Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Rest and Reflection
I have heard it said that if you don’t Sabbath yourself, then God will Sabbath you. So, I got sick this week. I sat around the house reading, watching movies, thinking, praying. It was awesome. Now it’s not that I like being sick. It usually drives me nuts that I can’t get anything done, but on the other hand God will allow me to get sick when I haven’t taken time to really reflect and pray and read to hear his voice. When I don’t take time to just sit and be – not do – be. So the past few days I have been able to get my arms around my thought life, my emotional life, and my spiritual life. It’s so easy to just forget that Christianity is not a faith of “do,” but it’s a faith of done. So for the past few days, I have sabbathed (not in the Old Testament sense, but in the rest sense) and remembered that I am a child of the King. Do you ever notice how the Bible is always telling us to “remember?” So, I remembered.
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Jesus, Jobs & Egoists
Question: How do you serve Jesus when you hate your job?
Answer: It depends on why you hate your job. Do you hate your job because you are lazy and would rather play your Wii in your mom’s basement? Do you hate your job because you have a greater vision for what God is calling you to do? Are you working toward it? Maybe your job sucks because you are not doing anything to work toward that goal.
When I was working for UPS and was a janitor at the church, I didn’t like either job, but I did it while we planted Living Stones and while I went to Bible College. I was working toward my dream—so cleaning crap off toilets didn’t look so bad in the short term (after all, it was great training for cleaning up crap within the church!). This went on for 5 long years. But I wouldn’t trade anything for the character that was built in those years. It was all God’s prep for my current position.
Regardless of your occupation, the Scriptures command that “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men” (Col. 3:23). If you are hating your job and whining about it… stop! God has given you a way to make income, which is something to be thankful for—especially these days.
* * *
Question: If God is so loving and compassionate, why is it that most of the Christians I meet are the most self-centered people I know?
Answer: Why are some Christians some of the most self-centered people you know? Because they are not obeying Jesus… Are you?
Remember—God saves sinners! This means that those in the church are both fallen and redeemed at the same time. Be patient with them the same way God is patient with you. Spend more time praying for them rather than criticizing them. Ask God to show you how self-centered you are so that you will be more prone to forgive. The only way to survive in a world of ‘hypocrisy’ is to cast out the hypocrisy in yourself and ask God to do through you what you don’t see being done through others. Although self-centeredness if not okay, there is no room for self-righteousness on this issue. It’s only by His work on the cross that we can love others in the first place.
Monday, September 22, 2008
Let the Q&A Blogs Begin...
Here are some long-awaited answers to your questions. The following questions were all received via text during the Living Stones 5pm gathering on Sunday, August 31st, 2008. Be sure to check out the podcast on iTunes for more Q&A, too. Alright -- here we go.
When it comes to handling judgment from others—including family—ask them to show you where in Scripture they are deriving their opinions. Remember to be respectful.
Answer: You might want to read 2 Peter 1:3-12. There you will find a series of things you might use to evaluate your spiritual vitality. I would advise that you keep in mind that it is not your works that make you acceptable before God, but rather the works of Jesus in His life, Death, resurrection, and return form the foundation of your hope in Him.
* * *
Question: What do you do if you have a Christian family that judges you for not fitting into the ‘church mold’?
Answer: It depends what you mean by “the church mold”. If ‘not fitting into the church mold’ means that you are disobeying the things commanded by Jesus in Scripture, then you are in the wrong and need to repent. If by ‘not fitting the mold’ you mean that you are being disobedient to church culture for pride’s sake, then you need to consider the matter prayerfully—it could have varied results. If you are just being yourself and trying to be a missionary to your culture—and thereby breaking the ‘consumeristic, self-centered church mold’, then I say “AMEN! Welcome to New Testament Christianity.”
When it comes to handling judgment from others—including family—ask them to show you where in Scripture they are deriving their opinions. Remember to be respectful.
* * *
Question: Is there are moral inventory in the Bible that one can take to see if they are on the right path?Answer: You might want to read 2 Peter 1:3-12. There you will find a series of things you might use to evaluate your spiritual vitality. I would advise that you keep in mind that it is not your works that make you acceptable before God, but rather the works of Jesus in His life, Death, resurrection, and return form the foundation of your hope in Him.
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Dear Guatemala Missions Team...
I am so encouraged by each of you and your willingness to hear the call of Jesus to spread a passion for the Glory of God in places that are under-funded and under-loved. When I see a team like this go out, I feel that what we are doing as the Living Stones Community is really making an impact on lives. The measure of our ministry will never be how many butts are in the seats but rather how many obey the call of Jesus to “Come and Die”. I pray that your being there now will fuel your being here later. May your mission in Guatemala strengthen your mission in Reno; wherever we go it is the same mission. May the Lamb of God receive the reward of His suffering!
Here is my prayer for you…
Mighty God, who creates and commands trillions of stars to shine:
You have command that billions hear your Gospel preached and see your gospel lived out to the poor. I ask that by your sovereign goodness, you would reveal the urgency of the mission worldwide to this team. Reveal the glorious love of Jesus that heals even the deepest wounds. I ask that your Spirit would pinpoint areas of bitterness and sin and encourage each Living Stones Missionary with the abundant ways you are working all around them. Make their work swift and accurate, and make their hearts humble and teachable. I pray that you would guard your children from the evil one and his works and effects. Let them know that they stand on the edge of eternity, pushing back the works of the evil one and that one day they will be in your glorious company.
Amen.
Here is my prayer for you…
Mighty God, who creates and commands trillions of stars to shine:
You have command that billions hear your Gospel preached and see your gospel lived out to the poor. I ask that by your sovereign goodness, you would reveal the urgency of the mission worldwide to this team. Reveal the glorious love of Jesus that heals even the deepest wounds. I ask that your Spirit would pinpoint areas of bitterness and sin and encourage each Living Stones Missionary with the abundant ways you are working all around them. Make their work swift and accurate, and make their hearts humble and teachable. I pray that you would guard your children from the evil one and his works and effects. Let them know that they stand on the edge of eternity, pushing back the works of the evil one and that one day they will be in your glorious company.
Amen.
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
A Prayer For Our Tongue
O Lord we repent! Make our tongues yours! With them we bless you and sing to you and teach your word. And with them we curse those made in your image. With them we lie, complain, gossip and damage others. O God, if it were not for your grace—given through Jesus’ Cross—our sins of the tongue (done in this week alone) would be enough to condemn us to the deep parts of hell.
O, but on the cross we see your Son in our place for our tongues! Even if that were the only load he carried, he would still cry out “forsaken” under its darkness and despair. But, O my God, he bears the load of a billion tongue defilers! Unless it had been divine blood, there could be no atonement for such a load of tongue sins as ours. But because of His infinite worth, our defiled tongue was no match for His unlimited grace.
Hallelujah! He has rescued us! There is hope for the broken!
O God, we pray this in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
O, but on the cross we see your Son in our place for our tongues! Even if that were the only load he carried, he would still cry out “forsaken” under its darkness and despair. But, O my God, he bears the load of a billion tongue defilers! Unless it had been divine blood, there could be no atonement for such a load of tongue sins as ours. But because of His infinite worth, our defiled tongue was no match for His unlimited grace.
Hallelujah! He has rescued us! There is hope for the broken!
O God, we pray this in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
The Good and the Danger of Dating Relationships
There have been a lot of relationships starting in our community lately. This is a good thing… but this can also be a bad thing. Over the years, I have seen a few relationships that have fueled and deepened the couple’s passion for God—but sadly—many relationships where the end result is idolatry. Idolatry is worshiping anything but God.
Here is how you can know the difference: if the relationship is leading you closer to Christ and your passion for his mission grows, then the relationship is a good thing. If your relationship with God suffers and your passion for His mission dies, it is a bad thing.
In the latter case, the person you are dating becomes your “functional savior”, someone who saves you from your own personal hell; the hell of loneliness or insignificance. The person you date becomes the place where you derive your identity and fulfillment—this is of utmost danger.
“Savior” is a role reserved for Jesus alone. If Jesus is not your savior—and someone else is—your relationship is idolatry and your mission ceases to be the mission of God but becomes the mission of relationship.
In a healthy relationship, the person of choice is not your savior but rather your partner in the Gospel. Your love for each other only stokes the flames of your live for God. Your mission is not each other but God’s mission.
If you are in a relationship that is leading you away from God—GET OUT!
Here is how you can know the difference: if the relationship is leading you closer to Christ and your passion for his mission grows, then the relationship is a good thing. If your relationship with God suffers and your passion for His mission dies, it is a bad thing.
In the latter case, the person you are dating becomes your “functional savior”, someone who saves you from your own personal hell; the hell of loneliness or insignificance. The person you date becomes the place where you derive your identity and fulfillment—this is of utmost danger.
“Savior” is a role reserved for Jesus alone. If Jesus is not your savior—and someone else is—your relationship is idolatry and your mission ceases to be the mission of God but becomes the mission of relationship.
In a healthy relationship, the person of choice is not your savior but rather your partner in the Gospel. Your love for each other only stokes the flames of your live for God. Your mission is not each other but God’s mission.
If you are in a relationship that is leading you away from God—GET OUT!
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Question: What is the difference between jealousy and envy? Why does God call himself jealous?
Response:
Jealousy - feeling resentment against someone because of that person's rivalry, success, or advantages.
Envy - a feeling of discontentment or covetousness with regard to another's advantages, success, possessions, etc.
Jealousy and envy are a bit different (look to the above definitions). If one of us humans were to be jealous for our own sake it would always lead to sin. But when God is jealous in the Scripture, it is for the sake of His glory and for the hearts of His people.
Exodus 34:14
Do not worship any other god, for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God.
God is jealous that we worship Him alone.
For 4 reasons:
1. Because He alone is worthy of praise.
2. God as our loving Father knows what is best for us.
3. God knows that other things as supreme to us will only destroy us.
4. God demands us to have Him as uppermost in our affections and devotion.
When God is jealous, it is right—to allow that anything else be God in our lives is flat out idolatry... and will only bring about death.
Response:
Jealousy - feeling resentment against someone because of that person's rivalry, success, or advantages.
Envy - a feeling of discontentment or covetousness with regard to another's advantages, success, possessions, etc.
Jealousy and envy are a bit different (look to the above definitions). If one of us humans were to be jealous for our own sake it would always lead to sin. But when God is jealous in the Scripture, it is for the sake of His glory and for the hearts of His people.
Exodus 34:14
Do not worship any other god, for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God.
God is jealous that we worship Him alone.
For 4 reasons:
1. Because He alone is worthy of praise.
2. God as our loving Father knows what is best for us.
3. God knows that other things as supreme to us will only destroy us.
4. God demands us to have Him as uppermost in our affections and devotion.
When God is jealous, it is right—to allow that anything else be God in our lives is flat out idolatry... and will only bring about death.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Community & the Christian
Question: What Scriptures should we study about community and the place of the church in the Christians life?
Answer: If I were you I would look at the book of Acts specifically 2:42-47. In this book we se the earliest believers assembling in large gatherings, small gatherings, serving the city in which they lived, and sending missionaries all over the world. You should also study Ephesians which talks a lot about the theology of the church in the Christian life. To love Jesus is to love His bride the Church. Every believer has the responsibility to go to a local church regularly (Heb. 10:25), serve a local church with spiritual gifts (1 Cor. 12), and give to the local church (1 Cor. 8-9, 16:1).
Answer: If I were you I would look at the book of Acts specifically 2:42-47. In this book we se the earliest believers assembling in large gatherings, small gatherings, serving the city in which they lived, and sending missionaries all over the world. You should also study Ephesians which talks a lot about the theology of the church in the Christian life. To love Jesus is to love His bride the Church. Every believer has the responsibility to go to a local church regularly (Heb. 10:25), serve a local church with spiritual gifts (1 Cor. 12), and give to the local church (1 Cor. 8-9, 16:1).
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Struggling with Sin and the Assurance of Salvation
Question:
I usually feel secure in my salvation because of my reaction to sin and to Jesus. But, there are times when I don't feel guilty, bad, or mourn my sin and that scares me because biblically, I know I sin. I'm not sure what to do because I don't want to feel guilty about it. Sorry for the vagueness, this mostly deals with drinking and swearing, but what should I do?
Response:
Let's deal with the sins you listed fist.
First of all, drinking is not a sin. Drunkenness is. Under-aged drinking is. Don't beat yourself up for things that God doesn't call sin. However, if you are getting drunk or drinking under age, repent (mourn for your sin and stop it) and trust Jesus for grace to cover your sins.
Swearing is a tricky subject because everyone has a different list of words which they consider sinful and God has not given us a list of words not to use—aside from taking his name in vain. The Scriptures do tell us to let no unwholesome words proceed from our mouths (Eph. 4:29), but again, defining what is ‘unwholesome’ largely depends on your audience and what might be unwholesome in their eyes. I can say "crap" or "frickin" around a lot of people—but not around my wife's grandma. In her sight, those words are unwholesome and offensive. In that case, it’s important to gauge the convictions of those around you and seek to be as loving to them as possible… and if that means restraining your mouth, so be it. However, if you are constantly talking about raunchy things and dropping the f-bomb like a drunken redneck at a Bud Light Kegger, you are, in fact, sinning. Repent and ask Jesus to clean your mouth and your heart out— for out of the heart the mouth speaks.
If you are struggling with your sin, that's a good sign. Read the previous posting on this blog about dealing with guilt. But if you are getting drunk and swearing like the aforementioned redneck and you are not struggling and battling with these sins, there is a problem with your heart. In Christ, we are freed from the sins that entangle us, so never be comfortable with the presence of sin. If you are not struggling and fighting the sin, than you are probably not saved. Someone who has God's Holy Spirit indwelling them cannot continue living in sin because the sin offends the Spirit which indwells you [Read 1 John].
Please let me know if you have any other questions.
I usually feel secure in my salvation because of my reaction to sin and to Jesus. But, there are times when I don't feel guilty, bad, or mourn my sin and that scares me because biblically, I know I sin. I'm not sure what to do because I don't want to feel guilty about it. Sorry for the vagueness, this mostly deals with drinking and swearing, but what should I do?
Response:
Let's deal with the sins you listed fist.
First of all, drinking is not a sin. Drunkenness is. Under-aged drinking is. Don't beat yourself up for things that God doesn't call sin. However, if you are getting drunk or drinking under age, repent (mourn for your sin and stop it) and trust Jesus for grace to cover your sins.
Swearing is a tricky subject because everyone has a different list of words which they consider sinful and God has not given us a list of words not to use—aside from taking his name in vain. The Scriptures do tell us to let no unwholesome words proceed from our mouths (Eph. 4:29), but again, defining what is ‘unwholesome’ largely depends on your audience and what might be unwholesome in their eyes. I can say "crap" or "frickin" around a lot of people—but not around my wife's grandma. In her sight, those words are unwholesome and offensive. In that case, it’s important to gauge the convictions of those around you and seek to be as loving to them as possible… and if that means restraining your mouth, so be it. However, if you are constantly talking about raunchy things and dropping the f-bomb like a drunken redneck at a Bud Light Kegger, you are, in fact, sinning. Repent and ask Jesus to clean your mouth and your heart out— for out of the heart the mouth speaks.
If you are struggling with your sin, that's a good sign. Read the previous posting on this blog about dealing with guilt. But if you are getting drunk and swearing like the aforementioned redneck and you are not struggling and battling with these sins, there is a problem with your heart. In Christ, we are freed from the sins that entangle us, so never be comfortable with the presence of sin. If you are not struggling and fighting the sin, than you are probably not saved. Someone who has God's Holy Spirit indwelling them cannot continue living in sin because the sin offends the Spirit which indwells you [Read 1 John].
Please let me know if you have any other questions.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Predestination
Question (from Q&A card): If God predestined people to go to heaven, that means—in a sense—that God predestines people to go to hell. If so, is he sad about it? Think about it, don't just "whatever", damn it! How does God’s choosing us affect evangelism?
Response: Wow, that's a passionate question. Ironically enough, the whole idea of "damning it" does come from the idea that God damns people to hell...
Ok, now for predestination: the Bible does clearly say that God has predestined people to salvation. For example, Ephesians 1:5 says, "God predestined us for adoption through Jesus Christ according to the purpose of his will." God predestines people to salvation in Jesus. Here's the deal: all of humanity is born in sin and on their way to hell. God, in eternity past, sees this as a just consequence of human rebellion, but in mercy decides to predestine—choose, elect, and set aside—some people for salvation. The question always arises, "well, then why didn't He save everyone?" The answer is not given to us, but we can say it is just for God to allow people who choose hell to go to hell. Also, it is within God's prerogative to be merciful to whomever he pleases [See Romans 9].
The word "predestination" only refers to those whom God has saved. It never refers to those whom God has not saved. You might say that it is by default that He is predestining them to hell, which in one sense might be true, but it is more biblically accurate to say that God allows people to go to hell, which they themselves have chosen. Hell is a place created for the devil and his angels—not for men. But, when men decide to link up to the rebellion of Satan, they go to the place of Satan. He technically doesn't send them to hell because, due to the fall of humanity, all are headed for hell on their own accord. It never makes God happy to condemn the wicked: "Have I any pleasure in the death of the wicked, declares the Lord God, and not rather that he should turn from his way and live?" (Ezekiel 18:23).
Consequently, this does not affect our zeal in evangelism, because the New Testament clearly tells us that human will is indeed involved in the process to a degree. Take the apostle Paul as an example. He not only wrote most of the stuff in the NT about predestination, but he also spent his whole life doing zealous evangelism. This is not an oversight on his part, but rather a righteous response to the Gospel message … and to predestination.
- Harvey
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Is Jesus first in life?
To what point should Jesus be a priority in my life? Sometimes I feel pressured by other Christians to eliminate parts of my life that I don’t feel are wrong.
“Any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple” (Luke 14:33). –Jesus
My answer to your first question is that if Jesus is not the primary priority in your life then you are probably not yet a Christian but someone interested in Christ and on a journey towards Him. My answer to your second question is that if Jesus tells you to eliminate something (in the scriptures) then you must. If someone else wants you to eliminate something (without backing it up w/ scripture) then you have no obligation to their pressure.
“Any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple” (Luke 14:33). –Jesus
My answer to your first question is that if Jesus is not the primary priority in your life then you are probably not yet a Christian but someone interested in Christ and on a journey towards Him. My answer to your second question is that if Jesus tells you to eliminate something (in the scriptures) then you must. If someone else wants you to eliminate something (without backing it up w/ scripture) then you have no obligation to their pressure.
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Does the Bible have Error?
[In regard to] the Bible, can you define the difference between ‘inerrancy’ and ‘infallibility’? Where do you stand on the issue?
My stance on this issue to basically summed up in a quote from Robert Reymond (a Reformed Presbyterian theologian):
“By ‘inerrancy’ we intend essentially the same thing as ‘infallibility,’ namely that the Bible does not err in any of it’s affirmations, whether those affirmations be in the spheres of spiritual realities or morals, history of science, and is therefore incapable of teaching error. Because the Bible is God’s Word, its assertions are as true as if God spoke to man today directly from heaven.”
According to some theologians, there are some subtle differences between these two characteristics, but essentially, I agree with the quote above.
My stance on this issue to basically summed up in a quote from Robert Reymond (a Reformed Presbyterian theologian):
“By ‘inerrancy’ we intend essentially the same thing as ‘infallibility,’ namely that the Bible does not err in any of it’s affirmations, whether those affirmations be in the spheres of spiritual realities or morals, history of science, and is therefore incapable of teaching error. Because the Bible is God’s Word, its assertions are as true as if God spoke to man today directly from heaven.”
According to some theologians, there are some subtle differences between these two characteristics, but essentially, I agree with the quote above.
Jesus the only way?
How do I respond to a friend who is a devout Muslim, Mormon or Jehovah’s Witness ([who] prays to God and has experienced God in their life) when they ask me if I believe that Christianity is the only way?
We believe that Jesus, as he is revealed in the Scriptures, is the only way because he is the only one God has sent to do two crucial things: to reveal God, and to save sinners through the cross and resurrection. These other religions have a ‘Jesus figure’, but it is not the Jesus of the Scriptures. None of the three religions you mentioned believe that Jesus is the one true God, and none believe that the cross of Jesus is the only hope for humanity. All three of these religions are about trying to reach God through religious works and Christianity is about God reaching humans through Jesus’ works. All three of these religions can be summed up in one word: “Do”—not very hopeful. The Christian gospel can be summed up in one word: “Done”—this is the hope of the world.
We believe that Jesus, as he is revealed in the Scriptures, is the only way because he is the only one God has sent to do two crucial things: to reveal God, and to save sinners through the cross and resurrection. These other religions have a ‘Jesus figure’, but it is not the Jesus of the Scriptures. None of the three religions you mentioned believe that Jesus is the one true God, and none believe that the cross of Jesus is the only hope for humanity. All three of these religions are about trying to reach God through religious works and Christianity is about God reaching humans through Jesus’ works. All three of these religions can be summed up in one word: “Do”—not very hopeful. The Christian gospel can be summed up in one word: “Done”—this is the hope of the world.
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Addition to last blog
I forgot to mention
Sojourn Community Church, Daniel Montgomery
Awsome Jesus centered preaching.
Sojourn Community Church, Daniel Montgomery
Awsome Jesus centered preaching.
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Favorite Podcasts
Someone in the community asked me if I would post a blog with my favorite Podcasts to listen to. Type any of these names into the iTunes search and you’re sure to find quality stuff. Here are my recommendations…
* * *
Churches with Podcasts similar to Living Stones:
Mars Hill Seattle: Mark Driscoll
Mark Driscoll is a great preacher. He’s humorous, has a dedication to the Truth of the Scriptures and usually teaches books of the Bible. (Video and audio podcast.)
The Village Church: Matt Chandler
Matt is a fantastic preacher; he is authentic, humorous, and usually teaches books of the Bible.
Mosaic: Erwin McManus
Erwin focuses on topical preaching; he has great insights from Scripture and is an inspiring speaker and leader. (Video and Audio Podcast)
Floodcast: Matt Hammett
Matt is who to turn to for great, down-to-earth Bible teaching. (Matt taught at the LS Winter Retreat two weeks ago.)
Imago Dei: Rick McKinley
Kingdom-minded, Social Justice oriented preaching.
Northpoint Ministries: Andy Stanley
Andy is one of the best teachers I have ever heard. His insights on leadership are both accessible and inspiring.
Old School Guys with Great Theological Content:
Desiring God: John Piper
For theological preaching with passion, John Piper is the best.
Let My People Think: Ravi Zacharias
Ravi Zacharias has been at the forefront of apologetics and philosophy for decades.
Capital Hill Baptist Church: Mark Dever
For “verse-by-verse”, exegetical teaching, this is a good place to turn.
Cultural Commentary
The Albert Mohler radio program
White Horse Inn
The Veritas Forum
* * *
With these Podcasts—as with any teaching—there are bound to be theological disagreements and other issues, but each of these teachers have a lot of valuable things to say about the Christian Life.
* * *
Churches with Podcasts similar to Living Stones:
Mars Hill Seattle: Mark Driscoll
Mark Driscoll is a great preacher. He’s humorous, has a dedication to the Truth of the Scriptures and usually teaches books of the Bible. (Video and audio podcast.)
The Village Church: Matt Chandler
Matt is a fantastic preacher; he is authentic, humorous, and usually teaches books of the Bible.
Mosaic: Erwin McManus
Erwin focuses on topical preaching; he has great insights from Scripture and is an inspiring speaker and leader. (Video and Audio Podcast)
Floodcast: Matt Hammett
Matt is who to turn to for great, down-to-earth Bible teaching. (Matt taught at the LS Winter Retreat two weeks ago.)
Imago Dei: Rick McKinley
Kingdom-minded, Social Justice oriented preaching.
Northpoint Ministries: Andy Stanley
Andy is one of the best teachers I have ever heard. His insights on leadership are both accessible and inspiring.
Old School Guys with Great Theological Content:
Desiring God: John Piper
For theological preaching with passion, John Piper is the best.
Let My People Think: Ravi Zacharias
Ravi Zacharias has been at the forefront of apologetics and philosophy for decades.
Capital Hill Baptist Church: Mark Dever
For “verse-by-verse”, exegetical teaching, this is a good place to turn.
Cultural Commentary
The Albert Mohler radio program
White Horse Inn
The Veritas Forum
* * *
With these Podcasts—as with any teaching—there are bound to be theological disagreements and other issues, but each of these teachers have a lot of valuable things to say about the Christian Life.
Thursday, March 6, 2008
Thursday, February 21, 2008
God and Stars
Why do you think God created the trillions of stars?
God likes stars. "Praise Him sun and moon, praise Him all you shining stars!" Psaslm 148:3
God likes stars. "Praise Him sun and moon, praise Him all you shining stars!" Psaslm 148:3
Speaking in Tongues
Why do some denominations believe in speaking in tongues while some other denominations do not? What’s the deal with speaking in tongues?
In Genesis Chapter 11, God separated peoples all over the world as an act of judgment for their rebellion to Him as King. When God did this he confused the languages of the people. After Jesus’ death and resurrection there was an event called Pentecost where God allowed members of the church to speak in different tongues signifying that the gospel of Christ reunites humanity. People heard the “wonders of God” in their own languages.
This became known as tongues. People were able to speak in different tongues as the Holy Spirit gave them ability.
Some Christians believed that God stopped doing this a long time ago. Others believe that He still does it. In the New Testament, we are told that when it is done there should be interpreters and it should be in order (1 Cor. 14).
Often when it is done today a bunch of people just do it at once- this is not what the scriptures teach. I believe that the gift of tongues is alive and well today but, rarely practiced in line with God’s will revealed in Scripture.
A denomination’s practice of this gift depends on their views on these issues; although, I will say that many who practice tongues regularly do it in a way that is contrary to scripture.
In Genesis Chapter 11, God separated peoples all over the world as an act of judgment for their rebellion to Him as King. When God did this he confused the languages of the people. After Jesus’ death and resurrection there was an event called Pentecost where God allowed members of the church to speak in different tongues signifying that the gospel of Christ reunites humanity. People heard the “wonders of God” in their own languages.
This became known as tongues. People were able to speak in different tongues as the Holy Spirit gave them ability.
Some Christians believed that God stopped doing this a long time ago. Others believe that He still does it. In the New Testament, we are told that when it is done there should be interpreters and it should be in order (1 Cor. 14).
Often when it is done today a bunch of people just do it at once- this is not what the scriptures teach. I believe that the gift of tongues is alive and well today but, rarely practiced in line with God’s will revealed in Scripture.
A denomination’s practice of this gift depends on their views on these issues; although, I will say that many who practice tongues regularly do it in a way that is contrary to scripture.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Do Christians need Church?
For the next couple of weeks I will be posting questions left over from the Q&A night at our Large Group Gatherings.
Question: Can we have a relationship with God by praying and reading the Bible, but not going to church?
No. The Scriptures have no concept of an isolated relationship with God. This is an American idea and not a Christian one. God has always communicated himself to communities of individuals, but never individuals apart from communities.
In the Old Testament, it was the nation of Israel - communities of people with whom God made a covenant. In the New Testament, it is the Church, which in Greek is the word “ecclesia,” which literally means “gathering.” In the New Testament, to be outside the church (God’s people) is to be outside of salvation.
In 1 Corinthians, Paul makes a clear distinction between those inside the church (or gathering) and outside the church (or gathering) (1 Cor. 5:12;6:4; 11:22). Jesus is the head of the Church (Eph. 5:23), Jesus’ bride is the church and he died for the church (Eph 5:23-32), and His body is the church (Col. 1:18).
Can you have salvation w/o Jesus as your head, Husband, and w/o being part of His Body? Can you love Jesus w/o loving His bride? That would be like saying to me “Harvey, I love you but I don’t like your wife.” If you are a dude I would punch you in the mouth. Most important can you have a relationship with God w/o the death of Christ on your behalf? He died for the Church.
Individualistic American Christianity is foreign to the gospel. The gospel of Jesus nessesitates connection to the community of faith.
Consider 1 John 4:20-21
20 If someone says, “I love God,” but hates a Christian brother or sister, that person is a liar; for if we don’t love people we can see, how can we love God, whom we cannot see? 21 And he has given us this command: Those who love God must also love their Christian brothers and sisters.
Question: Can we have a relationship with God by praying and reading the Bible, but not going to church?
No. The Scriptures have no concept of an isolated relationship with God. This is an American idea and not a Christian one. God has always communicated himself to communities of individuals, but never individuals apart from communities.
In the Old Testament, it was the nation of Israel - communities of people with whom God made a covenant. In the New Testament, it is the Church, which in Greek is the word “ecclesia,” which literally means “gathering.” In the New Testament, to be outside the church (God’s people) is to be outside of salvation.
In 1 Corinthians, Paul makes a clear distinction between those inside the church (or gathering) and outside the church (or gathering) (1 Cor. 5:12;6:4; 11:22). Jesus is the head of the Church (Eph. 5:23), Jesus’ bride is the church and he died for the church (Eph 5:23-32), and His body is the church (Col. 1:18).
Can you have salvation w/o Jesus as your head, Husband, and w/o being part of His Body? Can you love Jesus w/o loving His bride? That would be like saying to me “Harvey, I love you but I don’t like your wife.” If you are a dude I would punch you in the mouth. Most important can you have a relationship with God w/o the death of Christ on your behalf? He died for the Church.
Individualistic American Christianity is foreign to the gospel. The gospel of Jesus nessesitates connection to the community of faith.
Consider 1 John 4:20-21
20 If someone says, “I love God,” but hates a Christian brother or sister, that person is a liar; for if we don’t love people we can see, how can we love God, whom we cannot see? 21 And he has given us this command: Those who love God must also love their Christian brothers and sisters.
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Politics and Jesus
OK. Just so we're clear....Jesus did not come to establish earthly politics. He taught that His kingdom was of another world (John 18:36).
Jesus is not a Republican. Jesus is not a Democrat. Jesus is not an American.
God has blessed America but this does not mean that God prefers America.
In the Scriptures there are 2 Kingdoms. The Kingdom of Man and The Kingdom of God. Believers in Jesus are Citizens of both kingdoms. Jesus Said in another place "render to Caesar the things that are Caesars and to God the things that are God's" (Luke 20:25). This means that we have responsibilities as citizens of both kingdoms but these two kingdoms are separate kingdoms.
I get a little nervous when Christians start putting God and politics together (Like the painting of Jesus laying hands on George W. Bush and Abraham Lincoln) as if Jesus is with us more than Africans or Iraqi people.
The mission of the church is not to “turn this nation back to Christian values” or “get prayer back in schools” but to make disciples of all nations.
What if the millions of dollars spent on “fighting for 10 Commandments monuments” were instead spent on reaching unreached people groups with the gospel? What if all of the $ spent on American Christian political battles were spent on feeding the worlds poorest people?
America is one of the nations in the "kingdom of man" and we should be the best of citizens in this country. We should vote with Christocentric world view and obey the laws of this government as long as those laws do not conflict w/ the gospel. But this does not mean that we should make it our agenda as Christians to get Christians in office. Martin Luther once said "I would rather nominate a Jew that understands justice than a Christian who does not." The emphasis of the New Tesament is that the Kingdom of God and the kingdom of Man directly intersect when the apostles tell us to obey and pray for the authorities (1 Pet. 2:13-17). Obey and pray.
Jesus is a king of a different kingdom than the USA.
Jesus is not a Republican. Jesus is not a Democrat. Jesus is not an American.
God has blessed America but this does not mean that God prefers America.
In the Scriptures there are 2 Kingdoms. The Kingdom of Man and The Kingdom of God. Believers in Jesus are Citizens of both kingdoms. Jesus Said in another place "render to Caesar the things that are Caesars and to God the things that are God's" (Luke 20:25). This means that we have responsibilities as citizens of both kingdoms but these two kingdoms are separate kingdoms.
I get a little nervous when Christians start putting God and politics together (Like the painting of Jesus laying hands on George W. Bush and Abraham Lincoln) as if Jesus is with us more than Africans or Iraqi people.
The mission of the church is not to “turn this nation back to Christian values” or “get prayer back in schools” but to make disciples of all nations.
What if the millions of dollars spent on “fighting for 10 Commandments monuments” were instead spent on reaching unreached people groups with the gospel? What if all of the $ spent on American Christian political battles were spent on feeding the worlds poorest people?
America is one of the nations in the "kingdom of man" and we should be the best of citizens in this country. We should vote with Christocentric world view and obey the laws of this government as long as those laws do not conflict w/ the gospel. But this does not mean that we should make it our agenda as Christians to get Christians in office. Martin Luther once said "I would rather nominate a Jew that understands justice than a Christian who does not." The emphasis of the New Tesament is that the Kingdom of God and the kingdom of Man directly intersect when the apostles tell us to obey and pray for the authorities (1 Pet. 2:13-17). Obey and pray.
Jesus is a king of a different kingdom than the USA.
Friday, February 1, 2008
Justification by Fake
Just to follow up on last week's sermon...(if you missed it, you can find the sermon on the podcast - link is on http://www.gracelivingstones.com/)
Ths morning while I was reading the scriptures, it occurred to me that the difference between religion and walking with Jesus comes down to how we try and justify ourselves. In Romans 10, the scriptures talk about how a person is made right with God (in other words "saved") by believing the work of God that was done through Christ. This concept is found all throughout the book of Romans. Justification by faith. It is not our faith that makes us right with God, but it is what we put our faith in that makes us right with God. When we put our faith in Christ alone for salvation, identity and hope we are justified before God. In other words, all of our sin is nailed to the cross w/ Jesus and all of His righteosness is given to us. We are changed from sinners to saints.
Religion is just the opposite. Religion is justification by fake. We are trying to make ourselves right by portraying an image of ourselves that is not true to the core of our being. We get our identity from what we do. Religion trains us to be fake. This is why so many people outside of the movement of Jesus see us as inauthentic. It is because when we are trying to get our justification through what we do instead of what Jesus did, it leads us to hypocricy - being someone on the outside that we are not on the inside. Our justification is by faith in Christ alone and when we do this, we're forsaking all attempts at justifying ourselves. We are able to live our lives out of Christ's transforming goodness. This frees us to stop trying to manage our image and allows us to live a life where we are consistent on the inside and outside.
HT
Ths morning while I was reading the scriptures, it occurred to me that the difference between religion and walking with Jesus comes down to how we try and justify ourselves. In Romans 10, the scriptures talk about how a person is made right with God (in other words "saved") by believing the work of God that was done through Christ. This concept is found all throughout the book of Romans. Justification by faith. It is not our faith that makes us right with God, but it is what we put our faith in that makes us right with God. When we put our faith in Christ alone for salvation, identity and hope we are justified before God. In other words, all of our sin is nailed to the cross w/ Jesus and all of His righteosness is given to us. We are changed from sinners to saints.
Religion is just the opposite. Religion is justification by fake. We are trying to make ourselves right by portraying an image of ourselves that is not true to the core of our being. We get our identity from what we do. Religion trains us to be fake. This is why so many people outside of the movement of Jesus see us as inauthentic. It is because when we are trying to get our justification through what we do instead of what Jesus did, it leads us to hypocricy - being someone on the outside that we are not on the inside. Our justification is by faith in Christ alone and when we do this, we're forsaking all attempts at justifying ourselves. We are able to live our lives out of Christ's transforming goodness. This frees us to stop trying to manage our image and allows us to live a life where we are consistent on the inside and outside.
HT
Welcome!
So, you can call me a late bloomer, but I've finally set this up.
We're in a very exciting season of ministry currently, and it seemed appropriate to create a space for news, observations on Scripture, and additional content that I can't cover in Living Stones' large group gatherings.
It will be pretty open ended so keep an eye on things and let me know what you think.
Pastor Harvey Turner
harveyt@gracechurchreno.org
Living Stones
Reno, NV
We're in a very exciting season of ministry currently, and it seemed appropriate to create a space for news, observations on Scripture, and additional content that I can't cover in Living Stones' large group gatherings.
It will be pretty open ended so keep an eye on things and let me know what you think.
Pastor Harvey Turner
harveyt@gracechurchreno.org
Living Stones
Reno, NV
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