Women "Silent" in Church

Again this morning, I was looking for something other than a powder keg scripture that has been used to suppress women in church…but I decided instead to research it a little…since I really didn’t know what to do with it. I’ve always assumed that it was a scripture for THE WOMEN in Corinth to remain silent…..it was a contextual or cultural problem within that community.  I felt that women like Jen Hatmaker were free to teach at ANC....simply because she was a good teacher...and scripture like 1 Corinthians didn't apply because of the contextual nature of the scripture. I believe now...I was mistaken. 

34 Women should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak, but must be in submission, as the law says. 35 If they want to inquire about something, they should ask their own husbands at home; for it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in the church.

We actually had someone leave ANC a few weeks ago when we advertised that Jen Hatmaker would be teaching (which she wasn’t able to). They used this scripture to point out that women had no place speaking in church. When in actuality it says just the opposite. Bear with me.

When we read the book of 1 Corinthians….notice in places that Paul is responding via letter….to a corresponding letter that the church wrote to him. 

1 Corinthians 7:1 "Now for the matters you wrote about”

1 Corinthians 8:1 "Now concerning things offered unto idols..."

1 Corinthians 12:1 "Now concerning spiritual gifts..."

Unless we think that Paul is out of his mind…he can’t be saying two opposite things within the same scripture.

26 What then shall we say, brothers and sisters? When you come together, each of you has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. Everything must be done so that the church may be built up. (Clearly sisters are not to remain silent)

29 Two or three prophets should speak (did not say male prophets)

39 Therefore, my brothers and sisters, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues. (again sisters be eager to prophesy….or speak truth…to edify the body)

In verses 34-35, Paul actually used their words (from their letter to him) in his response letter when he addressed some of their concerns and said they were foolish and they weren't of God. So 1 Corinthians 34-35 aren’t Paul’s words but whoever wrote the letter to Paul.

Okay…but there is one other scripture;

1 Timothy 2:12, Paul says, "I do not allow a woman (wife) to teach...Nor to usurp authority over the man (husband)."

The subject in Timothy is not regarding “men and women”, but the Greek translate these words “husbands and wives”. To “usurp authority” one must go against the will of another. When the husband recognizes the anointing on his wife to teach, all he has to do is allow her to do so. Then, there is no authority usurped, it is granted. So any man (not the husband) of the wife, has no authority over that woman (or the church that encourages or allows it) whether she teaches or not. She is not usurping power over men by teaching them, the only authority that is over the body is that of God. 

I believe Paul clearly was supportive of the anointing of women to teach the word of God or prophesy, in their home or in a church setting as biblical. Thoughts? 

God your Word is so awesome. You know this...you were the author of it. Continue to teach us, correct us and yes...even rebuke us. Continue to reveal yourself and your heart through it. Amen. 

Rights vs right

1 Corinthians 10:23 “I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but not everything is constructive. 24 No one should seek their own good, but the good of others.

We have tremendous freedom as Followers of Christ. Wonder why I was never told this as a teenager?  Maybe because I lacked the discipline, knowledge and discernment to apply my freedom.

Believers must not merely consider what is lawful, but what is expedient, and edifying to others. Paul also writes:

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Philippians 2:3-4

I think these two verses complement each other nicely.

Going back to a topic you guys wish you would never hear about again….Chick-fil-a. My whole point in my post last week was this, we can stand up for our rights as Americans, we can say went to CFA to defend our constitutional rights of free speech…and these are all fine…good things.  You are well within your rights to do these things….but as Christ followers, we need to temper our American rights for our Kingdom Purposes. This is so counter cultural and “out there” people refuse to grasp it. The bible is full of examples of this….and verse 24 flies in the face of the American Dream as well.

Anyway….we had the right and freedom to protest last Wednesday….but I didn’t find it constructive. Especially in light of the chasm already between the BLGT and the Church.

Chick-fil-a Sacrificed to Idols

1 Corinthians 8: 9 Be careful, however, that the exercise of your rights does not become a stumbling block to the weak.

This passage took on new meaning for me this morning and I wanted to share it with you.

Many well-meaning “Christians” took to the streets yesterday and PACKED Chick-fil-a’s across this country in what most deemed “Chick-fil-a Appreciation Day”. But we should know that is was more of a support of Dan Cathy’s stance on “biblical family values” than it was appreciation for good food and good service. Christians were countering an attempt by the LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered) Community to show up en mass and merely order a cup of water in order to clog up lines and frustrate the staffs and management at CFA.

I saw pictures on Facebook of Christians standing in line, taking pictures with the CFA mascot, proudly carrying their cups and bags of CFA food around like a badge of honor. People actually ordered bags of CFA sandwiches to pass out to homeless people on street corners….all in support of CFA. While these are not all bad things, it is the tone and manner in which Christians are voicing their support of CFA that disturbs me. Our posture sucks.

The LGBT has, erroneously or not, taken Dan Cathy’s remarks that he supports a “traditional family unit, made up of a man and woman in marriage” as anti-gay. Their thought being, if you are FOR traditional marriage you hate gays. CFA’s known policies of hiring and serving everyone are the same. Patrons are not asked their sexual orientation when stepping to the counter and there is no blank on employment forms asking about sexual orientation. I also know that CFA donates moneys to pro-traditional family causes...(Focus on the Family being one and there are others).

But here is the rub for me in light of today’s reading……we need to be careful that we do not exercise our rights to a great chicken sandwich on a day and in a manner that is deemed to be anti-gay. Christ was not anti-gay. If we believe that he was, we have our theology screwed up. He was anti-sin. He was just as much anti-gossip, anti-adultery, anti-greed, anti-covetous, anti-glutton as he was anti-gay. Can we gossip and still be loved by Jesus? Can we covet and still be loved by Jesus? Then can’t a person be gay and still be loved by Jesus? And if Jesus loves them and the entire LGBT community, shouldn’t we also love them?

I am reminded of the story of the woman caught in adultery. Where he literally advocated for this woman as she was about to be stoned by the religious. The religious! He didn’t condemn her for her sin to the contrary. He knelt beside her and drew in the dirt, as the religious were picking out their stones to throw at her. He questioned their hearts asking the one that was without sin to cast the first stone. Then they dropped their stones and left. After they left he asked, “where are your accusers. Has no one condemned you (to die)?”. And she replied, “they have all left”. And he said to her, “nor do I condemn you…..go and sin no more.” Jesus himself did not condemn…what gives us the right? 


This condemning patriotic idol of traditional family values has become a STUMBLING BLOCK to the LGBT Community. I call it an idol because we have elevated it above our love for them. When Christ said, “love your neighbor as yourself”, he was talking about ALL of our neighbors, including the LGBT Community. When he said, “whatever you have done to the least of these brothers and sisters you have done to me” he was talking about ALL the marginalized, including the LGBT Community. Yet we have grabbed hold of their sin, elevated it above our own, and are willing to cast hate filled stones.

Right or wrong, our action of solidarity for a restaurant and it’s CEO can be construed as anti-gay. I’m not saying it is wrong, but if it is even perceived to be wrong by “the weak”, those “without knowledge” (of God) then it is wrong and we are “defiling” them. If it is perceived as wrong by the LGBT then we should not eat Chick-fil-a sandwiches sacrificed to the condemning patriotic idol of traditional family values.

I myself, am still for traditional family values. I still believe that God created man and woman to be married. And my understanding of scripture is that homosexuality is a sin. But because our country was founded on these values, we have certain rights that non-traditional couples don’t have. But since we know that all men are created equal….to have rights that others don’t have because of race, religious beliefs or sexual orientation is wrong.

So no…I didn’t go to CFA yesterday...much like I won’t drink alcohol if I am around someone who believes drinking to be sinful or if they struggle with alcohol. I am careful and use discernment when I drink alcohol…and the same should be done when eating meat sacrificed to idols,  even an idol of our own making.

Side note: I will still eat at CFA and enjoy their awesome sandwiches. But it was brought to light by someone in the LBGT Community that CFA supported a group in Uganda that promoted a “Kill the Gays Bill” that would not only make it illegal to be gay, but it would be punishable by death. If I find out or a strong connection can be made that that CFA knowingly supported a bill to exterminate gay people in Uganda….I will not eat Chick-fil-a again. Crap…I hope it’s not true.

Making Disciples or Creating Consumers?

Church....what have we done? Christ told us to make disciples who in turn will make disciples. Yet, by and large when pastors are asked their church's biggest area of weakness...(if we are honest) will tell you it's in disciple making. So instead, we settle on creating consumers. Well....that's not all true, those in our churches are already consumers, we have the credit card debt and stacks of stuff we don't need to prove it. We are merely giving the people more of what they have been conditioned to believe they 'need'. A sexy box, a flashy show, a feel good (or even hard hitting) 4 week series, programs for kids every day of the week, youth events, and a relevant message. Good well meaning churches may even have a mission event that we organize, we subsidize or pay for entirely and we beg those in our congregation to basically consume on top of all the other and programs and events we have throughout the week.
Here is a problem, if you ask what 'discipleship' is you will get plenty of differing opinion....but by and large the responses dwindle down to study and attendance. Those who are 'committed' will make every effort to be a part of every study and every program on church campuses in order to be 'fed'. Yet at the end of the week...many will still say, I want to go 'deeper'. Why is that? We are looking for that one piece that will satisfy our longing to be on mission with Christ.
In John 6, Jesus confronts this 'consumer mentality' head on. He had just fed 5000 people who had gathered to see him heal and to hear him preach. Then he raised the expectation. He told them to "come follow me"....or as my friend Hugh Halter would put it, he gave them the 'Death Talk'. Basically dying to self, killing the consumer and be willing to walk with Jesus no matter the cost. For most this cost was/is too high.
When alone with his disciples Jesus gave them something to chew on (figuratively). He said that "I am the bread of the life". "I have come down from heaven (like Manna)" and "you must eat my flesh and drink my blood". His disciples began to grumble....that this was very hard teaching, and they did not understand. He was basically telling them....I am sufficient. There is nothing else. I am your daily provision of bread from God. Follow me. Become my apprentices (disciples).
Christ wants us to go deeper. He wants us to follow him, do what he did and do even greater things. Yet we have settled for being one of 5000 sitting on the grass eating fish and watching the show.
What if churches decided that instead of structuring in a way that we perpetuated the consumer to consume, we instead structured to make apprentice making apprentices. That we empowered and gave permission to live on mission for Jesus. That our actual purpose was to equip the saints for works of service instead of gorging the already fattened consumers with more programs.
There are over 2200 places in scripture that implore us to serve the least, clothe the naked, take up the cause of the widow and orphan (James calls Pure Religion) and watch out for those in the margins of society. 2200. Yet amid our multi-million dollar buildings and budgets we relegate $250 to a homeless shelter every Christmas. Does this make you feel better? Doesn't me.
What if 'serving the least' was that 'magic bullet'? What if dying to yourself and your selfish desires and following Jesus into the margins meant that we could for the first time in our spiritual journeys become satisfied? What if it was because we actually encountered Jesus and saw him at work...and that nourished us? What if as we served and showed others how to serve we realized that we are not only apprenticing but training apprentices?
Brandon Hatmaker has written a book that embodies this notion. Barefoot Church: Serving the Least in a Consumer Culture. (Released October 24, 2011)

http://www.amazon.com/Barefoot-Church-Serving-Consumer-Exponential/dp/0310492262

I am fortunate enough to serve with Brandon and have seen this transform new believers and life-long followers into vibrant and on fire apprentices. Please do yourself a favor and read this book.

Biblebargainoutlet.com

I write this only because I looked to find any and everything online about this company...and found nothing.

Biblebargainoutlet.com (formerly blessedandbeyond.com) Christian Book Distributer was fraudulent with me and I just wanted to warn anyone who might be looking to purchase bibles or Christian books online to steer clear of them. If their dealings with me were typical, the best I can say is that they are shady.

I placed an order for a case of bibles in April of 2011. In June, thinking that I must not have placed the order, I went to their website and placed the order again. I subsequently found where I had been charged in April. So I called and left a message on the voicemail to the company.
ALERT RED FLAG!!!!! no one ever answers the phone, when they call back...it is always from a BLOCKED number, and they never respond via email.
A man responded to my call (from the BLOCKED number) and said "not to worry" I wouldn't be billed for that second charge and that my bibles should ship within a week or two. No such luck. My church card was charged twice and I never received any bibles. This led to another call and response from the BLOCKED phone number saying that they would issue credit for the full amount (nearly $1000) in the next 1-2 weeks. That was August 17th. Nothing.
So I've left emails and phone calls again, but now I have contacted my credit card company (FRAUD DIVISION) and received credit from them.
I just wanted anyone and everyone to know that if you are considering purchasing from www.biblebargainoutlet.com DONT!!!!

Pure Religion

Sunday, my friend John Bradshaw wrote the following blog;

Click HERE.

Apostasy vs. Arrogance - 2 Peter 2

If they have escaped the corruption of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and are again entangled in it and overcome, they are worse off at the end than they were at the beginning. 2 Peter 2:20

A state of apostasy (turning away) is worse than a state of ignorance?

I heard this..and I thought no….they are both equally bad. But that is if you look at it from the perspective of dying and facing judgement. Then, yes….both are equally as bad. Standing in front of the judge without the blood of Jesus to cover and pardon your sins.

But then I got these verses in reference.

If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left Hebrews 10:26
How much more severely do you think a man deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of God under foot, who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that sanctified him, and who has insulted the Spirit of grace? Hebrews 10:29
Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved. Acts 4:12

The one who has rejected Christ and his salvation, who has turned his back on the Grace of Jesus….has no other name, no other way of salvation. The one in ignorance….at least until death….has Jesus.

That Movement - 2 Peter 1

We did not follow cleverly invented stories when we told you about the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 2 Peter 1:16

When I look for reasons to TRUST the Gospel….when I skeptical of any of it….I always turn to those who were eyewitnesses. I trust how they responded with their lives.

A man could have lied about Jesus….to make this whole story of the Gospel and Christianity up…..but would he really be willing to be give up his own family, his job, his security, even his life…. to follow a ruse.

And if that weren’t enough…..Jesus death and burial scared the disciples for 3 days. But on that third day, after Jesus showed himself to them….the disciples solidified a movement. I trust that movement.

Minister to Sinners - James 5

My brothers, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring him back, remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save him from death and cover over a multitude of sins. James 5:19-20

Great word this morning, very challenging, but so hard to do.

Here is the deal…this isn’t talking about a believer losing salvation, this is merely talking about a believer caught in sin. (Someone who turns to sin as oppose to righteousness) The difficult part of it is, if you have the influence and the platform to speak truth to a fellow believer, you run the risk of turning them away and/or straining relations.

But the reality for us today is that death is out there….it is be avoided, Truth to be followed and a ministry to each other. We are to be serving both God and sinners.

Mist - James 4

What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. James 4:14

I took a class called Yokefellows when I started re-attending church about 15 years ago. This class was basically an evangelism class…how to share your faith. This was one of the first verses we learned. We would use it to ‘prove’ how short life is, when compared to eternity. It was for believers to share with non-believers to get them to THINK about their own mortality…and facing eternity without Christ.

Today I have a new perspective. This verse is for me….a believer, a follower of Christ. To get me to think.

I have this very short time on earth….why do I continue to strive for the ‘stuff’ of the world? What am I working for?

I would love to have focus. Laser beam focus. But we all get distracted. I believe Satan uses things….most not even bad things, to distract us.

Take for instance one of my passions…..college football. This in and of itself not a bad thing…..but I am so passionate about college football, I honestly have to admit, it has stolen my affections from Jesus. About this time of year, I start to really get excited. I start the countdown to kickoff….start the smack talk, I buy magazines and watch countless hours of any coverage online or tv I can find. For what?

Time

A very large portion of my mist.

Satan uses work, hobbies, busyness, even family to get our focus away from Jesus. None of these things are bad….we just need to continue to create margin to serve and be used by God.

Purity>Peace>Righteousness - James 3

Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness. James 3:18

After reading the first 3 chapter of James, it has become pretty clear to me that James is passionate about righteousness. And the way I understand James is that peace follows purity, actually depends on it…and James wants peace for the church because peace is the context in which righteousness can flourish.
In my own life this has been the case as well. When my thought life goes south, or my actions or motives are less than pure…..any attempts at righteousness are contrived and put on. I’ve been faking it!
As you guys know, I taught on Worthless Religion a couple of weeks ago….and one of the saddest things is seeing a mom or dad, reaping the harvest in their kids….of a Worthless Religion.
I think most of our kids are still pretty young….but they are watching and they are smart. They know if your deed matches your creed….or if you are merely going through the motions.
This plays our in tons of ways…and what I am seeing now is that kids don’t want to come to church, kids don’t respect their parents or any adult figure. They are looking to fill the place in them that God is suppose to occupy with drugs, sex, porn, materialism, status.
I was talking last night with our Student Minister, Brandon Gregory….and as parents, we have such a great influence over our kids before high school…and if we’ve done a good job….we keep that influence. One the other side of the coin is those kids who begin to count down the day til their 18th birthday to give you the finger and get out of the house.

The wicked earns deceptive wages, But he who sows righteousness gets a true reward. Proverbs 11:18

And the work of righteousness will be peace, And the service of righteousness, quietness and confidence forever. Isaiah 32:17

My prayer is that all of us have homes where purity is taught, practiced and encouraged…so that we have peaceful homes where righteousness is the norm.

Demonstration of Faith - James 2

You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder. James 2:19

At one point or another, we have run into someone that says….”yeah, I’m a Christian…I believe in God!” and for most….that is where it ends. I have so much pity for people like this because there is so much more! If pressed….a lot of them will also say…”yes, I even believe in Jesus”….Great! But to historically believe that a man named Jesus walked the earth, was a Jewish carpenter’s son, and did some miracles and died on a cross…still doesn’t constitute salvation, or being a Christ Follower.
“Oh, but I have been baptized” Awesome!

I just want to say…..But you don’t love people, you don’t hurt at injustice, you aren’t moved at the things that hurt God. You flirt with women, you cuss like a sailor, you slander, steal from your work, you don’t care for your family and you drink way to much.

As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead. James 2:26

But we also know that;
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:8-9

Absolutely…..not by works (or deeds) are we saved….but works and deeds ARE a demonstration of the faith that saves us.

Guys…this is a tricky verse…because I don’t believe that we are here to challenge and condemn every person who believes they are saved but are not, some maybe. But we can’t be throwing this verse around at them unless you have a platform and the tact to do it. While sharing truth, it is to be done in love….and not condemnation. We may feel the pressure to convert….or to “save” one of our friends, but only God can do that….he may choose to use us, so be ready.
I believe we are to love, instruct, pray for and show true faith, including works.

Joy - James 1

James 1:2-4 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

Wow….this is a tough one. Pure Joy?

When the big trials in life come (and they will), this is when God has an opportunity to see your faith in action. Here is when true believers get to ‘fish or cut bait’. I have handled this both ways…..correctly and incorrectly, and when you have faith, there is joy once through the trial. The joy comes from knowing that you are developing perseverance. Be joyful knowing there is an opportunity to prove God faithful.

Some of us are in the middle of HUGE trials right now. How are you doing? Are you praying, reading God’s word, possibly fasting….seeking God….trusting God?

I asked a friend last night, who is in the middle of a trial…..”are you more close to God now than ever?” and he is…..because he is trusting God, relying on him to sustain him, seeking him, allowing God to work, praying to Him, listening for Him….like never before. And part of the joy is that we get to walk closer to The Eternal King, than we ever have.

Guys….keep an eternal perspective and your thoughts will change. Think of the eternal over the temporal. Think of your relationship with God first….and let everything else fall into place.

I am praying for you guys, your families, your work, your thought life, and your witness. I pray that you are taking your “religion” seriously….and drawing close to God. I pray as men, we are leading our homes, praying with our wives, praying with our kids and leading by example. I pray we take every word captive, love our wives like Christ loved his church….willing to lay his life down for her.

It is a war gentlemen….and Satan is looking to steal, kill and destroy all of us.

Honor Marriage - Hebrews 13

Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral. Hebrews 13:4

There is so much that this verse encompasses for us men to consider. I bring it up, because I see this recurring theme throughout the bible about sexually immoral and/or adulterer and it’s easy to write off as “someone elses issue”.

Let’s be clear……sexually immoral includes things like;
Pornography
Strip Clubs
“Happy Ending” massages
Eyeing women who aren’t your wife
Making friends look at girls
Coarse sexual joking
Sexual Innuendo
Inappropriate touching
Inappropriate discussions with women
Intimate discussions with women (possibly about her marriage, sex, or feelings)
Phone sex (other than your wife HA!)
900 numbers
Internet Relationships
Emotional affairs

Guys…I’m sure there are tons of others….but I say all this to say, don’t think that because it’s not listed in the bible….it falls into some gray area.
We are to remain true to our wives. Emotional cheating is still cheating and just as painful as the real thing.
Matthew talked about yesterday….that the divorce rate inside the church is the same as it is outside. We are to remain faithful, attentive to our wives, love her as Christ loved the church, make her feel loved, come home in the evenings, be nice (not a douche), buy her stuff, talk with her….really talk with her, plan a getaway, date your wife, pursue her….and ALL your wildest dreams will come true.

Jenny and I have recently gone through a tough period where she made me aware that I had quit doing those things that she loved….and made her feel special. I was so loving my ministry, my job, and my friends….that we had settled for occasional to rare meaningful conversations and “quickies”.

Me becoming aware of this…and not being defensive …has led to us really becoming closer, enjoying each others company more, loving to talk more, increased passion in our marriage and a rejuvenation of a stale sexual life.

I write all this because I honor and value marriage and I have seen too many marriages fail….in and out of church. So men, be on guard…self-controled and alert. Your enemy Satan, prowls around looking for someone (or a marriage) to devour. (somewhere in Peter)

Discipline - Hebrews 12

Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons. Hebrews 12:7-8

Being disciplined is never fun. I remember as a child….after being disciplined, laying in my room afterward ‘hating’ my mom and dad. It wasn’t that I hated them….it was that I hated the necessary process of receiving discipline. I guess part of me still does.

Here, the writer of Hebrews reminds us that feeling we had as children….and to endure it….because it is good to receive discipline. It is a sign of love.

You have to question a parent that NEVER disciplines their child…..allowing them to wreak havoc in their own lives and run wild.

God, thanks for disciplining me….loving me and treating me as a son.....even tho it sucks.

by Faith - Hebrews 11

By faith _______________(your name) …….

And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. Hebrews 11:6

As our life stories are written will we be known as men of faith? Are we earnestly seeking Him? What is our faith worth? If you sensed God calling you somewhere….would you go? Are you willing to look foolish…..for your faith?
If your faith turned out for naught, would you have so much invested in it…that you would be pitied? Or have you withheld some dignity?

If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men. 1 Corinthians 15:19

Noah…..built an ark because God told him there would be a flood. Did you know there had never been rain before Noah?

Abraham packed up the family and moved because God told him to…..but he never told him where until after he left.

Abraham had faith that God would bless him and his barren wife Sarah with a child even though they were past child baring years.

Abraham also took his only son Isaac up the mountain to sacrifice him as God had instructed him, knowing God had promised descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky.

Amazing Grace - Hebrews 10

Wow…okay guys this chapter (like the others) is PACKED, and so much of hitting me between the eyes this morning.

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. Hebrews 5:23

As followers of Christ….we must trust the words of Christ, follow the ways of Christ, love like Christ loved, aspire to walk rightly like He did….and repent when we don’t.
If we don’t, what good is our faith.

What is faith?

Hebrews 11 tells us; Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.

This means that although we live in a time when we don’t physically walk with Christ, we cant see him, his miracles, his example….we do have the bible and the testimonies of those who did. We trust the bible to true and the infallible word of God, written by men under the direction of the Holy Spirit…..and we trust that.

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Hebrews 10:24

Hopefully, in my relationship with you guys you sense this with me. I want you love and do good deeds…but not only that. I want us to aspire to righteousness.

My dad used to quote a poem….and although this isn’t biblical….I share it with you as an example:

The Man In The Glass
Anonymous
When you get what you want in your struggle for self

And the world makes you king for a day,

Just go to the mirror and look at yourself

And see what that man has to say.


For it isn’t your father or mother or wife

Whose judgment upon you must pass.

The fellow whose verdict counts most in you life

Is the one staring back from the glass.


You may be like Jack Horner and chisel a plum

And think you’re a wonderful guy.

But the man in the glass says you’re only a bum

If you can’t look him straight in the eye.


He’s the fellow to please-never mind all the rest,

For he’s with you clear to the end.

And you’ve passed your most dangerous, difficult test

If the man in the glass is your friend.


You may fool the whole world down the pathway of years

And get pats on the back as you pass.

But your final reward will be heartache and tears

If you’ve cheated the man in the glass.

I believe as Christ followers, we have the Holy Spirit to guide us…and in turn when we look in the mirror….we should see Christ. Those times we don’t, we know. We know!
I have always said, you are only as accountable as you want to be….but I know me, my sins, my secrets, my faults….and so does God. You aren’t going to surprise him.

If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left Hebrews 10:26

Like we have talked about in the previous chapters….Christ died once and for all. This grace wasn’t cheap, the Son of God had to die for us…and our deliberate ‘trampling’ of his grace is the worst.

I don’t think we will fully understand the mind or love of God short of heaven….but I think about it as my love for my children. I so want the best for them, I never want them to faulter, but I will always love, correct and forgive.

God, I am sorry for having trampled your Grace at times. I know I am forgiven, and that is no excuse. Please let me walk in your Amazing Grace.

Once and for all - Hebrews 9

But now he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself. Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him. Hebrews 9:26-28

I think that this “once and for all” theme continues through the chapters of Hebrews. The all is in reference to sins from the foundation of the world forward to the cross…and any and all sin from the cross into eternity. The last verse even states that when Jesus comes back….his second coming will NOT be in reference to sin….that’s already been taken care of….but he will be coming in all his glory…..not in the body of a man. (Titus 2:13)

The beginning of this chapter talks about the tabernacle and the Holy and the Most Holy Place….the priests and the processes and the blood, atoning for the sins of the priest and any sin that his people had committed in ignorance.

The one thing that really stands out to me is that the priest….in no way could forgive his own sin. He couldn’t say enough hail marys, our fathers or do penance. As a matter of fact, the last thing the priest would do before heading into the Holy of Holies is tie a rope around his leg…..just in case he had any unconfessed sin. If he did….he would die…and the rope was to pull his dead body out of the Holiest Place.

Without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness of sin. Jesus didn’t die to impart special favor to some, to dole out to others….he died to do away with sin, once and for all.

New Covenant - Hebrews 8

For if there had been nothing wrong with that first covenant, no place would have been sought for another. Hebrews 8:7

"The time is coming," declares the LORD, 
"when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah. Jeremiah 31:31

As Jesus completed his last Passover meal with his disciples, he took the final cup and said, "This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you" Luke 22:10

I’ll throw this out there for you….there is a group called Millennialists…and they have this perspective that Jesus death WAS NOT the fulfillment of the NEW covenant that Jeremiah wrote about.

Read all you want to about Millennialism http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Millennialism or http://rationalwiki.org/wiki/Millennialism

I believe this perspective to be both wrong and dangerous. Here is why, if Jesus was merely the Gospel of grace to the Gentiles…..and not the fulfillment of the Jeremiah prophecy….and without the shedding of blood there can be no forgiveness of sin…..who is gonna die for the Jews?

…..the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness. Hebrews 9:22

I believe Jesus death burial and resurrection to be the fulfillment of God’s promise to Jeremiah, the Gospel of Grace and the only way and final means of living under a new covenant. I believe this not blindly, but because Jesus called his blood the “New Covenant” and he also said “ I am the way….no man comes to the Father but through me.”

This is good news.

Intercessor - Hebrews 7

Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them. Hebrews 7:25

Jesus….greater than Moses, the prophets, and Melchizedek….saves completely, once and for all, because he intercedes for us.

I love that word intercede. Defined:
1. To plead on another's behalf.

2. To act as mediator in a dispute.


I think about when someone is read their Miranda rights when being arrested.
You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to speak to an attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be appointed to you. Do you understand these rights as they have been read to you?
I think about our appointed advocate in God’s system is Jesus…and he is always speaking on our behalf.

I think about the Judge (God) saying….”I find you guilty of sin….which is punishable by death.” And Jesus saying, “Your honor/dad, I’ve paid this debt.”
Beautiful

Let me also encourage someone today with this story I read this morning.

There was a church located somewhere in the south (I don’t recall) and it had been there for years. But recently a bar opened up the neighborhood and sent the very conservative church into a tailspin. With the congregation up in arms, the pastor called for a day of prayer.
He asked the congregation to pray that God would remove the bar from their neighborhood.
Well, a few weeks later, in a storm…lightening struck bar and it burned down. Within a few days, word spread of the prayer day and the bar owner (a non-Christian) found out that the church had prayed for God to somehow get rid of the bar, and he sued the church.
In court, before the judge, the bar owner stated that because of the prayers of the church, he lost his business and way of making living. When the judge asked the Pastor if the charges were true….he stated that yes they had prayed for God to get rid of the bar….but that no one really believed it would happen.
The judge sat back laughing to himself….then explained that he found it odd that a non-Christian bar owner believed in the power of prayer yet a congregation and its pastor did not.

Guys, let me encourage you guys to pray….and pray expectantly. Pray according to the will of God….and if you don’t really know what that is….keep reading his word and ask him to reveal that to you.