God Has A Great Future Planned For The Nation Israel

By Pastor Bruce K. Oyen and Dr. James A Scudder

Email: bk_oyen@hotmail.com

        Those who have read the Bible many times know that much of it has to do with the nation Israel. It speaks of that nation's past, present, and future. Unfortunately, many well-meaning Christians think that the Christian Church has taken the place of Israel in God's plan. But Dr. James A. Scudder, President of Dayspring Bible College And Semminary, challenges that idea in the following brief article. It is posted here with permission. Here is a link to the college and seminary: www.dbc.edu.

Has the Church Replaced Israel?

By Dr. James A. Scudder 

As I wing my way home from our latest Israel trip, I am amazed by three things - the incredible speed of airliners, the incredible shrinkage of airline seats, and the incredible Jewish people.

Our annual tours to Israel show people a wonderful land - a land truly flowing with milk and honey; a land where modernity meets ancient history. But the land is only half of the story. It is the land of God's people. The descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob have brought us so much - the Scriptures, the Savior, and through Him, salvation.

If this is true, then why are the Jews hated so? Why have so many, from Haman to Hitler, tried to annihilate them? Why does the president of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, call the Holocaust, where 6 million Jews were exterminated like vermin, a myth? There can only be two explanations - the Jews are a unique people that God chose to use in a unique way, and there is a Devil who hates God and God's chosen people.

Israel may not be in the land today in belief, but they will one day be saved in a day (Romans 11:26; Joel 2:32). Their return to the land that God promised them unconditionally and eternally is a true miracle. Never before in history have we seen a people be dispersed to the four corners of the earth and return after 2,000 years (Ezekiel 20:34). Even Hebrew, a dead language, was revived.

Romans 9-11 clearly teaches that God is not done with Israel. There is one more week (7 years) of Daniel's prophecy of 70 weeks yet to be fulfilled. And all 70 weeks are exclusively Jewish. The Jewish people  are the apple of His eye (Zechariah 2:8). Who is stupid enough to poke God in the eye? And yet most countries in the United Nations vote against little Israel. Most church denominations even believe the Church has replaced Israel. But not me or Dayspring Bible College and Seminary. We believe there is a blessing to those who bless Israel (Genesis 12:3).

So even though the land is beautiful and the Bible sites amazing, these trips are more about showing love and solidarity with a much-maligned people. The Church is special to God. But so are the Jewish people. Has the Church replaced Israel? Not in 1,000 years. But that's another article. Shalom.  

Jesus Christ Is Coming Back Again! He Will Return!

By Pastor Bruce K. Oyen and Evangelist Robert L. Sumner

Email: bk_oyen@hotmail.com

     Christmas is a time when many Christians look back and rejoice about the time when the Lord Jesus Christ came into the world as a baby, having been miraculously conceived in the womb of the virgin Mary. He came into the world that time in fulfillment of Biblical predictions. He came into the world that time with the purpose of being put to death on a cross in payment for the sins of humanity. By his death, he provided forgiveness and salvation for all of us. These blessings and many more are given to anyone who will believe on him as Lord and Savior. 

      Yes, Jesus Christ came into the world long, long ago, and we rejoice that he did so. Some days after his resurrection for death, he returned to heaven and took his place at God the Father's right hand. But he will not stay there forever! He will return! This is a thrilling teaching of God's infallible Word, the Bible.

      Evangelist Robert L. Sumner has produced a good sermon on this subject. A link to it is given below. Dr. Sumner, now 90 years old, has spent a lifetime preaching and teaching the Word of God to both non-Christians and Christians. He also has written many books and pamphlets with them in mind. He also has long been the editor of a publication called "The Biblical Evangelist."

      Here is the link to Dr. Sumner's sermon on the Christian's blessed hope, which is the return of the Lord Jesus Christ from heaven:

http://www.biblicalevangelist.org/index.php?id=1142&issue=Volume+42%2C+Number+2

How To Come To Jesus: A Short And Simple Sermon On Salvation

By Pastor Bruce K. Oyen And Evangelist John R. Rice

Email: bk_oyen@hotmail.com

      Evangelist John R. Rice, now deceased, was greatly used by God to win many non-Christians to salvation by faith in Jesus Christ. Many of his sermons were put in print, and continue to reach others for the Lord, long after they were first preached. He also preached many sermons and wrote many books and pamphlets to help converts grow in their Christian walk. Many of them are still in print.

      What follows is a link to one of Evangelist Rice's sermons to non-Christians. It is called "How To Come To Jesus: A Short And Simple Sermon On Salvation." Here is the link:

http://www.gotothebible.com/HTML/howtocometoJesus.html

"True Christian Union, And The Devil's Countefeit"

By Pastor Bruce K. Oyen and Evangelist R. A. Torrey

Email: bk_oyen@hotmail.com

     The acceptance of all religious beliefs as equal is much in demand these days. According to many persons, it makes no difference if one is a Christian, a Hindu, a Muslim, or something else. These persons say we all worship the same God, just in different ways, and that we all are going to the same place, just taking different paths to get there.

     Among those claiming to be Christians is the popular idea that all who claim to be Christians should be accepted as such, and that different doctrinal beliefs should not get in the way of Christian fellowship and unity.

    But for those of us who believe the Bible to be the infallible Word of God, we ask a question: is that the basis for real Christian unity? Evangelist and Bible scholar, R. A. Torrey addressed this matter in his day in the early 20th century. What follows is a link to one of his sermons on the subject. It deserves careful consideration, for it gives clear Biblical guidance on this vital matter. His sermon is called "True Christian Union, And The Devil's Counterfeit." Here's the link:

http://ratorrey.webs.com/True%20Christian%20Union%20and%20the%20Devil's%20Counterfeit.htm

Confronting The Problem Of Pornography

By Pastor Bruce K. Oyen

Email: bk_oyen@hotmail.com

     Pornography has been around for a long time. But it has become a greater problem in recent years for a number of reasons, one of which is its accessibility on the internet.

     We Christians are not immune to this moral plague. Those caught up in it, whether Christians or not, need help in overcoming it, or help to avoid starting down its path of destruction. No doubt there are many programs and ministries that offer the needed help. What follows is a link to one of them that deals with the matter from a Biblical and Christian perspective. The link takes you to a news item about it on the Baptist Press website. Baptist Press is a Southern Baptist news source.

     Here's the link: http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=39752

R. G. Lee On Calvinism

By Pastor Bruce K. Oyen And Pastor David R. Brumbelow

Email: bk_oyen@hotmail.com

     Calvinism is a much-disputed topic among Christians. Perhaps its most controversial doctrine is called "limited atonement," by which Calvinists mean that Jesus Christ did not die to save everyone, but only those whom he has chosen to save. According to the few numbers of persons who become Christians compared to the general population, Calvinists must believe the Lord did not die to save very many. The odd thing is that Calvinists insist Jesus Christ died for them, specifically, even though they cannot point to one Bible verse that says he did so. They make a claim they cannot prove from the Bible. Here is an example of what I mean: Charles Spurgeon was one who believed in "limited atonement." But there is no Bible verse that says "Jesus Christ died to save Charles Spurgeon."  The only way we can prove from the Bible that he died for anyone is to cite verses that state he died for everyone. And several verses do just that. The article below refers to those verses. Because he died to save everyone, we can say he died to save us, specifically.

     Although I am not a Southern Baptist, I am aware of the fact that Calvinism is a hot topic among Southern Baptists. Some of them have documented the fact that many of their leaders have not and do not accept the doctrine of limited atonement. Southern Baptist pastor, David R. Brumbelow has done so in a recent posting on his blog spot. He gave me permission to post it on my blog spot. It is given below (in red). I think you will enoy reading other items on his blog spot. Here is a link to it: http://gulfcoastpastor.blogspot.com/

   

R. G. Lee (AD 1886-1978) was pastor of Citadel Square Baptist Church, Charleston, South Carolina, First Baptist Church, New Orleans, Louisiana, and Bellevue Baptist Church, Memphis, Tennessee (1927-1960). He served as president of the Southern Baptist Convention and authored numerous books. Lee was a conservative leader in the SBC. He was very evangelistic. Many of his sermons were published in the Sword of the Lord. I had the privilege of hearing and meeting Dr. Lee. Back in the day my preacher dad, Joe Brumbelow, called him, “The greatest living preacher.” Lee’s most famous sermon was, “Payday Someday.” 
Recently someone has referred to R. G. Lee numerous times as having been a 5-point Calvinist. I have no doubt Lee was a Calvinist, but what most would probably refer to as a Moderate Calvinist (or perhaps today a Traditionalist or a non-Calvinist, the descriptors vary). From the direct quotes below, it is obvious that Dr. R. G. Lee was not a 5-point or Strict Calvinist. Rather than Limited Atonement (Jesus died only for the elect), Dr. Lee believed Jesus died for all mankind. He could look any man in the eyes and say, Jesus died for you.

“Wonderful inclusiveness here, in the outstretched and encircling arms of the Christian Gospel - ‘to everyone.’ Nobody excluded. Everybody included.” -R. G. Lee, The Name Above Every Name, Christ for the World Publishers, Revell; 1938.

“There is no ground for boasting. The beggar who puts forth his hand and takes the gift can claim no credit. Believing is not in itself a virtuous act, a meritorious effort by which the sinner earns the favour of God. No, all boasting is excluded by the very freeness and simplicity of salvation which at the same time excludes all excuse from those who refuse or neglect it.” -R. G. Lee, The Name Above Every Name, Christ for the World Publishers, Revell; 1938.

“Just as there is universal guilt among men, so there is the universal offer of salvation from God…Repeatedly God declares that sin is universal, that no one escapes. Repeatedly, too, God declares the atonement to be universal. That does not mean that salvation is universal, for many will not be saved…God has done His part for man’s salvation, but man fails or refuses to do his part. That is the sum and substance of all excuses and objections. Man’s free and wicked will is the only barrier in the way of his salvation.” -R. G. Lee, God’s Answer to Man’s Question, Zondervan; 1962.

“Jesus died for all (2 Corinthians 5:15), gave Himself a ransom for all (1 Timothy 2:6), tasted death for every man (Hebrews 2:9), and would have all to be saved (1 Timothy 2:3,4). God put the iniquity of all on Jesus (Isaiah 53:6), wishes all to come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9), commands all men everywhere to repent (Acts 17:30), does not wish any to perish (2 Peter 3:9). God’s grace that bringeth salvation has appeared to all men (Titus 2:11). God teaches that whosoever believeth shall not perish (John 3:16).” -R. G. Lee, God’s Answer to Man’s Question, Zondervan; 1962.

On 2 Corinthians 5:21, “Meaning what? Meaning that on the cross Jesus became for you, for me, for every man, all that the holy and just God must judge that we, through faith in him, might become all that God cannot judge.” -R. G. Lee, Heart to Heart, Broadman; 1977.

“Jesus, by the sacrifice of Himself, could redeem as many fallen worlds as God has stars in His Heaven - because the infinite merit of the Son of God atones for the sins of the whole world.” -R. G. Lee, Great is the Lord, Christ for the World Publishers, Revell; 1960.

Some of my dad’s most prized possessions were his books by Dr. R. G. Lee. I would recommend any preacher, young or old, to get every book you can by Robert Greene Lee.

-David R. Brumbelow, Gulf Coast Pastor, February 17, AD 2013. 

The Great Doctrines Of The Bible

By Pastor Bruce K. Oyen and Dr. William Evans

Email: bk_oyen@hotmail.com

     If we want to live stable Christian lives that stand the tests of time, trials, temptations, and false teachings, we must be grounded in the great doctrines of the Bible. The Bible is a book of doctrine from beginning to end. As we read through it, we learn its doctrines.

     A good way to learn Bible doctrine in a short period of time is to read books that arrange the Bible's doctrines by topics, and that give Bible verses in which those doctrines are taught. One such book is by William Evans. It is called "The Great Doctrines Of The Bible." Unlike some books on Bible doctrines, this one is relatively easy to read and understand. So, if you want to discover what the Bible has to say on many subjects, click on the following link to "The Great Doctrines Of The Bible, and start reading." Here's the link: http://baptistbiblebelievers.com/LibrarybyTopics/TheGreatDoctrinesoftheBibleWilliamEvans/tabid/255/Default.aspx