Matthew 3:1-3, “In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.”
John the Baptist prepared the way of the coming of the Lord. When John
preached for the people to “repent,” he was telling them to change their
mind, preparing them for the coming Savior. The people came confessing their
sins to John (Matthew 3:6), recognizing their need for redemption through
faith alone in the coming Messiah. They weren't saved by turning from their
sins, but by believing on the Lamb of God. The Bible doesn't say they turned
from their sins, nor did John tell them to turn from their sins. John told
them to “repent,” so that they would seek the coming Messiah who could save
them.
John cleared the way for Jesus! A snowplow clears the winter roads for traffic to travel upon. Likewise, John came clearing the path for the blessed Savior. Malachi 3:1, “Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts.” This is a prophecy about John the Baptist. Friend, just like you and me, John the Baptist couldn't save anyone, but he could lift up the dear Savior! I can't save anyone, but I can lift up the Gospel. John led MANY people to Christ. Luke 1:13-16, “But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John. And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth. For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb. And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God.”
John's job was to prepare the way for
the coming Messiah. Jesus didn't have to be water baptized to be the Son of
God. John the Baptist was at first reluctant to baptize Jesus (Matthew
3:13-15), in humility, because he didn't feel worthy; but Jesus explained to
John that they needed to fulfill all righteousness. So John baptized Jesus!
Getting water baptized is important! God wants every Christian to be water
baptized. Getting baptized is part of 'The Great Commission' (Matthew
28:19-20). Albeit, God does not require water baptism to receive the free
gift of eternal life, which is by faith alone (Galatians 3:26). By Jesus
getting baptized, He proved that baptism is not required to be saved,
because He was the very Son of God. Water baptism symbolizes the death,
burial and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. Water baptism is a
snapshot of the Gospel. In baptism, you making a public profession of your
existing faith in Jesus Christ.
Look To Jesus To Be Saved
John
3:14-16, “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must
the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not
perish, but have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that he gave
his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish,
but have everlasting life.”
In the Wilderness “MUCH people of Israel died” (Numbers 21:6), for their moaning and groaning. God absolutely hates complaining! Likely many thousands of people died, and many more were going to die, for the sin of complaining. Moses cried out to God. So the Lord commanded His servant Moses to form some brass into the shape of a serpent, and hold it up before the people. Whosoever looked to that serpent lived! That serpent symbolizes Jesus, the righteous Son of God, who became as sin for you and me, that we might be made the righteousness of God in him (2nd Corinthians 5:21).
Jesus confirms this truth in John 3:14, teaching Nicodemus that whosoever looks to the Son of God shall live. There has always been only one plan of salvation, by faith in the Messiah. Acts 10:43, “To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.” Isaiah 45:22, “Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.” If you want to be saved dear reader, LOOK TO THE SAVIOR! LOOK TO JESUS!!! There is no other way to get to Heaven (Acts 4:10-12).
I don't see anything in the previous Scripture passage about turning from sinful ways. Do you? I don't see anything about making full surrender to Christ? Do you? I don't see anything about committing your life to Christ, nor faithfully running the race. Nor do I see anything about being sorry for your sins, living a lifestyle of repentance, counting the cost, paying the price, nor following Jesus no matter what the cost! All of the aforementioned garbage theology is preached by Dr. Steve Petit (president of Bob Jones University since 2014), and his buddy Pastor John MacArthur, Dr. Sam Horn (president of Master's University and Seminary), Evangelist Ray Comfort and other heretics on the Christian “faith which was once delivered unto the saints” (Jude 1:3b). The Bob Jones University camp are in bed with the Dr. John MacArthur camp, committing spiritual fornication with devils. They know not the Lord Jesus Christ, nor the truth of the Gospel of free grace!!! I triple-dog dare you to check what they require to get to Heaven, and compare that to the inspired King James Bible.
16th U.S. President Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865) wisely said concerning the Civil War:
“In great contests [battles], each party claims to act in accordance with the will of God—both may be, but one must be, wrong—God cannot be for and against the same thing at the same time!” —President Abraham Lincoln
Why did Mr. Lincoln say that? It is because the Northern Union and the Southern Confederacy both claimed to be doing “God's will” in fighting The Civil War (1860-1965). Both President Jefferson Davis in the south, and President Abraham Lincoln in the north, said they were doing “God's will.” As Mr. Lincoln wisely points out, that is IMPOSSIBLE! When two opposing parties, who are warring against each other, claiming to be doing God's will, obviously someone is WRONG! That is why Abraham Lincoln made that powerful statement! Likewise, this great matter of salvation cannot be by both faith alone as Dr. Curtis Hutson taught, and by paying the price as taught in Dr. John MacArthur's complicated plan of Lordship Salvation! You either have to “be willing to turn from your sins” as Bob Jones University preaches, or else you don't as the King James Bible teaches. We need voices in this world!!! We need voices to take THE TRUTH of the Word of God, and faithful preachers gone before, and amplify them to the world! Anybody can be A VOICE for God!!!
“I want to train you men to be my voice when I'm gone! ...I don't want the truth I've tried to preach here in this pulpit and around the nation to die!” —Pastor Jack Hyles, “I Am A Voice”
America Needs Fundamental King James Bible Preaching More Than Ever Before
I
saw a photo years ago in a book authored by Evangelist Salem Kirban. The
1960's photo showed a police officer beating a long-haired youth with a
Billy Club. The caption said: “What do you see? Do you see a thug cop
abusing a citizen? Do you see a punk getting what he deserves? If you are a
Christian, you should see two people who desperately need the Lord Jesus
Christ.” Salem Kirban applied that truth to the difficult situation in the
Middle East, where Jews and Arabs are always in hostile conflict with each
other. Whether Jew or Arab, they both desperately need the Lord Jesus Christ
as their Savior!
That is how I feel about the explosive scene in Minneapolis this past week. It is horrifying to see a police officer, a trusted public servant, murdering George Floyd on camera for the world to see. After shoving his knee into Mr. Floyd's neck, making him go unconscious after 5 minutes, he held his knee on that man's neck for over 3 more minutes. Floyd begged for mercy, clearly heard gasping: “I can't breathe!” If found guilty, that cop should be publicly executed. The police ought to be held immediately accountable, just as any other citizen! I understand that the police have a tough job, and youth nowadays are not taught to respect the police, which is half the problem. If George Floyd had simply sat down in the police car, he'd still be alive. From what I heard, Mr. Floyd was accused of trying to pass a counterfeit $20 bill. That could have easily been someone else's counterfeit bill. I wouldn't know the difference if I had one. But regardless, citizens should show respect for the police, because they are the authority.
I heard a great MP3 sermon today by Pastor Jack Hyles, about submitting to the authority that God has placed over you. The sermon is called: “We Are The Light Of The World.” There is a horrible problem in our country today of a woeful lack of respect for authority. The police do get carried away sometimes, using excessive force, and their superiors do nothing about it, which angers the public. I think a lot of police today are tired of not being appreciated by the public, and it sometimes affects their performance. It shouldn't but it does. You have to remember that behind every badge is a human being. The same is true of preachers. Did you ever stop to think that police make a living by responding to the worst 10 minutes of people's lives? I wouldn't want that job in this wicked society in America today. Being a cop today is about the most thankless job on the planet. As Christians, we should always show respect for authority, even when they are wrong.
President John F. Kennedy made a profound statement: “They who make peaceful revolution impossible, make violent revolution inevitable.” That is what is happening now in America. It is no secret that police abuse is a big problem all across America. But so also is crime a big problem. I read a tragic story about a detective who was just about to retire, after 30 years of loyal service to the public and police department. He was interrogating a black youth for murder charges. The youth assaulted the officer and managed to overpower him and get his gun, with which he shot and killed the detective. Police are at risk all the time. I thought it was beautiful seeing a police chief in California kneeling with the protestors in solidarity. We need changes in this country. We need to return to righteousness! We need to fear God.
The proper way to handle abuse is to complain to their bosses, and keep going up the chain of command until hopefully someone listens. Sometimes they don't, which is why God put Ecclesiastes 5:8 in the Bible, “If thou seest the oppression of the poor, and violent perverting of judgment and justice in a province, marvel not at the matter: for he that is higher than the highest regardeth; and there be higher than they.” Anarchy is of the Devil, and always has been. Lucifer revolted against God, as a rebel. That is why the Holy Bible teaches us as believers to pray for our leaders. 1st Timothy 2:1-2, “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.” God is always in charge! Psalms 47:8, “God reigneth over the heathen: God sitteth upon the throne of his holiness.”
At the same time, every rioter caught on camera, who can be proven to have looted, destroyed someone else's property, or did bodily harm to others, should be arrested, tried and punished for their crimes. I don't like any of this, but it's been coming for a long time in America. Our foolish, irresponsible and ungodly leaders (since 1963) have removed and banned the Holy Bible from children's daily lives in public schools across this nation. In doing so they pounded the nails into our coffin as a nation! Should it be surprising that youth (of all ethnicities) are behaving like shameful animals? I think not. Russian communist leader Vladimir Lenin (1870-1924) said: “The best revolutionary is a youth devoid of morals.” And so it is in the United States today in 2020! Aren't we proud of ourselves! And then we are hearing some people say that billionaire George Soros is funding the riots. I honestly have no idea folks, but I don't assume anything without proof. I am just a citizen with a computer, like anybody else. Nothing surprises me anymore! I do know one thing, Pastor Tom Malone foretold of the doom of America in 1971 because of the trend toward wickedness in our nation, and as far as I can tell in 2020, he was more right than he could ever have imagined!!!
“This whole society is rotten and Godless. The wrath of God is upon America. Mark my word: if God’s Word be true, this nation is headed for the dust.” —Pastor Tom Malone (1971)
You've got lesbian and sodomite mayors, politicians, judges and high-ranking officials across this once great nation, tempting the judgment of almighty God. Proverbs 14:34, “Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.” If you don't see the harm, sinfulness and destructive nature of homosexuality, you are a very wicked person, woefully lacking any fear of almighty God. Homosexuality is not only a mental illness, against nature, disgusting and highly offensive, it is spiritual wickedness! Sexual immorality of all forms is a choice, not inherent in one's DNA. No one is born queer! Sin is always a personal choice. We are sinners both by nature and by choice, which is why God sent His only begotten Son into the world, to save us from our sins and the consequences of them. 1st Timothy 1:15, “This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.” You cannot respect God and approve of the LGBTQ agenda! You must choose sides (James 4:4).
Jesus didn't come to save the self-righteous (those who refuse to see their homosexuality for the filthy sin that it is)—He came to save those who admit they have sinned, and who humbly come to the Savior to be forgiven and receive eternal life by faith alone in His sacrifice on the cross for their sins. Mark 2:17, “When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” Carefully notice that Jesus didn't come to save “the righteous” (that is, those who are self-righteous in their own eyes). The Savior said He came to call “sinners to repentance.” We hear a lot of junk theology today from Bible colleges, evangelists and churches, about the necessity to “be willing to turn from sins” to be saved. If that garbage were true dear friend, then why did Jesus rebuke “the righteous” (that is, the Scribes and Pharisees who had attempted to turn from their sins)? The truth is that NO ONE has ever turned from their sins. You may try to sin less, and be a better sinner than before, but you will still be a horrible guilty sinner! Only those needy sinners, who rest completely in Christ's finished work of redemption as payment for their sins, can ever be forgiven and have eternal life.
What saith the Scripture? Luke 18:11-14, “The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.” This self-righteous Pharisee had turned from his sins (at least in his own thinking), but was not justified. The truth is that NO ONE has ever turned away from all their sins. The sinful publican (i.e., a crooked tax-collector) humbly acknowledged that he was a needy sinner, and through faith alone obtained forgiveness.
Did you know that the apostle Judas
“repented” (Matthew 27:3)? It was false repentance! Judas sincerely felt
remorse for his sins (penance), which prompted him to return the 30 pieces
of silver (penitence). Yet Judas went and hung himself and is burning in
Hell forever! You don't get saved by turning from your sins (reformation)!
You don't get saved by feeling sorry for your sins (penance)! You don't get
saved by trying to right your wrongs (penitence)! You get saved by coming to
God as a needy sinner, receiving Christ's sacrifice on the cross as payment
for your sins, believing that He resurrected three days later from the dead
(1st Corinthians 15:1-4; John 19-20). That is true repentance and faith unto
salvation! Salvation is by God's grace alone, a free gift, and has nothing
to do with the lifestyle you choose to live as a believer. That is why the
apostle Paul begs the believers in Romans 12:1 to voluntarily present their
bodies to serve God. Romans 12:1, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by
the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy,
acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.” This is
discipleship, not salvation. When Jesus speaks about following Him, the Lord
is talking about becoming His disciple. This is not the gift of eternal
life, which is promised to “THEM THAT BELIEVE” (1st Corinthians 1:21).
Lift Up Thy Voice Like A Trumpet
John
the Baptist exposed sin and was murdered for it. John preached against Herod
taking his brother's wife (Herodias) for his own, which is the sin of
adultery (Mark 6:18). Herodias hated John so much that she conspired with
her daughter (and succeeded) to have John beheaded. Woe unto Herodias and
her wicked daughter! Woe unto Herod! Woe unto the wicked. John was a VOICE!
John's voice was endorsed by God as a preacher. If God approves of my
preaching, it doesn't matter if everyone in this world hates me and doesn't
like what I'm saying. One man plus God equals a majority! Psalms 118:6,
“The LORD is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?”
Every society needs a preacher who will expose sin! You won't find a perfect
preacher, but we do have a perfect Savior! Enoch pleased God. Hebrews
11:5, “By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was
not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he
had this testimony, that he pleased God.” I want to please God. I
fail oftentimes, but God knows I love Him. I get frustrated often, and I
admit I am miserable in life in constant neck pain (stenosis and
radiculopathy) and loneliness without a wife, but I have “joy unspeakable
and full of glory” (1st Peter 1:8) in knowing that my name is written in
Heaven in the Lamb's Book of Life.
I thank God that I'm a born-again Christian! I thank God that I have not been deceived by the Devil, as has been the Bob Jones University crowd concerning the Gospel. You don't need to turn from your sins, nor be willing to turn from your sins, to receive the free gift of God. The Bible says “the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23). The “wages” of sin is death, but eternal life is a “gift.” It doesn't require a theologian to figure that out, but theologians sure have corrupted the simplicity that is in Christ. The Bible is so simple. I am shocked what theologians have done to change and corrupt the inspired Word of God!
John the Baptist was not:
He was simply A VOICE!!!
Dear friend, perhaps you think you cannot do anything for God. You can be A VOICE! You can uplift Jesus Christ to a lost and sinful world that is dying! You can lift up the Lamb of God (John 1:29). The Bible says to LIFT UP THY VOICE LIKE A TRUMPET! Isaiah 58:1, “Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.” The Bible didn't say to lift up thy voice like a kazoo, or a flute, or a panpipe, BUT LIKE A TRUMPET!!! I am going to lift up my VOICE like a trumpet for the truth! This old world doesn't need a bunch of great orators or brilliant minds, it needs preaching Bible preachers! All across America dead and dried-up Bible colleges and theological seminaries have teachers reproducing more teachers, but there are no Bible preachers!!! We don't need any more theologians going to the Devil, thinking up wacky doctrines! We don't need any more deadbeat theologians, WE NEED VOICES!!!
