New Site - WWW.FBJASPER.WORDPRESS.COM

I will be moving to a new site. One that is more suitable for what I want to do in the future. This site will remain available to see, so that old posts are still available. I appreciate the support I have received. I hope for the opportunity to grow with the new site. The posts have been sparse lately, because I have been having some problems with this site. Hope to see you at the new site.

www.fbjasper.wordpress.com

Voice of Truth - Political Issues

I am just going to make a small observation on something today. I usually don't dive into politics on this blog, but one comment a heard disturbed me. The comment happened during the forum at Saddleback Church. Many of you have probably seen or heard this by now. The question pertained to when a baby begins to have rights. The answer that startled me was that it was above the candidates pay grade to answer that. Whoever is president for the next four years will have to make decisions that involve that question. If a person can't answer that question, they should not be president. The striking thing for me is that both candidates knew that question was going to come up. To have that as your answer is unthinkable. The same candidate then when on to say that the subject is a moral issue. He talked only about the moral issue for the mother, never once mentioning anything regarding the child. That seems to be the stance taken by many on the abortion rights side. They say they are not against the baby, but for the mother. Why can't we be for both?

We need to focus on more than one issue, but we need to start thinking through what the candidates are saying. Many will vote on emotion and personal issues that have absolutely nothing to do with being president. Decide who you will vote for based on the issues. A great speaker does not necessarily make a great president. A person with great experience also does not necessarily make for a great president. Christian's need to be involved in this process.

Voice of Truth - Apathetic Christians

Why have Christians become so apathetic? It seems most Christians have no desire to stand up for what is right or to even share their faith. Yet, will complain about the condition of the world today. We are to be salt and light.



Matthew 5:13-16, 13 "You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men. 14 "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; 15 nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 "Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.



This applies to individual and churches. Salt was used to preserve and to add to the flavor. Salt was highly valued in biblical times. It is our responsibility to preserve the Christian values our country was founded on. It is also our responsibility to preserve the Word of God in it's original meaning. We have states and churches affirming the homo-sexual lifestyle. We have people walking our streets and coming to our doors who preach a false gospel. While Christians sit by and do nothing. We must use our voice in the culture, while we still have one. We have an opportunity to add to our culture. But it must be done before we lose our taste. If Christians don't stand up soon, we will be useless and will be thrown out. There are hundred of issues we have willingly taken a backseat on. Our perspective needs to be voiced in the discussion.



We are also called to be light. When was the last time you shared your faith with an unbeliever? Our churches are not being cities on a hill. And as individual we are keeping our lights under a basket. It is time to get out of the church building and do good works before men. We can't glorify God, if we are not reaching out to those He calls us to reach. One person can make a difference. Andrew is not one of the most prominent disciples, but it was he who brought Peter to Jesus ( John 1;40-42 ). The next person you witness to could be the next missionary who sees 3000 come to Christ. The power is not in us to do miraculous things. But God will use the weak and foolish. And He can work great things through us.



Take the box off of your light, and don't wait until you have lost your taste. Let's strive to make a difference.

Voice of Truth - Hell

In our sermon yesterday at First Baptist, we heard that hell is separation from God. What exactly does that mean? I have struggled with this question for awhile. Is hell a place where God puts people and He never goes there. I don't think Scripture teaches that. God is omnipresent. Let's look at some verses.

2 Thessalonians 1:8-9, 8 dealing out retribution to those who do not know God and to those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. 9 These will pay the penalty of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power,

This verse obviously teaches that those in hell will be away from the presence of God. I think this is referring to a spiritual separation. Separated from the blessings, grace and mercy of God. Even unbelievers today experience the grace and mercy of God. But in hell they will be separated from the Light and thrown into outer darkness.

Here are some more verses to look at.

Revelation 14:9-10, 9 Then another angel, a third one, followed them, saying with a loud voice, "If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives a mark on his forehead or on his hand, 10 he also will drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is mixed in full strength in the cup of His anger; and he will be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb.

Psalm 139:7-8, 7 Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? 8 If I ascend to heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in Sheol, behold, You are there.

I think God will have a presence in hell. He will be pouring out his anger and wrath.

A breath of relief is usually heard when someone declares, “Hell is a symbol for separation from God.” To be separated from God for eternity is no great threat to the impenitent person. The ungodly want nothing more than to be separated from God. Their problem in hell will not be separation from God, it will be the presence of God that will torment them. In hell, God will be present in the fullness of His divine wrath. He will be there to exercise His just punishment of the damned. They will know Him as an all-consuming fire.- R.C. Sproul

These are just some things to think about. I have basically just given you information that I have found during my study on the subject. One of my major concerns is that I have never heard a sermon completely about hell. This is one of those topics the church seems to avoid today. Old time preachers always preached on this topic. Let's be willing to take a look at tough topics. If it is in the Bible we need to talk about it.

Voice of Truth - Thanks

It has been a couple of rough weeks, with the illness and passing of my great-grandmother. I want to thank everyone who called, visited, e-mailed, sent cards and posted on my facebook page. I am excited about the opportunity to start writing again. Be prepared, I have had 2 weeks to reflect on things around me. I hope to write about death, assurance, Christian friends, liberal churches, apathetic Christians and much more in the days and weeks to come. My view and concern is that our conservative churches are willingly taking a back seat in our culture. My hope is to spark action, and if not action at least to provoke thought on the issues. We need to influence the culture and the opposite is happening.

Thanks again for the prayers and gestures of concern, Jason

Voice of Truth - United Church of Christ Blog

I was not planning on writing this week, but a recent blog caught my attention. In case you missed it a man gunned down some people at a liberal church. An event that is extremely sad and just plain evil. Well as I was listening to the Albert Mohler radio show, it was mentioned that some pastor blamed Dr. Mohler for the shootings. I couldn't hardly believe it, so I had to check it out. I found the blog by Rev. Chuck Currie, a United Church of Christ reverend. It was quite disturbing to read. He definitely is writing from a very liberal, unbiblical perspective. The United Church of Christ is a big supporter of gay rights and apparently so is Mr. Currie. He has done some excellent work with the homeless, but I believe his view of the Bible is way off base. His blogs are said to be widely read and were endorsed by the Los Angeles Times ( a liberal newspaper ). That being said the article got under my skin. From my previous blogs, you probably know that false teachers really bother me. So, I felt the need to defend the faith. I decided to respond to his blog. The responses I have got have not been of the positive nature. Being that I posted on his site, I probably will not have any supporters there. He flat out told me homosexuality was not a sin, but discrimination was. All I can think of is the verse - Lord, Lord I have done great things in Your Name. And depart from Me, I know you not. When someone knows not sin, knowing and appreciating the Lord becomes much more difficult. I was also told by another person, that teaching hate breeds hate. If you would like to see this interesting debate, visit his blog at http://unitedchurchofchrist.blogspot.com/

This guy is making national news with his liberal views. Hopefully anyone checking out his website will see the Voice of Truth. We must defend the faith, even in the face of criticism. If not, some day it may be illegal (hate speech) to write what I write.