Christianity 101

What the Hell?

Christianity 101 — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 16:44:10 -0800

Heaven is a wonderful place to think about. Hell, not so much. Few people talk about hell these days. Even fewer take it seriously. But hell is real. In his parables, Jesus uses various terms to describe what seems to be hell: a place of outer darkness (Matt. 8:12); a fiery furnace where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth (Matt. 25:41); and eternal punishment (Matt. 25:46).

And then you have these graphic descriptions by John in Revelation: the bottomless pit (9:1); a huge furnace (9:2); fire and burning sulfur (14:10); no relief day or night (14:11); the fiery lake of burning sulfur (21:8); and the second death (21:8).

Sounds pretty grim. Can you blame people for shying away from the topic of hell, especially people who struggle with a God who seems to allow suffering and evil in this life? That's bad enough, but it pales in comparison to a God who is evidently (if we take this stuff literally) going to torture people in hell forever in the next life.

Honestly, we need a new perspective, a truly biblical perspective (not one offered by those classic "fire and brimstone" preachers who used to scare sinners into buying an eternal fire insurance policy). The eminent philosopher J.P. Moreland has done a lot of thinking on the subject of hell, and he has some thoughts on what hell is not.

Hell is not a torture chamber. Moreland maintains that hell is a punishment, not a place of punishing. It's not torture. The punishment of hell is separation from God, bringing shame, anguish, and terrible regret. Because we will have both body and soul in the resurrected state, the misery people will experience in hell will be both mental and physical. Moreland says: "The pain that's suffered will be due to the sorrow from the final, ultimate, unending banishment from God, his kingdom, and the good life for which we were created in the first place. People in hell will deeply grieve for all they've lost."

Hell is not a place of fire. No doubt this is a controversial statement for some, and while no one can know for sure, Moreland does make a pretty good case. Clearly Jesus and John used fire to describe hell. But how could hell be both a place of "outer darkness" and "eternal fire"? Fire would light things up! Okay, if the fire isn't literal, then what does it symbolize? In Scripture, fire and flames are an image for God's judgment. In Revelation, John writes of the "Word of God," who will come with eyes like "flames of fire" and a sharp sword coming out of his mouth (Rev. 19:11-15). The flames stand for Christ coming in judgment. In Hebrews 12:29, God is called a "devouring fire," but that doesn't mean he is literally made of fire (come to think of it, God isn't made of anything physical). The fire is an image for God's judgment.

So if hell isn't a place of torture or a place of fire, then what is it? Well, even if you take away these descriptions that people have used through the ages to portray hell, you still have a terrible place. Maybe not a place like a dungeon or a lake of fire, but a place in the sense that it will be a part of the universe where people will be cut off from that glorious place where God and his people will be in blissful harmony. Moreland believes that the reason Jesus used the image of people gnashing their teeth in hell is that people will be in a state of anger and anguish, realizing what a great loss they are suffering.

Before we get angry at God for creating a place like hell--regardless of how you view it--we need to keep in mind that hell was not part of God's original creation. Hell was something God had to create because people chose to rebel against him, and it saddens him. There are two places in Scripture where we see this. The first occurs before Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem, where Jesus weeps even as he is pronouncing judgment because the city did not accept its opportunity for salvation (Luke 19:44). Another place where we see God's heart for the lost is in Peter's letter to the persecuted church. Peter writes that God is being patient with us because he doesn't want anyone to perish (2 Peter 3:9). But someday, Peter continues, God's patience will run out, and the "day of the Lord will come as unexpectedly as a thief."

What the Nativity Really Means...For You

Christianity 101 — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 13:33:06 -0800

The nativity is one of the best-known, most often told stories in history. Asked to describe the events surrounding Jesus' birth, most people could probably give the basic components of the story: An angel tells a young virgin she's going to give birth to the Savior of the world...Mary and Joseph travel to Bethlehem, but there's no room in the inn...They find shelter in a stable where Jesus is born...Angels announce the good news to a bunch of shepherds, who run to see the baby Jesus...Some wise men drop by to pay their respects and leave some gifts.

That's the nativity story in a nutshell--at least the one you'll see depicted in your church's Christmas pageant, featuring amateur actors in bathrobes and fake beards.

As much as we all enjoy those charming (if a little kitschy) pageants, such annual presentations sell the Christmas story short.

Reducing God's great eipc to a single stage with homegrown actors and homemade props can't even begin to capture its scope and grandeur. Truth is, the nativity is a massive and earth-shattering event that spans the unlimited time and space of eternity, featuring characters both visible and invisible. It's so grand and so powerful that any attempt--whether a church play or a Hollywood blockbuster--fails to adequately express what it meant for God to relate to His human creation the way He did.

The plot itself is one for the ages, full of paradoxes and reversals. They tiny baby born on earth is actually a heavenly King. The birth takes place in the lowliest of places, and the human characters God recruits are humble people without status. Except for the wise men (who come two years after Christ's birth), those who take part in the story and then share it with others are from the bottom strata of society.

The greatest human writer could never invent such a wondrous story. it came to us directly from the mind of God, who through the nativity announced several truths to the world:

The weak will be made strong;
The lowly will be exalted;
The poor in spirit will become spiritually rich;
Those who mourn will be comforted;
Those who are meek will inherit the earth; and
Those who desire a truly good life will find it.

And it's all because Jesus came to the world on that first Chistmas. This is the heart of the nativity. It's a mystery revealed by God, centered in Christ, put into effect when the time was right. It's a story for the ages. It's not a story to watch like an audience watches a play--we can actually jump in ourselves, as characters with the opportunity to participate in all that the story means.

So the next time you see a nativity program in church, or see the nativity story in a movie, view it with this fresh perspective. Put yourself in the tableau, because God didn't write the story for just anyone. When it's all said and done, He did it for you.

Heaven: Our Greatest Hope

Christianity 101 — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 13:33:14 -0700

In certain circles—including some religious ones—people deny that a real heaven exists in a real place. Instead, they say heaven is a state of mind—it if exists at all. Other people criticize thoughts about heaven as wishful thinking. To believe in heaven is to believe in fairy tales. Don’t be fooled. Heaven is not an alternative to reality. Heaven is reality. C.S. Lewis puts it this way:

If Heaven is not real, every honest person will disbelieve it simply for that reason, however desirable it is, and if it is real, every honest man, woman, child, scientist, theologian, saint, and sinner will want to believe in it simply because it is real, not just because it is desirable.

Heaven is a real place, created by God, that will exist forever. Heaven is where Jesus lives now (Acts 3:21) and where those who have trusted Jesus by faith will live in the future (John 14:2). Gary Habermas writes, “the life of heaven is eternal life.” And it isn’t merely a continuation of our life now. There will be no sorrow, crying, or pain in heaven, and the inhabitants of heaven will never again experience death (Revelation 21:4).

Sometimes people think that heaven will be boring place, with nothing to do but sit on a cloud strumming your harp. Hardly. Heaven will be a busy place filled with activity. We will be reunited with our believing loved ones who died before us (Matthew 8:11). Even more, we will see Jesus face-to-face in heaven and will be able to interact with Him (1 John 3:2). In fact, believers will be glorified—that is, raised with Jesus, seated and exalted with Him in heaven (Ephesians 2:6). While we’re there, we will serve God
(Revelation 5:10) and give praise to Jesus, the Lamb who is worthy (Revelation 5:12).

Several times the Bible asserts that after the end of the world as we know it, God will create “a new heaven and a new earth” (Revelation 21:1). The old earth and heaven won’t be completely destroyed, but rather regenerated. According to one scenario, the process will begin during the millennium (the thousand-year reign of Christ and His saints) and will be completed after the great white throne judgment, when Satan and death have been conquered (Revelation 20).

Heaven will offer opportunities far beyond anything we can imagine. Habermas describes heaven as a place that “encompasses all of the rich blessings not true of earth, including intimate knowledge of God and fellowship with him.” This is where your thoughts about heaven can really begin to expand.

One of the incredible things about heaven is that we will continue to grow in knowledge and truth. Peter Kreeft writes that when we get to heaven, we will begin “the endless and endlessly fascinating task of exploring, learning, and loving the facets of infinity, the inexhaustible nature of God.” We will not be omniscient in that we know everything, but we will continue to learn throughout eternity: things about heaven, about each other, and about God.

Having God's Heart - Part 3

Christianity 101 — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 16:07:29 -0700

Sharing Your Faith

Immediately before Jesus left earth and ascended into Heaven, He gave this final instruction to His followers:

But when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, you will receive power and will tell people about me everywhere . . . (Acts 1:8).

Jesus said that we are supposed to be His witnesses (Acts 1:8). That means we should tell people what we know about Him. Plain and simple.

Sharing your faith should be the most natural thing in the world because it’s really nothing more than telling someone else the story of what God has done for you personally. It doesn’t have to be in a fancy speech or in a well-crafted presentation; in fact, it is better if it isn’t. Since the essence of Christianity is about a relationship with Jesus, you’re better off by simply sharing your personal story of what Christ means to you (it is called your “testimony”).

A reluctance to share your faith might be caused by fear of how people will respond. Will I be ridiculed? Might I offend someone? Don’t worry about it. Nothing is objectionable about someone sharing about his or her spiritual journey in a manner that is sincere and respectful.

Try to remember that sharing your faith isn’t really about you. And it is not even about getting a “yes” or “no” answer from the person you’re talking to. It is all about God and simply talking about His incredible gift of salvation. This means that you are relieved of a lot of pressure:

• You aren’t supposed to be Jesus’ public relations agent. He doesn’t need you to build up a bunch of hype about Him. Don’t alter what you have to say based on what you think your friends want to hear. Just tell them about Jesus as you know Him.

• You aren’t His sales force. You aren’t paid on a commission based on how many people we get to sign a “salvation” contract. We shouldn’t use pressure tactics. You aren’t trying to “make a sale.”

• He doesn’t need a marketing strategist. Don’t think that you need to trick people into learning about Jesus. Be upfront and straightforward with people. Jesus can take it from there.

People don’t need a religion, but they do need Jesus. Don’t get distracted from this simple message: Jesus loves them, He died on a cross to pay the penalty for their sins, and he wants to establish a personal relationship with them.

Don’t worry that you have to answer every conceivable theological question. All you need to talk about is what you have found to be true in your own experience. No one can honestly expect you to have all of the answers (especially since there are many mysteries about God that have existed for thousands of years).

Leave the sermons to the pastors. Your friends and family don’t want to hear any preaching from you. They don’t need to be lectured, scolded or ridiculed. You are not properly representing Jesus if you are alienating these people when you present God’s message to them. Sure, they are sinners, but so are you. Jesus hates your sin, but He loves you. And you should show that same love to all of the unsaved people you know.

Sharing your faith effectively – through your character, your conduct and your words – is simply the natural outgrowth of loving God.

• As you love God more, you will be more excited about the things He is doing in your life. Your excitement about God will make it easier for you to talk to other people about Him.

• As you love God more, your understanding of Him will grow. Your relationship with Him will become even more personal. Then it will be even easier for you to explain your relationship with God to those who don’t know Him.

• As you love God more, you won’t have to force yourself to share your faith. You will be doing it naturally – your deeds and words will be a testimony of God’s love – because the Holy Spirit is producing God’s character in your life.

Once people know you are a Christian, they will be examining your life to see if your faith is legitimate. Oh sure, we want our unsaved family and friend to be paying attention to when we are acting spiritual. But we don’t want them watching when:
• We yell a few colorful comments at the referee who makes a bad call;
• We’re laughing at a crude and offensive joke;
• A driver cuts us off on the freeway and we slander his intelligence or lineage;
• We’re gossiping about the people we work with.

Effective witnessing involves a combination of your character, your conduct, and your communication. All of these aspects of your life should be reflections of Jesus Christ. This is what sharing your faith is all about – telling and showing other people what Jesus is like. You can tell them by what you say, but you will show them by what you do.

Having God's Heart - Part 2

Christianity 101 — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 09:35:41 -0700

BECOMING A DISCIPLE

In the New Testament the word “disciple” was used to describe the relationship between Jesus and His followers. Jesus was often referred to as “Rabbi” (which means teacher), and anyone who followed Him was called a “disciple” (which means learner). A disciple was anyone who believed in Jesus (John 8:31) and who learned from Him (Matthew 5:1). The same is true today. A disciple of Jesus is one who has trusted Jesus as Savior and Lord, and who desires to learn from Him and follow Him fully.

Become a Disciple

Jesus is the one who calls us to be His disciples (Matthew 4:19). And He doesn’t just ask us to learn from Him. Jesus wants us to follow Him in everything we do. Discipleship means that we commit to the person of Christ as well as the teachings of Christ.

• Commit to the person of Christ. When you commit yourself to someone, you do everything you can to please that person. It also means that you carry out their wishes. In other words, you obey them. In our culture obedience can have a negative connotation because it means submitting to someone else. But when it comes to committing ourselves to Christ, isn’t that exactly what we need to do? To commit ourselves to the person of Christ means that we submit to Him and obey Him. Obedience is the way we show God that we’re serious about following Him and doing what He wants.

• Commit to the teachings of Christ. Jesus was the greatest teacher who ever lived, but He was more than a great teacher. Jesus was God in human form, who came to earth to tell and to show us how to live. A disciple of Jesus learns from Jesus by reading and studying God’s Word. That’s because the Bible points to Jesus (John 5:39). Beginning in Genesis and continuing throughout the Scriptures, the Bible points to Jesus. As you read and study the Bible, keep in mind that your discipleship is based on what you are to Jesus, not what you do for Him. A disciple is not one who checks off a list of what he or she has done for Jesus. A disciple is one who is devoted to Jesus.

Make Disciples

It’ s not enough just to be a disciple of Jesus. You must also make disciples of others. That’s the last thing Jesus said just before He left the earth and ascended into heaven:

Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given complete authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 38:18-20).

It’s imperative that we obey this command of Christ. Notice that it has three parts:

1. Make Disciples. The way to do this is to share your faith (we’ll talk more about this in the next chapter) through the power of Scripture and the Holy Spirit so that others will turn from their sin to Christ and follow Him as their Savior and Lord. Notice that we are not expected to save others. That’s what God does. Our job is to disciple them.

2. Baptize Them. This doesn’t mean that we are the ones doing the baptizing. What this means is that at some point the new believer should “go public” and declare to other believers and the world that he or she intends to follow Jesus. It also means that the new believer is part of the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:13). The true disciple of Jesus will want to join other disciples in a local church.

3. Teach Them. Helping new believers get established in their faith is vitally important. As you know, new Christians are vulnerable to doubt, fear, and temptation. It’s almost impossible to overcome these negatives in isolation. A new believer needs nurturing, encouragement, and teaching. As you grow in our own Christian life, Jesus expects—no, He commands—you to help new believers grow in their faith. Remember, maturing in Christ takes time. Disciples must have devoted and patient teachers to stick with them through thick and thin.

As you obey the Lord in these areas, notice that Jesus has given you the means to carry out this command. First, all authority has been given to Jesus, so what He says is the absolute truth. Second, Jesus promises to be with you to the end of the age. This is a huge promise that should give you great comfort and encouragement as you follow and obey Him as His disciple.

Having God's Heart - Part 1

Christianity 101 — Tue, 27 May 2008 13:06:23 -0700

LOVING ONE ANOTHER

Your success at walking in the Christian life will depend upon a continuing and deepening relationship with Jesus Christ. You must stay connected with Him. Here is how Jesus explained it to His disciples:

Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful apart from me. Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing (John 15:4-5).

Staying connected with Christ is not solely for your benefit. Yes, it will change you from the inside out, and you’ll be a better person. But there is a collateral benefit to others. Just as Jesus had compassion for you, as you become more like Him, you’ll find that you have more love and compassion for others.

Remember that as a Christian, you carry the name of Christ with you wherever you go. In a sense, you are an ambassador for Jesus:

And whatever you do or say, let it be as a representative of the Lord Jesus . . . (Colossians 3:17).

As much for others as for yourself, you need to reflect the love of Christ. Bring His character into your relationships. Reflect His love to those you know. And don’t hesitate to share the change that is happening in your life now that you’ve become a Christian.

What is the best way to convince someone that following Christ can transform your life? Is it more effective to: (a) tell them; or (b) show them? The correct answer is “(b),” but it is also the more difficult approach. Anyone can say that Christianity makes you different; it is an entirely different matter to prove the point by your lifestyle.

Jesus knew human nature (that we are basically self-centered beings). And He knew that Christians could make the greatest impression on people around them by behaving in a manner that was contra-intuitive. That’s why He wants Christians to show love to each other. Here’s how He said for His disciples and for all Christians:

So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples (John 13:34-35).

Notice that this wasn’t just a helpful suggestion. Christ gave this as a commandment. He wants us to be involved in the lives of other Christians. He knows that the members of the Christian community need to support each other. And their commitment to each other will be the best reflection of the character of Christ to the unbelieving world.

From a practical standpoint, what does this “love one another” in the Christian community look like? That’s a good question, and there must have been some new Christians in the 1st century A.D. who had the same question. Here is how the Apostle Paul explained it to them:

Since God chose you to be the holy people who he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. You must make allowance for each other’s faults and forgive the person who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. And the most important piece of clothing you must wear is love. Love is what binds us all together in perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are all called to live n peace. And always be thankful (Colossians 3:12-15).

Don’t misunderstand the emphasis. Yes, Jesus wants you to love other Christians, but that directive doesn’t sanction rude and crude behavior toward non-Christians. Love is a trademark of Christ, and His love was extended to the entire world (remember John 3:16?). So for you, as a Christian, your life should be marked by care and compassion for all people. Here is how Jesus explained it when He was asked which commandment was the most important:

You must love the Lord your god with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: Love your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:37-39).

We know what you may be thinking: Loving other Christians may be difficult enough, but showing love to everyone is impossible. We agree with you. It is not humanly possible. But you are still capable of doing it – not in your own strength – but through the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit.

As you get to know Christ better, and as you learn to let the Holy Spirit influence you, your life will begin to reflect God’s character. The character qualities that God possess – and that the Holy Spirit imparts to us – are referred to in the Bible as “fruit of the Spirit.”

But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives, he will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).

Consider how this “fruit” – if it is present in your life – will enable you to fulfill Christ’s commandment to love other Christians and anyone else that you know or meet:

• Love – We should model our love after God, who Himself is love. We should love with the same sacrificial love that motivated God to send Jesus into the world.

• Joy – The world strives for happiness, but Christians should seek joy. The difference is that happiness depends on outward circumstances, whereas joy is based on obeying Jesus and knowing that He loves us. Happiness is transitory; joy is permanent. People will notice the difference in your life.

• Peace – Friction exists between people and nations. Peace achieved in the human context is temporary. But God’s peace is lasting. You will be able to display the peace of God “which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand” (Philippians 4:7). People will be curious about your faith if you exhibit peace during difficult circumstances.

• Patience – In a society that demands instant gratification, your patience will be noticeable. Wait for God’s timing in the situations of your life without complaining or fretting. The world will want to know your secret.

• Kindness – There is nothing random about a spiritual act of kindness. While it may be spontaneous, it is the deliberate act of treating others fairly even if they treat you harshly. To have this attitude means treating them the way God does.

• Goodness – This involves helping people – not because they deserve it – but because you want to. It reflects a heart of generosity.

• Faithfulness – To be faithful means that that you are “entirely trustworthy and good” (Titus 2:10). If you are faithful, you are a person of your word and a person of God’s Word.

• Gentleness – There is nothing wimpy about someone who displays the character trait of gentleness. Think of a wild horse that has been tamed; the power is till there, but it is under control. Christians should be gentle people who have the confidence of knowing they have God’s power.

• Self-Control – This is the ability to have mastery over your thoughts and actions. If you have spiritual self-control, you let the Holy Spirit control your life. To keep your natural desires in check, you need to make a choice every day and in every way to “live according to your new life in the Holy Spirit” (Galatians 5:16).

Are you incapable of consistently reflecting those character traits? Maybe now, but as the Holy Spirit works in your life, they’ll be more and more noticeable in your life. This is the kind of “fruit” that reflects the heart of God to the world around you. And that’s the reason for it all. As Jesus said:

My true disciples produce much fruit. This brings great glory to my Father (John 15:8).

What God Wants You To Do - Part 3

Christianity 101 — Mon, 19 May 2008 15:48:40 -0700

GO TO CHURCH

Next to reading the Bible and praying, the most important thing you can do in your Christian life is go to church. That’s because the church is not some human idea or invention. The church is God’s great idea. Church is where the people who “belong to the Lord” and who have been “called out” by God (that’s what the word church literally means) gather regularly to worship God, study the Bible, and encourage one another.

Even though you probably go to a specific church, the definition of church is much broader than a particular location. In reality, the church includes all Christians—those who believe in the God of the Bible and have received Jesus Christ as their personal Savior—for all time. In other words, all Christians living today are part of the church, but so are all believers who have died. Here are some other qualities of the church:

• The church is invisible and visible. Because the church includes all genuine believers for all time, there is a sense in which the church is invisible. From our human perspective, we don’t know for sure who the true believers are, even in the church we attend. That’s because we can’t see people the way God sees them (1 Timothy 2:19). At the same time, the church is definitely visible. Professing Christians are the visible representation of the church.

Metaphors for the Church

To help us understand the true nature of the church, the Bible gives us several helpful metaphors and images. Here are three that relate to the three persons of the Trinity:

• The people of God. In the history of salvation, God has always called out people for Himself, for His purpose, and for His glory. The church can also be called the “family” of God. As believers, God is our heavenly Father (Ephesians 3:14), and we are His sons and daughters (2 Corinthians 6:18).

• The body of Christ. This is the apostle Paul’s favorite metaphor for the church, and he uses it in two ways. First, the body of Christ is the church as a body with various parts or members that function together for service. This part of the metaphor emphasizes the diversity and mutuality of the church. We all have different gifts and we all need each other (1 Corinthians 12:12-17). The other way Paul uses the metaphor emphasizes the unity of the church. We are all one body, and Christ is the head (Ephesians 1:22,23; 4:15,16).

• The temple of the Holy Spirit. A temple is a physical place where God dwells. The church is like that because it is the place where God dwells with His people through the Holy Spirit. This happens to each of us individually (1 Corinthians 6:19) and to the church corporately (1 Corinthians 3:16).

• The church is local and universal. The word church can apply to local groups, and it can also apply to the universal church, which is the church throughout the world. The bottom line is that all those who have been called out by God at any level are part of the church.

What To Expect When You Go to Church

If you’ve been going to church for a while, then none of what we’re about to share with you will be a surprise. But if you’re new to this church business, then you may find some helpful information about what to expect when you go to church.

1. You Will Be Worshiping God. Music, praise, and worship have always been vital parts of the Christian church experience. The apostle Paul says that songs and praises are the natural response of a person who is filled with the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:18,19). Worship styles will vary—from traditional to more contemporary. There is no right or wrong way to worship God, as long as you are directing praise to Him.

2. You Will Be Hearing the Word. When you were saved, the Word of God played an important part. Now that you’re a Christian, the Word of God is able to “build you up” (Acts 20:32). That’s why it’s important to go to a church where the Bible is taught consistently and systematically.

3. You Will Be Participating in Communion. The early church met together to participate in the Lord’s Supper (Acts 2:44-47), and it’s no different today. When you go to church, you will celebrate the Lord’s Supper, also known as Communion. By using the symbolism of bread and wine, the act of Communion is basically a time to remember the fact that Christ died for our sins (see 1 Corinthians 11:23-26). It is the fact of remembrance that is important, not the way communion is administered.

4. You Will Be Participating in Baptism. Jesus wants His followers to be baptized, not because it’s required for salvation, but because baptism is the way you make a public profession of your new life in Christ. Jesus placed an emphasis on baptism in His “Great Commission” (Matthew 28:18-20), so it must be pretty important. Whenever baptism appears in the Bible, it takes the form of someone being immersed in the water. There is some good symbolism in this: When we accept Christ as Savior, our old nature dies (the “going under the water” part), and we become a new creature in Christ (the “coming out of the water” part). Not all churches baptize by immersion—some prefer to “sprinkle”—which shows us once again that the logistics of baptism aren’t as important as the statement being made by doing it.

5. You Will Be Giving Your Tithes and Offerings. Did you know that the Bible has more to say about money that any other subject other than God? God doesn’t need your money, but you need to give your money as He directs. In addition to honoring God with your finances, God wants you to be a trustworthy steward (manager) of all the resources He has given to you. All of your resources belong to Him, and you should be using them for His glory.

6. You Will Be Putting Your Spiritual Gifts to Work. Your involvement in a local church is essential to your growing life in Christ because that will be the place where you will discover, exercise, and develop your spiritual gifts. As a Christian, you have at least one spiritual gift, which is given to you by the Holy Spirit for the purpose of helping and serving others (1 Corinthians 12:7). A list of the spiritual gifts can be found in 1 Corinthians 12:4-11; Romans 12:6-8; and 1 Peter 4:10,11.

What God Wants You To Do - Part 2

Christianity 101 — Thu, 15 May 2008 09:33:00 -0700

Learn To Pray

Before you start worrying about what to say when you pray, let’s consider whether you should pray at all. You’ve got many other things to think about as a new Christian. Perhaps this seemingly super-spiritual practice of “prayer” can be reserved for the veteran Christians and disregarded by the rookies.

Apparently not. God makes it very clear that He wants all Christians to be praying, because this is the primary way you talk with God. The Bible is pretty blunt about it, with verse like:

Pray at all times (Ephesians 6:18)
Devote yourselves to prayer (Colossians 4:2)
Keep on praying (1 Thessalonians 5:17)

God doesn’t ask us to pray because He is lonesome. (Don’t flatter yourself. He’s not lonely, and you’re not that great of a conversationalist.) God wants you praying because prayer gets Him involved in your life. His involvement is an essential if you are going to grow as a Christian. For example:

You gain spiritual strength through prayer.
You are equipped to resist temptation through prayer.
God will give you wisdom if you pray for it.
Prayer plays a part in physical healing.
You’ll only get to know God better as you communicate with Him.

Most importantly, prayer bring you into God’s presence. Conversing with God takes you out of your humdrum world and connects you with the Creator of the universe. And that happens immediately. God doesn’t have a waiting room where you have to sit for 35 minutes before talking with Him. He doesn’t put you on “hold” and force you to listen to angel harp-plucking while He answers prayers in the order that they are received. Nope. When you pray, you are immediately in God’s presence, and you’ve got His undivided attention.

The prospect of praying might be intimidating if you’re worried about what to say. That shouldn’t be a problem; God just wants you to talk with Him about those things that are of concern to you. But just in case you’re still drawing a blank, here are a few suggestions:

1. Praise God for Who He is. This is more for you than it is for Him. It reminds you that no one in heaven or on earth can compare with Him. You’ll be impressed with the fact that conversing with God is an awesome privilege.

2. Confess Your Sins. Your sins (past, present and future) where forgiven when you accepted Christ as your Savior. Sin in your life from this point on won’t jeopardize your salvation, but it will interfere with your ability to communicate openly and honestly with God. Without confession and an apology on your part, you’ll be living in spiritual arrogance. Let God know that you are sorry, and get your relationship back on track.

3. Pray for God’s Will. You’ll have your own ideas about what should happen in your life, but tell God that you want what He knows is best for you (even if it is different that what you have in mind).

4. Pray for others. It’s not all about you. Pray for others who are in difficult situations. Pray that they might see their need for Jesus. If they are already Christians, pray that they might feel His comfort and sense His wisdom.

There will be times when you are distraught or confused and can’t even articulate words. In those situations, don’t worry. The Holy Spirit can communicate for you with God when you are speechless:

And the Holy Spirit helps us in our distress. For we don’t even know what we should pray for, nor how we should pray. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. And the Father who know all harts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God’s own will (Romans 8:26-27).

Notice that we have been referring to prayer as talking with God – not talking to Him. Prayer is a two-way conversation. You will do some of the talking while God listens. But then you need to let God do some of the talking while you listen. When we refer to letting God talk, we don’t expect that you will be hearing little angel voices in your head. We don’t even think that you will hear God using His best James Earl Jones impression with a deep bass voice booming down from heaven.

God is most likely to speak to you in the quietness of your thoughts. As you pray for His direction, you are gong to get a sense of what He wants. He will speak to you by prompting your thoughts.

What God Wants You to Do - Part 1

Christianity 101 — Thu, 08 May 2008 13:50:12 -0700

READ THE BIBLE

Now that you’re a Christian, you probably want to know God’s will for your life. It’s only natural, because now you are living for God, and not for yourself. Even though people tend to worry about finding God’s will, it doesn’t have to be that way—because finding God’s will isn’t that difficult.

We’re not talking about the specific things in your life—such as what kind of career you should pursue, or who you should marry, or where you should live. While these are important matters (and they matter to God), they aren’t at the heart of what God wants you to do. In fact, living in the center of God’s will for your life begins with God doing a work in your life:

We ask God to give you a complete understanding of what he wants to do in your lives, and we ask him to make you wise with spiritual wisdom. Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and you will continually do good, kind things for others. All the while, you will learn to know God better and better (Colossians 1:9,10).

Do you see how this works? God is ready to give you a complete understanding of what He wants to do in your life. He wants to make you wise. But God won’t force Himself on you. It’s up to you to please God by getting to know Him better and better. And the way to do that is to read and study His Word, learn how to talk with God through prayer, and regularly gather with other believers in church. If you do that, you’re going to be in the center of God’s will, because you will be doing what He wants you to do.

God wants you to read the Bible because that is the primary way God talks to you. Much more than a book, the Word of God is full of living power (Hebrews 4:12). When you realize that the Bible is God’s personal message to you, you’ll be anxious to read all that the Bible has to say. The Bible is the only book you will ever read that is guaranteed to be 100 percent true. God presents things as they really are whether He is talking about Himself, or you, or any other aspect of His creation.

As you read and study the Bible, the most important thing you can do is to bring out the meaning. This is known as interpretation. When you interpret something, you make it plain and understandable. Here are some basic principles of interpretation:

Context rules. Whenever you read a chapter, a verse, or even a word of Scripture, it must always be taken in context, which means “that which goes with the text.” The more you know the entire Bible, the better you can correctly interpret individual passages or verses.
Scripture will never contradict Scripture. If two passages of Scripture seem to be in contradiction, one of two things is going on. Either your interpretation of at least one of the two passages is wrong, or your understanding is limited. Sometimes our human minds are unable to grasp the truths and mysteries of an infinite God (Isaiah 55:8).
Interpret Scripture literally. This means you interpret the Bible as it is written. As you read the Bible, consider the literary form or style, such as poetry, prophecy, and historical narrative.
Look for the author’s intended meaning. Don’t read something into a verse or passage that isn’t there, and don’t skip over something that is. Let the passage speak for itself.
Check your conclusions by using reliable Bible commentaries. As you read the Bible, you need to pray for God’s wisdom, identify the context, observed the obvious, deal with the text objectively, and read with a purpose. However, regardless of how knowledgeable you are, a good commentary (or a good Bible teacher) can be a plumb line for your own understanding and interpretation.
Live in the power of the Holy Spirit. One of the most important things the Holy Spirit does is to help you understand God’s Word (John 14:16,17). The Holy Spirit is your inside source, helping you to understand the things of God as you study the Bible.

With all this talk about study and effort, you could conclude that studying the Bible is like taking a course in school (only without the grade). But there’s much more to it than that. At its best, Bible study is a life-changing process that will result in God’s blessing, but only if you apply what the Bible says to your life (see James 1:22-25).

Do you want God to bless you? Do you want to live a life filled with God’s transforming power? Then study the Bible, learn to interpret it correctly, and apply what it says to your life. This is what God wants you to do.

All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It straightens us out and teaches us to do what is right. It is God’s way of preparing us in every way, fully equipped for every good thing God wants us to do (2 Timothy 3:16,17).

New Believers Part 3 - You Have an Inside Source

Christianity 101 — Fri, 02 May 2008 10:28:44 -0700

If you are like most new Christians, you’re probably wishing you had some kind of guide or mentor to help explain the intricacies of Christianity. Actually, clarifying the intricacies would be a luxury that can wait; you probably feel that you’ve got a more pressing and immediate need for help with some of the basics:

• You want to please God, but how do you know what that entails?
• You want to read the Bible, but you aren’t sure that you can make sense of it.
• You guess that you should be praying, but that puts you in unfamiliar territory.

Is it unrealistic to think that you – as a novice – can survive the Christian life without constant counseling by a spiritual advisor?

We’ve got good news and bad news for you in this regard. First, the bad news: Yes, it is unrealistic to think that you can hack it as Christian without intense guidance. But now, the good news: God has made arrangements for your personal spiritual tutor. And better news: This spiritual mentor is not just some seminary geek who is fluent in ancient Hebrew and has a complete set of Disciple trading cards. Your personal spiritual counselor is none other than God Himself – in the Person of the Holy Spirit.

Don’t get the wrong impression. The Holy Spirit is not just hovering around you like a chaperon at a high school prom. The arrangement is much more intimate than that. The Holy Spirit actually lives inside each believer. Of course, the Holy Spirit won’t show up on a CAT scan or in an X-ray, and you can’t use Him as an excuse for that bloated feeling you’ve had recently. But if you are a follower of Christ, the Holy Spirit is present in your life. This role of the Holy Spirit is referred to as His indwelling. Think of it as if your body is a temple for the Holy Spirit. That analogy isn’t a stretch; it’s in the Bible:

Or don’t you know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given by God? (1 Corinthians 6:19).

Here is what the Holy Spirit will do for you:

1. The Holy Spirit is a guarantee of your salvation. As you learn to sense the Holy Spirit in your life, He’ll be the guarantee of your salvation. He is the proof that you belong to God.

2. The Holy Spirit helps you know the mind of God. The Holy Spirit can help you understand the Bible. There are spiritual insights that He can give you that you could not comprehend on your own. Understanding the Word of God is the route to understanding the mind of God.

3. The Holy Spirit helps you pray. Prayer is an important part of the Christian life because it is how you will talk with God and tell Him your greatest needs and your deepest desires. It is how you will ask for direction. But how can you make sure that your prayers are getting past the ozone layer. That’s where the Holy Spirit comes in. The Holy Spirit assists you in prayer. Even when you don’t know what to say – or how to say it – the Holy Spirit can tell God what is in your heart. God will know exactly what you’re feeling because the Holy Spirit is in complete harmony with God.

4. The Holy Spirit helps you worship. God deserves our praise and worship, but that isn’t something that comes naturally to most of us, and we’re awkward at it. The Holy Spirit will help you worship God in a way that pleases Him.

5. The Holy Spirit helps you in your stress. The Christian life is not easy. God never promised that it would be. But God has given the Holy Spirit to each believer to help them through the difficulties of life. Jesus referred to the Holy Spirit as our “Comforter,” and that’s exactly what He is.

6. The Holy Spirit is your spiritual guide. The Holy Spirit can lead and direct you in the circumstances and decisions of your life. This process isn’t like using that magic 8-Ball or picking a fortune cookie at random. It involves allowing the Holy Spirit to guide you step-by-step in daily situations, but this guidance will most often focus more on your character and attitude rather than on innocuous choices whether God wants you to wear the plaid shirt or the one with stripes.

7. The Holy Spirit helps transform you. The goal of every Christian its to be more like Christ. This will never happen completely in our lifetimes on earth, but the Holy Spirit is engaged in the process of moving us in that direction.

8. The Holy Spirit has a supernatural gift for you. The Holy Spirit equips every Christian with a supernatural ability to minister. Although some of the “spiritual gifts” appear spectacular, most are more subtle. It is the spiritual sensitivity or results that make these gifts supernatural.

When the process of spiritual progress is particularly slow, some people complain that they need to get more of the Holy Spirit into their life. They have got it all wrong. Spiritual maturity is never a question of getting more of the Holy Spirit. If you are a believer, you already have all of Him. The question is just the opposite: “How much of you does the Holy Spirit have?” Spiritual growth is a matter of turning control of your life over to the Holy Spirit and following His direction instead of your own inclinations.

Blessing!