Musing – Is the Godlessness We See Today Something New?

 

Hebraic Musing – Is the Godlessness We See Today Something New?

These are the opening paragraphs from a sermon delivered years ago.  I was struck by the fact that the opening paragraphs seemed applicable to today as we are confronted by an unaccustomed level of godlessness?  Here’s what Charles Spurgeon preached in 1855!  (I used bold font to highlight key points.)

"Howbeit when he, the spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come." — John 16:13  KJV 

THIS GENERATION hath gradually, and almost imperceptibly, become to a great extent a godless generation.  One of the diseases of the present generation of mankind, is their secret but deep-seated godlessness, by which they have so far departed from the knowledge of God.  Science has discovered to us second causes; and hence, many have too much forgotten the first Great Cause, the Author of all: they have been able so far to pry into secrets, that the great axiom of the existence of a God, has been too much neglected.

Even among professing Christians, while there is a great amount of religion, there is too little godliness: there is much external formalism, but too little inward acknowledgment of God, too little living on God, living with God, and relying upon God.  Hence arises the sad fact that when you enter many of our places of worship you will certainly hear the name of God mentioned; but except in the benediction, you would scarcely know there was a Trinity.  In many places dedicated to Jehovah the name of Jesus is too often kept in the background; the Holy Spirit is almost entirely neglected; and very little is said concerning his sacred influence.  

Even religious men have become to a large degree godless in this age.  We sadly require more preaching regarding God; more preaching of those things which look not so much at the creature to be saved, as at God the Great One to be extolled.  My firm conviction is, that in proportion as we have more regard for the sacred godhead, the wondrous Trinity in Unity, shall we see a greater display of God's power, and a more glorious manifestation of his might in our churches.  May God send us a Christ-exalting, Spirit-loving ministry — men who shall proclaim God the Holy Ghost in all his offices and shall extol God the Saviour as the author and finisher of our faith, not neglecting that Great God, the Father of his people, who, before all worlds, elected us in Christ his Son, justified us through his righteousness, and will inevitably preserve us and gather us together in one, in the consummation of all things at the last great day.    …

The disciples had been instructed by Christ concerning certain elementary doctrines but Jesus did not teach his disciples more than what we should call the A B C of religion.  He gives his reasons for this in the 12th verse: "I have yet many things to say unto you, but you cannot bear them now."  His disciples were not possessors of the Spirit.  They had the Spirit so far as the work of conversion was concerned, but not as to the matters of bright illumination, profound instruction, prophecy, and inspiration.  He says, "I am now about to depart, and when I go from you I will send the Comforter unto you.  Ye cannot bear these things now howbeit, when he, the Spirit of truth is come, he will guide you into all truth."  The same promise that he made to his apostles, stands good to all his children; and in reviewing it, we shall take it as our portion and heritage, and shall not consider ourselves intruders upon the manor of the apostles, or upon their exclusive rights and prerogatives; for we conceive that Jesus says even to us, "When he, the Spirit of truth is come, he will guide you into all truth." 

I sometimes wish I had heard Charles Spurgeon (& George Whitefield) in person.

Points to ponder

Are we faced again with “Deep-seated godlessness”?

Have we been taught, or trained ourselves, to listen for guidance from the Spirit?

What truths and comforts might be available that we are missing?

Has “Science” caused us to have “forgotten the “first Great Cause”?

♫  Spirit of the living God, Fall afresh on me. Melt me, mold me, fill me, use me.… Fall afresh on me. ♫

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd                          January 26, 2021
Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith” 
“Biblical Marriage (by Yosef)”     Weekly “Hebraic Musings”

Note – From “The Holy Ghost — The Great Teacher”  Sermon (No. 50) Delivered on Sabbath Morning,
       November 18, 1855, by the Rev. C.H. Spurgeon At New Park Street Chapel, Southwark.

Musing – Are you a Member of the “Fisherman’s Fellowship”?

 

Hebraic Musing – Are you a Member of the “Fisherman’s Fellowship”?

Maybe you’ve never heard of the “Fisherman’s Fellowship”?  If so, here is the write-up about that popular club.*  Please let me know if you are a member.

Fisherman’s Fellowship – There once was a group called the “Fisherman’s Fellowship.”  They were surrounded by streams and lakes full of hungry fish.  They met regularly to discuss the call to fish, the abundance of fish, and the thrill of catching fish.  They all got excited about fishing! 

Someone suggested they needed a philosophy of fishing, so they carefully defined and redefined fishing, and the purpose of fishing.  They developed fish strategies and tactics.  Then they realized that they had been going at it backwards.  They had approached fishing from the point of view of the fisherman, and not from the point of view of the fish.  How do fish view the world?  How does the fisherman appear to the fish?  What do fish eat?  And when?  These are all good things to know.  So they began research, studies, attending conferences on fishing...   Some even traveled to faraway places to study different kinds of fish with different habits.  Some got PHD’S in fishology.  But no one had yet gone fishing. 

So a committee was formed to send out fisherman.  As prospective fishing places outnumbered fisherman, the committee needed to determine priorities.  The priority list of fishing places was posted on bulletin boards in all the fellowship halls.  But still, no one was fishing.  A survey was launched to find out why.  Most did not answer the survey, but for those who did, it was discovered that some felt called to study fish, a few to furnish fishing equipment, and several to go around encouraging fishermen.  With all the meetings, conferences, and seminars, they just simply didn’t have time to fish. 

Now Jake was a newcomer to the Fisherman’s Fellowship.  After one stirring meeting of the Fellowship, Jake went fishing.  He tried a few new things, got the hang of it, and caught a choice fish. At the next meeting he told his story and was honored for his catch, and then scheduled to speak at all the Fellowship chapters to tell how he did it.  Now, because all of the speaking invitations and  his election to the board of directors of the Fisherman’s Fellowship, Jake  no longer had time to go fishing. 

Conclusion(s):

What can we learn from this analysis of the Fisherman’s Fellowship?

Jesus said “Follow Me and I will make you fishers of men.”  Matt. 4:19 NKJV 

We can get busy and caught up in doing good and even important things, but we must not neglect the most important thing – Fishing for men.

What’s the most important commandment according to Jesus?  “Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God … The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.”   Mark 12:29-31 NIV Where is your neighbor destined to go if he/she does not accept Jesus as Lord? 

Points to ponder

Who is your neighbor?

Did Jesus want us to be active in church AND to be fishermen?

Important question “How does the fisherman appear to the fish?”

Where are the fish?  Are they hiding or ready to bite on anything appealing?

Do we have what the fish need?

Where did Jesus want us to go when he said…
“Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.” Mk16:15

Let’s go fishing.

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd                          January 19, 2021
Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith” 
“Biblical Marriage (by Yosef)”     Weekly “Hebraic Musings”

*  Source unknown

Musing - What is Our Role in the Next Great Awakening?

 Hebraic Musing - What is Our Role in the Next Great Awakening?

The world has been changing the church.  ENOUGH of that!  It is time for the Church to change the world.

We were warned by Jesus himself in Matt 24:15  15 “Therefore when you see the ‘abomination of desolation,’* spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place….”  by quoting from Daniel.  “And forces shall be mustered by him (Evil one), and they shall defile the sanctuary fortress; then they shall take away the daily sacrifices, and place there the abomination of desolation.”  Dan.11:31 NKJV

Abomination we find in this World (only a few examples):

·         Satan is controlling the nations.  “But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe,” 2 Corin.4:3-4 NKJV

·         Problems in today’s world since WWI, the war to end all wars – Abortion legalized, Family values under attack; power hungry giant companies, billionaires, politicians & illuminati, etc. ……

·         Every religion is okay, EXCEPT Christianity and Judaism!  Politicians who stand for their Judeo-Christian principals are put down and persecuted; and rules being imposed on church gatherings.

·         Education system teaching evolution theory as science, gender confusion & denial of America’s history.

·         Litany of ungodly societal issues – Promotion of Climate change (worship of Mother Earth); United Nations; Elite Rulers (“Illuminati”); Calling bad good, sin okay and wrong right; Promoting racism to encourage and stir up victimization; Controlled elections in Nicaragua, Argentina & now in America!

·         As a result, many Christian churches & pastors are afraid to speak up or deal with non-Biblical PC issues.

Historical Examples of God’s Intervention:

·         Tower of Babel was an attempt by man to create a problematic “one world government” so God intervened and created separate nations. “…LORD confused the language of all the earth; and from there the LORD scattered them abroad over the face of all the earth.” Gen.11:9

·         Persian Empire & Nebuchadnezzar pridefully controlled the known world; God intervened and Daniel wrote on the wall at Belshazzar’s drunken party.  “That very night Belshazzar, king of the Chaldeans, was slain. And Darius the Mede received the kingdom…”  Dan.2 & 5:30-31.  BTW Darius honored God!

·         Paul dealt with the Roman Empire and Caesars; God intervened!  Constantine became a Christian and made Jesus the patron of his army, so Christianity became a legal religion thereby ending persecution.

·         Nazi Germany tried to control the world, and would have but; God intervened and had His fledgling but blessed Americans get involved in WWII.  America’s productivity and “war machine” turned the tide.

America’s Awakenings:

·         First Great Awakening (~1730-1770) swept through the diverse colonies just before the Declaration of Independence.  A George Whitefield biographer said “Had … there been no great revival, there may well have been no American Revolution.”

·         Second Great Awakening (1798-1855) camp meetings girded the nation for the Civil War (1861-1865) which threatened to tear America in two.  BTW the Founding Fathers were not racist!

·         Third Awakening was 1890ish-1910ish prior to WWI and fostered social reforms & more denominations.

·         Are we ready for a Next Great Awakening?  Do we need one?  Remember, God always warns His own before He lowers the boom and judges.  Shouldn’t we be telling the Church to get ready, be ready?

Solutions & Conclusions:

·      America needs to recognize & leverage its “exceptionalism.”  (a) We only represent 4% of the world’s population, but 30% of the world’s wealth; (b) We sent out 127,000 of the world’s estimated 400,000 missionaries; (c) Military dominance; (d) Absence of feudalism; (e) Global leadership and activism; (f) Frontier spirit; (g) Mobility & welfare in a “Land of Opportunity”; (h) Checks & balances; and on & on…

·      God must hate politicians and those who claim to be Christians but support racism, socialism, pride, sinful lifestyles, abortions, financial power and a “One World Government” like Babel.  (see Gen.11:9 again)

·      Are we to be part of the problem or part of the solution? 
WE ALL need to be reaching out to a scared and hurting world with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Points to ponder

Do need to preach and pray to influence people?   (Or should we pray and preach?)

Jesus gave his final command to us for just such a time as this.
“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations...” Matt.28:19

Ezekiel was told our role in God’s Kingdom…
“Son of man, I have made you a watchman … … give them warning from Me:”  Ezek. 3:17

♫  Go, tell it on the mountain, Over the hills and everywhere. … That Jesus Christ is born! ♫

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd                          January 12, 2021
Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith” 
“Biblical Marriage (by Yosef)”     Weekly “Hebraic Musings”

Note – Inspired by & excerpted from Pastor Tom Hatley’s “A New Year for America & the World” 1/3/21

Musing – What is meant by ‘E-Generation’?

 Hebraic Musing – What is meant by ‘E-Generation’?

            Reprint of Musing dated May 22, 2012.  It is becoming even more relevant!!!

I have heard the term ‘E-generation’ bantered about and will propose three possible meanings.

1. ELECTRONIC – Today’s youth especially possess a knowledge of computers, iPads, iPods, cell phones, Roku, Wii, Play-stations, Blogging, texting, etc. that has their grandparents scratching their heads.  And those with these Electronic gadgets are so wrapped up in using, playing, texting and gaming that they are (a) oblivious to the world around them, (b) not hearing their name being called [we used to call that ‘selective hearing’] and (c) even trying to use these devices while driving!  The only Electricity understood in biblical times was lightning from Mother Nature, and sometimes attributed to Father God.  ‘Lightning’ is mentioned 46 times in the NIV and typically a form of communication from God, not Hollywood.

2. ENTERTAINMENT – Authors/developers of Hollywood productions, Apps and Video Games create captivating presentations that capture imaginations and implant powerful images in our heads by using Electronics to indelibly imprint memorable images in our brain.  They utilize graphics that were here-to-fore not available.  This encourages us to focus on the Entertainment world instead of the real world and/or the Spiritual world.  Hmmm…In biblical times one can picture the family gathered around the campfire together, without radio, TV or other entertainment media.  They were either gazing at constellations or honoring the elders of the community by listening to stories of God’s deliverance or studying/learning the Torah.  The first textbook in American education was the Bible, followed by Noah Webster’s 1828 Dictionary, which uses the Bible to put words into context.  In my book Hebraic Insights, #79 “What if you only had one book to read?”  I point out that the Bible has a variety of genres –intrigue, history, wars & battles, gore, love, self-help and education to name a few.   But they are not as juicy as the Hollywood fiction – if juicy is what floats your boat. When I was young we only had radio and its primary purpose was to keep informed of the news, and some wholesome fiction.  How much news is garnered by people today; and how can news and Education compare with the enhanced appeal of today’s Entertainment?

3. ENTITLEMENT – It seems the younger generation was born with a silver spoon in their mouths and with big government support to facilitate ‘not working’.  At the same time debt became the most marketed product since the 1970’s.  Credit cards, student loans, auto loans, 100+% home mortgages and National Debt  provide us the opportunity to live in the ‘now zone’ while we avoid the future consequences of our actions.  I hear Corporations have had to conduct indoctrination programs to get recently hired college graduates to understand that they are expected to pay their way in the company; not Entitled to a paycheck just because they live in America.  If Wall Street Occupiers spent time in other countries, they might not feel so Entitled to whatever they feel Entitled to.

So what does ‘E-generation’ mean?  Each E opens up topics, issues and reactions of its own. 

Consider this 2012 response from Jeanna, a home-schooler and a missionary extraordinaire in Honduras:
Even more important is what is NOT represented in the E-generation trends.  Unfortunately, EDUCATION is not represented on the list of “E’s” – once again a tactic to weaken this generation.  The three areas above are also eating away at the purpose we were given life – Relationship, first with God and second with others. The weakening of mankind is setting us up for the Great Awakening and ushering in His Kingdom.   
     Scary? – Yes.   Exciting? – Even more so.   Sobering? – Beyond words!    Are you AWAKE?

Points to ponder

Are the three “E’s” inter-related?

Do the three “E’s” draw us away from God and neighbor? 

Is there a way to use the three “E’s” to draw us closer to God?

Does Jeanna’s 2012 response read like a prophecy coming true?

“Greet one another with a holy kiss.”  2 Cor.13:12   (and Rom.16:16; 1Cor.16:20; 1Thes.5:26!)

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd              January 5, 2021
Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith” 
“Biblical Marriage (by Yosef)”     Weekly “Hebraic Musings”