Conclusion from Peru and Mexico

email from Randall Easter | 25 January 2008 | Randall Easter

[Manfred the Wonder Dawg]

January 25, 2008

ESV Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

In recent days I have spent time in Lima and Sullana Peru and Mexico City and I have discovered that people by nature are the same. Man has a heart that is inclined to selfishness and idolatry. Sin abounds in the remotest parts of the land because the heart is desperately wicked. Thousands bow before statues of Mary and pray to her hoping for answers. I have seen these people stare hopelessly at Mary icons, Jesus icons, and a host of dead saints who will do nothing for them. I have talked with people who pray to the pope and say that they love him. I talked with one lady who said that she knew that Jesus was the Savior, but she loved the pope. Thousands bow before Santa Muerte (holy death angel) in hopes that she will do whatever they ask her. I have seen people bring money, burning cigarettes, beer, whiskey, chocolate, plants, and flowers to Santa Muerte in hopes of her answers. I have seen these people bowing on their knees on the concrete in the middle of public places to worship their idol. Millions of people come into the Basilica in Mexico City and pay their money, confess their sins, and stare hopelessly at relics in hope that their sins will be pardoned. In America countless thousands are chained to baseball games, football games, material possessions, and whatever else their heart of idols can produce to worship.

My heart has broken in these last weeks because the God of heaven is not honored as he ought to be honored. People worship the things that are created rather than worshiping the Creator. God has been gracious to all mankind and yet mankind has hardened their hearts against a loving God. God brings the rain on the just and unjust. God brings the beautiful sunrises and sunsets upon the just and unjust. God gives good gifts unto all and above all things he has given his Son that those who would believe in him would be saved. However, man has taken the good things of God and perverted them unto idols and turned their attention away from God. I get a feel for Jesus as he overlooked Jerusalem or Paul as he beseeched for God to save Israel. When you accept the reality of the truth of the glory of God is breaks your heart that people would turn away from the great and awesome God of heaven to serve lesser things. Moses was outraged by the golden calf, the prophets passionately preached against idolatry, Jesus was angered that the temple was changed in an idolatrous business, and Paul preached to the idolaters of Mars Hill by telling them of the unknown God.

I arrived back at home wondering how I should respond to all the idolatry that I have beheld in these last three weeks. I wondered how our church here in the states should respond to all of the idolatry in the world. What are the options? First, I suppose we could sit around and hope that people chose to get their life together and stop being idolaters. However, I do not know how that could ever happen apart from them hearing the truth. Second, I suppose we could spend a lifetime studying cultural issues and customs in hope that we could somehow learn to relate to the people of other countries. However, the bible is quite clear that all men are the same. Men are dead in sin, shaped in iniquity, and by nature are the enemies of God. Thirdly, we could pay other people or other agencies to go and do a work for us while we remain comfortably in the states. However, there is no way to insure that there will be doctrinal accuracy or integrity. If we only pay other people to take the gospel we will miss out on all of the benefits of being obedient to the mission of God. Lastly, we could seek where God would have us to do a lasting work and then invest our lives there for the glory of God. The gospel has the power to raise the dead in any culture and we must be willing to take the gospel wherever God would have us take it. It is for sure that our church cannot go to every country and reach every people group, so we must determine where God would have us work and seek to be obedient wherever that is.

It seems that some doors are opening in the Spanish speaking countries below us and perhaps God is beginning to reveal where we are to work. There are some options for work to be partnered with in Peru and there could be a couple of options in Mexico. The need is greater than I can express upon this paper for a biblical gospel to be proclaimed in Peru and Mexico. Oh, that God would glorify his great name in Peru and Mexico by using a small little church in a town that does not exist to proclaim his great gospel amongst a people who desperately need the truth.

I give thanks to the LORD for allowing me the privilege of going to these countries and broadening my horizons. The things that I have seen will be forever engraved upon my heart. I will long remember the pastors that I spent time with in Peru and I will never forget Adolfo who translated for me in Mexico. I will relish the time that I spent with Paul Washer and the others. When I think of church I will forever remember being on top of that mountain in Sullana at that church which had no electricity and no roof. I am convinced that heaven was looking down on that little church on top of that mountain and very few people on earth even know that it exist. Oh, God I pray that the things of this world will continue to grow dim and that God’s people will be caught up in his glorious presence.

Because of the truth: Pastor: J. Randall Easter II Timothy 2:19 "Our God is in heaven and does whatever He pleases."(Ps. 115:3) "He predestined us according to the good pleasure of His will."(Eph. 1:5) Those who have been saved have been saved for His glory and they are being made holy for this is the will of God. Are you being made holy? Spurgeon says, "If your religion does not make you holy it will damn you to hell."

[Manfred the Wonder Dawg]

It’s dangerous to use Scripture as an example for something it is not proclaiming, even if other Scripture makes the very point you are touting. If we do this - ignoring the context and, hence, the clear meaning - we are vulnerable to being led astray by similar tactics and/or being perceived as deceptive by those we seek to convince.

There is plenty of Scripture showing that Christ seeks out sinners and came to cleanse them. Use those with abandon in proclaiming that message.

[WileyPink]

Don’t ever presume to read my mind, and don’t ever presume to think I “oppose Scripture!”

I don't presume anything.

Why are you so angry that you don't want other's opinions to be heard when those opinions are based on Scripture.
If that is not why you oppose the other opinions, then why? I defend ALL of my arguments using Scripture and try to do so with meekness and fear. (1Peter 3:15)

By the way, don't be so angry...or am I being presumptuous?

In Christ...Alone!

[Alamo-Girl]

Thank you oh so very much for your encouragements, dear brother in Christ!

[Lord_Calvinus]

***As a good Baptist, I demand the whole congregation have a say!***

Well, if we can ever get the darn think out of committee, we can move it to the floor for a vote. Given that we don’t even have a committee, yet, it might take a while. I’m sure there will be at least 3 objections from the congretation concerning the rules for the formation of the committee, which will require a rules advisory committee be formed to settle those disputes before we can proceed.

Do you see the wisdom we gave the Founding Fathers on the Presbyterian form of government we gave the US?

[Religion Moderator]

Let us try to keep this thread alive.

Everyone: Discuss the issues all you want, but do NOT make it personal.

[Pyro7480]

Why are you so angry that you don't want other's opinions to be heard when those opinions are based on Scripture.

How are you so sure that's my motivation? Just because I'm Catholic?

[reagandemocrat]

Where’s Mad Dawg?

[Running On Empty]

Thanks for your brother and may God bless him, sandyeggo

And I would be willing to bet that he is so busy that even if he knew FR religion forum existed, he wouldn’t take time out to be on it.

I have had the privilege of knowing about 10 missionary priests very well. I have visited in their mission areas with them and been in the company of the people they serve. It has been a truly humbling experience—not only to see the dedication of these priest 24/7 but also to see the people they serve.

[ScubieNuc]

It’s dangerous to use Scripture as an example for something it is not proclaiming, even if other Scripture makes the very point you are touting.

Doesn't Scripture proclaim many differnt things in the same text? What I mean is, look at Jesus talking to Nicodemus. The primary message is to a certain Pharisee asking Jesus a question (John chapter 3) and yet we read that as though Jesus is also talking to us.

In the same manner, Revelations 3 is talking about a church in it's primary message. However, that message is carried forward today in many churches telling individuals that Jesus wants to have a personal relationship with them.

I agree with you that context should be examined and questioned, but I disagree with you that only some of scripture is good for evangelism.

2Timothy 3:14-17 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned [them];

And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

All scripture [is] given by inspiration of God, and [is] profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

[MarkBsnr]

***You’re still having trouble with the question, Mark.
What is the Gospel?

We all know there are four books written by Matthew, Mark, Luke and John that are called “The Gospels.”

What is “the Gospel?”***

Let’s see now, how many times have I posted what the summary of the Gospel of Jesus is? 6? 7? I supppose that I need to seek a new means of communication since English just isn’t doing it.

I have also repeated the impoverished and mean Reformed summary several times as well. Should I repost it once more?

[ScubieNuc]

We don't either.

List, side by side, the Scripture that contradicts infant baptism next to the sources that supposedly support infant baptism. What you will find on the support side, loads of 'early Church father' quotes.

You'll find the same thing on topics such as "Mary without sin", "praying to saints", "praying for the dead", "transubstantiation", "Mary saves", "Mary intercedes", "Salvation through the Catholic church", "Pope infalible", etc., etc..

When your beliefs or doctrines are supported more by 'writtings of early Church fathers' then the Scriptures, you are at least making them equal to Scripture, if not elevating them to be more important then Scripture.

[WileyPink]

Mr/Ms RM, May I ask why my comment #753 was removed? There was nothing offensive or personal in it. I was trying to lighten the tone with a little humor. Is that now not allowed with some people?

[trisham]

Not Mad Dawg?

[Religion Moderator]

Terms such as “rude” - even when spoken in jest - on a thread like this where so many are already upset, are apt to ignite a flame war.

[Religion Moderator]

The same is true of the word "asinine."

Both of you, stop posting to each other on this thread.