  Usually as I ponder the events surronding theDiet of Worms, the phrase “Here I Stand” echoes throughout my mind.  Yet today, I find myself drawn to another portion of this famous quotation.

“…my conscience is captive to the Word of God. I cannot and I will not recant anything, for to go against conscience is neither right nor safe. Here I stand, I cannot do otherwise, God help me. Amen.”

This morning I sent out an e-mail urging others I knew here in MA to vote their conscience.  Some of the responses I got back were sympathetic to my frustration.  Many were not.  Several preacher friends of mine took me to task, playing out a scenario where I was opening the door for Deval Patrick to walk in and reek havoc here in the Commonwealth.  However each one of these people shared my assessment of Kerry Healey and wished for a better candidate.  They have made a deliberate decision to violate their own principals and support a candidate who, if elected will seek to protect abortion on demand, provide for civil unions and legalize gambling. 

I stand with Luther and proclaim my conscience is held captive by the Word of God.  I absolutely refuse to vote for canidates who PROMISE to bring about evil, no matter what their party affiliation.  This greatly puzzles me.  I fail to understand how oneseeks to curb abortion on demand by voting for candidates who support it!  I cannot fathom how one seeks to promote the Biblical idea of marriage by voting for someone who denies it!  Am I alone here?  What am I missing?

It is sad to see good men thinking this way.  A vote for Kerry Healey is vote for abortion rights.  She promises to uphold the murder of unborn children.  This is definite.  What I dislike most about Deval Patrick, Christy Mihos and Grace Ross is what I dislike about Kerry Healey. 

 Now, I understand the problem with non-GOP candidates – fiscal issues.  Here, I do tend to prefer Healey over the rest and I do believe she has some excellent suggestions as part of her 50 point plan.  If Healey were elected, my wallet would rejoice.  But money is not everything.  Iplace morality over money.  I would rather they raise our taxes 200% than see one unborn child executed.  I would rather find myself unemployed than see civil unions adopted here in the Bay State.  Therefore, I cannot support candidates who promise to bring these things about.

It is high time we placed politics aside.  I feel ashamed of preachers willing to support the GOP at the cost of Biblical principles.  Will an Bible-believing, committed Christian ever be elected here in MA?  I don’t know how the Lord will work.  I do know that with God all things are possible.  I also known that if Bible-believing, committed Christians will never be elected if even fellow Bible-believeing, commited Christians refuse to lend their support.  It is time to stop cowering under the Republican banner and declare Christ above all. 

Again, I urge the voters of Massachusetts to write in the name Michael Carl for governor.

My Endorsement for Governor

For weeks now I have agonized over the question of who to vote for in this upcoming gubernatorial election here in Massachusetts.  I have followed politics for many years and have always amused myself with keeping up to date.  Since I first registered to vote, I have been a died-in the wool conservative Republican.  Win or loose, I have voted straight down the GOP ticket in each election (with only one exception).  This year, I just cannot bring myself to do that.

The Massachusetts GOP has nominated Lieutenant Governor Kerry Healey for the job.  Though I would agree with her on some fiscal and crime prevention issues, how can I reconcile them with these views:

Q: Tell me what policy of Gov. Romney’s you disagree with.
HEALEY: We’ve always disagreed on choice and I think those differences have only become more stark over time. And I respect that, I respect differences of opinion, but I’ve always been pro choice.
(2006 MA Gubernatorial debate on Fox News with Chris Wallace Sep 25,)
http://www.ontheissues.org/Governor/Kerry_Healey_Abortion.htm

In February she said she favors embryonic stem cell research, the subject of a bill that Romney unsuccessfully vetoed last year.
http://www.ontheissues.org/Governor/Kerry_Healey_Abortion.htm

Healey opposes gay marriage but favors civil unions, which positions her to the left of Gov. Mitt Romney on this issue. She supports a proposed constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriages, but has said she would not support a measure allowing the state’s Catholic bishops to exclude gays and lesbians from adopting children from Catholic agencies.
http://www.boston.com/news/local/politics/issues/gay_marriage

Healey has said she is open to the idea of slot machines at the state’s racetracks, a stand that puts the lieutenant governor at odds with her boss, Gov. Mitt Romney. Her campaign manager, Tim O’Brien, said Healey does not want to see the racetracks close. But, he said, if slot machines become legal Healey wants to make sure lottery revenue — and thus local aid to cities and towns — does not suffer.
http://www.boston.com/news/local/politics/issues/gambling/

How can I vote for this woman?  As a Christian, I simply cannot continue to support candidates that promote the murder of unborn children, homosexual rights, and easier access to gambling.  I know the argument, we vote for the lesser of two evils.  Deval Patrick is much worse, therefore we vote Healey to make it not so bad.  That argument is growing old.  To vote for the lesser of two evils is still a vote for evil.  How can we ever expect to see real change take place if we keep voting for candidates who oppose our views.  If you keep voting for the wrong people, the wrong people win.  It’s just that simple. 

Yes, but Kevin, real change only comes from the preaching of the Word of God.  With that I agree whole-heartily.  But why, as a preacher of the gospel, would I preach from the pulpit one message, and then from the ballot box support those advocating a completely opposing message?  My job as a preacher grows more difficult as sin becomes more accepted and accessible.  It simply has to end.
As a Bible-believing Christian, I am commanded to separate myself from evil.  I am to oppose it with vigor and disdain.  Therefore, I cannot continue to support the Massachusetts State Republican Party and I will not vote for its nominee.

So then, the big question is, what do I do?  I seriously consider even sitting this one out.  If God wanted me to vote, He would have given me candidates…  But sitting out is not the act of a responsible citizen.  So then what is a Christian conservative to do in liberal Massachusetts?  I began searching for a third party candidate.  However, the other two candidates on the ballot are worse than Mrs. Healey. 

Sunday morning I began looking around for other options.  I then came in contact with Rich Selfridge, the Chairman of the Massachusetts State Constitution Party.  He and I began exchanging e-mails and I grew impressed with the party and its views.  Here are Christians supporting Biblical values, limited government and conservative fiscal policy.  This is exactly what I am looking for.  Who would have thought such a group would exist here! 

Therefore, it is my honor and privilege to support the write-in candidacy of Michael Carl.  Mike Carl is the Co-Chairman of the Massachusetts State Constitution Party.  From the website, “Michael Carl is a pastor in Wakefield, MA, a free-lance writer and a periodic columnist with the Wakefield Daily Item.  He is also President of The Heritage Alliance, a pro-family, pro-life, pro-limited constitutional government public policy group.  He lives with his wife and two sons in Lynn, MA.”  You can read some of his writings here:

Truth in Labeling
Red V. Blue:  Shame on Us

I give Mr. Carl my whole-hearted endorsement.  It is my prayer that many others will write in the name Michael Carl, 109 Eutaw Ave., Lynn, MA   01902 (the address must be written in as well).  Come Election Day, I look forward to casting my vote for a man whose policies I can fully support. 

You can learn more about the Massachusetts State Constitution Party by visiting their website.

Sunday School Notes

I know, all of you have been wondering why I did not post my usual Sunday School lesson notes last week.  Yes, I did teach a class that week.  However, I just have not had the time convert my notes into a format worth reading.  You can listen to the message through the NBC Pulpit Podcast below.

The Epistle of Jude, part 10 (mp3)
October 22, 2006
Men’s Sunday School Class
Jude 14-16

 As for this week, I did not teach as we had Missionary Builder Jim Ritchie teaching.  In fact, he will be preaching here at North tonight as well.  Then he will have the fine honor of sitting down with yours truely for a podcast interview.  Next week, we have missions conference so I will not be teacher then either.  The following week we will be back in the swing of things with Jude part 11 (our next last message in this book).

The Immeasurable Mercy of God with Pastor Chris Camp

This week on the Delve into the Depths Podcast…

Song – Come, Thou Fount
Maranatha Baptist Bible College – In Heavenly Love Abiding
Sermon – The Immeasurable Mercy of God
Christopher Camp – River Valley Baptist Church

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

Pastor Chris Camp

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

http://delveintothedepths.podomatic.com

YouTube

Tim Wilkes over at Gurnet Road got me thinking about YouTube after reading his blog.  So I thought, being the completely unoriginal guy that I am, I might as well give it a shot as well.  Here it is.

Add to Your Faith…

Last night I again had the opportunity to preach here at North Baptist Church.  I preached a message entitled, “Add to Your Faith” out of II Peter 1:1-10.  You can listen to the sermon on the North Baptist Pulpit Podcast.

Add to Your Faith (mp3)
Pastor Kevin Thompson
October 25, 2006
Wednesday Evening
II Peter 1:1-10

Handout:

Add to Your Faith
II Peter 1:1-10

Detail Peter’s mathematical diagram:

Faith  + ______________________,
________________ + _________________________,
________________ + _________________________,
________________ + _________________________,              
________________ + _________________________,         
________________ + _________________________,               
________________ + _________________________,

= _________________________________________
 
What are the three results if these things are missing (lacking) from your life?  __________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________

What should you be sure of?  __________________________________________
What happens if you do all these things? _________________________________

Define these terms:

Faith:  ________________________________________________
Virtue:  ________________________________________________
Knowledge:  _____________________________________________
Temperance: ____________________________________________
Patience:  _______________________________________________
Godliness:  ______________________________________________
Brotherly Kindness:  _______________________________
Charity:  _________________________________________________

Think and explain the order in which we are told to add these things into our lives. 
______________________________________________
______________________________________________

50 Potential Christian Bestsellers

The fine folks at Purgatorio have done it again!  I laughed hysterically when I read this list this afternoon.  Take the time and go check it out for yourself!

The Number One Problem Facing Counseling with Dr. Jim Binney

This week on the Delve into the Depths Podcast…

Song – Step by Step
The Voices of Praise – Crown Him
Sermon – The Number One Problem Facing Counseling
Dr. Jim Binney – L.E.A.D. Ministries

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

Dr. Jim Binney

Related Links:

Northland Baptist Bible College
Fundamental Perspective
Evangelist Dan Knickerbocker

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

http://delveintothedepths.podomatic.com

Two Audio Messages

This past Wednesday I spoke in chapel at school, and then preached the midweek service at North Baptist.  In the chapel message I preached a simple sermon on God’s Three Requirements as shown in Micah 6:8.  Following this in the church service, I preached a message entitled, “What to Do When You Have Failed God’s Requirements” out of Micah chapters 6-7.  I guess this was the rest of the story so to speak…  Because the prideful guy I am, I thought you might want to hear them.  So, courtesy of the North Baptist Pulpit Podcast, here they are:

God’s Three Requirements (mp3)
Pastor Kevin Thompson
October 18, 2006
SSCS Chapel
Micah 6:8

What to Do When You Have Failed God’s Requirements (mp3)
Pastor Kevin Thompson
October 18, 2006
Wednesday Evening Service
Micah 6-7

In Pastoral Appreciation: A Special Night at North Baptist

The Bible tells us in I Timothy 5:17, “Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.We at North Baptist Church decided to give honor where honor was due and take the occasion to show our appreciation for Pastor Peter Laitres.Pastor Laitres is a contributor on the Fundamental Perspective blog.

The evening began with an ironic/providential (?) sermon out of II Kings 2:23-25.The Message was entitled, “The Cursing of the Mockers.”In this passage the Bible warns against a disrespectful attitude toward God, the servants of God and the things of God in general.Here are a few highlights:

I.The Mockers of God
A. The Age of the mockers
o The “little children” could have been teenagers to young adults.
o A secondary meaning can be servant!
B. The Attitude of the Mockers
o The attitude shown here was one of total disrespect for God’s man and God’s work!
o Mocked means to scorn, to deride, make fun of.They were making light of God!
C.The Accusation of the Mockers
o “Go up, thou bald head; go up, thou bald head.”
o The “go up” is a reference to Elijah’s departure!
o They are also telling Elisha to “get lost” in a similar fashion!
o The “bald head” was a personal act of disrespect.

II.The Manifestation of God
A.Elisha called down the judgment of God on them.
B. In 2 Chronicles 36:15-16, recapping the sorry history of spiritual declension in Israel, we read: “And the LORD God of their fathers sent to them by his messengers, rising up betimes, and sending; because he had compassion on his people, and on his dwelling place:¹⁶But they mocked the messengers of God, and despised his words, and misused his prophets, until the wrath of the LORD arose against his people, till there was no remedy.”

Closing Thoughts:

1. Be careful around children – they pick up far more than you may think, and they’ll end modelling the behaviour they observe more than the philosophy they are taught!
2. We live in a society where there is no discipline, no control, no judgment of sin until after innocent people are wronged.I believe this is the height of ungodliness.
3. God judges sin – when there is a full frontal attack on God’s servant, when the office is completely disrespected and mocked, there is judgment coming.
4. Many pastors I know have had incidents where someone disrespected the OFFICE of pastor and that person met his demise shortly thereafter.I don’t say that to scare people, but to remember this is serious:
5. The sin here by this crowd of young hooligans was not personal mistreatment of Elisha – it was a total disregard for the work that God was doing in their midst and for the OFFICE of prophet that God had ordained. It was not about Elisha, it was about GOD!

You can download the audio file of the complete message here.  (when it becomes available)

As the service was about to be dismissed in prayer, I got up and sat everyone back down.I asked Mrs. Laitres to join us on the platform and be seated with her husband.They had no idea of what we had planned.

Our service was actually quite simple.Three men in our church gave testimonies of how Pastor and Becky have impacted their lives and the lives of others here at North Baptist.

Following this I presented pastor with several cards and notes from church members, friends, and other pastors.

The evening concluded with food and fellowship downstairs in Rice Hall.

Though we did nothing spectacular, we thought it important to encourage our preacher and his wife from time to time.We do not engage in man-worship or in theatrics.However, encouragement is Biblical and necessary.Why don’t you pray and see how you can encourage your pastor?