Filed under: Accountablility, Christ Likeness, Jesus, Kingdom of God, Salvation, The Church, Torah
Hey guys…I preached this sermon at my church, Door of Hope Community Church. Enjoy.
Filed under: Accountablility, Astrology, Birth of Jesus, Faith, Magi, Searching
Well…I might as well start making pubic the task God has put before me. A couple of months ago, God spoke and told me that it’s about time a starting listening to Him about going to seminary. This Thursday, I’m visiting Seminary of the East, in Auburn, MA. It’s a Seminary program that caters to people who are working and trying to go to Seminary at the same time. So, in preparation and personal devotion, I decided to retake an assignment I had in college that I didn’t do so well in. In my New Testament class I had to write 100 essay question for 80% of the grade. I didn’t keep up and ended failing the class. However, since then I had vowed to do those questions. I e-mailed my old professor, Dr. Larry Poston of Nyack College and he sent me the updated questions. So, as a challenge, I will take the summer and finish those questions. Dr. Poston offered to grade them for me, and I will post my answers here each day. However, out of respect for my professor, I will not post the questions, just the answers. Here is number one:
1. Magi, more traditional called wise men, were some the first people to worship Jesus. In Matthew, it’s not stated how many there were, though traditionally there have always been an association with the number the Magi to the number of gifts presented to Jesus. The names of these men vary from culture to culture, however the bible never makes it clear the names of the magi. Their land of origin is also in question. The bible only says that they were from the east (verse 1). The mere fact that they were following a star suggests that they may have been astrologers. Astrology was considered a major science at the time of Christ’s birth along with mathematics and philosophy. Culturally, it was centered in Persia, east of Judea. Those who were verse in Astrology may also have had knowledge of multiple disciplines. If the Magi were indeed from Persia, that would also explain how they may have known Hebrew prophecies and texts. The Persian Empire had conquered Babylon in 539 B.C., Babylon held the Hebrew captive prior to the Persian liberating the Hebrews. This may have given the Magi accesses to the many prophecies the Hebrews had written to that date. Though, the bible does not
specifically indicate how the Magi may have known the prophecies, it is very probable that these men knew about those texts given the extent of knowledge across multiple disciplines. Let’s not also dismiss God’s intervention as He later spoke to the Magi in a dream. He may have also done this as a means of leading them onto the meaning of the star they were following.
A footnote to verse 2 in my bible says the phrase “saw his star in the east” may also say that “saw his star when it rose” makes more sense as to follow a star in the east suggests a star at a fix point in the sky. My question as I pondered the text was how did men from the east, follow a star in the east, end up at location in the west? So, seeing that they were following a star as it rose in the east moved across the sky and into the west would make more sense.
Personally, I feel the Magi tend to be sorely overlooked passage in the bible, lending it to pageants and Christmas specials. As “pagan” as these men were, they sought truth. They were led by God. They journeyed many miles to seek and worship
a God that was not their own. They are an example of men, different from your standard believer, who God can reach
despite the “sorcery” they believed. They worshiped Jesus.
Filed under: Accountablility, Christ Likeness, Kingdom of God, Sin, The Church
(I first wrote this on February 5th, but my blogging client never put it in, because I had some settings wrong, it’s been a rough month, so I let my blog go by the wayside.)
First, I would ask for your prayers as I’m feeling very frustrated with God and life at this moment, there’s a lot swirling through my head, lots going on in my life, and hefty decisions need to be made.
There is a myth in the church these days. It has to do with the perception, or appearance of evil. What does the church really mean when this idea is tossed out? Where does this idea come from? Lets first say that the idea is not biblical. The King James Version of the bible says in 1 Thes. 5:22 “Abstain from all appearance of evil.” which is vastly different from the NIV version which says, “Avoid every kind of evil.” A quick glance and the differences are clear. If you can see it…let me splain…no…let me sum up. To abstain from the appearance of evil gives the impression that you need be watchful over everything you do not to give the perception or impression that you aren’t sinning. The other…gives a clear understanding to stay away from those things that are sin or evil. I believe avoiding perceived guilt diminishes the power of the gospel and the potential of the church. For example, there are a couple of men who have made it their mission to bring the gospel to pornographers. They go were many men would not go to preach the gospel. This is their calling. Why do many avoid this mission field? There is the appearance that they are going there for selfish reasons guised a mission from God? Could this be the case? Maybe? But, I don’t know these men, and I’m certainly not the person they would be accountable to. The gospel is diminished by the appearance of evil. Also, the power of the church working according to the gospel need not hide behind those who risk their position or status in the church by fearing the appearance of evil.
5“If your brother sins gainst you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. 16But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that very charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. 17If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.18Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. 19Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. 20For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.” – Matthew 18
In light of that scripture, isn’t it enough that if we do sin, a church working correctly and biblically would handle those who do sin. A church working correctly need not worry about the appearance of evil because there are always those who are accountable to others and those who knows their lives deeply. A church need worry about the appearance of evil because the sin of gossip would not permeate the people with speculation and innuendos. Those walking currently in the truth need not worry about the appearance of evil as they are so grounded in the teachings Jesus that they themselves know what is good, and those who know them will know their heart. The church would never again take a risk because to do so mean stepping out in faith against the man made rules of the church. To know Jesus is to know his heart. All things biblical are not black and white, and rote with questions and deliberations. Jesus asks us to work together as a community and not be held back for fear of being perceived to be evil.
(Written today) After milling over this subject for a month, I’ve also come to the realization that we as a church also bank on the “Appearance of Good”. Often making ourselves to look better then we really are. So, it’s deception on another level. We must strive to really be transparent as a church so the power of the gospel works. How can we be the hands of feet of Jesus without extending each other grace and accountability? How can we love each other as Jesus does if we keep a facade. God knows who we are, but does the church?
