Sermon Video: The Supporting Cast at Advent: Simeon - Luke 2:25-35

 

After the shepherds and the angels had paid their visit on the day of Jesus' birth, Luke offers a look at two individuals led by the Holy Spirit who play an unexpected visit to Jesus when Mary and Joseph bring him for the first time to the Temple in Jerusalem. The first of these two is a "righteous and devout" man named Simeon. To him was given an incredible gift by the Holy Spirit: certainty that the Messiah would arrive in his lifetime. In the end, Simeon was in the right place at the right time to meet the baby Jesus because he had been a willing servant of the Lord, a reminder to us of how much God can use those who humbly seek him.

The Evangelical Free Churches of SW MN release a public letter warning about FFOZ

 

Evangelical Free Church Community of SW MN letter concerning FFOZ

On November 15th, the six churches in the SW of MN that belong to the Evangelical Free Church of America denomination {EFCA website} jointly issued a letter signed by each church's pastor outlining their opposition to the First Fruits of Zion.  Those of you who have frequented my blog or my YouTube channel are well aware that I've worked steadily these last three years at spreading awareness about the unorthodox and heretical teachings of this organization.  Thus, for me, it is an encouraging sign to now be aware of a second pastoral body (the Franklin Christian Ministerium being the first) that has recognized the threat and been willing to take collective public action in response.

The letter contains numerous rationales for this action, including a list of seven dangerous ideas taught by FFOZ, and concludes with the following key lines, "Given all of the above, we consider it our duty to warn our congregation against participation in these groups, and call upon those who do so now, and especially those who are promoting them, to turn from the errors within FFOZ.  The gospel of free grace in Christ for salvation and sanctification really is at stake.  We feel compelled to give this warning, while fully aware that many who participate in FFOZ may not be aware of the problematic nature of the organization with which they are studying.  Our hearts are not to condemn.  Rather, we pray that this information will serve to protect and exhort those within our congregations."

The letter also contains three footnotes (#s 1,3,4) that I would like to highlight: 1. We are indebted to the labors of Pastor Randy Powell of First Baptist Church of Franklin, Pennsylvania in bringing much of this to light.  Much of the content of this letter and the supporting research and documentation was taken directly from him, with his heartfelt permission."

In response, let me say that it was profoundly emotional for me to read those words when the letter was sent to me.  I did not anticipate them mentioning my role behind-the-scenes in providing research and insights to these pastors, and I am humbled that they chose to do so.  I will in turn acknowledge my debt to my congregation who have generously allowed me to follow my call in ministry by serving in this capacity without being jealous of the time I've devoted to it, as well as the pastors and professors who helped me develop my own hermeneutical and exegetical skills and my love for the faith handed down to us.  None of us stand alone, none of us serve alone, by God's grace we all help each other along the way.

3. For the sake of accountability, we asked the EFCA Director of Theology and Credentialing, Greg Strand, to look into FFOZ.  He has affirmed the following.

From the beginning fans of FFOZ have attempted to dismiss my research and the findings of the Franklin Christian Ministerium as an isolated case of misguided, fundamentalist, zealots.  With each successive pastor, professor, and denominational leader who affirms that this teaching is indeed dangerous, that excuse grows thinner and thinner.  The truth is, it didn't have any vitality to begin with given how ecumenically minded I and the Franklin ministerium have been for many years.  We are a relatively diverse group, and we all see the same danger in FFOZ, now another leader within the Church who serves the EFCA has added his name in agreement.

4. Messianic Jewish Pastor Matt Frey from Grafted Church in St. Louis Park and Dr. Michael Rydelnik, retired professor of Jewish Studies from Moody Bible Institute, both contributed invaluable clarification between the Hebrew Roots and Messianic Jewish Movements.

Two individuals I look forward to working with, Lord willing, in the future.  Given that FFOZ still claims to be a part of Messianic Judaism and vehemently denies being a part of the Hebrew Roots Movement (both claims being untrue on their part), the voices of men like Pastor Frey and Dr. Rydelnik will be invaluable moving forward as they can speak from within Messianic Judaism about these crucial matters of faith and practice.

Sermon Video: The Supporting Cast at Advent: King Herod - Matthew 2:3-8,13-18

 

Often forgotten amidst the joy and celebration of Christmas, King Herod attempting to thwart God's sending of the Messiah from its starting point by murdering the newborn king.  The evil that controlled his heart is a powerful reminder of why humanity need a spiritual solution to our woe, not a political one.

sermon video: The supporting cast at Advent: The Magi - Matthew 2:1-2,9-12

 

We all know about the central characters in the story of Christmas, but what about those "cast" by God in a supporting role?  This 5-part series starts with the Magi, they're familiar enough to us, but what's the heart of their story?

sermon video: Faithfulness in Evil Times - Habakkuk 1:12-2:20

 

What can the righteous do in evil times when justice is hard to find?  Be faithful.  In this world we will always see evil appear to win, good appear to lose, our answer can only be: live by faith.

Sermon Video: Where is God when evil happens? - Habakkuk 1:1-11

 

Living in the midst of a people who had failed to live up to the covenant but instead embraced violence, the prophet Habakkuk asks an age-old question that falls under the theological umbrella called the Problem of Evil: Where is God when evil happens?

God chooses to answer Habakkuk by telling him that he is far from inactive, he is in fact raising up the Babylonians to act as the instrument of his wrath.  

In the end, the full answer to the prophet's question that will one day be revealed with the Advent of the Messiah is that God indeed has a plan to overcome evil, one that all who accept Christ by grace through faith can be a part of.