Moral Science Club

 A little research helped us find this gem of a church just 5 minutes from where we are staying in Ithaca. Pastor Scott Hathorn gives a powerful lesson showing the interconnectedness between the Old and New Testaments. We even attended a Bible study he led a few days later on Numbers. Christ is doing a great work in this church which is mostly made up of young people from Cornell and Ithaca Colleges.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KwFWDTu0Ydk&feature=youtu.be

 I figured it out! After listening to several sermons and one guest speaker on Youtube from the church close by where we're staying, I hadn't heard anything overtly unbiblical but then it hit me; it's what is omitted that we have to look for. In this case, it was the word SIN, and, additionally, the word GOSPEL. I heard discipleship, mentoring others, live as God would have us live, God is triune, etc. But not that all-encompassing good news of Jesus Christ paying the debt for our sin through living His sinless life, suffering as our sacrifice, and rising again, leading all who trust in Him to salvation.  Sin is the fulcrum of our relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Sin is the problem we all face; the problem no human being can ignore. How can a church never mention it? Or it mentions it, like, once a year or once every so often. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the power of God for salvation (Romans 1:16). Every sermon should end with this point for the pastor to say ...

 As a Christian thinking daily about how we can postpone the End Times foretold in Revelation and other books of the Bible, I began to wonder to what extent our position is to Peter's the night of our Lord's betrayal. My reasoning for fighting One World Government is fair; if Satan's plan is postponed, more people will be able to come to faith in Christ. Of course, it will eventually happen just as the Holy Spirit dictated through Isaiah, Daniel, John the Apostle, etc. But we shouldn't go down without a fight, right? Peter's dilemma is quickly revealed and resolved. He replies to Jesus' reaffirmation of the prophecy of his sacrifice for our sins with a flat out denial - Peter won't let it happen. He had just gotten a blessing from Jesus after correctly answering the ultimate question for everyone; "Who do you say I am?" But Peter was thrown into the dog house moments later denying that Jesus would have to die for his sin. "Get behind me, Satan...