Happy Birthday to Two Faithful Preachers

Today, two prominent preachers in the history of the Church celebrate their earthly birthdays. One of them has long gone to glory with his Savior, while the other continues his call and commission to preach the Word (2 Tim 4:2).

A True Christian Loves the Word of God

Every living thing which God creates requires food. The life that God imparts needs sustaining and nourishing. It is so with animal and vegetable life—with birds, beasts, fishes, reptiles, insects, and plants. It is equally so with spiritual life. When the Holy Ghost raises a man from the death of sin, and makes him a new creature in Christ Jesus, the new principle in that man's heart requires food, and the only food which will sustain it is the Word of God.

There never was a man or woman truly converted, from one end of the world to the other, who did not love the revealed will of God. Just as a child born into the world desires naturally the milk provided for its nourishment, so does a soul "born again" desire the sincere milk of the Word (1 Pet 1:23; 2:2). This is a common mark of all the children of God—they "delight in the law of the Lord" (Ps 1:2).

Show me a person who despises Bible reading, or thinks little of Bible preaching, and I hold it to be a certain fact that he is not yet "born again." He may be zealous about forms and ceremonies. He may be diligent in attending sacraments and daily services. But if these things are more precious to him than the Bible, I cannot think he is a converted man. Tell me what the Bible is to a man, and I will generally tell you what he is. This is the pulse to try—this is the barometer to look at—if we would know the state of the heart. I have no notion of the Spirit dwelling in a man and not giving clear evidence of His presence. And I believe it to be a signal evidence of the Spirit's presence when the Word is really precious to a man's soul.

– J.C. Ryle, How Readest Thou?

Further Reading
Affirming Sola Scriptura
What God Says About His Word
Bible Study in a Morgue?

Sunday Morning Praise

And Can It Be

This 'n' That

I did not enjoy "The Bible" miniseries for a multitude of reasons. One of those is its misuse and abuse of the concept and phrase, "God is with us." In that pitiful series, the idea of God's protection and presence with His people was turned into a catchphrase, and the true magnificence and blessing behind it never was explained, nor was Emmanuel, the ultimate picture of "God with us," extolled as He should have been. By the end of the first episode of "The Bible," I never again wanted to hear someone with a bad British accent shout, "God is with us!" Perhaps this is an illustration of how poor and false teaching can ruin some true and wonderful concepts for the genuine believer.

Helgi Halldórsson/Freddi via photopin cc

But let us not abandon biblical concepts simply because they have been distorted by those who do not revere God and His Word. In reality, God truly is with His own. He cares for those who are His, whether in times of trial or in times of joy. He goes before His children in every circumstance, and stands with them even when men do not. This week, I was especially struck by these verses in Paul's final letter to his son in the faith, Timothy:

At my first defense no one came to stand by me, but all deserted me. May it not be charged against them! But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. So I was rescued from the lion's mouth. 

(2 Tim 4:16–17)

The Lord has promised never to leave nor forsake His children (Heb 13:5; Deut 31:6–8; Jos 1:5). He demonstrated this in Paul's life right up until the very end, and He will be faithful to those who are His today. We serve a Lord who fulfills His promises. Kind of makes you want to get on your knees in praise and thanks, doesn't it? Go ahead, we'll wait.

When you're done with that, take your laptop or your tablet outside, find a shady spot, sit back and enjoy your week in review (kind of):

NoCo90: Stop Sharing the Gospel

If you have an idea or suggestion for an episode of NoCo90, contact No Compromise Radio at their recently updated website, on their Facebook page, or via email at: info [@] nocompromiseradio.com

Additional Resources
NoCo90: Donate Buttons and Christian Begging
NoCo90: The Myth of Free Will
A 'No Compromise' Conversation

Is God Mad at You? A Response to David Crank's Lies about Salvation

Who needs to be told in church that they're going to hell? We all pretty much know that.

These unfortunate and ignorant words were penned by pastor David Crank of Faith Church in St. Louis. Crank and his wife, pastrix Nicole Crank, are friends with such influential names as Steven Furtick and Joel Osteen. This ought to offer one an idea of the theology and methodology that can be found at Faith Church.

David Crank

The quote above is taken from Crank's 11 June 2013 blog post entitled, "Is God Mad at You?" In this post, Crank displays what is commonly taught about sin and salvation from many pulpits today. He writes:

Do you think God is pointing a finger at you accusing you? Do you think God can't relate to what you're going through?

I'm here to tell you that Jesus is a loving God who was not here to point a finger at us but to draw us to him and to identify with us.

Who needs to be told in church that they're going to hell? We all pretty much know that.

(Source)

It is true, our God is a loving God. There is no greater demonstration of this than Christ's sacrifice for His own (John 15:13; 1 John 4:10). But He also is a righteous God, one who hates sin and calls men to repent. David Crank claims that Jesus did not come to "point a finger at us," but in reality, it is Jesus who demonstrated that men must be made aware of their sin before they can come to realize that they need a Savior. In fact, our Lord certainly seemed to be "pointing a finger" at the woman at the well:

Climate Change as the Latest Gimmick to Lure Youth to Church

It is no secret that young people are leaving the visible church in droves. This reality ultimately refutes the notion that the church must be hip, relevant and "missional," ever-changing to accommodate the culture. After all, if that was the key, the number of young, professing evangelicals would not be dwindling.

photo: Big Grey Mare via photopin cc

Still, the discussion surrounding this conundrum rarely wanders in the direction it should. What is the key to keeping young people—or people of any age—in the church? Preach the Gospel. Preach the Word, the whole counsel of God. True, it may be controversial to speak of sin, repentance, and faith in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Few like to hear that there is nothing that they can do to save themselves from eternal wrath. But those who have been drawn, or are being drawn, by God the Father, will remain. They will long to hear more. They will hunger and thirst for truth and righteousness. Those who hate God, regardless of what they profess with their lips, will leave and never look back.

They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us. (1 John 2:19)

Unfortunately, this answer never seems to be sufficient for today's evangelicals. Instead, Christians and churches are urged to find new and interesting ways to "engage" the youth. How sad it is that salvation and a gracious, righteous Savior is not enough!

Guest Post: Bible Study in a Morgue?

Summer can be a busy time for all of us (even bloggers), so I have enlisted some guest bloggers whose work will be posted here occasionally throughout the summer months.

Our first guest post is written by Hariton "Harry" Deligiannides. Harry serves as an elder at Bethlehem Bible Church in West Boylston, MA. As an elder at BBC, Harry has filled in and preached Sunday services when pastor Mike Abendroth is unavailable (Harry's sermons can be accessed here) and teaches Sunday school and evening services as needed. He also is in charge of membership for the church, teaches the College & Career study, disciples other men and teaches at the Institute for Biblical Studies.

I'm excited to welcome Harry as the very first guest blogger here at Do Not Be Surprised. I know we'll be blessed and encouraged by his words!

Pat Robertson's Regent University Collaborating with T.D. Jakes for International Education

Photo courtesy of Regent University

Regent University, which was founded by Pat Robertson in 1978 and claims to be "one of the nation's leading academic centers for Christian thought and action," today announced that it has collaborated with prosperity preacher T.D. Jakes' The Potter's House and TDJ Enterprises for the purposes of international education.

The press release reads in part:

As part of its mission to deliver quality educational programming, Regent University has entered into a multi-faceted educational collaboration with The Potter's House, the 30,000 member church in Dallas, and TDJ Enterprises, a for-profit entity led by T.D. Jakes.

"What a privilege for Regent University to join with The Potter's House and TDJ Enterprises," said Regent president, Dr. Carlos Campo. "This relationship with T.D. Jakes provides us with an incredible opportunity to powerfully connect with a broad-based international community, and we look forward to working together on many projects."

(Source)

As part of this joint venture, Jakes will serve as a Distinguished Visiting Lecturer at the university. Regent also will begin providing registration and certification for educational programs offered by The Potter's House.

Happiness Is Found in Contentment

But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs. (1 Timothy 6:6–10)

photo credit: KevinLallier via photopin cc

Let us be content with the portion God has given us of earthly things. God stands upon his sovereignty, and we must be content with God's allowance, though he gives others more. The good man pleaded: 'Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Did you not agree with me for a denarius? . . . Do you begrudge my generosity?' (Matt. 20:13–15). If others have a better income and are more amply provided for, God is sovereign, and will give according to his pleasure. Nothing is deserved and therefore everything should be kindly taken with contentment. If a man is provided for by another's expense, we take it very ill if he murmurs and dislikes his diet. Certainly we are all maintained at free cost and should be content with what is put in our hands. God in wisdom knows what proportion is best for us. The shepherd and not the sheep chooses the pasture. Leave it to God to give what is suitable to your condition of life. God gives a portion as you are able to bear. Contentment itself is a gift of God and a great blessing. When our minds are suited to our condition, our earthly blessings are sweeter and more comfortable. Our happiness does not lie in abundance, but in contentment (Luke 12:15). All spiritual miseries may be attributed to either a war between a man and his conscience, or a war between his affections and his condition. There may be just as much love in a lesser portion as in a greater. There is the same affection to a younger child, though he does not have as large an allowance as his elder brother. The father loves him just as well. So a child of God may say, 'God loves me, though he has given another more than me.' Be content with what falls to your share in the gracious providence of God.

— Thomas Manton

Further Reading
Atheists to Start Hotline for Religious Doubters
What God Says About His Word
Witnessing to a Blank Stare