The document discusses the debate around whether the King James Version is the only valid English translation of the Bible. While the author has always used the KJV in preaching, he no longer believes it is the only version Christians can read based on his own research showing claims that the KJV is perfect are false. He recognizes translations can contain errors but believes the original manuscripts were perfect.

1. Charles Whisnat February 13, 2010
GROW BY LEARNING

3. To Bloggers Everywhere
Charles E. Whisnant, GROW BY LEARNING BLOGGER BLOGS,
POST, ARTICLES AND PHOTOS FROM JANUARY THRU APRIL
2009.
There are 170 post from this series.
I hope you will enjoy them as much as I have.
1

4. 2

5. Contents
2008 IN REVIEW A LOOK BACK 10
ITS OKAY, A NEW YEAR 2009 12
IS THE KJV THE ONLY BIBLE? 13
TO SPEAK BOLDLY: THE LOVE CHRIST 15
2009 IS GOING TO BE GOOD 16
Only One To Call Me Chuck 17
FORD, GENERAL MOTORS AND THE CHURCH 18
CHARLES SPURGEON WAS SAVED TODAY 1850 20
TO WIN A SOUL TO CHRIST? 22
UNION MILLS CONFECTIONERY WEST PORTSMOUTH
OHIO 23
BIBLICAL SEPARATION IS RATHER CLEAR 25
I LOVE TRAINS AND BIBLICAL THEOLOGY 26
GOOD SERMONS ARE HARD TO FIND 26
Beyond The Gates of Splendor - 26
GOD DELIGHTS IN HIS SON CHRIST 27
PASTOR'S OFFICE, AND STUDY AND LIBRARY 29
MY CONFIDIENCE OF MY SALVATION IS 31
A SNOWY HILL WITH A TRAIN 33
JOHN PIPER MAKING A SNOW ANGEL 35
ELLEN WHAT IS THIS ALL ABOUT? 36
YOUR FAITH VIRAL OR PEDAGOGICAL? PT 1 36
YOUR FAITH VIRAL OR PEDAGOGICAL? PT 2 37
UNION MILLS IN THE WINTER SNOW 38
GREETINGS TO THE PEOPLE AT ROJBC 39
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6. THE VOICE OF JOY AND PRAISE 40
INTRODUCTION: SECOND COMING IS COMING 41
JOHN PIPER ON THE ECONOMY ISSUE 41
MACARTHUR ON THE WORD OF GOD 41
ARE WE MISSIONARIES OR MISSION FIELDS 42
PRESIDENT NUMBER 44 AND 56TH TIME 43
OABAMA SWORN IN AS 44TH PRESIDENT 44
GEORGE BUSH IS STILL MY MAN 44
HOW TO PRAY FOR OUR PRESIDENT 44
SO I LIKE GEORGE W. BUSH 45
YOUR FAITH VIRAL OR PEDAGOGICAL PT 3 45
REDISCOVERING HOLINESS AS BELIEVERS SHOULD 45
EXPOSITIONAL PREACHERS ARE MODERN DAY
PROPHETS 46
ABORTION HAS ALWAYS BEING AN ISSUE 47
JOHNNY EDWARDS SINGING SOUTHERN GOSPEL MUSIC 48
A MINISTRY SUCCESSFUL SEEN OVER TIME 48
HAPPY THIRD ANNIVERSARY ERIC AND LESLIE 49
SNOWY IN PORTSMOUTH OHIO JANUARY 27 50
ONLY HERE TO HEAR A SERMON 50
CARING! LOVING! FRIENDLY STARTS WITH US 50
RESULT OF SPIRITUAL DISCERNMENT BRINGS
CONTENTMENT 51
SNOW FLAKES IN PORTSMOUTH OHIO 2009 51
IS STUDY FROM COMMENTARIES OKAY 52
FAITHFUL PASTORAL MINISTRY OF JOHN MACARTHUR 53
TEN QUESTIONS ABOUT YOUR PREACHING/TEACHING 54
4

7. FRAMING A SERMON BY JAY ADAMS 56
40 YEARS OF ENDURING PASTORAL MINISTRY 58
MINISTERING GOD'S TRUTH IN A BROKEN WORLD 60
KIRK WARNER AND XL111 SUPER BOWL 61
WHAT DO YOU REALLY BELIEVE UH! 61
CHILDEN AS CAREGIVERS OF THEIR PARENTS 63
THE MODEL OF HOLINESS AND REVERENCE 65
EVANGELISM SHOULD NOT BE ANNOYING 66
FACEBOOK A FORM OF SMALL TALK 67
The Autobiography of Charles H. Spurgeon 68
SANCTIFICATION MEANS CONCENTRATION ON GOD 68
A HAPPY BIRTHDAY ERIC AND BECKY 69
ACTIONS THAT I SHOULD HAVE LEARNED 70
SOCIAL NETWORKING OR BIBLICAL EVANGELISM BETTER 71
KEEPING UP WITH THE NEW GENERATION 72
THE DARK SIDE OF LIFE SHOWN 73
OUR GANG HEART THUMPS IN 1937 73
MY MOM, WHO LOVES TO EAT 73
DIVINE SIDE AND THE HUMAN SIDE OF SALVATION 74
FOR ME TO LIVE IS CHRIST 75
THE DUTY OF EVERY PASTOR/TEACHER 76
NETWORKING WITH FRIENDS, FAMILY, FOLLOWERS,
FOLKS. 77
RIVERS OF JOY BAPTIST CHURCH MINFORD OHIO 79
DALE EARNHARDT SR DIED IN 2001 80
Dale Earnhardt Tribute Video 82
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8. WHY MEMBERS ARE MEMBER LOCAL CHURCHES 82
THE QUESTIONS I TRY TO FOLLOW 83
THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF CHRIST IN YOU 84
Monday, February 23, 2009 84
CHARLES AND CHARITY SITTING IN A TREE 86
ACCOUNTABLITY TO THE TASK OF PASTOR 86
The Hawk On Charles Walk 87
RIVERS OF JOY BAPTIST CHURCH MINFORD OhioINSIDE 87
RIVERS OF JOY BAPTIST CHURCH SERMON BY PASTOR
CHARLES E. WHISNANT 88
RIVERS OF JOY BAPTIST CHURCH INSIDE VIEW 88
SOME WISE COUNSEL GIVING FOR LIVING 88
QUESTIONS I ASK MY SELF PART FOUR 89
AMERICA IS THE PLACE WE LIVE 90
THE CHALLENGE OF LEADERSHIP IN THE CHURCH 91
SATAN IS OUT TO WIN CONTROL 92
QUESTION I ASK MYSELF PART FIVE 94
WHAT SHOULD THE CHURCH CONSCIOUSLY BE 95
Rivers of Joy Baptist Church Pastor Office 96
UNION MILLS BAKERY CHRISTMAS DINNER 2009 96
Friday, March 06, 2009 96
Union Mills Dinner 2009 97
Union Mills Bakery May 2009 97
Shepherd's Conference 2009 The best ever/ 97
Saturday, March 07, 2009 98
PHOTO OF THE SHEPHERD'S CONFERENCE 2009 98
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9. COLLECTION OF FAMILY AND FRIENDS 1 98
SUNDAY MARCH 08 2009 REFLECTION TIME 98
THE TRAIN KEEPS ON COMING ON 23 99
FINANCIAL BONDAGE IS BONDAGE OF MIND AND
FREEDOM 99
Biblical Christianity: Baptist Pastor in Illinois shot and killed d... 100
JOHN 3 16 Part two: GOD 'SO LOVED.' 100
Every self respecting Calvinist is a 6 Day Creationist 100
TEN WAYS PAUL DID NOT MINISTER 102
MUSIC AMAZING GRACE BY II DIVO 102
CHARLES E. WHISNANT PASTORAL STUDY OFFICE 102
SO WHY PRAY IF GOD IS GOD 103
STEM CELL RESEARCH AND SCIENCE THOUGHT 103
Sunday March 15 Church News 104
JOHN CALVIN PREACHING EXPOSITIONAL WAS NORMAL 109
A DAY WITH THE WHISNANT'S 109
GOD IN THIS MANNER SET FORTH HIS LOVE 110
PAUL'S DAY CARE CENTER - THE MOTHER'S CARE 112
Todd Johnson Bass Guitar & Kristin Korb: Going Home 112
SO WHAT IS GOOD PREACHING ANYWAY 112
Tuesday, March 17, 2009 113
Paul's Day Care Center, The Mother Part two 113
OKAY WHERE ARE OUR SONS 113
Rivers of Joy Baptist Church, Study of Orgins 114
CHARLES E. WHISNANT 116
SO SHOULD WE TEACH THE BIBLE 117
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10. Rivers of Joy Baptist Church Wednesday 118
Charity and Charles Whisnant Kids 2009 119
Eric and Leslie's Baby Shower by Charity, Becky, Brittney 119
TO BELIEVE TRUTH IS TO APLPLY TRUTH 119
Friends and Family over the Weekend 121
CREATION IN GOD'S VAST UNIVERSE SHOWN 122
A NICE WALK DOWN THE CORN FIELDS 123
A GREAT VIEW AROUND OUR HOUSE 123
Baby Shower of Eric and Leslie 124
Charles E. Whisnant, Sermon on Sunday 124
Train traveling over the tunnel 124
VISITING MY FAMILY IN TEXAS 124
THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF CHRIST SHOWN CLEARLY 125
GOD'S GRACE SHOWN BY CHRIST DEATH 125
Vacation 2009 125
THE UNIVERSE AND BEYOND CREATED BY GOD 126
THE SOUL WINNER'S TOOLBOX EXPLAINED BIBLICALLY 126
Vacation 2009 127
Vacations 2009 part one, the silly stuff 127
Vacation 2009 Part Two 128
VACATION 2009 129
John 3:16 Notes and Video Coming 130
VACATION 2009 IN TEXAS & MISSISSIPPII & KY. 133
HIS ONLY BEGOTTON SON PART ONE 133
JESUS RODE INTO JERSUALEM WITH TEARS 1 & 2 133
THE RESURRECTION OF OUR LORD JESUS 134
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11. Saturday, April 11, 2009 136
WHY IS TEACHING THE BIBLE IMPORTANT? 136
THEY DID NOT FIND JESUS AT THE TOMB 137
HIS ONLY BEGOTTON SON PART THREE 141
SOMEWHERE IN TIME VIDEO GREAT 141
Scottie Pippen Retired, & Michael Jordan Hall of Fame 141
WHAT THE WORLD TODAY NEEDS IS 142
Post Number #999 On Blogger 142
THE X'S AND Y'S OF SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP 144
THE REASON FOR THE LORD'S SUPPER 144
ELDERS NOTES AND CREATION NOTES POSTED 144
HAS YOU LIFE STYLE CHANGED 144
SOCIAL NETWORKING IS NOT REALLY BAD 145
A Train Engine or Trees of Beauty 146
John 3:16 "He Who Believes in Christ" Part two 146
HEAVEN AND HELL AND WITH & WITHOUT A MEDIATOR 146
STAY ON THE MEANING OF THE TEXT 147
BE OF GOOD COURAGE IN MINISTRY 148
So What About God's Universe 149
God Is The Creator of All Things 150
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12. 2008 IN REVIEW A LOOK BACK
Thursday, January 01, 2009
PART ONE: A LOOK BACK TO A FEW
EVENTS IN 2008Our vacation took us this
year to visit Susan in Mississippi in April
Union Mills was rather busy at Easter,
Mother's Day and Grad Day and a dozen
other days
THE SUMMER LIFE.
THE 318 WAS THE UPGRADE
OUR VACATION TOOK US TO SEE THE
BOYS
OUR VACATION TOOK US TO VISIT
ELLEN AND HERSHEL
CHARIY AND BECKY ON VACATION IN
TEXAS
OUR VACATION TOOK US TO VISIT
MOM ON HER 85 BIRTHDAY
ON OUR VACATION
THIS WAS THE VERY FIRST PICTURE I
TOOK
THE FELLOWS AT LENORA FUNERAL
A VIEW OF THE STAIR LANDING IN MY
HOUSE
CHARITY'S FAVIORITE PASS TIME
READING
A COLLECTION I DISPLAED OF
NASCAR
A VIEW OF THE NEW 19" SCREEN
THE COOKIE LADY AT UNION MILLS
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13. 11

14. ENJOY THE DAY
Posted by Charles E. Whisnant at 05:34AM (-06:00)
ITS OKAY, A NEW YEAR 2009
Thursday, January 01, 2009
I love Jesus Christ.”
And as I say it, I want to make clear what I mean:
I am in awe of Jesus Christ more than any other human or angelic being.
I take pleasure in his ways and his words more than I enjoy the ways and words of
anyone else.
I want his endorsement more than I want the approval of anyone else.
I want to be with him more than I want to be with anyone else.
I sense more grateful to him for what he has done for me than I do to anyone else.
I trust his words more fully than I trust what anyone else says.
I am gladder in his adoration than in the exaltation of anyone else, including me.
Would you pray with me that in 2009 we would love Jesus Christ more than we ever
have? And may our Lord Jesus grant that from time to time we would deliver quietly and
naturally a thunderclap into the hearts of others with the simple words, “I love Jesus
Christ.”
“Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you
believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory” (1 Peter 1:8).
Posted by Charles E. Whisnant at 01:09PM (-06:00)
12

15. IS THE KJV THE ONLY BIBLE?
Friday, January 02, 2009
Have you done research on the KJV/other version controversies yourself?
• Yes I have. And I would add, probably more so than many KJV onlyists who tend to
only read literature published from within their own circles, just as I did when I was a
practicing KJVer. The question is meant to "expose" some alleged fatal flaw in the
arguments of the non-KJV onlyist. It is suggested that a person reads and uses a
modern Bible version (MBV) because he or she doesn't know any better and is
blindly following a favored teacher or what was taught at the Bible college where the
person attended. Many KJV onlyists believe this about the non-KJV onlyists. It is
assumed they are ignorant, but this is merely a strawman objection. I would throw
back a question to our KJV onlyist:
• As a quick review,
•
KJV only advocates teach that the King James Bible, also known as the Authorized
Version, is the only translation, English or otherwise, that accurately contains the
Word of God as it was revealed by God through His prophets and Apostles. The
KJV translation is considered to be perfect; with out any error either in the original
language documents used in its translation or in the English translation itself.
Additionally, the translators are said to be the greatest scholars the world has ever
known, and it is argued God used these men to preserve once and for all His Word
to humanity.
Personally I hate lies, and when the falsehood are told in relationship to the Bible it is
sad. And the above statement about the KJV is not true.
• I have always being a Indpendent Baptist, Fundementalist. I have always read from
the pulpit the KJV. But I have never believed that the KJV was the only translation
that Christians should read. Well, maybe I believed that in the early 50's and 60s
when I was a child, and thought as a child, but when I grew up and studied, I
realized that the KJV was not the only version that Christians could read. I believe,
in the early 80's I realized maybe the Bible was perfect in its orginial form, and from
that point on there were errors made in the printing of the Bible. And the shock was
to learn that the KJV was not perfect. The falsehood of material put out by the
KJVonly people is really not biblically right.
Even with the idea of a perfect bible, certainly those who taught from the bible had a lot
of error on their interpretation of the scriptures. It seems those who hold this position, also
believe they don't make any error in their interpretation of the Word of God.
I believe in a sovereign God, who doesn't need perfect people or a perfect printed bible to
accomplish His purposes and plan for mankind. I believe even with all the false teachings
about God's plan and His means whereby He saves sinners, those whom God has
chosen unto salvation will be saved. (Acts 13:48, Romans 11:7, Romans 8:30, John
10:27 and Philippianss 1:6) I really do not believe any of those whom God gave Jesus
Christ to die for at the Cross will be lost because someone might use a NASV or RS or
any other translation. (John 6:37, John 17:6).
I do believe its better to have everyone in the church service to have the same bible 13

16. translation, (its only a personal preferrence). Because most people are easily confused.
And when you ask the people to read together in the Psalms, it is rather hard when there
are ten translation been read at one time. You know?
I have over the years put into the minds of people the idea that the KJV is the best
translation on the market of the day. But I have never taught that the KJV is perfect in its
translation. And I have never believed you have error when you change the words of the
KJV.
When I teach from the KJV, I change the words. When the KJV uses "it" in refering to the
Holy Spirit, its okay to change "it" to Holy Spirit. When the KJV uses Holy Ghost, it is okay
to use Holy Spirit. It is okay in I Corinthians 1:11 to read "that ye be perfectly joined
together in the same mind." to read it "that you might be perfected together in the same
mind."
I use Ephesians 4:13 a lot to explain Christian growth. "unto a perfect man". Well we are
not perfect in the human sense, but the word "perfect" is better translated "full grown" or"
spiritual mature man." Explaining the text, using different words is not changing the
Words of God.
• It is obvious that believers, all of whom have unredeemed flesh (Rom. 7:14; 8:23),
cannot in this life fully and perfectly attain the measure of the stature which belongs
to the fulness of Christ. But they must and can reach a degree of maturity that
pleases and glorifies the Lord. The goal of Paul's ministry to believers was their
maturity, as indicated by his labors to “present every man complete (teleios, mature)
in Christ” (Col. 1:28–29; cf. Phil. 3:14–15). John MacArthur, Jr.
King James Version 4:13 Till we all come in the unity of the
faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect
man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
American Standard Version 4:13 till we all attain unto the
unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God,
unto a fullgrown man, unto the measure of
the stature of the fulness of Christ:
Bible in Basic English 4:13 Till we all come
to the harmony of the faith, and of the
knowledge of the Son of God, to full growth,
to the full measure of Christ:
Have we done harm to the Word of God by
using a different translation from the KJV?
Will we do harm to the Word of God when
we do not teach the Word of God as God
meant the Word to be taught. We are not to teach our ideas, or our personal application,
we are to explain the Words of God in its context and allow the Word to speak for
themselves.
God expressed the Bible in language, and language has a way of changing. Therefore
we are to teach the Bible in the language that people can understand.
Can people in the English language be saved and learn the commands of God in other
translations of the Bible? Do I need to be afraid someone might go to hell if they read
another translation? You might say, "Why just not stick with the KJV?" Well personally, I
am. I read from the KJV and then I study a lot to figure out what it says. I love study, I
love research, I love to dig deep into the scriptures.
14

17. Like my sermons, I stop in the middle of some messages. I will pick up another time.
• Conclusion: No English translation is without problems including the revered King
James Version. People are unaware that the accusations the KJV only supporters
are using against all modem versions holds true with the very translation they are
defending. It is true not all modem versions are good and many should be avoided.
But let us be careful to follow the truth when making statements of support or
statements of avoidance over a particular English version of the Bible.
• Conclusion two: "The Lord gave the word: great was the company of those that
published it" (Psalm 68:11).
• Ruckmanism is the false teaching that the King James translation is absolutely
inerrant, and is superior to any Hebrew or Greek text. It is the teaching that the King
James Version is perfect and that there is no value in examining the Hebrew and
Greek text from which it was translated.
• In my opinion, the term "King James Only" is a misleading name for this movement.
I myself am King Jame preacher. I preach from the KJV because it is the better
translation, based on the better Hebrew and Greek manuscripts. As far as I can
know. But it doesn't mean all the other translation are wrong.
Posted by Charles E. Whisnant at 05:22AM (-06:00)
TO SPEAK BOLDLY: THE LOVE CHRIST
Friday, January 02, 2009
December 31, 2008.
I read this post today:
Generally he has a lot of great articles and I enjoy
reading them.
"I have a goal this year to evangelize one person
every single day. I can pass out a gospel tract to
get that done, but I prefer to talk to someone. The
latter is what I want and the former what I'll settle
with to reach the goal. To add some
accountability, I will write about my evangelism
experience every day. It will be found at a new
blog called Open Boldy. You may ask: "Another
blog? Come on!" Well, I won't be able to reach this goal in front of a computer. This is just
very public accountability like Weight-watchers is for weight loss.My theme verses are
Ephesians 6:19-20:"
• And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly,
to make known the mystery of the gospel, For which I am an ambassador in bonds:
that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
I have heard of evangelist and preachers strive for that goal. Its a goal that I am not sure
is really biblical sound. I have been raised in this atmosphere most of my life. What I have
seen is a lot of evangelist talk and a lot of results that last less than a week. And people
in the pew will see this as a fruitless ministry.
I trust all of us could speak of Jesus love to those we meet daily. 15

18. • A friend of mind who works for the County Court system, shook hands with a
woman today, who shot and killed three people at point blank range a couple of
months ago, and said, "Jesus loves you." That took courage. Amen for him. May we
all do that when we have the chance. He almost always makes a point when
possible to tell those who are criminals, Jesus love you, and you need Jesus. Amen.
I have read and listen to a number of men, evangelist, pastor, who made it their goal to
speak the gospel to someone each day of their lives. And I am not saying that is wrong.
What I am saying I have seen where we force the committment, there is a lot of false
salvation made.
I have personally seen this with my self.
While at Hyles College, we would go block
by block, house by house and try to get
someone saved. Time after time we would
use the Roman Road and get people to say
yes. Only the next week they would say it
again to someone else.
As a Pastor I have tried to impress a follow
pastor with my approach to soul winning,
and get someone to say yes, they will be
saved. Only to have them not open the door
the next week.
I have taken a dozen soul winning courses,
and they are all good to a point. While its
true we should present Jesus Christ to the lost, in our zeal we sometimes sure push for
decsions that are not made by the person we are talking to.
Well you say, its better to get one in ten then none at all. I fully disgree with that point of
view.
As a pastor/teacher I do have the opportunity four times a week to share Christ with
people. And to share the Word of God with people is the joy of my life. But the decision
for people to be saved is Jesus Christ.
I am thankful for my friend who has a passion for Jesus in the work place. And his
boldness to speak of Jesus Christ love is the key to witnessing for God.
(1971-1974 Madison Missionary Baptist Church, Minford Ohio)
May we take a conscious effort to make Christ known daily to those who we come
contact with.
Posted by Charles E. Whisnant at 09:03PM (-06:00)
2009 IS GOING TO BE GOOD
Saturday, January 03, 2009
As we go into another year, we sometimes think we will get a new start, and this time do
it right. Well, I have had over fifty new starts, to do it right again. And you know, this is
getting better with practice. (cookies at Union Mills)
16

19. Last year, at 60 years old, (believing I am
only in my forty's) I took on the task of
preaching, and teaching and working with a
group of folks at Rivers of Joy Baptist
Church. After a few years layoff from
serving in a church, I find myself back in full
swing doing what I love doing the most.
Most amazing I am enjoying every minute
of the experience. I have being getting
ready for pastoral ministry and teaching
again for about five years.
I will share with you, the experience the last
eight years has being mixed. I have not
chosen to quit. Like Charity says "Charles
will be fired before he quits"? Let me see, I
have been let go, fired, what ever, three
times, from ministry. Well. I am still
standing. God must not be finished with me
yet. (old churches on the flood wall in
Portsmouth)
I guess no experiences go void. The Lord is
still bringing us to maturity. I am still
preaching the same sermons, using the
s a m e
methodology, have the same wife, using the Word of
God, still wear a suit and tie. So what is the
difference? Still have the same belief that I have for
the last thirty years. Still love Christ, Charity and
Children, and the Church, and Christy (friend) and
Calvin, and chocolate Ice Cream, coffee and cookies
and cake.
I thought about checking into a ministry rehab.
Kidding, of course.
I am thankful that the Lord and those in Rivers of Joy
Baptist Church have been so good to us.
Posted by Charles E. Whisnant at 01:18PM (-06:00)
17

20. Only One To Call Me Chuck
Monday, January 05, 2009
THE NUNNENKAMP FAMILY Kurt and
Michele Nunnenkamp
Tom and Alana Ayers
A few years ago these three young ladies
were members of our church in
Kansas.Kathy Songer, Alana Ayers and
Christy Heaton
THE JOHN AND CHRISTY HEATON
FAMILY
Pastor of a church is a real joy. Pastor of a
church for sixteen years is greater. And the
greatest is after you have left the church for
twelve years you still have these friends.
I love up dates from families who were in
FBC. (Of course a photo sent to me, could
get on this Blogger).
Posted by Charles E. Whisnant at 09:20PM (-06:00)
18

21. FORD, GENERAL MOTORS AND THE
CHURCH
Tuesday, January 06, 2009
Mistakes The Church Can Learn From The
Auto Industry…Part One
Vehicle sales in the United States were
sharplylower for nearly all auto companies, and
the two largest U.S. manufacturers reported the
lowest number of sales in nearly five
decades.General Motors reported Monday that
its sales dropped 31 percent in December, and
fell 23 percent for all of last year. It sold fewer
vehicles in 2008 than any year since 1959.
Ford says its U.S. sales plunged by almost
one-third between November and
December, and about 20 percent for all of
2008, the lowest number of sales in 47
years. Chrysler reported a 53 percent
plunge in December. For the full year 2008,
the company's sales slid 30 percent.
1. They Were Focused on the Wrong
Message
While the auto industry was spending time
and millions of dollars telling people to buy
American made cars what they should have been doing instead was spending that same
amount of time and that same about of money actually making better cars that people
across the world would actually want to purchase.
The same thing can be said about the church. Many times we can get too focused on,
“please bring people to church” “get people to church” “do whatever it takes to bring
people to this place” rather than creating a worship experience that exalts the name of
Jesus and promotes life change to such an extent that people actually want to bring
friends to church. We should focus way more on what is happening in our services than
advertising about them.
AND…another danger as a church is getting focused on ANY other agenda other than
Jesus and His Kingdom. More on that at another time! You focus on your worship and
your singing, and your preaching and your fellowship and you focus on your teaching. If
we love these things we will invite others to share with us our love for Christ and the
church.
2. Trusting in Tradition
One of the mistakes the auto industry made was thinking because of our strong and
successful past we will always have a strong and successful future. People have always
been loyal to us therefore people will always be loyal to us. While they were basking in
the glory of their tradition, up-start car companies came along and surpassed their quality
of excellence and relevance in the society in which we live.
19

22. One of the mistakes we can make as a church is to begin to trust in tradition and think
because we had a strong and successful past that we, our particular church, will always
have a strong and successful future. The past is something that should always be
celebrated. The past is something to be thankful to God for. But the past is not an
indicator of our future. The past is merely and reflection of God’s faithfulness and God’s
faithfulness will continue in the future not as we embrace tradition but as we embrace his
leadership through his Holy Spirit.
Another mistakes we can make is to think our tradition of the past even when the results
have resulted in failure will in some way get us a better future. Our focus is to be on
Christ and His faithfulness and not focus on the traditions of the church.
Posted by Charles E. Whisnant at 05:47PM (-06:00)
CHARLES SPURGEON WAS SAVED TODAY
1850
Tuesday, January 06, 2009
Today in 1850, Charles Haddon Spurgeon
(1834-1892) heard the voice of God calling
him in the words of Isaiah 45:22, through
the sermon of a Primitive Methodist
preacher: “Look unto Me, and be ye saved,
all the ends of the earth.”
Spurgeon looked and was saved at age 15,
and went on to become one of the greatest
preachers of modern times. He preached a
vast number of sermons in his life, but he
excelled in preaching a clear message of salvation
in a way that could reach sinners. He knew from
experience that they were eager for that clear,
simple direction: Look to Jesus and be saved.
By one count, he told the story of his conversion
280 times in his published sermons, so some
minor variations have slipped into the accounts.
Here is my favorite:
• I sometimes think I might have been in darkness and despair now, had it not been
for the goodness of God in sending a snowstorm one Sunday morning, when I was
going to a place of worship. When I could go no further, I turned down a court and
came to a little Primitive Methodist Chapel. In that chapel there might be a dozen or
fifteen people. The minister did not come that morning: snowed up, I suppose. A
poor man, a shoemaker, a tailor, or something of that sort, went up into the pulpit to
20

23. preach. He was obliged to stick to his text, for the simple reason that he had nothing
else to say. The text was, ‘Look unto Me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth.’
He did not even pronounce the words rightly, but that did not matter.
• There was, I thought, a glimpse of hope for me in the text. He began thus: ‘My dear
friends, this is a very simple text indeed. It says, “Look.” Now that does not take a
deal of effort. It ain’t lifting your foot or your finger; it is just “look.” Well, a man need
not go to college to learn to look. You may be the biggest fool, and yet you can look.
A man need not be worth a thousand a year to look. Anyone can look; a child can
look. But this is what the text says. Then it says, “Look unto Me.” ‘Ay,’ said he, in
broad Essex, ‘many of ye are looking to yourselves. No use looking there. You’ll
never find comfort in yourselves.’ Then the good man followed up his text in this
way: ‘Look unto Me: I am sweating great drops of blood. Look unto Me; I am
hanging on the Cross. Look: I am dead and buried. Look unto Me; I rise again. Look
unto Me; I ascend; I am sitting at the Father’s right hand. O, look to Me! Look to Me!’
When he had got about that length, and managed to spin out ten minutes, he was at
the length of his tether.
• Then he looked at me under the gallery, and I daresay, with so few present, he
knew me to be a stranger. He then said, ‘Young man, you look very miserable.’
Well, I did; but I had not been accustomed to have remarks made on my personal
appearance from the pulpit before. However, it was a good blow struck. He
continued: ‘And you will always be miserable — miserable in life and miserable in
death — if you do not obey my text. But if you obey now, this moment, you will be
saved.’
• Then he shouted, as only a Primitive Methodist can, ‘Young man, look to Jesus
Christ.’ There and then the cloud was gone, the darkness had rolled away, and that
moment I saw the sun; and I could have risen that moment and sung with the most
enthusiastic of them of the Precious Blood of Christ.”
Sunday, January 6, 1850, is the most widely-accepted date for Spurgeon’s
conversion, but there is some scholarly disagreement abut it. The late Lewis
Drummond’s book Spurgeon: Prince of Preachers makes a pretty good case that
January 13 is more likely to be actual date. He compares various accounts, reports
on the actual preachers’ log for the local Primitive Methodist church, and checks the
best available meteorological reports for the winter of 1850. The last point is telling:
In London, at least (no records exist for Spurgeon’s Colchester), January 6 was a
clear day, but January 13 had heavy snow. (Most of the relevant argument about
the dating can be seen in the preview of the book available at Google books)
The fact is, Spurgeon and his earliest biographers were all a little sloppy about recording
this event. I appreciate that. That little bit of reportorial sloppiness helps downplay the
event itself, the event considered as a moment in the biography and the psychological
history of the man Spurgeon. Instead, it keeps the message of salvation central: Look to
me and be saved. Spurgeon certainly did that, sometime around January 6. And it made
all the difference in the world, and he told the story 280 times in sermons. But Spurgeon
draws our attention to his own experience of conversion for a much greater reason than
to fill out the pages of his biography accurately. He draws our attention to his own
conversion so that we too can look to Jesus, where salvation is.
One of the first time I preached outside my Dad's church was in North Caroline, at Fate
Spenser's church. I was asked to preached on Sunday Morning, and Donald was to
speak on Sunday Night. Well, I had studied a sermon by Charles Spurgeon. And I read
21

24. and studied the sermon. So I thought I would preaching his sermon. I got the introduction
down good. I was at least 16 or 17 years old. I do like Spurgeon.
I don't think the people was impressed with Spurgeon's sermon, it was not emotional
enough. If I remember, Donald message was rather emotional. They liked that.
Over the years I have read a number of Spurgeon's Sermons. I must I have used several
of the outlines. But generally I use Spuregon as a sound board, if Spurgeon believed it, I
generally believed it myself. I have two orginal sermon books by Spuregon. And one of
the first 20 volume's set I bought in Seminary was Spurgeon Sermons.
Posted by Charles E. Whisnant at 08:38PM (-06:00)
TO WIN A SOUL TO CHRIST?
Wednesday, January 07, 2009
What is the real winning of a soul for God?
So far as this is done by instrumentality, what are the processes by which a soul is led to
God and to salvation?
I take it that one of its main operations consists in instructing a man that he may know the
truth of God. Instruction by the gospel is the commencement of all real work upon men's
minds.
• "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father,
and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things
whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end
of the world."
Teaching begins the work, and crowns it, too.
The gospel, according to Isaiah, is,
• "Incline your ear, and come unto Me: hear, and your soul shall live."
It is ours, then, to give men something worth their hearing; in fact, to instruct them. We
are sent to evangelize, or to preach the gospel to every creature; and that is not done
unless we teach them the great truths of revelation. The gospel is good news.
To listen to some preachers, you would imagine that the gospel was a pinch of sacred
snuff to make them wake up, or a bottle of ardent spirits to excite their brains.
It is nothing of the kind; it is news, there is information in it, there is instruction in it
concerning matters which men need to know, and statements in it calculated to bless
those who hear it.
It is not a magical incantation, or a charm, whose force consists in a collection of sounds;
it is a revelation of facts and truths which require knowledge and belief.
The gospel is a reasonable system, and it appeals to men's understanding; it is a matter
for thought and consideration, and it appeals to the conscience and the reflecting powers.
Hence, if we do not teach men something, we may shout, "Believe! Believe! Believe!" but
what are they to believe? Each exhortation requires a corresponding instruction, or it will
mean nothing.
22 "Escape!" From what? This requires for its answer the doctrine of the punishment of sin.

25. "Fly!" But whither? Then must you preach Christ, and His wounds; yea, and the clear
doctrine of atonement by sacrifice.
"Repent!" Of what? Here you must answer such questions as,
What is sin? What is the evil of sin? What are the consequences of sin ? "Be converted!"
But what is it to be converted? By what power can we be converted? What from? What
to?
The field of instruction is wide if men are to be made to know the truth which saves. "That
the soul be without knowledge, it is not good," and it is ours as the Lord's instruments to
make men so to know the truth that they may believe it, and feel its power.
We are not to try and save men in the dark, but in the power of the Holy Ghost we are to
seek to turn them from darkness to light.
Teach gospel doctrines clearly, affectionately, simply, and plainly, and especially those
truths which have a present and practical bearing upon man's condition and God's grace.
Posted by Charles E. Whisnant at 06:40AM (-06:00)
UNION MILLS CONFECTIONERY WEST
PORTSMOUTH OHIO
Wednesday, January 07, 2009
UNION MILLS CONFECTIONERY
BAKERY IN WEST PORTSMOUTH OHIO
Debbie Blevins/ Charity Whisnant
Co-Owners and Operators
Sisters and daughters of Bob and Lenora
Temple
A SPECIALTY BAKERY
(740) 858-4633
1120 Galena Pike, West Portsmouth, OH
45663
Charity and Debbie
Union Mills is a“Made from Scratch” Bakery
(call ahead of time to place your special
order)
740 - 858 - 4633
A small town bakery, locally owned, and
personally hands on operation.
“Made from Scratch”
Pies
Bread
Cookies
Cream Horns
Decorated sheet Cakes
Posted by Charles E. Whisnant at 07:05AM (-06:00)
23

26. 24

27. BIBLICAL SEPARATION IS RATHER CLEAR
Wednesday, January 07, 2009
It is better to stay at home and read God's Word
(Arthur Pink, "A Call to Separation")
"Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what
do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or
what fellowship can light have with darkness? What
harmony is there between Christ and the Devil? What
does a believer have in common with an unbeliever?
What agreement is there between the temple of God
and idols?" 2 Corinthians 6:14-16
This command is so plain, that it requires no interpreter.
Righteousness--and wickedness;
light--and darkness;
Christ--and the Devil; God's temple--and idols.
What do they have in common? This is a call to godly
separation. This passage gives utterance to a Divine
exhortation for those belonging to Christ--to hold aloof from all intimate associations with
the ungodly. It expressly forbids them entering into alliances with the unconverted.
It definitely prohibits the children of God walking arm-in-arm with worldlings. It is an
admonition applying to every phase and department of our lives--religious, domestic,
social, commercial. And never, perhaps, was there a time when it more needed pressing
on Christians, than now. The days in which we are living are marked by the spirit of
compromise. On every side we behold unholy mixtures, ungodly alliances, and unequal
yokes. Many professing Christians appear to be trying how near to the world they may
walk--and yet go to Heaven!
To Israel, God said, "So do not act like the people in Egypt, where you used to live, or like
the people of Canaan, where I am taking you. You must not imitate their way of life. You
must obey all My regulations and be careful to keep My laws, for I, the Lord, am your
God!" (Leviticus 18:3-4)
And again, "Do not live by the customs of the people whom I will expel before you. It is
because they do these terrible things--that I detest them so much!" (Leviticus 20:23) It
was for their disregard of these very prohibitions, that Israel brought down upon
themselves such severe chastisements.God's call to His people in Babylon is, "Come out
of her, My people! Do not take part in her sins!" (Revelation 18:4) No one can be a whole-
hearted follower of the Lord Jesus who is, in any way, "yoked" to His enemies!"Do not be
yoked together with unbelievers." This applies first to our religious connections.
How many Christians are members of so-called "churches," where much is going on
which they know is at direct variance with the Word of God--either the teaching from the
pulpit, the worldly attractions used to draw the ungodly, and the worldly methods
employed to finance it, or the constant receiving into its membership of those who give no
evidence of having been born again. Believers in Christ who remain in such "churches"
are dishonoring their Lord. Should they answer: "Practically all the churches are the
same, and were we to resign, what would we do? We must go somewhere on Sundays!"
Such language would show they are putting their own interests, before the glory of Christ.
It is better to stay at home and read God's Word--than fellowship with that which His
Word condemns!
~~~~
Posted by Charles E. Whisnant at 10:39PM (-06:00)
25

28. I LOVE TRAINS AND BIBLICAL THEOLOGY
Thursday, January 08, 2009
Surely God’s Word is plain enough in
teaching that believing is not a meritorious
act. It affirms that Christians are a people
"who have believed through grace" (Acts
18:27). If then, they have believed "through
grace," there is absolutely nothing
meritorious about "believing," and if nothing
meritorious, it could not be the ground or
cause which moved God to choose them.
No; God’s choice proceeds not from
anything in us, or anything from us, but
solely from His own sovereign pleasure.
Once more, in Romans 11:5, we read of "a remnant according to the election of grace."
There it is, plain enough; election itself is of grace, and grace is unmerited favour
something for which we had no claim upon God whatsoever. Mr. Pink
Posted by Charles E. Whisnant at 07:36AM (-06:00)
GOOD SERMONS ARE HARD TO FIND
Thursday, January 08, 2009
Posted by Charles E. Whisnant at 09:20AM (-06:00)
26

29. Beyond The Gates of Splendor -
Thursday, January 08, 2009
53 years ago today (Jan. 8), Jim Elliot and four other missionaries were killed in Ecuador
seeking to meet and evangelize the Waodani people.
Here is a video about their mission:
Posted by Charles E. Whisnant at 05:35PM (-06:00)
GOD DELIGHTS IN HIS SON CHRIST
Friday, January 09, 2009
I BELIEVE GOD IS GOD WHO IS THE GOD OF ALL THE WORLD AND EVERYTHING
THAT IS IN IT. AND THE ENTIRE WORLD IS GOD'S.THE ENTIRE FUTURE OF THE
WORLD IS GOD'S TO DOWHAT HE WILL.The Lord’s Chosen Servant Isaiah 42:1-25
42:1 Behold my Servant, (Christ) whom I uphold,
my chosen, in whom my soul delights;
I have put my Spirit upon Him; (Christ)
He will bring forth justice to the nations.
2 He will not cry aloud or lift up His voice,
or make it heard in the street;
3 a bruised reed He will not break,
and a faintly burning wick He will not quench;
He will faithfully bring forth justice.
4 He will not grow faint or be discouraged
till He has established justice in the earth;
and the coastlands wait for His law.
5 Thus says God, the Lord,
who created the heavens mand stretched them out,
who spread out the earth and what comes from it,
who gives breath to the people on it
and spirit to those who walk in it:
6 “I am the Lord; I have called you in righteousness;
I will take you by the hand and keep you;
I will give you as a covenant for the people,
a light for the nations,
7 to open the eyes that are blind,
to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon,
from the prison those who sit in darkness.
8 I am the Lord; that is my name;
my glory I give to no other,
nor my praise to carved idols.
9 Behold, the former things have come to pass,
and new things I now declare;
before they spring forth
I tell you of them.”
Sing to the Lord a New Song 27

30. 10 Sing to the Lord a new song,
His praise from the end of the earth,
you who go down to the sea, and all that fills it,
coastlands and their inhabitants.
11 Let the desert and its cities lift up their voice,
the villages that Kedar inhabits;
let the habitants of Sela sing for joy,
let them shout from the top of the mountains.
12 Let them give glory to the Lord,
and declare His praise in the coastlands.
13 The Lord goes out like a mighty man,
like a man of war He stirs up His zeal;
He cries out, He shouts aloud,
He shows himself mighty against His foes.
14 For a long time I have held my peace;
I have kept still and restrained myself;
now I will cry out like a woman in labor;
I will gasp and pant.
15 I will lay waste mountains and hills,
and dry up all their vegetation;
I will turn the rivers into islands,
and dry up the pools.
16 And I will lead the blind
in a way that they do not know,
in paths that they have not known
I will guide them.
I will turn the darkness before them into light,
the rough places into level ground.
These are the things I do,
and I do not forsake them.
17 They are turned back and utterly put to shame,
who trust in carved idols,
who say to metal images,
“You are our gods.”
Israel’s Failure to Hear and See
18 Hear, you deaf,
and look, you blind, that you may see!
19 Who is blind but my servant,
or deaf as my messenger whom I send?
Who is blind as my dedicated one,
or blind as the servant of the Lord?
20 He sees many things, but does not observe them;
his ears are open, but he does not her.
21 The Lord was pleased, for his righteousness’ sake,
to magnify his law and make it glorious.
22 But this is a people plundered and looted;
they are all of them trapped in holes
and hidden in prisons;
they have become plunder with none to rescue,
spoil with none to say, “Restore!”
23 Who among you will give ear to this,
will attend and listen for the time to come?
28

31. 24 Who gave up Jacob to the looter,
and Israel to the plunderers?
Was it not the Lord, against whom we have sinned,
in whose ways they would not walk,
and whose law they would not obey?
25 So he poured on him the heat of his anger
and the might of battle;
it set him on fire all around, but he did not understand;
it burned him up, but he did not take it to heart.
Posted by Charles E. Whisnant at 06:58AM (-06:00)
PASTOR'S OFFICE, AND STUDY AND
LIBRARY
Saturday, January 10, 2009
YES THIS IS PART OF MY OFFICES AT
CHURCH. YEP, ISN'T GOD GOOD AND
THE FOLKS AT RIVERS OF JOY
BAPTIST CHURCH?
VIEW OF MY STUDY BOOKS IN LIBRARY
ROOM
VIEW OF RESEARCH BINDERS IN
LIBRARY ROOM
DESK IN LIBRARY AND STUDY
ROOMWITH VIEW OF BOTH BOOKS
AND BINDERS.
A LOOK THAT THE ROLL OF THE
PASTOR'S OFFICE
The Pastor's Office includes the church
pastoral leadership, as well as the directors
of our ministry divisions.The meaning of the
Greek word we translate as pastor is
shepherd. The job title pastor therefore
refers to a spiritual shepherd. (See
Ephesians 4:11)
In this way, Jesus is referred to as the great
Shepherd of the sheep. (Hebrews 13:20)
He is the role model for all of God's
pastors. Jesus is the great Shepherd and
all of His pastors are the lesser shepherds.
By looking at how Jesus shepherds the
sheep we can see how a pastor should
shepherd the flock of God - God's people.
In Paul's letter to the Ephesians we learn
that the office of pastor (spiritual shepherd)
is one of the offices that contributes to the
29

32. equipping of the saints for the work of the
ministry for the building up of the body of
Christ. (Ephesians 4:11) In the same letter,
we learn some important aspects of how
Jesus Christ carries out his role as the
great Shepherd.
Paul writes,
"Husbands love your wives, just as Christ
also loved the church and gave Himself for
her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her
with the washing of the water by the word,
that He might present her to Himself a
glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle
or any such thing, but that she should be
holy and without blemish. So husbands
ought to love their own wives as their own
bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself.
For no one ever hates his own flesh, but
nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord
does the church."
Ephesians 5:27-29 - NKJV
This exhortation, although it is directly
applied to husbands, also applies to
pastors and exhorts them to follow the
model Christ provides.
Christ is the great Shepherd of the Church,
the husband is the shepherd for his wife
and, likewise, the pastor is the shepherd for
his flock in the church. The pastor is to give
his life for the flock in ministering the Holy
Spirit and the Word to them. He is to
nourish and cherish (that is, tenderly look
after) his church.
The role of pastor - it is important to
recognise - is not peculiar to the New
Testament church. We see it also in the Old
Testament church of God. God had high
expectations, even back then, of His
pastors and He upbraided them when they
did not fulfil those expectations.
As the mouth piece of God Jeremiah
declares,
"For the shepherds [of the people] have
become like brutes, irrational and stupid,
and have not sought the Lord or inquired of Him or required Him [by necessity and by
right of His word]. Therefore they have not dealt prudently and have not prospered, and
all their flocks are scattered."
Jeremiah 10:21 -
30

33. From this we see God expects His pastors to -
seek Him
inquire of Him
require Him - which is to petition Him in prayer.
We also see that He expects, as a consequence of doing this, that they will -
conduct themselves wisely
ensure that the flock stays together in unity
Ezekiel also provides us with a similar understanding of God's expectation for His
pastors. He writes,
"Thus says the Lord God to the shepherds: 'Woe to the shepherds of Israel who feed
themselves! Should not the shepherds feed the flocks?'"
Ezekiel 34:2 - NKJV
What does God expect from His shepherds, His pastors? He expects them to spiritually
feed (that is, nourish) God's people.
Ezekiel continues,
"The weak you have not strengthened, nor have you healed those who were sick, nor
bound up the broken, nor brought back what was driven away, nor sought what was lost;
but with force and cruelty you have ruled them."
Ezekiel 34:4 - NKJV
Posted by Charles E. Whisnant at 10:36AM (-06:00)
MY CONFIDIENCE OF MY SALVATION IS
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
"Faith cannot be without a settled peace of mind, from
which proceeds the bold confidence of rejoicing," John
Calvin wrote in his commentary on Hebrews in the
mid-sixteenth century.
This point is most striking, and mostly underplayed by
many exegetes. How could Calvin write something
so...insensitive? And again: "We hence conclude that
those who assent to the gospel doubtfully and like
those who vacillate, do not truly and really believe.
"Just as faith is the assurance of things hoped for, so,
too, is faith the constant and confident hope of the
believer (Heb. 11:1; cf. 3:6). For Calvin, then, faith
necessarily includes a firm confidence in that which
has been believed: "Besides, what firmness of
confidence can there be when men know not what
they ought to believe?"
But again we must ask, did not Calvin see how unsympathetic this doctrinal point would
be to the one who has doubt in his or her interest in the heavenly Jerusalem? How might
Calvin respond to such an inquiry? Whether he anticipated this question or not, the truth
is that the reader will not be able to simply skim his writings for an answer. It is there, but
it is not all laid out in plain view, so to speak.
One lyrical gem comes to mind that falls in line with his understanding that faith cannot 31

34. be without a firm persuasion of the promises of God. Writing on predestination, Calvin
quipped that if someone were to ask him how he is to know that he is elect, his answer
would be "Christ is more than a thousand testimonies to me." That is, being persuaded of
the veracity of the promises of God made certain in the life, death, resurrection, and
ascension of Jesus provide a more substantial ground of assurance than a thousand
outward attestations of faith (both in personal good deeds and in verbal compliments paid
by our peers).
In other words, man's praise should be cast at the foot of the cross. What we see here is
a bold affirmation of the supernatural gracious gift of faith over against a worked-for faith.
But this confidence of which Calvin spoke is not brazen; it is Spirit-filled meekness, and
"meekness" here does not mean "timid" but "unpretentious." As one version of the Bible
translates it: "Happy are those who are humble; they will receive what God has
promised!" (Matt. 5:5, TEV).
It is no coincidence that Saint Matthew's gospel and the letter to the Hebrews agree that
receiving what God has promised comes as a result of being meek (or put differently, of
having saving faith).
Thus, the settled peace of mind attached to the faith of which Calvin spoke does not
declare, "I'm so saved, I couldn't go to hell if I tried." Rather, it cries along with the tax
collector: "God, be merciful to me, a sinner!" (cf. Luke 18:9-14; see also 15:1-7).
To be sure, Calvin granted that absolute certainty in this life is unthinkable, given that one
anxiety or another always assails assurance. But saving faith is not stagnant, nor does it
endlessly embrace gross doctrinal errors (the two points against which Calvin's argument
is directed). This, then, is the context within which we must view Calvin's statements
about faith above. The Genevan reformer was a committed preacher and churchman, as
the records of his persistent preaching and congregational and missional ministries show.
He was not insensitive to his parishioner's needs. And the need that he was meeting was
the dispensing of all false notions of security. His opponents had posited the idea that a
person could fail to grasp the content of the gospel and yet have faith. This had the
unfortunate effect of sending many people through life wrapped in a false blanket of
assurance.
But passages like Hebrews 3:6 remind us, according to Calvin, that "we are always to
make progress even unto death; for our whole life is as it were a race."
In like manner, we must be equally concerned today with, for example, such mistaken
conceptions as "carnal Christianity." This is why we say that the believer's sanctification
necessarily flows from his or her justification. That is, good works in Christ Jesus follow
from being saved by grace alone through faith alone. Such works are done in gratitude
for salvation -- not as prerequisites for salvation.
Knowing this also helps us to understand what is happening when we see those who
have but a transitory faith yield no lasting fruit. They are like the third seed in our Savior's
parable, the one that was sown among the thorns and eventually strangled by the cares
of this world (Matt. 13; Mark 4).
The only certain ground of assurance, which the letter to the Hebrews makes clear time
and time again, is the finished work of the risen Christ. A confidence based on anything
less can only lead to a baseless faith. For this reason, let us "lay aside every weight, and
sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race set before us, looking
to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him
endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of
God" (Heb. 12:1b-2).
*****This article originally appeared in Tabletalk magazine (February 2004).
I am ask, "Do you think someone was a Christian?" My confidence of my salvation is only
32

35. based upon the finished work of Christ at the Cross. My salvation, my confidence of my
salvation is not based upon the idea that I am a preacher or teacher, or pastor of a
church, or forty years of ministry. By confidence rest upon Christ, who has given me this
inner peace of His work for me. Therefore for me to speak of others without knowing their
mind, I can't really say.
Posted by Charles E. Whisnant at 06:17AM (-06:00)
A SNOWY HILL WITH A TRAIN
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
The Bible Translation That Rocked the
World
Luther's Bible introduced mass media,
unified a nation, and set the standard for
future translations.
Martin Luther was many things: preacher,
teacher, orator, translator, theologian,
composer, and family man. He came to
symbolize everything the Protestant
Reformation stood for.
But perhaps Luther's greatest achievement
was the German Bible. No other work has
had as strong an impact on a nation's
development and heritage as has this
Book.
In Luther's time, the German language
consisted of several regional dialects (all
similar to the tongue spoken in the courts of
the Hapsburg and Luxemburg emperors).
How were these scattered dialects united
into one modern language? The rise of the
middle class, the growth of trade, and the
invention of the printing press all played a
part. But the key factor was Luther's Bible.
The Wartburg Wonder
Following the Diet of Worms in 1521, Luther's territorial ruler, Frederick the Wise, had
Luther hidden away for safekeeping in the castle at Wartburg. Luther settled down and
translated Erasmus's Greek New Testament in only eleven weeks. This is a phenomenal
feat under any circumstances, but Luther contended with darkened days, poor lighting,
and his own generally poor health.
Das Newe Testament Deutzsch was published in September 1522. A typographical
masterpiece, containing woodcuts from Lucas Cranach's workshop and selections from
Albrecht Durer's famous Apocalypse series, the September Bibel sold an estimated five
thousand copies in the first two months alone.
Luther then turned his attention to the Old Testament. Though well taught in both Greek
and Hebrew, he would not attempt it alone. "Translators must never work by themselves,"
he wrote. "When one is alone, the best and most suitable words do not always occur to
him." Luther thus formed a translation committee, which he dubbed his "Sanhedrin." If the
notion of a translation committee seems obvious today, it is because such scholars as
Philipp Melanchthon, Justus Jonas, John Bugenhagen, and Caspar Cruciger joined 33

36. Luther in setting the precedent. Never before, and not for many years after, was the
scholarship of this body equaled.
Forcing Prophets to Speak German
Luther remained the principal translator, however. His spirit motivated and guided the
Sanhedrin in producing a translation that was not literal in the truest sense of the word.
He wanted this Bible to be in spoken rather than bookish or written German. Before any
word or phrase could be put on paper, it had to pass the test of Luther's ear, not his eye.
It had to sound right. This was the German Bible's greatest asset, but it meant Luther had
to straddle the fence between the free and the literal.
"It is not possible to reproduce a foreign idiom in one's native tongue," he wrote. "The
proper method of translation is to select the most fitting terms according to the usage of
the language adopted. To translate properly is to render the spirit of a foreign language
into our own idiom. I try to speak as men do in the market place. In rendering Moses, I
make him so German that no one would suspect he was a Jew."
The translators used the court tongue as their base language but flavored it with the best
of all the dialects they could find in the empire. Luther, a relentless perfectionist who
might spend a month searching out a single word, talked at length with old Germans in
the different regions. To better understand the sacrificial rituals in the Mosaic law, he had
the town butcher cut up sheep so he could study their entrails. When he ran into the
precious stones in the "new Jerusalem" that were unfamiliar to him, he had similar gems
from the elector's collection brought for him to study.
Luther longed to express the original Hebrew in the best possible German, but the task
was not without its difficulties. "We are now sweating over a German translation of the
Prophets," he wrote. "O God, what a hard and difficult task it is to force these writers,
quite against their wills, to speak German. They have no desire to give up their native
Hebrew in order to imitate our barbaric German. It is as though one were to force a
nightingale to imitate a cuckoo, to give up his own glorious melody for a monotonous
song he must certainly hate. The translation of Job gives us immense trouble on account
of its exalted language, which seems to suffer even more, under our attempts to translate
it, than Job did under the consolation of his friends, and seems to prefer to lie among the
ashes."
In spite of this, the Sanhedrin worked rapidly but accurately, translating in a tone more
apologetic than scientific. The result was a German Bible of such literary quality that
those competent to say so consider it superior even to the King James Version that
followed it. And because it sounded natural when spoken as well as read, its cadence
and readability have made it a popular Bible in Germany to this day.
The Book Must Be in German Homes
Germans everywhere bought Luther's Bible, not only for the salvation of their souls (if
such was their concern), but also for the new middleclass prestige it conferred. It was the
must book to have in their homes, and many Germans had no choice but to read it: it was
likely to be one of the few books they could afford to buy.
It was the first time a mass medium had ever penetrated everyday life. Everyone read
Luther's new Bible or listened to it being read. Its phrasing became the people's phrasing,
its speech patterns their speech patterns. So universal was its appeal, and so thoroughly
did it embrace the entire range of the German tongue, that it formed a linguistic rallying
point for the formation of the modern German language. It helped formally restructure
German literature and the German performing arts. Its impact, and Luther's in general,
were so awesome that Frederick the Great later called Luther the personification of the
German national spirit. Many scholars still consider him the most influential German who
ever lived.
Uncle of the English Bible
34

37. As might be expected, the German Bible's impact reached well beyond the borders of the
empire. It was the direct source for Bibles in Holland, Sweden, Iceland, and Denmark,
and its influence was felt in many other countries as well.
Most important, the Bible left a permanent impression on a great translator of the English
Bible. William Tyndale, one of the Reformation's champions, had fled from England to the
Continent about the time Luther was publishing his German New Testament. He, too,
was translating from the original manuscripts, and possibly he and Luther met in
Wittenberg.
One strong point of Luther's work that impressed Tyndale was the order given to the
books of the New Testament. In previous Bibles, there had been no uniform
arrangement; translators placed them in whatever order suited them.
Luther, however, ranked them by the yardstick of was treibt Christus—how Christ was
taught: the four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John); the Acts of the Apostles; the
Epistles, in descending order of the Savior's prominence in each; and, finally, the
Revelation of John. Tyndale followed Luther's lead, as have virtually all Bible translators
since.
Many phrases we know today came from Luther, through Tyndale. From the German's
natürlich, Tyndale wrote natural, and the phrase natural man appeared in 1 Corinthians
2:14. Luther's auf dem gebirge became was a voice heard in Matthew 2:18. Tyndale
translated from Luther the place of dead men's skulls in John 19:17, Ye vex yourselves
off a true meaning in 2 Corinthians 6:12, Doctors in the Scripture in 1 Timothy 1:7, and
hosianna in Matthew 21:15.
Like Luther, Tyndale eschewed the Latinized ecclesiastical terms in favor of those
applicable to his readers: repent instead of do penance; congregation rather than church;
Savior or elder in the place of priest; and love over charity for the Greek agape.
Both translations flowed freely in a rhythm and happy fluency of narration; and, wherever
he could, Tyndale upheld Luther's doctrine of justification by faith. While in many
instances the two translators must have reached the same conclusions independently,
Luther's strong influence on the father of the English Bible is unmistakable. Since
Tyndale's English translation makes up more than 90 percent of the King James New
Testament and more than 75 percent of the Revised Standard Version, Luther's legacy is
still plain to see.
Luther was exceptionally gifted in many areas. But the aspect of his genius perhaps most
responsible for his impact is the one least heralded: his skill and power as a translator
and writer. Had it not been for that, the Protestant Reformation and the growth of a united
German nation might have taken an entirely different course.
Henry Zecher is a personnel specialist at the U. S. Department of Health & Human
Resources. Formerly, he wrote for the Delaware State News.
Copyright © 1992 by the author or Christianity Today International/Christian History
magazine.
Posted by Charles E. Whisnant at 02:21PM (-06:00)
JOHN PIPER MAKING A SNOW ANGEL
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
WHO SAID PREACHERS COULDN'T HAVE FUN IN THE SNOW! NOT ME!
Posted by Charles E. Whisnant at 08:46AM (-06:00)
35

38. ELLEN WHAT IS THIS ALL ABOUT?
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Okay Ellen what is this all about? Find out
here
A new Pilate Move? - At least its not a
brick!
Posted by Charles E. Whisnant at 06:35AM
(-06:00)
YOUR FAITH VIRAL OR PEDAGOGICAL? PT 1
Friday, January 16, 2009
WHAT GUIDES YOUR FAITH?
pt 1
Faith, of whatever variety, is increasingly
viral rather than pedagogical.
Viral: (an e-mail message, usually in the
form of advertising, that contains elements
that makes recipients want to forward it to
others. It's contagious and spreads like a virus on the internet. Sometimes funny, shallow,
awful or scary
Among the first to write about viral marketing on the Internet was media critic Douglas
Rushkoff in his 1994 book Media Virus. The assumption is that if such an advertisement
reaches a "susceptible" user, that user will become "infected" (i.e., sign up for an
account) and can then go on to infect other susceptible users. As long as each infected
user sends mail to more than one susceptible user on average (i.e., the basic
reproductive rate is greater than one), standard in epidemiology imply that the number of
infected users will grow according to a logistic curve, whose initial segment appears
exponential.
Ped-a-gog-i-cal: teaching: the science or profession of teaching (educational, academic,
instructive, tutorial, didactic.
• With people spending less time reading the Bible, and becoming less engaged in
activities that deepen their biblical literacy, faith views are more often adopted on
the basis of dialogue, self-reflection, and observation than teaching. Feelings and
emotions now play a significant role in the development of people’s faith views - in
many cases, much more significant than information-based exercises such as
listening to preaching and participating in Bible study.
36

39. later today part two...... with pictures.... and a example of faith........
Posted by Charles E. Whisnant at 06:51AM (-06:00)
YOUR FAITH VIRAL OR PEDAGOGICAL? PT 2
Saturday, January 17, 2009
WHAT GUIDES YOUR FAITH
PART TWO
MID-WEEK BIBLE STUDY AND
FELLOWSHIP.
Several topics I would like to view tonight:
1A How does the preaching and teaching of
the Word help you in your daily life? What
is your life scriptural verse that you live by,
and how?
2A Do you believe the Gospel that we preached a generation ago has the same affect on
lost people today?
3A There is one gospel. Yes, the Roman Road was effective in my youth, but is that
same form affective today as it was?
4A Why are we not seeing the unsaved coming to church as we used to?
5A Another topic: Does it seem in the culture that we live in today, seems fewer and
fewer people being raised with a Judeo/Christian ethic. Increasing numbers are growing
up without understanding of sin as being a violation of God's moral law, which will result
in our approach to sin and forgiveness of sin.
6A Many Christians are finding resources for living other than the preaching and teaching
of the Word of God in the Church.
What most affects my opinion on my spiritual behavior?
• Is it God’s Word, Preaching/Teaching, Dr. Phil, Oprah, or my own personal self-
wisdom? You might say I don't listen to talk TV or radio, I do my on self wisdom
thing? That is what I mean.
"You have your own spiritual path you are taking, and it’s a little this and a little that." A
spiritual teacher on Oprah, Elizabeth Lesser.
Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.(Ephesians 5:17 –
ESV)
37

40. In light of viewing Oprah yesterday, she interviewed a spiritualist teacher. She, along with
a number of other spiritualist teachers, has offered their opinion and subjective feelings
and impressions about how to achieve spirituality with the inner self. I want to address
this issue of the godly spiritually.
While you might say, I don’t listen to Oprah, or you don’t buy into her spirituality talk,
many buy into a host of other spiritualist teaching from our culture. Secular spiritualists
have been around since Solomon. Those who try to connect the body life with the spirit
being of a person have driven the culture for ever. “The activating or essential principle
influencing a person,” known as a spirit, one of many definitions of the term as noted
below.
• Footnote: You will find a somewhat good definition of the term spiritualist here
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spirit which is another whole subject I
would like to address later.
All spiritualist teaching even in the secular culture are striving to help people have a
productive life, the question being, productive for whom? We all desire an industrious life,
that gives meaning to our living on planet earth.
In the midst of our normal life, we constantly live surrounded by a number of factors that
alter our thinking, behavior and affect our acts, and affect our temper or disposition of
mind or outlook. Thus
There are a number of cultural, secular spiritualists, who offer advice as to how to gain
spiritual health. I personally like this one:
• Rejuvenation of body, mind and soul along with spiritual expansion and exploration
is one of the greatest gifts you can give yourself! And, what better place to
experience this than the beautiful paradise island of Kauai whose panoramic lush
views and heart energy embrace you lovingly.·
http://www.customizedspiritualjourneys.com/
The number of “Christians” who encounter major distractions in their life, death of a family
member, financial difficultly, marriage-related stress, family members’ worries, fears of
actual threats and danger, sickness in the family, the workplace environment. Then there
is the related emotional state of anxiety which typically occurs without any external threat,
those who just can’t handle living their life due to personal mental stress. Some have
certain kinds of phobia (from Greek: "fear"), which is an irrational, intense, persistent fear
of certain situations, activities, things, or people which drive their emotion. And in many
cases, leads the “Christian” to be distracted, unfocused, troubled, agitated and ready for
the death bed of living life productive for Christ.
Part three later today. hopefully
Posted by Charles E. Whisnant at 05:30AM (-06:00)
38

41. UNION MILLS IN THE WINTER SNOW
Saturday, January 17, 2009
“Legalistic remorse says, ‘I broke God’s
rules,’ while real repentance says, ‘I broke
God’s heart.’ Legalistic repentance takes
sin to Mt. Sinai, gospel repentance to Mt.
Calvary. Legalistic repentance is convicted
by punishment, gospel repentance
becomes convicted by mercy.”
- Timothy Keller,
Posted by Charles E. Whisnant at 08:09AM
(-06:00)
GREETINGS TO THE PEOPLE AT ROJBC
Saturday, January 17, 2009
GREETINGS TO THE MEMBERS AND
FRIENDS OF RIVERS OF JOY BAPTIST CHURCH
WHEN IS ATTENDING A LOCAL CHURCH GOOD?
If you are a "Christian" a believer, and a Baptist, you
know attending a local church is what Christians who
love the Lord do. We all know that. On the positive
side, many will go to church on Sunday, (some on
Saturday) some will go Sunday Evening, and some
on Wednesday. Many really love to attend their
church services. Many enjoy singing in the choir,
singing special, teaching a children's class, teach the
teens, and adult classes. Some even like hearing the
preaching/teaching from the Pastor/Teacher. - To
really love getting up in the morning, and getting
ready, and being ready for worship, fellowship and
encouraging others, is really a joy. Many experience that each week. - To walk in to the
church building and experience and know and believe there is going to be worship, and 39

42. fellowship is joyfulness at its best. You find yourself glad you are their, before you even
pull up on the parking lot. You have your Bible, note book, and you are ready, and you
are thirty minutes early.
You sing in the choir, you sing with the other folks, you talk to others, you witness the joy
of others that have joined you to worship, and have fellowship, read the scripture and
pray, and listen to the preaching and teaching, and you are filled with the joy of the Lord.
You are excited to teach your Bible class, you are excited to give an offering to the Lord,
you are excited that you have Christians friends who join you in this wonderful joy of the
Lord.
NOW THAT IS WHAT CHURCH EXPERIENCE SHOULD BE LIKE. And for a lot of
people that is what really happens. And you know how that happens? YOU MAKE IT
HAPPEN.
GROWBYLEARNING/CHURCH PAGE
Posted by Charles E. Whisnant at 11:18AM (-06:00)
THE VOICE OF JOY AND PRAISE
Sunday, January 18, 2009
What is interesting, about this Christian life,
your prespectives can change. In the years
1947 thru 1996 going to church on Sunday
and Wednesday was never a question with
me. Going to church generally was the joy
of my life. The reason I guess was that I
was deeply involved in ministry of the local
church. Being involved in a local ministry,
keeps you enjoying going to the local
church.
In the years 1997 thru the middle of 2008,
church ministry was not as a
pastor/teacher, but as a staff member, or
member of the church with little
responsibility. There were times in the last
four years, that my desire to even go to a
local church was getting a test of my
enjoyment.
Just been honest. My love for the Lord has
not decreased, but have learned more
about the Word in these last four years than
I have in the previous 10 years or twenty
years.
My element is preaching/teaching and pastoring a local church. Herein is the real joy of
my life.
40

43. THE JOY OF THE LORD
• Psalms 32:11 Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, ye righteous: and shout for joy, all
ye that are upright in heart.
• Psalms 42:4 When I remember these things, I pour out my soul in me: for I had
gone with the multitude, I went with them to the house of God, with the voice of joy
and praise, with a multitude that kept holyday.
When I remember these things, these things that the Lord has allowed me to experience
for these many years, I look back with a voice of joy and praise.
When you filter out all the stuff that has distracted you in doing ministry, and focus on the
ministry itself, and you focus on your great salvation, and you focus on our great God and
Jesus Christ, your voice is of joy and praise.
FOCUS ON CHRIST AND HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS, FOCUS ON HIS GIFT OF
SALVATION TO US. FOCUS ON THE COMING OF THE SECOND COMING. I AM
LOOKING FOR JESUS.
Posted by Charles E. Whisnant at 02:18PM (-06:00)
INTRODUCTION: SECOND COMING IS
COMING
Monday, January 19, 2009
Sunday I recorded the message THE SECOND COMING IS COMING. The message
was 45 minutes. But as I have learned, YouTube only takes ten minutes. I am learning
this process slowly as you will see. I was using myKodak, which does great. I just need to
get better. Which I will. I have been able to upload five minutes of the message. I was in
the Fellowship Bible Study room on Sunday. Also I downloaded the message, and put
the mesage on a DVD. This is my very first DVD.
Posted by Charles E. Whisnant at 11:15AM (-06:00)
JOHN PIPER ON THE ECONOMY ISSUE
Monday, January 19, 2009
Posted by Charles E. Whisnant at 04:56PM (-06:00)
41

44. MACARTHUR ON THE WORD OF GOD
Monday, January 19, 2009
John MacArthur has being my role model for thirty years.
Preaching and teaching the Word
My personal desire is to have a church where people love the Word of God.
• I desire that the Lord would give us people who truly love to know HIM, and know
His Will, and desire to SERVE Him, and to desire to hear the teaching and
preaching of the Word of God.
The center of our ministry at Rivers of Joy Baptist Church, is going to be the teaching of
the Word of God. My hope is this: Christians are going to be hunger to know the Word,
and will desire to learn what God is saying to us about Him and Jesus Christ His Son.
How He wants us to love Him, and praise Him and to give Him glory and worship. And
that is why we have three times on Sunday and once on Wednesday to hear the teaching
of the Word, and that is why I have a Blogger and a Website.
THE CHURCH THAT WILL HONOR THE LORD IS A CHURCH THAT LOVES HIM, HIS
WORK AND HIS WORK.
Posted by Charles E. Whisnant at 04:59PM (-06:00)
ARE WE MISSIONARIES OR MISSION FIELDS
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Christians or Pragmatists?
WE ARE CONFUSED WHAT IT MEANS TO BE "BORN
AGAIN" because Americal is a melting pot of belief and
mostly pragmatists.
H o w w e
understand incidents and events in our
lives depends on how we view the world we
live in. It depends on whether we think God
is sovereign over life or if we think nobody
is home in heaven.
Most of us are inconsistent about these
things. Our viewpoint comes from the
melting pot. We get mixed up. Our pot has
a dash of faith and a dash of skepticism.
We are at once Christian or religious and
secular. We believe in God, He is in control,
or He is sometimes. Our faith or belief has elements of superstition at some times and is
tempered by sober science at other times.
42