November 18, 2009
I have written a few articles on the subject of punishment for an offense, focusing on capitol punishment for murder. In response to the article many people have commented that crime and punishment are one and the same, when in fact, they are very different. Since we live in an age of relativism I am not surprised that many do not know the difference between crime and punishment. If you want to believe that crime and punishment are one and the same then you can and it is correct, that is, if you believe the lie of relativism. If you have common sense and realize that there is right and wrong then you will quickly be able to distinguish the difference between crime and punishment. For those of you who do not know the difference, let me see if I can clear things up for you. Before I begin I would like to quote from the Bible about how people in an age of relativism think.
Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools (Romans 1:21-22)
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Sermons, Uncategorized | Tagged: capitol punishment, crime, God, punishment, relativism |
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Posted by Erik Brewer
October 28, 2009
As I write this post several of the young people from our youth group at our church “Good News” are in a dormitory with 4 floors teaching simultaneous Bible studies on each floor. My wife, Elena, is there with them to help. In all, some 400 students will study the Holy Scriptures over the next hour. Many, if not most or all, of the students are nonbelievers, studying the Scriptures for the first time in their Read the rest of this entry »
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Uncategorized | Tagged: Bible, Bible study, dorms, God |
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Posted by Erik Brewer
June 30, 2009
As we continue to look at Daniel we will learn some new insights from chapter 7 that further explain Daniel’s dream about the 4 beasts that coincide with the 4 parts of the statue from King Nebuchadnezzar’s dream in Daniel chapter 2. In verses 15-22 of chapter 7 we will gain further insight about the kingdoms and what is to come.
“As for me, Daniel, my spirit was distressed within me, and the visions in my mind kept alarming me. “I approached one of those who were standing by and began asking him the exact meaning of all this. So he told me and made known to me the interpretation of these things: ‘These great beasts, which are four in number, are four kings who will arise from the earth. ‘But the saints of the Highest One will receive the kingdom and possess the kingdom forever, for all ages to come.’ “Then I desired to know the exact meaning of the fourth beast, which was different from all the others, exceedingly dreadful, with its teeth of iron and its claws of bronze, and which devoured, crushed and trampled down the remainder with its feet, and the meaning of the ten horns that were on its head and the other horn which came up, and before which three of them fell, namely, that horn which had eyes and a mouth uttering great boasts and which was larger in appearance than its associates. “I kept looking, and that horn was waging war with the saints and overpowering them until the Ancient of Days came and judgment was passed in favor of the saints of the Highest One, and the time arrived when the saints took possession of the kingdom. Read the rest of this entry »
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Sermons, Uncategorized | Tagged: Bible, Daniel, God, prophecy |
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Posted by Erik Brewer
June 19, 2009
I would like to look at the Biblical book of Daniel. Many people have many different ideas about the account of Daniel. As with any prophecy the reader must understand a few very important rules to keep in mind while studying Daniel. This will not be exhaustive but I would like to share a few. First of all, the reader must realize that the writer of the prophecy can either be talking about 3 major groups of people; the Jews, the Gentiles, or the Church (made up of Jews and Gentiles). Sometimes the author can speak of the 3 different groups all in the same chapter so you must pay close attention to the words that are used along with the context to determine which group is being spoken of. In Daniel there are 2 of the major groups mentioned; the Jews and the Gentiles. Another key rule to remember is the time that is spoken of. Sometimes the writer refers to his own time, while at other times he speaks of the immediate future or the distant future. Sometimes he mentions the first coming of the Messiah (Jesus Christ) or the second coming of the Messiah (when He sets His feet on the earth for the second time and not to be confused with the rapture, when He will return to take the Church but not set foot on the earth). Keeping these rules in mind let’s take a look at the major prophecies mentioned in Daniel.
- Daniel finds himself a slave in the Babylonian empire in the service of King Nebuchadnezzar and he (Daniel) trusts in the Lord through this difficult time. Many people seem to think that if God allows something negative to happen to them that they have license to turn their back on God and do whatever that they want to do. Daniel was a boy/man of principle and even when his life was turned upside down he remained faithful to God and served Him diligently. During Daniel’s time in Babylon, King Nebuchadnezzar has a dream that neither he nor his wise men of Babylon can interpret. Daniel Read the rest of this entry »
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Sermons, Uncategorized | Tagged: Bible, Daniel, God, prophecy |
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Posted by Erik Brewer