Once upon a time there was a simple little village called Wolverton. It was a seemingly normal village frequented by many travelers on its highly busy road. The village was comprised of long standing citizens but most villagers only stayed for a short while in Wolverton before moving on. For you see Wolverton had its problems, but not ordinary problems. Wolverton was full of werewolves.
These wolves weren’t extremely dangerous, there had only been two humans killed in the last decade! Most werewolf events involved scaring children at night, the killing of a family pet or disturbing the livestock. Luckily for the villagers the two people who had been killed were the Wolverton’s Mayors. Needless to say this was not a job anyone in the village wanted. When the last Mayor vacated this position the village had to seek a new Mayor from far away.
A new Mayor they did find. He was a fine family man from a distant village that had become rather healthy under his leadership. He even knew about wolves and had rid his last village of a few. He told the citizens of Wolverton that he knew of a weapon long forgotten by most which could stop the wolves attacks. The newer villagers had never heard of such a weapon and older villagers had simply ignored the weapon until it was lost from their knowledge.
The villagers knew who were and who were not werewolves for the most part. There were some who were obvious and others not so much. The most obvious werewolf was the Old Man. He had lived in Wolverton since, well...since anyone could remember. Most people speculated that he had been the murderer of the two dead Mayors years ago. He was very friendly to all, but could always command respect out of any crowd. For the most part people avoided him out of fear, yet held him in high regard.
As time went by the Major did what most Mayors do, he kept the roads free from holes, kept the village square nice and neat, made sure the village events were wonderful and fun for all. But, he also seemed to be a little nosey. He occasionally could be seen reprimanding some of the younger folks in town about their actions and ways. But, he also frequented the residents homes and genuinely expressed love towards the people of Wolverton. And soon the attacks began on the Mayor and his family.
Monday, July 18, 2011
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Denominations are of the Devil!
Do you agree with my title of this blog? I've known many people who do. I have heard preachers say this very thing.
But, what is so bad about denominations? The one arguement that the above defenders would say is that the modern church is divided and not acting as one. Jesus prayed that we would be one as He and the Father are one. So either I must be sinning, or every church is sinning by having their church over there, while I have this perfectly good one right here!
This arguement sounds good on the surface, I used to be a proponent of it. There are several "one another's" throughout the New Testament, so why can't we get along?
Just as there are millions of people and we all have similiar, yet different personality traits, so too does a church. People's preferences are as wide as the Grand Canyon. I really don't think Jesus is upset that we have Baptists, Lutherans, Presbyterians, Catholics, or Pentecostal denominations.
The book of Acts tells us of only four events the early church partook of: teaching, fellowship, meals, and prayer. There were elders appointed in each church per Paul's instructions to Titus and similarly to Timothy. Beyond that the look and feel of a church is pretty much up for grabs. Now, understand that alot of churches are doing it right and alot are doing it wrong, just look at the first seven churches listed in Revelations. This blog isn't about right and wrong practices, at least, not today. This blog is about denominations not being sinful.
Some prefer small and quaint, some like big and loud, some like traditional, some like rock shows, some like preaching, some like singing.
I hope you don't get bent out of shape about denominations.
But, what is so bad about denominations? The one arguement that the above defenders would say is that the modern church is divided and not acting as one. Jesus prayed that we would be one as He and the Father are one. So either I must be sinning, or every church is sinning by having their church over there, while I have this perfectly good one right here!
This arguement sounds good on the surface, I used to be a proponent of it. There are several "one another's" throughout the New Testament, so why can't we get along?
Just as there are millions of people and we all have similiar, yet different personality traits, so too does a church. People's preferences are as wide as the Grand Canyon. I really don't think Jesus is upset that we have Baptists, Lutherans, Presbyterians, Catholics, or Pentecostal denominations.
The book of Acts tells us of only four events the early church partook of: teaching, fellowship, meals, and prayer. There were elders appointed in each church per Paul's instructions to Titus and similarly to Timothy. Beyond that the look and feel of a church is pretty much up for grabs. Now, understand that alot of churches are doing it right and alot are doing it wrong, just look at the first seven churches listed in Revelations. This blog isn't about right and wrong practices, at least, not today. This blog is about denominations not being sinful.
Some prefer small and quaint, some like big and loud, some like traditional, some like rock shows, some like preaching, some like singing.
I hope you don't get bent out of shape about denominations.
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Do We Really Love?
Do Christians really love like they are supposed to?
When Jesus says we are to love our enemies and then says if they slap us on the cheek we are to turn to them the other cheek, is He just being facitious? Or, does He really mean it?
Luke records Jesus' words in Chapter six, verses 32-36, saying that the unconverted person will only love those who love them back. Jesus says that this is no credit to His people if that is all we reciprocate. If we only love those who will love us back and do good to those who do good to us and only lend to those with whom we expect to recieve back then we have fallen short.
Jesus really raises the bar on His people!
To turn the other cheek is to go beyond people's expectations of love. To give them our shirt after they have taken our coat is to go beyond comprehension of true love.
Jesus reminds us that His Father is gracious to the ungrateful and evil and that He is a merciful father. If we are to be sons and daughters of the Most High God then we too must be gracious and merciful. This is no small feat!
But, why, why must we love like this?
Because Godly love makes the Gospel believable!
They may be our enemies, but one day they will stand before a holy God and then they will see who their real enemy is. God will destroy all His enemies on the last day. So, today is the day of their salvation. They cannot wait until judgment day - it will be to late!
We must show them Godly love, so that we will have a platform for presenting the Gospel to them.
When Jesus says we are to love our enemies and then says if they slap us on the cheek we are to turn to them the other cheek, is He just being facitious? Or, does He really mean it?
Luke records Jesus' words in Chapter six, verses 32-36, saying that the unconverted person will only love those who love them back. Jesus says that this is no credit to His people if that is all we reciprocate. If we only love those who will love us back and do good to those who do good to us and only lend to those with whom we expect to recieve back then we have fallen short.
Jesus really raises the bar on His people!
To turn the other cheek is to go beyond people's expectations of love. To give them our shirt after they have taken our coat is to go beyond comprehension of true love.
Jesus reminds us that His Father is gracious to the ungrateful and evil and that He is a merciful father. If we are to be sons and daughters of the Most High God then we too must be gracious and merciful. This is no small feat!
But, why, why must we love like this?
Because Godly love makes the Gospel believable!
They may be our enemies, but one day they will stand before a holy God and then they will see who their real enemy is. God will destroy all His enemies on the last day. So, today is the day of their salvation. They cannot wait until judgment day - it will be to late!
We must show them Godly love, so that we will have a platform for presenting the Gospel to them.
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