A Moment in Time

Mark Spencer

Description

A biblically based understanding of eternal life, eternal security, and eternal rewards has a dynamic impact on a our ability to practically fulfill the Great Commission in our moment in time.

A Moment in Time will encourage believers to entertain principles of grace-based theology and, after careful consideration, embrace them. When we’re convinced of the gracious simplicity in acquiring the free gift of eternal life, it impacts how we share our faith. When we’re confident this free gift can’t be lost, it calms us down. When we’re certain Christ will repay and recompense us for what we do with this free gift, we’re motivated to “be holy” as He is holy. In looking at the biblical text, Christians will be reminded that justification is provided at no cost to them. They’ll see there’s room for failure in the Christian life. But they’ll also learn where there’s great grace, there’s great accountability--and great reward.

It is wonderful to see this fresh look at many of the grace issues at a popular level. Mark Spencer has given us an insightful look into the implications of grace in the task of evangelism and discipleship. Recommended reading!!

--Dr. Joseph Dillow

Mark Spencer has the wonderful ability to communicate deep biblical truths in an interesting and straightforward way. The reader will find a clear articulation of the grace message and convincing arguments against those who have corrupted it. I am glad to see this comprehensive and persuasive presentation of the gospel of grace and its implications. It will serve us well as we seek to share this message with the world.

--Dr. Charlie Bing

This is a book that needs to be taken seriously as a helpful guide to developing a strategic plan to be servants of Christ in our areas of influence. As Mark said, his last 25 years as a police officer went by overnight - so how fast will the years fly by in our lives? We all have a mission and an obligation to be useful to the Master.

--Dr. John South

Sujets

• Biblical Studies
• Philosophie et théologie
• Arquitectura Pasiva y de Baja Energía
• Reward
• Security
• Religion
• Crime
• Union
• Police
• Sanctification
• Justification
• Phoenix
• Immigration
• Arizona

Informations

• Publié par: WestBow Press
• Date de parution: 22 mai 2012
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9781449748487
• Langue: English
• Poids de l'ouvrage: 1 Mo

Extrait

A Moment In Time
 
Issues That Enhance Spiritual Multiplication
 
 
 
 
 
 
MARK SPENCER
 
 
 
 

 
Copyright © 2012, 2014 by Mark Spencer.
 
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.
 
Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.
 
 
 
 
WestBow Press
A Division of Thomas Nelson & Zondervan
1663 Liberty Drive
Bloomington, IN 47403
www.westbowpress.com
844-714-3454
 
Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.
 
Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.
 
Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.
 
 
ISBN: 978-1-4497-4846-3 (hc)
ISBN: 978-1-4497-4847-0 (sc)
ISBN: 978-1-4497-4848-7 (e)
 
Library of Congress Control Number: 2012907313
 
 
WestBow Press rev. date: 03/08/2023
Contents
FOREWORD
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
INTRODUCTION
SECTION 1: ISSUES IN EVANGELISM
CHAPTER 1
THE BIBLICAL MESSAGE IS RIGHT
CHAPTER 2
THE GOAL IS ETERNAL LIFE
CHAPTER 3
CHANGE YOUR MIND ABOUT REPENTANCE AND FORGIVING
CHAPTER 4
USE BIBLICAL TERMS
CHAPTER 5
THE METHOD IS TO PERSUADE
CHAPTER 6
EVANGELISM IS A SPIRITUAL ISSUE
CHAPTER 7
TIME TO EVALUATE
CHAPTER 8
EVANGELISM BY THE NUMBERS
SECTION 2: ISSUES OF ASSURANCE
CHAPTER 9
ETERNAL SECURITY IS A BIBLICAL FACT
CHAPTER 10
GATES, WOLVES, & MERE MEN
CHAPTER 11
MORE SHEEP, COINS & PRODIGALS
CHAPTER 12
RESIDENTS & CITIZENS, CHRISTIANS & DISCIPLES
CHAPTER 13
JUST BECAUSE IT CAN’T BE SEEN DOESN’T MEAN IT’S NOT REAL
CHAPTER 14
FAILURE IS AN OPTION
CHAPTER 15
HE REMAINS FAITHFUL
CHAPTER 16
WHY DOES THE BIBLE COMMAND OBEDIENCE AND GOOD WORKS?
CHAPTER 17
ASK THE QUESTION
SECTION 3: ISSUES OF REWARDS
CHAPTER 18
CONTEXT & REWARDS
CHAPTER 19
WAGES FOR WORK
CHAPTER 20
THE CHRISTIAN AND SIN
CHAPTER 21
THE CHRISTIAN AND ACCOUNTABILITY
CHAPTER 22
REST OR RISK?
CHAPTER 23
COMPANIONS OF CHRIST
CHAPTER 24
I’M NO MERCENARY
CHAPTER 25
PSSSSST. I’VE GOT A SECRET
CHAPTER 26
SONS & CHILDREN, HEIRS & CO-HEIRS
CHAPTER 27
OVERCOMERS
Church of Ephesus
Church of Smyrna
Church of Pergamum
Church of Thyatira
Church of Sardis
Church of Philadelphia
Church of Laodicea
CHAPTER 28
ETERNAL LIFE – GIFT, REWARD, OR BOTH
CHAPTER 29
SUPERSIZERS & MULTIPLIERS
CHAPTER 30
MISCELLANY & REMINDERS
CONCLUSION
CLOSING
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
BIBLIOGRAPHY
RECOMMENDED READING
HEBREW SCRIPTURE INDEX
NEW TESTAMENT INDEX
 
For
Ann Malone
&
Donna Neill
Two of Phoenix’s finest . . .
Foreword
Mention the word “theology” and most people think of dusty libraries and esoteric debates about how many angels can stand on the head of a pin. You might also think that theology is only a topic for evangelists, pastors or professors of theology. But it is unlikely that you would ever think of theology being connected with a “cop.” Although Mark Spencer is a veteran policeman of over twenty-five years, he is also an intentional and effective evangelist, and a good theologian.
This book provides a summative survey of the mandate, method, and motivation for living the Christian life of discipleship and some great cop stories! This book will also provide significant insight and understanding of Free Grace Theology. It is grounded in the exegetical exposition of the biblical text. You may not agree with every interpretation but you will be informed concerning the various options and opinions of interpretation. The book provides an excellent discussion of the biblical text clarifying the distinction between the requirement for gaining eternal life and the rigorous decisions essential for living the Christian life.
Eternal life is exquisitely free and discipleship is extremely costly. In confusing the two there results not only a theological, but also a pastoral and personal catastrophe. Both Calvinism and Arminianism, although using different means, produce similar ends. For the Calvinist, “Christians” who do not grow enough are said to have never been alive. For the Arminian, the Christian who is alive but fails to thrive loses their eternal life. In either case these theological systems result in eternal death.
Free Grace Theology affirms that the Grace of God in justification is an unconditional free gift. The sole means of receiving the free gift of eternal life is faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, whose substitutionary death on the cross fully satisfied the requirement for our justification. Faith is a personal response, apart from our works, whereby we are persuaded that the finished work of Jesus Christ has delivered us from condemnation and guaranteed our eternal life. 1
This is not cheap grace or “easy believism” and it does not result in being guilty to the charge of Antinomianism. Free Grace Theology demands the call to a consecrated life for the Christian. It simply is aware that not all believers will always behave like believers. Although one’s eternal security is forever settled, eternal significance is not certain. Being declared righteous is the final and finished act of God. Being rewarded for a faithful Christian life of service to the Lord is an ongoing process contingent upon continued faithfulness.
Mark Spencer has provided a clear exposition of the text and concise distinction of the theology of grace in both justification by faith and sanctification by faithfulness. Although this will not be the last book on this subject, I believe it is a great place to start.
Fred Chay Ph.D.
President, Free Grace Alliance
Associate Professor of Theological Studies Phoenix Seminary
Acknowledgements
Someone took the time to teach me to walk and talk, to read and write, to dress and drive, to shave and shower. Someone took the time to tell me how to obtain eternal life. Someone took the time to instruct me how to be a parent and a husband. Someone took the time to train me how to make an arrest, how to write a report, how to testify in court, how to drive a police car, how to interview a suspect, how to produce a search warrant, how to shoot a gun, how to identify drugs, how to manage an informant, how to represent officers in the grievance process, how to negotiate contracts, and how to interact with the media – no one is born with these skills. These abilities are learned because someone took the time to teach. I didn’t invent police work or the biblical principles expressed in this book. Scripture is a wonderful reminder of just how brilliant I’m not!
That which has been is that which will be, and that which has been done is that which will be done. So there is nothing new under the sun. Is there anything of which one might say, “See this, it is new”? Already it has existed for ages which were before us. ( Eccl. 1:9,10 )
I know what’s presented in the following pages isn’t new—just easily forgotten and overlooked. Even though the applications and perspectives behind the principles presented might be unique, certainly the principles themselves are not sourced in me. To represent myself as the genesis of this book’s content would be utterly disingenuous. The only thing I mastered in life all by myself was sin. I’m grateful for the scholarship, input, and work of other men who came before me. Like me, these men were students under the tutelage of others before them. I’m compelled to thank God for allowing the influence and thoughts of these men to intersect with my mind and enhance my role in the Great Commission. Even though the following acknowledgements may fall short of thoroughness, the grateful intent behind them is sincere.
Dr. Dave Anderson
Dr. Charlie Bing
Dr. Lewis Sperry Chafer
Dr. Fred Chay
Dr. Joseph Dillow
Dr. Zane Hodges
Dr. T. Kem Oberholtzer
Dr. Earl Radmacher
Dr. Charles Ryrie
Dr. Charles Swindoll
Dr. Don Sunukjian
Dr. Bob Wilkens
Dr. Bill Yarger
The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. ( 2 Tim. 2:2 )
On one hand there’s Calvinism. On the other hand there’s Arminianism. The free-grace position is a third theological system that is held by many believers. The ideas and principles presented in this book are reflective of this system. I would encourage the reader to utilize the included recommended reading section. The writings and studies of others committed to a free-grace theology are great resources in expanding one’s understanding of a grace-based, cohesive, and biblically consistent Christian worldview.
Introduction
You never know how fast you can move until bullets are bouncing all around you. It’s amazing how motivated one can become when a gun is pointed in their di