Question – Jesus, 26

~  Regarding Decision ~

Introduction  ~  This series is about questions involving Jesus.  Some were asked by individuals involved with Jesus Christ while He walked on earth.  Others are questions that Jesus Christ asked others.  We will look at questions on about 130 topics (some may split into two or more posts).  Even so, it is far from an exhaustive list. 

Scripture  ~  “Then they sent to Him some of the Pharisees and the Herodians, to catch Him in His words.  When they had come, they said to Him, ‘Teacher, we know that You are true, and care about no one; for You do not regard the person of men, but teach the way of God in truth.  Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?  Shall we pay, or shall we not pay?’  But He, knowing their hypocrisy, said to them, ‘Why do you test Me?  Bring Me a denarius that I may see it.’  So they brought it.  And He said to them, ‘Whose image and inscription is this?’  They said to Him, ‘Caesar's.’  And Jesus answered and said to them, ‘Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.’  And they marveled at Him” (Mark 12:13-17).

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

NOTES:

(1)     The current TOP 10 ALN posts are listed at the very bottom of this home page.

(2)     There is an INDEX of all ALN posts accessed by scrolling down the left column.

(3)     You may LINK to any ALN posts on your own blog or website. 

(4)     You may COPY any ALN post, but please credit ALN as the source by prominently displaying the following statement:  Reprinted from “Abundant Life Now,” a free blog which offers inspiring moments, thought-provoking comments, and solid Biblical insight at http://RobertLloydRussell.blogspot.com/ .

Jesus Was—But, 11

~ Consider His Self-Existence ~

Introduction  ~  Each post in this series looks at an historical event and then follows it up with part of “The Rest of The Story” (as Paul Harvey used to say). 

Jesus Was  ~  The Beloved Apostle, John, gives us insight into this topic: “I tell you the truth, Jesus answered, before Abraham was born, I AM” (John 8:58).

Consider also: “I am The Bread of Life” (John 6:35).  “I am The Light of the World” (John 8:12).  “I am The Gate” (John 10:9).  “I am The Good Shepherd” (John 10:11).  “I am The Resurrection and the Life” (John 11:25).  “I am The Way, the Truth, and the Life” (John 14:6).  “I am The True Vine” (John 15:1).

But There Is More To The Story  ~  “Then He who sat on the throne said, ‘Behold, I make all things new.’  And He said to me, ‘Write, for these words are true and faithful.’  And He said to me, ‘It is done!  I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End.  I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts’” (Revelation 21:5-7).  This statement “I am the Alpha and the Omega” is repeated four times in the Book of Revelation. 

Note  ~  Alpha is the first letter of the Greek alphabet and Omega is the last letter.  This is the equivalent for English speaking people as “I am the A and the Z, the beginning and the end.” 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

NOTES:

(1)     The current TOP 10 ALN posts are listed at the very bottom of this home page.

(2)     There is an INDEX of all ALN posts accessed by scrolling down the left column.

(3)     You may LINK to any ALN posts on your own blog or website. 

(4)     You may COPY any ALN post, but please credit ALN as the source by prominently displaying the following statement:  Reprinted from “Abundant Life Now,” a free blog which offers inspiring moments, thought-provoking comments, and solid Biblical insight at http://RobertLloydRussell.blogspot.com/ .

Myth, 32

~ Music Style Determines Church Success ~

Myth  ~  Contemporary Music Will Save Your Church. 

Reality  ~  The reality is that music can be an aid or a hindrance to the true success of your church.  Today, many churches have moved from true worshipful music to more of an entertainment type of music.  In such settings music is often used to build up emotions rather than to cause the individual and corporate body to the worship of God. 

Scripture  ~  The book of Psalms has been called Israel’s Hymnbook.  The modern church can learn a lot be immersing itself in the Psalms. 

Christian History  ~  Many great Christian leaders of the past and present have warned about the misuse of music in the local church.  A few examples:

“Modern religion focuses upon filling churches with people.  The true Gospel emphasizes filling people with God.  …  Worship is no longer worship when it reflects the culture around us more than the Christ within us.  … There was a day when men sang, Holy, Holy, Holy, and oh, worshipped the King and they talked objectively about the greatness of God.  Then we backslid into the gutter where we still are, where everything is about I.  I’m so happy.  “I’m so blessed.  “I’m so nice.  “I’m so good.  I’m, I, always I”  ~ A.W. Tozer

“The devil has seldom done a cleverer thing than hinting to the church that part of their mission is to provide entertainment for the people, with a view of winning them.”  ~ H.H. Spurgeon

“These first Christians did not come together to be entertained.  Nothing to me is so pathetic about the state of the church today as the entertainment that has increasingly come into our services.  …  Why did the early Christians come together?  The answer is given: ‘They continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship and in breaking of bread, and in prayers” (Acts 2:42).  And this is what we must emphasize.”  ~ Martyn Lloyd Jones

“Modern church buildings are constructed like theaters (“playhouses,” Spurgeon called them).  Instead of a pulpit, the focus is a stage.  …  Worship is not music.  It is loving God.  Worship is honoring God.  Worship is knowing God for who He is, adoring Him, obeying Him, proclaiming Him as a way of life.  Music is one way we express that adoration.  …  Many people see preaching and worship as two distinct aspects of the church service, as if preaching has nothing to do with worship and vice versa.  But that is an erroneous concept.  The ministry of the Word is the platform on which all genuine worship is built.”  ~ John MacArthur  

The Bottom Line  ~  The preaching of the Word of God should be the focus of what has often been called the “Worship Service.”  While music should support that it has the danger of replacing the emphasis of the service. 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

NOTES:

(1)     The current TOP 10 ALN posts are listed at the very bottom of this home page.

(2)     There is an INDEX of all ALN posts accessed by scrolling down the left column.

(3)     You may LINK to any ALN posts on your own blog or website. 

(4)     You may COPY any ALN post, but please credit ALN as the source by prominently displaying the following statement:  Reprinted from “Abundant Life Now,” a free blog which offers inspiring moments, thought-provoking comments, and solid Biblical insight at http://RobertLloydRussell.blogspot.com/ .