by Ed Allen | Nov 9, 2015 | Articles, What Do You Think?
Matthew 14: 15 When it was evening, the disciples came to Him and said, “This place is desolate and the hour is already late; so send the crowds away, that they may go into the villages and buy food for themselves.” 16 But Jesus said to them, “They do not need to go away; you give them something to eat!” 17 They said to Him, “We have here only five loaves and two fish.” 18 And He said, “Bring them here to Me.” 19 Ordering the people to sit down on the grass, He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up toward heaven, He blessed the food, and breaking the loaves He gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds, 20 and they all ate and were satisfied. They picked up what was left over of the broken pieces, twelve full baskets. 21 There were about five thousand men who ate, besides women and children. (Observation) The disciples ask Jesus to execute on their own proposed solution to the problem. Instead Jesus tells them to perform the impossible. Jesus asks for the food they have and feeds everyone. Each disciple picks up more food than Jesus started with. (Interpretation) God is able to make provision for the work he commands His disciples to do. (Cross- Reference) Ephesians 3: 20 Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, 21 to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to...
by Walt Henrichsen | Nov 2, 2015 | Articles, Mentors Corner
“A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” John 13:34-35 Let us once again review the three most common Greek words for love: Agape – This word is the least used of the three in Greek literature and the most used in Biblical literature. It is as though the New Testament writers took an obscure Greek word and gave it a biblical definition. Agape seeks the best interest of others rather than self. On occasion, but not always, it requires self-sacrifice. It is an attribute that God uses to define Himself: “God is love.”1 God requires that the believer agape all people, including his enemies. Eros – This word is the most used of the three in Greek literature and is absent in Biblical literature. It seeks to use others for the benefit of self. It is a consuming, almost irrational passion that satisfies human appetites. It is antithetical to everything the Bible teaches. Phileo – This word is common in both Greek and Biblical literature and has the idea of treating others as your own family, brotherly love. Thus the city of Philadelphia. Agape seeks what is best for others and requires exercising the will. I may not feel like seeking another’s best, but I exercise my will in the direction of doing it. Eros seeks what is best for self and requires surrendering the will to passion. Agape is...
by Craig McAndrews | Oct 26, 2015 | Articles, Testimonies
I heard a radio station share a story that really caught my attention. The host was discussing a study done by a prominent institution that revealed three characteristics of children who grew up in the church and continued to grow in their faith long after they went out on their own. I was super interested in the article because I have two boys at home who are involved in our church, have professed faith in Christ, periodically read their Bible and aren’t afraid to pray. However, I also know that they are young (15 and 11), and a good bit of their faith is still connected to my wife and I. The research suggested that the most important skills adopted were: (1) They learned how to read and study the Bible (2) They were taught how to share the gospel (3) They actively participated in discipling other believers. For anyone that is a follower of Christ and has studied the calling of Jesus this list may seem like Christ-follower 101. However, I realized that no one is going to teach these skills to my boys except for me; it is what God has called me to do! So to that end, I set out on a mission to equip my boys to do each of these. I would love to share with you the great success I am having by highlighting the progress of our work by listing the verses they have memorized, the number of people they have led to Christ, or the number of friends they are actively discipling. Unfortunately, none of that is really happening. The...
by Gayle Jackson | Oct 12, 2015 | Articles, Mentors Corner
The value of being a Zealot Words We learn and discuss and think with words. And yet we tend to be sloppy in our understanding and definition of words. This is especially true in matters of our faith. Remember the old saying “he who defines the words wins the argument”. Some words that are in much debate in the body are: 1. Salvation 4. Imputed vs Actual 2. Sanctification 5. Accountability 3. Legalism 6. Fear of God Your view of the commandments of the bible and their meaning and authority will bring you into conflict with the body. For instance, thoughts on obedience: if I said that we are called to live a zealous obedient life in God’s Word, and if I said that the number one expression of Grace in our lives is our obedience to God’s Word and if I said to be Holy, my life must be directed by obedience to God’s Word, most would classify me either as a legalist or a nut. In today’s church the committed man of obedience is looked down on in Christianity as legalistic. And a legalistic person is to be shunned and criticized. What does that word legalistic mean? It is not used in the Bible but is clearly in the lexicon of Christianity. There are 3 definitions that I know of that are commonly associated with being legalistic. One who thinks obedient behavior is a key to their salivation or favor with God (of course this is wrong). One who imposes their convictions, (convictions not commands) or standards on someone else as a requirement for an association...
by Walt Henrichsen | Oct 5, 2015 | Articles, Mentors Corner
“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15 There is perpetual tension between viewing Scripture objectively, on the one hand, and acknowledging its authority, on the other. Those who believe the Bible agree that it is the inspired Word of God, and that we are obliged to obey it. But authority is restrictive; I want to do what I want. Therefore we are more prone to manipulate Scripture than any other literature. For example, there is no necessity to manipulate the intent of the information in the morning newspaper, simply because we are not under its authority. This is the reason liberal commentators on the Bible are often more accurate than conservative commentators. Liberals don’t view Scripture as authoritative, don’t feel obligated to obey it, and therefore tend to be more objective in their interpretation. Dependence, surrender, neutrality, an eagerness to obey God, no vested interest in the outcome, not trying to build anything – these are key to knowing God and His ways. The urge to manipulate authority is great, and the more absolute the authority, the greater the urge to manipulate. CLICK HERE for more articles by this...
by John Hartshorn | Sep 28, 2015 | Articles, What Do You Think?
The Primary Objective Judging motives is a slippery slope. It can be an exhausting workout of an exercise in futility. Nonetheless, the reason behind an action taken can be significant. That was a recent consideration on a passage that is familiar to many. Both Matthew, (22:34 -40) and Mark (12:28-31) record the question posed by the lawyer (scribe) who ask Jesus “Teacher, what is the great commandment in the Law?” (What commandment is the foremost of all?). The passages infer, or state, that the Pharisees had been questioning Jesus. It could be another instance where the motive was “trap the teacher”. We can be critical of the Pharisees, but then emulate them when we come across His truth running contrary to our desires. Another option for the intent could be the frustration of trying to obey all the laws/commandments. Maybe if it could be narrowed to “the main thing”. One could then infer the others to be of less importance, maybe even “cultural”. Or possibly the very lucid thought of wanting to understand the primary objective, and be clear on the criteria for obtaining that objective, could at the heart of the question. As noted, knowing the true motive is speculation, but considering such possibilities can lead to some fruitful introspection, being that we could find ourselves having any one of those motives. For the purpose of this brief discussion, let us consider the third intent. Consider the initial imperative in Jesus’ response as recorded in Mathew’s account – “You shall love”. God both desires and requires our love, and all that we give to that love with what...
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