Last week, while preaching from Ephesians 6:5-9, I mentioned that the New Testament does not endorse slavery. I also promised to publish a blog post addressing this issue in detail. I have not been able to finish the post, but I should be able to publish it by the end of next week. This short video by Susan Wise Bauer (College of William and Mary) addresses the misunderstanding many have regarding Christianity and Slavery. Basically her thesis is: Yes, some "Christians" in the American south used the NT to condone slavery, but this was an abuse of Scripture.
Friday, August 28, 2015
How did Christian slave owners justify slavery?
Last week, while preaching from Ephesians 6:5-9, I mentioned that the New Testament does not endorse slavery. I also promised to publish a blog post addressing this issue in detail. I have not been able to finish the post, but I should be able to publish it by the end of next week. This short video by Susan Wise Bauer (College of William and Mary) addresses the misunderstanding many have regarding Christianity and Slavery. Basically her thesis is: Yes, some "Christians" in the American south used the NT to condone slavery, but this was an abuse of Scripture.
Tuesday, August 18, 2015
A Church Worth Remembering
This past Sunday I mentioned the reality that several of the churches we read about in the NT had many problems. These churches were made up of redeemed, but imperfect people. These churches were not immune to conflict, dissatisfaction, gossip, and/or heresy. It was several of these issues which promoted the apostle Paul to write letters to the NT churches. And while we recognize that these churches were not perfect there are several characteristics of these churches we should emulate. We discussed three of these this past Sunday from 1 Thess. 1.2-3.
1. Genuine Faith Produces Work
The church at Thessalonica was an active church, and their activity was motivated by their faith. In James chapter 2 we read about a possible scenario of two people coming into an assembly of Christians: one rich and another poor. If we pay closer attention to the rich and give her the best seat in the house then we have misjudged the individuals and the situation. We are tempted to serve those who can "pay us back" or serve us also. This is the "I scratch your back, you scratch mine" mentality. In contrast to this mindset, true faith produces within us a work or activity that is not-partial to people around us, because we realize that the Lord is the one who rewards us (Matt. 6). Our reward does not come from the rich person. This is a faith which work and serves God, because we trust Him, and know that He is good. This is a faith which trusts Christ alone for salvation.
II. Genuine Love Serves Others
For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son... God's love motivated him to give sacrificially, and this is a mark of true love. We say we love others, but I hope our actions match our words.
John reminds us in 1st John 3
16 This is how we have come to know love: He laid down His life for us. We should also lay down our lives for our brothers. 17 If anyone has this world’s goods and sees his brother in need but closes his eyes to his need—how can God’s love reside in him?
18 Little children, we must not love with word or speech, but with truth and action. 19 This is how we will know we belong to the truth and will convince our conscience in His presence, 20 even if our conscience condemns us, that God is greater than our conscience, and He knows all things.
III. Genuine Hope Produces Steadfastness
The Christians at Thessalonica experienced persecution and suffering, yet their hope in Christ produced endurance in the midst of this suffering. They were confident that Christ would return for his church and He would be victorious (1:10). When we lose sight of the coming of Christ or our eternal reward then we will waver in our faith when we face suffering. Only this rock solid hope in Christ will produce within us the endurance to stand in the face of suffering. May we cling to this hope!
1. Genuine Faith Produces Work
The church at Thessalonica was an active church, and their activity was motivated by their faith. In James chapter 2 we read about a possible scenario of two people coming into an assembly of Christians: one rich and another poor. If we pay closer attention to the rich and give her the best seat in the house then we have misjudged the individuals and the situation. We are tempted to serve those who can "pay us back" or serve us also. This is the "I scratch your back, you scratch mine" mentality. In contrast to this mindset, true faith produces within us a work or activity that is not-partial to people around us, because we realize that the Lord is the one who rewards us (Matt. 6). Our reward does not come from the rich person. This is a faith which work and serves God, because we trust Him, and know that He is good. This is a faith which trusts Christ alone for salvation.
II. Genuine Love Serves Others
For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son... God's love motivated him to give sacrificially, and this is a mark of true love. We say we love others, but I hope our actions match our words.
John reminds us in 1st John 3
16 This is how we have come to know love: He laid down His life for us. We should also lay down our lives for our brothers. 17 If anyone has this world’s goods and sees his brother in need but closes his eyes to his need—how can God’s love reside in him?
18 Little children, we must not love with word or speech, but with truth and action. 19 This is how we will know we belong to the truth and will convince our conscience in His presence, 20 even if our conscience condemns us, that God is greater than our conscience, and He knows all things.
III. Genuine Hope Produces Steadfastness
The Christians at Thessalonica experienced persecution and suffering, yet their hope in Christ produced endurance in the midst of this suffering. They were confident that Christ would return for his church and He would be victorious (1:10). When we lose sight of the coming of Christ or our eternal reward then we will waver in our faith when we face suffering. Only this rock solid hope in Christ will produce within us the endurance to stand in the face of suffering. May we cling to this hope!
Saturday, August 1, 2015
Resources for the Family
This Sunday I mentioned the importance of raising our children up in the nourishment and instruction of the Lord. This happens informally (teachable moments) and formally (structure training times).
How do we do this? I've listed a few tools which should point you in the right direction. Please don't hesitate to ask for more resources!
http://www.shepherdingtheheart.org/
This is a good website with articles and videos.
Shepherding a Childs Heart by Tedd Tripp
This is excellent resource to understand the vision and practical details of Biblical parenting.
Don't Make Me Court to Three by Ginger Plowman
This excellent little book gives practical suggestions based on Shepherding a Child's Heart.
Family Shepherds: Calling and Equipping Men to Lead their Homes by Voddie Baucham Jr.
This is a great book for fathers regarding the calling of Biblical leadership with practical insights.
The Jesus Storybook Bible by Sally Lloyd-Jones
This is a great devotional book designed to help smaller children understand to the Great Story of the Bible. Adults will enjoy it also!
How do we do this? I've listed a few tools which should point you in the right direction. Please don't hesitate to ask for more resources!
http://www.shepherdingtheheart.org/
This is a good website with articles and videos.
Shepherding a Childs Heart by Tedd Tripp
This is excellent resource to understand the vision and practical details of Biblical parenting.
Don't Make Me Court to Three by Ginger Plowman
This excellent little book gives practical suggestions based on Shepherding a Child's Heart.
Family Shepherds: Calling and Equipping Men to Lead their Homes by Voddie Baucham Jr.
This is a great book for fathers regarding the calling of Biblical leadership with practical insights.
The Jesus Storybook Bible by Sally Lloyd-Jones
This is a great devotional book designed to help smaller children understand to the Great Story of the Bible. Adults will enjoy it also!
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