Q: What are the "Letters To 7 Churches." I heard someone preaching about them on the radio the other day and was not familiar with them. The guy on the radio said they're in the Bible?
A: John, the author of the book of Revelation (the last book in the Christian Bible) included in that book letters to seven different churches that were all located in what was then known as the province of Asia. They were in Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea. These were simply cities in that province and the letters were simply addressing the Christian church located in each city.
The significance of the letters - or perhaps their relevance in our modern day culture - is that each church displayed a certain set of behaviors. Some were godly and some were not. Each letter addressed the strength of the church to which it was written. But each letter also addressed the weakness of the church to which each particular letter was written.
If you read the letters (Revelation 2 & 3) you'll see that the nature and character of those church congregations was very common to what we might find in American churches today. So the challenge is then to look at my own church and see what it has in common with any or all of those seven (7) churches. Would Jesus have any different perspective or point to make with my church than He did with those churches? Definitely not!
The letters to those seven churches back then were meant to motivate those churches to make changes. They're there for us to read today for exactly the same reason. We should read them and be motivated to make changes!
Showing posts with label sin;. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sin;. Show all posts
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Death Punishment?
Q: This has always been on my mind and I've never got a clear answer. Is death a punishment for sin?
A: Well physical death is not the punishment for sin. It is part of the cycle of life here on earth. However, I would say that spiritual death is the ultimate punishment for sin. I count as spiritual death anyone who is not going to heaven to spend eternity with Christ.
The Bible tells us that Jesus "conquered the grave," which means that He overcame the dynamics of death. Another way to think about that would be to see what death is when one is with Jesus --- it isn't death at all. It's simply that human life cycle. But attend the funeral of someone who never committed their life to Christ, and you've got a much sadder affair. There is no further reason for hope in that individual's life. Said differently, death in their particular life was not conquered by Christ.
A: Well physical death is not the punishment for sin. It is part of the cycle of life here on earth. However, I would say that spiritual death is the ultimate punishment for sin. I count as spiritual death anyone who is not going to heaven to spend eternity with Christ.
The Bible tells us that Jesus "conquered the grave," which means that He overcame the dynamics of death. Another way to think about that would be to see what death is when one is with Jesus --- it isn't death at all. It's simply that human life cycle. But attend the funeral of someone who never committed their life to Christ, and you've got a much sadder affair. There is no further reason for hope in that individual's life. Said differently, death in their particular life was not conquered by Christ.
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
God & Homosexuals
Q: Does God hate fags?
A: God doesn't hate anyone. By using the slang "fag," I assume you are referring to men and women who engage in homosexual lifestyles. God doesn't hate them. He loves them dearly. And it breaks His heart to see them being so deceived. What they are doing is sin. Unfortunately, many of them have been led to believe that it's "how they were born." And so they go on sinning, thinking that it's okay. It's not. But they are loved by God, just the same as you and I are loved by God when we sin.
And for what it's worth, homosexuality isn't a definition. It is a temptation.
A: God doesn't hate anyone. By using the slang "fag," I assume you are referring to men and women who engage in homosexual lifestyles. God doesn't hate them. He loves them dearly. And it breaks His heart to see them being so deceived. What they are doing is sin. Unfortunately, many of them have been led to believe that it's "how they were born." And so they go on sinning, thinking that it's okay. It's not. But they are loved by God, just the same as you and I are loved by God when we sin.
And for what it's worth, homosexuality isn't a definition. It is a temptation.
Monday, January 24, 2011
Relative Conflict
Q: I have a relative whom I am almost constantly fighting with about something. No matter how much I resolve to "get along" it seems we still end up in conflict with each other. What can I do?
A: God is not the author of conflict. Rather He is the author of unity. So let's start there. This conflict that you have then is not of God. It is therefore caused by some evil somewhere. James 4:1 tells us that arguments and other sorts of conflict are caused by "desires that battle within you" - which are evil in nature.
What does that mean? It means that whenever there is conflict there is sin. It may be your sin. It may be his sin. I may be both of you who are in sin. It may even be the sin of a third party that causes you to quarrel. But whatever the source, you can be sure that sin is behind the conflict.
Christ followers have only three options when it comes to being impacted by the sin of others. First, we can confront it and try to change it. Second, we can forgive it and overlook it. Or third, if the confrontation hasn't been effective - we can separate from the source. In other words, just because someone is a blood relative doesn't require you to maintain a relationship with them ... if you've tried to address the source of the sin and they won't back off.
The only thing wrong between you and your relative then is your reaction to each other. Look for the sin, and then ask God to show you how best to respond to it.
A: God is not the author of conflict. Rather He is the author of unity. So let's start there. This conflict that you have then is not of God. It is therefore caused by some evil somewhere. James 4:1 tells us that arguments and other sorts of conflict are caused by "desires that battle within you" - which are evil in nature.
What does that mean? It means that whenever there is conflict there is sin. It may be your sin. It may be his sin. I may be both of you who are in sin. It may even be the sin of a third party that causes you to quarrel. But whatever the source, you can be sure that sin is behind the conflict.
Christ followers have only three options when it comes to being impacted by the sin of others. First, we can confront it and try to change it. Second, we can forgive it and overlook it. Or third, if the confrontation hasn't been effective - we can separate from the source. In other words, just because someone is a blood relative doesn't require you to maintain a relationship with them ... if you've tried to address the source of the sin and they won't back off.
The only thing wrong between you and your relative then is your reaction to each other. Look for the sin, and then ask God to show you how best to respond to it.
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