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Tag Archives: gospel
Here’s Our Chance
Today is Halloween, which happens to be one of a long list of things Christians disagree about. At our house we carve a Jack-o-lantern and hand out candy, relegating the holiday to a children’s event only. We have good friends that turn off all their lights, go to bed early, and complain that people still knock on their door. Christians disagree on celebrating Christmas, voting in elections, serving in the military, consuming alcohol, and even the use of caffeine. How Christians feel about _______ always depends on which one you ask.
Hurricane Sandy may go down in history as the worst weather-related disaster in our nation’s history. This is our chance to be the body of Christ. More than teaching rhetoric, Jesus taught his disciples to go and do. Continue reading
Technology vs Relationship
I have written before on how the church can take advantage of information technology. Blogs, video streaming, social websites and podcasting are all ways the local church can reach a global audience. At the same time, your members and community can stay better informed and connected. Technology can be a powerful tool for sharing the Gospel, but as always there is a danger if used incorrectly.
Discipling: More Than a Podcast Preacher by Jonathan Dodson at 9Marks reminds us that discipleship is relational. The relationship can be lost if replaced by technology.
The concept is nothing new, but a entire new generation could be subjected to it. Back in the 80’s, an increasing number of television preachers took their sermons or entire services to the airwaves. If you were shut in, lived in a nursing home, incarcerated or isolated by geography, the t.v. preacher could be a God send. For others, watching a Sunday morning broadcast took the place of participating in a local church. Maybe it was easier than getting up and dressed, or maybe it was about avoiding people, the collection plate, etc. Weblogs and podcasts are excellent tools for sharing the Gospel, but discipleship is relational. Jesus preached to multitudes, but he also discipled a group of 12, taught in people’s homes and touched the sick. The church is a community of believers, and we must not forsake the assembling of ourselves together (Heb 12:25).
The Sinner’s Prayer Debate
One side of the debate says that the sinner’s prayer is not found in scripture. Okay, I’ll give you that. But you loose me on the premise that nowhere is such a prayer commanded nor implied anywhere in the New Testament. The Apostle’s Creed is not found in scripture, but that is the statement of faith regularly made by many believers. Each claim is based on scriptural truth. Below is the sinner’s prayer text, followed by several statements quoted directly from scripture. Continue reading
We Are the Body
We are the body. Our calling is to be the hands that are doing and feet that are going. I wanted to say a lot more, but decided instead to let this video by Eric Ludy speak for itself.
Keep Blowing that Trumpet
In Ezekiel 33, God describes to Ezekiel the role of the watchmen. If he sees the sword (enemy armies) coming, and blows the trumpet, then each person that hears the warning is responsible for heeding the warning or not. If the watchmen does not blow the trumpet, then he is responsible for the loss of life. Ezekiel, as the prophet of God, is identified as Israel’s watchmen and encouraged to keep blowing his trumpet. Figuratively speaking.
By the end of the chapter, God encourages Ezekiel to keep proclaiming the Word even though it seems no one is responding. Everyone is exciting about coming to listen, but no one actually does what he says. God actually says it’s like listening to a singer that plays his instrument well; Israel listens, but takes no action. In the same way, we must keep blowing our trumpet. Share the Gospel. Call the lost to repentance. Invite friends, family and neighbors to church. Most will not respond. Some will politely decline, a few will “think about” or say they will try. A few people will speak up and discourage us. In our changing culture, you may encounter active protest. You may be called a bigot, a hater, a hypocrite or be accused of judging. Keep blowing that trumpet. If we warn the world that judgement is coming – and Ex 33:33 reminds us it is – then each is responsible for how he or she responds.
Sharing the Gospel is an act of love, not hate. Warning others that God is a righteous judge is not judging others. All of us that know that have received the Gospel are called to share it with others. No matter what happens, keep blowing that trumpet.
If I say to the wicked, O wicked one, you shall surely die, and you do not speak to warn the wicked to turn from his way, that wicked person shall die in his iniquity, but his blood I will require at your hand. But if you warn the wicked to turn from his way, and he does not turn from his way, that person shall die in his iniquity, but you will have delivered your soul. (Ezekiel 33:8-9 ESV)
Asleep at the Wheel
We hear a lot these days about texting and driving, but there’s a million ways to not pay attention to the road. You could be talking to a person in the car with you, changing the radio dial, reading; I saw a guy on I-75 in Atlanta shaving with a cordless razor. Have you ever driven on auto pilot? Perhaps you’re deep in thought or just daydreaming, then suddenly realize where you are. If you drive a route routinely you do it without really thinking about it. That will become a problem if something non-routine happens, like a car suddenly breaking or kids running out in the road. Drivers don’t have to be drunk or texting to be zoned out.
1 Peter 5:8 says “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” Not living in a drunken stupor is not enough, we have to watchful. We must be vigilant. In chapter 1 Peter tells us to prepare our minds for action. Riding a motorcycle requires more presence of thought driving a car; a few seconds on autopilot could be the end of your trip. Riders are trained to watch further down the road in order to anticipate problems, as well as be aware of what’s going on behind them on the road.
The Church can’t function on auto pilot. Continue reading
Christians Response to Gay Advertising
Over the weekend I got a rather feisty comment on my Ellen DeGeneras post from February (link). The commenter railed on Christians that would still shop at JC Penny after they “actively supported this!” I thought the article was clear that what the retail chain supported was buying more stuff; they sell lots of women’s clothing and DeGeneras is a public iconic figure that wears women’s clothing and probably knows a thing or two about shopping. Mr. Smith, in his comment, used words like faggot, queers, and terms such as “the homos” and suggested we would talk about his language while ignoring the depravity around us. Which does beg the question: What should the Christian response be to the proliferation of homosexuality in our culture? Continue reading
The Read and Share File
This is the Read and Share File, where I share with my readers what I have been reading. This past week has been busy, this week will continue to be, and I haven’t read much. But here are a few things:
When Jesus and his disciples were criticized for not washing their hands, Jesus uses the opportunity to explain what really defiles a person. It is not what goes into a person (Mark 7) but what comes out a person. Luke’s version of this story says “Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.” This post from Theologigal has a lot to say about what’s in a person’s heart.
Tall Skinny Kiwi lists 10 things he sees happening the the church that I don’t see happening here (in the United States). It’s about smaller stages in churches and entering people’s homes. And the Gospel.
Mitt Romney acknowledges that while Mormons and evangelicals have different faiths, the two can work together. More at Baptist Press.
At reading the title The Theology of the Chocolate Sampler, I thought something like “Free will allows us to choose each piece, but what’s inside has been predestined.” Gary Shogren doesn’t go there (thus writing a much better post).
The Internet – Email, Blogging, Social Media – for Church
Chances are that if you were in the “blogging is a waste of time” camp you wouldn’t be reading this one right now. While I may be preaching to the choir, what I plan to do is share my reasoning on how the Internet is a tool that can be used by churches to support their ministry, build community and share the Gospel.
I have personal friends in real life that have deleted their Facebook accounts because they are a waste of time. “There’s nothing but junk on there” was the reasoning. I know Christians that lament having wifi and DSL in their home because it distracts them from studying scripture. Unplugging your internet is much worse than evangelicals who tossed out their t.v. sets in the 80’s. Television only works one way; the Internet is a two way street. Continue reading
The Master's Table 