All posts tagged: Theology

An album you can argue with

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By Joe Thorn: Propaganda is one of the hip hop artists on the Humble Beast label. You may have seen his spoken word piece, G.O.S.P.E.L. You may have heard his earlier album, or even seen him perform live. But you probably haven’t heard his newest album yet. Excellent is dropping on September 25th, , and I’ll be honest-some of you aren’t ready for it. It’s too different, too much—too hard. And I don’t mean hard like it will blow your hair back. I mean this album is hard in its content, confrontation, and cause. It’s an album that will stir you and challenge you. If you try to just kick back and easily enjoy it you just might find yourself unprepared to wrestle with Propaganda’s grave, yet gracious words. You have to listen to Excellent like you’re supposed to listen to a person, not like one might mindlessly listen to your average pop album. You need to listen to this album to understand, not just enjoy. If you do the former, you’ll get the latter. …

Holy Spirit, living breath of God

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A prayer for the Holy Spirit to bring inward change Holy Spirit, living Breath of God, Breathe new life into my willing soul. Bring the presence of the risen Lord To renew my heart and make me whole. Cause Your Word to come alive in me; Give me faith for what I cannot see; Give me passion for Your purity. Holy Spirit, breathe new life in me. A prayer for the Holy Spirit to help bear fruits Holy Spirit, come abide within; May Your joy be seen in all I do— Love enough to cover ev’ry sin In each thought and deed and attitude, Kindness to the greatest and the least, Gentleness that sows the path of peace. Turn my striving into works of grace. Breath of God, show Christ in all I do. A prayer for the Holy Spirit to energize the church Holy Spirit, from creation’s birth, Giving life to all that God has made, Show your power once again on earth; Cause Your church to hunger for Your ways. Let the fragrance …

He’s not finished with me yet!

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In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him stood the seraphim. Each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And one called to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!” And the foundations of the thresholds shook at the voice of him who called, and the house was filled with smoke. And I said: “Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts!” I hope I can impress on you today through this short passage the need to live daily in a spirit of worship and continuous repentance. I don’t think you can truly get to a genuine, …

Slain in the Spirit – part 1

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The phrases “slain in the Spirit,” “falling under the power,” or “resting in the Spirit” are not found in the Bible. They are used, however, to describe the experience of falling to the floor under the power of the Holy Spirit. Although being slain in the Spirit seems to be a distinguishing characteristic of some recent revivals and evangelistic ministries, there are recorded accounts of people falling under the power of God or being slain in the Spirit in 18th and 19th century revivals. Some of the earlier recorded prostration experiences were related to sinners falling under conviction for their sins. More frequently in the modern Pentecostal/Charismatic revival, believers who are slain in the Spirit experience an extended, intense time of inner work of the Spirit tailored to the specific nature or needs of the individual. Some expositors have noted that in all biblical instances of the powerful presence of God causing one to fall prostrate, the position was always face down, while in contemporary instances, the worshipper falls backward. When the number of worshippers …

Conflict Resolution: Three Thing To Avoid

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If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. Matthew 18:15 1. Do everything in your power to avoid using email, text messages, or Facebook and twitter to either confront or respond to any conflict related issues. Chances are you will be misunderstood. Chances are the problem may take longer to be resolved. Chances are the problem could be blown out of proportion. Meet face to face, resolve the issue, give your apology, affirm your love or appreciation for each other, and recommit to the relationship. If this first step doesn’t work, study Matthew 18, all the while, staying humble, prayerful and sensitive to the Holy Spirit. 2. Always remember #1 3. Never forget # 1 Conclusion: Sometimes a conflict can happen between people living far apart geographically. In this instance a simple apology may suffice. Recognize your fault, humble yourself, give no excuses, give no explanations, just say – I’M Sorry!

Spiritual Gymnastics

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Gumnos: throwing off every encumbrance Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness. 1 Tim. 4:7 The word “train” comes from the Greek word Gumnos which means “naked” a word from which we also get our English word gymnasium. It is said that traditional greek athletes trained and competed without clothes. So to “train” literally meant to exercise naked or compete without clothes. The reason behind this practice was to allow the competitor to be free of every encumbrance that would burden and keep him/her from maximum performance. For Paul, connecting this word “train” to godliness will mean that his audience will begin to exercise their faith by training themselves to begin learning how to discard bad habits, evil tendencies, and anything or any lifestyle that impedes godliness. The scripture says it this way… “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before …

Battle Hymn of the Republic

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Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the lord, He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored, He hath loosed his fateful lightning of His terrible swift sword, His truth is marching on Glory! Glory ! Hallelujah! Glory! Glory! Hallelujah Glory! Glory ! Hallelujah! His truth is marching on I have seen Him in the watch fires of a hundred circling camps, They have builded Him an altar in the evening dews and damps, I can read his righteous sentence in the dim and daring lamps, His day is marching on Glory! Glory ! Hallelujah! Glory! Glory! Hallelujah Glory! Glory ! Hallelujah! His truth is marching on I have read a fiery Gospel writ in burnished rows of steel, “As ye deal with My contemners so with you My grace shall deal,” Let the Hero born of woman crush the serpent with His heel, Since God is marching on Glory! Glory ! Hallelujah! Glory! Glory! Hallelujah Glory! Glory ! Hallelujah! His truth is marching on He has …

Yes! He is God.

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I grew up going to the kingdom hall. My entire family used to be Jehovah’s Witnesses. So the very first question I asked the Jesus when I got saved was this – “Are You God?” His answer was a resounding “yes!” From the day he showed me John chapter 1, it has remained one of my favorite chapters in the entire Bible. The bible talks about the beginning. The beginning of Genesis 1:1 – when God created the heaven and earth. It is not talking about the beginning of God – because God has no beginning. Therefore since God has no beginning but exist from eternity to eternity and the word was with Him in eternity the ‘Word’ (Jesus) could not have been created. In fact the bible says, the ‘Word’ was with and the ‘Word’ was God. This ‘Word’ stepped out of eternity into time in the person of Jesus – the Christ – the Son of the living God – which happens to be a technical term used for Jesus. He has always been …

Code of Ethics for Pastor

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We put no stumbling block in anyone’s path, so that our ministry will not be discredited. (2 Corinthians 6:3) Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. (Philippians 1:27) All who are called by God to the ministry of the gospel solemnly commit to a life of joyful obedience and selfless service in order to glorify God and enrich his people. Therefore, a minister will: Pursue Integrity I know, my God, that you test the heart and are pleased with integrity. All these things I have given willingly and with honest intent. (1 Chronicles 29:17) • in personal character. Exalt Christ, not self. Be honest, not exaggerating or overpromising; peace-loving, not contentious; patient, not volatile; diligent, not slothful. Avoid and, when necessary, report conflicts of interest and seek counsel. • in personal care. Care for the spiritual, mental, emotional and physical dimensions of your person, for “your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit” (1 Corinthians 6:19). • in preaching and teaching. Interpret the Bible accurately and apply it discerningly: …

What good is the local Church?

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The Church is universal, the Church is local. The Church is the joyful assembly of the redeemed of all ages. The Church is the body of Christ extended through time and space. The holy church has two lives: one in time and the other in eternity. – Gregory the Great The Church is the bride of Christ, even though it sometimes acts like a wayward bride The local church is where believers are discipled, commissioned to be light of the world. The local church is where the broken is mended, the sick healed, and where friends become friends forever. The local church cares for the poor and fights for justice in our world. The local church is the body of Christ, the hands and feet of the master. The local church is where spiritual gifts are used for the common good, where believers learn to use their talents to serve others. The local church is where the gospel is preached, sinners are saved, prayers are offered, ministers ordained, the sacraments celebrated, and a cup of …