A Religion of Sadness?

A Religion of Sadness?

Christianity was never designed to be a religion of sadness. The words “joy” and “rejoice” are found more than 400 times in the Bible. How could any relationship with God be anything other than the most marvelous experience one could have on this earth? When Paul described the fruit of the Spirit working in our lives, the second word he used was “joy.” Life with Him can never be a life of despair and gloom.no sadness

There is joy associated for those who teach others. There is great joy for those who teach. When Jesus told His disciples that the fields were ready to be reaped, He said that both those who sow and those who reap shall rejoice together (John 4:36). The psalmist said that those who sow shall without doubt come rejoicing (Psa. 126:5-6).

There is joy for those who are taught about Jesus.  On the day of Pentecost, there were 3,000 who received the word with joy (Acts 2:41). When Philip preached in Samaria, “There was great joy in that city” (Acts 8:8). The Ethiopian “…went on his way rejoicing” (Acts 8:39). The man who found the treasure of the kingdom, “…for joy over it goes and sells all he had and buys the field” (Matt. 13:44). Think about your own experience. Has there ever been any day surpassing the day your sins were forgiven?

There is joy in the midst of trials as a Christian. When adversity comes into our lives, God tells us to “…count it all joy when you fall into various trials” (Jas. 1:3). How can this be? God gives the answer in the verses that follow. It is the trials in our lives which make us “…perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” Notice also that God said, “count it all joy”! We must not focus on the trials of adversity but on the results of them.

Jesus used some amazing words to describe our response when we are hated by others for His sake. “Rejoice in that day and leap for joy” (Luke 6:23). He does not see such times of adversity as a time to weep but as a time to rejoice. But, even more than just a time for joy—a time to leap for joy!

There is immeasurable joy awaiting us at the end of our lives. As Paul journeyed to Jerusalem for the final time, he passed through many cities. In every one of them there were prophets who foretold the chains and tribulations which he would face when he arrived. Such did not deter his resolve, for he longed to “…finish my race with joy” (Acts 20:24). It was this same joy which Jesus spoke of when His disciples were rejoicing that they had the power to cast out demons. He said, “Do not rejoice in this … but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven” (Luke 10:20).

“Rejoice in the Lord always. Again, I say rejoice.”

Posted in Dan Jenkins | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on A Religion of Sadness?

Challenges in Evangelism

Challenges in Evangelism

Jesus was an evangelist. “Now after John was delivered up, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God” (Mark 1:14). He said, “For the Son of man came to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10). Jesus did an amazing job of evangelizing others, however, even Jesus had challenges when it came to evangelism. He told the parable of the sower (Matthew 13) to explain what some of those challenges are. Some will refuse to hear (the wayside soil). Some will hear but gain no depth (the rocky soil). Some will hear but leave for the world (the thorny soil). Some, however, will hear and bear fruit (the good soil).Evangelism

How many flat out refused to hear Jesus? There were many Pharisees who rejected the counsel of God. “But the Pharisees and the lawyers rejected for themselves the counsel of God, being not baptized of him” (Luke 7:30). Some would not confess Jesus because of peer pressure. “Nevertheless even of the rulers many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess it, lest they should be put out of the synagogue” (John 12:42). Some could not handle the difficulty of Jesus’ teaching. “Upon this many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him” (John 6:66). Jesus never let this phase Him because He knew some would hear and repent.

Do we allow the challenges of evangelism to prevent us from evangelizing? Jesus did not. We must continue the effort even when many fail to respond. God will see those efforts and recognize them even if man does not. What are you doing to evangelize others? We have many resources available for you to do so. Ask me or call the office to get them.

Posted in Kevin Cauley | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Challenges in Evangelism

OnlyFans or Only Christians?

Only Fans or Only Christians?

There is a website subscription service that many Christian parents and grandparents know nothing about—but it has taken the world by storm. This website has over 50 million registered users and more than 1 million content creators. It’s called OnlyFans.Fornication

Founded in 2016, by British tech entrepreneur Timothy Stokely, OnlyFans was a place where content creators could offer exclusive content to their target audience. For instance, if you were a poet, you could read your poems online for people who paid a monthly fee to see your material. However, it didn’t take long for this site to become primarily about sexual content, lust, and debauchery.

Because it has few restrictions creators can post sexually suggestive images, pornography, and anything their creators are clamoring for. Creators get to pocket 80% of the earnings and OnlyFans keeps 20% as online host. Creators can pocket even more money with paid tips and paid private messages. One popular social media influencer made over 1 million dollars the first 24-hours after being a content creator. Did I mention this is a billion-dollar industry—and it’s not going away.

And so, what began innocently as a poet reading a poem, transformed into someone in their underwear reading poetry while thousands tune in to watch. According to their statistics, OnlyFans is adding about 1,000 new registered users every hour. Imagine a popular high school cheerleader who is able to profit from her popularity by posting exclusive and suggestive images. This is the new reality for our children and grandchildren.

I spent some time trying to think of any positive reason a Christian should be on OnlyFans. I admit up front that there are probably a few legitimate entrepreneurs out there who are still doing things like sharing cooking tips, giving parenting tips, or reading poems while fully clothed. But at this point, OnlyFans is known primarily for one thing—pornography.
Consider for a moment what this site is feeding. It is feeding lust, impurity, selfish ambition, debauchery, and even idolatry—as many of these content creators have become idols to paying customers. Is this website really worth risking eternity in heaven? Consider the inspired Words of Paul:

“Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God” (Galatians 5:19-21).

Paul doesn’t mince words. He boldly points out that “those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” Paying a monthly subscription to view someone in a provocative setting is the definition of “practicing” such things. Oh, and just in case a married Christian sees no problem in watching some young lady undress in her bedroom since they are not “technically doing anything,” allow me to gently remind you that your marriage is supposed to be a reflection of Christ’s love for the church. Honor your marriage and love your wife! I can’t see Jesus having an OnlyFans account.

Church we need to have an open and honest discussion about these practices. This is not holy or Christian behavior. Christians do not need OnlyFans accounts—and this includes our children. John wrote: “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever” (1 John 2:15-17).

Our children do not need to be content creators for OnlyFans! I understand they may be “making money they can use to pay for college.” But if their way of making money is sinful or feeds lust, fornication, and immorality then their “selfish ambition” is not in line with what God approves of—and it needs to be stopped. Look at what Jesus said about gaining the whole world but losing your soul (Matthew 16:24).

The Bible is crystal clear about lust and sins of the flesh. (i.e.,1 Peter 2:11, Romans 13:14, , Proverbs 6:25, James 1:14, Romans 8:13) It is equally clear that we are not to cause others to stumble. (i.e., Romans 14:13). As Christians we have been charged to be holy like He is holy (1 Peter 1:15-16).

If you are involved in OnlyFans as a user or content creator let me encourage you to quit immediately. Guard your soul. Take up the whole armor of God and fight against the works of darkness. This really is a life and death situation—souls are at stake. James wrote: “Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death” (James 1:15). Stop feeding the desire and you will avoid death.

Posted in Brad Harrub | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off on OnlyFans or Only Christians?

The Race and the Torch

The Race and the Torch

As you read the Bible, you will find so many references to your life being compared to running a race. We are told to run with patience the race that is before us, always keeping our eyes on Jesus (Heb. 12:1). The next verse then points us to Jesus and the way He lived His life.Carrying the Torch

Paul so often compares life to a race. He told Timothy that “…if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules” (2 Tim. 2:5)—we must get on the track and stay in our lanes! He urged the Corinthians to run the race in such a way that we may obtain the prize. He then contrasted the rewards received in the Grecian games with the one we will receive. “They do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown” (1 Cor. 9:24-26). They received a crown made of olive branches, but we receive the crown of eternal life and righteousness.

Every four years we watch as modern athletes compete for Olympic medals. One of the most exciting races is where teams run relay races by passing the baton from runner to runner. The race is often decided by which team is most successful in passing that baton. If they drop it, they do not stop running but pause long enough to pick it up and then resume the race. Many who watch the races find this one to be the most exciting one.

We use a similar phrase in our culture. In the ancient Greek races, there was a lighted torch passed from one runner to the next. In our day it metaphorically refers to transferring one’s job, knowledge and responsibilities to others when one retires. If you are a Christian, it can refer to you in your spiritual life of service and insuring that when your life ends the work will still be done.

The design of Christianity is for those who are taught to teach others and to teach them to teach others. Paul taught Timothy the gospel and then urged him to take that which he had learned and pass the “torch of truth” to them. “The things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also” (2 Tim. 2:2). The torch was passed from Paul to Timothy to faithful men then to others. There is a sense in which we now have that same torch!

Palm Beach Lakes began a century ago, and we celebrate our 100th anniversary. We owe a debt to all those who over the past ten decades have faithfully served the Lord. The torch is now in our hands. We owe a debt to those who have gone before, but we owe an even greater debt to those in the future. God help us to faithfully pass the torch to others!

Posted in Dan Jenkins | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on The Race and the Torch

Access to God Through Jesus

Access to God through Jesus

In Revelation 4:8, the four living creatures cry out, “Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God, the Almighty, who was and who is and who is to come.” God is holy; He is above and beyond all created things. He is unknowable unless He reveals Himself to us. “For who among men knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of the man, which is in him? even so the things of God none knoweth, save the Spirit of God” (1 Corinthians 2:11). No created thing has direct access to God. “No man has seen God at any time” (John 1:18, 1 John 4:12). Paul affirms this also in 1 Timothy 6:16: “who only hath immortality, dwelling in light unapproachable; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honor and power eternal. Amen.”

This was one of Job’s many problems. He begged for access to God, but never got what he desired. When God showed up, it was not to give Job access, but a stinging rebuke. Job said, “Wherefore I abhor myself, And repent in dust and ashes” (Job 42:6). Job remained cut off from what He was ultimately seeking from God. He did not find a mediator that could intervene on His behalf before God (Job 9:33).

Job’s problem is all of humanity’s problem. Who may approach God? Thank God for Jesus! He resolves this problem by being both God and man. John wrote further in John 1:18, “the only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.” Jesus literally interprets who God is for us so that we may know and have access Him. “For through Him we both have our access by one Spirit unto the Father.” (Ephesians 2:18). What a great blessing! If you pray to God today, thank Jesus.

Posted in Kevin Cauley | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Access to God Through Jesus