Fourth Year Ministries

I have a problem. Maybe you do, too. I bet you can at least relate. I'm self-centered. By nature, I think from my perspective. Often, more often than I'd usually like to admit, I pursue my agenda. I like to do, what I like to do, when I like to do it, where I like to do it, how I like to do it, and with whomever I like to do it. I think you do, too. Sometimes we are good at hiding this self-centeredness. I believe that it is possible to have genuinely altruistic moments. Moments where we put others self-interest above our own well-being. Sometimes powerful emotions like love, hate, and disgust, can cause us to act contrary to our self-centered notions. Sometimes. As Christians, we are given the gift of God's grace through His Son, Jesus Christ. We receive this gift when we repent of our self-centered ways and trust in Christ alone. In the noise that is "Christianity" - if you take the time to really listen - you will often hear a false ...

I encountered something that is a common experience for me while out sharing the gospel today: professing Christians who believe they are headed to heaven as a result of their church attendance, good works, and moral behavior. In one conversation today, I asked a question I ask to many who tell me they are headed to heaven because of their religious works: "You've told me a lot about what you are doing to get to heaven. Can you tell me a little about who Jesus is and what He did for Christians?" The most common response is exactly what you'd expect: "Jesus died for our sins." This answer rolls off the lips of many church-goers. It is astounding how many leave Jesus out of their path to heaven until explicitly asked. Their discussion of how they live their lives betrays the reality that they are trusting in themselves (at least a little bit) and not in Christ alone. Often when I ask the follow-up question: "What does a guy who lived and died 20...

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Q: Why is it so hard to maintain resolutions that people make for the New Year? I want to walk with Jesus but it's so hard sometimes! Am I doing something wrong? A: The first full week of 2015 has come and gone. In just a short week, many people have already become frustrated. They have failed to keep their New Year's resolution(s). If you made some resolutions, how are you doing with them? Change is hard. Many explanations for this reality are offered. The Bible is clear and straight-forward: Jesus taught that human beings are slaves to sin (John 8:34). This bleak truth works itself out in different ways. For our sinful ways that we enjoy, it doesn't bother us as much. We are slaves to various lusts and impulses in our flesh which we enjoy gratifying. When we enjoy gratifying them, we are usually good at justifying our behaviors. This is a major reason why the spiritual discipline of fasting is not very popular. When we justify our appetites, and enjoy fulfilling...

Q: I've encountered a lot of teaching and Christians who believe that saying, "Jesus loves you!" is a valid form of evangelism. Do you disagree with this? If so, why? It seems like a loving way to reach out and to encourage those who are not believers. A: What a great question! There are certainly a lot of materials and teachings that encourage Christians to use the phrase, "Jesus loves you" as an outreach and evangelistic tool. Much of this teaching that I've encountered emphasizes following the lead of the Holy Spirit. It claims that the Holy Spirit will often lead Christians to say this to non-believers to encourage them and try and lead them to a saving relationship with Jesus Christ. Fourth Year Ministries does not teach or endorse this as a valid evangelism strategy. That's not because we don't want it to be valid! Truth be told, we would love for this to be a good practice for Christians. It would certainly open some more doors for us. I...

Q: Has God's Law passed away and is it irrelevant for Christians today? I often hear the biblical passage, "We're not under law, we're under grace!" tossed around, but I also know that Jesus said the Law would never pass away. What am I missing? A: The more time I spend sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ, the more often questions like this one come up. Certainly, many different views about God's Law are available. So what does the Bible have to say about it? First, and perhaps most importantly, the Bible is clear that the Law is not something that Christians are supposed to argue about. Such arguments are foolish, unprofitable, and worthless according to Titus 3:9. Some think that this passage means that we should not even discuss the Law. But this is not what Paul was expressing. Look carefully at what Paul writes: But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and strife and disputes about the Law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. Reject a ...

Q: 1.How do you answer the question, "If Jesus was God, why did He pray?" 2. Furthermore, are "God the Father" and "the Son of God" equal? I have came across some material from Jehovah's Witness's and I found all kinds of stuff about Jesus being the "Son of God" but questioning those of us who believe that He IS God. Here are some scriptures that I saw being used: John 5:41 "I do not accept praise from men..." If he is God why does he not accept praise? John 12:49-50 "For I did not speak of my own accord, but the Father who sent me commanded me what to say and how to say it. I know that his command leads to eternal life. So whatever I say is just what the Father has told me to say." This was being used to say if Jesus was God then why did he need to be told what to say or to be commanded at all? John 14:28 "...for the Father is greater than I." John 20:17 ..."to my God and your God....