NO NOT ONE

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no not one

 

By Ken Blue

“As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:” Romans 3:10.

 

(Enjoy the song)

I searched the world for one, who did understand,

Or, with his heart sought God, and found not a man.

Paths of righteousness they left, for their own way.

All remain unprofitable until this very day.

 

Mouths are open sepulchers; tongues filled with deceit.

Venom, under their lips, and hatred of a white-hot heat.

Hellbent on destruction, and misery in their ways.

Paths of peace unknown, no fear of God doth faze.

 

Hearts without understanding, mouths with cursing filled.

Feet swift to shed blood, no fear of God revealed.

Unprofitable, are they all, the righteous, I find none.

This is man’s condition, none good, no not one.

 

Every mouth will stop, they’re all guilty before God

Unless grace intervenes, a hopeless path they trod

There’s righteousness provided, freely through His Son

And those who come to Him, He rejects, no, not one

 

THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT #12 – Kingdom of Heaven

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MARRIAGE, MORALITY AND DIVORCE IN THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN

lion and lamb

27  Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: 28  But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. 29  And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. 30  And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. 31   It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement: 32  But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery. Matthew 5:27-32

This is the seventh of the Ten Commandments. It was given to Moses on stone, but Jesus reveals that adultery is a heart matter. He who has a heart of lust, will lust for another, and has already committed adultery in the heart. The believer should understand that all with God is a heart matter. We can assume that the lust is not speaking of a one-time event, but of a heart that is controlled by lust.

Since this sermon is located in Matthew, the book of the King of Israel, and Kingdom of Heaven is the subject, there is no reason one should spiritualize verses 29-30. I am aware that this is so foreign to Western thinking, that our minds have difficulty grasping it. There is no record of this practice In the Old Testament. Therefore, this must be a law for entrance into the Kingdom.  One need not spiritualize verse 29-30, while taking the other verses to be literal. As drastic as the action may be, it will be better than going to hell.

Divorce and remarriage was granted under the Law, although that was not God’s intent when Adam and Eve were created. In the beginning, God’s plan was one marriage only. Had sin not corrupted man that would still be the case, but God later allowed divorce. Paul, in the church epistles also allows divorce and remarriage. Under the Law, a bill of divorcement was sufficient to release the wife from her former husband, and she was free to marry another. (Deuteronomy 24.)

Under the Kingdom of Heaven rule, a man may not divorce his wife except she is found to be sexually impure. To do so causes her, and her new husband to committee adultery.

We are not informed of any further punishment on the two. Perhaps they will be expelled from the opportunities granted other citizens of the Kingdom. It is also possible that they are banished beyond the boundaries of the “Holy Land,” thus “cast out.” The full extent will be known in that time.

SERMON OF THE MOUNT # 11

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SETTLING DISPUTES IN THE MILLENNIUM

 

jewish altar

 

“  Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; 24  Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift. 25  Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison. 26  Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing.” Matthew 5:23-26.

The word “therefore” connects the following to the above. It also shows that the Law will be strictly enforced, and that animal sacrifices will be offered. We pointed that out in a previous article from the book of Ezekiel.

Notice that God requires harmony between His people more that he desires sacrifices. This is true in all dispensations. However, the Sermon of the Mount is specifically for the Jews in the Millennium. Thus, when bringing a sacrifice to the temple altar, it should be left, and reconciliation made with the offended brother. Afterwards, the sacrifice could be offered.

If a disagreement is of such a nature, that the adversary seeks to take one to court, the Lord admonishes that the offender seek to make peace before a court appearance. This is the meaning of verse 25. The gospel of Luke adds light. “ When thou goest with thine adversary to the magistrate, as thou art in the way, give diligence that thou mayest be delivered from him; lest he hale thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and the officer cast thee into prison.” Luke 12:58. Note also that there will be counsels, officers, judges, and prisons. Matthew 18 also adds ever more light. “28 But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest. 29 And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. 30 And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt.” Matthew 18:28-30.

There is not one thing in these verses that requires that it be spiritualized; all is literal, and physical. The context puts it within the Kingdom of Heaven.

Perhaps the greatest perversion of this Scripture is by the Roman Catholic Church. On these verses they have built the cruelest doctrine found in any religion. The motive is to extort money from their ignorant church members. Verse 26 is used to show that the deceased, must first go to purgatory and suffer in hell fire to pay for his sins. His family is told that he will not come out of purgatory until someone pays the “uttermost farthing” for him or her. The “farthing” “… a day’s wage. It was .1375 oz. of silver, worth perhaps 65 cents today. Therefore, 100 pence would be worth only $65.Dake’s Annotated Reference Bible.

I have before me the book of Fundamentals of Catholic Dogma, by Dr. Ludwig Ott, who is a Catholic. On page 485 we read, “As to the length of the purification process for the individual souls, nothing can be said in terms of years.” Also, “For the individual souls the purifying fire endures until they are free from all guilt and punishment.”

The man in verse 30 does not come out of jail until “he pays his debt.” His time in jail may pay it, or his land, house, or family may be sold to pay it. However, the Roman Catholic Church has made itself the recipients of the payments of money until…? Since no one on earth knows when the debt is paid, money must continue to be paid to the Church so prayers and candles will be offered for the departed loved ones who are in the fires of purgatory. Since no one knows when the debt is paid, this keeps the money coming into the coffers. This demonic twisting of Scripture, by thieves, justifies the sentence to hell by all who espouse this doctrine.

There is nothing in the text about any church of any kind. This passage is all about the Kingdom of Heaven. You would have be demon possessed to use this passage to extort money from those who are suffering over the loss of a loved one.

WHO IS THE LEADER OF YOUR CHURCH?

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tug of war

By Ken Blue

“Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.” Romans 16:17.

Pastor, if you are the leader of your church, you can expect attacks from every direction, for every cause. Jesus said, “Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad.” Matthew 26:31. Please don’t try to help me out by reminding me of the context, and who smites the shepherd. I got it.

The application is universal…smite the shepherd and the sheep will be scattered. Remember also, when you are under attack, the destruction of the church is Satan’s goal.

One pastor friend said the source of most problems is “frustrated ambition.” That is, someone wants something, and you are in their way. Another said, the two things a pastor-leader will be accused of most often is “a lack of love for his people, and being a dictator.” It only makes sense, if someone resents you, those would be their attacks.

We hear much today about the “abusive pastor,” or how good churches become cults. An author with the same name as mine has written a book, “Healing Spiritual Abuse: How to Break Free from Bad Church Experience” I confess, I have not read the book, but I have no doubt about its subject content. There are those who have dedicated their entire lives, and ministry, searching land and sea for a pastor who has fallen so they will have something to write about.

The pastor is called to lead the flock. We will confine our remarks to the Pastoral Epistles so we may be true to our subject. In 1 Tim.1:4, Paul tells young Timothy to not allow himself to be drawn into arguments and debates. In verse 18, he is to wage a good war against the Devil. In chapter 3:5, he is to “rule, and care” for the church. In verse 12, he must exercise judgment about the choice of deacons. Sound doctrine must be the heart of his sermons, 4:6. In 4:11, there are things to “command and teach.” In 5:7, he is given a charge by Paul. In verse 11, there are certain people who must be denied the financial care by the church.  In 5:18, he is to set the salary of other pastors who work for him. Chapter 5:20, would be considered abuse in any church today. That’s because the pastors are “wimps.” Chapter 6:4, 5 will be at the heart of most troublemakers. Verse 17 calls for another charge to preach.

[pullquote align=”right” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]With great responsibility, comes greater accountability.[/pullquote]

The preacher can discover for himself his leadership duties also in 2 Timothy and Titus. Pastors should seek advice in some matters. He must love his people and protect them, and himself. You must be open, and transparent. But, you should not allow anyone to take the leadership away from you. You are accountable to God to “take the oversight” as God leads you. With great responsibility, comes greater accountability.

I will list some things that are not spiritual abuse. Those who think they are, should join a church that doesn’t have any men in it.

  1. It is not abuse for the pastor to take the leadership and oversight of the church. To do otherwise, is a neglected of duty.
  2. It is not abuse to preach the Word of God as you understand it, regardless of who does not like it.
  3. It is not abuse to remove those who cause strife or division.
  4. It is not abuse to set people in place,  that you trust, over ministries.
  5. It is not abuse to have any guest speakers of your choice.
  6. It is not abuse to lead the planning for the church future.
  7. It is not abuse to refuse to abdicate your leadership.
  8. It is not abuse to refuse to allow someone to do something you don’t approve
  9. It is not abuse to choose the music for the church.
  10. It is not abuse to take the leadership of the church. Either you will lead, or some sissy’s wife will.

IS IT WRONG TO WORSHIP MARY?

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worship mary

Why Worship Mary?

By Ken Blue

“19 What say I then? that the idol is any thing, or that which is offered in sacrifice to idols is any thing? 20 But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils.”1 Corinthians 10:19-20.

From where my house is located, I am surrounded on all sides by a variety of trees. I love the seclusion. But, as I look at the trees, I wonder what, other than a devil, could induce a man to cut one down, carved it into the image of a man, bird, or beast? Thereafter, paint it to look lifelike, and then to bow down and worship the works of their hands. Additionally, I have witnessed people bringing fruits, animals, money, and flowers as an offering. I have even seen some shed tears of devotion when presenting their offerings.  Not even the brute beast is so ludicrous.

Idols are made of wood, some of gold, of silver, and of plaster. These cold, lifeless pieces of man’s artwork are as blind, deaf, dead and devoid of any semblance of spiritual life as those who worship them.

Paul says a devil is behind every Idol. Ignorantly, those who worship through idols, are in reality worshiping devils. The end goal of these devils is to keep people in blind ignorance, and perverseness about the one true God, and His son, the Lord Jesus Christ, and to send their souls to hell. It matters not what the name is given to an idol. It is still a piece of blind, deaf, dead material. Also, the devil behind it doesn’t represent any saint, living or dead.

Witness the blindness and ignorance in the land of India, the Philippines, Mexico, China, and most of Asia. However, the Americas aren’t exempt.  Since all idolatry is Devil worship, even if done in ignorance, it cast a dark cloud over those countries. The more Idolatry invades a country, the less the one true God is acknowledged. The Scriptures are clear:

[pullquote align=”right” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]the only thing dumber than an idol, is the person who bows, and prays to them.[/pullquote]

  • “3 For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe. 4 They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not. 5 They are upright as the palm tree, but speak not: they must needs be borne, because they cannot go. Be not afraid of them; for they cannot do evil, neither also is it in them to do good. 6 Forasmuch as there is none like unto thee, O LORD; thou art great, and thy name is great in might.” Jeremiah 10:3-6.
  • “13 The carpenter stretcheth out his rule; he marketh it out with a line; he fitteth it with planes, and he marketh it out with the compass, and maketh it after the figure of a man, according to the beauty of a man; that it may remain in the house. 14 He heweth him down cedars, and taketh the cypress and the oak, which he strengtheneth for himself among the trees of the forest: he planteth an ash, and the rain doth nourish it. 15  Then shall it be for a man to burn: for he will take thereof, and warm himself; yea, he kindleth it, and baketh bread; yea, he maketh a god, and worshippeth it; he maketh it a graven image, and falleth down thereto. 16 He burneth part thereof in the fire; with part thereof he eateth flesh; he roasteth roast, and is satisfied: yea, he warmeth himself, and saith, Aha, I am warm, I have seen the fire: 17 And the residue thereof he maketh a god, even his graven image: he falleth down unto it, and worshippeth it, and prayeth unto it, and saith, Deliver me; for thou art my god. 18 They have not known nor understood: for he hath shut their eyes, that they cannot see; and their hearts, that they cannot understand. 19  And none considereth in his heart, neither is there knowledge nor understanding to say, I have burned part of it in the fire; yea, also I have baked bread upon the coals thereof; I have roasted flesh, and eaten it: and shall I make the residue thereof an abomination? shall I fall down to the stock of a tree? 20 He feedeth on ashes: a deceived heart hath turned him aside, that he cannot deliver his soul, nor say, Is there not a lie in my right hand?” Isaiah 44:13-20.
  • “The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.” Psalm 9:17.

Notice what Paul calls them. “Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led.” 1 Corinthians 12:2. An idol is called “dumb.” Vines says, “voiceless, i.e. mute (by nature or choice); figurative unmeaning: – dumb, without signification.”

Finally, the only thing dumber than an idol, is the person who bows, and prays to them. How smart can you be, when you are told they are dumb, connected with devils, and you will go to hell, if you bow down to them, if you continue to do it?