I had the privilege of interviewing Robby Dawkins with my cohost and good friend Michael Basham. We aimed high and talked about how we as believers in the Lord Jesus are authorized to raise the dead. Robby shares stories of how the Lord has used him to bring words of knowledge to introduce Jesus to head of Communism in Siberia, how the Lord spared his life as he was held at gunpoint in a Muslim country, and how he raised a man from the dead in England.
Your faith will be activated as you listen to these stories and become acquainted with what the Bible says about the authority we have in our intimate union with the Lord Jesus. Authority to live like Jesus and do what he did and transform the world.
“Go and announce to them that the Kingdom of Heaven is near. Heal the sick, raise the dead, cure those with leprosy, and cast out demons. Give as freely as you have received!” Matthew 10:7-8 NLT
Jesus says in John 14:12,
“I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father.”
Do we believe him?
Some do believe him and are operating in partnership with Holy Spirit under the authority (the authorization) of the Lord Jesus and our loving heavenly Papa to Do What Jesus Did – which just so happens to be the title of Robby Dawkins book. He has another book that just came out called “Do Greater Things“.
I can tell you these are a solid investment in your spiritual life and a great way to support Robby’s ministry of expanding the Kingdom of God.
I believe when Jesus wants to draw out a point, to really underline something, he blows it sky high into a scandal! What do you think?
So a year ago or so I hardly knew who Bill Johnson was, or cared that much. A friend of mine who attends Bill Johnson’s church loaned me a book of his a few years ago. (I was recently reminded that, at the time, I thought they were joining a cult or something. Yes, I was that suspicious!) I read parts of Bill Johnson’s book and used a few stories from it at my nursing home concerts (like this one about forgiveness) and handed the book back.
I had heard that Bill Johnson was associated with ooky stuff like gold dust manifesting or some such nonsense… I suspected this was staged or faked and he might very well be a quack. “Why do Christians have to be so weird?” I thought to myself and moved on. (I later came to the conclusion that, if true, I suppose it wasn’t such a big deal for a street sweeper in heaven to dump his dusty dirty pile down a sewer grate portal and into a meeting of Jesus people.)
Then Bill Johnson was attacked publicly on my Facebook page. Nothing boils my blood more than Christians attacking other Christians so I investigated Bill Johnson and really came to love the man and greatly appreciate his ministry. You can read my response to this attack here: Bill Johnson, A False Teacher, Really?
So I picked up a book of his at the Christian bookstore called Hosting the Presence. I had listened to a talk of his by the same title on Youtube which I highly recommend.
So as I was reading his book and came to page 46 and thought, “Wow Bill, you just can’t leave it alone. Don’t you know you were tarred and feathered and branded a heretic for this and you bring it up again?!?” (I looked up the date of the book release and realized it was around the same time that he taught on this.)
Of course, I now know where he is coming from, and the extremely important point he trying to make, but most people don’t and label him as such and such, write him off, and walk away.
By the way, that’s the safest and most non-life altering and boring thing to do most of the time, so if that describes you… good for you. Who has the time to investigate and search out things for yourself anyway? Right? I mean we have shows to watch and dishes to wash and… ok, I realize I’m being a jerk but this reminds me of a quote from Einstein:
Of course we also unjustly condemn people for being ignorant don’t we? There is nothing wrong with being ignorant! Ignorant just simply means “we don’t know something”. We all start out our lives not knowing anything! A great deal of what we “know” anyway is wrong and never gets cross-examined. We spend our whole lives ignorant of most everything, don’t we? But, are we learners? Do we really want to know the truth about ______? (Fill in the blank)
So I suppose unresolved conflicts in my life are like a sliver in my brain. I still find it upsetting that Bill Johnson was condemned before the facts were investigated.
So I suppose this is my feeble attempt to right a wrong and clear a man’s name. Much harder to do than to smear a man’s name!!! I was under the deluded impression that if I defended him then that would have some weight. I soon discovered that instead what happens is that you get thrown under the bus with them. That’s ok by me. I’d rather be under the bus then, by my silence, be part of the problem.
Born Again Jesus
Bill Johnson writes in his book Hosting the Presence:
“In a very real sense Jesus was actually born twice. The first time was His natural birth through the Virgin Mary. The second was His resurrection.”
“He said Jesus was born again? Heretic alert!” Is the reaction of some. “Why listen to a man who is controversial?” I have heard others say (If that were the case, no one would ever become a Christian! AND, I would expect any true follower of Jesus to be controversial too!)
He then quotes Scripture:
But God raised Him from the dead... And we preach to you the good news of the promise made to the fathers, that God has fulfilled this promise to our children in that He raised up Jesus, as it is also written in the second Psalm, “You are my son; today I have begotten you” (Acts 13:30, 32-33).
So what is he getting at? Why is this important?
As believers in Jesus, Christ’s resurrection becomes our resurrection! In fact I’ve come to learn by searching through the Scriptures for myself that Christ’s life is a vicarious life that was lived on our (all of humanities) behalf. You and I get in on his life! As you put your trust in Jesus, his perfect sinless life is credited and imputed to you. (Jesus was even baptized on behalf of all who never were or could be.) His death, burial, and resurrection becomes your death to sin, burial to your old life and slavery to the law and then born again into a new way of life by the Spirit of God. Read Romans (specifically chapters 6-8) that explains this.
So, What else has been credited to us? The Bible tells us everything!
“Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else?” Romans 8:32 NLT
What does everything mean?!?
Jesus said we must be born again. He died and rose again to make this possible. He wants us all to find the abundant life and to live a resurrected life!
I have changed my mind regarded Homosexuality. I’d encourage you to do the same. I used to think it wasn’t a sin. For the sake of some people I knew, somehow, I justified it. Who doesn’t want everyone to be OK? Right? I sure do!
Because of my desire to have everyone in my life be OK and to avoid the messiness of confronting sin, over the years I have justified many sins in others lives (and my own life). In fact, I once thought that those who practice homosexuality had a spirit of a different gender, so of course they were acting according to how God made them. Was I deceived? How would I know if I was? What is the standard for truth?
Why I trust the Bible as the Standard for Truth.
I trust the Bible because Jesus did and taught us to as well. He proved he could be trusted by his sinless life, the signs God gave him to bear witness to who he was, and the clincher, He rose from the dead. It has been said that there is more evidence for Christ’s resurrection than that Julius Caesar ever existed and that you could prove it beyond any reasonable doubt in a court of law today. Research it for yourself! (Here is one of the best defenses. William Lane Craig debates in colleges all over the nation).
So because of Jesus testimony regarding the trustworthiness of Scripture, I trust it.
So, is it really “clear” from the Bible that those who practice homosexuality are “missing the mark” (def. of sin) of what God intended for human beings? Let’s talk about that.
Here are a quick list of some Scriptures on the subject of homosexuality:
Genesis 1:27 & Genesis 2:18-25(God creates man and woman. His world, his humans, his design. Who are we to argue?)
“Do not practice homosexuality, having sex with another man as with a woman. It is a detestable sin.” Leviticus 18:22
Leviticus 20:13(& a capital offense among those who are called to be holy and in God’s family. When people make war on love, they do so at the risk of, not only their lives, but their everlasting soul.)
Genesis 19(Homosexual Sodomites want to rape some angels and Lot)
“And don’t forget Sodom and Gomorrah and their neighboring towns, which were filled with immorality and every kind of sexual perversion. Those cities were destroyed by fire and serve as a warning of the eternal fire of God’s judgment.” Jude 1:7(Commentary on Sodom and Gomorrah which were destroyed as a warning to all who would give themselves to sexual immorality)
“So God abandoned them to do whatever shameful things their hearts desired. As a result, they did vile and degrading things with each other’s bodies. 25 They traded the truth about God for a lie. So they worshiped and served the things God created instead of the Creator himself, who is worthy of eternal praise! Amen. 26 That is why God abandoned them to their shameful desires. Even the women turned against the natural way to have sex and instead indulged in sex with each other. 27 And the men, instead of having normal sexual relations with women, burned with lust for each other. Men did shameful things with other men, and as a result of this sin, they suffered within themselves the penalty they deserved. 28 Since they thought it foolish to acknowledge God, he abandoned them to their foolish thinking and let them do things that should never be done.” Romans 1:24-28(This sin is part of the final stages of God having to hand people over to sin and Satan because of persistent rebellion)
“Don’t you realize that those who do wrong will not inherit the Kingdom of God? Don’t fool yourselves. Those who indulge in sexual sin, or who worship idols, or commit adultery, or are male prostitutes, or practice homosexuality, 10 or are thieves, or greedy people, or drunkards, or are abusive, or cheat people—none of these will inherit the Kingdom of God. 11 Some of you were once like that. But you were cleansed; you were made holy; you were made right with God by calling on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.” – 1 Corinthians 6:9-11
“We know that the law is good when used correctly. 9 For the law was not intended for people who do what is right. It is for people who are lawless and rebellious, who are ungodly and sinful, who consider nothing sacred and defile what is holy, who kill their father or mother or commit other murders. 10 The law is for people who are sexually immoral, or who practice homosexuality, or are slave traders, liars, promise breakers, or who do anything else that contradicts the wholesome teaching 11 that comes from the glorious Good News entrusted to me by our blessed God.” – I Timothy 1:8-11 (The laws purpose is to expose and confront sins such as these)
These are the main passages of what the Bible has to say on the subject.
The good news is that we get to change our minds (i.e. repent).
“When the others heard this, they stopped objecting and began praising God. They said, “We can see that God has also given the Gentiles the privilege of repenting of their sins and receiving eternal life.”” (Acts 11:18 NLT)
We have the wonderful amazing privilege of repenting (having a change of heart and mind and turning away) from any sin, whatever it may be. In Jesus, we can walk away and never look back from this particular sin or any other sin you may be involved in. YEA!!!!
Have you ever considered what a gift it is to part ways with sin? Jesus already has paid the death penalty for your sin. As I read through the Bible I was confronted with things I had done that deserved the death penalty. How amazing that there no longer remains any punishment, for Christ has taken it all and he commands, and allows us in his grace, to repent. Take advantage of his offer today. It really is a gift! (More on the gift of Repentance)
Please don’t get me wrong. I don’t in any way hate or even dislike people who commit this particular sin. I am a sinner myself, and I wish to extend the same grace that God has extended to me when I get entangled in sin to anyone who is caught in the snare of this or any other sin. Sin is the enemy.
It’s pretty obvious that sin hurts the one who sins and not only them but also everyone around them as well. We are all in this together. We have all sinned and every one of us needs grace and forgiveness to be set free and stop hurting ourselves and each other. May we have the humility to receive the salvation and freedom that Jesus freely gives to any willing to receive it.
It’s obvious that God doesn’t want us to sin. He wants us to live as he created us to live. In his image. To live loved, and in turn, to live lives marked by His love. Sin is incongruous with God’s loving intentions. Sin is anti-love. Sin wars against love. God created us not harm ourselves with sin, but for love. It pains God to watch us hurt ourselves by choosing sin over love.
God, because of Jesus and all he accomplished on the cross, has nothing but mercy, forgiveness and cleansing – yes, even complete redemption – for all sinners who want his grace and are simply willing to receive it. Do you want to be free? I know I do.
Honestly I would rather not write a blog post on this topic of homosexuality, but after having a few dreams I thought I must at least voice my concern. My dreams were about how the enemy (yes, I’m talking about the devil that most people don’t really even believe exists) was planning (and is well into implementing his plan) to desensitize and thoroughly corrupt people by putting homosexuality on display, especially in front of impressionable kids.
I see it happening. Don’t you? So this blog is for my nieces and nephews who are being lied to every day by a media that homosexuality is just an acceptable lifestyle.
I get it. People need love. People need intimacy. But we need to realize that the intimacy we were made for is actually meant to be fulfilled in relationship first and foremost with God and, in lesser ways, our mates or our “mates” (of course with the Aussie understanding of the word). God wants to be in close relationship with you and indeed with everyone he has made.
There is an intimacy with God available that is so much better and a far more satisfying way then mere sex could ever do for you.
We get a few pictures of this kind of intimacy between friends in Scripture, which I believe model for us the kind of satisfying relationship/friendship that we can have with God himself. Take for instance the relationship between David and Jonathan:
“Jonathan became one in spirit with David, and he loved him as himself” (1 Samuel 18:1 NIV)
David’s tribute to Jonathan at the news of his death:
“I grieve for you, Jonathan my brother; you were very dear to me. Your love for me was wonderful, more wonderful than that of women.” (2 Samuel 1:26 NIV)
or Jesus and the apostle John (who referred to himself as the disciple whom Jesus loved):
“Now there was leaning on Jesus’ bosom one of His disciples, whom Jesus loved. Simon Peter therefore motioned to him to ask who it was of whom He spoke. Then, leaning backon Jesus’ breast, he said to Him, “Lord, who is it?” (John 13:23-25 NKJV)
Neither of these close friendships were in any way sexual, and to even imply so would taint this beautiful picture of friendship. We too can be, and are meant to be, one in spirit with Jesus and have a level of intimacy with him that will meet every need of our hearts so we can stop looking for fulfillment elsewhere in what God forbids us to do.
God loves and knows us best and he wants the absolute best for us. This intimate relationship with Jesus is what’s best for us and is what we were created for and will satisfy our intimacy needs. Unfortunately, more often than not, this relationship with Jesus is either neglected or even rejected. And so we are left with unsatisfied hearts searching for love and intimacy elsewhere… in sin.
So many people are confused about this issue of homosexuality, saying people were born this way, etc… and I suppose when I was in the most deceived time in my life, I too believed the same. I once had thought that God had just put a spirit of a woman in a man, or vice versa, but this is complete nonsense when you hold it up the truth of Scripture.
You must read this very thoughtful article on this topic by Ron B. entitled Love that does not Count the Cost. It was amazing and shed so much light on the subject. Way more than I could or would ever intend to do.
If we say we believe in Jesus, we have to agree with him about what he says is sin and what isn’t. Right? It has been said that Jesus never condemned homosexuality as a sin, that he never spoke about it in his earthly ministry, therefore… what exactly are we supposed to derive from this line of reasoning? Paul was just a homophobic hateful person? Moses got it wrong and had cotton in his ears when God was giving the law? Jesus brother Jude was a heretic?
Anyone familiar with the Gospels will quickly realize that Jesus never came to overthrow the law. The law stands. In fact he upped the ante. I mean, why would he need to say having a perverse form of lust is wrong when he says that to lust is to commit adultery in your heart?
Here is a video from a woman who has a really close walk with God who has visited heaven. I saw this on the Youtube sidebar and was curious if she was going to stay in line with the Word of God. Her talk and many others I’ve since heard are in line with the truth of Scripture and worth considering.
I love John Crowders perspective:
FURTHER THOUGHTS
I have been disturbed that many professing Christians don’t know homosexuality is a sin or worse, are even defending it as an acceptable lifestyle. I even talked about this with a pastor who, when asked, told me that he didn’t know if it was a sin. Really?
I think the reason we compromise with the clear teaching of Scripture is that either we don’t want to give up our sin or, there are loved ones or people in our lives with this sin and we have to reconcile with that. I can see how difficult it is. But the answer is not to capitulate the truth, for the truth is what sets us free. (John 8:32)
As I see it, this, and every other issue, boils down these questions: What is the truth? Is God the creator? Does he love us and intend the best for us? Do we trust him? Is he pure and absolute perfect love itself as his word says? And as the loving Creator he is, does he have the authority and right to dictate to us what is love and what isn’t love (what is sin)?
Besides, even if we all agreed that homosexuality wasn’t a sin, would that change the truth? Can we shout loud enough to drown out the voice of God? Can we change his mind about how he intended his creation to be if we all agree to protest? There is an account in Scripture of a time to come in the last great rebellion when the masses will unite to overthrow God’s rule. Do you think they succeed?
The worldly media has been saturated with the homosexual agenda. You know it and I know it. There is hardly a show out there that doesn’t have the token gay character or at least have guest appearances of gay characters. It’s an agenda to desensitize us and make this sin commonplace and an accepted part of society.
But, it is all a deception. We live in enemy occupied territory you know. The devil exists and rules this sin saturated world. (And only rules because of our sin.) He seeks to turn us all away from our loving heavenly Father. He seeks to twist and corrupt what God intended for good – our sexuality – and pervert it.
Based on what I have read in Scripture, I don’t believe anyone is born homosexual. I do, however, believe the enemy may come in at an early age and deceive and distort and bring confusion to someone’s sexual identity. This is what the enemy does. He seeks to steal, kill, and destroy. But Jesus has come that we might have life abundant and free… free from sin.
If you are caught in this or any other sin, God can and will lovingly restore your innocence if you let him. He loves you and created you just the way you are for his glory.
JOIN THE DISCUSSION – LEAVE A COMMENT!
ps. The more I thought about it, I came to question why any of us should think that our sexuality is part of our essential identity. After all, we are spiritual beings having a temporary physical experience not physical beings who will one day have a spiritual experience. Knowing this could be important to putting our sexuality in its proper place and under the authority of the giver of sexuality – God. Jesus says that such thing as marriage will not be apart of the resurrected life. Mark 12:25 tells us that, “When the dead rise, they will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven.”
I discovered this finely written poem/hymn and thought you might enjoy it on this momentous occasion:
Awake Glad Soul
Awake, glad soul! awake! awake!
Thy Lord has risen long;
Go to His grave, and with thee take
Both tuneful heart and song.
Where life is waking all around,
Where love’s sweet voices sing,
The first bright blossom may be found
Of an eternal spring.
The shade and gloom of life are fled
This resurrection day;
Henceforth in Christ are no more dead,
The grave hath no more prey.
In Christ we live, in Christ we sleep,
In Christ we wake and rise,
And the sad tears death makes us weep,
He wipes from all our eyes.
And every bird and every tree,
And every opening flower,
Proclaim His glorious victory,
His resurrection power.
The folds are glad, the fields rejoice,
With vernal verdure spread,
The little hills lift up their voice
And shout that death is dead.
Then wake, glad heart! awake! awake
And seek Thy risen Lord;
Joy in His resurrection take,
And comfort in His Word.
And let thy life, through all its ways,
One long thanksgiving be:
Its theme of joy, its song of praise—
Christ died, and rose for me.
Here is a video I did pondering the resurrection of Christ, Lazurus, and ultimately you and I.
What does it mean to you that Jesus rose from the dead?
Please join the conversation. I’d love to hear what the resurrection means to you! Leave a comment
“If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. . . . [and] we are to be pitied more than all men” (1 Corinthians 15:17, 19.)
I loved the following video so much I had to include it to this post:
Daniel Lovett 