You Will Just Love This One

I forget if I ever mentioned to you that I find church words such as church, grace, faith, baptism, gospel, holy and others useless. After the class last Wednesday night I have added the word Christian to the list of meaningless words. Most church words have a variety of meanings and without clear a definition the person hearing the word could understand a different meaning than intended by the person speaking. Another word that just might cause misunderstandings is "eternal." The question is, "Does eternal mean forever?

 

Some words which are the equivalent of "eternal" such as forever or everlasting are not necessarily without end. In the OT when giving instructions concerning the final plague on the Egyptians Moses wrote; "You shall observe this rite as a statute for you and for your sons forever." Is that OT covenant requirement in force today?  Then there is the "eternal" Aaronic priesthood.  "…and you shall gird Aaron and his sons with sashes and bind caps on them. And the priesthood shall be theirs by a statute forever." Is the Aaronic priesthood still in force? We have Caleb's inheritance that was to last forever and Samuel's apprenticeship which was to last always and Solomon's temple which was a place for God to dwell forever and Gehazi's leprosy which was to cling to you and your descendants forever? In all these cases the equivalent words to "eternal"  were not intended to mean there would never be an end only that there certainty was guaranteed for so long as God intended it within his purposes.

 

When Jesus talks about the dividing of the sheep from the goats and says of those on his left, "Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels" he was speaking of punishment---namely destruction---which has everlasting consequences.

 

Now that would be a series of classes instead of the milque-toast time fillers we now enjoy.

Thanks, John Jenkins
865-803-8179  cell
Gatlinburg, TN

Email: jrjenki@gmail.com
Website: http://www.greenbriersolutions.com 
Blog: http://littlepigeon.blogspot.com/

Nike's "Just Do It" was inspired by murderer Gary Gilmore's last words before his 1977 execution: "Let's Do It."

The Disciples Were First Called Christians at Antioch

The term Christian has been corrupted. Today it is meaningless. Everyone is a Christian. A believer is not a Christian. Christian means a follower of Christ, a disciple of Christ.

In Galatians where Paul tells the story of Peter eating with the Gentiles when the Jews were not present and then refusing to eat with the Gentiles when the Jews were present was Peter no longer a disciple of Christ, a follower, a Christian? Or was he a disciple who was wrong in what he was doing? Was he an erring disciple of Christ?

When Paul told the believers in Rome: "I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate." was Paul admitting he was not a Christian? Or, was he just a Christian who was erring.

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance says the three places where the word is translated Christian or Christians means "Follower of Christ." A Christian is a follower of Christ. Anyone not following the Christ is not Christian.

Is there such a person as an "Erring Christian"

In the class tonight when a visitor asked "Is there such a person as an erring Christian?" he was told "No." I disagree.

On that subject we have corrupted the term Christian. Today it is meaningless. The United States is not nor has it ever been a Christian nation. A Christian nation would be a nation that followed Christ which this nation has never practiced. Christians are not sinless. Christian means a follower of Christ, a disciple of Christ. When someone is following Christ one may be referred to as Christian.  

In Galatians where Paul tells the story of Peter eating with the Gentiles when the Jews were not present and then refusing to eat with the Gentiles when the Jews were present was Peter no longer a disciple of Christ, a follower, a Christian? Or was he a disciple who was wrong in what he was doing? Was he an erring disciple of Christ?

When Paul told the believers in Rome: "I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate." was Paul admitting he was not a Christian?  

The term Christian is much over used and has lost its meaning as used in the New Testament. Being immersed for the remission of sins does not make one a Christian. When one is a follower of Christ they are Christian. Followers of Christ are not sinless, they are erring.

Without learning there is no teaching. This would suggest we do not have any teachers for the adults at GSMCOC. Our classes are primarily intended to fill time and entertain the visitors. Our classes contribute to Bible illiteracy in the churches of Christ. And some who stand before us do not know how to stop.

Thanks, John Jenkins
865-803-8179  cell
Gatlinburg, TN

Email: jrjenki@gmail.com
Website: http://www.greenbriersolutions.com 
Blog: http://littlepigeon.blogspot.com/

"If everyone is thinking alike,then somebody isn't thinking."

Voting / Abortion

A while back you mentioned voting for or against the candidate based on his/her position on abortion. Recently I read a book and the fellow mentioned that subject. Here are a few of the questions he suggests:

 

On the subject of abortion whether one should vote pro-life or pro-choice is an important question to consider. To help determine how one votes on the issue there are several questions to be answered:

1.       When does the fetus become a full person?

2.       When does the fetus acquire a soul and take on the image of God

Additional ethical questions to be answered:

1.       Do you believe the morning-after pill is as bad partial-birth abortions?

2.       Would your ideal society punish women who use the morning-after pill as severely as people who murder infants or adults?

3.       How should be weigh the rights of the unborn at various stages of development against the rights of the woman whose body it now inhabits?

4.       What extent should government legislate the answer to these questions as opposed to leaving the answer up to the women and others involved in the pregnancy?

Related to these questions are a host of other complex considerations that will affect the way you vote:

1.       How does the party or candidate that most closely reflects your view on abortion fare on other issues you deem important: concern for the poor, economics, foreign affairs, war, the environment, and so on?

2.       How much weight do you put on each of these convictions?

3.       What do you deem attainable at the present time in our culture?

4.       Is it more efficient to work to outlaw abortion outright, or is it better to minimize abortion by voting for the candidate and party you think will best help the poor, since there is a demonstrable link between the rate of poverty and the rate of abortion in the U.S.?

5.       Do you believe it more efficient to hold an uncompromising stance on this issue, or is it better for the unborn, and for society as a whole, for you to work with people who have different beliefs than yours to overcome our present polarization and find a middle ground?

6.       What do you believe is the best way to create a culture in which abortions are as unnecessary and rare as possible?

 

Thanks, John Jenkins
865-803-8179  cell
Gatlinburg, TN

Email: jrjenki@gmail.com
Website: http://www.greenbriersolutions.com 
Blog: http://littlepigeon.blogspot.com/

"If everyone is thinking alike,then somebody isn't thinking."

Something we misunderstand.

We tend to make God in our image.  If something is important to us, it must be important to God. Since political freedom is important to us it must be important to God. Political freedom was not emphasized by Jesus, he never addressed the topic. During the period known as the Enlightenment period the church resisted the idea that people could govern themselves. Now it is something we include in our public prayers. Jesus desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. He does not care nor will he get involved with the politics of the country in which we live. Once we understand that we just might get busy.  

Thanks, John Jenkins
865-803-8179  cell
Gatlinburg, TN

Email: jrjenki@gmail.com
Website: http://www.greenbriersolutions.com 
Blog: http://littlepigeon.blogspot.com/

"If everyone is thinking alike,then somebody isn't thinking."

Two Truths

When it comes to faith and belief two truths are:

• When verifiability decreases confidence increases and
• When verifiability increases confidence decreases.

As an example. we pray for safety and security but we install an alarm system in a building WE want to protect. If God can do the former can't he do the latter? See how our confidence decreases when verifiability increases? The same for sick people. God cannot heal unless we go to a doctor? While we deny it our primary belief is God only helps those who help themselves.

 

We claim to use the New Testament as examples but we believe we are different than the original disciples? As with John McCain on the discussion of DADT, we keep changing the rules. Jesus washed the disciples feet but since we do not see any Christians doing it in the NT we say we do not have to do that. Jesus doing it is not good enough. The same on the subject of fasting. Jesus doing it is not good enough. Jesus said "Go make disciples . . ." We sit in our buildings and say "If they come and they ask we will teach. . ." We cherry pick what we  believe is necessary and what is not necessary. In the story of the sheep and goats Jesus told us there are people who believe they are saved but they are not. That can be us. The goats thought they were saved as we believe we are saved.  

 

Luke 12:32-34   
    "Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."

What about that pertains to the disciples but not to us today? If, in fact we have a God in heaven who is set on caring for us as a shepherd does his sheep, as a father does his children, and as a king does who is passing on an entire kingdom, don't be anxious. Sell your possessions, give to the poor, don't worry. Our God, our shepherd, our King has everything under control. Paul and the writer of Hebrews says "the righteous shall live by faith" but based on the following truths faith has nothing to do with what we believe.

• When verifiability decreases confidence increases and
• When verifiability increases confidence decreases.

How much has our culture warped our view of the Bible?

 

 

Thanks, John Jenkins
865-803-8179  cell
Gatlinburg, TN

Email: jrjenki@gmail.com
Website: http://www.greenbriersolutions.com 
Blog: http://littlepigeon.blogspot.com/

"If everyone is thinking alike,then somebody isn't thinking."

What Should Christians Be Doing?

To answer the question about what can or should we do about what is going on in our country. The answer depends on why God blesses you. Does he bless you so you can go on vacations and have expensive cars, large houses etc or so you can give more, so you can help others more.
 
Our culture, the culture of capitalism, more for me, less for you, has diverted Christians from working on their purpose. We shrug off the question what would Jesus do saying he does not want us to be poor etc. If we were to identify a place in the world that would be difficult for us to survive we most probably would avoid it. Considering Jesus said, "Truly, I say to you, only with difficulty will a rich person enter the kingdom of heaven" why would any Christian want to be rich?
 
Paul told Timothy: "I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people,  for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.  This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior,  who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time." 
 
To me that says it is good and pleasing in the sight of God that we lead peaceful, quiet lives because he desires all people to be saved, not so we can have comfortable lives and go on great vacations, live in large homes, buy nice cars etc. Our culture tells us differently and in that way our culture has diverted us from our purpose.
 
What should we do? What should Christians do?  Help the people to come to the knowledge of the truth would be a good start and stop looking to our own pleasures, security, comforts. Paul told Timothy "whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin" what part don't Christians undrstand?

Gouverneur Morris on the subject of Including Slaves in the Population Census

The inhabitant of Georgia and South Carolina who goes to the coast of Africa and in defiance of most sacred laws of humanity, tears away his fellow creatures from their dearest connections and damns them to the most cruel bondage, shall have more votes in a government instituted for protection of the rights of mankind than the citizen of Pennsylvania or New Jersey who views with a laudable horror so nefarious a practice. 

Blindspot?

We all have blind spots.  We don't want to admit they exist but we have them. We see them in hindsight but not in the present. As an example: how could Christians who supposedly believed the gospel so easily rationalize the enslavement of other human beings? Churchgoers with good intentions, claiming to worship God every Sunday, reading the bible all week long, all while using God's Word to justify treating men, women and children as property to be used or abused. They thought they were generous when they gave their slaves an extra chicken at Christmas.

 

Good intentions, regular worship, and even study of the Bible do not prevent blindness.   We see what we want to see and ignore what we want to ignore. We can live our Christian life while unknowingly overlooking evil.

 

Today nearly half the world struggles to find food, water, and shelter with the same amount of money we spend on sandwich for lunch.

 

Some of those people live in the United States. Some live in Tennessee. Some live in Sevier County. Some just might live within walking distance of this building.

 

They exist and according to Jesus, God takes very seriously how we respond to them.  Jesus says we turn away from him when we ignore the physical needs of his people.

 

Jesus says "Go, make disciples."  We say, if they will come, we will make disciples.

 

What we contribute here supports the activities and commitments of this congregation. When we leave we take our responsibilities with us.

 

Political Correctness, Not New

Repeating history. For those concerned about being muzzled by political correctness you might take some respite in how it was when the subject was slavery. 

In a book Jefferson, The Negro President, (he was called that because the population of slaves gave the slave states additional votes and him the presidency, the author writes how slave power used its political clout to silence opposition. The result being slavery was ignored as an issue in the north. Lincoln described the general attitude toward slavery:

You must not say anything about it in the free states because it is not there.  You must not say anything about it in the slave states because it is there. You must not say anything about it in the pulpit, because that is religion and has nothing to do with it. You must not say anything about it in politics because that will disturb the security of "my place."  There is no place to talk about it as being wrong, although you say to yourself it is wrong.

 Agreeing with Lincoln's description of the way the nation was made almost mute on the subject of slavery a fellow by the name of Theodore Parker wrote:

It silences the great sects, Trinitarian, Unitarian, Nullitarian: the chief ministers of this American Church---threefold in denomination, one in nature---have naught to say against slavery. The Tract Society dare not rebuke "the sum of all villainies." The Bible Society has no "Word of God" for the slave, the "revealed religion" is not revealed to him. Writers of schoolbooks "remember the hand that feeds them," and venture no word against the national crime that threatens to become also the national ruin . . . The Democratic hands of America have sewed up her own mouth with an iron thread.

Political correctness is not new to our time and will not be anymore long-lasting than it was on the subject of slavery. 

Thanks, John Jenkins
865-803-8179  cell
Gatlinburg, TN

Email: jrjenki@gmail.com
Website: http://www.greenbriersolutions.com 
Blog: http://littlepigeon.blogspot.com/

"If everyone is thinking alike,then somebody isn't thinking."

Don't Need

We do not need government nor preachers permission for us to marry. Of course if the couple wants a ceremony and someone like a preacher to "officiate" fine but that is up to the couple. Should not be a legal requirement.   

Thanks, John Jenkins
865-803-8179  cell
Gatlinburg, TN

Email: jrjenki@gmail.com
Website: http://www.greenbriersolutions.com 
Blog: http://littlepigeon.blogspot.com/

"If everyone is thinking alike,then somebody isn't thinking."

Whose Recognition is Required?

Historically people married without official recognition. If the two people said they were married society accepted them as married.

Common law marriage was the norm in most of the U.S. in our early history. In the 1870's this created a lot of concern and a movement to reform marriage began. The movement called for publicity, formal ceremonies, licensing, and registration. As the 20th century began, states regulated marriage in the United States. Fees, licenses, requirements, and witnesses came into being. This happened because the secular, private marriage between two people was messy when folks wanted to dissolve the relationship. The courts didn't have much to go on except people's word. This seems reasonable when divorce was limited or not permitted.

Today, with divorce for any reason recognized, legal and religious control and sanction serve no purpose. It is time to take a look at marriage and what it means. It is a moral issue not a legal issue. Governments should not be involved. Religious sanction is unnecessary.

Whose business is it if two people want to commit to each other, certainly not government.

 

Thanks, John Jenkins
865-803-8179  cell
Gatlinburg, TN

Email: jrjenki@gmail.com
Website: http://www.greenbriersolutions.com 
Blog: http://littlepigeon.blogspot.com/

"If everyone is thinking alike,then somebody isn't thinking."

Are We Following Jesus or are we Passing Him?

The leader we claim to follow had one outfit of clothes but we are OK with having many outfits even though there are people in the world who have none. We claim to follow a leader who had no home but we have no problem with Christians owning several homes because we have no place to safely store our money while there are folks within travel distance who have no money, no home. We claim to follow a leader who had no transportation vehicles or animals but we say there is nothing wrong with owning and driving an expensive car as long as our  heart is right with God. How can the two co-exist?

Living Better or Giving More?

Does God "bless" us so we can live better and have our favorite toys or does God "bless" us so we can help others more? 

The example Jesus gave us is go, sell all that we have and give to the poor. And the rich man went away sad because he had a lot. Living better and having toys is where our heart is. Should our treasure be in heaven or here?

No Help From Above

Have you noticed people saying things and then having to explain or justify exceptions to what they just said? I have heard many preachers make such statements. Somewhere in history someone said God heals sick people but then confesses we all die, just not now for me; God protected me on my trip but I feel bad for all the people who died on their trip because God didn't save them because God thinks I am special. Apparently He was distracted finding a parking spot for me and he missed that little four-year-old girl who was raped and beaten and died. Oops, apparently even God cannot see everything at the same time. Apparently his blessings need to be rationed because when He gave me a great job or a really large house or a very expensive car or a really neat vacation he did not have enough blessings to give that fellow sitting on the corner any food or house or clean clothes. I guess even God has to be selective who he "blesses" because he does not have enough for everyone. And besides I am special.
 
 
Have you considered what sort of world this would be if God directly intervened, suspending   His natural laws, each time we encounter a life-threatening situation? This would render the law system of our planet completely undependable and make life a sphere of hopeless confusion. Such a haphazard system, in fact, would argue more for atheism that it would for theism.
 
 
God does not heal today. He does not intervene in the physical world today. He cannot. It would destroy the concept of free will and destroy the orderliness of His creation.

Holiday Tree

We have finally won. We should be ecstatic. The government finally agrees with us. Christ is not in Christmas and never was. Thank God for Obama's fine leadership in this area. Do we disagree with him or is it we do not want him agreeing with us?
 

Interesting Book

In the book Radical the author writes that Jesus told his followers when you suffer . . .  he did not say if you suffer. . . So historically suffering is not something to be avoided. As a common practice is to wear a "cross" similar to wearing a little electric chair. An instrument of torture is now an object of adoration. The author also mentions archaeologists who have explored the catacombs beneath Rome have found a common inscription scattered throughout. The inscription was the Greek word ichthus which was used as an acrostic for "Jesus Christ, God's Son, the Savior." He says you might recognize this sign because now these fish symbols are scattered across the backs of cars belonging to Christians. He writes "how far we have come when we paste this symbol identified with martyred brothers and sisters in the first century onto the backs of our SUVs and luxury sedans in the twenty-first century.

 

Thanks, John Jenkins
865-803-8179  cell
Gatlinburg, TN

Email: jrjenki@gmail.com
Website: http://www.greenbriersolutions.com 
Blog: http://littlepigeon.blogspot.com/

Do Roman para-medics refer to I.V.s as "4s?"

God's Will that We Suffer?

In a book I recently read the author mentioned that Jesus told his followers he was sending them out as sheep in the midst of wolves. . . Our prayers do not allow for that. We think if it's dangerous, God must not be in it. If it's risky, if it costs it must not be God's will. Considering Jesus' statement to the Disciples maybe those are actually the criteria that defines God's will.

 

The author gave an example of meeting a Christian brother from the Batak tribe of northern Sumatra in Indonesia. He told the story how his tribe came to know about Jesus. Years before a missionary couple had come to his village to share the gospel. The tribe was 100 percent Muslim. Talk about sheep in the middle of wolves. The tribal leaders captured the missionary couple, killed them and ate them as in what cannibals would do.

 

Years later another missionary came to the same tribe and the people of the tribe recognized they taught the same story the other missionary couple had told. This time they listened. Some believed and within a short time most of the tribe became followers of Jesus. Today there are 3 million Christians among the Batak tribe of Northern Indonesia.

 

Instead of praying for safety and security maybe we should be asking God to give us the strength to be willing to be that first missionary couple. Are we willing to go into a dangerous place and possibly die to permit those who come after us see the positive results of our sacrifice?

 

 

 

Radical / David Platt

I'm reading a book Radical written by David Platt the leader of The Church at Brook Hill in Birmingham, AL. As I have said before I see no evidence that God intervenes in our lives today. And as I have said before it appears to me people with things going well think God is blessing them while people without things going well do not see God cursing them. Apparently Christians believe God has and is intervening in their lives when things are going not involved in there lives when things are not going so well. God gets all the credit and they get all the blame. Perfect.

 

In this book the author tells of a woman with things going well goes to Guatemala following Jesus' instructions to go and make disciples. She said she went out of obedience not because she was interested in missions or any special interest in the people of Guatemala. After spending a week around children who eat a small cup of porridge a day she returned to Birmingham and asks why God has blessed her when others have so little. She says God has blessed her for His glory. He blessed her so the nations will know Him and see His glory. He has lots of examples just like this one.

 

The author then tells a story about driving through what used to be a thriving community but is now a land ravaged by twenty years of civil war. He is with a man who has had thousands of his brothers and sisters in Christ murdered by a militant Muslim regime. Imagine, all those prayers for safety and security went unanswered or God looked down and said no, die.

 

Why didn't God bless those thousands of people who are now dead, murdered? Could it be they were killed because a group of Muslims, exercising their God given right to free will wanted to kill them? Could it be that God has not blessed that woman but she was good in business and was successful?

 

So far I am staying with God does not intervene in our lives today for better or worse.

 

Thanks, John Jenkins
865-803-8179  cell
Gatlinburg, TN

Email: jrjenki@gmail.com
Website: http://www.greenbriersolutions.com 
Blog: http://littlepigeon.blogspot.com/

Do Roman para-medics refer to I.V.s as "4s?"

Country Music Awards

 

The Country Music Awards prove the "stars" are nothing like their fans. They take the money their fans give them and spend it on their big houses and fancy cars while their fans have neither of those. Their fans, some, have no health care and do not receive awards for doing their jobs. The Country Music Awards are evidence of just how narcissistic these people are thinking only of me, me, me.

Thanks, John Jenkins
865-803-8179  cell
Gatlinburg, TN

Email: jrjenki@gmail.com
Website: http://www.greenbriersolutions.com 
Blog: http://littlepigeon.blogspot.com/

Do Roman para-medics refer to I.V.s as "4s?"

Is God schizophrenic???.

One one hand He had the Holy Spirit tell Paul to write "if one does not work, one does not eat." On the other hand He says to love your neighbor. Explain that one. You love someone so you starve them to death. Interesting conundrum.

Prayer Works?????

 

For those who believe prayer "works" if things are going relatively well God answers their narcissistic prayers. When you have nothing, God is not doing much.  God will not intervene in this physical world. He cannot. It would destroy the concept of free will.  

 

Question

Question:

 

If our Father in Heaven knows what we need before we ask him and his ways and thoughts are higher than our ways and thoughts and for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose what Bible reason is there for anyone pray for anything other than God's will be done in their life? Knowing all of this to be true why would anyone think they have an idea of what is best for them? 

 

Thanks, John Jenkins
865-803-8179  cell
Gatlinburg, TN

Email: jrjenki@gmail.com
Website: http://www.greenbriersolutions.com 
Blog: http://littlepigeon.blogspot.com/

"And do not forget brethren, that we are drifting."

J.D. Tant

Re: We have gone crazy.

I try to look at situations like this from the point of view of the 1st century Christians. They had no choice we do. They did not have Christian schools, we do. To go into the World and only want to live with Christians is not feasible. If this woman wanted a Christian environment she should have gone to where they are. She should have rented an apartment.

 

The World is the World we cannot avoid that. But we do not need a pure Christian environment to survive just as those Christians in Rome did not need a pure Christian environment to survive. It may be too late but we should have appreciated the pseudo Christian environment the United States provided. Due to our apathy and negligence it is no more. Now we have to do as Daniel and his friends did in Babylon. We can function as they did and if per chance we die, we die. What makes us better than Christians throughout history? We had it handed to us on the proverbial silver platter and threw it away.

Thanks, John Jenkins
865-803-8179  cell
Gatlinburg, TN

Email: jrjenki@gmail.com
Website: http://www.greenbriersolutions.com 
Blog: http://littlepigeon.blogspot.com/

"And do not forget brethren, that we are drifting."

J.D. Tant

On Wed, Oct 27, 2010 at 8:17 AM, Jake Book <jbook40@yahoo.com> wrote:

Yes we have totally lost our minds in this country.

 http://interact.stltoday.com/blogzone/civil-religion/general/2010/10/michigan-woman-faces-civil-rights-complaint-for-seeking-a-christian-roommate/

MIssion of the Church?

If the church is supposed to be Jesus' body do suppose this just might be the mission of the church?

 

After Jesus had read the scriptures to the people he told his listeners that the prophecy had been fulfilled in their presence, that day.

 

Luke 4:18-19 

    "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,

        because he has anointed me

            to proclaim good news to the poor.

    He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives

        and recovering of sight to the blind,

            to set at liberty those who are oppressed,

    [19] to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor."

 

 

At the "Last Supper" when Jesus washed the feet of the apostles he said

 

John 13:13-17   

    You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am.  [14] If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet.  [15] For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you.  [16] Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.  [17] If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them. 

 

Do you suppose this just might be the mission of the church?

 

 

 

Billy Graham's Prayer for Our Nation

'Heavenly Father, we come before you today to ask your forgiveness and to seek your direction and guidance.  We know Your Word says, 'Woe to those who call evil good,' but that is exactly what we have done.  We have lost our spiritual equilibrium and reversed our values. We have exploited the poor and called it the lottery. We have rewarded laziness and called it welfare. We have killed our unborn and called it choice. We have shot abortionists and called it justifiable.  We have neglected to discipline our children and called it building self esteem.  We have abused power and called it politics. We have coveted our neighbor's possessions and called it ambition.  We have polluted the air with profanity and pornography and called it freedom of expression.  We have ridiculed the time-honored values of our forefathers and called it enlightenment  Search us, Oh God, and know our hearts today; cleanse us from every sin and Set us free. Amen!' 

Senior version of Jesus Loves Me

 
Jesus loves me, this I know,
Though my hair is white as snow
Though my sight is growing dim,
Still He bids me trust in Him.

(CHORUS)
YES, JESUS LOVES ME.. YES, JESUS LOVES ME..
YES, JESUS LOVES ME FOR THE BIBLE TELLS ME SO.

Though my steps are oh, so slow,
With my hand in His I'll go
On through life, let come what may,
He'll be there to lead the way.

(CHORUS)

When the nights are dark and long,
In my heart He puts a song.
Telling me in words so clear,
'Have no fear, for I am near.'

(CHORUS)

When my work on earth is done,
And life's victories have been won.
He will take me home above,
Then I'll understand His love

(CHORUS)

I love Jesus, does He know?
Have I ever told Him so?
Jesus loves to hear me say,
That I love Him every day.

(CHORUS)

Justin Martyr's description of a second century gathering of the local Church.

And we afterwards continually remind each other of these things. And the wealthy among us help the needy; and we always keep together; and for all things wherewith we are supplied, we blessthe Maker of all through His Son Jesus Christ, and through the Holy Ghost. And on the day calledSunday, all who live in cities or in the country gather together to one place, and the memoirs of the apostles or the writings of the prophets are read, as long as time permits; then, when the reader has ceased, the president verbally instructs, and exhorts to the imitation of these goodthings. Then we all rise together and pray, and, as we before said, when our prayer is ended, bread and wine and water are brought, and the president in like manner offers prayers and thanksgivings, according to his ability, and the people assent, saying Amen; and there is a distribution to each, and a participation of that over which thanks have been given, and to those who are absent a portion is sent by the deacons. And they who are well to do, and willing, give what each thinks fit; and what is collected is deposited with the president, who succours theorphans and widows and those who, through sickness or any other cause, are in want, and those who are in bonds and the strangers sojourning among us, and in a word takes care of all who are in need. But Sunday is the day on which we all hold our common assembly, because it is the first day on which God, having wrought a change in the darkness and matter, made the world; andJesus Christ our Saviour on the same day rose from the dead. For He was crucified on the day before that of Saturn (Saturday); and on the day after that of Saturn, which is the day of the Sun, having appeared to His apostles and disciples, He taught them these things, which we have submitted to you also for your consideration.

Does God Only Help Those Who Help Themselves

Where in the bible does it instruct us to pray for the sick but call the doctor first? Also where in the Bible is the concept that God will not protect our church buildings unless we first install a security system?  

Thanks, John Jenkins
865-803-8179  cell
Gatlinburg, TN

Email: jrjenki@gmail.com
Website: http://www.greenbriersolutions.com 
Blog: http://littlepigeon.blogspot.com/

"And do not forget brethren, that we are drifting."

J.D. Tant

Re: Outlive Your Life

I do not believe  that God is real for most people who consider themselves Christian.

 

At our last mens business meeting the subject was securing the building. We have an alarm system but do not have it on. We will turn it on soon. I don't think we need one. The catholics have had open buildings for centuries and anyone can go in and pray or or genuflect or whatever. While we lock our building to keep the derelicts out. One fellow told me the other night that where he used to go the building was broken into and their food supply for the poor was pretty much ransacked. I asked him what the problem was. Their congregation had participated in a benevolent act without having to participate. Apparently we are concerned someone will steal our sound system. I told them no problem if they do we can get a better one.
 
ON television several years ago some prognosticator was positive looking down the road 5 years of what Iran would do if Israel did such and such . But when asked what Iran was going to do tomorrow in response to a certain act by Israel today he was not sure.   It appears the more verifiable the less his confidence and when the act is less verifiable his confidence increased.
 
Same with prayer. Does it say anything about a people's convictions when they claim prayer works and have absolute confidence God will heal their sick but are not that confident about him protecting the congregation's property?
 
How about the confidence shown by others who withhold medical treatment because their faith in God's healing is so great. Why do you suppose we think they are loony for having such a ridiculous faith?
 

I for one have never met a righteous man or at least I have not been in their presence when they were saying one of those effective prayers. I have never experienced or observed effective prayer. And from what I observed and experienced no one I know has either. We talk a lot but our prayers are hollow. When attempts are made to discuss or think on the subject the response is to belittle the effort. Our classes are shallow and there is no learning. Hollow prayer is the product of shallow learning.

Thanks, John Jenkins
865-803-8179  cell
Gatlinburg, TN

Email: jrjenki@gmail.com
Website: http://www.greenbriersolutions.com 
Blog: http://littlepigeon.blogspot.com/

"And do not forget brethren, that we are drifting."

J.D. Tant

On Thu, Oct 7, 2010 at 1:22 PM, Grover W. Hastings <gwh1206@comcast.net> wrote:

John this is an excerpt from Max Lucado's book title above. Look carefully at what I've highlighted in red below. Are we known as a house of prayer? This bothers me considerably.

Col 4:2

Pray First, Pray Most

One of our Brazilian church leaders taught me something about earnest prayer. He met Christ during a yearlong stay in a drug-rehab center. His therapy included three one-hour sessions of prayer a day. Patients weren't required to pray, but they were required to attend the prayer meeting. Dozens of recovering drug addicts spent sixty uninterrupted minutes on their knees.

I expressed amazement and confessed that my prayers were short and formal. He invited (dared?) me to meet him for prayer. I did the next day. We knelt on the concrete floor of our small church auditorium and began to talk to God. Change that. I talked; he cried, wailed, begged, cajoled, and pleaded. He pounded his fists on the floor, shook a fist toward heaven, confessed, and reconfessed every sin. He recited every promise in the Bible as if God needed a reminder. He prayed like Moses.

When God determined to destroy the Israelites for their golden calf stunt, "Moses begged the Lord his God and said, 'Lord, don't let your anger destroy your people, whom you brought out of Egypt with your great power and strength. Don't let the people of Egypt say, "The Lord brought the Israelites out of Egypt for an evil purpose." . . . Remember the men who served you—Abraham, Isaac, and Israel. You promised with an oath to them'" (Ex. 32:11–13 NCV).

Moses on Mount Sinai is not calm and quiet, with folded hands and a serene expression. He's on his face one minute, in God's the next. He's on his knees, pointing his finger, lifting his hands. Shedding tears. Shredding his cloak. Wrestling like Jacob at Jabbok for the lives of his people. And God heard him! "So the Lord changed his mind and did not destroy the people as he had said he might" (v.14 NCV).

Our passionate prayers move the heart of God. "The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much" (James 5:16). Prayer does not change God's nature; who he is will never be altered. Prayer does, however, impact the flow of history. God has wired his world for power, but he calls on us to flip the switch.

Most of us struggle with prayer. We forget to pray, and when we remember, we hurry through prayers with hollow words. Our minds drift; our thoughts scatter like a covey of quail. Why is this? Prayer requires minimal effort. No location is prescribed. No particular clothing is required. No title or office is stipulated. Yet you'd think we were wrestling a greased pig.

Speaking of pigs, Satan seeks to interrupt our prayers. Our battle with prayer is not entirely our fault. The devil knows the stories; he witnessed the angel in Peter's cell and the revival in Jerusalem. He knows what happens when we pray. "Our weapons have power from God that can destroy the enemy's strong places" (2 Cor. 10:4 NCV).

Satan is not troubled when Max writes books or prepares sermons, but his knobby knees tremble when Max prays. Satan does not stutter or stumble when you walk through church doors or attend committee meetings. Demons aren't flustered when you read this book. But the walls of hell shake when one person with an honest heart and faithful confession says, "Oh, God, how great thou art."

Satan keeps you and me from prayer. He tries to position himself between us and God. But he scampers like a spooked dog when we move forward. So let's do.

Let's pray, first. Traveling to help the hungry? Be sure to bathe your mission in prayer. Working to disentangle the knots of injustice? Pray. Weary with a world of racism and division? So is God. And he would love to talk to you about it.

Let's pray, most. Did God call us to preach without ceasing? Or teach without ceasing? Or have committee meetings without ceasing? Or sing without ceasing? No, but he did call us to "pray without ceasing" (1 Thess. 5:17).

Did Jesus declare: My house shall be called a house of study? Fellowship? Music? A house of exposition? A house of activities? No, but he did say, "My house will be called a house of prayer" (Mark 11:17 NIV).

No other spiritual activity is guaranteed such results. "When two of you get together on anything at all on earth and make a prayer of it, my Father in heaven goes into action" (Matt. 18:19 MSG). He is moved by the humble, prayerful heart.

Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart. Pray for us, too, that God will give us many opportunities to speak about his mysterious plan concerning Christ.

(Colossians 4:2–3 NLT)

God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, you created all that exists, and you keep it running through your infinite wisdom and boundless power. Yet you invite me to come to you in prayer, boldly and with the expectation that you will hear me and answer me. Teach me, Lord, to take full advantage of this amazing 

, especially in regard to reaching others with your love. Give me a heart for those who have yet to experience the fullness of your grace, and prompt me to pray for them and for their welfare, both in this world and in eternity. Lord, bring me to the front lines of this battle. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

*******************************

Grover W. Hastings

gwh1206@comcast.net

In God We Trust

"If we ever forget that we are one nation under God, then we will be a nation gone under."  President Ronald Reagan

 

Speaking of Security

At our last mens business meeting the subject was securing the building. We have an alarm system but do not have it on. We will turn it on soon. I don't think we need one. The catholics have had open buildings for centuries and anyone can go in and pray or or genuflect or whatever. While we lock our building to keep the derelicts out. One fellow told me the other night that where he used to go the building was broken into and their food supply for the poor was pretty much ransacked. I asked him what the problem was. Their congregation had participated in a benevolent act without having to participate. Apparently we are concerned someone will steal our sound system. I told them no problem if they do we can get a better one.

 

ON television several years ago some prognosticator was positive looking down the road 5 years of what Iran would do if Israel did such and such . But when asked what Iran was going to do tomorrow in response to a certain act by Israel today he was not sure.   It appears the more verifiable the less his confidence and when the act is less verifiable his confidence increased.

 

Same with prayer. Does it say anything about a people's convictions when they claim prayer works and have absolute confidence God will heal their sick but are not that confident about him protecting the congregation's property?

 

How about the confidence shown by others who withhold medical treatment because their faith in God's healing is so great. Why do you suppose we think they are loony for having such a ridiculous faith?

 

Thanks, John Jenkins
865-803-8179  cell
Gatlinburg, TN

Email: jrjenki@gmail.com
Website: http://www.greenbriersolutions.com 
Blog: http://littlepigeon.blogspot.com/

"And do not forget brethren, that we are drifting."

J.D. Tant

Ramifications

Something I find interesting is looking at the ramifications of what we believe. Example: Jesus said only the Father knows when the end will come. How can they be unified if the Father knows something the Son and Spirit do not?
 
Paul told the church in Rome the Gentiles are a law unto themselves and will be saved on that basis. They either are saved with sins intact or their sins are forgiven without their being "in Christ" without having "come in contact with the blood of Christ." How? 
 
Jesus told a story or parable of the rich man and Lazarus. Apparently Lazarus was saved because he was poor while the rich was lost because he was unloving. Regardless their fate was set before Jesus died. Lazarus was "saved" before Christ died and without coming in contact with the blood of Christ.
 
If God can save without the blood of Christ why did he require Jesus to die? If there was other ways why didn't he take them? Was he just being arbitrary? Sometimes in our effort to make God be fair we confuse things.

Flocking

Al,

Recently we received the September issue of Gospel Advocate to which we have subscribed for probably close to 40 years. This issue is entitled "The Care and Feeding of the Flock." It occurred to me a small congregation can get away without elders but can a congregation of 150 members with a million dollar plus building? I am as much the problem as anyone because I have no interest in being an elder. But does it say something about a congregation of 150 when it has no one qualified to be an elder or interested in being and elder and has no plans to get people to be qualified?

In his editorial, Neil Anderson writes that sheep flock together, but they tend to wander without good leadership, Considering we lead by committee are we headed in the right direction?

 

Thanks, John Jenkins
865-803-8179  cell
Gatlinburg, TN

Email: jrjenki@gmail.com
Website: http://www.greenbriersolutions.com 
Blog: http://littlepigeon.blogspot.com/

"IF 7UP hadn't decided on a name that was short and sweet we'd still be drinking Bib-Label Lithiated Lemon-Lime Soda."

Mormon Crickets?

I recently read about Mormon crickets. I found additional information when I Google'd "mormon crickets." When the Mormons first went to Utah these crickets almost ruined the Mormons plans to establish in Utah. Migrating seagulls stopped by and ate the crickets thus saving the day. The Mormons consider that a miracle. They believe the seagulls were an answer to their prayers. The timing was perfect. They believe the migrating was nature but the timing was God. If not for the seagulls the millions of crickets would have destroy the vegetation.
 
Assuming you investigate a little you will have to determine if you believe the seagulls were a miracle and God's answer to their prayer. They believe God answered their prayer. If he did we might want to give the Mormon religion a little for attention.

 

I wonder how what you say for a cricket to think they are Mormon?

Must Have Bible Support

In the October Christian Chronicle there is a story about a family from Nigeria now living in Atlanta. The article goes:
 
The journey that brought the Ehimares to America began in Benin City, Nigeria. Aburime, then 13, was a street hawker and a devout Pentecostal. He believed that, by speaking in tongues, he could heal the sick---and even raise the dead.
 
When a neighbor's 2-year-old daughter died, the family asked him to do just that. He failed and his faith was shaken. And the story continues.
 
He believed he could do something without support in the Bible.  Sometimes we do the same and when we do we are no different than a 13-year-old street hawker in Benin City, Nigeria who was a devout Pentecostal and thought he could raise the dead.

Fwd: Gatlinburg church of Christ

Al and Howard,

 

I received the note below from friends at the Gatlinburg church. I am forwarding it in case you want to announce it, promote it, attend it, or not.

Thanks, John Jenkins
865-803-8179  cell
Gatlinburg, TN

Email: jrjenki@gmail.com
Website: http://www.greenbriersolutions.com 
Blog: http://littlepigeon.blogspot.com/

"IF 7UP hadn't decided on a name that was short and sweet we'd still be drinking Bib-Label Lithiated Lemon-Lime Soda."

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Rita H. Barton <rita@bartonquest.org>
Date: Mon, Sep 20, 2010 at 12:37 PM
Subject: Gatlinburg church of Christ
To: John Jenkins <jrjenki@gmail.com>

Have you ever wondered "How old is the Earth?" – or- "Did humans and dinosaurs exist together?" – or perhaps - "Did humans evolve from ape-like creatures?"  We invite you to join us as we investigate the evidence.  Please mark your calendars for October 22, 23 and 24 for a series of meetings led by Dr. Brad Harrub.  Dr. Harrub is a scientist who discusses the theory of evolution in light of the truth found in the scriptures.  He is especially effective with young people as he shares with them the truth as it differs from what is being taught in the class rooms.  Remember, those dates: Friday, Saturday and Sunday, October 22, 23 and 24. We hope you will join us.

www.gatlinburgchurchofchrist.com

 

Something to which to take Umbrage

At the risk of sounding like a heretic, I believe our prayers define our view of God. 

We believe God will heal a sick person, only if we specifically ask, while he stands or sits bye as a child is beaten to death or sexually molested. 

We believe that while we are traveling God will let us run into a tree unless we have asked him to protect us. 

We believe God will let our soldiers lean on an IED unless we specifically ask him to stop them. But if asked and only if asked he will change the trajectory of a bullet or missile to avoid our friend. 

You may suspect me of this already but what would you think of me if we were walking down the street and while I could see it about to happen I let you walk into a street sign. When you asked why I didn't tell you I say you did not ask me to. 

Since I do not like to volunteer to do things but will if asked, does that make me Christlike? That apparently is how we view Jesus.

We should really evaluate how we really perceive God.

Thanks, John Jenkins
865-803-8179  cell
Gatlinburg, TN

Email: jrjenki@gmail.com
Website: http://www.greenbriersolutions.com 
Blog: http://littlepigeon.blogspot.com/

"IF 7UP hadn't decided on a name that was short and sweet we'd still be drinking Bib-Label Lithiated Lemon-Lime Soda."

In Jesus' Name

What does Jesus mean when he says John 14:13-14 "Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it."  And does saying "in Jesus name" qualify?

Acts 2:38 (ESV)  

    And Peter said to them, "Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.  

Acts 3:6 (ESV)  

    But Peter said, "I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!"  

Acts 9:27 (ESV)  

    But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles and declared to them how on the road he had seen the Lord, who spoke to him, and how at Damascus he had preached boldly in the name of Jesus.  

Acts 16:18 (ESV)  

    And this she kept doing for many days. Paul, having become greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, "I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her." And it came out that very hour. 

It seems to me that in the name of Jesus is similar to a policeman saying "in the name of the law" and it means by the authority of Jesus. What do we have the right to ask God to do by the authority of Jesus? Are there any examples of the apostles asking God to do something by the authority of Jesus? 

Burn Baby Burn

The reverend should burn as many books as he can. Muslims burn our flag but if we burn their book there's all hell to pay. They started this war and then they hide behind their women and children who are supposed innocent. We should declare any country that permits terrorists to attack us a killing zone and remove all signs of life. We won't have to do that more than one time.

Thanks, John Jenkins
865-803-8179  cell
Gatlinburg, TN

Email: jrjenki@gmail.com
Website: http://www.greenbriersolutions.com 
Blog: http://littlepigeon.blogspot.com/

"IF 7UP hadn't decided on a name that was short and sweet we'd still be drinking Bib-Label Lithiated Lemon-Lime Soda."

Re: Second request

I must have overlooked the first request.

 

For years I have suggested that, especially for church prayers but no reason not to for private prayers, we stop and think about what specifically we are asking God to do and then look at the Bible for support for such a request.

 

We pray for God to touch the heart of an unbeliever. We are asking God to operate outside the foolishness of preaching to cause someone to believe. That is not a biblical concept so that prayer is a waste of breath. If we want that person saved TEACH THEM ourselves. Anyone who says they cannot tell others about Jesus is a liar and just plain lazy. Similar to when a person sees another person entering a dangerous situation and turns their back because they do not want to get involved.

 

But to your question: I, personally, me do not expect God to do anything for me. For years I did but no longer. I have never experienced nor have I observed the answer to any prayer for any reason. I have listened to church members ask for safety and protection, blessings (whatever they are), health and healing, to give the preacher a ready recollection, my personal favorite, "we pray for. . ." and on and on. I have never heard anyone ever pray for strength and boldness to tell others about Jesus.  

 

While "God helps those who help themselves" is not in the Bible I do not believe God is going to do anything for me I can do for myself. I believe God has already provided the way of escape from temptations so I do not expect anything special there either so there is no reason to pray about that.

 

This is an area each has to decide for themselves what they believe and why they believe it. Realizing the fact they believing something does not make it correct. As for me I have come to conclusions for myself. I felt a bit alone at first but I do not anymore. I think myself foolish before for thinking God would do something for me while he would sit or stand by and let a child be beaten to death, starve to death, die of a hideous disease.  I do not read anywhere in the bible of people praying for things we pray for today so I must accept they are not biblical.

 

I am sure I have not answered your question but Jesus never answered questions either. He just asked other questions so I guess that makes me Christ like.

 

Ps The moron who is having a Burn a Koran Day has admitted he is praying about it. Even a moron knows God does not burn Korans and does not want his people to do it either. God's kingdom is not of this world. So what is the moron praying about?

 

 

Thanks, John Jenkins
865-803-8179  cell
Gatlinburg, TN

Email: jrjenki@gmail.com
Website: http://www.greenbriersolutions.com 
Blog: http://littlepigeon.blogspot.com/

"IF 7UP hadn't decided on a name that was short and sweet we'd still be drinking Bib-Label Lithiated Lemon-Lime Soda."

On Wed, Sep 8, 2010 at 6:48 AM, Jake Book <jbook40@yahoo.com> wrote:

I sent you an email a few days ago asking you to explain what kind of prayers you believe are biblical since you feel that most prayers Christians pray today are unbiblical.  I have not gotten a response to that request.  Like I said in the email, I am not looking for another argument or debate.  I am genuinely interested in hearing what you have to say.  If I have been wrong all these years, I would like to investigate what is acceptable to God.  So when you have time, please let me know what it is that you believe are acceptable prayers.

Shallow

One reason I find our Bible classes and most sermons to be little more than filler is they are shallow. If you were to say God is not a "he" someone would surely tell you the Greek or Hebrew word is masculine so that means God is a "he." For one to believe in the word-for-word inspiration of the Bible they must first identify the version of the Bible so inspired. Language is our means of communication and is physical. As spirit we will have no need for language.

 

Everything we see today, everything we hear today is physical. As spirit we will neither need nor have any of them. An aborted baby and Methuselah (assuming the aborted baby is truly human and assuming the old guy makes it) will relate as if they were twins. 

 

When I hear the streets are gold I want to know where the streets go. When I hear about the pearly gates I want to know what is outside the gate. When I hear about streets of glass I want to know what you see when you look through the glass and do they reflect and what does the reflection of a spirit look like. When I hear about walls I want to know what is on the other side of the wall.

 

Once you begin considering such things the Bible opens up to you.

Have You Ever Considered. . .

Have you ever considered that once God chose the descendants of Isaac as his people he was stuck between a rock and a hard place. Imagine the creator of everything over a barrel by his creation. In fact he changed what was acceptable concerning marriage and divorce against his own just to placate his creation and to keep them from total mutiny. He knew total mutiny meant no Messiah. There is a conundrum. The creator who is omniscient and all those other omnies having to cowtow to his creation. Since Messiah has come on the scene the Creator does not need to bend to anyone or anything.

God Active Today?

During WWII one of my uncles was drafted into the Marines. He had a wife and baby daughter. My aunt was in a wheel chair. She had MS I believe and had been in that chair a couple of years. Anyway when got his marching papers she made a pact with him. If he would come back alive she would walk to meet him at the railroad station.

 

He was on Iwo Jima for 10 days. He lost part of his skull and had a metal plate in his head the rest of his live. The day he came home she walked down the platform to meet him and was never in that wheel chair again. If God had anything to do with it he got cheated because no one gave him any credit for it. She was always an example of determination and strength.

 

About 5 years or so ago Shawn and Tasha had a friend, their age, was the mother of two children around 8 to 10 years of age and she had brain cancer. Shawn and Tasha brought her and her husband and children to Gatlinburg and treated them to Dollywood. A month or so later she died. The Sunday they were here I told the fellow who was making announcements about her and asked that she be included in the announcements of people who needed prayer. She was not even mentioned by name and never referred to again after that morning.

 

Since them I have come to the conclusion that God is not active today. His actions in the OT were to keep a remnant together long enough for Messiah to be born. His actions in the NT were to show the people Jesus and the apostles were from him, God. There is no purpose for his activity today.

 

People such as yourself pick a situation that went your way and accept that it went that way because of God's interference. I do not believe it but no matter. If God is active he is very selective. Getting involved to help a person find a parking spot but staying aloof as a little girl is beaten to death. Healing that lady you mentioned but letting Shawn and Tasha's friend die. I have found people who believe God is active are people with things generally going well. 

 

So no, I do not believe God is active today.

 

Thanks, John Jenkins
865-803-8179  cell
Gatlinburg, TN

Email: jrjenki@gmail.com
Website: http://www.greenbriersolutions.com 
Blog: http://littlepigeon.blogspot.com/

"IF 7UP hadn't decided on a name that was short and sweet we'd still be drinking Bib-Label Lithiated Lemon-Lime Soda."

Looking Again at the Roles of Women

It appears a number of congregations are re-looking at the roles of women within the body of Christ and from what I hear a number of congregations are excommunicating those same congregations. It might be nice to study what constitutes biblical leadership, authority and submission. For instance, men are to be in submission to one another and to their spiritual leaders. To stand before their leaders, to word a prayer, to read announcements, to sing, even to hand their spiritual leaders a Communion tray is considered a violation of the principle of submission for females. A young christian boy can do all these things and never once be considered a spiritual leader in the congregation.

 

The Idea of Church is in Trouble.

Looking at the NT we see where people were immersed on Pentecost. Being immersed was their response to instructions Peter and the apostles gave to them based on their question concerning what should they do which was their reaction to being told they had killed Messiah. Luke tells us that God added to their number those being saved. We see where their number continued to increase.
 
I do not believe the Bible tells us that these people understood they had just bought in to teaching the world. Thus I do not believe they had any responsiblity beyond their sphere of existence. There is no indication of anyone going about telling the world about Jesus. When persecution began they left the city and when asked told the people why they were running for their lives.
 
It would be natural for people with like beliefs and like fears to congregate together to strengthen and encourage each other. There is nothing in the Bible they congregated to worship. That is man's idea to save their job.
 
Since that time because of King James we have to deal with his idea of those assemblies via the word church. If he had permitted that word to be changed to a meaningful word he would have lost his position as head of the church of England. Without the word church what would he have been the head of? Poof, he would have had to stick with his day job as king.
 
After James we had the preachers to contend with. To keep their day jobs they had to organize church. Today we go to church, we do church, unbelievers are the unchurched. Anyone can start a church. So the term has lost is relevance. Today, the saved are a group, one group that includes the saved of all time. We have tolerated the word church and now we have to live with it and with people's attitudes about the church as a meaningless entity. The saved will always gather to encourage each other. Those not gathered are by definition not saved. They are rejecting the group to which God added them upon their immersion. There is nothng more for them. They are lost. As others in the Bible they have gone out from us. They were never a part of us.