We are on day 3 post Mission Sunday. Three days ago we had speakers share about different missions they are involved with in the community, and we had a variety of organizations come and host tables to share how God is working through them. It was a time to get involved! It didn't matter how, or where, or for how long. At VPC we have missions that are local, national, and international. We host, and partner with, missions that help the hungry, the homeless, those shut in their homes, the elderly, the children, the children in foster care, the urban community, the migrant, children in multiple parts of Africa, and so much more. If you are interested in getting involved with missions, VPC knows one with whom you can connect. We are a church that believes Church isn't confined to the walls of our sanctuary but that we are here for a larger purpose - to continue Christ's work in the world.
And if you do mission work, you will probably agree that, most of the time, you get more out of it than the person you are serving. I know I do. I remember once I was in college and in Philadelphia on a mission trip. We were in a particularly rough area, and it was eye-opening for this suburbia girl! We hosted a VBS, cleaned up trash (mainly empty heroin bags) at the local park, and much more. One day we were doing a street cleanup in a neighborhood and the leader of the group called me over to meet a guy. He was homeless and a friend of the neighborhood and of the mission. He also had one leg. Literally, and his other leg was a wooden peg. We had been talking for about five minutes when I heard loud pops. All at once this man pushed me on the ground and laid over me. The pops were bullets. We were in a drive by shooting. Suddenly the noise stopped, the car sped away and the man helped me up. My friend Melissa was next to me and she burst into tears. Not really knowing what I should do, I joined in. Then I sobbed and sobbed. And actually it wasn't for myself. I just couldn't believe that this neighborhood, these children, these elderly friends experienced these shootings on a regular basis. There was no hesitation, no panic; everyone just hit the ground until it was over. This was normal life. I in no way felt normal. And candidly, I don't think I ever did again.
On that hot day in Philadelphia, I experienced holiness. An outcast to the world shielded me, a stranger, from danger. He laid down his life for a friend. Sound familiar? I'm pretty sure that's what Jesus meant when he said "Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends" John 15:13... and that man taught me, we are all friends.
I went to Philly to serve those in need, and I was blessed with an experience that changed the course of my life. No longer could I ignore the terrors of the world, the cities, and the neighborhoods right around me. Life became bigger and my relationship with God became so much better.
Friends, when we engage in mission, our problems don't go away. In fact we may have more. However, the perspective with which we see the world changes. We spend our time more meaningfully and we enjoy the things of life that really matter. It's not always easy, but it's always rewarding. I encourage you to join us in this journey.
May God bless you and all whom you love,
Rev. Michelle
Wednesday, August 31, 2016
Monday, August 15, 2016
Dead Church Walking
"To the angel of the church in Pergamum write: These are the words of him who has the sharp, double edged sword. I know where you live-where Satan has his throne. Yet you remain true to my name. You did not renounce your faith in me, even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was put to death in your city-where Satan lives. Nevertheless, I have a few things against you: You have people there who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin by eating food sacrificed to idols and by committing sexual immorality. Likewise you also have those who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans. Repent therefore! Otherwise, I will soon come to you and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give him a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to him who receives it. Rev. 2: 12-17
The Christians in the church in Pergamum were permitting, no doubt in the name of toleration and inclusiveness, the teaching of Balaam. Balaam advised the Midianite women how to lead the Israelites away from God (Num. 25:1-2; 31:16). He serves as a prototype of all corrupt teachers who seek to deceive believers into compromise and accommodation with worldliness.
This past month in Portland Oregon, the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA) met for its biennial exercise in cultural accommodation. Little of good note was accomplished. On the other hand there was the usual laundry list of behaviors reminiscent of the 7 churches in Revelation 2 & 3. Most offensive and in my opinion apostate was the inclusion of prayer by a Muslim Iman praying to a false god. This, in the course of what was promoted as worship – not interfaith dialogue, not mutual support, but worship. In that light, it was both apostate and heretical. Here is a brief description of what occurred:
The OGA (Office of the General Assembly) leadership deliberately designed this service not simply as an ecumenical affair (inviting leaders from other Christian denominations to help lead) but also as an interfaith event (inviting one leader from an anti-Christian religion — Islam). Not surprisingly, the Muslim iman, Wajdi Said, led the assembly in a prayer in Arabic from the Qur’an, and then proceeded to speak a prayer to Allah in English seeking the conversion of all there to Islam, and demoting Jesus to a status equal to other prophets, including non-biblical ones (Ishmael and Muhammad). The final part of the liturgy he read was something he, together with the denominational designers, must have created — it was a prayer based on four passages from the Qur’an (there was nothing recognizable from the Bible), and was in printed form as well as projected on screen for the assembly.
This but one more piece of evidence speaking to the death of a once faithful denomination. It is not (by any means) the first instance of such heresy and I suspect it will not be the last.
It is not enough to call yourself a church. Those who shun Biblical doctrine and choose cultural accommodation over Christian doctrine simply pander to the world. Christ's Church exists for a reason. It has a purpose. We are called to it to perform a service. People who attend merely for the "community and social causes" will never bear fruit for the kingdom.
The Nicolaitans condemned in The Revelation of John were a heretical sect within the church. They taught and promoted a theology of accommodation with the cultural norms of their world. They did so to save themselves from the trouble of actually helping those who were caught up in sinful behavior. This is still true of the formerly mainline and now simply sideline churches.
Far from being more compassionate, modern Nicolaitans are just avoiding the price of obeying the word of God.
Every Christian should be prepared to be different from the world around him. The most common word for believers in the New Testament is hagios, which means different, separate, holy.
On Jun 22 in the 2016 General Assembly (PCUSA) “Allah bless us and bless our families and bless our Lord. Lead us on the straight path – the path of all the prophets: Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Moses, Jesus and Muhammad,” and so went the prayer offered up by Wajidi Said, from the Portland Muslim Community, as part of the “first order of business” during the opening plenary session of the 222nd General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA).
The PCUSA was trying to be inclusive. They did not mean to offend anyone. But when anyone or any group ignores the Word of God and tries to accommodate the world, they will offend God and repulse the faithful.
The Christians in the church in Pergamum were permitting, no doubt in the name of toleration and inclusiveness, the teaching of Balaam. Balaam advised the Midianite women how to lead the Israelites away from God (Num. 25:1-2; 31:16). He serves as a prototype of all corrupt teachers who seek to deceive believers into compromise and accommodation with worldliness.
This past month in Portland Oregon, the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA) met for its biennial exercise in cultural accommodation. Little of good note was accomplished. On the other hand there was the usual laundry list of behaviors reminiscent of the 7 churches in Revelation 2 & 3. Most offensive and in my opinion apostate was the inclusion of prayer by a Muslim Iman praying to a false god. This, in the course of what was promoted as worship – not interfaith dialogue, not mutual support, but worship. In that light, it was both apostate and heretical. Here is a brief description of what occurred:
The OGA (Office of the General Assembly) leadership deliberately designed this service not simply as an ecumenical affair (inviting leaders from other Christian denominations to help lead) but also as an interfaith event (inviting one leader from an anti-Christian religion — Islam). Not surprisingly, the Muslim iman, Wajdi Said, led the assembly in a prayer in Arabic from the Qur’an, and then proceeded to speak a prayer to Allah in English seeking the conversion of all there to Islam, and demoting Jesus to a status equal to other prophets, including non-biblical ones (Ishmael and Muhammad). The final part of the liturgy he read was something he, together with the denominational designers, must have created — it was a prayer based on four passages from the Qur’an (there was nothing recognizable from the Bible), and was in printed form as well as projected on screen for the assembly.
This but one more piece of evidence speaking to the death of a once faithful denomination. It is not (by any means) the first instance of such heresy and I suspect it will not be the last.
It is not enough to call yourself a church. Those who shun Biblical doctrine and choose cultural accommodation over Christian doctrine simply pander to the world. Christ's Church exists for a reason. It has a purpose. We are called to it to perform a service. People who attend merely for the "community and social causes" will never bear fruit for the kingdom.
The Nicolaitans condemned in The Revelation of John were a heretical sect within the church. They taught and promoted a theology of accommodation with the cultural norms of their world. They did so to save themselves from the trouble of actually helping those who were caught up in sinful behavior. This is still true of the formerly mainline and now simply sideline churches.
- Rather than help the sexually confused and hurting, the modern Nicolaitans condone the behavior.
- Rather than stand up for the life of the unborn child, they condone unrestricted abortion on demand.
- Rather than learn how to be responsible parents, they neglect discipline. There is a lot of talk about "love." But what about "guidance" and discipline?
- Rather than stand up for what the Bible teaches, they appease the world.
Far from being more compassionate, modern Nicolaitans are just avoiding the price of obeying the word of God.
Every Christian should be prepared to be different from the world around him. The most common word for believers in the New Testament is hagios, which means different, separate, holy.
On Jun 22 in the 2016 General Assembly (PCUSA) “Allah bless us and bless our families and bless our Lord. Lead us on the straight path – the path of all the prophets: Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Moses, Jesus and Muhammad,” and so went the prayer offered up by Wajidi Said, from the Portland Muslim Community, as part of the “first order of business” during the opening plenary session of the 222nd General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA).
The PCUSA was trying to be inclusive. They did not mean to offend anyone. But when anyone or any group ignores the Word of God and tries to accommodate the world, they will offend God and repulse the faithful.
- When anyone or any group tries to accommodate the world, they offend Christ.
- When anyone or any group offers prayer in any other name than Jesus’, they offend God and their prayer is not honored.
--Pastor Jim
Sunday, July 31, 2016
Fighting the Good Fight
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”
2 Timothy 4:7
If you are anything like me, you have been watching the Olympics way too late into the evening (really, gymnastics at midnight, come on). I am mesmerized by the twists and turns, the elation of winning the gold, and most of all the stories of the young people who have arrived at the greatest of the world’s competitions.
My favorite story this year is of Yusra Mardini. She and her sister fled Syria in August 2015. They left Lebanon and headed to Turkey. In Turkey, they boarded a boat to Greece. Thirty minutes into their journey, the boat started to sink as it took on water. She jumped out and swam the boat (and all its occupants) to safety. This took over three hours. Mardini said, “I thought it would be a real shame if I drowned in the sea, because I am a swimmer” (CNN).
This kind of perseverance, and that of all the athletes who make it to the Rio competition, inspires us to be the best in our own personal arena. It reminds us that we, too, can achieve greatness. It may not be the kind worthy of a gold medal (really, my six year old can swim faster than me in the pool), however, it can be worth more than gold in the Kingdom of God. Christ promised His disciples that they would be able to do even more than He did, through Him! (John 15:12-14). Where is God calling you to serve Him in the Kingdom? If we are faithful and prayerful, God will show us the way.
Best of all, we are not alone. Jesus promises us that the Holy Spirit is inside of us and will never leave us (John 14:15-17). As we move through the challenges and hurdles that we face, may we fight against a spirit of timidity (2. Timothy 1:7), and hold tight to the promises that we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us (Philippians 4:13). So that one day, when we meet our Savior face to face, we can approach with humble confidence saying, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” (2 Timothy 4:7).
-Rev. Michelle
2 Timothy 4:7
If you are anything like me, you have been watching the Olympics way too late into the evening (really, gymnastics at midnight, come on). I am mesmerized by the twists and turns, the elation of winning the gold, and most of all the stories of the young people who have arrived at the greatest of the world’s competitions.
My favorite story this year is of Yusra Mardini. She and her sister fled Syria in August 2015. They left Lebanon and headed to Turkey. In Turkey, they boarded a boat to Greece. Thirty minutes into their journey, the boat started to sink as it took on water. She jumped out and swam the boat (and all its occupants) to safety. This took over three hours. Mardini said, “I thought it would be a real shame if I drowned in the sea, because I am a swimmer” (CNN).
 |
| Yusra Mardini (BBC) |
Best of all, we are not alone. Jesus promises us that the Holy Spirit is inside of us and will never leave us (John 14:15-17). As we move through the challenges and hurdles that we face, may we fight against a spirit of timidity (2. Timothy 1:7), and hold tight to the promises that we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us (Philippians 4:13). So that one day, when we meet our Savior face to face, we can approach with humble confidence saying, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” (2 Timothy 4:7).
-Rev. Michelle
Friday, July 15, 2016
A Melodic View of Calvinism
While we do not spend a great deal of time debating theology here at Village, there is no question about my particular theological stance. I am an unflinching Calvinist.
I am often amused by people who do not really know what that means somehow relate Calvinist thinking to some kind of dour and grumpy "churchiness." The truth is that nothing could be farther from the truth. Yes, Calvinistic theology places a strong emphasis on biblical and doctrinal knowledge. Here is why: we are transformed by the renewing of our minds. This transformation is necessary for heartfelt worship so that we may gain understanding of God and His ways.
However, Calvinism is not and for that matter has never been, merely cerebral. The roots of the authentic Reformed Christian experience are found in the highest order of spiritual experience. Calvinistic doctrine is always expressed soaring words and 'songs' of praise. This melody is heard in the worship, the lifestyle and the experience of Reformed Christians everywhere.
Are we serious about our world view? Certainly, but serious does not equal 'dour' or joyless. Calvin himself spoke of this as a glorious symphony blending several motifs. The motifs he spoke of may well be related to the five points of the later Calvinist mnemonic TULIP. Calvin's motifs were:
--Pastor Jim
I am often amused by people who do not really know what that means somehow relate Calvinist thinking to some kind of dour and grumpy "churchiness." The truth is that nothing could be farther from the truth. Yes, Calvinistic theology places a strong emphasis on biblical and doctrinal knowledge. Here is why: we are transformed by the renewing of our minds. This transformation is necessary for heartfelt worship so that we may gain understanding of God and His ways.
However, Calvinism is not and for that matter has never been, merely cerebral. The roots of the authentic Reformed Christian experience are found in the highest order of spiritual experience. Calvinistic doctrine is always expressed soaring words and 'songs' of praise. This melody is heard in the worship, the lifestyle and the experience of Reformed Christians everywhere.
Are we serious about our world view? Certainly, but serious does not equal 'dour' or joyless. Calvin himself spoke of this as a glorious symphony blending several motifs. The motifs he spoke of may well be related to the five points of the later Calvinist mnemonic TULIP. Calvin's motifs were:
- Trust in the sovereignty of God.
- The experience of the power of God's grace to save hopeless and helpless sinners.
- An overwhelming sense of being loved by a Savior who has died specifically and successfully for one's sins.
- The discovery of a grace that has set one free to trust, serve, and love Christ while yet not destroying one's will.
- The quiet confidence and poise engendered by knowing that God has pledged Himself to persevere with His people "till all the ransomed church of God is saved to sin no more."
--Pastor Jim
Thursday, June 30, 2016
A House Undivided
"So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world." James 4:7-8a
Humble yourself, resist the devil, come close to God, wash your hands, purify your hearts – all of these statements are actions. They are things we must do. The Apostle James tells us that we must act. We must choose to act, strive forward, and move toward Christ. Our loyalty is divided James says, do we choose the world or ourselves. Can we claim like Joshua, that as for me and my house we will serve the Lord?
I guess the follow up question is, what does that choice look like for you and me? Where in your life are you choosing yourself, your own needs, desires, pride, over that of Christ's will? I think it's different for each of us. And I mean in the big things – the character issues. I bet we all would say we should read our Bibles more, pray more, but where do we need to choose Jesus in how we talk, or what we do with our time, or how we treat those closest to us or those that sometimes drive us crazy? Are we choosing to be the city on the hill to the world, or are we choosing what makes us comfortable or feel better about ourselves? Are we being true disciples? Are we standing up when Jesus says go, and allowing God to stretch us for our full potential?
There is a young woman named Katie Davis who is a modern day example of one who chose to no longer be divided, but whole-heartedly follow Jesus. She is about 27 years old. When she was 18 she went on a short-term mission trip to Uganda from Tennessee. "She was immediately captivated with the people and the culture". The next year she went back to teach kindergarten at an orphanage. She was a single teenager who chose Jesus. "As she walked the children home, she was shocked to see the sheer number of school-aged children walking along the road, playing with their friends, washing their families' dishes or digging in the fields. She learned that most schools in Uganda require school fees for attendance." She started a sponsorship program that now helps 700 children. She saw the poverty and the deaths of children to malnutrition and starvation and started the Masese Feeding Outreach which provides meals to 1200 children Monday through Friday. She started the self-sustaining vocational program to empower women to generate an income, and throughout this time became a mother to thirteen orphan girls who now have a family.
Katie once said, "People tell me I am brave. People tell me I am strong. People tell me good job. Well here is the truth of it. I am really not that brave, I am not really that strong, and I am not doing anything spectacular. I am just doing what God called me to do as a follower of Him. Feed His sheep, do unto the least of His people."
(Information and image provided by https://amazima.org/about-us/katies-story)
Maybe she isn't that brave, or strong or spectacular, but she chose on that day at 18, and every day since then, to serve the Lord and to view her life as clay molded by the Master Potter - a living instrument for the will of God. And thousands are changed because of it.
Let us live lives of action, undivided, and focused on the One who holds us close.
--Rev. Michelle
Humble yourself, resist the devil, come close to God, wash your hands, purify your hearts – all of these statements are actions. They are things we must do. The Apostle James tells us that we must act. We must choose to act, strive forward, and move toward Christ. Our loyalty is divided James says, do we choose the world or ourselves. Can we claim like Joshua, that as for me and my house we will serve the Lord?
I guess the follow up question is, what does that choice look like for you and me? Where in your life are you choosing yourself, your own needs, desires, pride, over that of Christ's will? I think it's different for each of us. And I mean in the big things – the character issues. I bet we all would say we should read our Bibles more, pray more, but where do we need to choose Jesus in how we talk, or what we do with our time, or how we treat those closest to us or those that sometimes drive us crazy? Are we choosing to be the city on the hill to the world, or are we choosing what makes us comfortable or feel better about ourselves? Are we being true disciples? Are we standing up when Jesus says go, and allowing God to stretch us for our full potential?
There is a young woman named Katie Davis who is a modern day example of one who chose to no longer be divided, but whole-heartedly follow Jesus. She is about 27 years old. When she was 18 she went on a short-term mission trip to Uganda from Tennessee. "She was immediately captivated with the people and the culture". The next year she went back to teach kindergarten at an orphanage. She was a single teenager who chose Jesus. "As she walked the children home, she was shocked to see the sheer number of school-aged children walking along the road, playing with their friends, washing their families' dishes or digging in the fields. She learned that most schools in Uganda require school fees for attendance." She started a sponsorship program that now helps 700 children. She saw the poverty and the deaths of children to malnutrition and starvation and started the Masese Feeding Outreach which provides meals to 1200 children Monday through Friday. She started the self-sustaining vocational program to empower women to generate an income, and throughout this time became a mother to thirteen orphan girls who now have a family.
Katie once said, "People tell me I am brave. People tell me I am strong. People tell me good job. Well here is the truth of it. I am really not that brave, I am not really that strong, and I am not doing anything spectacular. I am just doing what God called me to do as a follower of Him. Feed His sheep, do unto the least of His people."
(Information and image provided by https://amazima.org/about-us/katies-story)
Maybe she isn't that brave, or strong or spectacular, but she chose on that day at 18, and every day since then, to serve the Lord and to view her life as clay molded by the Master Potter - a living instrument for the will of God. And thousands are changed because of it.
Let us live lives of action, undivided, and focused on the One who holds us close.
--Rev. Michelle
Wednesday, June 15, 2016
The Loose Leaf Bible
For we did not follow cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of His majesty. For He received from God the Father honor and glory when such a voice came to Him from the Excellent Glory: "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." And we heard this voice which came from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain.
And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts; knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.
II Peter 1: 16-21
In spite of our foolish attempts to decrease God's standing to something resembling our own, the fact is that God is so completely different (holy) from us that the only possible way we can truly know Him is as He has chosen to reveal Himself to us. That comes down to two specifics. First He reveals himself to us in the manifest glory of creation. Then he reveals Himself through the prophets and apostles.
To be sure, the Bible is neither culturally driven, nor is it politically correct. It is important that our beliefs are firmly grounded in God's inerrant Word -- and not on human speculation about God. This is why we must trust the Bible as the only infallible rule of life, faith and all beliefs about God. Church councils and confessions, as well as scholarly writings, are useful and helpful understanding and communicating our Christian faith but they are the works of man and are not infallible. The 66 canonical books of the Bible are the only writings which are God breathed an infallible. As Paul explained to Timothy: "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work."
II Tim. 3: 16-17
This written revelation traces back to the time when God Himself inscribed the Ten Commandments on stone tablets and then instructed Moses to write Israel's Law and history in the first five books of our Bible. Living according to this written revelation has always been the central tenet of God's Covenant people. Both leaders and laity should know God's written Word, obey that Word, and pass it to the next generation un blemished and unchanged. Our best confession (IMHO), The Westminster, has stated it this way:
"The authority of the Holy Scripture, for which it ought to be believed, and obeyed, depends not upon the testimony of any man, or Church; but wholly upon God (who is truth itself) the author thereof: and therefore it is to be received, because it is the Word of God."
Allow me to be very clear: Jesus and the apostles believed the Scriptures to be divine revelation, to be studied and obeyed. When Satan tempted Him, Jesus responded with the written Word (Matt. 4). When two disciples were on the road to Emmaus, Jesus revealed Himself to them with the words of Scripture.
Paul believed that all Scripture was inspired by God and Peter placed Paul's writing on an equal footing with the books of the Old Testament. Accordingly, the orthodox and faithful Church correctly regards the apostles' written teaching about Christ to be the completion of the testimony of God begun by Moses. In other words, what the Bible says, God said. All that the Biblical writers wrote should be received as the infallible revelation of God and God's direct, immutable instructions to His people. None of us should ever treat scripture as if it were a loose leaf Gospel from which we may remove pages we don't like – or conversely into which we may add things we wish God would permit.
--Pastor Jim
And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts; knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.
II Peter 1: 16-21
In spite of our foolish attempts to decrease God's standing to something resembling our own, the fact is that God is so completely different (holy) from us that the only possible way we can truly know Him is as He has chosen to reveal Himself to us. That comes down to two specifics. First He reveals himself to us in the manifest glory of creation. Then he reveals Himself through the prophets and apostles.
To be sure, the Bible is neither culturally driven, nor is it politically correct. It is important that our beliefs are firmly grounded in God's inerrant Word -- and not on human speculation about God. This is why we must trust the Bible as the only infallible rule of life, faith and all beliefs about God. Church councils and confessions, as well as scholarly writings, are useful and helpful understanding and communicating our Christian faith but they are the works of man and are not infallible. The 66 canonical books of the Bible are the only writings which are God breathed an infallible. As Paul explained to Timothy: "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work."
II Tim. 3: 16-17
This written revelation traces back to the time when God Himself inscribed the Ten Commandments on stone tablets and then instructed Moses to write Israel's Law and history in the first five books of our Bible. Living according to this written revelation has always been the central tenet of God's Covenant people. Both leaders and laity should know God's written Word, obey that Word, and pass it to the next generation un blemished and unchanged. Our best confession (IMHO), The Westminster, has stated it this way:
"The authority of the Holy Scripture, for which it ought to be believed, and obeyed, depends not upon the testimony of any man, or Church; but wholly upon God (who is truth itself) the author thereof: and therefore it is to be received, because it is the Word of God."
Allow me to be very clear: Jesus and the apostles believed the Scriptures to be divine revelation, to be studied and obeyed. When Satan tempted Him, Jesus responded with the written Word (Matt. 4). When two disciples were on the road to Emmaus, Jesus revealed Himself to them with the words of Scripture.
Paul believed that all Scripture was inspired by God and Peter placed Paul's writing on an equal footing with the books of the Old Testament. Accordingly, the orthodox and faithful Church correctly regards the apostles' written teaching about Christ to be the completion of the testimony of God begun by Moses. In other words, what the Bible says, God said. All that the Biblical writers wrote should be received as the infallible revelation of God and God's direct, immutable instructions to His people. None of us should ever treat scripture as if it were a loose leaf Gospel from which we may remove pages we don't like – or conversely into which we may add things we wish God would permit.
--Pastor Jim
Monday, May 11, 2015
Authentic Faith
I heard this story about Christians in the Soviet Union when being Christian was outlawed, and proclaiming Christ as Lord warranted execution. Some Christians were secretly meeting when Russian soldiers entered with guns. They gave the Christians one chance. They said if they would denounce Christ as Lord they could leave. The people were scared, terrified, and most did what was requested - fled the worship space. A few stayed and prepared to die. The Russian soldiers looked at them and put down their guns. They said let us worship. We only want to worship with real Christians. They then began to worship. Those Russians congregants had the courage, and lived the faith.
-- Rev. Michelle
-- Rev. Michelle
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