Theology Lesson: Sufficiency of Scriptures

I recommend everyone buy and read Wayne Grudem's Systematic Theology. I don't agree with all his conclusions, but it is a theology text that encourages worship and personal reflection. Very interesting and helpful material. The writing below comes from it. This is a topic very near and dear to my heart. Take time to read and think about below.

We can define the sufficiency of Scripture as follows: The sufficiency of Scripture means that Scripture contained all the words of God he intended his people to have at each stage of redemptive history, and that it now contains everything we need God to tell us for salvation, for trusting him perfectly, and for obeying him perfectly.
This definition emphasizes that it is in Scripture alone that we are to search for God’s words to us. It also reminds us that God considers what he has told us in the Bible to be enough for us, and that we should rejoice in the great revelation that he has given us and be content with it.
Significant scriptural support and explanation of this doctrine is found in Paul’s words to Timothy, “from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings which are able to instruct you for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus” (2 Tim. 3:15). The context shows that “sacred writings” here means the written words of Scripture (2 Tim. 3:16). This is an indication that the words of God which we have in Scripture are all the words of God we need in order to be saved: these words are able to make us wise “for salvation.” This is confirmed by other passages that talk about the words of Scripture as the means God uses to bring us to salvation (James 1:18; 1 Peter 1:23).
Other passages indicate that the Bible is sufficient to equip us for living the Christian life. Once again Paul writes to Timothy, “All scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work” (2 Tim. 3:16–17).
Here Paul indicates that one purpose for which God caused Scripture to be written is to train us that we might be “equipped for every good work.” If there is any “good work” that God wants a Christian to do, this passage indicates that God has made provision in his Word for training the Christian in it. Thus, there is no “good work” that God wants us to do other than those that are taught somewhere in Scripture: it can equip us for every good work.
A similar teaching is found in Psalm 119: “Blessed are those whose way is blameless who walk in the law of the Lord!” (v. 1). This verse shows an equivalence between being “blameless” and “walking in the law of the Lord”: those who are blameless are those who walk in the law of the Lord. Here again is an indication that all that God requires of us is recorded in his written Word: simply to do all that the Bible commands us is to be blameless in God’s sight.
To be morally perfect in God’s sight, then, what must we do in addition to what God commands us in Scripture? Nothing! Nothing at all! If we simply keep the words of Scripture we will be “blameless” and we will be doing “every good work” that God expects of us.

So do you think that God's word is enough for us? I do!

Have a good weekend, Pastor Phillip

Politics And The Pulpit?

I was researching why it is that I have been told and taught throughout my life not to mention politics from the pulpit. I want to preach whatever ever is needed and crucial to the church. I think I should have the is right to do this without government interference after all the first amendment reads

“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.”

This says the state should not establish or interfere with churches. We have the right to air our grievances. But, that has been taken away. It is always bothered me. The freedom of speech protects Klan members, pornographers, but not preachers from teaching their members how to be informed on the issues that matter most to an election? Jesus was a very political man. He fought against the incumbent and establishment Jews, he criticized their capital the temple, their worship, and all this was both religious and political. Well below is a commentary from World Net Daily. It is a great news site. Tell, me what do you think? Should preachers continue to silent on some of the salient issues of today? Should preachers respect the “Johnson Amendment” or should their churches voluntarily give up their not-for-profit tax exemptions? What do you say?

The American War of Independence has been characterized as one inspired in the pulpits of the colonies."No king but King Jesus," was one of the slogans of those who fought the British soldiers, leading to the creation of a new independent state and the greatest explosion of freedom the world has ever known.

Because our founders believed churches were essential to maintaining the kind of Christian culture necessary for a free society in America, houses of worship were free of taxation and regulation by government. (This is fundamental tenant of Baptist theology as well.)

Pastors, priests and rabbis were free to say what they wanted to say about politics and the issues of the day through the early history of our nation – in fact, right up until 1954.That year, Sen. Lyndon B. Johnson, D-Texas, was facing opposition in his re-election bid from Christians and anti-communists, some of whom were speaking their minds freely from the pulpits.

Johnson, a powerful figure in the Senate who would later become John F. Kennedy's vice president and succeed him following the assassination in 1963, had a solution for his own political predicament – to muzzle churches and clergy with federal regulations. Through what became known as "the Johnson Amendment," the U.S. Congress changed the Internal Revenue Service code, prohibiting non-profits, including churches, from endorsing or opposing political candidates.

It should have been seen as a clear infringement of the First Amendment back in 1954, but it wasn't. And this most regrettable action has haunted America ever since. Recently, Wiley Drake, pastor of the First Southern Baptist Church of Buena Park, Calif., was notified by the IRS he is under investigation for endorsing Mike Huckabee's candidacy for president. His crime? Using church letterhead and a church radio show for speaking his mind.

Now his church is threatened with losing its tax-exempt status as a result. Whether you agree with Wiley Drake or not, he and his church have every right to take a position on who should be our next president without risking the church's tax status. Under the First Amendment, Congress has no power to tax churches. Period. End of story. Under the First Amendment, Congress has no power to stifle freedom of speech.

Ever since 1954, the government has unevenly applied its illegitimate oversight of churches – winking as some pastors turn their churches over to political candidates to make stump speeches, while warning others it is inappropriate.There is only one real solution – repeal the Johnson Amendment.

Just as we learned that repealing the Fairness Doctrine in 1987 resulted in an explosion of lively political debate in the broadcast industry, so will the repeal of the Johnson Amendment result in an explosion of political debate in the pulpits.

And what's wrong with that?

Why should pastors be muzzled? Don't they have an obligation to speak out on the great moral and political issues of the day, just as they did when they inspired the War of Independence? Don't members of the clergy deserve at least the same freedom of speech as other individuals in our society? Shouldn't churches be encouraged to be the salt and light in our society just as they were during the first 180 years of our nation's history?

Over the last 50 years, America's churches have been controlled and intimidated by these hideous IRS regulations. They've been neutered. I blame the clergy for so timidly falling in line with the illegitimate government restrictions as much as I blame the government.

But it's time to recognize the Johnson Amendment was an abuse of the system by a powerful politician who had no respect for the Constitution, for religious freedom and for freedom of speech. Johnson himself, as president, used the illegitimate Fairness Doctrine to target broadcasters who criticized him.

He was a petty tyrant, and we need not live under the dark cloud of suppression he created back in 1954.

Let Barack Obama speak in the churches. Let Hillary Clinton speak in the churches. Let John McCain speak in the churches. Let Mike Huckabee speak in the churches. Free pastors to say what they want, when they want.

It's no threat to freedom. It is an example of freedom.

Mulling over Acts 4:19-20 But Peter and John answered them, "Whether it's right in the sight of God for us to listen to you rather than to God, you decide; (20) for we are unable to stop speaking about what we have seen and heard."

Pastor Phillip

More On Christians and Their Money

Are you broke or are you stupid? This a big question.
If you are either or both and or nether, you need to go over and check this post at Perry Noble's blog.

Pastor Phillip

A Christian And The Economy

But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare. Jeremiah 29:7

In the above verse Jeremiah is speaking to God’s people who have been punished, defeated, and sent to live in Exile in the land of the Babylonians. Read my post below this one about Exile to get and idea of what was exile was. But, Babylon was a land of false idols, sensuality, and seduction, for the Israelites. Jeremiah told the people to seek what is best for this city. Don’t hate it and speak bad against it, don’t love it too much and forget God. But, seek what is good for the welfare of all who live their.

So, what does nation’s current economic downturn have to with the plight of Israelites in 586 b.c.? A lot, you see we as Christians living here on earth, trusting in the sacrificial death of Jesus, seeking to lead lives that are pleasing to God, and sharing God’s love with the world, all the while knowing that one day we will go to heaven to be with the Lord. Also, we suffer some of the same temptations of the Israelites. Some of love all that world has to offer way to much. We love money, popularity, you name we love it! Others of us resign themselves to simply say “I’m going to heaven I don’t care what goes on here.” Both wrong in opposite directions.

But, we as believers should be seeking the good of world, and particularly the nation that we live in. This means we should desire a good economy for out country. A good economy means that people have jobs and can work. Paul asked the Thessalonians to work with their hands so that they “will not be dependent upon anyone” (1 Thessalonians 4:12).Paul then told the Colossians “Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men (Colossians 3:23).” So, work and jobs are good, because when there is no work laziness and idleness sets in, both bad things. Pro 19:15 says “Laziness induces deep sleep, and a lazy person will go hungry.” Then Pro 12:11 “Hard work means prosperity; only fools idle away their time.” I was told “idle hands are Satan’s tools”

So what do we do?

First, we must “Remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth (Deuteronomy 8:18).” Our nation’s ability to prosper comes the gracious hand of God and not simply our own efforts.

Second, don’t poor mouth. We as Christians believe that “The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it (1 Corinthians 10:26).” Also we trust the words of the Psalmist who says “Psa 37:25 I have been young and now I am old, yet I have not seen the righteous abandoned or his children begging bread.” When we poor mouth we are saying to anyone who hears us, that our God can’t provide.

Third, seek to be an example of having your financial affairs in order. Proverbs 21:20 says “In the house of the wise are stores of choice food and oil, but a foolish man devours all he has.” Quit blowing money, save, put back and be an example. Show a lost world that you are like Paul who said “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all things through him who gives me strength. (Philippians 4:11-13)

Fourth, don’t stop giving. The temptation for many Christians will be hold on to their money, and stop giving to God. But you must remember the words of Proverbs 11:24-25 “One man gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.” Paul told the Ephesians as the last words he said to them when he was leaving for Jerusalem “And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, "It is more blessed to give than to receive." (Acts 20:35).” There is no greater way of increasing faith and showing tangibly to God how much you trust Him to provide and meet all your needs.

Fifth (probably should be first), you must pray, pray, pray. We have national leaders who are making amazing huge and important decisions that need guidance and wisdom. We can begin to understand all the complex issues that involved in these decisions and these men and women need the direction of the All-Wise God. Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke, and our congress all need our prayers. Remember 1 Timothy 2:1-4 First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, (2) for kings and all those who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. (3) This is good, and it pleases God our Savior, (4) who wants everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. A stable economy aids in having a quit and tranquil life that frees us from monetary stress to enable us to aid God in seeing all people saved. That is an interesting connection between prayer for leaders and salvation in 1 Tim 2:1-4.

So, what does our economic future hold? I don’t know, God does, God is good, God is wise, and God will carry us through this. Turn to God during these times and pray for your own finances, our churches finances, and for our nation.

Trusting In A Sovereign God, Phillip

Studying Ezekiel

In my yearly Bible Reading plan, Rebecca and I read the OT once and the NT and Psalms twice. I have been reading Ezekiel for the last few weeks. and we have been in the Prophets for the last few months and many of them speak to the people in exile. That is after Babylon conquered Jerusalem and Judah in 586 bc, they were uprooted from their home and deported to live in Babylon. I found this quote and think it is worth your mulling over as it pertains to you and I living as exiles in this world away from our home in heaven.

Tamara Eskenazi expresses it thus: Exile. It is not simply being homeless. Rather, it is knowing that you do have a home, but that your home has been taken over by enemies. Exile.It is not being with out roots. On the contrary, it is having deep roots which have now been plucked up, and there you are, with roots dangling, writhing in pain, exposed to a cold and jeering world, longing to be restored to native and nurturing soil. Exile is knowing precisely where you belong, but knowing that you can’t go back, not yet.(Currents in Mission and Theology, 1990, 18)

Remember and think on this verse Php 3:20 "but our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ." And pray over 1Pe 2:11 "Dear friends, I urge you as aliens and temporary residents to abstain from fleshly desires that war against you."
What does all this mean to Christians?
What does this mean to non-Christians?
What does this say of our coming future?
What are your thoughts?

Looking Forward To Getting Home To Be With Jesus, Pastor Phillip