It must be true, I read it on the internet

The internet has changed how we access information.  About 8 years ago the University of Michigan School of Dentistry closed their library.  It was one of the best in the world with books and journals going back to 1800’s.  It closed because it was no longer being used.  Everything has been digitized and is accessible online.  Students don’t buy textbooks unless mandated by instructors and even then most are never used.  Does that mean that their education is better?  Nope!  In fact, it probably is worse because along with accurate information, much of the information online is inaccurate.  Anybody can place information on the internet and once it is written it is accepted as true.

Now the internet did not create this junk, it just made it easier to publish and find.  This junk goes back 2000 years.  Paul warned Timothy:

Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove , rebuke , exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.  For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;  And they shall turn away  their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

Paul gave Titus a similar warning:

            But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine: That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience.

In Hebrews, we are instructed to:

Remember your leaders who have spoken God's word to you. As you carefully observe the outcome of their lives, imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Don't be led astray by various kinds of strange teachings.

Now when we are told to remember our leaders it is more than remember who preached last Sunday.  It is implied that we pray for them.  I also find something else very interesting that in the same command we are told not to be lead away with “strange teachings”.  Do you think the Holy Spirit knew a thing or two about leaders. 

Sir John Dalberg-Acton in 1902 said:

"Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Great men are almost always bad men."^[4

With this in mind, I find it very interesting that the writer of Hebrews inserts a phrase in that dialogue that may seem out of place initially but after further thought it is very profound.  He states:

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

And then follows that with the warning against strange teachings.

Men, all men (and women) have egos, are lazy and are sinners.  We are too lazy too study God’s Word.  Today, with the internet, it is so easy.  It is also easy to be lead astray.  I think the greatest tool of Satan is well intentioned, but mislead, “Christian” writers.  Look at the average Christian bookstore.  Compare all of the books sold and then compare it to the number of Bibles sold.  How many people get their theology from “The Daily Bread”, “Guidepost” or the hundreds of other devotionals?  How many get their theology from TV preachers?  How many get their theology from preachers?  What I am saying? Are these ALL wrong?  No! But they all are men!  Get your theology from the WORD of GOD. 

Prior to the printing press, books were rare.  Bibles were rare!  Before the internet it was difficult to study, dissect and critically examine the Bible AND men’s teachings.  Today it is easy.  There are many sights where you can search the scriptures. Sadly, most have a lot of Bible commentaries also, more men’s teachings.  Stick to the Word!  Check out different translations.  Remember not all translations are equally accurate.  Some are paraphrasing’s.  Some are from just one man.  Most websites will also allow you to check out the original Greek or Hebrew words along with definitions.  Many Hebrew words are translated into many different English words.  The Holy Spirit was not a sloppy writer, nor was He using a Thesaurus to impress people like men do today!  He, the Holy Spirit, was not trying to impress anybody. He was trying to make it simple.   He was teaching simple people, uneducated people, poor people, broken people, sick people, carpenters, fishermen, farmers, tax collectors, drunks, whores, pimps, adulterers, idolators in other words, “sinners”.  These people did not go to some seminary.  Use scripture to interpret scripture!  The simplest interpretation is probably the correct one!  Read scripture like a child!  With an open mind!  Children read things literally, trustingly.  Read commentaries and men’s teachings critically, skeptically.  Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

Remember “Be Careful”, when the person teaching says, “Today we know….”, or “Most Bible scholars tell us…” Be really careful when they start name dropping and quoting sources, other than scripture.  How much scripture is used?  Read all scripture in context!  Read the entire chapter or chapters!  Cross reference scripture!  Check out the original Greek and Hebrew, particularly nouns and verbs.  How many ways can the word be translated?  Check out where these Greek and Hebrew words are used elsewhere in scripture!  Are there other Greek or Hebrew words that are translated into the same English word?  You will be amazed at what you have missed! 

Always know:

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

P. S.  A good website is: http://www.biblestudytools.com

National Anthem of Hell: “I Did It My Way”

Recently, our Pastor commented that the national anthem of hell is, “I did it my way”.  I remembered the song that Frank Sinatra sang but not the lyrics, so I looked them up.

And now, the end is near

And so I face the final curtain

My friend, I'll say it clear

I'll state my case, of which I'm certain

I've lived a life that's full

I've traveled each and every highway

But more, much more than this

I did it my way

Regrets, I've had a few

But then again, too few to mention

I did what I had to do

And saw it through without exemption

I planned each charted course

Each careful step along the byway

And more, much more than this

I did it my way

Yes, there were times, I'm sure you knew

When I bit off more than I could chew

But through it all, when there was doubt

I ate it up and spit it out

I faced it all and I stood tall

And did it my way

I've loved, I've laughed and cried

I've had my fill my share of losing

And now, as tears subside

I find it all so amusing

To think I did all that

And may I say - not in a shy way

Oh no, oh no, not me

I did it my way

For what is a man, what has he got

If not himself, then he has naught

To say the things he truly feels

And not the words of one who kneels

The record shows I took the blows

And did it my way

Yes, it was my way

The lyrics reminded me of another singer who said something similar:

“I will ascend to the heavens; I will raise my throne above the stars of God; I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly, on the utmost heights of Mount Zaphon.  I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.

Both the lyrics and statement reflect the attitude of a very narcissistic individual.  I know nothing about Frank Sinatra and my intention is not to make a statement about Sinatra; but the attitude.  The last statement was made by Lucifer when he fell from heaven.  The best description of satan is in the book of Ezekial:

You were the seal of perfection,

full of wisdom and perfect in beauty.

You were in Eden,

the garden of God;

every precious stone adorned you:

carnelian, chrysolite and emerald,

topaz, onyx and jasper,

lapis lazuli, turquoise and beryl.[a]

Your settings and mountings[b] were made of gold;

on the day you were created they were prepared.

You were anointed as a guardian cherub,

for so I ordained you.

You were on the holy mount of God;

you walked among the fiery stones.

You were blameless in your ways

from the day you were created

till wickedness was found in you.

Through your widespread trade

you were filled with violence,

and you sinned.

So I drove you in disgrace from the mount of God,

and I expelled you, guardian cherub,

from among the fiery stones.

Your heart became proud

on account of your beauty,

and you corrupted your wisdom

because of your splendor.

So I threw you to the earth;

I made a spectacle of you before kings.

By your many sins and dishonest trade

you have desecrated your sanctuaries.

So I made a fire come out from you,

and it consumed you,

and I reduced you to ashes on the ground

in the sight of all who were watching.

All the nations who knew you

are appalled at you;

you have come to a horrible end

and will be no more.

Now most of us would never have the philosophy of the song or at least admit it, right?  But, how many of have said, “I want this” or “I deserve it, I worked hard all my life”.  “I don’t like the songs we sing in church”.  “I can’t worship when little kids are in the service”.  “I don’t like the color of the carpet”.  “I’m going to spend my kid’s inheritance”.  “I deserve this car”.  “I deserve this house”. Sure sounds a lot like the song, “I did it my way”.

Well, you know what you and me deserve?  HELL!  Do we really want what we deserve?  Think about it!  Who taught you?  Who gave you your start in life?  Who instilled in you your value system?  Who taught you your work ethic? There but for the grace of God go I.

What have we passed onto our kids, our grandkids?  Have they and do they see you modeling that value system.  Do they see you pray?  Do you value your family above things?  Do you value your grandkids enough to sacrifice for them?  Does your church value people above brick and mortar?

It used to be that our public schools reflected the values the the church.  When prayer and the Bible were taken out of the school, what did the church do?  NOTHING, except bemoan the fact.  Are the churches supporting “home schooling” or Christian education?  Are the churches even encouraging either?  Is there any dialogue regarding it?  Look at average parking lot at any church, the average home, the cell phone bill, the cable TV bill, the Starbuck’s bill, and the list goes on!  When we examine our legacy, does it say, “I did it my way”?