January 15, 2019 – Click here to listen
So Justin Hoke pastor of Trinity Presbyterian Church located in Weed California has just lost his job because he posted a sign stating that homosexuality is still a sin. The sign read:
“Bruce Jenner is still a man. Homosexuality is still a sin. The culture may change. The Bible does not.”
Photo courtesy of Justin Hoke
Of course, protestors got wind of it and went bonkers and sadly it ended up costing him his job as his congregation sided with the homosexuals. Pastor Hoke posted the following:
As of today, I am no longer the pastor of Trinity Bible Presbyterian Church. After much prayer and counsel, I have decided that it is best to briefly communicate what has taken place.
- I was informed by our other elder that he felt he could no longer follow my lead as Pastor of TBPC.
- I was informed that essentially all but one couple in membership would leave the church if I continued as pastor of TBPC.
- Our other elder and the couple felt that those who left would likely return if I would leave.
- Our other elder was agreeable to stay and assume the pastoral responsibilities.
Therefore, it was determined that it would be in the best interest of the local body for us (TBPC and the Hoke family) to part ways.
According to the pastor he was inspired to create the sign after seeing a news story in which a biological male who identifies as female “threw a fit because a clerk had accidentally referred to him with the masculine gender pronoun.” Hoke said that because “the culture has drawn a line in the sand and dared Christians to step over,” he came to the conclusion that the church should accept the challenge – not with hate, but by simply preaching “the gospel.” In an article published several days ago, he stated, “If we give in to cultural demands to stop calling sin ‘sin,’ then we are robbing people of opportunity to hear the truth.”
Regarding the protesters, Hoke said: “I believe they’re sincere – sincerely wrong, but sincere. I believe that it is hypocritical that their position is taught in schools and pushed on children, while our position is asked to be kept within the walls of the church.” He added that he hopes and believes that “within their midst, there are people whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life, and that the command for all Christians is to preach to them the gospel faithfully, calling them to repentance and faith, that they might be changed by the Holy Spirit and brought into the family of God.”
This mess seems to be about someone trying to kill the messenger because they don’t like the message. I admire Pastor Hoke for preaching the word and standing by it. Galatians 1:10 comes to mind – For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.” Pastor Hoke didn’t author the Bible. If some transgender person or their supporters don’t like what the Bible says about homosexuality, then they should take it up with God not Hoke.
Thomas Jefferson the author of the Declaration of Independence created his own version of the gospel by taking a knife and cutting out the parts he didn’t like from existing copies of the New Testament and then pasting up his own account and beliefs. You can view his adulterated Bible in the Smithsonian.
Today we have people running around trying to cut and paste and rewrite the Bible according to what they want to believe. God did not write His Bible based upon what any society at any given time might think is right or wrong. His laws are His laws and they stand forever, whether we accept them, agree with them, or would have done it differently or not. Many pastors in pulpits today are afraid to preach the Gospel as it is written. They are afraid they will end up like Pastor Hoke and probably would, so they cut and paste from the pulpit and dance around politically correct issues like a skilled ballet star. It is my opinion that those gutless cowards should seek another profession.
The disciples were horrifically persecuted and all but one was martyred in brutal fashion for boldly preaching the Gospel. Modern day Bible critics remind me of those who take a knee and refuse to stand for the flag and national anthem to honor those heroes who died to allow us our freedoms. Our Bible was bought and paid for with the blood of the saints and we should stand up for it . . . Every last word of it.
Rev. 22:19
I testify to everyone who hears the words of prophecy in this book: If anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book. And if anyone takes away from the words of this book of prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book. He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! . . .