Musing - Does the Church have Biblical Discernment?

 Hebraic Musing - Does the Church have Biblical Discernment?

What is “discernment”?  Charles Spurgeon says “Discernment is not knowing the difference between right and wrong.  It is knowing the difference between right and almost right.”  How does that apply to our Biblical Worldview?  Our worldview is like a lens that we see everything through.  How do you view Morality, Politics, Society and Social issues?  Research shows that even committed Christians struggle with application since an overwhelming majority of U.S. adults lack Biblical basics; they don’t even know their Bible!  Ouch!

According to Barna’s study 65-80% of U.S. adults claim to be Christian, but only 4-7% hold a Complete Worldview defined as Biblical Authority, Absolute Truth, God’s Nature, Human Sinfulness, Salvation, Life’s Purpose, and Biblical Obedience.  Alarmingly, only 1-2% of those younger than 25 years old hold a Complete Worldview according to Barna!

Where does this begin?  Of the senior pastors in the U.S. only 37-41% have a complete Biblical Worldview according to Barna!  The rest hold to a form of syncretism blending Biblical theism with fragmented secular subjective ideas.  Jesus contended with this.  “You know how to discern the face of the sky, but you cannot discern the signs of the times.” Matthew 16:3   And 98% of the pulpits are not preaching about the 2^nd coming.  Most Christians now have a version of “Replacement Theology” and distance themselves from Israel’s role.

Were these days expected?  “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.” 2 Timothy 4:3-4 NKJV

Would Jesus claim that we have become lukewarm like the Laodicean Church in Revelation 3:14-22?   “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot.  I could wish you were cold or hot.  So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.  Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked— I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see.  As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent.  Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.  To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.  He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”  NKJV   Read that again; does that sound like today’s church?

We had a similar warning from John MacArhur. “There is no one further from the truth that the one who makes an idle profession but never experiences genuine saving faith.  No one is harder to reach for Christ than a false Christian.”

In contrast, we look ahead to our heavenly inheritance as Peter advised us.  “In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials,  that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, “ 1 Peter 1:6-7 NKJV    And “So too, at the present time there is a remnant chosen by grace.” Romans 11:5    Might this refer to our role?  What are we to be doing?   “in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth,” 2 Timothy 2:25

Here’s a “Baptism Questionnaire” from a church in South Asia.  How would our congregations answer?
  - Are you willing to lose your job?
  - Are you willing to go to the village of those who persecute you, forgive them, and share God’s love?
  - Are you willing to be beaten rather that deny your faith?
  - Are you willing to go to prison?
  - Are you willing to die for Jesus?

In Summary –   Remember James’ words. “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” James 1.27 NIV     So: “… do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” Romans 12:2 NKJV

Points to ponder

Are today’s churches Hot, Lukewarm or Cold?   Your church?   You?

What are we to do when the Worldview is promoted in our church(es)?

Should we evangelize even those who claim to be a Christian?

Has the time come when “they will not endure sound doctrine”?  2 Tim.4:3

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd              June 16, 2026 

Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith” 
“Biblical Marriage (by Yosef)”     Weekly “Hebraic Musings”

Note – Recap of Pastor Jason Buss’ message on May 31, 2026 at Immanuel Baptist Church

 

Musing – What is Church? How important is Fellowship?

 Hebraic Musing – What is Church?  How important is Fellowship?

A friend shared his Sunday’s “Church” experience in His 2,000-member Fellowship.  He always sits in same section and therefore knows the folks in that section because of the traditional “meet & greet” time during the service.  Is that what “Church” is about?  What is “Church”?  What’s the purpose of “Church”?  Why do we go to “Church”?

In Christian doctrine, the “Church” is the Christian religious community as a whole, or a body, or an organization of Christian believers.   It is people assembled for a religious purpose such as hearing the Law or fellowshipping:  “Then the LORD delivered to me two tablets of stone written with the finger of God, and on them were all the words which the LORD had spoken to you on the mountain from the midst of the fire in the day of the assembly.”  Deuteronomy 9:10 NKJV   In the New Testament the word “Church” is used in reference to the entire body of believing Christians throughout the world.  “I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church…”  Matthew 16:18.   

And what is the purpose of a “Church”, or of “Fellowship”, especially when it is part of the church’s name? 

·      Building Community & Partnership:  In the very beginning, God said, “It is not good that man should be alone.” Genesis 2:18 NKJV   Known as koinonia, fellowship is more than socializing; it is a partnership where believers share life together, accountable to one another.  It helps members grow in their faith, offering a sense of belonging that confirms they are not alone.

·      Mutual Encouragement and Support:  Fellowship allows Christians to bear one another's burdens, offering comfort and encouragement through both happy and difficult times.  It is a means of grace that prevents believers from feeling isolated and helps sharpen one another spiritually.

·      Growing in Faith and Truth:  Regular, intentional interaction helps Christians grow with believers learning from each other and holding one another accountable to live in accordance with God’s word.

·      Glorifying God Together:  A major purpose of fellowship is to unite in worship and mission, showcasing God's love to the world through a united community.  Example - “Now when they had come and gathered the church together, they reported all that God had done with them, and that He had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles.” Acts 14:22

·      Using Spiritual Gifts:  The fellowship provides the environment for members to exercise their spiritual gifts to serve each other, rather than acting independently.

In other words, the purpose of fellowship in the church is to foster deep, accountable, purposeful, and mutually beneficial relationships among believers, rooted in their shared union with Christ.  It serves to encourage spiritual growth, provide support during life’s challenges, and build up the community through shared faith, prayer and study.

It’s interesting that the word ”Church” is mentioned almost 100 times in the NT; and “Synagogue” is mentioned over 40 times in the NT; but neither is mentioned in the OT!?!? 

A road sign entering Bella Vista reads “The Churches of Bella Vista Welcome You”.  Shouldn’t that sign say “The Church of Bella Vista Welcomes You”?

Points to ponder

How well does your “Church” fulfil all the above purposes?   What’s your role?

Why do we call our fellowship a “Church”, not recognizing the Christian Community as a whole?

How much “accountability” do we have in our traditional “churches”?   Or in your church?

What us the purpose of “Church”?  Why do we go to church?

I wonder if we could convert the whole world if all the “Churches” worked together in unity?

“And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church,” Ephesians 1:22

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd              June 9, 2026   

Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith” 
“Biblical Marriage (by Yosef)”     Weekly “Hebraic Musings”

Musing – How Well do We Understand the Far Left Agenda?

 Hebraic Musing – How Well do We Understand the Far Left Agenda?

Pastor Emeritus, Erwin Lutzer, of Moody Church in Chicago has declared on behalf of us Christians that “We Will Not Be Silenced; Responding Courageously to Our Culture’s Assault on Christianity.”*  His book is said by me and by others to be a must read for all Christians. “Why do the nations rage, And the people plot a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, And the rulers take counsel together, Against the LORD and against His Anointed, saying, ‘Let us break Their bonds in pieces And cast away Their cords from us.’” Psalm 2:1-3  NKJV   Lutzer’s book expounds on the forces that seek to dismantle the core values that built up America.  Let me tease you with chapter headings, introductions and a few of my salient snippets from the book.

Rewrite the Past to Control the Future - The strategies being used to delegitimize our Judeo-Christian past to make way for a wholly secular and Godless society.   What’s happening?  Destruction of History by burning books, toppling statues to delegitimize the Founding Fathers and our America’s Judeo-Christian heritage.  After History is erased, then erase the constitution and Judeo-Christian heritage.  “If a person loses his memory, he does not know who he is.  When a nation loses its history, it becomes whatever people say it is. Based on the loudest and angriest voices.”  BTW – Notice how our NT gets meaning from the history in the OT.

Use Diversity to Divide and Destroy - How harmful cultural ideologies are keeping races in perpetual, endless conflict.   Using Diversity with Victimology to Divide Races, Genders, White Privilege, etc.  In contrast, 1 John 17:22 says “…they may be one just as We are one.”  Victimization justifies Government dependency, providing “free” stuff for the “victims.”  But Prov. 14:23 says “In all labor there is profit,…”  NKJV

Critical Role of Families in Our National Struggles - Biblical Marriage** What percentage of school children go home to both original parents!?!?  Ask school teachers that question. (I suspect it’s only about 10% !?!?)

Freedom of Speech for Me, but Not for Thee - The growing trend to stifle and shame those who uphold conservative or Christian worldviews, And Using Slogans to Mask Evil.  So they twist definitions to sell their agenda as a Civil Right or as Love and/or Compassion by using Gaslighting to change Language to lower Crime Rates.  At first the Left applauded free speech; now it is deemed unfair, unjust and insensitive.  Ok for some groups, but not others.  Free speech for Christians is criminalized or shamed or mocked!  Defund the Police.  And calls from BLM to destroy images of Christ and deface houses of worship… (p.63)

Sell the Noble Cause - How propaganda is used to shape a population’s perception of reality so they will not change their minds even when confronted by compelling counterevidence.  The Importance of Climate Change.       “They” believe the earth cannot support more than about a billion people (not the 7 billion we have now), so abortion & euthanasia are needed.  Under the banners of compassion and justice, “Equality” is the banner for Same-sex Marriage and Economic Socialism.  The Focus is now on “Individual rights” instead of “love your neighbor.”  All these issues are not to help the poor, but to organize for power.  Social Justice, Critical Race Theory & Intersectionality stress inequality and assign blame and victimhood.  Their focus is on matters of diversity – gender identity, race, sexuality, ethnicity, class, etc. and ends with controversy about “White Guilt.”  BTW - Theirs is not a method to make people both free and equal.   “The Church is a Toxic Culture.”  The tone of “social justice” and CRT make it difficult to have Biblical discussions about race and gender.

Sexualize Children - How school curricula and popular culture are leading our children into sexual confusion and warped ideas of personal identity.  The Corrupting Influence of Our Public Schools.  Christian Colleges Submit to LGBTQ Values.  The Demonic Nature of What’s Happening in the Transgender Phenomenon.  Explicit curriculums subtly promote the LGBTQ agenda.  Thus, the Destruction of the nuclear Biblical family.**   Promotion and legalization of drug use and pornography.

Capitalism is the Disease; Socialism is the Cure - Why socialism is initially attractive yet ultimately leads to failure, and how capitalism can create wealth that furthers Christian work everywhere.   Capitalism is blamed for evil in society, charged with greed, materialism, selfishness, etc.; all leading to financial inequality.   BTW - Is Karl Marx still ruling from the grave?

Join radical Islam to destroy America - Why and how two very different worldviews are willing to set aside their differences to eradicate Christianity and capitalism.   

Vilify! Vilify! Vilify! - How disagreements today are no longer resolved with mutual respect and civility, but through shaming and outrageous denunciations.   “An educated citizenry is a vital requisite for our survival as a free people.” – Thomas Jefferson.

Wake Up!  Strengthen What Remains! - Jesus, speaking to a New Testament church, gives a warning that applies directly to us today, and His assessment is the only one that matters.   “Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before God.  Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent.”  Revelation 3:2-3   Was Jesus speaking to us?

Points to ponder

Is Jesus our Lord, or has the world become our lord?  Whose judgement matters?

Can the Culture be Reclaimed without reclaiming the CHURCH?

How are we to protect Family, Friends and Ourselves from brainwashing?

“The kings of the earth set themselves, And the rulers take counsel together, Against the LORD…” Ps.2:2 NIV

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd                          June 2, 2026    (Modified reprint of June 8, 2021 Musing)

Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith”
“Biblical Marriage (by Yosef)”  Weekly “Hebraic Musings”      Insightsbyyosef.blogspot.com/

* Inspired by “We Will Not Be Silenced” by Erwin Lutzer, Pastor Emeritous of The Moody Church in Chicago.

** Recommended reading - “Biblical Marriage” by Yosef (Amazon search – “Biblical Marriage Yosef”)