Crosswork.org

Audio link

THE ‘WHY’ BEHIND EVERYTHING
By John Collier

September 12, 2010

…What would the conversation between Solomon and the Queen of Sheba have been?

I Kings 10: 1-9 1 Now when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the Lord, she came to test him with hard questions. 2 She came to Jerusalem with a very great retinue, with camels that bore spices, very much gold, and precious stones; and when she came to Solomon, she spoke with him about all that was in her heart. 3 So Solomon answered all her questions; there was nothing so difficult for the king that he could not explain it to her. 4 And when the queen of Sheba had seen all the wisdom of Solomon, the house that he had built, 5 the food on his table, the seating of his servants, the service of his waiters and their apparel, his cupbearers, and his entryway by which he went up to the house of the LORD, there was no more spirit in her. 6 Then she said to the king: “It was a true report which I heard in my own land about your words and your wisdom. 7 However I did not believe the words until I came and saw with my own eyes; and indeed the half was not told me. Your wisdom and prosperity exceed the fame of which I heard. 8 Happy are your men and happy are these your servants, who stand continually before you and hear your wisdom! 9 Blessed be the LORD your God, who delighted in you, setting you on the throne of Israel! Because the LORD has loved Israel forever, therefore He made you king, to do justice and righteousness.”

I believe that the Queen of Sheba asked Solomon the hard spiritual questions about all of reality because of what we read in v 1 “concerning the name of the Lord” questions such as why was man created? Is there a purpose of everything? Is there a reason behind everything that happens (the Why behind everything)?

And then the Queen of Sheba said to King Solomon:

QOS- King Solomon I would like to discuss the question of Why? Why do things happen the way that they do? Is there some sort of order or power behind the world’s events? Are things governed by chance or is there a cause of all things??

SOL- That is an excellent question my Queen. To answer it we must determine what is the fountain or source of all answers. Can we reach the answers through observation of all of life (empiricism)? Can man reach the answers through his own internal thought processes (rationalism)? No both fall short of Omiscience which is what is required to supply the answer to these categorical absolutes. Unless you know everything exhaustively you cannot speak to cause because you would have to know all causes to speak to absolutes. There is only one source of Omniscient Knowledge that is capable of supplying the answer to these absolutes and that is the living God. To understand the why behind everything that happens in all of life we must understand the creator of everything. If and only if we are able to uncover the motives and intentions of the creator only then can we know the answer behind the why of everything. Fortunately the Creator has given us those answers. He has spoken and He tells us what his motives are. He has spoken and has told us why He does everything that He does.

QOS- Solomon please tell me the answers to these questions. This is what my soul desires most.

SOl – I could tell you Queen but then I’d have to kill you. (Just Kidding)- God tells us in His word both the primary and secondary causes behind why he does what he does.
Continue reading “THE ‘WHY’ BEHIND EVERYTHING”

Audio link

THE ‘WHY’ BEHIND EVERYTHING
By John Collier

September 12, 2010

…What would the conversation between Solomon and the Queen of Sheba have been?

I Kings 10: 1-9 1 Now when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the Lord, she came to test him with hard questions. 2 She came to Jerusalem with a very great retinue, with camels that bore spices, very much gold, and precious stones; and when she came to Solomon, she spoke with him about all that was in her heart. 3 So Solomon answered all her questions; there was nothing so difficult for the king that he could not explain it to her. 4 And when the queen of Sheba had seen all the wisdom of Solomon, the house that he had built, 5 the food on his table, the seating of his servants, the service of his waiters and their apparel, his cupbearers, and his entryway by which he went up to the house of the LORD, there was no more spirit in her. 6 Then she said to the king: “It was a true report which I heard in my own land about your words and your wisdom. 7 However I did not believe the words until I came and saw with my own eyes; and indeed the half was not told me. Your wisdom and prosperity exceed the fame of which I heard. 8 Happy are your men and happy are these your servants, who stand continually before you and hear your wisdom! 9 Blessed be the LORD your God, who delighted in you, setting you on the throne of Israel! Because the LORD has loved Israel forever, therefore He made you king, to do justice and righteousness.”

I believe that the Queen of Sheba asked Solomon the hard spiritual questions about all of reality because of what we read in v 1 “concerning the name of the Lord” questions such as why was man created? Is there a purpose of everything? Is there a reason behind everything that happens (the Why behind everything)?

And then the Queen of Sheba said to King Solomon:

QOS- King Solomon I would like to discuss the question of Why? Why do things happen the way that they do? Is there some sort of order or power behind the world’s events? Are things governed by chance or is there a cause of all things??

SOL- That is an excellent question my Queen. To answer it we must determine what is the fountain or source of all answers. Can we reach the answers through observation of all of life (empiricism)? Can man reach the answers through his own internal thought processes (rationalism)? No both fall short of Omiscience which is what is required to supply the answer to these categorical absolutes. Unless you know everything exhaustively you cannot speak to cause because you would have to know all causes to speak to absolutes. There is only one source of Omniscient Knowledge that is capable of supplying the answer to these absolutes and that is the living God. To understand the why behind everything that happens in all of life we must understand the creator of everything. If and only if we are able to uncover the motives and intentions of the creator only then can we know the answer behind the why of everything. Fortunately the Creator has given us those answers. He has spoken and He tells us what his motives are. He has spoken and has told us why He does everything that He does.

QOS- Solomon please tell me the answers to these questions. This is what my soul desires most.

SOl – I could tell you Queen but then I’d have to kill you. (Just Kidding)- God tells us in His word both the primary and secondary causes behind why he does what he does.
Continue reading “THE ‘WHY’ BEHIND EVERYTHING”

AUDIO LINK

Victory through LOGICAL Sovereign Grace

9/5/10

There is so much confusion with reference to how to live the Christian life. A lot of what you find in Churches today is Arminian legalism.

The focus of Arminianism is all about a person measuring up to a standard of righteousness. The center and circumference of this doctrine is obedience, your obedience. The Arminians teach a works approach to salvation and after one is so-called saved in that system then person must maintain their salvation by works as well.

Many Christians do not know about how Christ measured up for them at the cross. And that the only obedience that brings about your salvation
i.e. justification and sanctification is the obedience of Christ alone on your behalf and in your place.

Victory and peace of mind in this life comes only by learning the logic of God’s sovereign grace in relation to justification and sanctification.

God’s sovereign grace takes the focus off of you, I must measure up, I must in my own power please God, etc. to focusing on Christ cross/work obedience
and God’s absolute sovereignty over all of your life.

Until a Christian understands the logic of God’s sovereign plan for his life he will not have a Biblically unified system of truth from which he can cope with all of his problems.

In addition, he will not be able to Biblically interpret everything that is happening in his life as an eternally fixed, ordained moment for him to be conformed to the image of Christ for the glory of the Father.

Without the logic of God’s sovereign grace over every aspect of our lives from our thoughts, words and deeds then we are logically left with posting our will as the basis for our happiness and peace of mind.

Purpose:
To learn from Scripture alone that the Christian life is all about God’s sovereign grace and the finished work of Christ. In addition, to clear up the confusion about how to live the Christian life and to debunk the doctrine that once a Christian is saved they will live a godly life for the rest of their life or if they do not live an obedient life then they were not saved in the first place.

Continue reading “Victory Through LOGICAL Sovereign Grace”

AUDIO LINK

Victory through LOGICAL Sovereign Grace

9/5/10

There is so much confusion with reference to how to live the Christian life. A lot of what you find in Churches today is Arminian legalism.

The focus of Arminianism is all about a person measuring up to a standard of righteousness. The center and circumference of this doctrine is obedience, your obedience. The Arminians teach a works approach to salvation and after one is so-called saved in that system then person must maintain their salvation by works as well.

Many Christians do not know about how Christ measured up for them at the cross. And that the only obedience that brings about your salvation
i.e. justification and sanctification is the obedience of Christ alone on your behalf and in your place.

Victory and peace of mind in this life comes only by learning the logic of God’s sovereign grace in relation to justification and sanctification.

God’s sovereign grace takes the focus off of you, I must measure up, I must in my own power please God, etc. to focusing on Christ cross/work obedience
and God’s absolute sovereignty over all of your life.

Until a Christian understands the logic of God’s sovereign plan for his life he will not have a Biblically unified system of truth from which he can cope with all of his problems.

In addition, he will not be able to Biblically interpret everything that is happening in his life as an eternally fixed, ordained moment for him to be conformed to the image of Christ for the glory of the Father.

Without the logic of God’s sovereign grace over every aspect of our lives from our thoughts, words and deeds then we are logically left with posting our will as the basis for our happiness and peace of mind.

Purpose:
To learn from Scripture alone that the Christian life is all about God’s sovereign grace and the finished work of Christ. In addition, to clear up the confusion about how to live the Christian life and to debunk the doctrine that once a Christian is saved they will live a godly life for the rest of their life or if they do not live an obedient life then they were not saved in the first place.

Continue reading “Victory Through LOGICAL Sovereign Grace”

AUDIO LINK

8/29/10

 

Victorious Life: Know, Reckon, Yield

As a new born Christian you quickly discover that you still have the same sinful habits that you had prior to believing on Christ as your Savior.

Out of ignorance and desperation many Christians turn to the pagan ways of the world to help them to deal with their sinful addictions i.e. habits.

 

However, the Father tells all of His children in Christ that He has provided everything that they need to overcome any and all of their sins through the victorious cross/work of Christ.

 

2Pe 1:3 as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness,through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue,

2Pe 1:4 by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature,

having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

 

The reason that Christians turn to everything (AA, NLP, Psychology) but the Word of God to overcome their sinful habits is because they have not been taught

from Scripture that the cross/work of Christ alone defeated the source of all their sins i.e. their sinful nature- the nature they inherited from Adam.

 And that no other so-called spiritual source can help them. Almighty Christ needs no help with your sin problem.

 

Purpose: To learn from Scripture alone that every Christian can live a victorious Christian life by learning and applying what Christ cross/work

accomplished with reference to all their sinful problems.

Continue reading “Victorious Life: Know, Reckon, Yield”

AUDIO LINK

8/29/10

 

Victorious Life: Know, Reckon, Yield

As a new born Christian you quickly discover that you still have the same sinful habits that you had prior to believing on Christ as your Savior.

Out of ignorance and desperation many Christians turn to the pagan ways of the world to help them to deal with their sinful addictions i.e. habits.

 

However, the Father tells all of His children in Christ that He has provided everything that they need to overcome any and all of their sins through the victorious cross/work of Christ.

 

2Pe 1:3 as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness,through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue,

2Pe 1:4 by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature,

having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

 

The reason that Christians turn to everything (AA, NLP, Psychology) but the Word of God to overcome their sinful habits is because they have not been taught

from Scripture that the cross/work of Christ alone defeated the source of all their sins i.e. their sinful nature- the nature they inherited from Adam.

 And that no other so-called spiritual source can help them. Almighty Christ needs no help with your sin problem.

 

Purpose: To learn from Scripture alone that every Christian can live a victorious Christian life by learning and applying what Christ cross/work

accomplished with reference to all their sinful problems.

Continue reading “Victorious Life: Know, Reckon, Yield”

AUDIO LINK
8/22/10      

 Prepare to Appear before Christ

                              

2Co 5:10  For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.

Rom 14:12 So then each of us shall give account of himself to God.

 

What a sobering thought to realize that every Christian will stand before the One who bore all their sins, to give an account of how they lived their lives for their Savior. Moreover, it is important to drive the seriousness of this future event home in order for us to take a spiritual inventory of how we are currently conducting our Christian lives. Think about this future moment with me. There will be no one else present except for you and your Lord alone. God’s eternal, sovereign purpose for your life will have brought you to this moment. At that moment you will actually be looking into the eyes of the Lord Jesus Christ, the God/man in glorified human flesh. His majesty will completely captive your entire mind. You will know at that moment that you were created as a vessel of mercy to worship Him in all of His eternal glory, for the glory of His Father, the Ancient of Days. The nail scars will be visible on His hands. They are there as an eternal memorial to testify to His cross/work that He was nailed to His Father’s sovereign cross for your sins. In addition, you will hear His Almighty voice uttering your name, the very same voice that spoke all of creation into existence. The Lamb of God, slain before the foundation of the world, will personally carry on a conversation with you. You will hear the Almighty I AM talk to you about specific events in your life. He will go over your entire Christian life with you, to show you what you have done in your body, whether good or bad. At the end of His all wise analysis of your life, He will reveal to you if you have earned any rewards for your eternal state. You will also discover if you have lost any rewards and why you lost them. There will be some Christians whose lives that were characterized by Spirit-filled obedience that will hear these words.

 

Mat 25:23 His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’

 

And then there will be other Christians that will be ashamed of their disobedience and they will have no rewards because they lived their lives in unbelief and served their selfish desires and not their Savior.
 

 

Purpose: To learn from Scripture alone how to prepare to appear before the judgment seat of Christ so that we will not be ashamed of our lives at the judgment seat and learn how to earn rewards on that day.

Continue reading “Prepare to Appear before Christ”

AUDIO LINK
8/22/10      

 Prepare to Appear before Christ

                              

2Co 5:10  For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.

Rom 14:12 So then each of us shall give account of himself to God.

 

What a sobering thought to realize that every Christian will stand before the One who bore all their sins, to give an account of how they lived their lives for their Savior. Moreover, it is important to drive the seriousness of this future event home in order for us to take a spiritual inventory of how we are currently conducting our Christian lives. Think about this future moment with me. There will be no one else present except for you and your Lord alone. God’s eternal, sovereign purpose for your life will have brought you to this moment. At that moment you will actually be looking into the eyes of the Lord Jesus Christ, the God/man in glorified human flesh. His majesty will completely captive your entire mind. You will know at that moment that you were created as a vessel of mercy to worship Him in all of His eternal glory, for the glory of His Father, the Ancient of Days. The nail scars will be visible on His hands. They are there as an eternal memorial to testify to His cross/work that He was nailed to His Father’s sovereign cross for your sins. In addition, you will hear His Almighty voice uttering your name, the very same voice that spoke all of creation into existence. The Lamb of God, slain before the foundation of the world, will personally carry on a conversation with you. You will hear the Almighty I AM talk to you about specific events in your life. He will go over your entire Christian life with you, to show you what you have done in your body, whether good or bad. At the end of His all wise analysis of your life, He will reveal to you if you have earned any rewards for your eternal state. You will also discover if you have lost any rewards and why you lost them. There will be some Christians whose lives that were characterized by Spirit-filled obedience that will hear these words.

 

Mat 25:23 His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’

 

And then there will be other Christians that will be ashamed of their disobedience and they will have no rewards because they lived their lives in unbelief and served their selfish desires and not their Savior.
 

 

Purpose: To learn from Scripture alone how to prepare to appear before the judgment seat of Christ so that we will not be ashamed of our lives at the judgment seat and learn how to earn rewards on that day.

Continue reading “Prepare to Appear before Christ”

AUDIO LINK
8/15/10

Satanic Alert: Christ versus AA

 

Today Christians are following after any so called program that will help them with their problems. Unwittingly many Christians are turning to AA
for their problem with alcohol not knowing that they have entered a counterfeit program of spiritual deception and darkness.
The Lord wants His children to trust in His Word ALONE to meet all of their needs.

2Ti 3:16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,
2Ti 3:17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Purpose: To learn that we are to come to Christ alone for the cure for all of our sinful habits and not to trust in any idolatrous man-made
programs for our growth in Christ.
Continue reading “Satanic Alert: Christ versus AA”

AUDIO LINK
8/15/10

Satanic Alert: Christ versus AA

 

Today Christians are following after any so called program that will help them with their problems. Unwittingly many Christians are turning to AA
for their problem with alcohol not knowing that they have entered a counterfeit program of spiritual deception and darkness.
The Lord wants His children to trust in His Word ALONE to meet all of their needs.

2Ti 3:16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,
2Ti 3:17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Purpose: To learn that we are to come to Christ alone for the cure for all of our sinful habits and not to trust in any idolatrous man-made
programs for our growth in Christ.
Continue reading “Satanic Alert: Christ versus AA”