Jesus said that we should love our enemies, and turn the other cheek. That we should consider it a blessing when people cursed and reviled us and spoke all manor of evil against us falsely. In Matthew chapter 18 he says that if we do not forgive our neighbor his trespasses, we will be turned over to the tormentor. In Matt 6:15 he says .. if you do not forgive ment their trespasses, niether will your Father forgive your trepasses. NKJV

The Apostle Paul said that he was crucified to the world and the world crucified to him. (Galatians 6:14). John said; 1 John 2:15-17  Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever. KJV

Yesterday, we made our way to the 1500's and began to talk about the confusion brought about by the renaissance philosophers. This is where we will continue today.

From the beginning of the Church age, there have been apostate or heretical church bodies. The Apostle Paul had to deal with these heresies in his own day: Gal 1:6-9

     I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: 7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.

9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed. KJV

    The crisis that we have in USA is without a doubt a result of the churches preaching a cursed gospel. Jay and I will spend as many hours on this topic as necessary.

From the pages of the 'Twelve Steps and Twelve Tradtions' we read "Who cares to admit complete defeat...?' We only quit struggling with sin and our addicitons when we let go absolutely, give up and trust God. We can then lead a life, no of our own choosing, but one 'Guided by God."

In the book Alcoholics Anonymous, Bill Wilson declared that in order to live a God-guided life there was a price to be paid. He said: Simple but not easy; a price had to be paid. It meant destruction fo self-centeredness. This is our topic of our discussion today.

Our culture is addicted to durgs, sex and rock and roll as well as power, fame, fortune and control just to name a few. Society is melting down due to its own immorality. Each of us can make a difference and create a sober world if we will practice the four absolutes daily and ask God to tell us what to do to create a sober world.

We are applying to be considered for sellection Glenn Beck's project, Pursuit of the Truth. We will share this with our listeners today.

Paul says in 1 Cor 4:9: For I think God has displayed us, the apostles, last as men condemed to death; for we ahve been made a spectacle to the world, both to anges and to men. 10 We are fools for Christ's sake.... We will talk about his and other passages which speak to this apect of living the authenic life of a disciple of Christ. This at the heart of having a sober view of the message of the Cross.

We finish our discussion of the gifts as we talk about the 5-fold ministry gifts and the Gifts of the Holy Spirit.