Series: The Big Questions – What Is the Church? The Good News and the Kingdom of God What if churches and Christians were able to bring all kinds of good things to all people? Would this be love? Most churches have a box over in the corner where they restrain God. All good things the creator might give us are suppressed and the minister stands up and spouts what he wants people to hear … which is what they have... Read more
Series: The Big Questions What Is the Church? The message and promise of Jesus The paramount message of Jesus, and the essence of Jesus’ teachings, is the Good News of the forgiveness of sins. Jesus was heralded into the world by angels: “… the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people ….” and “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace... Read more
Series: The Big Questions The church is fundamentally a collection of believers who follow Jesus. Early believers were Jews who attended gatherings where Jesus spoke. Later believers became followers of Jesus from all nations who gathered in people’s homes. They were labeled Christians because they followed Christ. Jesus used the Greek word εκκλησιά for his church, which means assembly. Wherever two or more are gathered together Jesus is with them. The body of Christ “For even as the body is... Read more
Series: The Big Questions Was Jesus a man, a God, or something else? Simple answer Jesus was a man who represented God and brought a message that changed or clarified the relationship between God and people. He condemned no one during his ministry (John 3:17). The change in the relationship was a further clarification of what God requires from people. It was a message of goodwill toward people and the Good News of forgiveness to all for the asking and... Read more
Who is right? For my dad, a WWII vet, there was the Army way and the right way. The right way was usually his way and it was always the hard way. If it didn’t take a lot of elbow grease it couldn’t possibly do the job properly. For my son, if there was an electric tool that did things quickly and easily, he would refuse do the job without it. I run into this controversy a lot. It seems... Read more
Series: The Big Questions Series summary Many religions hold the Bible in high esteem. Certainly the religions do that sprang from Abraham: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. The thousands of variations of these beliefs reference the Bible. God loves all creation. Psalm 145:9: “The Lord is good to all, and his compassion is over all that he has made.” God’s love for people The Bible is a book about people’s perceptions of God’s influence and work in their lives. God is... Read more
Series: The Big Questions What does it mean to be a Christian? It’s a place of example to others and service? Christianity has two major holidays that represent the meaning of the Christian religion. The first, Christmas, is represented and celebrated as Jesus’ birth, ushered in by peach and goodwill toward others. The second holiday, Easter, represents God’s love through the promise of the Kingdom of God and eternal life, and the forgiveness of sins so that there is no... Read more
Series: The Big Questions What does it mean to be the chosen people? Is it a place of privilege? Or a place of service? The ancient Jews are considered to be an example of godliness, not an exclusive club. They had a covenant (agreement) with God. Jewish Covenants: “For you are a holy people to the Lord your God, and the Lord has chosen you to be a people for His own possession out of all the peoples who are... Read more
Series: The Big Questions There are a variety of attitudes about what the Bible is. At one extreme the Bible is the only official word of God. At the other extreme it’s a series of fairy tales. It’s generally regarded as guidance for humanity. In its simplest form the Bible contains stories about a series of agreements (covenants) between God and man, mostly about behavior. The agreements take the form of “if … then” statements: “If you do this, God... Read more
Series: The Big Questions There are a variety of attitudes about what the Bible is. At one extreme the Bible is the only official word of God that contains a list of rules or laws about how we should live. Breaking them sends us to Hell. At the other extreme the Bible is a book of fiction with no practical meaning. There is nothing beyond death. Is there a middle ground? Or is the Bible something else altogether? As a... Read more
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