It's CHRISTmas!

Lately, we evangelical Christians, have been known for our anger, when others try to stop people from expressing our faith in the public arena.
I want us to think of the "tone" of our comments. I, personally, am turned off by someone's outbursts of anger. I try to avoid others who burst out in criticism.

However, I want us to think of the only time, in the Gospels, when the writers clearly said Jesus was "angry". It is found in Mark 3:1-6.

This event happened in a synagogue. We don't know which one, but we do know that some were there looking for ways to "accuse Jesus." The person used was a man with a shriveled hand.

First, Jesus had the man "stand up in front of everyone."

Second, He asked them about their interpretation of the Sabbath Law: "Which is lawful on the Sabbsath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?" This question was very confrontational. It also got to the point: "I disagree with your interpretation of the Sabbath Law!" They refused to answer!

Third, (this is why I'm writing this blog), verse 5 says (NIV), "He looked around at them in anger and, deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts..."  My interpretation of this is that this is an issue worth getting angry about! Jesus saw their interpretation as a challenge to what God originally meant when He established the Sabbath Law for the Israelites.

You and I also have issues being presented to us that are worth getting angry about!  It is not the purpose of this blog to enumerate them.  There are many things wrong with our society today. These are issues we need to speak about.  However, it is the next part of the verse that deals with how we should react when we are "angry without sin."

Fourth, Jesus turned to the man with the shriveled hand, and said to him, "Stretch out your hand." Mark shares the result: "He stretched it out, and his hand was completely restored."

Maybe you are saying: "So what?" The "so what" I want us to think about is what is God's way of dealing with unbelief and disobedience when we are confronted with wrong views? Jesus "did the right thing" and healed the man, on the Sabbath, in front of everyone, in spite being surrounded by accusers!

Here is my suggestion for how to handle the "secularization" of our society: DO THE RIGHT THING, EVEN WHEN CRITICIZED OR SOMEONE TELLS YOU IT IS WRONG!

This is Christmas season, and the owners of many stores and other public places are telling their employees not to wish the shoppers "Merry Christmas".

OK. They can't, but I can! Tell the employers "Merry (my preference is "Blessed") CHRISTmas!" instead.  Go around joyful! We are celebrating the birth of our Savior! He has made us His children, through faith in Him!

The early Christians (the first three hundred years) and believers in lands that persecute believers in Jesus Christ should be our examples.  Luke, in Acts 8:4, shares how the persecuted (and scattered) believers reacted: "those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went." 

Can we do any less? Have a Blessed CHRISTmas!

Biblical Congregationalism

I'm a Conservative Congregationalist, who believes in biblical Congregationalism.

Let me tell you what that means to me.

First of all, biblical Congregationalism is NOT democracy! Democracy came from Congregationalism, but the two are not the same.

Here is why:
1) The Bible clearly teaches that the "Church" belongs to Jesus Christ. He is the Lord and Ruler of every local church.
2) Democracy is when each of us is allowed his/her opinions to be heard.  That is not the purpose of voting in Biblical Congregationalism.
3) The Bible clearly teaches that every believer is able to hear the voice of our Head, Jesus Christ. This is called "the priesthood of every believer", and comes from 1 Peter 2:4-10, etc. 

The Apostle Paul listened to the advice and counsel of a) other prophets and apostles; b) other elders, and c) women believers.

Now, I know that Congregationalism has been pictured as a bunch of individuals stating their own opinions.  This kind of thinking is wrong, and results in much quarrelling, back-biting, and splits.

However, I believe the Bible clearly teaches that all true believers have the responsibility to listen carefully to Jesus Christ, and then state the thoughts He gives to them.  I have learned much from the humble individual believer who counsels me, corrects me, and even chastizes me when I am wrong.

There have been times when I was sure I was right; and then, someone (both men and women, elected leaders and "just church members") comes to me, or stands up in a meeting, and lovingly reveals my wrong thinking, and shows me Jesus Christ's better answer.

I want you to think this through with me.

Pastor Rod's New Blog

Hello and Merry Christmas!

Thank you for taking the time to visit my Blog from Plymouth Congregational Church in Scottsbluff, Nebraska.