October 20th, 2009 by Ptr. Vince
Alcohol Drinking Is Not Good For Our Lives
This is one of the most common heated debates inside Christian communities. This is because there are many Christians who still drink alcoholic beverages even after several years of being a Christian.
The main issues raised were the following:
* Is alcohol drinking forbidden in the Bible?
* Is alcohol drinking an immoral practice?
* Is alcohol drinking encouraged in the Bible?
* Moderate drinking is a healthy practice as long as you do not get drunk.
Many of those Christians who used to drink uses the following issues above to defend that alcohol drinking is completely allowable and it is only “us” who forbid it to do. Plus quoting the incident in the wedding of Cana where Jesus turned water into wine.
But why is it that many Evangelical Churches forbid or at least impose a “no alcohol drinking” policy among its members?
Now, let’s go to the main discussion of the issues raised.
Is Alcohol Drinking Forbidden In The Bible?
The answer of course is no. The fact is, most people in the Bible drink at least a wine coming from grapes. One thing is clear about the limitations in drinking, and it is found in Ephesians 5:18. “Do not get drunk.” This is why most Christians that still drink alcoholic beverages hold this very strongly. As long as they don’t get drunk.
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September 4th, 2009 by Ptr. Vince
“But the Scripture has concluded all under sin, that the promise of faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.”
Galatians 3:22
When we realize what we were before and what He’s done for us, how can we keep from “loving Him with all our heart,” going where He leads and doing what He says?
“All under sin.”
That’s the message of today’s Manna: Everyone is guilty. You’re guilty. I’m guilty. ‘Ole Joe, the butcher down the street is guilty. Aunt Sue is guilty. Grandma’s guilty. Your banker is guilty. Your doctor and dentist are guilty.
That’s not a popular or politically correct message.
But, it’s the Truth.
And, until one realizes it—and is convicted by it—there’s no hope.
The Greek word “sugkleio” is used here for “concluded” and means “to shut off together, enclose, boxed in, etc.” It’s the picture of captives herded into a locked room with no possible way of escape. And, like some sadistic captor who delights in others’ misery, the Law points its sharp finger at everyone and says “Guilty as charged!” Its look is stern and its sentence unwavering as the Day of Judgment approaches.
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September 4th, 2009 by Ptr. Vince
“Then were assembled unto me everyone that trembled at the words of the God of Israel. . .”
Ezra 9:4a
Because of it, we should never stray far from the Christ and the Cross.
Conviction.
Do you feel it this morning, Pilgrim? Do you, like Jeremiah, feel the “burden of the Lord” (23:33-38) weighing down on you as you ponder His Greatness and agonize over your own wretchedness?
If so, run to Jesus. And, stay there.
The Word is sharp, piercing through the veneer of pretense as it exposes everything that lies within (Heb. 4:12). Like the priest’s sharp knife that split open a penitent worshiper’s sacrifice from the tip of its nose and down its back to the tip of its tail, so does the Holy Spirit use God’s Holy Scalpel to “search our hearts and minds” (Ps. 139:23-24).
At first, it’s for the purpose of conviction of our lost condition. Until we know we’re lost, we feel no need of a Shepherd. Until we know we’re sick, we feel not need of a Physician (Mt. 9:12). But, “when the Commandment comes” (Rom. 7:9), a holy terror grips our soul as we feel the sharp piercing of the “curse of the Law” (Dt. 27:26; Gal. 3:10).
But, thankfully, in that curse there is a Cure.
And, that Cure is Jesus (Gal. 3:11-14). Hallelujah!!
How we should thank God for the Law that helps us know our need of Him (Gal. 3:19-29). Then, we should thank the Father for His Spirit-Word that “convicts us of sin, the need of righteousness and judgment to come” (Jn. 16:8-11). . .for such conviction will hopefully lead to heartfelt repentance and holy consecration (Rom. 12:1-2).
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June 9th, 2009 by Ptr. Vince
1.A discipler should be walking by faith. Moses has been a prince of Egypt in his childhood up to the time of his early adulthood. One time in his life, he tried to saved an Israelite being punished by the cruel Egyptian. After killing the Egyptian and with his fear of the Pharaoh, he went to the desert and lived there.
After a while, the Lord appeared to him asking him to lead the Israelites our of Egypt (Exodus 3:11). But Moses immediate response to was to question God about His judgment in choosing him.
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April 29th, 2009 by Ptr. Vince
Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles (v.1)
To endure discipline, we have to throw off everything that hinders. This means that we have to get rid of things that we already know that causes us to stumble. Getting rid means stopping if we are sinning.
It may also mean repentance and submission to authorities. After all, the purpose of discipline is restoration and not condemnation. Getting rid of these may not be easy, and we may even think of compromising what we believe so that we may not suffer. But truths in the Bible will always remain as truths.
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April 9th, 2009 by Ptr. Vince
Even at the very beginning of the teachings of discipline. Discipline is not merely intended to burden the people in following God, but to lessen the load of those who needs it. Discipline is like working out and body exercise. It seems that it is a burden to those who do it, yet the main purpose is to strengthen one’s Spiritual life and that later on he will be able to stand against temptation.
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April 7th, 2009 by Ptr. Vince
What is the role of Discipline inside the Church? Is it really necessary? Most people once they undergo the discipline process start to ask these questions. Going back to the previous post, we have learned that discipline is intended for restoration of a sinning brother and not to condemn anyone.
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April 7th, 2009 by Ptr. Vince
Matthew 18:15-20 is probably one of the most popular passages about discipline. Here we can see that the offender has been given chances for repentance. It is very important to note how Jesus Christ presented the matter to his disciples.
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