Which of these is Not an Attribute of God? (evangelism tract)

Answer: D. It is always polite to let each other speak for ourselves and God is no different. He has explained clearly why He is not willing to compromise, while at the same time remaining loving and forgiving. See below for an understandable explanation…

::God-the object of all worship::

Being eternally perfect, just and loving, God is worthy to receive the worship of all. His supremacy demands the worship of His creation (Psalm 96).

::Humanity-united in rebellion::

The world is clearly not perfect. This is because we have all rejected the authority of God in favor of our own (Rom. 1.21-26). Independence from God is sin. It is rooted in a heart that refuses to submit to the authority of God and therefore rebels against Him. From God’s perspective, rebellion is offensive because it seeks a human or self authority (Rom. 3.10-12, 23).

(more…)

Some Misc Stuff…

I woke up this morning after having a dream that John Piper came over to teach at our Care Group (home bible study). In light of the recent mystic stuff over here, I wonder how I am to interpret this. In the dream his socks were pretty worn out too (I know this because I asked him to take off his shoes—house rules). I am open to interpretations.

:cursed cold:

It is very cold here in Omaha. And as our pastor reminds us regularly, stuff dies in the winter, death comes from sin, so therefore winter is bad and we can look forward to no more winter in the kingdom. Anyways, we have planned our vacation for 2007, we are going to visit family in the South and trek all the way down to a state park in Santa Rosa Beach, FL (near Pensacola). I’m wondering if anyone has been down in that area before and what your impressions are.

(more…)

Why is Jesus so narrow minded? (new evangelism tract)

In the bible we read Jesus repeatedly explaining himself to be the exclusive means of forgiveness. Jesus does not give room for any other paths to God. He is clear that things such as forgiveness, love, joy and heaven are found exclusively in him. According to Jesus any other ‘way’ is not a way at all but a sham; Jesus claims nothing less than exclusive authority and ability to save sinners. (Jn. 14.6; Mat. 7.13-14)

So to why is Jesus so narrow minded?

because there is only one God

The bible teaches that there are not many Gods but rather just one. And from this one God everything that has been made was made. This same God now sustains everything with his own power & sovereignty. People may claim that there are other Gods, however, God, in response, says that this is not true. God is intolerant of competition. (Is. 44.6-8; Acts 17.24-28)

because of the high standards of God

God has made everything for himself, to give him pleasure. His standard is inflexible. He demands absolute perfection. The way in which this shows itself is by loving him with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength. This is shown through passionate devotion & obedience to God.

Even the slightest variation from God’s design is rebellion & God views rebellion as worse than treason. The consequence for rebellion is death; expressed now in terms of death, sickness, and inability to earn his favor, and ultimately in terms of eternal condemnation. Where perfect love for God is lacking certain & relentless divine judgment is present. (Mat. 22.36-40; Rom. 3.23; Rom. 6.23; Col. 1.16; Jam. 2.10)

because it is the truth

Jesus himself being God is perfect & cannot lie. So we must remember that if Jesus said it then it is true! Jesus became a man to live here on earth. In his life he showed perfect & sinless love through obedience to God. Jesus is the only substitute for rebels. Our responsibility as humanity is to please God according to his standards (this we did not do), however, Jesus did.

And further Jesus also satisfied the inflexible justice of God by bearing the eternal judgment of God on the cross. Jesus distinguishes himself as the only one eligible to live perfectly and pay adequately for rebels who stand in God’s righteous crosshairs. (2 Cor. 14.6; Tit. 1.2; Heb. 1.3)

JESUS’ narrow MESSAGE for everyone

God was satisfied with Jesus work furnishing proof by raising him from the dead. Now Jesus commands his followers to tell everyone the glorious truth that he is the only Savior; the only one who is able to give rebels forgiveness, life, joy & heaven.

This forgiveness is not automatic like voting when we are 18; instead it comes by recognizing Jesus as king & ruler over our lives. In doing this we turn from rebellion (sin) & turn to Jesus (submission). It is this posture of submission to Jesus as king & following him as Lord that characterizes the Christian life & gives God pleasure.

While there is not room on Jesus’ narrow road for other saviors, there is room for everyone who will come to him for life. Jesus’ truth telling then shows him to not only be the exclusive Savior, but the loving Savior! (Jn. 14.6; Acts 17.30-31; 1 Tim. 2.5; Jn. 3.16-18)

…..(tracts like this are used within the evangelism ministry at Omaha Bible Church. The text conveniently fits on the back of the image sized to 4″x 6″, feel free to use if you feel that it would prove helpful in your own evangelism ministry)…

What is the penalty for one sin? (new evangelism tract)

Answer: Eternal Hell.

The question most people ask next is why. Why must hell last forever? The answer is what distinguishes biblical Christianity from every other world religion.

::God’s Character::

God reveals to us in the bible that he is self-existent, independent, and the final authority and judge over everything. In short, he is God. He made everyone & everything himself and for himself. As with the rest of creation, humanity was created to give God pleasure. His standard is uncompromising and his character impeccable.

::What sin demands::

As a result of God’s perfect and unwavering character he is intolerant of imperfection. When we as a creation fail to do what he says or do what he forbids his reaction is unrelenting anger. This anger is demanded by his own character. God is an eternal God with eternal perfection, expressed in terms of his justice and holiness.

One infraction, however minor we may esteem it, carries with it the weight of an eternal offense. So at its very root sinful rebellion is an attack against God’s eternal character and so therefore deserving of eternal punishment. Quite simply this is why hell must last forever. God’s justice will never be extinguished because we could never bring an eternal payment.

::How a just God can forgive you::

There is great news however for the one who sees God as just when he judges; for while God is eternally holy, righteous and just, he is also eternally loving and forgiving. In love he provided the only possible means of forgiveness in his son. Jesus, himself being God, became a man and lived as a man. Jesus obeyed and loved God perfectly in the place of sinners who have never loved or obeyed perfectly.

Further, Jesus went to the cross to stand in the place of rebels. On the cross, being the eternal son of God, Jesus offered up himself as an eternal sacrifice to God for the sins of rebels. On the cross God treated Jesus as if he was judging sinners like us (even though he was sinless), that he might treat sinners like they were perfect like Jesus (even though they were sinful).

This forgiveness is not automatic like voting when we are 18 however. It comes by recognizing Jesus as king and ruler over your life. In doing this you turn from rebellion (sin) and turn to Jesus (submission). It is this posture of submission to Jesus as King and following him as Lord that characterizes the Christian life and gives God pleasure.

::How will you respond?::

God proved that he accepted Jesus’ sacrifice and that he was pleased while raising him from the dead. He is now declaring to everyone that they must turn from sin and to Jesus.

If you do not have forgiveness in Jesus then God’s eternal anger is being kindled and even aggravated by indifference.

Come to Jesus today as he lovingly extends life and forgiveness to you through his gospel.

…..(tracts like this are used within the evangelism ministry at Omaha Bible Church. The text conveniently fits on the back of the image sized to 4″x 6″, feel free to use if you feel that it would prove helpful in your own evangelism ministry)…

College World Series Tracts

Next week thousands of visitors will descend upon Omaha to attend the College World Series. Recognizing that nothing escapes God’s sovereignty, and in effort to be good stewards of all that God has given us, Omaha Bible Church is organizing teams to go down to Rosenblatt Stadium to lovingly proclaim the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Included here are some of the tracts that we’ll be distributing.

We request your prayers that God would open hearts to receive the truth (Acts 16.14). If you would like more information please contact me.

#1 Wrigley Field & Hell Tract

Answer: It is the home of the cursed!

The picture is of Wrigley Field, the home of the Chicago Cubs. The ‘lovable losers’ have been imputed with the curse of the Billy Goat since 1945. Joking aside, hell is the home of all who have sinned & are being punished or cursed for their rebellion against their Creator. The Scripture says, “cursed is everyone who does not obey the Law of God” (Gal. 3.10). Is there a way out? Can God forgive? Will he?

The Scripture teaches that God made mankind for his own pleasure (Col. 1.16). However, we have all rejected his authority in favor of our own (Rom. 1.21-26). This lack of submission to God’s will and authority is sin (1 Jn. 3.4). God’s perfect character & standard require that he deal justly as us with rebels (Ps. 9.8; Acts 17.30).

So how does mankind escape from the justice of God? There is only one answer:

Jesus-the rebel’s only substitute

God’s justice will only be satisfied by perfection (Matt. 5.48). God demonstrates His love for us by sending the only suitable substitute (2 Cor. 5.21)

Jesus-the God who became a man

Jesus, Himself being God (Col. 2.9), put on humanity and became a man (John 1.14). In His life Jesus showed dependence upon God through perfect obedience to God & remained without sin (1Jn. 3.5). Jesus fully satisfied the just requirements of God by offering Himself as the sacrifice for rebels through His death on the cross (Rom. 3.25). Jesus became a curse for those who are cursed (Gal. 3.13)

Jesus-the only means of restoration

God calls every person to receive His gift of salvation by believing in Him: turning from rebellion & depending upon Jesus’ perfection for forgiveness. God accepted the sacrifice of Jesus upon the cross as the exclusive basis for restoration. God demonstrated this acceptance through Jesus’ resurrection from the dead (Acts 17.30-31).

Jesus-the believer’s perfection

On the cross, Jesus died in the sinner’s place. God charged the rebel’s sin to Jesus (though He never sinned), so that through the believer’s full dependence upon the merit of Jesus, God would declare the rebel perfect, based upon the sacrifice of Jesus. In this way God is proven to be just, holy, forgiving & loving of the one who submits to and depends on Jesus (Rom. 3.26) .

There are only two ways to respond

*continue rejecting God’s authority (sin)…result: guilt & judgment

* submit to & depend upon Jesus (faith)….result: forgiveness

#2 The God who won’t Compromise Baseball Tract

How can a just God forgive you and me?

This really is the question. Will God forgive sinners unjustly? How can God maintain his justice (which he says he will!) while also demonstrating his loving forgiveness (which he also says he will!)??

God declares that he is holy (1 Pet. 1.16), righteous (Ps. 119.142), loving (1 Jn. 4.8), and forgiving (Num. 14.18)…but how can this be true?

The Scripture teaches that God made mankind for his own pleasure (Col. 1.16). However, we have all rejected his authority in favor of our own (Rom. 1.21-26). This lack of submission to God’s will and authority is sin (1 Jn. 3.4). God’s perfect character & standard require that he deal justly as us with rebels (Ps. 9.8; Acts 17.30).

So how does mankind escape from the justice of God? There is only one answer:

Jesus-the only substitute for rebels

God’s justice will only be satisfied by perfection (Matt. 5.48). God demonstrates His love for us by sending the only suitable substitute (2 Cor. 5.21).

Jesus-the God who became a man

Jesus, Himself being God (Col. 2.9), put on humanity and became a man (John 1.14). In His life Jesus showed dependence upon God through perfect obedience to God & remained without sin (1Jn. 3.5). Jesus fully satisfied the just requirements of God by offering Himself as the sacrifice for rebels through His death on the cross (Rom. 3.25).

Jesus-the only means of restoration

God calls every person to receive His gift of salvation by believing in Him: turning from rebellion & depending upon Jesus’ perfection for forgiveness. God accepted the sacrifice of Jesus upon the cross as the exclusive basis for restoration. God demonstrated this acceptance through Jesus’ resurrection from the dead (Acts 17.30-31).

Jesus-the believer’s perfection

On the cross, Jesus died in the sinner’s place. God charged the rebel’s sin to Jesus (though He never sinned), so that through the believer’s full dependence upon the merit of Jesus, God would declare the rebel perfect, based upon the sacrifice of Jesus. In this way God is proven to be just, holy, forgiving & loving of the one who submits to and depends on Jesus (Rom. 3.26).

There are only two ways to respond

*continue rejecting God’s authority (sin)…result: guilt & judgment

* submit to & depend upon Jesus (faith)….result: forgiveness

#3 The Need to be Re-covered Tract

Answer: We all Need to be recovered!

The answer to the question really stems from the fundamental question of life: how can you and I be accepted by God? God declares that he is holy (1 Pet. 1.16), righteous (Ps. 119.142), loving (1 Jn. 4.8), and forgiving (Num. 14.18)…but how can this be true?

This really is the question. Will God forgive sinners unjustly? How can God maintain his justice (which he says he will!) while also demonstrating his loving forgiveness (which he also says he will!)??

The Scripture teaches that God made mankind for his own pleasure (Col. 1.16). However, we have all rejected his authority in favor of our own (Rom. 1.21-26). This lack of submission to God’s will and authority is sin (1 Jn. 3.4). God’s perfect character & standard require that he deal justly as us with rebels (Ps. 9.8; Acts 17.30).

So how does mankind escape from the justice of God? There is only one answer:

Jesus-the rebel’s only substitute

God’s justice will only be satisfied by perfection (Matt. 5.48). God demonstrates His love for us by sending the only suitable substitute (2 Cor. 5.21).

Jesus-the God who became a man

Jesus, Himself being God (Col. 2.9), put on humanity and became a man (John 1.14). In His life Jesus showed dependence upon God through perfect obedience to God & remained without sin (1Jn. 3.5). Jesus fully satisfied the just requirements of God by offering Himself as the sacrifice for rebels through His death on the cross (Rom. 3.25).

Jesus-the only means of restoration

God calls every person to receive His gift of salvation by believing in Him: turning from rebellion & depending upon Jesus’ perfection for forgiveness. God accepted the sacrifice of Jesus upon the cross as the exclusive basis for restoration. God demonstrated this acceptance through Jesus’ resurrection from the dead (Acts 17.30-31).

Jesus-the believer’s perfection

On the cross, Jesus died in the sinner’s place. God charged the rebel’s sin to Jesus (though He never sinned), so that through the believer’s full dependence upon the merit of Jesus, God would declare the rebel perfect, based upon the sacrifice of Jesus. In this way God is proven to be just, holy, forgiving & loving of the one who submits to and depends on Jesus (Rom. 3.26) . God covers the believer in Christ’s perfection!!

There are only two ways to respond

*continue rejecting God’s authority (sin)…result: guilt & judgment

* submit to & depend upon Jesus (faith)….result: forgiveness

Rainbows® are Trademarked!

[what follows is the text for a new tract (the image is above) we just made for an upcoming evangelism opportunity at a Gay Pride Parade in Omaha...it doesn't say everything, but we are limited to a 4x6 card and a very hostile crowd...if you are in the Omaha area this Saturday 6/10 and are interested in gospelizing, let me know]

Rainbows remain a popular symbol for so many groups of people, however who had them first??

The God of the Bible owns the distinct honor, as he has long used the rainbow to illustrate his loving demonstration of mercy instead of judgment! God the loving Creator was angered by humanity’s rebellion against his will & so therefore justly demonstrated his judgment upon their sin. In Genesis 6 the Scriptures teach that instead of giving mankind what they deserve for their rebellion, he chose to save some from destruction. The mercy & faithfulness of God was demonstrated by the beautiful rainbow that filled the sky.

God has not changed, he remains the same God who maintains justice while offering mercy, this is not to be confused with offering mercy at the expense of justice…God does not compromise his character, instead he demonstrates it! God made all of humanity to give him pleasure; however, we have rebelled against God’s plan, even spurning his authority. We have by our own authority, pursued our own pleasure! God being offended & just will not turn a blind eye to our sin, instead he will deal justly with it!

But in the ultimate display of mercy God has given his son, Jesus Christ, to live a perfect life in the place of sinners, & to die the death penalty for sinners like me and like you—regardless of our ‘backgrounds.’ It is only through God judging Jesus as if he was a sinner (though he wasn’t) in the sinner’s place that he can be just & merciful at the same time, without compromising.

The gospel of Jesus Christ is not primarily aimed to convert homosexuals to heterosexuality, but rather, to convert all humanity to Christianity. The perfect son of God, Jesus Christ, is the one who sits in judgment of humanity. And it is this Jesus that calls you to turn from sin & follow him with obedience & love in the truth>>”Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30

There are only two ways to respond

1) continue rejecting God’s authority (sin)…result: guilt & judgment

2) submit to & depend upon Jesus (faith)….result: forgiveness