The Chosen 95% compilation

There are followers of The Chosen who insist the show with its depiction of Christ is just “entertainment.”

But it is not just “entertainment”–those who gave us this show (Dallas Jenkins etc.) are selling The Chosen Devotionals and Bible studies!

Many of those being “entertained” are theologically affected by exposure to this false version of Christ. Am I talking about you? Here is a question: When you think of Christ, does an image of actor Jonathan Roumie enter your mind?

Here is a brief video compilation assembled by Shane Cox

Related: More articles on The Chosen

But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus

For consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble; (1 Cor 1:26)

but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong, (v27)

and the base things of the world and the despised God has chosen, the things that are not, so that He may nullify the things that are, (v28)

so that no man may boast before God. (v29)

But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, (v30)

so that, just as it is written, “LET HIM WHO BOASTS, BOAST IN THE LORD.” (v31)

How involved were A.A.’s co-founders in spiritualism?

The men who co-founded Alcoholics Anonymous were Bill Wilson and Dr. Bob Smith. Although neither was a Christian, they were men who cared deeply about helping alcoholics.

It is this continued portrayal of Dr. Bob Smith, and now Bill Wilson, as Christians, that has confused and deceived so many.

Both Wilson and Smith approved of and used a book called ‘Sermon on the Mount.’ This was written by New Thought adherent Emmet Fox, and was used as a mainstay in Alcoholics Anonymous until the Alcoholics Anonymous Big Book was written.

It is not possible for men who follow and serve Christ to use this book. Why? The book denies that Christ is Savior, and in fact states that “Christ” is simply a title for Absolute Spiritual Truth.

And, of course, there was the spiritualism. Bill Wilson was immersed in it. Here is what early A.A. member Tom Powers says about the A.A. co-founders and their participation in this biblically forbidden activity:

“Now these people, Bill and Dr. Bob, believed vigorously and aggressively. They were working away at the spiritualism; it was not just a hobby.” (PASS IT ON, pg. 280) (emphasis mine)

Were these men Christians? No. Are the 12 Steps of Christ? No. Are the 12 Steps necessary for sobriety?

No.

It may be, however, that these Steps are necessary roadwork for the coming religious system.

But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed! (Galatians 1:8)

Further unholy spiritualistic adventures of Alcoholics Anonymous co-founder Bill Wilson

“Bill [Wilson] sought light from Father Ed [Dowling] as he plunged into the darkness of the psychic world. How does a person discern voices from the other side? Is it the voice of God or an evil spirit?” (‘The Soul of Sponsorship’ by Robert Fitzgerald, S.J., pg. 24)

“As for the person who turns to mediums and spiritists, to play the harlot after them, I will also set My Face against that person and will cut him off from his people.” (Leviticus 20:6)

Related: Seances, Spirits, and 12 Steps

Christians have a choice to make: Paul of Tarsus or Taurus the Bull. Which will it be?

According to Marsha West:

Profanity, pornography, programs laced with filth in movies and on cable assail us non-stop. Most people are offended by Hollywood’s obsession with polluting the culture. It is no secret that beginning with the tumultuous 1960s, Americans have become little more than trash receptacles for Hollywood’s filth.

While Hollywood goes about corrupting the culture through films, another more subtle force has infiltrated society and successfully corrupted young and old alike. You’ve probably guessed that I’m referring to “spirituality.” I’m not talking about organized religions such as Christianity, Judaism, Islam or Eastern religions.

I’m not even talking about bygone days when ancients like me referred to spirituality as New Age, New Age mysticism, or New Thought, “unifying mind-body-spirit.” Today, for many sojourners, spirituality is the quest for meaning and wholeness, a connection to a higher power, what some deem a “universal mind” or consciousness we can tap into. …continue reading article…

But when [Uzziah] became strong…

In Jerusalem he made engines of war invented by skillful men to be on the towers and on the corners for the purpose of shooting arrows and great stones. Hence his fame spread afar, for he was marvelously helped until he was strong. (2 Chronicles 26:15)

But when he became strong, his heart was so proud that he acted corruptly, and he was unfaithful to the LORD his God, for he entered the temple of the LORD to burn incense on the altar of incense. (v16)

The Berean Call Conference

Okay, starting to get really excited about this conference in Bend, Oregon. So many great speakers and topics. Looking forward in particular to Carl Teichrib. He is speaking on “Interfaithism: Uniting Religions for One World” and “Desert Encounters: Evolutionary Culture and the Christian Message.”

Also, Pastor Mike Warren. His subject is “The Five Foundation Stones of the Early Church – Acts:2:37-47.” We are really looking forward to hearing what Pastor Warren has to say.

This conference will be available later (September?) in online video form. Either way, hope you can check it out.

Schedule

Thursday – August 24

• 9:00 – Noon Bookstore open at the Office
• 11:30 – Noon Registration
• Noon –  Opening Remarks T. A. McMahon
• 12:15 – 1:15 Dave Hunt: Faith
• 1:15 – 2:15 Carl Teichrib: Interfaithism: Uniting Religions for One World
• 2:15 – 3:45 Break
• 3:45 – 4:45 Jay Seegert: Who Am I?
• 4:45 – 5:45 Brad Huddleston: Digital Addiction: What the Neuroscience Shows
• 5:45 – 7:00 Dinner
• 7:00 – 7:15 Prayer and Worship
• 7:15 – 8:15 Randy Guliuzza: Answers to Three Key Question about Creation and Evolution

Friday – August 25

• 9:00 Welcome, Worship and Prayer
• 9:15 – 10:15 Terry Webb: The Love of God
• 10:15 – 10:45 break
• 10:45 – 11:45 Randy Guliuzza: Getting From Darwin to Engineered Biology
• 11:45 – 1:00 Lunch
• 1:00 – 1:15 Worship and Prayer
• 1:15 – 2:30 Lee Brainard: Seven Strong Arguments for a Pretrib Rapture
• 2:45 – 4:00 Carl Teichrib: Desert Encounters: Evolutionary Culture and the Christian Message
• 4:00 – 4:30  Break
• 4:30 – 5:30 Jay Seegert: Faith is Not a Four-Letter Word
• 5:30 – 6:45 Dinner
• 6:45 – 7:00 Worship and Prayer 
• 7:00 – 8:00  – Brad Huddleston: Technology vs. Intimacy with God
• Fellowship

Saturday – August 26

• 9:00 Welcome, Prayer and Worship
• 9:15 – 10:15 Mike Warren: The Five Foundation Stones of the Early Church – Acts:2:37-47
  
• 10:30 – 11:30 T.A. McMahon: Where Are We… and Where Do We Need to Be?
• 11:30 – Noon Close
• Noon Lunch
• 1:00 pm – 3pm Bookstore open at the Office

Lodging

• Element Hotel Bend – several of our speakers and staff will be staying here, approximately a 10 minute drive from the Conference. The Element is a very new hotel, close to downtown Bend.  Unfortunately the rates have gone way up since we made our reservations.  website | phone: 541-585-7373.  
   
• Holiday Inn Express Bend South – we have not used this hotel before, but the rates are reasonable and the hotel is brand new.  The Holiday Inn Express is a 15 minute drive Calvary Chapel.  website | phone: 888-465-4329
   
• Bend Riverside Inn and Suites – we have not used this hotel before, but the ratings are good and it is right across the street from the Element Hotel. Approximately a 10 minute drive from the Conference. website | phone: 541-389-2363
   
• Best Western Premier Pepper Tree Inn – we have not used this hotel before, but it is well rated, almost brand new, and in a beautiful location.  This hotel is about a 15 minute drive from the Conference.  website | phone: 541-585-7373
• Sugarloaf Mountain Hotel – This is the budget option.  We have not used this hotel before, but it seems well maintained and is about a 10 minute drive to the conference.   phone: 541-330-5998
   

Where then is that sense of blessing you had?

but you know that it was because of a bodily illness that I preached the gospel to you the first time; (Galatians 4:13)

and that which was a trial to you in my bodily condition you did not despise or loathe, but you received me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus Himself. (v14)

Where then is that sense of blessing you had? For I bear you witness that, if possible, you would have plucked out your eyes and given them to me. (v15)

So have I become your enemy by telling you the truth? (v16)

According to William MacDonald in Believer’s Bible Commentary, p.1888:

4:13 The gospel was first preached…preached to them in physical infirmity. God often uses weak, despised, poor instruments toaccomplish His work in order that the glory will beHis and not man’s. (emphasis MacDonald’s)

4:14 Paul’s illness was a trial to himself and to those who listenened to him. However, the Galatians did not reject him because of his physical appearance or because of his speech. Instead, they received him as an angel of God, that is, a messenger sent by God, and even as Christ Jesus Himself. Since he represented the Lord, they received him as they would receive the Lord. (Matt 10:40) They accepted Paul’s message as the very word of God. This should be a lesson to all Christians concerning their treatment of the Lord’s messengers. When we receive them cordially, we receiveHim in the same way. (emphasis MacDonald’s)

4:15 When they first heard the gospel they acknowledged what a rich blessing it was to their souls. So great was their appreciation that that they would have given their own eyes to Paul if it were possible. (This might be an indication that Paul’s “thorn in the flesh” was an eye disease.) But where is this sense of gratitude now? Unfortunately, it has vanished like the morning dew. (emphasis MacDonald’s)

4:16 What accounted for their changed attitude toward Paul? He was still preaching the same message, earnestly contending for the truth of the gospel. If this made him their enemy then their position was dangerous indeed. (emphasis MacDonald’s)

A healthy church (Acts 2:42)

Christians who are told they must attend 12 Step groups (A.A., C.A., N.A. etc.) to gain or maintain sobriety may want to consider that it is Acts 2:42, rather than a lifetime of these Alcoholics Anonymous [12 Step] meetings, where freedom can be found.

So much can happen within a healthy church! In a healthy church fellowship and the breaking of bread are emphasized and are as vital as prayer and teaching the Word. David Guzik in this brief video discusses Acts 2:42.

They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. (Acts 2:42)

Luke 6:43-49 “A Higher Calling”

Hope this sermon benefits you as much as it did us.