February 7, 2008 by Pastor Matt.

“Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” - I Thessalonians 5:16-18

If this means that we are to be contantly praying, then we will be going around our jobs, school, and home mumbling the whole time totally distant from anything else going on around us.  Where would we find time to witness to others?  When would we learn new things if we are talking all the time.  It is obvious that “pray without ceasing” does not mean a constant prayer that never ends.  It does mean that we are always to come back to prayer with everything. 

The verse before and the verse after give us a great clue into what verse 17 means.  In every trial that we face, we need to rejoice and give thanks to God in prayer. In every triumph that we encounter, we need to rejoice and give thanks to God in prayer.   No matter what your situation is, we need to bathe it in prayer before during and after.  Our focus ALWAYS needs to come back to prayer.

Here is the normal Christian prayer life.  Pray in the morning when you get up (5 minutes).  Pray before meals (2 minutes total). Pray in the evening before you go to sleep (5 minutes).  That’s 12 minutes for the day.  That’s not a whole lot of prayer time.  That means that person is praying 1 hr. and 24 minutes in a week.  That seems pretty small compared to the people who pray that much in one setting.

Homework for the week: Pray for one hour straight (here’s how you can)

1. Write down a list of EVERY family member and friend that you know who is not saved.  Pray for each one individually.

2. Write down a list of EVERY attribute of God that you are thankful for.  Tell God why you are thankful for each individual attribute.

3. Write down a list of EVERY thing that God has blessed your life with.  Thank God for each individual thing.

4. Write down a list of EVERY request that you want to present before God.  Ask God for each individual thing.

A lot of times are prayers are shortened because we just say to ourselves that God knows what I want to pray for, so I won’t take up much of His time.  Have you ever watched a great movie that your been friend has already seen?  What do you do?  Do you go up to them and say, “That was a great movie” and end the conversation because you know that they already know which parts you are talking about?  NO.  You recount all your favorite parts.  You reinact different scenes from the movie.  You even talk about the parts you thought were dumb.

So instead of praying, “Dear God, please help all the people I know to get saved.  In Jesus name, Amen.”

You should pray, “Dear God, please help Billy see his need for You in his life.  He is lost and wandering down a path of uncertainty.  He is obviously looking for satisfaction and joy outside of You.  I pray that you will open his eyes to the truth of Your Word.  Please help me to be a better witness to him.  Give me the boldness that I need so that I do not shy away from the gospel.  Help me to remember all the verses I should say when it comes time to share them.  Give me clarity of thought so that I might present the whole gospel and not leave anything out.  Please do not let Billy spend eternity in Hell.  In Jesus name, Amen.”

To put it another way, pray as if you deeply care for each request.  Don’t pray as if you have something better to do.

If you have any questions or comments please post below.

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November 15, 2007 by Pastor Matt.

You’ve always heard the phrase, “Patience is a virtue”.  This is a true statement.  It is a good attribute to have to be patient.  I praise the Lord that He gave me the opportunity to be patient behind a slow driver last night.  I was able to immediately practice what i just preached.  Take a look at Ephesians 4:1-2 again.

Notice how we are to treat our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ.  It starts out saying that we must “walk in a manner WORTHY of the calling with which you have been called”.  This means that we need to be Christians WORTHY of being called Christians.  God did not call us out of our sin to just dive right back in.  He called us to live up to His moral standard of holiness.  In love, patience is one of those virtues that we MUST demonstrate. 

There are three ways that we can do this.  Try putting these into practice this week.

1.  Putting in love in the place of selfishness (Philippians 2:3-4)

2.  Putting in understanding in the place of harshness (James 1:19)

3.  Putting in forgiveness in the place of grudges (Matthew 18:21-22)

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October 12, 2007 by Pastor Matt.

Romans 10:4 - “For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.”

Think about this statement.  List out everything that you think this statement can imply, before reading further.  I will place a list of implications, but it will not be comprehensive.  I hope that it helps you to think deeper about these words and any verse you come up against.

1.  Christ ended the law (Note: sometimes the obvious statement are the most important)

2.  Christ’s work, means that we no longer have to make sacrifices for our sin

3.  Those who believe are no longer judged by the Law in the end.

4.  Those who do not believe ARE judged by the law.  (No one is righteous under the law - Romans 3:20)

In response to these implications, how should you then live?  Should your language involve more grace or law?  Should your actions show grace towards others or should you be legalistic in your mindset?

When people see that your life is governed by grace, what a great testimony that will be.

If you have seen a situation or have a comment about how grace has affected your life, please comment below.

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September 25, 2007 by Pastor Matt.

“John [the Baptist] answered them saying, ‘I baptize in water, but among you stands One whom you do not know.  It is He who comes after me, the thong of whose sandal I am unworthy to untie.”

Wow.  The man whose own birth was miraculous (see Luke 1:6-25,57-66).  The man who was designated by God to prepare the world for the coming of the Messiah.  He did not consider himself worthy enough for the job of a slave.

Questions to ask yourself for devotions:

1.  How could someone of such high stature (in our eyes) be so humble?

2.  Is it even possible for me to be that humble? 

3.  What MUST change in my life in order for me to become more humble before the Lord?

“But He gives a greater grace.  Therefore it says, ‘God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble…Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you.” - James 4:6,10

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September 14, 2007 by Pastor Matt.

It is important that we covered that the LDS church believes in a different God and a different Jesus before we covered salvation. 

“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” Romans 10:9

If i believed that Jesus was a murderer, adulterer, liar, and cheater, and i called on that Jesus’ name, would I be saved?  NO!!!  Why not?  Because i am not believing the Jesus of the Bible.  I’m sure there are many people in the world today that have the name Jesus (pronounced, hey-zuse).  So is it just the name that saves?  If so, if anyone were to say “Jesus” at any point in their life would be saved.

Mormon people might say to you, “I believe that Jesus died for my sins, so I’m going to heaven.  I’ve called on the name of Jesus.”  But if you read in the last post, the Mormon teaches a DIFFERENT Jesus, who did DIFFERENT things.  So again, if you call on a DIFFERENT Jesus will you be saved?  No.

Here are some things that the LDS Church teaches about Salvation that you might not hear from your LDS Friends (either because they do not know what their church teaches or they are trying to hide it in order to sound more Christian).

LDS DOCTRINE ON SALVATION

“Yea, come unto Christ, and be perfected in him, and deny yourselves of all ungodliness; and IF ye shall deny yourselves of all ungodliness, and love God with all your might, mind and strength, THEN is his grace sufficient for you…” (Moroni 10:32) IF you become perfect, THEN the grace of God is enough. 

“…for we know that it is by grace that we are saved, AFTER all we can do.” (2 Nephi 25:23) We must work before we are saved.

“And I say unto you again that he (Jesus) cannot save them in their sins…Therefore ye cannot be saved in your sins.” (Alma 11:37) Their Jesus is not powerful enough to save you where you are at.

“And whoso believeth in me, and is baptized, the same shall be saved; and they are they who shall inherit the kingdom of God.  And whoso believeth not in me, and is not baptized, shall be damned.” (3 Nephi 11:33-34) Baptism is necessary for salvation. 

BIBLE’S DOCTRINE ON SALVATION

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that NOT of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9) There is no works involved so that we do not receive any glory for ourselves.  Notice what the LDS Church ADDED & SUBTRACTED from this passage in 2 Nephi 25:23.

“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, WHILE WE WERE STILL SINNERS, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8) This Jesus is powerful enough to save us in our sins.

“He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.” (Mark 16:16) Notice how the emphasis is on believing.  Notice also what the LDS Church ADDED to this passage in 3 Nephi 11:33-34.

LDS DOCTRINE OF SALVATION you must 1) believe 2) be baptized 3) fulfill the whole law (which will lead to…) 4) be out of your sins (perfect)

BIBLE’S DOCTRINE OF SALVATION you must 1) believe in Jesus Christ 2) there cannot be a #2.

Salvation is by grace ALONE through faith ALONE in Jesus Christ ALONE.  NO “and’s” are allowed.

Are they the same?  NO.  So that means, one is right and one is wrong.  You must pick between the Bible and The Book of Mormon/Doctrine & Covenants, because they obviously do not line up.

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September 4, 2007 by Pastor Matt.

 It is important to understand who Jesus is.  If one believes Jesus to be a liar, just a teacher or just a good person, and they call upon the name of that Jesus to save them, it is useless.  That Jesus would not be able to save you in your sins.  You have to believe the Jesus of the Bible in order to be saved.

Don’t let Mormons fool you.  President Hinckley and Joseph Fielding Smith are prophets who speak for God.  They are the utmost authority on Mormonism.  In places that the Mormons disagree or where the prophets contradict the Word of God, the Mormons will tell you that these prophets were speaking on their own opinion.  Remind them of what their own church printed, “You can ALWAYS trust the living prophets.  Their teachings reflect the will of the Lord…” (True to the Faith, p.129).  Ask them if they dare to disagree with their prophets.  Milton R. Hunter was on the First Council of the Seventy and was sustained as a prophet of God.

Who is Jesus to Mormons?

NOT THE SAME JESUS AS CHRISTIANS - “In bearing testimony of Jesus Christ, President Hinckley spoke of those outside the Church who say Latter-day Saints ‘do not believe in the traditional Christ.’ ‘No, I don’t. The traditional Christ of whom they speak is not the Christ of whom I speak.”  (LDS Church News, June 20, 1998, p. 7)

NOT ALWAYS GOD - Jesus, like all other gods before Him, had to become a God. He is the literal Son of God like we are children of God, but He’s without sin (Fielding Smith, The Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, 346-7 [pre-2002 edition]).

BROTHER OF LUCIFER - “The appointment of Jesus to be the Savior of the world was contested by one of the other sons of God. He was called Lucifer, son of the morning. Haughty, ambitious, and covetous of power and glory, this sprit-filled brother of Jesus desperately tried to become the Savior of mankind.” (Milton R. Hunter, Gospel Through the Ages, p. 15)

NOT BORN OF A VIRGIN - “Christ was begotten by an Immortal Father in the same way that mortal men are begotten by mortal fathers.” (Mormon Doctrine p. 547)

THE TRUTH

ALWAYS GOD - “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word WAS God.” (John 1:1)  (The Word = Jesus)

CREATOR OF LUCIFER - “All things were made by him [Jesus]; and without him was not any thing made that was made.” (John 1:3)

BORN OF A VIRGIN - “Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost…Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son…” (Matthew 1:18,23)

Can you see the distinct differences?  I hope they are obvious to you.  If you call on the name of the Jesus of the Latter Day Saints, you will not be saved.  I know that sounds harsh, but this is written out of love, so that all might come to know the Jesus of the Bible. 

To sum up, their Jesus cannot save you in your sins (Alma 11:37).  He is no different than us.  He had to work his way in becoming a god and so do we.  The Jesus of the Bible has all the power to save us in our sins (Romans 5:8).    Trusting in grace alone, in the work of Christ alone, their is forgiveness of sins. 

If you have any questions please email us at answers@youthteam.org.

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August 16, 2007 by Pastor Matt.

This will be the first in a series of blogs on Mormonism.  This is to help believers think logically and biblically about what Mormons believe.  If you are a Mormon and have any questions, please email me at answers@youthteam.org .  I would love to answer any questions i can for you.

Who is God to Mormons? 

     “God himself was once as we are now…he was once a man like us;…” (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, Joseph Fielding Smith, p.345-6)

     “As man is, God once was; as God is, man may be.” (Articles of Faith, Talmage p.430)

God isn’t anything special to the Mormons.  The only thing that is different about God is that He was born before we were, otherwise we would be where He is right now.  God cannot be ALL powerful to a Mormon because if God has ALL the power, then what is left for everyone else who becomes God?  There is no possible way to have 2 ALL powerful Gods.  Let’s say I ate ALL the Skittles.  What is there left for you to eat?  NONE.

God also had a beginning.  God must not be the Great I AM, as God Himself told Moses.  When God said, “I AM that I AM”, that basically means, “I exist because I exist”.  Nothing created Him.  He was not born.  He exists because He is God and has ALWAYS been God.  Mormons do not believe this about Him.

Is there only one God to Mormons?

     “As each of these persons [God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost] is a God…a plurality of Gods exists.  To us…these three are the only Gods we worship.” (Mormon Doctrine, pp.576-7 & 317-24)

This Doctrine seems to contradict even the Book of Mormon which actually argues for the trinity:

     “And Zeezrom [wicked judge] said unto him; Thou sayest there is a true and living God?  And Amulek [True Prophet] said: Yea, there is a true and living God.  Now Zeezrom said: Is there more than one God?  And he answered, NO.” (Alma 11:26-29)

Mormons will tell you that it MEANS one in purpose. 

   “Christ the Son, and God the Father, and the Holy Spirit, which is one Eternal God,” (Alma 11:44)…this is almost quoted directly in 2 Nephi 31:21 and in the testimony of the three witnesses at the beginning of the Book of Mormon

Mormons will also tell you that these verses MEAN separate Gods, but one in purpose.  If God is not a God of confusion, don’t you think He would have made sure that the Amulek, the three witnesses, or 2 Nephi would have said “in purpose”?  AND if it says ONE God, wouldn’t it MEAN One God?

THE TRUTH:

Isaiah 44:6 - “Thus saith the Lord…I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God.”

Our God is an all powerful, all present, all knowing, unchangeable, perfectly holy, loving, forgiving and ONLY God.  There is none like Him. 

Praise the Lord that He is God alone.

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August 1, 2007 by Pastor Matt.

Philippians 4:13 says, “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.”

Often times, we hear this verse being used in the context of trying to accomplish some great feat.  “I can pull a bus 100ft. because God strengthens me.” or “I am really good at basketball because God strengthens me.”  or “I’m really buff because God strengthens me.”  It is true that you can do nothing without the grace of God and God is the one who allows you to excel in whatever area you apply yourself, but these are not the reasons He strengthens you.

Most of the time this is the favorite verse of someone who is involved in some type of competition where physical strength is needed.

Look at the verses that come before verse 13, starting in 11.
“Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.  I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need.”
 

The strength that God gives us is for the purpose of being content in whatever circumstances we find ourselves in.  It is for the purpose of understanding that God has us right where He wants us to be.  It is not for the purpose of excelling in a sport.
 

It takes the strength of God to fully rely on God when things are going well in your life.
 

It takes the strength of God to be content and praise God when your world is falling apart.
 

You see, God gave Paul strength, not so that he might lead 20 more people to the Lord, but to help him be content in whatever circumstances he finds himself in.
 

How does God strengthen you?
 

What evidences have you seen of God strengthening you?
 

When have you been tempted to go it on your own instead of relying on God’s strength?
 

Do you thank God for strengthening you to make the right decision in times of trial?
 

2 Corinthians 12:9 says, “And He has said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.’  Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.”
 

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July 21, 2007 by Pastor Matt.

This question came from Jared:

“Where did the Age of Accountability come from and is there biblical proof for it?” 

I’m not sure where the idea for the “Age of Accountability” came from.  It was probably started in the Jewish traditions when a boy became a man at the age of 13.  So now this man had more responsibility and is held accountable for his actions.  There are no verses to support that the Age of Accountability starts at age 13.  I think that you know of a few people who can be held accountable for their sin before the 7^th Grade. 

In 2 Samuel 12:21-23, David acknowledges that he will once again see his baby (Son of Bathsheba) in heaven.  This shows that God’s grace and mercy is extended to those who are not yet at a point in their maturity to either accept or deny Christ. 

Also, each person who has been born is guilty of committing sin.  Psalm 51:5 says, “Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin my mother conceived me.”  David also sees how even infants are born into sin. 

So, back to the question.  Is there biblical proof for an age of accountability?  No, there is no specific age where someone would be accountable before God.  Imagine someone who is mentally handicapped.  Some are so severe that even if they are 40 years old, they still think like a 4 year old or younger.  There are also some who have the mental capacity of a 6 year old and have recognized their need for a Savior and committed their life for Christ.  God has NOT stated in His Word that if you make it to live 1,976, then that next day you are held accountable and must make a decision for Christ.

As interesting as it is to discuss the “Age of Accountability”, remember that there are no verses to state a specific age.  Do not let this become one of those battles that you would die for.  There are far too many of those.  In discussing this with friends always speak with love and ALWAYS use Scripture. 

~~~If you have any questions that you would like answered email at answers@youthteam.org

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July 19, 2007 by Pastor Matt.

One of the first things that God tells Noah after the flood is this.  Genesis 9:6 - “Whoever sheds man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed, for in the image of God He made man.”

God is the one who first introduced to man to capitol punishment.  Anything that God originates MUST be good. 

James 1:17 - “Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above…”

If EVERY good thing comes from God, it is impossible for any bad thing to come from Him.  It is against His character of being holy to institute something that is wrong, sinful, or evil.

Don’t get me wrong.  God did not want it to come to this.  If He did not allow for free will then He would not have had to place this law into effect.  If there was no free will, there wouldn’t be sin in the world.

God loves us so much that He allowed His perfect blameless son to undergo capitol punishment in order that we might be saved.

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