Lance Armstrong Is A Liar

“All liars will have their part in the lake of fire.”

“Thou shall not lie.” --- God


Lance Armstrong cheated and then lied about it.

I used to be a huge Lance fan. His story (which turned out to be a lie) was so compelling. An elite athlete…sidelined by cancer…fought and beat cancer…came back and won a record 7 times. Winning the Tour de France is an incredible athletic accomplishment. Winning it 7 times is historic. Coming back from cancer and winning 7 times is legendary. Now, it is all a lie.

What makes the story worse is that for years Armstrong was accused and denied the accusations with incredible consistency and vehemence. He sued people who accused him of doping. He was ruthless to those who said he was taking peds. He publicly denied that he used steroids over and over and over again. Now, in an interview with Oprah, he has admitted the lie publicly.

Lance Armstrong is a cheater, a deceiver and a LIAR. Lying is a sin against God. Lying is serious to the Lord. The Bible says that all liars deserve to be thrown into the waves of fire that make up the place called hell.

I am glad I am not Lance Armstrong. You probably are too.

I have never lied about taking performance-enhancing drugs in order to win the Tour de France. You probably haven’t either. But, but, but, but….I HAVE LIED…about other things.

The sad truth is that I haven’t just told one lie in my life, I’ve told more than one. And you know, YOU KNOW, that you have lied too. Hasn’t everyone? Do you think there is one person on this planet that has never told even one lie? No way! We have all told lies. The fact that everyone has told lies does not lessen the offense to the Lord. If everyone were a murderer it wouldn’t make murder less serious. The same is true with our lies.

Let’s try and quantify our lying for just a moment. If we were to estimate the number of lies we have told, would it be: in the hundreds or thousands? It’s hard to truly remember them all, but they are numerous…aren’t they?

So, what do we call someone who has told numerous lies? A human being. Of course, but more specifically someone who tells multiple lies is a LIAR. We don’t just tell lies we are liars. Those who commit sins are sinners.

This is a direct violation against the law of a Holy God. He is infinite in His Holiness, Righteousness and Justice. That means that even the little white lie is cosmic treason and rebellion against a Holy God. When we break His law we deserve the just punishment for our crime.

The Bible says that the punishment for our sin is certain and eternal death. (Romans 6:23) The Bible says that “all liars will have their part in the lake of fire (hell).” (Revelation 21:8)

If God gave us liars what we deserve it would be the punishment of an eternity in hell. That is what we deserve.

Well, maybe we can make up for our lies. Maybe Lance Armstrong can do enough good deeds to pay for his lies. He has, after all, done some incredible good. The Livestrong Foundation has done some great work in battling cancer. Lance should be applauded for his charity and philanthropic works. But, does his good deeds absolve him of his status as a liar? Not with God.

Think of it like this: if a murder comes to the judge and says, “Judge, I know I murdered by I have done all of these good things, and I promise that I will do even more good things in the future…can’t you let me go free because of my goodness?” No good Judge can let a murderer go free of his crime.

God is a just and righteous Judge. He cannot let sin go unpunished.

Uh oh! We are lying sinners and deserve the punishment of God, and there is nothing we can do about it. That is the truth. But, God is also amazing in Love. He loves sinners so much that He has done something for us that we could not do for our self. God has a solution to the problem of our sin, something only God could accomplish.

Sin had to be punished and paid for. We could never pay it to satisfy the demands of justice. Jesus could and did. Jesus, the sinless Son of God, came to pay for our crimes. He did this because He loves you and to satisfy the demands of justice.

It’s like this; suppose there is someone guilty of a crime. They are before the judge and the just penalty is 1 trillion dollars. The guilty man has no money; there is no way he can pay the fine for his crime. The Judge cannot and will not let the man go without the fine being paid. Then a stranger comes into the court. He walks up the judge. He has the full amount that he earned through his own hard work. He pays the judge the full amount for the crime of the guilty. The judge accepts the payment and offers freedom to the guilty.

When Jesus died on the cross He was paying for our crimes of sin against God. He paid, with His life’s blood, for our sin against a Holy God. He took what we deserved. And He rose from the dead on the third day. He lives. And because of Jesus, the demands of justice have been met and God extends the love of His grace towards sinners. It is His free gift of forgiveness that He offers to us.

What do sinning liars have to do? Simply receive the free gift that Jesus purchased on the cross. The Bible says the way we receive the gift of forgiveness, salvation, and eternal life is by repentance and faith. (Ephesians 2:8-9; Acts 3:19)

Repent means to turn. Turn from yourself and your sin and turn TO Jesus Christ.

Believe means to entrust your entire life into the hands of Jesus. You give Him complete control of you. Faith is not just going to church or assenting to certain facts. True faith is giving everything you are over to Jesus to be the LORD and BOSS of your life.

This is the only hope for Lance Armstrong. It is the only hope for all of us liars.

Please consider this and turn to Christ in repentance and faith today.


If you have never done this and would like to, one way you can express your desire to repent and believe is to say a prayer like this:
Dear God,
I admit to you that I am a sinner. I am guilty of sin and deserve Your punishment. I realize that Jesus died for my sin on the cross and that He rose from the dead. I desire to turn from my sin and trust you as my Lord and Savior. I want to give my life over to You today. Thank you for saving me, forgiving me, and coming to live in me. Thank you for the promise of heaven.
I ask this in Jesus’ name,
Amen


(if you have just done this, please let me know)

How To Treat Gay People

This one should be real easy. This isn't a difficult topic when it comes to scripture. The way a Christian should relate to and treat someone who is homosexual isn't that difficult to understand. Unfortunately, way too many "Christians" have acted in the exact opposite way the scriptures clearly mandate. Maybe they aren't real Christians? They clearly aren't following Christ's example.

Jesus never condoned sin. He pointed it out in people's lives and called them to turn away from their sin. He was also loving. And there it is. It's that simple to understand.

There is no biblical justification for a supposed Christian to hate or mistreat anyone, including someone who is homosexual. Calling a homosexual derogatory names, teasing them, or physically assaulting them is a sin. But, it goes beyond that. It is also a sin to ignore and avoid someone because you don't like their sin.

Some people make the claim that to even call homosexuality a sin is hateful. But, that does not have to be the case. Jesus never shied away from pointing out sin. As followers of what the Bible teaches, a Christ follower should not shy away from the scriptural truth that lying is a sin, that adultery is a sin, that pornography is a sin, that greed is a sin, that gluttony is a sin, and that homosexuality is a sin. But, our goal is not just to point out sin, it is to lead sinners to the grace of God. We are sinners too. I may not have the sin of homosexuality, but that doesn't mean I am free of sin. I am no better than anyone else. Just because I don't have your particular list of sins, doesn't meant that I don't have my own list of sins. Sinners need know two things: that they are sinners, and that their is a Savior.

People who struggle with homosexuality need Christ. If we have Christ we need to lovingly share the gospel with them. That is the teaching and model we have in scripture.

Needing a Savior

All human beings enter the world as sinners and condemned because they are sons and daughters of Adam (Rom. 5:12-19). Sin blinds human beings to their own wickedness and tricks people into thinking that they are righteous. Sin is not merely a matter of peccadilloes or mistakes. Human beings are fiercely rebellious and stubborn, which is captured in the metaphor of being stiff-necked. The sin of human beings is manifested supremely in the crucifixion of Jesus of Nazareth. All enter into the world spiritually dead toward God and heading toward physical death and judgment. By nature, humans are children of wrath and rotten trees. From birth, they are under the dominion of the old age of the flesh instead of the new age of the Spirit. They are a brood of vipers instead of children of God.

The power and depth of sin function as the backdrop to God's saving promises, for such promises represent astonishing good news, given the devastation that sin inflicts on human beings. With the coming of Jesus Christ, the era of salvation and deliverance has dawned; with the death and resurrection of Jesus, the tyranny of sin and death has ended."

A quote from Magnifying God in Christ by Dr. Thomas Schreiner, page 172.

Tiger's Post Modern Trouble

Why did Tiger feel compelled to make a confession and apology?

Our culture is one of post modernity. Post modern thought is hard to define, but it seems to be dominated by relativism. Everything is relative. Nothing is certain. There is no truth. There is no objective morality. What is right for you, is right for you, and need not be right for everyone else.

One of the areas of society that has been attacked by post modern thought has been the institution of marriage. All kinds of groups have brought attacks upon the traditional idea of marriage. These attacks are not just about gay marriage. Open marriage, delayed marriage, and even serial promiscuity seem to be no problem anymore. If it feels good, do it. If it is good for you, then it can't be wrong.

So, why did Tiger withdraw from golf, go to rehab, and make an apology? Seriously, did he do anything wrong? Infidelity is not illegal. Yes, he may have broke some minor law by paying for prostitutes, but many think that prostitution should be legal anyway. So he is a serial adulterer, that is not so wrong is it?

Apparently there is something very wrong with what Tiger did. He knew it. If he didn't think it was wrong in his conscience he wouldn't have tried to hide it for so long. I have heard some people say that Tiger's infidelity is not a big deal because there are many other guys on the PGA tour who do the same thing. But, they all keep it secret. They all try to hide it just like Tiger tried. Because they know intuitively that it is wrong. Their shame in hiding their behavior is evidence that somewhere inside they know what they are doing is wrong.

There are exceptions, there always is. Some people are so depraved that they openly engage in all kinds of promiscuity and infidelity with no remorse. But, the norm is that a promiscuous life is not a virtue. Adultery is not viewed as a positive character trait.

The post modern person can try as hard as they want to live a carefree life of relativity. But, for most, it is a losing battle against their God given conscience. Furthermore, it just doesn't work, and they know it.

Romans 2:14-16
For when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law. They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them on that day when, according to my gospel, God judges the secrets of men by Christ Jesus.

Tiger Trouble

I have been a long time fan of Tiger Woods. He is an amazing competitor and arguably the best golfer ever.

He is also an adulterer. What started out as tabloid fodder has turned into a fact corroborated by Tiger's admission of "transgressions" today. Tabloids are just that, and not the banner for journalistic integrity, but Tiger's confession confirms the truth of his adultery.

Here are some stats about Tiger.

Forbes lists Tiger as the first Billion dollar athlete.
Last year he won over 10.5 million dollars on the PGA Tour alone.
He has won 71 PGA events and 14 Majors.
He is 33 years old.
He has been married for 5 years.
He has two children.
He is an adulterer.

"“You shall not commit adultery." (Exodus 20:14, ESV)

"He who commits adultery lacks sense; he who does it destroys himself." (Proverbs 6:32, ESV)

" “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart." (Matthew 5:27-28, ESV)

Tiger is not, as has never been, the paragon of virtue and morality. Why should he be? He has everything!

I know what Tiger needs. He doesn't need me to cast stones. Measured by God's standards I am a sinner too. So is everyone else. What I needed, is the same thing Tiger needs. A Savior.

What Tiger needs is to repent and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus is more valuable than billions of dollars and you can't win Him in a golf tournament. By repenting and trusting in Him as Lord, your sins can be forgiven and your soul spared. That is priceless!

I pray for Tiger's salvation.

Strange Fire

" Now Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, each took his censer and put fire in it and laid incense on it and offered unauthorized fire before the Lord, which he had not commanded them. And fire came out from before the Lord and consumed them, and they died before the Lord." (Leviticus 10:1-2, ESV)


Last week I preached on this chapter from Leviticus. These words of scripture continued to follow me around all week long.

Nadab and Abihu offered strange, unauthorized fire before the Lord. They falsly assumed that they could do things their own way. They rebelled against the clear commands of God and paid a price.

In my studies I came across a message by Rev. Henry Law. The title of his work is The Gospel in Leviticus. Let me leave you a quote to chew on from Rev. Law.

Reader, now view your censer; now say, what are its contents. Surely you hold some 'offering' in your hands. Surely some confidence keeps conscience still. What is it? God has sent forth His Son—the only way—the only truth—the only life—the only ransom-price—the one atonement, for all sin. Is He the rock, on which you rest? Is He the center of your hopes? Is He the one foundation of your trust? Is He your only argument for mercy? One sun illuminates the world. One ark delivered from the flood. One Joseph fed in times of famine. One brazen-serpent healed the poison's sting. One fire came down for tabernacle-use. One Savior saves the saved. One Christ is first and last to merit life. God sends, anoints, accepts, proclaims Him. If you plead Him in real faith, you cannot fail. To grasp another savior, is to grasp a straw.

Some Nadabs and Abihus come with streaming eyes. Sin has brought loss. Some worldly prospect has been crushed. Thus Esau weeps. Conscience sometimes is quick to see the misery of guilt. Saul's flowing tears own this. So, also, the Gospel's melody will often melt a heart. It falls, as tender dew upon a moistening soil. Feelings relax, as ice beneath the sun. In these relaxing moments, Satan whispers, 'there is merit here.' The mourning spirit fondly hopes, that 'mourning' can buy peace with God. The tearful eye sees virtue in its drops. Thus signs of penitence are offered, as a ransom-price. Doubtless, no heart loves Christ, which hates not self, and bitterly bewails its grievous state. Doubtless the arms of penitence twine tightly round the cross. But seas of grief cannot wash out soul-stains. Sorrow, when brought as pardon's price, is but strange fire. And all unauthorized fire calls vengeance down.


The class of formalists may not be overlooked. They crowd God's courts. Each attitude—each look—is studied reverence. Their lips drop holiest words. Their hands touch holiest symbols. Their souls seem rapt to heaven on devotion's wing. If services discharged—if rites observed—if outward show were Christ, their cup of safety would be full. But these are only means. In their right place, they are most salutary helps—but decked as saviors—they impose; mislead; destroy. To use them, as meek handmaids of the Lord, is piety's delight; to trust in them, as reconciliation's price, is superstition's blind conceit. Then they become strange fire. These worshipers reject the substance, and repose on signs. But ritual services have in themselves no saving power. Such planks span not the gaping gulf. Such ladders reach not to the throne of God. Their office is to lead to Christ; and witness of His love. They are the channels of His precious grace. But they wash out no sin; they satisfy no wrath; they stay no vengeance; they have no key of heaven; they snatch not from the grasp of Satan; they are no plea for pardon; they hold no title-deeds of glory's kingdom. Christ is Salvation—Christ alone. Such is the work, which God commissioned Him to work. He undertook it. And He gloriously achieved. The mighty truth is ever true, "I have finished the work, which You gave Me to do." They, then, who now present another sacrifice, like Nadab and Abihu sin—like Nadab and Abihu die.

Whiter Than Snow

Psalm 51:7

"Purge me with hyssop and I will be clean, wash me and I will be whiter than snow."

Being from Texas and not familiar with much snow, Colorado was amazing to me. It was like a postcard! Every rooftop was covered with over a foot of snow. There was no bare ground to see, all was covered and with white. It was so vivid and picturesque. It was absolutely beautiful.

I have heard that there are different types of snow. I could actually see some subtle differences. The most obvious was the difference between snow that man had tread upon and the untouched snow. Tracks of any kind, human or otherwise, show up very distinctly. So, the pure stuff, the completely virgin, unadulterated snow was a sight of unique perfection.

This made me ponder on Psalm 51 verse 7. This is David's famous song of confession for his sins in the incident with Bathsheba and Uriah. He confesses his sin, expresses a repentant heart and seeks the mercy and forgiveness of God. It is in this context that David appeals to the cleansing hand of God and states that if God cleanses him then he shall be whiter than snow.

After being surrounded by pure snow, I am not sure that there is anything that can be whiter than snow. This seems impossible. And that is exactly what Psalm 51 is indicating.

My sin is so grievous that no amount of human scrubbing can completely remove all indications of its filth. Sin not only is filthy it stains. The stain of sin cannot be removed by any natural means. It takes a supernatural effort. Indeed, it takes a miracle to cleanse the human heart to the point that it is "whiter than snow."

This is exactly what God has done. Psalm 51 verse 7 alludes to this miracle when it says, "Purge me with hyssop and I will be clean." Hyssop was a plant that the branches of were used ceremonially in temple worship. Specifically the branch of hyssop was dipped in the blood of the sacrifice and then sprinkled for atonement from sin.

It is blood that cleanses us from sin. Not just any blood, but the perfect blood of the spotless Lamb of God. Jesus Christ shed His blood for our sin. He gave His blood so that we can receive the miracle of forgiveness.

This is the forgiveness that cleanses from sin. This is powerful cleansing. It doesn't cover over dirt but removes it completely. It is only through the blood of Jesus that you and I can be "whiter than snow."

Thank You Jesus for your blood. I too confess my sin and ask you to purge me, cleanse me, and make me whiter than snow.