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Unity

February 8, 2012 in Church, Uncategorized with 0 Comments

John 17:22-23

22 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— 23 I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.

 

John 17 gives us an intimate glimpse of Jesus’s relationship with our creator. In this chapter he is praying to be glorified, for his disciples and finally for all believers.

Verse 23 is especially striking, as Jesus is praying that all believers would commune with Him “so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.”

As believers, our journey into unity begins with grace and truth: Grace from God to open our eyes to the truth so that we may accept the invitation into a unified life with the trinity.

Our unified life in Christ should then flow to a unified life with our spiritual brothers and sisters. The fruit of this unity is nonbelievers knowing that Christ was sent from the Father and loves them.

I believe that the grace and truth that originally drew us to Christ will be the same means of attaining unity in the Church. We need to have grace and not be overly critical of Christian brothers and sisters who have differing views. We have to have faith that God is merciful and leading us down the right theological path.

Then we need to cling to Truth, by continually and rigidly seeking what God means and intends with the words of scripture. We need to study Truth so that we will not be misled by false teachings and doctrine.

What a responsibility we share as the church. If we believe the words of our savior in this verse, the world will know that God sent Jesus and loves them if we are to abide in Jesus in unity.

God help us to abide in you and to cling to grace and truth so that we can promote unity in the church so that the world will see your love. In your son’s name we pray.

 

Warning Concerning Antichrists

February 6, 2012 in Angels and demons, Christology, Church, Discipleship, Gospel, Jesus, Theology with 0 Comments

The First Letter of John

1 John 2: 18-27 18 Children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come. Therefore we know that it is the last hour.19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us.20 But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and you all have knowledge.t21 I write to you, not because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and because no lie is of the truth.22 Who is the liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, he who denies the Father and the Son.23 No one who denies the Son has the Father. Whoever confesses the Son has the Father also.24 Let what you heard from the beginning abide in you. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, then you too will abide in the Son and in the Father.25 And this is the promise that he made to ust—eternal life. 26 I write these things to you about those who are trying to deceive you.27 But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie—just as it has taught you, abide in him.

 It will never be my intention to scare you, but there are certain warnings in God’s Word that need to be looked at.  John thought it was important enough to point out the existence of antichrists that he spent a good portion of his first letter warning about them.

There are those who oppose the gospel of Jesus Christ and seek to lead His followers astray.  Though we’d like them to be easily identifiable through something like their black cowboy hat, it isn’t that simple.  Though we’d like to be able to tell who they are based on the fact that they’re “out there” saying hateful things about Jesus, it’s not true.  They are among us, posing as our brothers and sisters.  They say things much like what we say.  They call themselves Christians but their intentions are not to follow Christ.  Their intentions are rather to keep others from following Him.

So how can we spot someone who is an antichrist if they look just like a Christian in some cases?  There is one test given by John to his readers.  They deny that Jesus is the Christ.  The simple fact is that they are called antichrists because they are against Christ.  If someone is opposed to believing that Jesus is the Son of God, sent into the world to redeem God’s people, then he is an antichrist.  Don’t get this mixed up with The Antichrist who will come as the embodiment of all that is evil.  These are individuals who reject the gospel yet try to look like they belong with Christians as they work to  destroy.  It was true in John’s time and it’s true in ours.  Be prepared for lies by knowing what the Truth is.

Do good

November 29, 2011 in Character, Church, Discipleship with 0 Comments

True Christianity

Romans 12:10  Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.

Have you ever been part of a church that just didn’t feel like it was really living out the purposes of God?  When that happens it often starts with a lack in the love department.  If Christians can’t love each other, the fellow members of the body of Christ, then there will be no effective ministry.

Paul’s marks of a true Christian reflect not just how a Christian should act, but how Christians should treat each other.  These were not instructions on how to treat people “out there”, but how to treat people “in here” first.  Practicing the love of God and doing good works starts among family and then it spills out into the rest of our relationships.  We must first love and serve our fellow believers.

This is one of the key reasons to belong to a local church fellowship.  A church provides the opportunity to love and serve those who share a faith in Christ before going out and doing it among the people of the world.  A church is a place to be equipped for ministry, and that starts with love and service from and toward your fellow Christians.  Besides that, Christian unity is best perfected within the context of a gathering of believers who make up a family.

Love what is good, hate what is evil, love and serve your Christian brothers and sisters.

A fellowship of believers

July 20, 2011 in Church with 0 Comments

The Church

Hebrews 10:24-25  And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

Sometimes it’s hard to know where we belong in this world.  We can find ourselves tossed aside by society if we’re not pretty enough or cool enough for the world’s standards.  We have to meet the criteria of whatever group we’re looking to be accepted by in order to have a shot.  But in God’s family, there’s always room for the outcast or the downtrodden.

In fact, sometimes it takes feeling the rejection of the world for us to turn to God, and when we do, we find a Father who has His arms open wide.  There are many churches and many denominations and it’s not accurate to say that all of them are as accepting as Christ is, but in general the church is where we find a home where His love is shown.  The fellowship of believers is where we can find the love, encouragement, motivation, kindness, and correction the world lacks.  Each believer is equipped to minister to others in some way, and everyone has a place where they fit in.

God’s overall plan is fulfilled through His Church (outwardly) and the body is meant to minister to each other (inwardly) for this plan to be accomplished.  Our mission isn’t just to go “out there”, but also to tend to those “in here” so that each of us can be better at what we’re called to do.  Healing, hope, and love are found in Christ’s Church.  This was His plan.

Christ’s body

July 19, 2011 in Church with 0 Comments

The Church

1 Corinthians 12:12-14 For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit. For the body does not consist of one member but of many.

The Church – we are many, but we are one – united in Christ.  Though the Church is made up of many individuals, each has his or her own part in making up the body of Christ.  Each member is like a part of a body, fulfilling a specific purpose to the greater purpose of the body as a whole.

Why do we gather as a church?  To carry out the work of Christ in the world.  To bring glory to God.  He has commissioned us to go out and do His will and bring about His purposes.  When we unite as one, we have strength in numbers, we have unity, we have a greater plan.  In our unity, God works in us and through us, just as He works in and through us as individuals.

In each of us, He gives skills and abilities.  In the corporate body He puts those skills to work, directing us right where He wants us.  Often we pair with someone whose skills complement our own and our effectiveness is doubled, as two strands of rope are far stronger than one (even better with a third – God).

United as a body, we are an unstoppable force in the world for the cause of Christ.

 

Christ’s bride

July 18, 2011 in Church with 0 Comments

The Church

Ephesians 5:25-27  Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.

Of all analogies given in Scripture to describe the relationship between God and man, maybe one of the most peculiar is that of husband and wife. Christ is the groom and we (collectively, as the Church) are His bride.  Why is this comparison used to speak of our relationship with Jesus?

First of all, any analogy that tries to capture God within human understanding fails.  God is not just like anything we have knowledge of.  But He is kind of like a husband who loves his bride and would do anything (DID everything!) for her.  The best attempt we have at coming close to understanding God’s love is a healthy marriage relationship where there is mutual love.  Christ gave everything, His own perfect life, for His bride.  He sacrificed it all that we might be reconciled to God.

We, His bride, are made spotless (here’s the white dress) to be presented at the marriage (Christ’s return).  He’s made a covenant with us that will never be broken and He remains faithful.  His love never falters, never fails.  His love is true.  And His love is for us.  We await the perfect wedding day to come.