Free salvation through Jesus. It’s a free gift, right? And all I have to do is believe. So then, how can it cost nothing but ask for everything?
Free salvation – How can it cost nothing but ask for everything? More
We move on to the fifth of the seven letters in Revelation. We’re on the home-stretch. This time the letter to the dead church in Sardis. Jesus has very little in the way of good things to say about the church in Sardis. And, of course, bad things. In this church, the examination will again be about the relationships between the good and bad statements. But this time, Jesus very clearly points out the differences to the church. And therefore, to us as well.
The letter to the dead church in Sardis – Revelation More
The Parable of the Fruitless Fig Tree – repent or perish. When you read it, the concept of the tree without fruit and the warning of repent or perish makes sense.
Well, it should make sense to Christians.
However, I believe there’s more to it than we might think.
The Parable of the Fruitless Fig Tree – repent or perish More
When we left Jonah in part 2 of this series, he was just vomited onto dry land by the great fish God send to bring Jonah back to Him. It seems there’s a great lesson, pun intended, that Christians need to learn about God from Jonah. Something that kind of reminds me a bit of a scene from Star Wars. The thinking behind “Let the Wookie win” is quite different from the contest of wills between God and Jonah. And yet, the idea of “Let God win”, is just so striking.
What Christians need to learn about God from Jonah More
Guns don’t kill people. People kill people. Therefore … I’m sick of hearing guns don’t kill people, people kill people. The logic behind that is so flawed. And the results of people who say it and/or believe it are more and more people dying. People die because people use guns to kill people!
If guns don’t kill people – people kill people – then … More
Who were the other two men on the crosses with Jesus? They were us. You and me. They were everyone who has ever heard the name of Jesus. It’s a simple story. Quite short. Twelve verses. In Luke’s Gospel. And yet, it tells the story of every one of us. Let’s see why it’s so important that we know their story. And through them, our story.
Who were the other two men on the crosses? More
Whoever loves God must also love his brother and sister. That’s not from me. It’s from the Bible. Certainly, non-Christians might feel no obligation to obey it. But if we’re Christian, it’s not a suggestion. It’s not just a “nice” thing to think about. It’s a command! And there aren’t any exceptions to go with it. In case you’re wondering, or even if you’re not, that includes our “brothers and sisters” from another country. Again, Jesus gives no exceptions.
Whoever loves God must also love his brother and sister More
Can Christians focus on Jesus now? Please?
We all realize murder is wrong.
What we don’t seem to realize, haven’t yet learned, is that every other unkind thing we do to each other is just as wrong!
Can Christians focus on Jesus now? Please? More
You may remember So in love with two. It comes from a song about a girl in love with two boys. But I look at it as a Christian, in love with Jesus and someone or something else.
Ultimately it’s not up to us to decide what Jesus is asking of us.
It’s up to us to decide whether we want to do what He is asking.
If we decide which things we want to do and which we don’t – the result will be like that camel going through the eye of a needle – it’s not gonna happen.
If we do what Jesus asks – then all things are possible – including that camel making it through the eye of the needle.
So – what did Mikaila’s song choose?
Hey, hey, hey
I choose the both of you
Uh Oh.
So in love with two – Jesus and ??? More
There’s no reason to think the actual beast in Revelation exists today. There are prerequisites, events that must take place before the antichrist makes his or her appearance.
So why go through all this if the beast doesn’t exist yet? Well, because it matters. If we can be deceived today, what hope do we have when the events in Revelation start to unfold?
Given that we’re so easily deceived today, it’s critically important that we learn to listen to the Holy Spirit. In church-speak, to be able to discern the difference between truth and lies. Not on our own, but with the power of the Holy Spirit.
Let’s look at a few examples of things that deceive Christians, even today
As I said, these examples are important. The things that deceive Christians today are from “ordinary” people. In other words, they aren’t from the antichrist. Not from the beast in Revelation.
Will the beast in Revelation be able to deceive Christians? More
