What is the church? And what can we liken it to as we continue with Abraham and Isaac in Genesis 22?
"And Isaac said to Abraham his father, “My father!” And he said, “Here I am, my son.” And he said, “Here is the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?” And Abraham said, “God will provide the lamb for a burnt offering, my son.” And the two of them went together."
Isaac is a dead man walking. He just doesn't know it yet. Maybe being in his teens and no dummy, he begins to suspect, yet he walks on. Abraham has known for days. Yet he walks on. And here's the very simple point i've tried to make before and will try again today, the church is not inherently free from sin or its penalty: death.
"They are corrupt.
They do abominable deeds.
There is none who does good.
Yahweh looks down from heaven upon the children of humankind
to see whether there is one who has insight,
one who cares about God.
All have gone astray;
they are altogether corrupt.
There is not one who does good;
there is not even one." Psalm 14
"Because of this, just as sin entered into
the world through one man, and death through sin, so also death spread
to all people because all sinned." Romans 5
There is nothing lovely in these people who have come to be known as the church in and of themselves! They are sinners. They are thieves and whores and liars and murderers when they are called, every last one of them. The church are dead men walking...
but they are also prophetic. "And Abraham said, “God will provide the lamb for a burnt offering, my son.”
Thursday, March 23, 2017
Wednesday, March 22, 2017
What is the church? A Testimony.
What is the church? And what can we liken it to in Genesis 22 still?
"And he said, “Take your son, your only child, Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains where I will tell you.” And Abraham rose up early in the morning and saddled his donkey. And he took two of his servants with him, and Isaac his son. And he chopped wood for a burnt offering. And he got up and went to the place which God had told him. On the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes..."
Those whom God calls and those who hear and obey and suffer for it and serve when and where and how they are called, will be a testimony to Christ. Their very lives, their very suffering will point to the suffering of Christ! This makes perfect sense. The church are those given the Holy Spirit and the Holy Spirit is always testifying about Christ. How could we not? Abraham's call to sacrifice. Isaac's call to be the sacrifice. Three days of thinking Isaac as good as dead. Abraham is being invited to know God in ways we could never know him just by reading about him.
"If anyone serves me, he must follow me, and where I am, there my servant will be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.” John 12
The church are those who's suffering, who's prosperity, who's very lives are a living testimony to Jesus Christ who's life, death and resurrection are a testimony to the Father.
"And he said, “Take your son, your only child, Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains where I will tell you.” And Abraham rose up early in the morning and saddled his donkey. And he took two of his servants with him, and Isaac his son. And he chopped wood for a burnt offering. And he got up and went to the place which God had told him. On the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes..."
Those whom God calls and those who hear and obey and suffer for it and serve when and where and how they are called, will be a testimony to Christ. Their very lives, their very suffering will point to the suffering of Christ! This makes perfect sense. The church are those given the Holy Spirit and the Holy Spirit is always testifying about Christ. How could we not? Abraham's call to sacrifice. Isaac's call to be the sacrifice. Three days of thinking Isaac as good as dead. Abraham is being invited to know God in ways we could never know him just by reading about him.
"If anyone serves me, he must follow me, and where I am, there my servant will be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.” John 12
The church are those who's suffering, who's prosperity, who's very lives are a living testimony to Jesus Christ who's life, death and resurrection are a testimony to the Father.
Tuesday, March 21, 2017
What is the church? Glorified and glorifying.
What is the church? And what can we liken it to in Genesis 22?
" And he said, “Take your son, your only child, Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains where[a] I will tell you.” And Abraham rose up early in the morning and saddled his donkey. And he took two of his servants with him, and Isaac his son. And he chopped wood for a burnt offering. And he got up and went to the place which God had told him."
We touched on it yesterday. But look, what do you see? When God told Abe he was going to destroy a wicked city or four, Abe had the temerity to argue with God. To talk him down, to bargain for the lives of people he did not know. When God told Abe he was going to be a father some day, Abe asked how it could be and even took matters into his own hands with one of his servants. But here, Abe has matured enough to know that this is a time to just listen and do. He knows this God. He has been through deep waters with Him. He loves and trusts and fears Him.
"And we know that all things work together for good for those who love God, for those who are called according to his purpose, because those whom he foreknew, he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, so that he should be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined, these he also called, and those whom he called, these he also justified, and those whom he justified, these he also glorified."
When we do these things, when the church hears and obeys, God always moves them into the best position to see the good He has planned, to conform us not to the pattern of this world, but Jesus Christ, the visible Glory of God.
"Jesus said to her, “Did I not say to you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?”" John 11
" And he said, “Take your son, your only child, Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains where[a] I will tell you.” And Abraham rose up early in the morning and saddled his donkey. And he took two of his servants with him, and Isaac his son. And he chopped wood for a burnt offering. And he got up and went to the place which God had told him."
We touched on it yesterday. But look, what do you see? When God told Abe he was going to destroy a wicked city or four, Abe had the temerity to argue with God. To talk him down, to bargain for the lives of people he did not know. When God told Abe he was going to be a father some day, Abe asked how it could be and even took matters into his own hands with one of his servants. But here, Abe has matured enough to know that this is a time to just listen and do. He knows this God. He has been through deep waters with Him. He loves and trusts and fears Him.
"And we know that all things work together for good for those who love God, for those who are called according to his purpose, because those whom he foreknew, he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, so that he should be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined, these he also called, and those whom he called, these he also justified, and those whom he justified, these he also glorified."
When we do these things, when the church hears and obeys, God always moves them into the best position to see the good He has planned, to conform us not to the pattern of this world, but Jesus Christ, the visible Glory of God.
"Jesus said to her, “Did I not say to you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?”" John 11
Monday, March 20, 2017
What is the church? Asked to suffer.
What is the church? And what can we liken it to in Genesis 22?
"And he said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” And he said, “Take your son, your only child, Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains where I will tell you.”"
Does God, who gave you everything you have, including you, have the right to ask for it back? Thank God, you say, that He doesn't test all of us in this way anymore! But does He? Many parents have had to wrestle with the question, "Is God good?" or "Is God trustworthy?" after the loss of a child? After something terrible has happened to their child? God is all powerful. Things we disdain to even put a price on matter to God. Buy one, get one-sparrows matter to him and not one dies but by his permission. Not one hair from your head falls without his noticing and approving the loss. You think He didn't know a child would die? Didn't ordain it? Didn't bring it about? The God who brought the universe into being and maintains it by His mere word? Please.
So if it's not a question of authority or power then it comes down to Eve's question. Is God good? Is God good in this? Job asked it. Anyone who suffers has to ask it. If God asks you to do something hard, to give up something crucial, something treasured, something we think we can't live without, our lives, to follow him somewhere painful, will you obey then? If so, why? i sense we'll be camped out here for a few days but for today...
The church are those who hear the voice of God and obey it, because they know Him and trust Him.
"Whenever he sends out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. And they will never follow a stranger, but will flee from him, because they do not know the voice of strangers.” John 10
"And he said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” And he said, “Take your son, your only child, Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains where I will tell you.”"
Does God, who gave you everything you have, including you, have the right to ask for it back? Thank God, you say, that He doesn't test all of us in this way anymore! But does He? Many parents have had to wrestle with the question, "Is God good?" or "Is God trustworthy?" after the loss of a child? After something terrible has happened to their child? God is all powerful. Things we disdain to even put a price on matter to God. Buy one, get one-sparrows matter to him and not one dies but by his permission. Not one hair from your head falls without his noticing and approving the loss. You think He didn't know a child would die? Didn't ordain it? Didn't bring it about? The God who brought the universe into being and maintains it by His mere word? Please.
So if it's not a question of authority or power then it comes down to Eve's question. Is God good? Is God good in this? Job asked it. Anyone who suffers has to ask it. If God asks you to do something hard, to give up something crucial, something treasured, something we think we can't live without, our lives, to follow him somewhere painful, will you obey then? If so, why? i sense we'll be camped out here for a few days but for today...
The church are those who hear the voice of God and obey it, because they know Him and trust Him.
"Whenever he sends out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. And they will never follow a stranger, but will flee from him, because they do not know the voice of strangers.” John 10
Sunday, March 19, 2017
What is the church? Aliens.
What is the church? And what can we liken it to in Genesis 21?
"And the two of them made a covenant. Then Abraham set off seven ewe-lambs of the flock by themselves. And Abimelech said to Abraham, “What is the meaning of these seven ewe-lambs that you have set off by themselves?” And he said, “You shall take the seven ewe-lambs from my hand as proof on my behalf that I dug this well.” Therefore that place is called Beersheba, because there the two of them swore an oath. And they made a covenant at Beersheba. And Abimelech, and Phicol his army commander stood and returned to the land of the Philistines. And he planted a tamarisk tree in Beersheba, and there he called on the name of Yahweh, the everlasting God. And Abraham dwelled as an alien in the land of the Philistines many days."
The church doesn't really belong. It doesn't fit in with the "ruler of this world," and his agenda. We live here as the exiles did in Babylon. Under authorities who don't honor our Lord or recognize His authority over them. We do not share their values, their culture (though we should be a beneficial contributor), we live humbly as strangers and immigrants in peace and for the peace of the land which God has promised to us. Still doing the work we were made to do, be fruitful, multiply, steward the land, Love our God and King and our neighbors. The meek, shall indeed inherit the earth.
"And the two of them made a covenant. Then Abraham set off seven ewe-lambs of the flock by themselves. And Abimelech said to Abraham, “What is the meaning of these seven ewe-lambs that you have set off by themselves?” And he said, “You shall take the seven ewe-lambs from my hand as proof on my behalf that I dug this well.” Therefore that place is called Beersheba, because there the two of them swore an oath. And they made a covenant at Beersheba. And Abimelech, and Phicol his army commander stood and returned to the land of the Philistines. And he planted a tamarisk tree in Beersheba, and there he called on the name of Yahweh, the everlasting God. And Abraham dwelled as an alien in the land of the Philistines many days."
The church doesn't really belong. It doesn't fit in with the "ruler of this world," and his agenda. We live here as the exiles did in Babylon. Under authorities who don't honor our Lord or recognize His authority over them. We do not share their values, their culture (though we should be a beneficial contributor), we live humbly as strangers and immigrants in peace and for the peace of the land which God has promised to us. Still doing the work we were made to do, be fruitful, multiply, steward the land, Love our God and King and our neighbors. The meek, shall indeed inherit the earth.
Saturday, March 18, 2017
What is the church? Children of the promise.
What is the church? And what can we liken it to in Genesis 21?
"And Yahweh visited Sarah as he had said. And Yahweh did to Sarah as he had promised. And she conceived, and Sarah bore to Abraham a son in his old age at the appointed time that God had told him."
"And Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, whom she had borne Abraham, mocking. Then she said to Abraham, “Drive out this slave woman and her son, for the son of this slave woman will not be heir with my son, with Isaac.” And the matter displeased Abraham very much on account of his son. Then God said to Abraham, “Do not be displeased on account of the boy and on account of the slave woman. Listen to everything that Sarah said to you, for through Isaac your offspring will be named...."
"Then Jesus said to those Jews who had believed him, “If you continue in my word you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” They replied to him, “We are descendants of Abraham and have not been enslaved to anyone at any time. How do you say, ‘You will become free’?” Jesus replied to them, “Truly, truly I say to you, that everyone who commits sin is a slave of sin. And the slave does not remain in the household forever; the son remains forever. So if the son sets you free, you will be truly free." John 8
"Tell me, you who are wanting to be under the law, do you not understand the law? For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the female slave and one by the free woman. But the one by the female slave was born according to human descent, and the one by the free woman through the promise, which things are spoken allegorically, for these women are two covenants, one from Mount Sinai, bearing children for slavery, who is Hagar. Now Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia, and corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is a slave with her children. But the Jerusalem above is free, which is our mother. For it is written,
"And Yahweh visited Sarah as he had said. And Yahweh did to Sarah as he had promised. And she conceived, and Sarah bore to Abraham a son in his old age at the appointed time that God had told him."
"And Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, whom she had borne Abraham, mocking. Then she said to Abraham, “Drive out this slave woman and her son, for the son of this slave woman will not be heir with my son, with Isaac.” And the matter displeased Abraham very much on account of his son. Then God said to Abraham, “Do not be displeased on account of the boy and on account of the slave woman. Listen to everything that Sarah said to you, for through Isaac your offspring will be named...."
"Then Jesus said to those Jews who had believed him, “If you continue in my word you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” They replied to him, “We are descendants of Abraham and have not been enslaved to anyone at any time. How do you say, ‘You will become free’?” Jesus replied to them, “Truly, truly I say to you, that everyone who commits sin is a slave of sin. And the slave does not remain in the household forever; the son remains forever. So if the son sets you free, you will be truly free." John 8
"Tell me, you who are wanting to be under the law, do you not understand the law? For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the female slave and one by the free woman. But the one by the female slave was born according to human descent, and the one by the free woman through the promise, which things are spoken allegorically, for these women are two covenants, one from Mount Sinai, bearing children for slavery, who is Hagar. Now Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia, and corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is a slave with her children. But the Jerusalem above is free, which is our mother. For it is written,
“Rejoice, O barren woman, who does not give birth to children;
burst out and shout, you who do not have birth pains,
because many are the children of the desolate woman,
even more than those of the one who has a husband.”
burst out and shout, you who do not have birth pains,
because many are the children of the desolate woman,
even more than those of the one who has a husband.”
But you, brothers, are children of the promise, just as Isaac. But just as at that time the child born according to human descent persecuted the child born according to the Spirit, so also now. But
what does the scripture say? “Drive out the female slave and her son,
for the son of the female slave will never inherit with the son” of the free woman. Therefore, brothers, we are not children of the female slave but of the free woman." Gal 4
Friday, March 17, 2017
What is the church? Taking a walk.
What is the church? And what can we continue to liken it to in Genesis 18?
"Then Yahweh said, “Shall I conceal from Abraham what I am going to do? Abraham will surely become a great and strong nation, and all the nations of the earth will be blessed on account of him. For I have chosen him..."
Yahweh God reveals himself to his chosen. He opens his mind and his heart to his children. And not just so they can obey with blind faith, but so they can hear and think and respond! Abraham responds to God's plans and not necessarily in the affirmative! He pleads for mercy on what he must know to be wicked towns for even he is not sure there are fifty, forty, thirty, or even twenty righteous people there deserving of being spared God's just wrath, but he argues him down to ten. Of which four are his own flesh and blood.
And God is pleased to walk with Abraham alone and speak with him like this! God, who knows what He's going to find in Sodom and Gomorrah and Zeboiim and Admah. God is not argued into changing His mind. He is delighting in the compassion He sees in His child! The maturity. As any parent who has had one of their first "adult" conversations with their son or daughter does. It could be about anything, from life itself to their favorite band but it gives us joy to hear not just their opinions but the way they present them, the consideration and budding wisdom in them, the heart behind them being conformed into the heart of our savior, Jesus Christ.
The church are those in whom God delights.
"When Israel was a child, I loved him,
and out of Egypt I called my son.
When I called them, they went from my face.
They sacrificed to the Baals, and they sacrificed to idols.
And I myself taught Ephraim to walk;
I took them in my arms,
but they did not know that I healed them.
I drew them with human ties,
with the bands of love." Hosea 11
"Then Yahweh said, “Shall I conceal from Abraham what I am going to do? Abraham will surely become a great and strong nation, and all the nations of the earth will be blessed on account of him. For I have chosen him..."
Yahweh God reveals himself to his chosen. He opens his mind and his heart to his children. And not just so they can obey with blind faith, but so they can hear and think and respond! Abraham responds to God's plans and not necessarily in the affirmative! He pleads for mercy on what he must know to be wicked towns for even he is not sure there are fifty, forty, thirty, or even twenty righteous people there deserving of being spared God's just wrath, but he argues him down to ten. Of which four are his own flesh and blood.
And God is pleased to walk with Abraham alone and speak with him like this! God, who knows what He's going to find in Sodom and Gomorrah and Zeboiim and Admah. God is not argued into changing His mind. He is delighting in the compassion He sees in His child! The maturity. As any parent who has had one of their first "adult" conversations with their son or daughter does. It could be about anything, from life itself to their favorite band but it gives us joy to hear not just their opinions but the way they present them, the consideration and budding wisdom in them, the heart behind them being conformed into the heart of our savior, Jesus Christ.
The church are those in whom God delights.
"When Israel was a child, I loved him,
and out of Egypt I called my son.
When I called them, they went from my face.
They sacrificed to the Baals, and they sacrificed to idols.
And I myself taught Ephraim to walk;
I took them in my arms,
but they did not know that I healed them.
I drew them with human ties,
with the bands of love." Hosea 11
Thursday, March 16, 2017
What is the church? Keepers of the Way.
What is the church? And what can we liken it to in Genesis 18?
"Abraham will surely become a great and strong nation, and all the nations of the earth will be blessed on account of him. For I have chosen him, that he will command his children and his household after him that they will keep the way of Yahweh, to do righteousness and justice, so that Yahweh may bring upon Abraham that which he said to him.”"
As we said from the beginning, God has chosen to bless certain folk in order that they may bless the world. God works through agents. His Ministry of Silly Blessings, as it were. But they are more than just agents. They are family. The children of Abraham. Each generation teaching the next to 'keep the way of Yahweh, to do righteousness (worship, good, love) and justice (charity, generosity, peacemaking)."
The church is a single family blessed and devoted and dedicated to keep the Way of Yahweh.
"Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How are we able to know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." John 14
"Abraham will surely become a great and strong nation, and all the nations of the earth will be blessed on account of him. For I have chosen him, that he will command his children and his household after him that they will keep the way of Yahweh, to do righteousness and justice, so that Yahweh may bring upon Abraham that which he said to him.”"
As we said from the beginning, God has chosen to bless certain folk in order that they may bless the world. God works through agents. His Ministry of Silly Blessings, as it were. But they are more than just agents. They are family. The children of Abraham. Each generation teaching the next to 'keep the way of Yahweh, to do righteousness (worship, good, love) and justice (charity, generosity, peacemaking)."
The church is a single family blessed and devoted and dedicated to keep the Way of Yahweh.
"Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How are we able to know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." John 14
Wednesday, March 15, 2017
What is the church? Circumcised.
What is the church? And what can we liken it to in Genesis 17?
"And God said to Abraham, “Now as for you, you must keep my covenant, you and your offspring after you, throughout their generations. This is my covenant which you shall keep, between me and you, and also with your offspring after you: Every male among you shall be circumcised. And you shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and you."
A sign of the covenant. A sign no one except your wife may see. Not much of a sign. A cutting. Bloody. Male. A removal of something unnecessary between a man and his wife. Personal. Intimate. Yet it was there to distinguish God's chosen people from the rest of the world.
And as most signs back then, had nothing to do with the flesh which was actually cut. It points ahead, it points inward, a change of heart which can only be recognized by our actions; it points outward, forward, toward the Bridegroom who shed his blood for obedience, for his Bride: the Church...
"And now, Israel, what is Yahweh your God asking from you, except to revere Yahweh your God, to go in all his ways and to love him and to serve Yahweh your God with all your heart and with all your soul, to keep the commandments of Yahweh and his statutes that I am commanding you today for your own good. Look! For to Yahweh your God belong heaven and the highest heavens, the earth and all that is in it. Yet to your ancestors Yahweh was very attached, so as to love them, and so he chose their offspring after them, namely you, from all the peoples, as it is today. So you shall circumcise the foreskin of your heart, and do not be stubborn." Deut 10
"For the Jew is not one outwardly, nor is circumcision outwardly, in the flesh. But the Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter, whose praise is not from people but from God." Romans 2
"And God said to Abraham, “Now as for you, you must keep my covenant, you and your offspring after you, throughout their generations. This is my covenant which you shall keep, between me and you, and also with your offspring after you: Every male among you shall be circumcised. And you shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and you."
A sign of the covenant. A sign no one except your wife may see. Not much of a sign. A cutting. Bloody. Male. A removal of something unnecessary between a man and his wife. Personal. Intimate. Yet it was there to distinguish God's chosen people from the rest of the world.
And as most signs back then, had nothing to do with the flesh which was actually cut. It points ahead, it points inward, a change of heart which can only be recognized by our actions; it points outward, forward, toward the Bridegroom who shed his blood for obedience, for his Bride: the Church...
"And now, Israel, what is Yahweh your God asking from you, except to revere Yahweh your God, to go in all his ways and to love him and to serve Yahweh your God with all your heart and with all your soul, to keep the commandments of Yahweh and his statutes that I am commanding you today for your own good. Look! For to Yahweh your God belong heaven and the highest heavens, the earth and all that is in it. Yet to your ancestors Yahweh was very attached, so as to love them, and so he chose their offspring after them, namely you, from all the peoples, as it is today. So you shall circumcise the foreskin of your heart, and do not be stubborn." Deut 10
"For the Jew is not one outwardly, nor is circumcision outwardly, in the flesh. But the Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter, whose praise is not from people but from God." Romans 2
Tuesday, March 14, 2017
What is the Church? Righteous.
What is the church? And what can we liken it to in Genesis 15?
"And he (Abram) believed in Yahweh, and he reckoned it to him as righteousness."
God has made all the promises. God has done all the heavy lifting. Literally, He has lifted all the heavy things. Your Sin. Your death. Your punishment. Your obligation to worship Him as God. Your righteous life which you should lead before a loving Creator Father God. Your obedience. All of these things were lifted up upon a wooden cross. All of these things were bled for. All of these things were despised and cut off. All of these things bore the full wrath of the Justice of God.
They are paid for. It is finished.
The church are those who believe this. The church are those who are affected by this and effected by this and changed by this belief. The church are those who attempt to live according to this belief.
You see, i must say 'attempt' for on this side of death, none but Jesus did it completely or correctly but because he did 'it is credited to (us) as (if it were our) righteousness.'
"And he (Abram) believed in Yahweh, and he reckoned it to him as righteousness."
God has made all the promises. God has done all the heavy lifting. Literally, He has lifted all the heavy things. Your Sin. Your death. Your punishment. Your obligation to worship Him as God. Your righteous life which you should lead before a loving Creator Father God. Your obedience. All of these things were lifted up upon a wooden cross. All of these things were bled for. All of these things were despised and cut off. All of these things bore the full wrath of the Justice of God.
They are paid for. It is finished.
The church are those who believe this. The church are those who are affected by this and effected by this and changed by this belief. The church are those who attempt to live according to this belief.
You see, i must say 'attempt' for on this side of death, none but Jesus did it completely or correctly but because he did 'it is credited to (us) as (if it were our) righteousness.'
Monday, March 13, 2017
What is the church? Heirs of Abram.
What is the church? And what can we continue to liken it to in Genesis 15?
"And he said to him, “Take for me a three-year-old heifer, and a three-year-old female goat, and a three-year-old ram, and a turtledove and a young pigeon.” And he took for him all these and cut them in pieces down the middle. And he put each piece opposite the other, but the birds he did not cut."
"And after the sun had gone down and it was dusk, behold, a smoking firepot and a flaming torch passed between those half pieces. On that day Yahweh made a covenant with Abram..."
All through the Word, from In the Beginning to In the Last Days, God is making promises to us, to man, to men. To Adam and Eve He says, 'This is all yours, I'm giving you everything you need. Just don't eat this one thing off this one tree.' To Cain He says, "If you do what is right, will i not accept you?" To Noah He says, 'Do this and I will save you,' and 'Look, I have saved you, all this is yours, I'm not going to wipe it all out like this again.' To Abram He says, "...I will make you a great nation, and I will bless you, and I will make your name great. And you will be a blessing. And I will bless those who bless you, and those who curse you I will curse. And all families of the earth will be blessed in you.” And so on down the line through the Mosaic covenant and the Davidic covenant and finally to a covenant that is only hinted at here. All saying essentially the same thing, "I AM your God. Obey me and I will bless you."
You see, covenants are not sworn, they are cut. They are literally sealed with blood. "Thus shall I do and let me be as these if I should break this covenant!" Says anyone who passes between the carcasses of the animals. And who does Abram see passing between the halves of sacrificial animals? Who is making this promise? "...behold, a smoking firepot and a flaming torch,"! Light and Light hidden in a clay vessel! The one which shall keep the promise and the one which, though he keeps the covenant, shall be cut off for those not keeping it! And thereby save those whom God has every right to judge. The one, the seed of Abram who shall bless "all the families of the earth."
The church are the heirs of Abram. The heirs of the promise of God. The heirs of the covenant.
"And he said to him, “Take for me a three-year-old heifer, and a three-year-old female goat, and a three-year-old ram, and a turtledove and a young pigeon.” And he took for him all these and cut them in pieces down the middle. And he put each piece opposite the other, but the birds he did not cut."
"And after the sun had gone down and it was dusk, behold, a smoking firepot and a flaming torch passed between those half pieces. On that day Yahweh made a covenant with Abram..."
All through the Word, from In the Beginning to In the Last Days, God is making promises to us, to man, to men. To Adam and Eve He says, 'This is all yours, I'm giving you everything you need. Just don't eat this one thing off this one tree.' To Cain He says, "If you do what is right, will i not accept you?" To Noah He says, 'Do this and I will save you,' and 'Look, I have saved you, all this is yours, I'm not going to wipe it all out like this again.' To Abram He says, "...I will make you a great nation, and I will bless you, and I will make your name great. And you will be a blessing. And I will bless those who bless you, and those who curse you I will curse. And all families of the earth will be blessed in you.” And so on down the line through the Mosaic covenant and the Davidic covenant and finally to a covenant that is only hinted at here. All saying essentially the same thing, "I AM your God. Obey me and I will bless you."
You see, covenants are not sworn, they are cut. They are literally sealed with blood. "Thus shall I do and let me be as these if I should break this covenant!" Says anyone who passes between the carcasses of the animals. And who does Abram see passing between the halves of sacrificial animals? Who is making this promise? "...behold, a smoking firepot and a flaming torch,"! Light and Light hidden in a clay vessel! The one which shall keep the promise and the one which, though he keeps the covenant, shall be cut off for those not keeping it! And thereby save those whom God has every right to judge. The one, the seed of Abram who shall bless "all the families of the earth."
The church are the heirs of Abram. The heirs of the promise of God. The heirs of the covenant.
Sunday, March 12, 2017
What is the church? In Covenant.
What is the church? And what can we liken it to in Genesis 15?
"And he said to him, “Take for me a three-year-old heifer, and a three-year-old female goat, and a three-year-old ram, and a turtledove and a young pigeon.” And he took for him all these and cut them in pieces down the middle. And he put each piece opposite the other, but the birds he did not cut. And the birds of prey came down on the carcasses, but Abram drove them away. And it happened, as the sun went down, then a deep sleep fell upon Abram and, behold, a great terrifying darkness fell upon him."
"And after the sun had gone down and it was dusk, behold, a smoking firepot and a flaming torch passed between those half pieces. On that day Yahweh made a covenant with Abram..."
God promises. God swears by himself for there is no higher authority to swear by. God, who's yes is yes and no is no and has no reason to swear by anything, makes vows to us, his people. Why?
"For people swear by what is greater than themselves, and the oath for confirmation is the end of all dispute for them. In the same way God, because he wanted to show even more to the heirs of the promise the unchangeableness of his resolve, guaranteed it with an oath, in order that through two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have taken refuge may have powerful encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us, which we have like an anchor of the soul, both firm and steadfast..." (Heb 6)
Okay, so what does God promise? What has God vowed to His church? Never mind that, just yet. Bask, meditate, reel from the staggering fact that He does!
"And he said to him, “Take for me a three-year-old heifer, and a three-year-old female goat, and a three-year-old ram, and a turtledove and a young pigeon.” And he took for him all these and cut them in pieces down the middle. And he put each piece opposite the other, but the birds he did not cut. And the birds of prey came down on the carcasses, but Abram drove them away. And it happened, as the sun went down, then a deep sleep fell upon Abram and, behold, a great terrifying darkness fell upon him."
"And after the sun had gone down and it was dusk, behold, a smoking firepot and a flaming torch passed between those half pieces. On that day Yahweh made a covenant with Abram..."
God promises. God swears by himself for there is no higher authority to swear by. God, who's yes is yes and no is no and has no reason to swear by anything, makes vows to us, his people. Why?
"For people swear by what is greater than themselves, and the oath for confirmation is the end of all dispute for them. In the same way God, because he wanted to show even more to the heirs of the promise the unchangeableness of his resolve, guaranteed it with an oath, in order that through two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have taken refuge may have powerful encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us, which we have like an anchor of the soul, both firm and steadfast..." (Heb 6)
Okay, so what does God promise? What has God vowed to His church? Never mind that, just yet. Bask, meditate, reel from the staggering fact that He does!
Saturday, March 11, 2017
What is the church? Thankful.
What is the church? And what can we liken it to in Genesis 8?
"So Noah went out, with his sons and his wife, and the wives of his sons with him. Every animal, every creeping thing, and every bird, and everything that moves upon the earth, according to its families, went out from the ark. And Noah built an altar to Yahweh, and he took from all the clean animals and from all the clean birds, and offered burnt offerings on the altar."
The church is saved and not just it but as we said before, God delights to have His church participate with him in His saving grace. To extend it even to the beasts and birds. The church is God's preferred agency upon the earth. Here we see the grace He gives to his people purposely extended to creation itself. But that is not my main point today.
The first thing we see Noah do with his feet once again upon dry dirt is to gather stones together and make an altar. To worship the God who saved him. To respond to the God who called him. To THANK the God who loved him despite the fact that "the inclination of the heart of humankind is evil from his youth." God's words, not mine. And this fledgling church of Noah's will prove it before they we are done with them. But that is another day. Today they show us that the church are those whom despite their natural bent, God has chosen, made his agents, saved and now...
are purposefully and worshipfully Thankful.
"And it happened that while traveling toward Jerusalem, he was passing through the region between Samaria and Galilee. And as he was entering into a certain village, ten men met him—lepers, who stood at a distance. And they raised their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” And when he saw them he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And it happened that as they were going, they were cleansed. But one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice. And he fell on his face at his feet, giving thanks to him. And he was a Samaritan. So Jesus answered and said, “Were not ten cleansed? And where are the nine? Was no one found to turn back and give praise to God except this foreigner?” And he said to him, “Get up and go your way. Your faith has saved you.”" Luke 17
"So Noah went out, with his sons and his wife, and the wives of his sons with him. Every animal, every creeping thing, and every bird, and everything that moves upon the earth, according to its families, went out from the ark. And Noah built an altar to Yahweh, and he took from all the clean animals and from all the clean birds, and offered burnt offerings on the altar."
The church is saved and not just it but as we said before, God delights to have His church participate with him in His saving grace. To extend it even to the beasts and birds. The church is God's preferred agency upon the earth. Here we see the grace He gives to his people purposely extended to creation itself. But that is not my main point today.
The first thing we see Noah do with his feet once again upon dry dirt is to gather stones together and make an altar. To worship the God who saved him. To respond to the God who called him. To THANK the God who loved him despite the fact that "the inclination of the heart of humankind is evil from his youth." God's words, not mine. And this fledgling church of Noah's will prove it before they we are done with them. But that is another day. Today they show us that the church are those whom despite their natural bent, God has chosen, made his agents, saved and now...
are purposefully and worshipfully Thankful.
"And it happened that while traveling toward Jerusalem, he was passing through the region between Samaria and Galilee. And as he was entering into a certain village, ten men met him—lepers, who stood at a distance. And they raised their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” And when he saw them he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And it happened that as they were going, they were cleansed. But one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice. And he fell on his face at his feet, giving thanks to him. And he was a Samaritan. So Jesus answered and said, “Were not ten cleansed? And where are the nine? Was no one found to turn back and give praise to God except this foreigner?” And he said to him, “Get up and go your way. Your faith has saved you.”" Luke 17
Friday, March 10, 2017
What is the church? In the ark.
What is the church? And what can we liken it to in Genesis 7?
"And every living thing that moved on the earth perished—the birds, and the domesticated animals, and the wild animals, and everything that swarmed on the earth, and all humankind. Everything in whose nostrils was the breath of life, among all that was on dry land, died. And he blotted out every living thing upon the surface of the ground, from humankind, to animals, to creeping things, and to the birds of heaven; they were blotted out from the earth. Only Noah and those who were with him in the ark remained."
God is holy. Holy. HOLY.
You may not understand what holy means but here is one way to think of it: a goodness and righteousness as pure as the Sun is hot. Nothing impure, nothing unholy, nothing tainted with sin can stand in God's presence. It just simply can't. It will be burned.
Or perhaps it will make more sense to think of it this way: God's justice is perfect. Perfect fairness. Perfect exact and proportional punishment for any and all offense. Nothing missed. Nothing overlooked. Nothing ever swept under the carpet and forgotten. Everyone has perfect justice waiting for them before this King's throne. Now it is widely accepted that the measure of an offense greatly depends upon who has been sinned against. Lie to a child and no one cares. Lie to your boss and perhaps you will be fired. Lie to a judge and you will be fined and possibly imprisoned. Lie to a King... Do not pay your brother back a loan and be ignored at reunions. Do not pay your car loan and they will take back your car. Do not pay your taxes and you will be fined and possibly imprisoned. Do not pay the King what is His rightful due...
It is not unjust that God judges mankind. He gave you life, a world to live in and literally everything you have including the ability to think about it. He is due. All these things are not gifts as much as loans. They still belong to Him. It is not unkind that God takes back what is His. It is Amazing Grace that He ever gives it in the first place knowing before hand what you were going to do with it! It is not unloving that God condemns some to hell for their sins against each other and Him. It is staggeringly loving that He ever provided a way for anyone of us to be saved at all! And such a way! He gave His Beloved Son for us! Jesus voluntarily becomes our ark; our means of grace with this Perfectly Just Creator King and Judge who has every right over us! How much more angry should He be with us if we scorn or demean that gift!?!?
The church, therefore, are those IN the ark. You cannot be saved otherwise. God has only provided this one way. No one outside the ark survived. No one will be "good enough' on their own merit. You simply cannot tread water that long. One hundred and fifty days in a limitless ocean will be an afternoon swim at the pool next to eternity in the presence of Righteous God who no longer veils His presence to protect us from Himself.
Thanks be to God that He has provided a Way of Truth for Life.
"And every living thing that moved on the earth perished—the birds, and the domesticated animals, and the wild animals, and everything that swarmed on the earth, and all humankind. Everything in whose nostrils was the breath of life, among all that was on dry land, died. And he blotted out every living thing upon the surface of the ground, from humankind, to animals, to creeping things, and to the birds of heaven; they were blotted out from the earth. Only Noah and those who were with him in the ark remained."
God is holy. Holy. HOLY.
You may not understand what holy means but here is one way to think of it: a goodness and righteousness as pure as the Sun is hot. Nothing impure, nothing unholy, nothing tainted with sin can stand in God's presence. It just simply can't. It will be burned.
Or perhaps it will make more sense to think of it this way: God's justice is perfect. Perfect fairness. Perfect exact and proportional punishment for any and all offense. Nothing missed. Nothing overlooked. Nothing ever swept under the carpet and forgotten. Everyone has perfect justice waiting for them before this King's throne. Now it is widely accepted that the measure of an offense greatly depends upon who has been sinned against. Lie to a child and no one cares. Lie to your boss and perhaps you will be fired. Lie to a judge and you will be fined and possibly imprisoned. Lie to a King... Do not pay your brother back a loan and be ignored at reunions. Do not pay your car loan and they will take back your car. Do not pay your taxes and you will be fined and possibly imprisoned. Do not pay the King what is His rightful due...
It is not unjust that God judges mankind. He gave you life, a world to live in and literally everything you have including the ability to think about it. He is due. All these things are not gifts as much as loans. They still belong to Him. It is not unkind that God takes back what is His. It is Amazing Grace that He ever gives it in the first place knowing before hand what you were going to do with it! It is not unloving that God condemns some to hell for their sins against each other and Him. It is staggeringly loving that He ever provided a way for anyone of us to be saved at all! And such a way! He gave His Beloved Son for us! Jesus voluntarily becomes our ark; our means of grace with this Perfectly Just Creator King and Judge who has every right over us! How much more angry should He be with us if we scorn or demean that gift!?!?
The church, therefore, are those IN the ark. You cannot be saved otherwise. God has only provided this one way. No one outside the ark survived. No one will be "good enough' on their own merit. You simply cannot tread water that long. One hundred and fifty days in a limitless ocean will be an afternoon swim at the pool next to eternity in the presence of Righteous God who no longer veils His presence to protect us from Himself.
Thanks be to God that He has provided a Way of Truth for Life.
Thursday, March 09, 2017
What is the church? ...response.
What is the church? And what can we continue to liken it to in Genesis 6?
"And Noah did according to all that God commanded him; thus he did."
If God had called and Noah had said, "mmmm, no thanks. That sounds dumb," the Bible would have only been seven chapters long, and the soggy pages of chapter seven would have read, "and Noah didn't float long enough to regret that decision." Or maybe Chapter 8 would read, "And God sighed, rolled up His sleeves and brought forth Dave from the earth..." Only God knows. But He gave grace enough to Noah for Noah to believe Him.
Now it's very common for people to say they believe. And it is very common for that belief to appear to be nothing more than cognitive assent. Yes, i think that's true. Yes, i think God is good and trustworthy. Yet is that what saved Noah and his family? Simply believing God when he said, I'm going to flood the earth? That kind of belief would have had him paddling the backstroke thinking, "Yep, knew it, God was right." Belief not only demands action, it dictates the action. If you really believe God, it will change everything. What you are doing. What your values are. That year that Noah spent preparing and building the ark, he reaped his fields and gardens but i guarantee you he didn't bother sowing next year's crop. He didn't waste the time. He probably didn't put that addition on the house or buy a new car. Wasn't much point in remodeling the kitchen. Probably drained the bank account and bought grain and oats. A fat wallet wasn't going to feed him on the other side. His priorities fit the belief he had. The truth he believed. Anything that didn't add to fitting and kitting the ark was a distraction and a waste of resources. The church responds with belief and appropriate action. We might say, it trusts and obeys.
There's so much more to be said about this but tomorrow's another day... if it comes. "What is the benefit, my brothers, if someone says that he has faith but does not have works? That faith is not able to save him, is it?" James 2
"And Noah did according to all that God commanded him; thus he did."
If God had called and Noah had said, "mmmm, no thanks. That sounds dumb," the Bible would have only been seven chapters long, and the soggy pages of chapter seven would have read, "and Noah didn't float long enough to regret that decision." Or maybe Chapter 8 would read, "And God sighed, rolled up His sleeves and brought forth Dave from the earth..." Only God knows. But He gave grace enough to Noah for Noah to believe Him.
Now it's very common for people to say they believe. And it is very common for that belief to appear to be nothing more than cognitive assent. Yes, i think that's true. Yes, i think God is good and trustworthy. Yet is that what saved Noah and his family? Simply believing God when he said, I'm going to flood the earth? That kind of belief would have had him paddling the backstroke thinking, "Yep, knew it, God was right." Belief not only demands action, it dictates the action. If you really believe God, it will change everything. What you are doing. What your values are. That year that Noah spent preparing and building the ark, he reaped his fields and gardens but i guarantee you he didn't bother sowing next year's crop. He didn't waste the time. He probably didn't put that addition on the house or buy a new car. Wasn't much point in remodeling the kitchen. Probably drained the bank account and bought grain and oats. A fat wallet wasn't going to feed him on the other side. His priorities fit the belief he had. The truth he believed. Anything that didn't add to fitting and kitting the ark was a distraction and a waste of resources. The church responds with belief and appropriate action. We might say, it trusts and obeys.
There's so much more to be said about this but tomorrow's another day... if it comes. "What is the benefit, my brothers, if someone says that he has faith but does not have works? That faith is not able to save him, is it?" James 2
Wednesday, March 08, 2017
What is the church? Called.
What is the church? What shall we liken it to in Genesis 6?
"And God said to Noah, “The end of all flesh has come before me, for the earth was filled with violence because of them. Now, look, I am going to destroy them along with the earth. Make for yourself an ark of cypress wood..."
i'm always telling my kids in the Sunday school class i teach, 'Don't skip over that! Don't read, "And God said to Noah," as if it were, 'Once upon a time,'! In some ways, it is the most important and improbable words in the Bible! That God, The God, Yahweh, the Great I AM, spoke TO us! That's why we know anything! That alone sets up the church! God called us! Jesus, God in the flesh, called us, "Come, put down what you're doing and follow me. Put down what you presently consider your life, take up your cross, the life I will give to you of service and sacrifice, and follow me. God calls people as they are, yes; God formed you in the womb and knows you through and through and loves you as He made you, but what we do with that on our own is very rarely what He has for us to do! Otherwise stories like this one with Noah would read more like, "And God came to Noah who was building a boat and said to him, "Nice boat. I spoke to the animals, they should be arriving sometime after Thursday." And Noah spake unto him, "Cool." And God merrily went upon his way.
"When Israel (which means, 'wrestles with God') was a child, I loved him,
and out of Egypt (slavery to sin) I called my son." (Hosea 11)
"And God said to Noah, “The end of all flesh has come before me, for the earth was filled with violence because of them. Now, look, I am going to destroy them along with the earth. Make for yourself an ark of cypress wood..."
i'm always telling my kids in the Sunday school class i teach, 'Don't skip over that! Don't read, "And God said to Noah," as if it were, 'Once upon a time,'! In some ways, it is the most important and improbable words in the Bible! That God, The God, Yahweh, the Great I AM, spoke TO us! That's why we know anything! That alone sets up the church! God called us! Jesus, God in the flesh, called us, "Come, put down what you're doing and follow me. Put down what you presently consider your life, take up your cross, the life I will give to you of service and sacrifice, and follow me. God calls people as they are, yes; God formed you in the womb and knows you through and through and loves you as He made you, but what we do with that on our own is very rarely what He has for us to do! Otherwise stories like this one with Noah would read more like, "And God came to Noah who was building a boat and said to him, "Nice boat. I spoke to the animals, they should be arriving sometime after Thursday." And Noah spake unto him, "Cool." And God merrily went upon his way.
"When Israel (which means, 'wrestles with God') was a child, I loved him,
and out of Egypt (slavery to sin) I called my son." (Hosea 11)
Tuesday, March 07, 2017
What is the church? Favored.
What is the church? And what can we liken it to in Genesis 6?
"And Yahweh saw that the evil of humankind was great upon the earth, and every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was always only evil. And Yahweh regretted that he had made humankind on the earth, and he was grieved in his heart. And Yahweh said, “I will destroy humankind whom I created from upon the face of the earth, from humankind, to animals, to creeping things, and to the birds of heaven, for I regret that I have made them.” But Noah found favor in the eyes of Yahweh."
The line of Adam had failed. No one is said to be walking inherently with God since Enosh was yoinked up by his suspenders. The church of God as it was known then is for all extents and purposes, indistinguishable from the world, from the sons of Cain. The church is not inherently better than the world. There is nothing in us that made God love us. We are evil and every inclination of our hearts is always only bent on loving ourselves. Which brings us to our defining characteristic today.
The church is those on whom God's favor rests. "And those whom he predestined, these he also called, and those whom he called, these he also justified, and those whom he justified, these he also glorified." Romans 8
"And Yahweh saw that the evil of humankind was great upon the earth, and every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was always only evil. And Yahweh regretted that he had made humankind on the earth, and he was grieved in his heart. And Yahweh said, “I will destroy humankind whom I created from upon the face of the earth, from humankind, to animals, to creeping things, and to the birds of heaven, for I regret that I have made them.” But Noah found favor in the eyes of Yahweh."
The line of Adam had failed. No one is said to be walking inherently with God since Enosh was yoinked up by his suspenders. The church of God as it was known then is for all extents and purposes, indistinguishable from the world, from the sons of Cain. The church is not inherently better than the world. There is nothing in us that made God love us. We are evil and every inclination of our hearts is always only bent on loving ourselves. Which brings us to our defining characteristic today.
The church is those on whom God's favor rests. "And those whom he predestined, these he also called, and those whom he called, these he also justified, and those whom he justified, these he also glorified." Romans 8
Monday, March 06, 2017
What is the church? Pursued and persecuted.
What is the church? And what can we liken it to in Genesis 4?
"And Yahweh said to Cain, “Why are you angry, and why is your face fallen? If you do well will I not accept you? But if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. And its desire is for you, but you must rule over it.”
If you were looking for the protagonist of this chapter, it would not be Abel. It's Cain. Cain and Abel are of the same family, they are brothers, they both bring offerings to Yahweh. For all extents and purposes, they, with their parents, are the church. Cain does not bring his offering to God in love however. He resents God. He brings the fruit of his own labor, possibly not even his best. Just something to appease the God who runs my life. Or perhaps he truly does want to be accepted by God, but for what he is. For what Cain has done. Look at me! Am I not worthy? Are you not proud of me? Am I not good enough for you?
No. Frankly. You are not. But if you do what is good, what I've instructed you to do, won't I accept you anyway, God says. God pursues Cain even though God knows what is in Cain's heart and what he will do. God lets Abel be martyred. Like his father the devil, Cain hates God but he cannot hurt God so he will touch who he can. Cain reveals what is in his heart as we all do eventually. Cain only cares for himself. Cain is driven out to protect the church. But he still carries the image of God. He still carries the same common grace as the church. He creates, he makes. He makes a church of his own, names it after his own and we see through the generations how, despite its industriousness, or maybe because of it, that church becomes arrogant and proud and cruel. The church of self.
At one time or another, we all belong to this church of Self. We all worship ourselves. Christ comes and either calls us out of it and to himself, or calls us out, calls us what we are. And just like our father Cain, we killed him for it. But God...
"And Yahweh said to Cain, “Why are you angry, and why is your face fallen? If you do well will I not accept you? But if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. And its desire is for you, but you must rule over it.”
If you were looking for the protagonist of this chapter, it would not be Abel. It's Cain. Cain and Abel are of the same family, they are brothers, they both bring offerings to Yahweh. For all extents and purposes, they, with their parents, are the church. Cain does not bring his offering to God in love however. He resents God. He brings the fruit of his own labor, possibly not even his best. Just something to appease the God who runs my life. Or perhaps he truly does want to be accepted by God, but for what he is. For what Cain has done. Look at me! Am I not worthy? Are you not proud of me? Am I not good enough for you?
No. Frankly. You are not. But if you do what is good, what I've instructed you to do, won't I accept you anyway, God says. God pursues Cain even though God knows what is in Cain's heart and what he will do. God lets Abel be martyred. Like his father the devil, Cain hates God but he cannot hurt God so he will touch who he can. Cain reveals what is in his heart as we all do eventually. Cain only cares for himself. Cain is driven out to protect the church. But he still carries the image of God. He still carries the same common grace as the church. He creates, he makes. He makes a church of his own, names it after his own and we see through the generations how, despite its industriousness, or maybe because of it, that church becomes arrogant and proud and cruel. The church of self.
At one time or another, we all belong to this church of Self. We all worship ourselves. Christ comes and either calls us out of it and to himself, or calls us out, calls us what we are. And just like our father Cain, we killed him for it. But God...
Sunday, March 05, 2017
What is the church? Afraid because we are naked.
What is the church? And what can we liken it to?
"But the serpent said to the woman, “You shall not surely die. For God knows that on the day you both eat from it, then your eyes will be opened and you both shall be like gods, knowing good and evil.”
The church is made up of sinners. Even in perfection we were tempted to hate God and want to be rid of Him and our need of Him. We coveted power. We coveted independence. And to do that we doubted that God was good. We doubted that God loved us. We doubted that God knew what He was doing. We ceased to trust. We ceased to obey. We ceased to believe that God was what God is. This is the church that did this. God's chosen, handmade children. God who can do no wrong and is perfectly just and fair made the two most perfect specimens of human that have ever existed to give us the best shot, our champions, our apex humans, our alphas, had we been there we would have thrown parades for them, lauded them, watched them on the talk shows, voted for them unanimously and figured the game was in the bag. Bet the freakin' farm on them.
And lost. They failed. God gave them a single choice, just as he gives us. Will you trust me? Will you love me enough to obey me? Will you doubt that I AM good and know what's best for you? All you have to do is... not eat this. A test is not a fiery trial that you either pass or fail, a hurdle you have to jump, a race you have to win to move on, it is a mirror, designed by God who knows you and loves you to show you what you refuse to see, yourself. That's what naked means: exposed.
A couple of bites later the church went from those children of God in perfect relationship with him and each other to those miserable sinners hiding from Him and each other, trying not to be naked anymore, trying not to let anyone see what we really are. And for the next four to six thousand years or so, the church was defined as those TRYING to be in relationship with God... and failing.
"But the serpent said to the woman, “You shall not surely die. For God knows that on the day you both eat from it, then your eyes will be opened and you both shall be like gods, knowing good and evil.”
The church is made up of sinners. Even in perfection we were tempted to hate God and want to be rid of Him and our need of Him. We coveted power. We coveted independence. And to do that we doubted that God was good. We doubted that God loved us. We doubted that God knew what He was doing. We ceased to trust. We ceased to obey. We ceased to believe that God was what God is. This is the church that did this. God's chosen, handmade children. God who can do no wrong and is perfectly just and fair made the two most perfect specimens of human that have ever existed to give us the best shot, our champions, our apex humans, our alphas, had we been there we would have thrown parades for them, lauded them, watched them on the talk shows, voted for them unanimously and figured the game was in the bag. Bet the freakin' farm on them.
And lost. They failed. God gave them a single choice, just as he gives us. Will you trust me? Will you love me enough to obey me? Will you doubt that I AM good and know what's best for you? All you have to do is... not eat this. A test is not a fiery trial that you either pass or fail, a hurdle you have to jump, a race you have to win to move on, it is a mirror, designed by God who knows you and loves you to show you what you refuse to see, yourself. That's what naked means: exposed.
A couple of bites later the church went from those children of God in perfect relationship with him and each other to those miserable sinners hiding from Him and each other, trying not to be naked anymore, trying not to let anyone see what we really are. And for the next four to six thousand years or so, the church was defined as those TRYING to be in relationship with God... and failing.
Saturday, March 04, 2017
What is the Church? Naked and unashamed...
What is the church? And what can i liken it to?
It is like when, Yahweh God said, “it is not good that the man is alone. I will make for him a helper as his counterpart."
Despite present day thought and structure, you cannot be the church by yourself. You are literally not in the church. You are deliberately cutting yourself off from the church. You don't ALWAYS need the church around you, Jesus got off by himself to pray but even to do the work of the church, Jesus never divided his boys up in groups of less than two. Even, as we pointed out yesterday, God refers to himself in the plural.
The church is relationship. Defined by a group of people in relationship with God through Jesus Christ who made it possible. But it doesn't end there. The first commandment is Love God. Relationship with God. The first four commandments of the ten were vertical. Love God, don't love some other god which is not a god. Don't make gods for yourself. Don't abuse or malign God's reputation. Set apart a day to remember that you are not God and who is.
But the next major commandment, the next six of the ten are all horizontal. They deal with us being naked, known, vulnerable with each other and unashamed, not fearful, not defensive, in truth. This is why we must have the first relationship. You cannot be naked with everyone. i hope i don't have to explain why. But even in the church it is dangerous and excruciatingly difficult. It is easier for a rich man to go through the eye of a camel than for two people to be in true relationship and love with each other under the best of conditions in this world. But that's the job and only by the power of the Holy Spirit can we do it and we'd better, because it's how the church will be known and therefore, how those who don't yet know God will know him.“A new commandment I give to you: that you love one another—just as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples—if you have love for one another.” John 13
It is like when, Yahweh God said, “it is not good that the man is alone. I will make for him a helper as his counterpart."
Despite present day thought and structure, you cannot be the church by yourself. You are literally not in the church. You are deliberately cutting yourself off from the church. You don't ALWAYS need the church around you, Jesus got off by himself to pray but even to do the work of the church, Jesus never divided his boys up in groups of less than two. Even, as we pointed out yesterday, God refers to himself in the plural.
The church is relationship. Defined by a group of people in relationship with God through Jesus Christ who made it possible. But it doesn't end there. The first commandment is Love God. Relationship with God. The first four commandments of the ten were vertical. Love God, don't love some other god which is not a god. Don't make gods for yourself. Don't abuse or malign God's reputation. Set apart a day to remember that you are not God and who is.
But the next major commandment, the next six of the ten are all horizontal. They deal with us being naked, known, vulnerable with each other and unashamed, not fearful, not defensive, in truth. This is why we must have the first relationship. You cannot be naked with everyone. i hope i don't have to explain why. But even in the church it is dangerous and excruciatingly difficult. It is easier for a rich man to go through the eye of a camel than for two people to be in true relationship and love with each other under the best of conditions in this world. But that's the job and only by the power of the Holy Spirit can we do it and we'd better, because it's how the church will be known and therefore, how those who don't yet know God will know him.“A new commandment I give to you: that you love one another—just as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples—if you have love for one another.” John 13
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