During yesterday's DVD Lesson from The Truth Project, we considered the pathologies of the state. What happens, for example, when the state's role as "punisher of evil" begins to grow? Who defines 'evil' for the state and who decides the punishment for the manifestation of 'evil'? We talked about examples of how the power of the state has run amock. I shared with the class our emotional visit to the Memorial for European Jews in the heart of Berlin. The memorial was designed to make one think about the staggering loss of life in Europe when a government went out of control--when a government became judge, jury, and executioner. I mentioned that the number of people murdered by the government or in the name of the government created a list so long that it will take a narrator years to simply name the names of each victim. That narration is occurring in the Berlin memorial even as we speak and, having begun in 2008 and continuing 24-7, has not yet been read through a single time. As history has demonstrated time and time again, goverments can be evil and governments can abuse the power which they usually wield.
What about our government? Most of us would agree that the United States is the best place to live in the world and that our form of government is by far the best government under which to live. Yet, we can see the rise of the state in our own land. The state has extended its influence into all walks of life--marriage, education, work, the food we eat, the products we buy, our finances, and just about everything else one could imagine. Indeed, as of yesterday, the government has taken a huge step toward taking over the healthcare industry. Are these things bad? Should we be concerned about a goverment that makes it more lucrative financially for a couple to live together out of wedlock than to get married? Should we be concerned about a government that, in some states defines marriage as a union between same sex individuals as well as a union of members of the opposite sex? Should we take issue with a government that appears to feel entitled to take our first fruits and to spend without regard in order to fund its own agenda?
I am thankful that I can write such words without fear of goverment reprisal. That is not true in many parts of the world. However, I am also seriously concerned that our own government has headed down that road on which civil authority and the power of the government begins to assume that it is all-powerful and fails to recognize the sovereign power of God as the ultimate source of truth and life. We all need to pray diligently for our country and for our leaders. We need to pray for repentence and for revival in the United States of America!
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Kyle Halbert was in Sunday School yesterday. I accused him of coming to Sunday School to get some sleep. Ha! He reported that Natalie and the new baby are doing well. Amen! Thank you Lord!
I spoke with Ashley Swope this week to check up on her surgery that had been scheduled. She did not have the surgery and has postponed the surgery. Please keep Ashley in your prayers.
As mentioned in Tracey's prayer list from class, please keep Laura Brittain in your prayers this week as she is undergoing testing to try to address chronic breathing and sinus problems. Laura is just recovering from sinus surgery and is still facing challenges from this condition. Let's pray that the doctors will identify the problem and relief will be forthcoming in a big way.
CLASS SOCIAL
Please mark your calendars and join us for a class social on April 9, 2010. Since the church is offering parent's night out on that date, we have scheduled a potluck supper at the home of Jimmy and Cindy Creel--8431 Turtle Rock Loop (Emerald Forest Subdivision) 979-695-1684. Everyone come and bring whatever you wish to share with others. We started a sign-up list this week. Here is the current sign-up information:
Meat/Main Dish
Laura & Brian Brittain--casserole
Beth and Bo Miles--Deer Sausage
Michelle and Terry Lovingshimer--Mexican Casserole
Cindy and Jimmy Creel--Chicken Tortilla Soup
VEGETABLES
Kathleen and Bill Gutierrez--Green Bean Casserole
DESSERT
Gena and Steven Higginbotham
Other
If you have not signed up and plan to attend, please send an e-mail to jimmycreel@suddenlink.net and let us know what you would like to bring.
Monday, March 22, 2010
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
March 14, 2010--The Sphere of the State
This week, we viewed "The Truth Project" discussion of the sphere of the state. How are Christians directed to respond to the state (in Biblical days, this was the king)? Exodus 22:28 says, "You shall not curse God, nor curse a ruler of your people." Romans 13:1 states, "Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God." Titus 3:1 says, "Remind them to be subject to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good deed." 1 Peter 2:13-15 states, "Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority, or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do right. For such is the will of God that by doing right you may silence the ignorance of foolish men." Clearly, Christians are expected to subject themselves to the government.
However, in this week's lesson, we see examples in which the government(king) stepped over the line of what is right in God's eyes. In 1 Kings 21, King Ahab and his evil wife conspire to commit murder of an innocent citizen in order to take possession of some land which Ahab desired. In Daniel 4: 29-35, we see the story of a great king who allowed himself to believe that he was the one with ultimate power and authority and we see the consequences of that behavior when Nebuchadneezer refused to acknowledge the sovereignty of God. In 1 Samuel, we are told the story of God's chosen people who came to Samuel requesting a king. The current system of government, the judge system, was broke. In addition, the people wanted what others had, a king to govern their lives. They were unwilling to trust God to take care of their daily needs. Even after a solemn warning of the consequences, they still wanted a king. They paid and we continue to pay today a terrible price for this failure to depend on God to govern His people. We also see an example of a king who served the Lord well for many years in 2 Chronicles 26. Yet, even King Uzziah who had a track record of faithful service to God, allowed himself to become intoxicated with power. He insisted on burning incense to the Lord personally. God's people had a clear directive that only God's chosen servants, the priests were allowed to burn incense before him. An interesting component of the story of Uzziah is the fact that the priest Azariah and 80 of his courageous colleagues were willing to stand up to the King and say, "You stepped over the line."
During the second half of this lesson coming up this Sunday, we will see how our current government compares to those described in the scripture and we will learn more about our obligation as Christians and citizens in today's government. I think you will see many similarities in the government's tendency to over-reach and its failure to recognize God as the sovereign ruler of all. I fear that we will also see examples of how we as God's people have allowed our goverment to "step over the line" and how we have been less than courageous in our efforts to challenge the state in appropriate and effective ways to ensure that God's Sovereignty is recognized and unchallenged. I look forward to seeing you in Sunday School this week when we will consider the "Rise of the State."
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Please keep Natalie and Kyle Halbert and family in your prayers this week as they are scheduled to deliver their newest addition this week. Also, please continue to pray for Ashley Swope and the Swope family. Ashley was scheduled to have surgery last week and her surgery was postponed. However, Zane's grandmother passed away and they have been dealing with that loss. Also, please continue to pray for my mom and dad as he continues to struggle with dialysis and related issues.
BEST WISHES FOR A GREAT SPRING BREAK WEEK
REMEMBER--NO WEDNESDAY NIGHT SERVICE THIS WEEK.
However, in this week's lesson, we see examples in which the government(king) stepped over the line of what is right in God's eyes. In 1 Kings 21, King Ahab and his evil wife conspire to commit murder of an innocent citizen in order to take possession of some land which Ahab desired. In Daniel 4: 29-35, we see the story of a great king who allowed himself to believe that he was the one with ultimate power and authority and we see the consequences of that behavior when Nebuchadneezer refused to acknowledge the sovereignty of God. In 1 Samuel, we are told the story of God's chosen people who came to Samuel requesting a king. The current system of government, the judge system, was broke. In addition, the people wanted what others had, a king to govern their lives. They were unwilling to trust God to take care of their daily needs. Even after a solemn warning of the consequences, they still wanted a king. They paid and we continue to pay today a terrible price for this failure to depend on God to govern His people. We also see an example of a king who served the Lord well for many years in 2 Chronicles 26. Yet, even King Uzziah who had a track record of faithful service to God, allowed himself to become intoxicated with power. He insisted on burning incense to the Lord personally. God's people had a clear directive that only God's chosen servants, the priests were allowed to burn incense before him. An interesting component of the story of Uzziah is the fact that the priest Azariah and 80 of his courageous colleagues were willing to stand up to the King and say, "You stepped over the line."
During the second half of this lesson coming up this Sunday, we will see how our current government compares to those described in the scripture and we will learn more about our obligation as Christians and citizens in today's government. I think you will see many similarities in the government's tendency to over-reach and its failure to recognize God as the sovereign ruler of all. I fear that we will also see examples of how we as God's people have allowed our goverment to "step over the line" and how we have been less than courageous in our efforts to challenge the state in appropriate and effective ways to ensure that God's Sovereignty is recognized and unchallenged. I look forward to seeing you in Sunday School this week when we will consider the "Rise of the State."
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Please keep Natalie and Kyle Halbert and family in your prayers this week as they are scheduled to deliver their newest addition this week. Also, please continue to pray for Ashley Swope and the Swope family. Ashley was scheduled to have surgery last week and her surgery was postponed. However, Zane's grandmother passed away and they have been dealing with that loss. Also, please continue to pray for my mom and dad as he continues to struggle with dialysis and related issues.
BEST WISHES FOR A GREAT SPRING BREAK WEEK
REMEMBER--NO WEDNESDAY NIGHT SERVICE THIS WEEK.
Sunday, March 7, 2010
What Keeps Us From Accomplishing Oneness With God? March 7, 2010
As I write this blog this evening, I have just returned from Baytown where I attended visitation for an uncle who suddenly slumped to the ground as he was entering a restaurant on FM 1960 this week only to never regain consciousness and pass from life on this earth shortly thereafter. This man was a beautiful example of the humble spirit that God's people should demonstrate in one's daily interaction with others. When I think of Uncle Don, I think of that old verse, "Lord, let others see less of me and more of You in me." He was that kind of guy. He was gentle, loving, courteous, kind and humble beyond what one might normally demonstrate or expect.
I wish you all could have known him. I think the gentle humility seen in Uncle Don is the kind of humble attitude that God seeks from His children. As we discussed in class today, the quest for significance may be the single most important factor in our inability to experience unity with God. Many of us are too busy seeking our own significance. We want people to recognize us. We just want to be publicly appreciated! Yet, from our DVD lesson today, we find that one of the reasons that people outside the church see the church as "a place were stupid people go," or "a building where people go when they need to relax," is the fact that church folk have a tendency, like the rest of society, to pursue our own significance. Many of the false impressions created among society are consequences of the actions, behaviors, and words of well-meaning Christians who are trying for find significance in their lives and actions.
Dr. Tackett explained that the search for significance, like the sex drive, is a positive thing if it is maintained within the covenant relationship. However, when it manifests itself outside the covenant relationship, it is a negative, destructive concept that has been known to destroy people and to create animosity and resentment among those who are not part of the church. Lord, help us this week to let others see less of us and more of You in our actions, words, and behaviors.
I wish you all could have known him. I think the gentle humility seen in Uncle Don is the kind of humble attitude that God seeks from His children. As we discussed in class today, the quest for significance may be the single most important factor in our inability to experience unity with God. Many of us are too busy seeking our own significance. We want people to recognize us. We just want to be publicly appreciated! Yet, from our DVD lesson today, we find that one of the reasons that people outside the church see the church as "a place were stupid people go," or "a building where people go when they need to relax," is the fact that church folk have a tendency, like the rest of society, to pursue our own significance. Many of the false impressions created among society are consequences of the actions, behaviors, and words of well-meaning Christians who are trying for find significance in their lives and actions.
Dr. Tackett explained that the search for significance, like the sex drive, is a positive thing if it is maintained within the covenant relationship. However, when it manifests itself outside the covenant relationship, it is a negative, destructive concept that has been known to destroy people and to create animosity and resentment among those who are not part of the church. Lord, help us this week to let others see less of us and more of You in our actions, words, and behaviors.
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