1 John 4:18 (NKJV) "There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love."

Our relationship with God is the foundation for our relationship with other people. It also creates a prism by which we view Scripture, which in turn shapes our worldview of the past, present, and future, which in turn prioritizes our lives and propels us forward in time allows each of us to fulfill our purpose here on earth. We first experienced His love for us: then we return that love as reflectors, demonstrating the love of the Father to others of His children.

I love this verse! The best way to study all of the wisdom in this single verse is to break it up, interpret it, find out what it means, and then change our lives to model it. Incidentally, this is how the Word of God does the Work of God in us. To often, we try to make God and Scripture fit our lives, when in actuality, we need to do just the opposite. That is, we need to fit our lives into what God and Scripture tells us to live by.

1.) "There is no fear in love":
2 Timothy 1:7 "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power; and of love, and of a sound mind"

There are three kinds of fear: (1) reverent fear, (2) cautionary fear, (3) the fear that comes from Satan. Reverent fear is good, it is fear of the one true God, Our Father. It is reverence for our awesome God. This kind of fear is often mentioned in the Bible in the context of man recognizing the righteousness and power of God, and that man is but a vapor. Cautionary fear is a safety mechanism placed in our lives by God to protect us from the hazards of this world. This kind of fear is good because it preserves our lives for service in Him. All of the great men of the Bible experienced this fear, and acted in respect to its warning; Joseph when he took Mary and Jesus to Egypt to escape Herod; David fled from Saul; Paul when he fled Damascus; and, Jesus when he often left the presence of the scribes and pharisees because His time had not yet come. Fear from Satan is the type of fear which Satan uses in his attempt to take control of our lives. The symptoms of this kind of fear are often panic, lack of sleep, doubting God's promises, palpitation heart, sweating, and they come like a wave that appears for the moment to overwhelm us. He tries to effect this control of our lives by convincing us that his lie of fear is stronger than the power of God's promises; truth is however, the substance of this lie is no more than that of a balloon inflated by a child - 99.9% air, and .1% spit! (Proverbs 3:25) ""Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh"
God does not give to us a spirit of fear, nor does He lie. God cannot lie, it is impossible for Him to lie (Hebrews 6:18) "that by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie..." On the other hand, Satan has no truth in him , lying is as (John 8:44) says, "...his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies". So, by the truth stated in the Word of God, we can be certain that the fear that comes from Satan has to be a lie. This kind of fear originates from Satan and therefore is Satan. In (1 John 4:16-17) it says, "And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like him." and love originates from God and therefore is God.

2.) "but perfect love casts out fear":
Matthew 8:30-32 (NIV) "Some distance from them a large herd of pigs was feeding. The demons begged Jesus, "If you drive us out, send us into the herd of pigs." He said to them, "Go!" So they came out and went into the pigs, and the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and died in the water."

We have already identified that the spirit of fear is Satan, and likewise love is God. When you take and give fear (Satan) and love (God) personal pronouns, this piece of scriptures tells us exactly how the power of God (love) casts our Satan (fear). "But God casts our fear"! That's pretty deep isn't is it! Now take this concept and apply it to the first commandment back in (Exodus 20:2-3) ""I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. "You shall have no other gods before [a] me." God has set the world up in one way, and one way only...He is on top! He is our hope. When you let "FEAR" rule your life in any amount, you have just broken the first commandment..."though shalt not have any other gods before me". We have identified Satan as fear, therefore, when you fear, you have authorized Satan to take a place before God...
Go back to the section we are studying, "but perfect love casts out fear"...God casts out Satan. Call on the name of the Lord and you will be saved...EVERY TIME! If you suffer from fear, you are suffering from an attack of Satan. Attack him back, don't give him authorization in your life to replace God in your life. The system is not set up for Satan, it is set up for God...who made the system in the first place. If you think about it, Satan is manageable, all he needs is your authorization, without it he can't work because the power of God is stronger than his lie! The power of perfect love greater than fear.

3.) "because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love."
Matthew 25:14-46 (NIV) "Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his property to them. To one he gave five talents[a] of money, to another two talents, and to another one talent, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. The man who had received the five talents went at once and put his money to work and gained five more. So also, the one with the two talents gained two more. But the man who had received the one talent went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master's money. "After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. The man who had received the five talents brought the other five. 'Master,' he said, 'you entrusted me with five talents. See, I have gained five more.' His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!' The man with the two talents also came. 'Master,' he said, 'you entrusted me with two talents; see, I have gained two more.' "His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!' Then the man who had received the one talent came. 'Master,' he said, 'I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. So I was afraid and went out and hid your talent in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.' His master replied, 'You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest. 'Take the talent from him and give it to the one who has the ten talents. For everyone who has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him. And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'

There are at least two concepts here that I would like to bring forward: fear immobilizes; and love produces. The servant in this parable was afraid to the point where he could not and did not want to do anything with what he had. In essence, he was chained, bound up, imprisoned by fear (Satan). He was tormented by his fear (Satan). However, the other servants in this parable had allowed love (God) mature them which in turn produced more, and they received what we as Christians hope to receive from our Master when we are called home, "Well done good and faithful servant".

Conclusion:
A father burst into the bathroom one morning to find his three-year-old son playing with a straight razor. Thinking he might startle the boy and cause an accident if he cried out or moved quickly, the father simply reached into his pocket and pulled out a shiny quarter. "Son", he said softly, "if you'll give Dad that razor, I'll give you this brand new quarter." Immediately, the boy surrendered the dangerous tool and reached out for his promised reward. The exchanging and rewarding role of love in the Christian life has been called "the expulsive power of a new affection." Rather than demanding that His children give up their worldly "toys" and desires, our Lord places within us an overwhelming love, making us willing to put Him first. Even fear, so common to many people in this world, must succumb to the power of His love. This section contrasts love with fear. Fear has to do with judgment. Fear shows no confidence about eternity, but love reflects on our union with God through the Saviour.

Christians whose love has matured, need not to fear of the world now or the judgment of the future. As patient foster parents slowly change an abused and frightened orphan into a trusting family member, so the Father's love to us can make us productive and confident members of the household of faith. The substitution Christ made for us - His death instead of ours, His life sacrificed in place of our sin - stands as the timeless and ultimate demonstration of what love must be. Love as a habitual order of life comes to us modeled by the Father and the Son. - Chappy

Hebrews 10:25 "not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching."

                                                                      <b>Discipline of Church</b>

Astute observers are becoming increasingly aware that Doctrine of the church has become progressively weakened and in some cases abandoned all together by American Evangelicals. Robert W. Patterson, Associate Director to the Executive Director of the National Association of Evangelicals, wrote about this back in a 1991 article for <i>Christianity Today:</i>

     <i>"When President Dwight D. Eisenhower became a Christian, he made a public profession of faith in Christ, was baptized, and was extended the right hand of fellowship at the National Presbyterian Church in Washington D.C. the second Sunday after his inauguration in 1953. Had the former President expressed interest in Christ a generation later under more consciously evangelical auspices, he might not ever been challenged to identify with the body of Christ through baptism and church membership. A personal relationship with Jesus, he would have been told, is all that really matters"</i>

Without a saving relationship with Jesus Christ, all is lost. But we must not mistakenly reason that one's relationship with Christ minimizes the importance fo His Church. Yet this is precisely what multitudes of evangelicals assume and act out.

                                                                     <b>The Doctrine of the Church</b>

 So many today need to be blasted from their delusions by an understanding of the great Doctrine of the Church. There is no text that will ignite one's soul more than Hebrews 12:22-24, which describes the seven stupendous meetings which the Christian experiences in the Church:
     
     <i>"But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel."</i>

     1.) First, we come to the city of God - "But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem".Mount Zion was the location of the Jebusite stronghold which David captured and made the religious center of his kingdom by bringing to it the golden Ark of God's presence. When Solomon built the Temple and installed the Ark, Zion/Jerusalem became synonymous with the earthly dwelling-place of God. In Christ we have come to it's heavenly counterpart, the spiritual Jerusalem from above. In one sense it is still to come, but at the same time we have already arrived there in spirit. Christians are now citizens of the heavenly city and enjoy its privileges. How much better the relationship between God and His people is under the New Covenant.
     2.) Second, as the church we meet Angels -  "and to innumerable angels in festal gathering". Moses tells us that "myriads of holy ones" attended the giving of the Law (Deuteronomy 33:2), and from Daniel we hear that "Thousands upon thousands attended him {the Ancient of Days - God}; ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him" (Daniel 7:10). David said, "The chariots of God are tens of thousands and thousands of thousands" (Psalm 68:17). In the church we come to these dizzying thousands of angels, all of whom are in joyful celebration. They were everywhere - mighty flaming spirits, "ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation." (Hebrews 1:14), passing in and out of our lives, moving around us and over us, just as they did to Jacob of old.
     3.) Third, we come to follow believers - "to the church of the first-born whose names are written in heaven". Jesus was the first-born Par Excellence, Seed Royal, and by virtue of our union with Him, we are first-born. All rights of inheritance go to the firstborn - to us, "co-heirs with Christ" (Romans 8:17). In the Church we do more than come into each others presence - we share membership together.
     4.) Fourth, we come to God - "You have come to God, the judge of all men." We come in awe because He is the Judge - but we do not com in craven dread, because His Son has borne the judgment for us. This is our highest delight - to gather before our God!
     5.) Fifth, we come to the Heavenly Church Triumphant - "to the spirit of righteous men made perfect." Though they are in Heaven, we share a solidarity with those who have gone before. The same spiritual life courses through us as through them. We share the same secrets and joys as Abraham and Moses and David and Paul.
     6.) Sixth, we have come to Jesus - "to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant." It is through Jesus that the promises come to us. He is the source and dispenser of all for which we hope. He is in us, and we are in Him.
     7.) Seventh, we come to forgiveness because of the sprinkled blood - "and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel." Abel's warm blood cried condemnation and judgment from the ground, but Christ's blood shouts that we are forgiven and have peace with God, Hallelujah!
Brothers and Sisters, the Scriptures tell us that in the Church, "you have come" to these seven realities, and if this does not create a wellspring of thanksgiving in each of your hearts and a longing for fellowship in the visible Church, nothing will!

     There are dazzling images of the Church that assault us again and again in the New Testament in an effort to raise our thinking to the proper height. As the Church, actually we are Christ's Body (Ephesians 1:22-23). He is the Head, and as members of His Body we have at the same time a profound unity, diversity, and mutuality. We are a temple (Ephesians 2:19-22). He is the cornerstone, and we are living stones (1 Peter 2:5) - forming a living place of worship. We are the bride (Ephesians 5:25-33. And Christ, our groom, loves us with a holy love which will bring us to the Marriage Feast of the Lamb. We are his sheep, and He is the nurturing shepherd ( John 10:14-16, 25-30). He is the vine, and we are the branches. We are organically in Him, drawing all our sustenance for life from Him (John 15:5).

     What should the truth that we are the Church mean to us? It should fill us with wonder and thanksgiving. We ought to sing, "I am His body, His temple, His bride, His sheep, His branch. I have come to His city - to angels - to brothers and sisters - to God Himself - to the Church glorified - to Jesus - to forgiveness through Christ's blood."
     This doctrine also tell us that the Church will outlive the world. Harry Blamires wrote:

    <i> "The world is like a great express train hurtling towards disaster - perhaps towards total destruction. And in this truly desperate situation certain passengers are running up and down the corridors announcing to each other that the Church is in great danger! The irony of it would be laughable if it were not so searing. Why, most of the Church's members have already got out at stations en route. And we ourselves shall be getting out soon anyway. And if the crash comes and the world is burnt to ashes, then the only thing that will survive the disaster will of course be the Church."</i>

     Personally, the doctrine of the Church ought to tell us that we are part of the grandest institution the universe has ever known, and that we are tragically diminished by non-participation in Christ's Body. Correspondingly, the Church is diminished by those who "preach" against participating as well. You, I and those who "preach" against the church, need church! The Scriptures are most explicit regarding this: "Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage on another - and all the more as you see the Day approaching (Hebrews 10:25).

     This straight forward exhortation should be enough in of itself. But still, there are many other powerful reasons for faithful participation in Church, not the least of which is as Cyperian wrote, "We all need a mother" to nurture our growth from babes to maturity. This has certainly been the case for me as it was the womb that kept me until that night when my Pastor, Dr. Howard F. Sugden, preached the Gospel from Luke 19: 16-31. It finally clicked at the tender age of 6 years old, that if I didn't do a thing at that moment, and something happened to cause my death, I would go to Hell and live in eternity being burned in the lake of fire. Knowing that fire hurts, I could not imagine living forever, burning. To much pain for me even just a little burn. So I gave myself to the Lord. This concept was simple for me then to understand, and is simple for me to ask others about now. "Do you know Jesus? If you were to die right here, right now, do know for sure where you would spend eternity? Would you like to know for sure right now? Then let's not waste anymore time. Follow my prayer, and pray it earnestly because your life depends on you doing so!" That's all it takes. But what happens afterward? Does the knowledge of God automatically dwell in them? Can they place the Bible to their heads and receive all truth through osmosis? Of course not! They need instruction, and it needs to systematic. That is where Church comes in. It first proclaims the truth of the Gospel, then it gives us tools to know the Gospel, in an environment (remember Christ is the head of the Church) where the new Christian can learn truth systematically from the ultimate authority...God's Word. In this ministry, I use this saying...that I learned in church by the way..."Letting God's Word do God's work in you!"  Just as raising children in Church gives them a tremendous advantage in life, so to does it with us.

     Understanding that we need the mothering of the Church, we must also understand that we will never benefit fully as we should if we are not apart of it due to a lack of commitment to it's head, Christ. Think for a moment about the Christian, what is it really about? It's about commitment, first above all else to Christ, but also to the church, to family, to marriage, to friendship, to ministry. None of these will blossom or flourish without commitment. Commitment in good times as well as bad times is what makes a marriage grow and brings the greatest fulfillment.

     Even on the most elementary level, you do not have to go to church to be a Christian. Likewise, you do not have to go home to be married either. But in both instances, if you do not, you will have a very poor relationship. Among the growth-inducing benefits of commitment to the Church are:

* Worship - having your soul swept up to God in the unique elevating power of corporate worship.
* Hearing the Word - so that your soul can feed on its proper food, bringing health to your whole being.
* Attendance at the Lord's Table - so that you are refreshed as you thank God for the atoning work of Christ.
* Discipleship - as one is committed to the Church through its ups and downs, an appropriate deepening takes  
  place which the uncommitted heart can never know.
* Vision and mission - as one remains committed, a supernatural vision for life takes hold which results in mission.

<b>The Discipline of Church</b>

    If the grand and great doctrine of the Church tells us anything, it tells us that whoever you are and however busy you may be, the Church must be at the very center of your life, Church hitchhiking is an aberration! And so is mild commitment.

    Honestly, are you a hitchhiker, kind of a "free agent", or a Lone Wolf McQuaid? Are looking for a tentative place on the roster, here for a season, there for another? If so, you will never attain to your full spiritual manhood, nor will your family reach its spiritual maturity. What we need here in Church and in this lost world is for Men and Women to practice the Discipline of Church:

<b>The Discipline of Regular Attendance</b>
     As part of this matter, you need to commit yourself to regularly attend the worship services of your church. Your schedule ought to bow to your commitment. When you travel, you ought to attempt to schedule yourself to be back for church, and if that is impossible, attend elsewhere while you are on the road.

<b>The Discipline of Membership</b>
     If you are not a church member, you  need to covenant before God to find a good church, join it, and commit yourself to supporting her and submitting to her discipline.

<b>The Discipline of Giving</b>
     Your financial support of a local church should take precedence over your parachurch commitments. This should be regular and systematic (10 percent is a good starting - point)

<b>The Discipline of Participation</b>
     Your time, talents, expertise, and creativity must be poured into your church to the glory of God.

<b>The Discipline of Love and Prayer</b>
    Timothy Dwight, heir to the Puritans and the greatest president of Yale University, pennd these beautiful words:

 <i>I love Thy Church, O God!
            her walls before Thee stand.
       Dear as the apple of Thine eye
            And graven on Thy hand
       For her my tears shall fall;
            For her my prayers ascend;
       To her my cares and toils be giv'n
            Till toils and cares shall end.</i>

<b>Food for Thought</b>
     Why is the idea of church so unpopular today? Why aren't more people interested in attending a good Church? Why are certain authors advocating a separation theology about the Church and why is this a heretical(against/contradictory to what God has taught) teaching?
     According to Hebrews 12:22-24, what spiritual treasures are found in the church? Put these in your own words, then thank God for each one of them.
     What does the image of the church as Christ's body suggest to you (Ephesians 1:22,23)? His temple (Ephesians 2:19-22)? His bride (Ephesians 5:25-33)?
     What do our attitudes toward church and toward Christ have to do with each other? If the latter is misguided, will the former do any good? Can you see how this attitude has misguided us as a country?
     Why are you tempted to do what Hebrews 10:25 says not to do? What spiritual blessings might you miss out on by staying away from christian gatherings?
     What strengths and weaknesses as you see in you church. Now write down the ways you personally are contributing to each of these, and also specific ways you can be part of changing the weaknesses.

<b><i>Application/Response</i></b>
     What did God speak to you about most specifically, most powerfully in this chapter? talk to Him about it right now!
    Men and Women of God, we need the Church because the Scriptures say we do, because we need a mother to nurture us, and bcause without commitment to her we will not grow! - Chappy

Genesis 1:26 "Then God said, 'Let us make man in our image"

I just love this verse for so many reasons. This verse has caused so many sermons and bible studies. It is one of the first verses to indicate more than one character or personality of the deity that we know as God. It also talks about how man was made in the images of each character of God. It is this aspect of today's verse that I want us to meditate on today. It's important because it is a beginning of sorts. If you have read this blog for any amount of time, you know that I let God speak through the area of marriage and how we are witnessing the breakdown of the marriage union being manifested in the breakdown of our country. In essence, this blog is about God, Family, Us, and Country in probably that order. One of the most hotly contested debates right now is in the marriage arena, and what defines the marriage union. Ever since God made woman out of Adams rib, marriage has been defined as between a man and a woman. The purpose was procreation. Everything in the terms of biology is geared towards reproduction, we are taught this in our first biology classes. So what does this have to do with today's verse, Chappy? What is the delivery system of God's image to humanity? It the same system that delivered the Savior to us...Adam's seed! Think about it. God delivered our redemption through the seed of Adam. Everything in biology is delivered by...a seed. The Lord Jesus, King of Kings, Lord of Lords...is seed Royal. Everything from intellect, to personality, to looks is delivered by a seed.

So what does that mean when people want same sex marriages? Whether they know it or not, it is an attempt to stop the production of man. If you stop the production of man, you stop the image of God being delivered! To go even deeper, on a spiritual plane, Satan is trying to stop God in as many ways as he possibly can. Satan can't reproduce. He is NOT omnipotent, nor is he omnipresent. He can't be everywhere. He needs the help from his fellow fallen angels that we call Demons...or Dark forces. The more humans that are created, the more each demon has to pay attention to. Eventually, there are too many men, and not enough demons. So Satan is trying to slow it down. He is using lies like the same sex marriage issue, the abortion issue, euthanasia issue, and more in a comprehensive effort to exterminate man, or reduce God's forces for the final battle.

The lie about not having the same rights as heterosexuals is a lie as well. They already have the same rights as you or I do. I can't marry a person of the same sex either. If I hooked up with a guy I can't have their benefits either. I don't have anything they can't have. Everything is equal. How can it be discrimination when we all have the same rights! Answer is: You are wanting in "Special Rights" that aren't afforded to everyone by creating a new class of people and that is "Discrimination".

Incidentally, the Klue Klux Klan started Planned Parenthood to control the number of African Americans born in the inner cities, look it up in there original charter...original intent.

Jessica has the same rights as Elizabeth, and the same rights as Sarah. Again, they want a "Special" designation not an "Equal" designation. They, I submit are discriminating again heterosexuals because of being heterosexual. They wish to punish you and me for living our lives the way God, Science, Nature, and the majority of Society says is right. They want to be rewarded for living contrary to Society Standards, Natural Law, Scientific Law, and the God's Law. I'm sorry, but it isn't logical, it isn't Biblical, and it isn't right. Especially if we are all equals now as human beings.

Think of it this way, whenever we operate outside God's intent, we short circuit the system He put in place. Whether you are "straight" or "Gay" or "Bi"...these are labels that man put together not God. He looks at us as either being male or female...they way He created us. When we chose to be with others of the same sex, He doesn't say it's okay because they are Gay or Bi, He says it isn't okay because I made male for female, and female for male. Why? to populate the earth...original intent. Sex is the vehicle by which that accomplishes it. Therefore, sex with members of the same gender violates the original intent of humanity because it can not produce. Therefore what is Homosexuality? Simply stated, Homosexuality is a sex act between members of the same gender and nothing else.

Wow what a statement!...why do you care what other people are doing with their lives? There is overpopulation in the world anyway. It has been stated, "God loves everyone and so should we, is the main message of the Bible about love?" The two statements contradict each other. God does loves us, each of us because he made us. We were made in His likeness and His image. He has an intent for us, it's called his will. When we live in it, we live in harmony with Him and with those who do also, because we all have a part of his DNA. But when we operate outside of His intent, or His Will, he allows us to do so, but it is with consequence. You have the right to be gay, but clearly that was not His intent for you based on the way He made you, and based on the way He constructed life, and according to what he has said through the 40 men He chose to right down His words. But by doing so, you chose not to live in harmony but in conflict. That is the result of your choice.

Discrimination? Not! We are talking about a "Sex Act". Nice try! All of these other arguments are just smoke screens to cover the truth. It's a sex act between people of the same gender. 3-5% of the population want it legalized when 95-97% of the population don't even participate in the practice at all. It violates basic laws of biology, nature, and religion. It has been accredited with the destruction of innumerable societies. It has been accredited with terrible atrocities against children. The "sex act" is banned for these and many other reasons. Read your history! Get educated! Remember, God's image and likeness lives in you and your seed! - "Chappy"

 

Religion & Society