I'm trying something new with the Bible Study notes from last week: Given that they were exceptionally long (and exceptionally encouraging, I might add :D ) I decided to copy and paste them on a google document so I can just post the link here and not take up as much space on the blog. So clicking the link should simply direct you to google docs and to spiritual edification from The Word! ...Why didn't I think of this earlier?
Conversions in the Bible Part 2 ~ Nathan Rages
Monday, April 30, 2012
Abiding in Christ's Teaching
2 John 9 " Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son."
Last night John Dees (missionary to India and Bangladesh) shared at a bible study I was attending. In passing he mentioned that it is always good to have scripture to back up your thoughts. I think he was getting at the point that the apostle John was speaking of here in his second epistle. When a seemingly true thought about Christ or Christian life comes into your head. The very first thing you should do is see if it is a biblical thought. Even if it sounds flowery and great and seems like a great facebook status. Check it with the Bible lest you go on ahead of Christ's teaching and stray into strange doctrine. Hebrews 13:9.
Last night John Dees (missionary to India and Bangladesh) shared at a bible study I was attending. In passing he mentioned that it is always good to have scripture to back up your thoughts. I think he was getting at the point that the apostle John was speaking of here in his second epistle. When a seemingly true thought about Christ or Christian life comes into your head. The very first thing you should do is see if it is a biblical thought. Even if it sounds flowery and great and seems like a great facebook status. Check it with the Bible lest you go on ahead of Christ's teaching and stray into strange doctrine. Hebrews 13:9.
Friday, April 20, 2012
4/17/12 Bible Study ~ Kevin Williams
We had the pleasure of having Pastor Kevin Williams and his family from Manchester, England with us for a few days to help out with our outreach on MU campus and to teach at our Tuesday night Bible Study this week! :) It was an encouragement and a refreshment to my soul and I am sure for many others to have them with us. I regret to mention that I did not take any notes, but I thought I would post his sermon from the 2011 Fellowship Conference because he preached on Song of Solomon then as well:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=UwuorFefGAc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=UwuorFefGAc
Saturday, April 14, 2012
Some Thoughts on Revelation 9
One of the most common reactions I get on campus when I'm sharing the gospel usually goes something like this:
"I just don't see that there is enough evidence for me to believe that that is true!"
OR
"Why can't God prove Himself to me if He's all powerful?"
The Maccabean revolt began with a wrong, carnal view of the messiah - a false god was being worshiped. A false Christ exalted. Their end was horrible. Much like the theft of Laban's gods from his household in Genesis thirty-one, the false Christ that is exalted vanishes before them and is found to be subject to the same flaws and mortality as any man. Of what power is a god that can be so easily snatched away? Such is this required "evidence."
Romans chapter one has enough to say about this to explain the problem to a believer:
"For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For His invisible attributes, namely, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. For although they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds an animals and creeping things. (v. 18-24)"
Look at Luke chapter sixteen, verses nineteen to thirty-one - the parable of the rich man and Lazarus. In burning torment, this rich man was begging his "father Abraham" to send someone to his family to convince them of the judgement to come. This is a man belonging to the former covenant, whose ancestors were taken out of Egypt by His mighty hand, and all of the Old Testament Scripture is his history: "…but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent. (v. 30)"
Abraham's response here is staggering:
"If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead. (v. 31)"
Look over at the book of Revelation, the thirteenth verse of chapter eight down through all of chapter nine. This is one of the most horrifying passages in Scripture in my opinion: stars are falling from the sky, the ocean is being turned into blood and millions are dying as grotesque locusts and frightful angels are assailing the population. In all of this, chapter nine ends in verses twenty and twenty-one this way: "The rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands nor give up worshiping demons and idols of gold and silver and bronze and stone and wood, which cannot see or hear or walk, nor did they repent of their murders or their sorceries or their sexual immorality or their thefts."
Christ's explanation of this is very clear:
"And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and the people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. (John 3:19,20)"
There is a real sense of hopelessness that comes from this picture. It really seems impossible for anyone in this situation to be saved! How can one who has the Scriptures, all the evidence in creation, even seeing the destruction wrought in apocalypse say there isn't enough evidence? Think of trying to describe what it's like being wet to someone who's never seen water. Or what the color red is like to someone who can't see anything but gray-scale. It really is impossible for us. "Jesus looked at them and said, 'With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.' (Luke 10:27)"
Dwell for a moment on the first chapters of Genesis. The creation of the universe from nothing. The continued existence of reality itself! "He upholds the universe by the word of His power. (Hebrews 1:3)"
If all these things are true, Christ's words in the tenth chapter of the gospel of Luke in verse two are also true: "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest." What should we as believers come away with from all this?
First of all, reverence of Christ, humility in spirit, and thankfulness to God for His mercy. No doctrinal statement seems right to my ears if this isn't the immediate corollary thereof. Grand images of God's power and majesty leading to songs of praise and worship flow naturally to the minds, hearts and lips of the believer! Having been shown the true horror of our mutual enmity with God only to then be shown the divine pity and love for us so effulgent in Christ… it's beyond our ability to communicate fully.
As our thoughts are lifted up on the wings of eagles, soaring in the heavens with clear vistas of the Saviors compassion and sympathy - even those so hindered by our inability to take in the scene - our thoughts return to our loved ones who are outside of this love eternal, and intercessory prayer seems so natural. There is a clear imperative here! There is no way any one of us can argue someone into the kingdom, but we are commanded to work the fields. We can plant, water, till the soil… but the Lord gives the growth. (cr. 1 Corinthians 3:6) Bring your loved ones to the Lord as the persistent widow in Luke 18! Get them to Him as their only hope by tearing a hole in the roof and lowering them down to His presence like in Mark 2! The Creator God of the universe "is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think. (Ephesians 3:20)"
Christ's description of the church in Laodicea in the third chapter of Revelation seems to apply quite aptly: "…wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked." Consider seeing this type of person on the street, literally blind, naked, poor and wretched - this truly is one to be pitied. But also think of our Lord's work in the Gerasene Demoniac in chapter eight of both Matthew and Luke's gospel: this man was all of these traits and more, so illustratively under the influence of the god of this world as are all that are outside of the Lordship of Christ. This impossible case was not only sought out by our Lord, but he was then sent out to preach the good news!
Also consider me. An atheist only a year and a half ago, scoffing at the idea of Truth, mocking the preaching of the Gospel, demanding my need for evidence be met. "The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much. (James 5:16)" Take heart, brethren - truly, all things are possible with God!
"I just don't see that there is enough evidence for me to believe that that is true!"
OR
"Why can't God prove Himself to me if He's all powerful?"
The Maccabean revolt began with a wrong, carnal view of the messiah - a false god was being worshiped. A false Christ exalted. Their end was horrible. Much like the theft of Laban's gods from his household in Genesis thirty-one, the false Christ that is exalted vanishes before them and is found to be subject to the same flaws and mortality as any man. Of what power is a god that can be so easily snatched away? Such is this required "evidence."
Romans chapter one has enough to say about this to explain the problem to a believer:
"For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For His invisible attributes, namely, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. For although they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds an animals and creeping things. (v. 18-24)"
Look at Luke chapter sixteen, verses nineteen to thirty-one - the parable of the rich man and Lazarus. In burning torment, this rich man was begging his "father Abraham" to send someone to his family to convince them of the judgement to come. This is a man belonging to the former covenant, whose ancestors were taken out of Egypt by His mighty hand, and all of the Old Testament Scripture is his history: "…but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent. (v. 30)"
Abraham's response here is staggering:
"If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead. (v. 31)"
Look over at the book of Revelation, the thirteenth verse of chapter eight down through all of chapter nine. This is one of the most horrifying passages in Scripture in my opinion: stars are falling from the sky, the ocean is being turned into blood and millions are dying as grotesque locusts and frightful angels are assailing the population. In all of this, chapter nine ends in verses twenty and twenty-one this way: "The rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands nor give up worshiping demons and idols of gold and silver and bronze and stone and wood, which cannot see or hear or walk, nor did they repent of their murders or their sorceries or their sexual immorality or their thefts."
Christ's explanation of this is very clear:
"And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and the people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. (John 3:19,20)"
There is a real sense of hopelessness that comes from this picture. It really seems impossible for anyone in this situation to be saved! How can one who has the Scriptures, all the evidence in creation, even seeing the destruction wrought in apocalypse say there isn't enough evidence? Think of trying to describe what it's like being wet to someone who's never seen water. Or what the color red is like to someone who can't see anything but gray-scale. It really is impossible for us. "Jesus looked at them and said, 'With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.' (Luke 10:27)"
Dwell for a moment on the first chapters of Genesis. The creation of the universe from nothing. The continued existence of reality itself! "He upholds the universe by the word of His power. (Hebrews 1:3)"
If all these things are true, Christ's words in the tenth chapter of the gospel of Luke in verse two are also true: "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest." What should we as believers come away with from all this?
First of all, reverence of Christ, humility in spirit, and thankfulness to God for His mercy. No doctrinal statement seems right to my ears if this isn't the immediate corollary thereof. Grand images of God's power and majesty leading to songs of praise and worship flow naturally to the minds, hearts and lips of the believer! Having been shown the true horror of our mutual enmity with God only to then be shown the divine pity and love for us so effulgent in Christ… it's beyond our ability to communicate fully.
As our thoughts are lifted up on the wings of eagles, soaring in the heavens with clear vistas of the Saviors compassion and sympathy - even those so hindered by our inability to take in the scene - our thoughts return to our loved ones who are outside of this love eternal, and intercessory prayer seems so natural. There is a clear imperative here! There is no way any one of us can argue someone into the kingdom, but we are commanded to work the fields. We can plant, water, till the soil… but the Lord gives the growth. (cr. 1 Corinthians 3:6) Bring your loved ones to the Lord as the persistent widow in Luke 18! Get them to Him as their only hope by tearing a hole in the roof and lowering them down to His presence like in Mark 2! The Creator God of the universe "is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think. (Ephesians 3:20)"
Christ's description of the church in Laodicea in the third chapter of Revelation seems to apply quite aptly: "…wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked." Consider seeing this type of person on the street, literally blind, naked, poor and wretched - this truly is one to be pitied. But also think of our Lord's work in the Gerasene Demoniac in chapter eight of both Matthew and Luke's gospel: this man was all of these traits and more, so illustratively under the influence of the god of this world as are all that are outside of the Lordship of Christ. This impossible case was not only sought out by our Lord, but he was then sent out to preach the good news!
Also consider me. An atheist only a year and a half ago, scoffing at the idea of Truth, mocking the preaching of the Gospel, demanding my need for evidence be met. "The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much. (James 5:16)" Take heart, brethren - truly, all things are possible with God!
Sunday, April 8, 2012
Conversions in the Bible Pt. 1
Nathan Rages 4/3/12
Becoming a Christian is the most important thing that happens to anyone. I thought it might be edifying to go and examine some of the most clear cases of conversion that the Lord gives us in the Bible. I think we can fall into thinking about it in some kind of paradigm and start to think about salvation in a way that isn't biblical, but God has given us some very clear examples. These stories do vary quite a bit – there is not one formula or a four step process that everyone goes through. There are no magic words. The people involved are quite different – we have stories about jews, gentiles, men, women, evil immoral people, and nice religious people. Some stories are given a lot of detail, others we wish we had more! These stories should encourage us because they should show us that God can save anyone, and He changes people drastically! It is a wicked thought to think that someone is hopeless and beyond Jesus' help.
Let's think together – what are some of the notable conversion stories in the Bible?
The Apostle Paul
The Gerasene Demoniac
The woman at the well
Lydia (Acts)
Nicodemus?
The thief of the cross
The Philippian jailer
Ethiopian eunuch
Those saved at Pentecost
The whole Corinthian church
We are going to begin with the Gerasene Demoniac
Mark 5:1-20
Luke 8:26-39
So Jesus gets out of the boat and here is the welcoming committee. What a sad, sad case this man presents to us.
What are some things we are told about his condition?
Strong – he could not be bound with chains
He was naked, and had not worn clothes for a long time
He was homeless and living in the tombs
As a result he was probably dirty
He was possessed by thousands of demons
He was insane
He was tormented
One account says he was inflicting pain upon himself
There is also a sense that his condition is worsening – Mark's account says the chains could not bind him “anymore”
He was isolated
So can you picture a more seemingly hopeless case than this guy? And yet, this is the man that ends up saved and the rest of the town ends up lost! They run Jesus off!
This is maybe one of the most detailed descriptions in the bible of demon possession. Not just that they can influence people's hearts and souls, but in this case they totally took this man over and did these horrible, destructive, cruel things to him. There is a lot of mystery to these things, but we want to be clear on what the Bible does teach.
Demons are fallen angels, with distinct personalities. Apparently there are many of them.
One practical thing to keep in mind about this is that there is a Spiritual realm going on all around us. These things are apart of reality.
But we should also remember that these demons are under the complete power of Jesus. He doesn't negotiate with them, he is commanding them. Jesus is Lord over the demonic realm – as Christians, we do not need to fear the Devil if we stay close to Jesus. The Bible gives us great encouragement that if we are with the Lord, He will take care of us. Jesus healed many who were oppressed by the Devil.
Here are some verses that encourage me about this topic:
1 John 4:4 “Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.”
Psalm 23
James 4:7 “Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
All of the demons are more powerful than us. Why would the Devil flee from us? It is because of the power of God!
Psalm 4:8 “In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.”
What are we told about the Demoniac's new condition?
Sitting at the feet of Jesus
Here was this guy being tormented and driven around – he couldn't settle down, there was no peace. But here he is finally able to sit down – and at the Lord's feet! A picture of submission and learning.
Clothed
A picture of the shame of sin being covered by Christ
In his right mind
He is thinking rationally again. That is really true of every Christian. We weren't necessarily insane or demon possessed, but a new Christian is seeing reality in a way they didn't before. Things make sense, they fit together. The world is a new world! Before you were saved you wrong about the most fundamental things in the universe. So you are in your right mind for the first time when you become a Christian
He has a desire to follow Jesus
It is a good thing that he had this zeal and wanted to follow – but Jesus said no. Why might that be?
Even though Jesus was being run off, he left a witness.
You don't have to be a Christian for 20 years to be a good witness. This man had been a Christian for five minutes and Jesus was telling him to go back and tell others about what Jesus had done!
It also shows us the value of telling other people about what God has done for us!
Also, the principle that evangelism begins at home. It is often easier to talk to strangers. We tend to always want to go out to other places, but we need to tell our friends and family first. They saw what we were like before. It is also a humbling act.
He goes out and tells the whole city about what Jesus did!
There is obvious encouraging fruit from this man's life
People can be healed of demon possession and still be lost just like they can be healed of a broken leg and still be lost... But the changes in this guys' life went way beyond that.
Was your conversion less of a miracle than this one?
We have to say EVERY conversion is a miracle! It always takes a special intervention from God whether you are insane and demon possessed or a mild, sane, lost religious person.
Monday, April 2, 2012
Sunday Meeting/Bible Study Updates
SUNDAY MEETINGS:
Nathan Rages and his family have moved to Columbia to be apart of our church! We are now meeting in their home Sundays at 10:00am. If you would like to join us please contact one of us for the address and any more info and we would love to see you there! :) Praise God for His faithfulness to this little group of believers in Columbia, MO!
BIBLE STUDY:
Due to the Rages moving here to be apart of our church, a lot is changing - including our Bible Study. We have a lot to pray about... where to meet, who will share, how to format it all, and more. We'd appreciate prayers and will try to be diligent to update this blog with any changes. Right now assume we are not meeting for Bible Study unless we make a post saying otherwise.
EDIT: Sorry if the last sentence of that was confusing to anyone. I was NOT saying that we are planning on ending the Bible Studies for now - I was trying to say that a lot is uncertain right now and we don't have them scheduled as far in advance as we used to and that we will only make a post if we have one scheduled. I meant to assume that we are not having one if we do not post anything. Hope that makes sense :)
EDIT: Sorry if the last sentence of that was confusing to anyone. I was NOT saying that we are planning on ending the Bible Studies for now - I was trying to say that a lot is uncertain right now and we don't have them scheduled as far in advance as we used to and that we will only make a post if we have one scheduled. I meant to assume that we are not having one if we do not post anything. Hope that makes sense :)
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