Abundant Grace Fellowship
Blessings From Pastor
Every now and then, I feel led to send a specific, encouraging e-mail to my congregation. I usually get lots of positive feedback when I do, so our webmaster asked if she could create this page - and hopefully it will bless all of you who read it as well.
Blessings Church,
The statement below was taken from a "gay" church website in Austin. It was sent to me by a church member who was in shock and disbelief. I don't always have time to refute or respond to this kind of thing, but I wanted you to be aware of how the enemy works. My statements are in green. If you read this without any green, you may even buy into some of these lies yourself. They sound very sophisticated. However, we need to be as gentle as doves, but wise as serpents. This kind of thing is why we need to stay in God's Word more than ever. Stand for The Truth, even if you stand alone.
In Christ's Love,
Pastor
There have always been those who, despite their sincerity, misunderstand faith as a set of legalistic moralisms.(is to believe in what the Bible says is moral legalistic? 1Jn 5:2-3) Remember, it was these people like that who demanded the death of Jesus (Is being moral, being a Pharisee?). Their complaint was that he took the legalisms of their faith too lightly.(No, there main complaint was that He said He was God - which He was Jn 10:30-33)
Read literally, certain parts of the Bible support slavery, degrade women as nothing more than property, endorse racial segregation, and support genocide--all on religious grounds (These things were not "supported" in the Bible. They were simply permitted in certain dispensations of time. This is obvious(Heb 1:1-2). Jesus was different. He believed that God was greater than any words we use to understand God. (In other words, your saying God is somehow "greater" than His own words In The Bible? God magnifies His Words above His Name (Ps 138:2). Jesus is The Word (Jn 1:1). They are not seperable.)
People who use a few isolated, culturally and historically conditioned (Is this statement not complete opinion?) passages to condemn GLBT people ignore time-honored principles of biblical interpretation and miss the Bible's true message.
It is unfortunate that a democratic society should base its civil legislation on the Bible or any other sacred writing (I don't even know where to start with this statement. If you are a disciple of Jesus Christ and His Word, The Bible should be the only thing you would ever want at the foundation of the society you live in. This should be common sense.). And it is unfortunate that well-meaning people of faith think that the Bible justifies making sexual minority people second class citizens (Funny, I haven't heard any Christians calling Homosexuals "second class citizens". They are people living in and practicing what the Bible calls sin.). Since both are realities (wrong), it is important to know what the Bible does and does not say on this subject. It is only when all of scripture is understood in its literary and historical context that its power and truth are revealed. A few examples:
These are the most often quoted verses by those who insist that the Bible condemns homosexuality (they are pretty clear). One principle of biblical interpretation is consistency. The verses immediately before and after these prohibit eating rabbit, lobster, shrimp and pork. They forbid women from wearing red dresses, and declare abomination for all who wear clothing made of mixed fabrics. They bar from ministry anyone with any physical defect. Shouldn't we question the motives and integrity of those who insist these two verses are the eternal word of God (so your saying they are not the eternal Word of God?), but ignore everything else in the same document? (A Christian who is submitted to God's Word does not "ignore" any passage of Scripture. In this instance, they simply know the difference between the ceremonial law, and the moral law. Just because Jesus fulfilled the law, doesn't mean that immorality is OK now. It's still wrong to murder, commit adultery, lie, steal, commit homosexual acts, etc. It is still sin, and The Bible says so in the NEW TESTAMENT , as well as the old.)
The best Hebrew scholars (opinion) are in unanimous agreement that what happened at Sodom was about the violation of the ancient code of hospitality (what!?) toward strangers involving a threatened homosexual rape. A parallel story in Judges tells the exact same core story except that the rape is heterosexual and actually did happen, resulting in the woman's death. Yet, no one suggests that is a condemnation of heterosexuality (Yet, no one argues that both acts would be SIN. You are missing the point.). Another principle of biblical interpretation is: let the Bible interpret itself. The books of the prophets Ezekiel, Isaiah and Jeremiah list the specific sins for which Sodom was destroyed. They list arrogance, adultery, oppression of the poor, insincere religion and politi-cal corruption. Homosexuality is not mentioned (I wonder why you left out Jude 1:7. Probably because, it clearly states only two reasons for the destruction - sexual immorality and homosexuality) In Luke 10:10-13, Jesus clearly states that the sin of Sodom was inhospitality. (Actually, what He clearly states, is that the judgment upon Chorazin and Bethsaida will be even worse than Sodom because they REJECTED THE WORD OF GOD - kind of like you do, by trying to justify your sin of homosexuality.)
St. Paul was suspicious, fearful and disapproving of all sexual acts (Here's an old trick of the devil. Demonize the writer to discredit what he writes. This statement is pure fiction. In 1Cor 7, Paul makes clear that sex is perfectly fine between husband and wife. He also says in Heb 13:4, that marriage is honorable, and the marriage bed (sex) is undefiled.) Homosexual acts were no exception. He clearly believed that all people were heterosexual (?) and that those engaged in ho-mosexual acts were doing so as conscious acts of rebellion against God (homosexual acts are clearly against nature, and against nature's God. If you start in verse 21, homosexuality is a manifistation of those who are foolish, who do not glorify God, who are vain in their imaginations, who worship creation rather than the Creator, and who God gives over to vile affections. You can't get much more clear than that.) an idea totally alien to homosexual people (Well of course it's alien - they think it's ok. But that by no means makes it right. It might be "alien" to the abortion doctor that he is a murderer. Nevertheless, that's what he is). The exact words he uses to declare homosexual acts as "against nature," he also uses to describe men with long hair (even though Jesus, as a first century Jew, would certainly have had long hair) (Paul was also a first century Jew, who saw Jesus! You don't think Paul knew what Jesus looked like before he made those statements? Besides, unlike in Romans 1, Paul clearly said the hair length issue was his opinion (1Cor 11:14-16) - The homosexual issue was not.) People who take the Bible seriously (as opposed to literally) have long since realized that many of Paul's comments on socio-cultural issues are not meant to be binding on twenty-first century Christians.(If you took the Bible seriously, as you say, you wouldn't try to justify sin. You would call homosexuality what the Bible calls it - an abomination.) Who today argues for a return to slavery, or that women are forbidden to speak in church? (Paul never endorsed slavery, and women being forbidden to speak in church meant in a disruptive way, obviously. He said in the "hair length" verses that a woman "praying or prophesying..." (vs. 5). This is women speaking in church, and is not wrong.)
These two passages include the Greek words "malakoi" and "arsenokoitai." The best Greek scholars (opinion) now admit that they are not sure what these words meant to the original writers. The word "malakoi" is now considered to have absolutely nothing to do with homosexuality (This actually might be true; but it really does nothing to help your case). The word "arsenokoitai" has now been found in extra-biblical literature of the same period and ap-parantly referred to cultic temple prostitutes, not homosexuals (Wrong. Arsenokoitai means homosexual sodomite.) The New Revised Standard Version of the Bible, translated by the world's greatest Hebrew and Greek scholars (opinion), contains a footnote to these two words which reads, "These Greek terms... do not refer to 'homosexuals,' as in inappropriate older translations." (Ah, the old "find a Bible version that tells me what I want to hear").
If homosexuality were as critically important an issue as many seem to think ( No more than adultery, murder, etc.), surely Jesus would have said something about it. He didn't. (Actually, He did. Jesus confirmed Gen 2:22-25 in Matt. 19:4-6. The Bible clearly says that the only sanctified and "sin-free" sex is in the marriage covenant. By confirming Gen 2:22-25, He forever settled who the marriage covenant was made of - One man, one woman, joined together as one BY GOD. This obviously excludes homosexuals.)
Contrary to what you might think from listening to much of the current dialogue on this issue, the Bible is not about homosexuality (Who says the Bible is about homosexuality?). It is about a 5,000 (6,000) year love affair between God and hu-mankind.....a relationship in which God is always faithful, and we sometimes are and some-times aren't... but in which God still chooses us to participate in bringing about a reign of peace, justice, compassion, love and salvation on the earth, and sent Christ to show us how to do that (I totally agree). People must realize that to continue to insist that the Bible condemns homosexuality (once again, it's pretty plain that it does) is to par-ticipate in the escalating spiritual and physical violence against sexual minority people (I'm not sure what "spiritual violence" is, but I've personally never heard of a Christian encouraging physical violence towards homosexuals. Are you assuming that because someone believes that hmsxlty is sin, that they believe in hurting them? That's quite an assumption.). When people could not see, Jesus healed them. When they would not see, he condemned them. (In other words, If one refuses to accept your view that homosexuality is normal and not a sin, then they are being stubborn, and will be condemned by Jesus. Nice spin, but it's still sin.)
This document was written by the Reverend Elder Ken Martin, Pastor Emeritus of MCC Austin.
Father, in the Name of Jesus, I pray Your blessing over each person at Abundant Grace. I pray they stir up the gift of God inside of them - The Holy Spirit. That they would stoke the fires of love and passion in their relationship with Jesus Christ. That personal revival would start changing their lives in a mighty way.
Father, I pray they would walk in perfect health. That they would take authority over sickness and disease in The Name of Jesus. With Jesus' wounds, they are healed. I pray every sickness, disease, and pain leave them right now in Jesus Name.
Father, I pray You would now meet every financial need they have. You delight in the prosperity of Your servant, and You supply all their needs. I thank You for it right now in Jesus Name.
Father,I pray Your love, joy, and peace would abide in their homes. That selfishness would not be there - but only concern for the other. That they would enjoy this day that you have made, and rejoice and be glad in it. That they would love their spouses today. That they would love their kids today. That they would show love for others at work this day. That they would take time to be thankful for the little things today, In Jesus Name.
In Christ's Love,
Pastor
Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice. Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you. Php 4:4-9
When will God's peace keep our hearts and minds? When we are careful for nothing (not anxious or worried), because we know the greatness of our God, and we have entrusted everything to Him in prayer. We also do it with thanksgiving, because we know that He hears us, and His eyes are upon us (1Pt 3:12) - and we believe we receive when we pray (Mk 11:23-24).
Many Christians are anxious and worried about the state of the world right now - when we are actually commanded not to be. Jesus told us to take no thought (don't be anxious or worried) about the things of this world (Mt 6:25-34). Our hope and trust should be in God alone.
Positive thinking gets a bad wrap in many Christians circles, but may I say, God is the ultimate "positive thinker". He has actually given to us clear instructions to think positively in Philip 4:8 (above). Many Christians are worried and distressed everyday because they are not obeying these Scriptures. I'm not saying we should stick our heads in the sand and pretend that all is well on the earth; or that we should neglect our responsibility to make our voices heard when given the opportunity.
What I am saying, is that we are not to be dwelling on and meditating on these earthly things. It is not Scriptural to do so. We are of a heavenly kingdom. We must take our thoughts captive, and make them obey the words of Jesus. We must cast down vain imaginations, because they are contrary to what we know about God and His Word. Can you imagine Jesus and the apostles sitting around getting depressed, and griping because Rome was in charge? It's unthinkable! But what do we often do? We need to be about our Father's business. Jesus said we can't change a single thing by worrying (Mt 6:27)!
What should we do? What does God's kind of love do? It hopes the best. It believes the best. It thinks no evil. It rejoices in truth. It bears and endures all things. We need purify our selves. We need to make ourselves ready for our Groom. We need to stir up The Gift, Our relationship with The Holy Spirit living inside of us, that we may have oil in our lamps. We need to have personal, spiritual revival within ourselves. Avoid the appearance of evil. Walk in love and peace and unity in accordance with God's Word. Let's move on from self focus and dead works, to experience true freedom in the new birth - and genuine humility before our God. Let's lose our life, that we may find it in Christ. Let's be dead to self, and alive unto God. Let's study to be quiet, and to do our own business, and to work with our own hands, as we have been commanded (1Thess 4:11). That we live in simplicity and godly sincerity (2Cor 1:12).
As I've said before, Nero, one of the most vile and wicked men in actions to ever live, was in charge when Paul wrote Philip 4:8. Circumstances have nothing to do with our ability to obey this verse. Here is something else interesting - that convicted me, by the way - In all of Paul's 14 epistles, Nero is never even mentioned. Now I'm not saying it's wrong to mention anyone in government - but it's obviously not something that's very important to the Holy Spirit.
Let's be slow to speak, slow to anger, and quick to listen - for in the multitude of words, sin is not lacking. Spend much more time quietly in the presence of God - and much less time being a busbody or absorbed with the news. We need the strength and wisdom today that comes only from being alone with God and letting His Word change us from the inside out.
Blessings and Peace Be With You,
Pastor