Christ-follower, Husband, Dad, Pastor

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April 1, 2014

“Noah” – Heresy Repackaged?

As Christ followers we must stay focused on Christ, the Real Christ, the Christ of God’s Word, the One True and Living Way.

“Don’t let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ.” (Colossians 2:8 NLT)

I am currently teaching a Valley Fellowship Christian Academy (VFCA) high school Bible class – New Testament Survey (NTS). As we continued our review of the Book of Colossians today in class, I was struck by how old heresies (false teachings) seem to return time and again. Paul was certainly concerned that the believers to which he wrote not fall prey to the enemy’s deception. Paul does not provide a formal definition of the false teaching to which he addresses much of the Book of Colossians, but we have some idea about the nature of the “Colossian Heresy.”

Robert Gundry, the author of our VFCA NTS textbook highlights aspects of the Colossian heresy.

The heresy:

  • Diminishes the person of Christ, so that Paul stresses the preeminence of Christ (1:15–19)
  • Emphasizes human philosophy, that is, human speculations divorced from divine revelation (2:8)
  • Contains elements of Judaism, such as circumcision (2:11; 3:11), rabbinic tradition (2:8), dietary regulations and Sabbath and festival observances (2:16)
  • Includes the worship of angels as intermediaries keeping the highest God (pure Spirit) unsullied through contact with the physical universe (a pagan feature, since although orthodox Jews have constructed a hierarchy of angels, they do not worship them or regard the materiality of the universe as evil [2:18])
  • Flaunts an exclusivist air of secrecy and superiority, against which Paul stresses the all-inclusiveness and publicity of the gospel (1:20, 23, 28; 3:11).

The Colossian heresy, then, blends together Jewish legalism, Greek philosophic speculation, and oriental mysticism. (A Survey of the New Testament, 4th edition, pp.419-419)

I encourage you to read the first half of Colossians and let God’s Word sink into your spirit.

“Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.” (Colossians 3:1-2 NASB)

After refocusing your thoughts on Christ, you might want to consider how heresy tries to creep into United States culture. For example, the new movie “Noah” is definitely not about the Noah of which the Book of Genesis expounds. I don’t know a lot about Dr. Brian Mattson, but his critique of “Noah” should open some eyes. Check out his journal post from yesterday titled “Sympathy For The Devil”.

September 17, 2013

God Doesn’t Lie

For their last gift on Christmas day 2008,  Rozy and Kimberlyn opened a box with a mostly-empty Disney scrapbook with Mickey’s face on the cover. When the girls first opened the package, they looked a bit bewildered, because usually give the best gift LAST. Their faces seem to ask “What’s this?”

Our reservation information was attached on the first page of the book (along with a picture of our family taped to a picture of the Cinderella’s Castle), but the girls still didn’t get it. Still puzzled, Patti and I finally announced aloud, “Spring break, we are going to Disney World!” And, the shouting started! Rozy and Kimberlyn immediately started counting days. They had asked (many, many times) to go, and they joyfully anticipated that family vacation.

One of the reasons that felt free to express such joy is the fact that Patti and I do our best to NOT lie to our children. Because we have tried to be honest with them, Rozy and Kimberlyn believed what we said. I am not perfect; yes, I have misspoken and failed to deliver on a number of occasions, but my daughters trusted that Disney was on the way. Before that Christmas morning, Patti and I had followed through with what we had promised enough times, that the girls were quite sure they would soon be seeing Minnie Mouse.

Simple pictures cannot capture how happy Rozy and Kimberlyn were to enter the Magic Kingdom and actually see Cinderella’s castle.

One reason so many of us have such difficulty in trusting God’s promises is because of the pain we have all suffered from people who did not stay true to their word. Unfaithful spouses, backstabbing friends, lying politicians, misleading infomercials, too-busy parents, broken promises – all wound us. We don’t trust for we have learned not to trust. We witness heartbreak, hear disappointing stories, and expect broken promises.
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However, God always keeps His promises.“God is not a human being, and He will not lie.”  (Numbers 23:19 NCV) God doesn’t lie, so we can certainly trust His promises. A promise is an assurance that one will do something or that something will happen, and what God has promised – He certainly will get done. We can read hundreds of promises that God has issued in the Bible. Some of the promises are specific to a particular circumstance or a particular individual, but many are available for any believer. Often promises are conditional – demanding an action or response by the individual in order to enjoy the promise. Many require nothing but a personal relationship with Christ Jesus. Some require nothing at all; God is faithful to Himself, so He will accomplish what He as spoken.

The importance of people trusting and acting God’s promise is an overarching theme of the Patriarchs of Genesis – Abraham, Issac, Jacob, and even Joseph. God’s promise kick-starts each of their stories. Their response to God’s promise is a decisive ingredient for success. The New Testament writers regularly lift up Abraham  as an example of faith, faithfulness, and trust in God’s promise. Paul writes, “Yet he [Abraham] did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what He had promised.” (Romans 4:20-21 NIV)

“True faith is essentially reasonable because it trusts in the character and the promises of God. A believing Christian is one whose mind reflects and rests on these certitudes.”  (John R.W. Stott)

The Psalmist enlightens us as to the reasons the Israelis of Exodus were unable to enter the Promised Land. Guess what makes the list? “They did not believe His promise” (Psalm 106:24b NIV) The great reformer Martin Luther pondered, “What greater rebellion, impiety, or insult to God can there be than not to believe His promises?”

I don’t want to insult God. I bet you don’t either! God doesn’t lie. It’s time for us to trust His promises.

March 13, 2013

If you were another person, would you like to be a friend of yours?

Life is more meaningful when shared.

Patti is my very best friend. She knows me best and still loves me. Praise the Lord! I also get to labor alongside of friends at Valley Fellowship Church. “Fellowship” is so much more than just the middle name of our congregation. I get to lead a great church. I love my church family!

Do you have a friend who sticks by you even after getting to know you really well? A good friend will tell you your faults and foolishness when prosperity rolls, and assist you with a hand and heart when adversity strikes. A wise person fortifies his or her life with Godly friendships. Make friends before you need them!

Two people can accomplish more than twice as much as one; they get a better return for their labor. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But people who are alone when they fall are in real trouble. And on a cold night, two under the same blanket can gain warmth from each other. But how can one be warm alone? A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken. (Ecclesiastes  4:9-12 NLT)

A healthy friendship has great benefits including (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12):

  • Success
  • Encouragement
  • Defense
  • Strength

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Here are four keys to help you become the friend other people want!

#1  A friend is trustworthy.

  • “No one who gossips can be trusted with a secret, but you can put confidence in someone who is trustworthy.”   (Proverbs 11:13 GNT)
  • “In the heat of an argument, don’t betray confidences; Word is sure to get around, and no one will trust you.”   (Proverbs 25:9-10 MSG)

#2  A friend shares joys and sorrows and doesn’t desert in times of trouble.

  • “Friends love through all kinds of weather, and families stick together in all kinds of trouble.”  (Proverbs 17:17 MSG)
  • “Some friends play at friendship but a true friend sticks closer than one’s nearest kin.”  (Proverbs 18:24 NRSV)

#3  A friend communicates directly and honestly.

  • “As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.” (Proverbs 17:17 NLT)
  • “If you and your neighbor have a difference of opinion, settle it between yourselves and do not reveal any secrets.”  (Proverbs 25:9 GNT)
  • “You can trust what your friend says, even when it hurts. But your enemies want to hurt you, even when they act nice.”  (Proverbs 27:6 ERV)
  •  “The sweet smell of perfume and oils is pleasant, and so is good advice from a friend.”  (Proverbs 27:9 NCV)

#4  A friend sticks up for you even when you’re not there and guards your reputation.

  • “You will keep your friends if you forgive them, but you will lose your friends if you keep talking about what they did wrong.”  (Proverbs 17:9 CEV)
  • “If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.”  (Galatians 5:15 NIV)

A faithful friend will think of you when all others are thinking of themselves and will see you through when others see you as through. If you were another person, would you like to be a friend of yours?

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