The Moses Model

On simplemindedpreacher, there was a discussion about a form of church governance called the Moses Model.  In the Moses Model, the senior pastor serves in the same role and function as Moses did, with the elders and board, being subject to his leadership.
I have a problem with the Moses Model, because I don’t think it was [...]

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Authority Refined

Ok.  I keep getting these answers for what authority is for.  Because the question remains:  “authority for what?”  I want to keep a running list of the purposes of the authority that we receive from God. 
This post will remain a work in progress, and subject to being updated from time to time.
I want to make [...]

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The Upside-Down Kingdom

Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures: ‘ The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone.This was the LORD’s doing, And it is marvelous in our eyes’? (Matthew 21:42)
Therefore it is also contained in the Scripture, “ Behold, I lay in Zion a chief cornerstone, elect, precious, and [...]

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Authority To Lead

In a discussion on the role of different offices within the church, someone made the comment that the scriptures imply that pastors are to lead the flock.
Naturally I had a question.  My question was not whether or not they held this authority to lead, but rather “lead them where?”
I like to refer to the Church [...]

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Saved By Faith? Or Works?

We are saved by faith alone. It is our belief in Jesus Christ that saves us. We are saved the moment we believe.
However, what does it mean to believe on Jesus?
If I believe Jesus was the propitiation for my sins. That through His death, I can have life. How could I not love Him?
And Jesus [...]

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Keys to the Kingdom

 And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.  (Matthew 16:19)
Someone asked the following question the other day:
But exactly who did Jesus give the keys to the kingdom to? Did [...]

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Who or What Do You Fear?

Who or what do you fear? Any time we fear anything or anyone more than we fear God, we have committed idolatry. So what is it that you are afraid of?
Do you fear:

losing your job?

losing your home?

people of other races?

dying?

going hungry?

going to jail?

the bank?

the IRS?

the government?

What is it exactly that you are afraid of? You [...]

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Dissenter

Dissent:
1. Difference of opinion or feeling; disagreement.
2. The refusal to conform to the authority or doctrine of an established church; nonconformity.
3. Law A justice’s refusal to concur with the opinion of a majority, as on a higher court. Also called dissenting opinion.
I am a dissenter. I have come to grips with this fact. I don’t [...]

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Idolatry of Statism

At this point, I’m just going to give you my notes as I have them. They are a little sketchy, and I hope to refine them at some point. The notes are from a sermon by Pastor John Weaver found here.
Statism is the belief that the state is the source of power, authority and law.
We [...]

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Calvary Chapel Revisted

I have been in communication with a few guys from Calvary churches, and they claim that the Christianity Today article was out of line. 
They were pretty defensive, but the more I interacted with them, the more I realized that most were good guys seeking the truth.
So to clarify, I am not attacking Calvary Chapel or [...]

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