What saith the Scripture? The SIMPLICITY THAT IS
IN CHRIST is “THE GOSPEL”...
Romans 1:16, ”For I am not ashamed of
the gospel of Christ: for it
is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth;
to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”
Billions of religious people are going to miss
Heaven in eternity, because they unwittingly let some FALSE PROPHET like
John MacArthur or
Ray
Comfort convince them to live the Christian life without ever being
born-again! Evangelist Ray Comfort literally teaches an unsaved lady on an
airplane, that getting saved involved “LIVING
A LIFESTYLE” to be saved. To Ray Comfort I kindly say: “GET THEE
BEHIND ME SATAN!!!”
“If you have to look at
your life to prove that you are saved, it proves that you're not!”
—Pastor Ralph Yankee Arnold; an excellent quote from
the awesome YouTube sermon titled, “Why
Lordship Salvation is WRONG! |
MP3
The “Strait Gate” and the “Narrow Way” Refer to
'THE GOSPEL'
Religion wants to fit us with glasses, but the Lord wants to open our eyes!
Thank God for the truth of His precious Word, which is a lamp unto our feet.
Psalm 119:105, “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my
path.” America's churches influence the world, so if Satan can
corrupt our churches here at home, then he can corrupt the world. The United States sends out more missionaries than any other nation. Sadly,
there is MUCH heresy and false teaching circulating on the radio, television
and in our churches nowadays concerning what a person must do to be saved.
What exactly is the Gospel? The word “Gospel” means “Good News” or “Glad
Tidings.” There is no need to guess what the “Gospel” is because the Bible
plainly tells us. The “Gospel” is the Good News of Christ's DEATH on
the cross for our sins, His BURIAL and bodily RESURRECTION three days later:
1st Corinthians 15:1-4,
“Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel
which I preached unto
you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye
are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have
believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I
also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the
scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day
according to the scriptures.”
We are saved by BELIEVING “the
Gospel,” which is the power of God unto salvation. Romans 1:16, “For
I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is
the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth;
to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” John 6:28-29, “Then said they
unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? Jesus
answered and said unto them, This is the work of God,
that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.” It is that
simple to be saved. If you admit that you are a guilty sinner in God's
sight, and you receive Christ's sacrifice on the cross as full payment
for your sins, believing that He was buried, and bodily resurrected
three days later, and that is your only hope for eternal life—YOU ARE IMMEDIATELY, SECURELY AND FOREVER SAVED!!!
“You know
the greatest difficulty and hindrance today, is not that people are not good
enough. The great hindrance is they're not bad enough, to be saved!”
—Pastor J. Vernon
McGee, a beautiful quote the MP3 sermon,
“Why
The Gospel Is Not Preached Today”
God did EVERYTHING, so that we have to do NOTHING,
except to get out of the way and submit to God's imputed righteousness
through faith alone in Jesus Christ! ...
“He [God] did everything, so that you would
have to do nothing, except receive it as a free gift! And God says, 'I love you
so much that I gave My Son to pay for your sins. Will you believe it? And if you
will (believe/trust, used interchangeably in the Bible), will you simply believe that Jesus Christ
died for you? And God says, 'If you'll do that, I'll promise you on the
authority of My Word, that you'll never perish, but you'll have everlasting
life!'” —Pastor Max D.
Younce, a quote from the Bible study titled, “SO
GREAT SALVATION,”
Part 7
|
MP3's
Pastor Ralph “Yankee” Arnold made this tremendous
statement...
“There is power in this
Gospel message. Most people just don't know how to
present it...
The clarity of the Gospel is what makes it easy for them to
believe.”
—Pastor Yankee Arnold, a quote from the excellent MP3 sermon titled,
“WHY
GRACE CAN SAVE THE WORST MAN!”
That is one of my favorite quotes! The Devil works
relentlessly to OBSCURE the truth of the Gospel. The Devil does this by
watering THE GOSPEL down—subtracting from it, adding to it and completely
obliterating it at times! Consider, for example,
Evangelist Ravi Zacharias, who mentions 12 things in his suggested
sinner's prayer, NONE OF WHICH includes any elements of THE GOSPEL. Really,
you couldn't make this stuff up! Ravi is a self-professed Gospel minister,
yet he teaches
everything except THE GOSPEL.
Like today's Satanic counterfeit Bible revisions,
Ravi is intentionally vague, so as to not offend the audience; consequently,
“But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are
lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of
them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who
is the image of God, should shine unto them” (2nd Corinthians 11:3b-4).
Therefore, kindly said, I wouldn't give you a thin dime for the shallow,
ambiguous, substance-lacking, Holy-Spiritless, ecumenical, dead preaching of
Ravi Zacharias!!! Somebody say “Amen”! After preaching to a hellbound group
of 7,000 Mormons in Salt Lake City, Utah in 2014,
here's how they responded to
his message, bursting to their feet in applause with a standing
ovation!!! Luke 6:26, “Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of
you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets.”
The Gospel is Like a Tiny Town—Easy to
Miss!
In
Matthew 7:13-14, Jesus was simply teaching that THE WAY WHICH LEADETH UNTO
LIFE is so simple that if you're not careful, you'll pass right over it! The
Gospel is like a tiny little town out in the middle of nowhere—If you blink
you'll miss it! I was looking for different places I might like to live, and
I researched Ainsworth, Nebraska (population 1,728). I found the funny
picture to the right: “NOW ENTERING . . . THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE.” I love
that! If you hiccupped while driving, you might miss the town!
That is what Jesus is saying in Matthew 7:13-14—if
you aren't careful, you'll pass right over God's simple plan of salvation!
Galatians 3:2, “This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by
the works of the law, or
by
the hearing of faith?” I love that truth! We are saved BY THE
HEARING OF FAITH. Acts 2:41, “Then they that gladly
received his word were baptized: and the same day there were
added unto them about three thousand souls.” Notice how those 3,000
souls were saved—they “GLADLY RECEIVED HIS WORD”! THE HEARING OF
FAITH!!! When you hear the Gospel preached, and you BELIEVE it, you're
saved!!!
And then AFTER a person is saved, God wants them to
be water baptized as a public profession of their faith. That is why
when a preacher baptizes a new convert, he says something like:
“_________ (name), as a PUBLIC PROFESSION of your faith in Jesus Christ,
I baptize you my sister (or brother) in the name of Jesus; buried in the
likeness of his death (the minister lowers the person UNDER water
while saying these words), raised in the likeness of His
resurrection (the minister lifts them UP out of the water while saying
these words).”
Water baptism is only the “LIKENESS” (Romans
6:5b) of Christ's death, burial and resurrection. Water baptism by
immersion (dunked all the way under) symbolizes THE GOSPEL. We are saved BY
FAITH alone! My grandmother on my Mom's side was never baptized. Pastor
Dwight L. Moody (1837-1899) wasn't big on baptizing his converts, so they
didn't to my understanding. Although not required for salvation, I think
getting baptized is important, because it is the first step of obedience for
the Christian. Pastor Jack Hyles talks about this truth in his classic
sermon called: “Then,
Satan!” The Devil knows if he can get you at the very beginning, you're
finished. By not getting baptized, it's not a good way to begin one's
spiritual journey as a Christian, without obeying the Lord's first
commandment for believers (Matthew 28:19-20). I was baptized at age 17, four
years after I was actually saved. That's only because I struggled with my
assurance, because of the unbiblical requirement in most churches today to “PRAY
A PRAYER” as part of the Gospel. That is bad stuff!
Beware of the
Devil's popular LIE that says water baptism is necessary for redemption.
God only knows the billions of souls burning in Hell today, who foolishly
placed their trust in a baptistery instead of solely in the only begotten
Son of God. I'm not kidding! You'd be shocked if you knew how many religions
require water baptism for salvation (Mormons, Roman Catholics, Lutherans,
Jehovah's Witness (JW), Church of Christ, Seventh-Day Adventism (SDA), et
cetera). The religious denominations that I just mentioned represent about
1.5 billion people on the planet! There are an estimated 1,300,000,000
Catholics alone! In comparison there are only 20,000,000 SDA's, and about
8,500,000 JW's, and about 16,000,000 Mormons, et cetera. Anyone who thinks
that being water baptized is required to get to Heaven, is not going to
Heaven, unless they repent of that heresy and only
BELIEVE THE GOSPEL!!! Mark 1:15, “And saying, The time is fulfilled,
and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe
the gospel.” To “repent” (as a verb) simply means TO THINK
DIFFERENTLY to believe the “GOOD NEWS” of Christ crucified, buried and
risen the third day!
The WAY WHICH LEADETH UNTO LIFE IS NARROW! It is
simple, so simple in fact, that most people pass right over it, looking for
something more! God will not save anyone who is trying to
be saved, He will only save those who are trusting to be saved. Salvation is not doing your best, it is
having Christ's best put to your account through
receiving Him by faith. Please don't drive past it my
friend! The Gospel town is very small. The truth of the Gospel is very
basic—Christ died on the cross for our sins, He was buried, and three days
later Jesus miraculously resurrected physically from the dead for our
justification. The words “for our justification” simply means that if
Christ hadn't resurrected, then our faith could not be justified by a dead
Savior. 1st Corinthians 15:17, “And if Christ be not raised, your faith
is vain; ye are yet in your sins.” If Jesus hadn't risen, it would have
meant Jesus was only a mere man, and not the virgin born only begotten Son
of God. Ah, but Jesus did raise up—CHRIST IS RISEN!!! Jesus died as our
SACRIFICE (John 1:29), and He raised up as our heavenly HIGH PRIEST (Romans
8:34; Hebrews 4:14-16).
The Way of Salvation is NOT “Hard”
Pastor
John MacArthur errantly says the way of salvation is “HARD” to find, and
“HARD” to go through, because he says it requires full repentance, denial of
self, a commitment to obey, and to follow Jesus. MacArthur is teaching WORKS
for salvation! In Mr. MacArthur's world, salvation is “HARD” because of all
the things that he thinks you're required to do to get it. I can understand
why he thinks salvation is “HARD,” because he has a corrupted idea of
salvation. Whereas the Bible teaches simple
LAW
and GRACE, MacArthur teaches something completely different. Salvation
is not “HARD” dear reader, it is easy, simple and free!
What is “HARD” is getting the idea out of preacher's
brains that works aren't necessary to be saved. The religious Jews of
Jesus' time had the same dilemma...
Romans 9:31-33, “But Israel, which followed
after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of
righteousness. Wherefore? Because they sought it not
by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they
stumbled at that stumblingstone; As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion
a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him
shall not be ashamed.”
The Lord was simply saying in Matthew 7:13-14 that
THE WAY WHICH LEADETH UNTO LIFE is very easy to miss, because it is so
simple. We have numerous Scripture passages to confirm this widespread
problem in Bible times, just as it is a big problem today in 2019. The
entire
Epistle of Galatians was written to contend with this problem. The local
church at Galatia had fallen prey to a works-based salvation cult.
The apostle Paul called the Christians at Galatia, “FOOLISH”...
Galatians 3:1-3, “O foolish
Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey
the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth,
crucified among you? This only would I learn of you, Received ye the
Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Are ye so
foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made
perfect by the flesh?”
The believers at Galatia had been saved by faith
alone. So far so good; but then a local cult infiltrated their church
with a works-based doctrine that required circumcision. The apostle Paul
rebuked the believers at Galatia for not using better spiritual judgment (as
we just read). He wants to know why they allowed these heretics into their
church? It was quite a big deal, causing a big stir in town! Paul asks the
Galatian believers a logical question; he says—Since you got saved by THE
HEARING OF FAITH, what makes you think that adding WORKS will somehow
complete your faith? The idea of works for salvation can crept into
any church overnight, so always be on guard! NEVER LET YOUR GUARD DOWN
against Satan creeping heresies into the churches!!! I'm talking about the
popular heresy of
Lordship
Salvation. I'm talking about the popular junk theology that
Ray Comfort
teaches.
These men admittedly make salvation “HARD,”
but what did Jesus say? Matthew 11:28-30, “Come unto
me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart:
and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is
easy, and my burden is light.” Jesus is saying the EXACT
OPPOSSITE of what today's nationally known preachers are saying. Whereas
John MacArthur and Ray Comfort are saying that the way which leadeth unto
life is “HARD” to find, and HARD to go through; Jesus said
His YOKE is easy and His BURDEN is light. What a contrast in
attitudes toward salvation! It should be clear to you my friend, that Jesus
is easy to get along with. I like Jesus. I love that He is lowly (a low
opinion of Himself), humble. I want to be like Him, “esteem other better
than themselves” (Philippians 3:).
Salvation Is Of The Lord
I
heard a familiar passage today, and noticed a beautiful truth that I never
saw before. Isaiah 54:17, “No weapon that is
formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against
thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of
the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD.”
Did you see it? The last part of the Scripture mentions the IMPUTED
RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD! Isaiah 54:17, “...and their righteousness is of me,
saith the LORD.” I love that!!! I just showed you salvation in the Old
Testament. Acts 10:43, “To him give all the prophets
witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall
receive remission of sins.” There has always been only one plan of
salvation—through FAITH in the Lord! Isaiah 54:17, “...and
their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD.”
Jonah had fled from God's will. The next thing you
know, we find him literally inside the belly of a whale! Some Bible students
think Jonah died and God revived him; but I humbly think he lived through
the whole ordeal. I have read some articles online, by people who explain
what it would be like to be swallowed by a whale; but my friend, only a
person who has actually been swallowed by A WHALE can accurately
describe such an experience. Like Job, whose captivity turned when he prayed
for his obnoxious friends (Job 42:10); Jonah's captivity turned when he
offered up to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving (it requires a sacrifice to be
thankful when everything is going wrong). Jonah 2:9, “But I will
sacrifice unto thee with the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay that that I
have vowed. Salvation is of the LORD. And the
LORD spake unto the fish, and it vomited out Jonah upon the dry land.”
When Jonah got right with God, humbling himself, thanking God while still
covered in the whale's stomach fluids, testifying that SALVATION IS OF THE
LORD—God told the great fish to drop off Jonah at the next whale stop! Amen!
Getting saved is simple, easy and immediate! There
are no waiting periods. There is no probationary period. When a person
receives Jesus Christ as their personal Savior, they can and ought to write
down the date, time and place (preferably in their Bible if they have one).
John 1:12-13, “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to
become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were
born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man,
but of God.”
The New Birth (aka, “Born Again”) is
Immediate and Permanent
When
3,000 souls were saved in Acts 2:41, they were added to the Church without
having to go through any waiting period, initiation or interrogation
process. Salvation is a supernatural miracle of God in response to a
person's faith in the “GOOD NEWS” (GOSPEL) of Jesus Christ. The GOOD NEWS
is that Christ DIED on the cross to pay for our sins, He was BURIED, and
then He bodily RESURRECTED the third day (1st Corinthians 15:1-6). BELIEVE
IT, Oh sinner, and the work is done! John 6:28-29, “Then said they unto
him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? Jesus answered
and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye
believe on him whom he hath sent.” All the faith God requires
to be saved is JUST ENOUGH! If you have “just enough” faith to call upon the
name of the Lord, He will save you on the spot! Romans 10:13, “For
whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” To
“call” doesn't mean to PRAY, it simply means to go to the Lord by faith.
What saith the Scripture? John 6:37, “All that
the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh
to me I will in no wise cast out.” The Lord can read your
thoughts (Proverbs 24:12). So the moment that Jesus sees you've placed your
trust (reliance) upon His name, trusting what He did on the cross to pay for
your sins, God saves (regenerates) you! This is the new birth (aka,
“born again”). I was saved at age 13. I knew I was a sinner. It was on a
Sunday morning. The preacher taught about the Holy Spirit. He said that if
you can commit sin, but there is no Holy Spirit conviction, you are not
saved. I knew I wasn't saved when he said that. I had never known the Holy
Spirit in my soul. During the invitation, I was too scared to go forward to
the altar, but from my pew with simple childlike faith, for the first time
in my life, I called out to Jesus in my soul and I asked Him to save me.
It was that simple childlike faith, GOING TO THE
LORD, that saved me. I had grown up in Sunday school, so I knew Jesus was
the Son of God Who died on the cross for my sins. I believed in a RISEN
CHRIST! I knew in my heart that I was reaching out to a LIVING SAVIOR. Up
until that time in my life, I had never PERSONALLY received Jesus as my
Savior. From that moment until today, I have known the blessed presence of
the Holy Spirit (1st Corinthians 1:16-17). The first thing I remember when I
got saved was a hunger for the milk of the Word (1st Peter 2:2). Each night
I fell asleep reading my King James Bible. It was called “The
Open Bible.” I loved it! I read through Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus,
Numbers, but then when I got halfway through Deuteronomy, I did what most
people do, I jumped ahead to the New Testament! I admit, I am guilty of
doing the same thing...lol. I like what Brother Lester Roloff said about the
Old Testament...
“To me, there's not
anything that'll put iron in your spiritual blood like the Old
Testament.”
—Evangelist Lester Roloff, a quote from the awesome needful sermon: “The
Devil's Decoys!” (or,
“What's Fooling You?”) | MP3
There are some
very dangerous heresies circulating in churches today; such as, the one's I
shared with you earlier from John MacArthur and Ray Comfort. These men have
unwittingly turned the instant new birth into an ongoing process,
which they say requires LIVING A LIFESTYLE to prove that you have it. That
is of the Devil! The new birth is a second, or spiritual, birth by the Holy
Spirit of God. The first, or physical, birth was our human birth when we
were born. A changed life is the fruit of the indwelling Holy
Spirit, and not a part of the root of saving faith. The “NARROW WAY”
is simply THE GOSPEL, by which God has promised “TO SAVE THEM THAT
BELIEVE” (1st Corinthians 1:21b).
“The narrow gate is hard to find and hard to go through, because it demands: denial of self, denial of self-righteousness, recognition of sin, full repentance, submission to Christ, commitment to obey Him, and follow Him no matter what the cost!” —Pastor John MacArthur, a quote from his sermon titled, “Saved Or Self-Deceived, Part One” (time: 4:25 in YouTube sermon video)
