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ANY OLD PILL WILL DO

10/25/2018

 
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Imagine a patient sitting in a doctor’s office awaiting the results of a recent medical test. It has been obvious to the patient for quite some time that something is seriously wrong. But what?!That is the troubling question.

After what seems like an eternity of waiting, the door opens the door and enters holding a file overflowing with test results and x-rays. He sits down and with a grave look on his face utters the word the patient dreads to hear. The test results are conclusive — cancer!

After the initial shock subsides, the doctor explains that without treatment death is a certainty. But there is hope! A breakthrough miracle cure has been found. It is a dynamic pill that contains all the ingredients necessary to neutralize and obliterate the cancer. Furthermore, this pill has a 100% success rate. It has never failed when used. It is a guaranteed cure, and it’s free!

The doctor begins to write the prescription when the patient informs him, “I have plenty of pills at home. If it’s just a pill I need, any old pill will do.” The doctor lays down his pen and explains, “But any old pill will not do. There is no pill in all the world like this. It alone has the ability to cure.” The patient persists, “Don’t be so narrow minded. Your pill may work for others, but I am certain I can find a pill that will work for me.” And with that the patient gets up and walks out of the office.

Religious pluralism is the belief that when it comes to salvation “any old pill will do.” For one person it may be Jesus. For another person it may be one of the world religions. For yet another person it may be belief in their own human goodness. And for still another, it may be faith in some mystical higher power. Pluralism says all belief systems are valid and all roads lead to God. 

In contrast to religious pluralism stands “exclusivism” which teaches there is only one true religion and way to God. The Bible rejects outright the notion of pluralism and repeatedly declares the exclusive claims of the gospel. Jesus spoke the truth when He said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). The gospel that is exclusive in its approach to God is inclusive in its invitation to all. While no one can come to the Father except through Christ, everyone may come through Him!

Someone may ask, “Isn’t it the height of arrogance for Christians to claim that Christ is the only way?” Not at all. It’s no more arrogant for a Christian to say Christ is the only way than for a doctor to say a certain medicine is the only cure for a particular disease. It isn’t an issue of arrogance, but of truth. Only the gospel provides a true antidote to the problem of sin.  

One writer noted, “If there had been any other way for mankind to be forgiven, Jesus would not have died. It is this fact alone - the necessary sacrificial death of the Son of God on the cross - that separates Christianity from all other religions.”

So don’t be fooled by all the sweet talk of pluralism. To promote religious pluralism is spiritual malpractice. When it comes to sin, there is only one cure. And when it comes to salvation, there is only one name. “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).


This Sunday at RLA --

I am looking forward to seeing you this Sunday at 9:30AM as we continue our series on ETERNITY. In this series we’ve learned that God put eternity in the human heart (Ecc. 3:11). We’ve also talked about Heaven and Hell and how everyone will live forever in one of those two locations. Eternal destiny depends on what a person does with Jesus in this life. This Sunday we are going to wrap up the series by looking at two basic questions concerning eternal life.

Plan now to join us this Sunday, and bring someone with you who needs to hear the message. 
 


See you Sunday!​

Pastor Todd

COURT DATE

10/18/2018

 
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Did you know you have a prearranged court date in eternity? Your case is already on the docket of an undisclosed date. The court records are being filed. The time and location have been set. The judge is ready, awaiting your arrival.

There is no way of knowing how long your day in court will last. It doesn’t really matter since the realm in which this court is held is beyond time. What we do know is that your case will not involve multiple appearances. Just one. The decision made by the judge will be final. There is no process of appeal, and no higher court to which an appeal could even be made. This is it! One day. One court. One judge. One decision…for all eternity.

2 Corinthians 5:10 is a Bible verse we should read often, “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad” (1 Corinthians 5:10 NIV).

While eternal life is God’s gift of grace to the redeemed (Romans 6:23), heavenly rewards are another matter. Eternal life is given. Eternal rewards are earned. I will spend eternity in heaven as a result of believing in Jesus. But my eternal rewards are based on what I do for Jesus.

While all believers will spend eternity in heaven, not all believers will share the same rewards. The purpose of the Judgment Seat of Christ is not to determine your right to enter heaven. The very fact you are there is proof that heaven is your eternal home. The Judgment Seat of Christ is about determining the degree of eternal reward, and that is based solely and completely on what is done for Christ in this life.  

My purpose in writing this article is not to frighten you, but to motivate you. Knowing what is coming should motivate us to live for and invest in the eternal.  

I believe that is how Paul lived. From what we know of Paul in the Bible, he did not get sidetracked with the things of this life. Worldly ambitions did not move him off target. I believe Paul lived each day under the constant awareness of his court date in eternity. He knew he was going to stand before Jesus and give an account for his life. I believe this, in part, explains his missionary zeal. He went on to explain in 2 Corinthians 5:11, “Since, then, we know what it is to fear the Lord, we try to persuade others.”

While the idea of the Judgment Seat of Christ may be an ominous thought for some, it doesn’t have to be. Not now. Not while you can do something about it. So do something about it. Let the knowledge of an approaching court date in eternity inspire you to live differently. Let it influence your decision-making. Let it shape your calendar and arrange your priorities. Let it prompt you to set your heart on things above (Colossians 3:3).

Decide now to live each and every day for the eternal.

This Sunday at RLA --

I am looking forward to seeing you this Sunday at 9:30AM as we continue our series on ETERNITY. Last week we learned about a wonderful place Jesus has prepared for those who love Him. It’s a place called Heaven. Just as Heaven exists, so does Hell. This Sunday’s message will focus on this place called Hell and the fact we are all born with pre-made reservations. Something must be done, and I will tell you what that something is this Sunday.

I encourage you to bring someone to church who needs to hear the message.   

See you Sunday!


Pastor Todd

ADDICTED

10/11/2018

 
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His name was Stephanas, and he was an addict. Not only was Stephanas an addict, his family shared his addiction. The apostle Paul felt compelled to reveal this condition to the church in Corinth. Stephanas and his family were members of that church. They were professing Christians. Paul had even baptized the whole lot of them. And now here they were, a household of addicts.

Relax. Their’s was not an addiction to drugs or alcohol. Stephanas and his family were not hooked on some destructive substance like nicotine, or nefarious activity like gambling. Actually, they were addicted to ministry! Paul reported, “They have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints” (1 Corinthians 16:15 KJV).

At first glance, we might accuse Stephanas of being a workaholic. You know the type. These are people who drive themselves into the ground because of their overwhelming compulsion to work for the sake of work. Stephanas was not a workaholic. His addiction to ministry was fueled by love — love for God and for God’s people.

This is more clearly seen when you understand the meaning behind the words translated “addiction” (devoted, committed), and “ministry” (service). In his commentary on 1 Corinthians, John MacArthur noted, “One of the surest ways we can serve Christ is to serve the saints on His behalf” (Matthew 25:34-40). That was Stephanas and family. They did what they did out of genuine love for the Lord and His people.

Having pastored for a number of years, I have noticed two types of people in church: those who live to be served, and those who live to serve. The household of Stephanas lived to serve. That does not mean ministry was their profession. There is no indication that they served on the pastoral staff in Corinth. They were members of the church who were fully committed to serving their fellow believers in the Body of Christ.

In doing research for this article, I found very little written about Stephanas. I have several books on biblical characters and heroes of the faith. Strangely enough, Stephanas was mentioned in passing in only a few. How ironic that a man pointed out by Paul for service is overlooked. Maybe that is why, at the conclusion of his letter, Paul reminded the Corinthian church of the family of Stephanas and their devotion to ministry. Maybe they had even forgotten.

Sometimes that’s the way it goes. People who give their lives in service and ministry to others can go without much recognition. But if they have the heart of a Stephanas, it really doesn’t matter. With or without recognition, they will continue to serve faithfully.

I may be describing you in this article. Maybe you are one of the faithful few (the 20% who do 80% of the work) addicted to serving in ministry. It may be a visible ministry of leadership. It may be an invisible ministry of helps. Regardless, you serve day in and day out because of your love for God and His people. You stay at it because you are following the example of the One who did not come to be served, but to serve (Mark 10:45).

In case you have not heard it lately, let me say Thank You! Thank you for your devotion to ministry. Remember that nothing done for the Lord is ever forgotten, or goes unrewarded. A crown awaits you in heaven. Just ask Stephanas, the man whose name means Crowned.


This Sunday at RLA --

I am looking forward to seeing you this Sunday at 9:30AM as we continue our series on ETERNITY. Last week we learned that God has put eternity in our hearts (Ecclesiastes 3:11). Everyone will spend forever somewhere. One of those “somewhere” places is Heaven. In Sunday’s message we are going to talk about this place called Heaven.

I encourage you to bring someone to church who needs to hear the message.  I pray they will respond and make Heaven their eternal home.​

See you Sunday!


Pastor Todd

LIBERTY

10/4/2018

 
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“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery” (Galatians 5:1 NIV).

Christian liberty is a great theme of the New Testament. Who doesn’t love the idea of freedom? Unfortunately, this great Bible subject has been met with confusion at times; even abuse. The confusion/abuse arises from the definition of freedom. Simply put, is Christian liberty the freedom to live the way God wants me to live, or the way I want to live?

Those who would argue for the latter claim to support their position with Paul’s statement at the end of Romans 6:14, “For you are not under the law but under grace.” The argument is that since we are not under the law (the Law of Moses), the righteous requirements of the law no longer apply to New Testament Christians. And since we are under grace, our sins are covered past, present, and future. The result is a very sloppy form of Christianity that lives no differently than the world under the banner of “grace”. 

Those who define Christian liberty as the freedom to live the way God wants us to live quickly point out the context of Paul’s statement in Romans 6:14b. Before Paul said, “For you are not under the law but under grace,” he said, “For sin shall not have dominion over you.” Not only that, but the entire context of Romans 6 is living holy lives that are separated from sin.

Rather than looking at grace as some sort of get-out-of-jail-free card that allows us to sin with impunity, Paul presents grace as the empowerment of God not to sin. At salvation God does not take away our ability to sin. He gives us the power not to sin!  

As slaves to sin we were under the power of sin. Sin is what we did because it’s who we were. We were sinners by nature, and therefore by practice. But grace changed that. As the servants of God, we are now free to serve the Lord and live the way He wants us to live.

Christian liberty is not the freedom to live the way I want. It’s the freedom to live the way I should. It’s the freedom to live the way I was created and designed to live. Sin is against life and will always result in a breakdown. So one good reason to do what is right today is tomorrow, because sin has consequences. Another very good reason is eternity. It’s what we actually do, not say, that determines our eternal destiny (Matthew 7:21). 

Do not mistake being under grace for something that it’s not. It is not license to continue dabbling or living in sin. It is the power of God to conquer what once conquered you, and live from that point on in the freedom for which Christ has made you free.

Don’t ever go back. Having been made free, stay free!

This Sunday at RLA --


I am looking forward to seeing you this Sunday as we begin our new series on ETERNITY. This Sunday’s message is titled Eternity In Their Hearts and is based on Ecclesiastes 3:11. The theme is that God created everyone to live forever. The question is not, “Will I live forever?” but, “Where will I spend eternity?”  

I encourage you to bring someone to church Sunday who needs to hear this message. I guarantee that the opportunity will be given for them to respond.

See you Sunday!


Pastor Todd

THE ACCUSER

10/1/2018

 
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Of all the vile names given to the devil (and there are several), one stands out as especially despicable — Accuser. The name appears near the end of the Bible in Revelation 12:10, “For the accuser of our brothers and sisters has been thrown down to earth — the one who accuses them before our God day and night.”

Satan is no respecter of persons. He will accuse anyone of anything at any time. From what Revelation 12:10 indicates, leveling accusations seems to be Satan’s full-time occupation. While Jesus is constantly praying for us (Hebrews 7:25), Satan is busy accusing us.

Job is the classic example of Satan’s activity as the Accuser. Job was a godly man full of integrity (Job 1:8). But that didn’t stop the enemy. As the father of lies (John 8:44) Satan simply made up an accusation. Without any grounds or evidence to support his claim, Satan accused Job of serving God for profit. To prove Satan wrong, God allowed Job to lose everything including his ten children. Contrary to Satan’s prediction, Job remained true to God saying, “The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD” (Job 1:21).

Job passed the test! He proved Satan’s accusation to be false. Did that satisfy the devil? Of course not. False accusers are not interested in truth. There is a more sinister agenda at work.  

Proven wrong the first time, Satan shifted his strategy slightly and hurled another accusation. The first accusation challenged Job’s motives. The second challenged his sincerity. Satan told God, “Reach out and take away his health, and he will surely curse you to your face!” (Job 2:5). So began the horrendous physical sufferings of Job. Job again proved Satan’s accusation untrue. He endured the suffering and never compromised his commitment to the Lord.

Though proven wrong twice, there is no record of Satan ever admitting that his accusations were false. False accusers rarely make such an admission. No retraction.  No correction. They just leave the accusation hanging and walk away.

We shouldn’t be surprised when the righteous become the targets of vicious accusations. Jesus Himself was the victim of such. Luke 6:7 reports that Christ’s enemies were constantly looking for any opportunity to level an accusation against Him. Matthew 26:59 says they actively sought out witnesses who would lie about Jesus in order to bring Him down. Sadly, there were many willing accomplices; enough to get Him crucified. In the end, they even put their written accusation over Jesus’ head as He hung on the cross.

I know, the injustice of it all is maddening. But there is coming a day when God will turn the tables. The line in the Christmas Carol offers tremendous hope, “The wrong shall fail, the right prevail.” In the end, truth will win the day. So hold on. Answer false accusations by speaking the truth in love, maintaining integrity, and living righteously.  And as for the accusers, sometimes it seems like they do their damage and get away with it. Think again. The Bible presents this directive that should make anyone think twice before making a false accusation, “Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord” (Romans 12:19).​

“It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Hebrews 10:31).


Pastor Todd Weston

    Pastor Todd

    Lead Pastor
    River of Life
    Assembly of God

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