Anathema

Using the word anathema or accursed is very harsh indeed!  The apostle Paul said in his letter to the Galatians;

"But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed!  As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be accursed!" (Gal 1:8-9).

Do you understand what he was saying?  He was saying that if anyone teaches a gospel contrary to what he (Paul) preached consider that man to be accursed.  I say teaching, because that is exactly what preaching is.  Preaching is teaching with authority.

The Roman Catholic church declared during the council of Trent, convened December 13, 1545 to December 14, 1563 many Anathemas  (www.thecounciloftrent.com).  I see this same judgmental attitude in much of the church today.  We are all in our flesh sinners.  Christianity is a revealed religion.  We have the Holy text, the Scriptures, inspired by the Holy Spirit and written by the hand of man.  The scriptures can be read by men, because they were written by men.  But they must be spiritually revealed, because they are Holy Spirit inspired.

So what happens?  One man studying scripture has something revealed to him by the Holy Spirit, and two other men read the same text in the flesh having two other differing views.  So which of the three views is correct?  Well, the one revealed by the Holy Spirit is the correct view since the text was after all Holy Spirit inspired.  So the three men disagree; then declare each other heretics, be it by word or thought.

I do not think that this was the apostle's intent regarding his letter to the Galatians.  Every time Paul says something to this effect, it is always in regards to false teachers.  However, I do not see him saying these same things about men and women who have been under false teachers.

Do I believe that the Roman Catholic church is preaching what Paul preached?  No, I do not, therefore, I do not direct people to the Roman Catholic Church.  On the other hand I am not going to declare the Roman Catholic people accursed.  Nor anyone else for that matter.  I do not have that right, nor does anyone else.  Judgment is God's alone!

I believe that Paul preached that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.  That justification is not a result of works, it is the gift of God, by His grace alone, through faith alone, in Jesus Christ alone.  Where then is boosting?  It is excluded. (Romans & Ephesians).

I am not going to argue with someone about there particular beliefs, and I am not going to direct people to teachers who are preaching something different than what Paul preached. So what do I do?  My ministry is a public ministry.  I go into the highways and byways of the world preaching Jesus Christ; Him crucified for our sins and risen from the dead.  I talk with a lot of people about the Lord.  

Jesus said; "Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven." (Mt 5:16).

Just tell the truth in love, that is all we can do!  Always remember what love is and what love is not.

"Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant,  does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered,  does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth;  bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things." (1 Cor 13:4-7).

 In Christ alone,

Mike Peek

Salvation from the wrath of God that we all deserve for our sin is a gift, by His grace alone, through faith alone, in Jesus Christ alone. 

The Indicative and the Imperative

This is one of my favorite videos on YouTube.  It is a video of SalvationbyGrace.org by Pastor Jim McClarty.  Understanding the indicative and the imperative truly opens up scripture.  If you get this concept then you will understand; "If you love Me, you will keep My commandments." (Jn 14:15 NASB).

In Christ alone,

Mike Peek

www.aslaveofjesuschrist.com

Salvation from the wrath of God that we all deserve for our sin is a gift, by His grace alone, through faith alone, in Jesus Christ alone.

I am Convinced

Many years before Jesus was born; Moses asked the Lord to show him His glory (Ex 33:18).  And He said, “I Myself will make all My goodness pass before you, and will proclaim the name of the Lord before you; and I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show compassion on whom I will show compassion.” But He said, “You cannot see My face, for no man can see Me and live!” (Ex 33:19-20). 

Then later, on top of Mount Sinai; "The Lord descended in the cloud and stood there with him as he called upon the name of the Lord. Then the Lord passed by in front of him and proclaimed, “The Lord, the Lord God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and truth; who keeps lovingkindness for thousands, who forgives iniquity, transgression and sin; yet He will by no means leave the guilty unpunished, visiting the iniquity of fathers on the children and on the grandchildren to the third and fourth generations.” Moses made haste to bow low toward the earth and worship" (Ex 34:6-8).

"God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world. And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power. When He had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as much better than the angels, as He has inherited a more excellent name than they." (Heb 1:1-4).

I believe that Jesus is the Word the Lord spoke to Moses on top of Mount Sinai become flesh.  In fact, I am convinced of it. 

"And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

John bore witness of Him and cried out, saying, “This was He of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me is preferred before me, for He was before me.’ ”

And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace. For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him." (Jn 1:14-18).

In Christ alone,

Mike Peek

Salvation from the wrath of God that we all deserve for our sin is a gift, by His grace alone, through faith alone, in Jesus Christ alone. 

Encouraged by Students

Last month I wrote you all about my plans to go to the Tyler Junior College every Wednesday morning from 9:30-12:00 preaching the glorious Gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, passing out Gospel's of John, and talking with students.  After a time of evangelism we enjoy a meal at the Whataburger at Beckham and 5th St from 12:15 - 1:00PM.  Today was the fourth week in a row that we have spent Wednesday morning on campus.  Jason McMurray from First Baptist Lindale has been on campus alongside me each week.  We have been very encouraged this semester.

   At 10 minutes to the hour when students are changing classes I preach a short message about Jesus called Prophet, Priest, & King.  The message takes about 8 minutes to preach.  I then tell the students that I have several copies of the Gospel According to John with me and begin passing them out and talking with students.  We have passed out some 200 Gospel's of John thus far; I usually bring 50 with me and it doesn't take long for them all to be gone.

   Her is what Jason McMurray had to say about today's outreach:  "It was a good day on the TJC Campus today for Mike Peek and I. I got to speak with James from a couple of weeks ago for a few minutes. We got to hear Alex, the young preacher we met last week, preach the Gospel again. The best thing though was that about 4 or 5 students came up to me and inquired if we were from an organization in which the response was yes, our respective churches to proclaim the Gospel. These students all offered words of encouragement. Some said that we were an encouragement to them to embolden them to proclaim the Gospel...Be encouraged church, there are some young adults on college campuses that are not walking away from the faith. Yes it was a good day. Thank you Lord." (McMurray)

   Thank you all for your prayers.  If you are in Tyler on Wednesday and would like some fellowship while eating, stop by the Whataburger on 5th and Beckham.  We plan Lord willing to continue with this ministry throughout the fall semester.


In Christ alone, 
Mike Peek
www.aslaveofjesuschrist.com

Salvation from the wrath of God that we all deserve for our sin, is a gift by His grace through faith in His Son Jesus Christ the Lord.  

Angela Braxton - September 11, 2001

The above picture is from that horrific day on September 11, 2001 when the twin towers of the world trade center were struck and subsequently destroyed.  Many people lost their lives that day, but one women, Angela Braxton,  dead in her trespasses and sins was subsequently given new life in Christ Jesus.  She is in the front of this pick easily found on the internet if you search (women covered in ash September 11th).  She was in one of those towers when it was struck.  She called out to the Lord that she did not know or love to save her, and He did.  I first met Angela in 2013 in New Orleans at the Super Bowl Outreach with Sports Fans Outreach International.  She was there with 100 other saints whom the Lord saved, proclaiming that there is salvation in no other name, but Jesus Christ alone.  To the glory of God I have been able to see Angela at every Super Bowl Outreach since.

"Today is a day of remembering for me. Fourteen years ago as I went about my daily business, I never thought about where I would spend eternity or if this would be my last day. 24 hours later, I begged a God I did not love, did not thank, did not think about, did not serve, nor bring glory to.... to not let me die!!! What a difference... A new heart, a new love! A new birth!! He calls me His beloved, His child. I'm tearing up right now. What a Savior, What a merciful, long-suffering, compassionate God. My Lord and My God!!! My All In All!!! Thank you Jesus!!!!" ~ Angela Braxton

"Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved." (Rom 10:13 NASB)

Super Bowl Outreach 2013, Angela is about center in the picture

Prophet, Priest, & King

 

Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, Immanuel, which translated means, God with us.  Jesus came forth from the Father into the world as Prophet to testify to the truth.

Jesus Performed Seven Signs in the Gospel According to John demonstrating God.

1. Jesus turned water into wine (Jn 2:1-12).  
2. Jesus healed a Nobleman's son from dying over a great distance (Jn 4:46-54).
3. Jesus healed a man who had an infirmity for 38 years that had made him lame, when Jesus had healed him the man took up his bed and walked (Jn 5:1-17).  
4. Jesus feed five thousand men with five barley loaves and two fish (Jn 6:1-14).  
5. Jesus walked on water across the Sea of Galilee or Tiberias (Jn 6:15-25).  
6. Jesus gave sight to a man who had been born blind (Jn 9:1-41).  
7. Jesus called a man who had been dead for four days out of the grave alive (Jn 11:1-46).

Jesus made Seven I Am Statements in the Gospel According to John declaring God.

1. Jesus said, " I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst." (Jn 6:35 [NASB])
2. Jesus said, "I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life." (Jn 8:12 [NASB])
3. Jesus said, "I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. " (Jn 10:9 [NASB])
4. Jesus said, I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep." (Jn 10:11 [NASB])
5. Jesus said, "I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?" (Jn 11:25-26 [NASB])
6. Jesus said, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me. If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; from now on you know Him, and have seen Him." (Jn 14:6-7 [NASB])
7. Jesus said, "I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing." (Jn 15:5 [NASB])

Jesus came forth from the Father into the world as Priest to redeem the sheep.  All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Rom 3:23); the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord (Rom 6:23).  Jesus lived a perfect life (2 Cor 5:21) and He died for our sins according to the scriptures, and He was buried, and He was raised on the third day according to the scriptures (1 Cor 15:3-4); and He presented Himself alive after His suffering, by many convincing proofs, appearing to His disciples over a period of forty days and speaking of the things concerning the kingdom of God (Acts 1:3).  All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Him (Mt 28:18); He ascended into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God, and is presently making intercession on behalf of everyone who comes to God through faith in Him (Heb 7:25).  

Jesus will return at a time of the Father's choosing as King for judgment.  “But when the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, then He will sit on His glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered before Him; and He will separate them from one another, as the shepherd separates the sheep from the goats; and He will put the sheep on His right, and the goats on the left." (Mt 25:31-33 [NASB]).  The sheep are all those who believe in Jesus, hear His voice, and follow Him (Jn 10:27-30). They are justified; which means to be declared righteous.  As a gift; they do not deserve it.  By His grace; which means unmerited favor.  They are redeemed; which means to be bought back.  And all of this is done by the blood of Jesus Christ through faith (Rom 3:24-25).  The goats are all those who do not believe in Jesus, reject Him, and do not receive His sayings (Jn 10:25-26 & 12:47-48). "These will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” (Mt 25:46 [NASB]) 

What you must do is repent; which means to change your mind.  Receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior through faith.  Jesus performed many signs in the presence of His disciples; one of whom was John, and he (John) wrote a testimony, about what he had seen and heard, concerning the Word of Life.  Get a Bible and read it, beginning with the Gospel According to John, so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name.

Are You a Good Person?

What do I believe?

I believe that the Lord our God is one Lord; Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Mk 12:29, Mt 28:18-20).

I believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God (Mt 16:16, Jn 20:30-31).

I believe that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Rom 3:23).

I believe that the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord (Rom 6:23).

I believe that Jesus never sinned, but He died for our sins according to the scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the scriptures (2 Cor 5:21, 1 Cor 15:3,4).

I believe that all must repent and believe in the gospel (Mk 1:15, Acts 2:38).

I believe that there will be a resurrection of the dead and all will come before the judgment seat of Christ.  He who received Jesus has eternal life, but he who rejected Jesus will go away into eternal punishment (Mt 25:31-46, Jn 1:10-13).

True Evangelism

This past Wednesday, August 26, 2015 myself and two other brothers in Christ (Mike Anderson & Jason McMurray) went to Tyler Junior College to talk with the students about Jesus.  We enjoyed a great time of fellowship and outreach.  I preached about Jesus twice and Mike Anderson did as well.  We passed out a great quantity of Gospels of John and tracts.  After spending about 2 hours on campus we had lunch together and fellowship at Whataburger.

The Lord has caused me to focus a great deal on the Gospel of John in evangelism. 

Jesus said, "When the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, that is the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify about Me,  and you will testify also, because you have been with Me from the beginning." (John 15:26-27 [NASB])

I have learned about Jesus by reading the Gospel of John and I became convinced that these things are true by the Spirit of truth.  I cannot convince anyone of anything, it is the Holy Spirit that does the convincing.  Jesus performed many signs in the presence of His disciples, but I was not one of those disciples.  John heard Jesus, saw Him with his eyes and looked at Him, touched Him with His hands, watched as He was crucified dead and buried, and he was there when Jesus presented Himself alive after His suffering.  Therefore, true evangelism either tells people what the apostles have seen and heard concerning the Word of Life or gets them to read it.