Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Who is the Master Illusionist? #Halloween

Illusions are fun because they challenge our sense of reality. We see them everywhere, from tricks in magic shows to special effects in movies, and can usually tell the difference between what is real and what is not.

But did you know that there are some deceptions which millions of people fall for every day? They are the work of the master illusionist, Satan, who is called “the father of lies” in the Bible (John 8:44). He has been tricking people into disobeying God since the beginning of time, and is an experienced deceiver. Have you fallen for any of Satan’s illusions?

Illusion #1:  This life is all that matters

We can get so caught up in this life that we pay no attention to eternal realities. God says that is foolish: “For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” (Mark 8:36).

Illusion #2:  If it feels good, do it

Should we care about what we do? Is there such a thing as right and wrong? God says we will reap what we sow: “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap” (Galatians 6:7).

Illusion #3:  There is no Hell

If you start to ponder what comes after this life, Satan may try to convince you that there is nothing to worry about. God says otherwise: “Fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell” (Matthew 10:28).

Illusion #4:  Everyone goes to Heaven

Another much-believed lie is that no people will ever have to go to Hell. While it’s true that Hell was created for Satan and his angels, the Bible says that those who fall under Satan’s deceptions will go there as well: “Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels” (Matthew 25:41).

Illusion #5:  You’re not that bad

Every time we answer one of Satan’s lies, you can be sure that he has another one ready to go. Are we really bad enough to go to Hell? God’s Word says: “All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).

Illusion #6:  You can earn Heaven

Once we admit that we have sinned, the next lie we often fall for is that we have probably done enough good to overcome our faults. However, in God’s eyes “we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses [good works] are as filthy rags” (Isaiah 64:6). 

Illusion #7:  You’re too bad

Sadly, lots of people fall for this one, too. Yes, it’s true that we have all messed up. But it’s also true that God stands ready to help us: “Him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out” (John 6:37).

Why does God want us to come to Him? Because He loves us. He loves you, and He loves me—not because we have earned it, but because He chooses to. God proved His love for us when He sent His only Son, Jesus, into the world because of our sins (Romans 5:8).

When Jesus died on the cross, He made the way for sinners like you and me to be brought back to God. Our sin was like a debt that needed to be paid; Jesus paid it. Our sin was like a sentence that needed to be served; Jesus served it. Our sin was like a burden that needed to be lifted; Jesus lifted it.

Now He is using messages like this to awaken people to their need of Him, to “turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins” (Acts 26:18). Don’t fall for Satan’s illusions any more. Turn to God and put your faith in someone you can trust—Jesus Christ—TODAY!

Source: mwtb.org

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

40 reasons to be part of a local church

by Jesse Johnson
Is it possible to live a faithful Christian life without being a faithful part of a local church? I’ve heard many people make the argument that it is indeed possible—especially if there are no good churches around. I disagree.

Continue reading here.

Monday, October 29, 2012

The Gospel Driven Church


Watch, listen or download the full message by Dr. Harry Reeder, III here.

Sunday, October 28, 2012

Friday, October 26, 2012

The Miracle of the New Birth


Watch, listen or download the full message: "With God Nothing Shall Be Impossible" by Dr. Mark Allison here.

Thursday, October 25, 2012

Repentance and the New Birth


Watch, listen or download the full message: "The Two Ingredients of Salvation" by Roland Hammett here.

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

No New Birth, No Heaven. No Heaven, Only Hell.


Watch, listen or download the full message: "Necessity and Nature of the New Birth" by Albert N. Martin here.

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Being Born Again (Excerpt)


Watch, listen or download the full message by Ian Brown here.

Monday, October 22, 2012

Are You Afraid of the Dark?

Lots of people are afraid of the dark. Why is that? Why are we afraid of the dark? Some people think that when we can't see what is around us, we begin to imagine all kinds of scary things that might be out there. Plus, if something really was there, we wouldn't be able to see it.

But there is another kind of darkness which is even more scary than anything we can imagine, and just as real as anything we can see. It's the kind of darkness that the Bible talks about: the spiritual darkness that comes from ignoring or rejecting God.

Are You "In the Dark?"

Many people spend their lives "in the dark" about important spiritual things. They have not read much of God's Word, the Bible, and nobody has ever taught them what it says. Just like it's easy for us to trip over things when we walk in the dark, if someone doesn't know what the Bible teaches, their view of life "is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble." 1

The Darkness of Evil

When the Bible talks about darkness, it is usually telling us about evil. Evil is the opposite of good. Every time we do something that we shouldn't do, the Bible calls it sin. Sin, which is a kind of evil, is called the "unfruitful works of darkness2 in the Bible.

It is important for us to remember that God is not the only spiritual being trying to get our attention and loyalty. Satan, the enemy of God, is the ultimate example of evil and darkness. The Bible warns that our greatest enemies are Satan and "the rulers of the [spiritual] darkness of this world." 3

Eternal Darkness

Any time I get scared of the dark, I think about how much worse it will be for the people "to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever." 4 The Bible says that because of our sin, we all deserve an eternity of darkness apart from God in hell. Some day He will say about many: "Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth." 5

Where Can We Find Light?

We all know that turning on a light makes the darkness go away. This is why we need to turn to God, who "is light." 6 Let's find out how from the Bible, which is "a lamp unto my feet, and alight unto my path." 7

The first thing we learn is that God is so perfectly holy that sinners cannot be with Him. 8 Next, it teaches us that we are all sinners. 9 Finally, it shows that none of the good things we try to do can take our sins away. 10 Does this mean that we are all doomed? Yes, but it's not the end of the story. Read on for the good news!

The Bible also tells us about Jesus Christ, God's only Son, who came to earth to show us the way to God, and also to make the way to God by dying as a sacrifice for sin. Jesus taught that we must all "repent … and believe the gospel." 11 To repent is to tell God that you have been doing the wrong things, thinking the wrong things, and going the wrong way in your life. The Gospel is the good news that Jesus Christ died for your sins and rose again from the dead. 12Believing the Gospel means not only accepting it as true, but also trusting Jesus Christ completely as your Saviour.

The message of the Bible is that we can only be saved from hell, rescued from darkness, and given a home in heaven some day 13 because of what Jesus Christ has done. Salvation is a gift purchased by Jesus Christ and given by God to sinners like you and me who see their need of it and receive it by faith. 14

Walking in the Light

Spiritual darkness like evil, Satan, and eternal separation from God are all scary things. But when we are saved and begin to follow Jesus, we don't have to be afraid of them anymore. Jesus said, "I am the Light of the world: he that followeth Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life." 15

Bible references: 1 Proverbs 4:19  2 Ephesians 5:11  3 Ephesians 6:12  4 Jude 1:13  5 Matthew 22:13  6 1 John 1:5  7 Psalm 119:105  8 Isaiah 59:2  9 Romans 3:23  10 Isaiah 64:6; Ephesians 2:8,9  11 Mark 1:15  12 1 Corinthians 15:1-4  13 Acts 26:18  14 Romans 5:6-18; 6:23; Ephesians 2:8,9  15 John 8:12

Source: mwtb.org

Saturday, October 20, 2012

You Must Be Born Again


Watch, listen or download the full message on John 3:7 by Roger Higginson here.

Friday, October 19, 2012

How Can a Loving God Send Anyone to Hell?


Watch, listen or download the full message: "God's Plan to Save You From Unquenchable Hell Fire" by Sean Harris here.

Thursday, October 18, 2012

Your Assurance Does Not Lie In Yourself


See the full message by John Piper here.

Adapting to the Culture...Or Not (Excerpt)


Watch the full sermon by Dr. Voddie Baucham speaking on Paul's interaction with the Athenian culture in Acts 17 here.

Monday, October 15, 2012

No Fear of God


Watch, listen or download the full message, "Life, Death, and Eternity" by Colin Mercer here.

Friday, October 12, 2012

A Sissified, Needy Jesus - Voddie Baucham

The Wrath of God Against Sin


Watch, listen or download the full message "The Apostle Paul's Explanation of Saving Grace" by David Chanski here.

Thursday, October 11, 2012

Is There a Faith That Doesn't Save?


Watch, listen or download the full message on Luke 8:11-15 by Richard Caldwell here.

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

The Word and Gospel Reception


Watch, listen or download the full message on Luke 8:11-15 by Richard Caldwell Jr. here.

Sunday, October 7, 2012

What Does a Genuine Conversion Look Like?


Watch, listen or download the full message on Luke 23:42-43 by Jerry Bilkes here.

Saturday, October 6, 2012

Am I Really Saved?


Watch the full message "The Church and The End Times Apostasy" by Steve Gallagher here.

Friday, October 5, 2012

Are You Worshiping the Real Jesus?


Watch, listen or download the full message "Salvation's Scope" by Gregory N. Barkman here.

Thursday, October 4, 2012

Are You Sharing The Gospel?


Watch, listen or download the full message on Luke 8:10 by Richard Caldwell here.

Tuesday, October 2, 2012

Repenters Will Repent


Watch, listen or download the full message by Ray Russ here.

Monday, October 1, 2012

The Campaign for Immorality - John MacArthur


Excerpt from the message "Abortion and the Campaign for Immorality" by John MacArthur. Watch, listen or download the full message here.