Mar 12
4
The tower of Babel and God’s temple
The Tower of Babel was a temple, probably in the style of the stepped pyramids or “ziggurats”. It was a monument to man’s rebellion against God in trying to make his own way into God’s favor. We can learn something of the difference between the religions of man and the religion of God by contrasting the architecture of Babel’s Tower-Temple and the temple that God commanded the Israelites to build. The Babylonians built a Tower, a way for men to climb up to God, or at least climb part way to God. Does this not sound like the typical religions of men? Each is a way for man to exalt himself, to rise above others and get closer to God. It is man doing all he can in the hope and belief that God will make up the difference.
But notice the temple that God commanded the Israelites to build: it is not vertical, but horizontal. It does not require men to go up at all, but is a picture of God coming all the way down to where man is. In fact, God gave specific instruction on this very point in Exodus 20.26: “Do not go up to my altar on steps, lest your nakedness be exposed on it.” The priests of Israel wore a robe or tunic for their duties. If they were to build God’s altar on a high platform, such as the Tower of Babel, there was a strong likelihood that the worshippers would be able to see up their robes and their nakedness would be exposed.
Throughout the Scriptures, nakedness is a symbol for sin: to be naked was to have one’s sins exposed. Whenever we try to “climb up to God” by our own works, our nakedness – our sinfulness – is exposed. The surest way to be found out for the sinner you are is for you to try to appear righteous by your own works
Joe Terrell.
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The Necessity Of Faith Tommy Robbins
“…Without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.” Hebrews 11:6
It is not a natural attribute of man to believe God’s Word. It is impossible for man to believe in and trust God’s blessed Son whom he has never seen and does not know. It is natural and only possible for man to trust himself, which is not faith and leaves man with a false hope that will necessarily fail and in the end be his destruction. God Almighty is not pleased with those that look to themselves and ignore Christ. If we ever come to God we must come with faith in Christ alone, leaving all hope and trust in ourselves behind. Although this is impossible with man, it is possible with God. Thank God, He provides that which He requires. Salvation is of the Lord! Faith is a gift of God – “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God” Eph 2:8. Faith in Christ Jesus comes with Spiritual life in the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit. This God-given faith is not merely a mental agreement with historical facts. True faith in Christ is a living faith with heart and soul – “Whom having not seen (Jesus Christ), ye love; in Whom, though now ye see Him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory. Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls” 1Peter 1:8-9. The means whereby God gives faith is by His Word – “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God” Romans 10:17. The Word of God is the revelation of Christ in His redemptive work. His Word is only made effectual by His omnipotent Spirit. There is no pleasing God apart from faith in His Beloved Son. There is no coming to Christ without faith in Him, which is not a work of the flesh. It is rather a supernatural work of God’s free, irresistible, sovereign, loving grace shown toward otherwise helpless, hopeless, impotent, chosen sinners.
Did I say chosen? Yes, I purposely did! Eph 1:4; 2Th 2:13; 1Peter 2:9; Re 17:14.
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The Poison of False Teaching
There have been many, destroyed by poisons, given to lull them to sleep; many have been ruined by the cry of “peace, peace,” when there is no peace; hearing gentle things, when they ought to be hearing things that convict their hearts. Cleopatra’s asp was brought in a basket of flowers; and men’s ruin often lurks in fair and sweet speeches. But the Holy Spirit’s comfort is safe, and you may rest on it. Let him speak the word, and there is a reality about it; let him give the cup of consolation, and you may drink it to the bottom; for in its depths there are no residue, nothing to intoxicate or ruin; it is all safe. Charles Spurgeon.
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False faith?
by Don Fortner-
There is a false faith in which multitudes are confidently resting.
There is a false faith by which multitudes
are deceived and will perish for ever in hell.
A false faith may be greatly enlightened and
knowledgeable in gospel truth (Heb. 6:4).
A false faith excites the affections (Stony Ground Hearers).
A false faith reforms the outward life (The Pharisees).
A false faith may speak very well of Christ (The Jews).
A false faith confesses sin (Saul).
A false faith may humble itself in sackcloth and ashes (Ahab).
A false faith may repent (Esau – Judas).
A false faith may diligently perform religious works
(The Pharisees).
A false faith may be very charitable and generous (Ananias).
A false faith may tremble at the Word of God (Felix).
A false faith may experience much in religion (Heb. 6:1-4).
A false faith may enjoy great religious privileges (Lot’s wife).
A false faith may preach, perform miracles,
and cast out demons (Matt. 7:23).
A false faith may attain high office in the church (Diotrephes).
A false faith may walk with great preachers
(Demas was Paul’s companion).
A false faith may be peaceful and carnally secure
(The Five Foolish Virgins).
A false faith may even persevere and hold out until the
day of judgment (Matt. 7:22-23).
If you have the faith of God’s elect, it will bear examination.
If you do not, if you are resting in a false faith, you need to
be awakened so that you may flee to Christ in true faith.
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Saved By Faith
Luke 7:50 And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.
There are many who fancy themselves more theologically sound than Christ Himself, who cringe at the teaching of saving faith. They say things like, “faith doesn’t save, grace does,” or perhaps some even more crafty wording, fashioned to make the clear teaching of Christ better fit their preconceived doctrinal “position.” If you ever find yourself needing to qualify or alter what Christ plainly said, for fear of compromising your doctrinal position, then you need a new position. Or better yet, cease to take positions at all, and simply believe what God said. Since Christ said to a sinner, “thy faith hath saved thee,” I would be afraid NOT to say it, and teach it.
Only faith, saving faith, the faith of God’s elect, God-given faith exalts the grace of God and the God of grace. And only this faith makes salvation sure to all of God’s elect. Rom 4:16 Therefore [it is] of faith, that [it might be] by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed . . . Why should we be hesitant to say the rain makes the flowers grow? We know Who made the rain, and Who sends it and causes it to fall when and where He pleases. You could argue that it is not the rain, but the clouds that give life, because without the clouds there would be no rain. Or you could just thank God for the clouds and rain, and rejoice that He would delight to make it fall on such a worm as I. – Chris Cunningham
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The importance of public worship
The most important aspect of every believer’s life is the public worship of God in the assembly of the saints. I know that statement is contrary to the popular opinion of religious people. But is it consistent with the Word of God and the experience of God’s people? Here are five facts which demonstrate that it is.
1. GOD MEETS WITH SINNERS IN SAVING MERCY IN THE ASSEMBLY OF HIS SAINTS FOR WORSHIP (Acts 2:1, 37-41). Generally God saves his sheep in the place of public worship, where the gospel is preached. Sinners in need of mercy should seek mercy where it is always found. And mercy is always found in the house of God.
2. THE PUBLIC ASSEMBLY OF THE CHURCH IS THE GATHERING OF THE FAMILY OF GOD (Eph. 3:15). Every true local church is a family of saved sinners. And family members need each other, comfort each other, and help each other, because they love each other.
3. THE LORD JESUS CHRIST MEETS WITH HIS PEOPLE WHEN THEY ASSEMBLE IN HIS NAME (Matt. 18:20). Like Simeon of old, God’s people come together seeking Christ. And they always find him in the house of God, the assembly of those who worship him.
4. THE ASSEMBLED CONGREGATION OF THE LORD IS THE PLACE WHERE GOD DEALS WITH MEN. Each local congregation of believers is the house and temple of God (I Tim. 3:15; I Cor. 3:16-17). God reveals his will, gives out his Word, shows his glory, instructs his people, and bestows his blessings in his temple.
5. THE NEGLECT OF PUBLIC WORSHIP IS THE FIRST STEP TOWARD TOTAL APOSTACY (Heb. 10:23-31). Those who willfully neglect the assembly of God’s saints, though they may be thoroughly orthodox in doctrine, tread under foot the Son of God, count the blood of the covenant a useless thing, and despise the Spirit of grace. Their forsaking of public worship is proof that they never knew Christ (I John 2:19).
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In Spirit and Truth
“God is a Spirit, and they that worship Him, Must worship Him in Spirit and in Truth, (John 4:24).
Here are two principles of worship without which all worship of God is vain. God must be worshipped in spirit – a heart worship – as opposed to mere forms and ceremonies, going through the motions with body and lip service, etc. If the heart does not pray it, the prayer is not accepted. IF the heart does not sing it, the song is not accepted. If the heart does not believe it, it is vain to profess it. Those who worship God, must worship in spirit (Romans 10:10).
Those who worship God in spirit must also worship Him in truth. God has revealed Himself in His Word of truth as who HE is; how HE saves; by whom HE saves; the way in which any one must approach unto Him to worship. All worship that is contrary to truth is vain worship. All who worship God must worship Him in truth. Someone has said, “How astonishing is the fact, that man dares to introduce his miserable inventions to deform the scriptural simplicity of divine; as if God who makes all things perfect, had, in this most important institution, forgotten to direct the use of altars – magnificent vestment – pomp and ceremonies. When will man, with child-like simplicity, follow gospel rules?”-Bruce Crabtree