“ Some other Scriptures to consider ” Pastor, I am appreciative of your stated desire to honor God and be faithful to the Scriptures. All of us who believe share the common challenge of interpreting the Scriptures accurately. In simple terms, the ultimate test for the Bible student is to discern what portions of Scripture are prescriptive (declaring what must be done), and what portions of Scripture are descriptive (describing what was done).
I believe that your message came from a good heart. But I am perplexed at how you could draw your conclusions considering the full witness of the Bible. "Hymn" or "hymns" occurs more times in the New Testament than "psalm" or "psalms" (seven vs. six). Immediately after instituting the Lord's Supper, Jesus and the disciples sang a hymn (not a psalm). Paul's and Silas' jailhouse worship included singing hymns -- and there was some rocking and rolling going on as a result (I couldn't resist).
The result of Christ's becoming servant to the Jews was to confirm the promises made to the patriarchs, and open the way for you and me (among the Gentiles mentioned) in order that we may "glorify God for his mercy, as it is written:
“Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles;
I will sing hymns to your name.” (Rom. 15:9)
Note the word "hymns," not psalms.
“ Great Sermon! ” Once again I learn so much from your sermons. I love how you paint a picture of the places and the people. This helps so much to understand the mindset and culture of the area the sermon is about. I think this is my fourth listen to this sermon. My brother now loves them too.
“ Response to Mike ” Mike,
A brotherly suggestion -- if you want to get your point across, drop the invectives. "The servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient..." (II Tim 2:24)
I suggest "What Christ Says About The Rapture": http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=1124101058502
and my series on "the great tribulation" beginning at http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=91206222644
Blessings in Christ,
Pastor Mencarow
“ Great Sermon! ” I am enjoying your sermons. Like "Mike from so.fl" below, I too had a look at your website. But unlike Mike, I found much on your website that is edifying to the Body of Christ. Thank you for the resources. I will avail myself of them with much confidence.
God Bless
“ Reply to BWS ” When you compared the Presbyterian churches in Scotland to those in the USA, which would you say are the more Biblical? And by the way, I am under the impression that Christianity as a whole in all of North America, Western Europe, and Australia is "based more on a godless culture than it is the Word of God."
“ Great Sermon! ” Went to ur webite & read what u believe....wow ! thx be to God im not in ur church sitting under ur teaching...read the sign by Robert Van Kampen wt ur bible...hope u see it & repent
“ Biblical Reformation Politics & Civil Government! ” A much needed sermon in our day, when few know or understand what the Bible actually teaches on these important matters. For more free Reformation resources on POLITICS AND BIBLICAL CIVIL GOVERNMENT please see http://ow.ly/eEKWl. "Yet civil government has as its appointed end, so long as we live among men, to cherish and protect the outward worship of God, to defend sound doctrine of piety and the position of the church, to adjust our life to the society of men, to form our social behavior to civil righteousness, to reconcile us with one another, and to promote general peace and tranquility." - John Calvin, Institutes, IV, XX, Volume 2, p. 1,487, Westminster Press, 1960. "And kings shall be thy nursing fathers, and their queens thy nursing mothers..." - Isaiah 49:23 (KJV).
“ Reply to NB ” To NB -- I wish you had provided your e-mail address so I could respond to you personally.
All I can say is that you must not have listened to the sermon. It is replete with Scripture citations.
I might ask you to please provide Scriptures that authorize any songs other than the Psalms in worship. No one has ever found any. On the contrary, only the Psalms are authorized by God for song in worship.
Of course, you can say, as many do, that "what is not prohibited in Scripture is permitted." Then you have no Biblical basis for opposing almost anything in worship -- drama, puppet shows, dancing, circus acts, you name it -- as long as it claims to be somehow "Christian."
You may find this book edifying: http://www.amprpress.com/hymns_&_heretics.htm
“ Powerful, Insightful Sermon! ” This message really laid it all out. This should be heard by all Christians and prepare to do battle with our government and other anti-Christ entities. Our youngest generation is the most vulnerable to the New Age, World Order movement.
I fear most Christians have no idea what all is happening in the USA and worldwide.
Pray that Christ Jesus comes soon.
“ Great Sermon! ” The biblical perspective on marriage in this sermon was so refreshing and encouraging. I especially appreciated the beautiful picture of mutual sanctification in a Godly marriage. Thank you!
“ Great Sermon! ” BWS, take it a little easier: This is one of 96 messages on Revelations.
However, what you say about the Church and apostacy is right on, and I believe it to be what is being preached as "revival" that is actually the great apostacy.
“ Real Religious Threats to Christians ” It's amazing how popular it is now for Christians and apologists to talk about Islam, since 9/11, as if it in particular is the most existential threat to Christians and America, while modern Christianity itself has descended into political-correctness, apostasy and increasing liberalism. Why not the Biblical history of Jewish opposition to Jesus, the apostles, the early church, and Christianity historically? The Bible has much more to say about the Jews persecuting and seeking to kill Christians (read the book of Acts), and leveraging Government to persecute Christians, than any obscure allusions to Islam (a hybrid religion of Mosaic Judaism, Christianity, and paganism). The Israeli Lobby influences U.S. politics more and the Jewish ADL is passing legislation against Christians ("hate laws") that are increasingly turning government against Christian liberty for a liberal agenda. The Bible warns more about a false Christianity, a "synagogue of Satan", and a pretender anti-Christ, in subtlety, than any other militant religious threat.
“ The Word ” I go to church to hear the word of God plain and simple,not songs or singing....the word first and foremost and everything else after...if i leave convicted then i have heard the word,if i leave humming a tune i heard i should have stayed at home.....music and "style" is everywhere but where is the word.
12/12/13 10:48 PM
