Friday, February 29, 2008
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Sunday Night Bible Studies
Sunday Night Bible Studies stared last Sunday and there was a great turn out.
There is still time to get involved.
There are two adult clases:
One on Christian Marriage and another over the book of I Thessalonians.
The Youth have three groups meeting and there is Pastor Pals and Nursery.
Hope to see you there.
There is still time to get involved.
There are two adult clases:
One on Christian Marriage and another over the book of I Thessalonians.
The Youth have three groups meeting and there is Pastor Pals and Nursery.
Hope to see you there.
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Saturday, December 15, 2007
Lesson 7 Sin
Lesson 7
The Fall of Man
To fully understand humanity we must not only look to his creation we must also look to his fall. In other words "What went wrong?"
Lets start with the Biblical account:
Genesis 3:1-7
Should we understand this story as being historical or figurative?
If there was no historical Adam and Eve then one has to come up with some other understanding to humanity's fall.
The most popular answer is that we each are born innocent and then fall ourselves, we are our own Adams. This was a belief promoted by a British monk named Pelagius. Unfortunately, this idea not only reduces Adam to an example of what we all eventually do, it reduces Jesus simply to the person we can make ourselves become.
Where did sin originate?
Some people argue that sin existed before the creation in that Satan rebelled against God and thus brought sin into existence. More likely is that sin is a possible result of freedom. That when God created individuals with freedom He creates the opportunity for there to be sin. Adam and Eve had the freedom to not sin. We being their descendants do not have that freedom.
I stress this because we can not blame sin on Satan (or environment, ignorance, etc.) but realizes that it lies within us. It is in our nature
Passage Romans 6:6
Adam and Eve's actions brought about two results.
1. Inherited Depravity
A. As descendants we all inherit a sinful and corrupt nature. I am not sure how this exactly occurs or if it is even necessary to understand. I am sure that it is more spiritual than physical.
Inherited Depravity does explain the need for the Holy Spirit’s work in us. (recall the lesson on the Holy Spirit)
B. This is not to say that we are totally evil but that every facet of who we are has been tainted. We all have the ability to chose certain actions and behavior. The murderer cannot say, "I had no choice."
2. Sin is universal
We all sin. Everyday life can confirm this reality.
What is sin?
Psalm 51
1. Sin is something we are.
2. Sin is something we do.
I John 3:4
3. Sin is also something we fail to do.
Romans 3:23
The Consequences of sin
1. Guilt
Romans 3:19
2. Punishment
Genesis 2: 17, Ephesians 2:1,5, Revelations 20:14
A physical punishment, a spiritual punishment, and an eternal punishment.
Proverbs 14:9
The Fall of Man
To fully understand humanity we must not only look to his creation we must also look to his fall. In other words "What went wrong?"
Lets start with the Biblical account:
Genesis 3:1-7
Should we understand this story as being historical or figurative?
If there was no historical Adam and Eve then one has to come up with some other understanding to humanity's fall.
The most popular answer is that we each are born innocent and then fall ourselves, we are our own Adams. This was a belief promoted by a British monk named Pelagius. Unfortunately, this idea not only reduces Adam to an example of what we all eventually do, it reduces Jesus simply to the person we can make ourselves become.
Where did sin originate?
Some people argue that sin existed before the creation in that Satan rebelled against God and thus brought sin into existence. More likely is that sin is a possible result of freedom. That when God created individuals with freedom He creates the opportunity for there to be sin. Adam and Eve had the freedom to not sin. We being their descendants do not have that freedom.
I stress this because we can not blame sin on Satan (or environment, ignorance, etc.) but realizes that it lies within us. It is in our nature
Passage Romans 6:6
Adam and Eve's actions brought about two results.
1. Inherited Depravity
A. As descendants we all inherit a sinful and corrupt nature. I am not sure how this exactly occurs or if it is even necessary to understand. I am sure that it is more spiritual than physical.
Inherited Depravity does explain the need for the Holy Spirit’s work in us. (recall the lesson on the Holy Spirit)
B. This is not to say that we are totally evil but that every facet of who we are has been tainted. We all have the ability to chose certain actions and behavior. The murderer cannot say, "I had no choice."
2. Sin is universal
We all sin. Everyday life can confirm this reality.
What is sin?
Psalm 51
1. Sin is something we are.
2. Sin is something we do.
I John 3:4
3. Sin is also something we fail to do.
Romans 3:23
The Consequences of sin
1. Guilt
Romans 3:19
2. Punishment
Genesis 2: 17, Ephesians 2:1,5, Revelations 20:14
A physical punishment, a spiritual punishment, and an eternal punishment.
Proverbs 14:9
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
Lesson 6 Doctrine of Man
Lesson 6
Doctrine of Man
Origin
Humanity’s origin is an interesting and important topic. Where we came from and how we came about is more than just a story or a question of science it is also a metaphysical question. How you understand man’s origin has an impact on how you think and see the world.
In Western Society there have been two major ways to understand the origin of man.
1. Naturalism: The idea of simple structures developing "evolving" into more complex ones. This occurs through the process of chance.
2. Theism: That a divine being had a hand in creating and guiding the process. There are numerous world views that share this idea (Christianity, Judaism, Muslim) and also numerous Schools of thought.
Three very popular theistic understanding of creation ones are:
A. Short term Creationist
B. Progressive Creationist
C. Theistic evolution
Although each differs in the exact way creation occurred, they all agree that it was divinely driven.
Biblical View
Genesis 1:1, 1: 26-28, 2:7
Let’s look at some key points that come out of these passages.
First, we were created by God.
Our origin comes from God and therefore we are accountable to Him
Second, our creation was a Special act
Our creation is different than all the other creatures. We receive the breath of life from God.
Humanity is the crowning and purpose for creation. What do you think about that statement? Instead of making us arrogant this fact should work to humble us. Why?
Third, it is from Adam and Eve that all humanity springs.
The idea of Adam and Eve being the universal parents should not only impact the way we see each other, it also effects the way we understand the Fall.
Just taking these three points, what are some of the moral and ethical understandings?
The Nature of Man
When we talk about humanity there are two natures we can look at.
Body and Soul
First man is made up of body and soul. Now off the bat this is a complicated idea but still biblically correct.
To help understand it let me make five brief points.
1. The soul is not good and the body bad. The body is not some shell holding us in (Popular Greek philosophy)
2. What happens in the body can affect the soul, and the condition of the soul affects the body. Phil. 2: 20
3. But they are also two distinct substances
4. The soul inhabits the body, is removed from body at death, and exists in a separate state
2 Corinthians 5: 1-10
5. At the time of the resurrection there will be a new body.
Second, man is created in the image of God.
Genesis 1:26-27
What does the image of God mean? This idea of the image of God applies to both men and women so we know it does not refer to gender or that God looks like a man (Mormon church teaching)
Some suggest that it might refer to our intelligence (ability to create and think), our free will (Which we have always had), or our ability to make moral decisions.
Another idea is that it refers to us possessing a spiritual nature.
Regardless, one thing that clearly stands out is that by having the Image of God we are separate from the rest of the animal kingdom.
Doctrine of Man
Origin
Humanity’s origin is an interesting and important topic. Where we came from and how we came about is more than just a story or a question of science it is also a metaphysical question. How you understand man’s origin has an impact on how you think and see the world.
In Western Society there have been two major ways to understand the origin of man.
1. Naturalism: The idea of simple structures developing "evolving" into more complex ones. This occurs through the process of chance.
2. Theism: That a divine being had a hand in creating and guiding the process. There are numerous world views that share this idea (Christianity, Judaism, Muslim) and also numerous Schools of thought.
Three very popular theistic understanding of creation ones are:
A. Short term Creationist
B. Progressive Creationist
C. Theistic evolution
Although each differs in the exact way creation occurred, they all agree that it was divinely driven.
Biblical View
Genesis 1:1, 1: 26-28, 2:7
Let’s look at some key points that come out of these passages.
First, we were created by God.
Our origin comes from God and therefore we are accountable to Him
Second, our creation was a Special act
Our creation is different than all the other creatures. We receive the breath of life from God.
Humanity is the crowning and purpose for creation. What do you think about that statement? Instead of making us arrogant this fact should work to humble us. Why?
Third, it is from Adam and Eve that all humanity springs.
The idea of Adam and Eve being the universal parents should not only impact the way we see each other, it also effects the way we understand the Fall.
Just taking these three points, what are some of the moral and ethical understandings?
The Nature of Man
When we talk about humanity there are two natures we can look at.
Body and Soul
First man is made up of body and soul. Now off the bat this is a complicated idea but still biblically correct.
To help understand it let me make five brief points.
1. The soul is not good and the body bad. The body is not some shell holding us in (Popular Greek philosophy)
2. What happens in the body can affect the soul, and the condition of the soul affects the body. Phil. 2: 20
3. But they are also two distinct substances
4. The soul inhabits the body, is removed from body at death, and exists in a separate state
2 Corinthians 5: 1-10
5. At the time of the resurrection there will be a new body.
Second, man is created in the image of God.
Genesis 1:26-27
What does the image of God mean? This idea of the image of God applies to both men and women so we know it does not refer to gender or that God looks like a man (Mormon church teaching)
Some suggest that it might refer to our intelligence (ability to create and think), our free will (Which we have always had), or our ability to make moral decisions.
Another idea is that it refers to us possessing a spiritual nature.
Regardless, one thing that clearly stands out is that by having the Image of God we are separate from the rest of the animal kingdom.
Monday, November 19, 2007
Friday, November 16, 2007
Holy Spirit
Lesson 5
Holy Spirit
We have so far looked at two persons of the Trinity, this evening we will look at the third person, the Holy Spirit.
One book I read this week on the subject made this interesting observation "the current interest in the Holy Spirit is not without its dangers" (p 42 Christian Doctrine for Everyman). This is not a quote that one might have said about interest in God or in Jesus although I think it might be true of both. We must always be careful in our studies and stay faithful to the text. Much that is said about God (ie He has many different names) or Jesus (He was just a good man) so also are things said about the Holy Spirt when examined in the light of the Scriptures prove false.
Just as we looked at Jesus through the person and the works we will now do the same with the Holy Spirit.
The Person of the Holy Spirit
Like Jesus, there are two parts to understanding the person of the Holy Spirit
1. First, The Holy Spirit is a person
Max Ander's points out that too often people think of the Holy Spirit like we think of "School Spirit" or that we see it as a sort of an "it". When in reality, just like God and Jesus, the Holy Spirit is also a person. We know this for two reasons.
a. He is spoken of in personal terms (I use the masculine because Jesus used masculine pronouns.) (John 14:16)
b. He has personal qualities: hearing, speaking, comforting, revealing, and grieving
2. Secondly, The Holy Spirit is God.
(Acts 5:4)
The Work of the Holy Spirit
There are three ways to look at the work of the Spirit: His work in the world, with believers, and in relationship to Jesus.
1. When I talk about His relationship in the World, I am referring to His relationship with both believers and non-believers.
a. The first thing He does is he works to Convict (some say reprove or convince)
(John 16:8)
"...To make men realize their lost condition and make them seek after life and righteousness." (CDFE)
When we are caught up in sin we are not fully aware of our condition or the necessity to do something about it. It is through the work of the Holy Spirit that we are convicted (or convinced) that we have a problem.
(I like the word convinced over convicted because we, at times, feel convicted and we don’t know why. Convinced means you know why. The Holy Spirit lets us know why)
(If you are never convinced will you ever change?)
b. Regenerates
He provides the power or the means for a person to believe. Just as our sinful condition does not allow us to see the state we exist in, we are also helpless in that state. We are incapable of believing in Jesus Christ.
This is sometimes what the Bible means when it says faith. It is the ability to believe.
This why I sometimes think people are wrong when the say, "if I have enough faith such and such will happen". When really it is allowing the Holy Spirit to work in you so you can be okay if such and such doesn't happen.
2. After we are convicted and then regenerated we become a believer. But the work of the Holy Spirit does not stop there. He continues to be at work in the Believer.
a. We see Him at work at the time of our Conversion
1. First, He comes to dwell within us. I Cor. 6:19 God with us.
2. Second, He Seals until the day of our redemption Eph 1:13
3. Thirdly He Baptizes us into the body of Christ. I Cor 12:13
This is the primary meaning of "Baptism of the Holy Spirit" and not the recieving of special gifts or powers.
(Max Anders in 30 Days to understanding the Bible uses the anachronism CRIBS to described all five acts Conviction, regeneration, Indwelling, Baptism, and Sealing )
b. The Holy Spirit also continues to be at work in our lives after conversion. After Conversion
1. He develops Christian character
2. He bring comfort
3. He Teaches
4. And He empowers Christians for service
5. And within the fellowship of the church He works to maintain unity, lead in worship and provide gifts for ministry. Needless to say He is one busy dude.
3. In one of the texts I was working from they listed a third area, the Holy Spirit’s relationship to Christ. It mentioned two things that the Holy Spirit does in relationship to Jesus.
a. He glorifies Christ. Just as Jesus glorified the Father so now does the Holy Spirit glorify the Son
b. He makes Christ real to believers. One way of understanding this is that we know Jesus is alive and at work today. That He is relevant.
The Holy Spirit never eclipses Jesus Christ.
Holy Spirit
We have so far looked at two persons of the Trinity, this evening we will look at the third person, the Holy Spirit.
One book I read this week on the subject made this interesting observation "the current interest in the Holy Spirit is not without its dangers" (p 42 Christian Doctrine for Everyman). This is not a quote that one might have said about interest in God or in Jesus although I think it might be true of both. We must always be careful in our studies and stay faithful to the text. Much that is said about God (ie He has many different names) or Jesus (He was just a good man) so also are things said about the Holy Spirt when examined in the light of the Scriptures prove false.
Just as we looked at Jesus through the person and the works we will now do the same with the Holy Spirit.
The Person of the Holy Spirit
Like Jesus, there are two parts to understanding the person of the Holy Spirit
1. First, The Holy Spirit is a person
Max Ander's points out that too often people think of the Holy Spirit like we think of "School Spirit" or that we see it as a sort of an "it". When in reality, just like God and Jesus, the Holy Spirit is also a person. We know this for two reasons.
a. He is spoken of in personal terms (I use the masculine because Jesus used masculine pronouns.) (John 14:16)
b. He has personal qualities: hearing, speaking, comforting, revealing, and grieving
2. Secondly, The Holy Spirit is God.
(Acts 5:4)
The Work of the Holy Spirit
There are three ways to look at the work of the Spirit: His work in the world, with believers, and in relationship to Jesus.
1. When I talk about His relationship in the World, I am referring to His relationship with both believers and non-believers.
a. The first thing He does is he works to Convict (some say reprove or convince)
(John 16:8)
"...To make men realize their lost condition and make them seek after life and righteousness." (CDFE)
When we are caught up in sin we are not fully aware of our condition or the necessity to do something about it. It is through the work of the Holy Spirit that we are convicted (or convinced) that we have a problem.
(I like the word convinced over convicted because we, at times, feel convicted and we don’t know why. Convinced means you know why. The Holy Spirit lets us know why)
(If you are never convinced will you ever change?)
b. Regenerates
He provides the power or the means for a person to believe. Just as our sinful condition does not allow us to see the state we exist in, we are also helpless in that state. We are incapable of believing in Jesus Christ.
This is sometimes what the Bible means when it says faith. It is the ability to believe.
This why I sometimes think people are wrong when the say, "if I have enough faith such and such will happen". When really it is allowing the Holy Spirit to work in you so you can be okay if such and such doesn't happen.
2. After we are convicted and then regenerated we become a believer. But the work of the Holy Spirit does not stop there. He continues to be at work in the Believer.
a. We see Him at work at the time of our Conversion
1. First, He comes to dwell within us. I Cor. 6:19 God with us.
2. Second, He Seals until the day of our redemption Eph 1:13
3. Thirdly He Baptizes us into the body of Christ. I Cor 12:13
This is the primary meaning of "Baptism of the Holy Spirit" and not the recieving of special gifts or powers.
(Max Anders in 30 Days to understanding the Bible uses the anachronism CRIBS to described all five acts Conviction, regeneration, Indwelling, Baptism, and Sealing )
b. The Holy Spirit also continues to be at work in our lives after conversion. After Conversion
1. He develops Christian character
2. He bring comfort
3. He Teaches
4. And He empowers Christians for service
5. And within the fellowship of the church He works to maintain unity, lead in worship and provide gifts for ministry. Needless to say He is one busy dude.
3. In one of the texts I was working from they listed a third area, the Holy Spirit’s relationship to Christ. It mentioned two things that the Holy Spirit does in relationship to Jesus.
a. He glorifies Christ. Just as Jesus glorified the Father so now does the Holy Spirit glorify the Son
b. He makes Christ real to believers. One way of understanding this is that we know Jesus is alive and at work today. That He is relevant.
The Holy Spirit never eclipses Jesus Christ.
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