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It’s Not My Opinion
It’s Not My Opinion
I spend a lot of time in sermons, Bible studies, and yes, my blogs addressing opinions within the church world. There are those who criticize that because they believe that everyone has a right to their opinion.
We are talking about the word of God, redemption, eternal life, light of the world stuff.
There are lives hanging in the balance while people in the religious circles are defending their opinion. Attacking those of us who defend the truth of the Gospel. Not by opinion, but by the word of God. Not twisting it to confirm some religious issue. Simply telling the truth.
The truth is that God does not measure the value of someone based on your opinion. He found value in prostitutes, thieves, rebellious folks. He found value in the Jews that He came for, who rejected Him, and the Gentiles that He commissioned Apostolic ministry for.
He found value in children, working people, and slaves. People who had little knowledge of the scriptures that told of Him. People who knew every passage that announced His coming.
He found value in the sick, the diseased, and the oppressed.
The hungry and the poor.
I share all of this to remind us that Jesus loved everyone. He taught us to do the same.
I read something to day from an article on Facebook and I lost it in the feed. I would love to credit the individual because it moved me, and confirmed something that I have preached, and wrote about for years. It is very simple.
This is what was said. “When the church stops talking about Jesus, it has nothing to say.”
Many times our sermons and studies are sprinkled with our opinions. That is a normal thing, to some degree. Everyone shares from personal experience and understanding.
I read a lot. I read doctrine, theological principles. commentaries, and lexicons. All of these are valuable, and they should be used to confirm facts.
I am fully aware that there are things in the Bible that no one really understands. I have heard a number of opinions on end time, after death, and various other references in the Bible. We accept them as the Word of God, and await revelation and understanding as the need presents itself. It will come.
My overwhelming concern is the the telling of the story of Jesus. Our mission to the world is not to build denominational foundations. Walls of doctrinal and theological principles. I love to study and I love all this stuff.
Our mission is to win the lost, and then teach them to win the lost.
It will not be raving against sin that will do this. It will be telling the story of Jesus.
His birth, life, death, resurrection, and ascension.
It will not be your opinion that wins them. It will be the love of Christ that overwhelms them.
We must view everyone as if they have value in the eyes of God. Knowing that they do have value, they were made in His image. Everyone has a Divinely appointed destiny.
They are simply waiting for someone to tell them the story of Jesus.
Remember what brought this on today.
“When the church stops talking about Jesus, it has nothing to say.”
Have a great week and be blessed. #inHisname
The Quest for Excellence
The Quest for Excellence
For the most part I am a very positive guy. While a lot of folks are crying the doom and gloom of sin, I see awesome opportunities. Opportunities to share His story. Reach out in our communities. Get involved in the structures of our towns and cities, interjecting the light of Christ as opportunities present themselves.
Not necessarily with words, but with our lives and our love for our communities. Giving, teaching, blessing, and sharing with the same passion that Jesus did.
I won’t deny that I embrace every chance I get to challenge those who misrepresent the Gospel, and the 5 fold ministry.
These things are my passion, and I will never stop addressing these issues, not with my opinion, but with the Biblical authority that is very plain.
Paul often spoke in terms of being excellent. Excellent in our lives, and our presentation of the Gospel. Excellent in our communities. In our thoughts and our actions.
Philippians 4:4-9
4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!
5 Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near.
6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
8 Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.
9 The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
What an awesome passage to encourage us to thrive in the excellence of our Lord. Guarding our hearts with the mind of Christ, and doing things that cause the world to see Jesus in our actions.
Jesus taught us by example to love and respect people with needs. Healing the sick, encouraging the hopeless. Feeding the poor, and forgiving the sins of the hurting and wounded.
He also taught us to stand against the religious system that failed to do this. The same religious system that rejected Him, and His love for those who hunger and thirst.
The same religious system that refuses to embrace sinners with the love and grace of God today.
I will never understand how the church expects people to follow Christ, and believe in His love and grace, when the first thing they do is tell them that this same Jesus will send them to hell.
I pray everyday that we all embrace excellence. In our thoughts, words, love, and our work. Doing our best, being our best, as we share our hopes and dreams in this amazing world.
All the while, with every opportunity, telling someone about Jesus.
Partake of Him and you will never hunger. Drink of Him and never thirst. He is eternal life, and there is plenty of room in His kingdom for everyone.
Regardless of the sin or failure He is there to forgive, and pick them up.
I love the Lord. What an awesome season for the story of Jesus. Live it, tell it, and watch it change your world.
Praying blessings for you always, In His Name.
#lovewins #hopelives. #inHisname
Awesome Message by Bishop Richard Hilton
Take a look at this great word from the Lord, shared by Bishop Richard Hilton, and awesome worship by Theresa Hilton. http://bit.ly/2wjwGZP
I love the Journey
I Love the Journey
I have spent a lot of time addressing topics that I have issues with. I never shrink away from defending Biblical principles regarding the church. In many of my posts I share the Biblical version of the Gospel. The Gospel is not open for opinion. It is clearly defined as the story of Jesus.
I have wanted to tell a little bit about myself and the journey that God has blessed me to walk. By the way I am praying that there is a lot of journey left.
In prayer I say to the Father often, I have always been in your hands, and will always be in your hands.
With all the mistakes and bad decisions I have made over the course of my life. God has always been with me. Loving, correcting, teaching, and forgiving.
Every life has a purpose. Even when you go off course you still have a purpose. You complicate the process when you move beyond His plan but He will help you move back in line with His will.
I have found myself at an age that I thought would have taken a lot longer to reach. I know that sounds weird, but the years pass so fast. Even faster than I ever imagined.
With that said I feel a greater urgency than ever. I don’t have time to deal with issues and yes, even people that aren’t going where God is taking me. That simply means that their purpose is different than mine. If I can help I will, if they have a word for me I will listen.
I am just saying that I don’t have time to waste.
I love the church, and I love the Gospel. It has been my life since I was 16 years old. I pray for the church every day. The Gospel story is the greatest message that the church has. The story of Jesus will change lives, heal divides, and strengthen relationships.
We live in an awesome season of ministry. Opportunities to change communities, reveal Jesus to the burdened and the hopeless. We have an opportunity like never before.
An opportunity to tear down walls of unbelief. To bring faith and hope to folks who have none. To help these people find their purpose in the Kingdom of God.
There are all sorts of new things, and new ideas to reach into the hearts of those who have yet to follow Christ. I am for everyone that holds true to the Gospel message.
Music can change, I love it. The presentations become more technological. These computer generated ministry helps are awesome. Still, the Gospel message is the only message that can change lives.
I am dedicated to that message. The story of Jesus. His birth, life, death, resurrection, and ascension. Confirm it from the OT. Preach it with passion and Kingdom authority. Allowing everyone, no matter their lifestyle or their depth of sin and failure to hear that amazing story.
Jesus loves them and we must do the same.
My passion is preaching personal responsibility. Our responsibility to be the light and the salt in our world. Reaching beyond walls of division, and digging deep into the darkness that surrounds the lost.
I don’t preach inspirational stories, reminding people of the good old days. When times were different, and the world was so much better.
Make the world better now, if you don’t like it. Move beyond the past, and bring your knowledge and faith in Christ to the world you live in.
Inspiring people to grow and move forward. Forgiving those who have wronged you. Letting go of who you used to be, and become who He has created you to be.
I guess I just can’t help preaching a little bit.
I have a wonderful church family. Faithful and dedicated to the message we share at Amazing Life Church.
My wife Betty is an awesome gift of God. Our kids are such a blessing, and we have friends that we love with all our heart.
When you get a chance you can subscribe to my blog. That way you will be notified when I post something new.
Be prepared. I can get controversial, and I will definitely call out with intense passion, when I hear or read something that corrupts the Gospel.
Tell your story, along with the story of Jesus. It will change lives and change your world.
With a prayer for blessings and favor to all, I will close for now.
Oh, don’t forget, I love this journey. Praying that you love yours. In His Name.
#lovewins #hopelives