So you have begun your new faith. You confessed that you are a sinner in need of God's help. You have decided to turn away from your old life and follow Jesus. So what now?
The very first step as a new Christian is to find a good church in your area to attend to on a regular basis... and this may be a problem, because there are so many to choose from. America is the land of a myriad of choices.
When I lived in the Congo, I travelled hours to a small European store that offered one type of chocolate, one type of soda, one type of any product they had in the store. It was easy to shop because there were no choices. Compare that to the U.S. today. When I got back to the U.S. after living in Africa for 3 years I was overwhelmed by the amount of choices offered to me. There were dozens of choices for every item. No longer one choice of Cola, I was offered scores of brands, flavors, calories or none, etc. and etc.
We in the U.S. are no different when it comes to churches. In fact the common expression for someone looking for a church to go to is "church shopping."
The U.S. has so many churches because so many have come to us from different regions in Europe mixed with our own home grown versions. At one time there was only one Christian church, but it divided and then divided some more. Even though politics, geography, theology and all kinds of other reasons divided the churches into different denominations and groupings, many churches are in agreement about the most important teachings of faith. So when you look for a church to go to there will be quite a few you can choose from.
Before I give you a list of some of the churches that are good, let me forewarn you that every church has its good and bad. In other words, no church is perfect. Churches are made up of people, and where people are there will be friction, problems and so on. But where people gather together there can also be some amazing stuff happening.
Here is a list of some of the churches that I have been good:
Evangelical Covenant
Evangelical Free
Baptist (most kinds)
Assemblies of God
Church of God (most kinds)
Many Lutheran churches
Foursquare
Non Denominational churches
Church of God in Christ
Methodist and Presbyterian churches are struggling with different social issues and may or may not be to your liking
If you like formal churches with ritual involved you may like some Catholic, Episcopalian, or Lutheran churches
When you shop for a church look for what it can offer you, your children, and friends who may want to join you some day.
Make sure that the Bible is preached and taught regularly.
When a company looks for outside products that are going to cost a lot they usually seek out 3 different providers and compare prices and goods. In the end they choose one. That may be a good idea for you. Pray, choose 3 different churches and try them out. When all is said and done, pick one and go to it.
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Monday, May 23, 2011
Step Three - Get Baptised
2.000 years ago when someone wanted to know what to do to become a Christian the answer was very simple: Repent and be baptised (in a past blog I already mentioned that the term "repent" has become an outdated term - I also stated that repentence simply means "to turn around"). To begin a Christian life it is very important to admit that you are in sin, and that you need a change - a turn around, and once you have decided to turn your life around, it is important to be baptised. And at this point... let's look at a brief overview of what baptism is all about.
WHAT IS BAPTISM? AN ANTHROPOLOGICAL / SOCIAL POINT OF VIEW
Briefly, baptism is a rite of passage; a popular ritual filled with symbolism.
From a social / anthropological point of view, it is a rite of passage which like marriages or funerals, marks a change of a person's life situation. Baptism is a rite of passage representing a change from "not a Christian" to "Christian."
Rites of Passage are common to all societies and are designed for a person making a life change. Rites of Passage serve an individual as well as his/her community, helping everybody to adjust to the new state of the individual partaking in the rite, whether its marriage, the ritual designed to mark one's adulthood, or whatever.
Baptism is a rite of passage that is used for you to tell the world that you are making a change; you are becoming a new person.
Further clarification is needed here as Rites of Passage relate to baptism. Some people change from one form of Christianity to another. For example, many Catholics convert to some sort of Protestant form of Christianity. These people oftentimes reject the validity of their first baptism and will get rebaptised. In rare situations you might find somebody who has been rebaptised not only once but several times. In these rare situations the person converts from one form of Christianity to another and then another and possibly some others.
These people who move around constantly have a hard time settling down in life, and usually such moving around should not be encouraged. I would liken it to the person who marries and divorces 3, 4, 5 or even more times. The person is more in love with the idea of marriage than the reality of marriage, or perhaps that person can only handle the romantic part of a relationship and cannot commit when it comes to long term investment.
DIFFERENT FORMS OF BAPTISM
There are several forms of baptism:
Full Immersion - The person is put completely under water.
Sprinkling - The baptiser sprinkles water on the head of the person baptised.
Child Baptism - A child of any age is baptised.
Adult Baptism - Only an adult who can reason is baptised.
Some churches baptise infants expecting them to grow up in the faith. Others insist that only an adult (someone old enough to reason and think on their own) can be baptised. Both forms have been argued from and have been supported by the Bible and Church History.
WHAT IS BAPTISM? A SPIRITUAL / BIBLICAL POINT OF VIEW
There are two theories about what baptism does for us. The first says that the act of baptism imparts grace to the person being baptised. In other words it does something spiritual to the recipient - it creates something mystical and spiritual within the recipient's life.
The second theory states that baptism imparts nothing spiritual or mystical. Baptism is simply a symbolic act designed to help the new believer understand the real transformation taking place in his/her life.
People on both sides believe that Jesus commanded us to be baptised and therefore we should be baptised in obedience to Jesus' command.
WHAT IS THE BIBLICAL MEANING OF BAPTISM?
The Bible presents several metaphors for us in describing baptism. Baptism washes away our sins, gives us new clothes to wear and is symbolic of death, burial and resurrection. The Bible also tells us that because we all share the same baptism, we are all baptized into one group. No matter what church or denomination you belong to, you are joined together with others who have been baptized.
IS THERE A RIGHT FORMULA FOR BAPTISM?
The words said at baptism may vary to some degree, and the form of baptizing may differ. The most important thing about baptism is not the outward act with water, but rather the most important thing about Baptism is what is going on inside of you.
WHEN SHOULD I GET BAPTIZED?
Throughout the history of Christianity there have been at least 2 different thoughts on this. The first is that you should get baptized right away. The New Testament church followed this rule.
The second thought is to wait until there is a certain level of training. John the Baptist told some of his followers that he wanted to see some evidence of spiritual change before he would baptize them. In some of today's churches there is some training involved before one is baptized.
Either way is good, because baptism is not the act that saves you; but rather it is the physically outward and social act that marks the beginning of your new life in Christ. It is therefore good to seek it as soon as possible, whether that includes training or not.
IF I AM NOT BAPTIZED AM I STILL A CHRISTIAN?
Yes, but as a Christian you will want to follow Jesus and what He wants from you.
SCRIPTURE FOR CONSIDERATION
Hebrews 10:22 says, "Let us go right into the presence of God with sincere hearts fully trusting him. For our guilty consciences have been sprinkled with Christ's blood to make us clean, and our bodies have been washed with pure water." The metaphor in this verse is that of washing. It implies the washing away of sins and is symbolically seen in either sprinkling or full emersion.
The second metaphor is that of putting on clothes. Galatians 3:27 says, "And all who have been united with Christ in baptism have put on Christ, like putting on new clothes."
The third metaphor is that of death, burial and resurrection. This is best seen in the full emersion type of baptism. Romans 6:3-4 says, ...do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
Finally, 1 Corinthians 12:13 explains how we are all united in baptism. "For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit."
WHAT IS BAPTISM? AN ANTHROPOLOGICAL / SOCIAL POINT OF VIEW
Briefly, baptism is a rite of passage; a popular ritual filled with symbolism.
From a social / anthropological point of view, it is a rite of passage which like marriages or funerals, marks a change of a person's life situation. Baptism is a rite of passage representing a change from "not a Christian" to "Christian."
Rites of Passage are common to all societies and are designed for a person making a life change. Rites of Passage serve an individual as well as his/her community, helping everybody to adjust to the new state of the individual partaking in the rite, whether its marriage, the ritual designed to mark one's adulthood, or whatever.
Baptism is a rite of passage that is used for you to tell the world that you are making a change; you are becoming a new person.
Further clarification is needed here as Rites of Passage relate to baptism. Some people change from one form of Christianity to another. For example, many Catholics convert to some sort of Protestant form of Christianity. These people oftentimes reject the validity of their first baptism and will get rebaptised. In rare situations you might find somebody who has been rebaptised not only once but several times. In these rare situations the person converts from one form of Christianity to another and then another and possibly some others.
These people who move around constantly have a hard time settling down in life, and usually such moving around should not be encouraged. I would liken it to the person who marries and divorces 3, 4, 5 or even more times. The person is more in love with the idea of marriage than the reality of marriage, or perhaps that person can only handle the romantic part of a relationship and cannot commit when it comes to long term investment.
DIFFERENT FORMS OF BAPTISM
There are several forms of baptism:
Full Immersion - The person is put completely under water.
Sprinkling - The baptiser sprinkles water on the head of the person baptised.
Child Baptism - A child of any age is baptised.
Adult Baptism - Only an adult who can reason is baptised.
Some churches baptise infants expecting them to grow up in the faith. Others insist that only an adult (someone old enough to reason and think on their own) can be baptised. Both forms have been argued from and have been supported by the Bible and Church History.
WHAT IS BAPTISM? A SPIRITUAL / BIBLICAL POINT OF VIEW
There are two theories about what baptism does for us. The first says that the act of baptism imparts grace to the person being baptised. In other words it does something spiritual to the recipient - it creates something mystical and spiritual within the recipient's life.
The second theory states that baptism imparts nothing spiritual or mystical. Baptism is simply a symbolic act designed to help the new believer understand the real transformation taking place in his/her life.
People on both sides believe that Jesus commanded us to be baptised and therefore we should be baptised in obedience to Jesus' command.
WHAT IS THE BIBLICAL MEANING OF BAPTISM?
The Bible presents several metaphors for us in describing baptism. Baptism washes away our sins, gives us new clothes to wear and is symbolic of death, burial and resurrection. The Bible also tells us that because we all share the same baptism, we are all baptized into one group. No matter what church or denomination you belong to, you are joined together with others who have been baptized.
IS THERE A RIGHT FORMULA FOR BAPTISM?
The words said at baptism may vary to some degree, and the form of baptizing may differ. The most important thing about baptism is not the outward act with water, but rather the most important thing about Baptism is what is going on inside of you.
WHEN SHOULD I GET BAPTIZED?
Throughout the history of Christianity there have been at least 2 different thoughts on this. The first is that you should get baptized right away. The New Testament church followed this rule.
The second thought is to wait until there is a certain level of training. John the Baptist told some of his followers that he wanted to see some evidence of spiritual change before he would baptize them. In some of today's churches there is some training involved before one is baptized.
Either way is good, because baptism is not the act that saves you; but rather it is the physically outward and social act that marks the beginning of your new life in Christ. It is therefore good to seek it as soon as possible, whether that includes training or not.
IF I AM NOT BAPTIZED AM I STILL A CHRISTIAN?
Yes, but as a Christian you will want to follow Jesus and what He wants from you.
SCRIPTURE FOR CONSIDERATION
Hebrews 10:22 says, "Let us go right into the presence of God with sincere hearts fully trusting him. For our guilty consciences have been sprinkled with Christ's blood to make us clean, and our bodies have been washed with pure water." The metaphor in this verse is that of washing. It implies the washing away of sins and is symbolically seen in either sprinkling or full emersion.
The second metaphor is that of putting on clothes. Galatians 3:27 says, "And all who have been united with Christ in baptism have put on Christ, like putting on new clothes."
The third metaphor is that of death, burial and resurrection. This is best seen in the full emersion type of baptism. Romans 6:3-4 says, ...do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
Finally, 1 Corinthians 12:13 explains how we are all united in baptism. "For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit."
Thursday, May 19, 2011
How to Pray
The most common misconceptions about prayer that I have heard are these:
"God knows what I need, I don't need to ask Him for anything, and if I do, I only need to ask once."
"God wants me to do as much my own...after all, God helps those who help themselves." By the way that is not a Bible verse.
"If God answers me this time, I'll never ask Him for anything again."
The truth about prayer is this: God wants us to pray and He wants us to pray a lot. The Bible tells us to pray without ceasing.
And when you pray, it's not all about saying the right words. Memorized prayers such as the Lord's Prayer can help us find general direction as we pray, but simply quoting the words of the prayer is an empty practice. God wants to hear what is on your heart, so tell Him whatever is on your heart and pray for the things you worry about, the things you would like to see in life, and pray for help facing life's struggles. God looks at the heart, so pray from your heart.
Finally, remember to be thankful when God answers prayer. In fact, its good from time to time to thank God for all He has done for you.
SCRIPTURE FOR CONSIDERATION
Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.
whatever you ask him (Philippians 4:6).
And so I tell you, keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you (Luke 11:9).
"God knows what I need, I don't need to ask Him for anything, and if I do, I only need to ask once."
"God wants me to do as much my own...after all, God helps those who help themselves." By the way that is not a Bible verse.
"If God answers me this time, I'll never ask Him for anything again."
The truth about prayer is this: God wants us to pray and He wants us to pray a lot. The Bible tells us to pray without ceasing.
And when you pray, it's not all about saying the right words. Memorized prayers such as the Lord's Prayer can help us find general direction as we pray, but simply quoting the words of the prayer is an empty practice. God wants to hear what is on your heart, so tell Him whatever is on your heart and pray for the things you worry about, the things you would like to see in life, and pray for help facing life's struggles. God looks at the heart, so pray from your heart.
Finally, remember to be thankful when God answers prayer. In fact, its good from time to time to thank God for all He has done for you.
SCRIPTURE FOR CONSIDERATION
Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.
whatever you ask him (Philippians 4:6).
And so I tell you, keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you (Luke 11:9).
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Step Two - Turn Your Life Around
Just about every major New Testament figure told people to "repent." John the Baptist, Jesus, and Peter all told the people to repent. The word "repent" has taken on a negative meaning in past years in many places, which is unfortunate. In reality the word means to "turn around." When the New Testament writers told their people to repent, they were telling them to stop living like they were...to stop sinning. The message is still the same today as it was back then. God wants us to turn away from our past and start walking a new life.
You have lived for yourself, and as the Bible clearly states, you have lived in sin apart from God. But now it is time to turn around and turn to God. He has given you all the means already in Jesus. All you have to do is pray.
Pray for forgiveness - God forgive me for living apart from you, for making excuses for my behavior, for my life style.
Pray for help - God help me to put turn to you, to put away my life and start a new one, help me to live for you.
Pray for new life - God, I pray for a new life. May the same power that raised Jesus from the dead, raise me from spiritual death.
Pray in Jesus name.
With a prayer like this you will begin a new life in Christ.
SCRIPTURE FOR CONSIDERATION
Now repent of your sins and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped away (Acts 3:19).
I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent (Luke 15:7).
You have lived for yourself, and as the Bible clearly states, you have lived in sin apart from God. But now it is time to turn around and turn to God. He has given you all the means already in Jesus. All you have to do is pray.
Pray for forgiveness - God forgive me for living apart from you, for making excuses for my behavior, for my life style.
Pray for help - God help me to put turn to you, to put away my life and start a new one, help me to live for you.
Pray for new life - God, I pray for a new life. May the same power that raised Jesus from the dead, raise me from spiritual death.
Pray in Jesus name.
With a prayer like this you will begin a new life in Christ.
SCRIPTURE FOR CONSIDERATION
Now repent of your sins and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped away (Acts 3:19).
I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent (Luke 15:7).
Step One - Admit It!
God has given you a desire to know him; to reach out and discover all He has for you. He has also given you the steps needed to find the life He wants you to have. Are you ready?
Step One: Admitting Sin
Twelve Step programs usually start with the need to admit that we are powerless over our addictions (whatever addiction that may be). The act of admitting is powerful and it can be freeing. Sin like addiction hides itself under self delusion. For example one mantle of deception frequently used is this: "I think I am doing very well because I am nicer than most people I run into." Other examples include justifications such as, "I can quit anytime I want." or "As long as I don't hurt anyone..." You get the picture. All these serve to hide the reality that all of us are far from perfect. In fact, the Bible says "All have sinned."
Simply defined, sin is the lack of ability to live up to God's requirements and standards. God has asked us to love Him and to love others as we would love our own selves. The problem is this...we are self-centered by nature and therefore will serve self interests above all others, God or other.
Not all self interest is bad. I brush my teeth so that I won't have bad teeth, I shower so that my co-workers won't shun me. But a lot of self interest is bad. Cheating, lying, stealing, murder, manipulating others and so on are not accepted in any culture.
The more I can face my own self centered actions and thoughts, the more I will be able to find victory over them. The more I hide them from myself or justify them, the more I will become their slaves.
Self centeredness also means that we have all gone our own way. In the story of Adam and Eve (some consider this literal and some consider it metephorical), the two parents of all humanity decided they could choose better than God, when it came to what was best for them. They looked at what would serve their own intersests ignoring God's warnings and advice. That was the root of sin that has plagued all of humanity since the human race began. The story of Adam and Eve clearly tells us that when we make ethical / moral decisions, we are making up our own minds as to what is right or wrong. And the decisions we make are based primarily on what serves our own interests.
We see this in individuals as well as groups and most of all in nations - every nation, not just those you don't like.
This is the first step to becoming a Christian - Admitting that you like the rest of humanity have sinned.
SCRIPTURE TO THINK ABOUT
He who keeps his sins secret will not do well...(Proverbs 28:13).
Finally, I confessed all my sins to you and stopped trying to hide my guilt. I said to myself, "I will confess my rebellion to the LORD." And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone (Psalm 32:5).
Step One: Admitting Sin
Twelve Step programs usually start with the need to admit that we are powerless over our addictions (whatever addiction that may be). The act of admitting is powerful and it can be freeing. Sin like addiction hides itself under self delusion. For example one mantle of deception frequently used is this: "I think I am doing very well because I am nicer than most people I run into." Other examples include justifications such as, "I can quit anytime I want." or "As long as I don't hurt anyone..." You get the picture. All these serve to hide the reality that all of us are far from perfect. In fact, the Bible says "All have sinned."
Simply defined, sin is the lack of ability to live up to God's requirements and standards. God has asked us to love Him and to love others as we would love our own selves. The problem is this...we are self-centered by nature and therefore will serve self interests above all others, God or other.
Not all self interest is bad. I brush my teeth so that I won't have bad teeth, I shower so that my co-workers won't shun me. But a lot of self interest is bad. Cheating, lying, stealing, murder, manipulating others and so on are not accepted in any culture.
The more I can face my own self centered actions and thoughts, the more I will be able to find victory over them. The more I hide them from myself or justify them, the more I will become their slaves.
Self centeredness also means that we have all gone our own way. In the story of Adam and Eve (some consider this literal and some consider it metephorical), the two parents of all humanity decided they could choose better than God, when it came to what was best for them. They looked at what would serve their own intersests ignoring God's warnings and advice. That was the root of sin that has plagued all of humanity since the human race began. The story of Adam and Eve clearly tells us that when we make ethical / moral decisions, we are making up our own minds as to what is right or wrong. And the decisions we make are based primarily on what serves our own interests.
We see this in individuals as well as groups and most of all in nations - every nation, not just those you don't like.
This is the first step to becoming a Christian - Admitting that you like the rest of humanity have sinned.
SCRIPTURE TO THINK ABOUT
He who keeps his sins secret will not do well...(Proverbs 28:13).
Finally, I confessed all my sins to you and stopped trying to hide my guilt. I said to myself, "I will confess my rebellion to the LORD." And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone (Psalm 32:5).
Friday, May 13, 2011
3 Steps to Become a Christian
I already talked about what God did for us - how He sent Jesus to die for us taking away our sins and making it possible for us to live a new life. This was all done while Jesus died on a cross, was buried and rose again. This was all God's work for us. So now the question becomes, "How should we respond?"
The New Testament emphasized three steps to a proper response.
1. Admit the Problem.
2. Turn Your Life Around.
3. Get Baptized.
The New Testament emphasized three steps to a proper response.
1. Admit the Problem.
2. Turn Your Life Around.
3. Get Baptized.
Jesus' Resurrection
Jesus laid in a grave from Friday night until Sunday morning when God raised him from the dead and when Jesus was risen, God raised us from the dead as well. Here is why:
When Jesus died, was buried and rose again, he was representing us. In God's mind He was placing us side by side with Jesus, dying, being buried and rising again. So then, you have died and a new life has begun in Christ. You have been born again.
Because you have died you are no longer a slave to sin or to the powers of this world which I will talk about in future blogs. You will belong to Jesus and only Jesus. You will follow only Him.
SCRIPTURE FOR CONSIDERATION
I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me (Galatians 2:20).
Even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead (Ephesians 2:5).
When Jesus died, was buried and rose again, he was representing us. In God's mind He was placing us side by side with Jesus, dying, being buried and rising again. So then, you have died and a new life has begun in Christ. You have been born again.
Because you have died you are no longer a slave to sin or to the powers of this world which I will talk about in future blogs. You will belong to Jesus and only Jesus. You will follow only Him.
SCRIPTURE FOR CONSIDERATION
I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me (Galatians 2:20).
Even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead (Ephesians 2:5).
Jesus' Death
Between earth and heaven there is a cross, and on that cross God meets with humanity.
When Jesus came to earth he literally emptied himself of his power and status, becoming a human being in the midst of poverty. He accepted his destiny to stand before his nation's rulers to be beaten and crucified as criminal on a Roman cross. This was his destiny because God had designed from all eternity to set Jesus up as a sacrifice - one who would take our sins upon himself so that those sins might be destroyed with Jesus as he died. God placed all of our sins on Jesus and therefore all of our sins died with him. Because our sins were crucified with Jesus on the cross, God can and does offer us the gift of forgiveness.
SCRIPTURE FOR CONSIDERATION
There is another way to look at the work of God through Jesus. Jesus represented all of humanity as he was beaten and as he died. He represented all of humanity when he was buried and when God raised him from the dead. The early Christian writer Paul used this idea for the very core of his teaching. In the letter that Paul wrote to the Roman church of his day he said, "For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. For he who has died has been freed from sin. Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him...(Romans 6:5-8)."
When Jesus came to earth he literally emptied himself of his power and status, becoming a human being in the midst of poverty. He accepted his destiny to stand before his nation's rulers to be beaten and crucified as criminal on a Roman cross. This was his destiny because God had designed from all eternity to set Jesus up as a sacrifice - one who would take our sins upon himself so that those sins might be destroyed with Jesus as he died. God placed all of our sins on Jesus and therefore all of our sins died with him. Because our sins were crucified with Jesus on the cross, God can and does offer us the gift of forgiveness.
SCRIPTURE FOR CONSIDERATION
There is another way to look at the work of God through Jesus. Jesus represented all of humanity as he was beaten and as he died. He represented all of humanity when he was buried and when God raised him from the dead. The early Christian writer Paul used this idea for the very core of his teaching. In the letter that Paul wrote to the Roman church of his day he said, "For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. For he who has died has been freed from sin. Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him...(Romans 6:5-8)."
Friday, May 6, 2011
Jesus in History
Most historians (believers and unbelivers) agree that there was a man named Jesus who grew up in a small village called Nazareth in Galilee, working and learning until he was ready to travel and to preach.
Jesus' early years are a mystery. Although there have been many attempts to discover what Jesus did when he grew up or where Jesus learned what he knew, the life of Jesus before his ministry remains a ministry. Some have suggested that Jesus traveled to other countries, others suggest that he learned while working as a carpenter in the local Roman city working with people from many other countries.
Because Jesus was baptized by a desert preacher named John, there is a strong possibility that he followed John the Baptist for some time before he began his own ministry.
When Jesus was around 30 years old he began a ministry of healing, teaching and leading a group of disciples. His popularity grew enough for him to alarm the religious authorities who saw him as a threat to the well-being of their country. Together with the local Roman officials, the leaders of Israel tortured Jesus and hung him on a Roman cross, nailing him to it by his hands and feet.
Several days later rumors traveled around Jerusalem that the body of Jesus was stolen. Weeks later Jesus' followers were making bold claims that God raised Jesus from the dead and that over 500 people had seen him.
SCRIPTURE FOR CONSIDERATION
Although the Gospels are placed first in the New Testament, they are not the earliest writings in the New Testament. Before the Gospels were written, Paul wrote much of what we now call the New Testament.
Less than 20 years after Jesus died, Paul went to Corinth and started a successful church. While he worked with the Corinthians, he shared with them a creed that he learned from the early church in Jerusalem. The creed that Paul taught them was given to him by the first generation Christians of Jerusalem...people who lived with and heard Jesus.
A few years after Paul had been in Corinth, he wrote them a letter reminding them about the creed he once shared with them, saying:
For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles... (1Corinthians 15:3-7).
Jesus' early years are a mystery. Although there have been many attempts to discover what Jesus did when he grew up or where Jesus learned what he knew, the life of Jesus before his ministry remains a ministry. Some have suggested that Jesus traveled to other countries, others suggest that he learned while working as a carpenter in the local Roman city working with people from many other countries.
Because Jesus was baptized by a desert preacher named John, there is a strong possibility that he followed John the Baptist for some time before he began his own ministry.
When Jesus was around 30 years old he began a ministry of healing, teaching and leading a group of disciples. His popularity grew enough for him to alarm the religious authorities who saw him as a threat to the well-being of their country. Together with the local Roman officials, the leaders of Israel tortured Jesus and hung him on a Roman cross, nailing him to it by his hands and feet.
Several days later rumors traveled around Jerusalem that the body of Jesus was stolen. Weeks later Jesus' followers were making bold claims that God raised Jesus from the dead and that over 500 people had seen him.
SCRIPTURE FOR CONSIDERATION
Although the Gospels are placed first in the New Testament, they are not the earliest writings in the New Testament. Before the Gospels were written, Paul wrote much of what we now call the New Testament.
Less than 20 years after Jesus died, Paul went to Corinth and started a successful church. While he worked with the Corinthians, he shared with them a creed that he learned from the early church in Jerusalem. The creed that Paul taught them was given to him by the first generation Christians of Jerusalem...people who lived with and heard Jesus.
A few years after Paul had been in Corinth, he wrote them a letter reminding them about the creed he once shared with them, saying:
For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles... (1Corinthians 15:3-7).
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
What Is Sin?
In my last blog I made a connection between sin and self-centeredness. They are not the same because some things self centered can be good. But sin finds it's home in self centeredness. Self centeredness is the stream in which sin spawns. I also made a sin connection between self, group and country. Sin affects all of these. Although Eve sinned alone, Adam waited for others to sin before he did, thus hiding behind numbers.
Finally, I mentioned that sin is falling short of God's requirement to love Him above all and to love others as we love ourselves.
Here are some other facts about sin:
-"Sin" is a state of being in which we all exist; "sins" are actions and thoughts or lack of actions and thoughts that radiate naturally from the state of sin. In other words, we sin because we are sinners.
-Sin deceives us hiding behind self justifications (Ex: "Everybody else does it!" or "Just as long as it doesn't hurt somebody."), excuses (Ex: "I didn't have a choice"), and blaming others (Ex: "It was her fault for getting me mad."). Sin can also hide behind selective memory... that is we focus on the good things we do and skim over or ignore those not so good areas of our lives.
-Part of sin's deception is that we think we can control sin and that it does not control us. In reality sin cannot be controlled. We are slaves to sin. We cannot choose not to sin.
-The end result of sin is death. It may promise better life in the short run, but will always end up in death.
-Some sins destroy us physically, some emotionally, but all sins destroy us spiritually - seperating us from God.
I need to repeat that we sin because we are sinners. I can find temporary or even permament solutions to individual sins such as drunkenness or adultery, but because I am a sinner, other sins will crop up in other areas of my life whether I know it or not, whether I like it or not. I will sin because I am a sinner!
Finally, I mentioned that sin is falling short of God's requirement to love Him above all and to love others as we love ourselves.
Here are some other facts about sin:
-"Sin" is a state of being in which we all exist; "sins" are actions and thoughts or lack of actions and thoughts that radiate naturally from the state of sin. In other words, we sin because we are sinners.
-Sin deceives us hiding behind self justifications (Ex: "Everybody else does it!" or "Just as long as it doesn't hurt somebody."), excuses (Ex: "I didn't have a choice"), and blaming others (Ex: "It was her fault for getting me mad."). Sin can also hide behind selective memory... that is we focus on the good things we do and skim over or ignore those not so good areas of our lives.
-Part of sin's deception is that we think we can control sin and that it does not control us. In reality sin cannot be controlled. We are slaves to sin. We cannot choose not to sin.
-The end result of sin is death. It may promise better life in the short run, but will always end up in death.
-Some sins destroy us physically, some emotionally, but all sins destroy us spiritually - seperating us from God.
I need to repeat that we sin because we are sinners. I can find temporary or even permament solutions to individual sins such as drunkenness or adultery, but because I am a sinner, other sins will crop up in other areas of my life whether I know it or not, whether I like it or not. I will sin because I am a sinner!
Monday, May 2, 2011
The Unforgivable Sin
Sometimes there are reasonings and emotions that affect us deeply that simply are not true, but somehow the feelings get a hold of us and will not let go. For example, I have heard many people say that they believe that they have committed some unforgiveable sin. Nobody has ever told me what the particular evil was committed, but I'm sure it was pretty nasty.
In truth, every person that has told me that he/she has committed that unforgivable sin was mistaken. How did I know that? I knew they had not committed the unpardonable sin because they were concerned.
When Jesus talked about the unforgivable sin he was addressing relligious leaders who had called the Holy Spirit a demon. That and that alone was the unforgivable sin. And because they had committed the unpardonable sin, the had no more desire to know the truth...their hearts were hardened...they were unconcerned about the health of their spiritual lives because they thought they were o.k. God was no longer drawing them to Him.
When people tell me that they are afraid that they have committed that unforgivable sin, they are always concerned. They are concerned because God is still working in them drawing them to the truth...giving them a hunger to know Him; but they have done something that they regret and have not been able to let go. In reality, they have committed a sin for which they cannot forgive themselves. God can forgive, but they cannot.
God can and will forgive any sin that you have done. One of the kings in the Bible (King David) was known to serve God with his whole heart, and yet he committed adultry and killed his lover's husband to cover up his crime. King David faced serious consequences for what he did (rightly so), but did find God's forgiveness.
After David was faced with his own evil, he wrote about the feelings of regret for what he did. This writing is found in the Bible in Psalm 51 (part of which is quoted below). In Psalm 51 we see that David regretted what he did, admitted the depths of how horrible his acts were, faced the consequences, but knew all along that God forgives even the worst of sinners.
What is the sin that you consider unforgivable? Are you willing to be freed from it? You can be and if you are reading and following this, you will be.
SCRIPTURE FOR CONSIDERATION
Have mercy upon me, O God,
According to Your lovingkindness;
According to the multitude of Your tender mercies,
Blot out my transgressions.
Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,
And cleanse me from my sin.
For I acknowledge my transgressions,
And my sin is always before me.
(Psalm 51:1-3)
If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins (1 John 1:8-9).
In truth, every person that has told me that he/she has committed that unforgivable sin was mistaken. How did I know that? I knew they had not committed the unpardonable sin because they were concerned.
When Jesus talked about the unforgivable sin he was addressing relligious leaders who had called the Holy Spirit a demon. That and that alone was the unforgivable sin. And because they had committed the unpardonable sin, the had no more desire to know the truth...their hearts were hardened...they were unconcerned about the health of their spiritual lives because they thought they were o.k. God was no longer drawing them to Him.
When people tell me that they are afraid that they have committed that unforgivable sin, they are always concerned. They are concerned because God is still working in them drawing them to the truth...giving them a hunger to know Him; but they have done something that they regret and have not been able to let go. In reality, they have committed a sin for which they cannot forgive themselves. God can forgive, but they cannot.
God can and will forgive any sin that you have done. One of the kings in the Bible (King David) was known to serve God with his whole heart, and yet he committed adultry and killed his lover's husband to cover up his crime. King David faced serious consequences for what he did (rightly so), but did find God's forgiveness.
After David was faced with his own evil, he wrote about the feelings of regret for what he did. This writing is found in the Bible in Psalm 51 (part of which is quoted below). In Psalm 51 we see that David regretted what he did, admitted the depths of how horrible his acts were, faced the consequences, but knew all along that God forgives even the worst of sinners.
What is the sin that you consider unforgivable? Are you willing to be freed from it? You can be and if you are reading and following this, you will be.
SCRIPTURE FOR CONSIDERATION
Have mercy upon me, O God,
According to Your lovingkindness;
According to the multitude of Your tender mercies,
Blot out my transgressions.
Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,
And cleanse me from my sin.
For I acknowledge my transgressions,
And my sin is always before me.
(Psalm 51:1-3)
If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins (1 John 1:8-9).
Sunday, May 1, 2011
The Hound of Heaven
In 1893 Francis Thompson wrote a poem called the "Hound of Heaven" with these opening lines:
I fled Him, down the nights and down the days;
I fled Him, down the arches of the years;
I fled Him, down the labyrinthine ways
Of my own mind; and in the mist of tears
I hid from Him, and under running laughter.
The poem is a look at a person who - like Jonah on a ship running away from God - tried to run from God only to find that God was hounding him down. There are many people facing this experience. If you are running from God, then there are certain common experiences you may be going through. It is not certain any one or all of these will happen, but you will probably experience one or more of the following:
1. No matter how many excuses you offer, you cannot shake the feeling that God wants something more from you.
2. Things go wrong with you over and over - unusually so.
3. You feel a cloud of despair that won't lift when it ordinarilly would.
4. You see the same verse, message, sign or whatever over and over. For example, if you go to church you may hear the pastor speak about the same subject you and your friends talked about recently. It may seem coincidental at first, but then another event takes place taking it further out of the realm of coincidence.
5. You have a nagging feeling that something is wrong that you can't put your finger on. It has been with you for quite some time, and only one answer comes to your mind. You reject it and reject it and reject it. But still the one answer haunts you.
There is good news for you. You are being hounded by God. You may not think that is good, but it is in fact awesome. It means that God has chosen you to be His.
SCRIPTURE FOR CONSIDERATION
You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you (John 15:16).
God chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love (Ephesians 1:4).
I fled Him, down the nights and down the days;
I fled Him, down the arches of the years;
I fled Him, down the labyrinthine ways
Of my own mind; and in the mist of tears
I hid from Him, and under running laughter.
The poem is a look at a person who - like Jonah on a ship running away from God - tried to run from God only to find that God was hounding him down. There are many people facing this experience. If you are running from God, then there are certain common experiences you may be going through. It is not certain any one or all of these will happen, but you will probably experience one or more of the following:
1. No matter how many excuses you offer, you cannot shake the feeling that God wants something more from you.
2. Things go wrong with you over and over - unusually so.
3. You feel a cloud of despair that won't lift when it ordinarilly would.
4. You see the same verse, message, sign or whatever over and over. For example, if you go to church you may hear the pastor speak about the same subject you and your friends talked about recently. It may seem coincidental at first, but then another event takes place taking it further out of the realm of coincidence.
5. You have a nagging feeling that something is wrong that you can't put your finger on. It has been with you for quite some time, and only one answer comes to your mind. You reject it and reject it and reject it. But still the one answer haunts you.
There is good news for you. You are being hounded by God. You may not think that is good, but it is in fact awesome. It means that God has chosen you to be His.
SCRIPTURE FOR CONSIDERATION
You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you (John 15:16).
God chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love (Ephesians 1:4).
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