This is relatively long so do not feel pressured to read it in one sitting or even to read it. If you do , keep in mind these were to Al. And
Some questions I have are:
Who tempted Satan?
Satan is an angel as Michael and Gabriel are angels. Since we say nothing happens unless God permits it why do we say Satan is more powerful and influential than Gabriel and Michael?
James says "… each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death. James does not say we sin because of Satan acting upon us. James appears to say I do not need Satan's help to sin.
The answer to my first question appears to be Satan sinned when he was lured and enticed by his own desire.
Some classes on why we believe what we believe about Satan might be helpful to the adults.
This one considers the question are we as committed as what we call denominations?
Recently I read a book by David Platt. In his book he mentioned meeting a Christian from the Batak tribe of northern Sumatra in Indonesia. The fellow told the author the story of how his tribe had come to know Christ. Years earlier a missionary couple had come to his village to share the gospel. The tribe was 100 percent Muslim. The tribal leaders captured this missionary couple, then murdered and cannibalized them.
Years later another missionary came to their tribe and again began sharing the gospel. The tribal leaders recognized that the story he told was exactly what the former couple had shared. This time they decided to listen. After they listened, they believed. Within a short time, the entire tribe was converted to Christ. The believer told the author that today there are more than three million Christians among the Batak tribe of northern Sumatra.
When the author first heard this story he said he immediately had questions: Would he be willing for him and his wife to be that first missionary couple? Would he be willing to be killed and cannibalized so that those who come after him would see people come to Christ?
A friend tells the story of an attempt by five Evangelical Christian missionaries from the United States to bring the gospel to the Huaorani people of the rainforest of Ecuador. The Huaorani, were an isolated tribe known for their violence, against both their own people and outsiders who entered their territory. With the intention of being the first Christians to evangelize the previously uncontacted Huaorani, the missionaries began making regular flights over Huaorani settlements in September 1955, dropping gifts. After several months of exchanging gifts, on January 3, 1956, the missionaries established a camp close to the settlements. Their efforts came to an end on January 8, 1956, when all five—were attacked and speared by a group of Huaorani warriors. The news of their deaths was broadcast around the world, and Life magazine covered the event with a photo essay.
My friend said the missionaries left letters to their families explaining why the missionaries had decided not to defend themselves. They reasoned they were ready to die but the members of the tribe were not.
The story is much longer but the question is the same. Would I be willing to be killed and cannibalized so that those who come after me would see people come to Christ?
For many years I was a registered official in various soccer leagues and clubs in Ohio. I officiated youth leagues, senior leagues, high schools and some colleges. Each had their own way of monitoring officials but one thing they all had in common. Each year they would meet with the soccer officials and review the laws of soccer and any changes that had been made and told us what the laws meant. The laws said one thing but we were told they meant something else and that was how we were to enforce them. We have a tendency to do the same thing with the Bible.
On the subject of the morning what would Jesus do if he walked in on a robbery? What would Jesus do if someone struck him? What would Jesus do if his life was threatened? What does Jesus do when his followers die doing his bidding? What does Jesus expect of us? Would we deny Christ to save our families? Do we love our families more than we love Jesus?
Sorry for the length but GSMCOC has no forum for discussion.
This one is concerning turning the other cheek.
Does the bible support a Christian killing to protect them selves, their family or even a stranger who just happens to be in the vicinity?
When I consider the number of members of the Church of Christ who I know, who say they are ready to kill someone to defend the physical I wonder what the Amish would do.
The context was that of McGarvey's preaching for many decades and the majority of the "audience" did not agree with him or believe him. Similar to us to what the preacher says. By the way "audience" is a group of spectators. Preachers really do believe they are speaking to an audience and we are not all "worshipping" together. What we say really does reflect what we think.
This is it. NNTR
865-803-8179 cell
Gatlinburg, TN
Richard E. Simmons III
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