The Creation narrative in Genesis 1 accomplishes two primary things, both for ancient Israel and for the Church today, it tells us who is responsible for everything, and why what was made was made. The who is simple, the answer is God, nobody else is involved in the Creation account. The why has a two-fold answer: (1) to be God's temple: his kingdom, abode, and resting place, and (2) to foster the relationship between God and man. The second task is accomplished thanks to the wonder and awe associated with what God has made, a variety with purpose and beauty that causes us to ask, "Who was it that made it thus?"
Monday, April 15, 2024
Tuesday, September 13, 2022
Listen to the Word of God: 62 Scripture passages that refute 'Christian' Nationalism - #13: Matthew 16:25
Matthew 16:25 New International Version
For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.
In 1519, Spanish Conquistador Hernan Cortes, facing attempts by some from his expedition to abandon their mission and sail back to Cuba, ordered his entire fleet to be scuttled {The popular story is that the ships were burned, but given how costly they were, Cortes would have only put holes in the ships, making sailing them impossible in the short-term so they could be salvaged at least for the wood later on}. Having eliminated the possibility of retreat, Cortes then led his men onward in the Spanish conquest of Mexico.
An illustration from a conquest carried out, at least on paper, in the name of Christ is not something one would normally use when writing against 'Christian' Nationalism since that's the attitude we need to avoid, but the well known actions of Cortes, in an unjust cause, still serve as a reminder of how differently people act when they have passed the Point of No Return.
Every single legitimate follower of Jesus Christ throughout history was past the Point of No Return from the moment he/she became committed to Jesus until death. What does this mean? This world is not our home, this life is not ours to do with as we please. We are here on a mission from God, called to serve a purpose, we cannot do that and try to live for wealth, power, or fame in this world too.
'Christian' Nationalists certainly have a sense of purpose and mission, that's not the problem, the problem is that they've turned the focus of our calling as Christians toward this world and not the next, toward the physical and not the spiritual. Toward power and control here and now, not the service and sacrifice that Jesus demands of us. In the end, they're still trying to save their lives (and/or country) here rather than give them over to the Gospel.
As the Steven Curtis Chapman song, Burn the Ships, inspired by Cortes' bold move says,
"Burn the ships we're here to stay
There's no way we could go back
Now that we've come this far by faith
Burn the ships we've passed the point of no return
Our life is here so let the ships burn and burn"
Tuesday, April 21, 2020
Sermon Video: A world without life after death - 1 Corinthians 15:29-32
To watch the video, click on the link below:
Tuesday, July 3, 2018
Why are we free? Galatians 5:13-14
To listen to the short sermon on this topic from Galatians 5:13-14 that was given at this year's Franklin's 4th of July celebration's Worship in the Park, click on the link below:
The Purpose of Freedom: Galatians 5:13-14
Tuesday, June 5, 2018
Sermon Video: Our Prayer - Live a Life worthy of the Lord, Colossians 1:9-11
To watch the video, click on the link below:
Tuesday, July 21, 2015
Sermon Video - "Who will get what you have prepared for yourself?" Luke 12:13-21
To watch the video, click on the link below:
Friday, January 3, 2014
What are we all in such a hurry for?
This may on the surface just seem like an observation about driving in snow and ice, but I think it touches something deeper about the modern world. The world that we live in exists in a perpetual state of hurrying. Tomorrow isn't quick enough, we need it done today; later today isn't soon enough, we need it now. We have next day delivery, fast food, instant communications, and yet the anxiety that exists with all this speed about things taking too long only seems to get worse.
What is the end purpose of all of our striving? For what lofty goal have we given up the joys of a quiet afternoon spent outdoors among God's wondrous creation alone or with our loved ones?
As it always does, the Word of God offers us wisdom when we have gone astray, as Jesus told his disciples, "Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?...So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' of 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."
(Matthew 6:27, 31-34)
Amazingly, the phone hasn't rang while I was typing these thoughts, but one e-mail has popped into my inbox, I've got a lot of work left to do today; no time left to waste on trying to think too much.
Slow down, where are you hurrying off to anyway? Seek God first, enjoy your family, live life as God intended for you with both purpose and joy.
Thursday, September 26, 2013
"All Christianity concentrates on the man at the crossroads" G.K. Chesteron
This may seem like an area of interest only to philosophy or comparative religion students, but in reality, our attitudes about our place in this world and our relation to God have profound effects upon how seriously we take our personal responsibility for the choices we make. With every horrific act of violence reported on TV due to the latest shooting or suicide bombing, people want more and more to believe that evil is something abnormal in the human brain. It is only the "crazy" people who do such things we tell ourselves as we search for what went wrong in someone's life to turn them into such a madman. Evil is choice, the vast majority of evil in our world is the result of the mundane choices to choose evil or good on the part of ordinary people.
Christianity offers an alternative road. Jesus stands at the crossroad, holding up a sign that says, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:6) Will people pass him by, laughing at the guy who hasn't realized yet that life is meaningless? Will they stop, look to Jesus, and allow him to lead them down a new path? It makes all the difference in the world which path we take. You see, "all of Christianity concentrates on the man at the crossroads."
Tuesday, July 23, 2013
Sermon Video, "to win the prize" Philippians 3:10-14
That the Apostle Paul admits to be less than perfect is welcome news to those of us who struggle to live up to the high standard of the conduct of Jesus Christ. Not only does it allow us to be honest about our shortcomings, it keeps us from being judgmental toward others because none of us are, or can be, perfect until God finishes that process of transformation beyond the grave.
So what do we do now? If we can't be perfect, does it matter if we try to be better? Paul's answer is an emphatic, "Press on!" We must strive and struggle toward that lofty goal of Christ-likeness, it doesn't matter that we can't get there because God has called us to be soldiers for the Cross, we too must take up spiritual arms and stand against evil, we too must stand with the weak, the outcasts, because we will then be standing where our saviour stood, with the people, that he might save the people.
To watch the video, click on the link below:
Sermon Video
Monday, May 13, 2013
Sermon Video: "to live is Christ, to die is gain" - Philippians 1:19-26
In the end, Paul was willing to continue striving for the sake of Gospel, if it is God's will. Likewise, Paul was willing to meet his Creator and lay down his burden.
A life lived by faith in Christ, yet cut short for whatever reason, is worth living.
A life lived in vain self-service, no matter how long, is in the end meaningless.
To watch the video, click on the link below:
Sermon Video