News & Views, October 2000 - Edited By E. L. Bynum

The Business of the Churches - By E. L. Bynum

Seeking Egypt's Help - By Bill Mosley

Baptists - By C. H. Spurgeon

A Bitter Experience - By Pastor Thomas E. Corkish

Religious Entertainment - Pastor Cameron, Parade of Miracles

Words of Warning - by Alexander Tyler

The Charter for Global Democracy - by Dr. Stanley Monteith

We believe that the Baptists are the original Christians. We did not commence our existence at the Reformation, we were reformers before Luther or Calvin were born; we never came from the Church of Rome, for we were never in it, but we have an unbroken line up to the Apostles themselves. We have always existed from the very days of Christ, and our principles, sometimes veiled and forgotten, like a river which may travel underground for a little season, have always had honest and holy adherents. Persecuted alike by Romanists and Protestants of almost every sect, yet there has never existed a government holding Baptist principles which persecuted others; nor, I believe, any body of Baptists ever held it to be right to put the consciences of others under the control of man. We have ever been ready to suffer, as our martyrologies will prove, but we are not ready to accept any help from the State, to prostitute the purity of the Bride of Christ to any alliance with Government, and we will never make the Church, although the Queen, the despot over the consciences of men.

Bitterness that characterizes many individuals we meet along the way is described as being something that is extremely distasteful to the mind. It seems to be accompanied by severe pain or anguish of the mind. This pain can be irrepressible, impassioned and aggressive. It can be slight or it can be totally out of control. In some, it will last a lifetime and can even bring the individual to the place of complete mental and physical collapse. It is less obvious in others, and with equal circumstances, these seem to be able to "roll with the punches" with a good measure of constraint. It would be better to deal with the problem than to merely contain it.

Individuals who are constrained by such a state of bitterness can be cruel, resentful, biting, harsh and full of complaints. It is a devastating malady that must be dealt with early on, or it gets settled in the soul of the man and may never go away. "It indicates deep, virulent, implacable resentment and hate." - Webster.

We don't need to have a psychiatrist's degree in order to see that such a miserable state to the soul does exist, all too often. We find people, even Christians, who are totally overpowered by resentment in one form or another. There are many who express their pain in numerous forms that are socially acceptable, while others are absolutely out of hand and intolerable for all those around them.

When bitterness is evident and identified, anyone "in their right mind," should be ably aware that this is the kind of emotional state that breaks up homes; and ruins lives. It is that "devil" that destroys friendships; jobs, and even churches. It makes people ineffective anywhere it travels. It gives and receives hatred without any check. It vents terrible dark and foreboding feelings that are way down deep in the soul of the individual. It is a terrible thing, and who can live with it? It is the stuff that murders and suicides are made of. It is 100% anti-Christian.

Few of us would be willing to admit that we have such a thing living within us, our families, or our churches. We just reject the thought as being absolutely absurd. We resent such a suggestion. It angers us even to have it brought up to us. We might even go so far as to be cruel to the offender, showing him that we know how to be biting, harsh and frank. In fact, we won't even flinch at being a little aggressive about it. See any symptoms of this tragic characteristic?

Not everyone who lives under the domination of this "devil" should go on with it for a lifetime. It is common to seek some drug (legitimate or illegitimate) to cover the symptoms of such a "master." Covering up the symptoms is all too common and some become adapt at doing this to "keep the lid on." Inside, however, they could be a cannon ready to go off at any time.

I don't believe the Lord intended that we should live under such conditions as Christians. He has given us the tools necessary to give us a new beginning in what is going on in our innermost being. His word is able to transform lives supernaturally if we will consume it and let it do its work in our lives. Look at its effectiveness in Hebrews 4:12:

For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

All Christians need to put this "sword" to the test. Let it be the thing that roots out the good and the bad that exists in every one of our "souls and spirits." Let it get into those unseen portions of our lives and let it be the discerner of everything that goes through our minds. Let every thought be under the "scalpel." Let each one of the proposals that we intend with the seat of our emotions be under God's careful scrutiny so as to allow Him to work those deep-seated resentments we have lived with all our lives.

The word of God is a tremendous device, wielded by the Holy Spirit of God, to give us the very best mental and emotional health and well being.:

John 8:6 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

2 Cor 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

In describing the depraved nature of man, the Apostle Paul writes in Romans 3:10-17

As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips: Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness: Their feet are swift to shed blood: Destruction and misery are in their ways: And the way of peace have they not known:

The Bible remedy for the depraved nature is first of all to be saved by receiving Christ as your only Saviour and hope for dealing with your old wicked nature. Knowing the "way of peace," is knowing Christ and following him. He is our Peace! Without Him there is none.

There is a responsibility of the Christian if he is to have his bitterness washed away. It sounds from various portions of the Word that we are to just do something about it ourselves. Paul gave marital advice on the subject by talking with, husbands in Col. 3:19

Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them

It seems that God considers Christians responsible not to be bitter. I believe He will give every indication and tool to gain the victory, if His people will listen and submit. There really can be a "peace that passeth understanding," and if the distressed are to resist Him, they will go on in their bitterness. Bitterness is not the expected way for Christians to manage circumstances of life.

Then one last thought. There may be other reasons that make a person appear "bitter." They can be more complicated than "tight shoes." Physical imbalances and other unknown problems can "drive a person up the wall." If a Christian recognized bitterness in his soul and wanted to do something about it, I would suggest reading the Bible more intently with the idea of absolute submission. He should get things right with those around him. Old offenses need to be addressed. Hurts that he can write on a sheet of paper should be examined and confessed before God. If he will do this or has done it and bitterness is still in his soul, I would suggest godly counsel with a godly pastor to see if there is any recognizable spiritual problem that is causing the bitterness, and if this "demon" still has a hold on the individual, I would suggest a good physical exam to see if there is something there that has control of him.

There are some recognizable stimuli that feed bitterness: namely pride, known sin, rock music, country-western "love" music, demon obsession, evil books, radio or television programs, hate movies and wrong friends. Check it out! There is a good and better way to live in Christ. AMEN!

Heb 12:15 Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled.

Sunday October 8th was a big day at Second Baptist Church, Lubbock, TX. More than a full page was given to this meeting in the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal Oct. 7th. Second Baptist Church is the most liberal Baptist Church in town. The headline in the LAJ read, "EARTH'S CARETAKERS, Humanity has sacred obligations to be stewards of creation." It is extremely doubtful that any of the people leading this conference actually believe the Biblical account of creation, as recorded in the book of Genesis. They most likely believe in evolution or theistic evolution, which are equally heretical and dangerous. Evolutionists, liberals, and unbelievers speak of the creation, when it is convenient, even though they do no believe in it.

This unscriptural meeting was addressed by Rev. Terri Morgan (woman preacher) who is coordinator for special projects with the Christian Life Commission of the Baptist General Convention of Texas and president of Partnership for the Environment, a partner of the National Evangelical Environmental Network.

On Sunday Morning, Charles Foster Johnson, pastor of Second Baptist spoke on "Celebrating the Stewards of the Land: Sustaining Creation in the New Millennium." What a ridiculous sermon title to use in a Church on Sunday Morning. This is all just an extension of the social gospel, which is far removed from the gospel of the Bible. While some of these subjects are being researched and acted upon in the secular world, they should have no place in Biblical Christianity.

The LAJ had a report on the Conference which was very revealing. Even though this large church had been given the widest publicity for their environmental conference, only about 75 showed up for the Sunday Night session. Undoubtedly this shows the lack of interest on this subject today. Of course this will not slow down the liberals, because their agenda is ever so important to them.

The Sunday Night session was addressed by Rob Sellers, a professor from Hardin-Simmons University, a liberal Texas Baptist University, at the "Celebrating the Stewards of the Land" conference. Sellers said the garden model with an emphasis on humanity as caretakers, rather than consumers, will lead to good stewardship of the earth's resources.

God's command to Adam to "till" and "keep" the garden means "serve" and "guard" in the Hebrew language Sellers said. The good professor forgot to tell them that this was before the fall of man (Gen. 2:15). After the fall of man, we find that the tilling of the ground was a form of punishment that God placed upon him because of his sin.

The LAJ went on to refer to Sellers lecture. Quoting a variety of Scriptures that speak to the glory of God's creation, Sellers said he began a search for a New Testament picture of Jesus Christ as the gardener. He found the reference in the story of Mary mistaking Jesus for the gardener when she went to the tomb to apply burial spices to his body. She recognized Jesus when he spoke her name. But in the mistaken identity of Jesus as a gardener, Sellers said he realized that "salvation is not just for humans, but for all creation." He quoted Romans 8:21-22 from the New King James Version. (We quote it from the KJV). Romans 8:21-22, "Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now."

The poor professor fails to tell us that the groaning and travailing of the creation was caused by the sin of man. When Adam and Eve sinned, they fell, and the whole creation fell. It affected the whole earth. The groaning and travailing of the earth will never be reversed by the environmentalists, but that the final redemption of man and the whole creation will be brought about by the coming of the Lord to this earth.

The pathetic attempt to identify Jesus as resembling the gardener, is a pitiful stretch for his foolish understanding of the Bible. The real reason that he used this passage is that he cannot find any Scriptures in the New Testament that supports his faulty theology.

We go on to quote from the LAJ. Another speaker, the Rev. Phil Strickland, executive director of the Christian Life Commission for the Baptist General Convention of Texas, quoted the findings of a group of the world's Nobel laureates at a 1993 meeting called to discuss the most important issues that the world would face.

Their assessment, Strickland said, is that "human beings and the environment are on a collision course, that if not checked, puts at risk the future."

He quoted the National Academy of Sciences as saying the world is on the "greatest energy spree of all time."

"Who do you think is using most of that energy?" Strickland asked.

"Creation is a form of the revelation of God," he added. "God cares (about the environment). We should care."

These people think the most important issues that the world is facing are the environment and the heavy use of energy in our industrial society. These people speak this baloney, but they fail to practice what they preach. They arrived in their big cars, and sat in their warm building. Second Baptist is in the process of building a new building and much of it is made out of steel. Don't they know that the making of steel uses a tremendous amount of energy to produce? This also pollutes the atmosphere. Of course they could build their building out of wood, but then the environmentalists condemn the cutting down of trees. As I pass by their property, I do not notice any electric cars there either. I do see plenty of the big gas guzzling cars, and almost none of the small cars that get good gas mileage. (Of course the electric cars are polluters also, as the electricity that it takes to run them must be generated from fossil fuel). They remind me of Al Gore who condemns the internal combustion engine (that powers your car), but rides around in the long limousine pollution machine. These same politicians are jetting around the world on their pleasure and business trips. The jets use tremendous amounts of fossil fuel.

Many of these environmentalists live in large homes that are well heated with large amounts of fossil fuel (natural gas in our area). Many of them have their large fireplaces which they use regularly, which requires the cutting of trees, and the polluting of the air. Why don't these people move into a one or two room sod house like their forefathers lived in? That would keep them from polluting, at least in part. Of course they are not going to do that, but they will climb up on their soap box and condemn what others are doing, while they are doing the same thing.

Do these people oppose abortion? Of course not. They believe in a woman's right to choose, even if it involves murder. Do they stand against all of the things that are polluting the minds and morals of our youth? Do they stand against the ungodly television and movie industries. Some politicians loudly denounce the immorality portrayed in movies, and at the same time they are taking huge sums of money from this soul polluting industry.

People who believe in abortion, sex education in the schools, freedom to give birth control devices to our youth, homosexual rights promotion, and many other ungodly things, are simply wasting their time in talking to me about pollution. They believe in clean food, clean air, and clean water, but they could care less about polluting the minds of people. They are horrified when someone pollutes the air or water, but they could care less about the pollution of the souls and minds of men. (Just for the record, I want my water, air, and food to be clean.)

Jesus gave the churches their work for this age upon the earth. It was plainly spoken and easy to be understood. Matt. 28:19-20, "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen." This leaves out the social gospel, which leads people to hell. It leaves out the kinds of things advocated by the recent conference at Second Baptist. What did Jesus tell His churches to do? We can find out the things we are to be doing, in the above passage of Scripture.

1. "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations...." We know that this refers to the teaching and preaching of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Luke 24:47, "And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem." Mark 16:15, "And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature." Paul described the gospel. I Cor. 15:1-4, "Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures."

2. "...baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost...." This is more than just immersing someone in water. (1) They must be saved before baptism. (2) They must be baptized for the right reason, and that is not for salvation. (3) They must be baptized by the right method, and that is immersion in water. (4) They must be baptized by the right authority, and that is by a Scriptural Church like Jesus organized.

3. "...Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you...." This means that the New Testament Church is the only agency that Jesus authorized to do these things. It is their duty to teach all that God has revealed through His Holy Bible.

This is the business of the churches. This is not the social gospel. It is not to get all excited about saving the environment, and getting involved in the things of the world.

They are worried about man destroying the earth through pollution. They are not worried about God destroying the earth because of sin. They are concerned about what man will do to the world in the period known as time. They are not concerned about what God will do in eternity. They are anxious about material things. They are not anxious about spiritual things.

Their theories are false, because they are based upon evolutionary hypothesis, and not the Bible. According to them they believe that the earth has existed through long, long ages of time. (I do not believe this for it is contrary to the Bible.) They believe that there has been several ice ages, interspersed between long warm ages with high seas. A few years ago they were warning us of a new ice age, but now they are fearful that there will be a melting of the ice caps. Global warming is being caused by man, and it follows that man must reverse this process.

Let me ask these smart fellows a simple question or two. Let us go back to the last ice age, when there were no automobiles, no steel plants, and no fossil fuels, what caused the global warming that ended the ice age. These long ages, according to their own beliefs, have had many catastrophes, ice ages, and periods of global warming.

Most of their phony theories are based upon their unbelief of God's Word. They ignore the Genesis Flood which produced the fossil record, and the end of the dinosaurs. There are many scientists that believe in a young earth, and disbelieve the so-called long ages of evolution. As a Bible believer, I firmly reject the evolutionary theory. Anyone that does not literally believe the first eight chapters of Genesis is on the wrong road, and their teaching on anything should be viewed with extreme suspicion. Science that denies the literal interpretation of Genesis 1-8 is science so called. I Tim. 6:20, "O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called."

Few things are so apparent as where Israel's dedication centered when they departed from following their God. Every time God's people wandered from His principles He prepared a prophet to warn of impending dangers. He gave them opportunity to repent and return to His loving care. Yet we see Israel going down into Egypt for help to fight their enemies. They turned from God and served the gods of Syria, Zidon, Moab, Ammon, and the Philistines, and "served not Him." (Judges 10:6) King Ahaz pledged to serve the gods of Syria because their gods had helped them. (2 Chron. 28:23) Sadly the modern church today seeks help from the world to attract numbers. Generally those seduced by such methods are disgruntled members of other churches.

One of the prominent protest from God against Israel for seeking help from other sources is seen in Isaiah 31:1. "Woe to them that go down to Egypt for help; and stay on horses, and trust in chariots, because they are many; and in horsemen, because they are very strong; but they look not unto the Holy One of Israel, neither seek the LORD!" What a deterioration from the statement of the psalmist when he wrote Psalm 121:2. "My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth."

A distinct analogy is portrayed in much activity of churches today. The world and its programs have been employed to achieve spiritual goals of the church. Doctrinal soundness takes a back seat, leaving room for every worldly incentive to move up front. Our Lord is not opposed to scriptural methods to build His church nor of multitudes being reached. However, reaching lost sinners with the Gospel of Christ is the designated mission of the church. The world's fashions, foolishness, finances, and fascinations are not a fit standard for the church to follow.

America was once a nation inhabited primarily by people who respected the Lord's Day. The first day of the week was a day of rest. Even those who did not attend church on a regular basis esteemed church and Sunday as being worthy of acknowledgment and honor. When oxen, horses, and mules were used to farm the land, farmers deemed it necessary that they have a day of rest as well as their work animals. That day was the first day of the week. Early in the history of America the so-called blue law was written. It restricted the sale of certain merchandise on the Lord's Day. Society in general arranged their buying and selling within the other six days of the week. Society has changed their opinion of such a law because it interferes with their way of life.

A problem has surfaced in Monroe, LA that demands the attention of the city fathers. A drop in sales revenue has placed the city in a financial bind. (LAJ,9/17/00) This city is used only as being typical of society in general in all ages. The cure for economic impairment can often be corrected by God's people repenting of sin and turning to God. On the contrary, people under such circumstances seek help from other sources and means. Such is similar to Israel turning to Egypt (the world) for help in fighting the very battles God had promised to fight for them. Digging the well deeper is commonly the first undertaking to remedy water shortage. Praying for rain is usually the last course taken.

This city of 53,000+ population in northern Louisiana is in what is known as the Bible Belt. Their Blue Law concerns Sunday liquor restrictions. The restrictions of this law has been lifted in other cities and they seem to be doing better financially. Those desiring to lift this regulation have the help of Tulane University (New Orleans) economics professor, Bill Oakland. Hear Oakland's bit of wisdom: "Business does best in the areas with the fewest restrictions. If one jurisdiction tries to be more restrictive than surrounding areas, they lose their shirt." Hence, a pretty `shirt' becomes more important to the community than proper standards. The pagan always wants less restrictions. "Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us." (Psa. 2:3)

What has this to do with God's nation of Israel and the Lord's church? Israel's national dilemma came when they departed from God's commandments and fell prey to other forces. They endeavored to make reparation apart from repentance. Military help was sought from Egypt and Syria. For spiritual solace they turned to worshipers of Baal for guidance. The gifts which God had given them they ignorantly prepared for Baal. "For she did not know that I gave her corn, and wine, and oil, and multiplied her silver and gold, which they prepared for Baal." (Hosea 2:8) Many churches have followed the same path in order to achieve goals designed to glorify Jesus Christ. Note some gifts of the Lord to His church that has been altered to accommodate the flesh.

Announcing the time of revival services was once all that was needed to draw a crowd. Modern technology has brought about attractions to lure people to other activities. Once lost people would attend such services with little more incentive than the announcement of the event. Today it is difficult for the pastor and faithful members to attract wayward church members to forsake TV, ball games, movies, and a multitude of other things to attend even one service. Lost loved ones, neighbors, and friends can draw only one conclusion when they observe the neglect of those who claim to love the Lord and the church.

Too often gifts, gadgets, and gimmicks are implemented to enhance attendance. When seeking the lost by the same method the Lord used doesn't seem to work, Egypt's coffers are dipped into seeking help by carnal methods. Feasting and frolicking seems to work for one organization, surely it will help in getting the lost to church. The reasoning? "Get them to church by any means and some of them will be saved." Be reminded if the heavenly Father does not do the drawing of sinners no person will come to Jesus.(John 6:44)

When the crowd at the park cannot be drawn to the church by having a feast some feel it will work to have a feast in the park and then a short service. Regular services at the appointed location is dismissed and the entire congregation is invited to the park. Indecent clothing will be better accepted there. Trusting in the "shadow of Egypt" indicates rebellion against the word of God. (Isa. 30:2) Placing the judgment of Professor Oakland (above) into context, "The church with the most doctrinal restrictions will lose their spiritual shirt."

Doctrine is any teaching, precept, principle, or creed for a specific organization. It is important to teach Bible doctrine in the Lord's church. In fact, it is impossible to use the Bible for a text book and ignore doctrine. For this to be performed properly the pastor must study. "Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." (2 Tim. 2:15) Paul's command to Timothy concerning his doctrine was, "These things command and teach." (1 Tim. 4:11) This is where the design for spiritual growth is found and implemented for repentant sinners. Lack of spiritual development is the result of either not being taught or lack of desire to learn. Either way the result is the same. "For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat." (Heb. 5:12)

Israel's national and spiritual destruction was largely because of their lack of knowledge. "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children." (Hosea 4:6) No doubt the candlestick of God's presence has been lifted from churches through all ages because of lack of knowledge. This results in seeking and obtaining help from Egypt. The Lord's commission to His church was to teach those who were baptized "to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you:..." (Matt. 28:20)

This was to be observed by following the doctrine from heaven. Jesus said, "My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me." (John 7:16) The apostles continued to place the same emphasis on doctrine. "Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine." (1 Tim 4:13) "But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine:" (Titus 2:1)

A departure from the doctrine of closed communion. This doctrine was cheapened for the sake of being more acceptable to others. It seems to matter little that only the Lord and the apostles were at the institution of His supper. Even Judas, the son of perdition, left to do his dirty work before the Lord gave the fruit of the vine and the bread to His apostles. This was indeed the first church. (1 Cor. 12:28) In times past there were only two sides to the question of who should observe the supper together. There was the doctrine of open communion, or any professing child of God was invited and permitted to participate. The other was the doctrine of closed communion where only the church members in good standing of a particular local congregation were permitted to take part in the observance. Because the no tolerance doctrine of closed communion wounded the feelings of other churches, the doctrine of close communion was implemented. At first this was for all church members of `like faith and order' who happened to be present when the local church observed this ordinance. The modern view of `close' is nearer to `opened' than it is to `closed.'

A departure from the doctrine of scriptural baptism. The Head of the church, the Lord Jesus Christ, was baptized by immersion. John the Baptist was sent by God the Father to baptize by immersion. The Lord disciples who had been baptized by John were baptized by immersion. They in turn baptized by immersion those repentant sinners reached through the gospel. (John 4:2) Variations of methods of baptism (sprinkling, pouring) have developed over centuries for convenience sake. Just as a variation has developed about methods of baptism, there has also developed a modified view of authority to baptize. Jesus gave the authority to baptize to "the eleven disciples." The authority to evangelized, baptize, and teach was given to them as the Lord's church. (Matt. 28:17-20; 1 Cor. 12:28) Joining in unity with other denominations both in doctrine and practice is made acceptable by the Graham crusades and festivals. (Plains Baptist Challenger, 7/00)

A departure from the doctrine of personal separation. Proper attire and appearance has given way to Egypt's styles. Looking different from the world may seem insignificant to many but not to the God of the word. (2 Cor. 6:17,18) Attire that was once unacceptable even to the most worldly has now been accepted in church services. Bodies meagerly or improperly clothed are no longer a rare sight even in church. Only the most courageous pastor will teach the doctrine of proper apparel. Men with long hair and earrings, women with pant-suits and tight slacks, can be seen in most church services. Short skirts and long skirts split to reveal much of the thigh are often seen marching to the choir. Those pastors who dare to biblically address the subject will surely be despised. Those who adamantly oppose following biblical instruction will have little problem finding a church down the street who will accept them just as they are.

The argument that God looks on the heart as opposed to the outward appearance holds no more water than it takes to sprinkle a baby and pronounce it baptized. It is out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. (Matt. 12:24) It is the heart that deceives the body, that our appearance means little before God. (Jer. 17:9) Outward appearance is a revelation of the heart's condition, and God is indeed looking on such a heart.

The world and its designs are no more help to the Lord's church than Egypt was to Israel. The question then must be prayerfully and honestly answered. Why seek help from the world to accomplish the Lord's will and work? "Woe to them that go down to Egypt for help; and stay on horses, and trust in chariots, because they are many; and in horsemen, because they are very strong; but they look not unto the Holy One of Israel, neither seek the LORD!" (Isaiah 31:1) This same woe is surely upon those churches who seek to Christianize carnality.

The modern fundamental church has embarked on an entertainment binge akin to the electronic "bless me" clubs of recent years. The Pastor administers small amounts of spiritual laughing gas with his "cotton candy" sermon (very sweet and full of air) to the spectators (congregation). A Hollywood flavor permeates the show (message). Then everyone settles down for the service, which has become an entertainment production with the program moving along at an uninterrupted pace to insure that not one moment of silence pervades our short attention span. The "entertain me" attitude does not allow for serious meditation of our sins. The positive "self-esteem" syndrome has done away with anything that could be construed as humility.

I pity the poor evangelist who comes saturated with the Word of God to preach his heart out, when he has to compete with the Hollywood type who brags about his exploits of sin with his credentials from the mafia to glorify some new sin fad that the people happen to be dabbling in at the moment. This certainly makes for interesting entertainment, even if it has nothing to do with the Gospel message. A. W. Tozer put his finger on the issue in his tract called,

"The old cross would have no truck with the world. For Adam's proud flesh, it meant the end of the journey. It carried into effect the sentence imposed by the law of Sinai. The new cross is not opposed to the human race; rather, it is a friendly pal and, if understood aright, it is the source of oceans of good clean fun and innocent enjoyment. It lets Adam live without interference; his life motivation is unchanged; he still lives for his own pleasure, only now he takes delight in singing choruses and watching religious movies instead of singing bawdy songs and drinking hard liquor. The accent is still on enjoyment, though the fun is now on a higher plane morally if not intellectually."

Some time ago, I received a brochure entitled `The Christian Traveler" which offered "believers cruises and conferences, five glorious days and four fun-filled nights, exciting opportunities to travel with fellow believers." The eight day tour includes Chinese cuisine, deluxe hotels and all the sight-seeing points along the way. Just think what the poor Apostle Paul missed, sailing in those leaky old boats of his day. Of course the Apostle Paul would never have made it in today's pulpit. His preaching was not punctuated with humor and illustrations. You see, he was not an entertainer, but a General commanding the troops to attack the strongholds of Hell, reminding us that we were to be good soldiers, not to be entangled with this world, that we may please Him who has called us to be a soldier. We do not need an updated definition of Christianity; what we need is a fresh demonstration of the power of God.

I'm sure I'll be branded a legalist and a killjoy, but Praise God for the privilege. I believe the prophet Ezekiel drew the parallel in chapter 16 and verse 49 and 50 that gives a current picture of America, "Behold, this was the iniquity of thy sister Sodom, pride, fulness of bread, and the abundance of idleness was in her and in her daughters, neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy. And they were haughty, and committed abomination before me: therefore I took them away as I saw good." Pastor Cameron, Parade of Miracles

On September 6, 2000, the United Nations will convene The Millennium Assembly in New York City. It will be the most important gathering held in North America since our Forefathers signed the Declaration of Independence 224 years ago. The document that was signed in Philadelphia on July 4, 1776, established a Christian nation, proclaimed that freedom comes from God, and offered hope to people throughout the world. The document that the United Nations plans to submit to the Millennium Assembly will outlaw war, undermine the belief that freedom comes from God, destroy hope, and bring everyone in the world under the control of the UN.

The document is called The Charter for Global Democracy. Government leaders from 160 nations will attend the Millennium Assembly, and all of the Delegates to the UN General Assembly will be there. It will be the largest gathering of world leaders ever held, yet our controlled media fails to mention it. The Charter for Global Democracy will be presented as a restructuring of the United Nations, and if it is accepted, the UN will cease to be a debating society and will become a sovereign entity. At that point it will become the organization Cecil John Rhodes envisioned in his first will when he wrote of "the foundation of so great a power to hereafter render wars impossible . . . "

Who is behind the effort to establish a global government? The Charter for Global Democracy was produced by the Commission on Global Governance which was formed by Willy Brandt, the former President of the Social International. How can you verify that?

In 1995 The Commission of Global Governance published a book entitled Our Global Neighborhood. On page 359 we read: "The Commission of Global Governance was established in 1992 in the belief that international developments had created a unique opportunity for strengthening global cooperation to meet the challenge of securing peace, achieving sustainable development, and universalizing democracy. The first steps leading to its formation were taken by former West German Chancellor Willy Brandt . . . By September 1992, the Commission was established with twenty-eight members from around the world . . . "

The objective of the Commission was to strengthen "global cooperation to meet the challenge of securing peace, achieving sustainable development, and universalizing democracy." How do they intend to secure peace? By creating a world government. What do they mean when they refer to "sustainable development?" The United Nations will control all natural resource and human activity. What do they mean when they refer to "universalizing democracy?" Karl Marx praised democracy, and communists and socialists throughout the world use the term to describe a society where everything is controlled by the State, and people are allowed to vote, but their votes make no difference because all political parties are controlled by the rulers.

Among the members of The Commission on Global Governance were Maurice Strong, a Canadian billionaire, socialists from many nations, and communists from both Russia and China. Why would a Canadian capitalist work with socialists and communists to create a world government? Because that is the goal of many capitalists, all socialists, and the leaders of world communism. They seek to establish a new social order, the Novus Ordo Seclorum described on the back of the dollar bill. That has been the plan since the dawn of civilization, and unless we awaken the American people, or God intervenes, we will soon have a totalitarian world government.

Maurice Strong wrote: "It is simply not feasible for sovereignty to be exercised unilaterally by individual nation-states, however powerful."

When James Warburg testified before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee in 1950, he said: "We shall have world government, whether or not we like it. The question is only whether world government will be achieved by consent or by conquest."

The Charter for Global Democracy offers a plan to restructure the United Nations. It calls for the following changes in the UN Charter:

1. All International Agencies are to be placed under the control of the United Nations.
2. Membership in the Security Council will be expanded, and the United States will no longer be a permanent member of the Council.
3. Members of Security Council will no longer be able to veto UN decisions.
4. The Tobin tax, and other forms of global taxation, will be introduced. The Tobin Tax involves the international transfer of funds, and will provide the UN with $1.5 trillion a year. That will allow the United Nations to function without support from member nations. Additional forms of taxation may include:

· A tax on global corporations
· A tax on international airline tickets.
· A tax on shipping freight by sea.
· User fees for ocean, non-coastal fishing.
· Fees for activities in the Antarctic.
· Parking fees for satellites in space.
· Charges for the use of "the electromagnetic spectrum," i.e. the radio waves.

"A democracy cannot exist as a permanent form of government. It can only exist until the voters discover that they can vote themselves largesse (generous bestowal of gifts) from the public treasury. From that moment on, the majority always votes for the candidates promising the most benefits from the public treasury, with the result that a democracy always collapses over loose fiscal policy, always followed by a dictatorship."

The average age of the world's greatest civilizations has been two hundred years. These nations have progressed through this sequence: From bondage to spiritual faith; from spiritual faith to great courage; from courage to liberty; from liberty to abundance; from abundance to complacency; from complacency to apathy; from apathy to dependence; from dependence back again to bondage."
Penned by Alexander Tyler over 200 years ago while the American states were still numbered as British colonies.