Do You Hate The Church? Jesus Loved And Died For Her

The following question from GotQuestions.org

QUESTION RECEIVED:

I have studied what the Bible says about The Body of Christ and observe what the church is like today.

Bible seems to be more about relationships than church worship.

I do not see much about how to worship and operate as a church in the Bible, I see relationships.

Is this right?

And what about church government and church planting.

CONCERNING THE BODY OF CHRIST-

The Apostle Paul, under the supervision of the Holy Spirit, certainly established an organized the New Testament church for worship and service and evangelism. 

Ephesians 4:11-13 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

11 And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ.

The Apostle Paul under the Holy Spirit’s prompting gave us, the church, the term “ Body Of Christ.”  The book of Romans is the theology book for the New Testament church.

Psalms continually deals with worship and has been called the “prayer book of Jesus Christ.”

The book of Leviticus goes into great detail about worship in the Old Covenant that foreshadow the New Testament.

GOD DEMANDS WORSHIP BY HIS PE0PLE

He has always desired group or corporate worhip.

He always has.

Exodus 34:14 (NASB))

“14—for you shall not worship any other god, for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God—“

He always will desire corporate worship.

Read Revelation chapter 4 and the angelic and 24 elders worship of the Lord.

He loves and demands worship.

FALSE ARGUMENT- 

Friend you are having an argument with yourself that is no argument.

This false argument is - Should you ignore group worship in favor of intimate relationships with Christian individuals.

That’s like asking a parent which child they love best.

You love both!

Why?

Jesus did.

Luke 2:16-16

14 And Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about Him spread through all the surrounding district. 15 And He began teaching in their synagogues and was praised by all.

16 And He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up; and as was His custom, He entered the synagogue on the Sabbath, and stood up to read.

It has been said “God had one Son and he made Him a preacher.”

Jesus loved worship.  “as was His custom, He entered the synagogue on the Sabbath “

Hebrews 10:24-25 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

24 and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, 25 not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.

CHURCH GOVERNMENT AND ORGANIZATION

The Bible gives a wide variety of church governments and I feel there is much leeway.

A church in rural North Georgia has different needs from a a mega-church in Los Angeles.

CHURCH PLANTING

Every Epistle in the New Testament was written to a church plant.

Every church was a plant once.

If God is moving and calls for a church plant do it.

If He is not in it do not plant.

JESUS AND THE CHURCH

Jesus loved our soiled church –you do likewise.

Ehesians 5:25-30

25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, 26 so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, 27 that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless. 28 So husbands ought also to love their own wives as their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself; 29 for no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ also does the church, 30 because we are members of His body.

Can Worship Be So Modern It Is Meaningless?

The following question from GotQuestions.org has just been assigned to you:

QUESTION RECEIVED:

I currently go to an (Denomination Name Removed) church (NOT FROM GEORGIA) and they just built a new building and in the back where the baptistery is there was suppose to be a huge cross and it is still there but it has been covered up with a wall.

The pastor that was there before said that the cross was for the older churches.

So the cross is covered up.

The church is still struggling with people it seats 1,300 people and is running about 100 people due to the fact that people believe the Holy Spirit has left the building.

I was wondering if there is anything in the bible that says anything about covering up the cross or not having a cross in the church? 

They have a new pastor now that is very good and they just found out about the cross being hid behind the wall and they are going to begin construction to knock out the wall and show it in the church.

MY ANSWER:

The cross in churches is a symbol.

It is a symbol of course of the greatest reason for worship.

After the Reformation there was a strong reaction to any symbolism or art being in churches, including crosses that would lead to idolatry.

The hiding of the cross in this case seems to be about consumer preference.

Who is a worship service for?   God.

Who worships Him?  - saved Christians.

Can non-Christians worship?  No.

Should non-Christians be at a Christian worship service? Yes

Is evangelism the center of worship?  No.

Should evangelism left out of worship? No

Worship celebrates the gospel which is the perfect life, death, burial and resurrection of our Lord who paid for our sin on a cross.

Believers continually worship and rejoice about the gospel.

Non-believers can hear the gospel visiting worship andrepent and know Christ paid for our sins.

Non-believers can repent, and receive pardon for sins and eternal life with the Father.

1st Corinthians 14:24-25 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

24 But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or an ungifted man enters, he is convicted by all, he is called to account by all; 25 the secrets of his heart are disclosed; and so he will fall on his face and worship God, declaring that God is certainly among you.

Non-believers who would be offended by a cross would be offended bu prophecy also.

1 Corinthians 1:23 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

23 but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block and to Gentiles foolishness,

Honor God and 2,000 years of Christian tradition.

But, do not though be superstitious about your worship.

Inspect your worship.

Does it read, pray, say, sing and see (through The Lord’s Supper and Baptism), and preach the Bible?

If not this will show the real problem on what the church professes.

Why Tithe Rather Than Give All Your Money Away To Help Others?

 from GotQuestions.org  

QUESTION RECEIVED

 Sorry, but I don't understand anything about wealth. 

Currently, I'm sitting on a 200k a year wage. With this, I plan to buy a new car, which some would say is a little expensive for my needs. What I'm confused about is the parable of Lazarus and how it was a sin because he was suffering and he wasn't helped. There is millions of people like him, so how I figure out what to do? Why aren't Christians living on the bare minimum possible?

MY ANSWER

Friend you are getting into our modern American trap.

You have given yourself an ultimatum to do thing #1 or thing # 2 concerning money. 

The #3 is the right choice which is God’s plan.

How do you help others with your income?

Tithe 10% to the storehouse or as we know it the church.

The storehouse helps those in need.

Yes, like it implies the story of Rich Man and Lazarus in Luke 16:19-31; it is sinful not to do your part.
  (By the way it does not say in Scripture this story is a parable in Scripture.)

You do not need to do it all in helping the poor if you are saved and part of the Body of Christ which is another name for the church.
Just do the part requested by the Lord.

When you do not tithe you cheat the Lord, yourself from blessings (He says test Him on this), and those in need.

  Malachi 3 (ESV)

8 Will man rob God? Yet you are robbing me. But you say, ‘How have we robbed you?’ In your tithes and contributions. 9 You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing me, the whole nation of you. 10 Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need.

You want to buy a new car?

With a $200,000 a year salary you should be able to make a payment, one payment.

You then can live on a budget, have financial freedom, and not struggle on the “bare minimum”.

After you tithe and make your budget you will have the liberty to give even more to the storehouse.

You ask if Christians should live only on the bare minimum?

There is no need to suffer if you make a good income.

There is no need to have people suffering in need if the church people tithe.

Why does the church not do it?

Why are we disobedient to God?

We simply do not follow his plan.

If you tithe you will have given over a course of years far more than your net worth and current income rather than giving it all at once and suffering.

If all believers tithed God would receive great glory.
If church people tithed the church would be where people looked for answers rather than the government.

Taken (the movie) and the Gospel

Taken (The Movie)

“You came for me, you came for me” says the broken down young girl in the arms of her rescuing father.  She rebelled, was sold into prostitution, on the brink of being murdered by her evil kidnapper.  She was hopeless, crying now in the arms of her heroic rescuing father.

The father comforting her simply says “I told you I would.”

He told us He would in the Old Testament.

Psalm 18:16-18 English Standard Version (ESV)

16 He sent from on high, he took me;

    he drew me out of many waters.

17 He rescued me from my strong enemy

    and from those who hated me,

    for they were too mighty for me.

18 They confronted me in the day of my calamity,

    but the Lord was my support.

He rescued us in the New Testament.

Romans 5

8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. 10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.

His promise of rescue stands today.

2 Timothy 4:18 English Standard Version (ESV)

18 The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

Question about Deep Frying A Pastor On Thanksgiving Week

QUESTION RECEIVED: (Not from Hall County)

I am a member of a small Baptist church in rural america. 

I am so distraught over our pastor. 

He changes our Sunday night services to be gone or schedules us to meet with other churches, even Methodists.

Sometimes we do not meet on Sunday nights or Wednesdays because he has some side business deal. 

Our small; church is very low in numbers and we need our pews filled up, but I just can not understand how closing our doors and sitting in another church pew is helping us grow. 

Not to mention, we pay this preacher to preach behind our pulpit to the sum of over 100 dollars and hour. 

 I told him yesterday that if I wanted to attend a Methodist church, I would have been in a Methodist church. I am a Baptist by choice and for a reason.
What can we do to get our pastor to do right?

MY ANSWER:

In answering your question I am taken back to two churches I pastored in rural communities.

Why I do not pastor these churches now?

I broke my neck serving these churches and about went bankrupt.

A man of God is called to fulfill his calling.

Receiving $200 bucks a week and grumbling from those he serves will make him

look to see if he can get support elsewhere.
Typical problems-

Some folks wanted Sunday night services, some did not.

Some wanted to have singings with other churches, some did not.

Some wanted Wednesday nights, some did not.

I visited every home and church and subdivision and trailer park near our church.

Many new folks came- tattooed up, living together and single moms.

We did not get the young married couples with a Suburban full of well-scrubbed kids.

The leadership anywhere always says they will do whatever it takes to grow.

By grow I mean share the gospel and get changed folks.

When I got support I got fellow workers and our church grew spiritually and in attendance.

When I got on a limb by myself I got left flat, defeated and frustrated as a pastor.

Support the pastor.

Know the pastor.

Have him share his vision.

Get the folks to lead to vision.

Pray together.

Love each other.

Know you are all different.
Acknowledge growth causes pain and sacrifice.

Then join to discern what the Lord’s vision is.

When a family is fragmented it  pick apart at little stupid things like what the pastor is doing with his free time.

Draw near love each other.

The preacher might need to and or want to move on.

He might be the servant leader the Lord has prepared to lead your church for His glory.

1 Corinthians 12:12 New King James Version (NKJV)

"For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ.”

Ephesians Bible Study #3 Ephesians 2:11- 22

Ephesians 2:11-22  Brought Near by His Blood

11 Therefore remember that you, once Gentiles in the flesh—who are called Uncircumcision by what is called the Circumcision made in the flesh by hands— 12 that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

                     Christ Our Peace

14 For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, 15 having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, 16 and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity. 17 And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near. 18 For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father. 19 Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, 22 in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.

Verse #11 – What is a Gentile?  What is Uncircumcision by what is called the     Circumcision?  What does “made by hands” mean?

Verse #12- Aliens? Commonwealth of What?  Covenants?  No Hope? Explain.

Verse 13- What brought sinners to salvation or the Commonwealth?

Verse 14 – Is PEACE a person.  What about REST in the OLD TESTAMENT?

Verse 15 -  ENMITY? The law of commandments contained in ordinances?

                    Create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace?

Verse 16 - reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross?

                     Enmity put to death?

Verse 17 – Do you know verse 17 is about YOU?  You are not an Old Testament

   Jew.   Yet, not only His people the Jews but you and the world were in His plans.  

Verse 18 -  For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father.

 Are their different ways for different folks for salvation provided by God?  NO

Verse 19 – Now we have access to God.  How does that change us?

Verse 20 -  Who is the church found on?  What is their gender?

Verse 21 -  What is the church described as a B_____ which is a T____.  

Verse 22 – We are being B_____ which is in The S_____.

SOME ANSWERS BELOW

Ephesians 2:11-18  Brought Near by His Blood

11 Therefore remember that you, once Gentiles in the flesh—who are called Uncircumcision by what is called the Circumcision made in the flesh by hands— 12 that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

                     Christ Our Peace

14 For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, 15 having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, 16 and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity. 17 And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near. 18 For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father.

Verse #11 – What is a Gentile?  A non-Jew.  In Jesus day they were refered to as dogs.

[Matthew 15: 25-28  Then she came and worshiped Him, saying, “Lord, help me!”

26 But He answered and said, “It is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the little dogs.”27 And she said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the little dogs eat the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.” 28 Then Jesus answered and said to her, “O woman, great is your faith! Let it be to you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed from that very hour.]

What is Uncircumcision by what is called the Circumcision?  What does “made by hands” mean?

[John 7:21-2    21 Jesus answered and said to them, “I did one work, and you all marvel. 22 Moses therefore gave you circumcision (not that it is from Moses, but from the fathers), and you circumcise a man on the Sabbath. 23 If a man receives circumcision on the Sabbath, so that the law of Moses should not be broken, are you angry with Me because I made a man completely well on the Sabbath?]

Verse #12- Aliens? Commonwealth [a nation, state, or other political unit: as

a : one founded on law and united by compact or tacit agreement of the people for the common goodb : one in which supreme authority is vested in the people

c : republic ]  of What?  ISRAEL  

Covenants?  [a usually formal, solemn, and binding agreement : compact

2a : a written agreement or promise usually under seal between two or more parties especially for the performance of some action b : the common-law action to recover damages for breach of such a contract.]

No Hope? Explain.  He is the God of Israel.

Verse 13- What brought sinners to salvation or the Commonwealth?

BLOOD OF JESUS. 

[ABRAHAM was an alien. Hebrews 11Faithful Abraham

“8 By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. 9 By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise; 10 for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God.]

Verse 14 – Is PEACE a person.  What about REST in the OLD TESTAMENT?

[Exodus 33:14

And He said, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”

In the New Testament-

Matthew 11:28

Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.]

Verse 15 -  ENMITY? [positive, active, and typically mutual hatred or ill will]

The law of commandments contained in ordinances?

[a : an authoritative decree or direction : order

b : a law set forth by a governmental authority; specifically : a municipal regulation]

                    Create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace?

Verse 16 - reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross?

                     Enmity put to death?

Verse 17 – Do you know verse 17 is about YOU?  You are not an Old Testament

   Jew.   Yet, not only His people the Jews but you and the world were in His plans.   

Verse 18 -  For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father.

 Are their different ways for different folks for salvation provided by God?  NO

JOHN  3

(Nicodemus a teacher of the law marveled when told by water and the Spirit –Jesus said You must be born again.)

HOW ?Lift Him Up –Gene Beckstein' ministry focus , Dr. Ralph Stanley gospel song

. 14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. 16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.

Verse 18 -  For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father.

 Are their different ways for different folks for salvation provided by God?  NO

Verse 19 – Now we have access to God.  How does that change us?

"no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God"

Verse 20 -  Who is the church found on?  What is their gender?

               Prophets, Apostles, Christ is the Cornerstone 

Verse 21 -  What is the church described as a BUILDING which is a TEMPLE.  

Verse 22 – We are being BUILT  which is in The SPIRIT.

Do Revivals Do Any Good? Ask Sam P. Jones

Revivals do not accomplish anything do they? Sam P. Jones (1847-1906) *"in Murfreesboro, Tenn., where he had preached with wonderful success, the grateful citizens made up and presented him a purse of $800. Handing back $600 of it he said: " Distribute that among the saloon-keepers who have been converted and quit their business, that they may have something for their families till they find something else to do for their support."

Why do churches, and their members who cry out about societies woes, not have revivals?

Does the church answer wrongly today if a leopard can change its spots? (Jeremiah 13:23)

Do Christians really believe that the gospel really works?

A negative response to revivals changing lives, families and societies is that Sam Jones work was over 106 years ago.

The Gospels were written over 2,000 years ago.

Do they work?

Why has your church not had a revival if it is needed.

I am an evangelist and ready to serve.

I still believe in

Christ Alone!

Fletcher Law





* Quote from
 SAM. P. JONES, AS STENOGRAPIIICALLY REPORTED, AND DELIVERED IN ST. LOUIS, CINCINNATI, CHICAGO, 

BALTIMORE, ATLANTA, NASHVILLE, WACO AND OTHER CITIES ; WITH A HISTORY OF HIS 

LIFE, BY THEODORE M. SMITH, ESQ., Member of the Georgia Bar, His Intimate, Life-long Friend, OF Oartersville, G-a. (Mr. Jones' Home). 
WITH SERMONS BY SAM. SMALL, ESQ. ('^OLD SI./ Formerly of Atlanta ^^ Constitution") , Sain. Jones' Convert and Companion in His Labors, 

FIND IT AT - http://www.archive.org/stream/sermonsbyrevsamp00jone/sermonsbyrevsamp00jone_djvu.txt

Here is a link to some of the great Sam P. Jones sermons.
http://baptistbiblebelievers.com/OtherBookTitles/GospelSermonsbySamPJones1898/tabid/386/Default.aspx

America’s Current #1 Political and Societal Problem? – SISSY CHRISTIANS!

Problem – Wimpy Christians

“Oh No!”  Many Christians have gasped after their candidate did not get elected.

“More unwed mothers will all be welfare queens.”

“The government is going to pay for birth control and abortions.”

“Marriage is being distorted.”

“Our married military leaders seem is too busy "sexting" their concubines

To win a war.”

What is the logical Christian conclusion?

Succeed from the Union? 

(That did not work out well the last time it was tried.)

Should we isolate ourselves from this sinful world? 

(I have seen Breaking Amish and that will not work for me.)

Christians are fleeing their responsibilities and turning over

care for life, marriage and souls over to the government.

GOD GAVE THE CHURCH POWER - HIS BODY TO WORK

The Lord gave the church power.

We as his body have to do our part.

Ephesians 1- (God’s Power in Christ)

“20 He demonstrated this power in the Messiah by raising Him from the dead and seating Him at His right hand in the heavens— 21 far above every ruler and authority, power and dominion, and every title given, not only in this age but also in the one to come. 22 And He put everything under His feet and appointed Him as head over everything for the church, 23 which is His body, the fullness of the One who fills all things in every way.”

THE LOST WORLD SUFFERS WHEN THE BODY RUNS FROM THE FIGHT

Jonah got on a ship to flee his task from the Lord to evangelize the people he hated in Nineveh.

His ship was heading in the the opposite direction away from Nineveh.

The Lord would not have that and set a storm in the ship's path.

The ship was about to sink from the Lord's sent storm.

The pagan ship's crew pleaded with Jonah to call on his God who was not known to them.

Jonah chapter 1 verse 16 (HCSB) 16 The captain approached him and said, “What are you doing sound asleep? Get up! Call to your god. Maybe this god will consider us, and we won’t perish.”

Jonah as you know was thrown in the deep of the sea.

He was swallowed by the great fish. (A tomb-death)

He was saved and spit out of the great fish only when he received revelation that-

"SALVATION IS FROM THE LORD!" (Jonah 2:9), and not Jonah’s way.

Even THE LOST begged the man of God for a solution in those days!

They are still begging.

We need to listen.

This is an exciting time to live Christians.

We always hear that we are the body of Christ.

The Lord, the lost and Christians  need us to do the work of THE BODY.

CHRISTIANS MUST FIGHT FOR OUR LORD, THE LOST AND SELVES

1 Timothy (HCSB)

12 Fight the good fight for the faith;

take hold of eternal life

that you were called to

and have made a good confession about

in the presence of many witnesses.

Ephesians Bible Study #2 1:15-2:10

                  Ephesians 1:15-2:10 (New King James Version) Prayer for Spiritual Wisdom

15 Therefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, 16 do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers: 17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, 18 the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power 20 which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come.

22 And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, 23 which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.

EPHESIANS 2   1 And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, 2 in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, 3 among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others. 4 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

VERSE 15 – What is commendable in the SAINTS ______________.

                     What is FAITH? “Believing what God tells us is the truth.”Tony Evans

Verses 17-18 What do the SAINTS receive? W_____, R__________. 

                        Your eyes will be  E_______, H___of His C ___, We inherit R_____ of His G___.

Verse 19 We can know His P______.  Verse 20 which raised Christ from the dead.

Verse 21 He is above every P____________ and P ______.

Verse 22-23 He has everything under His F___. He is the head of the Church which is our B___.

Verse 1-2 You are now A S____.  You were once under P___ of the P____ of the A__.

Verse 3 You were slaves to L___. You were children of WRATH.

Verse 4 God is rich in MERCY because of His great L___.

Verse 5 We were dead in T______. Now you are a____ in GRACE.

Verse 6 Where do we now sit? (IT’s UNBELEVABLY GREAT)

              PART OF US IS SEATED IN HEAVEN –ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN! (Lord’s Prayer)

Verse 7  he will show us what riches? G____, K_______. What is GRACE?

MEMORY VERSE HOMEWORK   EPHESIANS 2:9-10  

8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

George "Junebug" Law versus Auburn

                 George "Junebug" Law versus Auburn

As my friends know my father’s recreation when I was growing up was not hunting  or fishing.  It was football.  All football had his interest but In particular Georgia Bulldog football.  Our family friends enjoyed going with him just to see  his enthusiasm for it.  Our station wagon and a picnic were loaded with family and friends for every Georgia home game.

 When I was dating Kay, before we were married,  she asked what did my family do for fun when I was growing up?  I told her we went to football games.   She said her family went too but with all his girls her father got tired of frequent Coke and bathroom trips by the girls  and they just went to a few.

I told her falls for me growing up were Friday night  Gainesville High games, we went to Georgia games home and a lot away, we got Falcon tickets on Sunday but we gave them up as we  missed watching several pro games at 1:00 and 4:00.  We then would watch the college coaches’ shows on Sunday night on the channel 17 – Tennessee and Bill Battle, Auburn and Shug Jordan, Alabama and Bear Bryant, and Georgia and Vince Dooley.

I remember coming home from 5^th grade football practice and discovering this new thing called Monday Night Football as Joe Namath and the Jets were playing the Cleveland Browns.    Later that week I would have a youth league or a Jr. High game.  Friday started the cycle all over.  Yea, we liked watching football.

On this beautiful fall day as Georgia travels down to play Auburn to win the 2012 Eastern Conference of the SEC  I recall fondly recall two of my father’s great football trips to Auburn.

#1 November 13^th 1982- (The “Sugar is Falling Out Of The Sky” game) Dawgs at Auburn to clinch the SEC and maintain their number one ranking.  Some remember Georgia DB’s Jeff Sanchez and Ronnie Harris breaking up Auburn QBs Randy Campbell’s last second pass to secure the win in a match up including UGA’s Hershel Walker and Auburn’s Bo Jackson.

My father, myself and two friends left early that Saturday.  My mother,giving us orders on this men's trip this time,  told my father to stop at McDonalds in town.  I suggested other plans but Daddy went Momma’s way.

It was 7:30 a.m.  We were the only five customers in the restaurant.  It took 30 minutes to get our food.  The food was up and placed on past the counter under the heat lamps.  This did not phase or affect the McDonalds employees as they walked past our food and seemed oblivious in serving us our paid for and cooling biscuits.  After another five minutes my pacing father grabbed his leg and put his heal on the counter and was going to go “over the top” of the counter like Herschel on the goal line and get our breakfast.  I screeched

 “Daddy No”.  It flashed in my mind that this is how folks get shot on the news as police just happen to walk in seeing strange situations.  I pulled him off the counter and slowly if not surely we got our meals.  Odd start ended good.  As Georgia announcer Larry Munson said after the victory “Sugar is falling from the sky.”   It was a great trip even if it takes 30 minutes to get a biscuit at an empty McDonalds.

#2 November 15^th 1986 (Between The Hoses Game) Unranked Georgia at 5th ranked Auburn.  It’s a night game.  We stop on the way to Auburn in Newnan Georgia at Sprayberry’s Barbecue for an early supper.   We get to the game all bundled up.  65 Georgia Bulldogs run out on the field.  Daddy like a mathematical savant says number 14

James Jackson (Georgia’s starting quarterback) is not out there.     I thought no way.  You just cannot scan the field that fast and know that.  He was right on the money.  The radio announcer confirmed th Jackson had not traveled with the Bulldog team due to a death in his family.  Gainesville’s Cris Carpenter punted the Tigers (War Eagles, Plainsmen whatever) deep all night.  Georgia QB Wayne Johnson led the upset.  A few Georgia fans stormed the field after the game and the Auburn security turned on the sprinkler system to douse the jubilant Georgia fans.  One sprinkler was somehow turned on the stands where most Georgia fans sat.   This came to be known game “Between The Hoses” a play on Georgia’s home stadium Sanford Stadium where the Dawgs play “Between The Hedges.”

My Dad was glowing the whole trip home.  We arrived home at his house at  4 a.m.

We cut the TV on  ESPN who was replaying the now famed Hose game.

It delights me still to remember my nearly 60 year old father giggle with glee as he said, like he needed my permission “Do you think we could watch it again?”  I said “Momma’s  asleep and I won’t tell.”   He loved a win over Auburn, especially at their place. We watched it and still managed to get to church.

Thank you Lord for giving me a a great Daddy.

Go Dawgs, beat Auburn.   

    

Ephesians 1 :1-14 Bible Study

EPHESIANS 1  RECEIVING STRENGTH FOR LIFE

1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God,To the saints who are in Ephesus, and faithful in Christ Jesus: 2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. ______

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, 4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, 5 having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, 6 to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved.

7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace 8 which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence, 9 having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself, 10 that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth—in Him. 11 In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will, 12 that we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory.

13 In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.

V#1- What or who are the SAINTS? How do you describe a SAINT?

V#2- What is GRACE?  How do you describe GRACE?

V#3- What is something good in life you did not get from the Lord?

V#4- So God really CHOSE us?  Are we robots? What does HOLY mean? 

        How can we be HOLY?  Is HOLINESS something we manufacture? 

         HOLINESS can be seen as stern.  It is connected to L _ _ _. 

V#5- PREDESTINED is a feared word yet it is the Biblical account of salvation.

          Adopted?  Who ADOPTED us Christians?  

         Why?  G _ _ _ P _ _ _ _ _ _ _  of HIS W _ _ _.

V#6- What is PRAISE? Who gives PRAISE? Describe what is GLORY of HIS GRACE.

          How are we ACCEPTED?  Who is the BELOVED here?

V#7-  REDEMPTION, HIS BLOOD, FORGIVENESS OF SINS, RICHES OF HIS GRACE.

           Who receives these?  The S _ _ _ _ _.

V#8- Saints should have what? WISDOM and P _ _ _ _ _ _ _.

V#9- Christ’s will is a M _ _ _ _ _ _.  What was HIS attitude in this?  Found through H_ _ _ _ _ _.

V#10- What does DISPENSATION mean? He gathers in 2 places.  Where? H&E.

V#11- INHERITANCE? Whose INHERITANCE is it?  Who gets it?  Shocking.

V#12- Who gets credit when we trust in Jesus Christ for salvation? Hint: It’s not merit base.

V#13 What are the steps in our salvation? 1) You heard the truth. 2) You believed. 3) You were  

          SEALED by the Holy Spirit.

V#14- GUARANTEE of our INHERITANCE until the REDEMPTION.  When does this redemption

            Happen? Did you know you are a PURCHASED POSSESION?  Why?  

Does God Care About Government?

QUESTION RECEIVED:
What does God say the role of government should play in our lives?
An acquaintance with libertarian views says that Jesus didn't judge while here on earth thus we shouldn't either and our sins be left to be judged by God when we die.
Though I see his point I would think God would have government play a more active part in our lives.
What does the Bible say about this?

MY ANSWER:

We are to obey government because God allowed it or perhaps even set the government up.

Titus 3:1

“3    Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work,”

Romans 13:1-2

“1 Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves.”

 In the Old Testament  God led his people and appointed leaders.
The ancient Hebrews demanded a king like the other nations.

1 Samuel 8:4-5 New King James Version (NKJV)

“4 Then all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah, 5 and said to him, “Look, you are old, and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now make us a king to judge us like all the nations.”

They got a king named Saul.

The people got what they wanted and as Scripture tells us this did not end well.

It appears God gives us as a government that is a  blessing or a curse a government.
The government is mostly what we want or let happen.

Jesus Christ did live in the gospel accounts as fully God and fully man.

He did make political commentary.

Luke 13:31-33(NKJV)

“31 On that very day some Pharisees came, saying to Him, “Get out and depart from here, for Herod wants to kill You.”

32 And He said to them, “Go, tell that fox, ‘Behold, I cast out demons and perform cures today and tomorrow, and the third day I shall be perfected.’ 33 Nevertheless I must journey today, tomorrow, and the day following; for it cannot be that a prophet should perish outside of Jerusalem.”

He was more concerned with the individuals behavior than government policy.

He was then concerned with the what his people did.
The New Testament tells us how we should impact the world.

They should influence a nation with a prophetic word and actions.

And yes nations will be judged as Joel 3 tells us.

 In 1 Kings God judges evil now.

Did God judge evil rulers in the Bible?
All kingdoms rise or fall on His decree.
1 Kings 21:18-20 New King James Version (NKJV)

“18 “Arise, go down to meet Ahab king of Israel, who lives in Samaria. There he is, in the vineyard of Naboth, where he has gone down to take possession of it. 19 You shall speak to him, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord: “Have you murdered and also taken possession?”’ And you shall speak to him, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord: “In the place where dogs licked the blood of Naboth, dogs shall lick your blood, even yours.”

20 So Ahab said to Elijah, “Have you found me, O my enemy?”

And he answered, “I have found you, because you have sold yourself to do evil in the sight of the Lord:”

Yes God will judge the nations in the future.

No, government cannot be Christians.
Only people can be Christians.
We are called to be salt and light.

God says honor the government.
The government is the people.
Christ changes people. 

Problem - If You Are Not Called To Holiness Are You A Christian?

Problem - If You Are Not Called To Holiness Are You A Christian?

QUESTION RECEIVED:

What should you do with people who don`t seem to see the importance of living out a Christian life?

Recently I joined this group who is a Christian group.

The problem is that some of the members cuss, swear, talk disrespectfully about women and when some of us want to pray or do a devotion or Bible study, those others have an attitude like let`s just get this over with.`

I guess you can tell that I am not the most experienced Christian.

This sums up my concerns about people in my Christian ministry group.

1) These folks participate with the Christian group but do not live out the Christian life.

2) I am frustrated in how or if I should help them.

3) Their behavior is anti-Christian as they cuss, talk about women and have a bad  attitude   concerning group prayer and devotions.

MY ANSWER:
Just because this is a Christian ministry group does not mean all who participate are Christians.

They could be non-Christians who are looking at Christianity and do not claim Christ.

These people would be lost.

Incorrectly this ministry might be trying to disciple or help these non-Christians grow in faith and practice.

This group, like some churches have tried to do, might be trying to disciple non-Christians which is impossible.

If these members are not saved then they do not need to be discipled but evangelized and have the gospel of Jesus Christ presented to them.

In Matthew 13:24-30 and 36-43 Jesus in parable form tells of non-believers posing as Christians in the church. 

The stated problem we are told will continue until the end of time.

The permanent solution will not come until the final judgment.

The believers will go to Christ’s reward (Heaven), and non-believers will be cast into a blazing fire (Hell).

If these described people are saved then there is poor leadership in the group.

You as a “new man” (Christian) are called to holiness.

1 Peter 1:16 “because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.”

The old Wesleyan Methodist use to call this “Scriptural Holiness”.

My advice is-

1)       Find out if these men themselves declare if they are Christians or not.

If not tell them sin will condemn them to judgment.

Let them know God loves to save sinners.

When the sinner  repents (turns) from their sins they receive salvation, pardon from sin, an eternity in Heaven  with Christ.

The fact that they disdain devotions and prayer is a telling sign.

As the old hymn “I Love to tell The Story” says-

“I love to tell the story,

For those who know it best

Seem hungering and thirsting
To hear it like the rest.”

2)      If they claim salvation call them to accountability and holiness.

3)    You say you are a new Christian.

The study of the book of Ephesians is short and powerful.

This would be beneficial for your growth, to evangelize and disciple.

Even the early church in Corinth had wild Christians who needed to be called to accountability. 

In particular Ephesians 4:25-32 tells of abhorrent behavior Christians need to avoid.

“25 Therefore, putting away lying, “Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor,” for we are members of one another. 26 “Be angry, and do not sin”: do not let the sun go down on your wrath, 27 nor give place to the devil. 28 Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need. 29 Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. 32 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.

How do you pursue holiness and an active Christian lifestyle?

Ephesians 6:10-18 tells you how to live and fight and prosper in a life of holiness.

The Whole Armor of God

“10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—

I am praying for you.

You will never feel guilty later for standing for Christ.