In 1967 war erupted between Israel and their neighbors Egypt, Syria, and Jordan. In six days of intense fighting Israel captured the Sinai Peninsula up to the Suez canal, marched through the West Bank of the Jordan River, the Golan Heights and Mount Hermon that bordered Syria, and then triumphantly laid hold of the Old City of Jerusalem. The sound of Jubilant Jews gathering to blow the shofar at the Western Wall echoed around the globe. Israel had not controlled that sacred site for nearly 1,900 years.
As my father was visiting that week, many asked if he this was the beginning of the end and the signal for Christ’s second coming. “I don’t know,” he replied, “but we are praying that it is.” Dad said that not everyone was as excited about that possibility as he was. Church attendance was up that week.
It has now been 44 years since that amazing victory and 63 years since the United Nations partitioned Palestine and created the sovereign State of Israel. It was all so unlikely. But it happened. And it happened right on time.
Writing 600 years before Christ the Prophet Daniel foretold that our Lord would come 490 years after the walls of Jerusalem were re-built—and He did; that Israel would once again become a sovereign nation in 1948—and they did; and that the Jews would control the Temple Mount in 1967—and they did.
Admittedly, many of these prophecies were obscure at the time God revealed them to Daniel, but Godly men, under the influence of the same Holy Spirit that inspired Daniel, saw the meanings and wrote of them.
Perhaps the most amazing proofs that the Bible is inspired and inerrant are the incredible number of fulfilled prophecies. The Old Testament is filled with incredible predictions about the nation of Israel. Every one of them has been fulfilled.
The prophecies of Christ’s first coming were all fulfilled to the letter. When Christ would come, of whom He would be born, where He would be born, how he would die, the manner of his burial—all of these and scores of other prophecies were perfectly fulfilled by Jesus of Nazareth.
Since Christ returned to heaven God’s people have anticipated Christ’s second coming. Some were sure that Christ would be back before John the Apostle died, others expected that He would return just before Jerusalem was destroyed by the Romans. There have been those who predicted Christ would return at the end of the 1st millennium (AD 1000) and others were sure He would come again at the end of the 2nd millennium (AD 2000).
Jesus said that no man knows the day nor the hour of His return (Matthew 24:36) but He said that just as we can tell that summer is coming when the leaves appear on the trees, there will be telling signs that He is about to appear.
There are many prophecies regarding our Lord’s return, but these are among the clearest:
1. Knowledge will be increased and travel will be fast-paced. “But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased. (Daniel 12:4)
2. There will be a great falling away from the truth of God’s Word. “Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, (2 Thessalonians 2:3-4). This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. (2 Timothy 3:1-5).
3. People will be skeptical and cynical towards Christ’s Return. “Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.” (2 Peter 3:3-4).
4. The Gospel will be preached around the world. “And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come. (Matthew 24:14). Certainly mass media and the internet
5. The Return of Israel as a nation. Daniel tells us, “And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days. Blessed is he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days.” (Daniel 12:11-12) If the “abomination that maketh desolate” is the rise of Islam in AD 612, and we add 1,335 days, or prophetic years to that date, we come to 1947—the exact year the United Nations partitioned Palestine and created the State of Israel!
Isaiah foresaw the return of Israel. “And it shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord shall set his hand again the second time to recover the remnant of his people, which shall be left, from Assyria, and from Egypt, and from Pathros, and from Cush, and from Elam, and from Shinar, and from Hamath, and from the islands of the sea.” (Isaiah 11:11).
6. There will be a tremendous onslaught against Israel. In the 38th chapter of Ezekiel’s prophecy we are told of a great attack against Israel. Though this prophecy may have been in some measure fulfilled in previous generations, Bible Scholars are agreed that there is an ultimate fulfillment yet to come. “And thou shalt come from thy place out of the north parts, thou, and many people with thee, all of them riding upon horses, a great company, and a mighty army: And thou shalt come up against my people of Israel, as a cloud to cover the land; it shall be in the latter days, and I will bring thee against my land, that the heathen may know me, when I shall be sanctified in thee, O Gog, before their eyes.” (Ezekiel 38:15-16).
Zechariah warns, “For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle; and the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women ravished; and half of the city shall go forth into captivity, and the residue of the people shall not be cut off from the city. Then shall the Lord go forth, and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle. (Zechariah 14:2-4).
7. The appearance of the Anti-Christ. Some of the First Century Christians expected that Christ’s second coming would be in their lifetimes. The Apostle Paul assured believers that Christ would be coming, but that before He comes, an anti-Christ would first appear.
“Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.
Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?...
And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness:.” (2 Thessalonians 2:1-12).
Jesus said, “If any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not. For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. Behold, I have told you before.
Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not. For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. (Matthew 24:23-27).
It is obvious from these Scriptures that the Anti-Christ and his minions will viciously oppose those who belong to Christ. The Apostle John tells us that those who do not receive the mark of the Anti-Christ, here styled “the Beast,” will be prohibited from buying and selling. “And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.” (Revelation 13:16,17). Certainly the mark on the forehead represents worship of the Anti-Christ and his system, and the mark on the hand symbolizes obedience to the Anti-Christ and his dreadful government. It is not hard to imagine that such a mark may have a literal meaning too.
All of orthodox (right thinking), Bible believing Christians agree that these are the signs of Christ’s return. Recent headlines have us wondering if we are about to see a new alignment of nations against the Nation of Israel. Strife in those nations surrounding Israel could easily open the doors to radical Islamic jihadists.
Consider this: Iran is close to obtaining nuclear warheads and has the capability to deliver those warheads to Jerusalem. Syria’s radical leaders have infiltrated Lebanon and are placing thousands of missiles along the northern border of Israel. On the West Bank the Palestinians were given the opportunity to elect a new government and the most radical Hamas party won in a landslide. The fall of President Mubarak in Egypt has opened the door for arms to flow to Hamas through the Sinai and the Suez Canal. Middle East nations that have historically been supportive or tolerant of the West are in the midst of tremendous upheaval. The Muslim Brotherhood, the Ayatollah’s of Iran, Hamas, Hezbollah, Al-queda, the Taliban, and a host of other Islamic sects are fomenting great turmoil throughout the region.
WHEN SPEAKING OF THE LAST DAYS JESUS ENCOURAGED HIS DISCIPLES: “WHEN THESE THINGS BEGIN TO COME TO PASS, THEN LOOK UP, AND LIFT UP YOUR HEADS; FOR YOUR REDEMPTION DRAWETH NIGH!” (Luke 21:28).
Brothers and Sisters, we may very well be at the threshold of our Lord’s Return. Jesus said that the generation that sees the budding of the fig tree would not pass away until all these things are fulfilled. If the return of Israel as a nation is “the budding of the fig tree,” (Matthew 24:32ff) and if a generation is 70 years we should expect our Lord’s return just any time.
This is not the time to get ready. It is the time to be ready!
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Thursday, February 24, 2011
ATTACKING THE CHRISTIAN CONSTITUTION
This past month the 112th Congress of the United States was sworn into office and publicly read The Constitution of the United States. “We the People of the United States,” the newly elected Speaker of the House, John Boehner began, “in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.” Every American should know and appreciate this historic document.
Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, who was tragically shot and wounded in Tuscan last week end read the First Amendment, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.” (Note: This does not prohibit God’s people from being active participants in our democracy. It does prohibit the Government from establishing a national church and from legally interfering with religious institutions.) Let’s all continue to pray for the Congreesswoman and all who are suffering from that wicked attacker.
Critics charged that it was a waste of time to read the Constitution. They said that the U. S. Constitution was flawed, and really not relevant to our times. Truth be told, every liberty, right, and privilege of the American citizenship is granted and secured by our Constitution. Without this foundation, our government would devolve into a cruel form of tyranny or anarchy. Those with either the gold and/or the guns would arbitrarily force their will upon us!
But Congress is restrained and governed by the Constitution. The Courts are required to to preserve and interpret the Constitution. And the President, the Executive Branch of our Government, is sworn to defend and enforce the Constitution. We are a nation of laws, whose first and foremost law is that enshrined in the Constitution.
We are anxious to defend our nation’s Constitution from those who would depreciate, desecrate, and destroy this foundation of our democracy. But it occurs to us that there is an even greater threat to the nation, and the souls of our nation: That is the pernicious attack on the Constitution of the Christian Church—God’s Word, the Bible.
Without the Virtues, the Verities, and the Values of Scripture, life is chaos and we have no hope in eternity. That’s why we are contending for GOD’S INFALLIBLE WORD--OUR UNFAILING GUIDE!
We are sure that the Bible is inerrant—without error.
We are sure that we have an accurate text—what was written by God’s holy men. No other ancient text is as well-documented and preserved as the Bible. The Holy Spirit guarantees that we have “a sure word” (2 Peter 1:19) that “endures forever” (1 Peter 1:25).
And we are sure that our text is accurate—that it perfectly reveals God’s will, and that there are no historical, factual, scientific, philosophical, or theological errors in its pages. We have taken holy glee in watching Darwin’s theory of evolution falter under the weight of new-found evidence. Hold to God’s Infallible Word!
The truth is, it is not men who judge God’s Word, rather it is God’s Word that judges men. The sooner we see that truth, repent of our sins, and humbly walk with the Lord Jesus Christ, the better off we all will be.
THE WORD OF GOD PERFECTLY REVEALS GOD’S WILL
The Bible is rich in spiritual truth. It reveals God’s plan of redemption for sinful man. It tells of God’s saving grace, teaching grace, keeping grace, and sanctifying grace. It teaches us how we are to order our relationship with God—“He’s first”, and how we should relate with others. It tells us how we are to act and react towards our family, our friends, and our enemies. It directs how we should use our money and what we should be giving. And it specifically teaches us how to live a holy and separated-from-the-world lifestyle. (For example men are not to wear clothing that pertains to women, and women are not to wear clothing that pertains to men, Deuteronomy 22:5; Modesty is not optional, 1st Timothy 2:9; and we are to refrain from tattoos and markings on our bodies, Leviticus 19:28). How would any of us know these things except that God’s Word teaches us?
THE WORD OF GOD PERFECTLY REVEALS MY WILL
The Apostle Paul testified, “The law is a schoolmaster to bring us to Christ.” (Galatians 3:24ff). Indeed seeing what God requires hits us hard! We know that we have disobeyed God. We also know that our pride resists the idea that God should be able to tell us how to think, what to do, and who we should be. That’s why the writer to the Hebrews says, “The word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12). God’s Word reveals what is in us. And Praise God! it also teaches us of saving and sanctifying grace that washes away all our guilt and purifies our hearts!
THE WORD OF GOD REVEALS OUR ONLY HOPE
The Prophet Jeremiah was direct:
Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the Lord…(but) Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is. (Jeremiah 17:5-7)
The Apostle John plainly revealed the way of salvation through Jesus Christ.
If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His Word is not in us. (1 John 1:10)
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)
If we say that we have no sin we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. (1 John 1:8)
But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son, cleanses us from all sin. (I John 1:7)
If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not the truth. (1 John 1:6)
Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure. (1 John 3:2,3)
Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, who was tragically shot and wounded in Tuscan last week end read the First Amendment, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.” (Note: This does not prohibit God’s people from being active participants in our democracy. It does prohibit the Government from establishing a national church and from legally interfering with religious institutions.) Let’s all continue to pray for the Congreesswoman and all who are suffering from that wicked attacker.
Critics charged that it was a waste of time to read the Constitution. They said that the U. S. Constitution was flawed, and really not relevant to our times. Truth be told, every liberty, right, and privilege of the American citizenship is granted and secured by our Constitution. Without this foundation, our government would devolve into a cruel form of tyranny or anarchy. Those with either the gold and/or the guns would arbitrarily force their will upon us!
But Congress is restrained and governed by the Constitution. The Courts are required to to preserve and interpret the Constitution. And the President, the Executive Branch of our Government, is sworn to defend and enforce the Constitution. We are a nation of laws, whose first and foremost law is that enshrined in the Constitution.
We are anxious to defend our nation’s Constitution from those who would depreciate, desecrate, and destroy this foundation of our democracy. But it occurs to us that there is an even greater threat to the nation, and the souls of our nation: That is the pernicious attack on the Constitution of the Christian Church—God’s Word, the Bible.
Without the Virtues, the Verities, and the Values of Scripture, life is chaos and we have no hope in eternity. That’s why we are contending for GOD’S INFALLIBLE WORD--OUR UNFAILING GUIDE!
We are sure that the Bible is inerrant—without error.
We are sure that we have an accurate text—what was written by God’s holy men. No other ancient text is as well-documented and preserved as the Bible. The Holy Spirit guarantees that we have “a sure word” (2 Peter 1:19) that “endures forever” (1 Peter 1:25).
And we are sure that our text is accurate—that it perfectly reveals God’s will, and that there are no historical, factual, scientific, philosophical, or theological errors in its pages. We have taken holy glee in watching Darwin’s theory of evolution falter under the weight of new-found evidence. Hold to God’s Infallible Word!
The truth is, it is not men who judge God’s Word, rather it is God’s Word that judges men. The sooner we see that truth, repent of our sins, and humbly walk with the Lord Jesus Christ, the better off we all will be.
THE WORD OF GOD PERFECTLY REVEALS GOD’S WILL
The Bible is rich in spiritual truth. It reveals God’s plan of redemption for sinful man. It tells of God’s saving grace, teaching grace, keeping grace, and sanctifying grace. It teaches us how we are to order our relationship with God—“He’s first”, and how we should relate with others. It tells us how we are to act and react towards our family, our friends, and our enemies. It directs how we should use our money and what we should be giving. And it specifically teaches us how to live a holy and separated-from-the-world lifestyle. (For example men are not to wear clothing that pertains to women, and women are not to wear clothing that pertains to men, Deuteronomy 22:5; Modesty is not optional, 1st Timothy 2:9; and we are to refrain from tattoos and markings on our bodies, Leviticus 19:28). How would any of us know these things except that God’s Word teaches us?
THE WORD OF GOD PERFECTLY REVEALS MY WILL
The Apostle Paul testified, “The law is a schoolmaster to bring us to Christ.” (Galatians 3:24ff). Indeed seeing what God requires hits us hard! We know that we have disobeyed God. We also know that our pride resists the idea that God should be able to tell us how to think, what to do, and who we should be. That’s why the writer to the Hebrews says, “The word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12). God’s Word reveals what is in us. And Praise God! it also teaches us of saving and sanctifying grace that washes away all our guilt and purifies our hearts!
THE WORD OF GOD REVEALS OUR ONLY HOPE
The Prophet Jeremiah was direct:
Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the Lord…(but) Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is. (Jeremiah 17:5-7)
The Apostle John plainly revealed the way of salvation through Jesus Christ.
If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His Word is not in us. (1 John 1:10)
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)
If we say that we have no sin we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. (1 John 1:8)
But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son, cleanses us from all sin. (I John 1:7)
If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not the truth. (1 John 1:6)
Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure. (1 John 3:2,3)
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
AS GOD WOULD HAVE US LOVE
If we love God, then we love who God wants us to love and in the way God wants us to love them. If we love ourselves then we love who we want to love and in the way we want to love them.
Pop psychology urges us to love who we want to love, in any way that we want to love them, without any reference to God or His will for our love. Some say that love is a personal choice. Others tell us that who or what we love is genetically determined. But the ungodly are agreed in this, “no one should impose restrictions on another person’s love.”
But the Bible teaches us that fallen, sinful men are not wise enough, not good enough, nor are they strong enough, to make that decision for themselves. We need God’s direction, God’s blessing, and God’s strength to know and to experience Love as He ordained it to be.
Those who resist God’s direction for their love are displaying the height of folly and the depths of their depravity. Those who embrace God’s direction for their love are not only happier and more at peace today, they will know the joy of heaven forever.
So do you love what God wants you to love?
Do you love who God wants you to love?
Do you love in the way God wants you to love?
If so, then it can be truthfully said, “you love God.”
If not, then pray that God will for Christ’s sake forgive you for idolizing your opinion rather than yeilding to His will. Determine that with God’s help, you will love as He wants you to love. And pray that God will perfect your love for Him and His divine will. If you will sincerely seek to love God, love His Will, and love His Way, you will one day enter into that heavenly home the Lord is even now preparing for you.
Pop psychology urges us to love who we want to love, in any way that we want to love them, without any reference to God or His will for our love. Some say that love is a personal choice. Others tell us that who or what we love is genetically determined. But the ungodly are agreed in this, “no one should impose restrictions on another person’s love.”
But the Bible teaches us that fallen, sinful men are not wise enough, not good enough, nor are they strong enough, to make that decision for themselves. We need God’s direction, God’s blessing, and God’s strength to know and to experience Love as He ordained it to be.
Those who resist God’s direction for their love are displaying the height of folly and the depths of their depravity. Those who embrace God’s direction for their love are not only happier and more at peace today, they will know the joy of heaven forever.
So do you love what God wants you to love?
Do you love who God wants you to love?
Do you love in the way God wants you to love?
If so, then it can be truthfully said, “you love God.”
If not, then pray that God will for Christ’s sake forgive you for idolizing your opinion rather than yeilding to His will. Determine that with God’s help, you will love as He wants you to love. And pray that God will perfect your love for Him and His divine will. If you will sincerely seek to love God, love His Will, and love His Way, you will one day enter into that heavenly home the Lord is even now preparing for you.
Thursday, February 10, 2011
More Than A Meeting...
One week from today the ST. LOUIS HOLINESS CONVENTION will convene at FAITH COMMUNITY CHURCH, 2969 N. Lindbergh, St. Ann, MO 63074.
We are praying and expecting that this year's Convention will draw the largest crowds in our 7 year history, but we want more.
We are praying and expecting that this year's Convention will be rich in theology and meaningful discussion, but we want more.
We are praying and expecting that this year's Convention will encourage those on the front lines to press forward for the Cause of Christ and Scriptural Holiness, but we want more.
We are praying and expecting that this year's Convention will be, as in years past, crowned with the pervasive presence of God's Holy Spirit, but we want more.
Any and all of these would be great accomplishments for the Convention. But our fervent prayer and deepest longing is that the St. Louis Holiness Convention would be remembered as the time that the SPIRIT OF PENTECOST so filled those attending that we would leave St. Louis
- aflame with God's love burning bright on the altars of our hearts,
- empowered to be the people God has called us to be, and
- engaged to fulfil that high calling, which God has placed before us.
OUR GREATEST NEED IS FOR A REVIVAL OF NEW TESTAMENT CHRISTIANITY--THE KIND THAT CHANGES MEN AND ALTERS HISTORY--PERSONAL, ECCLESIASTIC, AND CULTURAL!
Plan now to attend this year's convention!
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 17
9:00 AM Prayer Service
10:00 AM Keynote Address
11:00 AM Andrew Durst - The Great Commission
Lunch Break - Home cooked meal provided for a free-will offering.
1:30 PM Dr. Rodger Young - Biblical Chronology: Historical Evidence for Biblical Inerrancy
2:15 PM Discussion Panel
Afternoon Snack Break
3:00 PM Norman Cash and Cecelia Spotted Bear of Wounded Knee - Native American Missions
4:00 PM Wayne Knipmeyer (Bible Holiness)
Dinner Break - Home cooked meal provided for a free-will offering.
7:00 PM Evening Rally with Pastor James Plank. Music by the Duane Elmore Family.
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 18,
9:00 AM Pastor John Poff opening remarks and Prayer Service
10:00 AM Dr. Steve Gibson, "The Sincerity of God."
11:00 AM Mark Avery, Herald and Holiness Banner Press, Editor
Lunch Break - Home cooked meal provided for a free-will offering.
1:30 PM Pastor Wallace Thornton - A Fresh Look at Romans 7
2:15 PM Discussion Panel
Afternoon Snack Break
3:00 PM Bishop Marsh W. Jones, (Crusaders), How Methodism Changed British Culture
4:00 PM Evangelist Benjamin Crawford
Dinner Break - Home cooked meal provided for a free-will offering.
7:00 PM Evening Rally with James Plank, Music by Bob and Rowena Clouse
We are praying and expecting that this year's Convention will draw the largest crowds in our 7 year history, but we want more.
We are praying and expecting that this year's Convention will be rich in theology and meaningful discussion, but we want more.
We are praying and expecting that this year's Convention will encourage those on the front lines to press forward for the Cause of Christ and Scriptural Holiness, but we want more.
We are praying and expecting that this year's Convention will be, as in years past, crowned with the pervasive presence of God's Holy Spirit, but we want more.
Any and all of these would be great accomplishments for the Convention. But our fervent prayer and deepest longing is that the St. Louis Holiness Convention would be remembered as the time that the SPIRIT OF PENTECOST so filled those attending that we would leave St. Louis
- aflame with God's love burning bright on the altars of our hearts,
- empowered to be the people God has called us to be, and
- engaged to fulfil that high calling, which God has placed before us.
OUR GREATEST NEED IS FOR A REVIVAL OF NEW TESTAMENT CHRISTIANITY--THE KIND THAT CHANGES MEN AND ALTERS HISTORY--PERSONAL, ECCLESIASTIC, AND CULTURAL!
Plan now to attend this year's convention!
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 17
9:00 AM Prayer Service
10:00 AM Keynote Address
11:00 AM Andrew Durst - The Great Commission
Lunch Break - Home cooked meal provided for a free-will offering.
1:30 PM Dr. Rodger Young - Biblical Chronology: Historical Evidence for Biblical Inerrancy
2:15 PM Discussion Panel
Afternoon Snack Break
3:00 PM Norman Cash and Cecelia Spotted Bear of Wounded Knee - Native American Missions
4:00 PM Wayne Knipmeyer (Bible Holiness)
Dinner Break - Home cooked meal provided for a free-will offering.
7:00 PM Evening Rally with Pastor James Plank. Music by the Duane Elmore Family.
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 18,
9:00 AM Pastor John Poff opening remarks and Prayer Service
10:00 AM Dr. Steve Gibson, "The Sincerity of God."
11:00 AM Mark Avery, Herald and Holiness Banner Press, Editor
Lunch Break - Home cooked meal provided for a free-will offering.
1:30 PM Pastor Wallace Thornton - A Fresh Look at Romans 7
2:15 PM Discussion Panel
Afternoon Snack Break
3:00 PM Bishop Marsh W. Jones, (Crusaders), How Methodism Changed British Culture
4:00 PM Evangelist Benjamin Crawford
Dinner Break - Home cooked meal provided for a free-will offering.
7:00 PM Evening Rally with James Plank, Music by Bob and Rowena Clouse
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
ST LOUIS HOLINESS CONVENTION 2011
Dear Friends of Christian Holiness,
If you believe that A REVIVAL OF SCRIPTURAL HOLINESS IS OUR MOST URGENT NEED, then you will not want to miss the 2011 ST. LOUIS HOLINESS CONVENTION, Thursday, February 17 and Friday, February 18.
More than economic growth, more than social reform, and more than political change, God's people need to recover the romance of loving God, the optimism of victorious faith, and the power of Spirit-driven living.
It is our conviction that as the message of holiness, the dominant theology of 19th century America, was supplanted by the neo-Calvinists of the early 20th century, the Charismatics of the late 20th century, and the Church Growth Movement of the past few decades, the Church lost her sanctifying influence in the life of her people and in the culture at large.
Today we are witnessing what the Apostle warned we would face, men having "a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof!" (2 Timothy 3:5).
Tragically this "form" is not only powerless to transform sinners and empower saints, it is also unappealing to the masses. Fewer and fewer Americans are attending church. Statistics show that at one time over 40% of Americans attended Church on any given weekend. Today fewer than 19% attend.
We are witnessing the demoralization of our nation. Our national character is anemic, our moral convictions are few, and our concern for Biblical truth is notable for it's absence.
We are still a "spiritual" people, but we are not Biblically Christian people.
I am convinced that at the root of our social, economic, and political malaise is our loss of Christian conscience. This profound loss can be blamed on the professing Church that prefers playing above praying, feasting more than fasting, and worldliness over holiness.
YET GOD HAS ALWAYS HAD HIS PEOPLE! AND IF HIS PEOPLE WILL HUMBLE THEMSELVES, WILL PRAY, WILL SEEK GOD'S FACE, AND WILL TURN FROM THEIR WICKED WAYS (see 2 Chronicles 7:14; I would say this is a call to the kind of holiness we seek), THEN GOD WILL HEAR, GOD WILL FORGIVE, AND GOD WILL HEAL!
God has raised up the JOHN WESLEY FOUNDATION of ST. LOUIS for "such a time as this."
The John Wesley Foundation of St. Louis is dedicated to advancing Scriptural Holiness by:
1. Hosting an annual convention, and other events as the Lord opens doors.
2. Promoting fervent prayer for a great awakening.
3. Fostering robust intellectual inquiry and sound holiness exegesis.
4. Publishing a sound apologetic for Scriptural holiness in books, articles, and journals.
5. Networking people, churches, and organizations with a passion for holiness of heart and life.
6. Stimulating creative and aggressive outreaches dedicated to "evangelizing the lost and Christianizing Christianity" (P. F. Bresee).
7. Demonstrating the grace of holy love in our churches, our homes, and our lives.
THE 2011 ST LOUIS HOLINESS CONVENTION IS THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 17 AND FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 18. Sponsored by the John Wesley Foundation of St. Louis and hosted by FAITH COMMUNITY CHURCH, 2969 N. Lindbergh Blvd, St. Ann, MO 63074.
Our line up of speakers and special guests for this year's convention is powerful:
JAMES PLANK (God's Missionary Church, Beavertown, PA) is the assistant to the General Secretary of the Inter Church Holiness Convention (IHC). Brother Plank will be preaching on both Thursday and Friday evenings at 7:00 p.m.
BOB AND ROWENA CLOUSE (Church of God Holiness, Missouri) pastor the Church of God (Holiness) in Mexico, MO. They are wonderful singers with a passion for the cause of Scriptural holiness.
EVANGELIST BEN CRAWFORD (Bible Methodist, Alabama Connection) is a young man with a passion for evangelism and the cause of Scriptural holiness. He is currently hosting a presentation of historic Biblical texts in this 400th Anniversary Year of the King James Version of the Bible.
ANDREW DURST (Crusaders USA) is associate Pastor at Faith Crusaders, Urbana, IL. He is the field director of GREAT COMMISSION CAMP. This year Pastor Durst will be leading teams in Indiana, Illinois, and Missouri.
DR. STEVE GIBSON (Pilgrim Holiness Church, Midwest Conference) Pastors Victory Chapel in Indianapolis, Indiana. He is the author of several books including "The Essential Wesley, I Believe," "The Sincerity of God," and "Practical Christianity." He is the director of Keystone Urban Institute.
DR. MARSH JONES, (Crusaders Church USA), is the Bishop of Crusaders and Senior Pastor of Faith Crusaders Church in Urbana, IL. He has written "The Pulpit, The Periodical, and The Pen: The Life of Joseph Benson."
EVANGELIST P L LIDDELL (Church of the Nazarene, Michigan) has been a holiness evangelist for more than 50 years. He has written a number of great Gospel songs including, "When I Said Yes To Jesus."
WALLACE THORNTON, (Church of the Nazarene, Missouri) Pastors in Moberly, Missouri. He serves as an adjunct professor and scholar to a number of Bible Colleges. He is the author of "Radical Righteousness."
THE DUANE ELMORE FAMILY (Bible Holiness Church, Foley, Missouri) minister in the Spirit as they sing and lead singing. You will be wonderfully blessed by their great sound and their sensitivity to the leadership of the Holy Spirit.
JOHN POFF (Church of God (Holiness), Carthage, Missouri) was saved in his 40's and called into the work of the Lord. John and his wife Sherry have pastored in Missouri and Colorado. Brother Poff is a man of prayer.
MISSIONARY NORMAN CASH and CECELIA SPOTTED BEAR of WOUNDED KNEE (Rose Bud and Pine Ridge Indian Reservations, South Dakota), are wonderful missionaries to the Indian Communities of South Dakota. They are leaders in the Spring Creek Indian Holiness Campmeeting.
WAYNE KNIPMEYER (Bible Holiness Church, Bowling Green, Missouri) has pastored in Illinois and Missouri. Brother Knipmeyer is a leader of the TROY BIBLE HOLINESS CAMPMEETING in Troy, Missouri.
DR. RODGER YOUNG (St. Louis, Missouri) will be presenting his amazing research confirming the accuracy of Biblical chronology. Dr. Young is an accomplished scholar having graduated from Reed College and Oxford University (Oxford, England) with graduate degrees. Dr. Young was led to Christ by Christians who picked him up as he was hitchhiking on the Auto-bon in Germany.
MARK AVERY (Church of God (Holiness), Overland Park, Kansas) is the editor of THE HERALD AND HOLINESS BANNER PRESS. He is a favorite at the St. Louis Holiness Convention.
I don't know where in the United States of America you could find such a gathering of great men of God, February 17th and 18th, 2011.
DELICIOUS HOME COOKED MEALS will be provided on a free-will offering basis.
HOTEL ROOMS can be purchased on Priceline at a reasonable rate. Select the St. Louis Airport and Westport areas as they are closest to the Convention site.
IF YOU NEED TRANSPORTATION to and from LAMBERT INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT we can arrange a ride. We are only 5 minutes from the airport.
PRAY AND ASK THE LORD IF HE WOULD LEAD YOU TO COME! We are praying He is willing that you come. It will do your heart good. And you will be an encouragement to others.
IF YOU NEED MORE INFORMATION please feel free to call my cell phone (314) 607-1424 or e-mail PastorRick@FCCToday.org.
Onward!
PASTOR RICK JONESFAITH COMMUNITY CHURCH of ST. LOUIS - CRUSADERS CHURCH USA2969 N. Lindbergh Blvd, St. Ann, MO 63047Tel. (314) 298-5840; Cell. (314) 607-1424E-mail: PastorRick@FCCToday.orgWeb Page: www.FCCToday.org Blog: www.PastorRickJones.blogspot.com
ST LOUIS STATEMENT
It is our conviction that the decline of morality in our culture and within the professing Christian community is rooted in the failure of the Church to embrace and articulate and demonstrate the message of Scriptural holiness.
The contemporary Church has lost its sanctifying influence in society, as it has:
… lost her conviction that the Scriptures are inspired and inerrant.
… accepted what Dietrich Bonhoeffer called, “cheap grace,” a grace that justifies sin without justifying the sinner.”
… refused to believe in the possibility of God’s grace to actually save sinners from all sin and to cleanse the heart of inherited depravity—our natural tendency to rebel against God.
The Scriptures teach, and we affirm:
1. Sanctification is the work of God that purifies the believer from acquired and inherited depravity. “And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it. I Thessalonians 5:23,24
2. At the time of conversion the penitent believer is justified, which is the imputation of righteousness in place of the believer’s guilt; and initially sanctified, which is the impartation of God’s righteousness worked in the believer’s heart and life. Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? …And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God. I Corinthians 6:9-11
Sanctification is initialized at the time of justification, for at that time God delivers the penitent believer from the power of sin, enabling righteous living and spiritual growth that brings the believer to the point of entire sanctification. “God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth.” 2 Thessalonians 2:13.
Entire sanctification is the instantaneous cleansing of the believer’s heart of inherited depravity, so that the heart of the believer is fully renewed in the image of God, purified of inherited depravity, and perfected in love, accelerating growth in Christlikeness. “Herein is our love made perfect that we may have boldness in the day of judgment.” I John 4:17.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
The John Wesley Foundation – 2969 N. Lindbergh Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63074 – Tel. (314) 607-1424
If you believe that A REVIVAL OF SCRIPTURAL HOLINESS IS OUR MOST URGENT NEED, then you will not want to miss the 2011 ST. LOUIS HOLINESS CONVENTION, Thursday, February 17 and Friday, February 18.
More than economic growth, more than social reform, and more than political change, God's people need to recover the romance of loving God, the optimism of victorious faith, and the power of Spirit-driven living.
It is our conviction that as the message of holiness, the dominant theology of 19th century America, was supplanted by the neo-Calvinists of the early 20th century, the Charismatics of the late 20th century, and the Church Growth Movement of the past few decades, the Church lost her sanctifying influence in the life of her people and in the culture at large.
Today we are witnessing what the Apostle warned we would face, men having "a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof!" (2 Timothy 3:5).
Tragically this "form" is not only powerless to transform sinners and empower saints, it is also unappealing to the masses. Fewer and fewer Americans are attending church. Statistics show that at one time over 40% of Americans attended Church on any given weekend. Today fewer than 19% attend.
We are witnessing the demoralization of our nation. Our national character is anemic, our moral convictions are few, and our concern for Biblical truth is notable for it's absence.
We are still a "spiritual" people, but we are not Biblically Christian people.
I am convinced that at the root of our social, economic, and political malaise is our loss of Christian conscience. This profound loss can be blamed on the professing Church that prefers playing above praying, feasting more than fasting, and worldliness over holiness.
YET GOD HAS ALWAYS HAD HIS PEOPLE! AND IF HIS PEOPLE WILL HUMBLE THEMSELVES, WILL PRAY, WILL SEEK GOD'S FACE, AND WILL TURN FROM THEIR WICKED WAYS (see 2 Chronicles 7:14; I would say this is a call to the kind of holiness we seek), THEN GOD WILL HEAR, GOD WILL FORGIVE, AND GOD WILL HEAL!
God has raised up the JOHN WESLEY FOUNDATION of ST. LOUIS for "such a time as this."
The John Wesley Foundation of St. Louis is dedicated to advancing Scriptural Holiness by:
1. Hosting an annual convention, and other events as the Lord opens doors.
2. Promoting fervent prayer for a great awakening.
3. Fostering robust intellectual inquiry and sound holiness exegesis.
4. Publishing a sound apologetic for Scriptural holiness in books, articles, and journals.
5. Networking people, churches, and organizations with a passion for holiness of heart and life.
6. Stimulating creative and aggressive outreaches dedicated to "evangelizing the lost and Christianizing Christianity" (P. F. Bresee).
7. Demonstrating the grace of holy love in our churches, our homes, and our lives.
THE 2011 ST LOUIS HOLINESS CONVENTION IS THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 17 AND FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 18. Sponsored by the John Wesley Foundation of St. Louis and hosted by FAITH COMMUNITY CHURCH, 2969 N. Lindbergh Blvd, St. Ann, MO 63074.
Our line up of speakers and special guests for this year's convention is powerful:
JAMES PLANK (God's Missionary Church, Beavertown, PA) is the assistant to the General Secretary of the Inter Church Holiness Convention (IHC). Brother Plank will be preaching on both Thursday and Friday evenings at 7:00 p.m.
BOB AND ROWENA CLOUSE (Church of God Holiness, Missouri) pastor the Church of God (Holiness) in Mexico, MO. They are wonderful singers with a passion for the cause of Scriptural holiness.
EVANGELIST BEN CRAWFORD (Bible Methodist, Alabama Connection) is a young man with a passion for evangelism and the cause of Scriptural holiness. He is currently hosting a presentation of historic Biblical texts in this 400th Anniversary Year of the King James Version of the Bible.
ANDREW DURST (Crusaders USA) is associate Pastor at Faith Crusaders, Urbana, IL. He is the field director of GREAT COMMISSION CAMP. This year Pastor Durst will be leading teams in Indiana, Illinois, and Missouri.
DR. STEVE GIBSON (Pilgrim Holiness Church, Midwest Conference) Pastors Victory Chapel in Indianapolis, Indiana. He is the author of several books including "The Essential Wesley, I Believe," "The Sincerity of God," and "Practical Christianity." He is the director of Keystone Urban Institute.
DR. MARSH JONES, (Crusaders Church USA), is the Bishop of Crusaders and Senior Pastor of Faith Crusaders Church in Urbana, IL. He has written "The Pulpit, The Periodical, and The Pen: The Life of Joseph Benson."
EVANGELIST P L LIDDELL (Church of the Nazarene, Michigan) has been a holiness evangelist for more than 50 years. He has written a number of great Gospel songs including, "When I Said Yes To Jesus."
WALLACE THORNTON, (Church of the Nazarene, Missouri) Pastors in Moberly, Missouri. He serves as an adjunct professor and scholar to a number of Bible Colleges. He is the author of "Radical Righteousness."
THE DUANE ELMORE FAMILY (Bible Holiness Church, Foley, Missouri) minister in the Spirit as they sing and lead singing. You will be wonderfully blessed by their great sound and their sensitivity to the leadership of the Holy Spirit.
JOHN POFF (Church of God (Holiness), Carthage, Missouri) was saved in his 40's and called into the work of the Lord. John and his wife Sherry have pastored in Missouri and Colorado. Brother Poff is a man of prayer.
MISSIONARY NORMAN CASH and CECELIA SPOTTED BEAR of WOUNDED KNEE (Rose Bud and Pine Ridge Indian Reservations, South Dakota), are wonderful missionaries to the Indian Communities of South Dakota. They are leaders in the Spring Creek Indian Holiness Campmeeting.
WAYNE KNIPMEYER (Bible Holiness Church, Bowling Green, Missouri) has pastored in Illinois and Missouri. Brother Knipmeyer is a leader of the TROY BIBLE HOLINESS CAMPMEETING in Troy, Missouri.
DR. RODGER YOUNG (St. Louis, Missouri) will be presenting his amazing research confirming the accuracy of Biblical chronology. Dr. Young is an accomplished scholar having graduated from Reed College and Oxford University (Oxford, England) with graduate degrees. Dr. Young was led to Christ by Christians who picked him up as he was hitchhiking on the Auto-bon in Germany.
MARK AVERY (Church of God (Holiness), Overland Park, Kansas) is the editor of THE HERALD AND HOLINESS BANNER PRESS. He is a favorite at the St. Louis Holiness Convention.
I don't know where in the United States of America you could find such a gathering of great men of God, February 17th and 18th, 2011.
DELICIOUS HOME COOKED MEALS will be provided on a free-will offering basis.
HOTEL ROOMS can be purchased on Priceline at a reasonable rate. Select the St. Louis Airport and Westport areas as they are closest to the Convention site.
IF YOU NEED TRANSPORTATION to and from LAMBERT INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT we can arrange a ride. We are only 5 minutes from the airport.
PRAY AND ASK THE LORD IF HE WOULD LEAD YOU TO COME! We are praying He is willing that you come. It will do your heart good. And you will be an encouragement to others.
IF YOU NEED MORE INFORMATION please feel free to call my cell phone (314) 607-1424 or e-mail PastorRick@FCCToday.org.
Onward!
PASTOR RICK JONESFAITH COMMUNITY CHURCH of ST. LOUIS - CRUSADERS CHURCH USA2969 N. Lindbergh Blvd, St. Ann, MO 63047Tel. (314) 298-5840; Cell. (314) 607-1424E-mail: PastorRick@FCCToday.orgWeb Page: www.FCCToday.org Blog: www.PastorRickJones.blogspot.com
ST LOUIS STATEMENT
It is our conviction that the decline of morality in our culture and within the professing Christian community is rooted in the failure of the Church to embrace and articulate and demonstrate the message of Scriptural holiness.
The contemporary Church has lost its sanctifying influence in society, as it has:
… lost her conviction that the Scriptures are inspired and inerrant.
… accepted what Dietrich Bonhoeffer called, “cheap grace,” a grace that justifies sin without justifying the sinner.”
… refused to believe in the possibility of God’s grace to actually save sinners from all sin and to cleanse the heart of inherited depravity—our natural tendency to rebel against God.
The Scriptures teach, and we affirm:
1. Sanctification is the work of God that purifies the believer from acquired and inherited depravity. “And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it. I Thessalonians 5:23,24
2. At the time of conversion the penitent believer is justified, which is the imputation of righteousness in place of the believer’s guilt; and initially sanctified, which is the impartation of God’s righteousness worked in the believer’s heart and life. Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? …And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God. I Corinthians 6:9-11
Sanctification is initialized at the time of justification, for at that time God delivers the penitent believer from the power of sin, enabling righteous living and spiritual growth that brings the believer to the point of entire sanctification. “God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth.” 2 Thessalonians 2:13.
Entire sanctification is the instantaneous cleansing of the believer’s heart of inherited depravity, so that the heart of the believer is fully renewed in the image of God, purified of inherited depravity, and perfected in love, accelerating growth in Christlikeness. “Herein is our love made perfect that we may have boldness in the day of judgment.” I John 4:17.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
The John Wesley Foundation – 2969 N. Lindbergh Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63074 – Tel. (314) 607-1424
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)