Please don’t ask me…“Everyone knows that Jesus was a good man and a wise teacher—but why try to make him into the Son of God?

 

  • Many people believe this is what happened: Jesus was given a “divine promotion” by his later followers. In other words, today Christians have an exalted view of Jesus that he never claimed for himself.

 

This is kind of summed up in the movie, based on Dan Brown’s book the Davinci Code (DaVinci Code book)

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BAzZm1fuw0M DaVinci Code attack on Jesus deity

 

Thomas Jefferson, (Thomas Jefferson) one of our founding Father’s believed this he even created his own Bible where he cut out most of the miracles and kept what he thought was really the truth about this great moralist Jesus

 

See if Jesus was only a good teacher, or great moralist than what he had to say was good food for thought but not divine mandate, wisdom and purpose so it is all negotiable but if Jesus is God then what He says is truth and needs to be adhered to

But history argues with that theory

 

  • History shows, contrary to that belief, that there was an early devotion to Jesus as the divine Son of God—an explosion that points back to him and his teachings as its source.

 

All the New Testament books were written between 50 and 100 AD roughly 17 – 67 years after the death of Christ. The council of Nicea was 300 years after the death of Christ and all they did at that council was merely recognize what was already acknowledged by the church.

 

In fact this is what Paul wrote to us that was already in creed form when he wrote it

 

1 Corinthians 15:3-8

For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and that He was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve. 6 After that He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep. 7 After that He was seen by James, then by all the apostles. 8 Then last of all He was seen by me also, as by one born out of due time.

 

Paul repeated a creed that had been know from Jesus resurrection that Jesus died for our sins (only God can do that) he rose again and he is writing this letter know that there are at least 500 witness that will verify what he is saying.

 

Every New Testament writer refers to Jesus as the “Christ,” or Messiah (e.g., see Matt. 1:1; Mark 1:1; Luke 9:20; John 4:25-26; Rom. 1:4; Heb. 6:1; James 1:1; 1 Pet. 1:1; Jude 1:1).

 

As you probably know, “Christ” is not Jesus’ last name. The word Messiah derives from the Hebrew title meaning “Anointed One”; Christ derives from the Greek translation of that title. The title appears over five hundred times and in all but one book of the New Testament (3 John, the shortest book).

 

The New Testament writers, in proclaiming that Jesus was the Christ, were saying that he was the preeminent Priest-King whom God had sent to fulfill his promises

 

The earliest and the latest New Testament authors alike use the most exalted titles for Jesus—ones that clearly indicate in their contexts that Jesus is divine. Both Paul (generally considered the earliest author) and John (usually regarded as the latest) speak of Jesus as:

 

– the Son of God (Gal. 4:4-6; John 20:30-31)

– the Savior (see Phil. 3:20; John 4:42)

– the Lord (see Rom. 10:9-13; John 9:38), and even

– God (see Rom. 9:5; Titus 2:13; John 1:1; 20:28).

 

The writings of Luke and Peter also use all these titles for Jesus (see Luke 2:11; 9:20; 10:1-2; 22:70; Acts 20:28; 1 Peter 1:1; 3:15; 2 Pet. 1:1, 17; 3:18). All the New Testament authors use the title Lord in ways that, given the context, equate Jesus with deity (see Matt. 7:21-22; Mark 5:19;

 

  • Jesus affirmed this understanding by repeatedly referring to himself as the Son of Man, which was a clear allusion to the divine figure in the Old Testament book of Daniel, chapter 7.

 

Jesus’ habit in the Gospels of referring to himself as “the Son of Man.” This title occurs eighty-two times in the sayings of Jesus throughout the four Gospels, making it by far the most-often used title for him in the Gospels (even more than “Christ”).

 

What did Jesus mean by calling himself the Son of Man?

 

Many modern readers assume that the title simply indicates his humanity. But that’s because they didn’t live in the first century and understand that he was referring to a visionary prophecy in the Old Testament book of Daniel, in which

 

“I saw someone like the son of man coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient One and was led into his presence. 14 He was given authority, honor, and sovereignty over all the nations of the world so that people of every race and nation and language would obey him. His rule is eternal—it will never end. His kingdom will never be destroyed.

 

Daniel 7:13-14,

 

That’s what Jesus thought of himself! This figure in Daniel has sovereign power and is worshiped by “all the peoples, nations and men of every language”—and only God can legitimately be worshiped.

 

Before His crucifixion, Jesus was on trial before the Jewish council and he referred to this scripture

 

Mark 14: 61-64

Then the high priest asked him, “Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?” 62 Jesus said, “I AM. And you will see the Son of Man seated in the place of power at God’s right hand and coming on the clouds of heaven.”63 Then the high priest tore his clothing to show his horror and said, “Why do we need other witnesses? 64 You have all heard his blasphemy. What is your verdict?”

 

The “I Am” claim was bad enough (God’s name Yahweh means I Am) we will talk more about this later. But he referred to himself as the coming Messiah/Priest/King prophesied in Daniel 7

 

  • Jesus taught with authority like no other human, expected loyalty and devotion to himself (along with the Father), and predicted that he would ultimately judge every person based on what they did with his teachings.

 

The standard way of teaching was that one Rabbi would quote another Rabbi then the third Rabbi would give his opinion on those two…Jesus went beyond that..

 

Matthew 5:21,22

“You have heard that our ancestors were told, ‘You must not murder. If you commit murder, you are subject to judgment.’ 22 But I say, if you are even angry with someone, you are subject to judgment!

 

Many times throughout the Gospels Jesus would say “but I say” setting the point that it was his opinion but was irrefutable truth

 

Jesus places himself at the head of the judgment of all mankind wrapping part of it up this way in Matthew 7:23

“And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’

 

He is telling everyone there is coming a judgment and I am the judge of all mankind

 

What would we do to someone today who made such a claim?

 

He is so much more than a man and knew He was the Son of God and no man gave him that title.

 

  • Jesus made multiple claims to equality with the Father, and he never sought to change the perceptions of his listeners to that end, even when they were hostile and threatening to kill him.

 

Because of time allow me to give you three passage of scripture that prove this.

 

John 5:16-18

 

For this reason, the Jews persecuted Jesus and sought to kill Him, because He had done these things on the Sabbath. 17 But Jesus answered them, “My Father has been working until now, and I have been working.”

18 Therefore the Jews sought all the more to kill Him, because He not only broke the Sabbath but also said that God was His Father, making Himself equal with God.

 

John 8:56-59

Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day, and he saw it and was glad.” 57 Then the Jews said to Him, “You are not yet fifty years old, and have You seen Abraham?” 58 Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.” 59 Then they took up stones to throw at Him; but Jesus hid Himself and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by.

 

Why would they want to stone him except that his “I am” claim was making him God?

 

John 10:30-33

I and My Father are one.”31 Then the Jews took up stones again to stone Him. 32 Jesus answered them, “Many good works I have shown you from My Father. For which of those works do you stone Me?” 33 The Jews answered Him, saying, “For a good work we do not stone You, but for blasphemy, and because of You, being a Man, make Yourself God.”

 

These are Jesus’ on words. I think no one needed to make Him God, He knew He was.

 

 

  • Jesus predicted that all his claims would be proven true by his impending death and resurrection—and then both of these events actually happened

 

One of the best ways to answer the question about Jesus is to ask another…what made Jesus followers believe he was the son of God, the Messiah, anointed one?

 

Ironically it is his death

 

John Dominic Crossan, (John Dominic Crossan) cofounder of the notorious Jesus Seminar, a group of scholars who promote highly skeptical views about Jesus, agrees: “Jesus’ death by execution under Pontius Pilate is as sure as anything historical can be.”

 

Jesus horrible death on a cross should have been significant to His first followers that he was not the Messiah because scripture is very clear about crucifixion

 

Deuteronomy 21:23 “he who is hanged is accursed of God.”

 

They would have seen this death as not victory but a sign that he was not the Son of God. Most of what they believed about Jesus prior to his death was that he was going to set them free from their Roman oppressors.

 

What changed their point of view? The resurrection! Within a few days some of his closest friends and relatives said they saw him alive.

 

Unlike other faiths, Christianity did not begin by a group of followers trying to remember Jesus teachings after he had died. The knew a vindicated risen savior.

 

To believe that Jesus was only a good teacher would be a mistake; a story about Jesus being the son of God would have never developed the disciples would not have been able to sustain a lie

 

Jesus placed his divinity at stake with the idea of the resurrection.

 

John 2:19-22

Jesus answered and said to them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” 20 Then the Jews said, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will You raise it up in three days?” 21 But He was speaking of the temple of His body. 22 Therefore, when He had risen from the dead, His disciples remembered that He had said this to them; and they believed the Scripture and the word which Jesus had said.

 

Matthew 12:39,40

But He answered and said to them, “An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. 40 For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.

 

In both cases Jesus was referring to his death and resurrection…but how do we know the resurrection took place?

 

Historic facts from even non-Christian authors bear the fact that Jesus was crucified…despite wild theories that it was not Jesus on the cross or that he did not really die Josephus a Jewish historian, Thallus, and Tacitus Roman historians give the account of Jesus crucifixion. Pliny the younger a Roman governor and the Jewish Talmud all give reports that Jesus was indeed crucified to death…so we know for sure that He died.

 

  • all four Gospels report Jesus body was placed in a tomb by a member of the group that had him crucified…not a fact that would make sense if it were not true.
  • All four Gospels report that women were the first to encounter the risen Christ. This is a male dominated culture where the testimony of a woman was worth less than ½ that of a man. This would not have been the way to promote His resurrection
  • If the tomb were not empty it would have been easy to show the body or to find the dead body of Christ and reveal the whole resurrection thing as a hoax.

 

Paul’s conversion experience is especially troubling to those who believe that Jesus was only a good man…a persecutor who had a dramatic experience and became a believer

 

If your friends are asking you… “Everyone knows that Jesus was a good man and a wise teacher—but why try to make him into the Son of God?

 

I hope that today you see that it wasn’t something that was developed by Christians centuries after his death it was a plain understanding that the first-century disciples believed and Jesus himself made clear.

 

He is, was and always will be God and as the writer of Hebrews states

 

Hebrews 13:8

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.”

Thanksgiving in July

What I want to talk about is a complaining heart or an ungrateful attitude.

dictionary.com
Complain,
to express dissatisfaction, pain, uneasiness, censure, resentment, or grief; find fault:

is It ever okay to complain?

We certainly need to sometimes express concerns.

We have to be real
Life Happens

But if we are always focused on the negative aspects of life, we are more likely to see them, which creates a vicious cycle of more and more complaining.

Let’s look at the last part of that definition.
Finding fault..

focusing on the bad rather than the good

What is the fruit of a complaining heart?

it poisons those around us
it’s emotionally draining to us and those around us
it fuels the sin of gossip and rumors
it can divide families
it can divide churches

I can allow myself to be agitated with the simplest things sometimes.

I can’t let things like this steal my joy or control my emotions and thoughts.

This is what happens when I allow my eyes and heart to be fixed on me.

What does the Bible say about complaining?
Philippians 2:12-15 (NLT)
12 Dear friends, you always followed my instructions when I was with you. And now that I am away, it is even more important. Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. 13 For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.
14 Do everything without complaining and arguing, 15 so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people.

How does God view complaining?

Let’s look at The Story of a man named Job

Job 1:1-3 (NLT) 1 There once was a man named Job who lived in the land of Uz. He was blameless—a man of complete integrity. He feared God and stayed away from evil. 2 He had seven sons and three daughters. 3 He owned 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 teams of oxen, and 500 female donkeys. He also had many servants. He was, in fact, the richest person in that entire area.

2 points
#1    He was blameless—a man of complete integrity
#2    He was, in fact, the richest person in that entire area.
Job 1:13-19 (NLT) 13 One day when Job’s sons and daughters were feasting at the oldest brother’s house, 14 a messenger arrived at Job’s home with this news: “Your oxen were plowing, with the donkeys feeding beside them, 15 when the Sabeans raided us. They stole all the animals and killed all the farmhands. I am the only one who escaped to tell you.”
16 While he was still speaking, another messenger arrived with this news: “The fire of God has fallen from heaven and burned up your sheep and all the shepherds. I am the only one who escaped to tell you.”
17 While he was still speaking, a third messenger arrived with this news: “Three bands of Chaldean raiders have stolen your camels and killed your servants. I am the only one who escaped to tell you.”
18 While he was still speaking, another messenger arrived with this news: “Your sons and daughters were feasting in their oldest brother’s home. 19 Suddenly, a powerful wind swept in from the wilderness and hit the house on all sides. The house collapsed, and all your children are dead. I am the only one who escaped to tell you.”

In a moment of time, Everything was Gone!

Job 1:20-22 (NLT) 20 Job stood up and tore his robe in grief. Then he shaved his head and fell to the ground to worship. 21 He said,
“I came naked from my mother’s womb,
and I will be naked when I leave.
The Lord gave me what I had,
and the Lord has taken it away.
Praise the name of the Lord!”
22 In all of this, Job did not sin by blaming God.

The Man knew who he was
and he knew who his God was

Job 2:4-8 (NLT) 4 Satan replied to the Lord, “Skin for skin! A man will give up everything he has to save his life. 5 But reach out and take away his health, and he will surely curse you to your face!”
6 “All right, do with him as you please,” the Lord said to Satan. “But spare his life.” 7 So Satan left the Lord’s presence, and he struck Job with terrible boils from head to foot.
8 Job scraped his skin with a piece of broken pottery as he sat among the ashes.

Now the emotional pain turned to physical pain

Job 2:9-10 (NLT) 9 His wife said to him, “Are you still trying to maintain your integrity? Curse God and die.”
10 But Job replied, “You talk like a foolish woman. Should we accept only good things from the hand of God and never anything bad?” So in all this, Job said nothing wrong.

28 chapters later, after Job has been influenced by his three friends his outlook has changed.

Job 30:15-23 (NLT) 15 I live in terror now.
My honor has blown away in the wind,
and my prosperity has vanished like a cloud.
16 “And now my life seeps away.
Depression haunts my days.
17 At night my bones are filled with pain,
which gnaws at me relentlessly.
18 With a strong hand, God grabs my shirt.
He grips me by the collar of my coat.
19 He has thrown me into the mud.
I’m nothing more than dust and ashes.
20 “I cry to you, O God, but you don’t answer.
I stand before you, but you don’t even look.
21 You have become cruel toward me.
You use your power to persecute me.
22 You throw me into the whirlwind
and destroy me in the storm.
23 And I know you are sending me to my death—
the destination of all who live.

Chapter 31 is all about Job protesting his innocence and him bragging about all the good he has done.

Job 38:1-13 (NLT) The Lord Challenges Job
1 Then the Lord answered Job from the whirlwind:
2 “Who is this that questions my wisdom
with such ignorant words?
3 Brace yourself like a man,
because I have some questions for you,
and you must answer them.
4 “Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth?
Tell me, if you know so much.
5 Who determined its dimensions
and stretched out the surveying line?
6 What supports its foundations,
and who laid its cornerstone
7 as the morning stars sang together
and all the angels shouted for joy?
8 “Who kept the sea inside its boundaries
as it burst from the womb,
9 and as I clothed it with clouds
and wrapped it in thick darkness?
10 For I locked it behind barred gates,
limiting its shores.
11 I said, ‘This far and no farther will you come.
Here your proud waves must stop!’
12 “Have you ever commanded the morning to appear
and caused the dawn to rise in the east?
13 Have you made daylight spread to the ends of the earth,
to bring an end to the night’s wickedness?

This Conversation between God and Job goes on through chapter 41.

At The end of the book of Job, Job fully repents and God restores his life to him.
Now, lets take a look at the Israelites in the desert

Numbers 11:1-2 (NLT) 1 Soon the people began to complain about their hardship, and the Lord heard everything they said.

What does God think about complaining?

Then the Lord’s anger blazed against them, and he sent a fire to rage among them, and he destroyed some of the people in the outskirts of the camp.

Why does a complaining  heart so anger God?

Complaining is a symptom of;
Selfishness
Faithlessness
Pride
And it says to God, you’re not good enough.

2 Then the people screamed to Moses for help, and when he prayed to the Lord, the fire stopped.

Moses was able to calm God’s wrath because he had God’s heart.   Moses only wanted what God wanted!

Numbers 11:4-6 (NLT) 4 Then the foreign rabble who were traveling with the Israelites began to crave the good things of Egypt. And the people of Israel also began to complain. “Oh, for some meat!” they exclaimed. 5 “We remember the fish we used to eat for free in Egypt. And we had all the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions, and garlic we wanted. 6 But now our appetites are gone. All we ever see is this manna!”
The people forgot how bad it was when they were slaves in Egypt
They forgot how God was good to them and rescued them.
They took their eyes off the Lord and onto their circumstances.
Just like them, we are a forgetful people.

Who are we to express our concerns and opinions?

Chain of command, Gripes go up.

Now, it is Moses’s turn to gripe.

Numbers 11:11-15 (NLT) 11 And Moses said to the Lord, “Why are you treating me, your servant, so harshly? Have mercy on me! What did I do to deserve the burden of all these people?

Look at who he is talking to. He is talking directly to the Lord in prayer.

12 Did I give birth to them? Did I bring them into the world? Why did you tell me to carry them in my arms like a mother carries a nursing baby? How can I carry them to the land you swore to give their ancestors?

13 Where am I supposed to get meat for all these people? They keep whining to me, saying, ‘Give us meat to eat!’ 14 I can’t carry all these people by myself! The load is far too heavy! 15 If this is how you intend to treat me, just go ahead and kill me. Do me a favor and spare me this misery!”
What is the difference here between Moses’s complaining and people complaining?
#1  God measures attitude of the heart.
The people want more things.     Moses wants his people to trust the Lord.

#2  Moses is griping to the one who can make a difference, not to people around     him

Psalms 142:1-3 (NLT)
1 I cry out to the Lord;
I plead for the Lord’s mercy.
2 I pour out my complaints before him
and tell him all my troubles.
3 When I am overwhelmed,
you alone know the way I should turn.

Give it all to the Lord. He cannot only handle it, but he can do something about it.

So, practically, how do we do this?

Romans 12:2
2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

Paul says that we must be transformed by changing the way we think.”

The mind is the key to our Christian life.

The gospel is a call for each one of us to repent of our sin and embrace Christ by faith.

Our thinking must be changed (transformed) from old, ungodly ways of thinking into new, godly ways of thinking.

What we know in our minds to be true
forms a conviction in our hearts of that truth,
and that conviction in our hearts translates into action.

So, we must first renew our minds.

The only way to replace the error of the world’s way of thinking
is to replace it with God’s truth,
and the only infallible source of God’s truth is His revealed Word, the Bible.

Transformation through renewed minds
comes as we expose ourselves to God’s Word
through the church,
personal, and group Bible study.

We need to get into our Bibles.

Church alone is not enough

We must fill our minds with God’s Word.

In John 17:17 Jesus prayed to the Father,
17 Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth.

Romans 10:17 (NLT)
17 So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ.

When we are reading it, we are hearing it.

What do we have to be thankful for?

#1 Salvation

Ephesians 2:8-10
8 God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. 9 Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. 10 For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

Please don’t ask me…Why are so many Christians, hypocrites?

Please don’t ask me…why are so many Christians, hypocrites?

We see it all around us from the Catholic priests who abused all those children. To the rip off artist who seem to be all about money rather than Christ to the scam artist hocking their wares in the name of Christ. Those are the blatant ones

To some of our friends who are trying to find a faith to follow, these types of things can derail them from faith in Christ.

This is a serious subject that hits close to home for many of us and knowing how to answer it is a scary thing.

Every one of us if we will honestly look at our lives can see our own hypocrisy. You have heard me say time and time again we are a church full of hypocrites, sinners, and broken people. Every time I do not act like Christ I am being a hypocrite.

However, there is a difference between someone who is falling short of God’s glory as they are growing in Christ and a blatant hypocrite.

Sometimes our hypocrisy is a sign of immaturity.

The Father who tells his children not to use drugs but doesn’t see a problem with having a beer every night. Or the one who tells his daughter to dress appropriately or is over protective but then in secret goes on to porn sites

The Mother who challenges her children to act like Christ but is always gossiping and backbiting others.

The church-going boss who preaches truth and grace, but cheats on his taxes and sales figures.

The employee who spends time on their break reading their Bible and quoting scriptures but steals from their boss

The Bible-quoting neighbor who talks as if every day with Jesus is sweeter than the day before but they live in fear, anger, jealousy and/or resentment

Hypocrisy is “claiming to have moral standards or beliefs to which one’s own behavior does not conform; pretense.”

The label comes from an ancient Greek word that was a technical term for a stage actor. Hypocrites are mask wearers, acting without ever acknowledging that is what they’re doing.

The problem is not their sin or failure it is that they pretend that they don’t. They are inauthentic and refuse to admit it. They are frauds and imposters.

You can try a little experiment…ask your non-Christian friends if they have ever encountered a hypocritical Christian. I am sure they can give you a few examples granted some of them may be unfair but they will know what you mean.

David Kinnaman and Gabe Lyons, authors of unChristian: What a New Generation Really Thinks about Christianity, (UnChristian) have done research that shows there isn’t much measurable difference between people who claim to be born-again Christians and the rest of the world.

“Born-agains were distinct on some religious variables, most notably owning more Bibles, going to church more often, and donating money to religious nonprofits (especially a church). However, when it came to non-religious factors—the substance of people’s daily choices, actions, and attitudes—there were few meaningful gaps between born-again Christians and non-born agains. . . . In virtually every study we conduct, representing thousands of interviews every year, born-again Christians fail to display much attitudinal or behavioral evidence of transformed lives.”

 

Gandhi  once said “I like your Christ I just don’t like your Christians”

 

Mark Twain said,  “If Christ were here I am sure of one thing he would not be, a Christian”

 

Sad commentaries

 

So how do we halt hypocrisy? Many of our friends will at times simply through up their hands and say, “Why are so many Christians, hypocrites?”

 

Our friends are not alone in their harsh judgment of hypocrisy. Jesus had no room for it either…

 

Matthew 23:1-5, 13-16, 25-28,33

“The teachers of religious law and the Pharisees are the official interpreters of the law of Moses. 3 So practice and obey whatever they tell you, but don’t follow their example. For they don’t practice what they teach. 4 They crush people with unbearable religious demands and never lift a finger to ease the burden. 5 “Everything they do is for show….“What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you shut the door of the Kingdom of Heaven in people’s faces. You won’t go in yourselves, and you don’t let others enter either 15 “What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you cross land and sea to make one convert, and then you turn that person into twice the child of hell you yourselves are! 16 “Blind guides! What sorrow awaits you! Teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you are so careful to clean the outside of the cup and the dish, but inside you are filthy—full of greed and self-indulgence! 26 You blind Pharisee! First, wash the inside of the cup and the dish, and then the outside will become clean, too. 27 “What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs—beautiful on the outside but filled on the inside with dead people’s bones and all sorts of impurity. 28 Outwardly you look like righteous people, but inwardly your hearts are filled with hypocrisy and lawlessness. Snakes! Sons of vipers! How will you escape the judgment of hell?

This gives you a taste of how Jesus felt about hypocrisy!

He hated it enough—but also loved the people it affected enough—to hit them hard with the unvarnished truth about themselves, their attitudes and actions, and the detrimental impact they were having on others.

 

This leads us to our first point!

 

1) When our friends talk about hating hypocrisy, Jesus did too!

 

Many people will use hypocrisy to blame God or to stay away from the church but at least in a broad sense Jesus agrees with them.

 

When you look at the scripture we just read and/or have your friends read it they can easily see how Jesus hated hypocrisy. You will find that their problem isn’t really with God as much as it is with some of his people and their sin and their unwillingness to own up to it.

 

If you are able to share this scripture and others like it with your friend that will be able to see that they and Jesus agree on the same thing and that they both hate hypocrisy. They will begin to see that hypocritical behavior is unacceptable as a Christian.

 

2) Jesus is the only perfect example and the only one who will not disappoint us with their sin.

 

This is not an excuse for inauthentic Christians to keep acting this way but it is the truth.

 

The Bible says moral perfection is only for one human being..Jesus

 

Hebrews 4:15

This High Priest of ours (Jesus) understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin.

 

At Jesus boldly asked his accusers to come up with an accusation John 8:46

“Which of you can truthfully accuse me of sin? And since I am telling you the truth, why don’t you believe me?”

 

Can you try this one at home or in the office or at school…you might get an ear-full about your sin.

Jesus could give this challenge because he was free of sin.

When on trial Jesus’ detractors had to get liars and unscrupulous people to testify against him because there was no evidence of sin in his life.

As people of faith or seeking faith that is another reason to

Hebrews 12:2

“looking unto Jesus, the author, and finisher of our faith,”

 

So let’s look at the question again. Why are so many Christians, hypocrites?

When talking to a young college student from India, Pashi, Ruth Bell Graham (Ruth Bell Graham) the late wife of Dr. Billy Graham relates this story

“We of India would like to believe in Christ. But we have never seen a Christian who was like Christ.” Ruth Graham said that when she consulted Dr. Akbar Abdul-Haqq about what might be the best response to Pashi’s challenge, he answered decisively: “That is quite simple. I would tell Pashi, I am not offering you Christians. I am offering you, Christ”

WE need to talk to our friends and encourage them to ultimately put their faith in Christ not the frailty of Christians

We are to strive to grow and mature, by grace become more like Jesus every day and not settle for a life of falling short

 

3) Many hypocrites are only pretending to be God’s people.

 

Remember the people we just read about that Jesus called hypocrites, snakes, and vipers.

 

Some people are only playing a religious game but are not real people of faith. It is all for show and there is no substance

 

Titus 1:16

They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him. They are detestable, disobedient and unfit for doing anything good.

 

When we understand that some who claim the name of Christ are not real Christians at all it helps us and can help our friends understand the difference between a real Christian and one who is not. It helps others stop blaming the faith for what faithless people do.

 

No one would every blame the medical community for something a witch doctor might claim even though they both have the name doctor neither should Christianity be blamed for people claiming the name but are not truly Christians

 

It is hard to tell sometimes who is pretending versus those who are merely falling short.

 

Jesus said Matthew 24: 24,25

“For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. 25 See, I have told you ahead of time.”

 

And Matthew 7:15-18

“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. 16 You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? 17 Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit.

 

The greatest intentions of an individual can fail but if you look at a life long term and you see good fruit you know they are merely a Christian who has fallen short rather than a pretender

 

4) Hypocrisy comes in degrees and we may struggle with it even as authentic Christians

 

we live in a fallen world…just watch the news for a few minutes and that will be verified and Romans 3:23 tells that all have fallen short of God’s glory

WE are not to use that as an excuse or hypocrisy but we recognize our failures and rely on God’s grace and forgiveness.

Transparency in our own lives will often help our friends who see only the hypocrisy of faith.

Recognizing we do fail but that is not who we are and that we strive walk out our calling as God would have us to

Colossians 3:12,13

Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. 13 Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you.

 

It is a mistake to assume because a person is a Christian that they are perfect and not in the process of maturity. When we fail, admit it and choose to live open and honest and do not accept your immaturity as something you can’t grow beyond.

 

So why are so many Christians, hypocrites?

 

  • Jesus hates hypocrisy – so your friend is in good company to hate it as well
  • Jesus is the only one who is and whoever will be perfect but is our example to grow to become
  • Many hypocrites are not really Christians but only pretenders
  • Hypocrisy comes in degrees watch a person’s life long term not a moment of failure to see if they growing and living a transparent life daily maturing through their failures

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Making the Connection

Making the Connection

As I look at the New Testament church – I am grateful for so many things that we have that they did not.

 

– We have protection and freedom to worship

– We have all the Gospels, Epistles, and Revelation as well as the Old Testament

– We have the modern conveniences of electronic media and mediums to enhance our faith experience

– We have deep studies into what everything meant and an understanding of the culture

– We have the advantage of hindsight

 

However, in the busy-ness of our culture with sports, other kids events and non-stop work we are missing the connection.

Here is the report of the early church from Acts 2:42-47

And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. 43 Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. 44 Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, 45 and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need. 46 So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and singleness of heart, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.

The early church grew because of

 

  • Teaching
  • Prayers
  • Fellowship in the breaking of bread.

 

Let’s look closer at what fellowship was to the early church Acts 2:46

So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and singleness of heart,

“breaking of bread” was a common term like “going to dinner”

The phrase “they ate” comes from a Greek word that means they “fully were partaking”

The phrase “gladness and singleness of heart” is very telling. It is here that the Greek means

– they would leave the complications of life outside

– enjoy generous amounts of time celebrating together, eating and talking together,

– enjoying each others company.

 

What was the result? Acts 2:47

praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.

 

Jesus put it this way John 13:35

“Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”

 

 

 

Please don’t ask me.. Why I can’t make my own choices for my own body? Why do Christians think abortion is wrong?

January 1—On the very day of conception, all forty-six chromosomes are present, so a human life has already begun. This is a unique human being, with a unique genetic makeup, who can never be reproduced or replaced.

 

January 22—Only about three weeks after conception, the child’s heart begins to beat, pumping her own blood, which is often a different blood type from the mother’s.

 

February 4—In the fifth week, which is around the time many mothers confirm that they are pregnant, the child’s eyes, legs, and hands begin to develop.

 

February 14—By Valentine’s Day, which is merely the sixth week after conception, the child’s brain waves, which have already been active for some time, are now detectable.

 

Mid February—Only the seventh week from conception, the baby starts kicking and swimming.

 

Late February—Just under two months into the pregnancy, every organ in the child’s body is in place, the bones are taking shape, and fingerprints have already begun to form.

 

Mid-March—Teeth begin to form, fingernails develop, the baby can turn her head, and she can even frown.

 

Late March (11 – 12 weeks)—The baby can grasp objects placed in her hand.

 

Late April (14 – 16 weeks)—The baby can start having dreams during REM sleep.

 

As the world famous French geneticist Jerome Lejeune put it years ago when he testified at the United States congressional hearings,

“To accept the fact that after fertilization has taken place a new human has come into being is no longer a matter of taste or opinion. . . . The human nature of the human being from conception to old age is not a metaphysical contention, it is plain experimental evidence.”

 

Let me share with you a couple of people

 

James Gill was born at 21 weeks 5 days You may think well today’s technology has made the difference….he is now 30 and fine

 

Amelia Taylor was born at 21 weeks 6 days

 

2400/day

 

58 million since 1973 Roe v Wade

 

are on the decrease about 100,000 less 2016, 665000 than 2010 765,000

 

abortions due to either rape or incest are less than 1% as well less than 1/10 of 1% of abortions are

 

 

For Abby Johnson, former director of a Planned Parenthood clinic in southeast Texas,

 

“I could see the whole profile of the baby of thirteen weeks head to foot. I could see the whole side profile. I could see the probe. I could see the baby try to move away from the probe.” Johnson later explained that this experience changed her forever. “I just thought, What am I doing?” she said. “And then I thought, Never again.”

 

Biblical Answers

The easiest place to go is Exodus 20:13 “You shall not murder.

God knows us in the womb

Psalm 139: 13-16

You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it. You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. You saw me before I was born

 

Some would say…the Bible says nothing specific about abortion so if it is silent why should we be concerned

 

  • abortion would have been such an abhorrent thing that it would not have even been considered in this culture

 

Psalm 127:3 puts it this way Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him.

Exodus 21:22-25

“Now suppose two men are fighting, and in the process they accidentally strike a pregnant woman so she gives birth prematurely. If no further injury results, the man who struck the woman must pay the amount of compensation the woman’s husband demands and the judges approve. 23 But if there is further injury, the punishment must match the injury: a life for a life, 24 an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, a hand for a hand, a foot for a foot, 25 a burn for a burn, a wound for a wound, a bruise for a bruise.

 

Proverbs 31:8

Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed.

 

In Matthew 25:42-46 Jesus reinforces the idea when He tells us to care for the least of these..obviously not mentioned the unborn but the hungry, thirsty, those who depend upon others to care for them..which defines an unborn child…the least of these.

 

God speaks of Jeremiah as a full person before birth 1:5

I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb. Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as my prophet to the nations.”

 

Paul talks of himself in the same way, Galatians 1:15

But even before I was born, God chose me and called me by his marvelous grace.

95 – 98% of all abortions are convenience abortions these babies are just not wanted and abortion is a form of birth control

We speak the truth in love…there isn’t anything God won’t forgive, many people make this choice because our culture, their friends, or their leadership tell them it is all right and normal.

John 3:16 is true..abortion is NOT the unpardonable sin

Explain that science shows us this is not about a woman’s body but a unique individual formed inside.

Don’t put up walls tear them down.

God changes opinions by first changing hearts! Romans 12:21

Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.

 

 

 

 

Please don’t ask me…How do you know God exist especially since we can’t see, hear or touch Him?

I want you to think about this question for a moment…how would you answer it? We can’t see a tangible presence, we can’t touch him, weigh him or measure him in any way with our senses but we believe in Him, why?

 

There are plenty of things we can’t measure this way but we still believe exist chief among them love. Tell me what love taste like, what it looks like, what it sounds like even what it feels like we know the results of love but love itself does not really exist to our senses but we believe in it.

As Christians, we know that God is Spirit (John 4:24) so we should not be surprised that unlike our dog, house, car i-phone we can not sense Him in the same way, usually because He is spiritual and all of the things I just described are not.

Personal connection

If you are like me, you have a testimony of how the Lord drew you to himself and some way a feeling came over you that all of a sudden you knew you had a relationship with the living God

You may have had a time where you “felt” his presence, “knew” his leading, understood His heart for a certain situation. All of these things are evidence to you that God exists and we pray it will be enough evidence for others but some will say, “that is just emotion or wishing, there is no proof”

Many can argue that a belief system is not correct and some will be persuaded that their belief system is wrong but for the person with a testimony no one can dissuade them from the truth they live in.

Paul used this type of argument often as we see in Acts 26:12-16

One day I was on such a mission to Damascus, armed with the authority and commission of the leading priests. 13 About noon, Your Majesty, as I was on the road, a light from heaven brighter than the sun shone down on me and my companions. 14 We all fell down, and I heard a voice saying to me in Aramaic, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is useless for you to fight against my will.’ 15 “‘Who are you, lord?’ I asked. “And the Lord replied, ‘I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting. 16 Now get to your feet! For I have appeared to you to appoint you as my servant and witness. Tell people that you have seen me, and tell them what I will show you in the future.

He used this to try to convince King Agrippa to faith

Once again that is still not proof for some so let’s point to some evidence that may help.

  1. The Existence of the Universe  In 1915 Einstein came up with the theory of general relativity this theory in summary impacts cosmology this way.

Einstein’s equations can be used to describe the universe as a whole. On the basis of general relativity, physicists, mathematicians and astronomers have developed the so-called big bang models. They describe how our universe evolved from an extremely hot and dense early phase to its present state.

A key property of these models is that the universe has to change over time. Einstein’s equation simply do not allow for a stable, eternally unchanging cosmos. (Big Bang) According to the big bang models, any universe has to either expand or collapse. Our own universe is expanding, with characteristic consequences for astronomical observation.

If this is true Science’s own Albert Einstein proves the existence of God, How you might ask?

If there was a beginning of the universe how did nothing and nothing come together to create something?

Here is the way science would put it everything with a beginning must have a cause.

The universe by definition is time, space, matter and physical energy and the cause must be outside of these elements which sounds like God.

The argument to this is OK if this is true then that everything needs a cause who caused God. The problem with this question is that the only things that need a cause are, as I mentioned earlier, things with a beginning. When Moses asked God who should I say has sent me this was God’s reply

Exodus 3:14

God replied to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM. Say this to the people of Israel: I AM has sent me to you.”

The Hebrew is saying God is, always was, and always will be without beginning or end.

Psalm 90:2 and 1 Timothy 1:17 verifies this

Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.

All honor and glory to God forever and ever! He is the eternal King, the unseen one who never dies; he alone is God. Amen.

We can summarize the cosmological evidence this way

  1. Whatever begins to exist must have a cause for its existence.
  2. The universe began to exist.
  3. Therefore, the universe must have a cause for its existence.
  4. The attributes of the cause of the universe (being timeless, existing outside of space, and so on) are the attributes of God.
  5. Therefore, the cause of the universe must be God. This is precisely what Christians have always believed. The very first words of the Bible, in the book of Genesis, declare, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”

2) A world exactly created for life

When we take time to look at creation and “witness” how perfectly designed it is…the flowers, the trees, the way our lungs work to pump oxygen our hearts to pump blood. The perfect mix of gases in our atmosphere to sustain life

Psalm 19:1 says this

The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display his craftsmanship.

The perfect system of nature should prove God’s existence—the laws and physical constants that govern all the matter in the universe—appear to be precisely balanced and finely tuned for life to occur and flourish.

Some of the perfection and fine tuning

if the neutron were not exactly as it is—about 1.001 times the mass of the proton—then all protons would have decayed into neutrons or all neutrons would have decayed into protons, and life would not be possible.

If the force of gravity, for example, were to change by one part in ten thousand billion, billion, billion, relative to the total range of the strengths of the four forces in nature (gravity, electromagnetism, strong, and weak), conscious life would be virtually impossible anywhere in the universe.

Scientist have discovered 50 of these fine tuned parameters that if they were not exactly so, then life would not be able to be sustained. What makes it more interesting is that each of these parameters is dependent on the others to maintain what they are, that sounds like design to me.

Paul Davies, one of the leading physicists and cosmologists of our day, makes this audacious claim: “I cannot believe that our existence in this universe is a mere quirk of fate. . . . We are truly meant to be here.”* That’s quite a statement for one who doesn’t even claim to believe in a personal God!  *Paul Davies “The mind of God”

3) Basic morality of the universe –

We talked last week about the evil and suffering in the world but we also talked about an objective morality

Except for some mentality disturbed people, the majority of the world has a basic understanding of good and evil

Why is murder, rape, violence toward children generally determined to be morally wrong?

There is nothing in the DNA or in the process of evolution that would cause a conscience to be developed. Morality is not based on DNA or any biological factor it is something that is felt and believed as simply being right.

No one believes that morals have developed out of a quagmire of ooze but if not, where did they come from?

I quoted part of this last week from John Steinrucken’s article “Secularisms on going debt to Christianity”

“An orderly society is dependent on a generally accepted morality. There can be no such morality without religion. Has there ever been a more perfect and concise moral code than the one Moses brought down from the mountain? Those who doubt the effect of religion on morality should seriously ask the question: just what are the immutable moral laws of secularism?”

For atheist it is called the problem of good because there is simply no way from their point of view to explain an objective morality

So where did this intrinsic morality come from…God is the answer! Goodness flows from the very nature of God and even those who do not know God, recognize the basics of right and wrong because of it. Paul puts it this way

Romans 2:15

They demonstrate that God’s law is written in their hearts, for their own conscience and thoughts either accuse them or tell them they are doing right.

We can put this evidence in the form of a simple argument:

  1. If God does not exist, then objective moral values do not exist.
  2. But we know that objective moral values do exist.
  3. Therefore, God does exist.

I’m not saying that atheists cannot recognize moral values or live generally moral lives. I’m certain they can. But recognizing something and even living by it does not mean that one has a real basis for it. The “moral” atheist is simply left hanging in midair on this issue, without any solid footing

Review

– there are some things we believe in like love that we can see the effects of but not see love so we already have a basis to believe in things we can’t see, or touch

– we can know God is real and active because of our own testimony

– the universe has a beginning so therefore it has a cause and that cause most come from outside time, space, matter, and physical energy… therefore God

– our universe is fine tuned to such an exact measure that to assume it happened by chance is a greater gamble than to believe in God

– apart from an objective morality there is no good. There can be no objective morality without God yet there is objective morality so there must be a God.

 

 

 

 

Please don’t ask me….If God is so good why is there so much suffering and evil? Part 2

1 John 3:18,19

My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth. 19 And by this we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before Him.

 

The problem of evil

 Our basic problem with evil is struggling with three things

– If God is good – then why is there evil shouldn’t a good God do the good thing and wipe out evil

– If God is all-powerful – why does he allow evil to exist can’t he simply wipe evil out

– That fact that evil exist at all with an all-powerful all-good God

 

There are several solutions to this problem

Deny God exist and with it the reality of evil

 “Their right is just as right as our right”

If it were not for a loving God that gives us a standard of right and wrong there would be no understanding that anything is evil.

 

Solution #2

Make evil part of God

 if everything is part of god rather than the personal God we believe in, then evil and suffering are part of that god too

 

Solution #3

Diminish God’s power

 Matthew 19:26 But Jesus looked at them and said to them, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

 

Solution #4

 Diminish God’s goodness

In other words, we believe God is powerful and he sees all the evil in the world but just doesn’t want to do anything about it, He lacks the goodness to take action against evil

So those were the understandings people must have if they are going to judge God on his character but what do we say to friends to give them hope in their time of need

 

Point of light #1

The world is as Jesus said that it was

“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world, you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

 

Point of light #2

Evil was not caused or created by God

Actually, it is quite the opposite

1 John 4:8

“He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.”

 

Point of light #3

At the root of most of the evil and suffering are humans

Roughly 90% of the suffering in the world comes through human causes: wars, genocide, human trafficking, murders, torture, racial discrimination, domestic abuse, sexual abuse, rape, and the list goes on.

God will stop all of this one day but the time is not now

 

Point of light #4

We live in a fallen world

In Genesis 3 we see because of man’s sin that not only was man cursed but so was the ground.

For all creation is waiting eagerly for that future day when God will reveal who his children really are. 20 Against its will, all creation was subjected to God’s curse. But with eager hope Romans 8:19,20

 

Point of light #5

God will judge evil

Once again many say if God is good and great why doesn’t he get rid of evil…He will but His love constrains Him.

2 Peter 3:9

The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.

 

Last point of light

God can cause good to come out of evil

We quote this scripture often Romans 8:28

“And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them”

This is not a verse to use as a cliché but instead use it wisely if the person can understand it

– Beyond this we know according to God will use difficulty in our lives to strengthen our character

– He can use intended evil to give us an eternal perspective

2 Corinthians 4:16-18

That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. 17 For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! 18 So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.

– Evil and suffering can even lead us to the Father

Summarize

 

  • If the question is being asked chances are the person is hurting. Don’t worry about answering the question but love them through to heal the hurt.
  • Don’t freak out if your friends in their hurt say things about God or even your faith, pain tends to speak quite loudly they need you to show them, Jesus not just talk to them about Him
  • Prayer is almost always an appropriate response to a friend in pain, prayer for them and pray for wisdom for you
  • It is hard to explain to someone with no faith or fading faith that God is good and great and allows evil to exist but if you have been touched by similar pain share it is a way of showing you understand and are living proof God can get you through it
  • Don’t underestimate the power of love and encouragement. When you share with them these things they will hear it from you if they have felt that coming from you…Be Jesus to them

 

 

 

 

 

 

Men’s Retreat Mark Moder – The “one another verses”

MEN’S RETREAT 2017

The “One Another” Verses in the New Testament

 

  1. One sex (male or female) is not right while the other one is wrong. They are just different. But women gather and connect naturally and easily. Men are more individualistic and are generally not great communicators. We need to work at being a connector with those around us.

—“According to statistics, the average man over 35 years old does NOT have one close friend.” (See Why Are Men Leaving the Church?, online article by Steve Sonderman for AG Men.)

—About 95% of men say they don’t have male friends. Less than 1/3 of men in church say they have a friend. (See Why Men Matter—Both Now and Forever, Online article.)

  1. The question arises, “Why is this?” One reason is that society tends to condition men to be tough and hard. But we need to redefine manhood as a combination of strength and vulnerability. Showing vulnerability is a strength, not a weakness.

 

FROM BELIEVING TO BELONGING

 

  1. The word church is found in only two passages in the gospels (Matthew 16:18; 18:15-18).

Matthew 16:18 “…I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.”

  1. This refers to the UNIVERSAL church. Local churches may come and go but the universal church will never be stopped.

Matthew 18:15-17 “Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother. But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more… . And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church.”

  1. This refers to the LOCAL church. You obviously can’t tell it to everyone in the body of Christ at large. This refers to a local assembly.

—The universal church is invisible. It is a spiritual thing. You can’t see or feel it. It is made up of believers all over the earth.

—The local church is visible. It is a tangible thing. You can join with, be part of and enjoy it.

  1. When we are born again, we are automatically a member of the universal church. But we should take the next step and become a part of a local church. Rick Warren said, “You became part of the human family by your first birth, but you become a member of God’s family by your second birth” (Purpose Driven Life, pg. 118).
  2. “You are called to BELONG, not just BELIEVE. …While your relationship to Christ is personal, God never intends it to be private” (pg. 130).
  3. “The church is indestructible and will exist for eternity. It will outlive this universe, and so will your role in it. The person who says, ‘I don’t need the church,’ is either arrogant or ignorant. …The New Testament assumes membership in a local congregation” (pg. 132).
  4. Though pastors are imperfect and not without fault, every Christian needs a shepherd. There is no such thing as a perfect church, but there is a perfect church for you.
  5. “When it comes to fellowship, size matters: Smaller is better. You can worship with a crowd, but you can’t fellowship with one” (pg. 138).
  6. You can only have fellowship in a smaller gathering. This is why being involved in a small group is so important to becoming connected with other believers.

 

 

 

  1. Rick Warren also said, “Authenticity is the exact opposite of what you find in some churches. Instead of an atmosphere of honesty and humility, there is pretending, …and superficial politeness but shallow conversation. People wear masks, keep their guard up, and act as if everything is rosy in their lives. …It is only as we become open about our lives that we experience real fellowship” (pg. 139-140).

 

TWO LEVELS OF FRIENDS

 

Proverbs 18:24 (MEV) “A man who has friends must show himself friendly, and there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.”

  1. The word friend in its various forms is found three times in this verse.

Vs. 18a “friends” – (SC 7453: rea) an associate; a neighbor

Vs. 18b “friendly” – (SC 7489: raa)

Vs. 18c “friend” – (SC 157: ahab) a friend; someone with whom we share real affection

  1. There are two main levels of friendship spoken of in the book of Proverbs.

Vs. 18a “A man who has friends must himself be friendly…”

  1. The first part of this verse talks about associates or neighbors.

Vs. 18b “…but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.”

  1. The second part of this verse uses a different Hebrew word for friend and speaks of a close, intimate friend. (See The Beginning of Wisdom, pg. 178, Bob Yandian.)

Proverbs 17:17 (MEV) “A friend loves at all times [NLT: ‘is always loyal’], and a brother is born for adversity.”

  1. Learn to keep confidences. The word “secretary” speaks of one who is entrusted with secrets.
  2. Some relationships are high maintenance and others are low maintenance. Some people are often offended, highly reactive and always upset. This is a high maintenance relationship.
  3. Healthy relationships are low maintenance.
  4. We have friends we may only see once every six months or a year. Sometimes it is even longer. But we pick up right where we left off because are expectations are not too high.

Example: I have taken several personality tests over the years, and I have discovered that I am a true introvert. I get my energy from being by myself and recharging my battery by staying at home. My wife gets her energy from being with others—going out and having fun. I have to force myself to reach out and get together with others. It does NOT come naturally for me.

 

THE “ONE ANOTHER” VERSES

 

  1. There are dozens of Scriptures in the New Testament that contain the phrase “one another” in them. It is almost impossible to walk out these commands if we only come in contact with our fellow Christians for a brief time on Sunday mornings. Many come late, leave early and never actually connect with other believers.
  2. There are over forty-five different “one another” passages in the New Testament. We will be quickly highlighting twenty-five passages below.
  3. We should not be an isolated or unconnected follower of Christ.
  4. The verses we see below are only a partial list:

 

Mark 9:50 “…have peace with one another.”

 

John 15:17 “These things I command you, that you love one another.” (“Love one another” is found in about ten New Testament references.)

Romans 12:10 “Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, …giving preference to one another.”

Romans 12:16 “Be of the same mind toward one another.”

Romans 15:7 “Therefore receive one another…”

Romans16:16 “Greet one another…”

1 Corinthians 12:25 “…care for one another.”

Galatians 5:13 “…through love serve one another.”

Ephesians 4:32 “And be kind to one another…”

Ephesians 5:21 “submitting to one another…”

Colossians 3:9 “Do not lie to one another…”

Colossians 3:13 “bearing with one another, and forgiving one another…”

Vs. 16 “…teaching and admonishing one another…”

1 Thessalonians 4:18 “Therefore comfort one another…”

1 Thessalonians 5:11 “…edify one another…”

Hebrews 3:13 “…exhort one another daily…”

James 4:11 “Do not speak evil of one another…”

James 5:9 “Do not grumble against one another…”

Vs. 16 “Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another…”

1 Peter 3:8 “…having compassion for one another…”

1 Peter 4:9 “Be hospitable to one another without grumbling.”

Vs. 10 As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another…”

 

NO MAN IS AN ISLAND

 

  1. Paul clearly shows us in the New Testament that—as members of the body of Christ—we are not independent. We need one another and the gifts that other members of the body have.

—If you had every gift and every office you would need no one else.

—If you had every gift and office you would be Jesus.

  1. There are three stages of growth in our lives:
  2. Dependence: At this stage, we need others to take care of us. But as we become adults, we grow out of this stage.
  3. Independence: Here we are able to take care of ourselves. This is good but there should be one more stage of growth.
  4. Interdependence: As we mature and grow up, though we can take care of ourselves we still recognize that we are strongest when we work together.
  5. The spirit of love focuses on our similarities. The spirit of division focuses on our differences.

 

  1. A famous quote along these lines says, “In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; in all things, charity.” (Some say this was a quote by John Wesley, others say it originated with Augustine and still others say it was spoken by a 17th century German theologian.)
  2. In essentials, we must be unswerving.

Example: We must not compromise the Lordship of Jesus, His virgin birth, His bodily resurrection, the authority and inspiration of Scripture, etc.

  1. But in non-essentials, we should be sensitive and tolerant.
  2. I won’t allow a minor doctrinal disagreement to hinder my fellowship with a brother or a sister in Christ.
  3. I know that we need to be careful of error and false doctrine. The books of 2 Peter and Jude, amongst others, address this. But just because someone teaches something different than you do, does not automatically make them a false teacher or a false prophet.
  4. We can actually feel justified in our criticism, believing that we are right and that they must be wrong. But remember that the spirit of love never divides.
  5. I won’t curse what God is blessing! I want to rightly divide the Scriptures but I don’t want to walk in a critical spirit.
  6. We all have our favorites and there is nothing wrong with that but we must receive from and embrace the entire body of Christ.
  7. No one person or camp will have the full counsel of God. But collectively, we—the body of Christ—have the mind of Christ. To do this we need to embrace the whole body of Christ.

 

THE POWER/PRINCIPLE OF ONE

 

  1. We must shift from an audience to an army mentality.

—An audience comes to church each week to watch the show (church service). When the show is over they go home to live their lives.

—An army gets connected, get involved and works as a team to reach a common goal.

  1. To walk in healthy, long term relationships, we must understand the principle of one.

 

 

  • The Trinity is three Persons in one essence. “Hear O Israel: The Lord our God,

 

the Lord is ONE” (Deuteronomy 6:4).

  • When we are saved, we become one spirit with the Lord. “He who is joined to

the Lord is ONE spirit with Him” (1 Corinthians 6:17).

 

 

  • When we are married, we become one flesh with our mate. “The two shall become

            ONE flesh” (Ephesians 5:31).

 

 

  • The church is to walk in one accord and one mind. “…being like-minded, having the same love, being of ONE accord, of ONE mind” (Philippians 2:2).

 

 

 

  1. The Bible is a history of the devil attacking the principle of one.

Genesis 11:6 (NIV) “The Lord said, ‘If as one people speaking the same language they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them.’”

  1. We can see that there is power in unity—even when the unity goes against the plan of God. This wasn’t even the unity of the Spirit.
  2. There is a difference between unity and uniformity.
  3. unity – harmony, agreement
  4. uniformity – conforming to one pattern
  5. Unity isn’t uniformity. It is coming together with one purpose and one mind.
  6. One minister said, “Broken relationships are never of God. Satan’s math…is always ‘subtraction’ and ‘division.’ God’s math is always ‘addition’ and ‘multiplication.’”
  7. Many believers never get past a spiritual wound. Christians can go to church for years but not really grow or change because they are not healed emotionally.
  8. Resolution seldom comes by sorting out who was right and who was wrong. It is only when the love of God touches wounded hearts that broken relationships can be healed.

Example: Read about the five lessons we can learn from Be as Wise as a Goose. MFM

Men’s retreat with Mark Moder – The Power of Connection

MEN’S RETREAT 2017

The Power of Connection

 

  1. In the early 1990’s relationship counselor John Gray wrote a well known book called Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus. The idea behind the book was that men and women are from distant planets—Mars and Venus—and that each sex is acclimated to its own planet’s society and customs, but not to those of the other.
  2. The premise of the book was that we need to understand and appreciate the differences. And we need to cease expecting our partner to act and feel like we do. We are different for a reason.
  3. Below are a couple of the differences between the sexes that we need to realize in this study.

 

 

  • MEN like to work on their own. They exercise their abilities by solving problems quickly and singlehandedly. WOMEN like to cooperate [with others]. They exercise their feelings through interactive communication with one another.
  • When faced with tough problems, MEN go to their caves. They can become non-communicative so they can work out how best to [solve their problems]. WOMEN become communicative so that others can work out how best to help them.
  • When MEN do communicate, they like to get to the point. They generally only want to listen if they feel the conversation has a point. WOMEN enjoy talking for its own sake. They are happy to listen unconditionally.
  • MEN talk in very literal terms for the purpose of relaying information. WOMEN employ dramatic vocabulary to fully express and relate their feelings.
  • MEN like to sort their thoughts out before communicating them. WOMEN like to sort their thoughts out in the process of communicating them. (See wikisummaries.org.)

 

  1. One sex (male or female) is NOT right while the other one is wrong. They are just different. But women gather and connect naturally and easily. Men are more individualistic and are generally not great communicators. We need to work at being a connector with those around us.
  2. Below are a couple of statistics that we need to be aware of.

 

  • “According to statistics, the average man over 35 years old does NOT have one close friend.” (See Why Are Men Leaving the Church?, online article by Steve Sonderman.)
  • About 95% of men say they don’t have male friends. Less than 1/3 of men in church say they have a friend. (See Why Men Matter—Both Now and Forever, online article.)

 

  1. The question arises, “Why is this?” One reason is that society tends to condition men to be tough and hard. But we need to redefine manhood as a combination of strength and vulnerability. Showing vulnerability is a strength, not a weakness. You don’t have to know it all. You don’t have to be able to do it all.

 

BEWARE OF ISOLATION

 

  1. One of the devil’s greatest weapons is isolation. During this time of isolation, Satan whispers lies to us. I believe his three main devices are isolation, offenses and cares. He whispers…

 

 

—“Nobody has gone through what you are going through.”

—“No one will even notice if you are gone.”

—“You don’t need them anyway. You’ll be just fine on your own.”

  1. Isolation can come from many things, one of which is sin in our lives.
  2. “Besides making us want to run from God, sin also makes us want to isolate ourselves from other believers. In Life Together, Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote:

 

‘Sin demands to have a man by himself. It withdraws him from the community. The more isolated a person is, the more destructive will be the power of sin over him, and the more disastrous is this isolation. Sin wants to remain unknown. It shuns the light’” (Partners in Prayer, pg. 53, John Maxwell).

 

  1. The enemy loves to isolate us. He loves to get us alone. He wants us to be that strong, silent type. He wants us to have an “I don’t need anybody” mentality.
  2. We need to be accountable to others. This means being close enough to someone that they can speak truth into our lives without our going on the defensive.

—The Lone Ranger had Tonto.

—Batman had Robin.

—Ernie has Bert.

—Fred Flintstone had Barney Rubble.

—We, likewise, need someone.

Example: Below is a classic story of pride and isolation in action.

 

“Maybe you’ve heard the story about Muhammad Ali back when he was the reigning heavyweight champion of the world. Ali had just taken his seat in the first-class section of a 747 that was getting ready to take off. The flight attendant came by and asked the champ to fasten his seat belt. Ali looked at the woman and said, ‘Superman don’t need no seat belt.’ The attendant responded, ‘Superman don’t need no plane’” (Finishing Strong, pg. 68, Steve Farrar).

 

  1. You’re not Superman and I’m not either. If we are trying to fly by ourselves, the enemy will end up deceiving us.
  2. If you are close enough to be HELPED by people, you are close enough to be HURT by people. Don’t be afraid to take that risk.

 

THREE TYPES OF CONFESSION FOR THE BELIEVER

 

(1) The believer’s confession of faith based upon the Word of God (Hebrews 3:1).

Hebrews 10:23 (MEV) “Let us firmly hold the [NKJV: ‘confession’] of our faith without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.”

  1. This is the positive side of confession.
  2. This can be speaking the Word of God or resisting the devil and his works.

 

(2) The believer’s confession of sin TO THE LORD when they have broken fellowship       with Him.  

 

 

1 John 1:9 “If we confess our sins [TO THE LORD], He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

  1. This is the negative side of confession.
  2. There has been a real emphasis on the message of grace in the last few years. Much of it has been needful and fruit bearing. Some of it has been off base.
  3. We should be righteousness conscious, not sin conscious. However, there is a big difference between sin CONSCIOUSNESS and sin AWARENESS.
  4. We should NOT always focus on our sins and shortcomings. But we do need to be aware when we have missed the mark and have broken fellowship with the Lord.
  5. There is a difference between relationship and fellowship.
  6. Our relationship is secure. It doesn’t change.
  7. Our fellowship can fluctuate, depending on what we do.

Example: In a marital dispute, the couple doesn’t break their relationship. They are still married. They break their fellowship.

  1. When we confess our sins, we are back in fellowship with the Lord once again.

 

(3) The believer’s confession of struggles or sin TO OTHERS to get help to overcome.

  1. Notice that the phrase “each other” is found twice in the following verse.

James 5:16 (NLT) “Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.”

  1. We believe in the priesthood of every believer. (See 1 Peter 2:5 & 9; Revelation 1:5, 6.) By that, we mean that we have direct access to the Lord. We don’t have to go through a priest (a man) to receive forgiveness. But on the other hand, sometimes we need the help of others to get the freedom we desire. God often works in our lives through the help of others.
  2. This cannot be forced. It comes once trust is developed and we know that those we share with have our best interest at heart and also have our back.
  3. Lasting freedom from addiction, drugs, fear, bondage, worry, etc. is available to every believer.

 

∙           Sometimes people are delivered from something instantly. Once Paul Scanlon got saved, he never swore again. He had been a “professional curser.” His friends knew something had happened to him because his language changed so drastically.

∙           Sometimes people are delivered over time—as a process.

∙           Sometimes people are delivered without the help of anyone else. The Lord simply delivers them all by Himself.

∙           Sometimes people are set free through the assistance of others who walk them through the process. We do NOT always achieve freedom on our own.

 

Example: I have been healed instantly and, at other times, over time. I have received directly from the Lord and, at other times, have needed the help of mature believers to help me walk through a valley into victory.

  1. No matter how it comes and through whom, the end result is that absolute freedom is available in Christ.
  2. Someone well said, “If you cannot be free from sin in this life then Jesus is NOT your Savior, death is.” You don’t have to wait until you die to be free. The good news is that Jesus IS our Savior and we have victory over sin, bondage, addiction, etc. because of the cross!

Matthew 6:2 (MEV) “…when you do your charitable deeds, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be honored by men.”

Matthew 6:2, 5, 16 “hypocrites” – (NKJV margin) pretenders

  1. “hypocrites” – (Wuest Nuggets, pg. 80, Volume 3) It refers to a person who played a part on the stage, to an actor, one who pretends to be what he is not.
  2. Warren Wiersbe says this word originally meant “an actor who wears a mask.”

Vs. 2a “…in the synagogues…” – This is where the religious crowd is.

Vs. 2b “…and the streets…” – This is where the world is.

  1. Notice that hypocrites are found both in the world and in the church.
  2. The Lord wants us to take our mask off and be real and transparent.
  3. Connecting is a two way street. We should NOT be an isolated or unconnected follower of Christ. Our Christian walk should be both vertical (with God) and horizontal (with one another).

Genesis 4:9 “Then the Lord said to Cain, ‘Where is Abel your brother?’ He said, ‘I do not know. AM I MY BROTHER’S KEEPER?’”

  1. Actually, the answer to Cain’s question to the Lord was “yes, you are.” We are to be our brother’s keeper. God doesn’t ask questions because He doesn’t know the answer. He was giving Cain the opportunity to tell the truth.
  2. If someone you know is isolated:

 

(1) Pray for them.

  1. Take authority over self pity, depression, isolation, etc. that would keep people in a cave of hopelessness. Pray for them to rise above isolation and to get active in the things of God.

 

(2) Reach out to them in love.

  1. People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.
  2. As we grow up spiritually, we no longer come to church just to get something for ourselves. We come to help others connect with the Lord and with His people.

Example: Call them. Send them a text. Get together with them over coffee or a meal.

Example: I fought against isolation and won when I was by myself at an FCF Leadership Meeting in Tulsa and was asked to move to another seat. I chose to reach out to others (two Rhema students from our church) and not to take offense or feel hurt.

 

THE LONELY EMBER

 

Example: John MacArthur told a powerful story that illustrates the danger of isolation. He said…

 

A member of a certain church, who previously had been attending services regularly, stopped going. After a few weeks, the pastor decided to visit him. It was a chilly evening. The pastor found the man at home alone, sitting before a blazing fire.

 

Guessing the reason for his pastor’s visit, the man welcomed him, led him to a big chair near the fireplace and waited. The pastor made himself comfortable but said nothing. In the grave silence, he contemplated the play of the flames around the burning logs.

 

After some minutes, the pastor took the fire tongs, carefully picked up a brightly burning ember and placed it to one side of the hearth all alone. Then he sat back in his chair, still silent. The host watched all this in quiet fascination.

 

As the one lone ember’s flame diminished, there was a momentary glow and then its fire was no more. Soon it was cold and “dead as a doornail.” Not a word had been spoken since the initial greeting.

 

Just before the pastor was ready to leave, he picked up the cold, dead ember and placed it back in the middle of the fire. Immediately it began to glow once more with the light and warmth of the burning coals around it.

 

As the pastor reached the door to leave, his host said, “Thank you so much for your visit and especially for the fiery sermon. I shall be back in church next Sunday.”

 

  1. Let’s GET connected and let’s STAY connected. We are much getter together than we are apart. Remember that iron sharpens iron. MFM

 

 

Please don’t ask me….If God is so good why is there so much suffering and evil?

James 1:19

So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath;

I think this is what James and John were alluding to when we read these passages

James 2:15,16

If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? 17 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

1 John 3:18,19

My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth. 19 And by this we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before Him.

When someone is hurting and in lost it is better to hold off on dealing with the words of philosophy and be Jesus to them through love

The problem of evil

Our basic problem with evil is struggling with three things

– If God is good – then why is there evil shouldn’t a good God do the good thing and wipe out evil

– If God is all-powerful – why does he allow evil to exist can’t he simply wipe evil out

– That fact that evil exist at all with an all-powerful all-good God

There are several solutions to this problem

Solution #1

Deny God exist and with it the reality of evil

The idea is this because evil exists then there must not be an all-powerful all-good God!

Quote from serial killer Ted Bundy who raped and murdered over 30 women and girls said this

I learned that all moral judgments are “value judgments,” that all values are subjective, and that none can be proved to be either “right” or “wrong.” . . . I discovered that to become truly free, truly unfettered, I had to become truly uninhibited. And I quickly discovered that the greatest obstacle to my freedom, the greatest block, and limitation to it, consists in the insupportable “value judgment” that I was bound to respect the rights of others. . . . Surely, you would not, in this age of scientific enlightenment, declare that God or nature has marked some pleasures as “moral” or “good” and others as “immoral” or “bad”?

If morality has nothing to do with God then what does it have to do with?

Renowned atheist John Steinrucken in an article entitled what “Secularisms on-going debt to Christianity” is quoted as saying, “I challenge any of my fellow atheist to come up with the “immutable (unchanging) moral laws of secularism”

“Their right is just as right as our right”

CS Lewis quote from Mere Christianity If you haven’t read CS Lewis please do! He is so much more than the Chronicles of Narnia

“My argument against God was that the universe seemed so cruel and unjust. But how had I got this idea of just and unjust? A man does not call a line crooked unless he has some idea of a straight line. What was I comparing this universe with when I called it unjust? If the whole show was bad and senseless from A to Z, so to speak, why did I, who was supposed to be part of the show, find myself in such violent reaction against it?”

“Thus in the very act of trying to prove that God did not exist–in other words, that the whole of reality was senseless–I found I was forced to assume that one part of reality–namely my idea of justice–was full of sense. Consequently, atheism turns out to be too simple. If the whole universe has no meaning, we should never have found out that it has no meaning: just as, if there were no light in the universe and therefore no creatures with eyes, we should never know it was dark. Dark would be without meaning.”

Ironically the problem that caused CS Lewis to not believe in God is the very thing that brought him to God

If it were not for a loving God that gives us a standard of right and wrong there would be no understanding that anything is evil.

Solution #2 

Make evil part of God

You have heard this more than you know

If everything is part of god rather than the personal God we believe in, then evil and suffering are part of that god too

In other words, God is not good but a mix of good and evil. What kind of schizophrenic god is that?

Solution #3

Diminish God’s power

It is a decision to choose to make God not great. It is saying to God that you are powerful but your power is limited.

The problem is the Bible tells us differently

Exodus 15:6 “Your right hand, O Lord, has become glorious in power; Your right hand, O Lord, has dashed the enemy in pieces.

Matthew 19:26 But Jesus looked at them and said to them, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

Ephesians 1:19 and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power

Ephesians 3:20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,

Solution #4

Diminish God’s goodness

On the face of it, most of us would deny believing this but in the midst of pain we say to ourselves, “If God is all powerful and he knows this evil is going on in my life but He just doesn’t care, He must not really love me.”

If evidence of the evil in the world is evidence that God does not exist then perhaps beauty, love, and all the many blessings of our homes, families, jobs should be evidence God does exist.

Philippians 4:6,7

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.

We live in a tension to believe that God is good, great, and nevertheless, allows evil in this world for a season for His greater purpose.

These are some of the arguments against God and his being a good loving, Father

It is true that:

God is always good

God is great

evil is real

Next week I am going to share with you a few points of what to say to your friends based on the foundation I have laid today. We will give them and you hope in times of crisis.

If you are here today and are battling God’s goodness or greatness toward you, we can do far more than intellectually and spiritually lay out the arguments we can pray and allow the Lord to meet you here