1 Corinthians 1: 10-17
10 I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought. 11My brothers, some from Chloe's household have informed me that there are quarrels among you. 12What I mean is this: One of you says, "I follow Paul"; another, "I follow Apollos"; another, "I follow Cephas]"; still another, "I follow Christ."
13Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized into the name of Paul? 14I am thankful that I did not baptize any of you except Crispus and Gaius, 15so no one can say that you were baptized into my name. 16(Yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I don't remember if I baptized anyone else.) 17For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel—not with words of human wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.
The best way to say this is that the people had lost the focus on Christ and put the focus on the preacher. We see much the same today in churches throughout our communities. People focused on the preacher, or the music, or the ministries, yet there is not much focus put on the teachings of Christ. Or more to the point there is a lot of flash, but not a lot of substance. This is what Paul was talking about when he talks of emptying the cross of Christ of its power.
To take it even a step further, when we think division within the Church, we think of all of the different denominations. We have, on many levels, let legalism dictate our beliefs, instead of aligning our beliefs to the doctrine of the Lord.
I was talking to a fella the other day; he is quite convinced that the Catholics are going to hell. He had all types of examples of why, yet none of the examples really had anything to do with going against sound doctrine, his examples were largely based on his beliefs, not the Lord’s. In the same respect I have heard Catholic priests talk long and hard about why they are the one true faith, and all others are deceived.
I do not mean to point fingers or start any disagreements, what I am trying to bring to light is the foolishness of all of this bickering. In John 17 Jesus is praying to his father for all believers, listen to what he says “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 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.” That all of them might be one…..no us and them within the community. I do not think Christ could have been anymore specific about how he wants us to live as a Christian community. To borrow a line from our founding fathers, Unified, E pluribus Unum….out of many, one.
Now I am not saying that everyone needs to quit their Church, or that a specific denomination is a bad thing, What I am saying is that we are Christians first, and foremost, that is the key; that is the glue that bonds us together as brothers, and sisters.
We should be striving as a community to come together, not tear each other apart. We should be looking for all the things that we agree on, and believe me, there is more that we all agree on than we disagree about. Each of us need to drop the pre-text that comes with our denomination, and join hands as Christ intended us to, all as one, in Him, as He is in the Father.
Peace,
Rev. Thetford
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
1 Corinthians 1 Division
1 Corinthians 1
1Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and our brother Sosthenes,
2To the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be holy, together with all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ—their Lord and ours:
3Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
4I always thank God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus. 5For in him you have been enriched in every way—in all your speaking and in all your knowledge— 6because our testimony about Christ was confirmed in you. 7Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed. 8He will keep you strong to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful.
Many of the letters that Paul wrote were directed at very specific problems, and specific Churches. However when we look at these letters we can easily see where the same message still applies today. I want to start off looking at the letters to the Corinthians.
First let’s look at the Town itself. Corinth was a town in what is now Greece. It was a major trade route between East and West, and it had two major ports. This made it a very prosperous town. The atmosphere might not have been as high society as Athens, but it was a major city nonetheless.
As one can imagine a port town, and a town along the trade artery there were many different people and many different customs. The largest amounts of the population were made up of Jews, Romans, and Asians. So, many different people, many different religious backgrounds.
One thing that many people here in the States take for granted is the concept that Christianity “has always been”. Not many people give much thought to the struggle and rejection that the early Apostles were met with. While Christ was a very well known figure, and many people far and wide knew of him, and knew of his works, many more had not. This was the great commission that Christ gave us when he said in John chapter 15: 16You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. Christ was very well aware of the hardships his followers would face. I bring this up because it is important to understand that being a Christian and preaching the teachings of Christ back in the time of Paul was no small feat. Often when people did start to follow, and a Church would be founded, the Apostle would leave, and the Church would be spiritually attacked by people wanting to distort the truth. Worse yet, sometimes the Church would lose the focus of Christ and start to splinter among themselves.
This is the situation that we find the Church of Corinth in. Paul started a church within a pagan community, only to find that after he left it was starting to fracture. We know that there was not only the Jewish faith, and the Pagans to contend with, but within the Christian faith there were people who wanted to distort the teachings of Christ. There were groups that wanted to adhere to very strict regulations, there were groups that wanted to only take the easy part of being a Christian, and this led to them trying to teach acts that led to disorder within the faith.
Paul opens up his letter establishing his authority, or more to the point establishing that he is speaking on behalf of the Lord. Paul also makes reference to Sosthenes, who was at one time the leader of the synagogue at Corinth, and became a Christian convert, and a minister under Paul. Paul goes on to give thanks and praise for the followers of Christ in Corinth, and makes it clear that they all know the teachings of Christ, and have in the past held true to those teachings.
Paul then moves on to the first problem within the church, division.
I will pick up with this tomorrow,
Peace,
Rev. Thetford
1Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and our brother Sosthenes,
2To the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be holy, together with all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ—their Lord and ours:
3Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
4I always thank God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus. 5For in him you have been enriched in every way—in all your speaking and in all your knowledge— 6because our testimony about Christ was confirmed in you. 7Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed. 8He will keep you strong to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful.
Many of the letters that Paul wrote were directed at very specific problems, and specific Churches. However when we look at these letters we can easily see where the same message still applies today. I want to start off looking at the letters to the Corinthians.
First let’s look at the Town itself. Corinth was a town in what is now Greece. It was a major trade route between East and West, and it had two major ports. This made it a very prosperous town. The atmosphere might not have been as high society as Athens, but it was a major city nonetheless.
As one can imagine a port town, and a town along the trade artery there were many different people and many different customs. The largest amounts of the population were made up of Jews, Romans, and Asians. So, many different people, many different religious backgrounds.
One thing that many people here in the States take for granted is the concept that Christianity “has always been”. Not many people give much thought to the struggle and rejection that the early Apostles were met with. While Christ was a very well known figure, and many people far and wide knew of him, and knew of his works, many more had not. This was the great commission that Christ gave us when he said in John chapter 15: 16You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. Christ was very well aware of the hardships his followers would face. I bring this up because it is important to understand that being a Christian and preaching the teachings of Christ back in the time of Paul was no small feat. Often when people did start to follow, and a Church would be founded, the Apostle would leave, and the Church would be spiritually attacked by people wanting to distort the truth. Worse yet, sometimes the Church would lose the focus of Christ and start to splinter among themselves.
This is the situation that we find the Church of Corinth in. Paul started a church within a pagan community, only to find that after he left it was starting to fracture. We know that there was not only the Jewish faith, and the Pagans to contend with, but within the Christian faith there were people who wanted to distort the teachings of Christ. There were groups that wanted to adhere to very strict regulations, there were groups that wanted to only take the easy part of being a Christian, and this led to them trying to teach acts that led to disorder within the faith.
Paul opens up his letter establishing his authority, or more to the point establishing that he is speaking on behalf of the Lord. Paul also makes reference to Sosthenes, who was at one time the leader of the synagogue at Corinth, and became a Christian convert, and a minister under Paul. Paul goes on to give thanks and praise for the followers of Christ in Corinth, and makes it clear that they all know the teachings of Christ, and have in the past held true to those teachings.
Paul then moves on to the first problem within the church, division.
I will pick up with this tomorrow,
Peace,
Rev. Thetford
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Merry Christmas
"Glory to God in the highest and peace to those on whom his favor rests" Luke 2:14
I want to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas!!! Happy Birthday Jesus!!
Peace,
Rev. Thetford
I want to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas!!! Happy Birthday Jesus!!
Peace,
Rev. Thetford
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Don't Miss the Gift
It seems that we spend a lot of time picking out a gift, and the more we care about someone the more painstaking it becomes to find just the right one. We search high and low, in and out of shops, searching the internet, driving all over town, until finally, we find it. When we do find it we are elated, and excited, it seems that the longer we wait the sweeter reward.
God has done the same with his gift to us. The book of Isaiah was written around 700 B.C! Yet 700 years before this gift is to be given it is written in chapter 9: 6-7 6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.
If this is not specific enough, Isaiah in chapter 7 spells it out: 14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.
Going even further back to Gen. 1 The Lord says “let us, make man in our image.” This gift has been a long time coming! Much has happened, generations have lived and dies, nations have risen, fallen, and risen again. Much like we have been searching through the stores, God was searching through time, looking for the time to be full. One could only imagine….now I would never assume to know the thoughts of God, but could you imagine?? All of these events have to unfold, floods, plagues, the wilderness, war, prophets…..If it were me, I would just want to hit the Fast Forward button! Of course the Lord has a plan for his gift, and the timing must be right.
Why do we buy gifts anyway? When we go out and start the shopping cycle why are we doing it in the first place? Well, because typically the person we are buying for is buying something for us! We are always thinking “ I wonder how much they are going to spend”, or “are they going to get me something that I asked for?” maybe more to the point…..” I hope they don’t get me some piece of junk!” Ok maybe none of you are like that, and you are happy with whatever you get, you are still out there looking for that one item, and if it is not reciprocity that you are after, then what is it? It is that we don’t want to be forgotten right? We want to pick out that gift that says, you are special to me; we want to give the gift that stays on the person’s mind, the gift that will keep us in their hearts!
God has the same plan for his gift, and the best part is that the gift is free! We serve a God that has no needs. There is nothing that we can buy for him, nothing we can build for him. All he asks if for our thanks, and praise. HE has asked us to take this gift and use it daily, keep it in our hearts, on our lips, and on our mind, so that we might be able to draw closer to him, and realize the plan that he has for us. He has freely given this gift in the hopes that we freely give it to others.
Everyone knows the best gift is one you can share. Think back to when you were a kid, a great gift was one that you could run outside and say LOOK GUYS!! LOOK WHAT I GOT!! Come on over and let’s all play with it! What is the first thing that the shepherds wanted to do when the saw Christ in the manger? We see in verse 17When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child. The angels appeared, told them the good news about the gift of the Savior, they ran to see him, and then they ran to spread the news!! HEY EVERYONE GESS WHAT?!?!?
Running out to share, that is the beautiful part of the gift. We not only get the gift, we get to give it to others. We all know that the only thing better than giving a gift, is getting a gift! Even better getting a gift from someone that does not want anything back form you. They already have it; they wanted to give it to you, so that you could walk along with them. We are giving and receiving a gift from the Lord, one that contains so much love, so much grace, and so much forgiveness, that the result is everlasting life. A gift that is so big, that no matter how many times it is passed on, there is always more left to give!
SO this Christmas don’t miss the gift! While everyone is busy unwrapping gifts, and the squeals of excitement from the kids who just got that perfect toy…. the one they just could not live without. In the middle of this commotion, and excitement, do not forget to take time out to remember the true gift. The gift of the child in the manger, born in a barn, the child born to lowly surroundings that will mature to save to world. Remember the night when shepherds rubbed shoulders with wise men. When Angels came to spread the good news and proclaim Glory to God in the highest, and peace to his people on earth. Don’t allow the day to pass without wishing Jesus a happy birthday. His birth is the beginning of our salvation. The child, who would grow to be a king, then becomes a living sacrifice for each and everyone of us. This is the gift the Lord has given us; this is the true gift of Christmas!
Peace,
Rev. Thetford
God has done the same with his gift to us. The book of Isaiah was written around 700 B.C! Yet 700 years before this gift is to be given it is written in chapter 9: 6-7 6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.
If this is not specific enough, Isaiah in chapter 7 spells it out: 14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.
Going even further back to Gen. 1 The Lord says “let us, make man in our image.” This gift has been a long time coming! Much has happened, generations have lived and dies, nations have risen, fallen, and risen again. Much like we have been searching through the stores, God was searching through time, looking for the time to be full. One could only imagine….now I would never assume to know the thoughts of God, but could you imagine?? All of these events have to unfold, floods, plagues, the wilderness, war, prophets…..If it were me, I would just want to hit the Fast Forward button! Of course the Lord has a plan for his gift, and the timing must be right.
Why do we buy gifts anyway? When we go out and start the shopping cycle why are we doing it in the first place? Well, because typically the person we are buying for is buying something for us! We are always thinking “ I wonder how much they are going to spend”, or “are they going to get me something that I asked for?” maybe more to the point…..” I hope they don’t get me some piece of junk!” Ok maybe none of you are like that, and you are happy with whatever you get, you are still out there looking for that one item, and if it is not reciprocity that you are after, then what is it? It is that we don’t want to be forgotten right? We want to pick out that gift that says, you are special to me; we want to give the gift that stays on the person’s mind, the gift that will keep us in their hearts!
God has the same plan for his gift, and the best part is that the gift is free! We serve a God that has no needs. There is nothing that we can buy for him, nothing we can build for him. All he asks if for our thanks, and praise. HE has asked us to take this gift and use it daily, keep it in our hearts, on our lips, and on our mind, so that we might be able to draw closer to him, and realize the plan that he has for us. He has freely given this gift in the hopes that we freely give it to others.
Everyone knows the best gift is one you can share. Think back to when you were a kid, a great gift was one that you could run outside and say LOOK GUYS!! LOOK WHAT I GOT!! Come on over and let’s all play with it! What is the first thing that the shepherds wanted to do when the saw Christ in the manger? We see in verse 17When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child. The angels appeared, told them the good news about the gift of the Savior, they ran to see him, and then they ran to spread the news!! HEY EVERYONE GESS WHAT?!?!?
Running out to share, that is the beautiful part of the gift. We not only get the gift, we get to give it to others. We all know that the only thing better than giving a gift, is getting a gift! Even better getting a gift from someone that does not want anything back form you. They already have it; they wanted to give it to you, so that you could walk along with them. We are giving and receiving a gift from the Lord, one that contains so much love, so much grace, and so much forgiveness, that the result is everlasting life. A gift that is so big, that no matter how many times it is passed on, there is always more left to give!
SO this Christmas don’t miss the gift! While everyone is busy unwrapping gifts, and the squeals of excitement from the kids who just got that perfect toy…. the one they just could not live without. In the middle of this commotion, and excitement, do not forget to take time out to remember the true gift. The gift of the child in the manger, born in a barn, the child born to lowly surroundings that will mature to save to world. Remember the night when shepherds rubbed shoulders with wise men. When Angels came to spread the good news and proclaim Glory to God in the highest, and peace to his people on earth. Don’t allow the day to pass without wishing Jesus a happy birthday. His birth is the beginning of our salvation. The child, who would grow to be a king, then becomes a living sacrifice for each and everyone of us. This is the gift the Lord has given us; this is the true gift of Christmas!
Peace,
Rev. Thetford
Monday, December 22, 2008
God's Gift to us
Luke 2
The Birth of Jesus
1In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2(This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3And everyone went to his own town to register.
4So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
8And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. 12This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."
13Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
14"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."
15When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."
16So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.
Of course the shepherds were not the only visitors that Jesus had that night, when we read Matthew 2: 10When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. 11On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh.
The three wise men, they came bearing gifts. Gifts fit for a king. This started a tradition that has now spread into a season that puts the retail market in the black every year! The gift giving season is upon us, and we are all busy, running out, trying to find that perfect gift, the one that gets the message across, the one perfect gift for each person in our life. No this is not another sermon on how we all spend so much time on spending money that we lose the meaning of Christmas. What I want to look at over the next couple of days is the whole gift giving experience. By looking at the scripture above, and then looking in to our own lives, we can see that today there is just as much to celebrate as there was when the angles appeared to the shepherds. Christmas is upon us and the search for the gift is on!
Peace,
Rev. Thetford
The Birth of Jesus
1In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2(This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3And everyone went to his own town to register.
4So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
8And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. 12This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."
13Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
14"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."
15When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."
16So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.
Of course the shepherds were not the only visitors that Jesus had that night, when we read Matthew 2: 10When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. 11On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh.
The three wise men, they came bearing gifts. Gifts fit for a king. This started a tradition that has now spread into a season that puts the retail market in the black every year! The gift giving season is upon us, and we are all busy, running out, trying to find that perfect gift, the one that gets the message across, the one perfect gift for each person in our life. No this is not another sermon on how we all spend so much time on spending money that we lose the meaning of Christmas. What I want to look at over the next couple of days is the whole gift giving experience. By looking at the scripture above, and then looking in to our own lives, we can see that today there is just as much to celebrate as there was when the angles appeared to the shepherds. Christmas is upon us and the search for the gift is on!
Peace,
Rev. Thetford
Friday, December 19, 2008
The Light, The Word, The Holy Trinity
This brings us to John 1:18 No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared.
Jesus came to reveal God to man. Up until the time of Christ, God was feared greatly. HE was a great and powerful God, yet you often hear of “the Old Testament” God, and the New Testament God. When you talk about the O.T. God most will bring to mind very strict laws, harsh judgment, a God that sometimes seems quick to anger. This is another reason the Christ came to earth, to show us the fullness of God, the side of God that is loving, forgiving, patient, and kind. Jesus came to show us all of God; he did this by being the proclaiming word, proclaiming light, and life.
John 1: 4-9 tells us: 4In him was life, and that life was the light of men. 5The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.
6There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John. 7He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe. 8He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. 9The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world.
Jesus is the light of the world. He came into a world of spiritual darkness. He pierced that darkness with the light of his word. The light that Christ brought was a light for all men. A light that would give every man, woman, and child everlasting life! It is a light that will lead us home, no matter how dark our lives have become. That light is a light for all. The light is given to us from Christ himself. By Christ coming into the world, we became brothers to him, and children of God. We are given a choice, a choice every one of us is free to make on our own. As it reads in John 3:36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him. So each of us can choose a life that ends in death, or a life that never ends.
Jesus proclaimed that life while he was among us John 1: 10-13 10He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— 13children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God.
Jesus came to his people, the people of God, and the people who he had raised up to a mighty nation. HE came to give them the promise, the New Covenant, the Covenant that would forgive sins and give life eternally. Jesus came to the world…. a world he created, yet his own people, the very ones that were waiting for him, they did not recognize him. We know that Christ came not for the righteous, but for the sinners. And verse 12 –13 in John 1 let us all know that even though his chosen people did not receive him, all who did believe, all who would call on him to light up the darkness, no matter their natural birth, they will be granted the gift of becoming a child of God.
If you find yourself wondering are we somehow second best? Since the Jews rejected Jesus are we just the leftovers? We only need to read verse 13 to see 13children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God. Our birthplace, our nationality, the color of our skin, none of that matters to God. We are children born of God, not a natural birth, but a supernatural birth! We are born by the design of God. Our parents might have prayed for us, but it was the will of God that created us. This is the message that Christ came to spread. HE came for the sinners. He came to show us the way home.
As we approach Christmas day, and celebrate the birth of Christ, let us all give pause and remember, that while yes, he was born by natural birth. Christ has existed well before that birth. HE was there in the beginning, he is here with us now, and we will all meet up with him in the future. HE came to the world to give us light in a dark world. A world that even today has much darkness in it. Let us remember that 1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. Christ is the light, the word, and together with God and the Holy Spirit. Make up the Holy Trinity. Three in one, then now, and forever.
Peace, and Merry Christmas,
Rev. Thetford
Jesus came to reveal God to man. Up until the time of Christ, God was feared greatly. HE was a great and powerful God, yet you often hear of “the Old Testament” God, and the New Testament God. When you talk about the O.T. God most will bring to mind very strict laws, harsh judgment, a God that sometimes seems quick to anger. This is another reason the Christ came to earth, to show us the fullness of God, the side of God that is loving, forgiving, patient, and kind. Jesus came to show us all of God; he did this by being the proclaiming word, proclaiming light, and life.
John 1: 4-9 tells us: 4In him was life, and that life was the light of men. 5The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.
6There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John. 7He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe. 8He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. 9The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world.
Jesus is the light of the world. He came into a world of spiritual darkness. He pierced that darkness with the light of his word. The light that Christ brought was a light for all men. A light that would give every man, woman, and child everlasting life! It is a light that will lead us home, no matter how dark our lives have become. That light is a light for all. The light is given to us from Christ himself. By Christ coming into the world, we became brothers to him, and children of God. We are given a choice, a choice every one of us is free to make on our own. As it reads in John 3:36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him. So each of us can choose a life that ends in death, or a life that never ends.
Jesus proclaimed that life while he was among us John 1: 10-13 10He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— 13children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God.
Jesus came to his people, the people of God, and the people who he had raised up to a mighty nation. HE came to give them the promise, the New Covenant, the Covenant that would forgive sins and give life eternally. Jesus came to the world…. a world he created, yet his own people, the very ones that were waiting for him, they did not recognize him. We know that Christ came not for the righteous, but for the sinners. And verse 12 –13 in John 1 let us all know that even though his chosen people did not receive him, all who did believe, all who would call on him to light up the darkness, no matter their natural birth, they will be granted the gift of becoming a child of God.
If you find yourself wondering are we somehow second best? Since the Jews rejected Jesus are we just the leftovers? We only need to read verse 13 to see 13children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God. Our birthplace, our nationality, the color of our skin, none of that matters to God. We are children born of God, not a natural birth, but a supernatural birth! We are born by the design of God. Our parents might have prayed for us, but it was the will of God that created us. This is the message that Christ came to spread. HE came for the sinners. He came to show us the way home.
As we approach Christmas day, and celebrate the birth of Christ, let us all give pause and remember, that while yes, he was born by natural birth. Christ has existed well before that birth. HE was there in the beginning, he is here with us now, and we will all meet up with him in the future. HE came to the world to give us light in a dark world. A world that even today has much darkness in it. Let us remember that 1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. Christ is the light, the word, and together with God and the Holy Spirit. Make up the Holy Trinity. Three in one, then now, and forever.
Peace, and Merry Christmas,
Rev. Thetford
Thursday, December 18, 2008
The Constant, Controversial, Living Christ
Hebrews 13:8
8Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
Linking this verse back to the initial into to John, we see that Jesus always has been. In the beginning was the Word. This is what I mean by Jesus was not “born” in Bethlehem. He has been in existence forever. Since the beginning there was the Word, and the word is unchanging just as Paul says, yesterday, today, and tomorrow. Deuteronomy chapter 31 tells us: 6 Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.". This is exactly why Christians can trust in Christ. He always has existed, he always will exist, and he will always be with you, and never forsake you. There is nothing in life, not your best friend, not your best dog; nothing in your life is a constant as the Lord.
Not only is He constant, Jesus is part of the family. Reading the first and second verses of John 1 1-2 we see: 1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2He was with God in the beginning. Jesus knows what family is, because he has been part of one since the beginning. He was there when the world was created Genesis 1:26 tells us that: 26 Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground." The key here is God said “let US make man in OUR own image” HE was not some ides that was baked up as a way to bring salvation to man. Jesus was with God in the beginning, as a family. The plan for salvation was in place before THEY spoke of any creation.
When Christ became man he was without a doubt the controversial word, and many today still grapple with Christ becoming Man. The rulers, and the lawmakers of the day did not know what to do with Him. He was a nuisance when he preached repentance, when he preformed miracles, and healed people, they were scared, yet when he claimed to not only be equal to God but to be God, they killed him! I often wonder how that would play out today. Sure, it is easy to say that if Jesus were to come back all would recognize him. I am certain that would be far from the case. Just like then, many would miss every indication that is given. Now just like then many are waiting, but if he was to show up as he did before, as a simple man, more would want to not believe than believe. This is a result of people having a hard time getting their head around the incarnation of Christ. They have a hard time with Jesus being the living Word.
Here is the explanation John gives: 14The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us……….There is no why, or better yet, there is no how!! There are verses in the Bible that scream loudly by saying nothing. This is one of those times. No one knows the answer, but God. How could God become man? There is nothing that God is incapable of. He created this world, and He created us, it would not be a stretch for him to put on the flesh of a human and live among us; and live He did! Scripture tells us that He dwelled among us. He did not live, He did not roam, He did not pass through….He dwelled here. He was born here He lived among us, He made His home here, He had friends here, He was persecuted, suffered and dies here. He became flesh, and dwelled among us, yet so many refused to recognize Him.
From the day Christ was born to the Virgin Mary, in the humbleness of a manger, God was on the set of this life. He became an actor on the stage of life. He was walking, talking, breathing, and speaking proof that God was real, and he was here to save all that would follow him.
Peace,
Rev. Thetford
8Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
Linking this verse back to the initial into to John, we see that Jesus always has been. In the beginning was the Word. This is what I mean by Jesus was not “born” in Bethlehem. He has been in existence forever. Since the beginning there was the Word, and the word is unchanging just as Paul says, yesterday, today, and tomorrow. Deuteronomy chapter 31 tells us: 6 Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.". This is exactly why Christians can trust in Christ. He always has existed, he always will exist, and he will always be with you, and never forsake you. There is nothing in life, not your best friend, not your best dog; nothing in your life is a constant as the Lord.
Not only is He constant, Jesus is part of the family. Reading the first and second verses of John 1 1-2 we see: 1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2He was with God in the beginning. Jesus knows what family is, because he has been part of one since the beginning. He was there when the world was created Genesis 1:26 tells us that: 26 Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground." The key here is God said “let US make man in OUR own image” HE was not some ides that was baked up as a way to bring salvation to man. Jesus was with God in the beginning, as a family. The plan for salvation was in place before THEY spoke of any creation.
When Christ became man he was without a doubt the controversial word, and many today still grapple with Christ becoming Man. The rulers, and the lawmakers of the day did not know what to do with Him. He was a nuisance when he preached repentance, when he preformed miracles, and healed people, they were scared, yet when he claimed to not only be equal to God but to be God, they killed him! I often wonder how that would play out today. Sure, it is easy to say that if Jesus were to come back all would recognize him. I am certain that would be far from the case. Just like then, many would miss every indication that is given. Now just like then many are waiting, but if he was to show up as he did before, as a simple man, more would want to not believe than believe. This is a result of people having a hard time getting their head around the incarnation of Christ. They have a hard time with Jesus being the living Word.
Here is the explanation John gives: 14The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us……….There is no why, or better yet, there is no how!! There are verses in the Bible that scream loudly by saying nothing. This is one of those times. No one knows the answer, but God. How could God become man? There is nothing that God is incapable of. He created this world, and He created us, it would not be a stretch for him to put on the flesh of a human and live among us; and live He did! Scripture tells us that He dwelled among us. He did not live, He did not roam, He did not pass through….He dwelled here. He was born here He lived among us, He made His home here, He had friends here, He was persecuted, suffered and dies here. He became flesh, and dwelled among us, yet so many refused to recognize Him.
From the day Christ was born to the Virgin Mary, in the humbleness of a manger, God was on the set of this life. He became an actor on the stage of life. He was walking, talking, breathing, and speaking proof that God was real, and he was here to save all that would follow him.
Peace,
Rev. Thetford
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