Romans 12:5--so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.
Throughout the course of history there have been two churches, one physical, one spiritual. One church is made with hands(where God does not dwell--Acts 17:24), while another is made by God(where His Spirit does not depart--Hebrews 13:5). Which church are you a member of? It can be confusing, at times, to distinguish between the two churches since the line of demarcation is not drawn around one physical building. As Jesus pointed out in Matthew 13:24-30, wheat(believers) and tares(unbelievers) will be together. So, while one physical church may be full of wheat, another may be full of tares, and still yet other mixed with both. Today, I will give a couple of indicators to help differentiate between the members of the true church and the one made with hands.
Comfort instead of compassion. Matthew 9:36 says, "But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd." While members of the true church will be moved with compassion for others, especially the lost, the other church will be concerned with comfort. In word they may declare to desire sinners to come to repentance, but in reality what they mean is, "As long as I don't have to do much" and "As long as they look like me." Those not a part of the true church concern themselves with the look and smell of the building and the people that attend it, not the spiritual state of the flock. Appearance is vital and comfort is key, even if that comfort leads them to hell.
Malice instead of mercy. James 2:13 says, "For judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment. Those within the true church understand the temptation to jet into judgment, but resist it; instead, choosing to follow Christ's example and show mercy to all. That is not true of those outside of the true church. Their first instinct and practice is to find fault in people and then to share those thoughts with others. These members tend to spread gossip and speak evil of dignitaries(especially if the dignitary stands behind the pulpit). They feel more comfortable tearing people down than lifting them up, even if such behavior originates from the devil(Revelation 12:10). Members of the true church, however, will operate in the wisdom that originates from above which is full of mercy. (James 3:17)
Although this list is not comprehensive, my goal is to help others understand which church they may associate with and to encourage them to change their membership, seeing that their path leads to hell. My hope is also to encourage those that are a part of the spiritual church to begin to break down the walls of separation and seek out true fellowship with those that are part of the body of Christ. II Timothy 2:22 says, "Flee also youthful lusts, but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart."
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Baptism: sprinkle, pour or immerse?
John 13:15a, 17--For I have given you an example...If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them."
What is your foundation? Ephesians 2:19-20 says that we are, "saints and members of the household of God, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone..." Is God's Word your foundation on which you stand? Do you wholly depend upon it for guidance or do you lean upon your intellect. Do the Scriptures motivate your movement or do church traditions? Today, we will leave church tradition and man's opinion on the doorstep and enter the house through the gate of God's Word. We will address three areas(the Greek, examples and the symbolism) to help you understand which type of baptism is grounded in God's Word and which is founded upon man's opinion.
First, Greek. Matthew 28:19 says, "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." The Greek word from which we get “baptizing” is baptizo, which means to dip or immerge. It is that way throughout the New Testament. There are Greek words that mean sprinkle(rhantizo) and pour(excheo), but neither are ever used to describe the rite of baptism that Jesus practiced.
Second, examples. Matthew 3:5-6 says, “Then Jerusalem, all Judea, and all the region around the Jordan went out to him and were baptized(immersed) by him in the Jordan, confessing their sins.” When it comes to immersion, John the Baptist started it, Jesus practiced it and Paul followed suit, as did many others in-between. The pattern was clearly made that baptism was essential and that immersion was the form it should be done. Acts 8:26-40 offer us one wonderful example of immersion. In verse 38-39 we see that Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch, “went down into the water” and “came up out of the water.” Obviously, if sprinkling or pouring were the practice there would be no need for going into or coming out of the water; immersion is the only viable option.
Third, symbolism. Romans 6:3-4 says, “Or 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.” Immersion provides a vivid illustration of the new believer being “buried” to their old nature and being raised to walk in newness of life. Neither sprinkling nor pouring can provide such imagery.
My hope is that all will search the Scriptures to see if what I have taught is accurate and then practice it. Many may teach something different, but may you, as a whole-hearted believer rely only on God’s Word and not the word of another. May Christ richly bless you as you obey all He instructs us to do.
What is your foundation? Ephesians 2:19-20 says that we are, "saints and members of the household of God, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone..." Is God's Word your foundation on which you stand? Do you wholly depend upon it for guidance or do you lean upon your intellect. Do the Scriptures motivate your movement or do church traditions? Today, we will leave church tradition and man's opinion on the doorstep and enter the house through the gate of God's Word. We will address three areas(the Greek, examples and the symbolism) to help you understand which type of baptism is grounded in God's Word and which is founded upon man's opinion.
First, Greek. Matthew 28:19 says, "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." The Greek word from which we get “baptizing” is baptizo, which means to dip or immerge. It is that way throughout the New Testament. There are Greek words that mean sprinkle(rhantizo) and pour(excheo), but neither are ever used to describe the rite of baptism that Jesus practiced.
Second, examples. Matthew 3:5-6 says, “Then Jerusalem, all Judea, and all the region around the Jordan went out to him and were baptized(immersed) by him in the Jordan, confessing their sins.” When it comes to immersion, John the Baptist started it, Jesus practiced it and Paul followed suit, as did many others in-between. The pattern was clearly made that baptism was essential and that immersion was the form it should be done. Acts 8:26-40 offer us one wonderful example of immersion. In verse 38-39 we see that Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch, “went down into the water” and “came up out of the water.” Obviously, if sprinkling or pouring were the practice there would be no need for going into or coming out of the water; immersion is the only viable option.
Third, symbolism. Romans 6:3-4 says, “Or 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.” Immersion provides a vivid illustration of the new believer being “buried” to their old nature and being raised to walk in newness of life. Neither sprinkling nor pouring can provide such imagery.
My hope is that all will search the Scriptures to see if what I have taught is accurate and then practice it. Many may teach something different, but may you, as a whole-hearted believer rely only on God’s Word and not the word of another. May Christ richly bless you as you obey all He instructs us to do.
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
Coach, this one's for you
Philippians 3:14--I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Throughout my high school career, I participated in sports. Whether running around a track or up and down a basketball court, I was preparing my body for competition. I was an athlete. I spent many hours sliding, sprinting, stretching and shooting just so I could become a better sportsman. I had good coaches that drove my hard, pressing me to improve upon my past success. Today, I continue to be an athlete. I continue to discipline my body so that I will be prepared for competition. I also continue to have a Coach who presses me to improve everyday. My goal and my prize are altogether different, however. I strive not for man's approval or praise, but for Christ's. Nor do I endeavor to receive some passing crest or medal, but the imperishable crown of righteousness that the Lord has stored up for those that have fought the good fight, finished the race and kept the faith.(I Corinthians 9:25 and II Timothy 4:7-8)
May I encourage you, not to quit competing, but to join another team. Instead of building up for yourself treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and thieves can break in and steal; how about store up for yourself treasures in heaven where it will be protected for all eternity. Instead of sweating and toiling to gain a name or fame for yourself; how about diligently laboring so that names can be written in the Lamb's book of life. Strive not for the temporal things that will soon pass away, but the eternal that will last forever.
Repent and turn from your sins, so that your playing field can be spiritual and no longer just physical.
I Corinthians 9:24--Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it.
Throughout my high school career, I participated in sports. Whether running around a track or up and down a basketball court, I was preparing my body for competition. I was an athlete. I spent many hours sliding, sprinting, stretching and shooting just so I could become a better sportsman. I had good coaches that drove my hard, pressing me to improve upon my past success. Today, I continue to be an athlete. I continue to discipline my body so that I will be prepared for competition. I also continue to have a Coach who presses me to improve everyday. My goal and my prize are altogether different, however. I strive not for man's approval or praise, but for Christ's. Nor do I endeavor to receive some passing crest or medal, but the imperishable crown of righteousness that the Lord has stored up for those that have fought the good fight, finished the race and kept the faith.(I Corinthians 9:25 and II Timothy 4:7-8)
May I encourage you, not to quit competing, but to join another team. Instead of building up for yourself treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and thieves can break in and steal; how about store up for yourself treasures in heaven where it will be protected for all eternity. Instead of sweating and toiling to gain a name or fame for yourself; how about diligently laboring so that names can be written in the Lamb's book of life. Strive not for the temporal things that will soon pass away, but the eternal that will last forever.
Repent and turn from your sins, so that your playing field can be spiritual and no longer just physical.
I Corinthians 9:24--Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it.
Monday, July 9, 2012
How to attract a Godly woman, even God Himself
I Timothy 4:8--For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come.
In today's society, many men are confused on what it takes to attract a Godly woman. We are told to strive to be strong, be rich, be famous, be smart; believing that then the women will flock. That may be true for some women, but for the Godly woman, something much more important is needed. Today, I would like to aid all men in attracting the right Godly woman, or help the married man re- attract his spouse.
Learn to love. John 15:13 says, "Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends." A Godly woman looks for a man that is willing to sacrifice his wants, needs and desires for the good of others. I Corinthians 13:5 says that love, "does not seek its own." We are surrounded by men that are self-seekers to the core; life is about them and what they desire to do. Such a man is not fit for a Godly woman. We must learn that love is a verb that must be demonstrated. I John 3:18 says, " My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth." One way to show such love is by serving.
Learn to serve. Matthew 20:26-28 says, "Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave—just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” Men have learned to be headstrong instead of humble, proud instead of polite, and controlling instead of compassionate. Men must learn to follow Paul's teaching when he says, "let each esteem others better than himself."(Phil. 2:3) Each man should remember, "not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly."(Romans 12:3) Serving goes hand and hand with loving. When we truly love, it is easy to truly serve.
Just as Jesus exhibited His love by laying down His life for us, let us do the same for others. Just as Jesus demonstrated serving by washing His disciples' feet, let us practice the same. By doing so, the Godly women, and God Himself will be attracted.
In today's society, many men are confused on what it takes to attract a Godly woman. We are told to strive to be strong, be rich, be famous, be smart; believing that then the women will flock. That may be true for some women, but for the Godly woman, something much more important is needed. Today, I would like to aid all men in attracting the right Godly woman, or help the married man re- attract his spouse.
Learn to love. John 15:13 says, "Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends." A Godly woman looks for a man that is willing to sacrifice his wants, needs and desires for the good of others. I Corinthians 13:5 says that love, "does not seek its own." We are surrounded by men that are self-seekers to the core; life is about them and what they desire to do. Such a man is not fit for a Godly woman. We must learn that love is a verb that must be demonstrated. I John 3:18 says, " My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth." One way to show such love is by serving.
Learn to serve. Matthew 20:26-28 says, "Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave—just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” Men have learned to be headstrong instead of humble, proud instead of polite, and controlling instead of compassionate. Men must learn to follow Paul's teaching when he says, "let each esteem others better than himself."(Phil. 2:3) Each man should remember, "not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly."(Romans 12:3) Serving goes hand and hand with loving. When we truly love, it is easy to truly serve.
Just as Jesus exhibited His love by laying down His life for us, let us do the same for others. Just as Jesus demonstrated serving by washing His disciples' feet, let us practice the same. By doing so, the Godly women, and God Himself will be attracted.
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
Truly Free
Many this week celebrated Independence Day; a day, in which we remembered the freedom we gained over a harsh ruler. Many may not know or understand, but there is another harsh ruler at work today throughout the whole world. His name is satan. For thousands of years he has enslaved, entrapped and put into bondage many a helpless people. The good news, however, is that you can be set free. John 8:32 says, "And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free." By coming into an understanding and relationship with the truth(Jesus Christ) you can truly be set free from the chains that have so easily ensnared you. John 8:36 says, "Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed." Will you surrender your will and allow Jesus Christ to come in and give you true freedom? By doing so, you can celebrate independence every day.
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