Erik B's Blog - Part 3

Barack Obama’s Agenda

2 | August 5th, 2008 | Posted in Politics

Someone asked me recently to describe Barack Obama’s Agenda. The question caught me off guard, because if you think about it, he’s been running as the "change candidate" and yet no one I know understands what change he is aiming for. His Agenda remains shrouded in mystery. For instance, gasoline prices are at historic highs and yet he hasn’t articulated a plan of action to help American families.

What we do know about Barack Obama’s agenda, is that he favors higher taxes, supports abortion, believes the federal government should be bigger and has embraced a foreign policy that would make Jane Fonda proud. We also know he was rated by National Journal as the most liberal Senator because of his voting record. According to their ranking, even Bernie Sanders, Vermont’s Socialist Senator, isn’t as liberal as Barack Obama. No kidding. - Mike Huckabee

I have one comment to make in reference to Obama, and that is his stand on abortion. Obama was one of only three senators who supported legislation that would allow a baby who survived an abortion to be killed after it was born. Can you imagine? Killing babies inside the womb is bad enough but to do it after they are born. Where are we headed? This demonstrates that Obama is (according to National Journal) the most liberal, left-leaning, democrat in the senate.

A vote for Obama is a vote for the continuance of the most despicable evil to ever plague our country.

Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea or

1 | August 3rd, 2008 | Posted in Church, Videos

Behind Captain Nemo or

Is Utopia on Earth Possible?

Many of you have seen the old Disney Classic, “Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea”. I saw the movie for the first time this past weekend. I have read the classic novel by Jules Verne and also the sequel, “Mystery Island”. This post is directed towards those who have seen the movie or read the book.

There are some interesting things I would like to point out concerning the film that are not so readily apparent.

First off, as with all films that are adapted from a book there remains the difficulty of reproducing the spirit of the author. In this respect the producers did a phenomenal job of reflecting the spirit of Jules Verne. In regards to the plot, they did make some changes from the book which I feel were rather necessary. I will direct this post based on the film which, I feel, accurately reflected the spirit of the novel.

Captain Nemo, who created and commanded the submarine, “Nautilus”, is a mysterious man. A man gripped by conflict and war within his soul. We first see him, as a man at war with the world. He roams the sea, seeking and destroying ships for no apparent reason. As the story unfolds, we begin to see deep and entrenched bitterness that goes down to his very core. He is deeply angry and grieved over the murder of his wife and son. His bitter heart is crying for revenge and he passionately pounds the organ in an effort to express his pent up anger as his submarine charges a helpless ship. Oh, the horror of a soul thus tormented!

On the other hand we find a Nemo who secretly admires the resolve of Professor Aronnax who determined to die with his friends rather than discover the Captain’s secrets. Nemo, who has lost all human dignity, secretly admires what he regards as misplaced devotion. He also seeks to raise the human race to a new level of knowledge and utopia. He desires that the world be brought into a new era of peace, that the slave camps would be abolished and with them all forms of evil. In essence, he longs for perfection and goodness in the world. In exchange for this, he is willing to share his immense wealth of knowledge that can raise mankind far above his current status.

What do we see here? Captain Nemo has confused evil with mankind. He does not see evil as it exists in a fallen world, he rather sees man as evil and the perpetrator of wrong. Hence, he feels no compunction at sending hundreds of men to their death because he views them as corrupt. He also is completely blind to his own faults. There remains none of that conscience with which man is born and he is in this regard, a madman. He does not possess in working function those faculties which distinguish man from animal.

Nemo seeks perfection that is not possibly found here on earth. He illusions that he has attained perfection under the sea. This is where he has been blinded to reality. He thinks he has found peace by escaping from the evil in the world which he hates. In reality, he is a prisoner to his own heart and the vengeance which consumes him. He no longer possesses mastery over his mind; he is lost and abandoned to his anger, hatred of evil, and utopian ideas of birthing an era of perfection.

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As Christians we know how sin entered the world. We know who was originally behind sin, who defeated sin, and who will remove sin. The world was placed under the curse of sin after the fall of man. Utopian peace will never be present as long as sinful man, an evil society, and the devil are present to disrupt God’s creation. Those who think man can eventually reach a plateau where evil, sickness, death, war etc. are not present, are misguided and do not have an understanding of the truth revealed in scripture. Yes, the time will come when there will be no more weeping and sickness and death. But that will only come about when this corrupt world of sin passes away and is destroyed by fire, and the Devil is judged for his rebellion and cast into hell. We (the Christians) will be present with God and He will create a new heaven and a new earth in absolute perfection. We will be given perfect bodies and everything will be in perfect harmony. That will be a true and lasting utopia of peace which shall reach forever and ever into eternity. Amen and hallelujah.

Tagged in: Captain Nemo, Christian Worldview, Is Utopia on Earth Possible?, Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea

Coveting

0 | July 23rd, 2008 | Posted in Christian Living

If the contentment goes and the giving of thanks goes, we are not loving God as we should, and proper desire has become coveting against God. This inward area is the first place of loss of true spirituality. The outward is always just a result of it.

The second test as to when proper desire becomes coveting is that we should love men enough not to envy, and this is not only envy for money; it is for everything. It can, for instance, be envy of his spiritual gifts. There is a simple test for this. Natural desires have become coveting against a fellow creature, one of our kind, a fellow man, when we have a mentality that would give us secret satisfaction at his misfortune. If a man has something, and he loses it, do we have an inward pleasure? A secret satisfaction at his loss? Do not speak too quickly and say it is never so, because you will make yourself a liar. We must all admit that even when we get on in our Christian life, even in these areas where we say we are longing for the church of Jesus Christ to be more alive in our generation, often we have this awful secret satisfaction at the loss of other men, even at the loss of brothers in Christ. Now if this mentality is upon me, in any way, then my natural desires have become coveting. I am inwardly coveting, and I am not loving men as I should…

…When we read these things and understand that failure in these areas is really coveting, a lack of love, everyone of us must be upon his knees as Paul was upon his knees when he saw the commandment not to covet; it destroys any superficial view of the human life.

Francis Schaeffer- “True Spirituality” pg. 11-12

What more can I say. Are you convicted by this, as I am? I have had to search my heart and repent for areas of covetousness in my life. The Light has revealed the true starkness of my sin and removed the guise of my thoughts and attitudes. The words of a song come to mind:

A pure heart, that’s what I long for.
A heart that follows hard after Thee;
A pure heart, that’s what I long for.
A heart that follows hard after Thee.

VERSE:
A heart that hides Your Word
So that sin will not come in.
A heart that’s undivided
But one You rule and reign;
A heart that beats compassion,
That pleases You, my Lord.
A sweet aroma of worship
That rises to Your throne.
©1992 Integrity's Hosanna!
Words and Music by Rusty Nelson

The human heart is so deceitful that we can hardly recognize covetousness in our own lives. The first nine commandments deal with our external actions; the tenth commandment, “Thou shall not covet,” concerns the heart. No one knows of our secret covetous thoughts. We may not even know that we are coveting until the Holy Spirit shines His light into the corners of our hearts and reveals our secret faults. However, God is faithful to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. May we pray like David, “Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me.” (Psalm 51:10)

God Bless,

Erik Brown

Top Irritants… …In Recent Politics

2 | July 19th, 2008 | Posted in Politics

Senator Barack Obama has just commenced a world-wide tour that includes a trip to Iraq where he will meet with the generals currently there on the ground. However, Obama has already announced his policy regarding Iraq. Namely: withdraw the troops within 16 months of taking office. That policy should force the Iraqis to handle the situation themselves; so he surmises. So, why is Obama traveling to Iraq to talk with the generals when he has already announced his decision? The answer: he was forced into going. Senator John McCain has made numerous trips to Iraq most recently this spring. Obama, on the other hand, has not visited Iraq in over 900 days. He is going to Iraq not to find out the state of things and learn the general’s opinions, but merely to gain equality with McCain. It is all about political expediency and image. He wants to look like presidential material. Don’t worry! The media will help him on his way!

The major news outlets are sending their biggest anchors over to Iraq with Obama. Meanwhile, McCain barely received notice during his visits to that country. What does this tell you? Our main stream media is biased. They have an agenda which clearly implicates them as appendages of liberal politics and activists. In everything they do they endeavor to place Obama in the most favorable light, while simultaneously playing down the strengths of McCain namely: national security and the Iraq war. Have we been attacked by Islamic fascists on our own soil since we began the war on terror? Then we are doing something right.

A word of caution to the wise: whatever you hear from the main stream media, do not forget that they have an agenda to which they are radically dedicated.

Tagged in: Huckabee, Irritants, Obama, Politics

Evangelism Outline

0 | July 16th, 2008 | Posted in Evangelism

For the final installment of the Evangelism Series I will present a step-by-step guide demonstrating how to share the gospel. I emphasize that this is only one way to evangelize. This can, however, help get you started and you can then modify it to better suite your needs (or use it as it is). Underlined text may be used in your conversation.

1. Start the conversation casually. Comment on the weather, ask about their family, hobbies, etc. Do you go to church around here? (The answer may provide a clue about their spiritual state or give you insight into their denominational background.)

2. Hand them a tract. Have you seen one of these? Here’s something for you to read. (This step is optional.)

3. Diagnostic Questions

A. If you were to die today and stand before God and He were to ask you, “Why should I let you into my Heaven?”, what would you say?

B. Do you know for certain that if you died today you would go to heaven or are you still working on that?

4. So would you say you are good person?

5. The Bible says, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” (Romans 3:23)

Let’s look at God’s law for a minute. In order for you to get into Heaven you would need to obey all of His law perfectly.

A. Have you ever lied? Even a little white lie? What does that make you? (uh, human) If I lied to you what would you call me? (A liar.) So, what does that make you? (Okay. A liar.)

B. Have you ever stolen anything? Not even an extra cookie or a stick of gum? What does that make you? (A thief.)

C. The Bible says, “If you look with lust you have committed adultery.” Have you ever looked with lust? (once)

D. Have you honored your parents all the time? Never once talked back, or disobeyed them? Than that makes you a rebel.

E. Have you ever taken God’s name in vain? Not even once? That is called blasphemy. Using God’s name as a curse word.

(person’s name) by your own admission you are a lying, thieving, blaspheming, rebel at heart. And that is only four of the ten commandments. How will you do on judgment day? (Note: The commandments that you use may vary depending on the audience. With an adult you would probably use “C” rather than “D”. Use the last sentence with whichever commandments you use. I would not use more than four commandments at this step.)

6. Do you think you will be innocent or guilty? Do you think you will go to heaven or hell?

7. The Bible describes Hell as a place of torment where the fire never goes out. A place of weeping and gnashing of teeth. You don’t want to go to Hell do you?

8. God provided a way of escape for you. He sent his Son Jesus Christ to take the punishment for your sins. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son,^[^a^{] that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”}(John 3:16) Jesus was born of a virgin, Mary, and He lived a perfect and sinless life keeping all of God’s law. God made him who had no sin to be sin^[^a^{] for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.}(2 Corinthians 5:21) Jesus died in your place and everyone’s sins were placed upon Him. He took your punishment. “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8) Jesus did not stay dead, however, as God raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places. (Ephesians 1:20) Do you understand how much God loves you and why you need Jesus?

9. In order for you to be saved from Judgment you must:

A. Repent and turn away from sin that is in your life.

B. Confess with your mouth and believe in your heart that Jesus is the only way to be saved.

C. Put your trust in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

10. What would you like to do about your sin problem? Are you ready to turn from all your sin, trust Jesus, and obey Him from now on?

11. Pray and tell God in your own words that you are sorry for your sins. Decide to run from sin and run to Jesus. Put your trust in Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection as the only way to escape Hell and enter Heaven. Ask God to forgive you, come into your heart, and be Lord of your life.

12. The Bible says, “If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 19:9) Have you done this? If you are sincere, then according to the scriptures, you will be saved.

13. What you need to do now is grow in your relationship with God. (Tell them about the parable of the Sower. Luke Some things you need to do are:

A. Read your Bible daily. God will speak to you through His Word.

B. Pray. Talk to God. Thank Him for His blessings and talk to Him about your needs.

C. Church. Regularly attend a Bible believing full-gospel church.

D. Fellowship with other believers and get to know them.

E. Be baptized in water. Baptism is a public confession of your faith.

F. Share the Gospel. As a Christian you are called to share the Good News of salvation. Ask God to empower you and give you boldness to tell others the gospel of Christ.

Resources: City Taker Ministries, Way of the Master

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I hope this series has been a blessing to you and will be an effective tool has you share the gospel. If you have any questions regarding this series or evangelism in general, please share them in the comment section and I will do my best to answer them.

God Bless.

In Christ alone,

Erik Brown

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When to Use the Law

2 | July 8th, 2008 | Posted in Evangelism

In the last post of this series we examined the place of the law in evangelism. The law is used to bring conviction and show a sinner their need for salvation. Today we will look at the question, should the law be used in every situation?

Let’s return to John chapter 8 and the story of the woman caught in adultery. Verses 9-11 read:
And Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. When Jesus had raised Himself up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her, “Where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you? She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said to her, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.”

The woman was clearly guilty. She had been caught and there was unarguable evidence against her. Why did Jesus not condemn her? After all, the law was given by God and Jesus claimed to be God in the flesh?

However, Jesus did not condemn the woman because that was not His mission. His mission was to “seek and save” the lost. (For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. John 3:17) The law had already been given. Jesus kept the whole of the Old Testament law perfectly (He was the law of God). He did not condemn the sinners, as His mission was to bring healing to the broken (like this woman.)

The way Jesus dealt with the woman was in stark contrast to the way He handled the Pharisees. On the one hand is the woman, broken and guilty (deserving condemnation according to the law), on the other are the Pharisees, ungodly leaders trying to ensnare Jesus (deserving more condemnation as the leaders in Israel). The Pharisees were not interested in “purging evil” from among the people, rather they were merely looking for a chance to trap Jesus. On them Jesus brought condemnation and they left. With the woman He showed compassion and love. She did not need the law to reveal her error as she knew it. She also knew she was guilty. (Here is the key: a broken and guilty person who knows and understands their sin does not need to be hammered with the law.) With her Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.”

This ties into evangelism. With the haughty, proud, I-am-a-good-person type of people the law must be used to bring conviction and show them how far short they fall of God’s standard. With broken, humble, I-have-messed-up type of people we must show them that God loves them so much that He provided a way for their salvation. Do you see the difference? The humble and broken do not need to be pounded with the law they need to have someone show them the “Way the Truth and the Life.”

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In the last couple posts I have stressed the importance of using the law in our efforts to evangelize. At the same time I do not want to neglect the importance of sharing God’s love with the unsaved. (But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8) (Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. John 15:13) People must realize how much God does love them. They must see the greatness of the sacrifice and price that Jesus paid to save them from Hell and restore them to a right relationship with the Father. By no means neglect to share the depth and width of God’s love toward the sinner.

In the next and final post in this series I will give you a break down, step by step guide to evangelism. In essence a sequence of steps to follow when you share the gospel.

In Christ alone,

Technorati Tags: Evangelism,Sharing the Gospel,When to Use the Law

Erik Brown

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Independence Day

1 | July 4th, 2008 | Posted in Holidays, Poetry

The Fourth of July with red, white and blue,
Is here to enjoy for me and for you.

With food and friends and fireworks we,
Have a big celebration in our locality.

To a tyrannical king they would not submit,
To a tea tax they said, “This is it.”

The tea then flavored Boston Bay,
With principled men it could not stay.

The cry was raised from street to street,
Watchmen passed the word as they walked their beat.

Liberty and Independence whispered about,
Hope stirred in hearts began to burst out.

The document drawn, radical and new,
Proclaiming men equal by Someone, but who?

It declared a Creator who created all things,
Endowing to men a part of His Being.

God given rights and freedoms which must,
Be preserved at all cost that we may live in good trust.

It declared the liberty of the colonies,
From tyranny and tyrants they were now said free.

A war was fought to preserve that declaration,
A war was won to cement their inclination.

Today we think back on the wonderful way,
They proclaimed our freedom on Independence Day.

The Law in Evangelism

0 | July 4th, 2008 | Posted in Evangelism

I was recently reading a tract and the first page said, “God loves you and offers a wonderful plan for your life.” This is a true statement. But, what if I’m passing out tracts and a guy walks up half drunk, smoking marijuana, and he just got out of jail 3 weeks ago, and I give him a big smile and say, “God loves you and offers a wonderful plan for you life,” what will his response be? “Yeah, man, I’m enjoying it now!” “Look at me, I’m in a mess! And you tell me, ‘God loves me and has a wonderful plan for my life!’ Get lost!”

Now, does God love that man? Yes. However, this approach can turn some people away because they may not be able to relate to the idea of a God who “loves” them, yet allowed their lives to end up in a mess. In other words, the idea of something “good” happening to them is too far out and impossible.

With the man in the above scenario, I would have to show him that he is in the wrong and is in danger. A person will only feel conviction when they come to grips with the fact that they are guilty according to the law of God, deserving judgment. A good judge must hold them accountable for their crimes (sin) and God has no other option than to pass sentence.

The Law Brings Conviction

In John, chapter 8, we read the account of the women caught in adultery. Verses 7-9 read (NKJ):

So when they continued asking Him, He raised Himself up and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.” And again He stooped down and wrote on the ground. Then those who heard it, being convicted by their conscience, went out one by one, beginning with the oldest even to the last. And Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.

Now, the scribes and Pharisees who brought this woman to Jesus knew the law. They were bible students of the first class. When Jesus said, “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first,” He was using the law to bring conviction. Paul said, “I would not have known sin except through the law.” These men knew the law, they knew they had sinned, and they knew that to throw a stone would be declaring their own perfection. These men were not perfect and they realized that in a completely new way.

We have a special aid when we are using the law in our evangelism. That aid is the conscience. The conscience bears witness to good and evil (Romans 2:15). When we show a sinner, through the law, that they are guilty and will stand before a perfect and holy God on Judgment day, that should cause some to fear and tremble.

Jesus was sent to earth to demonstrate the Father’s love and restore the broken relationship with God. The only way to restore that relationship was to provide a payment for our sin so that we could be accepted by a holy God. Our just reward for sin is eternal condemnation; our reward when we place our trust and hope in Jesus Christ, is a crown of life. When we share the gospel we must try to strike a balance between God’s love, which He demonstrated by sending Jesus Christ, and His righteous judgment, which is what sinful man deserves.

In the next post we will examine this same passage and address the question, should we use the law in every situation?

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Independence Day

0 | July 4th, 2008 | Posted in Holidays, Poetry