I'm sure you have heard that the more uncomfortable the message (that you get from your pastor or preacher) the more it means that it's a message near and dear to God's heart.
After all, can you think of all the times the sermon covered going out and sharing the Gospel with your family, friends, neighbors, the whole world!!!
I am a bit ashamed to say this but, it occurred to me after a few years that I understood the call to spread the Word, but I had no clue as to how to go about DOING it. This stinks! I mean what the heck do I do? Now some will say that living the life of a Christian is one way of getting that message out there, and I do agree that you should live this way for a lot of reasons, mainly because God wants us to. But there are others ways to go about this.
I found a couple of nice sites that help: Using the Internet to create outreach web sites that can effectively reach non Christians... is one that is cool and I also read a few books on the subject.
But really what is being done to train the youth to do this? I have seen enough to understand that the Church as a whole is trying harder to simply get the kids to hold onto their faith as they approach adulthood to be able to turn out hard-core soldiers for Christ.
Why? Again I think it goes back to that old argument concerning music (and technology.) After all if we are still trying to convince the kids that Christian music is from the Adversary (devil), what hope do we have keeping them interested? Further, if we do embrace more modern forms of worship, are we simply pacifying the congregation with all that is pretty, gluing them to the pews while the world outside is literally dying for the Truth?
All the churches (from Baptist to whatever the last letter denomination is) should be training seed spreaders and soldiers, not pew fodder who are invariably keeping traditions alive over and above the mandates of the bible and are unable and unwilling to do what God calls all believers to do...
18 Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. (NIV: Matthew 28:18-20)
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Friday, January 29, 2010
Recognizing Demon Possession...
Hmmm...
Matthew 4: 23,24.
Ok...I don't recall how many times I watched some show with contributing experts saying that in biblical times (an oxymoron at least), people must have confused epilepsy with demon possession. I began to think this too!
However if you read the above verse, we find that being possessed by demons is separated from epilepsy, other illnesses and disease! Wow...what a snow job! Some experts need to go back to school...
When you think about it, the bible and its contents are always under attack!
This is a short post, but the point is we need to read the bible, then read it again and again, praying that the Holy Spirit will open our minds to the truths that are under attack and preserve our spot in heaven.
Later...
Friday, January 22, 2010
Denominations...
Denominations...there are a lot of them in the Christian community. Each has their own way of looking at the who, what, when and where stuff in the bible and the relationship between God, Jesus and man (and women of course!).
However, have you noticed that the really big churches are non-denominational? Or is it just me?
Well I could be wrong and I don't really feel like doing the research, but the point I am getting at is this: When Jesus did what he did so long ago, he took what was primarily a social function of religion and changed it to a personal function. In doing so, he made it possible for anyone to be saved, not just the Jews. The evidence is in both the growth and power of the early church.
Then something happened that really sucked. The role of the church took on a political feature and became organized to the point that what was making the early church move and shake became drenched in ritual. Of course, for those who may not clearly understand what I am talking about here, I am referring to the Catholic church. Now, I am not going to bash the Church for this, everything happened a long time ago and what's done is done.
I am trying not to digress here, but my point is if we all are guided by the Holy Spirit, and all are believers, what is the point of different denominations? Had we simply accepted variations in our beliefs, yet retained our Christianity as a unifying point, how much stronger would the Body of Christ be. Instead we have people floating from church to church, finally accepting non-denominational churches for whatever reasons.
What I am picking on (sort of) is the fact that we have had a full blown Reformation and failed to bring the church (the BODY of Christ, that is) back to the basics that were so wonderful in the beginning. So that leaves me wondering if we should have a church on every corner, or should we have communities built around a central structure used for all the purposes of the body of believers. These centers could accommodate for worship services, social gatherings, outreach and other activities and services that a community might need.
Now I am getting a little personal here and too bad if you don't like it, but this might eliminate the division of the Body of Christ and at the same time allow for people to follow what God is placing in their hearts instead of dealing with condemnation from fellow believers. However the only way that all this would work is if everyone involved accept that there will be different forms of worship and different levels of contribution to the activities, trusting that the Spirit is moving in all who are involved and leave it at that. But I wonder how well that would actually fly in the face of reality and all those wonderful people out there that must have their drama?
Still it would be nice...
However, have you noticed that the really big churches are non-denominational? Or is it just me?
Well I could be wrong and I don't really feel like doing the research, but the point I am getting at is this: When Jesus did what he did so long ago, he took what was primarily a social function of religion and changed it to a personal function. In doing so, he made it possible for anyone to be saved, not just the Jews. The evidence is in both the growth and power of the early church.
Then something happened that really sucked. The role of the church took on a political feature and became organized to the point that what was making the early church move and shake became drenched in ritual. Of course, for those who may not clearly understand what I am talking about here, I am referring to the Catholic church. Now, I am not going to bash the Church for this, everything happened a long time ago and what's done is done.
I am trying not to digress here, but my point is if we all are guided by the Holy Spirit, and all are believers, what is the point of different denominations? Had we simply accepted variations in our beliefs, yet retained our Christianity as a unifying point, how much stronger would the Body of Christ be. Instead we have people floating from church to church, finally accepting non-denominational churches for whatever reasons.
What I am picking on (sort of) is the fact that we have had a full blown Reformation and failed to bring the church (the BODY of Christ, that is) back to the basics that were so wonderful in the beginning. So that leaves me wondering if we should have a church on every corner, or should we have communities built around a central structure used for all the purposes of the body of believers. These centers could accommodate for worship services, social gatherings, outreach and other activities and services that a community might need.
Now I am getting a little personal here and too bad if you don't like it, but this might eliminate the division of the Body of Christ and at the same time allow for people to follow what God is placing in their hearts instead of dealing with condemnation from fellow believers. However the only way that all this would work is if everyone involved accept that there will be different forms of worship and different levels of contribution to the activities, trusting that the Spirit is moving in all who are involved and leave it at that. But I wonder how well that would actually fly in the face of reality and all those wonderful people out there that must have their drama?
Still it would be nice...
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Get over it...
Aside from the fact that there is no biblical mandate for a Sunday Sabbath, what's the big deal? After all, as long as we take one day a week to rest, that is all that God is really trying to do. However, if you really read Hebrews chapter 4, you can see that not only is there still an open discussion in the bible about the Sabbath, but it remains in place for all believers, not just the Jews.
I have read a lot of commentary on this subject, and there are a lot of folks out there that cannot stand the notion that the 7th day established in Genesis is the same day referred to in the big Ten, and is the same day that we are to honor currently, but if you couple all the information together, you still have to deal with the fact that the Catholic church assumes the full responsibility of make a change from the 7th day to the 1st day, and calling it "The Lord's Day". ( Click here for more on THAT...)
Additionally, all of the gospels assume that the Sabbath is in full effect even after Jesus' death and resurrection (Most claims put a general dating is possible and places the book of Hebrews as being written between 60 AD and 100 AD. This is some 30 to 60 years after Jesus' death and resurrection.) Finally, there is no biblical accounting for a revocation of the 7th day and subsequent assumption of the first day of the week as a "holy" day.
Why is this so hard to understand?
Perhaps the confusion comes in the form of observing the Sabbath, which takes on a different level of meaning when we figure in what Jesus did for the understanding of the Law (Torah). So now it's more personal and the punishment clause is based more on the leading of the Holy Spirit, rather than the determination of Mosaic Law. Still does not support any basis for a change in the actual day to honored. So please, get over it and enjoy the chance to obey a written directive found in the bible.
I have read a lot of commentary on this subject, and there are a lot of folks out there that cannot stand the notion that the 7th day established in Genesis is the same day referred to in the big Ten, and is the same day that we are to honor currently, but if you couple all the information together, you still have to deal with the fact that the Catholic church assumes the full responsibility of make a change from the 7th day to the 1st day, and calling it "The Lord's Day". ( Click here for more on THAT...)
Additionally, all of the gospels assume that the Sabbath is in full effect even after Jesus' death and resurrection (Most claims put a general dating is possible and places the book of Hebrews as being written between 60 AD and 100 AD. This is some 30 to 60 years after Jesus' death and resurrection.) Finally, there is no biblical accounting for a revocation of the 7th day and subsequent assumption of the first day of the week as a "holy" day.
Why is this so hard to understand?
Perhaps the confusion comes in the form of observing the Sabbath, which takes on a different level of meaning when we figure in what Jesus did for the understanding of the Law (Torah). So now it's more personal and the punishment clause is based more on the leading of the Holy Spirit, rather than the determination of Mosaic Law. Still does not support any basis for a change in the actual day to honored. So please, get over it and enjoy the chance to obey a written directive found in the bible.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)