Antinomianism

Antinomianism is not only dangerous in robbing Christians of holiness; it also robs them of their rewards in heaven. It robs them of the fulfillment that comes from living a godly life in Christ. What can we do to help people whom we know have been ensnared by the doctrine of cheap grace?

1. The power of prayer. Antinomianism is spiritual deception. Antinomians are deeply deceived. We have to intercede for them to be freed from the spirit of error and come into the truth of God’s Word.

2. The power of love. Antinomians may be some of the most arrogant and obnoxious people you will get to meet in religious circles. They can worship God like Christians inside a church and live like sinners outside the church. Nonetheless, you have to be patient with them and keep on loving them. Love has the power to break down every barrier built around their hearts and minds.

3. The power of truth. God’s truth is absolute—it’s true for all people, at all times and in all situations. Relativism is cheap grace. God’s grace is rooted in His absolute truth. When you have prayed for them and loved them, at some point you need to take up the courage to tell them the truth. Jude spoke boldly against those who use “God’s forgiveness to allow themselves to live immoral lives” (Jude 4, NLT). Yet, by the end of his letter, Jude exhorts us to “rescue others by snatching them from the flames of judgment. There are still others to whom you need to show mercy but be careful that you aren’t contaminated by their sins” (Jude 23, NLT).

4. The power of repentance. The Bible tells us both to confess sin and to repent. Confession agrees with God that we have sinned. Cheap grace hates confession. Cheap grace wants relief from the consequences

of sin without completely turning away from sin and to Christ in holiness. Repentance
(Gr. metanoeo) means to completely turn away from sin (i.e. to quit doing what is
wrong) and to turn toward righteousness and holiness (i.e. to do what is right). Encourage those in antinomianism to experience the

cleansing, refreshing and renewing power of repentance that opens the floodgates of God’s wonderful cleansing power into their lives (read 2 Cor. 7:10).

5. The power of the Holy Spirit. Antinomians protest that it’s impossible to keep God’s ways if we abide in the moral law. Yes, in our own strength, we are weak. But by His Spirit, we have all the power and strength we need, not only to agree with what righteousness is, but to do it (read Rom. 14:17). The law convicts us of our sinful way; but God has given us the Holy Spirit to convict us of sin, to empower us to repent and change, and to renew our minds so that we will resist temptation and sin in the future. The gospel given to us is indeed a
gospel of grace. But we must never lose sight of the fact that it is also a gospel of holiness and purity. Let us remember that we ourselves have to live responsibly before God. Don’t just be hearers of the Word, but be doers of the Word. Although we are no longer bound by the legalism of ceremonial circumcision, yet God’s desire is that we may have circumcised hearts that are pure and fully devoted to Him. Decide to follow in “The Way” of holiness and become an example and witness of Christ Jesus to everyone you meet in life! HT

http://www.chc.org.sg/version3/harvesttimes/ht_24/ht_24_02d.htm

Worship what?

There was once someone who shared this:

I had problem listening to this person singing out loud and she always sits in front. Her voice is so awlful and she sings so loud. One day as I prayed to God to make her softer, the Lord rebuked me. You can worship me in your way, let her worship in her way. I enjoy her worship. The person immediately repented and bowed down.

Do we worship the song or God?

Very often when we listen to nice music, we sing well, we think we are worshipping God and He is please. Why can't we sing well when the music is not a good piece? Are we worshipping God, or the music or worst, ourselves (because we are the one who feel good)?

Taken form forum: www.guitar4Christ.com

Starbucks:Iced Caffè Mocha Espresso

Iced Caffè Mocha Espresso, milk, mocha syrup and iceRich, full-bodied Starbucks® espresso combined with our proprietary bittersweet mocha syrup, milk and ice. Topped with a cloud of whipped cream.

Try something new
Iced White Chocolate Mocha

Whipped Cream = YES Milk = WHOLE Size = Grande
Serving Size 16 fl. oz.
Amt Per Serving
Calories 350
Fat Calories 180
Total Fat (g) 20
Saturated Fat (g) 12
Cholesterol (mg) 75
Sodium (mg) 105
Total Carbohydrates (g) 37
Fiber (g) 2
Sugars (g) 27
Protein (g) 9
Vitamin A 4%
Vitamin C 2%
Calcium 25%
Iron 20%

* The nutrition information for beverages is based on Starbucks® beverage recipes. Because beverages are handcrafted, exact information may vary. Data is calculated using esha Research’s Genesis® R&D software, and rounded to meet FDA regulations. Data for vitamins and minerals refers to percentage of US recommended daily intake values.
Taken from http://www.starbucks.com/

Plans Laid for 'Country Club' Church

Reprinted with permission from Ministries Today, [ Novemer/December, 2004 ].

Copyright Strang Communications Co., USA. All rights reserved. http://www.ministriestoday.com

Plans Laid for 'Country Club' Church

An Ohio congregation purchases an operational nine-hole golf course is the site for its new facility.

Many pastors find it difficult to get golfers into church. The elders at First Christian Church (FCC) in Canton, Ohio, decided to take church to the golf course.

In September, FCC broke ground on a new 127,760-square-foot sanctuary, which will be completed in December 2006 at its new location on the Edgewood Golf Club.

So why would the 2,500-strong congregation buy a golf course?

"After walking 18 different parcels of land over many months, God continued to lead the elders of First Christian back to this property," FCC pastor John Hampton told Ministries Today.

"Growing churches seeking to expand their ministries have purchased shopping malls, industrial parks, farms, cinemas and even abandoned strip clubs. In the final analysis, God was saving, 'Why not a golf course?"'

First Christian bought the nine-hole golf course, which covers 114 acres, for $5.1 million in 2002.

"The reason we bought a lot of land is because we want to minister to a lot of people," says Hampton, 42, noting that the church currently owes less than $3 million. The church has agreed to sell its current facility to a local college.

The church's new mega-complex will consist of two buildings and include a 2,000-seat sanctuary, a 1,712-square-foot activity center, a children's worship and indoor play area, bookstore, cafe and a full commercial kitchen with a banquet seating capacity of 375.

Plans also call for a new clubhouse, an upscale driving range, practice greens and a practice bunker.

FCC is leasing the golf course to a separate entity that will oversee golf operations, although the manager of that business is a First Christian member.

Hampton, who has pastored the church for seven years, believes God can use the golf course.

"If God can use a burning bush, a donkey, a floating ax head, a jug of oil and a jar of flour, and five loaves and two fish, which all brought Him glory, then He can use a golf course," he explains.

First Christian is part of a nondenominational network of churches.