Ever shared the Word with someone who will never believe? But worst, he won't believe but doesn't have any real arguments against your faith, against God, Creation or the Bible... Name callings are his main arguments.
I guess we could say that ''the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.'' Familiar text from the epistle to the Corinthians. The Gospel of Christ is too simple for most people, too simple that they'll never believe it, they'll never accept it. It is not logic or rational to them. It doesn't make any sense for them...
Our faith is not based on a logical argument or reasoning, but it is the Spirit of God who convinced us of sin, justice and judgment. It is the spirit of God, through the Word, that did the work in us. It is faith...
''The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.'' - 1 Cor. 2:14
lundi 12 octobre 2009
mercredi 3 juin 2009
Where is our precious book?
I noticed a couple of years ago that the Word of God was no longer the reference to figure out what could be done in the church, it was no longer the authority.
Any ''man of God'' could write a book and have it sold to thousands of churches and it was fine as long as it ''worked''.
It is not even permitted to question those books or methods. If we do, we're ''rebels''. We have a problem if we don't just accept and follow.
I remember one time, a friend of mine wanted to put in place a ''transformation path'' in their church. It was some kind of a book with some question about your past and what could've affected you while growing up. What made you the way you are. This book was supposed to bring one to spiritual maturity...
Of course, when you tell them that only the work of the Holy Spirit, the reading of God's word, prayers and trials will be bring spiritual growth, they tell you ''Yes, of course we know and you're right'' but nowhere in their books we see that. Nowhere the importance of reading Scriptures is underscored. We give our opinion, share our experience, etc... But we're not studying the Word of God...
From time to time we'll share a verse, preferably one about love or something that is not comfronting, nothing divisive or authoritative. I guess to make sure, we're still an ''evangelical'' church...
''The law from your mouth is more precious to me than thousands of pieces of silver and gold.'' - Ps. 119:72
Where is our precious book?...
Any ''man of God'' could write a book and have it sold to thousands of churches and it was fine as long as it ''worked''.
It is not even permitted to question those books or methods. If we do, we're ''rebels''. We have a problem if we don't just accept and follow.
I remember one time, a friend of mine wanted to put in place a ''transformation path'' in their church. It was some kind of a book with some question about your past and what could've affected you while growing up. What made you the way you are. This book was supposed to bring one to spiritual maturity...
Of course, when you tell them that only the work of the Holy Spirit, the reading of God's word, prayers and trials will be bring spiritual growth, they tell you ''Yes, of course we know and you're right'' but nowhere in their books we see that. Nowhere the importance of reading Scriptures is underscored. We give our opinion, share our experience, etc... But we're not studying the Word of God...
From time to time we'll share a verse, preferably one about love or something that is not comfronting, nothing divisive or authoritative. I guess to make sure, we're still an ''evangelical'' church...
''The law from your mouth is more precious to me than thousands of pieces of silver and gold.'' - Ps. 119:72
Where is our precious book?...
mercredi 27 mai 2009
Genesis Chapter 1 - Creation
In the Beginning, God created the heavens and the earth and I like to believe that. A simple phrase, God the Almighty, Lord of all, the only true God... The Eternal God created everything that there is, He created life and everything necessary to sustain it. By faith, I believe that God created heaven and earth ( Heb. 11:3 ) and by faith alone.
Honestly, I don't really care if I cannot explain how He did it.
How through His word he brought into existence the world as we know it. How from darkness, He created light.
How He separated land and see.
How He created a full grown man.
There's no way for me to explain it but by faith, I believe that He did!
I believe that the God who made the world and everything in it, is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands. ( Acts 17:24)
Is Genesis chapter 1 and 2 literal? Is it a ''framework'' presentation of creation? Is there a gap between 1:1 and 1:2? Is it a second creation in chapter 2? Of course, I have an opinion on those but I think that we ought to be careful in the way we position ourself or, more precisely, why we pick a position / interpretation over another.
Remember that the Lord IS almighty and that He can do all things, things you'll never explain. If in Genesis there's something that doesn't sound right or that is not in accordance with science or popular worldview, always pray God and refer to Scriptures to try to find your answers there.
May God give us wisdom in everything that we do. May He help us understand His Word more and more each day of our life.
''If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.''
- James 1:5
''By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God's command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.''
- Hebrews 11:3
Honestly, I don't really care if I cannot explain how He did it.
How through His word he brought into existence the world as we know it. How from darkness, He created light.
How He separated land and see.
How He created a full grown man.
There's no way for me to explain it but by faith, I believe that He did!
I believe that the God who made the world and everything in it, is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands. ( Acts 17:24)
Is Genesis chapter 1 and 2 literal? Is it a ''framework'' presentation of creation? Is there a gap between 1:1 and 1:2? Is it a second creation in chapter 2? Of course, I have an opinion on those but I think that we ought to be careful in the way we position ourself or, more precisely, why we pick a position / interpretation over another.
Remember that the Lord IS almighty and that He can do all things, things you'll never explain. If in Genesis there's something that doesn't sound right or that is not in accordance with science or popular worldview, always pray God and refer to Scriptures to try to find your answers there.
May God give us wisdom in everything that we do. May He help us understand His Word more and more each day of our life.
''If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.''
- James 1:5
''By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God's command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.''
- Hebrews 11:3
mercredi 20 mai 2009
Why did we stop trusting the Word of God?
It always amazes me when I see christians embracing so quickly any ''christian'' books that may come out. Anyone claiming to be a christian will be supported, encouraged and even relied upon, no matter what their ideas might be. We do not want to hurt, judge or show a lack a love. ''Who are we to judge?'' someone might ask.
What is the cause of all that? Why are we so blind that we can't see the lies in those new ''Church-Growth'' or ''Emerging'' or any other ''Evangelical'' movements?
Beside lack of biblical knowledge and discernment, there is the way it is presented. No one will be against the idea of bringing more people in the church. No one will question the idea that we must love one another. No one will be against doing what is good to help our neighbor. We all want to obey God in doing all that but should it be our main focus? Did Jesus call us to preach a ''social gospel'' or was his focus on seeking and saving the losts?
Even tough God calls us to do what is good, to treat everyone the way we want to be treated ( Luke 6:31), He doesn't ask us to forget about His Word. We are to continue/dwell in the things we have learned and become convinced of ( 2Tim. 3:14) and search the Scriptures daily to see if thing are so(Acts 17:11).
We need to read His Word, to study his Word, to memorize His Word, to medidate His Word, we need to share His Word with the ones who don't know Him. We need to pray God and ask for wisdom when we lack of it( James 1:5). We need to examine everything and hold fast to what is good! ( 1 Thes. 5:21)
The foundation of our ministry/church/life should be the Word of God and only the Word of God.
''The Law of God is perfect, restoring the soul''- Psalm 19:7
What is the cause of all that? Why are we so blind that we can't see the lies in those new ''Church-Growth'' or ''Emerging'' or any other ''Evangelical'' movements?
Beside lack of biblical knowledge and discernment, there is the way it is presented. No one will be against the idea of bringing more people in the church. No one will question the idea that we must love one another. No one will be against doing what is good to help our neighbor. We all want to obey God in doing all that but should it be our main focus? Did Jesus call us to preach a ''social gospel'' or was his focus on seeking and saving the losts?
Even tough God calls us to do what is good, to treat everyone the way we want to be treated ( Luke 6:31), He doesn't ask us to forget about His Word. We are to continue/dwell in the things we have learned and become convinced of ( 2Tim. 3:14) and search the Scriptures daily to see if thing are so(Acts 17:11).
We need to read His Word, to study his Word, to memorize His Word, to medidate His Word, we need to share His Word with the ones who don't know Him. We need to pray God and ask for wisdom when we lack of it( James 1:5). We need to examine everything and hold fast to what is good! ( 1 Thes. 5:21)
The foundation of our ministry/church/life should be the Word of God and only the Word of God.
''The Law of God is perfect, restoring the soul''- Psalm 19:7
What does it mean to love our neighbor?
I read this morning on a popular website ''we seek to respect one another´s differences without a quarrelsome, arrogant or divisive spirit, and to return continually to the great commandment, to love God and one another.''1
I believe this type of approach is more harmful than helpful. It is certainly true that Jesus said that the greatest commandment is to love God with all your hart, soul and mind and your neighbor as yourself. (Matt. 22:37-37) And in Luke 6, ''And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise''
But what does that mean? What does it mean to love God? What does it mean to love our neighbor? How can we apply those great commandments to our everyday life? What does it mean in practical ways?
Does it mean we have to accept everything that comes our way? Do we have to trust everyone and believe anyone because we should ''love our neighbor''? Does it mean we have no opinion? Does it mean there is no truth anymore?
I had a discussion with a colleague last week about God and the Bible. We were having a great time and spoke for about 30 minutes. At a point he told me ''I think it is good when people have great values and have strong beliefs like you. Anyone who puts out an effort to do the best they can, in my opinion, deserves to go to heaven...''
Isn't this a nice comment full of love and respect? He wants the best for anyone who lives a good life. And I do too!
But you know what I did? I confronted him. I told him that men are not saved by good works, that we are lost without Christ, that without faith we cannot enter the kingdom of God! ''For it is by grace that you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast'' ( Eph. 2:8-9).
Was that not loving to tell him that he is lost without Christ? Had it been better if I had told him ''Your opinion is precious to God and he understands why you believe that...'' No! We cannot leave unbelievers in their lies. Jesus told us to go to all the world and preach the Gospel. (Mark 16:15) To accomplish this great commission, we will get to a point where we will need to confront people in love. It is a great act of love to preach the truth and show them the way to heaven. Would it be loving to let people perish without Christ?...
And I believe the same principle applies to the church. Truth should be preached and taught with faithfullness to Scriptures. We are to preach the Word in season and out of season. ( 2 Tim. 4:2) There is a place for love AND for truth in the church and we should ask God to give us wisdom so we can find the balance in all this.
''For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome'' - 1 John 5:3
''If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.'' - James 1:5
1http://www.crcc.org/content.php?ContentID=1986&OID=4516&phpMyAdmin=ae88912f5ee023659a3e2bc610d1b347
I believe this type of approach is more harmful than helpful. It is certainly true that Jesus said that the greatest commandment is to love God with all your hart, soul and mind and your neighbor as yourself. (Matt. 22:37-37) And in Luke 6, ''And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise''
But what does that mean? What does it mean to love God? What does it mean to love our neighbor? How can we apply those great commandments to our everyday life? What does it mean in practical ways?
Does it mean we have to accept everything that comes our way? Do we have to trust everyone and believe anyone because we should ''love our neighbor''? Does it mean we have no opinion? Does it mean there is no truth anymore?
I had a discussion with a colleague last week about God and the Bible. We were having a great time and spoke for about 30 minutes. At a point he told me ''I think it is good when people have great values and have strong beliefs like you. Anyone who puts out an effort to do the best they can, in my opinion, deserves to go to heaven...''
Isn't this a nice comment full of love and respect? He wants the best for anyone who lives a good life. And I do too!
But you know what I did? I confronted him. I told him that men are not saved by good works, that we are lost without Christ, that without faith we cannot enter the kingdom of God! ''For it is by grace that you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast'' ( Eph. 2:8-9).
Was that not loving to tell him that he is lost without Christ? Had it been better if I had told him ''Your opinion is precious to God and he understands why you believe that...'' No! We cannot leave unbelievers in their lies. Jesus told us to go to all the world and preach the Gospel. (Mark 16:15) To accomplish this great commission, we will get to a point where we will need to confront people in love. It is a great act of love to preach the truth and show them the way to heaven. Would it be loving to let people perish without Christ?...
And I believe the same principle applies to the church. Truth should be preached and taught with faithfullness to Scriptures. We are to preach the Word in season and out of season. ( 2 Tim. 4:2) There is a place for love AND for truth in the church and we should ask God to give us wisdom so we can find the balance in all this.
''For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome'' - 1 John 5:3
''If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.'' - James 1:5
1http://www.crcc.org/content.php?ContentID=1986&OID=4516&phpMyAdmin=ae88912f5ee023659a3e2bc610d1b347
mardi 19 mai 2009
Purpose Driven Life / Church ... A need for a review...
Almost anyone in the Church today will tell you that Purpose Driven is a great ministry that offers great tools for churches today.
Here's a couple of reviews and quotes to help us go further in our understanding of The Purpose Driven Journey...
''One question I ponder every time a “Christian” book hits the bestseller list: “What in this book appeals to the sinful flesh?” No thinking person can honestly believe that such a high-sales book focuses on the requirements for discipleship – die to self. This country does not have enough Biblical disciples to account for this many book sales.'' 1
''On page 18, Warren rightly lauds the Bible, and then declares, “My greatest source of learning, however has been watching what God has done in the church I pastor.” This pragmatic view – study men and how to motivate them - pervades this whole book, and everything of Warren that I’ve read.'' 2
''The author quotes a number of sources other than the Bible. Many of these are quoted as if they are authorities on an area of the Christian life. Among many others, he quotes Mother Teresa, St John of the Cross, Brother Lawrence and Henri Nouwen. None of these people should be considered trusted sources of Christian advice and wisdom.'' 3
John Macarthur on the Purpose Driven Life
May we test everything; hold fast to what is good. Abstain from every form of evil... (1 Thes. 5:21-22 )
1- http://www.biblebb.com/files/PDLreview-SB.htm
2- http://www.biblebb.com/files/PDCreview-SB.htm
3- http://www.challies.com/archives/book-reviews/book-review-ric-1.php
Here's a couple of reviews and quotes to help us go further in our understanding of The Purpose Driven Journey...
''One question I ponder every time a “Christian” book hits the bestseller list: “What in this book appeals to the sinful flesh?” No thinking person can honestly believe that such a high-sales book focuses on the requirements for discipleship – die to self. This country does not have enough Biblical disciples to account for this many book sales.'' 1
''On page 18, Warren rightly lauds the Bible, and then declares, “My greatest source of learning, however has been watching what God has done in the church I pastor.” This pragmatic view – study men and how to motivate them - pervades this whole book, and everything of Warren that I’ve read.'' 2
''The author quotes a number of sources other than the Bible. Many of these are quoted as if they are authorities on an area of the Christian life. Among many others, he quotes Mother Teresa, St John of the Cross, Brother Lawrence and Henri Nouwen. None of these people should be considered trusted sources of Christian advice and wisdom.'' 3
John Macarthur on the Purpose Driven Life
May we test everything; hold fast to what is good. Abstain from every form of evil... (1 Thes. 5:21-22 )
1- http://www.biblebb.com/files/PDLreview-SB.htm
2- http://www.biblebb.com/files/PDCreview-SB.htm
3- http://www.challies.com/archives/book-reviews/book-review-ric-1.php
jeudi 14 mai 2009
Shout to the Lord
My Jesus, my Savior
Lord there is none like you
All of my days, I want to praise
The wonders of your mighty love
My comfort, my Shelter
Tower of refuge and strength
Let every breath, all that I am
Never cease to worship you
Shout to the Lord, all the earth Let us sing.
Power and majesty, praise to the king.
Mountains bow down and the seas will roar
At the sound of your name
I sing for joy at the works of your hands
Forever I'll love you, forever I'll stand
Nothing compares to the promise I have in you
Amen
''For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.''
- Jeremiah 29:11
''Now acquaint yourself with Him, and be at peace;
Thereby good will come to you.''
- Job 22:21
mercredi 13 mai 2009
Is Rick Warren my Pastor?
Did anyone notice how Pastor Warren is literally taking control of thousands of churches around the world. Books and booklets are being bought by the thousands, ''Purpose Driven'' DVD are being watched in prayer meetings in churches and houses around the world!
Over 30 Millions copies of the Purpose Driven Life were sold worldwide!
They are everywhere. Translated in many language. Here in Canada, we have it in french and a friend of mine goes to a church where they watch a DVD for their bible study...
I read the book and many reviews on it and I must say, there are a lot of different opinions on Pastor Warren.
First thing I want to make clear, I believe that Rick Warren loves the Lord and His Word and that he loves the church. He wants to see as many person as possible commit to the Lord and walk in His ways. I believe that's what he aims for.
I, personally, do not agree with everything that Pastor Warren writes or say and that's normal, I think. My goal is not to writes a review or a critique about Rick warren or his ministry. My concern is more about the churches that use those books and teachings, a couple of questions come to mind:
- Why are they using them?
- What is their goal?
- Why is it not the pastor of the church that prepares the bible study?
- Do they accept everything that Rick Warren says without questioning it?
- Is church growth their goal?
- Do they want to have ''great stats'' for small groups attendance?
- Is it because pastors don't have time to prepare an adequate sermon?
- Is it because it ''worked'' in other churches?
May we love the Word of God more and more everyday...
''All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.''
- 2 Timothy 3:16-17
''Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.''
- 2 Timothy 4:2
Over 30 Millions copies of the Purpose Driven Life were sold worldwide!
They are everywhere. Translated in many language. Here in Canada, we have it in french and a friend of mine goes to a church where they watch a DVD for their bible study...
I read the book and many reviews on it and I must say, there are a lot of different opinions on Pastor Warren.
First thing I want to make clear, I believe that Rick Warren loves the Lord and His Word and that he loves the church. He wants to see as many person as possible commit to the Lord and walk in His ways. I believe that's what he aims for.
I, personally, do not agree with everything that Pastor Warren writes or say and that's normal, I think. My goal is not to writes a review or a critique about Rick warren or his ministry. My concern is more about the churches that use those books and teachings, a couple of questions come to mind:
- Why are they using them?
- What is their goal?
- Why is it not the pastor of the church that prepares the bible study?
- Do they accept everything that Rick Warren says without questioning it?
- Is church growth their goal?
- Do they want to have ''great stats'' for small groups attendance?
- Is it because pastors don't have time to prepare an adequate sermon?
- Is it because it ''worked'' in other churches?
We should ask ourselves these questions and and be really honest in our answers. We also need to remember one thing, nothing will replace the preaching and study of the Bible (along with prayers and the work of the Holy Spirit in the hart believers) when it comes to growing in the Lord and being transformed by Him. No book can replace the Word of God.
May we love the Word of God more and more everyday...
''All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.''
- 2 Timothy 3:16-17
''Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.''
- 2 Timothy 4:2
mardi 12 mai 2009
My old Church
I remember my old church when I was young ( or younger...), we would go and pray, sing hymns, read the Bible and listen to our pastor teaching us the Word of God.
After the meetings, we would hang around and chat and fool around, spending good quality times with our brothers and sisters in the Lord!
From time to time, we would ride out of town and go to a worship service for youth and again just have a great time singing our praises to the Creator of the heaven and the earth!
On Thursday evening, there would be the youth meetings, on sunday night, another service, similar to the morning service but a bit shorter, there was also the prayer meeting and Bible study on wednesday night, ect...
We had all those meetings and in each of them our focus was to learn the Word of God, spend time in prayer, worship the Lord and spend time with fellow christians.
The focus was the Word, the center was Christ, the authority was the Bible... Always Christ, wanting to know Him more, Love Him more and become like Him more and more everyday.
Then... I cannot tell you when exactly... There's been a shift, a change in our churches and it seemed that no matter what church I would visit, they would have a ''new way of doing church'' or a new book that ''helps us understand the Bible'' or ''just a tool'' to help us in our walk with the Lord, help us becoming ''mature christians''... Christ and His Word have been set aside and replaced with those new ''tools''...
Altough some of these books or method could be helpful in some ways, I still think that the Word of God should be the foundation for any Christian Church. Only the preaching of the Word can have a real impact on anyone's life...
Now, what happened to my old church....
After the meetings, we would hang around and chat and fool around, spending good quality times with our brothers and sisters in the Lord!
From time to time, we would ride out of town and go to a worship service for youth and again just have a great time singing our praises to the Creator of the heaven and the earth!
On Thursday evening, there would be the youth meetings, on sunday night, another service, similar to the morning service but a bit shorter, there was also the prayer meeting and Bible study on wednesday night, ect...
We had all those meetings and in each of them our focus was to learn the Word of God, spend time in prayer, worship the Lord and spend time with fellow christians.
The focus was the Word, the center was Christ, the authority was the Bible... Always Christ, wanting to know Him more, Love Him more and become like Him more and more everyday.
Then... I cannot tell you when exactly... There's been a shift, a change in our churches and it seemed that no matter what church I would visit, they would have a ''new way of doing church'' or a new book that ''helps us understand the Bible'' or ''just a tool'' to help us in our walk with the Lord, help us becoming ''mature christians''... Christ and His Word have been set aside and replaced with those new ''tools''...
Altough some of these books or method could be helpful in some ways, I still think that the Word of God should be the foundation for any Christian Church. Only the preaching of the Word can have a real impact on anyone's life...
Now, what happened to my old church....
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