Thursday, May 17, 2007
Extreme Jesus Freaks Know that it is Possible to Submit to Authority without Agreeing with It or Obeying It...
But They Have to Face the Consequences of Such Action.
An example of this is found in Acts 4 where Peter and John are arrested for preaching and healing in teh name of Jesus. They are taken before the Sanhedrin where they are commanded not to speak or teach in the name of Jesus. Their response was, "Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge." Acts 4:19
Christians do the same thing today when they are involved in missionary work or smuggling Bibles into countries where they are forbidden. During the last century millions of Christians were imprisoned and/or murdered for such actions.
An example of this is found in Acts 4 where Peter and John are arrested for preaching and healing in teh name of Jesus. They are taken before the Sanhedrin where they are commanded not to speak or teach in the name of Jesus. Their response was, "Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge." Acts 4:19
Christians do the same thing today when they are involved in missionary work or smuggling Bibles into countries where they are forbidden. During the last century millions of Christians were imprisoned and/or murdered for such actions.
Saturday, October 08, 2005
EXTREME JESUS FREAKS ARE DEFINITELY IN THE WORLD WITHOUT BEING OF THE WORLD
Extreme Jesus Freaks honor God by:
- recognizing that whatever contact we have with the world is our mission. God calls us where we are, not to leave where we are and become something we are not. However, if God calls you when you are involved in something that is illegal or sinful, you need to get firmly grounded in your faith before attempting to be missional to others there.
-recognizing that every individual owes service to God beyond where they serve in the local church. Meeting together on Sunday morning is our renewal time, our time to be recharged before we head back out to transform the world.
-reaching out with Jesus's love to widows and orphans, while recognizing that today's widows and orphans aren't necessarily those without husbands and parents, but sometimes simply those whose husbands or parents aren't there for them.
-making full use of the world's "tools" - movies, television, computers, art, etc., whatever it takes - to reach out to unbelievers.
-recognizing that we must pray to have our hearts broken for those we desire to reach and that we might be given words of reconciliation and genuine concern in dealing with them.
We are aproduct of the world in which we live. As Christians it is our responsibility to interact with the world while partnering with Christ in order to bring about His kingdom on earth.
- recognizing that whatever contact we have with the world is our mission. God calls us where we are, not to leave where we are and become something we are not. However, if God calls you when you are involved in something that is illegal or sinful, you need to get firmly grounded in your faith before attempting to be missional to others there.
-recognizing that every individual owes service to God beyond where they serve in the local church. Meeting together on Sunday morning is our renewal time, our time to be recharged before we head back out to transform the world.
-reaching out with Jesus's love to widows and orphans, while recognizing that today's widows and orphans aren't necessarily those without husbands and parents, but sometimes simply those whose husbands or parents aren't there for them.
-making full use of the world's "tools" - movies, television, computers, art, etc., whatever it takes - to reach out to unbelievers.
-recognizing that we must pray to have our hearts broken for those we desire to reach and that we might be given words of reconciliation and genuine concern in dealing with them.
We are aproduct of the world in which we live. As Christians it is our responsibility to interact with the world while partnering with Christ in order to bring about His kingdom on earth.
Wednesday, October 05, 2005
What is a Pharisee?
According to Funk & Wagnalls there are two definitions of a Pharisee. 1. A member of an ancient Jewish sect that emphasised strict observance of ritual. 2. A formal, sanctimonious, hypocritical person.
Not only did Jesus warn his disciples to "beware the leaven of the Pharisees," but the Pharisees were the only people that Jesus actually condemned.
What was the "leaven of the Pharisees" and why did Jesus condemn them?
Well, the leaven of the Pharisees, as the disciples learned, was the teaching of the Pharisees. Teachings that were based more on tradition than on the scriptures. Jesus condemned them precisely for this reason. They refused to accept that He could be the Messiah even though they had the prophecies right in front of them.
Instead, they chose to go with their traditional teachings that the Messiah would be an earthly ruler who would overthrow the government and take charge. Like today's Religious Right who believe they have to legislate morality and impose outside regulations rather than changing people frmo the inside the way Jesus did. After all, that takes too much effort and requires too much trust in God. It requires actually establishing a relationship with a sinner! And it also requires that as disciples of Jesus we act as examples. What sinner would ever want to be a self-righteous twit?
Not only did Jesus warn his disciples to "beware the leaven of the Pharisees," but the Pharisees were the only people that Jesus actually condemned.
What was the "leaven of the Pharisees" and why did Jesus condemn them?
Well, the leaven of the Pharisees, as the disciples learned, was the teaching of the Pharisees. Teachings that were based more on tradition than on the scriptures. Jesus condemned them precisely for this reason. They refused to accept that He could be the Messiah even though they had the prophecies right in front of them.
Instead, they chose to go with their traditional teachings that the Messiah would be an earthly ruler who would overthrow the government and take charge. Like today's Religious Right who believe they have to legislate morality and impose outside regulations rather than changing people frmo the inside the way Jesus did. After all, that takes too much effort and requires too much trust in God. It requires actually establishing a relationship with a sinner! And it also requires that as disciples of Jesus we act as examples. What sinner would ever want to be a self-righteous twit?
What is an Extreme Jesus Freak?
An EJF (Extreem Jesus Freak) is someone who goes to the source, Jesus and the Scriptures, to find the answers to life's problems. An EJF doesn'tudge unbelievers. An EJF believes that every decision and action must reflect the love of God for our world and those in it. An EJF believes that we are responsible for:
- taking care of our world
- taking care of others
- taking care of our own bodies
- taking care of our homes and families
- being responsible about our possessions
- being responsible about our finances & giving to help others
- using time wisely
- using our talents wisely
- using our occupations to positively effect others
- controlling out thoughts so as to focus on all that is true, pure, lovely and of good repute
- living the good news proclaimed by Jesus
- showing mercy to sinners, for we are all sinners
- continually submitting our lives to God for His use
