Why I Am A Bible Thumper

The trick to living life is prioritizing: You need to figure out what is most important, and make it the main goal of your life. I personally believe that the gospel is more important than any other pursuit, and therefore my life needs to revolve around the gospel: preaching it, living it, training my children in it. It is nothing to be ashamed of because it trumps all other concerns that we think are important.

The Apostle Paul agrees with me:

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.” (Romans 1:16)

The gospel is important because it tells us how to obtain the one thing we all need: salvation. Believing it will save us from sin, selfishness, and the wrath of God. Those who do not follow it are slaves of their own sinful desires, bringing down disaster on themselves and attempting to do so to others.

But the gospel, this simple truth that many people mock and despise, is the answer to our problem. It is “the power of God” and is therefore capable of rescuing those of us who admit that we have no power to save ourselves. When we believe the gospel we believe in God’s capability and willingness to save us, despite of our complete inability to save ourselves. Jesus shed blood is the only thing that can take away sin, and it is applied to “everyone who believes” both Jew and Gentile. That’s a promise that you can take to the bank.

Why You Need To Hang Out With Other Faithful Believers

Faithful believers in Jesus Christ need to take the time to meet and fellowship with other faithful believers. When we do this we encourage each other, and our faith becomes stronger, as the Apostle Paul indicates in his opening of his Epistle to the Romans.

I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong— ¹² that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith. (Romans 1:11-12 NIV)

Some Christians don’t seem to have any desire to meet and talk to other steadfast believers, and when they do meet them, they don’t want to talk about spiritually related things. To me, this seems unnatural. As a born again child of God I want naturally to meet with other born again children and discuss with them our mutual experience of God’s grace, love, and mercy.

 

 

Called To Be An Apostle

“Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God” (Romans 1:1 NIV)

At the opening of the Book of Romans, Paul refers to himself as someone “called to be an apostle and set apart from the gospel of God.” The word “apostle” means “sent one.” So Paul is making the claim here that God himself has chosen him for his unique mission, which chiefly includes being “set apart” to preach the gospel for others.

There is definitely a sense in which all true believers are “apostles.” We have each been sent to this planet for a purpose, but not all for the same one. Our specific roles in God’s plan are diverse. Most of us are not called to be full time missionaries like the apostle Paul was. Nevertheless, we must obey God and do whatever it is He has called us to do. Disobedience is not an option for a mature believer. We do not get to decide what our ministry is: that is God’s decision. He has “set apart” each of us for something, we must be prayerfully honest in finding out what it is and pursuing it. God will equip us with the power and gifts we need to accomplish His will for us. The only way we could miss it is if we are selfishly disobedient.

Therefore, you do not need to roll dice in order to find God’s will for your life. Simply focus on your spiritual walk with God, make sure that you are not being ruled by arrogance or selfishness, and then you will accomplish what God wants you to accomplish. The only thing that will keep you from the right path is sin. So don’t make yourself miserable worrying about the big choices that face you; rather work your hardest to combat sin in your life.

Jesus Let Them Bring Some Of Their Own Fish

Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.” ¹¹ So Simon Peter climbed back into the boat and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn. ¹² Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. ¹³ Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. ¹⁴ This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead. (John 21:10-14 NIV)

I find it interesting here that Jesus allowed Peter to contribute some of the fish he had caught to their meal. Of course Jesus was capable of miraculously creating a meal for his disciples without their help, as he had already proven several times. But here He asks them to contribute. He didn’t need their help, but He wanted their help. That is why He had allowed them to catch so many fish in the first place (verse 6) so that they would have something to contribute.

Likewise, Jesus gives us opportunities today to contribute to His cause. He gives us money, talent, time, health, courage, etc. that we can use for Him. He doesn’t need our help, but He wants it, for our sake. Because whenever we invest our efforts in His cause we end up growing. Therefore Jesus gives us many gifts, so that we can give them back to Him.

A Friendly Thought for Ebenezer Lutheran Church, Sheboygan Wi

ABOUT EBENEZER LUTHERAN CHURCH

I have been able to learn very little about Ebenezer Lutheran Church from the internet. They are located at 1431 St. Clair Avenue. I have not been able to find out who their pastor is, or if they have a website.

MY COMMENT

Since I know nothing about this church, let me just say that I hope that they are faithfully preaching as Paul commanded his protege Timothy:

“In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: ² Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. ³ For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.⁴ They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. ⁵ But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.” (II Timothy 4:1-4)

Be prepared to preach always that Jesus is the only way to God, and that all must repent of their sins (Luke 13:3, II Corinthians 7:10) and believe in Him (Romans 10:9). Those who do not repent are not saved, regardless of whether or not they have been baptized (Mark 16:16).

God did not allow any of Jesus’ bones to be broken

These things happened so that the scripture would be fulfilled: “Not one of his bones will be broken,” and, as another scripture says, “They will look on the one they have pierced.” (John 19:36-37 NIV)

God was remained completely in control when Jesus died on the cross. Even though Satan was allowed to kill Jesus, it was only in the manner in which God fore-ordained for the purpose that God fore-ordained. Satan was never allowed free rein to do what he wanted. He was not even able to break a single one of Jesus’ bones because God did not permit it.

Nearly fourteen hundred years earlier God had sent a sign to the world concerning the Messiah’s bones. Jesus, the “lamb of God: was pictured prophetically in the passover lamb that was eaten yearly by the Jews under the Mosaic law:

“It must be eaten inside the house; take none of the meat outside the house. Do not break any of the bones. ⁴⁷ The whole community of Israel must celebrate it.” (Exodus 12:46-47).

but they are to do it on the fourteenth day of the second month at twilight. They are to eat the lamb, together with unleavened bread and bitter herbs. ¹² They must not leave any of it till morning or break any of its bones. When they celebrate the Passover, they must follow all the regulations. (Numbers 9:11-12)

Jesus Christ is our Passover lamb. The blood that he spilled on Calvary protects us from God’s vengeance on sin, just as the Israelites who spread the blood of the passover lamb on their doorposts were protected from the angel of vengeance 3,400 years ago. In the rituals of this passover lamb we see the prophecy that Christ’s bones would not be broken when He would come to atone for the sin of the world. This may seem like a minor detail. And yet, it is very important. The fact that it was predicted over a thousand years in advance emphasizes the fact that God was completely in control of every detail of Christ’s death. This should be encouraging to all of us when we go through trials and difficulties, because God is still in control over what happens to us as well. Even the slightest detail is part of His divine plan. Therefore, we need not worry and panic about the future. Our job is to believe and trust Him.

Jesus Remained In Control When The Pharisees Came To Arrest Him

When he had finished praying, Jesus left with his disciples and crossed the Kidron Valley. On the other side there was a garden, and he and his disciples went into it.

² Now Judas, who betrayed him, knew the place, because Jesus had often met there with his disciples.³ So Judas came to the garden, guiding a detachment of soldiers and some officials from the chief priests and the Pharisees. They were carrying torches, lanterns and weapons.

⁴ Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to him, went out and asked them, “Who is it you want?”

⁵ “Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied.

“I am he,” Jesus said. (And Judas the traitor was standing there with them.) ⁶ When Jesus said, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground.

⁷ Again he asked them, “Who is it you want?”

“Jesus of Nazareth,” they said.

⁸ Jesus answered, “I told you that I am he. If you are looking for me, then let these men go.” ⁹ This happened so that the words he had spoken would be fulfilled: “I have not lost one of those you gave me.” (John 18:1-9)

It was always Jesus’ plan to be captured and delivered to death, and for His disciples to escape death at that time. The situation may have seemed precarious as the disciples were surrounded and outnumbered, but God had everything under control. Everything that took place that night was part of God’s eternal sovereign plan. Likewise, everything happening to you today is part of God’s plan too. Do not be afraid: He is in control.

 

The Religious Leaders Came After Jesus With Torches And Weapons

 When he had finished praying, Jesus left with his disciples and crossed the Kidron Valley. On the other side there was a garden, and he and his disciples went into it.

² Now Judas, who betrayed him, knew the place, because Jesus had often met there with his disciples.³ So Judas came to the garden, guiding a detachment of soldiers and some officials from the chief priests and the Pharisees. They were carrying torches, lanterns and weapons. (John 18:1-3)

Here we see that priceless scene of the religious leaders hungry for innocent blood, coming to take Jesus by “force.” They came armed with weapons, which was foolish, for no weapons of wood or iron can defeat the One who created the Universe. They also came with torches, because they were incapable of seeing in the dark. Ironically, the one who they were coming to capture was the True light of the world, who alone can help people out of their spiritual blindness.

The Goal of Jesus’ preaching is bring true believers into a loving relationship with God

Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. ²⁶ I have made you^[e] known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.” (John 17:25-26)

Jesus preaches God the Father to us so that we may learn what He is like, and learn about the love between the Father and the Son. This same love will indwell us who truly believe, as Jesus lives inside us.

How to get “the world” to believe in Jesus

My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, ²¹ that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. (John 17:20-21).

Some Christians believe that they can convince other people to believe in Christ on the basis of logic alone. While it is true that there is a lot of logical evidence for Christianity (assuming one is open minded) it is also true that logic by itself rarely is effective in convincing anyone of anything. Ultimately we must not provide just a brilliant argument, but a brilliant way of life. Jesus says here that it is necessary for believers to be “in” Him and the Father in order for the world to believe. They will not believe if we keep acting like the world. They will only believe if we are visibly transformed by the power of God who dwells inside us through the Holy Spirit.