Month: June 2014

501c3 Hypocrisy

Posted on by Kyle Fuller

Christians in  America today have become consumed by and divided over political ideology. This is unfortunate, and I would argue  “unchristian” as well. I would also argue that it reveals the hypocrisy prevalent in mainstream American “christianity.”  What do I mean? Let me explain.

The “christians” on the right lament, “The left is the antichrist!” Those on the left cry, “The right is the antichrist!” The Libertarians cry, “Both parties are the antichrist!” But they all have one thing in common. But no matter who is in charge, the “church” gladly holds on to their 501c3 and takes advantage of the tax breaks concerning tithes and offerings. The “church” claims that a government that uses tax dollars to fund birth-control goes against their religious beliefs, but then allows those same “atheistic tax dollars” to pay for their churches.  You can wrap “it” up in pretty paper, put bows and ribbons on it, but it’s still hypocrisy.

You may not agree with me, but I think the whole political system is “antichrist.” It’s time for the Church to get “out of bed” with the government, and be the bride of Christ. I believe that in the not so distant future the precious 501c3 will be taken away from any group that preaches the truth about Jesus. I believe that the gospel will be labeled as “hate speech,” and persecution/prosecution will be visited upon those who preach it. Why not throw this “yoke” off right now, and repent of the carnal allegiances that divide the body of Christ.

“Come out of her, my people,that you will not share in her sins, so that you will not receive any of her plagues;for her sins are piled up to heaven, and God has remembered her crimes.”

 

Israel, Egypt & The American Church

Posted on by Kyle Fuller

For years my heart has become increasingly burdened for the American church. I have sought the Lord, prayed and wept as I have examined my own life and the state of things in “Christian” America. I was reading Isaiah 30 this morning, and though this word was originally spoken to Israel during a time when they were looking to Egypt for deliverance from their oppressors, I truly believe it is an applicable word for the American Church today.

It is my humble and sincere prayer that God’s Spirit will speak to you as you read the following words:

“’What sorrow awaits my rebellious children,’ says the Lord. You make plans that are contrary to mine. You make alliances not directed by my Spirit, thus piling up your sins. For without consulting me, you have gone down to Egypt for help. You have put your trust in Pharaoh’s protection. You have tried to hide in his shade. But by trusting Pharaoh, you will be humiliated, and by depending on him, you will be disgraced. For though his power extends to Zoan and his officials have arrived in Hanes, all who trust in him will be ashamed. He will not help you. Instead, he will disgrace you…

“Now go and write down these words. Write them in a book. They will stand until the end of time as a witnessthat these people are stubborn rebels who refuse to pay attention to the Lord’s instructions.

“They tell the seers, ‘Stop seeing visions!’ They tell the prophets, ‘Don’t tell us what is right. Tell us nice things. Tell us lies.Forget all this gloom. Get off your narrow path. Stop telling us about your Holy One of Israel.’

“This is the reply of the Holy One of Israel: ‘Because you despise what I tell you and trust instead in oppression and lies,calamity will come upon you suddenly— like a bulging wall that bursts and falls. In an instant it will collapseand come crashing down. You will be smashed like a piece of pottery— shattered so completely that there won’t be a piece big enough to carry coals from a fireplace or a little water from the well.’

“This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says: “Only in returning to me and resting in me will you be saved. In quietness and confidence is your strength. But you would have none of it.’

“You said, ‘No, we will get our help from Egypt. They will give us swift horses for riding into battle.’ But the only swiftness you are going to see is the swiftness of your enemies chasing you!One of them will chase a thousand of you. Five of them will make all of you flee. You will be left like a lonely flagpole on a hill or a tattered banner on a distant mountaintop.

“So the Lord must wait for you to come to him so he can show you his love and compassion. For the Lord is a faithful God. Blessed are those who wait for his help.

“O people of Zion, who live in Jerusalem, you will weep no more. He will be gracious if you ask for help. He will surely respond to the sound of your cries.Though the Lord gave you adversity for food and suffering for drink, he will still be with you to teach you. You will see your teacher with your own eyes.Your own ears will hear him. Right behind you a voice will say, ‘This is the way you should go,’ whether to the right or to the left.

“Then you will destroy all your silver idols and your precious gold images.You will throw them out like filthy rags, saying to them, ‘Good riddance!’”

The Threshing Floor

Posted on by Kyle Fuller

We come now to the threshing floor, to the One whose winnowing fork is in his hand. The wind of the Spirit blows upon us, separating the wheat from the chaff.

We have sought fame and acceptance, hiding our fears behind words like: grace, mercy and tolerance. We have made idols out of denominations, doctrines and tradition. Idols without mouths and no word of the Lord upon their lips. Without hands, lest we be shaken from our slumber. Without feet, lest we be moved away from our apathy. The word of the Lord has suffered in the hands of idolatrous children who merely rise up to play, and lay down to rest.

We come now to the threshing floor, to the One whose winnowing fork is in his hand. The wind of the Spirit blows upon us, separating the wheat from the chaff.

We have planted vineyards of our own design and have become poisoned by the grapes of our own desires. “New wine, new wine.” the Spirit cries. But we harden our hearts against his voice, for we are drunk with our own beauty and our own glory. The holy vine has been strangled by the twisting vine of the world, and we resist the pruning shears of the Husbandman who would set us free.

We come now to the threshing floor, to the One whose winnowing fork is in his hand. The wind of the Spirit blows upon us, separating the wheat from the chaff.

We speak of unity and love, but view each other with suspicion. There is one bread from which we all partake and one cup of blessing from which we all drink. But we lay sick and dying for we have sinned against the Body. True communion has been sacrificed on the altar of carnal allegiances.

So now we come to the threshing floor, to the One whose winnowing fork is in his hand. As Ruth came to Boaz, we come softly and lay at your feet. You are our Redeemer. Humbly we pray that the wind of your Spirit would blow upon us, removing from our midst those things which grieve your heart. We would be wed to only you.

The REAL “Game” of Thrones

Posted on by Kyle Fuller

“Signs, signs everywhere are signs…”

It is your throne Lord that is established forever. Give us, your people, wisdom. Give us discernment that we might recognize the times in which we live. Give us hearts that burn for you! Stir us by your Spirit that we may be roused from our sleep. O Lamb of God, you are Lord of all lords and King of all kings!

“Come out, come out from her my people.” As it was in the days of Noah, Genesis 11, the plains of Shinar, Nimrod & Semiramis, Mystery Babylon, mother of prostitutes and earth’s abominations, I.S.I.S…

“One of the seven angels who had poured out the seven bowls came over and spoke to me. “Come with me,” he said, “and I will show you the judgment that is going to come on the great prostitute, who rules over many waters.  The kings of the world have committed adultery with her, and the people who belong to this world have been made drunk by the wine of her immorality.”

“So the angel took me in the Spirit into the wilderness. There I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast that had seven heads and ten horns, and blasphemies against God were written all over it.  The woman wore purple and scarlet clothing and beautiful jewelry made of gold and precious gems and pearls. In her hand she held a gold goblet full of obscenities and the impurities of her immorality.  A mysterious name was written on her forehead: “Babylon the Great, Mother of All Prostitutes and Obscenities in the World.”  I could see that she was drunk—drunk with the blood of God’s holy people who were witnesses for Jesus. I stared at her in complete amazement.

“Why are you so amazed?” the angel asked. “I will tell you the mystery of this woman and of the beast with seven heads and ten horns on which she sits.  The beast you saw was once alive but isn’t now. And yet he will soon come up out of the bottomless pit and go to eternal destruction. And the people who belong to this world, whose names were not written in the Book of Life before the world was made, will be amazed at the reappearance of this beast who had died.

“This calls for a mind with understanding: The seven heads of the beast represent the seven hills where the woman rules. They also represent seven kings.  Five kings have already fallen, the sixth now reigns, and the seventh is yet to come, but his reign will be brief.

“The scarlet beast that was, but is no longer, is the eighth king. He is like the other seven, and he, too, is headed for destruction.  The ten horns of the beast are ten kings who have not yet risen to power. They will be appointed to their kingdoms for one brief moment to reign with the beast.  They will all agree to give him their power and authority.  Together they will go to war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will defeat them because he is Lord of all lords and King of all kings. And his called and chosen and faithful ones will be with him.”

“Then the angel said to me, “The waters where the prostitute is ruling represent masses of people of every nation and language.  The scarlet beast and his ten horns all hate the prostitute. They will strip her naked, eat her flesh, and burn her remains with fire.  For God has put a plan into their minds, a plan that will carry out his purposes. They will agree to give their authority to the scarlet beast, and so the words of God will be fulfilled. And this woman you saw in your vision represents the great city that rules over the kings of the world.”

Don’t Be Surprised

Posted on by Kyle Fuller

Although Jesus was not confrontational merely for the sake of confrontation, his teaching nevertheless caused much consternation among his listeners. His mere presence stirred up strong emotion. He said at one point, “I provoke hatred because I show the world how evil its deeds really are.” The  Good Shepherd had appeared, but they said, “He is leading people astray.” To the One who cast out devils they said, “You have a demon!” Speaking of the Son of God who taught the very words of the Father, the religious leaders said, “Only foolish people who are already damned listen to this imposter.” And Jesus tells us, “If they did these things to me don’t be surprised if they do them to you.”

Jesus was (and is) reality. And when reality “shows up” mere concepts of reality are exposed for the facades they actually are.  The presence of Truth provokes, divides, loves, heals and brings liberty- all at the same time. The religious leaders of Jesus’ day said, “We know God!” Jesus’ presence exposed the reality of their situation. ” You don’t really know him.” he said. “If you did, you would recognize me .” The Truth exposed their hypocrisy, and they hated him for it. “Don’t be surprised if they do the same to you.”

We are living in a day in whlucysurpriseich authentic Christianity will put you at odds with the mainstream. Really, it always has. We in America have had it so easy for so long, and I believe we are beginning to see that the jig is up. From now on, truly following Jesus is going to cost us. We will experience increasing rejection, estrangement from “church” friends and perhaps even physical persecution in the days to come. Jesus told us that it would be this way. “Don’t be surprised if they do the same to you.”

I’ll leave you with this:

“After their release the apostles went back to their friends and reported to them what the chief priests and elders had said to them. When they heard it they raised their voices to God in united prayer and said, ‘Lord, you are God, who made heaven and earth and the sea, and all that is in them, who by the mouth of your servant David have said: ‘Why did the nations rage, and the people plot vain things? The kings of the earth took their stand, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord and against his Christ’. For truly against your holy servant Jesus whom you anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel were gathered together to do whatever your hand and your purpose determined before to be done. Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to your servants that with all boldness they may speak your word, by stretching out your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of your holy servant Jesus.’ When they had prayed their meeting-place was shaken; they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the Word of God fearlessly.”

“Jerry”

Posted on by Kyle Fuller

I had a great time of 21st century fellowship (telephone) with a dear brother last night. It’s always encouraging and not a little sobering when another brother or sister shares their heart with you, and it is similar to what you are experiencing.

While we understand that the prophets of the Bible spoke to a particular audience, in a particular historical context, their words are so often multidimensional. Look at the scriptures from the “Old Testament” that the Apostles quoted and applied to Jesus or their immediate context. They definitely did not adhere to a strict historical/grammatical biblical interpretation paradigm.

With that being said, here are some words from Jeremiah that I think we would do well to prayerfully consider:

“My heart is broken within me;
all my bones shake;
I am like a drunken man,
like a man overcome by wine,
because of the Lord
and because of his holy words.
For the land is full of adulterers;
because of the curse the land mourns,
and the pastures of the wilderness are dried up.
Their course is evil,
and their might is not right.
Both prophet and priest are ungodly;
even in my house I have found their evil,
declares the Lord.
Therefore their way shall be to them
like slippery paths in the darkness,
into which they shall be driven and fall…
In the prophets of Samaria
I saw an unsavory thing:
they prophesied by Baal
and led my people Israel astray.
But in the prophets of Jerusalem
I have seen a horrible thing:
they commit adultery and walk in lies;
they strengthen the hands of evildoers,
so that no one turns from his evil…
“Thus says the Lord of hosts: “Do not listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you, filling you with vain hopes. They speak visions of their own minds, not from the mouth of the Lord. They say continually to those who despise the word of the Lord, ‘It shofarshall be well with you’; and to everyone who stubbornly follows his own heart, they say, ‘No disaster shall come upon you.’”

” For who among them has stood in the council of the Lord
to see and to hear his word,
or who has paid attention to his word and listened?
Behold, the storm of the Lord!
Wrath has gone forth,
a whirling tempest;
it will burst upon the head of the wicked.
The anger of the Lord will not turn back
until he has executed and accomplished
the intents of his heart.
In the LATTER DAYS [emphasis mine] you will understand it clearly…

“I did not send the prophets,
yet they ran;
I did not speak to them,
yet they prophesied.
But if they had stood in my council,
then they would have proclaimed my words to my people,
and they would have turned them from their evil way,
and from the evil of their deeds…
““Am I a God at hand, declares the Lord, and not a God far away? Can a man hide himself in secret places so that I cannot see him? declares the Lord. Do I not fill heaven and earth? declares the Lord. I have heard what the prophets have said who prophesy lies in my name, saying, ‘I have dreamed, I have dreamed!’ How long shall there be lies in the heart of the prophets who prophesy lies, and who prophesy the deceit of their own heart, who think to make my people forget my name by their dreams that they tell one another, even as their fathers forgot my name for Baal? Let the prophet who has a dream tell the dream, but let him who has my word speak my word faithfully. What has straw in common with wheat? declares the Lord. Is not my word like fire, declares the Lord, and like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces? Therefore, behold, I am against the prophets, declares the Lord, who steal my words from one another. Behold, I am against the prophets, declares the Lord, who use their tongues and declare, ‘declares the Lord.’ Behold, I am against those who prophesy lying dreams, declares the Lord, and who tell them and lead my people astray by their lies and their recklessness, when I did not send them or charge them. So they do not profit this people at all, declares the Lord.

“Then I said: “Ah, Lord God, behold, the prophets say to them, ‘You shall not see the sword, nor shall you have famine, but I will give you assured peace in this place.’” And the Lord said to me: “The prophets are prophesying lies in my name. I did not send them, nor did I command them or speak to them. They are prophesying to you a lying vision, worthless divination, and the deceit of their own minds.”

Revival

Posted on by Kyle Fuller

Lately, I’ve been thinking about revival . Interestingly enough, I read a post on Face Book the other day about just that. The author said that he believed that the reason the “church” isn’t seeing revival today is because of a lack of unity. Others I have talked with have their own views on the subject as well. While I am respectful of the opinions of others, I find that my own take on the subject of revival is quite different from those with whom I have spoken. You see, I believe massive revival is happening right now, here in America and across the globe. The trouble is that it doesn’t look like what most folks think it should.

I believe there are striking similarities between 1st century Judaism and the religious system(s) of modern day “Christianity.” One of the largest, and perhaps most obvious has to do with expectation. Jesus was not the Messiah that the majority of people of his day had come to expect. And likewise, he is not “behaving” in the manner that many believe he should today. Consequently, revival runs contrary to the expectations of many in the “church.” Centuries of Jewish tradition had integrated itself with the true worship of YHWH, and as a result, the vast majority failed to recognize the appearance of Messiah. In like manner, centuries of religious tradition within the “church” have blinded many to the move of God’s Spirit today, i.e., revival.

Biblically, revival is defined as : Rawge's Cross Revival Photographlive again, recover life, to be restored to a correct life, regain strength and vigor, be restored to life or health, to cause to grow. And this is happening in the lives of God’s people right now.  Countless are those who are crying out to the Lord, falling in love with Jesus like never before, seeing the body of Christ in a “new” way, desiring to be increasingly filled with his Spirit, and saying, “I consider it all loss that I may know Him!” They are considering anew what it means that they are in Christ even as He is in them. They are experiencing revival! Where it becomes “problematic” is that as the Church is experiencing revival, she more often than not finds herself at odds with the “church.”

Just as Jesus turned the religious world of his day upside down, revival within God’s people is having the same effect upon the religious system(s) of today. Jesus challenged his listeners to separate themselves from the accepted religious norm, and to begin worshiping God in spirit and  truth. And so it is with the revival in the Church today. Perhaps we are not seeing disunity in the “church” as much as we are a separation. We would do well to remember that while Jesus  may not revive systems, he is definitely reviving his people.

Allow me to leave you with the following pericope; I believe there is a correlation:

“Then Pharisees and scribes came to Jesus from Jerusalem and said, ‘Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat.’ He answered them, ‘And why do you break the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition? For God commanded, ‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and, ‘Whoever reviles father or mother must surely die.’ But you say, ‘If anyone tells his father or his mother, ‘What you would have gained from me is given to God,’ he need not honor his father.’ So for the sake of your tradition you have made void the word of God. You hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy of you, when he said:

 ‘This people honors me with their lips,
    but their heart is far from me;
 in vain do they worship me,
    teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’

And he called the people to him and said to them, ‘Hear and understand: it is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth; this defiles a person.’ Then the disciples came and said to him, ‘Do you know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this saying?’ He answered, ‘Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be rooted up.’ “


10 Things You Need To Know To Navigate Your Way In Today’s Culture

Posted on by Kyle Fuller

I say old boy, allow me to break it down for you as they say:
1) It’s okay to be a spiritual person as long as you don’t mention Jesus.
2) Anything you believe that I don’t is by definition stupid.
3) I’m all about tolerance and inclusion as long as you agree with me.
4) Hate speech is anything you snobsay that I don’t agree with.
5) I am absolutely positive that there are no absolutes.
6) One thing I know for sure is that you can’t really say that you know anything for sure.
7) Anytime you try and tell me about what’s right and wrong you’re being arrogant and judgmental.
8)Anytime I tell you that you’re being arrogant and judgmental, well, that’s okay.
9) Just because something growing inside of a woman has a heart, developing fingers and toes, eyes, ears stomach jaws, liver, and intestines doesn’t mean it’s a human being.
10) There is no such thing as God and I hate him.

Another Long-winded Rant About God and Church and Stuff

Posted on by Kyle Fuller

long winded GOThronesWhy do you go to “church”? That building, that home group, the coffee shop fellowship, wherever you go- why do you go? Now let me ask you this. Do your reasons for going have anything at all to do with anything other than yourself? Sadly, one of the things we have done is make our relationship with God mostly a personal experience. No doubt, we have turned inward. Our songs, our “worship,” our whole life in Christ; you name it- it’s usually centered on “me.” I think this has a lot to do with our concept of God. In particular, the doctrine of the Trinity.

For the most part, we give a mere head-nod to the Trinity. In our “belief statements” we acknowledge that God is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and that’s about it. I have begun to think that maybe we descendants of the Reformers have been more than a bit deprived. Most of us have never heard of Gregory Palamas, Basil of Caesarea, Gregory Nazianzus, Gregory of Nyssa, John of Damascus, or Athanasius. Anyway, it’s interesting to look back through history and see where the Eastern and Western church fathers kind of went their separate ways, and how we came to be where we are today.

The “brand of Christianity” we practice here in the West comes largely from the teachings of Augustine. As this is not intended to be a lesson in Church History, I’ll leave it to you to study and see if what I’m saying is accurate. But put VERY, VERY, VERY (you get the idea.) SIMPLY, it goes kind of like this: Augustine was greatly influenced by Plato, and the Reformers were GREATLY influenced by Augustine and we are a product of the Reformers. As a result, the Christianity that has been passed down to us has evolved into an inward, individualistic experience, having little to do with the way God has revealed himself in scripture as a Triune being. And, this has direct implications upon the way we understand salvation and the
way we see each other.

Growing up here in the “buckle” of the bible-belt, I was taught that I needed to accept Jesus into my heart as my personal Savior. If I did that, I’d be spared hell, and would get a mansion somewhere on the streets of Gold. I was never told that I had been invited ‘by’ God to participate ‘in’ the very life, the very communion of the Trinity. My salvation was about ME. “Me and Jesus got our own thing goin’.” We didn’t spend too much time on verses like:

“… that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.” (John 17:21-23)

Or

“For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body.” (I Corinthians 12:13)

Can you see the connection? If we have no concept of salvation as an invitation by the Father, in Jesus, through the Spirit, to partake in the very life of the Triune God it’s hard for us to understand how necessary we are to each other. When we reflect on the Triune nature of God it begins to make more sense as to how our salvation, our relationships together in the body of Christ ought to reflect the very communion of the Trinity.

So many go to “church” because: “I need to get fed.” or “I want to get my praise on.” We come, we sit, we “pick up the remote control,” and if the praise team doesn’t sing “my” favorite songs, or if “my” favorite preacher isn’t preaching, I simply press the “mute button,” or maybe even just” turn the channel.” We forget that Paul tells us,

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you [ the “you” is plural in the Greek ] richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.” (Colossians 3:16)

And again,

Ephesians 5, “And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart.”

We are to be in communion with each other, and as Jesus speaks his words into our lives, we are to teach each other. As a result, we are continuously being filled with the Spirit. Can’t you see how this reflects the very Triune nature of God? Doesn’t it make sense for God who has enjoyed communion, love, and “WORSHIP” in himself for all eternity (in a way we can’t completely describe or understand) to design our salvation experience to be that which “mirrors” himself? It is as we are in relationship with each other, mutually submitting, clothed in humility, putting others before ourselves that we more closely resemble Him who is three in one.

We may come to Christ as individuals, but we live in Christ as his body, members of one another.When we grasp the reality of how our salvation and life together in the body of Christ reflects the very Triune nature of God, we will stop being mere religious spectators. When we realize that through faith in Jesus we are made participants in the communion of the Trinity, we will begin to view each other as we should, and understand how we are indeed one body, each a living stone being built up as a dwelling place for God, in the Spirit.

“You Search The Scriptures, But…”

Posted on by Kyle Fuller

When I think of the Bible, Bible study, theological studies, etc…, at the forefront of my mind are the words of Jesus when he said, “You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me, yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life. ” All the study in the world means nothing without intimacy with Jesus . As I think about the years I spent earning a BA in Biblical Studies/Theology, pouring over biblical languages and so on, those same words echo in my heart. “You search the scriptures, but…”

I’m going to say something that may sound strange and even offensive, but I believe it needs to be said, and it is this: The Bible is not God. The scriptures are not an end unto themselves, but rather the words of God which are to lead us into abiding intimacy with the Word of God- Jesus. Think about it, the religious leaders of Jesus’ day had memorized (memorized!!) vast portions of scripture. They could quote it backwards and forwards, yet Jesus told them, “You have missed it all together!” Why had they missed it? Because knowledge without relationship is only religiolonging 2n.

Today, the word theology is taboo among many, and honestly, I can understand why. But really, all theology is is studying about God. What’s more, Jesus promised us that we would receive the Holy Spirit who would teach us what? Theology. (Nice observation Mike.) Our problem is that we have made theology a systematized, academic pursuit, and divorced it from the very thing it is to promote- relationship. “You search the scriptures, but…”

We’ve recently read the book of 1 John together, and one of the first things I noticed was John’s emphasis on the fact that true spiritual substance is inextricably linked to relationship. “You search the scriptures, but…”  I’ll leave you with this:

“That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us. We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.”