I pray that as Mosaic preaches on the miracles of Jesus that they make those miracles about Jesus and no about humanity. I pray that Christ would be glorified. I pray that many would come to realize that the bread of life found in Jesus means that we must eat of his flesh and drink of his blood. I pray that those who are saved will come to know that the feeding on Jesus Christ is what sustains us in this world. I pray these things in Jesus name, amen.

Kevin shared many things about his life, but what I wanted to focus on was his definition of faith. He put it like this:

A better question is what does it mean to have faith? I think for a long-time people have decided that faith is all about beliefs, is all about some sort of theology, and faith has less to do with what it is you believe and more to do with what it is that your doing with your life. In fact I think that faith is dead without risk…In taking great risks I’m living a life of great faith.”

Now when I consider the teaching that comes out of Mosaic my first question is always, where in the Bible does it teach …? In bringing that question to Kevin’s comments I have to ask where in the Bible does it say that faith without risk is dead? Now I know what your going to say, James tells us that “faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead” (James 2:18), but is Kevin teaching the same faith as James and the rest of the Bible teaches?

In order to determine if Kevin’s definition is correct we must first determine what Kevin is saying about faith and then compare it with the Scriptures.

Kevin says that faith is less about beliefs and more about what we do, but is faith what we do or is what we do an evidence of the faith in our life? If we consider Kevin’s statement we could conclude that if someone is “doing” something that they have faith. Kevin makes that clear when he states that his great risk is a life of great faith. The problem with this thinking is there are many people who are doing “great” things, but they have no faith at all. So then “doing” does not produce faith, nor is it always an evidence of faith. The kind of person that James is talking about is the one who claims to have faith, but not just any kind of faith, but faith in God.

Kevin is right in saying that faith is not only about belief. James tells us that even the demons believe in God. But neither is faith about “risk.” The faith that the Bible calls us to first is faith IN Christ. The object of our faith is the primary concern of the scriptures. Faith in the Christ who lived a perfect life that I could not life, who died on the cross in my place, taking on the wrath of God which was reserved for me, bearing the penalty of my sin. He died and rose from the dead on the third day so that his righteousness could be imputed to me, not by my works, but by grace through faith, a gift of God, so that my boasting is in the Lord only. In response to such a great love, grace and mercy I evidence my faith by the good works I do which include but are not limited to being a good father to my children, being a faithful husband to my wife, to financially provide for my family, and to be faithful in teaching the Word of God to those God has entrusted to me as their pastor. Good works can also include such things as digging wells in Africa, giving shoes to the children of Ethiopia, and bringing food rations to the poverty stricken in Asia. However, none of these good works will have eternal value unless I also and primarily make my faith about the proclamation of the facts of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

So then faith is not about what we do, but who we have faith in for our salvation. Any other definition of faith is lacking the true biblical perspective and puts peoples eyes on the wrong object – what they do instead of what Christ has done.

The interview was primarily about Gary’s struggle with loosing his business, his job, and his home. I don’t pretend to understand the incredible difficulty that Gary and his wife must have had to deal with as they went through such a troubling time in their life. My struggle is the use of his story as a means for encouraging others who might be in the same or similar circumstances.

Gary’s primary point is to trust in God who does not change and when we are faithful to tithe, as Gary did, God will bring about a change. The interviewer added to this by saying that “If we do our part…God seems to show up more.”

The problem with Gary’s conclusion and Mosaic’s leaders for using his subjective experience is the New Testament does not teach any such thing. Just because we trust God, and show that we trust him by tithing in the midst of our financial troubles, does not mean that our financial hardships will come to an end or our circumstances will not get worse. A perfect example of the opposite of Gary’s story is found in Hebrews 10:32-34 which says:

But recall the former days when, after you were enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings, sometimes being publicly exposed to reproach and affliction, and sometimes being partners with those so treated. For you had compassion on those in prison, and you joyfully accepted the plundering of your property, since you knew that you yourselves had a better possession and an abiding one.

Now these people also trusted in God, the God who does not change, and their homes were plundered and they were even thrown into prison. The point, I hope, is clear. The use of subjective experiences are not proof of how God works in everyone’s life. Some he may bless, but others my find themselves in deeper financial straits. Some may die, and others may live. Some may be spared persecution, others may suffer daily in persecution. In any of these cases God is unchanging, but the way he deals with us may differ depending on his plan, not our desires. The hope we should be giving people in times like these is not “Do what’s on your heart” but cling to the greater reward, the greater possession found in heaven, which is the person of Jesus Christ.

Greg uses it as such, in fact he asks the question, “How can her giving be more valuable?” His response to that question is not to teach on the text and what it says, instead he spends nearly 10 minutes telling a story of a missions trip he had been on. In fact he spends more time on telling that story then he does teaching on the passage of scripture which makes me wonder if he actually spent time studying the context of the passage,  but I don’t want to speak about his preparation since I have no knowledge of such things.

Greg’s conclusion of this story is to encourage everyone to emulate this widow. That it’s not about the amount you give, but about your priorities.

If we were to take Greg’s conclusion as being correct – in that we are to emulate the widow – then his application is totally incorrect, for if Jesus was telling us to emulate this widow we should be giving all that we have, 100 % of our finances, to the cause of God, but that’s not what Greg says. His application is about priorities, but the passage says nothing about priorities at all, it only speaks about how much she gave.  So if you really want to make the correct application, according to Greg’s conclusion, give it all away. But Greg doesn’t do that. Instead of coming up with the logical application of his conclusion, he softens the application by simply telling his listeners to examine their priorities.

The problem is not Greg’s application, it’s his conclusion, which is based upon the false premise that Jesus is talking about finances, which he is not, because that’s not the context of the passage. John MacArthur makes a great point concerning those who claim that this passage is speaking about giving or how we should give. He says:

Now at this point I will confess to you, in spite of the popularity of these views, in spite of the universality of these views, none of these explanations makes any sense to me….none.  In fact, all of those interpretations are imposed on the text and you know how I feel about imposing things on the Bible text….not good.  You say, “Why do you say they’re imposed?”  Because Jesus never made any of those points.  Jesus never said anything about what’s left behind, what percentage, what attitude, or do the same and give everything.  He didn’t.  Jesus never makes any of those points.  He does not say the rich gave relatively too little, they had too much left over.  He doesn’t say the rich gave too low a percent.  He doesn’t say the widow gave the right amount.  He doesn’t say the rich had a bad attitude and the widow had a good attitude, or good spirit.  He doesn’t say that.  In fact, He doesn’t say anything about their giving except that she gave more than everybody.  He doesn’t say why or with what attitude, or whether she should have, or shouldn’t have, or they should have, or shouldn’t have.  Her outward action is all that you see.  It is no more or less good, bad, indifferent, humble, proud, selfish, unselfish than anybody else’s act.  There is no judgment made on her act as to its true character.  There is nothing said about her attitude or her spirit.  She could be acting out a devotion.  She could be acting out of love.  She could be acting out of guilt.  She could be acting out of fear.  We don’t know because Jesus doesn’t say anything.  Doesn’t say anything about the rich, doesn’t say anything about the widow, doesn’t draw any conclusions, doesn’t develop any principles, doesn’t command anything, doesn’t define anything.  Why?  Because none of that matters.(online source)

So what is Jesus talking about? Let me put it simply, he’s talking about the judgment of a religious system that destroys the life of the poor, the widowed, and the needy. How do I know that?

First, the greater context of this passage goes all the way back to Mark 11:27 as Jesus walked into Jerusalem and into the temple. From that point on to verse 40 of chapter 12 Jesus is dealing with the wrong theology of the Scribes, Pharisees, and Sadducees. In verse 38 he warns the people to “Beware of the scribes” and then proceeds to give a long list of things that he condemns about their actions. In that list is this statement: “who devour widows’ houses” (v. 40). Then Jesus proceeds to provide an illustration of their sinful teaching that devours the poor and the widowed all in the name of religion in Mark 12:41-44. Beginning in chapter 13 Jesus teaches on the destruction of the temple, the symbol of the Jewish religion that he will bring to an end through his death on the cross. So in reviewing the greater context it should be clear to you that Jesus in the midst of speaking against the false doctrine of the religious leaders and the destruction of the temple, was not interjecting a statement about giving. To make that claim does damage to the context and draws wrong conclusions and wrong applications – BEWARE!

I pray that Erwin McManus, Eric Bryant, and the other leaders of Mosaic will have the veil that is blinding their eyes removed so they may come to understand that they are not giving people the true hope that is found in the gospel of Jesus Christ. I pray that this morning they will would preach Christ and him crucified and the incredible grace of God offered to us as sinners in rebellion to your holiness. I pray this in Jesus name, amen.

The Holy Spirit is the Comforter—but Jesus is the Comfort!

“The Comforter, who is the Holy Spirit.” John 14:26

This age is especially, the dispensation of the Holy Spirit, in which Jesus cheers us, not by His personal presence, as He shall do by-and-by, but by the indwelling and constant abiding of the Holy Spirit, who is evermore the Comforter of His people. It is His office to console the hearts of God’s people. He convinces of sin; He illuminates and instructs—but still the main part of His work lies . . .
in comforting the hearts of the renewed,
in confirming the weak, and
lifting up all those who are bowed down.

He does this—by revealing Jesus to them! The Holy Spirit consoles—but Christ is the consolation. If we may use the figure, the Holy Spirit is the Physician—but Jesus is the medicine. The Holy Spirit heals the wound—but it is by applying the holy ointment of Christ’s grace. The Holy Spirit the Comforter—but Jesus is the Comfort!

Now, with such rich provision for his need, why should the Christian be sad and desponding? The Holy Spirit has graciously engaged to be your Comforter. Do you imagine, O weak and trembling believer, that He will be negligent of His sacred trust? Can you suppose that He has undertaken what He cannot or will not perform? If it is His special work to strengthen you, and to comfort you—do you suppose He has forgotten His business, or that He will fail in the loving office which He sustains towards you? No! Do not think so harshly of the tender and blessed Spirit, whose name is “the Comforter.” He delights to give beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. Trust in Him, and He will surely comfort you until the house of mourning is closed forever—and the marriage feast has begun!

I wanted to ask that those who read this blog would join me in praying for Erwin McManus and those who attend Mosaic. Our response should not only be to point out the error where it is blatantly false and is clearly unbiblical, but we should also have a heart of compassion for those who are deceiving and those who are being deceived. The offer of God’s glorious salvation in Jesus Christ is to be made to all. It is a universal call to all mankind to turn in faith to Jesus and receive his gift of salvation. I want you to join me in praying that God will cause the light of the gospel of Jesus Christ to shine brightly that some might be saved and find a church that would teach them the truth. I also call on you to pray for Erwin and the leadership of Mosaic that they might repent of their sins and “preach the Word.” Let us have a heart for their repentance.

Michael

Chris’ review begins about two-thirds into his show. Enjoy!

Fighting for the Faith Sermon Review

“These issues in your life, it’s time to start working through them. The You 20 years from now needs you to. You don’t want to be 40-years-old with these choices to wrestle with. The 40-year-old You will have way bigger problems, way greater challenges to deal with. He’ll have a wife and kids. He’ll have responsibilities that would scare the hell out of you now if you knew it, and he won’t be ready unless you start serving him now.”

“For the sake of the Future You, and the thousands of people you will be leading, fight this. I believe in you. I know you can do it. I know you want to do it. So do it, and know that you’ve got a friend for the journey.” (Online Source)

Now normally I would not comment on a personal conversation, but since Jason made it public on his blog and he is attempting to draw a life lesson for us all, I think it’s appropriate to respond.

Now I don’t know the spiritual condition of this friend of Jason, but my first question I have is WHERE IS CHRIST!

If this young man is not a believer why is Jason so concerned with him being a better leader by serving his future self instead of presenting the message of Jesus who tells us that we are to proclaim repentance and forgiveness of sins (Luke 24:47).

If this young man is a Christian, than why is not Jason pointing him to Christ? Instead he points the young man to himself. What is the biblical basis for such advice?  Let me tell you up front, there is none. In fact, here’s what the Bible tells us:

Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the autor and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despised the shame, and has sat down at the right had of the throne of God (Heb. 12:1-2).

And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself? (Luke 9:23-25)

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. (Colossians 3:1-4)

The reason I even bring this up is to use Jason’s comments as an example of the general teaching of Mosaic which puts more emphasis on humanity than they do on Christ. Their focus is always “this world oriented” instead of being “heavenly oriented.” By the way, Jason’s advice is nothing new. You can find it in just about any life-coach, self-help, motivational book. I suggest he stick to the Word of God and the centrality of Christ instead of using advice of the world.