No Matter who is President, Jesus is King

As this is the last post before the election, I thought it would be a good time to get down to basics. At this point we are 12 days away from seeing who are new president will be. This has been a brutal race, that has poured over from the political into the personal. Friendships have been impacted and even ended by who one supports. At the end of the day though, November 9th will come. The rhetoric will change and this election will move into the background. So as we ride through this last two weeks, let us turn our eyes to the future. Let us remember what we love about those who think differently than us, and when we can't understand their point of view let us cling to grace. Because in the times that matter, the times of great joy or great sorrow, we won't see one's political affiliation we will just want our friend.

We are also a people who are set apart. We have a higher calling than civic duty or American patriotism, we belong to the King of kings, and the Lord of lords. Our duty is do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with our God. Our calling is to love the Lord our God with our whole hearts, mind, soul, and strength, and to love our neighbor as ourselves. So let us join together and pray for each other, pray for our country, pray for our president and pray for peace.

Rev. Michelle

What about my non-believer friends?

1 Corinthians 1:18-25

For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written:

“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise;
    the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate."

Where is the wise person? Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength. (NRSV)

One of the great problems people have with reformed doctrine is our adherence to particular (or limited) Atonement.  This is the doctrine of the faith which says that Jesus died only for the elect. Though Jesus’ sacrifice was sufficient for all, it was not efficacious for all in that Jesus only bore the sins of the elect.

Support for this position is drawn from such scriptures as Matt. 26:28 (where Jesus died for ‘many'); John 10:11, 15 (which says that Jesus died for the sheep -- not the goats, cf Matt. 25:32-33); John 17:9 (where Jesus in prayer interceded for the ones given Him, not those of the entire world); Acts 20:28 and Eph. 5:25-27  (which state that the Church was purchased by Christ, not all people); and Isaiah 53:12 (which is a prophecy of Jesus’ crucifixion where he would bore the sins of many- not all).

The problem that many people have is their deep and honest concern about sincere adherents of non-Christian faiths.  At a time when Hindus, Buddhists, Muslims, as well as other non-Christian friends work and live beside us each day, something would be very wrong with us if we did not feel such concern.

However, the Word, exegeted rationally (without reading into it) tells us that the Christian faith is true for everybody, and that all need God’s forgiveness and rescue from the power of sin and Satan.  In the New Testament all are called to turn to Jesus Christ and become God’s adopted children.  Eternal life comes only to those who do this.

A common argument is: “what if?” What if God, in His infinite mercy, does allow for other ways to come to salvation?  The answer to that is simply, He certainly does not reveal that to us in Scripture.  This matters because we hold Scripture to be the inspired, inerrant and infallible Word of God.  If that “what if” was operant, we would read it in His Word.

Despite that truth, some insist on pursuing unbiblical lines of speculation.  Two primary lines come to mind.

First is “universalism.”  This is a not uncommon belief that -- regardless of the New Testament witness to the contrary -- God will somehow bring all, even those who die as nonbelievers -- to share the inheritance of those who die living in Christ.  Adherents of Universalism  cannot explain how this will happen and there is no scriptural support for such a contention.  Therefore, universalism raises at least two questions.

Q1: When Jesus and the apostles warned people of eternal loss if they did not repent (Luke 13:3, 5; Acts 26:16-20), were they bluffing?

Q2:  Do we know more about God’s purpose of grace than He and they knew?

The second speculation is called “inclusivism.” This position argues the possibility of salvation for sincere devotees of other faiths in which Jesus Christ is either unknown or is rejected as divine Savior simply on the basis of their sincerity.  I would remind you that it is quite common to be “sincerely mistaken.”   Again, on what biblical basis might this possibility stand?  Definitely not on sincerity, or devotion or personal merit. Nor can it be based on any intrinsic effectiveness of unchristian rituals.  On what then would such an “inclusive” belief be based?  

Some say that if non-Christians come to know their guilt and sinfulness and then confess, renounce their sins and ask for mercy from whatever gods there may be, they will receive the forgiveness they seek from the Jesus and then they will know Him.  Again there is no scriptural support for this false hope.

The Gospel speaks only of penitents being saved through the grace of God by knowing and coming to trust, the crucified and risen Lord.  Scripture nowhere offers hope that sincere worshippers of other religions will be saved by faith in false gods.

So, if you struggle with this, what is YOUR role?  That is simple.  You and I aree not in the salvation business.  That is God in Christ’s role.  Your job and my job is the proclamation of Gospel truth by word and deed.  We sow the seeds, God brings them to harvest – as He has already determined.

Pastor Jim

How You Can Help Haiti

Update:

Friends, as you know Haiti was once again hit with a devastating act of nature with Hurricane Matthew. Over 800 people were killed by the storm and countless citizens impacted severely. If you are able and willing to help, please consider one of these charities below:

Compassion International

World Vision

Upstream International

Paulos Group

Thank you and God bless,
Rev. Michelle

"But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth." 1 John 3:17-18

The Coming Storm

Fall is so not here yet. Most times as I lament about the never-ending Florida heat when I leave my air conditioned house, I never think about anywhere else. I move along my day. Today is different. While it is still hot, the weather is gorgeous. The sun is out, the sky is blue, and work proceeds as normal. Things are not like this everywhere in the world. Today in Haiti, people are bracing for the worst. Hurricane Matthew, a category 5 storm, will be barreling through their towns and homes by the time this blog posts. They have been decimated by storms and an earthquake over the past few years and here comes one more. As I sit looking outside at the beautiful Florida day, I can’t help but think, and pray, and lament for those who look out their window and fear fills their soul. And as a Christian, I know I must do more. We are called to go, and serve, to pray, to provide financial, physical and spiritual help to those who are consumed within the raging storm. And for those who stand broken afterwards. So please join with me in prayer, and come back to this blog for ways that you can help. Our Haitian and Jamaican brothers and sisters need us. May we go where He has called us.

Rev. Michelle

Got Heaven?

One of the frequent questions that pastors get asked is this:  “Pastor, Can I know if I’ll go to heaven?”

Allow me to be clear; Yes.  You can know if you are going to live eternally with God in heaven.  I would add, that the only person you can definitively answer this question for – is yourself.

The mayor of New York, Michael Bloomberg was interviewed not long ago.  At the time he sat down for the interview, it was a few days before his 50th college reunion. His mortality has started dawning on him, at age 72 because he noticed how many of his former classmates had shown up on the “in memoriam” pages of the school newsletter rather than with an RSVP.

It became clear, however, that  he has little doubt about his salvation prospects. Pointing to his crusading work on gun safety, obesity and smoking cessation, he said: “I am telling you if there is a God, when I get to heaven I’m not stopping to be interviewed. I am heading straight in. I have earned my place in heaven. It’s not even close.”

Perhaps the saddest conversation I have ever had with a congregant is this one I have had at the bedside of a terminal patient: “John, are you at peace?”   “Well Reverend, I just hope that I have done enough good in my life to get in the gate.”  This made me sad because I, and every other pastor in his life, had failed to equip him with the assurance of salvation in faith alone.
 
Jesus said: “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6).

Justification (salvation) is an act of God’s free grace. He pardons all of the believer’s sins and counts them righteous not for anything they have done but by the perfect obedience and full atonement of Christ. That atonement is imputed to you and I as a result of faith alone.

“…he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit,” (Titus 3: 5).

Please realize that the “world” agrees with Mr. Bloomberg who thinks that if you do more good than bad in this life, you can “earn” your place in Heaven.  Please understand that this is NOT what the Bible teaches.

So, what do you believe? That Jesus is the only way or that your good deeds can earn you a place in Heaven?

Salvation begins and ends with Jesus. Nothing more is necessary.  Whoever has faith in Christ needs nothing more.

I am the way - Because Christ is the way, no one has any excuse at all.  Those who confess faith in God, but not in Christ, are wrong.  We do not get to define God as we would like Him to be; Christ is the way.  There is no other.  No other paths lead to God.

the truth - “You Christians think no one else has access to truth.”   Yep, that’s right.  Any other religious discipline that seeks to enable people to draw near to God is false.  God has provided one means for our salvation:  Christ.  If you believe in Him and confess Him as Lord, you know the truth and your salvation is assured.

and the life - Jesus is saying: ‘you will never know what life is until you see it in My eyes.’

No one comes to the Father except through Me. 

--Pastor Jim

Serving and Being Served

We are on day 3 post Mission Sunday. Three days ago we had speakers share about different missions they are involved with in the community, and we had a variety of organizations come and host tables to share how God is working through them. It was a time to get involved! It didn't matter how, or where, or for how long. At VPC we have missions that are local, national, and international. We host, and partner with, missions that help the hungry, the homeless, those shut in their homes, the elderly, the children, the children in foster care, the urban community, the migrant, children in multiple parts of Africa, and so much more. If you are interested in getting involved with missions, VPC knows one with whom you can connect. We are a church that believes Church isn't confined to the walls of our sanctuary but that we are here for a larger purpose - to continue Christ's work in the world.

And if you do mission work, you will probably agree that, most of the time, you get more out of it than the person you are serving. I know I do. I remember once I was in college and in Philadelphia on a mission trip. We were in a particularly rough area, and it was eye-opening for this suburbia girl! We hosted a VBS, cleaned up trash (mainly empty heroin bags) at the local park, and much more. One day we were doing a street cleanup in a neighborhood and the leader of the group called me over to meet a guy. He was homeless and a friend of the neighborhood and of the mission. He also had one leg. Literally, and his other leg was a wooden peg. We had been talking for about five minutes when I heard loud pops. All at once this man pushed me on the ground and laid over me. The pops were bullets. We were in a drive by shooting. Suddenly the noise stopped, the car sped away and the man helped me up. My friend Melissa was next to me and she burst into tears. Not really knowing what I should do, I joined in. Then I sobbed and sobbed. And actually it wasn't for myself. I just couldn't believe that this neighborhood, these children, these elderly friends experienced these shootings on a regular basis.  There was no hesitation, no panic; everyone just hit the ground until it was over. This was normal life. I in no way felt normal. And candidly, I don't think I ever did again.

On that hot day in Philadelphia, I experienced holiness. An outcast to the world shielded me, a stranger, from danger. He laid down his life for a friend. Sound familiar? I'm pretty sure that's what Jesus meant when he said "Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends" John 15:13... and that man taught me, we are all friends.

I went to Philly to serve those in need, and I was blessed with an experience that changed the course of my life. No longer could I ignore the terrors of the world, the cities, and the neighborhoods right around me. Life became bigger and my relationship with God became so much better.

Friends, when we engage in mission, our problems don't go away. In fact we may have more. However, the perspective with which we see the world changes. We spend our time more meaningfully and we enjoy the things of life that really matter. It's not always easy, but it's always rewarding. I encourage you to join us in this journey.

May God bless you and all whom you love,

Rev. Michelle

Dead Church Walking

"To the angel of the church in Pergamum write: These are the words of him who has the sharp, double edged sword. I know where you live-where Satan has his throne. Yet you remain true to my name. You did not renounce your faith in me, even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was put to death in your city-where Satan lives. Nevertheless, I have a few things against you: You have people there who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin by eating food sacrificed to idols and by committing sexual immorality. Likewise you also have those who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans. Repent therefore! Otherwise, I will soon come to you and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give him a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to him who receives it.  Rev. 2: 12-17

The Christians in the church in Pergamum were permitting, no doubt in the name of toleration and inclusiveness, the teaching of Balaam. Balaam advised the Midianite women how to lead the Israelites away from God (Num. 25:1-2; 31:16).  He serves as a prototype of all corrupt teachers who seek to deceive believers into compromise and accommodation with worldliness.

This past month in Portland Oregon, the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA) met for its biennial exercise in cultural accommodation.  Little of good note was accomplished.  On the other hand there was the usual laundry list of behaviors reminiscent of the 7 churches in Revelation 2 & 3.  Most offensive and in my opinion apostate was the inclusion of prayer by a Muslim Iman praying to a false god.  This, in the course of what was promoted as worship – not interfaith dialogue, not mutual support, but worship.  In that light, it was both apostate and heretical.  Here is a brief description of what occurred:

The OGA (Office of the General Assembly) leadership deliberately designed this service not simply as an ecumenical affair (inviting leaders from other Christian denominations to help lead) but also as an interfaith event (inviting one leader from an anti-Christian religion — Islam). Not surprisingly, the Muslim iman, Wajdi Said, led the assembly  in a prayer in Arabic from the Qur’an,  and then proceeded to speak a prayer to Allah in English seeking the conversion of all there to Islam, and demoting Jesus to a status equal to other prophets, including non-biblical ones (Ishmael and Muhammad). The final part of the liturgy he read was something he, together with the denominational designers, must have created — it was a prayer based on four passages from the Qur’an (there was nothing recognizable from the Bible), and was in printed form as well as projected on screen for the assembly.

This but one more piece of evidence speaking to the death of a once faithful denomination.  It is not (by any means) the first instance of such heresy and I suspect it will not be the last.

It is not enough to call yourself a church. Those who shun Biblical doctrine and choose cultural accommodation over Christian doctrine simply pander to the world.  Christ's Church exists for a reason.  It has a purpose.  We are called to it to perform a service.  People who attend merely for the "community and social causes" will never bear fruit for the kingdom.

The Nicolaitans condemned in The Revelation of John were a heretical sect within the church. They taught and promoted a theology of accommodation with the cultural norms of their world. They did so to save themselves from the trouble of actually helping those who were caught up in sinful behavior.  This is still true of the formerly mainline and now simply sideline churches.

• Rather than help the sexually confused and hurting, the modern Nicolaitans condone the behavior.  
• Rather than stand up for the life of the unborn child, they condone unrestricted abortion on demand. 
• Rather than learn how to be responsible parents, they neglect discipline. There is a lot of talk about "love." But what about "guidance" and discipline?  
• Rather than stand up for what the Bible teaches, they appease the world. 

Far from being more compassionate, modern Nicolaitans are just avoiding the price of obeying the word of God.

Every Christian should be prepared to be different from the world around him.  The most common word for believers in the New Testament is hagios, which means different, separate, holy.

On Jun 22 in the 2016 General Assembly (PCUSA) “Allah bless us and bless our families and bless our Lord. Lead us on the straight path – the path of all the prophets: Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Moses, Jesus and Muhammad,” and so went the prayer offered up by Wajidi Said, from the Portland Muslim Community, as part of the “first order of business” during the opening plenary session of the 222nd General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA).

The PCUSA was trying to be inclusive. They did not mean to offend anyone. But when anyone or any group ignores the Word of God and tries to accommodate the world, they will offend God and repulse the faithful.

• When anyone or any group tries to accommodate the world, they offend Christ.  
• When anyone or any group offers prayer in any other name than Jesus’, they offend God and their prayer is not honored.

--Pastor Jim