Hebrews

Good day everyone!

While we are not going to do a book study here, I do want to spend a couple more weeks in Hebrews. Specifically for this week, I want to look at the last section of chapter 5 and into chapter 6. More specifically 5:11- 6:8.

This is a stern warning for us, from Paul. But at the same time, it is also a no-brainer. This is something that we should already be concerned with, as disciples of Christ. This is a short passage with enormous content. Make sure you read and pray about it. Try to pick out a few things that are standing out to you in this and then let's discuss it Sunday morning. I look forward to getting to hear all of you all's thoughts on this.

-Robbie

Theology II

Hello everyone. In keeping with the format we started this past week, this week we will be looking at Hebrews 2.

I've told you all, at one time or another, that Hebrews is probably one of my favorite books of the bible. And throughout the next few months, we will probably spend a good bit of time in this book. Just a couple things about the book: this book:

First of all, no one knows, for sure, who the actual author is of this book. It has been widely speculated that Paul was the author, but for many reasons (lack of personal greeting, no self mention, and things within the actual text) this has been dismissed. It is more likely that, given the author refers to himself as being a Jew, and having heard of the message of Christ second hand from those who received it from the LORD Himself, Appolos or Barnabus are more likely candidates. This book is a book of encouragement to the Christian. The actual recipients of the book were thought to have been a group of Jewish Christians who were facing persecution at the time and were considering renouncing their Christianity and reverting back to Judaism. The writer gives some excellent depicting of Christ's authority, His divinity, and His walk as an earthly man. There are so many things that we can pull from this text to strengthen and encourage us on our journey with Christ. Just as the Hebrews that the text was originally intended for did, we, too, need this encouragement and reminding of who Christ is, what He has accomplished, and how we are to walk with Him.

If you would like a detailed overview, I found one here. It is a lengthy read, but well worth it. We need to be reminded that there are resources out there to help us understand what we are reading, when we read our scriptures. It is important that we don't just read the Word, but that we search out those who God has gifted with grasping and understanding it. And while we should ALWAYS test and approve by comparing that to what the scriptures say, make no mistake. There are those who I believe God has called to be our spiritual leaders. When we begin to think that we have the market cornered on it, we fall into a deadly trap of pride and arrogance.

I look forward to having these discussions with you all over the next few weeks. Read Hebrews 2 and we'll chat this sunday.

robbie

Theology

Theology

What is theology? Well, the dictionary defines it as "the study of divine things or religious truths."
We've talked a lot, over the last year, about theology. We've discussed the importance of studying it and having a good working knowledge of it, for the purposes of being able to, as Peter says, "give an account for the hope that is in you, 1 Peter 3:15.

Many people believe that this just means that you declare you are a Christian. I, however, do not. And I don't just disagree with this idea, I adamantly, fiercely disagree with it. To be able to say,
"I am a Christian", but then not be able to deeply, richly explain what that means to someone who is far from God, or has absolutely no working knowledge of who Christ is, is not only sad, but irresponsible. You will never meet a Buddhist or a Muslim who cannot defend his faith to the nth degree. When we cannot present the full Gospel to those who "have ears to hear", we disgrace the sacrifice that Jesus made on the cross.

Okay, I'm going to stop now, cause this is a subject that I can literally get on my soap box for and spend the next two years on. As we finish out this year on our worship team, we are going to be delving into some hardcore theology. There are many reasons for this, specific to our needs as a worship team and as prominent faces in our church. Suffice it to say, to reference our brother Paul, we're moving off of baby food and onto meat.

This Sunday, before service, the band and I dove into a little bit of this, while reading John, chapter 6. I want you all to read this, this week, and then we will begin to open discussions into the text over the next week or so. Please, do not come to church this week not having read it. You will be called out and held accountable to it.

I'm excited about where we're going. Let's go with all of the armor of God. Not just some of it.

Love y'all

Robbie

Mark 16

Mark 16

Well, we bring this book study to a close. The 16th chapter of Mark is one where it seems like Mark just kinda said, "Ah,.... the end!" Almost as if it was a throw away, nice tidy way to finish.

However, if you read thoroughly, you will see some heavy words in there. The resurrection is depicted in greater detail by other gospels, but Mark (in typical fashion) gives the facts; just the facts.

It always interested me that Jesus chose to reveal the resurrection through a woman. I don't necessarily have any profound theology statement about this, but I do have some thoughts. What are yours? I'll answer your posts as I read them. Next, I'm saddened by the Disciple's negligence in believing what they had been told, that Jesus was indeed resurrected. These are people who walked with Him for three years, saw the miracles He did, knew He was God in the flesh, called Him LORD, and yet, still let their fears and sinful, wicked hearts convince them that it was all over; that Jesus was just dead and gone. It makes me think: how have I denied Him? How weak is my faith at times? This is a sin that we cannot afford to commit, let alone become habitual. We need to be in prayer for each other and ourselves that we would not fall prey to the doubts and fears that creep up in us, that would keep us from preaching the Gospel to those whom God brings into our folds.

I know this book has been long and arduous, but it has definitely been well worth it. I think we will do some stand alone posts over the next few weeks, and then maybe get back into another book. Let me know your thoughts.

Love you all,

Robbie

Mark 15

Mark 15


This is a hard chapter to read as it details the story of Jesus’ crucifixion and death. We would rather skim over the chapter without really engaging in what the people did and said to Jesus. None of us likes to think about being spit on, beaten, mocked, having a crown of thorns pierced into our heads or can even comprehend hanging on a cross. Would we have walked through this process as humbly as Jesus did? Because we haven’t met Jesus face to face, it’s hard to get a visual of what it was like. But, imagine someone close to you like your spouse or a parent or one of your children and having to endure watching them go through that. How horrible it must have been for our God to watch Jesus endure a death He didn’t deserve to redeem us from a death that we do deserve.
I was also impacted by God’s sovereignty and plan in this chapter. He has foretold of Jesus since the beginning (see Genesis 3:15). God doesn’t do things recklessly or without forethought. He has a plan that cannot be thwarted by anything we do or by any evil that exists. And, while things happen that we can’t fathom, we can be comforted that He understands why they are happening and that ultimately He will use it for our good (Romans 8:28) and His Glory (Isaiah 46: 9-10). He used Jesus’ crucifixion for our good in that He saved us from sin and for His Glory in that he proved that He was God by creating freedom to worship Him through the tearing of the temple veil and in literally raising Jesus from the dead on the third day. He is always true to what He says.
What thoughts do you have on this chapter?

-Miranda

Mark 14

Mark 14


So many prophecies and so many details in this account that so many of us know. We are so close to the most life-shattering moment in the history of the world. Reading this chapter, and knowing the rest of the story, makes it so bitter-sweet. This is a long chapter, and this may be a long blog, because I want to tell you what I mean.
First, bitter, the Chief Priests are so threatened by Jesus that they begin their plot to get rid of him, and yet they show how cowardly they are, that they decide it is important to wait until after the Passover feast so they wouldn’t upset people.
Second, sweet, the woman who comes and anoints Jesus with the costly perfume, as her gift to the Christ, and bitter, that Jesus knows that this is his anointing to prepare for the tomb.
Third, sweet and bitter, Judas carries out his role in the life of Jesus as first a disciple, carrying his message to the people, and then being tempted by money to turn him over to be arrested.
Fourth, so sweet that Jesus tells his disciples exactly what is going to happen to lead them to where the Last Supper will take place. All the while Jesus knows exactly what is going to happen, and yet he remains consistent in his life and teaching, and never shows anger or resentment that this is his life coming to an earthly end.
Fifth, sweet and bitter, feasting with Jesus! I cannot wait for that day where we share a table with Jesus himself, but how painful was this meal for Judas. Here is where he realizes what he has done, and Jesus lays out some piercing words, that it “would have been better for that man if he had not been born.” Can you imagine? What about for the others? They had no idea if that was Jesus talking to them. I can imagine a very uncomfortable meal. Yet Jesus makes it sweet again by offering us a model for how we can share in his life through communion.
Sixth, bitter and sweet, Jesus tries to let the disciples know how difficult it is about to get, and with Jesus not among them, how much more they will be challenged and they will fall away. And Peter, the rock, in an emotional plea I am sure, stands with Jesus, and proclaims he would stand with him even to death. His moment of strength was shortened by the prophecy of his denial, and with such specific detail. You know Peter knew at that point, as with other specific instructions Mark accounted (Triumphal Entry, Where to eat the Passover), knew that it would be so.
Seventh, bitter and sweet, especially to see that in the face of extreme betrayal, persecution, and death, even Jesus was scared and anxious. And yet in the face of this, Jesus models for us what our response should be when we are in moments of trouble and despair, he “fell to the ground” and prayed. Not only that, but he asked his Peter, James, and John to pray for his protection, just as we should with our community of believers.
Eighth, again bitter and sweet, a lynch mob? Really? And Judas had the nerve to use a kiss as a sign of who Jesus was. Such fear in these leaders and such gall in Judas. All the while, Jesus uses the power of his authority and words to rebuke them even in the moment of ultimate betrayal, and the prophecy was fulfilled.
Ninth, sweet and bitter, as Jesus is brought before the Council, no one could testify to anything that would put Jesus to death, and knowing this they asked him if he was in fact the Christ. Knowing this would bring wrath, his power and authority once again came through and he states, “I am, and you will see the son of man seated at the right hand of power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.” What power and courage as this led to them beating him out of fear and anger.
And finally tenth, bitter, as Peter falls prey to his weakness, and did as Jesus said, denied him three times in the face of persecution of his own.
As I said, this is a roller coaster chapter, and so full of deep emotion and extreme situations. Powerful stuff, what are your thoughts?

-Philip

Mark 13

Mark 13

I love this chapter! This is one of the only times that Jesus actually talks plainly, and openly about all that must pass. Typically, when the Disciples ask Jesus about something, or to explain something, He will answer with a question, or He'll explain it, after He's given them some parable to consider. But here, they ask Him a pointed question, and He plainly answers them. And make no mistake, this is a warning, not only to them, but to all who read or hear of these words.

We may not see it happen, but you can guarantee that it will. And Jesus says, himself, that no one, not even He, knows the hour. ONLY the Father in Heaven. This should cut us to the core. It should be the very reason that we take seriously our walk with Christ, and our knowledge of Him. (Theology). For even Jesus says, there will be those coming in His name, or proclaiming to be Him. But do not be led astray... And He says that those false prophets, or Anitichrists, will indeed try to manipulate, confuse, or even destroy the Elect (those who are the adopted sons and daughters of Christ- see Ephesians 2:1-10)

How, then, will we know who these prophets are, if we are but babes in our faith? The writer of Hebrews says that we shouldn't remain as infants, once we've encountered the saving faith of Jesus. We are to mature in our faith. He even calls out the men in this piece of scripture saying, you are like babies, still drinking milk, when you should be eating meat! (paraphrasing, of course, but that's what he says)

I want to challenge you all to take your faith seriously. It was given to you by God, it is not of your own doing, just as the Ephesians scripture, listed above, points out. This is so you can't boast or brag that you had anything to do with it, but it's also so that you understand who the perfecter of your faith is, and that you don't take it lightly. It is a gift from God, and we should hold it dearly, and cherish and nourish it, just as we would our own children. We need to be going deeper in the scriptures, reading more about theology, understanding what it is that we believe in. It IS NOT enough to say, "I believe in Jesus". For even Jesus says that He will say, "And then will I declare to them, I never knew you; depart from me,^D)"> you workers of lawlessness."- Matthew 7:23