ARP Church Discussions

OUTREACH Prayer Update — May 2013

webdevelopment — Tue, 07 May 2013 00:13:44 +0000

Our church planters depend on the prayers and encouragement of God's people

OUTREACH NORTH AMERICA provides this monthly prayer letter to inform you of some of their specific needs and praises so you will know better how to pray for them. Thank you for your prayers and the interest you show by your phone and e-mail responses.

Your prayers truly encourage your church planters.

Have You Considered — World Witness Short Term Mission Trips?

webdevelopment — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 11:33:36 +0000

Erskine President David Norman is Forced Out

webdevelopment — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 18:48:13 +0000

"I am exhausted."

The toll this job has taken on me and on my family cannot be ignored. I also know that, although I have committed each day to serve God and this institution to the best of my ability, I have strained or broken relationships with several of Erskine’s most important alumni, faculty, and staff.

I want what’s best for Erskine.

It is therefore with great regret, but with the full support of the Executive Committee, that I have decided to step away from the presidency of Erskine College. I have requested that the Executive Committee appoint an interim president to take the reins July 1, 2013, and a search begin as soon as it's practical for Erskine’s 16th president.

The Dragon Isn’t Above the Law — Revelation 20:1-3

tonylocke — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 20:43:50 +0000

Jesus will orchestrate the Omega of this Creation and declare with absolute finality the destiny of every person.

After the war. After He has changed His blood splattered garments. After He has brought us into His eternal rest. God the Father will reveal a new name by which we will know Jesus.

Today we know Jesus as Redeemer. Jesus is Lord. Jesus is Savior. Jesus is the Lamb and He is a Lion. Jesus is THE Wonderful Counselor. He is Mighty God, Everlasting Father and THE Prince of Peace. Jesus is the Great High Priest. He is the Great Prophet. Jesus is the Great King.

Revelation 19:12 His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself. This name will be revealed!

Maybe His new name will have something to do with reversing the Fall, ending sin and chaining the Dragon.

And Sitting Down They Watched Him There — Matthew 27:35-36 by Reverend Chuck Wilson

webdevelopment — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 20:05:23 +0000

The betrayal of Jesus by the Jewish religious and political leaders is a tale of hate and malice. The extent of their perfidy is evidenced by their uncharacteristic setting aside of their cherished traditions of justice and mercy. Demonically driven, they abandoned justice and mercy and embraced treachery and hell. In madness, they howled, “Let his blood be on us and our children.” And ignoring the law of consequences, they cursed themselves and future generations of their children and drank down shame and judgment like wine.

For many, Judas stands as the most craven character in the drama of the Cross. Whatever his reasons, he betrayed his friend and teacher and rejected his Savior and Lord for 30 pieces of silver (the price of a common slave). Indeed, at this point, if there were no other reason for hell than the just disposition of Judas, God would have had to commission an angel to construct the contours of hell and set them ablaze as a fiery maelstrom.

Capturing the Bad Guys (The Gruesome Ending of All God’s Enemies) — Revelation 19:11-21

tonylocke — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 15:40:18 +0000

One day soon God will again send His only begotten Son into the physical realm of this planet.

Jesus will show up in all His glory and splendor with orders from the Father to finish out the victory He already won at the Cross.

Jesus will have orders from the Father to tie up loose ends, squash the resistance and bring an end to the conflict.

The rebellion will not be resurrected. God will call the unclean birds of the air to remove the impurity and filth that they leave behind.

This is a glorious victory for our battle scared Lord Jesus.

Peace will be found at the tip of His sword and He will win the battle.

Ordained Into an Honorable Retirement — Ms. Harriet E. Leslie (Sermon Title: The Righteous Deeds of the Saints — Revelation 19:6-10)

tonylocke — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 12:54:03 +0000

Dear Harriet E. Leslie,

February 24^th, 2013

You have completed your active service as a servant of the Church. Your sisters and brothers rejoice with you in the blessed evidence of God’s anointing upon your years of faithful ministry. We thank God for your love and dedication to Jesus Christ, and we praise God for the grace that has allowed your ministry to touch so many lives.

Now we come to mark with you the fulfillment of your calling, as the Church confers upon you the status, Honorably Retired. While we know this begins a time of rest and the enjoyment for other callings, we value the experience you have gained and the skills you have acquired throughout your years of ministry.

Therefore, we welcome your continued participation in the life of the church, using your gifts in meaningful ways. You remain a colleague in ministry, and we will continue to seek your wisdom and your fellowship.

May God continue to bring joy and peace to your life, just as you have blessed so many others throughout the years of your life.

May you know the full joy of the Father’s words, “Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much.”

Are the Saints Guilt of Heavenly Schadenfreude? — Revelation 19:1-5

tonylocke — Sun, 24 Mar 2013 03:21:03 +0000

Schadenfreude is that wonderful German term for those who experience wicked glee at the demise of others.

If we see someone suffer, someone that we don’t like very much, and our hearts feel malicious pleasure, then we can be accused of Schadenfreude.

Well, are the saints in this passage feeling that? Are we going to sin a little in our hearts while watching sinners receive God’s judgment?

What causes our hearts to shout for joy when sinners are judged?

There is an answer, and it isn't what you might imagine.

These Are God’s Final Warnings in the Bible before the End — Revelation 18:1-24

tonylocke — Sat, 23 Mar 2013 18:00:21 +0000

The Holy Spirit is vexed when pride, greed, lust, envy, anger, gluttony and laziness are at home within our hearts. When these traits increase, we know that the end is near.

God has been warning the Earth of His judgment since the beginning of Genesis.

These are literally the last words of warning before the end of the world comes.

Are you ready for that final moment? Are you saved? Have you repented of your sin and walked away from a love of this world?

God loves you so much. God has been patient for so long. Will you keep testing His compassion? Will you seek His forgiveness? May God give us the grace to repent right now.

Marriage: What It Is, Why It Matters, and the Consequences of Redefining It

webdevelopment — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 12:32:37 +0000

Marriage is based on the truth that men and women are complementary, the biological fact that reproduction depends on a man and a woman, and the reality that children need a mother and a father.

Redefining marriage does not simply expand the existing understanding of marriage; it rejects these truths. Marriage is society’s least restrictive means of ensuring the well-being of children.

By encouraging the norms of marriage—monogamy, sexual exclusivity, and permanence—the state strengthens civil society and reduces its own role. The future of this country depends on the future of marriage.

The future of marriage depends on citizens understanding what it is and why it matters and demanding that government policies support, not undermine, true marriage.

Click to read Ryan's other articles on Marriage

Young Pro-Marriage Conservatives Undaunted by the Battle Ahead

webdevelopment — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 13:20:42 +0000

They hear that their cause is lost, that demographics and the march of history have doomed their campaign to keep marriage only between a man and a woman. But the young conservatives who oppose same-sex marriage - unlike most of their generation - remain undaunted.

They identify themselves as part of the "pro-marriage movement" and see themselves at the beginning of a long political struggle, much like the battle over abortion. If they can begin shifting the terms of the debate away from gay rights and toward the meaning of marriage, they say, they have a chance to survive short-term defeats.

"The primary challenge that our side faces right now is the intense social pressure," said Joseph Backholm, 34, the executive director of the Family Policy Institute of Washington. "To the extent that the other side is able to frame this as a vote for gay people to be happy, it will be challenging for us."

CLICK to sign the Manhattan Declaration

Print The Manhattan Declaration for your church

To put it another way, opponents of same-sex marriage say they must argue in favor of traditional marriage, not against gay people or gay rights. "It's really a broader defense of marriage and a stronger marriage culture," said Will Haun, 26, a lawyer and member of the Federalist Society.

A Woman Rides the Beast — Revelation 17:10-18

tonylocke — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 01:34:02 +0000

Everywhere you look people talk about being spiritual. Yoga empties us for spiritual enlightenment. Walking outdoors connects us to the Earth. Buying a hybrid car makes us feel like we are saving the planet.

Yet, none of these things are real connections to the Father in comparison to what Jesus offers.

Many churches participate in meeting spiritual needs without Jesus. They provide religious rituals and sentimental experiences. Churches seek to be relevant to impress and attract "seekers." Worldly techniques for entertainment are used to grow the financial and congregational numbers.

But, what does Jesus think about this alliance between the World and the Church?

Jesus uses a brutal and graphic allegory to share His thoughts.

Communist China Happily Claims to Have Only Murdered 330,000,000 Million Babies

webdevelopment — Sat, 16 Mar 2013 20:04:22 +0000

Chinese physicians claim to have murdered over 330,000,000 million babies since the government implemented a controversial family planning policy 40 years ago, according to official data from the health ministry.

The Communist government proudly publishes these numbers, yet reporters outside the country believe the numbers to much, much higher.

China’s one-child policy has been the subject of a heated debate. Sadly, world news media are not debating the immorality of these murders, but rather the economic consequences that will arise from an ageing Chinese population. With 34,000,000 million more men than woman, the gender disparity is also a rising concern.

A City on Seven Hills — Revelation 17:1-9, 18

tonylocke — Sun, 03 Mar 2013 11:02:58 +0000

The whole book of Hosea is based on the accusation from God that the people of God had prostituted themselves for what the world had to offer.

God illustrates our sin by commanding one of His very godly men to marry a very silly girl who was in love with this world.

Hosea 1:2 When the LORD first spoke through Hosea, the LORD said to Hosea, “Go, take to yourself a wife of whoredom and have children of whoredom, for the land commits great whoredom by forsaking the LORD.”

God does shocking things to teach us valuable lessons. This passage is provocative.

The Church that was started in the Book of Acts has now become, like Israel became, an unfaithful spouse.

How many of these harsh accusations could be applied to us?

Stated Clerk of First Presbytery, Tom Patterson, Faces Over 208 Sex Charges

webdevelopment — Sun, 03 Mar 2013 10:37:12 +0000

The investigation surrounding alleged sexual abuse of children by a former Iredell County teacher three decades ago has grown to include at least 20 former students and more than 110 charges, the Iredell sheriff’s office says.

Iredell Sheriff Phillip Redmond said at least 16 additional alleged victims have been identified, and he said 96 more indecent liberties charges were filed Thursday against Patterson. In addition, Redmond said, Patterson has been charged with one count of first-degree sex offense.

Patterson, of Mooresville, was released under $100,000 bond after the first arrest but was jailed Thursday under $350,000 bond. He bonded out later Thursday, a jail official said.

OUTREACH Prayer Update — March 2013

webdevelopment — Sat, 02 Mar 2013 15:14:46 +0000

Our church planters depend on the prayers and encouragement of God's people

Your prayers truly encourage your church planters.

Alan Avera Leaving Outreach North America

webdevelopment — Sat, 02 Mar 2013 15:01:14 +0000

Outreach North America Director Alan Avera has accepted a job as senior executive for Christianity Explored USA's ministry in North America. He will begin his new job on July 1.

Christianity Explored is a ministry that began 10 years ago at All Souls Church in London, England. The ministry produces tools to help churches in evangelism and discipleship, the primary one being the 7-week Christianity Explored evangelistic Bible study based on the Gospel of Mark.

As the North America executive, Dr. Avera will help increase awareness of the resources available through Christianity Explored, and will help support churches that use Christianity Explored resources.

. . . and God Remembered — Revelation 16:17-21

tonylocke — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 03:06:49 +0000

Sometimes my children mess up a LEGO project. I have to disassemble their project until I find the wrong piece in order to fix it. God will disassemble the universe for the same reason.

The dis-assembly part scares me, but for God to fix the imperfections of this Creation, it has to be totally disassembled and reassembled correctly.

My children come to me in tears wondering why their project looks wrong and doesn't work right. In love I have to judge certain LEGO pieces as wrong and then break it apart that it might be corrected.

God is going to judge certain things as wrong. God will then disassemble the sinful things and reassemble the Creation perfect and holy.

That’s the message of all the judgment passages in the Bible. God loves us all too much to let things stay imperfect forever.

God looks forward to the day that your body disassembles into the grave that He might resurrect you into life everlasting.

Don't fear the tear down. God is a great re-builder!

Invitations to Repent — Revelation 16:1-16

tonylocke — Tue, 26 Feb 2013 20:17:57 +0000

This passage is one of the most negative chapters in the whole Bible. Let me offer a new view.

When my children disobey, as a parent I place them in crisis through discipline. I might threaten to take away their favorite toy, ground them or spank them. I bring trouble in their life to lead them to repentance.

God did this with the Egyptians. He brought Ten Plagues to upset their life and motivate them to obey His commands.

During the end times God will bring these plagues back. God will bring Humanity into a great crisis that He might lead us all toward the last great invitation for repentance.

Time to Learn the Song of Moses — Revelation 15:1-8

tonylocke — Tue, 26 Feb 2013 18:48:16 +0000

The people of God crossed over the Red Sea on dry ground. When they looked back from the Promised Land, they watched God destroy their enemies and they sang out in victory.

That same experience will be ours when we get to Heaven and watch God destroy our enemies left on the Earth. We will sing the same song Moses sang.

Jesus also walked through the valley of the shadow of death. From the other side He looked back in victory and sang a song of praise that the curse was defeated, the Dragon was crushed and sin was removed.

The Church will join Israel to sing the Song of Moses, but Jesus will join both of us while we sing the Song of Moses . . . and the Lamb!

The Great Harvest of the Earth — Revelation 14:14-20

tonylocke — Tue, 26 Feb 2013 01:42:20 +0000

Jesus holds Death's sharp sickle. He wrestled it from Death after He was taken down off the cross and lay in the tomb for three days.

Jesus now has the right to determine the destination of your destiny. He alone can call a life into judgment.

All will feel the cutting sickle of death severing them from life as promised in the Garden of Eden.

Our nation celebrates this harsh truth when we sing,

Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord: He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored; He hath loosed the fateful lightning of His terrible swift sword: His truth is marching on.

His swift sword is for death and judgment. That shatters the average image of Jesus.

How should we feel about that? we should sing with gusto, Glory, glory, Hallelujah!

The Blessings of Heaven Are Better & the Terrors of Hell Are Worse — Revelation 14:6-13

tonylocke — Tue, 26 Feb 2013 01:40:41 +0000

The Gospel informs us that Jesus has all authority and all power in Heaven and Earth, that the Father has given all judgment to the Son, and that the blessings of God will rain down forever upon those who place their faith in Christ.

These are the Big Promises of the Bible that are planted in Genesis and finally bloom in Revelation.

Jesus promised that it hasn't entered our imagination how great Heaven will be for those who love God.

Sadly, it also hasn't entered into the imaginations of men the eternal terrors that await those who reject God's love.

Do the 144,000 Have a Tattoo? — Revelation 14:1-5

tonylocke — Tue, 26 Feb 2013 01:01:39 +0000

When the 144,000 sing, it sounds like Niagara Falls multiplied by Thunder.

Heaven is more like a Monster Truck Show than a Presbyterian worship service. Cast out this idea of Heaven being quaint. Heaven will knock your socks off.

And this congregation wears the Heavenly tattoo. They are filled with moxie and bravado. Who are these 144,000?

The Jehovah Witness Church teaches that only 144,000 will be saved. Wrong answer.

Islam says that these are the 144,000 Prophets of Muhammad. No.

The Church Universal and Triumphant teaches that 144,000 souls were brought back to Earth from Venus. Not even close.

Tim LaHaye thinks that only 144,000 Jews are saved during the tribulation and that they become evangelists before the final Armageddon. Who do you think these people are?

The False Prophet and 666 Revealed — Revelation 13:11-18

tonylocke — Mon, 25 Feb 2013 23:16:34 +0000

Why is it 666?

I am going to give you an answer that is so simple, it stretches credulity. I hope you find it beautiful in it’s simplicity.

6 is less than 7. There are 7 churches, 7 stars, 7 lamp-stands, 7 seals, 7 trumpets, 7 bowls, 7 horns. There’s the 7 days of Creation. Seven is the number of fullness, the number of completeness. We enter God’s rest on the seventh day.

To be short of seven is to be locked in the cycle of work. To be short of seven is to be incomplete. To be short of seven is to be Earthly and temporal. You are outside of God’s blessing as a six.

Humanity is a six. We are created in God’s image, but on the sixth day because we are less than God. The Dragon is a six. He is a fry short of a Happy Meal. He is a day late and a dollar short. He doesn't measure up to God.

This Demonic Trinity will leave you empty and lost for all they have to offer is 6, 6, 6.

No Beauty In This Beast — Revelation 13:1-10

tonylocke — Sat, 23 Feb 2013 21:13:51 +0000

The Beast is all the nations in opposition to all that is good. All ten nations symbolize the totality of humanity involved in this rebellion, and the seven heads remind us that the Dragon is the Puppet Master.

Which is why this Beast, through the leadership of the anti-Christ and the power of the Kingdoms of the Earth, targets their anti-Christian rage against the followers of Jesus. This is a Demonic Beast who is Hell bent on the Church’s destruction.

Have you ever wondered why the world is so unified in their hostility to the Lordship of Jesus Christ? This vision answers that question.

A Bad Week for the ARP Church: Murder, Abuse, Corporate Failure

webdevelopment — Sat, 23 Feb 2013 20:41:33 +0000

There are some weeks that are best forgotten. This last week will best be remembered in prayer.

We are praying that the accusations against former Moderator Tom Patterson are false. He stands accused of more than a dozen crimes while a public school teacher. We will pray for God's wisdom and the truth.

There are no words to express our shock and sadness at the death of Constance Johnston at the hands of her grandson. We join our current Moderator in praying for this boy's regeneration and salvation from the darkness that has control of his heart and mind.

And we pray for the future residence of those retired, and the future employment of those working, at Covenant Way.

May God bless our denomination with an anointing of His Spirit to expand His Kingdom even in areas controlled by the Gates of Hell.

OUTREACH Prayer Update — November 2012

webdevelopment — Fri, 02 Nov 2012 01:42:26 +0000

Our church planters depend on the prayers and encouragement of God's people

Your prayers truly encourage your church planters.

Do You Believe in Dragons? — Revelation 12:1-6

tonylocke — Wed, 17 Oct 2012 03:25:16 +0000

At a local mall is a dinner theater called Medieval Times Dinner and Tournament. Their building is made to look like an old European castle.

When my sons saw the castle for the first time I nonchalantly told them that we needed to keep our distance because the dragon inside isn’t very nice.

The car went silent.

I looked into the rear view mirror and saw their wide eyes and concerned faces. They were terrified of that Dragon!

Do you believe in Dragons? God does. In Genesis 3 God introduces a Dragon who reappears in Revelation 12 and 20.

This Dragon is the real deal. We should be terrified.

Anyone feel the need to start humming A Mighty Fortress is Our God?

“Afterlife Exists!” Says a Top Brain Surgeon

webdevelopment — Wed, 10 Oct 2012 22:24:53 +0000

Dr Eben Alexander, a Harvard-educated neurosurgeon, fell into a coma for seven days in 2008 after contracting meningitis.

During his illness Dr Alexander says that the part of his brain which controls human thought and emotion "shut down" and that he then experienced "something so profound that it gave me a scientific reason to believe in consciousness after death."

In an essay for American magazine Newsweek, which he wrote to promote his book Proof of Heaven, Dr Alexander says he was met by a beautiful blue-eyed woman in a "place of clouds, big fluffy pink-white ones" and "shimmering beings".

Which Politician Stood Before 65 Mill Viewers and Labeled Our National Debt Immoral? — Revelation 11:15-19

tonylocke — Wed, 10 Oct 2012 19:59:13 +0000

When Lot was in front of the people of Sodom, he weakened the message of the Bible so that the people would leave him and his family alone.

Churches do the same thing today. We have lowered our rhetoric against sin.

During the last presidential debate, one of the candidates said that our national debt was immoral. Even good Churches don't talk about morality.

Maybe this is why there isn't much persecution of believers in America.

We have stopped saying what God told us to say for our own comfort sake.