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saints

7/30/2018

 
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What picture comes to mind when you think of the word saint? Mother Teresa? Someone immortalized in stained glass? A monk living in a monastery? A silver-haired grandmother with a worn-out Bible? Those are the types of people we may think of when we hear the word saint.

I have another picture for you. If you are a born again believer in Jesus Christ, just take a look in the mirror. According to Romans 1:7 you are looking at a saint! In that verse Paul addressed his letter, “To all who are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints.” In the Bible the words “to be” are italicized, which indicates they were added by translators. The literal text simply says we are “called saints.”  

In its long history, the Catholic Church has officially recognized only around 3,000 people as saints, and this posthumously. But according to the apostle Paul, all believers are saints here and now! Sainthood is not something achieved by good works or self-deprivation. It’s something received at the moment of salvation. It isn’t an honor granted by a religious organization. It’s a calling given by God Himself. 

Just as Paul was “called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God” (Romans 1:1), we are “called to be saints.” The word “saint” carries the idea of separation. It’s actually a twofold separation. As Christians we are separated from the world, and separated unto God. We are separated from sin, and separated unto holiness. As Paul said in Romans 8:28, we are now “the called according to His purpose.” We now live for the purposes of God.

Paul’s calling as an apostle happened during his encounter with the risen Christ on the road to Damascus (Acts 9). Paul wasn’t required to go on three missionary journeys, plant numerous churches, write thirteen books of the Bible, and die a martyr’s death before he could be an apostle. He became an apostle lying flat on his back on the road to Damascus. Paul then spent the rest of his life living out his calling.

Likewise, we were called saints the moment we surrendered our lives to Jesus Christ. A holy life of separation and service to the Lord is lived not in order to become a saint, but because you are one!​

This simple statement in Romans 1:7 changes our perspective and motivation in the Christian life. It enables us to understand who we are in Christ, and why we serve Him. Rather than knocking yourself out trying to achieve something that’s already been achieved, focus your energies on living out the calling you have received from the Lord. Live up to it, and live it out.


Pastor Todd Weston

strange doctrines

7/24/2018

 
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There is a phenomenon I have witnessed over the years that amazes me as a Christian, and angers me as a pastor. It’s the phenomenon of Satan sidetracking well-meaning believers with strange teachings that have no basis whatsoever in Scripture.  

My anger is directed not at gullible Christians, but at the enemy who seeks to undermine their faith. I am amazed when unsuspecting believers fall for the weird and whacky in spite of the warning of Hebrews 13:9, “Do not be carried about with various and strange doctrines.”

The phrase “carried about” translates an interesting Greek word. It’s the word paraphero. You should recognize the first part of that word. Para appears in such Bible words as “parable.”  Para means close beside. Ballo means to cast or throw. Put them together and you get the word “parable” — an earthly story thrown alongside a heavenly principle for better understanding.

Back to Hebrews 13:9 and the compound word paraphero. Again, para means close beside.  Phero means to carry away. Picture a person in a ship being carried away by the wind. Put para and phero together and you have a frightening definition. When the Hebrew writer said, “Do not be carried away,” he was warning of the danger of someone or something getting close to you and causing you to be removed, turned aside, misled, or seduced into error.

If it’s any consolation, this phenomenon is nothing new. The writers of the New Testament were constantly concerned about the same problem. The Book of Hebrews is one big warning to first century Jewish believers. Mainly, it was the warning against turning away from faith in Jesus Christ to an inferior, failed religious system. This final warning in Hebrews 13:9 alerted believers to the danger of being carried away from the gospel of grace into something else.

The word “strange” in Hebrews 13:9 translates the Greek word xenos which means new, novel, and can refer to strangers and foreigners. Be on guard when some new doctrine shows up like a stranger at your door. It’s no accident that before issuing this warning the writer declared the unchanging nature of Jesus Christ,“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). Since Jesus never changes, the written revelation we have from Him in the Bible never changes either. Consequently, any new or novel teaching that comes along isn’t just unnecessary; it’s false!

Furthermore, the written Word of God must be correctly interpreted and applied. This was Paul’s command to Timothy (2 Timothy 2:15). Oftentimes, error comes by way of incorrect interpretation and application of Scripture. So we must make sure that whatever is being taught is not only in the Bible, but that it aligns perfectly with the weight of Scripture.

In contrast to being carried away by strange doctrines, the Hebrew writer went on to say in verse 9, “For it is good that the heart be established by grace…”  Don’t let yourself be removed from sound biblical doctrine.  Instead, be established, settled, and grounded in the grace of God that is in Jesus Christ.

One last observation. It’s no accident that in Hebrews 13 the writer mentions church leaders on three separate occasions (verses 7,17 and 24). Pastors are given for a reason. A primary function of a pastor is to protect and feed the flock put under their care. So look for leaders who preach the Word and point you to Jesus.  ​

As a pastor I add my voice to that of the Hebrew writer, “Do not be carried about with various and strange doctrines.”  May God give you the ability to discern and avoid the bizarre that lacks biblical grounding. And when you hear the truth, may the Spirit of Truth bear witness with your spirit saying, “This is the way, walk in it” (Isaiah 30:21).


Pastor Todd Weston

liar

7/16/2018

 
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Jesus spoke the truth when He leveled this scathing accusation against Satan, “You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it” (John 8:44).

Satan is identified by many titles in the Bible; none of them are good. One such title is Liar. Satan is not only a liar, but he is also the father (originator) of lies. Just as truth is an attribute of God, Satan is a liar by nature. It’s in his DNA.

One time-honored lie involves the subject of freedom. In order to prevent people from coming to Christ, Satan tells them they must surrender their freedom in order to become a Christian. He tells the unsaved that a life lived for God is one of suffocating bondage. This diabolical deception is meant to convince sinners that they are actually free. Buying into the lie, people reject Jesus saying, “I don’t want to give up my freedom.”

The Bible sets the record straight. It’s the Christian who is really free because Jesus is the Great Liberator! Think about it. As a Christian you are free from the burden of sin with its load of guilt. You are free from those ugly traits that marred your character and damaged your relationships. You are no longer on the hook to pay the heavy price tag of wrong living. You are liberated from bondage to things that brought pain and destruction into your life. The great questions of life do not haunt you anymore. You know where you came from, why you are here, and where you are going.  Consequently, you are released by the power of God from a thousand tormenting fears.  You are free!

The freedom of the unsaved is an imaginary thing. Yes, they are free to live as they like.  They are free to defy God’s Laws and live in sin. They are free to ignore God’s Commandments and corrupt themselves. The unsaved are free to live every day of their lives as if God does not exist. They are also free to pile up judgment as high as the heavens. They are free to destroy their lives and condemn their eternal souls. They are free to grow old and die without God. And saddest of all, they are free to enter eternity without Christ and without hope.

The so-called freedom peddled by Satan is a hoax. Worse still, it’s a lie! Counter Satan’s lie by pointing people to Jesus, for He alone has the power to make us free indeed (John 8:36).  


Pastor Todd Weston

The crux of the matter

7/9/2018

 
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In our current sermon series we are considering several questions about Jesus. One of the recent questions dealt with is: Did Jesus die for our sins? Paul gave this answer, “For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:3).

When it comes to God’s plan of salvation, the atoning death of Jesus Christ on the cross is the crux of the matter. You’ve heard that phrase before. It refers to the basic, central, or critical point. What you may not know is that crux is the Latin word for cross. It appears in such Latin phrases as Ave Crux Spes Unica - Hail to the cross, our only hope.

When it comes to the Gospel, the cross of Christ really is the heart of the matter! That is why Satan hates it so much. This is the antipathy that motivates the removal of crosses from the public arena. From government buildings and lands, to public schools and universities, the cross is being systematically eradicated from our society.  

The war cry of those doing the removing is “separation of Church and State.” This often misunderstood and misapplied phrase appears nowhere in the Constitution of the United States. But that does not stop liberals from using it in their mission to rid our culture of all things Christian.

The real agenda behind the removal of crosses is spiritual, not political. The instigator is the devil himself. Satan knows exactly what the cross means. He understands that it truly is the crux of the matter. He gets the theological implications and ramifications of Christ’s death on Calvary. Satan doesn’t want people to see, be reminded of, or even think about the cross lest they look in faith and be saved. So he inspires the godless to campaign for their removal.  

Satan despises the cross because it was the place of his utter defeat; his Waterloo. Do you remember the ancient prophecy? “And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel” (Genesis 3:15). That prophecy was fulfilled at the cross when Jesus cried, “It is finished.”

While the enemies of Christ hate the cross, we the redeemed love it because it reveals both the wisdom of God’s plan of salvation, and the power of God to save. The cross announces to a lost world — JESUS SAVES!  

Never be ashamed of the cross of Christ. Embrace it and the Savior who died there for all.


“I will glory in the cross, in the cross
Lest His suffering all be in vain
I will weep no more for the cross that He bore
But I will glory in the cross”


Pastor Todd Weston

July 02nd, 2018

7/2/2018

 

ABIGAIL

7/2/2018

 
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David was livid! Furious with rage! He had just been deeply offended by a man whose very name identified him as the fool he was. In response to David’s kindness, Nabal returned insults.  Little did Nabal realize just how near he was to death. David and his band of four-hundred were quickly approaching fully armed. The revenge would be complete. By morning not a single male associated with Nabal would be left alive (1 Samuel 25:34).

Horrified at what her husband had done, Abigail knew she must act quickly. Following the example of Jacob who sent gifts ahead to appease his brother Esau, Abigail sent a very generous gift to David. The plan was to intercept David and his men before they arrived. Abigail then rushed to meet David on the way and gave one of the most eloquent speeches in the Bible.

In her speech she reminded David of God’s great purpose for his life. David was destined to rule over the house of Israel. But how could he rule Israel if he failed to rule his own soul? Abigail appealed to David not to do what he was on his way to do. It was better for Nabal to be judged by God than by David. Following her advice, Abigail reasoned, would prevent David from inflicting a blemish on his record and a burden on his conscience.

Listening to Abigail’s speech, David recognized the voice of the Lord. He answered,“Praise the Lord, the God of Israel, who has sent you to meet me today!” (1 Samuel 25:32) David went on to acknowledge that Abigail’s intervention kept him from doing something he would later regret.

Have you ever thanked the Lord for the things He kept you from doing? Revelation 20:12 writes about the Book of Life that records the works of every human being. Have you ever thought of thanking the Lord for the sinful things that were not written down in your record?  

Abigail’s intervention illustrates the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Like David, we are intent on doing some wrong thing. We were offended. We were hurt. We were provoked. As a result, we set our course of action and are hell-bent in our resolve. Disaster is surely in our path.

But we have an Advocate! The Holy Spirit reminds us of our God-given identity and purpose.  He appeals to our better self to turn away from the wrong we meant to do. He reasons with us that we not stain our lives with sin, and cripple our future with regret.

It’s interesting that the name Abigail means maker of joy. Thanks to this godly woman, David would never have to live with regret of committing the sin he was bound to commit that day.   Instead of regret, David would declare — He has made me glad!

When we obey the voice of the Holy Spirit sent to watch over our souls, rather than experiencing the sorrow that accompanies wrongdoing, we will experience the joy that comes with obedience. Realizing what He has saved us from, we will thank God for the Holy Spirit saying,“Praise the Lord, the God of Israel, who has sent YOU to meet me today!”


Pastor Todd Weston

    Pastor Todd

    Lead Pastor
    River of Life
    Assembly of God

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