Feb 23
from Stuart Briscoe’s message. 2-23-16 on WDLM-QC (original date unknown). “The Church’s Responsibility, Part 2”
People think and act differently. This needs to impact that way we communicate and minister. The problem of secularization: People are turning from a concept of transcendence and find meaning in the immediate and the material.
ideas from Alex Guinness…
We (people) are turning from:
Feb 18
Day 9 of Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s 40 Day Journey
Bonhoeffer says disciples..
Instead, they bear what is laid upon them and what happens to them in discipleship for the sake of Jesus Christ. Finally, disciples will not be weakened by suffering, worn down, and embittered until they are broken. Instead, they bear suffering, by the power of him who supports them. The disciples bear the suffering laid on them only by the power of him who bears all suffering on the cross. As bearers of suffering, they stand in communion with the Crucified. They stand as strangers in the power of him who was so alien to the world that it crucified him.
http://links.biblegateway.mkt4731.com/servlet/MailView?ms=NTA3MjM3OTcS1&r=MTQxNzA3OTEzMDg4S0&j=ODYyMjM2OTc5S0&mt=1&rt=0
Feb 16
Sermon idea.
talk about the progression Ekklesia > church > religion
assembly of believers is the foundation (and this should always be remembered-keeping the main thing the main thing). (see also http://faith.drjimo.net/ekklesia/)
talk about the pros and cons of each (especially church, religion).
Jesus at 2 am has a good podcast Turning Theology into Church 03: Embracing Conflict, 1/27/15.
how deacons were appointed
Feb 13
Ekklesia is used in the NT 115 times (actually only a few/couple times in the gospels, so mostly in the epistles). In the Tindale translation (1524) it was translated “congregation.” In the King James it was translated “church.” ’assembly’ is a good translation.
Very interesting word. Various references below. According to the acu link below, it means called to assembly, but ‘called out,’ in the sense of being called to be different, is not accurate (but preachers may like to say that).
See http://www.hisholychurch.net/ekklesia.php
And
http://www.ecclesia.org/truth/ekklesia.html
http://www.acu.edu/sponsored/restoration_quarterly/archives/1950s/vol_2_no_4_contents/ward.html
Feb 11
Podcast: “Understanding the Bible 43: Submissive Wives & Obedient Slaves??” – Jesus at 2 am podcast. Sept. 16, 2014. (Sermon by Kirk Winslow) [Sept 17, 2014 at iTunes.]
Colassians 3:18 – 4:1
Lots of great ideas on ‘wives being submissive’ and more. BTW, ‘wives being submissive’ is misleading.
(The following comments are somewhat in random order. The podcast itself is more coherent.)
Paul is directing wives, slave, children, and fathers. He is not telling person A how person B should act. He is telling person A how person A should act.
Every time he tells person A how to act, he immediately tells person B how to act toward person A. For example, he tells wives how to act then he tells men how to act.
The roman culture is a big factor. The household and roles in the household, were very important in roman culture.
These verses are (according to the podcast) suggestions to the listener so that things work. They are practical suggestions for the culture of the day.
7 verses prior (Col 3:11) Paul said we are all equal (at the same time) See also Gal 3:38 There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
Near the end of the podcast, he summarizes: at times we need to voluntarily choose to give up our rights for the greater good. This is what I like, and need, to do. Personal sacrifice – for the benefit of another.
Jan 16
[Disclaimer: I am not a theologian. This is just my take.]
The 5 Solae of Protestantism are five foundational Biblical principles upon which our (Protestant) beliefs and salvation are based. (While Luther and Calvin taught, wrote, and preached on these, I believe that, as a listing of five, the Five Solae were not articulated until the 20th Century.)
Check out the beautiful hymn at the bottom
I like the way they can be logically lined up.
Here are 3 orderings. I think each provides it’s own logical flow for the Five Solae.
1. Basic: We are saved by Grace alone, through Faith alone, in Christ alone, according to scripture alone, for the Glory of God alone.
2. Scripture & Christ Foundation (5 complete sentences): Scripture alone is the standard; by Christ alone we are saved; salvation is by grace alone; justification is by faith alone; it is all for the glory of God alone.
3. Scripture and God’s Glory foundation (with our faith being last): The scripture alone is the standard; it is all for the glory of God alone; by Christ’s work alone are we saved; salvation is by grace alone; justification comes by faith alone.
OK, I can’t resist…There are 5! (which is 120) ways to arrange 5 things. It might be interesting to ponder some of the other 117 orderings of the Five Solae.
Creator God, Our Sovereign Lord from Rise and Worship (2017) by Nathan Clark George
Jan 12
Three take-aways from our car ride across Kansas (to get to Colorado for our men’s ski trip)
Thanks especially to Jim McClarey
Jan 09
This is a fun TED talk. He is describing what can be learned from religion’s methods, even if you do not believe anything about religion (even if you don’t believe in God). He describes the tools and strategies of religion that ‘we’/culture can, and should, adopt.
http://www.ted.com/talks/alain_de_botton_atheism_2_0#t-926345
(I am certainly not an atheist.)
I think the talk may be useful for those of faith. It reminds us of our strengths. We can learn from this. For example, about human nature.
He does include Charles Wesly.
I find it interesting that he mentions (in the 1800’s I believe) people were leaving the European church in large numbers and looking for ways to get (1) morality, (2) guidance, and (3) consolation from culture (from places other than the church). This would imply that these three are fundamental human needs.
OK, I liked it too because he has an English accent, pronouncing ‘either’ with a long i.