| |
|
Contending for the Gospel Book Now
Available
Mike's new book,
Contending for the Gospel
, is an urgent call for all Christians to defend the exclusivity and purity of God's Gospel against the many agents of compromise. More than ever, we must take a stand to protect the message of the Gospel because many are being "tossed to and fro by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes" (Ephesians 4:14).
This 288 page book has eleven chapters devoted to the clarification, explanation, proclamation, and defense of the eternal Gospel of grace. Chapter headings include: The Foundation for the Gospel, The Message of the Gospel, The Person of the Gospel, The Exclusivity of the Gospel, The Promise of the Gospel, The Compromise of the Gospel, The Opposition to the Gospel, The Departure from the Gospel, The Catholic Church and The Gospel, The Urgency of the Gospel, The Proclamation of the Gospel, and The Response to the Gospel.
The greatest attack on the
Christian faith today is on the exclusivity of the Gospel. Many pastors and evangelists are removing or avoiding the offense of the Gospel. They are making it more inclusive for the purpose of drawing a larger following, gaining more influence, and being loved by more people. This man-pleasing Gospel makes people feel comfortable in their sin but has no power to save them. Such a distortion of the Gospel has become popular because it exalts man and his importance and diminishes God and His significance. It also overemphasizes God's love while ignoring His holiness, justice, and hatred of sin. It is the watered-down Gospel of the ecumenical movement that seeks to unite everyone who names the name of Christ.
Tragically, those who embrace this diluted Gospel are woefully deceived and remain dead in their sins. Equally tragic is the willingness of born-again Christians to put up with "another Gospel". Paul admonishes us to repent of such apathy with a sharp rebuke: "If someone comes and proclaims another Jesus than the one we proclaimed, or if you receive a different spirit
from the one you received, or if you accept a different Gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it readily enough" (2 Corinthians 11:4). We can no longer put up with a different Gospel; we must contend earnestly for the one and only Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. There is much at stake if we do not heed Paul's admonition. Those who have been deceived will not know it unless they are lovingly confronted with the truth. They must be reproved in order to become sound in the faith (Titus 1:13).
May we all be filled with compassion for false converts who have been deceived by false Gospels. T
hey live in constant danger of perishing if they are not confronted in their unbelief. No matter how pious, religious, devout or moral they may be, if they have not been born of God (John 3:3), they will experience God's sin-avenging wrath and judgment. How terrifying will it be for them to hear the sobering and horrifying words of the Lord Jesus, "I never knew you, depart from Me" (Mat. 7:23).
May God use this book, which is filled with His Word, to ignite a passion for the truth and to kindle a desire in every Christian to contend for the Gospel. We must guard the treasure that has been graciously entrusted to us
for the glory of Christ and the sanctity of His church.
Order a copy here.
|
Letters to Edify and Encourage the Saints
As a former Roman Catholic, I will tune in the local EWTN radio station to keep abreast of current events. On a recent program, they spoke about a "miraculous image" of a pregnant "Mary" whose unborn child's heartbeat can be heard with a stethoscope, and its kicks can be felt with the hand. As if apparitions, bleeding hosts, weeping statues, and a dancing sun were not enough, now they have added yet another lure to attract the undiscerning. If the deception of those still trapped in this religious system were not so tragic, then one could almost laugh at the utter foolishness of these so-called miracles. We know that behind all of them is the enemy of our souls appearing as an angel of light. So it's especially important that ministries such as yours continue to speak the truth in love and bring the light of the Gospel to the multitudes still in darkness and superstition. Thank you for all you do in that arena. Blessings,
R.P., North Attleboro, MA
Hi Mike, Many thanks for your wonderful and uplifting newsletter which consistently proclaims the truth of God's word in clear, uncompromising terms. I am a 72 year old from Northern Ireland. For 70 of those years I was a Roman Catholic until, in October 2016, the grace of a loving and merciful God led me out of it and set my feet on the narrow path to salvation. In one of your previous newsletters you spoke of the religious pride and indoctrination which Satan uses to hold people captive. Nowhere is that more true than in Roman Catholicism in which my wife and most of my family are sadly still trapped. In the bright light of Biblical truth, Catholicism is clearly exposed as Satan's greatest deception. How else could a billion plus souls, led by an apostate pope, travel contentedly in spiritual darkness while being convinced that they walk in spiritual light. I pray that through your work the Holy Spirit will lead many souls out of that religious bondage and into the timeless truth of the Gospel. God bless you and may the Holy Spirit empower me to follow your example and witness fearlessly to my own family.
Hugh, Belfast, N. Ireland
Mike, I found interest in your videos, because you teach only from the Scriptures and avoid traditions. I'm a Catholic and it's been only a couple of months since I've found the truth through the Scriptures. I believe only the Bible now, but I realize that I've wasted my 25 years on traditions and completely ignored the Scriptures. My question is this: Is there any problem in continuing to be a Catholic? Will God punish me for that?
Kevin, Internet
Hi Kevin, You are wise to turn from the religious traditions of apostate Catholicism and submit to the supreme authority of Scripture. The Word of God must be your plumb line for determining truth from error and God's way from man's way. When God has truly converted you to the Lord Jesus and sealed you with His Spirit
,
you must come out of the Catholic Church and worship God in Spirit and Truth (John 4:24). You cannot
continue
in a religion which commits the fatal sin of idolatry every time the Eucharist is lifted up to be worshipped. Why would anyone want to remain in an institution which deceives people with a fatal answer to life's most important question - "How can a sinner be reconciled to God?"
|
|
Biblical Responses to Statements by Catholics
Statement: Over 1 billion Catholics cannot be wrong. My uncle, who was a Catholic priest, used this statement often to prove the Catholic Church is the one true church.
Response:
Many erroneously think that there is safety in numbers. After all, how can one billion people be wrong? Jesus said, "Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it" (Mat. 7:13-14). Then he warned the crowd to beware of false prophets who are ravenous wolves (Mat. 7:15). This is why He said, "Strive to enter through the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able" (Luke 13:23-24). In the context, we can see there will be false teachers standing in
front of the narrow gate directing people to the wide gate. Those who want to enter into paradise must strive to enter by searching the Scriptures to discern the true way. Only a few, not many, will find it by searching the Scriptures.
|
|
Man's Responsibility for Not Believing the Gospel
What are the primary factors that contribute to human responsibility for not believing the Gospel when we hear it? Pastor Tom Pennington of Countryside Bible Church gives us three factors in his message from Romans 9:30-10:21. One is a failure to understand the purpose of God's law. The second factor is an unwillingness to accept salvation by faith alone. The third factor is a refusal to believe and obey the message of the Gospel.
Click here to view this important message.
|
|
Pope Warns Catholics Not to Evangelize
Pope Francis warned Catholics in Morocco against trying to convert others. Speaking in Rabat's cathedral, Francis insisted trying to convert people to one's own belief "always leads to an impasse". "Please, no proselytism!" he told an audience of around 400. Christians are a tiny minority in Morocco where 99 percent of the population is Muslim, with sub-Saharan Africans making up a large part of the country's 30,000-strong Catholic community. Moroccans are automatically considered Muslim if they are not born into the Jewish community. Departing from the Muslim faith (apostasy) is socially frowned upon, and proselytizing is criminalized.
Read more.
Mike's Comment: It appears this pope continues to prove he is not who he thinks he is. He claims to be the Vicar of Christ, but by his deeds he denies Christ, being detestable and disobedient and worthless for any good deed (Titus 1:16). The Lord Jesus gave the command to "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you (Mat. 28:19-20). When the pope warns Catholics not to do what Christ commands, he speaks in the spirit of anti-Christ, and Catholics need to be warned of his diabolical behavior.
|
|
Passion of the Christ Actor Embraces Mary as Co-Redeemer With Jesus
Actor Jim Caviezel, a Roman Catholic, recently delivered a tribute to Mary at the "Eucharistic Holy Hour for World Peace Through the Mother of All Peoples" in Amsterdam. "Her hand has guided my life and my career in incredible, and at times, startling ways," he said.
Caviezel's wife told him about the Marian apparitions and messages from Mary in Medjugorje. He said,
"
It was at Medjugorje that I consecrated my life and my acting career to the blessed mother."
Read more.
|
|
|
May we all glorify our Lord Jesus Christ by sharing His Gospel within our circle of influence and beyond!
Mike & Jane Gendron
(817) 379-5300
2829 Veranda Lane, Southlake, TX 76092
|
|
|
|
|
|
Visit Us on Facebook
Join our lively discussions and help us sow the seed of God's Word.
|
|
