The Heart of True Repentance

As a Christ-follower (a disciple of Jesus), you may sometimes wonder why your spiritual leader always seems to be calling you toward repentance. It’s like there’s this constant tension in the flesh (sin nature) to be pulled into that, yet this greater effect of the Spirit of God indwelling true believers to have us walk in repentance in truth and in the righteousness of Christ. In our lives it is often tempting to simply look on the surface to identify obvious, besetting sins- the ones of external clarity. And we should repent of this also. But I believe the LORD wants us to allow Him to examine our own hearts. It’s the inside stuff that they LORD is after and calls us away from. It’s the subtle, unseen desires of our tragically flawed hearts that He calls away from idolatry (any heart belief/want/desire not aligned with the Word of God) into a true worship of Christ Jesus.

This transition to true worship in the allegiance of our hearts is the core of repentance. It makes us ashamed and sorry for where we are truly guilty. It makes us desire to discard what is false and exchange it for what is true. It causes us to forsake sin and rebellion and deceit for the righteousness of the Savior. It’s way more than law keeper. It’s the New Covenant. It’s better. And this is why your spiritual leaders unashamedly always call you to repentance as they help examine your hearts, your motives and your core beliefs. Those who deal with you superficially and merely help you feel better about yourself probably shouldn’t use such flattery in the mask of encouragement. Rather, may we bind ourselves to Jesus our LORD, so that we gan His mind, His attire, His holy heart.

—Thor Knutstad

The Last Things an Old Wise Man Had to Say to the Church

The message on the book of 3rd John found here is included as a follow up to my last blog article.  I preached this sermon on 7/29/18, about six weeks ago.  Listen specifically in the message for the main characters (Gaius, Diotrephes, and Demetrius) whom John discusses. The distinctions in each are highlighted by the beloved old apostle John who is the wise man speaking in 3rd John.  Also, there is a tone of love with which John speaks in this short but beloved epistle. It is my hope and my prayer that the LORD Jesus through the Spirit of God would teach you and encourage you and challenge you in this short commentary on 3rd John. May His Spoken Word drive you back to the Word.

—Thor Knutstad

The Heart of a Truth Teacher: Third John, The Last Things an Old Wise Man Had to Say to the Church

Read Third John here 

Third John, the very last letter written by the beloved Apostle John in his elderly 90's (around 90 AD), can be read in about a minute. I would encourage you to go back and read it 2-3 more times before you continue. Though Revelation is put last in our Bibles, 3 John was actually John's final letter and the last chronological New Testament book authored. It is written specifically to his friend Gaius, who himself is dealing with a very practical matter in the church. This issue revolved around the support and hospitality of Christian missionaries. These traveling itinerant preachers of the Gospel, like the one named Demetrius in this letter, needed food and housing and support while they spread the truth of Jesus and ministered the Gospel across the known regions of the first century world. They were first century missionaries - and the first true traveling Christian missionaries. This is where missions comes from - and it's all right here in 3 John. Did you know that? Do I have your attention yet? 

John is giving Gaius counsel to continue in hospitality (which literally means "having love of strangers") toward Demetrius and to other true missionary preachers who would need food, housing, and support. This same practice has continued for over twenty one centuries right through today. Verse 8 specifically says, "Therefore we ought to support such men so that we may be fellow workers with the truth." If you have ever supported a pastor or missionary, you have participated in his or her work of truth. Isn't that just simply awesome? We are tied in truth to the ones we support. John's call to Gaius centers on the following concepts:

1. Truth - this word is mentioned seven times in just 15 short verses
2. Loving Greetings - John links gracious love with the truth as inseparable
3. Warnings:

In verse 9, John calls negative attention to an adversary of the church named Diotrephes (pronounced "Dee-Autra-Feez"). I think it is quite interesting that an elderly man in his 90's (the Apostle John), who has seen the entire first century history of Christ Jesus' Church, picks such a seemingly small problematic character to highlight in Diotrephes. It seems that John could have re-emphasized a pure Gospel, or have pointed to the life and work and teachings of the apostles.  He could have reiterated the many things Paul wrote and said (even Paul has been gone at this time for almost 25 years). But John doesn't write the predictable. Instead, this seasoned old man, called the apostle whom Jesus loved (who might I add was also a son of Thunder like his brother James), writes and signs and seals and sends this letter to his beloved friend Gaius. It appears that Diotrephes (like a church filter) had intercepted John's first letter, which is probably lost to us. Needless to say, this letter made it to Gaius. And embedded in the middle of this powerful Scripture is this warning:  "DIOTREPHES IS NOT THE MODEL; DON'T IMITATE HIM. HE LOVES TO BE FIRST. HE IS NOT HOSPITABLE TO TRUE MISSIONARIES AND TRAVELING PREACHERS. HE IS A PROBLEM. HE MODELS EVIL. I WILL COME AND DEAL WITH HIM." It could not be a more clear alert to this man.  The warning is strong and forthright and clear.

John's warnings about Diotrephes is uncomfortable truth in our "positivity" driven culture. Sometimes we gloss over the hard warnings of Scripture and only stop to give them adherence if it involves some gross sin. John grabs a hammer and drives a sharp wedge between good and evil and basically says that Diotrephes represents what is evil. Here are some very detailed statements that John makes VERY DIRECTLY about Diotrephes:

1. He isn't walking in the truth like you do, Gaius (v.3-4)
2. He isn't showing Christian hospitality to itinerant preachers & missionaries (v.5-6)
3. He doesn't support the love of strangers (v.7-8)
4. He loves the preeminence (literally has "a strong affection to be first" v.9a)
5. He doesn't accept even John's authority (v.9b)
6. He makes wicked false accusations against real spiritual leaders, even against John (v.10)
7. He rejects real Christian brothers (true believers and true missioned preachers v.10)
8. He ensures that others also do the same rejecting (see #7 above, v.10)
9. He puts the wrong people out of the church (v.10); inferring he lets the wrong ones remain
10. He is representative of evil (not of what is truly good v.11); he is FALSE
11. He hasn't seen God and does not know God and is not of God (v.11)

This list is very self-explanatory. Diotrephes hurt the churches by rejecting real teachers and real biblical preachers and real missionaries of truth. Diotrephes may have been prohibiting Gaius from receiving these traveling missionaries and from giving them hospitality. Diotrephes loved the preeminence of being first. He white knuckle gripped whatever position or spiritual authority he assumed he had over people in the churches. So without fear, the aged elderly Apostle John shows his namesake as a son of Thunder and gives Gaius fearless counsel about hospitality and then says, "When I come, I will deal with Diotrephes!" He vows to call attention to the evils so that the truth and what is good is preserved and followed. John highlights the word "truth" seven times in just 15 verses. This is by design. John loves THE TRUTH. The last things this dear elderly saint says is about how to love in the context of truth. It's about Christian hospitality. It's about loving well. Go to the top of this article and re-read 3rd John. This passage is simple but is full of profound truths. If you know me, you know that I am simply overwhelmed by the many immense riches found in God's Word. As you live on mission in your community and in your neighborhood and in your home, have a love of strangers that truly defines Christian hospitality. Support your local church with your time, your treasure, your talents, your words, and your hearts. Be hospitable to Christian missionaries and those who serve you for the sake of Christ's Gospel. Live on mission as you love strangers.  

John's apostolic commands to Gaius to do this is the very last thing that we hear from this beloved old man who walked with Jesus as a very young man some 65 years before. Now, at that point in the early 90's AD, John had seen the church explode and grow under great persecution for many years, yet he knew there were still threats to the church. And with final courage, John aims at Diotrephes and doesn't hesitate to pull the trigger. His miss is small because this wise man has loved and lived and served and known so much, and his love for the church drives this targeted letter. Read 3 John again.  Add to your reading these passages: Jude, 2 Peter 2, & Matthew 23, Jeremiah 23.  There are others like Diotrephes. And the Bible is not without similar warnings - relevant then and applicable today.

--Thor Knutstad

Here is a sermon I preached on this subject, if you are interested.

The Heart of a Truth Teacher: The Indictment of Stephen

During February, March, and April this year, I began a personal study of the book of Acts with a specific focus on Stephen in chapters 6-7-8 (@31-33 AD). Stephen is mainly known for being the first Christian martyr. But his ministry, though short in span of time, is powerful and effective. He is a man dominated by faith, by grace, and by the Holy Spirit. He is a rare New Testament prophet who is so closely associated with the apostles that he even does miracles. But he's even more than that. Stephen is also an evangelist who spreads the Good News of the Gospel; and because of this, many people became obedient to the faith. The Sanhedrin, the Jewish leadership council, envied and hated Stephen. They had murdered the Lord Jesus Christ and didn't want anyone like Stephen arguing from the Old Testament that Jesus was the Resurrected Messiah. The Sanhedrin works closely with the synagogue leaders to falsely accuse Stephen by indicting him for blasphemy.

Before they can rush him and kill him by stoning, Stephen gives a masterful sermon in Acts 7 before the whole council of The Sanhedrin. He proves that Christ is the Messiah from the history of The Old Testament, then he rebukes the religious leadership for their many sins. Stephen was a man of courage with angelic confidence. He was completely fearless. And he gave his life for the Lord. During the past few weeks, I have preached this sermon at two different churches. Here is a snapshot of Stephen's ministry, his heart, and his death & martyrdom. Listen closely for the connections that are made between Stephen and Saul of Tarsus, who would become The Apostle Paul. Augustine said "the church owes Paul to the prayer and life of Stephen." As you listen, you will discover these connections and appreciate Stephen even more.  I did, and I forever will.  

--Thor Knutstad, Pastoral Counselor 

The Heart of Resurrection Witness: Do not be silent! Keep speaking!

If you have met me or you know me, I engage people. I talk to them. Unless I am just utterly exhausted, I usually move toward others. I talk to people. I open myself to them and make a connection. While driving one of my sons to State College yesterday, at several instances I noticed that Easter Sunday was already in the rearview mirror for most people. Unless specifically mentioned, it wasn't even discussed nor brought up. During the previous week, I had shifted from "Happy Easter" to "Blessings to you and your family for the Resurrection Lord's Sunday." It wasn't meant to be tactical for the Gospel, but it did open up so many discussions. I don't assume that people have Christ at the forefront of their minds and souls. They may believe in the historically risen Jesus, but I don't assume that they know the resurrected LORD. I believe that this is what it means to be a witness and to testify to the truth. SIDE NOTE EXTRA: Your own story is important, but it never has the strength and the power of the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Your story intersects with His; but your story is an effect and a by-product of His Gospel. His Story is inerrant, inspired, and revelation from God.

In Luke 24 (which I would encourage you to read along with the first 7-8 chapters of the book of Acts, also penned by Luke), the apostles' grief and confusion and skepticism is transformed into joyful elation and bold, confident, repetitious testimony of the resurrection of Christ. I love how the Lord through the angels reveals His death conquering rise to the women, only to have the apostles doubt their testimony. Luke says, "But they did not believe the women because the words seemed like nonsense; except for Peter who ran to the tomb." They were wrong. He was Risen. As the story continues, these men were always talking and discussing these things. They were always using words in discussion. They talked and they talked and they talked. I absolutely love how the Lord Jesus engages them. Before they knew it was Him, He asked them in Luke 24:17, "What are you discussing together as you walk along?" I think we should hope that people ask us the same: "You, Christ-Follower, what are you talking about?" Later the apostles, when they knew it was the LORD, said, "Were not our hearts burning within us while He talked with us on the road and opened The Scriptures to us?" These witnesses, men and women, would become the heralds of Jesus' resurrection. They spoke boldly, they declared the truth, and they talked and talked and talked. They could not be silenced no matter what.

They would not shut up about the resurrected Christ.  Even in the midst of danger and persecution, they would not be silent. Their discussions went from perplexity and confusion and sadness and timidity and fear to clarity and boldness and joyful elation and confidence. They exuded hope to the broken world. They saw that the Old Testament Scriptures had paved the path for the New Covenant in Christ. You couldn't keep them silent. They wouldn't shut up. They wouldn't listen to other gospels. They declared as witnesses His resurrection. By the time you read Luke's historical account of the new church in the book of Acts, they continue to speak and refuse silence. They had no shame in the resurrected LORD Jesus, Messiah and Savior. They had no fear and no timidity. They declared Him, Jesus, the Anointed One. So should we. So should we. So should we. For the Gospel of Christ is the one topic in all truth meant for unbridled tongues; and unbridled tongues were meant for his same Gospel. Herald the truth to your neighbors and to your families and to your friends and even to strangers, dear people. Do not be silenced by the times of political correctness or fear of offense, beloved believers. For the enemy of our souls, the accusing devil called Satan, knows that this silence is his weary attempt to thwart the Gospel. This adversary wants truth stifled and confused and silenced. But nothing can be done against the Truth - only for the Truth.  Praise Him our Lord Christ Jesus who gives us resurrection hope, boldness & courage, and Himself, the Truth - to be repeated and declared and proclaimed to others. Now, as you are going, go tell others His story and be witnesses as you are going. This is how the church is built and multiplied. Do not be silent. Keep speaking His name.  Keep talking. Keep discussing. Do not be silent, beloved. Eternity is at stake for many; and multiplication with what is spoken is required by we ambassadors. Speak. Declare. Testify.  Proclaim. Share readily when you can. 

--Thor Knutstad

The Heart of a False Teacher: When the Lord Jesus Puts the Squeeze on the Pharisees at Lunch

Just prior to the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays in late 2017, I preached a message from Luke 14:1-24 entitled “The Heart of a False Teacher: When Jesus Puts the Squeeze on The Pharisees at Lunch.” Instead of writing a summary from this message, I am simply going to include the link and encourage you to listen to this timely message on false teachers. You don’t have to listen to it all at once - feel free to listen to it in parts. When we came home from church that particular Sunday, my wife Lisa said to me, “I had no idea there was so much history and so much to extract from that passage. I would have just read it and moved over it quickly without a second thought. There’s so much more there than I first thought.”  She is so right!

Good exposition of the Scriptures takes a lot of time. Many dozens of hours were devoted to preparing this particular message. It took me much time and research and labor; and I took my time chewing on it until I had it just right. Truth teachers want to herald the message that the Lord gives exactly; false teachers, instead, usually pervert and twist many things that God says. While the LORD Jesus always says the things that the Father wants Him to say; the Pharisees try to squeeze Him until He quickly squeezes them back. What happens in Luke 14 is a classic and repeated example of our LORD not giving the Pharisees the upper hand in many situations, ever. And the Squeeze is on.  

Please enjoy this sermon and may His Word always encourage you, build you up in the faith, and exemplify our Beloved Christ Jesus, Who cannot be squeezed - but Who Squeezes back at just the right time.

-Thor Knutstad

Delays, Waiting, and a Longing Fulfilled: Remember These Things, Servant Stewards of LFA

When I came to Living Faith Alliance Church (henceforth and affectionately known as LFA) almost 7 years ago, land development in raising a new building structure had wisely been put on hold. The Governing Elders and the pastoral leadership team had made the decision to not move forward at that time. It was, as you now witness, the wisdom of wait. There is so much wisdom in waiting.

We are not a patient people by any means, and we hate to wait for things. We rarely say no to ourselves, and we have not mastered the desire of the fleshly sin nature to push ahead in action and execution of our plans. But the LORD's plans are purposes are always higher, better, and long lasting. Many look at the new sanctuary and worship center for LFA as a future tool - I see it as a labor of love that connects this beloved church body to the past. Men and women of God, with every effort to obey the leading of the Holy Spirit, have led well, have given much time and resources and prayer to this, and have continued to do ministry in spite of imperfect circumstances (this staff ministry team labors weekly to serve and love the people of the church and those in community who are met by others on mission). They have worked hard for your sake and for the sake of the Gospel of Christ. He, our Beloved Jesus, Immanuel, God Incarnate who is with us, is building His Church. This building will serve His purposes and His plans.

As a shepherd who provides biblical counsel and who teaches at many levels of church leadership, let me remind everyone that we will STEWARD this facility for WORSHIP - for we do not celebrate or worship a facility, but The LORD our God.  Let's remember how faithful our LORD Jesus has been to each and all of us. We are not owners; we are STEWARDS of this Great Entrustment called the church of Living Faith Alliance, at this 1987 South Lincoln Avenue, Vineland. May we build beyond these warm and welcoming walls to reach South Jersey and this region and beyond with your Gospel, as wise STEWARDS.  The facility of LFA as a building sanctuary of worship, God-glorifying music, sermons of truth, training, discipleship, youth, celebrations (weddings) and memorial services (funerals), and various kinds of ministry must be MANAGED WELL by faithful STEWARDS. These stewards (you and me) must envision the further expansion of Kingdom work throughout the region. Celebrate, yes. Dedicate, yes. Steward, even more so, yes. We joyfully do this, but I am not without warning in this.

These urged, loving warnings include the following:

1.  We will not get lazy with people ministry because we have a new, gorgeous facility. We want people to come; but we want also to live on mission and go to them. We are SERVANT STEWARDS in our respective ministries as the body of Christ, the church. So, we still, GO, and make disciples of others - out there, not just in here.  

2.  We will STEWARD well this blessed resource for Kingdom Advancement. This facility with not be used for everything. I am not speaking on behalf of the leadership team, but I can confidently say this - this building will not be used for anything and everything. Wise stewards will say "yes" and "no" to certain things as GOOD MANAGERS AND SERVANT STEWARDS. This building doesn't in any way decrease the work of the leaders here at LFA; it actually increases it. Pray for these servant steward leaders as their hearts are to manage this building well.  They have undertaken this venture very seriously and have invested hundreds and thousands of hours of input and adjustments for this new facility. If you are a leader on that team, you are prayed for. Follow the LORD biblically as you SERVE & STEWARD this tremendous facility blessing.

3.  We will not allow the enemy to divide us over the use and uses and rules and best practices related to a new facility. We will respect each other's giftedness and STEWARD accordingly how this new worship center is managed. Many have given and served to build this beautiful structure. It is warm and inviting and technologically advanced. Manage and steward it well. We will not be upset if something gets spilled or broken because usually it can be fixed; but we will also honor the rules of stewardship that serve to manage this facility the best. We will also not be upset by that other person who finds what is broken or cracked or stained and SERVES in STEWARDSHIP to rectify this. It takes a body of people to manage this well. But it will not divide this beloved people, the church. Rather, it will UNITE us as ONE BODY to reach people in this community and region.

4.  We will not be proud of this great work, but will HUMBLY BOW a bended knee before the One Who Has Provided it. It's HIS; not ours. It's HIS. Don't forget this, ever. This is His Church.

5.  We will not forget those who have given and labored before and thus far. The gratitude toward one another should permeate our conversations. One of my first impressions of Pastor Nate many years ago was that a spirit of thankfulness and gratefulness permeated his heart and his conversations and his encouragements to others. Thank one another. Often. SERVANT STEWARDS should thank one another; and often. Thank you. You have made a difference by the work that you have done for this church and for the community and for this facility. Appreciation without pretense is a hallmark of simple maturity, spiritually speaking. If you have given or served here at LFA, in any form, you have my full appreciation. Thank you very much for being an instrument in Jesus' Hands.

6.   We will not be surprised when the dynamics change at LFA. NEW PEOPLE ARE COMING, OLD PEOPLE. I'm not speaking to us who are over 45. I'm talking to the old crew of CORE SERVANT STEWARDS here at LFA. Get ready, folks. LFA is gonna grow in number, and spiritually. Multiplication is inevitable. NEW PEOPLE ARE COMING. How can you serve them well? Welcome them as you would do so into your own home. Represent Jesus well. Love genuinely all who attend and visit. This isn't the job of any particular greeting team. It's the job of all to welcome those who come into the new facility with that "ON MISSION MENTALITY" of HOSPITALITY. Hospitality extends way beyond your own home, old people. It's one of the UNSEEN hallmarks of a church that causes people to want to return. In 2018, seek the lost or lonely person or family who finds their way into our new worship center facility. Engage them. Share your story as the Lord leads you. Hospitable and charitable hearts will engage as they live on mission.  Be the best HOST you can be. For some of you, this is your gift. Use it.

7.  The commitment to live on mission, to engage others in Gospel conversations and love others well must remain PARAMOUNT & PRIMARY for SERVANT STEWARDS. I love that this church is not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ; and lives on mission to fulfill the Great Commission of Matthew 28:19-20 to make disciples of Christ Jesus. He really is building His Church, isn't He?

Needless to say, what the LORD had planned, He has done. Look at Isaiah 46:8-14:   

Remember this, fix it in mind; and take it to heart you rebels.

Remember the former things, those of long ago.

I am God, and there is no other.

I am God, and there is none like me.

I make known the ends from the beginning,

from ancient times, what is still to come.

I say, My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please...

What I have said, that will I bring about, what I have planned,

that will I do.

I am bringing my righteousness near, and it is not far away.

My salvation will not be delayed.

The beauty of something new begins with a reminder to remember former things. Our LORD, as The Chief Servant Steward of us, declares this: "I make known (Me) and there is none (like Me!)" (v. 9-10). His purposes stand and He does all that He pleases (v. 10b). The LORD continues to remind the people of Israel through the prophet Isaiah that He the LORD does what He plans, and He does what He says "What I have said, that will I bring about. What I have planned, that will I do" (v.12). The LORD keeps His covenant promises. He does exactly what He says He will do. Always. Every time. All the Time. I love how this passage ends in verse 14 where the LORD declares this, "My salvation will not be delayed." What a promise! What a commitment to come near to people with His eternal hope!  What a gift we have in this same God giving Himself in the person of our Lord Christ Jesus! He didn't grasp tightly the throne that is His, but took the nature of a SERVANT STEWARD; yes, our Messiah, the Anointed One, Jesus. This same Jesus who even became obedient unto death on a cross said, "I will build my church." And that is what He is doing through the work here at LFA. Jesus is building His Church, using us as instruments and tools in the lives of others so that they will embrace Him and His Gospel truth. Praise Him, as your SERVE AND STEWARD well the instrument of this new building, for purposes and plans that God determined long ago. And Merry Christmas blessings to all of you who have lovingly and graciously entrusted me through the years to the process of pastoral biblical counseling. I am grateful to those who have come; and to those who refer others for help; and to those who will come in the future. Every one of you is a treasure before the LORD, and may He bless you and your family at the end of this 2017 and during this Blessed Christmas Season.  

—Thor Knutstad

The Heart of a False Teacher Pt 5: Pillars or Pillows of Feathers?

When the truth of God is the heaviest weight upon you, you will treat human opinion and human approval only as a light feather. It will not be your main concern, and you will resolve to not walk in (or speak in) the compromise of error. But when you neglect the Glory (literally "weight") of the words of the LORD in the Scriptures, you will adjust your message and speech so as to gain (or keep or maintain) the approval of men. And this sadly reveals the true weight of your heart; then, instead of truth multiplied, deception abounds and pillars of useless feathers are piled up. I sadly see so many feathers lying around us all.

The desire for human approval that characterizes false teachers wants human approval, worldly recognition, and even the blessings of the marketplace and craves the glories of human institutions. It creates empty talk that spreads like gangrene; and instead of a pillar of Truth, this error-filled talk that lacks real authority is a sleep-filled slumbered pillow. Yes, it's a just a feather-filled pillow, only useful for sleep and slumber. Sadly, these feathers are bought and sold every day; and sleep is so prevalent. I see lots of feathers lying around, sadly.

Awake, beloved shepherd pastors and church of Christ! My heart senses that the Truth (who is Christ Jesus) and His sound doctrine biblically has little weight on many; and this great error of deception (feather-filled pillows) are the true fleshly sensual preference. No, no, no. Arise and wake up and be alert! Do you feel the cemented pillared weight of the Word, or do you build your church (or life) feather by feather into a comfortable sleep-filled pillow?! Woe to you if you prefer error to Truth! Wake up and confess to the Lord God that you love the approval of men, and repent, and then maybe the LORD will reveal to you the pillared Truth of Scripture - and also show you Himself and His Son, Christ Jesus who is Messiah, the Way, the Life, and yes, the Truth, and the Spirit of Truth too.  For in and around Him (Christ) is no feather; rather, He is the Chief Cornerstone and true Truth pillar of the Church. Praise Him.

—Thor Knutstad

The Heart of a False Teacher, Part 4 - Demanding Signs & Wonders: When Jesus Sighed Deeply

Did you know that Jesus sighed deeply? I would like to think that my Lord, Christ Jesus, the God-Man Messiah, never really sighed over people. But He absolutely did. He sighed deeply in one particular situation. Sighing is a sign of discouragement and displeasure, the body language of a deeper disapproval of the person or a group or of a situation. It's a natural response of breathing as a result of almost head shaking grief and utter disappointment. It's our version of, "You guys don't get it!" without saying a word. In Mark 8:12, John Mark writes, "He (Jesus) sighed deeply and said 'Why does this generation ask for a sign? Truly I tell you, no sign will be given it.'" To whom is our Lord responding? Is He saying this to the crowd of four thousand men whom He just fed miraculously (Mark 8:1-9)? The sigh may (somewhat) be for them, but the heart of His deep sigh is actually for the Pharisees. It was for the ones who questioned Him, who tested Him, and who plotted and planned against Him. Mark 8:11 says, "The Pharisees began to question Him. To test Him, they asked Him for a sign from heaven."

I think I can almost envision what happened in that moment. I picture in my mind that the Lord closed His eyes, gave a quick shake of His head, perfectly coordinated with a deep inhale followed immediately by a long exhale - one that is heard and seen and felt by anyone nearby. It's a moment of the Lord bringing condescension over not just their foolish request, but over their fleshly inner hearts. If you have ever sighed as such, even your shoulders as they shrug in this moment display a mode of sadness and disapproval. But more than His sighing, Jesus says "No" to their demand. Right after He has just done a miracle of feeding so many publicly, they demand a sign. It's audacious. Their purposes were not noble. So He sighs deeply.

Jesus knew that they were looking to accuse Him. He knew that they were the real blasphemers who attributed His true work not to the Holy Spirit, but to the power of Satan. He knew they hated Him and wanted Him dead. He knew that they hated His influence. So, Jesus sighed deeply. There's a merciful longing and loving patience in a deep sigh; sure, it's combined with a deep disapproval of their demand. Maybe as they try to trap Him, He can actually see a longer pending judgment. It is not the intent of my heart to over-interpret Christ's deep sigh, but I have sighed over similar situations and people. There's a love in that inhale and exhale that is observant of a deeper blindness. There's an injustice in seeing the Truth rejected. Maybe the Lord just feels them putting Him to the test. Wisely, He refuses to sharpen His pencil and won't succumb to their supposed exam by giving them their wanted sign. So instead of a sign, He sighs deeply. You gotta love the bold candor and upfront authority of Christ in these decision moments. He stands up to them so many times, and I fear we miss it. Often, we easily see the astounding miracle but miss the master missionary take on the establishment. Maybe this is what Paul meant when he said that we sometimes only look at the surface of things; it's a call to go deeper. We have to look inside of things.

In Matthew 12:38-39, Jesus strongly rebukes the Pharisees (mainly the Sanhedrin) and the teachers of the law (the scribes) by saying this in reply to their demand of a sign: "A wicked and adulterous generation demands a sign" followed by a deep sigh. They had already accused Him falsely. They were already plotting to destroy Him. They looked to bring charges against Him or catch Him in something He would say. They questioned Him voraciously to try to trap Him. And so, the Creator as God-Man, the literal Truth standing before them, sighs deeply. Oh, to have the heart of our Lord! His merciful heart gets put on display not in signs and wonders, but in moments like this where He sighs deeply. His Godly gasp at their wickedness isn't one of surprise; it's body language that says, "You are wrong!"

Our beloved sweet Savior sighs deeply not over every sin, but over FALSE RELIGION and WOLFERY (my word) - He's sighing over the false prophets, false teachers, false apostles, and false brothers who disguise themselves in sheep's clothing. You see, the deception of the deceivers who masquerade as angels of light are not unseen. These hidden reefs are exposed by the Scriptures because God's Word unveils their exploitive greedy works, their self-centered preeminentness, their lack of real love, their mystical materialistic experiences, their desires for money, and their lack of Truth discernment. Their bad fruit smells of rotten in Denmark. Their instincts for more deceive them and give them away. Their hatred of chosen true pastors who cling to the Scriptures without apology in white knuckle fashion is a dead giveaway.

Sometimes, like the Lord, I SIGH DEEPLY. I observe a real blindness that comes from a scheming enemy. I SIGH DEEPLY. I watch the itching ears that have gathered teachers in accordance with principles of experiences and signs and wonders. I SIGH DEEPLY. I see people united in error when they should actually remember that Christ divides as He cuts to the quick of the heart of men and women; for a false unity isn't unity at all. I SIGH DEEPLY. I see a perilous trap set by many false Christs, false gospels, and false spirits - the kind of error and deception that people put up with deception and error so easily (when the plain truth dictates otherwise). I SIGH DEEPLY. I see senseless shepherds who have jumped on liberal ecumenical bandwagons and so called marketplace ministries for the security of a false unity and for greedy gain. They are not secure in their strongholds of approval from others, for the Lord contends against those paper walls too; God disapproves of their desire to please men and the hearts for money and possessions. I SIGH DEEPLY. I see self-appointed authorities who put words in God's mouth and take words out of His mouth too. They have no standard for preaching and teaching, and they neglect the Truth proclamation of Scripture. This is forbidden and grievous! Oh my! I SIGH DEEPLY. I hear false visions spoken from their own minds because they are not called by God and not sent by God - because they do not trust Him to rely on His Holy Word. Their authority is counterfeit as false spiritual leaders. They add to and take away from the Scriptures. Woe to them! I SIGH DEEPLY.

My heart senses a bit of Solomon's grief and sadness from this knowledge of God, for the wise man has much to grieve about and upon. Like our Lord, Solomon probably also sighed very deeply. I SIGH DEEPLY. I see evil being called good and good being called evil (and by those who should know better!). I see the righteous accused and found guilty and the wicked set free and declared innocent. I see an unrestrained flesh even in many supposed spiritual leaders, where covetous greed and dirty, deluded hearts reveal a darker inside. What?! Oh my! I SIGH DEEPLY. I see murmurers and complainers who spread the contagion of false religion by their counterfeit authority - these religious hypocrites, who like actors, wear the masks of deception and the theatrical and "false humility" emotionalism. I SIGH DEEPLY. I see a haughty pomp of pride that lacks real true humility, and I see it marked and masked in a false manner of deception that manipulates with strategy and guile. I see many who are walking (and talking) in error, but I observe a hopeful remnant few who actually do covenant with true Truth. So, as I sigh deeply, I also praise Him who is Christ - the Savior who takes away the sin of the world. He deals with those who cause His (and my) deep sighs. And like all the tears someday, the sighs too, His and mine, will ultimately finally end. But for now, the sighs remain.

--Thor Knutstad

The Heart of a False Teacher Part 3: Satan, the Unexpected Preacher

The enemy (called Satan, the Accuser) is always preaching to you.  He is continually teaching you false religion and false gospels, stemming from false motives and spun out by false teachers. Yes, the devil preaches fervent lies with much deception, much delusion, much subtlety, much haste, and much manipulation - in season and out of season.  In other words, he preaches and proclaims and heralds often - pretty much incessantly; nonetheless, he communicates all the time as he assaults the true knowledge of God. It may be a new paradigm for you to consider the enemy a preacher, but it's true. He's always talking about all the wrong stuff.

If only today's preachers had his (Satan's) diligence and effort and endurance and energy! If only those who were supposed to herald the Word of God would wage the good warfare of Truth with sound doctrine as Paul commanded Timothy! If the devil is always preaching to hearts with lies and misconceptions, why do so many "so-called" shepherds and "so-called" preachers and "so-called" teachers refuse to proclaim the full counsel of God's Word? Your personal stories and your delegated testimonies and your vague spiritual rhetoric and your apologetic defenses of how you do ministry and watered down proof texts and mystical delusions and emotional game playing sound just like Lucifer; and by this you try to control the people and you try to bind up the unchained Word of God. But you cannot do either; and neither can the devil. The Scriptures cannot and will not be shackled. But are you restraining people and souls by letting the enemy preach to your people? Let it not be so! Woe to you! This delusion offends the heart of the Lord! For He demands sound teaching and is intolerant of error. Why is this? Are you only in the Word to prepare to speak, or do you comb the fine hairs of Scripture daily because you love what He says? Maybe you're too busy trying to figure out how to say something and have become blind to what He clearly says.  Woe to you. Woe to you. Woe to you.

If your calling to preach and teach and bring innocent worship to glory be a truly sacred one of God, then soul-shaking and heart-stirring power will be felt on earth and in heaven; and yes, it will be felt even in the depths of hell. But, if your calling be not sacred, or if that calling is stifled by deception or immoral living or covetous greed or any fleshly dark dominion, you won't do much shaking and quaking when you speak because the Spirit of the Living God refuses to bless another gospel or bad teaching or the clanging voice of the enemy. Your influence will decrease unto an influence of death because you have not rightly divided (literally "cut straight") the Word of God.  Who has deceived you and tricked you into cutting curves?  Why have you forsaken a proper handling of Truth?

Your hearers are getting ruined because you have itched their ears with doctrines of demons and avoided certain truths. You have followed bad counsel unaligned with the LORD! Woe to you! Repent! Woe to you! For this humble under-shepherd is mindful of our common enemy and has labored and toiled over and studied the Word all of my life everyday and speaks with all authority given by God for the sake of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. And if any of you gnash your teeth or rail at these truthful words, or if you try to flatter in response over such a prophetic utterance and rebuke, or whatever, then your folly will be clear to everyone as the Scriptures already so indicate. Silence and quiet repentance may be your best and most Holy option; and I'm glad you read this article to the very end. Preach the Word, and do not despise prophecies (preaching) and test everything (heralds and declarations and conversations - 1 Thessalonians 5:20-21). The truth is at stake, pastors. And, if this makes you a bit uncomfortable, that's the Spirit pressing into you. I have said nothing that isn't of The LORD nor without gentleness, and it comes from a meek heart; but I am bold and not shamed nor ashamed of this Gospel Truth. For as the Lord, I do not want people captivated by the devil.  And I fear he captivates some of you even now. Let it not be so Father. Let your Word make us captive to all truth.  

—Thor Knutstad, Pastoral Counselor

For Good's Sake: Looking at the Goodness of God

I often hear the phrase "God is good," and yet I rarely read this simple phrase biblically. Okay, yes, David says it many times in the Psalms, "Taste and see that the Lord God is good" (Psalm 34:8 & 86:5 & 119:68).  It's there in Scripture, and it's also repeatedly inferred, but think here with me more deeply about The LORD's goodness. Let's explore His goodness a bit more. There's so much more to it.

Of course God is the epitome of all that is good; there is no evil in Him and this is Biblically assumed and stated.  But how we perceive good from the confines of our earthly viewpoint is very different from 'good' when it comes to heaven's perfect vantage point. For example, a cut through my skin that causes me to bleed may not seem good when I'm opening kids packages on Christmas morning (yes, this happened, lol), but it would be considered 'good' by the hand of a skilled surgeon operating on me in necessary surgery at the hospital, right?  God who is the Surgeon of your life isn't any less good when your circumstances seem "less than (your) ideal."  Why?  Because He, our LORD God, is working all things (operating) toward and 'for the good' of them that love Him (Romans 8:28-30). Does that mean that good isn't a moment or the means, but the end goal? God doesn't cease in goodness when He judges and condemns sin in unbelief. He is good even when He renders demonic angels, false teachers, and unbelievers to an eternal hell. He doesn't cease to be good when His Surgeon's Blade goes to work on the soul of my inner spiritual heart either.  He actually ALWAYS operating, isn't He?  He's a good physician. Always. YES, ALWAYS.

Good isn't a situation nor only moments in history; Good IS Him, our LORD - Him in our pain, Him in our deepest grief, Him in our confusion, Him in our changes, and Him in our circumstances that we cannot control.
When Joseph's brothers feared his revenge after their father Jacob had died, Joseph replied, "What you meant for evil, God meant for good, the saving of many lives" (Genesis 50:20). Everything matters FOR GOOD, even evil. This is no excuse for evil, ever. Evil is differentiated from good. But it's His chosen pathway toward good sometimes. Everything He created was called good (Genesis 1-2; 1 Timothy 4:4).  And though the world of evil is a tooled platform for His purpose(s), He will recreate it unto Eternal Good. Yes, our God is "good all the time," but His goodness is more than a cliché or a magnet or a bumper sticker or a movie line or a text message or a social media post. Real ‘good’ is bigger because the Gospel Good News is the big everything. Good is not a concept; it's a person.  There is only one who is good (Matthew 19:17); for He is the Good Shepherd (John 10:11) and His name is Jesus, the Christ (Messiah). This Gospel isn't just for Easter people; it's everything.  The good God became incarnate man to destroy evil and the devil through His death and resurrection.  It's a completed yet incomplete work. It's already; but not yet. For good.

This same Jesus will return like a lion for goodness sake.  Praise Him!  Are you ready? Have you embraced this Good News Gospel? Paul said that he wasn't ashamed of this Gospel (Romans 1:16; 15:16 & 1 Corinthians 9:16). If some of you think I'm repeating myself, yes, I am doing just that. Praise Him, our Christ the LORD who defeats death (death is not good) and who gives us the hope of resurrection (resurrection is totally good). He our God is good; and for our good He aims unto good. Spread the good to a world that needs this good. I see a lot of good without Good News. There's no greater good than the Good News of eternal hope and eternal assurance and eternal resurrection. And all that is good is of Him, by Him, and for Him. God isn't defined by good; For He the LORD by His character and name lends definition to all that is Good. It's in His name. It's His heart. And it's more than a popular tagline. The next time you want to declare that “God is good," maybe just explain this by example. It may cause you to stop and think about what you say. And that's a good thing! 

The Heart of a False Teacher: Part 2, An Examination of Old Testament False Prophets

1 Peter 2:1-3 (my paraphrase) says, "Just as there were false prophets among the people of Israel, so also there will be false teachers among you, for they have secretly slipped in like spies, subtly bringing in the contagion of destructive heresies and bad doctrine, even denying Christ's lordship over their lives as they refuse to submit to Him with their immoral disobediences. For these follow sensualities [lusts] and are greedy for the gain and make market of you in their covetousness for money. They exploit you with words and they are condemned for destruction." Now there's a lot here. If I were putting this in list form, there would be at least five facets of a false teacher in the New Testament (and now) that parallel the Old Testament false prophets in the past. For study purposes, I will treat them one and the same. In this article, I would like to specifically focus on just the first part of verse 1, "Just as there were false prophets among the people of Israel."  Jeremiah chapter 10 calls these false prophets "stupid [senseless; literally 'without the sense'] shepherds" (I will have much more to say about Jeremiah chapter 10 in part three of my study).  But I want you to know that this passage completely parallels many NT authors such as Paul, Peter, John, and Jude.  Even the gospel authors, especially Luke, pay careful attention to detailing the work of these imposters who were found within religious leadership.  They were then (OT & NT) and they are now.  Personally, I have been on a nearly two-year study working through the details of Scripture concerning false prophets, false apostles, and false teachers. The OT prophets dealt with them, as did the Lord Jesus and the apostles and the NT authors who laid the biblical framework for the church. In a recent conversation with Pastor Nate about false teachers, he said to me, "I think you're onto something Thor.  Nobody's talking about that.  You're onto something, man."  He means that no one in Christian leadership circles or even in local or regional or high levels is discussing this as a problem for churches. Knowing me as the pastoral counselor, it would be easier for me to pick a typical counseling topic for an article.  But actually, the damage that false teachers have done to people in the realm of deception is a huge problem. People are often swallowed up by the cliché theology of false teachers. People look for Jesus in things that don't align with the Word of God. And the false teachers, like the false prophets of old, push into the people and do much damage. So I'm going to take Nate's encouraging counsel and continue to press into this theological issue where the Scriptures are not silent. Nobody may be talking about it, but I'm glad to be that nobody. We cannot neglect major portions of Scripture dedicated to the descriptions, depictions, and refutations of false leaders. If we do, we neglect these ravenous wolves, by natural instincts, who want to devour beloved sheep. And as shepherds, we must protect the sheep from these wolves.

Jeremiah probably has the most to say about false prophets. His descriptions of them are vivid and detailed; plus, they falsely accused and assaulted him directly because his confrontation of them that was always so bold and forthright. In Bible study, repetition is an often-employed strategy in language for major emphasis. Solomon does this often in the Proverbs, as David his father did in the Psalms. Paul does it repeatedly in the New Testament. The Spirit of the LORD does this often in Scripture -- 2 Peter chapter 2 practically mirrors the book of Jude. Jeremiah also does this in the details about false prophets. Did you know that Jeremiah 6:9-15 is practically the verbatim of Jeremiah 8:10-12?  Both list these four main characteristics of false prophets:

1.  They are greedy for gain; market exploitation; heart for money (6:13a mirrors 8:10)
2.  They practice falsehood and fraud; ignored The Word of the LORD (6:13b mirrors 8:10b)
3.  They treat fractures as superficial; say 'all is well' when NOT; false peace(6:14 mirrors 8:11)
4.  They are unashamed; never blush at their words or sins; unrepentant (6:14-15 mirrors 8:12)

There is no need to dissect these as they are pretty much self-explanatory. False prophets want money, practice fraud & deceit, give a false sense of peace, and are never ashamed of their sin. Wow! What a blessing we have that the Word of our LORD in the Bible, which is so clear and concise in its Self-Authenticating Nature. And here's what's even more interesting to note: like the false prophets, false teachers in the New Testament and today are doing the same kinds of things. They love money. They are deceiving and fraudulent; literally, "plastic counterfeits."  They spread the lies of a false peace, which appeals to complacency. And they lack deep heart repentance because they aren't sorry for their sin and refuse to blush in shame.  Peter, Jude, and Paul in 1st Timothy, even the Lord Jesus Himself, list these same characteristics of false prophets while confronting the reality of false apostles and false teachers. These biblical lists expose the false prophets; and remind us that they are among the people in a very subtle sphere of operation. And we simply cannot ignore The Word of The Lord God; for He, the Great Shepherd, has much to say about what and WHOM is false; so that The Truth is Always Revealed.  Praise Him.  [TO BE CONTINUED SOON]

Copyright 2017 by Thor Knutstad, All Rights Reserved

The Legacy of Pop

On December 31, 2016, New Year’s Eve, my mom’s dad, my beloved grandfather, went to be with the Lord. We had just visited him a few days before around Christmas, and he greeted me with a warm joyful smile and said, “I’ve been waiting for you to get here, Thor.” His aged frame was thinner and his hair was almost completely gone. His frail body was about to release his spirit to the Lord. There was a sense of peace and of joy. His full life was about to enter real fullness. He was on the doorstep of Heaven’s eternity. He died on New Year’s Eve.

Most of my personality traits come from my parents. My dad was a hard worker and loved people. He had a caring spirit for others and readily gave. My mom, besides raising us and teaching us the Scriptures (my mom made us memorize verses and passages), was a disciple and counselor of many women. She led many studies, prayed for many, and I watched our home and her time as a revolving door of discipleship.

My mom’s dad, my grandfather, AKA Pop, lived a few miles from us, with my grandmother. This was a privileged heritage (for me) to have my grandparents for 45 years. My grandmother, AKA Gram, just had her 87th birthday right after Pop passed. We spent a lot of time with them when I was growing up. Pop was a house painter, a carpenter, and an artist. In fact, he is (was) a world champion duck decoy carver. His decoys, which look very real, are considered by some to be some of the best ever. Every Christmas, Pop would take his son, his daughters, and his grandchildren, to the shelved wall and say, “Choose.” Sometimes he would pick one for you. Often, you just chose. These ducks were 120-150 hour labors of love. He gave out of what he did best. Tears would flow because no one could match his decoy gifts. They were valuable but had no price. They were in essence, priceless. This steady man who painted, worked with wood and carved like a genius, also hunted and fished. I won’t tell you how many times I fell in the spillway in the old Milford, Delaware, only to have Pop pull me out laughing. He wasn’t mad. He just laughed and would take me home to get changed. Then we would go right back out. My grandfather was a slow man. He was steadfast. He gave gifts of time and of wood, painted wood that has a beauty that is completely unparalleled and unmatched. You knew he loved you. I knew he loved me- and it was just because I was his first grandchild.

Pop’s life wasn’t without battles. He served in World War II as a medic in Normandy and throughout Europe. He battled alcohol the first half of his life, only to repent of this with some major pressure from Gram. I don’t recall him ever drinking. I see him in his chair and at his workshop desk, carving and etching and burning and painting under a bright light those decoys, those beloved priceless masterpieces. And I suspect that The Great Carpenter, our Savior and Lord, Christ Jesus, has already showed Pop a thing or two and made his work even better than here on earth.

In Memory of Roland Downes (1922-2016)

Underrated and Underestimated: Ezra

For the past several months, I decided to study the character and history of Nehemiah.  It was here that I encountered the scribe-priest Ezra.  Of Ezra, we read:

 He had prepared his heart to seek the law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach in Israel  statutes and judgments (Ezra 7:10).

Ezra was considered very mighty in the Scriptures.  His own heart had been gripped by the truth of God's Word.  Writes HA Ironside in his commentary on Ezra:

 The Lord not only prepared Ezra's head, but his heart. His inmost being was brought  under the sway of the truth of God.  His affections were controlled by Scripture (p.44)

The bent of Ezra's life was Scripture.  It permeated his soul.  His heart was preoccupied with the Lord and with what the Lord had to say.  Ezra did not treat truth casually.  His mind and heart took seriously what he was entrusted with.  He made it his responsibility to:

•  Put the Word to heart (SOUL PERMEATED)
•  DO it in the life he lived (LIVED OUT ACTIVELY)
•  Teach and instruct others (EXPLAINED TO MAKE SENSE
•  Entrust #3 to others who are defined by #1 and #2 (REPRODUCE/REPEAT)

Ezra refused to treat the truth casually.  He walked the people through confession and a marked moment of repentance through the profound yet simple reading of the Scriptures.  He read the Word ALOUD to the people (I love this!).  There is a reference in the book of Nehemiah that he read from dawn till noon.  Imagine that?!  I think we fear in our time-driven culture that people would never show up if we read the Word for an hour, let alone 5-6.  But the people's hearts were gripped, and they wept over the Word.  Ezra spoke, repeated, and explained it.  He appointed others to do the same.  It transformed the people and affected the culture.

If curiosity has grabbed your heart and you want to know more, pick up your Bible and read Ezra and Nehemiah.  I think you will be drawn in by the courage of these men and how their hearts resonated with the truth for God's Great Plan for His Chosen People, Israel.  Let your own soul be gripped by these underrated and very underestimated men of God.

The Heart of a False Teacher: Wolves Among Us, Part 1

Earlier in the summer, my wife Lisa and I visited a "wolf sanctuary" near Lancaster, PA. I don't particularly even like wolves. In fact, they are probably my least favorite animal besides snakes.  During a small tour of the wolf sanctuary, I learned many interesting facts about wolves and wolf packs. But several particular facts about wolves stood out to me - wolves exist in packs usually with the dominant alpha male. They grew up together and they hunt together and they work together for the sole benefit of the pack. But this amazed me: it is a difficult thing, if not nearly impossible, to introduce a new wolf to a pre-existing pack. The wolf 'zookeeper' have made attempts to introduce an orphan wolf into various packs. If the wolves go at each other face-to-face, there's a good chance that this orphaned wolf can be assimilated into the pack. However, it doesn't usually work this way. More often than not, the alpha male will attack the orphaned lone wolf from behind, aiming for the back or the back of the legs or the hindquarters. If the pack attacks the wolf from behind, this wolf will have to be isolated from the rest of them - or they will kill it. Interesting right? It is clear that the wolf that attacks from behind and not straight on is the more dangerous wolf. Jesus told the apostles that he was sending them out like lambs among wolves. The imagery by Christ is quite fitting. We are his sheep - sheep of the one true shepherd, and wolves do exist. These creatures have instinctive attack and crave to devour their prey. The Old Testament false prophets were wolves - the New Testament false apostles were wolves - the false teachers in the church today are wolves as well. Satan's strategy through time really hasn’t changed much.

When studying the Scriptures, I did not find three nor five nor even ten characteristics of a false teacher. Instead, I found scores of biblical passages and dozens upon dozens (in fact hundreds) of wolf-like characteristics. First, false teachers and false shepherds are everywhere - they are not just on your television or on your Facebook feed. The Scriptures indicate that they have "secretly slipped in and crept in among you." They are not just national or international - they are local and regional. Now hear me here - my bold words are not meant to divide or call suspicion to anyone specifically. But I am making an indictment on false teachers for the sake of truth. We need to be Biblically conscious. Jude tells us that we will have to contend and fight with them. 2 Peter 2:1-3 also warns us about false teachers. In 2 Corinthians 11, Paul uses personal examples about how he dealt with their schemes. In 3 John, the beloved apostle John names the man Deotriphes and calls him out as a wolf who wants to be first. Paul adds further insight to us by dealing with dissenters in Romans 16:17-18 and Titus 3:9-11. Even Jeremiah 23 list the characteristics of the Old Testament false prophets. The Scriptures are not silent about wolves and false prophets and false teachers. The below list is only a function of what the Scriptures have to say about these existing wolves. I couldn't possibly list them all, but here are some traits of these ravenous wolves:

1.  They are 'among you'
2. Subtle and secretly crept in
3. Secretly introduce destructive heresies
4. Bewitch people and mislead with manipulative information
5. Divisive and opposing; usually stand diametrical to something good
6. Denying Christ, which means 'saying no habitually' to the Lord Jesus
7. Many follow their sensualities, appeals and lusts
8. Malign the way of truth and distort the Gospel
9. Warped, perverted, literally twisted
10. Greedy and covetous, instinctively want more, hearts that are trained as experts in greed, replicate Ahab & Jezebel's covetous heart, exploit and make market of people for money
11. Bold, willful, self-willed, self-centered, self feeders, self-absorbed
12. Are a burden to the people financially and relationally
13. They want to be equal with the real shepherds; undermine real authority
14. Masquerade and disguises, pretenders, hypocrites; grand deceivers
15. They exploit people with made-up stories for greed and financial gain
16. Want to be first, desiring preeminent; 'first lust', push themselves to the front
17. Are not humble, truthful, loving or hospitable
18. Accommodate the lies/slander/false accusations & false Gospels, the culture, and sin
19. Reject real shepherds/real apostles/real prophets with hatred and abuses
20. Grumblers and faultfinders; overbearing; critical, demanding
21. Have an instinctive moral twist; literally perverted
22. Provoke fear and scatter the sheep; divide unto disunity
23. They follow evil and use their power unjustly; they use and abuse naive people
24. Strengthen the hands of evildoers and falsely accuse the innocent
25. They spread the contagion of ungodliness
26. They speak visions from their own minds
27. They are not sent by the Lord nor do they speak His Word
28. They give the people false hopes and falls visions and say mostly pleasant things
29. They deceive and lie; they are 'pot stirrers'
30. They do not really build trust, but rather they destroy trust through provoking division by slander/deception/false accusation; they release faulty info and cause great scandals
31. They pursue dishonest gain and turn godliness into a means unto financial gain, which is similar to greed and covetousness; they love money and they want your money
32. They use smooth talk and flattery to gain advantages over the naïve
33. They put obstacles and stumbling blocks in the way of others; causing hindrances
34. They serve their own appetites; bent on instincts and natures and lusts
35. They question authority and refuse to submit; they love to be in charge & in control
36. They are agents of disunity; they polarize and divide and create dissent
37. They are subtle in their operation and create much confusion; misleading
38. They hate being confronted or corrected; they refuse correction and are unrepentant
39. They tell cleverly invented stories that they've made up; they speak visions from their own minds; they promise freedom but really enslave people into blind spiritual bondages
40. They are nearsighted with no real 'Peripheral' for context or a wider view
41. They appeal to the senses (sensual) and provoke various types of lusts (not just sexual)
42. They live in sheep's clothing and disguise themselves as angels of light
43. They counsel rebellion and divide the people and even leaders
44. They propagate and reproduce heresy and error
45. They are not sent by God, and they distort the Scriptures and God's Word
46. -500.....

I just listed 45 characteristics of wolves as false teachers. The Bible lists hundreds of traits for them. God's Word also counters these negatives with positive traits of the true shepherds and true apostles and true prophets. The false one usually seems to be subtle, but usually displays insubordination andis indignant. They are immoral, but it's not just sexual but moral and ethical. They plot evil and revel in their glory and greed.  Again, my goal is not to create suspicion - but we need to be aware and conscious of the fact that there are wolves among us.  They may not display every characteristic that I've listed above, but they will have some, if not many.  Be discerning as a sheep. You Shepherds guard the flock. Listen to the voice of the one true Shepherd, for His call from His voice is in a different direction. He beckons us toward a cross, a resurrection, and an eternal hope that is the antithesis of every wolf. Leaders, guard your flock from wolves. One of our founding fathers, Samuel Adams, said this over 200 years ago, "A strongman is a fool if he lets loose the wolf without first dulling its teeth or pairing its nails. There is no accommodation of a wolf - ever." In our culture of tolerance, we have accommodated wolves. Sadly, many have done the same in Christian ministries and even in churches. And they will feed on sheep. Let it not be so, Lord Jesus. Help us fight off these ravenous wolves who are ferocious. Come quickly, Christ, our one true Shepherd. But the rest of us must contend with wolves, so stand firm and fight for this Gospel and the Savior Jesus who we called Lord.

[I recently preached a sermon on the above topic, which you can listen to here.]

Thor Knutstad, Pastoral Counselor 

Counseling is Discipleship

Five years ago I met Nate Howard at a Living Faith Alliance Church Sunday worship service.  After a few weeks or so, we met for a cup of coffee to swap stories and share our lives and ministries.  I remember Nate's eyes widening with a smile when I said to him, "Nate, counseling is so much more than therapy and diagnosis.  In fact, I don't really know too much about psychology.  I just love people.  And I believe that counseling is a relationship of training.  Counseling IS discipleship.  It IS an extension of the Great Commission and a big part of disciple making.  Counseling IS discipleship."  Following an honest smile, Nate said to me, "I'm glad to hear you say that, Thor.  I agree.  Counseling IS discipleship.  And here at Living Faith Alliance Church, we are committed to good Christian counseling.  We need strong counselors."  We continued to have a discussion that centered on the one to one ministry of biblical Christian counseling and pastoral care, not just for hurting and struggling people, but also for the lost, for the one wanting to grow spiritually and in God's Word, and for believers in Christ who may need marital counseling. You see, Nate knew that counseling is a form of discipleship for the body of Christ believers.

During that initial encounter, something else stood out.  Besides an operating spiritual discernment, our stories became linked because we "shared in the fellowship of sufferings."  These shared stories weren't full time of emotional sensationalism and typical cultural transparency.  They weren't meant to "tickle ears" or spoken with the guile of maneuver.  Instead, two "called but broken shepherds" shared some skin of life and some of the pains of family and of ministry.  This showed me that Nate and the leadership of LFA understood in discernment what I call "the theology of suffering."  (By the way, beware of the Christian leader who has a poor biblical understanding of the theology of suffering.  It usually reveals weak doctrine in other theologies such as the theology of sin and the theology of sanctification.  It shows the cracks in the foundation of biblical thinking.  These 'false teachers' rely on emotional experiences and the testimony of a works-righteousness more than they do God's Holy Word, denying the Sovereign LORD).   LFA is not only committed to making disciples but also preaches and teaches the Bible with strong conviction and wisdom.  God's Word is given an authority here at LFA that I rarely find in other churches.  As the truth is spoken, something greater from His Spirit is passed around at LFA.  I have witnessed truth, pain, relationships, growth, marital reconciliation, divorce's dilemma, redemption, broken families, suffering children, salvation, enlightened moments of discernment, spiritual renewal, [reproduced disciples who, in turn, disciple of others], stories and testimonies, abuses healed, church discipline, transformed hearts, and well-stewarded words, etc. - a witness to the work of King Jesus as He gains rule over the hearts of men and women no matter what the circumstance or situation.

What maybe Diego calls healing and restoration, I would agree and also term it "resurrection."  This IS this Gospel that we share.  It's not just an event; it is your life.  Counseling, strong biblical Christian pastoral counseling is more than discipleship.  It IS the Gospel of imparting resurrection to others.  But know this:  the task of resurrection is only preceded by a cross-bearing that requires us to weepingly walk through seasons of sadness and hurt with an empathy that has born the same.  This is the Gospel, but forgive me for starting to preach.  I love this stuff!  It gets me up in the morning because the joy of the LORD has been and is my strength.  The LORD has thundered and hammered that anvil into my life and continues to do so.  And like you, I await with patience for a greater resurrection.  I think CS Lewis and AW Tozer both knew that men and women who had suffered as believers in kingdom service were formidable foes to the the enemy of our souls, the devil called Satan the accuser.  This abrasive work of God's Spirit was like sandpaper to the bleeding heart of the suffering saint - which resulted in a greater created masterpiece - a resurrected one.  A servant of Christ.  A cross-bearing, cross born saint.  Resurrected saints live on mission and in turn produce resurrected saints.

When Nate and I met at the intersection of "cross-bearing," I believe the LORD catapulted a friendship of trust and pastoral camaraderie.  Whether Pastor Nate or the other pastors or many of you entrust the counseling needs of others to me, I do not take this lightly.  It is a blessed privilege to care for and speak into others.  It IS a calling; it is an entrustment - but like the Gospel, it is an unmerited favor and not deserved.  I don't say this with a false humility.  I say it with grateful privilege and honor.  I knew when Nate said to me all those years ago, "Well, how soon can you get here?!" that counseling is a huge part of discipleship here at LFA.  What Nate was really saying (paraphrased & interpreted - not quoted) was this:

1. Counseling is discipleship, and LFA is committed to it
2. We are committed to counseling individuals, marriages, and families
3. Suffering uniquely qualifies some to love and to serve and to wisely counsel others with empathy and truth and discernment
4. We need you here and are glad to have you here

By the way, as a note to leaders who serve with and over volunteers, Nate never ceases to thank me for the role that I am blessed and called to play in counseling at LFA.  I'm sure many others can identify with #4 above.  It's such a real encouragement to receive gratitude and have someone say, "I'm glad you're here."  Sheep need to hear this, and so do shepherds.  And know this, counseling isn't reserved for the private ministry of the Word behind a closed door.  David Powlison of CCEF has always said that "all of life is counseling."  I think he's right.  As you ponder this article of words, here are some questions to consider:

1. Do I need counseling as a form of discipleship training?
2. Is the Spirit of the Lord calling me toward talking to a counselor at LFA?
3. What stops me from obeying that call?  Why will I not invest in it?
4. Has your story of suffering shaped you for a greater ministry role?
5. Have I thanked someone who has impacted me for Christ or loved me well?
6. Who do I need to share a meal or cup of coffee with?

--Thor Knutstad, Pastoral Counselor

Soul Connections

When we allow someone to struggle, we actually create less pressure and actually instill more real freedom into the heart. We release them from ideals and legalism, actually validating their humanness and releasing their spirit from deeper levels of bondage.

As you move with transcendent curiosity into the life of another person, you must remember that he or she is a terrible tragedy unfolding into brilliant hope. Why? Because there are never simple solutions to complex problems. The law is never the cure, but maybe the medicine of life is willingly entering the battle for the heart and soul of someone you love. It is then that we join God in his deeper work and the story unfolds into an aroused appetite for God. This hunger always comes when dreams shatter and the mystery of moving through life requires courage and the deepest faith.

Moving others toward divine love sometimes means that you will call them to cooperate with a process that they cannot control - where the outcome is uncertain and faith takes a deeper root than ever before - where they join God even when it doesn't seem to make any sense on the surface of things. If the formulas, legalism, and the rule of law abound, spiritual rhythm looks like compulsive and possessive love. A non possessive love is neither threatening, controlling, nor deceptively manipulative - it's that which draws us and keeps us and that for which we crave more. It's a love that joins the mystery of God's Sovereign Movement that releases our best heart and deepest soul. Praise Him.

Thor Knutstad

Like Them or Like Him?

It seems to me these days that Christians are just too caught up in culture.  

We look and dress - like them.  

We speak - like them.  

We relate - like them.  

We work - like them.  

We use resources - like them.  

We worship the clock - like them.  

We buy and invest - like them.  

We run about aimlessly - like them.  

We exhaust ourselves for nothing - like them.  

We love the wrong things - like them.  

We fear everything - like them.  

We forget we are but flesh - like them.  

We focus on self - like them.  

We crave likes and opinions and comments - like them.  

We live for approval and approve of many sins - like them.  

We don't distinguish between good and evil - like them.  

We ignore the biblical Scriptures, God's useful Word - like them.  

We forget or ignore the Gospel, Good News of hope - like them.  

We refuse to risk for the greater err of caution - like them.  

We grumble and gossip - like them.   

We want our ears tickled - like them.  

We want more in discontent - like them.  

We live deluded and in delusions - like them.  

We live in feelings and wrongly define love - like them.  

We live imperfect lives while demanding perfection.  

We reject real authority - like them.  

We challenge the attribute of God’s Sovereignty and elevate human freedom - like them.  

We demand that things make sense and leave no room for faith - like them.  

We demonize and worship sexuality - like them.  

We ignore the reality of evil and the devil, who is called Satan the Accuser - like them.  

We don't make first things first and secondary things second - like them.  

We pray like we are talking to the restaurant server who will hear us and bring us what's on the menu - like them.  

We refuse wise counsel and forsake godly discernment - like them.  

We create indebtedness with others instead of forgiving many wrongs - like them.  

We are ruled by technology, communications, and QQF (Quality Quantity Faster) - like them.  

We crave deeper friendships, but we don't know how to be a friend - like them.  

We aim for nothing and hit targets we never intended to - like them.  

We want to be known and noticed and seen - like them.  

We want safety and security with freedom - like them.  

We want affirmation and encouragement and "nicely spoken sensitive things" prophesied to us - like them.  

We want God to bless us, but we aren't positioned for blessing - like them.  

We scurry in the stress of daily living and miss real Sabbath rest - like them.  

We want things here on earth to work the way they should, but we forget the future hope of heaven - like them.  

We lead like the world does while ignoring godly leadership models - like them.  

We manipulate circumstances and people and yet say we trust God - like them.  

We exact excessive interest (usury) and tax burdens that make people slaves to things they should not be - like them.  

We tolerate things we should not - like them.  

We trust naively and yet forsake real trust - like them.  

We build things on sand, not on Rock - like them.  

We want pleasures and food and experiences that drive us away from a sad burdened life and misdefine real joy - like them.  

We dishonor our parents - like them.  

We make decisions without real God consideration - like them.  

We believe things that have no real basis of authority - like them.  

We like winning now and miss the point of 'losing now' for greater gain - like them.  

We make idols and images of things that just ought not be, missing the heart of many matters - like them.  

We won't speak the name of Christ Jesus - like them.  We refuse to reject false religions - like them.

We want peace at any cost, and the price to pay is a deeper, hotter hell - like them.  

We act surprised that the enemy is in our camp when our walls were not shored up - like them.  

We reject missions impossible because the LORD isn't built into the impossible equation - like them.  

We forget what God has called us to and trade it for a lesser, unbiblical vision - like them.  

We lower shields of faith and expect flaming missiles not to hit vitals - like them.  

We refuse to deal with sin, and that little yeast works though the whole dough - like them.  

We walk in pride and forget that the LORD is able to humble any man - like them.  

We refuse hope in patient endurance, and demand that today be reconciled without seeing eternal life - like them.  

We ignore the very Word(s) of the Living God and wonder why it doesn't seem like He has much else to say - like them.  

Be not like them brothers and sisters.  For you are not like them.  

This is not a treatise on rules or legalism.  It's simply a reminder of what we look like - to them.  Oh that we would reflect the Savior and emanate His Life, His Love, and His Way.  And that others ("them") would join with us as followers of Christ. And oh that we would reflect His image to a dying world void of resurrection and that we would not be ashamed of Him, our Jesus.  For when we are distinctly but imperfectly sanctified, the world takes notice.  They see first things, real vertical trust, and the Gospel.  What do they hear?  What do they see on display?  Be (and become more) like Him.  It's the Gospel on display.  And it's the only way.

-Thor Knutstad

The Seen Savior

When we read about the birth of Christ in Luke chapter 2, we are quickly drawn to this particular verse: "Today, in the town of David, a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord."  This is where the Savior was announced.  This is where the prophecies of the Old Testament came true.  This was the news of all history.  It is of particular interest to note that the man of God, Simeon, states with utter confidence eight days later in Luke 2:30, "For my eyes have seen your salvation."  Simeon knew he was looking at the Savior.

This Jesus, whom we call Messiah (the Christ, which literally means 'the anointed one') is the Seen Salvation.  God prepared this for the sight of all people.  It is a Seen Salvation.  He is a Seen Savior, which is a light for Gentiles and for the glory of Israel.  So, the invisible God becomes a visible God-Man - Seen.  He is a Seen Savior who provides a Seen Salvation.  His foretelling in prophecy - Fulfilled and Seen.  His birth - Seen.  His identity confirmed by angels and shepherds and kings - Seen.  His life - Seen.  His ministry of truth and miracles - Seen.  His sacrificial death - Seen.  His resurrection power over death - Seen.  His ascension - Seen.  His glorious return - Imminent.  Soon.  To be seen.  This is our Seen Joy.  Praise Him our Wonderful Savior whom is Christ the LORD!  May we help others to SEE Him in us and through us.

Blessings for Christmas, my LFAC friends!
Thor Knutstad

Prayer of Praise for Thanksgiving

"Father, You are the one to be praised and thanked.  We extol You and lift You up in Your virtuous and magnificent glory.  You are God.  You are the LORD.  You are the great 'I AM.'  You have harnessed the forces of nature through time and space to give us the blessed Gospel - Your beloved and precious Son, the incarnate God-Man, the Lamb, this crucified-for-sin Savior, the resurrected living LORD, the King of all earthly and heavenly thrones - an Almighty Redeemer God who will return like a lion to defeat His enemies and lay claim over His own.  You have given us one Shepherd as the Head - who knows every sheep in His pasture - you Messiah.  O LORD make us the sheep of your green pastures and protect us from ravenous wolves - and from the lone wolf of that dark pack who would seek to devour us.  Help us to follow Your one voice Jesus, whether you tenderly call us or urge us with rodlike warning.  Our gratefulness is so weak for your sustenance and protection, but, someday, we will FULLY declare your triumphant praise with your mighty angels.  We are thankful that this earthly life and earthly tent is not home; but that our real home awaits your forever eternal presence.  So come quickly LORD Jesus.  But while we patiently wait and seek to walk in Your righteousness, Spirit of God please see that contentment and shielded faith will guard our hearts and our minds in You and Your beloved Gospel, Christ Jesus.  Amen."  (In addition, see Psalm 136 for more praises of thanksgiving "His Love Endures Forever").

--May Thanksgiving encompass you all, Thor