Mark H. Stevens, Th.D's Blog – January 2009 Archive (20)

Merchandising The Anointing

According to the Bible ALL Christians have an anointing. Yet the Scripture also denotes the fact that not all Christians are rich. So, according to the rules of logic, being anointed does not equal wealth and riches.

Material poverty is the result of not being anointed according to Jesse. Mr. Duplantis believes that Jesus`s first mission was to get rid of poverty. If that is true, then Jesus was almost a total failure according to the Bible. Here's why:

Matthew 26:11 For ye have the… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on January 21, 2009 at 8:00pm — No Comments

Sexual Immorality

The children of Israel were lured away from their relationship with the Lord by sexual sin. God constantly warned Israel not to intermarry and fornicate with the heathen nations around them. Sexual intercourse unites the parties involved emotionally; this is called a SOUL TIE. This is why married couples are not truly married until they have sexual intercourse; it is the consummation of the marriage. When sex takes place between unmarried people they are still emotionally tied to one another,… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on January 19, 2009 at 8:55pm — 3 Comments

Come Down Off The Pedestal Pastors

Pastors have to teach soul-winning to the congregations, NOT just to increase numbers, but to also stir up gifts in the assembly of God. Spiritual gifts are activated when we do ministry, in particular soul-winning. The Gifts of the Spirit are not for show, they are for WORK. Every one of the Gifts are primarily given so we can win the lost and help them get filled with the Holy Ghost and make them disciples of Christ. (Acts 1:8) It grieves the Lord when he sees ministers become hirelings… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on January 19, 2009 at 7:09pm — 1 Comment

What Happens When You Don't Preach The Gospel

We see the effects in the rise of the cults like Mormonism and Jehovah's Witnesses who have millions of followers going door to door faithfully and consistently spreading their damning doctrines. Where are the Christians who oppose them? Where is the church? Is it supporting the efforts to stop this spread of lies? Is it uniting behind a common cause? No! It leaves the work to the weary and small who have a burden and who spend their efforts in a constant and mostly frustrating battle for the… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on January 12, 2009 at 12:11am — No Comments

Sermon for Today

Colossians 3:1-11

Raised with Christ

"If then you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. 3 For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory. 5 Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity,… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on January 11, 2009 at 10:46am — 1 Comment

Training Opportunities

Biblical Counseling 101

NJ Institute of Theological Studies is conducting a 3 week study of Biblical Counseling from January 16th to January 30th 2009.

Friday Jan 16th, 2009 – The Root of All Problems

Friday Jan 23rd 2009 – Biblical Application

Friday Jan 30th, 2009 – A Spiritual Look at Depression

About The Instructor

Mark Stevens graduated from the Institute of Jewish Studies, a school of the Philadelphia Bible University. He… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on January 7, 2009 at 5:21pm — No Comments

Christian Support Groups for Sex Addicts and Homosexuals

International Groups (Including Online Groups)

Avenue Resource: This Christ-centered nonprofit organization, provides men and their wives with easy-to-use curriculum and leadership training tools to experience healing and restoration from the impact of sexual compromise. National and international groups available, with new ones forming regularly.

Brothers in Christ, Inc.: A global, web-based support network for Christian men

Celebrate Recovery: Started by Saddleback… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on January 7, 2009 at 5:16pm — No Comments

What Did Jesus Come to Do?

What did Jesus come to do?

To reveal the Father (Matt. 11:27)

"All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him."

To be a ransom for many (Matt. 20:28)

"just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."

To serve (Matt. 20:28)

"just as… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on January 7, 2009 at 5:00pm — No Comments

What is The Gospel?

The gospel is the singularly most important communication of God to man. In Jesus, who is God the Son, we have the revelation of God’s love and sacrifice that saves us from God's righteous judgment upon sinners. If you are not a Christian and want to know how to be forgiven of your sins and follow Christ, or are just curious to know what the Christian gospel is, then this is for you.

The Bible tells us what the gospel is in 1 Cor.… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on January 7, 2009 at 4:58pm — No Comments

The Elder in the Church

The Term "Elder"

PRESBUTEROS - elder, an old man, a leader in the church. The term is used

of the elder of two persons (Luke 15:25, or more, John 8:9).

of a person advanced in age (Acts 2:17; in Heb. 11:2).

of the forefathers in Israel (Matt. 15:2; Mark 7:3,5).

of members of the Sanhedrin (Matt. 16:21; 26:47).

of those who managed public affairs in the various cities (Luke 7:3).

of those who were the heads or leaders of the tribes and families, as of the… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on January 4, 2009 at 6:24pm — No Comments

Training Opportunity

Biblical Counseling 101

NJ Institute of Theological Studies is conducting a 5 week study of Biblical Counseling from January 16th to January 30th 2009.

Friday Jan 16th, 2009 – The Root of All Problems

Friday Jan 23st 2009 – Biblical Application

Friday Jan 30th, 2009 – A Spiritual Look at Depression

About The Instructor

Mark Stevens graduated from the Institute of Jewish Studies, a school of the Philadelphia Bible University. He… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on January 4, 2009 at 4:08pm — No Comments

The Truth is Hard to Deal with

The recently published Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Dictionary tells us that in "the New Testament, the words ‘tithe’ and ‘tithing’ appear only eight times (Matt. 23:23; Luke 11:42; Luke 18:12; Hebrews 7:5-6, 8-9). All of these passages refer to Old Testament usage and to current Jewish practice. Nowhere does the New Testament expressly command Christians to tithe."

It is ironic that the Roman Catholic Church, which brought many Old Testament traditions and rituals back into the church… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on January 1, 2009 at 8:46pm — No Comments

PLEASE Read YOUR Bibles!

The fact is, these people can find only ONE verse that mentions "Prosperity" in the whole New Testament (-and it is of dubious help, as we shall see). And there are dozens and dozens of verses in opposition! But which one do they choose to quote again and again? Here it is in the King James version (-which is the only translation that helps them in any way): "I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth." (3 John 2). Now, it is interesting to… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on January 1, 2009 at 8:31pm — No Comments

Sexual Sin in God's House

“If you don’t address sexual immorality in your church, it will die!” Sexual sin destroyed Israel and it’s killing our churches!

The children of Israel were lured away from their relationship with the Lord by sexual sin. God constantly warned Israel not to intermarry and fornicate with the heathen nations around them. Sexual intercourse unites the parties involved emotionally; this is called a SOUL TIE. This is why married couples are not truly married until they have sexual intercourse;… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on January 1, 2009 at 5:00pm — 3 Comments

What Exactly is "True Holiness?"

One problem with man’s denominational teaching is that HOLINESS in many churches and groups means stay away from them sinners! The only way sinners can see Jesus Christ is through the Church (The Body of Christ). The local church is a part of the larger body of blood washed believers. Sinners can only see the light of Jesus Christ through US. Now I am not saying Christians should go to bars and nightclubs…BUT we do have to interact with sinners! Jesus went to places where people congregate. I… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on January 1, 2009 at 4:45pm — No Comments

Pastor's Need Disciples....NOT Members!

I was in church one Sunday and one of the old Missionaries was leading the early morning prayer, she cried loud and shook the rafters as she prayed. She said at one point “Lord send the sinner man into this church!” It was uttered with the utmost sincerity and piety, but she was very much wrong! God doesn’t send sinners to church! He expects US to bring people to Jesus Christ! Jesus told His disciples to pray for laborers for the sole purpose of harvesting LOST SOULS! Too many pastors expect… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on January 1, 2009 at 4:41pm — No Comments

Ministering to The Hipster/Hip Hop Generation

We focus on the wrong thing sometimes. I know Christians with dreadlocks, long hair, and nose rings. And none of them belong to traditional churches! Why? Because they are not accepted! If Jesus accepted them, who are you to say, “You cannot be a Christian with a dread-locks!” I have a friend that used to be a Hell’s Angel biker, he is now a preacher of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He ministers primarily to other bikers. He still has long hair, tattooed arms, and yes he still rides a bike!…

Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on January 1, 2009 at 4:30pm — No Comments

How the Early Church was Financed

It should come as no surprise that the early congregations of Christianity were financed the same way the early Israelite society was financed—through a free-will offering, which according to Moses, was more than ample to provide that which was needed.

"Men and women, as many as were willing hearted, brought bracelets, and earrings, rings, and tablets, all jewels of gold ...the children of Israel brought a willing offering unto the Lord ... They brought yet unto him (Moses) free offerings… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on January 1, 2009 at 9:41am — No Comments

Spirit Led Christianity

1. The Power to live: The apostle Paul reminds us that the kingdom of God does not consist in words but in power (1 Cor. 4:20), and that the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in (or “by” pointing to the means) the Holy Spirit (Rom. 14:17). The message of the gospel brings the power of God into every believer’s life through the person and work of the Lord Jesus and the empowering ministry of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on January 1, 2009 at 8:47am — No Comments

The Prosperity "Fat Cats" Bite The Dust...

Many of us have been fervently praying that God would turn the church upside down and vigorously shake it (Heb 12:25-29). When this happens, those who love money and have lost their grip on the truth will be the first to fall. This is why every few years you see a “SUPER MINISTER” falls by the wayside. God DOES shake us up. Many of these preachers start off sincere and really doing a work for God, but love of money overtakes them! In the book of Daniel we find this with Nebuchadnezzer, he was… Continue

Added by Mark H. Stevens, Th.D on January 1, 2009 at 8:19am — No Comments