FREUDIAN FAITH IS FATAL

Charles Darwin (1809-1882), author of "Origin of the Species" credited with the modern theory of evolution,

Karl Marx (1818-1883), the founder of modern communism and dialectic materialism;

Friedrich Nietzsche (1844-1900), the German philosopher who announced, "God is dead," and

Sigmund Freud (1856-1939), the father of modern psychology; have profoundly influenced the way our world thinks.

Common to each, and to those who subscribed to their theories, is a refutation of God's Word as authoritative and accurate, a refusal of God's Will as right and good, and a rejection of God Son as “the Way, the Truth, and the Life.”

Of concern today is the degree to which the thought of these men has filtered into the life of the Church of Jesus Christ.

Many leading Christian universities have today endorsed variants of Darwinism to explain the origin of man.

Several Christian organizations have adapted Marx’s worldview and under the guise of “social justice” pressed against the New Testament principles of individual responsibility. (i.e. If a man will not work neither should he eat...2 Thessalonians 3:10; Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth. Ephesians 4:28; And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you...1 Thessalonians 4:11)

There are even professing Christians who, in the spirit of Nietzsche, are setting out to diminish and deny the God of the Old and New Testaments. Neitzsche wrote, “God is dead, and we have killed him.” Indeed many are trying.

But it is Freud and modern psychology,that I find is most pervasive and pernicious in the life of Christians and the Church.

Psychology is a lot about the pain we have. Christianity is about the cure Christ offers.
Insight into why we think the way we think, or why we act the way we act, may prove interesting, but it cannot and will not change anything. So I am anxious because my father was anxious. Now what?

Or I am lazy because my mother was lazy. And? Or how about, I am angry because my grandfather was angry. Now what?

Christianity explains that the nature of man was marred when sin entered into the world. That depraved nature affects our thinking and our behavior. But the Cross of Christ is greater than the depravity of man. “He was wounded for our transgressions [they are all forgiven!]; he was bruised for our iniquities [they are all forgotten], the chastisement of our peace was upon him [we now have peace with God and man], and by his stripes we are healed [cured from the curse of sin].” (Isaiah 53:5).

We believe and we know, that God’s grace is sufficient to remediate sin and it’s baneful effect.
Marvelous grace of our loving Lord,Grace that exceeds our sin and our guilt!Yonder on Calvary’s mount outpoured,There where the blood of the Lamb was spilled.
Grace, grace, God’s grace,Grace that will pardon and cleanse within;Grace, grace, God’s grace,Grace that is greater than all our sin!

Psychology is about man's description. Christianity is about God's prescription.
Modern science is all about accurately describing the state of nature. Scientists pride themselves on their ability to see and explain the parts and the interworking of those parts in our universe. But the revelation of God’s Word not only accurately describes our condition, it prescribes the course of action we should follow.
Change your mind about sin and self—Repent. Trust in Christ and Christ alone for salvation—Believe. Act right, regardless of your environment or external influences—Obey.

Psychology is about what you are. Christianity is about what you can and ought to be.
It’s no wonder that so many of those seeing psychologists are depressed. All the secular psychologist can offer are chemicals that may or may not help, and advice that may or may not be right.

We do believe that some depression is the consequence of hormonal or chemical imbalances in the brain, and that medical intervention in those situations is as appropriate as taking blood pressure medicine or aspirin.

But in the vast majority of cases, the crux of the matter is not chemical or environmental, it is self-centeredness (what the Bible calls carnality) and self-gratification (what the Bible calls living after the flesh). We want our way, not God’s.

And yet, the farther we travel down the highway of “My Way” the more bound and defeated we are.

“Oh wretched man that I am, who shall deliver me?” the Apostle despaired. Then Jesus came! And Paul exclaims “I thank God through Jesus Christ” “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20)

Let all who name the name of Christ, look to Him and to Him alone for the answers to the questions we have. Let us never lose confidence or faith in His Word as the Truth! And let us never be ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God unto salvation!

MAY THE LORD RICHLY BLESS YOU.

ONWARD!


Pastor Rick JonesFAITH COMMUNITY CHURCH - CRUSADERS CHURCH of ST. LOUIS
WWW.FCCTODAY.ORG
2969 N. Lindbergh Blvd, St Louis, MO 63074Telephone (314) 607-1424; E-Mail: PastorRick@FCCToday.orgwww.pastorrickjones@blogspot.com

AN EASTER TO BE REMEMBERED!

GREETINGS IN THE NAME OF OUR RISEN SAVIOR, THE LORD JESUS CHRIST!

We trust that your Resurrection Weekend was as filled with blessing as ours. What a thrill it was to welcome 216 souls to our services, to pray with seekers at our altars, to have so many visitors, and to have 59 riding our Sunday School Bus! We are excited about the possibilities for Team FCC in the weeks to come.

It has been our growing conviction that to restore our homes, strengthen our churches, and reform our culture, we must have men who will "take up the cross and follow Jesus!" Our Men's Fellowship will meet this Thursday, April 8 at 7:00 p.m. Join us for an interesting conversation and then Steak n Shake. We thank the men who led this year's LIVING LAST SUPPER PRESENTATION along with Phil Alexander at the Steinway Piano and the FCC Ensemble.


On our first Sunday in St. Louis, the 3rd Sunday of September in 1994 a little 11 year old girl named Christy Matlock was the very first child to board our Sunday School Bus. Yesterday she did the honors of creaming
PR with a pie. There were 69 on the bus, including 9 parents & adults! Vickie Jones and the team of FCC teachers: Tammy Abbott (Nursery), Edie Batye (Primary), Katherine Bissey (Intermediate) led the children with Heather Young at the piano. (FYI: Tressa, our precious daughter, is the girl on the right with the white sweater and floral dress). Jesus loves the little children, and we do too!


This afternoon I visited a man in the hospital who said he was a Buddhist. When I asked him what he liked about Buddhism he said there were two things that attracted him. The First was that his salvation didn't depend on anyone but himself. And the second was that Nirvana, being absorbed into the consciousness of God and losing personal identity was very appealing. As our conversation progressed I asked him what he thought of Jesus. He rambled off the usual "Jesus was a very great teacher" concept, and then I asked him if he thought that Jesus rose again from the dead. After a bit he confessed that he did not believe in the resurrection.

I followed up, "The fact of the resurrection authenticates the life, the teaching, and the example of Jesus." And just as I was about to address that issue with him he was interrupted by a visitor. Alas! I shall return again. And pray with me that this man will soon have an encounter with the Risen Savior.

You ask me how I know He lives? He lives within my heart!

Thank you to all who attended, to all who supported, and to all who helped us have a wonderful Resurrection Weekend. We love and appreciate you all. Looking forward to seeing you this coming weekend!


Pastor Rick JonesFAITH COMMUNITY CHURCH - CRUSADERS CHURCH of ST. LOUIS2969 N. Lindbergh Blvd, St Louis, MO 63074Telephone (314) 607-1424; E-Mail: PastorRick@FCCToday.orghttp://www.pastorrickjones@blogspot.com/