Scripture Reading: Romans 1:26-27
The Bible speaks of homosexuality, but it does not mention same-sex marriage. It is clear that the Bible condemns homosexuality as an immoral and unnatural sin. Leviticus 18:22 “You shall not lay with a man as with a woman; it is an abomination” Described as a detestable sin. Romans 1:26-27, declares homosexual desires and actions to be shameful, unnatural, lustful, and indecent. 1Corinthians 6:9 “Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders” Homosexuals are unrighteous and will not inherit the kingdom of God according to scripture. Since both homosexual desires and actions are condemned in the Bible, it is clear that homosexuals “marrying” is not God’s will, and would be sinful. Let’s take a closer look into this topic.
What Does Scripture Have To Say?:
Whenever the Bible mentions marriage, it is between a male and a female. The first mention of marriage is in Genesis 2:24 “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.” A man leaving his parents and being united to his wife.
Other passages that contain instructions regarding marriage are 1 Corinthians 7:2-16 and Ephesians 5:23-33 The Bible clearly identifies marriage as being between a man and a woman. Marriage is a lifetime union of a man and a woman, primarily for the purpose of building a family and providing a stable environment for that family.
What Does History And Science Have To Say?:
The Bible alone does not have to be used to demonstrate the understanding of marriage. The biblical viewpoint of marriage has been the universal understanding of marriage in every human civilization in world history. History argues against gay marriage.
Modern secular psychology recognizes that men and women are psychologically and emotionally designed to complement one another. In regard to the family, psychologists contend that a union between a man and woman in which both spouses serve as good role models is the best environment in which to raise well-adjusted children. Psychology argues against gay marriage. In the physical, men and women were designed to “fit” together sexually. With the “natural” purpose of sexual intercourse being procreation, only a sexual relationship between a man and a woman can fulfill this purpose. The natural order of life argues against gay marriage.
Why Marriage And Not Civil Unions?:
Why is the gay rights movement aggressively pushing for same-sex marriage when most people are supportive of gay couples having all the same legal rights as married couples with some form of civil union?
According to the Scripture, everyone inherently knows that homosexuality is immoral and unnatural. The only way to suppress this knowledge is by normalizing homosexuality and attacking any and all who oppose it. The best way to normalize homosexuality is by placing same-sex marriage on an equal plane with traditional opposite-gender marriage.
(Read) Romans 1:18-32 The truth is known because God has made it clear. The truth is rejected and replaced with a lie. The lie is then promoted and the truth suppressed and attacked. The anger expressed by many in the gay rights movement is an indication that they know their position is indefensible. Trying to overcome a weak position by raising your voice is the oldest trick in the book.
The gay rights agenda can be summed up in Romans 1:31-32 “they are senseless, faithless, heartless, ruthless. Although they know God's righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.”
Making same-sex marriage legal is giving approval to the homosexual lifestyle. Scripture clearly and consistently condemns this as sinful. Christians should stand firm against the idea of same-sex marriage. There are also strong and logical arguments against same-sex marriage from contexts completely separate from the Bible. You do not have to be a Christian to recognize that marriage is between a man and a woman.
Marriage is ordained by God to be between a man and a woman.
Genesis 2:21-24 “So the LORD God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man's ribs and closed up the place with flesh. Then the LORD God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man. The man said, "This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called 'woman, for she was taken out of man." For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.”
Matthew 19:4-6 "Haven't you read," he replied, "that at the beginning the Creator 'made them male and female,' and said, 'For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh' ? So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate."
Same-sex marriage is offensive to the God who created marriage. As Christians, we are not to condone or ignore sin. We are to share the love of God and the forgiveness of sins that is available to all, including homosexuals, through Jesus Christ. We are to speak the truth in love.
Ephesians 4:15 “Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ”
We are to speak truth with “gentleness and respect”.
1 Peter 3:15 “But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,”
As Christians, when we make a stand for truth and the result is personal attacks, insults, and persecution, we should remember the words of Jesus in John 15:18-19: “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.” Hate the sin not the sinner.
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Saturday, June 25, 2011
The Gift’s Of The Spirit
Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 12:7-13
In our Salvation we have responsibilities and benefits. (Spiritual Gift’s) Most look at personal benefits not responsibilities. How many gift’s? What are the gift’s? Why do we receive them? How should we use them? Who gives them? Let’s answer these questions.
GIVEN BY WHOM?:
Two Greek word’s used: Pneumatika: refers to the source, The Holy Spirit (pneuma) and Charismata: refers to the fact that they are given by God’s Grace (charis). Not based on worthiness or our abilities but by God’s sovereign choice. Because they are given by the Spirit of God they are part of our New Life in Jesus.
WHY DO WE RECEIVE THEM?:
Three key text’s that answer this: Romans 12:6-8, 1 Corinthians 12:4-11, and 1 Peter 4:10-11. Look at the diversity of these gift’s. Paul identified different gifts to the Romans than to the Corinthians and Peter spoke of them but didn’t specify them. The importance of them? To Glorify God. Why do we receive them? To make the body functional and whole (Romans 12:5) to “form one body”
HOW MANY GIFT’S ARE THERE?:
Opinions vary on the amount and what they are. Romans 12 lists seven. 1 Corinthians 12 lists nine. Some overlap but indicate God has more.
WHAT ARE THESE GIFT’S?:
Wisdom and Knowledge: The ability to grasp spiritual truth’s in the Word of God and apply them to life.
Prophecy: The ability to provide divine revelation to the church. In the New testament it seems that it is used to determine God’s will more than foretelling future events.
Discerning of Spirit’s: Is usually connected with prophecy. It is the ability to check the authority and validly of a message or messenger. It is meant to prevent False Prophecy.
Healing and Miracles: Referred to as “Sign Gift’s”. Used as validation for the ministry of Jesus and the apostles (early church). God still heals but this gift seems to have decreased with the written word and it’s validation.
Tongues and interpretation of tongues: One of the most misunderstood gift’s. The Greek word “glossa” means any language. Read Acts 2:6-11. The disciples did not know the Galatians language yet they heard the message of God in their own languages. Two points are made clear in these passages 1) The crowd’s heard and understood what was being spoken about Jesus Christ 2) We are told what languages the message was received in. Remember, languages not babble.
Faith, Serving, Encouraging, Giving, Ruling, and Mercy: These gift’s are self explanatory. The one common denominator. Given by God Himself, for His Glory in His Church.
We can learn from these gift’s but don’t limit them or you have missed the point. In all three passages we are given a specific purpose, that is where we should direct our attention.
Romans 12:8 Use these gift’s according to the charter of God and His revealed will simplicity, diligence, and cheerfulness.
1 Corinthians 12:25 Given for no division in the body, and that we should have equal concern for one another.
1 Peter 4:11 “that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ.”
We all have gift’s of the Spirit, given by God’s Grace. To Glorify God, to Glorify His Church. To express His charter through our simplicity, diligence and cheerfulness and to keep the body of the church from separation. To make us equals, not for our personal benefits.
In our Salvation we have responsibilities and benefits. (Spiritual Gift’s) Most look at personal benefits not responsibilities. How many gift’s? What are the gift’s? Why do we receive them? How should we use them? Who gives them? Let’s answer these questions.
GIVEN BY WHOM?:
Two Greek word’s used: Pneumatika: refers to the source, The Holy Spirit (pneuma) and Charismata: refers to the fact that they are given by God’s Grace (charis). Not based on worthiness or our abilities but by God’s sovereign choice. Because they are given by the Spirit of God they are part of our New Life in Jesus.
WHY DO WE RECEIVE THEM?:
Three key text’s that answer this: Romans 12:6-8, 1 Corinthians 12:4-11, and 1 Peter 4:10-11. Look at the diversity of these gift’s. Paul identified different gifts to the Romans than to the Corinthians and Peter spoke of them but didn’t specify them. The importance of them? To Glorify God. Why do we receive them? To make the body functional and whole (Romans 12:5) to “form one body”
HOW MANY GIFT’S ARE THERE?:
Opinions vary on the amount and what they are. Romans 12 lists seven. 1 Corinthians 12 lists nine. Some overlap but indicate God has more.
WHAT ARE THESE GIFT’S?:
Wisdom and Knowledge: The ability to grasp spiritual truth’s in the Word of God and apply them to life.
Prophecy: The ability to provide divine revelation to the church. In the New testament it seems that it is used to determine God’s will more than foretelling future events.
Discerning of Spirit’s: Is usually connected with prophecy. It is the ability to check the authority and validly of a message or messenger. It is meant to prevent False Prophecy.
Healing and Miracles: Referred to as “Sign Gift’s”. Used as validation for the ministry of Jesus and the apostles (early church). God still heals but this gift seems to have decreased with the written word and it’s validation.
Tongues and interpretation of tongues: One of the most misunderstood gift’s. The Greek word “glossa” means any language. Read Acts 2:6-11. The disciples did not know the Galatians language yet they heard the message of God in their own languages. Two points are made clear in these passages 1) The crowd’s heard and understood what was being spoken about Jesus Christ 2) We are told what languages the message was received in. Remember, languages not babble.
Faith, Serving, Encouraging, Giving, Ruling, and Mercy: These gift’s are self explanatory. The one common denominator. Given by God Himself, for His Glory in His Church.
We can learn from these gift’s but don’t limit them or you have missed the point. In all three passages we are given a specific purpose, that is where we should direct our attention.
Romans 12:8 Use these gift’s according to the charter of God and His revealed will simplicity, diligence, and cheerfulness.
1 Corinthians 12:25 Given for no division in the body, and that we should have equal concern for one another.
1 Peter 4:11 “that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ.”
We all have gift’s of the Spirit, given by God’s Grace. To Glorify God, to Glorify His Church. To express His charter through our simplicity, diligence and cheerfulness and to keep the body of the church from separation. To make us equals, not for our personal benefits.
Monday, June 13, 2011
A Close Look At Ourselves
Scripture Reading: Matthew 7:1-5
“Do not judge, or you to will be judged”. If you judge others you will be judged with the same measure you use. We are all sinners. We all sin daily. What right do we have to say to our brother or sister, “Your sinning”? Jesus tells us that we are hypocrites for doing so. Let’s look at the meaning of what Jesus was saying. Scripture has the answers we are looking for.
Judging Others:
Matthew 7:1 “Do not judge, or you to will be judged”
What does it mean to judge?
Judgment is the evaluation of evidence in the making of a decision. The term has three uses:
1.) Informal and psychological – used in reference to the quality of cognitive faculties and adjudication capabilities of particular individuals, typically called wisdom or discernment.
2.) Legal – used in the context of legal trial, to refer to a final finding, statement, or ruling, based on a considered weighing of evidence, called "adjudication".
3.) Religious – used in salvation to refer to the adjudication of God in determining Heaven or Hell for each and all human beings.
What Does Scripture Say about Judging?:
Luke 6:37 “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.”
Luke 6:41 “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?”
John 8:7 “When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, "If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.”
Romans 2:1 “You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things.”
Romans 14:10 “You, then, why do you judge your brother? Or why do you look down on your brother? For we will all stand before God's judgment seat.”
Romans 14:13 “Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother's way.”
1 Corinthians 4:5 “Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of mens hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God.”
James 4:11 “Brothers, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against his brother or judges him speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it.”
The term judge throughout these passages is used in more than one sense. Christ's meaning is plain.
1) He does not prohibit civil judgment of the courts upon evil doers, we see it’s approval throughout the whole Bible.
2) He does not prohibit judgment of the church, through its officers, upon those who walk disorderly.
3) He does not forbid private judgments that we tend to form for wrong-doers. Jesus tells us that we are to judge men by their fruits (Read: Matthew 7:15-20).
What He prohibits is rash, uncharitable judgments, a fault-finding spirit, and disposition to condemn without examination of charges.
The Bottom Line:
Scripture tells us we have the right to judge. It does however tell us what and how to judge. Jesus calls us hypocrites for judging brothers or sisters in Christ while we are sinners ourselves. Rumors and gossip create confusion within a body. Satan is the author of confusion. Are you pointing out others faults while your walk is hindered? Only Jesus was sin free. Let us examine ourselves and try to remove the plank in our own eye. Yes, we are our brothers keeper but not the judge, jury, and executioner.
“Do not judge, or you to will be judged”. If you judge others you will be judged with the same measure you use. We are all sinners. We all sin daily. What right do we have to say to our brother or sister, “Your sinning”? Jesus tells us that we are hypocrites for doing so. Let’s look at the meaning of what Jesus was saying. Scripture has the answers we are looking for.
Judging Others:
Matthew 7:1 “Do not judge, or you to will be judged”
What does it mean to judge?
Judgment is the evaluation of evidence in the making of a decision. The term has three uses:
1.) Informal and psychological – used in reference to the quality of cognitive faculties and adjudication capabilities of particular individuals, typically called wisdom or discernment.
2.) Legal – used in the context of legal trial, to refer to a final finding, statement, or ruling, based on a considered weighing of evidence, called "adjudication".
3.) Religious – used in salvation to refer to the adjudication of God in determining Heaven or Hell for each and all human beings.
What Does Scripture Say about Judging?:
Luke 6:37 “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.”
Luke 6:41 “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?”
John 8:7 “When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, "If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.”
Romans 2:1 “You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things.”
Romans 14:10 “You, then, why do you judge your brother? Or why do you look down on your brother? For we will all stand before God's judgment seat.”
Romans 14:13 “Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother's way.”
1 Corinthians 4:5 “Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of mens hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God.”
James 4:11 “Brothers, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against his brother or judges him speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it.”
The term judge throughout these passages is used in more than one sense. Christ's meaning is plain.
1) He does not prohibit civil judgment of the courts upon evil doers, we see it’s approval throughout the whole Bible.
2) He does not prohibit judgment of the church, through its officers, upon those who walk disorderly.
3) He does not forbid private judgments that we tend to form for wrong-doers. Jesus tells us that we are to judge men by their fruits (Read: Matthew 7:15-20).
What He prohibits is rash, uncharitable judgments, a fault-finding spirit, and disposition to condemn without examination of charges.
The Bottom Line:
Scripture tells us we have the right to judge. It does however tell us what and how to judge. Jesus calls us hypocrites for judging brothers or sisters in Christ while we are sinners ourselves. Rumors and gossip create confusion within a body. Satan is the author of confusion. Are you pointing out others faults while your walk is hindered? Only Jesus was sin free. Let us examine ourselves and try to remove the plank in our own eye. Yes, we are our brothers keeper but not the judge, jury, and executioner.
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Who Is The Holy Spirit?
Scripture Reading: John 14:26
Many people are confused about who the Holy Spirit is. Some think the Holy Spirit is a mystical force, others think the Holy Spirit is a power that God makes available to followers of Christ. What does the Bible say about the identity of the Holy Spirit? The Bible tells us the Holy Spirit is God. It also tells us that the Holy Spirit is a divine person, a being with a mind, emotions, and a will.
How Do We Know The Spirit Is God?:
The Holy Spirit is God, it is clearly seen in many Scriptures:
Acts 5:3-4 Then Peter said, "Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? Didn't it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn't the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied to men but to God."
Peter confronts Ananias as to why he lied to the Holy Spirit and tells him that he had “not lied to men but to God.” A clear declaration that lying to the Holy Spirit is lying to God.
The Holy Spirit possesses the characteristics of God. His omnipresence is an example.
Psalm 139:7-8 Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
The Holy Spirit is omnipresent, everywhere, all the time, no escape from His presence. He is God.
The Holy Spirit has the characteristic of omniscience.
1 Corinthians 2:10-11 “But God has revealed it to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man’s spirit within him? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.”
The Holy Spirit is a divine person, He possesses a mind, emotions, and a will.
The Holy Spirit thinks and knows 1 Corinthians 2:10 but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.
The Holy Spirit can be grieved. Ephesians 4:30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
The Spirit intercedes for us. Romans 8:26-27 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will.
The Holy Spirit makes decisions according to His will.
1 Corinthians 12:7-11 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, o another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines.
The Holy Spirit is God, the third Person of the Trinity. As God, the Holy Spirit can function as Comforter and Counselor just as Jesus promised.
John 14:16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever … 14:26 But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. … 15:26 "When the Counselor comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father, he will testify about me.
One of the least talked about members of the Trinity. God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit. Yes, the Holy Spirit is God. He dwells inside of believers. He is always with us. He knows our thoughts. He intercedes for us. He can be grieved. He thinks and knows. The Holy Spirit is God and should not be considered anything less than God. He is not a mystical force or a power given to us by God. He is God indwelt within us. We struggle to fight the principalities of the air. The Holy Spirit is inside us to help defeat those principalities. Are you allowing the Holy Spirit to help make the decisions in your life?
Many people are confused about who the Holy Spirit is. Some think the Holy Spirit is a mystical force, others think the Holy Spirit is a power that God makes available to followers of Christ. What does the Bible say about the identity of the Holy Spirit? The Bible tells us the Holy Spirit is God. It also tells us that the Holy Spirit is a divine person, a being with a mind, emotions, and a will.
How Do We Know The Spirit Is God?:
The Holy Spirit is God, it is clearly seen in many Scriptures:
Acts 5:3-4 Then Peter said, "Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? Didn't it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn't the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied to men but to God."
Peter confronts Ananias as to why he lied to the Holy Spirit and tells him that he had “not lied to men but to God.” A clear declaration that lying to the Holy Spirit is lying to God.
The Holy Spirit possesses the characteristics of God. His omnipresence is an example.
Psalm 139:7-8 Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
The Holy Spirit is omnipresent, everywhere, all the time, no escape from His presence. He is God.
The Holy Spirit has the characteristic of omniscience.
1 Corinthians 2:10-11 “But God has revealed it to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man’s spirit within him? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.”
The Holy Spirit is a divine person, He possesses a mind, emotions, and a will.
The Holy Spirit thinks and knows 1 Corinthians 2:10 but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.
The Holy Spirit can be grieved. Ephesians 4:30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
The Spirit intercedes for us. Romans 8:26-27 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will.
The Holy Spirit makes decisions according to His will.
1 Corinthians 12:7-11 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, o another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines.
The Holy Spirit is God, the third Person of the Trinity. As God, the Holy Spirit can function as Comforter and Counselor just as Jesus promised.
John 14:16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever … 14:26 But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. … 15:26 "When the Counselor comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father, he will testify about me.
One of the least talked about members of the Trinity. God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit. Yes, the Holy Spirit is God. He dwells inside of believers. He is always with us. He knows our thoughts. He intercedes for us. He can be grieved. He thinks and knows. The Holy Spirit is God and should not be considered anything less than God. He is not a mystical force or a power given to us by God. He is God indwelt within us. We struggle to fight the principalities of the air. The Holy Spirit is inside us to help defeat those principalities. Are you allowing the Holy Spirit to help make the decisions in your life?
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