Thoughts – Page 3 – Benjamin Hoogterp

Matthew 13 – The Parables of the Kingdom

On January 30, 2014

The disciple is not above his master: but every one that is perfect shall be as his master.

Luke 6:40

For the casual observer, the parables of Matthew 13 seem fairly straight-forward. The Kingdom of Heaven is compared with several pictures from every day life, such as planting seeds, leavening bread, finding a good deal, and fishing. Indeed, to a child, these parables would seem, nearly, to be the simplest explanation of how the Kingdom of Heaven operated, and yet, there yet exists a body of thought that disagrees. In discussing this difference with a friend of mine, his response was straight-forward: You need to go to Seminary to learn things like that. It wasn’t flattering of Seminaries, either.

The problem presented with the parables are precisely what are mentioned on both studies of these issues. Are the things that Jesus is describing about the Kingdom good things, or are they bad? What is the scope? And, how could a thing such leaven be described as good?
Examination of these things, however, must be in the light of Luke 6:40, above. Jesus said, in Matthew 12:28, “But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you.”. To Jesus, the presence of the Kingdom (not the Kingdom itself, mind you) was proved by his mighty works. The Kingdom of Heaven, in all the cases Jesus talked about, was a good thing.

Blessed Are The Meek

By Benjamin

On December 5, 2013

In Thoughts

Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.

Matthew 5:5

Jesus was the Word made flesh, the very image of the invisible God. Yet, He became one as of no reputation, and walked among His own creation, as one of them.

For the believer, we have the righteousness of Christ. We are set apart, holy, and sanctified, given a new nature at regeneration when we believe and are born again. So much so that Paul states we are a new creature (2 Corinthians 5:17).

How to Biblically Confront the Current False Grace Heresies

By Benjamin

On November 29, 2013

In Reference, Thoughts

Update (5/9/2014):

We have recently put together a short book available on Amazon related to confronting the hyper-grace issues in the church today, as summarized here. In this new 200+ page book, we cover topics such as the “Words in Red”, many of the false-grace heresies in circulation today, including inclusion, as well as solid Scriptural support for the truth.

Additionally, because there is a great interest in this topic, and the subject is urgent in many people’s lives, if you cannot purchase one or have any other reason, we have made the entire contents of the book available via PDF online as well.

If you would like more information, please click here .

Additionally, feel free to check out our other articles on the topic of Hyper-Grace.

The best way to debate anything is the Word. The Word is sufficient. The Word is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword. Anything you need to defend or define must have as its ultimate authority to be God, through His Word, or it will always end in the shifting sands of opinion.

However, when it comes to certain groups, because their doctrine is so far beleaguered and strays so far from the truth of the Word, because its source is still rather narrow, whenever you debate with them, they more or less follow the same basic script. That’s right. They don’t rely on the full counsel of the Word, they use a few texts, here or there, pulled and shifted out well beyond reason, and, if you know where they’re trying to go, you stay out of their predictable traps.

The HyperGrace Assessment

By Benjamin

On August 3, 2013

In Prophetic, Thoughts

But when grace is shown to the wicked, they do not learn righteousness; even in a land of uprightness they go on doing evil and do not regard the majesty of the Lord.

Lord, your hand is lifted high, but they do not see it. Let them see your zeal for your people and be put to shame; let the fire reserved for your enemies consume them.

Isaiah 26:10-11

There is today that which is called a new Grace movement in the church. It is nothing new, it is simply the same lies and deception that have been in the church, in varying forms for the history of the church. People say there is no more need for repentance, there is no judgment in light of the cross, or, even, that the fear of the Lord is not for today. Well, it is.

But, while some of these may be honestly working out their salvation while in the midst of error, others have no issues regarding their unrighteousness before God, and, concerning perfecting holiness out of reverence for God, they scorn and disdain, calling it “religious”. But, the particular errors are not grouped by happenstance.

Prayer At Its Best

By Benjamin

On May 21, 2013

In Thoughts

When Daniel Nash Prayed, Heaven responded. Charles Finney, whom Father Nash labored with, was quoted as saying that revival was like a crop of wheat–what was sown in prayer was reaped in harvest. Yet, it is not accident that within a few months after Daniel Nash died, Finney put up his regular preaching, because the power was no longer there. The power, and Charles Finney knew it, was in the prayer.

Daniel Nash was recorded to have rented out a root cellar one time, and prayed and fasted there for two weeks before breakthrough came, and word was sent to Finney. He knew when the right level of overcoming had been acheived, and, when it had, Finney preached, the Spirit fell, and many souls were saved.

One Thing

By Benjamin

On April 26, 2013

In Thoughts

When Jesus heard this, He said to him, “One thing you still lack; sell all that you possess and distribute it to the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.”

Luke 18:22

King David wrote in Psalm 27:4 that he asked only one thing from God. This simple prayer, the foundation of the current 24/7 prayer movement, is central if we are to capture God in this generation. The simplicity, the focus, the potential. There is no lack to those who seek Him.

Yet, in the same right, to the man who had “too much” for his own good, as this passage describes, Jesus was bold and direct. The man wanted to be perfect, and Jesus, not trying to soften or work the man into agreement, told him His requirements. The man went away sad when Jesus said only One Thing was lacking. What did this poor man lack? Real treasure.

The Errors of Hyper-Grace

By Benjamin

On March 15, 2013

In Thoughts

Hyper-Grace today is rapidly becoming a growing movement in the church today. The errors range from claims that we no longer need repentance once were saved, to God doesn’t judge anymore (either until the judgment seat, or, for some, ever), to some going as far as saying that all men are already saved and that Jesus’ sacrifice alone was sufficient, apart from believing in Him. Not all go this far, but there is a growing trend in many that see as positive any push towards this edge, in fact, any new teaching undermining traditional Christianity, while still applying the label, as fact.

The departure from mainline theology is not only plain, it often is the very thing that is celebrated. Rebellion against the form, resistance to any kind of tradition, and aversion to being lumped in with what is deemed undesirable, controlling, or legalistic are often the motivating factors behind many in these movements.

The efforts often come on the tail end of many good moves of God. Many good moves have come out, dismantling godless structures, unveiling the litany of “dead works” in the church, any which do not originate from faith, and dismantling the system of institutionalism that has crept over the church. Slave labor has been rooted out, joy and love and peace are making their way back into the church, and many people who were just in need of touching God have been renewed to their first love. To their credit, they faced great persecution at the hands of those who simply wanted to see the system of man stay in perpetuity.

The Road Ahead

By Benjamin

On January 26, 2013

In Thoughts

Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.

Matthew 7:13-14

What many think of as “life” is not life at all. Jesus said He was the way, the truth, and the life, and no one came to the Father but by Him (John 14:6). Jesus is The Life, and there is no other.

When we consider the many things in this world, from the eyes of Christ, we must conclude that since it is not contained within Him, it is not life at all. This is, in fact the truth, because without Christ, all are dead in their trespasses and sin. Theologically, we may even agree with this fact, but the truth remains that it is as true as salvation itself. What walks around before us are literally tombs filled with dead men’s bones.

Jesus replied, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.

John 12:23-26

In The Beginning

By Benjamin

On November 25, 2012

In Thoughts

In the beginning, man walked with God, and God walked with man. There was no separation. Union and harmony existed between the two, though they were distinct. Sin came and changed all that, but that is what getting back to union is all about.

And to Seth, to him also there was born a son; and he called his name Enos: then began men to call upon the name of the LORD.

Genesis 4:26

So, in the beginning, prayer not, as we understand today, part of the package. Man began to call upon the Lord after the time of Adam, after the fall, and after the time of Abel’s more righteous sacrifice.

Beyond Tomorrow

By Benjamin

On August 1, 2012

In Thoughts

Indeed, to them you are nothing more than one who sings love songs with a beautiful voice and plays an instrument well;

Ezekiel 33:32a NIV

The hand of the Lord is raising up a prayer army across the nation. As the psalmist wrote, “Praise be to the LORD my Rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle.” (Psalm 144:1). Warriors, champions, and men and women of renown are being raised up all across the planet, preparing for a great showdown in this day and age.

Standing In His Presence

Category: Thoughts Page 3 of 4

Matthew 13 – The Parables of the Kingdom

Blessed Are The Meek

How to Biblically Confront the Current False Grace Heresies

Update (5/9/2014):

The HyperGrace Assessment

Prayer At Its Best

One Thing

The Errors of Hyper-Grace

The Road Ahead

In The Beginning

Beyond Tomorrow