There is something spiritually and emotionally cathartic with beginning anew...a new job, a new school, a new car, a new city, a new year.
There is a liberating feeling and a fresh perspective that comes with beginning anew. Jeremiah wrote, "His compassions fail not; they are new every morning." (Lam. 3:22-23) The beginning of a new year brings great promise and great anticipation. Whatever 2010 was for you, I pray that 2011 will be a year you will never want to forget. Here is my prayer for you:
- that you draw closer to God
- that you drink deeply from His Word
- that you dwell richly with Him in prayer
- that you speak boldly of His love
- that you work diligently for His Kingdom
- that you serve humbly within His church
- that you worship sacrificially His Son
Happy New Year to you and your family!
Pastor Randy
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Monday, December 20, 2010
Big Question...Answered!
So, finally, I have the time to answer the last Big Question:
What are the Nephilim mentioned in Genesis 6?
Great question! There are two plausible explanations offered by scholars. "Nephilim" = fallen ones, tyrants; they were the offspring of sexual relations between the sons of God and the daughters of men.
Explanation 1: The "sons of God" were the god-fearing descendents of Seth and the "daughters of men" were the unholy descendents of Cain. This union created evil men who were renowned for their tyranny and strength.
Explanation 2: The "sons of God" were fallen angels (demons) who had sexual relations with female humans. The offspring were powerful and evil. Why would demons do such a thing? One answer is that they may have been attempting to pollute the human bloodline in order to prevent the coming Promised One - Jesus Christ (reference God's promise in Genesis 3:15).
Whatever your understanding, it is clear from the immediate context of their mention that God was grieved by the wickedness of that generation and thereby determined to judge the world by sending the flood.
The story of the Nephilim demonstrates both the wickedness of man and the holiness of God. We should not be surprised by God's response to the Nephilim but we should be in awe of His sovereign choice to save those 8 persons from the judgment of the flood! What a picture of God's mercy and grace!
Peace to all of you and your families this Christmas Season!
Pastor Randy
What are the Nephilim mentioned in Genesis 6?
Great question! There are two plausible explanations offered by scholars. "Nephilim" = fallen ones, tyrants; they were the offspring of sexual relations between the sons of God and the daughters of men.
Explanation 1: The "sons of God" were the god-fearing descendents of Seth and the "daughters of men" were the unholy descendents of Cain. This union created evil men who were renowned for their tyranny and strength.
Explanation 2: The "sons of God" were fallen angels (demons) who had sexual relations with female humans. The offspring were powerful and evil. Why would demons do such a thing? One answer is that they may have been attempting to pollute the human bloodline in order to prevent the coming Promised One - Jesus Christ (reference God's promise in Genesis 3:15).
Whatever your understanding, it is clear from the immediate context of their mention that God was grieved by the wickedness of that generation and thereby determined to judge the world by sending the flood.
The story of the Nephilim demonstrates both the wickedness of man and the holiness of God. We should not be surprised by God's response to the Nephilim but we should be in awe of His sovereign choice to save those 8 persons from the judgment of the flood! What a picture of God's mercy and grace!
Peace to all of you and your families this Christmas Season!
Pastor Randy
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Open Your Eyes...
When we honestly assess the message of the Bible, we cannot get around the command to "Tell the Good News to Everyone we meet." In fact, we find the Great Commission from Jesus in all four Gospels and also in the book of Acts. There is no doubt what Jesus' marching orders were and are for the church.
On Sunday, we distributed stalks of wheat to everyone. The wheat is representative of the harvest of believers. Jesus said to His disciples, "My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work. Do you not say, 'Four months more and then the harvest?' I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest."
The Christmas season is the perfect time of year to have spirtiual conversations with those who do not yet follow Jesus. Please take some time, after reading this blog, to jot down the names of 3 people who you know are NOT saved. If you can't think of three people who are not saved, take some steps to meet some new people!
Once you have those three names, do the following: 1) Pray that God would give you the courage to ask that person to meet for a cup of coffee or lunch or whatever; 2) Ask that person to meet you for a cup of coffee or lunch or whatever; and 3) Tell that person, when you meet with them, that you are nervous but want to be obedient to your faith and ask them if they have ever considered the claims of Christ.
I'll admit, there is a lot that happens between the second and third step. Trust that God will guide you if you are willing. Remember that witnessing is not about you. It's about the Holy Spirit living in you to guide you in what to say, how to say it, and when to say it. Just pray before you meet with that person.
Remember to think of the sin condition of your friend, co-worker, neighbor, or classmate is akin to them having cancer. They may not know it, but they are going to die. If you helped them to see that they have cancer but you know who has the cure, then your motivation will be pure and urgent.
Look at the fields. You have a sphere of influence that God has given you. Use it to lead others into the loving arms of Christ!
Randy
On Sunday, we distributed stalks of wheat to everyone. The wheat is representative of the harvest of believers. Jesus said to His disciples, "My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work. Do you not say, 'Four months more and then the harvest?' I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest."
The Christmas season is the perfect time of year to have spirtiual conversations with those who do not yet follow Jesus. Please take some time, after reading this blog, to jot down the names of 3 people who you know are NOT saved. If you can't think of three people who are not saved, take some steps to meet some new people!
Once you have those three names, do the following: 1) Pray that God would give you the courage to ask that person to meet for a cup of coffee or lunch or whatever; 2) Ask that person to meet you for a cup of coffee or lunch or whatever; and 3) Tell that person, when you meet with them, that you are nervous but want to be obedient to your faith and ask them if they have ever considered the claims of Christ.
I'll admit, there is a lot that happens between the second and third step. Trust that God will guide you if you are willing. Remember that witnessing is not about you. It's about the Holy Spirit living in you to guide you in what to say, how to say it, and when to say it. Just pray before you meet with that person.
Remember to think of the sin condition of your friend, co-worker, neighbor, or classmate is akin to them having cancer. They may not know it, but they are going to die. If you helped them to see that they have cancer but you know who has the cure, then your motivation will be pure and urgent.
Look at the fields. You have a sphere of influence that God has given you. Use it to lead others into the loving arms of Christ!
Randy
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Big Questions...Answered!
One question that I did not feel comfortable answering from the pulpit is this one...Is masturbation a sin? Well, it took me a little while to find ANY Scripture that speaks to this taboo topic, but I did!
In Lev. 15:16-18, we read, "When a man has an emission of semen, he must bathe his whole body in water, and he will be unclean till evening." The passage goes on to say, "When a man lies with a woman and there is an emission of semen, both must bathe with water, and they will be unclean till evening."
The first instance seems to imply the man is alone, especially compared to the second instance, where the passage spells out his being with a woman. This could infer that masturbation is the method the man uses. As far as I have read on this topic, there seems to be no physical health consequences to the person who masturbates; in fact, masturbation can be seen as a natural way for a person to be relieved of pent up sexual energy. Furthermore, there is no prohibition mentioned in this passage, and in fact, the method of cleansing is the same as that prescribed for heterosexual union.
The other side of this discussion, however, cannot be ignored. I must point out that lust and impure thoughts are sins according to Scripture. So, when masturbation includes lustful or impure thoughts, then it is a sin. So, now the obvious question: When does masturbation happen sans lusting? Well, lest you repudiate the OT Levitical Law as outdated and obsolete, we must remember that Jesus came to fulfill the law, not abolish it. Therefore, my mind goes to a possible reconciliation of the Yes/No answer of the question.
Could it be that perhaps God created a way for unmarried men and women to release the natural sexual energy that builds in their hormonal impulses to keep them from having sex outside of marriage? Masturbation does not necessarily have to include lustful thinking or fantasy. As we get older and are exposed to ungodly perceptions of sex, this may become more of an issue.
One final element of this question must be addressed. Obsession with masturbation with or without lustful thoughts is a sin. That is to say, masturbation, if at least not expressly prohibited in Scripture, can become a god to the person and a snare used by the devil. Therefore, keep yourself from any and all pornographic materials, no matter the medium.
I hope this helps you better understand this topic. As always, I encourage you to conduct your own self-study on this or any other topic. Be like the Bereans, who searched the Scriptures diligently to learn the Truth!
Randy
In Lev. 15:16-18, we read, "When a man has an emission of semen, he must bathe his whole body in water, and he will be unclean till evening." The passage goes on to say, "When a man lies with a woman and there is an emission of semen, both must bathe with water, and they will be unclean till evening."
The first instance seems to imply the man is alone, especially compared to the second instance, where the passage spells out his being with a woman. This could infer that masturbation is the method the man uses. As far as I have read on this topic, there seems to be no physical health consequences to the person who masturbates; in fact, masturbation can be seen as a natural way for a person to be relieved of pent up sexual energy. Furthermore, there is no prohibition mentioned in this passage, and in fact, the method of cleansing is the same as that prescribed for heterosexual union.
The other side of this discussion, however, cannot be ignored. I must point out that lust and impure thoughts are sins according to Scripture. So, when masturbation includes lustful or impure thoughts, then it is a sin. So, now the obvious question: When does masturbation happen sans lusting? Well, lest you repudiate the OT Levitical Law as outdated and obsolete, we must remember that Jesus came to fulfill the law, not abolish it. Therefore, my mind goes to a possible reconciliation of the Yes/No answer of the question.
Could it be that perhaps God created a way for unmarried men and women to release the natural sexual energy that builds in their hormonal impulses to keep them from having sex outside of marriage? Masturbation does not necessarily have to include lustful thinking or fantasy. As we get older and are exposed to ungodly perceptions of sex, this may become more of an issue.
One final element of this question must be addressed. Obsession with masturbation with or without lustful thoughts is a sin. That is to say, masturbation, if at least not expressly prohibited in Scripture, can become a god to the person and a snare used by the devil. Therefore, keep yourself from any and all pornographic materials, no matter the medium.
I hope this helps you better understand this topic. As always, I encourage you to conduct your own self-study on this or any other topic. Be like the Bereans, who searched the Scriptures diligently to learn the Truth!
Randy
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Master in a Manger
This Advent Season, our church will be taking a very unique approach to the First Coming of Jesus Christ. God came into this world as a baby on the straw in a manger, but His purposed destination would become pierced hands and feet with Roman spikes on a cruel, wooden cross.
As we peer into the life of the most influential man ever to be born on this earth, we learn that His hands would touch the leper's wound, His eyes would weep for the consequences of sin, His mouth would proclaim eternal Truth, His feet would walk the dusty road toward Calvary, and His heart would break under the weight of the world's sin as He hung on the cross.
Jesus never intended to stay in the manger, to stay in safety, to stay in obscurity. His mission was established at the foundation of the world, when God the Father chose to create man in His image. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, would become the atonining sacrifice that would satisfy God's wrath for the sin of mankind. Jesus was born into this world to do for man what man could not do for himself - to be reconciled to God.
This is the Good News of all creation. At its core, Christmas is not about gifts, or lights, or cards, or feasts, or snow, or even family. It's about the greatest expression of love - the giving of a sinless life for all other lives. Jesus came into this world for one reason - to die and then to be raised, thereby putting death to death for all who believe on Him!
Join us this Sunday as we kick off the Advent season!
Pastor Randy
As we peer into the life of the most influential man ever to be born on this earth, we learn that His hands would touch the leper's wound, His eyes would weep for the consequences of sin, His mouth would proclaim eternal Truth, His feet would walk the dusty road toward Calvary, and His heart would break under the weight of the world's sin as He hung on the cross.
Jesus never intended to stay in the manger, to stay in safety, to stay in obscurity. His mission was established at the foundation of the world, when God the Father chose to create man in His image. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, would become the atonining sacrifice that would satisfy God's wrath for the sin of mankind. Jesus was born into this world to do for man what man could not do for himself - to be reconciled to God.
This is the Good News of all creation. At its core, Christmas is not about gifts, or lights, or cards, or feasts, or snow, or even family. It's about the greatest expression of love - the giving of a sinless life for all other lives. Jesus came into this world for one reason - to die and then to be raised, thereby putting death to death for all who believe on Him!
Join us this Sunday as we kick off the Advent season!
Pastor Randy
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Money Money Money
Donald Trump's hit TV show, "The Apprentice" kicks off every week with the song, "Money Money Money...Muh-ney!"
Well, the Bible has over 2,300 references to it. So this Sunday we will delve one more time into this all-important and all-provacative topic of Money. This week we will learn what it means to be a cheerful giver. That is not always easy.
But if you ever did NOT want to miss a worship service, this is the Sunday to NOT miss. Why? Well, as they do in the TV medium so well, I am going to have to put you off a bit and let you tune in to find out! Let me just say that you DON'T WANT TO MISS SERVICE THIS SUNDAY!
On another note, please don't think I have forgotten the remaining BIG Questions. The topics include: Satan and masturbation, to name a few. Taboo topics to be sure, but do know that I will address them in this format.
Satan - The question was, "How was Satan able to sin while he was in heaven? My answer is:
Satan was created by God as a free creature, just like Adam and Eve.
Satan became prideful (Isa. 14:14 and Ezek. 28:14-15)
Adam and Eve were in Eden; it appears from Ezekiel that Satan was in Eden as well, when sin might have first occurred.
We don't know when Satan fell, but Jesus saw it. He says in Luke that He "saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven." (Luke 10:18)
Next blog, I will answer the question, "Is masturbation a sin?"
See you Sunday! Don't miss it, for it is more blessed to give than to receive!
Pastor Randy
Well, the Bible has over 2,300 references to it. So this Sunday we will delve one more time into this all-important and all-provacative topic of Money. This week we will learn what it means to be a cheerful giver. That is not always easy.
But if you ever did NOT want to miss a worship service, this is the Sunday to NOT miss. Why? Well, as they do in the TV medium so well, I am going to have to put you off a bit and let you tune in to find out! Let me just say that you DON'T WANT TO MISS SERVICE THIS SUNDAY!
On another note, please don't think I have forgotten the remaining BIG Questions. The topics include: Satan and masturbation, to name a few. Taboo topics to be sure, but do know that I will address them in this format.
Satan - The question was, "How was Satan able to sin while he was in heaven? My answer is:
Satan was created by God as a free creature, just like Adam and Eve.
Satan became prideful (Isa. 14:14 and Ezek. 28:14-15)
Adam and Eve were in Eden; it appears from Ezekiel that Satan was in Eden as well, when sin might have first occurred.
We don't know when Satan fell, but Jesus saw it. He says in Luke that He "saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven." (Luke 10:18)
Next blog, I will answer the question, "Is masturbation a sin?"
See you Sunday! Don't miss it, for it is more blessed to give than to receive!
Pastor Randy
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Money Matters!
According to the pundits on TV, the election results on Tuesday reflected the collective frustration of the American public regarding our seemingly never-ending economic woes. Whether you have lost your job, foreclosed on your home, had to dicker with collection agents, or just simply had to tighten the belt on discretionary spending, the current economic situation in America has most probably affected you.
Giving in churches has declined by an average 16% in the last year. Many experts agree that the average church member considers the tithe as a discretionary expense on their budgets. If it comes down to paying the electric bill or giving money to the church, the electric bill normally wins out. Oftentimes, church members give to the church a portion of what is left over at the end of each month. Unfortunately, there are many months when there is actually a shortage of money when stacked up against the bills that are owed.
How did America get into such a mess? The politicians, for obvious reasons related to their own job security, will pander to the American public about how they intend to create jobs, crack down on Wall Street, and rein in the lending institutions. That sounds good in theory, but who are they kidding? The government doesn't create jobs - business does. The government can't control Wall Street - investors do. The government can't rein in lenders - consumers do. While it is true that goverment can set policy to facilitate such endeavors, the real culprits in the American economic meltdown are...well, you and me.
The Bible is not silent when it comes to financial stewardship. Over the next three weeks (or should it be twelve weeks?), we will study the time-tested truth of Scripture on the all-important topic of MONEY. Money does matter, and I am diligently preparing for what promises to be a practical application of God's Truth about Money and how you can set a course for you and your family to take control of your financial future!
See you Sunday!
Pastor Randy
Giving in churches has declined by an average 16% in the last year. Many experts agree that the average church member considers the tithe as a discretionary expense on their budgets. If it comes down to paying the electric bill or giving money to the church, the electric bill normally wins out. Oftentimes, church members give to the church a portion of what is left over at the end of each month. Unfortunately, there are many months when there is actually a shortage of money when stacked up against the bills that are owed.
How did America get into such a mess? The politicians, for obvious reasons related to their own job security, will pander to the American public about how they intend to create jobs, crack down on Wall Street, and rein in the lending institutions. That sounds good in theory, but who are they kidding? The government doesn't create jobs - business does. The government can't control Wall Street - investors do. The government can't rein in lenders - consumers do. While it is true that goverment can set policy to facilitate such endeavors, the real culprits in the American economic meltdown are...well, you and me.
The Bible is not silent when it comes to financial stewardship. Over the next three weeks (or should it be twelve weeks?), we will study the time-tested truth of Scripture on the all-important topic of MONEY. Money does matter, and I am diligently preparing for what promises to be a practical application of God's Truth about Money and how you can set a course for you and your family to take control of your financial future!
See you Sunday!
Pastor Randy
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