Pick one missionary that your church supports and write them a letter of encouragement.
Read Hebrews 10
What is it that makes for good friendship? The world would say things like acceptance, unconditional love and perhaps even having fun together. What would you say? What makes for good friendship?
God’s Word puts our relationship with God as the basis of our friendships and fellowship within the house of God. It’s because we have been saved and because we have Jesus as our high priest that we can draw near to God and experience all that he has for us. The more we experience and appropriate the love of God into our lives, the more we can share that sacrificial love with others around us. Put simply, we can only love to the degree that we have been loved by someone else. As we draw strength from God’s unending love we can be more loving, more sacrificial and more giving to others. That makes for great fellowship.
Notice carefully the structure of Hebrews 10. We have in the first part of the chapter the work that Christ has done for us and the covenant he has made with us. We are told about the High Priest we have in the heavenlies and our freedom to draw near to Him. Then and only then do we have talk of our fellowship. Out of our love for God and our relationship with Him can we spur each other to love and good deeds. Watch any group of people and over time they will always start to spur and egg each other on, sometimes for good, but mostly for bad. Christians, out of their love for God, are to spur each other to love and good deeds.
Added to that, we are not to stop or give up meeting together. The Hebrew recipients of this letter were facing persecution or potential persecution and found missing fellowship the easier option. They are encouraged to make the ‘Church’ fellowship a priority, even above their own lives. You and I have no risk of persecution and often make fellowship our lowest priority. Let’s change for the better and put church fellowship as our number one priority because God has loved us with His undying love.
Prayer:
Spend time in adoration, confession and praise around the idea of fellowship.
Adoration:
Confession:
Thanks:
Supplication:
¨ Ask the Lord to raise up a spirit of generosity in your church so that it is financially viable and able to meet the needs of the poor and needy. Pray that each person would be tithing and offering their free will giving with joy and gladness in their heart.
¨ Pray that the fellowship at your church would be rich and sweet and flowing out of the love of Christ Jesus. Pray that the world would see your church as Jesus disciples as you love each other.
Friday 31 August 2012
Thursday 30 August 2012
Thursday August 30, 2012
What is a persistent sin in your life stopping you from walking with Jesus? Find someone to confess to and pray with today.
Read Ephesians 5:1-16 and Galatians 5:13-26
Did you get a chance to watch the race-walking at the Olympics this year? The athletes walk up to 50 kilometres, being careful to not break strict rules about the way they walk. The Olympic world record for the 50km walk is just over 3 hours. Can you imagine having to maintain a consistent rhythm and style as you walk at top speed for hours on end?
We are called to walk in our faith in much the same way, with persistence and focus. Unlike the Olympic athletes however, we are given great grace with how we walk. God doesn’t require us to keep the rules to be saved. Instead God’s presence in our lives transforms us to be more like him and enables us to have a spiritual walk that reflects Jesus well.
In Galatians 5 Paul commands us to walk by the spirit. As we walk in the spirit and allow God to work in our lives we will no longer satisfy the flesh and see its acts in our lives. Instead we will grow in the fruit of the spirit.
Have a look over the list of the acts of the flesh in verses 19 to 21. Can you identify any of these in your life? Spend a moment to pray and allow the Holy Spirit to convict you and show you how you may be satisfying the flesh in your life.
In the same way have a read over the fruit of the Spirit in verses 22 and 23. How can you see that the Holy Spirit is working to produce this fruit in your life? How can you grow in living this fruit in all of your life?
In Ephesians 5 Paul commands us to follow God’s example and to walk in the way of love. Paul then goes on to describe improper acts for those who are seeking to walk in the way of love. Look over the list in verses 3 to 7 and pray that the Holy Spirit would convict you of areas of you life where you are walking in the flesh rather in God’s example.
If (and when) you have been convicted of sin today remember that all is not lost! Christ’s sacrifice on the cross is enough to cover all past, present and future sin and to make us right again with God. In His great grace He is also transforming us to be more like Him. Respond today by confessing your sins to another mature Christian and praying together (James 5:16) as you seek to walk in the spirit and in love.
Prayer:
As you find another mature Christian to pray with and confess to today spend a few moments in adoration. Confession and Thanks together before praying these and any other points your brother or sister wants prayer for. Write down your points.
Adoration:
Confession:
Thanks:
Supplication:
¨ Pray that those in the church would be convicted of sin today, would confess to and pray for each other and would seek to walk in the spirit and walk in the way of love.
¨ Pray that the Youth would be blessed and encouraged in their walk as they gather together for Youth Group tomorrow night. Pray also that the leaders would have wisdom as they lead.
Read Ephesians 5:1-16 and Galatians 5:13-26
Did you get a chance to watch the race-walking at the Olympics this year? The athletes walk up to 50 kilometres, being careful to not break strict rules about the way they walk. The Olympic world record for the 50km walk is just over 3 hours. Can you imagine having to maintain a consistent rhythm and style as you walk at top speed for hours on end?
We are called to walk in our faith in much the same way, with persistence and focus. Unlike the Olympic athletes however, we are given great grace with how we walk. God doesn’t require us to keep the rules to be saved. Instead God’s presence in our lives transforms us to be more like him and enables us to have a spiritual walk that reflects Jesus well.
In Galatians 5 Paul commands us to walk by the spirit. As we walk in the spirit and allow God to work in our lives we will no longer satisfy the flesh and see its acts in our lives. Instead we will grow in the fruit of the spirit.
Have a look over the list of the acts of the flesh in verses 19 to 21. Can you identify any of these in your life? Spend a moment to pray and allow the Holy Spirit to convict you and show you how you may be satisfying the flesh in your life.
In the same way have a read over the fruit of the Spirit in verses 22 and 23. How can you see that the Holy Spirit is working to produce this fruit in your life? How can you grow in living this fruit in all of your life?
In Ephesians 5 Paul commands us to follow God’s example and to walk in the way of love. Paul then goes on to describe improper acts for those who are seeking to walk in the way of love. Look over the list in verses 3 to 7 and pray that the Holy Spirit would convict you of areas of you life where you are walking in the flesh rather in God’s example.
If (and when) you have been convicted of sin today remember that all is not lost! Christ’s sacrifice on the cross is enough to cover all past, present and future sin and to make us right again with God. In His great grace He is also transforming us to be more like Him. Respond today by confessing your sins to another mature Christian and praying together (James 5:16) as you seek to walk in the spirit and in love.
Prayer:
As you find another mature Christian to pray with and confess to today spend a few moments in adoration. Confession and Thanks together before praying these and any other points your brother or sister wants prayer for. Write down your points.
Adoration:
Confession:
Thanks:
Supplication:
¨ Pray that those in the church would be convicted of sin today, would confess to and pray for each other and would seek to walk in the spirit and walk in the way of love.
¨ Pray that the Youth would be blessed and encouraged in their walk as they gather together for Youth Group tomorrow night. Pray also that the leaders would have wisdom as they lead.
Wednesday 29 August 2012
Wednesday August 29, 2012
What things can you do to be salt and light in your workplace/home /school today?
Read Matt 5:13-16
There are certain herbs, spices and condiments that will be found in every kitchen and on every dining table. Few, it would seem, even come close to the popularity of salt. Have you ever been to a restaurant that didn’t have salt on the table and had to ask for it? I am willing to bet it has been a rare occurrence.
Just like we use salt so frequently for flavouring, salt was used even more in ancient times. Salt was used for preserving, for healing, for flavouring and even for Jewish sacrifices. It is little wonder then that Jesus is telling his disciples to be the salt of the earth, strong in flavour and practically working in the world.
How is the church the salt of the earth? How is the church useful for healing poverty and brokenness? How is the church useful for preserving the lives of the innocent and the downtrodden? How is the church useful for flavouring the lives of those who don’t know Jesus? Let’s make this personal. How are YOU the salt of the earth?
In the same way that we are called to be salt Jesus also calls us to be the light of the world. If you look a little closer at verse 16 you will see the purpose behind being the light of the world: “In the same way let your light shine before others...that they may see your good deeds and glorify your father in heaven.”
Being the light of the world is a lot like being the salt of the earth. Both are about practical service, practical deeds and practical works in order that the world may see our service and Glorify God.
We discussed yesterday that good works are the evidence of our faith (James 2:14-26) these good works should also attract people to Christ. How are you living a life which will attract people to Jesus?
We must understand however that it is more than just our works that attract people to know Jesus as their salvation. Have a look at Romans 10. Paul asks the question: “How can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard?”
Prayerfully live a life of salt and light today and be on the lookout to take advantage of every opportunity to tell those around us of God’s great good news of salvation.
Prayer:
Spend a few moments in adoration. Confession and Thanks giving before praying these and other prayer points. Write down your points.
Adoration:
Confession:
Thanks:
Supplication:
¨ Pray for opportunities for your church to be salt and light to the community by meeting the needs of the broken and downtrodden and to share the love of Christ with those whose needs are met.
¨ Pray that people in your church (you included!) would take advantage of every opportunity to share the love of Christ with those around them and would live lives of salt and light in order to help create such opportunities.
Read Matt 5:13-16
There are certain herbs, spices and condiments that will be found in every kitchen and on every dining table. Few, it would seem, even come close to the popularity of salt. Have you ever been to a restaurant that didn’t have salt on the table and had to ask for it? I am willing to bet it has been a rare occurrence.
Just like we use salt so frequently for flavouring, salt was used even more in ancient times. Salt was used for preserving, for healing, for flavouring and even for Jewish sacrifices. It is little wonder then that Jesus is telling his disciples to be the salt of the earth, strong in flavour and practically working in the world.
How is the church the salt of the earth? How is the church useful for healing poverty and brokenness? How is the church useful for preserving the lives of the innocent and the downtrodden? How is the church useful for flavouring the lives of those who don’t know Jesus? Let’s make this personal. How are YOU the salt of the earth?
In the same way that we are called to be salt Jesus also calls us to be the light of the world. If you look a little closer at verse 16 you will see the purpose behind being the light of the world: “In the same way let your light shine before others...that they may see your good deeds and glorify your father in heaven.”
Being the light of the world is a lot like being the salt of the earth. Both are about practical service, practical deeds and practical works in order that the world may see our service and Glorify God.
We discussed yesterday that good works are the evidence of our faith (James 2:14-26) these good works should also attract people to Christ. How are you living a life which will attract people to Jesus?
We must understand however that it is more than just our works that attract people to know Jesus as their salvation. Have a look at Romans 10. Paul asks the question: “How can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard?”
Prayerfully live a life of salt and light today and be on the lookout to take advantage of every opportunity to tell those around us of God’s great good news of salvation.
Prayer:
Spend a few moments in adoration. Confession and Thanks giving before praying these and other prayer points. Write down your points.
Adoration:
Confession:
Thanks:
Supplication:
¨ Pray for opportunities for your church to be salt and light to the community by meeting the needs of the broken and downtrodden and to share the love of Christ with those whose needs are met.
¨ Pray that people in your church (you included!) would take advantage of every opportunity to share the love of Christ with those around them and would live lives of salt and light in order to help create such opportunities.
Tuesday August 28, 2012
What good works can you do today?
Read James 2:14-26
If you were to survey 1,000 people (non Church goers) in your local community, I wonder how many people would comment favourably on the image of your church? How many would say something like, ‘I know that church. You’re the ones who did....’ Would the local community around you know your church as a church of good works?
Of course, such a statement would lead to a heresy trial in some circles. Put down the pitch fork and club for now and hear me out. Good works are the fruit of our faith. No one is arguing we are saved by good works. We are saved for good works. If we have a genuine faith, we will see fruit and good works being born out of that faith. If we do not, our faith is fictional.
These good works are both individual and corporate. Individually we take up good works at work, at home, in our neighbourhood etc. But as a community of believers we are to be doing good works as well.
The local community around us should see good works flowing out of the church. In the early church there were no needy believers among them. The widows were supported and given sustenance by the church. Good works flowed out from the faith of the new church.
The biggest problem we face today is not theological but rather practical. When the church engages in some form of good works it’s the same 20-30% of people that volunteer again to help out. 70-80% of people are too busy, too stressed, too distracted, too whatever to get in and help out. There are simply far too many priorities outside of our faith and our walk with the Lord. But let me ask you some hard hitting questions: Of all the things you are pouring your heart and soul into (work, sport, children’s activities, education and learning etc etc etc), which ones will bear eternal fruit? Which ones will last beyond this life? Which ones does God see as valuable?
As we said with worship yesterday, if we are placing everything else above serving God and doing the good works He created in advance for us to be doing (I dare you to read Ephesians 2:8-10) then we have a heart problem. I am due for a spiritual coronary attack. It’s time to see the Spiritual Doctor and to take immediate and drastic action. If my simply life consists of doing my thing and looking after me then on the day of judgement we will cry out “Lord I went to church. Lord I gave some income to the church... Lord.....” And He will reply, “Away from me. I never knew you”.
The church, your church, is the body of Christ and exists, among other things to share the love and blessing of God to the wider world. Good works are an avenue of sharing that love and blessing. Working for the welfare of others and sharing blessings with others powerfully communicates Christ to a me-centred world.
Prayer:
Spend a few moments in adoration. Confession and Thanks giving before praying these and other prayer points. Write down your points.
Adoration:
Confession:
Thanks:
Supplication:
¨ Pray for the good works your church is involved in or planning. Ask your Lord to allow these good works to communicate the love of Christ to a fallen community. Pray that many come into the faith through these good works. Pray that your church would have more and more volunteers to do the good works God has called it to be doing.
¨ Pray that your church would be growing in faith and stepping out in faith. Choose 5 people from your church directory and pray that God would grow them and stretch them in their faith.
Read James 2:14-26
If you were to survey 1,000 people (non Church goers) in your local community, I wonder how many people would comment favourably on the image of your church? How many would say something like, ‘I know that church. You’re the ones who did....’ Would the local community around you know your church as a church of good works?
Of course, such a statement would lead to a heresy trial in some circles. Put down the pitch fork and club for now and hear me out. Good works are the fruit of our faith. No one is arguing we are saved by good works. We are saved for good works. If we have a genuine faith, we will see fruit and good works being born out of that faith. If we do not, our faith is fictional.
These good works are both individual and corporate. Individually we take up good works at work, at home, in our neighbourhood etc. But as a community of believers we are to be doing good works as well.
The local community around us should see good works flowing out of the church. In the early church there were no needy believers among them. The widows were supported and given sustenance by the church. Good works flowed out from the faith of the new church.
The biggest problem we face today is not theological but rather practical. When the church engages in some form of good works it’s the same 20-30% of people that volunteer again to help out. 70-80% of people are too busy, too stressed, too distracted, too whatever to get in and help out. There are simply far too many priorities outside of our faith and our walk with the Lord. But let me ask you some hard hitting questions: Of all the things you are pouring your heart and soul into (work, sport, children’s activities, education and learning etc etc etc), which ones will bear eternal fruit? Which ones will last beyond this life? Which ones does God see as valuable?
As we said with worship yesterday, if we are placing everything else above serving God and doing the good works He created in advance for us to be doing (I dare you to read Ephesians 2:8-10) then we have a heart problem. I am due for a spiritual coronary attack. It’s time to see the Spiritual Doctor and to take immediate and drastic action. If my simply life consists of doing my thing and looking after me then on the day of judgement we will cry out “Lord I went to church. Lord I gave some income to the church... Lord.....” And He will reply, “Away from me. I never knew you”.
The church, your church, is the body of Christ and exists, among other things to share the love and blessing of God to the wider world. Good works are an avenue of sharing that love and blessing. Working for the welfare of others and sharing blessings with others powerfully communicates Christ to a me-centred world.
Prayer:
Spend a few moments in adoration. Confession and Thanks giving before praying these and other prayer points. Write down your points.
Adoration:
Confession:
Thanks:
Supplication:
¨ Pray for the good works your church is involved in or planning. Ask your Lord to allow these good works to communicate the love of Christ to a fallen community. Pray that many come into the faith through these good works. Pray that your church would have more and more volunteers to do the good works God has called it to be doing.
¨ Pray that your church would be growing in faith and stepping out in faith. Choose 5 people from your church directory and pray that God would grow them and stretch them in their faith.
Tuesday 28 August 2012
Monday August 27, 2012
Grab a 2012 calendar and work out how many Sondays you have missed at church.
Which ones were legitimate? Which one’s weren’t?
Read Hebrews 12:25-29. John 4:23-24
“But I don’t need the church to worship God because all of my life is worship.”
This pernicious and adulterous comment came from the lips of a church member who had been missing every other Sonday at church for several years - sometimes for work, sometimes for family reasons, sometimes for mates and sport and sometimes for rest. The comment flowed out of the erroneous teaching sweeping the through the church at that time that because all of life is worship (which is totally and utterly true) then we don’t need to worry too much about going to church on Sonday (which is utterly false and damnable).
No one is being legalistic here. Going to church can’t and won’t save you. But if meeting with God and God’s children (see Hebrews 10) is not on your high priority list then something is wrong within your heart. I tried desperately to explain this to the obstinate women above, but to no avail.
Put bluntly, if work or family or friends or sport are regularly placed before the Lord and His time, then something is desperately wrong in your heart. Most people I have met who miss Sondays regularly are half-hearted and luke-warm in their commitment to Christ anyway. Missing every second or third Sonday is simply an extension of their apathy! It has nothing to do with freedom in Christ or their avoidance of legalism (which are often quoted as an excuse).
The man or woman who continues to put other things ahead of Christ and His family is simply placing their own Christian values and beliefs below other things and other people’s beliefs and convictions. What he or she is tacitly saying is that my belief in Christ and my values in God are not as important as your (ie the family’s, the bosses’, the sport team’s and so on) beliefs and values and he or she is allowing his/her Christian value system to be trampled on by the world.
People in the world will never take Christ seriously if we can’t take Him seriously. The Church of God exists, among other things, to worship God and to lift up His majestic name. Don’t miss any opportunity to do just that with your brothers and sisters in Christ.
Prayer:
Spend a few moments in adoration. Confession and Thanks giving before praying these and other prayer points. Write down your points.
Adoration:
Confession:
Thanks:
Supplication:
¨ Pray that your Committee of Management will be wise and decisive in its stewardship of funds. Pray that all their decisions will be gospel based and focused. Pray that each and every single person in your congregation would be tithing and giving sacrificially.
¨ Pray that your Session would be focused on the Word and willing to apply the Word to themselves before looking at anyone else. Pray that each person in your congregation would make their work a joy by submitting to their authority and direction.
Which ones were legitimate? Which one’s weren’t?
Read Hebrews 12:25-29. John 4:23-24
“But I don’t need the church to worship God because all of my life is worship.”
This pernicious and adulterous comment came from the lips of a church member who had been missing every other Sonday at church for several years - sometimes for work, sometimes for family reasons, sometimes for mates and sport and sometimes for rest. The comment flowed out of the erroneous teaching sweeping the through the church at that time that because all of life is worship (which is totally and utterly true) then we don’t need to worry too much about going to church on Sonday (which is utterly false and damnable).
No one is being legalistic here. Going to church can’t and won’t save you. But if meeting with God and God’s children (see Hebrews 10) is not on your high priority list then something is wrong within your heart. I tried desperately to explain this to the obstinate women above, but to no avail.
Put bluntly, if work or family or friends or sport are regularly placed before the Lord and His time, then something is desperately wrong in your heart. Most people I have met who miss Sondays regularly are half-hearted and luke-warm in their commitment to Christ anyway. Missing every second or third Sonday is simply an extension of their apathy! It has nothing to do with freedom in Christ or their avoidance of legalism (which are often quoted as an excuse).
The man or woman who continues to put other things ahead of Christ and His family is simply placing their own Christian values and beliefs below other things and other people’s beliefs and convictions. What he or she is tacitly saying is that my belief in Christ and my values in God are not as important as your (ie the family’s, the bosses’, the sport team’s and so on) beliefs and values and he or she is allowing his/her Christian value system to be trampled on by the world.
People in the world will never take Christ seriously if we can’t take Him seriously. The Church of God exists, among other things, to worship God and to lift up His majestic name. Don’t miss any opportunity to do just that with your brothers and sisters in Christ.
Prayer:
Spend a few moments in adoration. Confession and Thanks giving before praying these and other prayer points. Write down your points.
Adoration:
Confession:
Thanks:
Supplication:
¨ Pray that your Committee of Management will be wise and decisive in its stewardship of funds. Pray that all their decisions will be gospel based and focused. Pray that each and every single person in your congregation would be tithing and giving sacrificially.
¨ Pray that your Session would be focused on the Word and willing to apply the Word to themselves before looking at anyone else. Pray that each person in your congregation would make their work a joy by submitting to their authority and direction.
Saturday 25 August 2012
Saturday August 25, 2012
Ring up one other believer and encourage them in some way.
Read Psalm 2, Hosea 11:1, Matt 2:15. Rom 8:14-17
It’s sad that the idea and concept of a family is being attacked and eroded by our current society. The world would love to see the family completely disintegrate simply because it’s a creation of God and is the basis of a godly, healthy society. Statistics show that when families are working well all of society benefits. Crime, violence and so on are dramatically reduced when families are working well.
Israel formed the family of God. Israel was called God’s son but through her disobedience, moved away from that privilege. In the New testament God declares that Jesus is the Son of God in the ultimate sense. He fulfils what Israel failed at - being the Son of God.
As we’ve seen so often, Jesus opens up the door of fulfilment of this family image for the Church. When a person is born again through the gracious work of God’s Holy Spirit he/she is adopted into the family of God. God’s Spirit is sent into his/her heart so that he/she may call God Abba, Father. This makes the church the household or family of God (Eph 2:19, 1 Tim 3:15).
We have been raised to the incredible and privileged status of sons and daughters of God. We have been given legal rights as God’s children and look forward to an incredible inheritance from God.
As family members of the greatest family ever, we are bound to each other as brothers and sisters. We are related by the blood of Christ and have a mutual interest in each others’ welfare. God expects, even demands that we love each other as He has loved us (John 13:34-35). We are called to put each other’s interests above our own and even to lay down our lives for each other, should the need arise.
Prayer:
¨ Pray for bonds of love to encase your congregation, that love would grow and multiply and be the dominant factor in all relationships. Pray that those relationships that are based on putting up with each other will grow and develop in love. Pray that unforgiveness will be burnt away by the power of love and that hard hearts would be melted by God’s grace.
¨ Pray that we would see growth in numbers as we love each other, showing ourselves to be Jesus’ disciples. Pray that the world would be challenged by our love for each other. Pray this for all the churches in your city or region.
Read Psalm 2, Hosea 11:1, Matt 2:15. Rom 8:14-17
It’s sad that the idea and concept of a family is being attacked and eroded by our current society. The world would love to see the family completely disintegrate simply because it’s a creation of God and is the basis of a godly, healthy society. Statistics show that when families are working well all of society benefits. Crime, violence and so on are dramatically reduced when families are working well.
Israel formed the family of God. Israel was called God’s son but through her disobedience, moved away from that privilege. In the New testament God declares that Jesus is the Son of God in the ultimate sense. He fulfils what Israel failed at - being the Son of God.
As we’ve seen so often, Jesus opens up the door of fulfilment of this family image for the Church. When a person is born again through the gracious work of God’s Holy Spirit he/she is adopted into the family of God. God’s Spirit is sent into his/her heart so that he/she may call God Abba, Father. This makes the church the household or family of God (Eph 2:19, 1 Tim 3:15).
We have been raised to the incredible and privileged status of sons and daughters of God. We have been given legal rights as God’s children and look forward to an incredible inheritance from God.
As family members of the greatest family ever, we are bound to each other as brothers and sisters. We are related by the blood of Christ and have a mutual interest in each others’ welfare. God expects, even demands that we love each other as He has loved us (John 13:34-35). We are called to put each other’s interests above our own and even to lay down our lives for each other, should the need arise.
Prayer:
¨ Pray for bonds of love to encase your congregation, that love would grow and multiply and be the dominant factor in all relationships. Pray that those relationships that are based on putting up with each other will grow and develop in love. Pray that unforgiveness will be burnt away by the power of love and that hard hearts would be melted by God’s grace.
¨ Pray that we would see growth in numbers as we love each other, showing ourselves to be Jesus’ disciples. Pray that the world would be challenged by our love for each other. Pray this for all the churches in your city or region.
Friday 24 August 2012
Friday August 24, 2012
Prayerfully consider all the areas of your life and ask God which ones need to come under His rule.
Read Psalm 114. Col 1:13-14
The Kingdom of God is more apt to be understood as the rule of God, rather than a physical realm. The Old Testament again forms the back drop for this image of the Church. In the Old Testament the rule of God was rejected and ignored in the world. Even among God’s own people, the nation of Israel, His will was resisted. His law was breached. His rule was pushed aside. Out of the ashes arose a hope that one day the Lord would affirm His royal authority and establish His rule or kingdom among human beings. Jesus proclaimed the arrival of that era. Through His ministry and its Easter climax God’s rule was firmly established, even though its fulfilment awaits His glorious return. Those who have been rescued from the dominion of darkness and have been brought into His wonderful light have entered into the rule or Kingdom of God.
But we cannot simply equate the Kingdom of God with the church. But when the Church truly submits to her head and obeys His Word the church is the instrument of the Lord’s rule. The Church is able to experience, through the Spirit, a genuine measure of the coming Kingdom through her mutual love and service.
As we speak of the Kingdom of God or the rule of God we realise that the church and all its members must bring their entire lives under the rule of God in anticipation of that glorious kingdom where Christ will reign in eternal paradise.
Prayer:
¨ Pray for a spirit of obedience to be upon everyone in your church. Pray that each and every single person would willingly and joyously submit to God’s rule and God’s Word. Pray that God’s love and grace would overwhelm those who willingly continue to sin so that they come to Him in repentance and faith.
¨ Pray for the leaders of your church. Pray by name for the session members, the Committee of Management, cell leaders and ministry leaders. Pray that each person would be obedient to the Word and willing to submit every area of their life to God’s Word.
Read Psalm 114. Col 1:13-14
The Kingdom of God is more apt to be understood as the rule of God, rather than a physical realm. The Old Testament again forms the back drop for this image of the Church. In the Old Testament the rule of God was rejected and ignored in the world. Even among God’s own people, the nation of Israel, His will was resisted. His law was breached. His rule was pushed aside. Out of the ashes arose a hope that one day the Lord would affirm His royal authority and establish His rule or kingdom among human beings. Jesus proclaimed the arrival of that era. Through His ministry and its Easter climax God’s rule was firmly established, even though its fulfilment awaits His glorious return. Those who have been rescued from the dominion of darkness and have been brought into His wonderful light have entered into the rule or Kingdom of God.
But we cannot simply equate the Kingdom of God with the church. But when the Church truly submits to her head and obeys His Word the church is the instrument of the Lord’s rule. The Church is able to experience, through the Spirit, a genuine measure of the coming Kingdom through her mutual love and service.
As we speak of the Kingdom of God or the rule of God we realise that the church and all its members must bring their entire lives under the rule of God in anticipation of that glorious kingdom where Christ will reign in eternal paradise.
Prayer:
¨ Pray for a spirit of obedience to be upon everyone in your church. Pray that each and every single person would willingly and joyously submit to God’s rule and God’s Word. Pray that God’s love and grace would overwhelm those who willingly continue to sin so that they come to Him in repentance and faith.
¨ Pray for the leaders of your church. Pray by name for the session members, the Committee of Management, cell leaders and ministry leaders. Pray that each person would be obedient to the Word and willing to submit every area of their life to God’s Word.
Thursday 23 August 2012
Thursday August 23, 2012
Get together with a few believers and seek to provide for the poor and needy some time this week.
Read Exodus 25:8-22, Psalm 132:13-18, Ps 139:7-12, John 2:19, 1 Peter 2:4-7
I think I would take offense if anyone but God suggested that I was one brick in a building of many bricks. And yet as God’s Word describes the church as a building the idea of God’s presence comes to the fore, not the density of the bricks and mortar. There really is no need to get offended.
In the Old Testament God began His dwelling with mankind and regularly met with him in the cool of the day. Sin, however, necessitated a barrier between God and mankind. Without this barrier, sinful humanity would be burnt to a crisp in His majestic presence. It was for our benefit that God and man have been separated. The gap was bridged by the presence of the Tabernacle and Temple in the Old Testament. God chose to allow His Name to dwell in these buildings.
Even so, Israel continued to flout God’s law and God’s ways. She was determined to be independent and autonomous. She would not bow down to God but would prostitute herself with many gods. The consequence was the complete destruction of the Temple, a symbolic action depicting that God had left His people. Even the return from exile and the rebuilding of the temple could not fulfil the dreams of the nation and the promises of the Lord Almighty. Something greater was needed.
Destroy this temple and I will rebuild it in three days’. Jesus was asserting that His body was the Temple and that coming to God was not a physical act but a matter of the heart (Jn 4:23). The physical temple was destroyed by the Romans in 70AD. It was completely dashed to the ground.
But God had greater plans. The Temple would be rebuilt in the hearts of men and women and children who loved the Lord. No longer would a physical building suffice. God would dwell in the hearts of those who choose to respond to His love and grace, those called by the Lord Himself. As such the Church is the place in which God’s Spirit dwells and its fulfilment awaits the time of the return of the Lord when the dwelling of God will be with men. He will be their God and they will be His people.
When our Lord talks of the church as a building, the physical building is not in view. At no time should we use the word Church to refer to the bricks and mortar or wood and panels that we spend time in together on Sonday. The Church, the building of God refers to the people within the building. It is a reference to those who have received the Holy Spirit. The physical has been replaced and fulfilled by the Spiritual.
When you attend Church each Lord’s Day do you attend with the reverent expectation of meeting with your Lord and Saviour?
Prayer:
¨ Pray that God would be powerfully present among His people, your church, this Sonday. With God present, pray that God’s Word would be powerful and active. Pray that He would comfort, challenge, rebuke, correct and heal through the powerful preaching of the Word.
¨ Pray that all of the relationships within your church would be holy and righteous and that God would be mending broken relationships and brining forgiveness, healing, wholeness etc where needed.
Read Exodus 25:8-22, Psalm 132:13-18, Ps 139:7-12, John 2:19, 1 Peter 2:4-7
I think I would take offense if anyone but God suggested that I was one brick in a building of many bricks. And yet as God’s Word describes the church as a building the idea of God’s presence comes to the fore, not the density of the bricks and mortar. There really is no need to get offended.
In the Old Testament God began His dwelling with mankind and regularly met with him in the cool of the day. Sin, however, necessitated a barrier between God and mankind. Without this barrier, sinful humanity would be burnt to a crisp in His majestic presence. It was for our benefit that God and man have been separated. The gap was bridged by the presence of the Tabernacle and Temple in the Old Testament. God chose to allow His Name to dwell in these buildings.
Even so, Israel continued to flout God’s law and God’s ways. She was determined to be independent and autonomous. She would not bow down to God but would prostitute herself with many gods. The consequence was the complete destruction of the Temple, a symbolic action depicting that God had left His people. Even the return from exile and the rebuilding of the temple could not fulfil the dreams of the nation and the promises of the Lord Almighty. Something greater was needed.
Destroy this temple and I will rebuild it in three days’. Jesus was asserting that His body was the Temple and that coming to God was not a physical act but a matter of the heart (Jn 4:23). The physical temple was destroyed by the Romans in 70AD. It was completely dashed to the ground.
But God had greater plans. The Temple would be rebuilt in the hearts of men and women and children who loved the Lord. No longer would a physical building suffice. God would dwell in the hearts of those who choose to respond to His love and grace, those called by the Lord Himself. As such the Church is the place in which God’s Spirit dwells and its fulfilment awaits the time of the return of the Lord when the dwelling of God will be with men. He will be their God and they will be His people.
When our Lord talks of the church as a building, the physical building is not in view. At no time should we use the word Church to refer to the bricks and mortar or wood and panels that we spend time in together on Sonday. The Church, the building of God refers to the people within the building. It is a reference to those who have received the Holy Spirit. The physical has been replaced and fulfilled by the Spiritual.
When you attend Church each Lord’s Day do you attend with the reverent expectation of meeting with your Lord and Saviour?
Prayer:
¨ Pray that God would be powerfully present among His people, your church, this Sonday. With God present, pray that God’s Word would be powerful and active. Pray that He would comfort, challenge, rebuke, correct and heal through the powerful preaching of the Word.
¨ Pray that all of the relationships within your church would be holy and righteous and that God would be mending broken relationships and brining forgiveness, healing, wholeness etc where needed.
Wednesday 22 August 2012
Wednesday August 22, 2012
Get together with a few believers and seek to provide for the poor and needy some time this week.
Read Isaiah 54:5-8, Mk 2:18-20, Ephesians 5:22-32, Rev 19:7, 21:2
They say that a woman is most beautiful on her wedding day. And rightly so!!! The church is referred to a bride, the Bride of Christ. The roots of this image come from the Old Testament where God refers to Israel as His bride and to Himself as her husband. But unfortunately Israel proved unfaithful and committed adultery with other false gods. She prostituted herself to idols and statues.
When Jesus came He referred to Himself as the Groom, whose presence among the disciples made fasting inappropriate.
Later in Ephesians we see that Christ loves the Church and gave Himself up for her so that the Church might blossom into her best. Christ will present the Church as radiant, blameless and without spot or wrinkle. Through the love of Christ Jesus the Church will become holy and blameless.
The Apostle John sees a future revelation of the wedding of the Lamb. Soon the day will come when the church is presented and ready to be wed again to the Lord. On that day the church will be her absolute best and her most beautiful. At that point the church will be void of sin, of evil, of hypocrites and wolves. All those who are pretending and hiding in the background will be finally and completely removed. The church will be pure and holy, ready to receive her bridegroom and be united to Him for all eternity.
This image of the church as the Bride represents God’s unqualified love towards His people. He has chosen the church and redeemed the church and lavished her with His undeserved love and grace.
What is required of us is undivided attention and total loyalty. God demands that we love Him with all of our thinking facilities, our emotions and our ability to act and react and engage with people and the world.
Prayer:
¨ Pray for your cell leaders and session leaders to be loving God with their entire heart and soul and mind and strength. Pray that this love would filter downwards to each of us. Pray that we would all be growing into this high calling of love.
¨ Pray that your Committee of Management would be loving God in this selfless way too. Pray that all their decisions would continue to flow out of their love for God.
Read Isaiah 54:5-8, Mk 2:18-20, Ephesians 5:22-32, Rev 19:7, 21:2
They say that a woman is most beautiful on her wedding day. And rightly so!!! The church is referred to a bride, the Bride of Christ. The roots of this image come from the Old Testament where God refers to Israel as His bride and to Himself as her husband. But unfortunately Israel proved unfaithful and committed adultery with other false gods. She prostituted herself to idols and statues.
When Jesus came He referred to Himself as the Groom, whose presence among the disciples made fasting inappropriate.
Later in Ephesians we see that Christ loves the Church and gave Himself up for her so that the Church might blossom into her best. Christ will present the Church as radiant, blameless and without spot or wrinkle. Through the love of Christ Jesus the Church will become holy and blameless.
The Apostle John sees a future revelation of the wedding of the Lamb. Soon the day will come when the church is presented and ready to be wed again to the Lord. On that day the church will be her absolute best and her most beautiful. At that point the church will be void of sin, of evil, of hypocrites and wolves. All those who are pretending and hiding in the background will be finally and completely removed. The church will be pure and holy, ready to receive her bridegroom and be united to Him for all eternity.
This image of the church as the Bride represents God’s unqualified love towards His people. He has chosen the church and redeemed the church and lavished her with His undeserved love and grace.
What is required of us is undivided attention and total loyalty. God demands that we love Him with all of our thinking facilities, our emotions and our ability to act and react and engage with people and the world.
Prayer:
¨ Pray for your cell leaders and session leaders to be loving God with their entire heart and soul and mind and strength. Pray that this love would filter downwards to each of us. Pray that we would all be growing into this high calling of love.
¨ Pray that your Committee of Management would be loving God in this selfless way too. Pray that all their decisions would continue to flow out of their love for God.
Tuesday 21 August 2012
Tuesday August 21, 2012
Get together with a few believers and seek to provide for the poor and needy some time this week.
Read Rom 12:5, 1 Cor 10:16, 12:27
Most people are aware that the church is often referred to as the body of Christ. Sometimes Christ is pictured as the whole body and we are members with Him. This image pictures unity and oneness with Christ. At other times Christ is pictured as the head, picturing the nourishment and life drawn from Him and also His Lordship over the entire body.
Often though we tend to focus on the body part of the image and not the Christ part. Yes, we are the body. Yes we are inter-related and Yes we all work together to get the job done. Yes we all have a role to play and yes we are all vitally important. But if we do not focus on the Christ part, then our role and our function as the body of Christ is mineralised.
As a body, we need to constantly remember that we are the body OF CHRIST. That defines our role, our work, our responsibility and the reason for our existence. If we forget that we are the body OF CHRIST we may as well become a local charity club or social club. Without Christ we are simply no different.
When Christ formed the body by His death and resurrection and when He called you into His body He called you with a purpose and mission. What is that mission? It’s to represent Christ on earth and to do the work that He was doing and to finish the mission that He began. The church, as the body of Christ, must be doing what Christ did when He was bodily among us.
Do you belong to the body of Christ? If ‘yes’ you have a vital role to play in that body and in the community in which Christ has placed you.
Prayer:
¨ Pray that your congregation would be vocal and recognisable in the local community as you together stand up for justice, voice concern over issues and represent Christ in that local community. Pray that you and your congregation would be able to represent Christ powerfully.
¨ Pray that each and every church in your area would recapture a sense of what it means to be the body OF CHRIST. Pray that more and more churches would be acting as the body of Christ and seeking to do the work He has given to us as the body.
Read Rom 12:5, 1 Cor 10:16, 12:27
Most people are aware that the church is often referred to as the body of Christ. Sometimes Christ is pictured as the whole body and we are members with Him. This image pictures unity and oneness with Christ. At other times Christ is pictured as the head, picturing the nourishment and life drawn from Him and also His Lordship over the entire body.
Often though we tend to focus on the body part of the image and not the Christ part. Yes, we are the body. Yes we are inter-related and Yes we all work together to get the job done. Yes we all have a role to play and yes we are all vitally important. But if we do not focus on the Christ part, then our role and our function as the body of Christ is mineralised.
As a body, we need to constantly remember that we are the body OF CHRIST. That defines our role, our work, our responsibility and the reason for our existence. If we forget that we are the body OF CHRIST we may as well become a local charity club or social club. Without Christ we are simply no different.
When Christ formed the body by His death and resurrection and when He called you into His body He called you with a purpose and mission. What is that mission? It’s to represent Christ on earth and to do the work that He was doing and to finish the mission that He began. The church, as the body of Christ, must be doing what Christ did when He was bodily among us.
Do you belong to the body of Christ? If ‘yes’ you have a vital role to play in that body and in the community in which Christ has placed you.
Prayer:
¨ Pray that your congregation would be vocal and recognisable in the local community as you together stand up for justice, voice concern over issues and represent Christ in that local community. Pray that you and your congregation would be able to represent Christ powerfully.
¨ Pray that each and every church in your area would recapture a sense of what it means to be the body OF CHRIST. Pray that more and more churches would be acting as the body of Christ and seeking to do the work He has given to us as the body.
Monday 20 August 2012
Monday August 20, 2012
Being the people of God entails certain responsibilities. How can you live out those responsibilities throughout today?
Read Exodus 6:7, 19:5, Lev 26:12, Jer 30:22, Ez 36:28, Hosea 2:23, 2 Cor 6:16-18
God’s relationship with His people is probably the central theme of the entire Bible. His plan from day 1 was to make a people for Himself. He would be their God and they would be His people.
Adam and Eve were to be the people of God but they refused and opted out. They deliberately sinned against God. Noah was chosen as the people of God, but his descendants strayed from God. They too chose to sin. Abraham was chosen as well and was formed into the nation of Israel, again called the people of God but they too, opted out by sinning against God. The history of the Old Testament is the history of God dealing with His people and the people rebelling against God.
When Jesus came into our world He came as the true people (person, in singular) of God. He came as the epitome of what the people of God should have been. He never rejected God. He never sinned. He always lived in perfect unity and harmony with the will of God. He never grasped at equality with God, even though He was equal with God. He was obedient, even to death upon a cross.
And through the death and resurrection of Jesus, the church was born. The church is the fulfilment of the people of God and by faith in Jesus’ atoning work, we become known as the People of God. By faith we are grafted into the people of God.
In the New Testament Church we see the fulfilment of what began on day 1 of creation - God promises to walk among us, to be our God and for us to be His people, His sons and daughters. When God looks at the Church He doesn’t see a mish-mash of individuals standing or sitting in the same building. He sees His people. He sees His very own sons and daughters - men, women and children purchased by the blood of Christ Jesus. To understand the difference, think of a bride walking down the aisle. The audience and relatives see something beautiful and resplendent. But the groom sees something completely different. What we see when we look at the church may be beautiful and even resplendent at times. But what God sees is completely different. When God looks at the church He sees His beloved people.
Prayer:
¨ Pray that God would obviously be among your church, the people of God, this coming Lord’s Day. Pray that His Word would be powerfully active and that He would bring growth, maturity, conviction and healing as needed.
¨ Pray that others would see Christ among us and come seek Him. Pray that the community around your congregation would see Christ so brilliantly that many would come to seek Him, find Him and be granted repentance and faith unto eternal life.
Read Exodus 6:7, 19:5, Lev 26:12, Jer 30:22, Ez 36:28, Hosea 2:23, 2 Cor 6:16-18
God’s relationship with His people is probably the central theme of the entire Bible. His plan from day 1 was to make a people for Himself. He would be their God and they would be His people.
Adam and Eve were to be the people of God but they refused and opted out. They deliberately sinned against God. Noah was chosen as the people of God, but his descendants strayed from God. They too chose to sin. Abraham was chosen as well and was formed into the nation of Israel, again called the people of God but they too, opted out by sinning against God. The history of the Old Testament is the history of God dealing with His people and the people rebelling against God.
When Jesus came into our world He came as the true people (person, in singular) of God. He came as the epitome of what the people of God should have been. He never rejected God. He never sinned. He always lived in perfect unity and harmony with the will of God. He never grasped at equality with God, even though He was equal with God. He was obedient, even to death upon a cross.
And through the death and resurrection of Jesus, the church was born. The church is the fulfilment of the people of God and by faith in Jesus’ atoning work, we become known as the People of God. By faith we are grafted into the people of God.
In the New Testament Church we see the fulfilment of what began on day 1 of creation - God promises to walk among us, to be our God and for us to be His people, His sons and daughters. When God looks at the Church He doesn’t see a mish-mash of individuals standing or sitting in the same building. He sees His people. He sees His very own sons and daughters - men, women and children purchased by the blood of Christ Jesus. To understand the difference, think of a bride walking down the aisle. The audience and relatives see something beautiful and resplendent. But the groom sees something completely different. What we see when we look at the church may be beautiful and even resplendent at times. But what God sees is completely different. When God looks at the church He sees His beloved people.
Prayer:
¨ Pray that God would obviously be among your church, the people of God, this coming Lord’s Day. Pray that His Word would be powerfully active and that He would bring growth, maturity, conviction and healing as needed.
¨ Pray that others would see Christ among us and come seek Him. Pray that the community around your congregation would see Christ so brilliantly that many would come to seek Him, find Him and be granted repentance and faith unto eternal life.
Saturday 18 August 2012
Saturday August 18, 2012
Prayerfully seek to share the gospel with someone today.
Read Luke 24. Col 4:5-6
I sat in the boat on the tranquil lake fishing with my non-believing and highly sceptical friend. We were way out of reach from the shore. He couldn’t swim away. He couldn’t get away. He was my prisoner. The Lord was telling me over and over and over to share the gospel with him. There was no way out. He had to listen! As the Lord kept telling me, I grew in obstinacy. I continued to refuse to tell him about Christ’s offer of salvation. Why? I have no idea. I think it may have been fear. My missionary zeal floated away on the lake for some reason that day.
Are you mission minded? By mission minded I don’t mean that you might give a few dollars to a missionary organisation or missionary person. By mission minded I mean, do you actually look for opportunities to share the gospel? Do you seek out and create opportunities to share your faith?
God in fact, calls us to be making the most of every single opportunity that comes our way. God has sent us out with an agenda - to make disciples in His name and for His sake. Each and every single believer needs to take this mission mindedness on board.
It’s actually very easy to open up spiritual conversations. We need to be looking for avenues of entry and then we need to step out in faith and speak up. Ask a question. Make a comment. Say something that elicits a response about the other person’s spiritual life. Here are a few examples. I was preaching in Tasmania once and as I was ordering fish and chips from a local milk bar, the Indian fellow asked me why I was in town. I casually replied that I was helping a church out for a few weeks. Sensing the opportunity I prayed that he would take the bait. He then stated quite categorically that he’s not religious. I stated, again, seeking to make the most of this opportunity that neither am I. I turned around casually and prayed fervently. Praise God that he asked me to explain how that can be if I am working in a local church. I was then able to share with him the need for faith and trust in Jesus’ work at the cross. He understood the difference between religion and faith. As I was leaving the shop I asked if he would like to become a Christian. Quite shocked, he responded in the negative but took my card as a future reference.
On another occasion, while I was working, a former client came into my office and told me of all of her boy problems at that present time. I simply offered to pray for her and that prayer led to her conversion, right there in my office. An elderly couple I know of would inevitably share the gospel with people they met every single time they went shopping. They would pray for opportunities before they left and would then keep their eyes open for doors opening up. Inevitably, they would.
There is no set formula for making the most of every opportunity. It’s a matter of being mission minded and constantly praying and watching for opportunities.
The true church of Jesus Christ must be mission minded. One must ask whether or not a church that is not mission minded is really a church at all. Is a life saving club that cares nothing for the drowning souls really a life saving club? Is a football club that hates playing football really a football club?
Prayer:
¨ Pray that a missionary zeal would overwhelm each and every single person in your congregation. Pray that cell groups would be visited with a permanent missionary zeal as well. Pray for each cell group separately. Pray that the leaders of cell groups would be mission minded as well and that they would set the agenda in cells.
Read Luke 24. Col 4:5-6
I sat in the boat on the tranquil lake fishing with my non-believing and highly sceptical friend. We were way out of reach from the shore. He couldn’t swim away. He couldn’t get away. He was my prisoner. The Lord was telling me over and over and over to share the gospel with him. There was no way out. He had to listen! As the Lord kept telling me, I grew in obstinacy. I continued to refuse to tell him about Christ’s offer of salvation. Why? I have no idea. I think it may have been fear. My missionary zeal floated away on the lake for some reason that day.
Are you mission minded? By mission minded I don’t mean that you might give a few dollars to a missionary organisation or missionary person. By mission minded I mean, do you actually look for opportunities to share the gospel? Do you seek out and create opportunities to share your faith?
God in fact, calls us to be making the most of every single opportunity that comes our way. God has sent us out with an agenda - to make disciples in His name and for His sake. Each and every single believer needs to take this mission mindedness on board.
It’s actually very easy to open up spiritual conversations. We need to be looking for avenues of entry and then we need to step out in faith and speak up. Ask a question. Make a comment. Say something that elicits a response about the other person’s spiritual life. Here are a few examples. I was preaching in Tasmania once and as I was ordering fish and chips from a local milk bar, the Indian fellow asked me why I was in town. I casually replied that I was helping a church out for a few weeks. Sensing the opportunity I prayed that he would take the bait. He then stated quite categorically that he’s not religious. I stated, again, seeking to make the most of this opportunity that neither am I. I turned around casually and prayed fervently. Praise God that he asked me to explain how that can be if I am working in a local church. I was then able to share with him the need for faith and trust in Jesus’ work at the cross. He understood the difference between religion and faith. As I was leaving the shop I asked if he would like to become a Christian. Quite shocked, he responded in the negative but took my card as a future reference.
On another occasion, while I was working, a former client came into my office and told me of all of her boy problems at that present time. I simply offered to pray for her and that prayer led to her conversion, right there in my office. An elderly couple I know of would inevitably share the gospel with people they met every single time they went shopping. They would pray for opportunities before they left and would then keep their eyes open for doors opening up. Inevitably, they would.
There is no set formula for making the most of every opportunity. It’s a matter of being mission minded and constantly praying and watching for opportunities.
The true church of Jesus Christ must be mission minded. One must ask whether or not a church that is not mission minded is really a church at all. Is a life saving club that cares nothing for the drowning souls really a life saving club? Is a football club that hates playing football really a football club?
Prayer:
¨ Pray that a missionary zeal would overwhelm each and every single person in your congregation. Pray that cell groups would be visited with a permanent missionary zeal as well. Pray for each cell group separately. Pray that the leaders of cell groups would be mission minded as well and that they would set the agenda in cells.
Friday 17 August 2012
Friday August 17, 2012
If someone asked you why you think your church is a true church, what would you say?
Read Luke 22
John Calvin the great reformer argued that ‘where we see the Word of God purely preached and heard and the sacraments administered according to Christ's institution, there it is not to be doubted a church of God exists.’
For the reformers the Word of God was to be central. It was to be expounded and taught to all in the church whenever the church was constituted. If the Word is not clearly and faithfully proclaimed in your church, you have grounds to question, to rebuke and, if repentance is not forthcoming, to move on. Authority lay in the Word of God, not in tradition nor the priesthood nor the so called human head of the church. The Word of God had central supremacy.
The Reformers also believed that the Word and Spirit were indissolubly bound together. They could not and should not be separated. If you belonged to the fellowship of the Spirit you would submit yourself to the Word that this same Spirit had inspired and authored. The Spirit led each true believer to the Word and brought change and conviction through the Word. The Reformers could not imagine a love of God and of each other that was not bound to faith and truth.
The other true distinguishing mark for the Reformers was the right administration of the sacraments - Baptism and the Lord’s Supper. They profusely rejected the seven sacraments of the other churches and admonished people to adhere to the sacraments as Christ Himself taught, not as tradition taught. Unfortunately, today we see entire churches built on having no sacraments because of the disunity caused by the sacraments in the past. Jesus clearly saw Baptism (Mat 28:19ff) and the Lord’s Supper (Lk 22:19) as fundamental to the continuing life of the church.
Prayer:
¨ Pray that each and every person in your congregation would be growing in love for God and in awe of His salvation. Pray that grace would increase in each person.
¨ Pray that each person in your congregation would know the height and depth, width and breadth of God’s immense love, that they would know Him better and serve Him more.
Read Luke 22
John Calvin the great reformer argued that ‘where we see the Word of God purely preached and heard and the sacraments administered according to Christ's institution, there it is not to be doubted a church of God exists.’
For the reformers the Word of God was to be central. It was to be expounded and taught to all in the church whenever the church was constituted. If the Word is not clearly and faithfully proclaimed in your church, you have grounds to question, to rebuke and, if repentance is not forthcoming, to move on. Authority lay in the Word of God, not in tradition nor the priesthood nor the so called human head of the church. The Word of God had central supremacy.
The Reformers also believed that the Word and Spirit were indissolubly bound together. They could not and should not be separated. If you belonged to the fellowship of the Spirit you would submit yourself to the Word that this same Spirit had inspired and authored. The Spirit led each true believer to the Word and brought change and conviction through the Word. The Reformers could not imagine a love of God and of each other that was not bound to faith and truth.
The other true distinguishing mark for the Reformers was the right administration of the sacraments - Baptism and the Lord’s Supper. They profusely rejected the seven sacraments of the other churches and admonished people to adhere to the sacraments as Christ Himself taught, not as tradition taught. Unfortunately, today we see entire churches built on having no sacraments because of the disunity caused by the sacraments in the past. Jesus clearly saw Baptism (Mat 28:19ff) and the Lord’s Supper (Lk 22:19) as fundamental to the continuing life of the church.
Prayer:
¨ Pray that each and every person in your congregation would be growing in love for God and in awe of His salvation. Pray that grace would increase in each person.
¨ Pray that each person in your congregation would know the height and depth, width and breadth of God’s immense love, that they would know Him better and serve Him more.
Thursday 16 August 2012
Thursday August 16, 2012
Are there bits of the Bible you don’t believe? Make an appointment with one of your elders to discuss it.
Read Acts 1:15-22. Ephesians 2:20, Matt 16:18, Acts 2:42, Jude 3. Rev 21:14
Even though the word ‘apostle’ means ‘sent one’, the word is used biblically in a different sense when written in English with a capital A. Everyone sent by the church is a “sent one”, an apostle, in the generic sense of the word. But that does not imply that these people are Apostles in the sense of the authorised and sent bearers of the original gospel. The Apostles were those who witnessed the ministry, life, death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. They were chosen by Him to be authorised bearers of the gospel. They were chosen by Him and sent out by Him.
The original Apostles were the twelve disciples Jesus surrounded Himself with. Paul was later added as an Apostle because he witnessed the resurrected Lord Jesus Christ. In 1 Cor 15 he acknowledges that he was like one abnormally born.
The Apostles laid the foundation of the Church and gave to us the Word of God in the New Testament. It is chiefly their message that forms the New Testament. When a church is ‘apostolic’ it means that it allows its life, its message, its conduct and so on to be ruled and constantly reformed by the New Testament.
When we talk about apostolicity of the church we are not talking about a succession of bishops back to the first New Testament Church. Such teaching lacks any Biblical foundation or support. Apostolic succession is properly a succession of the apostolic gospel - preaching the gospel as it was handed down to us.
We, as a church, are called to defend and protect the faith, the Scriptures, that were handed down to us from the Apostles. At present there is a battle being waged against the authority of Scripture. Marriage, children’s roles and place in society and the legitimacy of creation are being attacked. We must stand up as an apostolic faith and protect that which God has given us through them, namely, the Word of God.
Prayer:
¨ Pray that God would uphold the sanctity of marriage and the purity of marriage as being between one man and one woman for life. Pray that churches across the world would stand and fight together for God’s Word.
Pray that the church too would stand up against the trend and attack that encourages children and teenagers to rebel against their parents and to do what they want rather than what their parents want. Pray that Christian teens and children in your own congregation would be obedient to Christ, then to their parents. Pray that the trend of the world would be reversed.
Read Acts 1:15-22. Ephesians 2:20, Matt 16:18, Acts 2:42, Jude 3. Rev 21:14
Even though the word ‘apostle’ means ‘sent one’, the word is used biblically in a different sense when written in English with a capital A. Everyone sent by the church is a “sent one”, an apostle, in the generic sense of the word. But that does not imply that these people are Apostles in the sense of the authorised and sent bearers of the original gospel. The Apostles were those who witnessed the ministry, life, death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. They were chosen by Him to be authorised bearers of the gospel. They were chosen by Him and sent out by Him.
The original Apostles were the twelve disciples Jesus surrounded Himself with. Paul was later added as an Apostle because he witnessed the resurrected Lord Jesus Christ. In 1 Cor 15 he acknowledges that he was like one abnormally born.
The Apostles laid the foundation of the Church and gave to us the Word of God in the New Testament. It is chiefly their message that forms the New Testament. When a church is ‘apostolic’ it means that it allows its life, its message, its conduct and so on to be ruled and constantly reformed by the New Testament.
When we talk about apostolicity of the church we are not talking about a succession of bishops back to the first New Testament Church. Such teaching lacks any Biblical foundation or support. Apostolic succession is properly a succession of the apostolic gospel - preaching the gospel as it was handed down to us.
We, as a church, are called to defend and protect the faith, the Scriptures, that were handed down to us from the Apostles. At present there is a battle being waged against the authority of Scripture. Marriage, children’s roles and place in society and the legitimacy of creation are being attacked. We must stand up as an apostolic faith and protect that which God has given us through them, namely, the Word of God.
Prayer:
¨ Pray that God would uphold the sanctity of marriage and the purity of marriage as being between one man and one woman for life. Pray that churches across the world would stand and fight together for God’s Word.
Pray that the church too would stand up against the trend and attack that encourages children and teenagers to rebel against their parents and to do what they want rather than what their parents want. Pray that Christian teens and children in your own congregation would be obedient to Christ, then to their parents. Pray that the trend of the world would be reversed.
Wednesday 15 August 2012
Wednesday August 15, 2012
Read 1 Tim 1:12-16. Revelation 7
When we talk of a church being catholic we automatically think of the Roman Catholic Church. But this was not the original meaning of the word. The word when used with regard to the church referred to the church being open to all. The Jews naturally accepted only Jews and converts to Judaism. The Gnostics accepted intellectuals but the church originally opened its arms to anyone who would embrace its message and accept its Saviour irrespective of colour, race, social status, intellectual capacity or moral background. Even the worst of sinners could find love and acceptance in the church of Christ Jesus. Entry was open to all who accepted and professed Jesus as their personal Lord and Saviour.
The Apostle John’s revelation of heaven pictured the catholicity of the church. Standing before the throne were Jews and Gentiles, together in praise and adoration of the Lord God Almighty. People from every nation, tribe and tongue were gathered in unity around the throne of God and of the Lamb. There was no distinction, no barrier, no discrimination. All had become one in the Lamb.
When we speak of the catholic church we speak of its openness to all and its willingness to receive all who repent and believe in Christ Jesus.
Prayer:
¨ It is God who grants repentance. Pray that God would grant repentance to those in the church who desperately need it. Pray that He would open their eyes to sin and lead them in paths of mercy.
¨ Pray that the community around your church would see it as a place of holiness and integrity. Pray that the community would be blessed by your church’s holiness and also challenged to come to Christ because of it.
When we talk of a church being catholic we automatically think of the Roman Catholic Church. But this was not the original meaning of the word. The word when used with regard to the church referred to the church being open to all. The Jews naturally accepted only Jews and converts to Judaism. The Gnostics accepted intellectuals but the church originally opened its arms to anyone who would embrace its message and accept its Saviour irrespective of colour, race, social status, intellectual capacity or moral background. Even the worst of sinners could find love and acceptance in the church of Christ Jesus. Entry was open to all who accepted and professed Jesus as their personal Lord and Saviour.
The Apostle John’s revelation of heaven pictured the catholicity of the church. Standing before the throne were Jews and Gentiles, together in praise and adoration of the Lord God Almighty. People from every nation, tribe and tongue were gathered in unity around the throne of God and of the Lamb. There was no distinction, no barrier, no discrimination. All had become one in the Lamb.
When we speak of the catholic church we speak of its openness to all and its willingness to receive all who repent and believe in Christ Jesus.
Prayer:
¨ It is God who grants repentance. Pray that God would grant repentance to those in the church who desperately need it. Pray that He would open their eyes to sin and lead them in paths of mercy.
¨ Pray that the community around your church would see it as a place of holiness and integrity. Pray that the community would be blessed by your church’s holiness and also challenged to come to Christ because of it.
Tuesday 14 August 2012
Tuesday August 14, 2012
Where do you need to grow in purity? Get together with a trusted friend and pray about this. Ask him/her to keep you accountable.
Read Revelation 2-3, 1 Peter 2:9-10
A bride walks down the aisle and everyone notices the blotch of dirt on her gown. How could you miss it? It stands out like a sore thumb. Everyone gasps somewhat uncomfortably and there’s a nervous tension in the air. The church is like that bride. Sin within the church is a blotch that stands out like a sore thumb.
Whether we like it or not there are people in the world who stand watch over the church and over Christians to catch them out in sin. Indeed, the situation is so bad now that many movies and serials often have a so called Christian as the bad guy sinning behind the scenes and staining the perfect name of our Lord and Saviour. In such shows, it’s often the bad guy or the ‘not-so-pure’ detective that brings relief, justice and hope to the victims abused by the so called Christian. The world wants nothing more than to have legitimate grounds to discredit Christ, His Church and His people through the mass media. From the world’s perspective, the more that are turned away from the church the better.
Our individual union with Christ is the cause and motivation for our personal holiness. The church’s union with Christ is the cause and motivation for the church’s holiness and purity. It’s our closeness to Christ, our love for Him and our appreciation and experience of His love for us that drives our purity and holiness. As the church grows closer to Christ she won’t want to sin. She won’t want to deviate from God’s perfect paths. She won’t want to discredit God’s holy and pure name.
Interestingly, it’s often in the tough times, like times of persecution, that the church’s holiness comes to the fore. I’ve read dozens, even hundreds, of conversion stories where the holiness of the church and/or some of its members was the key factor in drawing people to Christ. In fact, you can see a person’s true character by their initial reaction to tough times, to adverse situations and to unexpected turns. The Christian and the Church should be reacting with and in holiness no matter how tough life gets.
What our world needs to see is not more Christians sinning behind closed doors. The world has come to expect Christians to be hypocritical. What the world needs to see is believers walking with integrity of every area of life. The world needs to see Christians making sacrifices for the holiness and purity of our God.
Prayer:
¨ Pray for each and every member of your church to be growing in holiness and purity. Pray that the Lord would be weeding sin, sinful habits and desires out of your life and out of theirs.
¨ Pray that your church’s holiness and purity would be drawing people to Christ for salvation.
Read Revelation 2-3, 1 Peter 2:9-10
A bride walks down the aisle and everyone notices the blotch of dirt on her gown. How could you miss it? It stands out like a sore thumb. Everyone gasps somewhat uncomfortably and there’s a nervous tension in the air. The church is like that bride. Sin within the church is a blotch that stands out like a sore thumb.
Whether we like it or not there are people in the world who stand watch over the church and over Christians to catch them out in sin. Indeed, the situation is so bad now that many movies and serials often have a so called Christian as the bad guy sinning behind the scenes and staining the perfect name of our Lord and Saviour. In such shows, it’s often the bad guy or the ‘not-so-pure’ detective that brings relief, justice and hope to the victims abused by the so called Christian. The world wants nothing more than to have legitimate grounds to discredit Christ, His Church and His people through the mass media. From the world’s perspective, the more that are turned away from the church the better.
Our individual union with Christ is the cause and motivation for our personal holiness. The church’s union with Christ is the cause and motivation for the church’s holiness and purity. It’s our closeness to Christ, our love for Him and our appreciation and experience of His love for us that drives our purity and holiness. As the church grows closer to Christ she won’t want to sin. She won’t want to deviate from God’s perfect paths. She won’t want to discredit God’s holy and pure name.
Interestingly, it’s often in the tough times, like times of persecution, that the church’s holiness comes to the fore. I’ve read dozens, even hundreds, of conversion stories where the holiness of the church and/or some of its members was the key factor in drawing people to Christ. In fact, you can see a person’s true character by their initial reaction to tough times, to adverse situations and to unexpected turns. The Christian and the Church should be reacting with and in holiness no matter how tough life gets.
What our world needs to see is not more Christians sinning behind closed doors. The world has come to expect Christians to be hypocritical. What the world needs to see is believers walking with integrity of every area of life. The world needs to see Christians making sacrifices for the holiness and purity of our God.
Prayer:
¨ Pray for each and every member of your church to be growing in holiness and purity. Pray that the Lord would be weeding sin, sinful habits and desires out of your life and out of theirs.
¨ Pray that your church’s holiness and purity would be drawing people to Christ for salvation.
Monday 13 August 2012
Monday August 13, 2012
How can you promote unity within your church and within your city?
Read Ephesians 4:1-6. 1 Cor 12:4-6
I wonder what non believing people around you see when they look at your church. Do they see the church as it’s meant to be seen or do they see a distorted picture of God’s true church?
Biblically speaking the church is one, because our God is one. The church has unity because God has unity.
Even though the church is made up of different ministries and has different people with different gifts and different functions and even though the various churches meet in different locations, there is still only one church. The church is still, Biblically speaking, unified.
Even our forms or styles of worship should not detract from our unity. The kind of service held at Corinth (1 Cor 14:26ff) would have been vastly different to the style of worship in the Jerusalem churches. These churches considered themselves as one church and worked together in the gospel.
The reality is that our different flavours should not detract from our unity. Our personal differences should not detract from our unity. Our racial and educational differences, our income differences should not detract from our unity. The church stands unified because, from a human perspective, each and every member has entered the church via the same door - by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. We are all on the same playing field. From God’s perspective we are unified by the indwelling of the same Holy Spirit and we worship the one true living God together.
Unfortunately there are several things that destroy the unity of the church. Our relationships within the church are key. If these are not unified and cohesive the church will never be unified. Hatred, unforgiveness, stubborn pride, hatred of others, unwillingness to relate to others.... all these things destroy the unity of the church.
Fortunately, there are many things that build the unity of the church. If you think of the opposite of the things listed above, you’ll see many things that build unity. Love builds unity. Acceptance, forgiveness, willingness to relate to all people, generosity and so on all build unity. A church divided is a church defeated.
You can and should be playing an active role in promoting and growing the unity within your church.
Prayer:
¨ Pray for unity within your church. Pray that all relationships will be growing and deepening in love, commitment and other centeredness. Pray that each person will be growing in the two greatest commandments.
¨ Pray for unity across the churches of the city. Pray that we would be working together where we can bring the gospel to bear in this city. Pray that many more people will be reached with the love of Christ Jesus.
Read Ephesians 4:1-6. 1 Cor 12:4-6
I wonder what non believing people around you see when they look at your church. Do they see the church as it’s meant to be seen or do they see a distorted picture of God’s true church?
Biblically speaking the church is one, because our God is one. The church has unity because God has unity.
Even though the church is made up of different ministries and has different people with different gifts and different functions and even though the various churches meet in different locations, there is still only one church. The church is still, Biblically speaking, unified.
Even our forms or styles of worship should not detract from our unity. The kind of service held at Corinth (1 Cor 14:26ff) would have been vastly different to the style of worship in the Jerusalem churches. These churches considered themselves as one church and worked together in the gospel.
The reality is that our different flavours should not detract from our unity. Our personal differences should not detract from our unity. Our racial and educational differences, our income differences should not detract from our unity. The church stands unified because, from a human perspective, each and every member has entered the church via the same door - by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. We are all on the same playing field. From God’s perspective we are unified by the indwelling of the same Holy Spirit and we worship the one true living God together.
Unfortunately there are several things that destroy the unity of the church. Our relationships within the church are key. If these are not unified and cohesive the church will never be unified. Hatred, unforgiveness, stubborn pride, hatred of others, unwillingness to relate to others.... all these things destroy the unity of the church.
Fortunately, there are many things that build the unity of the church. If you think of the opposite of the things listed above, you’ll see many things that build unity. Love builds unity. Acceptance, forgiveness, willingness to relate to all people, generosity and so on all build unity. A church divided is a church defeated.
You can and should be playing an active role in promoting and growing the unity within your church.
Prayer:
¨ Pray for unity within your church. Pray that all relationships will be growing and deepening in love, commitment and other centeredness. Pray that each person will be growing in the two greatest commandments.
¨ Pray for unity across the churches of the city. Pray that we would be working together where we can bring the gospel to bear in this city. Pray that many more people will be reached with the love of Christ Jesus.
Saturday 11 August 2012
Saturday August 11, 2012
Read Genesis 10-12
The bigger issue for advocates of the poetic school is the belief in, or reinterpretation of, 7 literal, 24 hour days of creation.
Most would argue, quite correctly, that ‘day’ can mean many lengths of time and not necessarily 24 hours. The following sentences all use the word ‘day’ differently.
The old days were so much fun
The other day I went to the shop.
I slept all day yesterday.
Most Christian evolutionists would agree that they simply interpret the text differently at this point.
Yet such interpretation is not in line with the rest of Scripture. Surely if my interpretation negates or contradicts the rest of Scripture, my interpretation needs revising!! Surely we’d be arrogant and ungodly to argue that the Bible needs revising!
So... does the rest of the Bible support seven literal days of creation? If it does, then I am compelled to read Genesis literally. If it doesn’t, I am free to interpret Genesis differently.
The Law given by God at Mount Sinai (which definitely cannot be regarded as poetic by any stretch of the imagination) restates unequivocally that creation was in 7 literal days. Any other reading of Genesis 1 makes the law completely nonsensical and inapplicable to even those who reach the age of Methuselah. In Exodus 20:8-11 we read :-
"Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labour and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant, nor your animals, nor the alien within your gates.
For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but He rested on the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy. (Exodus 20:8-11 NIV)
The law bases the Sabbath rest on six literal days of creation. If, for example, we interpret the days of Genesis 1 as referring to millions of years then the law states that we must work for six lots of millions of years before taking a Sabbath rest. It is simply bad exegesis to say that the ‘days’ of Genesis 1 are millions of years but the ‘days’ of the Torah (which are plainly and obviously referring to Genesis 1) are literal 24 hour days.
It is bad theology to argue that though the world was created over billions of years when God tells us it was in 7 days in Genesis 1, so that He could then command His people to keep the 7th day as a Sabbath based on what is effectively a lie in Genesis 1! God simply does not operate in this shifty fashion.
Consider the effect that such an interpretation has on the rest of the law. Even if we limit ourselves to the Ten Commandments for brevity we could easily argue as follows. God didn’t really create the world in six days, therefore the Sabbath principle can’t hold for the end of every six days’ labour. We just need to have a break every now and then. After all the law is based on the stories and myths of Genesis. But with that kind of loose exegesis we need to remember Exodus 31:14. God takes Sabbath observance very seriously and very literally.
(Exodus 31:14, NIV) 'Observe the Sabbath, because it is holy to you. Anyone who desecrates it must be put to death; whoever does any work on that day must be cut off from his people.
Now if the Sabbath rest is not literal then God’s other commands aren’t necessarily literal either. I can murder because God really meant, ‘Do not murder someone without due cause’. Genesis 9:6 condemns murder because humanity is created in God’s image. But if Genesis 1-3 is poetry then we need not hold to this literal interpretation. Indeed, if we take a consistent stance with those who choose to reinterpret the first 3 chapters, we can’t believe this command against murder at all!! And adultery is ok if I am not having my needs met in my marriage. God said, ‘Do not commit adultery’ but what He really meant was, ‘Don’t do it unless you have good reason’. And if the law is thus interpreted how do we make any sense of our Lord’s Sermon on the Mount? What do we make of the Lord Jesus’ words about humanity being made at the beginning as male and female? He never ever mentioned man and woman being made after billions of years. According to evolution mankind appeared very late on the scene, yet Jesus said ‘in the beginning He created them male and female.’ (Mat 19:4 (NIV), Mark 10:6 (NIV)). What began as a non salvation issue quickly evolves into a salvation issue that jeopardises and undermines the authority of both Jesus and Scripture.
The flow on effect of not believing Genesis is that the law is not to be taken literally. If it cannot be taken literally then we end up with the deconstructionist confusion of postmodernism! If the law is fallacious or non-literal the ridiculous notion follows that God would be unjust in His judgements of sinful mankind! Yet Isaiah 24:5 states clearly that the earth will be judged because mankind has broken the law! Re-interpreting the creation account allows us the freedom to re-interpret the law which immediately removes God’s just judgement and vengeance upon the sinfulness of mankind. If we are not judged then we really don’t need Jesus to die on the cross for us and to defeat death by rising from the dead. Genesis 1-3 is truly not a salvation issue because there is no need for salvation!
Prayer:
¨ Pray that more churches would willingly take up the battle to defend the truth right where it is being attacked - at the start of the Word of God. Pray that the church would be able to stand, fight and be able to defend the Scriptures from cover to cover.
¨ Pray that organisations like Creation Research would have the resources they need to continue defending the Scriptures. Pray that churches will be exceedingly generous towards them.
The bigger issue for advocates of the poetic school is the belief in, or reinterpretation of, 7 literal, 24 hour days of creation.
Most would argue, quite correctly, that ‘day’ can mean many lengths of time and not necessarily 24 hours. The following sentences all use the word ‘day’ differently.
The old days were so much fun
The other day I went to the shop.
I slept all day yesterday.
Most Christian evolutionists would agree that they simply interpret the text differently at this point.
Yet such interpretation is not in line with the rest of Scripture. Surely if my interpretation negates or contradicts the rest of Scripture, my interpretation needs revising!! Surely we’d be arrogant and ungodly to argue that the Bible needs revising!
So... does the rest of the Bible support seven literal days of creation? If it does, then I am compelled to read Genesis literally. If it doesn’t, I am free to interpret Genesis differently.
The Law given by God at Mount Sinai (which definitely cannot be regarded as poetic by any stretch of the imagination) restates unequivocally that creation was in 7 literal days. Any other reading of Genesis 1 makes the law completely nonsensical and inapplicable to even those who reach the age of Methuselah. In Exodus 20:8-11 we read :-
"Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labour and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant, nor your animals, nor the alien within your gates.
For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but He rested on the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy. (Exodus 20:8-11 NIV)
The law bases the Sabbath rest on six literal days of creation. If, for example, we interpret the days of Genesis 1 as referring to millions of years then the law states that we must work for six lots of millions of years before taking a Sabbath rest. It is simply bad exegesis to say that the ‘days’ of Genesis 1 are millions of years but the ‘days’ of the Torah (which are plainly and obviously referring to Genesis 1) are literal 24 hour days.
It is bad theology to argue that though the world was created over billions of years when God tells us it was in 7 days in Genesis 1, so that He could then command His people to keep the 7th day as a Sabbath based on what is effectively a lie in Genesis 1! God simply does not operate in this shifty fashion.
Consider the effect that such an interpretation has on the rest of the law. Even if we limit ourselves to the Ten Commandments for brevity we could easily argue as follows. God didn’t really create the world in six days, therefore the Sabbath principle can’t hold for the end of every six days’ labour. We just need to have a break every now and then. After all the law is based on the stories and myths of Genesis. But with that kind of loose exegesis we need to remember Exodus 31:14. God takes Sabbath observance very seriously and very literally.
(Exodus 31:14, NIV) 'Observe the Sabbath, because it is holy to you. Anyone who desecrates it must be put to death; whoever does any work on that day must be cut off from his people.
Now if the Sabbath rest is not literal then God’s other commands aren’t necessarily literal either. I can murder because God really meant, ‘Do not murder someone without due cause’. Genesis 9:6 condemns murder because humanity is created in God’s image. But if Genesis 1-3 is poetry then we need not hold to this literal interpretation. Indeed, if we take a consistent stance with those who choose to reinterpret the first 3 chapters, we can’t believe this command against murder at all!! And adultery is ok if I am not having my needs met in my marriage. God said, ‘Do not commit adultery’ but what He really meant was, ‘Don’t do it unless you have good reason’. And if the law is thus interpreted how do we make any sense of our Lord’s Sermon on the Mount? What do we make of the Lord Jesus’ words about humanity being made at the beginning as male and female? He never ever mentioned man and woman being made after billions of years. According to evolution mankind appeared very late on the scene, yet Jesus said ‘in the beginning He created them male and female.’ (Mat 19:4 (NIV), Mark 10:6 (NIV)). What began as a non salvation issue quickly evolves into a salvation issue that jeopardises and undermines the authority of both Jesus and Scripture.
The flow on effect of not believing Genesis is that the law is not to be taken literally. If it cannot be taken literally then we end up with the deconstructionist confusion of postmodernism! If the law is fallacious or non-literal the ridiculous notion follows that God would be unjust in His judgements of sinful mankind! Yet Isaiah 24:5 states clearly that the earth will be judged because mankind has broken the law! Re-interpreting the creation account allows us the freedom to re-interpret the law which immediately removes God’s just judgement and vengeance upon the sinfulness of mankind. If we are not judged then we really don’t need Jesus to die on the cross for us and to defeat death by rising from the dead. Genesis 1-3 is truly not a salvation issue because there is no need for salvation!
Prayer:
¨ Pray that more churches would willingly take up the battle to defend the truth right where it is being attacked - at the start of the Word of God. Pray that the church would be able to stand, fight and be able to defend the Scriptures from cover to cover.
¨ Pray that organisations like Creation Research would have the resources they need to continue defending the Scriptures. Pray that churches will be exceedingly generous towards them.
Friday 10 August 2012
Friday August 10, 2012
Read Genesis 6-9
Additionally one need only to consult an evolutionary tree to see that the order of creation blatantly and unashamedly contradicts the order of evolution. The Christian is again brought to the point of decision. Do I believe God’s Word or mankind’s theories?
If we believe evolution then we are tacitly saying that the Bible is fundamentally wrong in its details and cannot be trusted when weighed against science/evolution. This is a vastly important point and has implications for exegesis and our belief structure when we get to the New Testament. Alternatively, we are saying that some bits of the theory of evolution are true except those bits that contradict the bits of the Bible that I choose to believe. Such a view makes either science our god or ourselves as god and the ultimate authority in reading Scripture. Unfortunately a consistent application of this approach renders the Christian pro-evolutionist an ardent and committed atheist. If science is my ultimate authority then the following conditions must hold because science has ‘proven’ that:
¨ Spirituality does not exist – In the world of pure science there are no demons, angels, satan etc. God Himself is spirit (John 4:24) and therefore cannot exist.
¨ Miracles don’t happen. For many there is a natural and rational explanation for everything.
¨ Virgins don’t give birth. Therefore there is no incarnation. Jesus was really only a man fathered by a human soul. He was only the ‘Son of God’ in a titular sense. Thus there is no real salvation. The other possibility is that we can all achieve perfection and earn our own salvation but then we’d all have to die under a curse from God as the one perfect God-man did.
¨ Dead people are not raised to life, except through resuscitation which guarantees that the person will die again. Jesus, thus, was not really raised from dead. Either He was resuscitated (and died again) or He was not really dead in first place. As many have argued, maybe He was only in a coma.
The logical conclusion of putting science above Scripture quickly becomes a salvation issue.
Prayer:
¨ Continue to prayer for all the new Christians who heard and accepted God’s gift of free grace in India.
¨ Pray that the local Pastors will have the means to be able to disciple and reach these new believers.
Additionally one need only to consult an evolutionary tree to see that the order of creation blatantly and unashamedly contradicts the order of evolution. The Christian is again brought to the point of decision. Do I believe God’s Word or mankind’s theories?
If we believe evolution then we are tacitly saying that the Bible is fundamentally wrong in its details and cannot be trusted when weighed against science/evolution. This is a vastly important point and has implications for exegesis and our belief structure when we get to the New Testament. Alternatively, we are saying that some bits of the theory of evolution are true except those bits that contradict the bits of the Bible that I choose to believe. Such a view makes either science our god or ourselves as god and the ultimate authority in reading Scripture. Unfortunately a consistent application of this approach renders the Christian pro-evolutionist an ardent and committed atheist. If science is my ultimate authority then the following conditions must hold because science has ‘proven’ that:
¨ Spirituality does not exist – In the world of pure science there are no demons, angels, satan etc. God Himself is spirit (John 4:24) and therefore cannot exist.
¨ Miracles don’t happen. For many there is a natural and rational explanation for everything.
¨ Virgins don’t give birth. Therefore there is no incarnation. Jesus was really only a man fathered by a human soul. He was only the ‘Son of God’ in a titular sense. Thus there is no real salvation. The other possibility is that we can all achieve perfection and earn our own salvation but then we’d all have to die under a curse from God as the one perfect God-man did.
¨ Dead people are not raised to life, except through resuscitation which guarantees that the person will die again. Jesus, thus, was not really raised from dead. Either He was resuscitated (and died again) or He was not really dead in first place. As many have argued, maybe He was only in a coma.
The logical conclusion of putting science above Scripture quickly becomes a salvation issue.
Prayer:
¨ Continue to prayer for all the new Christians who heard and accepted God’s gift of free grace in India.
¨ Pray that the local Pastors will have the means to be able to disciple and reach these new believers.
Thursday 9 August 2012
Thursday August 9, 2012
Read Genesis 4-5
But remaining resolutely undeterred, many pro-evolutionist Christians tell us confidently that the Bible tells us ‘Why’ and not ‘How’ God created the cosmos. The Bible is not a science book and does not give us any information about the science, the how, of creation.
Before we even look at the Bible one needs to realise that ‘real’ science or experimental science can only comment with authority on issues that are measurable and repeatable. Science can measure the force of gravity, the freezing point of water or the density of different substances, just to name a few examples. Science can measure the speed of sound and so on because these events are measurable and repeatable. But as soon as we go back into history, into events that cannot be repeated nor measured, science cannot speak with any authority simply because it can neither measure nor repeat these events. Historical science deduces and induces theories to account for these non measurable, non repeatable events. If for example, I saw a one-off bright flash of triangular light in the sky, science could neither measure nor repeat the event so theories would be deduced as to what I saw and how it happened. The start of the universe and the start of life was a one off, non-repeatable, non-measurable event that is explained by theories. There are scientific theories, religious theories and a host of other theories. Given that no humans were present as eyewitnesses, all these theories are as plausible as each other. There is one exception, though. The God of Creation was present and is an eyewitness to the creation events. If He tells us about these events then perhaps this source is more credible than any man made theory.
One leading evangelical likened the Bible’s version of creation to the Prime Minister giving orders to build a grand, complex structure. He spoke and hundreds of servants and engineers obeyed his command. While this may seem a plausible attempt to carry creation and evolution in harmony, it is wrought with difficulties. It only goes to prove that many so called Bible believing Christians are happy to see evolution as the agent of God’s creation. God said it and evolution did it, is the hidden premise.
One, perhaps two, slight problems emerge as one actually reads the text of Genesis 1-3. We are actually told ‘how’ God created in several instances. Secondly, evolution contradicts Genesis 1-3 in many instances – so many, in fact, that we are drawn to believe one or the other but not both.
So how did God create the known universe? In Genesis 1:3, 6, 9, 11, 14, 20, 24 we read that ‘…God said’. God created by speaking. After God spoke, we read a concluding statement ‘And it was so’. The teaching is clear – God spoke and it happened. There is no mention of interim activity or evolutionary processes whatsoever. Psalm 33, Hebrews 11:3 and several other passages confirm our suspicions of the old Creation ex nihilo theory - ‘By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God's command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.’ (Heb 11:3 NIV). Such a verse flatly denies evolution because evolution postulates that all things were made from what was visible and existent!
But clearly God didn’t create all things ex nihilo. The land produced vegetation and animals. Genesis 1:11, 2:9, 1:24, 2:19 shows that God used existing matter in this aspect of creation. Evolution, on the contrary, does not teach that animals and plants were created from the ground. Animals for example, according to evolution, were created from lesser evolved animals and eventually all things came from a primordial soup that had ‘something’ injected to create life. Ultimately the source of all life was some watery soup containing the necessary proteins. The Bible and evolution are clearly at odds at this point.
Mankind forms another example. Genesis 2:7 clearly states how God created man.
(Gen 2:7 NIV) …the LORD God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.
Evolution holds that mankind is the product of billions of years of natural selection processes. Man is formed from ‘lower’ animals through a series of random and unpredictable mutations. Mankind came from apes and monkeys which in turn came from lesser evolved animals which in turn came from lesser evolved animals… right back to the initial soup. But according to God, mankind was made from the ground as a man. According to evolution, mankind was formed from other animals, largely by chance and circumstance. The two are simply mutually exclusive. We have to choose to believe one or the other.
Theologically, the Biblical account of the creation of mankind is meaningless and absolutely ridiculous if God used evolution. If I choose to believe evolution then God did not create mankind. He did not form him from the ground and he certainly did not breathe life into the first man’s nostrils. The first ape-human was born alive and well, breathing of his own accord! We are brought to a point of decision – Do I believe the Word of God or mankind’s own theory?
The Creation of woman is as problematic as the creation of man. Genesis 2:21-22 plainly states,
‘So the LORD God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, He took one of the man's ribs and closed up the place with flesh. Then the LORD God made a woman from the rib He had taken out of the man, and He brought her to the man.’ (Gen 2:21-22 NIV).
According to evolution femininity evolved way back in the family tree well before humanity was on the scene. Unfortunately for the Biblical evolutionists latter parts of the Bible look back to this passage and assume it’s fundamentally and fully true. 1 Cor 11:8, 12, 1 Tim 2:13-14 are but two passages that accept Genesis as literal history. Jesus also assumed that woman and man were created in the beginning, not millions of years after the beginning.
The why not how argument is a blatant lie. It’s a smoke screen to allow Christians the freedom to avoid grappling with the truth. Clearly God doesn’t tell us every minute detail of how He created all things. We don’t know for instance, how God made the vegetation grow on the first day of its creation. One would assume the trees bore mature and ripe fruit so that the man and woman could actually feed themselves. But we are told enough of the ‘how’ to know that evolution is completely contradictory to the Scriptural truth.
Prayer:
¨ Spend time asking God to show you and every one in your congregation just how true the Word of God is. Pray against any areas of doubt you may have.
¨ Pray that this weekend’s sermon will powerfully impact the lives of non believers and bring many of them into the truth, that they would be granted repentance by faith and that they would be great exponents and preachers of the Word.
But remaining resolutely undeterred, many pro-evolutionist Christians tell us confidently that the Bible tells us ‘Why’ and not ‘How’ God created the cosmos. The Bible is not a science book and does not give us any information about the science, the how, of creation.
Before we even look at the Bible one needs to realise that ‘real’ science or experimental science can only comment with authority on issues that are measurable and repeatable. Science can measure the force of gravity, the freezing point of water or the density of different substances, just to name a few examples. Science can measure the speed of sound and so on because these events are measurable and repeatable. But as soon as we go back into history, into events that cannot be repeated nor measured, science cannot speak with any authority simply because it can neither measure nor repeat these events. Historical science deduces and induces theories to account for these non measurable, non repeatable events. If for example, I saw a one-off bright flash of triangular light in the sky, science could neither measure nor repeat the event so theories would be deduced as to what I saw and how it happened. The start of the universe and the start of life was a one off, non-repeatable, non-measurable event that is explained by theories. There are scientific theories, religious theories and a host of other theories. Given that no humans were present as eyewitnesses, all these theories are as plausible as each other. There is one exception, though. The God of Creation was present and is an eyewitness to the creation events. If He tells us about these events then perhaps this source is more credible than any man made theory.
One leading evangelical likened the Bible’s version of creation to the Prime Minister giving orders to build a grand, complex structure. He spoke and hundreds of servants and engineers obeyed his command. While this may seem a plausible attempt to carry creation and evolution in harmony, it is wrought with difficulties. It only goes to prove that many so called Bible believing Christians are happy to see evolution as the agent of God’s creation. God said it and evolution did it, is the hidden premise.
One, perhaps two, slight problems emerge as one actually reads the text of Genesis 1-3. We are actually told ‘how’ God created in several instances. Secondly, evolution contradicts Genesis 1-3 in many instances – so many, in fact, that we are drawn to believe one or the other but not both.
So how did God create the known universe? In Genesis 1:3, 6, 9, 11, 14, 20, 24 we read that ‘…God said’. God created by speaking. After God spoke, we read a concluding statement ‘And it was so’. The teaching is clear – God spoke and it happened. There is no mention of interim activity or evolutionary processes whatsoever. Psalm 33, Hebrews 11:3 and several other passages confirm our suspicions of the old Creation ex nihilo theory - ‘By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God's command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.’ (Heb 11:3 NIV). Such a verse flatly denies evolution because evolution postulates that all things were made from what was visible and existent!
But clearly God didn’t create all things ex nihilo. The land produced vegetation and animals. Genesis 1:11, 2:9, 1:24, 2:19 shows that God used existing matter in this aspect of creation. Evolution, on the contrary, does not teach that animals and plants were created from the ground. Animals for example, according to evolution, were created from lesser evolved animals and eventually all things came from a primordial soup that had ‘something’ injected to create life. Ultimately the source of all life was some watery soup containing the necessary proteins. The Bible and evolution are clearly at odds at this point.
Mankind forms another example. Genesis 2:7 clearly states how God created man.
(Gen 2:7 NIV) …the LORD God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.
Evolution holds that mankind is the product of billions of years of natural selection processes. Man is formed from ‘lower’ animals through a series of random and unpredictable mutations. Mankind came from apes and monkeys which in turn came from lesser evolved animals which in turn came from lesser evolved animals… right back to the initial soup. But according to God, mankind was made from the ground as a man. According to evolution, mankind was formed from other animals, largely by chance and circumstance. The two are simply mutually exclusive. We have to choose to believe one or the other.
Theologically, the Biblical account of the creation of mankind is meaningless and absolutely ridiculous if God used evolution. If I choose to believe evolution then God did not create mankind. He did not form him from the ground and he certainly did not breathe life into the first man’s nostrils. The first ape-human was born alive and well, breathing of his own accord! We are brought to a point of decision – Do I believe the Word of God or mankind’s own theory?
The Creation of woman is as problematic as the creation of man. Genesis 2:21-22 plainly states,
‘So the LORD God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, He took one of the man's ribs and closed up the place with flesh. Then the LORD God made a woman from the rib He had taken out of the man, and He brought her to the man.’ (Gen 2:21-22 NIV).
According to evolution femininity evolved way back in the family tree well before humanity was on the scene. Unfortunately for the Biblical evolutionists latter parts of the Bible look back to this passage and assume it’s fundamentally and fully true. 1 Cor 11:8, 12, 1 Tim 2:13-14 are but two passages that accept Genesis as literal history. Jesus also assumed that woman and man were created in the beginning, not millions of years after the beginning.
The why not how argument is a blatant lie. It’s a smoke screen to allow Christians the freedom to avoid grappling with the truth. Clearly God doesn’t tell us every minute detail of how He created all things. We don’t know for instance, how God made the vegetation grow on the first day of its creation. One would assume the trees bore mature and ripe fruit so that the man and woman could actually feed themselves. But we are told enough of the ‘how’ to know that evolution is completely contradictory to the Scriptural truth.
Prayer:
¨ Spend time asking God to show you and every one in your congregation just how true the Word of God is. Pray against any areas of doubt you may have.
¨ Pray that this weekend’s sermon will powerfully impact the lives of non believers and bring many of them into the truth, that they would be granted repentance by faith and that they would be great exponents and preachers of the Word.
Wednesday 8 August 2012
Wednesday August 8 2012
Read Genesis 3
For those who held to alternate views/interpretations of Genesis 1-3, the majority of people I surveyed said that Genesis 1-3 is not literal history because it’s poetic. The general argument seems to concede that as poetry the chapters are conveying to us a truth about God and creation but need not be taken literally. When, for example, Isaiah mentions the new exodus he clearly states that ‘the trees of the field will clap their hands.’ (Isaiah 55:12) And of course, any intelligent reader can see that to believe trees will clap their non existent hands is ludicrous. The same conclusion is held for Genesis. “Science” has proven evolution to be true and thus any intelligent reader can see that God did not create the world directly by His authoritative word - not in 7 days and certainly not about 6 thousand years ago.
Yet such an argument really doesn’t stand up to investigation. Psalm 119 is largely poetry. The Hebrew stanzas each start with successive letters of the alphabet (more clearly poetry than Genesis) and have 8 lines each. Yet few of us would argue that these verses need not be taken literally. As a test, read Psalm 119 and mark in red the literal bits and mark in blue the non literal bits. You’ll be amazed at how much red is in Psalm 119! Romans 11:33-36 is poetic, picking up on the Old Testament. Again, no one would dream of arguing that these verses need not be taken literally or believed for their plain and contextual meaning. If we are going to change our interpretation method for just one section of Scripture alone (ie Genesis 1-3), we need to have very clear and precise guidelines as to why we are changing our methods and what in the text compels us to change our methods. The only reason I have ever heard to explain such a change is that science has “proven’” evolution to be true – that in itself is a blatant lie!
If you were to read the Hebrew of Genesis 1 – 3 many times you would find that though it contains some poetic pieces (1:27-29, 2:23 perhaps) there is little ‘poetry’ within the chapters. More correctly, Genesis 1-3 should be seen as stylised writing – writing with a high and somewhat complex structure, repetition and different angles. But to write off a piece of writing as non literal simply because it is stylised is as ludicrous as writing off current newspapers with their highly stylised headlines and articles or even TV interviews, again which are highly stylised. Psalm 119 and Romans 11 stand as cases in point.
As one reads through the Hebrew of Genesis 1-3 there is absolutely nothing that would even slightly suggest that the chapters are fictional tales conveying some non fictional truth. There is nothing to even hint that the writer is reinterpreting mythology from the surrounding nations. There is nothing to suggest that these chapters, contrary to the rest of the chapters, are poetic interpretations of some truth. This becomes more evident as you realise that Genesis 1-3 forms the start to the Pentateuch (Genesis to Deuteronomy) which is a history of the people of God, the narrative (not the poetic interpretation) of their beginnings. The book also forms part of the Torah, the Hebrew Law, which again, is literal and not poetic.
Yet if the chapters were fictional tales with truth applied, several issues are immediately raised for concern. Unless the specific point of the story is told to us (as in Aesop’s fables) then we are left bereft of any meaning or value to the story. There is no exactness to the message conveyed. My interpretation would be as valid as any other ‘outlandish’ interpretation. One needs only to think of the many nursery rhymes in English and the host of ‘truths’ that they might contain. As we push this modus operandi into the New Testament we can easily remove the virgin birth of Messiah, the miracles He performed, His actual death and the physical bodily resurrection of Messiah.
Secondly, if Genesis were poetic story telling that need not be taken literally, then by extension of the argument the more poetic bits need to be taken even less literally. If Genesis 1:27-29 is more poetic than the rest of the chapters (which is apparent in the Hebrew) then perhaps we really can’t argue that mankind was created in the image of God. It’s poetry, so literal interpretations don’t hold! Perhaps then too, God didn’t bless humanity and give them rule over all creation. We can dismiss that bit too because it’s highly poetic. Evolution certainly does not allow for human superiority or rule. Adam’s poem to his new ‘wife’ means that she really wasn’t ‘bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh.’ She probably wasn’t even created by God! She was, under the theory of science and evolution, born of a human-ape-like creature. The problem can be summed up quite succinctly. Poetic interpretations can host a variety of interpretations, none of which can be any closer than the others to the intended true meaning of the poem.
Put bluntly, Genesis 1-12 is not poetry. If you doubt this, go learn Hebrew and read it for yourself. You’ll be quickly convinced.
Prayer:
¨ Pray for the believers who believe in evolution and may be seeking to be friends with the world or seeking to look intelligent in the eyes of the world. If this is true, pray for repentance and a growing faith in the truth of God’s Word, its reliability and inerrancy.
¨ Pray that believers in your church would be equipped to share the Word, to defend it and to bring many to faith in Christ by preaching it faithfully.
For those who held to alternate views/interpretations of Genesis 1-3, the majority of people I surveyed said that Genesis 1-3 is not literal history because it’s poetic. The general argument seems to concede that as poetry the chapters are conveying to us a truth about God and creation but need not be taken literally. When, for example, Isaiah mentions the new exodus he clearly states that ‘the trees of the field will clap their hands.’ (Isaiah 55:12) And of course, any intelligent reader can see that to believe trees will clap their non existent hands is ludicrous. The same conclusion is held for Genesis. “Science” has proven evolution to be true and thus any intelligent reader can see that God did not create the world directly by His authoritative word - not in 7 days and certainly not about 6 thousand years ago.
Yet such an argument really doesn’t stand up to investigation. Psalm 119 is largely poetry. The Hebrew stanzas each start with successive letters of the alphabet (more clearly poetry than Genesis) and have 8 lines each. Yet few of us would argue that these verses need not be taken literally. As a test, read Psalm 119 and mark in red the literal bits and mark in blue the non literal bits. You’ll be amazed at how much red is in Psalm 119! Romans 11:33-36 is poetic, picking up on the Old Testament. Again, no one would dream of arguing that these verses need not be taken literally or believed for their plain and contextual meaning. If we are going to change our interpretation method for just one section of Scripture alone (ie Genesis 1-3), we need to have very clear and precise guidelines as to why we are changing our methods and what in the text compels us to change our methods. The only reason I have ever heard to explain such a change is that science has “proven’” evolution to be true – that in itself is a blatant lie!
If you were to read the Hebrew of Genesis 1 – 3 many times you would find that though it contains some poetic pieces (1:27-29, 2:23 perhaps) there is little ‘poetry’ within the chapters. More correctly, Genesis 1-3 should be seen as stylised writing – writing with a high and somewhat complex structure, repetition and different angles. But to write off a piece of writing as non literal simply because it is stylised is as ludicrous as writing off current newspapers with their highly stylised headlines and articles or even TV interviews, again which are highly stylised. Psalm 119 and Romans 11 stand as cases in point.
As one reads through the Hebrew of Genesis 1-3 there is absolutely nothing that would even slightly suggest that the chapters are fictional tales conveying some non fictional truth. There is nothing to even hint that the writer is reinterpreting mythology from the surrounding nations. There is nothing to suggest that these chapters, contrary to the rest of the chapters, are poetic interpretations of some truth. This becomes more evident as you realise that Genesis 1-3 forms the start to the Pentateuch (Genesis to Deuteronomy) which is a history of the people of God, the narrative (not the poetic interpretation) of their beginnings. The book also forms part of the Torah, the Hebrew Law, which again, is literal and not poetic.
Yet if the chapters were fictional tales with truth applied, several issues are immediately raised for concern. Unless the specific point of the story is told to us (as in Aesop’s fables) then we are left bereft of any meaning or value to the story. There is no exactness to the message conveyed. My interpretation would be as valid as any other ‘outlandish’ interpretation. One needs only to think of the many nursery rhymes in English and the host of ‘truths’ that they might contain. As we push this modus operandi into the New Testament we can easily remove the virgin birth of Messiah, the miracles He performed, His actual death and the physical bodily resurrection of Messiah.
Secondly, if Genesis were poetic story telling that need not be taken literally, then by extension of the argument the more poetic bits need to be taken even less literally. If Genesis 1:27-29 is more poetic than the rest of the chapters (which is apparent in the Hebrew) then perhaps we really can’t argue that mankind was created in the image of God. It’s poetry, so literal interpretations don’t hold! Perhaps then too, God didn’t bless humanity and give them rule over all creation. We can dismiss that bit too because it’s highly poetic. Evolution certainly does not allow for human superiority or rule. Adam’s poem to his new ‘wife’ means that she really wasn’t ‘bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh.’ She probably wasn’t even created by God! She was, under the theory of science and evolution, born of a human-ape-like creature. The problem can be summed up quite succinctly. Poetic interpretations can host a variety of interpretations, none of which can be any closer than the others to the intended true meaning of the poem.
Put bluntly, Genesis 1-12 is not poetry. If you doubt this, go learn Hebrew and read it for yourself. You’ll be quickly convinced.
Prayer:
¨ Pray for the believers who believe in evolution and may be seeking to be friends with the world or seeking to look intelligent in the eyes of the world. If this is true, pray for repentance and a growing faith in the truth of God’s Word, its reliability and inerrancy.
¨ Pray that believers in your church would be equipped to share the Word, to defend it and to bring many to faith in Christ by preaching it faithfully.
Tuesday 7 August 2012
Tuesday 7 August, 2012
Read Genesis 2
To really understand what you believe about creation and God’s Word in Genesis 1-3 take the time to answer this question.
If you were to video the start of the universe and the beginning of life what do you think you would see in that video? Would you see essentially what is described in Genesis 1 and 2 or would you see evolutionary processes occurring? Would you see something totally different or a mixture of the two? How long would your video run for? Seven days or billions of years?
By honestly answering that question you are beginning to understand and expound where you stand on the issue of creation versus science/evolution.
To understand the stance between the Bible and science, within the parameters of Genesis 1-3, we need to understand the basics of evolution. Evolution is a self perpetuating process (popularised, but not invented, by Charles Darwin) which claims that all life forms have developed gradually over long periods of time with minute changes along the way. These changes generally are mutations, often called accidental mutations, that benefit the species and enhance its chance of survival in the environment. As more and more changes/mutations occur within a species that species will change and develop and eventually form new species. We are concerned primarily with macro evolution, the change from one species to another completely different species rather than with micro evolution which shows how one species can change to suit their environment. This latter process might more correctly be called adaptation.
Evolution thus states that all life began billions of years ago - currently 4 ½ billion years ago but this figure has been revised regularly over the centuries. From a ‘primordial’ soup, life began when ‘something’ happened to induce life to form or begin. Christians who hold to evolution would argue that this ‘something’ was God’s work. Non-Christians argue it was electricity or some other ‘force’ of nature present at the time. From this soup, now containing living proteins and the most basic life forms, mutations (DNA mutations mostly) began to occur. These changes continued to occur over millions of years and allowed all of our present life forms to be formed. If a particular change or mutation benefited survival, that change was naturally ‘adopted’ by the species and continued through the procreation process while non beneficial changes died out. Over the necessary billions of years these small mutations and changes formed and branched out into the life systems and organisms that we see today.
The process is driven by natural selection – or the survival of the fittest. The organisms that survive well are the ones that breed and pass on their traits to the next generation while those that are not strong are the ones that die and do not breed. Hence by breeding and natural selection a species comes to exist and either thrives or dies. By further natural selection processes this species will produce new and different species. Death and dying are an integral part of this process as is suffering and a struggling for life or survival. Without death and the struggle for life evolution simply could not proceed. Evolution without death is a non event. It simply cannot proceed forward as both bad traits and good traits will remain in the specific population.
Prayer:
¨ As Creation Research preach this weekend, pray that God would use them powerfully to bring many to believing the Biblical testimony of Creation. Pray that God’s Word would be powerful and active, bringing conviction upon all.
Pray that Creation Research would be able to teach and equip us to defend the Word, to promote it and to preach it fearlessly in our contexts. Pray that many would come to faith in Christ as we reach out with the Word of life.
To really understand what you believe about creation and God’s Word in Genesis 1-3 take the time to answer this question.
If you were to video the start of the universe and the beginning of life what do you think you would see in that video? Would you see essentially what is described in Genesis 1 and 2 or would you see evolutionary processes occurring? Would you see something totally different or a mixture of the two? How long would your video run for? Seven days or billions of years?
By honestly answering that question you are beginning to understand and expound where you stand on the issue of creation versus science/evolution.
To understand the stance between the Bible and science, within the parameters of Genesis 1-3, we need to understand the basics of evolution. Evolution is a self perpetuating process (popularised, but not invented, by Charles Darwin) which claims that all life forms have developed gradually over long periods of time with minute changes along the way. These changes generally are mutations, often called accidental mutations, that benefit the species and enhance its chance of survival in the environment. As more and more changes/mutations occur within a species that species will change and develop and eventually form new species. We are concerned primarily with macro evolution, the change from one species to another completely different species rather than with micro evolution which shows how one species can change to suit their environment. This latter process might more correctly be called adaptation.
Evolution thus states that all life began billions of years ago - currently 4 ½ billion years ago but this figure has been revised regularly over the centuries. From a ‘primordial’ soup, life began when ‘something’ happened to induce life to form or begin. Christians who hold to evolution would argue that this ‘something’ was God’s work. Non-Christians argue it was electricity or some other ‘force’ of nature present at the time. From this soup, now containing living proteins and the most basic life forms, mutations (DNA mutations mostly) began to occur. These changes continued to occur over millions of years and allowed all of our present life forms to be formed. If a particular change or mutation benefited survival, that change was naturally ‘adopted’ by the species and continued through the procreation process while non beneficial changes died out. Over the necessary billions of years these small mutations and changes formed and branched out into the life systems and organisms that we see today.
The process is driven by natural selection – or the survival of the fittest. The organisms that survive well are the ones that breed and pass on their traits to the next generation while those that are not strong are the ones that die and do not breed. Hence by breeding and natural selection a species comes to exist and either thrives or dies. By further natural selection processes this species will produce new and different species. Death and dying are an integral part of this process as is suffering and a struggling for life or survival. Without death and the struggle for life evolution simply could not proceed. Evolution without death is a non event. It simply cannot proceed forward as both bad traits and good traits will remain in the specific population.
Prayer:
¨ As Creation Research preach this weekend, pray that God would use them powerfully to bring many to believing the Biblical testimony of Creation. Pray that God’s Word would be powerful and active, bringing conviction upon all.
Pray that Creation Research would be able to teach and equip us to defend the Word, to promote it and to preach it fearlessly in our contexts. Pray that many would come to faith in Christ as we reach out with the Word of life.
Monday 6 August 2012
Monday August 6, 2012
Read Genesis 1
If I were to ask you ‘Do you believe Genesis 1-3?’ I suspect you would answer, as a Bible believing Christian, something like, ‘Of course I do.’ You might even be a tinge indignant that I have the audacity to ask! Throughout my whole Christian life I also had believed Genesis 1-3 but only in the last few years have I had time to stop and assess what I really believed about these vital chapters.
Many years ago I gave my brother in Christ one of those answers-to-every-objection books. As the book was written by one of the finest theologians and writers of the day, I was convinced that this book would be of great help and support to my friend. Weeks later, when I thought he was about to congratulate me and pat me on the back for my choice of material, I was rebuked. Imagine my surprise, my shock and my initial indignation when he said to me words to the effect, ‘Why did you give me a book by someone who doesn’t believe in Scripture?’ I stared back in disbelief! My friend provided me with DVD’s, books and pamphlets that seek to show the reliability and integrity of believing a literal interpretation of Genesis 1-3. The author of the book I loaned to him dismissed these chapters and like many others argued that any interpretation of Genesis 1-3 is plausible because these chapters don’t impinge on salvation issues.
What began quietly in my heart was a scriptural revival. Over the years questions flooded into my heart, deep issues were raised in the wee hours of the morning, battles raged in my mind. I began reading and seeking answers regarding Genesis 1-3.
In studying Genesis 1-3 I suspect that you would agree with all the following statements about Scripture in general. If you disagree, it may be time to sit with your pastor and confess to him where you currently stand.
The Word of God upholds itself as being true and reliable and containing no errors. As Christians we are duty bound to believe the Word.
Proverbs 30:5-6 states clearly
(Proverbs 30:5-6, NIV) Every word of God is flawless; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him. Do not add to His words, or He will rebuke you and prove you a liar.
The Hebrew root word for ‘flawless’ pictures the melting of metal with the specific purpose of refining it and removing or separating it from dross. The Word is pure, refined, unadulterated by anything incorrect, false or misleading.
In line with Psalm 119:140 God’s Word alone, in all the earth, has been tested, refined and purified. The same word is used as in Proverbs 30:5-6. The Psalmist, like the great creeds of Christian history, has come to the one conclusion - God’s word is inerrant and infallible. We can trust the Word. We can build our life on the Word.
(Psalm 119:140, NIV) Your promises have been thoroughly tested, and your servant loves them.
The Scripture also asserts that every single word of Scripture is inspired or breathed out from God.
(2 Tim 3:16-17 NIV) All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
It appears that most Christians would subscribe to such theology. Most would adhere to such doctrine. But whether consciously or not, the glue comes unstuck as we ponder the issues of Genesis 1-3.
After my own rebuke, I began seeking answers and I especially sought to find out what other believers believe or disbelieve about the start of our Bible. As my own personal survey made clear, many Christians are happy to accept such a high view of the Word of God … except for the first 3 chapters of the Bible!
Prayer:
¨ Pray that everyone in your congregation would accept a high view of Scripture, including Genesis.
¨ Pray that our congregation would be known as Bethel, the house of God because we unashamedly adhere to the Word, teach the Word and courageously seek to live by it.
If I were to ask you ‘Do you believe Genesis 1-3?’ I suspect you would answer, as a Bible believing Christian, something like, ‘Of course I do.’ You might even be a tinge indignant that I have the audacity to ask! Throughout my whole Christian life I also had believed Genesis 1-3 but only in the last few years have I had time to stop and assess what I really believed about these vital chapters.
Many years ago I gave my brother in Christ one of those answers-to-every-objection books. As the book was written by one of the finest theologians and writers of the day, I was convinced that this book would be of great help and support to my friend. Weeks later, when I thought he was about to congratulate me and pat me on the back for my choice of material, I was rebuked. Imagine my surprise, my shock and my initial indignation when he said to me words to the effect, ‘Why did you give me a book by someone who doesn’t believe in Scripture?’ I stared back in disbelief! My friend provided me with DVD’s, books and pamphlets that seek to show the reliability and integrity of believing a literal interpretation of Genesis 1-3. The author of the book I loaned to him dismissed these chapters and like many others argued that any interpretation of Genesis 1-3 is plausible because these chapters don’t impinge on salvation issues.
What began quietly in my heart was a scriptural revival. Over the years questions flooded into my heart, deep issues were raised in the wee hours of the morning, battles raged in my mind. I began reading and seeking answers regarding Genesis 1-3.
In studying Genesis 1-3 I suspect that you would agree with all the following statements about Scripture in general. If you disagree, it may be time to sit with your pastor and confess to him where you currently stand.
The Word of God upholds itself as being true and reliable and containing no errors. As Christians we are duty bound to believe the Word.
Proverbs 30:5-6 states clearly
(Proverbs 30:5-6, NIV) Every word of God is flawless; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him. Do not add to His words, or He will rebuke you and prove you a liar.
The Hebrew root word for ‘flawless’ pictures the melting of metal with the specific purpose of refining it and removing or separating it from dross. The Word is pure, refined, unadulterated by anything incorrect, false or misleading.
In line with Psalm 119:140 God’s Word alone, in all the earth, has been tested, refined and purified. The same word is used as in Proverbs 30:5-6. The Psalmist, like the great creeds of Christian history, has come to the one conclusion - God’s word is inerrant and infallible. We can trust the Word. We can build our life on the Word.
(Psalm 119:140, NIV) Your promises have been thoroughly tested, and your servant loves them.
The Scripture also asserts that every single word of Scripture is inspired or breathed out from God.
(2 Tim 3:16-17 NIV) All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
It appears that most Christians would subscribe to such theology. Most would adhere to such doctrine. But whether consciously or not, the glue comes unstuck as we ponder the issues of Genesis 1-3.
After my own rebuke, I began seeking answers and I especially sought to find out what other believers believe or disbelieve about the start of our Bible. As my own personal survey made clear, many Christians are happy to accept such a high view of the Word of God … except for the first 3 chapters of the Bible!
Prayer:
¨ Pray that everyone in your congregation would accept a high view of Scripture, including Genesis.
¨ Pray that our congregation would be known as Bethel, the house of God because we unashamedly adhere to the Word, teach the Word and courageously seek to live by it.
Saturday 4 August 2012
Saturday August 4, 2012
Pick a missionary that your church supports and write them a letter of encouragement.
Read Genesis 12:1-3. Galatians 3
Abram, later called Abraham, was chosen by God for a special mission and received from God great promises. One of those promises was that all the families/peoples (the Hebrew word can mean either) of the earth would be blessed through him. Abraham believed God and it was credited to him as righteousness.
As we turn to the New Testament, we see that believers in Christ Jesus are the true seed of Abraham. Believers are the spiritual offspring of Abraham and receive that promise by faith just as Abraham did.
But another issue comes to light as we consider the promise to Abraham. God told him that all the peoples of the world would be blessed through him. As the recipients of that promise to Abraham, our responsibility is to continue taking the promise to all the families/peoples of the earth. This as we saw earlier this week, is the church’s mandate. That mandate forms a large part of the work of the church.
Each and every single person in the church has this mandate, even though we may not all see ourselves as missionaries. The work starts right here in our own backyard. Each and every single believer is called to be sharing the good news with friends and family. Each and every single believer can make the most of every opportunity. Each and every single believer can be a shining light for the Lord Jesus Christ.
Others will be called to a more formal ministry or outreach or mission position. Some may be called to sell up and go overseas or to another part of their own country. But even with these who are so called, each one of us are partners with them. They need our prayers. They need our practical support. They need our financial support. The church can only be as generous to missionaries as the church is generous in its giving and tithing. If the individuals are generous the church can afford to be generous. If you are not on a formal mission then please be supporting those who are. Support them in prayer. Support them financially. Support them in any practical way that you can - write letters to them, send them the sermons from church, go and visit them if you can and so on.
The bottom line is simple. The church is an army not an audience. We are called to proactively take the gospel out to the nations, not to sit and watch a weekly show on stage at our church.
Prayer:
¨ Think of the Missionaries that your church supports. Pray for each missionary, missionary family by name.
¨ Pray for the church to form a vital and organic mission support team or task force so that mission becomes a high priority on our agenda. Pray that God would raise up people to work on mission and mission support in your congregation.
This week’s reading notes are taken from ‘It’s Not a Salvation Issue???’ Theological Implications of Reinterpreting Genesis 1-3.’ by Pastor Esa Hukkinen. Please feel free to get a copy of the entire booklet from the church office and to pass it around to others.
Read Genesis 12:1-3. Galatians 3
Abram, later called Abraham, was chosen by God for a special mission and received from God great promises. One of those promises was that all the families/peoples (the Hebrew word can mean either) of the earth would be blessed through him. Abraham believed God and it was credited to him as righteousness.
As we turn to the New Testament, we see that believers in Christ Jesus are the true seed of Abraham. Believers are the spiritual offspring of Abraham and receive that promise by faith just as Abraham did.
But another issue comes to light as we consider the promise to Abraham. God told him that all the peoples of the world would be blessed through him. As the recipients of that promise to Abraham, our responsibility is to continue taking the promise to all the families/peoples of the earth. This as we saw earlier this week, is the church’s mandate. That mandate forms a large part of the work of the church.
Each and every single person in the church has this mandate, even though we may not all see ourselves as missionaries. The work starts right here in our own backyard. Each and every single believer is called to be sharing the good news with friends and family. Each and every single believer can make the most of every opportunity. Each and every single believer can be a shining light for the Lord Jesus Christ.
Others will be called to a more formal ministry or outreach or mission position. Some may be called to sell up and go overseas or to another part of their own country. But even with these who are so called, each one of us are partners with them. They need our prayers. They need our practical support. They need our financial support. The church can only be as generous to missionaries as the church is generous in its giving and tithing. If the individuals are generous the church can afford to be generous. If you are not on a formal mission then please be supporting those who are. Support them in prayer. Support them financially. Support them in any practical way that you can - write letters to them, send them the sermons from church, go and visit them if you can and so on.
The bottom line is simple. The church is an army not an audience. We are called to proactively take the gospel out to the nations, not to sit and watch a weekly show on stage at our church.
Prayer:
¨ Think of the Missionaries that your church supports. Pray for each missionary, missionary family by name.
¨ Pray for the church to form a vital and organic mission support team or task force so that mission becomes a high priority on our agenda. Pray that God would raise up people to work on mission and mission support in your congregation.
This week’s reading notes are taken from ‘It’s Not a Salvation Issue???’ Theological Implications of Reinterpreting Genesis 1-3.’ by Pastor Esa Hukkinen. Please feel free to get a copy of the entire booklet from the church office and to pass it around to others.
Friday 3 August 2012
Friday August 3, 2012
Spend time today, tomorrow and Sonday morning praying for the powerful preaching of the Word this weekend.
Read Acts 2:42-47, 11:18
Spurgeon is often quoted by many as being one of the greatest, if not the greatest, preachers of the modern era. It’s incontestable that he certainly was a great preacher used by God. Yet when asked about the efficiency and power of his preaching Spurgeon humbly reminded people that downstairs throughout the entire service no less than 200 people prayed fervently for the Word of God to be powerful and active as it was fearlessly proclaimed. Would you commit to praying for your preacher while he preaches? Would you commit to attending a pre-church prayer meeting which seeks to pray specifically for the preacher, the church service and the extension of the Kingdom? Would you commit to diligently praying for specific individuals in your congregation as the preacher preaches the Word?
As a church we are responsible for upholding and executing the great commission. Each and every single person in the church has a role to play in this mission. We work together as a team. The most important thing we can all be doing is praying! Each and every single believer in the church should make it their utmost priority to be praying for the harvest.
It is God who grants eternal life. It is God who brings people to Christ Jesus for salvation. It is God who opens their eyes to the Saviour. It is God who brings them out of darkness into His wonderful light. If the church is not praying as it reaches out into the world and as it preaches the gospel, the church is like a wind driven turbine on a perfectly still day. Without prayer, the church is like a dry well - nothing to offer a thirsty and parched world.
My brother and sister in Christ. Around you are millions of people headed to hell, to eternal condemnation in the lake of burning fire and sulphur. Please, please, please, please, pray for them each and every day. Pray for their souls, their salvation and pray that you and your church have opportunities to speak Jesus in into their lives. Pray that the Word of God will be powerful and active each and every time it is proclaimed.
Prayer:
¨ Pray for the lost. Pray for those you know personally who are lost.
¨ Pray that the Word of God would be powerfully preached this weekend in your church. Pray that the unction of the Holy Spirit would be on the preacher and that God would use His Word powerfully to bring new birth to people, to convict and challenge and to grow the disciples.
Read Acts 2:42-47, 11:18
Spurgeon is often quoted by many as being one of the greatest, if not the greatest, preachers of the modern era. It’s incontestable that he certainly was a great preacher used by God. Yet when asked about the efficiency and power of his preaching Spurgeon humbly reminded people that downstairs throughout the entire service no less than 200 people prayed fervently for the Word of God to be powerful and active as it was fearlessly proclaimed. Would you commit to praying for your preacher while he preaches? Would you commit to attending a pre-church prayer meeting which seeks to pray specifically for the preacher, the church service and the extension of the Kingdom? Would you commit to diligently praying for specific individuals in your congregation as the preacher preaches the Word?
As a church we are responsible for upholding and executing the great commission. Each and every single person in the church has a role to play in this mission. We work together as a team. The most important thing we can all be doing is praying! Each and every single believer in the church should make it their utmost priority to be praying for the harvest.
It is God who grants eternal life. It is God who brings people to Christ Jesus for salvation. It is God who opens their eyes to the Saviour. It is God who brings them out of darkness into His wonderful light. If the church is not praying as it reaches out into the world and as it preaches the gospel, the church is like a wind driven turbine on a perfectly still day. Without prayer, the church is like a dry well - nothing to offer a thirsty and parched world.
My brother and sister in Christ. Around you are millions of people headed to hell, to eternal condemnation in the lake of burning fire and sulphur. Please, please, please, please, pray for them each and every day. Pray for their souls, their salvation and pray that you and your church have opportunities to speak Jesus in into their lives. Pray that the Word of God will be powerful and active each and every time it is proclaimed.
Prayer:
¨ Pray for the lost. Pray for those you know personally who are lost.
¨ Pray that the Word of God would be powerfully preached this weekend in your church. Pray that the unction of the Holy Spirit would be on the preacher and that God would use His Word powerfully to bring new birth to people, to convict and challenge and to grow the disciples.
Thursday 2 August 2012
Thursday August 2, 2012
Prayerfully seek to make one new disciple of Christ Jesus today.
Read Matthew 28, Isaiah 42:4, 51:5
The Church has a mandate from Christ that goes beyond itself. Christ, after His resurrection, made that exceedingly clear. The “church” was commissioned to take the good news of forgiveness through faith in the work of Christ Jesus into all the world. The church is the hope of the nations, taking the message of hope to them. God has chosen the church to be the vehicle of blessing to the nations.
The commission to go into all the world is backed by the one who has all authority in heaven and on earth. The one who died and rose eternally and would be soon exalted to the right hand of God, the position of all authority, the one who has been given the Name above all names, is the one who sends the church out to make disciples of all nations. We go out with His authority.
It is this very same Jesus who spells out the mission mandate for us. We are to make disciples from all nations. In spreading the gospel, there are no boundaries. Political, geographical, racial and religious boundaries are erased by Christ’s commission to the Church. All people from every nation, tribe and tongue are to hear the Word of Salvation through the church.
Added to this, we the church, are to be baptising converts and teaching them to obey all that our Lord and Saviour commanded. We make disciples, not converts. Nowhere in Scripture are we commanded to bring people to Christ and then to leave them. As soon as a person is brought to Christ in saving faith that person MUST be discipled. It is at this stage that the evil one will put up a huge struggle to stop that new convert from being at church, from growing in commitment and from learning the Word. He will bring temptation and enticement to return to their old ways. Discipleship in the early days must be intentional, deliberate and consistent. Never ever let a new disciple walk too far away.
With the commission comes a promise. Jesus declares in the very last verse of Matthew’s gospel, ‘And surely I am with you always to the very end of the age.’ While this verse is often taken out of context, it is as we take the gospel out to the nations (which includes our very own backyard) that we will see the promise fulfilled. We can expect Christ to be powerfully among us as we go out into all the world with the life saving message of the gospel. Often we wonder why Christ is doing amazing and powerful things in foreign countries like China and Africa. The answer is simple. They are taking the great commission seriously, while we put work, sport, visiting, eating (or more correctly, dining out) and so on above the great commission. When our approach and our attitude changes we too will see Christ moving powerfully in our own lives and our own communities. Try it and see for yourself.
Prayer:
¨ Pray for the non Christians that you know. Ask God to be granting them repentance and faith in Jesus and the opportunity for you to be sharing your faith with them. Pray that God would grow His kingdom through you. Pray in the light of 1 Tim 2:4.
¨ Make a list of these people and place it in a prominent position where you’ll see it daily. Commit to praying for these people daily.
Read Matthew 28, Isaiah 42:4, 51:5
The Church has a mandate from Christ that goes beyond itself. Christ, after His resurrection, made that exceedingly clear. The “church” was commissioned to take the good news of forgiveness through faith in the work of Christ Jesus into all the world. The church is the hope of the nations, taking the message of hope to them. God has chosen the church to be the vehicle of blessing to the nations.
The commission to go into all the world is backed by the one who has all authority in heaven and on earth. The one who died and rose eternally and would be soon exalted to the right hand of God, the position of all authority, the one who has been given the Name above all names, is the one who sends the church out to make disciples of all nations. We go out with His authority.
It is this very same Jesus who spells out the mission mandate for us. We are to make disciples from all nations. In spreading the gospel, there are no boundaries. Political, geographical, racial and religious boundaries are erased by Christ’s commission to the Church. All people from every nation, tribe and tongue are to hear the Word of Salvation through the church.
Added to this, we the church, are to be baptising converts and teaching them to obey all that our Lord and Saviour commanded. We make disciples, not converts. Nowhere in Scripture are we commanded to bring people to Christ and then to leave them. As soon as a person is brought to Christ in saving faith that person MUST be discipled. It is at this stage that the evil one will put up a huge struggle to stop that new convert from being at church, from growing in commitment and from learning the Word. He will bring temptation and enticement to return to their old ways. Discipleship in the early days must be intentional, deliberate and consistent. Never ever let a new disciple walk too far away.
With the commission comes a promise. Jesus declares in the very last verse of Matthew’s gospel, ‘And surely I am with you always to the very end of the age.’ While this verse is often taken out of context, it is as we take the gospel out to the nations (which includes our very own backyard) that we will see the promise fulfilled. We can expect Christ to be powerfully among us as we go out into all the world with the life saving message of the gospel. Often we wonder why Christ is doing amazing and powerful things in foreign countries like China and Africa. The answer is simple. They are taking the great commission seriously, while we put work, sport, visiting, eating (or more correctly, dining out) and so on above the great commission. When our approach and our attitude changes we too will see Christ moving powerfully in our own lives and our own communities. Try it and see for yourself.
Prayer:
¨ Pray for the non Christians that you know. Ask God to be granting them repentance and faith in Jesus and the opportunity for you to be sharing your faith with them. Pray that God would grow His kingdom through you. Pray in the light of 1 Tim 2:4.
¨ Make a list of these people and place it in a prominent position where you’ll see it daily. Commit to praying for these people daily.
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