Let's be the church!

This week we have been learning a ton about church history! It has been so interesting learning about the movements of the church and its impact (or lack thereof) of the culture. Here's some important things to note about church history!

     Why is Church History important?

a.     If we want to stay faithful to the truth, we must understand the attacks truth has suffered in the past. We can learn so much from the history and heritage of our faith that past generations have experienced. We must be aware of the pitfalls they fell into as well as the successes they had in the advancement of God’s kingdom.

                                         i.     2 Timothy 1:13 “Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.”

                                       ii.     1 Timothy 4:16- “Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.”

b.     It’s impossible to understand where we are now without knowing how we got here.  Being a part of a 2,000-year history inspires me to take part of fulfilling the great commission that the apostles go Jesus started. It encourages me to spread my faith to the next generation with a profound sense of humility and honor.

c.      It’s important to create balance. It is easy to see in Christian history that we are quick to over-correct. The pendulum is always swinging from one extreme to the other. It is no different from Christianity today!

d.     Without historical perspective, it’s easy to think that we have the study of God all figured out. Seeing the extensiveness of past mistakes made by brilliant people who passionately loved Jesus makes me realize that I’m probably missing something too. We are imperfect people and we are certain to have errors somewhere in our theology (study of God). Studying Church history is important because it helps me to guard against pride in my own theology. Studying Church history has forced me to acknowledge that I too have my own blind spots.

                                   

1)            How do we see God’s sovereignty throughout Church history?

a.      The perpetual will of God can be seen throughout Church history all the way to today. God is sovereign, or the ultimate source of all power, authority and everything that exists, and we know that he reveals himself in his word and he never changes.

                                         i.     Revelation 21:6 “God is above all things and before all things. He is the alpha and the omega, the beginning and the end. He is immortal, and He is present everywhere so that everyone can know Him.”

                                       ii.     Colossians 1:16 “God created all things and holds all things together, both in heaven and on earth, both visible and invisible.”

                                      iii.     Romans 11:33 “God knows all things past, present, and future. There is no limit to His knowledge, for God knows everything completely before it even happens.”

b.     Knowing Church history also opens our eyes to past generation’s sins and failures and gives us hope that we are not alone in our mistakes and that the church still pressed on through the power of the Holy Spirit through imperfect people! The Church still has a mission, and we are still called to preach the Gospel to all nations.

c.      When looking at church history it is evident that when persecution exists, the number of believers (the church) grows like crazy! Persecution of the church can be a good thing, because during times of persecution the church is purified and it grows numerically.  It’s amazing to see the true believers stand for truth and are willing to put everything on the line to see God exalted. We pray and work for peace and tranquility as it is beneficial for the flourishing of Christianity that believers have some elbowroom for the work of the kingdom. But if oppression or persecution comes, we still need to rejoice in it (Matthew 5:11-12) and look for ways to bear witness for Jesus in such an authentic manner that it makes our Lord evident to our persecutors.

 What is our responsibility as believers in God to handle the truth?

a.      We are to listen with great eagerness and examine the scriptures everyday like the Bereans. We are to read, study & apply its truth.

                                         i.     Acts 17:11 “Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, received the message with great eagerness and examined the scriptures everyday to see if what Paul said was true.”

                                       ii.     2 Timothy 2:15 “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.”

b.     We are to be faithful to preserve correct doctrine.

Throughout studying church history, its gives us hope that God’s people, enlightened and emboldened by the Holy Spirit, will confront heresy and false teaching whenever it seeks to infiltrate the Church. 

                                         i.     Galatians 1:6-9 “I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed.”

                                       ii.     Colossians 2:8- “See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.”

c.      We can guard against false teachings. There will always be old heresies that show up in the church and appear as new & progressive teachings.  The bible also warns us against false teachers who infiltrate the church. We must always be on guard against such things.

                                         i.     Scripture warns us, and the history bears it out, that there will be false prophets and teachers in the Church, who will bring in destructive heresies, and many will follow their destructive ways (2 Peter 2:1-2).

1.     Examples of this are found in the many churches and entire denominations that are now ordaining gay and lesbian ministers, and in places where homosexual marriage is not only being promoted, but performed and given the blessing of individuals, churches, and denominations.  It is the influx of a liberal, man-centered theology that is at the heart of this decay.

                                       ii.     2 Timothy 4:3- “For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions.”

                                    

 What is our responsibility as members of the church body?

a.     Be part of a faithful local church that esteems the word of God and follows it closely.

b.     Attend the meetings of the local church

c.      Be an active participant in the church’s work

d.     Find your spiritual gifting and serve in a ministry

e.     Have a teachable spirit, submit to local church leadership

f.      Examine the scriptures for yourself

g.     Stand firm against false teaching and destructive heresies

h.     Teach others outside of the church and share the gospel

i.       BE THE CHURCH!

Paul was writing to strengthen the church in Thesalonica and this is what he said, let us gain encouragement from his words! 

“with the help of our God we dared to tell you his gospel in the face of strong opposition. For the appeal we make does not spring from error or impure motives, nor are we trying to trick you. On the contrary, we speak as those approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please people but God, who tests our hearts. You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed—God is our witness. We were not looking for praise from people, not from you or anyone else, even though as apostles of Christ we could have asserted our authority. Instead, we were like young children among you. Just as a nursing mother cares for her children, so we cared for you. Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well.” 1 Thes. 2:3-6

This scripture can apply to us today as an encouragement to share not only the gospel, but our very lives! Even in the face of strong opposition and false teachings of today, we are to speak His truth in love and share not only the gospel that can save us but also our very lives! For we are not working to please man, but God! We are to stand up for our Christian faith.

Discussion Questions:

What are some false doctrines or teachings that are creeping into our modern day church in America?
How can we stay teachable, yet guard against those false teachings?

Is it important to stay close to traditions of the heritage of our faith forefathers?

Why do you think God chooses to use the local church as his tool to reach the world?

How can you be a part of that plan to reach reach others for God?

Are you a member of a church that teaches sound doctrine and seeks to live by it?

If not, why? What is holding you back from being a part of something bigger than yourself?

If you are a member of a church, how can you plug in and serve there? Is there a small group ministry, bible studies, prayer teams, greeting teams you can be a part of?

What are your gifts a talents God has given you? How can you use them at your local church?

How can we share not only the gospel of God, but also our very lives with others?

Join me in preserving sound teachings of the bible in a time where our culture is constantly changing and sometimes veering or twisting the teachings of Jesus to make it more palatable for themselves. Let us guard against false teaching and stand firm to the truth of God's word! 

Keep running after Jesus,

D. Pro

Woe to the Complacent

      The book of Amos is one prophetical book in the Bible that most modern readers (including myself) sometimes just skim over. Some call the prophetical books the "sticky pages" in the bible that we never turn to because we think they are just referring to the nation of Israel in history and do not still have applicable points to teach us today. Unless you know the context of the book and what was going on historically during that period, it can certainly be confusing. So as I have been learning the history and the context, the book has come alive to me and it is so easy to see that there are major lessons we can learn from the prophets, specifically Amos.The purpose of the book of Amos was to announce God’s holy judgment on the Kingdom of Israel (the Northern Kingdom), call them to repentance, and to turn from their self-righteous sins and idolatry. God raised up the prophet Amos, as an act of His great mercy to a people who repeatedly shunned and disobeyed Him.

Who was Amos?

Amos was a small business man selling sycamore figs and shepherd boy. He made clear in his writings that he did not come from a family of prophets and didn't even consider himself to be one. Amos would travel to the villages of Israel to sell and trade and it was there that he saw the hardships imposed on the working class of people by the wealthy landowners who lived in towns and cities in the midst of comparative luxury. He was deeply troubled not only by the contrast of the rich and poor but also by the way the political and religious leaders would downplay or justify this disparity. 

What were the people doing during this time?

We see the people of Israel are living in peace in prosperity.  We get glimpses of the people’s enthusiastic self-confidence (Amos 6:1; 8:3).  Their popular religiosity saw the nation’s prosperity as the inevitable result of its faithfulness to God. Yet, Amos knows that loyalty to God involves fair dealings among people and justice for all rather than only observing religious ceremonies. So Amos gets fed up and delivers a message from God directed against these privileged people of Israel, a people who had no love for their neighbor, who took advantage of others, and who only looked out for their own concerns. The people were very "religious" and "ritualistic" yet did not have a heart to help others. 

Amos repeatedly points out the failure of the people to fully embrace God’s idea of justice. The people looked good on the outside but were internally wicked. They "worshipped" God in the temples, they made music and sacrifices to God and yet, their hearts were far from Him. They drank wine by the bowlful, lived in big houses, lounged on their couches, laid their heads upon beds adorned with ivory, used the finest lotions, ate luxury foods. BUT they did not grieve over the unmet needs and justice of the people.  This is what God had to say about it: 

 (Amos 6:1) “Woe to you who are complacent in Zion”

I hate, I despise your feasts; I cannot stand your assemblies. Even though you bring me burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them . . . . Away with the noise of your songs! I will not listen to the music of your harps. But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream! Did you bring to me sacrifices and offerings forty years in the desert, O house of Israel? 

From an outside view, they looked like good people- yet in reality, their hearts were sinful and they were internally corrupted to the core. They were selling off needy people for goods, taking advantage of the helpless, oppressing the poor, and the men were using women immorally (Amos 2:6–8; 3:10; 4:1; 5:11–12; 8:4–6). Drunk on their own economic success and intent on strengthening their financial position, the people had lost the concept of caring for one another. Amos was sent to rebuke them because he saw in that lifestyle evidence that Israel had forgotten God. They had ultimately forgotten Him.

 They had so much material success that they lost sight of their need for God. 

Amos compares the Israel people to a basket of ripe summer fruit, whose material prosperity is like the fully ripe fruit. But ripe fruit only lasts a little while and then it rots and decays. Amos was comparing the Israelites to this basket of fruit and warned them that if they don't turn from their sin and return to the real God- the peaceful years of the nation would surely come to an end.  The people didn't like this inconvenient message and told him take his message elsewhere. They said never to speak to them again. They didn't listen to him or turn back to God... And what do you think happened? The word of the Lord came to pass and the nation of Israel was captured and exiled. The luxurious home were brought to ruin, the men and women who spent their time in idleness and pleasure were dragged into exile and the entire country was laid waste. Later Amos gives hope that God will rebuild and restore the hope of the people.“In that day I will raise up the fallen booth of David, and wall up its breaches; I will also raise up its ruins And rebuild it as in the days of old” (9:11).

What can we learn? 

•     When I read about the message that God gives to the people through Amos, I can't help but draw comparisons to our American culture today. The mental pictures that Amos gives us with the "beds of ivory," luxurious houses, abundance of material possessions, definitely sounds like modern day America. We have so many material possessions, that I think sometimes we can forget our need for God. Affluence (wealth & prosperity) often leads to apathy and arrogance (5:1-6:14). 

•       We too can be guilty of complacency. Some of it is due to affluence. Some of it is a result of going-through-the-motions of church or devotions without seeking God. And we mistakenly think that are empty efforts please God. Amos has a lot to teach us about complacency in our relationship with God. 

•       God never leaves us or forsakes us, even in discipline. He’s always waiting for us to return to Him. Amos called God’s people to return to God, as did many of the prophets and writers of Scripture. “Return to Me and I will return to you” says the Lord Almighty (Zech 1:3, Mal. 3:7). James would call us to ‘Come near to God and He will come near to you” (James 4:8)

The book of Amos also teaches us about the nature of God. Some people think that God's anger is the opposite of God's love, but God's anger is an integral part of God's love. Because God loves people, God is angry when they suffer. God's commitment is to all people, including the poor and oppressed, which fuels God's anger at oppressors. Without the concept of God's anger, God's love is an empty concept. This message of God's anger and judgment remains relevant for us today.

 How about us? Do we need to return to God? Have we become complacent in our relationship with God and need to repent and get back on track? Have we gotten too comfortable in our jobs and communities that we’ve forgotten that God has called us to be His voice in our jobs, at school, and in our communities? That he calls us to take care of others and take responsibility to bring justice? Have we taken His blessings for granted? Have we become discouraged in our trials and forgotten God’s messages of hope? 

I ask that God would reveal to us where we need to return to Him so we can enjoy Him more and be available to serve Him whenever He calls!


-Keep running after Jesus,


Dorothy Pro

4 Lessons on Christ-centered Friendship

We have been learning a lot about the Kingdom era in the bible this week at the Kanakuk Institute. I am loving going deeper and diving into the Old Testament. Wait, did that really just come out of my mouth?? To be honest, studying the Old Testament in scripture has always seemed like a daunting task and it was really hard for me to get excited about studying it. I knew a lot of the stories and have read most of the O.T. books at different points and just thought it was about genealogies, history, weird laws, wars, kings and prophets. I thought it was dry and boring and could not apply to my life, so why study it? 

Little did I know, I would soon have my mind blown by the rich and deeper meaning, people, history and the "golden thread" that connects all the stories in the bible. It is so amazing to see the connections all throughout the Old Testament stories and prophecies that point to the coming of a messiah- Jesus Christ.

A little information on how the bible is broken down: The word "Bible" means 'Books' and the Holy Bible that we have today is broken into 66 unique books. The first 39 books are called the "Old Testament" that was written before Christ came and tells us the story of creation, the fall of man being led into sin by satan, many stories of how God interacted with his people, gives them the Law to live by, and points us to a coming messiah that would come and redeem us from our sin. The New testament is made up of 27 books and they reveal the son of God, the miraculous works of Jesus, his death on the cross, taking our place and paying the penalty for our sins, his resurrection and life, paving the way for us to believe in Him and live in a relationship with him. The books show the perseverance of the early christians and proclaims to us how to live a new life surrendered to Jesus!

The New Testament is the fulfillment of all of the prophecies of the Old Testament and our anticipation in the O.T. is here- Jesus is the golden thread! The O.T. anticipates the coming of the one true God that was to come and fulfill all of the promises and prophecies. The New Testament is the manifestation of the messiah, the one they had been anticipating! God sent his son Jesus to fulfill the law and the prophets.  Jesus said "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them." Matthew 5:17 The books lay out how we are to live in grace by FAITH, trust in the Lord and walk in the good works he has laid out for us.

"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." Ephesians 2:8-10

Jesus is the great REDEEMER! Jesus came so that we could have a relationship with the Father, and he fills us with peace and joy as we rest in the peace and hope only HE can bring. He gives us the promises of eternal life with Him and fills us with hope as we wait on his return.

One of my favorite stories I have learned so from the Old Testament comes from the book of 1 Samuel in the Kingdom era. It is a story of true and lasting friendship and it has really made an impression on me.

It is the story of the friendship between Jonathon and David and much can be learned from their friendship! They were both princes of Israel, one by birth (Jonathon), the other by marriage (David).They were both in line to assume the throne of Israel. But one of them, David, had been given a promise from God when he was 15 years old that he would be the heir to the throne one day. Both were mighty men of valor and were respected and trusted by the men they led in battle. Each had accomplished great feats, relying on God for victory. They were loyal to one another and to their king. David and Jonathon could have been enemies and rivals, yet they set aside jealousy, resentment, bitterness, competition and lust for power, choosing instead to become the closest of friends. It is said that Jonathon loved David as his own soul. God had given them this gift of friendship as it says he "knitted their souls together." This is a great example of true friendship- that when Jonathan, who, in spite of his father King Saul's jealousy, pursuit of David, and attempts to kill him, stood by his friend. You will find that story in 1 Samuel chapter 18 through chapter 20. Some pertinent passages are1 Samuel 18:1-4;19: 4-7;20:11-17,41-42. 

One example of their friendship and need to be strengthened in the Lord is from 1 Samuel 23:15-18. This passage stood out to me in particular because of the many practical implications. It is a simple and profound illustration of what needs to happen in the ongoing fight of faith.

Observation:

            Read: 1 Samuel 23:15-18 says "And David was afraid because Saul had come out to seek his life. David was in the Wilderness of Ziph at Horesh. And Jonathan, Saul's son, rose, and went to David at Horesh, and strengthened his hand in God. And he said to him, "Fear not; for the hand of Saul my father shall not find you; you shall be king over Israel, and I shall be next to you; Saul my father also knows this." And the two of them made a covenant before the LORD; David remained at Horesh, and Jonathan went home.

            Context: David is going from place to place in the Wilderness of Ziph (about 30 miles south of Jerusalem), trying to stay out of King Saul's path, who is trying desperately to kill David because he believes he is a threat to the throne. But Jonathan, Saul's son, loves David as he does his own self and hears that he is in the Wilderness of Ziph, and travels down to strengthen his hand in God.

This encounter between Jonathan and David illustrates at least four lessons about helping each other fight the fight of faith.

1. David was afraid and in trouble and needed a friend.

2. Jonathon saw this need and intentionally rose and went to him.

3. Jonathon strengthened David’s hand in GOD.

4. Jonathon reminded him of the promises of God.

Interpretation:

God uses us to help each other fight the fight of faith successfully day in and day out until the end. He uses us to strengthen each other in the Lord. God has appointed a means by which he will enable us to hold our confidence firm to the end as stated in Hebrews 3:12–14, read: "Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. For we have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original confidence firm to the end."

Four things we can learn from Jonathan's meeting with David

1. Everyone's need for deep Christian friendships

A.     Christian fellowship and companionship is not just for new believers. It is for every believer! We NEVER grow out of our need for the ministry of other Christians. No one is beyond the need for daily exhortation in the fight of faith.

B.     Even the strongest leaders need Christian friendship to strengthen their hands in God. David was a good man. David was deep. David was an outstanding leader. David was a strong warrior. David was a man after God’s own heart. Yet, even still, David NEEDED Jonathan. Every believer needs help to persevere in the faith.

C.     Never think that someone is so far above you that you can't be God's instrument to give strength. We must never think someone is so strong that they do not need our encouragement in the Lord. David was no doubt superior to Jonathan in strength and intelligence and depth of theological understanding, but verse 16 says that Jonathan went and strengthened his hand in God.

Point 1 conclusion: We never outgrow our need for daily exhortation. WE ALL NEED friends to strengthen our hands in God and we need to BE THAT FRIEND that points others to God. Even the greatest Christians, the most courageous fighters of the faith, are not above the need to have their hands strengthened in God. In fact, the enemy may be attacking them in a greater way and their need for strengthening in God becomes even more imperative!

2. A Conscious and Intentional Effort

The second lesson we learn from Jonathon is that strengthening a person's hand in God involves conscious and intentional effort. The mark of Christian maturity is that you build into your life the intention and the occasions to strengthen someone's hand in God.

A.     It is intentional and on purpose! You don’t just do it on a whim, you rise and go down to help your friend! Read verse 16: "And Jonathan, Saul's son, rose, and went to David at Horesh, and strengthened his hand in God."

B.     Jonathan did not accidentally meet David in Horesh (though that happens at times!). He PLANNED to go and strengthen him. What a difference it would make if we woke up in the morning and made a PLAN to purposefully and intentionally strengthen someone’s hand in God!

Point 2 Conclusion: Emphasis is on the importance of having a cluster of friends in the faith with the mutual agreement that you will continually point each other to Jesus Christ for hope and strength.

3. Strengthening Each Other in God

The third lesson is that we are to strengthen others in God.

A.     The scripture says he rose and went to David at Horesh, and strengthened his hand in God. The whole point of Christian friendship is to point each other to Christ, not man, for help and strength. We must develop Christ centered friendships.

B.     When we give others strength, we are to give them strength in GOD, NOT in OURSELVES. Verse 16 does not say that Jonathan came all that way to Horesh to strengthen David's self-esteem, self-confidence or pet his ego. He went to strengthen his hand in God.

Point 3 Conclusion: Every Christian group of friends should exist to strengthen each other's hands in God and not in man. "Jonathan rose and went to David at Horesh, and strengthened his hand in God."

4. Remind Each Other of the Promises of God

So how does Jonathon strengthen Davids hand in God?

A.     Read: (verse 17): "Fear not; for the hand of Saul my father shall not find you; you shall be king over Israel, and I shall be next to you; Saul my father also knows this."

B.     In chapter 16, the prophet Samuel had anointed David as a boy to be king over Israel. So the way Jonathan strengthened David's hand in God was to remind him of a promise that God had made (1 Samuel 16:12). Saul could not succeed against David because God was for him. So Jonathan strengthened David's hand in God by reminding him of his calling in the purposes of God.

Point 4 Conclusion: It is the same with us as believers, we strengthen each other's hands in God by reminding each other about the promises of God that are especially suited for each other's needs. 

We must KNOW the promises of God to be able to remind others what they are in order to strengthen them in the Lord!

Application:

·      How can we know the promises of God?  *Renew your mind and saturate yourself in the Word of God! Psalm 1 says, meditate on the word day and night and then you will be a fountain of living water and will strengthen the hands of many in God.  

·      How can we develop the kind of Christian relationships in which you help each other hold fast to the promises of God and escape the deceitfulness of sin?

·      Do you have a cluster of friends committed (intentionally) to helping each other fight the fight of faith in this way?

·      Whose hand are you going to strengthen in God today? This week?

·      How can we exhort one another day in and day out to stand fast and continue firm in the faith?

Pray: Let us strengthen each other's hands in God!

More great truths and insights about friendship from the examples of Jonathon and David can be found here.

Thanks for reading! I hope you have gained some marvelous insights into God's word. I am so glad God has opened my eyes to how rich and deep are the promises of God in the Old Testament! May we always cling to his promises and build one another up in the Lord!  

"Therefore encourage one another and build one another up..." -1 Thessalonians 5:11

Love,

D Pro