Comments for An Examined Faith http://fbcbenbrook.wordpress.com "Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the Lord" (Lamentations 3.40) Tue, 27 Oct 2009 14:53:26 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 Comment on Open Source Sermon (Tuesday, October 27) by tpylant http://fbcbenbrook.wordpress.com/2009/10/27/open-source-sermon-tuesday-october-27/#comment-167 tpylant Tue, 27 Oct 2009 14:53:26 +0000 http://fbcbenbrook.wordpress.com/?p=233#comment-167 A good thought, but that does redefine justice in a very broad way. Justice is much more than meeting someone's physical needs, though it does include that too. A good thought, but that does redefine justice in a very broad way. Justice is much more than meeting someone’s physical needs, though it does include that too.

]]> Comment on Open Source Sermon (Tuesday, October 27) by Ethan http://fbcbenbrook.wordpress.com/2009/10/27/open-source-sermon-tuesday-october-27/#comment-166 Ethan Tue, 27 Oct 2009 14:17:05 +0000 http://fbcbenbrook.wordpress.com/?p=233#comment-166 Redefining "justice" as "removing the barriers that keep people from God." When physical needs (Maslow's hierarchy) stand in the way, justice is meeting those needs. Oddly enough, people whom we would assume struggle to connect with God because of their great need, often have a much deeper and richer faith. Just a thought. Redefining “justice” as “removing the barriers that keep people from God.” When physical needs (Maslow’s hierarchy) stand in the way, justice is meeting those needs. Oddly enough, people whom we would assume struggle to connect with God because of their great need, often have a much deeper and richer faith.

Just a thought.

]]> Comment on Open Source Sermon (Wednesday, October 14) by Kyle http://fbcbenbrook.wordpress.com/2009/10/14/open-source-sermon-wednesday-october-14/#comment-162 Kyle Fri, 16 Oct 2009 13:12:43 +0000 http://fbcbenbrook.wordpress.com/?p=217#comment-162 Foster's book is one of my all time favs!! I found/find it convicting and inspiring. Confession is something that I struggled with embracing as a practice for a LONG time, and it's still not easy for many of the reasons that he lists. However, God's grace is amazing and when one finds believers rich in "spiritual maturity, wisdom, compassion, good common sense, the ability to keep a confidence, and a wholesome sense of humor", confession and repentance become life changing and lead to deeper relationships with God and others. I found some of those folks, my wife the the #1 person, in 2005 and my life has never been the same. Confession, repentance, forgiveness, and restoration are POWERFUL and essential elements in the lives of believers! May we lead ourselves and our churches to embrace this spiritual discipline! Foster’s book is one of my all time favs!! I found/find it convicting and inspiring. Confession is something that I struggled with embracing as a practice for a LONG time, and it’s still not easy for many of the reasons that he lists. However, God’s grace is amazing and when one finds believers rich in “spiritual maturity, wisdom, compassion, good common sense, the ability to keep a confidence, and a wholesome sense of humor”, confession and repentance become life changing and lead to deeper relationships with God and others.

I found some of those folks, my wife the the #1 person, in 2005 and my life has never been the same. Confession, repentance, forgiveness, and restoration are POWERFUL and essential elements in the lives of believers! May we lead ourselves and our churches to embrace this spiritual discipline!

]]> Comment on Open Source Sermon (Thursday, October 15) by Justin P http://fbcbenbrook.wordpress.com/2009/10/15/open-source-sermon-thursday-october-15/#comment-161 Justin P Thu, 15 Oct 2009 16:47:21 +0000 http://fbcbenbrook.wordpress.com/?p=220#comment-161 Ha ha, I have actually been to the site in Mexico that is the Mayans' largest "cosmic clock" in the Americas at Chichen Itza. They absolutely, positively, had the stars and the heavens figured out; it is amazing if you ever tour the place. But they had no "doomsday prophesy" about worlds ending. It was just a clock that is ending and starting a new cycle. It is like saying that the world is ending at 12:59.59 tonight because the clock resets to 1:00. Ha ha, I have actually been to the site in Mexico that is the Mayans’ largest “cosmic clock” in the Americas at Chichen Itza. They absolutely, positively, had the stars and the heavens figured out; it is amazing if you ever tour the place. But they had no “doomsday prophesy” about worlds ending. It was just a clock that is ending and starting a new cycle. It is like saying that the world is ending at 12:59.59 tonight because the clock resets to 1:00.

]]> Comment on Open Source Sermon (Tuesday, September 29) by JulH http://fbcbenbrook.wordpress.com/2009/09/29/open-source-sermon-tuesday-september-29/#comment-157 JulH Wed, 30 Sep 2009 16:00:51 +0000 http://fbcbenbrook.wordpress.com/?p=180#comment-157 because i can no longer edit this, I wanted to make clear that there should be a "not" before change in the last sentence. Goodness. That is important. =) because i can no longer edit this, I wanted to make clear that there should be a “not” before change in the last sentence. Goodness. That is important. =)

]]> Comment on Open Source Sermon (Tuesday, September 29) by JulH http://fbcbenbrook.wordpress.com/2009/09/29/open-source-sermon-tuesday-september-29/#comment-156 JulH Wed, 30 Sep 2009 15:54:37 +0000 http://fbcbenbrook.wordpress.com/?p=180#comment-156 Often this verse is quoted among Blvrs. I too have often had this verse echo in my own mind and in my heart. But I must say, for the first time in too long, I really paid attention to the context. Some of the hardest months that I have journeyed through have been recent months. I found myself reading these verses and then quickly convinced by the HS to read the chapter. I was quickly reminded that nothing is outside of His hand. Nothing is beyond Him. So though my circumstances are very different than my Brother in this text, I found great comfort in my mourning in His grace, as I remembered again that He knows. He allows. He is sovereign. These circumstances are not happening apart from Him. Part of my journey these last few months has been learning what it is to be "perplexed, but not despairing" as Bro Paul said. In the end, what brings the comfort is not an end to the circumstance or the feelings or perplexing thoughts, but remembering that in the midst of this, He is sovereign, He is good, He is out for His glory, and in all of this there is hope because He is love and He is mercy. There is nothing outside of His hand. Finally I think about Peter's Letter to us. We often read just the verse that says, "Cast all of your cares upon Him and he will lift you up." But read the whole thing... "Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, 7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. 8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. 10 And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. Now that gives me hope. So though His ways are not my ways, I can trust fully in the One who does change, does not fail, and does not make a mistake. Often this verse is quoted among Blvrs. I too have often had this verse echo in my own mind and in my heart. But I must say, for the first time in too long, I really paid attention to the context. Some of the hardest months that I have journeyed through have been recent months. I found myself reading these verses and then quickly convinced by the HS to read the chapter. I was quickly reminded that nothing is outside of His hand. Nothing is beyond Him. So though my circumstances are very different than my Brother in this text, I found great comfort in my mourning in His grace, as I remembered again that He knows. He allows. He is sovereign. These circumstances are not happening apart from Him.

Part of my journey these last few months has been learning what it is to be “perplexed, but not despairing” as Bro Paul said. In the end, what brings the comfort is not an end to the circumstance or the feelings or perplexing thoughts, but remembering that in the midst of this, He is sovereign, He is good, He is out for His glory, and in all of this there is hope because He is love and He is mercy. There is nothing outside of His hand.

Finally I think about Peter’s Letter to us. We often read just the verse that says, “Cast all of your cares upon Him and he will lift you up.” But read the whole thing… “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, 7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. 8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. 10 And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.

Now that gives me hope.

So though His ways are not my ways, I can trust fully in the One who does change, does not fail, and does not make a mistake.

]]> Comment on Open Source Sermon (Tuesday, September 22) by Casey http://fbcbenbrook.wordpress.com/2009/09/22/open-source-sermon-tuesday-september-22/#comment-154 Casey Tue, 22 Sep 2009 19:43:11 +0000 http://fbcbenbrook.wordpress.com/?p=163#comment-154 Can't wait. It seems like not so long ago we discussed having confidence in one's salvation. I'm interested in how these two topics relate... Can’t wait. It seems like not so long ago we discussed having confidence in one’s salvation. I’m interested in how these two topics relate…

]]> Comment on Open Source Sermon (Monday, September 21) by Alsritt http://fbcbenbrook.wordpress.com/2009/09/21/open-source-sermon-monday-september-21/#comment-153 Alsritt Mon, 21 Sep 2009 21:25:29 +0000 http://fbcbenbrook.wordpress.com/?p=160#comment-153 Very true. "Forall have sinned and fall short of the glory of god" is the verse, and my addon is "Therefore, all are in need of a crutch, and all that go to Him will find it." Just my interjection. -Alex Very true. “Forall have sinned and fall short of the glory of god” is the verse, and my addon is “Therefore, all are in need of a crutch, and all that go to Him will find it.” Just my interjection.

-Alex

]]> Comment on Open Source Sermon (Tuesday, September 15) by tpylant http://fbcbenbrook.wordpress.com/2009/09/15/open-source-sermon-tuesday-september-15/#comment-152 tpylant Wed, 16 Sep 2009 14:05:58 +0000 http://fbcbenbrook.wordpress.com/?p=147#comment-152 Brian, You are totally right, the Sermon cannot be confined in a narrow "ethics" or "rewards" grid. In fact, the more I read the Sermon (and so many other teachings of Jesus or the apostles), I see more and more application and truth. Since the Word of God is living and active, the Spirit continues to speak in new and dynamic ways. The "approved by God" definition for "blessed" is an interesting thought, and that does fit well with Luke's version, too. But I do think that Jesus was encouraging His followers to become like Him in embracing the Beatitudes. We are to rejoice when we experience suffering and to consider ourselves blessed (see James 1 and Romans 5). We are to be merciful, humble, peacemakers, and pure in heart. Perhaps we need all of the interpretive frameworks to catch all of the grace falling down through the Sermon. Brian,
You are totally right, the Sermon cannot be confined in a narrow “ethics” or “rewards” grid. In fact, the more I read the Sermon (and so many other teachings of Jesus or the apostles), I see more and more application and truth. Since the Word of God is living and active, the Spirit continues to speak in new and dynamic ways.
The “approved by God” definition for “blessed” is an interesting thought, and that does fit well with Luke’s version, too. But I do think that Jesus was encouraging His followers to become like Him in embracing the Beatitudes. We are to rejoice when we experience suffering and to consider ourselves blessed (see James 1 and Romans 5). We are to be merciful, humble, peacemakers, and pure in heart. Perhaps we need all of the interpretive frameworks to catch all of the grace falling down through the Sermon.

]]> Comment on Open Source Sermon (Tuesday, September 15) by Brian Mattson http://fbcbenbrook.wordpress.com/2009/09/15/open-source-sermon-tuesday-september-15/#comment-151 Brian Mattson Tue, 15 Sep 2009 22:12:37 +0000 http://fbcbenbrook.wordpress.com/?p=147#comment-151 I'm not sure that my take on the Beatitudes can fall in either of the two categories mentioned. There might be flares of both but not necessarilty an either/or position. I think the key to understanding the opening statements of the SOM is to know what "blessed" means. Many translations and popular Bible teachers profess that 'blessed' means 'happy.' This does not seem to fit the experience of most believers that I know. 'Happy' are those who are persecuted...To make a long argument very short, I prefer the definition of 'blessed,' to mean 'approved by God.' In other words, God's stamp of approval is upon you if you are experiencing this now. This does not mean that we ought to seek the characteristics mentioned in the SOM. Again, it does not make sense, to seek to be persecuted for the name of Jesus. It does, however, make sense that God still approves of you if you find yourself persecuted for the name of Jesus. God still approves of you if you find yourself 'poor in spirit' or down on yourself thinking that you will not amount to anything. The approval of God comes in the idea that you do not need to be anything or anyone (contrary to the teachings of the religious elite who said that you had to aspire to their form of godliness) other than who you are, right where you find yourself. In a sense, Jesus is saying to that person who finds themselves in the situations that Jesus lists to hold on hope is on the way. His audience would have been looking forward to the Messianic age when God would right the wrongs. Jesus is in no way advocating that we sit by and watch injustice but he is saying to those facing injustice that hope is on the way. In fact, Matthew sets up his Gospel in such a way to show that the reality of the Messianic age can be experienced to some extent here and now as we await that final day of restoration. Just a thought... I’m not sure that my take on the Beatitudes can fall in either of the two categories mentioned. There might be flares of both but not necessarilty an either/or position. I think the key to understanding the opening statements of the SOM is to know what “blessed” means. Many translations and popular Bible teachers profess that ‘blessed’ means ‘happy.’ This does not seem to fit the experience of most believers that I know. ‘Happy’ are those who are persecuted…To make a long argument very short, I prefer the definition of ‘blessed,’ to mean ‘approved by God.’ In other words, God’s stamp of approval is upon you if you are experiencing this now. This does not mean that we ought to seek the characteristics mentioned in the SOM. Again, it does not make sense, to seek to be persecuted for the name of Jesus. It does, however, make sense that God still approves of you if you find yourself persecuted for the name of Jesus. God still approves of you if you find yourself ‘poor in spirit’ or down on yourself thinking that you will not amount to anything. The approval of God comes in the idea that you do not need to be anything or anyone (contrary to the teachings of the religious elite who said that you had to aspire to their form of godliness) other than who you are, right where you find yourself. In a sense, Jesus is saying to that person who finds themselves in the situations that Jesus lists to hold on hope is on the way. His audience would have been looking forward to the Messianic age when God would right the wrongs. Jesus is in no way advocating that we sit by and watch injustice but he is saying to those facing injustice that hope is on the way. In fact, Matthew sets up his Gospel in such a way to show that the reality of the Messianic age can be experienced to some extent here and now as we await that final day of restoration.

Just a thought…

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