Author: davebunnell

Dave Bunnell, American pastor serving in Romania. Walk of Faith: free grace devotionals, Bible teaching, sermon vids, & evangelism

Video Christmas greeting/devotional from Cluj-Napoca, Romania

Here’s the video of my Christmas devotional greeting for the Dec 19 2010 viewing at Dallas Sunday at Five and churches.

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O Noapte Sfanta (O Holy Night in Romanian)

Here’s the video of our singing of the popular Christmas carol O Holy Night in the Romanian language during the worship service at our church in Cluj this morning.

Why Christmas?

About 2010 years ago our Creator made Himself one of us. Do you know what that means for you?
Matthew 1 quoted the prophecy of Christmas: “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and they shall call Him Immanuel, which means God with us.” The baby Jesus was born of a virgin, with no human father, because He was God with us. The same Bible chapter says “She will bear a son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” The name Immanuel tells us Jesus is God. The name Jesus, which means “God saves,” tells us why He came.
He came to save us from our sins, so that He would not have to eternally punish us for them. God is holy, and He must punish every wrong word you’ve ever spoken and every wrong act you’ve ever done. But God loves you, so Jesus came to save you by being punished in your place. Jesus was born and lived a perfect life without sin. Then He was sacrificed on the cross to save you from your sins. He took all of the punishment you deserve, and died in your place. Three days later, He was raised to life again. He still lives today, and saves everyone who believes and calls upon Him for salvation.
You can receive the Christmas gift of God’s forgiveness and eternal life today. Just speak to Jesus from your heart, believing He died for you and rose again. Confess your sinfulness to Him, admitting that you deserve punishment. Tell Him you believe He died in your place to give you eternal life in heaven. And ask Him to save you and cleanse you from all unrighteousness, just as He promised. If you believe these things and trust Christ to save you, He will. That’s why God came to us. And that’s why Christmas is something for you to celebrate.

The above article is the text of a new Christmas gospel tract I wrote for our church to distribute (in Romanian) this year. Please pray for the Lord to use it and bring the message of the gospel to prepared hearts.

Heaven’s Gate Closed to Smokers? Crazy but popular false teaching

Should we replace the cross with this as a symbol of our faith?

This evening I was shown a publication from yet another religious group in Romania that asserted that someone could not be a Christian “if there is a cigarette in his mouth.”
That anyone would assert stopping smoking is a condition of salvation is too sad for words. (The same teachers don’t even say stopping real sins will save you. I’ve never heard them say, stop sleeping with people you’re not married to and you’ll be saved. It’s always smoking with these guys.) The teaching that stopping smoking makes you a true follower of Christ isn’t anything like the gospel. It isn’t even a distant relative of the gospel message. It’s “another gospel which is really not another.” It is blatantly contrary to the gospel message. And while someone’s smoking habit won’t make me question his salvation, I certainly do doubt that these teachers are saved.
What’s worse is that this crazy false teaching is most prevalent in churches of the Baptist/Pentecostal/Evangelical persuasion–the people who are supposed to be preaching the gospel of salvation through faith in Christ, not through works. And the good work they require for recognition as a believer isn’t really even an issue of sin and righteousness to begin with. And they do make it the test of being a believer. Dozens of churches will not baptize a smoker or let a smoker become a member of the church. Someone’s smoking or not is often the ONLY arbiter of whether they are to be baptized.
I’m not promoting smoking. I have never smoked and I find it quite unpleasant to be surrounded by people who are smoking in the air I want to breathe. But the fact that “quitting smoking is necessary for being born again” is a false teaching should go without saying. Unfortunately, as a pastor I find myself having to say it to someone almost every week. And many of them don’t believe me.

Pictures from Michael W. Smith Concert in Romania

We were blessed with front row seats at a worship concert in Brasov, Romania, with Michael W. Smith Friday evening. Here are a few snapshots of the view we had from my facebook page. Highlights of the concert for me were Above All, Agnus Dei, Mighty to Save, Awesome God, Here I am to worship, and Save me from myself.

God is better

The reason we will be so abundantly blessed and filled with joy in eternity in heaven is because our whole existence will be centered around worship of Christ and enjoying His presence. The more we can allow our lives on earth to be like that, the more enjoyment of life we will have.
Problem is, we get so bogged down by other things that we think will be equally or more satisfying than fellowship with God. The biggest lesson I have learned in my own spiritual walk this year is how important in the fight against temptation to sin in our actions or our thought life is our realization that God is better. Fellowship with God really is better than wealth. It really is better than health. It really is better than comfort. It really is better than success. It really is better than others’ acceptance or honor. It really is better than the best foods, the most comfortable home, the most fun and exciting vacations, the most fulfilling jobs. It is better than being in charge. It is better than being talented or respected. Fellowship with God really is better than relief from pain and stress.
Fellowship with God is better than feeling good. It is better than satisfaction of sexual or other cravings. It is better than the joys we will receive, or believe we will receive, from taking any action of rebellion against Him or independence of Him.
Anything we do that decreases the closeness of our fellowship with God ultimately makes us less happy.
Because God is better.
Better than anything.
Better than everything.
Constantly reminding myself of that fact for the past month has actually made me more holy in my thoughts, words, and actions. The depths of my heart and mind are being transformed more into the likeness of Himself.
Because when I remember this truth, sin just isn’t nearly as tempting anymore.
God is better.
Glory to His Name!