Archive for the ‘Hebrews’ Category
Kiekegaard Quote!
I wonder if a man handing another man an extremely sharp, polished, two-edged instrument would hand it over with the air, gestures, and expression of one delivering a bouquet of flowers? Would not this be madness? What does one do then? Convinced of the excellence of the dangerous instrument, one recommends it unreservedly, to be sure, but in such a way that in a certain sense one warns against it. So it is with Christianity. If what is needed is to be done, we should not hesitate, aware of the highest responsibility, to preach in Christian sermons – yes, precisely in Christian sermons – against Christianity.” – Soren Kierkegaard’s (Works of Love: Some Christian Reflections in the Form of a Discourse)
Kiekegaard Quote!
I wonder if a man handing another man an extremely sharp, polished, two-edged instrument would hand it over with the air, gestures, and expression of one delivering a bouquet of flowers? Would not this be madness? What does one do then? Convinced of the excellence of the dangerous instrument, one recommends it unreservedly, to be sure, but in such a way that in a certain sense one warns against it. So it is with Christianity. If what is needed is to be done, we should not hesitate, aware of the highest responsibility, to preach in Christian sermons – yes, precisely in Christian sermons – against Christianity.” – Soren Kierkegaard’s (Works of Love: Some Christian Reflections in the Form of a Discourse)
Bible Humor?
It’s been some time now since I’ve posted a little humor. I know that the below story isn’t new but what is? Besides I’m going with a safe one here. I hope it doesn’t bomb!
There was this Christian lady that had to do a lot of traveling for her business, so she did a lot of flying. Flying made her nervous, so she always took her Bible along with her to read and it helped relax her.
One time, she was sitting next to a man of letters. When he saw her pull out her Bible, he gave a little chuckle and went back to what he was doing.
After awhile, unable to resist, he turned to her and asked, “You don’t really believe all that stuff in there do you?”
The lady replied, “Of course I do. It is the Holy Bible.”
He said, “Well, what about that guy that was swallowed by that whale?”
She replied, “Oh, Jonah. Yes, I believe that, it is in the Bible.”
He asked, “Well, how do you suppose he survived all that time inside the whale?”
The lady said, “Well, I don’t really know all the details. I guess when I get to heaven, I’ll ask him.”
“What if he isn’t in heaven?” the man asked mockingly.
“Then you can ask him.” replied the lady confidently.
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes (Rom 1.16).
So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ (Rom 10.17).
For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart (Hebrews 4.12)
enjoy, ron
Hebrews 9 & 10
| Our Wednesday night Bible Study group is just entering a verse by verse study of the book of Hebrews. This video is from the WorshipGod06 Conference Aug. 9-12, 2006. Ryan Ferguson is giving a memorized dramatic recitation of Hebrews 9 & 10 from the ESV Bible. Take a listen! God’s Word is powerful!
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version is copyright ©2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. |
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Cross-Living!
Jesus stated in Luke 9:23 – “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself & take up his cross daily & follow me.” When Christ died on the cross for sinners he not only stood in my place, doing what I never could do, but he also showed me how to Cross-live.
Christ’s death saves us from eternal death but not from the cross life! He died so that we could be glorified, but not to keep us from being crucified. “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself & take up his cross daily.” For the Christian the cross of Christ isn’t merely a past place of substitution. It’s also a present place of daily putting to death. That is Cross-living!
We can never let the cross lose its crucifying power in our life! We can never let it slip into the muted & murky past as though Christ died for sinners so that we can live for pleasure. That is pleasure-living!
Eternal pleasures are coming! Many are already here! (forgiveness & acceptance & holiness & healing). But just like Jesus endured the cross for the joy that was set before him, so it is with us in this fallen age (Hebrews 12:1-11). Since most of the joy we long for is still over the horizon, we are to “…go forth to him outside the camp, bearing abuse for him. For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city which is to come” (Hebrews 13:13-14).
In other words if you would save your life you must lose it & if you would follow Jesus you must take up Cross-living daily. The huge calamity of much contemporary Christianity is that Cross-living has no appeal. And practically what it means is that Jesus lived in poverty so that I might live in wealth. And the more stuff we have the more we honor the cross – so goes the prosperity gospel.
So what is Cross-living? Plainly put it is taking up my own cross & dying to self, daily.
Cross-Living!
Jesus stated in Luke 9:23 – “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself & take up his cross daily & follow me.” When Christ died on the cross for sinners he not only stood in my place, doing what I never could do, but he also showed me how to Cross-live.
Christ’s death saves us from eternal death but not from the cross life! He died so that we could be glorified, but not to keep us from being crucified. “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself & take up his cross daily.” For the Christian the cross of Christ isn’t merely a past place of substitution. It’s also a present place of daily putting to death. That is Cross-living!
We can never let the cross lose its crucifying power in our life! We can never let it slip into the muted & murky past as though Christ died for sinners so that we can live for pleasure. That is pleasure-living!
Eternal pleasures are coming! Many are already here! (forgiveness & acceptance & holiness & healing). But just like Jesus endured the cross for the joy that was set before him, so it is with us in this fallen age (Hebrews 12:1-11). Since most of the joy we long for is still over the horizon, we are to “…go forth to him outside the camp, bearing abuse for him. For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city which is to come” (Hebrews 13:13-14).
In other words if you would save your life you must lose it & if you would follow Jesus you must take up Cross-living daily. The huge calamity of much contemporary Christianity is that Cross-living has no appeal. And practically what it means is that Jesus lived in poverty so that I might live in wealth. And the more stuff we have the more we honor the cross – so goes the prosperity gospel.
So what is Cross-living? Plainly put it is taking up my own cross & dying to self, daily.
revdrron 