Sound Teaching

Podcast Number 44

Showing favoritism, or prejudice, is condemned by the writer James in the second chapter of his epistle. This condemned prejudice can be with regard to age, race, or as in the context, economic standing. Regardless, it is wrong for the child of God to hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ with partiality.

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Christ AND Antichrist?
He claims a million followers in 30 countries

Jose de Jesus’ beginning was anything but grand. Born in Puerto Rico, de Jesus grew up poor, living in government housing. He stole for a living to pay for his teenage heroin addiction and admits to eight felony charges that put him behind bars for nine months.

Like many, de Jesus says he was born again in prison. From there he moved to the United States, where he became involved in church youth groups, and eventually a minister in Boston. But it was a vision, de Jesus says, that turned him from man of God to being God.

His followers do seem happy. They greet him with mariachi bands at airports and often collapse in tears when they see him preach. But when he speaks to them, it is without theatrics. No holy rolling, no healing – it’s a pretty straightforward lesson in the fundamentals of what he believes. And it’s an upbeat, no-fault, sin-free message. This self-proclaimed Jesus does not believe in sin, hell, the devil or damnation of any kind. One of his sayings: ‘Jesus Drank Wine Because He Didn’t Have Dewar’s’

There are no rules in de Jesus’ church. Anything goes when you follow “Jesus of Suburbia.” But he is serious about being the Second Coming of Christ. And along with his followers, he also has many detractors. Some who think he’s the devil incarnate and others who think he’s just a charlatan and a con man. One of the things that makes him so hated, so controversial, is that he preaches the Catholic Church is evil, and his followers burn pictures of the pope and hold protests outside churches.

13abc.com

Analysis:

One thing not abundantly evident from the above quote is how de Jesus’ considers himself both the Christ and the antichrist. His claim is that “anti” means “after” or “next.” He has actually tattooed the number 666 (cf. Revelation 13:8) on his body, and encourages his followers to do the same.

The prefix “anti” means “over against” or “contrary to.” It references individuals who would falsely claim to the be Christ, or allay themselves against the true Messiah. (Mattthew 24:5; 1 John 2:18; 4:3).

De Jesus’ claim that he is the “Antichrist” is certainly true in the sense that his claim to be the Christ is false. His libertine theology and ignorance of the Bible show him clearly to be a false teacher, and worthy of condemnation.

The big story here is the gullibility of his followers. They remind one of the Mormons, who have accepted the book of Mormon and Joseph Smith as a prophet, when the evidence so strongly points to a fraud. Truly, the scripture is true which states, “they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables” (2 Timothy 4:4).

On Sunday, March 4th, the Discovery Channel aired what was claimed to be a “documentary” entitled The Lost Tomb of Jesus. The filmmakers included producer John Cameron (Director and Producer of the film Titanic), and director Simcha Jacobovici.

The program makes some very disturbing claims. It asserts that the 10 ossuaries (bone boxes) found in an ancient tomb in a suburb of Jerusalem at one time contained the remains of Jesus, Mary Magdalene and an individual known as “Judah, son of Jesus.” The program claims that the odds overwhelmingly point to this being the tomb of Jesus Christ, and that DNA tests done on some remains found in the ossuaries indicate that Jesus and Mary Magdalene were married.

The tomb and ossuaries were discovered about 25 years ago, and are well known to archaeologists. It is striking that those who initially examined the find never entertained the view that the tomb was the significant find now being claimed by the filmmakers.

Continue reading “A Titanic and Unsubstantiated Claim” →

The lesson emphasizes the necessity of each Christian sharing the gospel of Christ with family, friends and neighbors, and then establishes what component elements make up the preaching of Christ. (cf. Acts 8:5, 35).

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Podcast Number 43

King David was an adulterer and a murderer. Still, the Bible calls David a man “after God’s own heart”. How could this be?

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Faith in Jesus Christ reconciles us to God, thus giving peace, sonship, heirship and eternal life.

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This sermon is a concise and summary treatment of the Beatitudes, found in Jesus’ sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:1-12).

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Podcast Number 42

The writer James, in the first chapter of his epistle, establishes the need for the child of God to be control of self, and to be obedient to the God of heaven.

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The Gospel of our Lord is the sole power of God to salvation. It demands to be declared militantly, and authoritatively. No other message (from man) compares.

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A tent was the common dwelling for the nomadic people of the Bible, both Old and New Testaments. Psalm 118:15 speaks of the “tents of the righteous”, and establishes a picture that is very instructive to the child of God.

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Cecil May is the President of Faulkner University, and holds meetings in institutional (liberal) churches throughout the nation. He has some conservative inclinations, and from time to time in his bulletin, Preacher Talk, complains about the direction that institutional churches are heading in attitudes and worship. The following recently came from his pen.

“‘Behold, the days are coming,’ declares the Lord God, ‘when I will send a famine on the land — not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord’” (Amos 8:11). While Amos was not talking about us or today, his words fit.

Many changes taking place today indicate a decline in appreciation for preaching.

Contemporary services typically focus on “praise and worship” and down-play preaching. Instead of two sermons on Sundays, Sunday night preaching is replaced by small group meetings. (These are not wrong in themselves and are often beneficial, but they do replace preaching.)

In the preaching that remains, popular demands are requiring shorter and shorter sermons. Film clips from television programs or movies replace significant parts of the sermons. Drama is deemed more effective than preaching. Preaching designed to make us feel good replaces preaching to convict and call to repentance.

The Bible still says, “How shall they hear without someone preaching” (Romans 10:14) and “It pleased God by the folly of what we preach to save those who believe” (1 Corinthians 1:21).

Cecil May, Jr.
Preacher Talk, Vol. 23, No. 1, pg. 2

Analysis:

When the movie The Passion of the Christ came out I wrote an article for the River Oaks News mentioning the furor surrounding the movie. (You may remember that certain representatives of the Jewish community took exception to the movie’s premise that the Jews were responsible for the death of Christ. I guess they would not appreciate Peter’s statement, “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.” Acts 2:36).

Regardless, in the article I mentioned that I had no desire to go see the movie. I had the New Testament itself, and felt no need to see the dramatization of the words I had read. The editor of the paper and others in the office had watched the movie, were very moved by it, and were convinced that it would bring some to Christ. So, she feared some would be offended by my words, and declined to run the article.

The attitude is typical. But, the idea that we need to spice up and dramatize the words of God (if you carefully think about it) is rather insulting to the Spirit of grace. While emotion certainly has its place in the lives of Christians, it should be noted that the types of emotional responses which lead to true zeal, ardor and love come as a result of edification. And edification is the byproduct of preaching and teaching.

Churches that are interested in truly lighting a fire under members would do well to remember that a movie, play or skit may cause someone to walk out the door sad, happy, or angry (depending upon the purpose of the dramatics); but the preaching of the gospel of our Lord (if heeded) will lead to lifetime commitments and zeal. “Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching” (2 Timothy 4:2). As always, God’s way is the best way!

Podcast Number 41

There is much controversy regarding Holy Spirit baptism among religious people today. What does the New Testament teach concerning Holy Spirit baptism, and the part it plays, if any, in the conversion of man.

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The term “endure” normally intimates a negative, such as eduring temptation or trial. However, in 2 Timothy 4:3, the apostle refers to those who are unwilling to “endure” sound doctrine. The truth of God is a positive thing, and it is a rather peculiar statement that it is something that must be endured. The concept is examined in this sermon.

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Matthew 15:1-14 contains an exchange between the Pharisees and Jesus that led our Lord to categorize them as “Blind leaders of the blind.” There is danger in being led by those who themselves are blind to truth. Our personal responsibility is to study and equip ourselves to avoid such danger.

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Podcast Number 40

The first chapter of James has practical wisdom for man. The writer indicates that it is profitable to suffer through trial and tribulation. This is so, though it is not enjoyable. Why? Such tribulation develops patience in the believer.

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