I have seen war. I have seen war on land and sea.... I have seen the dead in the mud. I have seen cities destroyed.... I have seen children starving. I have seen the agony of mothers and wives. I hate war.
A key problem of evangelical churches worldwide is the unilateral emphasis on numerical growth. For the sake of it, the gospel is watered down, church services are turned into entertainment, and Jesus' commandment to make disciples is replaced by a strategy to enroll as many converts as possible. In my frequent travels, I find an increasing number of megachurches with a high rate of numerical growth but a low degree of concern for faithfulness to the whole gospel and the ethical dimensions of whole-life discipleship. Read more....
Beloved, in the world there is sin, sickness, disease and disability. As Christ followers, we have citizenship in God’s Kingdom that Christ is ruling over.
Our citizenship is not of this world and we are to utilize our remaining days on earth putting our faith in action so that those in need can have opportunity to experience Jesus’ forgiveness of sins while seeing the Kingdom in action and desiring to be a part of it. In God’s Kingdom there is love, grace, peace and freedom with race, gender, health and economic equality for all.
Notice that Jesus knew what the religionists were thinking and addressed them (Mark 2:6-12). They were upset because Jesus forgave this man of His sins. Their logic and theology convinced them that only God could forgive sin. Who did Jesus think He was? Anyone could say that they forgive a person’s sin, but there is no evidence that what they say has been accomplished.
Jesus, knowing what was in their heart, gave the physical evidence that verified that He had the authority to forgive sins. He gave the paralytic specific instruction and when the paralytic obeyed Jesus, physical healing took place. This man not only received the forgiveness of sin, but He could finally move and walk. The people were amazed and God was glorified.
Friend, we are sinners and Christ forgives sins. A church doesn’t. A pastor or priest doesn’t. Church membership or church attendance doesn’t. Christ does. I encourage you to allow Christ to forgive you of your sins today. Scripture tells us ”This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. (1 John 1:5-10 ESV)”
Beloved, as we put our faith in action within our cities and communities, Jesus will do the rest. As we minister at the point of need, people will sense the love of Christ as our motivation and many will come to Christ and receive the forgiveness of sins. We will reach more people for Christ this way than by telling them that they are going to hell as sinners. If you go to the marginalized in your city and tell them that they are going to hell unless they come to Jesus, they will not understand because they are already living in hell. But, if churches meet the needs of the marginalized in their city, people will experience the kingdom of God in action and want to be a part of it.
I thank God for the Christ following churches who are bringing people out of the hellish conditions in their city and introducing them to the love, grace, peace and freedom of God’s Kingdom through point of need ministry.
The religionists who got there early for the best seats in the house (Mark 2:6-12) did not take kindly to Jesus forgiving this man’s sin, but I don’t want to focus entirely on the behavior of these religionists and miss the message proclaimed through Jesus’ actions. The first thing we need to notice is that Jesus was moved by the faith of the paralytic and friends. It took faith for the paralytic to allow these friends to take him to Jesus and his friend’s faith is obvious as they used their expendable time to minister to their friend and take him to where his needs could be met.
Beloved, faith without action is dead faith and nothing will come of it. Putting our faith in action will yield abundant results as we utilize our expendable time helping people and getting their needs met. What would happen in our cities if everyone who attended church on Sundays would put their faith in action during the week utilizing their expendable time to help others? It may be as simple as taking an elderly person to the doctor, coaching a little league team, providing a meal for a shut in or volunteering at a homeless shelter, hospital, nursing home, prison or jail.
It seems that in our day, churches pride their self on getting parishioners to volunteer their expendable time within the walls of the church building in programs and events designed to bring people to the building. I think we have missed something vital in this strategy and people in our cities are suffering as a result. If we put our faith in action throughout the week, Jesus will do the rest and the needs of people will be met in our cities.
Let's always put our faith into action and see Jesus do wonderful things outside the walls of a church building and beyond the confines of a service.
Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, "Why does this man speak like that? He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?" And immediately Jesus, perceiving in his spirit that they thus questioned within themselves, said to them, "Why do you question these things in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Rise, take up your bed and walk'? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins"--he said to the paralytic-- "I say to you, rise, pick up your bed, and go home." And he rose and immediately picked up his bed and went out before them all, so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, "We never saw anything like this!"
(Mark 2:6-12 ESV)
Jesus’ message of the Kingdom and demonstration of it was attracting large crowds of people, including the religionists of His day. We can’t help but notice that the religionists had seats in the crowded house and did not give them up for those who were in obvious need, such as this paralytic. Could this mimic our houses of worship today? Are the needy being taken care of or are they being crowded out?
May we in our day take note that Jesus treated all people equal.
In the first five verses of chapter two in the Gospel of Mark, Jesus is ministering in a house in Capernaum. He is preaching about the Kingdom, repentance and faith. The house is so full of people, not another person could get through the entrance. Mark tells us that there was a paralytic who was brought to the house by four friends. They had heard about the Kingdom that Jesus was introducing throughout the land in both His words and through His actions. If they could just get this paralytic friend to Jesus they knew that things would be different.
They didn’t let a packed house and blocked entry way stop them. They took the man up to the roof, removed the tiles and lowered the man down on his bed. This took much faith, both in the paralytic and his friends “and when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.””
Don't allow any obstacles keep you and your friends from Jesus and His Kingdom that He is ruling over.
What distinguishes those of us at the starting line from those of us on the couch is that we learn through running to take what the days gives us, what our body will allow us, and what our will can tolerate.
Beloved, Jesus loves us. He desires to forgive us of all of our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. His Kingdom has been established in Him. Be quick to repent and believe.
Repent and believe… Repent and believe.
Be a full participant in God’s Kingdom revealing it to others throughout your journey from earth to Glory as you follow Christ.
And when he returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home. And many were gathered together, so that there was no more room, not even at the door. And he was preaching the word to them. And they came, bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. And when they could not get near him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him, and when they had made an opening, they let down the bed on which the paralytic lay. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Son, your sins are forgiven." (Mark 2:1-5 ESV)
In this paragraph of Scripture, we see four friends of a paralytic believe in health equality for all. Their friend can’t walk and they desire that he can walk like they do. This desire compels them to go out of their way to make sure this friend gets to Jesus because they see through Jesus’ actions health equality. So they believe the message that Christ is preaching – the Kingdom is at hand, repent and believe. In their actions, Jesus see’s faith, but His next words are rather starting as he looks at the man on the mat and says “your sins are forgiven”. Jesus knows that the greatest need in this man’s life is the forgiveness of sins that follows repentance and belief. Jesus takes care of this greatest need and as God Himself, He forgives sins.
Beloved, our greatest need in life is the forgiveness of sin and only God can do that in our life. We can not do it, the church can not do it, denominations can not do it, church leadership can not do it and people can not do it. Only God can forgive sins as we repent and believe in Christ and His message acknowledging that He is ruling over His Kingdom that we desire to be participants in. 1 John 1:9 says “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (ESV)”
More to come tomorrow... Your comments are encouraged!
Preaching Christ and His Kingdom builds faith in the listener. The listener believes Christ and wants to participate in His Kingdom so they repent of their sins and Jesus is quick to forgive.
The word of God tells us this: How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!" But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, "Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?" So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. (Rom 10:14-17 ESV)
Beloved, what takes precedence in your gatherings whether they take place in a church building, a home, a theater or other locations and technologies? Evaluate your faith. Is it growing? Is your life changing as you live in repentance? If so, I would venture to say that you are listening to the word of Christ and your faith is growing along with your participation in His Kingdom. If not, I would venture to say that something other than the preaching of the word of Christ is taking precedence in the gatherings you attend. Many in are day are falling for a different gospel.
More to come tomorrow... Your comments are encouraged!
And when he returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home. And many were gathered together, so that there was no more room, not even at the door. And he was preaching the word to them. And they came, bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. And when they could not get near him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him, and when they had made an opening, they let down the bed on which the paralytic lay. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Son, your sins are forgiven." (Mark 2:1-5 ESV)
Mark is very explicit in pointing out that Jesus was there “preaching the word.” Taking care of people’s needs was important, but preaching the word was priority in Jesus’ life and ministry. The “word” that Jesus preached is defined in Mark 1:14-15 which reads “… Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel. (ESV)"
Needs being met attracted the crowds, but Jesus constantly brings attention back to the preaching of the Kingdom which is His priority. Near the conclusion of chapter one Jesus tells His followers "Let us go on to the next towns, that I may preach there also, for that is why I came out. (Mark 1:38 ESV)”
In the kingdom that Jesus is ruling over there is love, grace, peace and freedom with race, gender, health and economic equality for all. That message must take priority over all else in our day. Taking care of the needs of people is vital and is to be the result of preaching Christ and His Kingdom which must be priority. Actions must follow words. The result will be a realization of the Kingdom and participation in it.
More to come tomorrow... Your comments are encouraged!
In the first chapter of the Gospel of Mark, Jesus is ministering in Capernaum and He ministers at the synagogue, in Simon and Andrew’s home, and in the streets prior to taking His preaching ministry to the cities of the province of Galilee. The second chapter begins with Jesus returning to Capernaum and beginning where He left off there – preaching.
And when he returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home. And many were gathered together, so that there was no more room, not even at the door. And he was preaching the word to them. And they came, bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. And when they could not get near him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him, and when they had made an opening, they let down the bed on which the paralytic lay. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Son, your sins are forgiven." (Mark 2:1-5 ESV)
As chapter two begins, Jesus is back in Capernaum. The “home” that He is preaching in is more than likely again the house of Simon and Andrew. Much to the dislike of the religious leaders of Jesus’ day and our day, Jesus shows by example that preaching and ministry is to go beyond the walls of a religious institution and the confines of a religious service. He does not ignore the synagogue and its service, but He also is not bound to its functions or its leadership. He was preaching in a house that was packed full of people all the way backing out the door.
More to come tomorrow... Your comments are encouraged!
What we are in need of today is the word of Christ. Many are proclaiming a different gospel and many listeners are confused, lacking faith and developing a misguided concept of the Kingdom of God that Christ is presently ruling over. The word of Christ leads to repentance, faith and the forgiveness of sins resulting in revelations of His Kingdom that He is currently ruling over.
I will be writing more on my blog concerning this in the days ahead. Your comments are encouraged!
Much of our difficulty as seeking Christians stems from our unwillingness to take God as He is and adjust our lives accordingly. We insist upon trying to modify Him and bring Him nearer to our own image.
The church in Florida that is hosting a "burn the Quran day" on 9/11 may be Christian, but it is of my opinion that they are not following Christ. Christ taught His followers to love their enemies (Matthew 5:43-48) and to love our neighbor as we do our self (Matthew 22:37-40). Christ, from the cross, prayed for those who had violently nailed Him there and asked the Father to "forgive them for they know not what they do" (Luke 23:32-34).
It would be naive for me not to think that there will be some who read what I just stated and say that I am being judgmental, but I am not judging this church and it's leadership. I am simply inspecting their fruit as Christ encouraged His followers to do (Matthew 7:15-23, John 15:1-6). So, is this good fruit of a church or is this bad fruit?
Quran burning will not portray the love of Christ to the world and is not how citizens of the Kingdom of God are to respond. It is acts such as these that fuel the hate of America in other parts of the world which lead to extremist activity spreading death and destruction. Acts such as these also stereotype the Christian church and makes it harder for the numerous Christ following churches to make a difference in their community through displaying the true nature of God's Kingdom which includes love and peace.
I pray that this church and it's leaders repent, change their plans and react to those of the Islam faith in love and peace, praying for them and showing the world that citizens of God's Kingdom live recognizing that their allegiance is first to the Kingdom of God, and after that, to their nation.
There is no such thing as an acceptable level of unemployment, because hunger is not acceptable, poverty is not acceptable, poor health is not acceptable, and a ruined life is not acceptable.
I try to think of myself as an apple tree. Time is not linear, it moves in circles. Come spring, I will bloom again.
Amby Burfoot, The Runner's Guide to the Meaning of Life
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