Whoa. This is some POWERFUL preaching. I'm out of breath. The reality of this message is breathtaking. How many people do you know who need to hear this message? Wow. This is truly powerful and extremely heavy.
I plan to bring a message to some people in a nursing home later this month that includes a section at the end on this subject, and I pray to God that He brings the full weight of the reality of the situation to bear on each and every person in that room.
Does your Gospel presentation include this essential element?
Friday, March 6, 2009
Dancing in the eternal state
Ok, ok. So, I like the videos, ok? This one was shown to me by a friend a few months back, and I just love it. Try to take a look at it through the lens that I'm seeing it through:
One day, after the Lord comes back to gather in His own, He'll perfect us all. When that happens, we'll all be living with people from every tribe, tongue, people and nation as brothers and sisters with nothing keeping us from enjoying one another's company as we praise God together for all of eternity. We won't have any impure motives for gathering together and dancing to God's glory. We won't be trying to show off for the camera or dance seductively in order to draw attention to ourselves. No, we'll just be dancing as one body of Christ, perfected, and enjoying every moment that we can praise our God.
That's what I think of when I watch this video. I hope you like it too.
Where the Hell is Matt? (2008) from Matthew Harding on Vimeo.
One day, after the Lord comes back to gather in His own, He'll perfect us all. When that happens, we'll all be living with people from every tribe, tongue, people and nation as brothers and sisters with nothing keeping us from enjoying one another's company as we praise God together for all of eternity. We won't have any impure motives for gathering together and dancing to God's glory. We won't be trying to show off for the camera or dance seductively in order to draw attention to ourselves. No, we'll just be dancing as one body of Christ, perfected, and enjoying every moment that we can praise our God.
That's what I think of when I watch this video. I hope you like it too.
Where the Hell is Matt? (2008) from Matthew Harding on Vimeo.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
And THAT not of yourselves...
I'm gonna share another video, but this one has more to do with a Scripture passage that I believe everyone should take the time to examine. Most people who have any familiarity with the Bible know this verse, but not as many people have taken the time to think through it long enough to benefit from its true meaning. I say this assuming that most people had the same understanding of it that I had. Allow me to explain...
I would always read Ephesians 2:8 (For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,(Eph 2:8 ESV))as teaching that salvation is not by works and use it as an argument against those who incorporate works into their understanding of how to be saved. This is certainly valid, but there is so much more here to be understood. The thing that set me into a deeper study of the verse was my college English class. I was learning about demonstrative pronouns (this/these, that/those), and I learned that when these are used they usually refer to the word that immediately precede them. Taking our passage as an example, this would mean that faith is the word that this (or that, depending on your translation) is referring to.
This initial thought is what set me off into a study that included checking commentaries and the Greek that (notice the usage?) I had also been learning. I recall the pastor in this video saying something like "I don't know Greek, but I know how to listen to people who do." Well, I do know some Greek, and I can vouch for his presentation.
I figure that I couldn't possibly have been the only person to stumble upon this reality, but I don't think that many people let themselves take it for what it means. I think that many people probably do what I did and shrug off the sneaking suspicion that faith itself is indeed a gift (which inevitably leads to further complications in one's set of theological presuppositions). And if you are like I was, I'd say that the only reason you haven't let yourself take God's word at face value has everything to do with a concept that you thought didn't affect you...tradition. I'd like to write more, but I don't think I need to detract any more from the video. Enjoy!
I would always read Ephesians 2:8 (For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,(Eph 2:8 ESV))as teaching that salvation is not by works and use it as an argument against those who incorporate works into their understanding of how to be saved. This is certainly valid, but there is so much more here to be understood. The thing that set me into a deeper study of the verse was my college English class. I was learning about demonstrative pronouns (this/these, that/those), and I learned that when these are used they usually refer to the word that immediately precede them. Taking our passage as an example, this would mean that faith is the word that this (or that, depending on your translation) is referring to.
This initial thought is what set me off into a study that included checking commentaries and the Greek that (notice the usage?) I had also been learning. I recall the pastor in this video saying something like "I don't know Greek, but I know how to listen to people who do." Well, I do know some Greek, and I can vouch for his presentation.
I figure that I couldn't possibly have been the only person to stumble upon this reality, but I don't think that many people let themselves take it for what it means. I think that many people probably do what I did and shrug off the sneaking suspicion that faith itself is indeed a gift (which inevitably leads to further complications in one's set of theological presuppositions). And if you are like I was, I'd say that the only reason you haven't let yourself take God's word at face value has everything to do with a concept that you thought didn't affect you...tradition. I'd like to write more, but I don't think I need to detract any more from the video. Enjoy!
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Something that most people would read through without putting any real thought into
I have been reading this book for a long time as I take notes and look things up and thoroughly enjoy the time I'm spending in it when I came across the quotation I'm going to share. This is an obvious argument against the rejection of the authority and perspicuity of Scripture that, I believe, is a detrimental argument. The thing is, Roman Catholics will most likely be satisfied to give it a quick read and criticize it without putting any real thought into it. I could be wrong about that, so I invite an honest, thinking Roman Catholic to respond to this argument with some seriously thought through responses.
This is taken from this book, but it is an actual quotation from a book by Richard Hanson and Reginald Fuller called The Church of Rome: A Dissuasive. You can check out the first link and buy the book(s) to get the rest of the info. Here's the goods:
"Indeed Roman Catholics often grossly overstate the incoherence and obscurity of the Bible, and even of the New Testament. The Bible can stand as a tradition by itself, as far as coherence and consistency of thought are concerned. The Church in no sense completes the Bible. It is indeed a stupid insult to the memory of the four evangelists and of St. Paul and the other apostolic writers to suggest that they failed in the first aim of their writings, which was to convey the meaning of the Christian Gospel to their hearers. We cannot imagine that the Christians at Corinth to whom Paul wrote, or that the Christians in Rome whom Mark probably had in view when he wrote his Gospel, were not expected to understand what was written for them until the writings were re-interpreted or explained to them by the Church. And if the Church were to undertake to complete the Bible, there is no source of doctrine from which it could legitimately do so except--the Bible." [bolnesses mine]
This is taken from this book, but it is an actual quotation from a book by Richard Hanson and Reginald Fuller called The Church of Rome: A Dissuasive. You can check out the first link and buy the book(s) to get the rest of the info. Here's the goods:
"Indeed Roman Catholics often grossly overstate the incoherence and obscurity of the Bible, and even of the New Testament. The Bible can stand as a tradition by itself, as far as coherence and consistency of thought are concerned. The Church in no sense completes the Bible. It is indeed a stupid insult to the memory of the four evangelists and of St. Paul and the other apostolic writers to suggest that they failed in the first aim of their writings, which was to convey the meaning of the Christian Gospel to their hearers. We cannot imagine that the Christians at Corinth to whom Paul wrote, or that the Christians in Rome whom Mark probably had in view when he wrote his Gospel, were not expected to understand what was written for them until the writings were re-interpreted or explained to them by the Church. And if the Church were to undertake to complete the Bible, there is no source of doctrine from which it could legitimately do so except--the Bible." [bolnesses mine]
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Such an insightful 12 -year old
I saw this video the other day on the Alpha and Omega Ministries blog, and I was extremely impressed! I think that if a twelve year old girl can make such a well thought out argument against abortion then I really have to wonder how an honest liberal abortion supporter could continue to hold to such an obviously evil position.
Ask yourself as you watch the beginning of this video whether you think that most liberals would get bent outta shape and give a hearty AMEN! to this girl's video if she were talking about an Islamic family in Afghanistan who had no idea that a missile was heading their way. I'm not saying that bombing families in other countries is any better, but I simply say that to point out an inconsistency. I doubt very much that they would be consistent. I actually think that if a liberal stumbled across this video unknowingly that they might get all worked up thinking that it was a slam against George Bush and then feel pretty stupid when she revealed what she was actually talking about.
Sorry for rambling. Here's the video:
Ask yourself as you watch the beginning of this video whether you think that most liberals would get bent outta shape and give a hearty AMEN! to this girl's video if she were talking about an Islamic family in Afghanistan who had no idea that a missile was heading their way. I'm not saying that bombing families in other countries is any better, but I simply say that to point out an inconsistency. I doubt very much that they would be consistent. I actually think that if a liberal stumbled across this video unknowingly that they might get all worked up thinking that it was a slam against George Bush and then feel pretty stupid when she revealed what she was actually talking about.
Sorry for rambling. Here's the video:
What Does Jesus Have to Say to the World?
I was reading my Bible the other day, and I noticed a passage that I've read many times and have been well aware of. The verse I'm mainly referring to brought some thoughts to mind, though, and I wanted to share them with someone. Thanks for listening (reading). This is the verse I'm referring to:
"The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify about it that its works are evil."
(Joh 7:7 ESV)
Jesus is talking to His unbelieving brothers when they told Him to go prove the fact that He was really who He claimed to be at the festival in Judea. Since they are of the world (unbelieving), they get along just fine with the world, but He is from God which means that the world hates Him.
I find this funny because many people who call themselves Christians or who think that they can decide who Jesus is think that He is just fine with the sins that they commit daily. They think that they can do the exact opposite of what the Bible (God's word) says while God sits back and smiles approvingly. NO!!!
This is a most distorted view of who Jesus is. And mine is not some minority interpretation of Jesus' words in a single area of Scripture either. Notice also, that Jesus prays in John 17 for His disciples and "also for those who will believe in [Him] through their word." (verse 20)(By the way, this includes me and you Christian) And He also makes sure to point out the fact that He is "not praying for the world but for those whom [God has] given [Him]." (verse 9) So, if Jesus is specifically NOT praying for the world, then what is the warrant for believing that He is ok with you who have not obeyed Him by repenting and putting your trust in Him as your Savior and supreme desire?
This also gives us Christians a good perspective when witnessing to unbelievers. We most certainly should not coddle anyone's sinful lifestyle. If we are not clear about the way Jesus feels about sin and what He plans to do to those who commit it in complete disregard for His Gospel we are doing them no favors.
I think that this is something that we should all consider when sharing our faith. As a matter of fact, we need to be very clear that Jesus died to take the place of all who would repent and trust Him, but we should also be very clear that they have no part in that saving sacrifice if they don't obey the Gospel (John 3:36). After all, would He specifically not pray for them but then turn around and take their place on the cross?
"The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify about it that its works are evil."
(Joh 7:7 ESV)
Jesus is talking to His unbelieving brothers when they told Him to go prove the fact that He was really who He claimed to be at the festival in Judea. Since they are of the world (unbelieving), they get along just fine with the world, but He is from God which means that the world hates Him.
I find this funny because many people who call themselves Christians or who think that they can decide who Jesus is think that He is just fine with the sins that they commit daily. They think that they can do the exact opposite of what the Bible (God's word) says while God sits back and smiles approvingly. NO!!!
This is a most distorted view of who Jesus is. And mine is not some minority interpretation of Jesus' words in a single area of Scripture either. Notice also, that Jesus prays in John 17 for His disciples and "also for those who will believe in [Him] through their word." (verse 20)(By the way, this includes me and you Christian) And He also makes sure to point out the fact that He is "not praying for the world but for those whom [God has] given [Him]." (verse 9) So, if Jesus is specifically NOT praying for the world, then what is the warrant for believing that He is ok with you who have not obeyed Him by repenting and putting your trust in Him as your Savior and supreme desire?
This also gives us Christians a good perspective when witnessing to unbelievers. We most certainly should not coddle anyone's sinful lifestyle. If we are not clear about the way Jesus feels about sin and what He plans to do to those who commit it in complete disregard for His Gospel we are doing them no favors.
I think that this is something that we should all consider when sharing our faith. As a matter of fact, we need to be very clear that Jesus died to take the place of all who would repent and trust Him, but we should also be very clear that they have no part in that saving sacrifice if they don't obey the Gospel (John 3:36). After all, would He specifically not pray for them but then turn around and take their place on the cross?
God Glorifying Music
I have struggled with the issue of which music is acceptable to be using--mostly in private, but also in a church setting. Not that I have struggled much myself, but I've had more problems struggling with others who seem to think that only certain types of music are acceptable while other (well done) music is not. I'm not talking about poorly constructed, thrown together, wild, abstract music, though I'm not willing to just brush certain things aside without giving a fair listen. This is why I'd like to share the perspective of a man who could be considered anything but a liberal or sloppy man of God.
This video is of Paul Washer, and he has some nice things to say about those who have have been titled "reformed rappers". I don't expect everyone to watch the whole thing, but you can get the gist of his opinion of the type of music I've been defending in the first few minutes. Like I said, Paul Washer is not one who doesn't consider the actions of believers to be important. He has preached whole sermons rebuking those who call themselves Christians who live like all the unbelieving people in America, so keep that in mind while watching this:
This video is of Paul Washer, and he has some nice things to say about those who have have been titled "reformed rappers". I don't expect everyone to watch the whole thing, but you can get the gist of his opinion of the type of music I've been defending in the first few minutes. Like I said, Paul Washer is not one who doesn't consider the actions of believers to be important. He has preached whole sermons rebuking those who call themselves Christians who live like all the unbelieving people in America, so keep that in mind while watching this:
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