"Overtime" Church

Divorce

2011-12-15T19:59:00.000-08:00

A question that arose elsewhere but would be a good thing to contemplate here: In Matthew 19:9, Jesus taught on marriage, divorce, and remarriage. was the focus of that verse the divorce being sinful or the remarriage being sinful?

Fellowship

2011-12-15T19:33:00.000-08:00

Christians cannot "withdraw fellowship" if we are speaking in Bible terms. Fellowship is determined by our faithfulness to God (I John 1:7). We can withdraw company, but company and fellowship are NOT the same thing. I realize what we MEAN by saying "withdraw fellowship," but we ought to speak of Bible things in Bible ways, and the Bible says we withdraw "company" (1 Corinthians 5:11, 2 Thessalonians 3:14), which is a result of fellowship already being broken.

Instrumental Music in the time of writing the New Testament

2011-12-05T18:34:00.000-08:00

New Testament Church used only vocal music
Ephesians 5:19
Colossians 3:16
Matthew 26:30

It is sinful to add to or take from God's word
Revelation 22:18-19
Deuteronomy 4:2

Vain worship
Matthew 15:9

Acappella Music
http://www.acappella.org/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_cappella

Too Good to Be True?

2011-09-22T11:39:00.000-07:00

Too Good to be True?
by Rubel Shelly
June, 1993
http://www.wineskins.org/filter.asp?SID=2&co_key=1699

What’s the most astounding, sensational, eye-popping thing you’ve heard lately?

Here’s my real-life, serious candidate for life’s most implausible fact: God loves me, has saved me in Jesus Christ, and will soon welcome me to live with him in heaven!

“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1). Astonishing! Incredible! Too good to be true?

Here is the way teachers who are not led by the Spirit of God teach forgiveness and security: “Well, you need to realize that you can lose your salvation, that it is possible to fall from grace. So there won’t be any condemnation for those who remain faithful, continue to grow in spiritual things, stay away from the old sins you used to commit, and show the fruit of continual transformation.”

Can Christians fall from grace? Absolutely. Are we obligated to put off the old man and put on the new? Of course. But Paul announces God’s merciful verdict on Christians before the trial starts. No condemnation!

“Rubel, you just can’t put such strong emphasis on grace. People will take it as permission to sin!”

Both Paul and I know that grace is subject to abuse. Does grace mean that Christians can just go ahead and sin deliberately? God forbid! (Romans 6:1).

Grace is not God’s permission to sin. We already have that! No, not his advice or consent. But God made us to be radically free people and will not treat us as puppets. If we want to sin, he will not stop us. But the notion that it helps people to avoid sin by filling them with guilt, terror, and neurotic insecurity is an overrated theory of holiness.

God’s answer to sin is not “Stop it, scumbag!” but “Look at my son on the cross, and see how much I love you!” Where sin increased, grace increased all the more. His one righteous act brings life for all men. While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Unthinkable! But true!

So believe it and weep. Weep for joy. And out of a spirit of gratitude for his stunning love, honor him in obedience born of gratitude rather than guilt, of security rather than shame.

DISCIPLESHIP

2011-08-13T14:56:00.001-07:00

•Read Luke 14:25-33

•According to theses verses, what characterizes a disciple?
•vs.26:
•vs.27:
•vs.28:
•Do you think these characteristics in Luke 14 are external actions, internal attitudes, or both? Explain your answer.

•From the following verses what action does Jesus say characterize the lives of His disciples?
•John 8:31
•John 13:34-35
•John 15:18

•Using the scriptures in questions 1 & 2 write a brief definition of a disciple?

•Jesus standards for His disciples are high.
Why do you think so?

Friend in Hell sends a Letter!

2011-07-28T17:20:00.000-07:00

Jesus Is The Answer

2011-06-27T15:59:00.000-07:00

While a man was swimming at a popular swimming hole in a river, he noticed that people starting to get out of the water. Not wanting to get out the water but concerned that an alligator might have found his way down river, he hollered to someone on the shore. "Are there any alligators in this river?"

"No not a single one," assured a man who was standing on the shore nearby.

The swimmer was still disturbed. Again he asked: "If there are no alligators, what are those gray forms I see? Are you sure there are no alligators?"

Certainly," replied this newly-made friend who was standing on the shore. "Those gray forms you see are sharks that have chased the alligators away."

There is the tendency for persons nowadays to think technology, education, psychology, or medicine can solve all of our problems. So often, though, all we do is swap alligators for sharks. There are a lot of things out there that claim to be the solution to our problems, but there is only one thing that is guaranteed to work—that is the words and wisdom given to us from God our father. So next time you are trying to handle a problem, turn to him first and don't swap alligators for sharks.

Spirit of Christ

2011-06-27T13:47:00.000-07:00

"Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him." (Romans 8:9).

There it is. Plain as day. Written in our own language. It's been there for centuries in plain print. We read it from time to time, and then "it flies forgotten as a dream dies at the opening day." As we look about us, it's hard to believe that so many "Christians" have developed such a bad case of Bible amnesia when it comes to this text. Has that happened to me?

This is the test of all tests. "Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him." Talk about a test of orthodoxy! Do I possess the Spirit of Christ? Am I doing what Christ would have me do? If so, it will mean that the Spirit is shaping and regulating my actions. The evidence for a Spirit-controlled life is whether there grows in me the fruit of the Spirit listed in Galatians 5:22, "Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control." The true, and great, test of my Christianity is not merely being able to produce a baptismal certificate, it is ethical!

If we are not careful, we will all end up "majoring on minors." A number of years ago, a friend of mine was somewhat discouraged as he saw where the emphasis was being placed in his church. He shared with me a question his father asked: "Do you really suppose that God cares whether our preacher is wearing a white or blue robe?" My friend was growing tired of the superficial, the boast of heraldry, the pomp of power, the salutations in the market place. He longed for that which was meaningful and substantial.

What counts? "For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God" (Romans 8:14).

Bookmarks

2011-04-20T12:38:00.001-07:00

I will continue to add bookmarks or favorites to this blog post as I discover relevant ones. If you have any suggestions, feel free to send those to me and I will consider there relavance to this blog. If I feel they are as valuable as you, I will add them. Thanks!

Links, Bookmarks, etc. below
http://www.studyjesus.com/

Revelation -6- Chapter 2:7-12

2010-05-21T11:15:00.000-07:00

Revelation -6- Chapter 2:7-12

Click here for audio lesson.

Revelation -5- Chapter 2:1-6

2010-05-21T11:14:00.001-07:00

Revelation -5- Chapter 2:1-6

Click here for audio lesson.

Revelation -4- Chapter 1:11-20

2010-05-21T11:13:00.001-07:00

Revelation -4- Chapter 1:11-20

Click here for audio lesson.

Revelation -3- Chapter 1:7-11

2010-05-21T11:12:00.001-07:00

Revelation -3- Chapter 1:7-11

Click Here for audio lesson.

Revelation -2- Chapter 1:4-7

2010-05-21T09:29:00.000-07:00

Revelation -2- Chapter 1:4-7

Click here for the audio lesson.

Introduction to the Book of Revelation

2010-05-21T09:25:00.000-07:00

Introduction to the Book of Revelation

Click here to hear Audio Lesson

Podcast Update

2009-10-31T12:17:00.000-07:00

That's My Friend

2009-10-31T10:56:00.001-07:00

I was shocked, confused, bewildered
As I entered Heaven's door,
Not by the beauty of it all,
Nor the lights nor its decor.

It was just the folks in Heaven
Who made me sputter and gasp--
The thieves, the liars, the sinners,
The alcoholics and the trash.

There stood the kid from seventh grade
Who swiped my lunch money twice.
Next to him was my old neighbor
Who never said anything nice.

Herb, who I always thought
Was rotting away in hell,
Was sitting pretty on cloud nine,
Looking incredibly well.

I asked Jesus, "What's the deal?
I would love to hear Your take.
How'd all these sinners get up here?
God must've made a mistake.
"And why's everyone so quiet,
So somber? Please give me a clue."

"Hush, child, they're all in shock.
NO ONE THOUGHT THEY'D BE SEEING YOU"!!

JUDGE NOT.
Remember...Just going to church doesn't make you a
Christian any more than standing in your garage makes you a car ..

Every saint has a PAST... Every sinner has a FUTURE!

Now doesn't that deserve an AMEN!

Welcome to "Overtime" Church

2009-10-17T12:09:00.000-07:00

Overtime Church

http://overtimechurch.podomatic.com/

Christianity is more than an assembly -- even though that is a part of Christianity. Unfortunately too many have reduced it to just 1 hour per week. Originally Christianity involved much more as we read the Bible as well as history. "Church" can refer to the assembly. I'm using it with that in mind. Throughout the week Christians ought to be growing in the grace and knowledge of Jesus.

Here you can grow daily as you experience the preaching of the Word! Acts 2 Church. Christianity is a taught and caught faith. History tells us the early church searched the scriptures daily... "With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, "Save yourselves from this corrupt generation." Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day. They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching...Everyone was filled with awe...Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts...in their homes...praising God...And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.(Acts 2:40-47)

You can hear audio lessons that will strengthen your faith at
http://overtimechurch.podomatic.com/