Pushing the envelop to spread the gospel

Tuesday night I helped lead the discussion after watching the video for the Alpha course. Our group is co-sponsoring this series with a local Lutheran group. They have been holding these studies for about 5 years and having good success at teaching basic Christian principles to interested people at all levels of commitment and non-commitment. When it became time to host the studies again they decided to try some new approaches. Since they are currently without their own permanent meeting place they asked us if they could use our building and invited us to join in the classes. We thought it was an interesting concept, a way to show Christian unity and to share in the spreading of the gospel to people we normally don't reach. We have about 12 people who come.

This co-sponsorship is what can happen when you realize your group doesn't have a monopoly on the truth and it allows the gospel to be shared.

love, acceptance, forgiveness

The more I read about Jesus' dealings with people the more certain attributes just reach out and grab me. Probably the most oblivious one is his love, but it does not portray a logical pattern. It includes groups diametrically opposed to each other. His love extends from the poor and downtrodden to the rich and self-proclaimed righteous - people who if not totally responsible for other's poverty, certainly don't care enough about those in that situation to try and help them. He also loved those inbetween these two extremes. Another unique feature of this love was its unconditionality. It apparently didn't matter what you had done or would do, you are still loved. To Jesus, love did not equate with approval of actions, because forgiveness/healing and admonishment to quit sinning went hand in hand when necessary.

Unconditional love for people naturally led to his acceptance of them. Unbridled acceptance is another impressive characteristic of Jesus. At one meal he would be feasting with a Pharisee and the next enjoying the company of lairs, cheats (also know as tax collectors), and prostitutes and even on occasion with a leper. This kind of love leads to acceptance, which leads to forgiveness, which leads to a willingness to listen which can bring about repentance.

It is encouraging to read about Jesus forgiving people because of their faith and yet confusing when he forgives them apparently just because he loves them. Our logic says, people should only be forgiven when they have expressed some remorse and asked for forgiveness. Yet Jesus shed his blood on the cross for our forgiveness, amidst the cries of crucify him, crucify him.

What can a disciple of Jesus, someone who is truly desirous of following Jesus do, but to love unconditionally, accept without restriction and be forgiving of whatever comes along?

Tagged

Here goes with my choices of books

A book(s) that changed my life besides the Bible- I was reading a lot of books at the time my life took a change in direction such as Free in Christ and Free to Accept by Cecil Hook; Split Grape Juice by Mike Root and 12 Steps for the Recovering Pharisee(like me) by John Fischer.

A book I've read more than once- That would be most of the books I own, but I will pick The Last Sin Eater by Francine Rivers.

A book I would take with me if I were stuck on a desert island. Outside of the Bible probably one of the Foxfire books.

A book that made me laugh- Any of the Calvin and Hobbes collections

A book that I wish had been written- It's not all about me.

A book I wish had never been written- Piloting the Strait by Dave Miller another one of those "my view of the church is the only right one and if you don't agree with me you are going to hell."

Books I have been meaning to read- The Cost of Discipleship by Dietrich Bonhoeffer,
Why I Am Afraid to Tell You Who I am by John Powell, New Perspectives on Paul by N.T. Wright

I'm currently reading - Every Man's Battle

The Real Mary

Scot Mcknight has just written a new book called "The Real Mary". Here is a link to the first 2 chapters. I have read them and I am amazed at what I have learn about Mary that I didn't know. I encourage you to read it.

The book is set to be released the first week in Nov. It is published by Paraclete Press

A laborless Labor Day (Almost)

It is amazing how many people have to work on Labor Day. As I remember Labor Day was started to honor the working person and their contributions to the economy with parades and festivals. Small town America still holds to this tradition as most of the stores are closed on Monday. I had a three day weekend which was good. We spent 2 of our three days in the mountains. On Sunday afternoon I went for a motorcycle ride with a friend, great fun. We didn't do any overnight camping and so we got to take care of the animals of our friends that were camping. We spent most of Saturday up with our friends the Elzeys and Idemas in the Beartooth mountains. Monday we drove to Red Lodge MT and then over Beartooth Pass which is one of the most scenic roads in America and back home. The little bit of labor I did have to do only consisted of pitching some hay for three horses morning and night for three days and mowing the yard. I know, I have easy.

Offense vs Defense

I came across a new interpretation (for me) on Matt 16:18. I had always used this verse to say that Satan would never defeat the church. I still believe that is true, and in fact God has already won the battle, satan didn't stand a chance. The use of the imagery of "gates of hades" is a defensive one not offensive as I have always thought. In a walled city gates are used to keep the enemy out and the inhabitants in. The "Gates of hades" do not attack, but defend and keep imprisoned the people satan has captured. This verse in actuality says the church has the power to overcome the gates and release all those held captive by satan, instead of just being able to defend itself against satan. If the church will go on the offensive it will be able to break down the gates of hades and release the prisoners. Why, because Jesus is the Christ, the son of the living God, and Jesus defeated satan at the cross and with his resurrection.

I love a good offense and God is the master-mind of the greatest one.