Whipple Peeves is a fellow blogger who prompted these two questions and I am letting you see my answers.
1.) What Makes The Church The Church?
What makes the Church a Church is a gathering of people who worship God, learn about his nature and commands, and help each other through trials and struggles in their lives. That is what makes a Church. But what the church is, It is the Kingdom of God. The very kingdom God said he would establish and later justify and reconcile to him so that God may once again dwell with his most precious creation. The church is Christ's bride, in which by a bond between us and Christ we are able to come to the father. Through this Kingdom the whole world may know that Jesus loves them. I quote John 17:20-23 "My prayer is not for them alone (the disciples) I pray also for those who believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and i am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and yo in me. may the be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me."
2.) What Makes A Christian A Christian
Well, the very title of Christian means to be a follower of Christ. Now that can be a very broad statement to summarize yet I think the core comes down to this, Believing in your heart and confessing that Jesus Christ is Lord. If you truly believe in your heart then you will be in a continuous state of discipleship where Jesus the Christ is your rabbi and as Rob Bell says (creator of the devotional nooma videos) "every great disciple wants to be like their Rabbi. To many people only confess with their mouth to be Christians yet live against everything he taught. That is where the continual confession comes in. Through works and acts your faith can be seen and judged and if a bad vine doesn't produce fruit then it is cut down and thrown in the fire proving that it was never a true or good disciple to begin with. When reading Romans 10:9 to many people take being a Christian for granted and think it easy. What really happened is they failed to read the first ten chapters that describe and lead up to that very statement. The real test of Christianity if found in Romans 1:17 where it says; "the righteous will live by faith." To me submitting your will and life to Jesus is the real Christian. Be like THE Rabbi!
To give your own thoughts on this thread go to http://www.whipplesfaith.blogspot.com/
Saturday, June 30, 2007
Friday, June 29, 2007
Bible Study 002 – fishers of men
Mark:1 16As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 17"Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." 18At once they left their nets and followed him.
I enjoy fishing a great deal. This past weekend my father, brother-in-law, several friends, and I spent our time just off shore of Put-in-Bay. That’s right, for two whole days we spent fourteen hours out on the waters of Lake Erie fishing for walleye. The weekend proved profitable, a catch of 47 walleye and a few white bass. I always enjoy fishing because of the relaxation; it’s soothing.
In order to fish the person must know some certain information such as; what kind of bait the breed of fish feeds on, and what kind of lake habitat is best for them, in deep water or shallow, amongst fallen trees or in the center of the lake. One needs to know all this information in order to be a good fisherman. The idea behind fishing is to attract the fish to catch them. So you use bright lures, bait that smells, or maybe even bait that makes noise. You use anything to draw attention to the hook. So I know what it takes to be a good fisherman, yet what does it mean to be fishers of men? Jesus said to two of his disciples “come with me and I will make you fishers of men.” Other then the obvious answer that you go out and get people, I think there is something else. You see that ideology puts the focus on the men and people that Peter and Andrew were going to get during their ministries. The transformation happens to Peter and Andrew. Over the next three years Peter and Andrew will undergo a change in their lives that will lead them to reside as the leaders of church. It is a character change and growth in wisdom. To be a “fisher of men” is to undergo a self-change.
1 Thessalonians 5:23 May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it.
I believe I have talked about sanctification before, well now I am brining it up again. Sanctify, according to my apple dictionary means, set apart as or declare holy. With out some change in our lives following our receiving Christ have we truly accepted him? If you answer no, then study and search out the phrase “God fearing Christian.” God loves us and will force us to undergo a change, a change of character, morality, and state of mind. Sanctification means to strive towards perfection because of a relationship one has with Jesus. For love, we change ourselves to live more like God.
“Fishers of Men” means to be a positive appeal for others to come to Christ. To live in such a way that those around us see an appeal to change and live as Christ did. Just as the spinner bait reflects the light from the sun in dark and murky waters to attract fish we also reflect the light of the Son to attract the lost. So follow him and become fishers of men.
I enjoy fishing a great deal. This past weekend my father, brother-in-law, several friends, and I spent our time just off shore of Put-in-Bay. That’s right, for two whole days we spent fourteen hours out on the waters of Lake Erie fishing for walleye. The weekend proved profitable, a catch of 47 walleye and a few white bass. I always enjoy fishing because of the relaxation; it’s soothing.
In order to fish the person must know some certain information such as; what kind of bait the breed of fish feeds on, and what kind of lake habitat is best for them, in deep water or shallow, amongst fallen trees or in the center of the lake. One needs to know all this information in order to be a good fisherman. The idea behind fishing is to attract the fish to catch them. So you use bright lures, bait that smells, or maybe even bait that makes noise. You use anything to draw attention to the hook. So I know what it takes to be a good fisherman, yet what does it mean to be fishers of men? Jesus said to two of his disciples “come with me and I will make you fishers of men.” Other then the obvious answer that you go out and get people, I think there is something else. You see that ideology puts the focus on the men and people that Peter and Andrew were going to get during their ministries. The transformation happens to Peter and Andrew. Over the next three years Peter and Andrew will undergo a change in their lives that will lead them to reside as the leaders of church. It is a character change and growth in wisdom. To be a “fisher of men” is to undergo a self-change.
1 Thessalonians 5:23 May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it.
I believe I have talked about sanctification before, well now I am brining it up again. Sanctify, according to my apple dictionary means, set apart as or declare holy. With out some change in our lives following our receiving Christ have we truly accepted him? If you answer no, then study and search out the phrase “God fearing Christian.” God loves us and will force us to undergo a change, a change of character, morality, and state of mind. Sanctification means to strive towards perfection because of a relationship one has with Jesus. For love, we change ourselves to live more like God.
“Fishers of Men” means to be a positive appeal for others to come to Christ. To live in such a way that those around us see an appeal to change and live as Christ did. Just as the spinner bait reflects the light from the sun in dark and murky waters to attract fish we also reflect the light of the Son to attract the lost. So follow him and become fishers of men.
Thursday, June 21, 2007
Tennis anyone?
You know, there are few sports out there that I truly enjoy playing. They consist of Ultimate Frisbee, Football, Frisbee Gulf, and finally Tennis. Tennis is a pretty fun sport to play. I’m not that great but better then most of my friends so I think that lets me enjoy it more. In the last couple of weeks my friends and I have spent many evenings at the high school hitting a ball back and forth or playing a couple of sets, its something to look forward too during the day.
The other day while playing I kept hitting the ball into the net. Either serving or returning I continued to hit the ball into the net. Every time I failed to return the ball my temper grew and I was beginning to lose my nerve. I lost focus and got worse and worse till I was furious. My friends were profiting off my screw-ups and so their spirits were up.
I have found myself in the same situation in life. One bad thing that happened to me launched a continuous drive down a path of anger and disappointment. I tried to rise above and out of that state of mind yet the hole was to deep. It brought me down spiritually and I dragged through the days for weeks. After a while I knew that I couldn’t let it bother me anymore because I couldn’t focus on school or just be happy. I had to let it go. This wasn’t an instant transformation but I quickly returned to the good old Jonny Heart that I was before.
During the last game of that night it was my serve. I knew I had to calm down or the night would end badly and carry over when I got home. I took a deep breath and served. My best serve of the night started my best game of the night. My friend and I shut out the other team. I had to calm myself down in order to play my best. Life is much easier when you can calm yourself down and take one struggle at a time. The next day I was hanging out with my friends and asked, “tennis anyone?”
The other day while playing I kept hitting the ball into the net. Either serving or returning I continued to hit the ball into the net. Every time I failed to return the ball my temper grew and I was beginning to lose my nerve. I lost focus and got worse and worse till I was furious. My friends were profiting off my screw-ups and so their spirits were up.
I have found myself in the same situation in life. One bad thing that happened to me launched a continuous drive down a path of anger and disappointment. I tried to rise above and out of that state of mind yet the hole was to deep. It brought me down spiritually and I dragged through the days for weeks. After a while I knew that I couldn’t let it bother me anymore because I couldn’t focus on school or just be happy. I had to let it go. This wasn’t an instant transformation but I quickly returned to the good old Jonny Heart that I was before.
During the last game of that night it was my serve. I knew I had to calm down or the night would end badly and carry over when I got home. I took a deep breath and served. My best serve of the night started my best game of the night. My friend and I shut out the other team. I had to calm myself down in order to play my best. Life is much easier when you can calm yourself down and take one struggle at a time. The next day I was hanging out with my friends and asked, “tennis anyone?”
Saturday, June 16, 2007
What is in a name?
What is in a name? So many people are known solely by their name. What they do in life does not affect people’s opinion of them; they remain a public star with out judgment or consideration. The rich see their name more as a title or rank of status. Life used to be predestined for you just by the person’s last name. What people represented and lived for didn’t matter, so I ask the same question as the lovely Juliet, what is in a name?
All my life I could never walk down the halls of my church without someone coming up to me knowing exactly who I was but me not knowing them. You see, my parents have attended this church for 28 years now so they know a lot of people and I get titled, “oh you’re a _______ (my last name),” instead of my first, or they may say “You’re Dave’s boy.” It has gotten to the point that it bothers me but I miss it when it doesn’t happen. Growing up at a church for twenty years, you find that more people know you then you would like, especially if you have no idea who they are.
However today gave me a little prize. Yesterday was the Hoedown for the closing program of VBS at my church. A big party where the kids could bring their parents and enjoy an evening of games and food. The theme required the use of bails of straw, and lots of them. My father offered the use of his truck for transporting the straw back to the place we borrowed them from. Can you imagine 35 bails of straw in the back of an 8-foot bed? With the high pile of bundles I didn’t want to drive them home on the public streets only to drive right back the next morning. (we borrowed them from a garden center and it was a block away from the church.) So I left the truck at the church over night so I didn’t have to drive all over town with this Straw. The next morning my dad went to the church to get the truck. He asked if there were any more bundles and the woman just looked at him puzzled. In ignorance of knowing whom my father was, she replied; “well, that truck is Jonny Heart’s dad’s truck, and I don’t know if he wants you driving it.” With a big smile on his face and a hint of a chuckle he replied, “Oh, I don’t think he will mind since I’m his father.” Never in my life at that church has someone not known my parents but knew me. It was a fun little highlight of the day for me.
This incident brought to light a truth that has crept up on me. I am becoming an adult and more importantly an individual separate from my folks. My name at church is slowly becoming my own, what I make it. My actions now speak for myself instead of my last name. Yet never will I be able to truley become seprate from my parents at that church I have some where else. While going to school at Johnson Bible College I have a chance to become my own person. No one knows of my parents or what they have done in life, instead I am who I want to be. Its kind of a weird feeling, At this pivotal part in my life I decide what direction to go and for the first time mommy and daddy won’t be there to catch me if I fall. Am I scared? A little but responcibility comes with being an adult. Life is just beginning for me and I can make it what I want, my name is mine to make through the choices and actions I choose. So, what is in a name? Nothing, but what I do now is everything. Think about it.
All my life I could never walk down the halls of my church without someone coming up to me knowing exactly who I was but me not knowing them. You see, my parents have attended this church for 28 years now so they know a lot of people and I get titled, “oh you’re a _______ (my last name),” instead of my first, or they may say “You’re Dave’s boy.” It has gotten to the point that it bothers me but I miss it when it doesn’t happen. Growing up at a church for twenty years, you find that more people know you then you would like, especially if you have no idea who they are.
However today gave me a little prize. Yesterday was the Hoedown for the closing program of VBS at my church. A big party where the kids could bring their parents and enjoy an evening of games and food. The theme required the use of bails of straw, and lots of them. My father offered the use of his truck for transporting the straw back to the place we borrowed them from. Can you imagine 35 bails of straw in the back of an 8-foot bed? With the high pile of bundles I didn’t want to drive them home on the public streets only to drive right back the next morning. (we borrowed them from a garden center and it was a block away from the church.) So I left the truck at the church over night so I didn’t have to drive all over town with this Straw. The next morning my dad went to the church to get the truck. He asked if there were any more bundles and the woman just looked at him puzzled. In ignorance of knowing whom my father was, she replied; “well, that truck is Jonny Heart’s dad’s truck, and I don’t know if he wants you driving it.” With a big smile on his face and a hint of a chuckle he replied, “Oh, I don’t think he will mind since I’m his father.” Never in my life at that church has someone not known my parents but knew me. It was a fun little highlight of the day for me.
This incident brought to light a truth that has crept up on me. I am becoming an adult and more importantly an individual separate from my folks. My name at church is slowly becoming my own, what I make it. My actions now speak for myself instead of my last name. Yet never will I be able to truley become seprate from my parents at that church I have some where else. While going to school at Johnson Bible College I have a chance to become my own person. No one knows of my parents or what they have done in life, instead I am who I want to be. Its kind of a weird feeling, At this pivotal part in my life I decide what direction to go and for the first time mommy and daddy won’t be there to catch me if I fall. Am I scared? A little but responcibility comes with being an adult. Life is just beginning for me and I can make it what I want, my name is mine to make through the choices and actions I choose. So, what is in a name? Nothing, but what I do now is everything. Think about it.
Friday, June 8, 2007
Goatee be gone! (change)
Today it’s gone, after nine months, four days and 15 hours I shaved off my goatee. I know I write as if I’ve had this relationship with my facial hair for twenty years or so, but in the last nine months it became a part of me and I became looked upon as a much older and wiser Jonny Heart. The transition was great while it lasted yet now I return to the clean-shaven look of my youth.
Change can be a great thing, lots of good has come from change; our country, the reformation and restoration movements within the church, and yes even the change from french fries to freedom fries was a good move. Many people have a hard time with change. For some odd reason people just don’t understand why change is important. It brings the chance of a fresh beginning and a new generation of opportunity.
You may be thinking, “Jonny Heart why are you talking about change?” The truth is, I don’t really know. People say I am conservative, and because of that I don’t take well to change. Well, some times I find it hard to cope with change and other times move along with it quit well. I admit that the later are further and farther between. Why do things need to change when they are working just fine the way they are? I don’t really like the idea of the “seeker sensitive church” that so many congregations have migrated towards. I don’t like that “King of Queens” ended and another comedy sitcom will take its place.
Change is inevitable, could be bad could be good, but no matter what a person does change constantly stares them down. Whether it’s the passing of father time or a sudden shift that will nock you off your feet, you will never be able stop it but what matters is the effect you let it leave.
I’m sure that at some point I will let my goatee return but what I like about it is that I can control when. I look forward to the change that will embrace me tomorrow.
Change can be a great thing, lots of good has come from change; our country, the reformation and restoration movements within the church, and yes even the change from french fries to freedom fries was a good move. Many people have a hard time with change. For some odd reason people just don’t understand why change is important. It brings the chance of a fresh beginning and a new generation of opportunity.
You may be thinking, “Jonny Heart why are you talking about change?” The truth is, I don’t really know. People say I am conservative, and because of that I don’t take well to change. Well, some times I find it hard to cope with change and other times move along with it quit well. I admit that the later are further and farther between. Why do things need to change when they are working just fine the way they are? I don’t really like the idea of the “seeker sensitive church” that so many congregations have migrated towards. I don’t like that “King of Queens” ended and another comedy sitcom will take its place.
Change is inevitable, could be bad could be good, but no matter what a person does change constantly stares them down. Whether it’s the passing of father time or a sudden shift that will nock you off your feet, you will never be able stop it but what matters is the effect you let it leave.
I’m sure that at some point I will let my goatee return but what I like about it is that I can control when. I look forward to the change that will embrace me tomorrow.
Friday, June 1, 2007
Bible Study - 001
Today’s study comes from Romans 1:18-23. Romans is becoming one of my favorite books in the Bible, much of it people like to forget because of its bluntness.
The Righteous will live by faith. (Thesis of the book of Romans)
The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, 19 since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. 20 For since the creation of this world God’s invisible qualities – his eternal power and divine nature – have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.
For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as god nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles.
This paints a powerful picture. Every one and their brother who claim to be Christians only have this picture of a God that won’t send anyone to Hell and only does good for the good people in the world, and if you believe in that God then it is enough. I would like to call this “Yankee Christianity.” The only place that you find this kind of Christian belief is in the wonderful world of America. Not country, but world. People in America are in their own little world and no one outside of its borders can hurt them.
The very first part of this section says “the wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness.” This doesn’t sound like the God I learned about in Sunday School. My question is whom is this section talking about, who are the men who suppress the truth?
While eating dinner in the Cafeteria I had a conversation with a friend, this friend said that he could not believe in a God that would send people to hell who haven’t heard the gospel, he would hate God. I recalled the passage and explained to him. It seems to me that all people have a way of coming to the Lord, whether the arrogant church shows them the way or not. Every one has a reason because God has poured himself into his creation. “God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of this world God’s invisible qualities and his eternal power have been clearly seen. So man is without excuse. All men are held accountable because God has revealed himself to them without the help of the church. And this is were the answer to that question comes; “will God send people who never herd of God or Jesus to hell.” I am sorry to say that I believe he will. They chose to ignore the natural signs that are there, the conscience that God gave to all men as a natural Law of things. “They exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man. Verse 25 says; “they exchanged the truth for a lie” The people of the world have exchanged the truth for a lie to fulfill their twisted desires. So what can we learn from this?
God is just and must distribute his justice, whether that is wrath or grace, God gives accordingly. I ask you, do you give the gospel up for a lie, who do you follow? I assure you that some of you may think you are following God yet you may be living a lie. Give all of yourself to God for his glory, and listen to the natural law that God has given to you. Flee from the corruption that conspires in a human heart and remember above all to live by faith.
The Righteous will live by faith. (Thesis of the book of Romans)
The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, 19 since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. 20 For since the creation of this world God’s invisible qualities – his eternal power and divine nature – have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.
For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as god nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles.
This paints a powerful picture. Every one and their brother who claim to be Christians only have this picture of a God that won’t send anyone to Hell and only does good for the good people in the world, and if you believe in that God then it is enough. I would like to call this “Yankee Christianity.” The only place that you find this kind of Christian belief is in the wonderful world of America. Not country, but world. People in America are in their own little world and no one outside of its borders can hurt them.
The very first part of this section says “the wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness.” This doesn’t sound like the God I learned about in Sunday School. My question is whom is this section talking about, who are the men who suppress the truth?
While eating dinner in the Cafeteria I had a conversation with a friend, this friend said that he could not believe in a God that would send people to hell who haven’t heard the gospel, he would hate God. I recalled the passage and explained to him. It seems to me that all people have a way of coming to the Lord, whether the arrogant church shows them the way or not. Every one has a reason because God has poured himself into his creation. “God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of this world God’s invisible qualities and his eternal power have been clearly seen. So man is without excuse. All men are held accountable because God has revealed himself to them without the help of the church. And this is were the answer to that question comes; “will God send people who never herd of God or Jesus to hell.” I am sorry to say that I believe he will. They chose to ignore the natural signs that are there, the conscience that God gave to all men as a natural Law of things. “They exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man. Verse 25 says; “they exchanged the truth for a lie” The people of the world have exchanged the truth for a lie to fulfill their twisted desires. So what can we learn from this?
God is just and must distribute his justice, whether that is wrath or grace, God gives accordingly. I ask you, do you give the gospel up for a lie, who do you follow? I assure you that some of you may think you are following God yet you may be living a lie. Give all of yourself to God for his glory, and listen to the natural law that God has given to you. Flee from the corruption that conspires in a human heart and remember above all to live by faith.
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