Posts Tagged ‘ Church ’
“For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.”
Matthew 18:20, ESV
The context is church discipline, calling out sin in hopes of repentance from a wayward brother or sister.
Is that not also why we share the gospel?
Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor. For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to the one who falls when there is not another to lift him up.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10, NASB
God calls individuals for the sake of community. There is an individual element, but the communal is the focus.
How do we overcome? How are we strengthened and motivated?
Together: with the Church and by the Lord.
and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds,
Hebrews 10:24, NASB
One of the reasons we gather as the Church is to encourage each other in doing good things for others, as Christ did for us.
But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil.
Luke 6:35, ESV
Life is not about “me”. Life is about “them” to the glory of God.
The early Christians were known for their sacrifices for others.
Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love.
1 Corinthians 16:13-14, ESV
Rely on God’s love and strength to get through every season of life, watching over your faith through faithfulness to the Word and Body of Christ.
“Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven;
Luke 6:37, ESV
This is not a command against judging others. Jesus is telling us to use wise judgment, grounded in God’s Word, and to show grace and forgiveness while calling out sin, but also to be open to sin in our own life being called out.
We are back at it looking at songs and hymns that made an impact on my spiritual life! I took last week off from posting songs. Part of it was not being able to get access to the songs I wanted to use in a usable format (because the band broke up just as YouTube was becoming a thing, and I currently only have access to ripped copies of the CD’s now stored on the cloud.) Part of it was being Veterans Day. Also, as many of you probably understand all to well, there was stress and issues to deal with in life away from the blog.
But this week’s song is a biggie (you know … to me, at least.) It helped me realize the importance of the historical church. Also, when a modern ascetic Christian who made great music thinks it is important, I think it is good to pay attention!
I believe in god the father
Almighty maker of heaven
and maker of earth
And in Jesus Christ his only begotten son, our Lord
He was conceived by the Holy Spirit
Born of the virgin Mary
Suffered under Pontius Pilate
He was crucified and dead and buried[Chorus]
And I believe what I believe
is what makes me what I am
I did not make it,
no it is making me
It is the very truth of god
and not the invention of any manI believe that he who suffered
was crucified, buried, and dead
He descended into hell and
on the third day, rose again
He ascended into heaven
where he sits at God’s mighty right hand
I believe that he’s returning
To judge the quick and the dead of the sons of men[Chorus]
I believe it, I believe it
I believe it
I believe it, I believe itI believe in god the father
Almighty maker of heaven
and maker of earth
And in Jesus Christ his only
begotten son, our Lord
I believe in the holy spirit
One holy church
The communion of saints
The forgiveness of sin
I believe in the resurrection
I believe in a life that never endsAnd I believe what I believe is what makes me what I am
I did not make it, no it is making me
I did not make it, no it is making me
I said I did not make it, no it is making me
It is the very truth of god and not the invention of any manI believe it, I believe
I believe it, I believe
I believe it, I believe it
I believe it, I believe it
I believe it, I believe it
I believe it
Some do not care for the old creeds. “No creed but Christ,” many of them say. The irony of that credo is … well … as I just said, it is a creed.
What many may fail to realize is that the creeds are not meant to replace Scripture, but they help to clarify what we believe God has revealed to us through Scripture. The creeds help to dispel heresy, false teachings, and misunderstandings.
Rich Mullins based this song off of The Apostles Creed, an ancient, early creed of the Church.
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again;
he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
You probably see the similarities. This song is a strong reminder not to “move the ancient boundaries.” (Proverbs 23:10) Too many people these days are so quick to forget the past with the intention of focusing on loving people. But to ignore the creeds and 2000 years of church history is not the answer. This leads to various problems, as evidenced by the vast number of individuals, groups, churches, and denominations that are abandoning Scriptural truth for modern, “enlightened” teachings.
Instead, we should focus on the sound doctrines and teachings found in the Bible and illuminated by the Church throughout history. These illuminations and teachings should always be measured by the text of Scripture to ensure it is not being twisted. (This is a great definition of “Sola Scriptura” – Scripture Alone.)
Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.
Proverbs 27:17, ESV
We learn from each other, so do not give up meeting for church or groups. Encourage each other, rebuke each other, and share truth with each other. (Hebrews 10:23-25)
So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.
Galatians 6:10, ESV
Serve others, give to others, encourage others. Especially those in the Church.
We are a brotherhood, a family, united in our Big Brother and God, Jesus.
I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment.
1 Corinthians 1:10, ESV
When we are focused on Christ, everything else becomes relatively unimportant. We may disagree on some things, but we should agree on the foundational beliefs of Christ.
“They will know you by your love for one another.”
a simple man of God 