Missio Dei Fellowship

In Psalm 53, David begins with a proclamation: the fool in his heart says, "There is no God." His point is a relatively simple one: one's rejection of God is the wellspring from which all else flows. But this rejection of God is not merely an intellectual rejection of God's existence; it involves the practical atheist, who lives without reference to their Creator. No matter what "flavor" of unbelief someone subscribes to, the reality is the same: biblically, they are a fool. As we explore the Scriptures in search of why, the answer becomes abundantly clear. God has revealed Himself plainly to all, so that all are without excuse on the coming Day of Judgment.

Persecution at times is isolated but often it begins with a flashpoint and then spreads through mob rule. This is what our passage before us describes. The death of Stephen is the beginning of intense persecution for the Church in Jerusalem. But that is not the real story. The real story is that as the people fled this persecution, they fled with the gospel on their lips. This passage shows us that the way the gospel truly advances is not through gimmicks or power-events but through faithful men and women who believe that the gospel is the only means of salvation and life and they therefore say that to those they evangelize.

In Psalm 52, David draws a sharp contrast between the righteous and the wicked. Not only do these two different types of people have vastly different outcomes, their lives in the -here and now- are vastly different. Yet the basis of it all rests upon the unfailing, covenant love of God. As we look to this same reality today, the message remains much the same- are we the man who trusts in the Lord and have made Him our refuge, or do we, as Doeg, love evil more than good, lies more than truth, and this age more than God--

Persecution and martyrdom are frightening for many as they see the many changes occurring in America today. What once seemed so far away is now quite near and some are even now experiencing a level of persecution they never imagined. But this is not something new. The bible is clear about it and its certainty. So how ought the Christian view this-- That is the goal of this message. In this second message we will consider what the Christian is to do in light of the certainty of persecution.

In recent years, there has been a push from many within the Evangelical Church to read the Scriptures through the lens of oppression and victimization. In particular, the story of David and Bathsheba has come up time and again, enabling some to make the accusation that David raped Bathsheba. However, when the implications of this viewpoint are teased out to their logical ends, they bring serious, theological consequences. Like various movements before it and many that will come after, the heart of the debate lay within the age old question- has God truly said--

In this much beloved psalm, David unfolds the reality of what genuine confession of sin and repentance looks like. He portrays just how deeply the corrupting power of sin has ruined every man, woman, and child. Left to our own devices, we would have no hope at all. Yet the psalm bleeds through with the character of God at every turn, leading us to see that God is indeed a merciful and gracious God to us poor, wretched sinners. If we turn to the Lord with a broken and contrite heart, these He will not despise.

Persecution at times is isolated but often it begins with a flashpoint and then spreads through mob rule. This is what our passage before us describes. The death of Stephen is the beginning of intense persecution for the Church in Jerusalem. But that is not the real story. The real story is that as the people fled this persecution, they fled with the gospel on their lips. This passage shows us that the way the gospel truly advances is not through gimmicks or power-events but through faithful men and women who believe that the gospel is the only means of salvation and life and they therefore say that to those they evangelize.

In Psalm 52, David draws a sharp contrast between the righteous and the wicked. Not only do these two different types of people have vastly different outcomes, their lives in the "here and now" are vastly different. Yet the basis of it all rests upon the unfailing, covenant love of God. As we look to this same reality today, the message remains much the same: are we the man who trusts in the Lord and have made Him our refuge, or do we, as Doeg, love evil more than good, lies more than truth, and this age more than God?

Persecution and martyrdom are frightening for many as they see the many changes occurring in America today. What once seemed so far away is now quite near and some are even now experiencing a level of persecution they never imagined. But this is not something new. The bible is clear about it and its certainty. So how ought the Christian view this? That is the goal of this message. In this second message we will consider what the Christian is to do in light of the certainty of persecution.

In recent years, there has been a push from many within the Evangelical Church to read the Scriptures through the lens of oppression and victimization. In particular, the story of David and Bathsheba has come up time and again, enabling some to make the accusation that David raped Bathsheba. However, when the implications of this viewpoint are teased out to their logical ends, they bring serious, theological consequences. Like various movements before it and many that will come after, the heart of the debate lay within the age old question: has God truly said?