Sunday, July 27, 2008

Do You Know Why You Believe What You Do?

Do you know why you believe what you do? If you believe in Christ, do you know why you believe in Him?

This was the topic of today's sermon by the Guest Preacher Man. My Preacher Man was out of town with his family (a lot of families were out of town this week - it's the last week before school starts).

I enjoyed the sermon very much, even though it was delivered in a different manner than my Preacher Man. I was still able to take notes - and I'd like to share some random truths. I pray they bless you.

Jesus Christ was not half man, half God as many people believe. He was 100% man and 100% God. Point in case: Jesus was tempted (man) but he did not give into that temptation (God).

Today's message focused on Philippians 2:5-11:

5Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
6Who, being in very nature[a] God,
did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,
7but made himself nothing,
taking the very nature[b] of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
8And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
and became obedient to death—
even death on a cross!
9Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
10that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.

The Guest Preacher Man called this passage the kenosis passage. The word kenosis is the Greek word for emptiness and GPM suggests that we do what Christ did and empty ourselves to ourselves every morning (so God can work in us, of course).

Some things to think about - The World vs Jesus

The world teaches that in order to matter or count, you have to be somebody (have a good job, money, status, etc).
Christ teaches that in order to matter, you need to be nothing (example: Moses was a stutter, and God used him)

The world teaches that we must look after #1 - that would be ourselves.
Christ teaches that we must look after ourselves last; we must wash other people's feet before we wash our own.

The world teaches that we must define our purpose.
Christ teaches that we have only one purpose: to glorify God. God can use our talents for His purpose.
Only a creator can give His creation purpose. It cannot create purpose for itself.

Obedience and happiness are not synonymous. Joy is something that God gives; happiness is something that 'stuff' gives. To have joy in life, you must be obedient.

And finally, I leave you with this: sin is anything that separates you from God. What might be sin for me will not be sin for you. The pastor gave the following example. He has always been one who has struggled with his weight and he has not treated his body as the tabernacle that it is. He made promise to God to start treating his body better. If he were to go down to the local Krispy Kreme and eat three donuts, he would be sinning. Not because he ate the donuts, but because those donuts had separated him from God. His son, however, could eat three donuts and it wouldn't be a sin for him because those donuts wouldn't cause separation for him from God.

Make sense? Think about it for a bit and then give me your thoughts on it.

And tomorrow, before you even get out of bed, attempt to empty yourself, submit to nothingness, in order to be receptive to God in your life.

Until next time...

8 comments:

  1. This was kinda the subject yesterday in church too. I had to take issue on what something was said. Preacher said,"Rock and roll, country and all other anti Christian music is sin & you will go to hell for it. As you are not gloifying GOD." (hubby and I were just talking about this, he reminded me)--I think, if you allow something to take control of you, such as the doughnut or alcohol, then it is indeed sin. Blessings

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  2. See, now I just don't agree with that (sorry, Linda...I just gotta go here). There is plenty of country that I listen to that is not kosher (and I use the term *very* loosely as I am not jewish). But I understand that Miranda Lambert and Martina McBride have some songs that aren't exactly...godly.

    But I don't feel that all country music is bad - and I am not excusing it away. There are plenty of songs - Don't Blink, I Saw God Today, that could glorify God if you allow them to.

    Music is a hot topic for a lot of Christians. The Man Beast has a friend who listens to Christian Hard Rock. Hard Rock. Like Christian Metallica. A lot of people don't understand that. But he feels (and I agree with him) that like Jesus, music reaches people where they are. And that's what music does for me. All music. It's why I can feel the Holy Spirit enter me when I sing Amazing Grace and feel myself cry through the whole song. It's why I can hear a song that isn't country, but can make me feel like I have to do something - talk to God more, be grateful for His blessings, etc.

    That said, I have a preacher who doesn't like country music either. But that's okay. You don't have to agree with everything your preacher says to love him. People, even God-fearing Christian, disagree. My pastor has spoke on the subject. Honestly, it's the big things that really matter.

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  3. It's why I can hear a song that isn't country, but can make me feel like I have to do something - talk to God more, be grateful for His blessings, etc.

    CHRISTIAN, not country...oops

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  4. Oh, I think you might have understood me. I agree with you, Iva. I am taking issue with that, as I don't think listening to music other than Christian is going to send me to hell. I am a rock and roll person, from a-z, LOVE IT.I also love country, opera, anything but rap. But, does it make a bad person cause I do? NO. I am a very emotional person when I hear Christian hymns and not to mention, when the Star Spangled Banner gets played. Amazing Grace tears me up, litterly it does. What I am getting at is this, I know where I am going when I die, the Lord knows I sin, the Lord knows I pray, the Lord knows everything about me. I don't think I will go to hell cause I listen to other music. I was just making comment. smiles

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  5. I don't think you will either, girlie. Somehow, Jesus said "I am the way, the truth and life. Whoever believes in Me shall not parish but have eternal life." No mention of rock and roll sending us to hell. Of course, I could have missed that lesson in Sunday School (snicker)

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  6. Nope I don't think listening to rock is going to get you to hell either. lol. Just like I don't believe listening to this music or that music will make you go out and kill yourself or somebody else.

    We are all sinners and fall short of the glory of God. We all sin whether it be with what we say or what we do or what we think that is just what we do. But, when we mirror ourselves to Christ, we know what we are doing is right or wrong and something that may feel wrong to one person may not feel wrong to another. That is where judgement comes in and we aren't suppose to do that either.

    But, all in all it is how we glorify God with the things that we do that matter, if someone can take a Metallica or Motley Crue song and glorify God with it Amen, I say! lol

    On a side note, I don't knwo where any of that came from. I just start writing sometimes. Sorry if it didn't make any sense.

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  7. See sidetracked mind. I came over here to tell you that I am taking a blog break. and a computer break. I have a lot of things to think about and figure out and being on this machine is not going to help me out there. lol. So, I decide the computer had to go. Just for a while. But, I will be back and will catch up I absolutely love your blog.

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  8. But, when we mirror ourselves to Christ, we know what we are doing is right or wrong and something that may feel wrong to one person may not feel wrong to another.

    This is spot-on. My pastor is always saying that it's one way we're sure we're saved: if we feel like we've done something wrong when we sin. The unsaved rarely feel wrong (actually, I don't believe this is exactly true. Even the unsaved have consciences.)

    And about taking a break - feel free. I understand completely. Lord knows, you know you can always find me. With school starting up again (next week!!!), my computer time will be limited as well. And maybe it's for the best. I'm about to get very picky with where I spend my time online...LOL

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