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So yesterday I left off with my becoming a Christian and joining a church. It wasn't all perfect, my wife still had a lot to learn we had a lot to sort out, it wasn't so much the things of faith but working out that faith in our lives. Examples we had to learn about the Sabbath and Sabbath keeping we had to learn about being in a Christian relationship and a eventually raising Christian kids and Homeschooling. We are still learning we have today. In the time between then and now we have moved twice once to the Annapolis Valley of Nova Scotia where we were involved in another Church Plant. and then we moved to PEI where we joined a well established church. Each church and situation brought it's own challenges and learning and changes in our lives. Like I said when I issued this challenge the point of Reformation is bring one / one's church / or one's community into closer relationship with God to bring us back to our purpose of Glorifying God. So what have I learned and how did I learn it and how am I applying it in my life today, what changes do I still need to make? I thought I would examine a topic at a time in my journal posts so in my next post tommorow or Monday I will be looking at the Sabbath, this was an early challenge and one that is very dear to me and one I find a chaallenge in my life in dealing with many different reasons now then earlier.
Category: Reformation Challenge
HAPPY REFORMATION DAY!!!!
So yesterday I instituted a Challenge for us to continue the work of the Reformers in our own lives and our own churches. I stated that today I would write my first Reformation Journal Entry. I believe this is important because it will help me put in perspective where I came from. This is as much for the benfit of those reading as it is to me as I reflect upon how I got to where I am today and where I still need to go.
Reformation Journal Entry Day 1
My Testimony in Brief: I come from a non church going family, my Father was Roman Catholic my mother was raised in the Presbyterian Church of Canada (A Very Liberal Presbyterian Church) My mom was not religious, and religion didn't really play a part in my dad's life. I was Baptised in teh Catholic Church and I went through all the rituals, but this was the only time my family went to church we didn't even go for Easter and Christmas. I always had an interest so I would sometimes go to church myself it would always be Roman Catholic because thats what I considered myself. When I was in University I became serious about religion I started attending Mass 6 Days a week I took Saturdays off because it wasn't convenient for me. I met a lot of friends tha twere Christians but I considered myself to be a Christian as well, after all which of my friends went to church 6 times a week. I didn't see the conflict with Roman Catholic Tradition and Dogma and Biblical Christianity, it is evident now as I look back that I was wrong. The three years at University were the first time I was exposed to real Christians but I held fast to my faithful Catholic Church. I went to Bible studies and was involved with Christian groups on Campus but I didn't live an upright life, I wasn't even really a good Catholic in this respect. Though I had been challenged by the Gospel I still hadn't responded. Though seeds were planted. My last year and a half of University I was sick an was in the hospital a few times for various operations on my vocal chords, this put me behind and I just let my own lifestyle put me behind further, so I didn't go back after my 3rd year.
The year after I left University was a mess anybody who knows me then will easily attest to that. If you knew me back then and happen to be reading this I would liek to extend my sincerest appologies, I was a jerk and a complete idiot who had no care for himself or anybody else. I took advantage of friends and ruined what were some of my best friendships in my life. Unfortunately my selfishness and self centredness I can see now I was to busy enjoying to realize what I was doing to friends. Of all the regrets in my life this year and a half or so period of my life is probably the biggest, it also happens to be one of the most important things happen to me. In hitting rock bottom and seeing how alone I was I realized I needed to change.
I started reading teh Bible, I had read it before but now I read it differently I wasn't reading it as one would a novel or biography but I started reading it as an instruction manual. I saw the people I knew who seemed to have it together were Christians, some of whom I had acted so awfully towards that I have never seen again, but still I saw them as guides and I saw that thier faith made them better people then me. And I wanted to be a better person so I started to read "Their Instruction Manual" At this point I was still Catholic and still considered myself to be a Christian. At this time I skipepd the Old Testament, I thought anything useful to me would be found in the New (I now know this is a great fallacy) anyways I had read the Gospels before and was familiar with the Stories of Jesus so they were quick reads and I wasn't struck by anything new in them. (Now I find something new everytime I read the Bible) Acts was interesting but it was just another story, a History. Ah but when I got to Romans I foudn what I had been looking for Instructions on being a Good Christian, a better person. Romans challenged me it still does which is why I'm using it for my weekly Bible Study. When I read Romans I saw a few things first I saw when Paul was addressing Israel when he talked about thier traditions failing them I saw direct parrallells to the Roman Catholic Church. I saw for the first time (though I had been told many times before) that The Roman Catholic Church is NOT a Christian Church and if I wanted to be a Good Christian I couldn't belong to the Catholic Church, I also saw what I did need I needed faith to have a relationship with God, I had studied History in University and had studied Luther but I saw for the first time what he meant. I concluded I wasn't a Christian and I couldn't become one in the Roman Catholic Church.
You would think this meant my life would change and I would suddenly become a Christian, but alas it didn't work that easily and I knew it. I had tamed my lifestyle and had become a more "responsible" adult, but I had just tamed my lifestyle down not totally disavowed it. I still had a lot of growing to do and I by no means had faith. I started going to various churches I considered myself to nolonger be Catholic but rather I called myself a "freelance" Christian, I knew enough to know I was only nominally a Christian. I had a lot of problems with a lot of churches I went to. The people in them were no better than me, in fact many were worse and these were the ones professing to be Christians, I wasn't finding teh way to be a better person there at all, sure church was fun people were friendly but once people left they seemed to leave church behind. I wasn't satisfied I did some more growing up went to College and got a Business Technology Diploma, I had always been interested in active in politics but I was very Liberal, as I matured I became more conservative and got involved with Conservative politics in Canada. I got a job working in Politics (had been my dream since I was a kid) I met a girl she was different than my other relationships I had decided I was serious (though seriousness for me meant moving in together, I believed in marriage but I didn't see a problem with a "trial" period)
We became engaged 2 months later. At about the same time a Christian friend I had kept in contact with told me about a mutual friend who had been away studying in the States at Seminary he would soon becoming back to plant a church. This mutual friend had been a Christian i had had the biggest confrontations with about being a Catholic. He was a few years older and not a student but ratehr part of an evangelical Christian ministry organization. This organization was non-denominatial (I would say Armenian/Dispensationalist leanings) but this friend John had become Calvinistic and had went to a Reformed Presbyterian Seminary and was coming back to plant a reformed Presbyterian church. These labels meant nothing to me at the time I didn't understand them but what I did understand was that he was a Christian I remembering witnessing how he had lived out his faith in all aspects of his life. I knew he believed the Bible was teh word of God so he wanted to live his life accordingly. I knew he would have the answers I was looking for and he would hold no punches.
Oh I should point out since I had started University I had been living in Halifax, Nova Scotia up to this point save for 6 months I was in Winnipeg working at the end of my 3rd year of University. John had moved back to Canada, he was completing his studies by interning at Mount Zion ARP Church in Moncton, New Brunswick. He was coming to lead a bi-weekly Bible Study laying teh ground work for planting a church in Halifax. I started coming to the Bible Study and I brought Michelle my Fiance (she had been brought up by agnostic parents but had attened 7th Day Adventist Youth Camps as a Teen, so she had some exposure to the Bible) I met with John from time to time and he challenged me and he began to steer me towards where I needed to go. He explained how to get a relationship with Christ and he explained about faith. He also challenged my lifestyle and I began to reluctantly respond. Michelle and I began taking pre-marital classes with him this challenged us more. In about 8 months I was ready to make a profession of faith. Michelle made one about 3 months later and was baptised a month before we were married. We were some of the first members of Covenant ARP Church in Halifax
Tommorow Part II How I Grew in Faith and Understanding
Category: Reformation Challenge
As those of you who regularly read my Blog know I try to bring a Christ focus into everything I do. Not always as successfully as I would like, but it is my focus. I believe as the first question of the Shorter Catechism states "My primary purpose is to Glorify God and Enjoy Him forever." It is sort of the unofficial motto of our family. We keep this in mind in all things we do.
Tomorrow is Reformation Day our family celebrates this day not Halloween because of it's Historical significance as Christians and our primary purpose as noted above. . There were "Reformers" in the Medieval Church before Luther, though they made some impact. Martin Luther's posting of the 95 Theses was probably one of the most influential moments in the history of not just the church but the entire world in the last 1000 years.
Martin Luther was just the beginning in a long line of Reformers as you will have noticed in the time lines I posted. But the Reformation didn't end there. The Reformation is still going on. The work of Luther, Calvin, Knox, Edwards, Spurgeon and many others is still unfinished. Martin Luther did not post is 95 Theses with the intent of starting a new Church but with the idea of "Reforming" the church, going back to it's Biblical beginnings, through time he realized he would not be able to do that in the Corrupt, Roman Catholic Church. The Roman Catholic Church still suffers many of the same problems Luther noted, you might not have a traveling indulgence salesman come to your local Catholic Cathedral but go in any Roman Catholic Church today you will see a place where there are candles (usually at the front) there is a money box and you can light a candle to help get a loved one out of purgatory, to have a sin forgiven etc. They still have confession they still believe in transubstantiation. The Roman Catholic Church has never been restored to being a Christian Church (they have Christ but not Christ alone) if you are a Christian, you believe that Nothing You can do can save you, it is only through Faith and the Grace of Jesus Christ that you are saved, and you are in a Roman Catholic Church I would urge you to leave, you will not hear the pure Gospel preached and you will not be nurtured by it.
But alas it is not just the Roman Catholic Church that is in deep Peril there are many Churches that have fallen in to much worse heresy and there are many churches walking a tight rope on a very slippery slope. Example there are some denominations that do not accept the Bible as the infallible word of God, they deny the deity of Christ and/or the Trinity, there are Churches where the Primary Purpose of their Worship service is not to Glorify God, but rather to please themselves, this whole stream of Seeker Sensitive, Strategic Church Growth Churches etc. they put the Gospel aside they do not preach the whole counsel of God. These Churches are in need of Reform, they need to be restored to Truth.
If are part of the Willow Creek Movement, or The Purpose Driven Church Movement, or the Emerging Church movement or The Strategic Planning Church movement to step away from the Creek and come to the Living Waters, be driven by your Purpose to Glorify God, and Emerge into the light of Truth and embrace the only strategy that can save your soul. These movements have it wrong it is not the number of people in the pews who profess to be in your church, it's not the size of your building or amount of money your church can raise to do good in your community in the name of your church that matters. It is the faith of the people in the pews, the word that is preached in the building and the spirit and motivation behind the good works that raises the name of Christ and his church that matters. If you don't believe me see what God's own word has to say in Revelations 2 and 3 The Apostle John hears what Christ has to say of Churches
In Revelation 3 he talks about the Church in Laocedia
14 "And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write,'These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God: 15 I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. 16 So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. 17 Because you say, 'I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing'--and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked-- 18 I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. 19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent. 20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. 21 To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. 22 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches."
They were Large and Rich they were a Lukewarm church, there works were not done in faith whom Christ wishes to Vomit Out (speak about rebukes) he urges them to repent and to clothe themselves in the White Garments of righteousness.
In Revelation 2 he talks about the Church in Symra:
8 "And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write,’ These things says the First and the Last, who was dead, and came to life: 9 I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are rich); and I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. 10 Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. 11 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death." '
Now the church in Symra is the opposite of Laocedia poor, it is not large, but it is faithful, and though it might be persecuted it maintains it faith through tribulation and Christ blesses this church and those in it. What a contrast to the Laocedian church.
Which Church do you belong to?
We need to Reform our churches and our lives, everybody including myself should look at their church their denomination look at into their own heart and seek reform. Get rid of the Idea What Would Jesus Do, because that is assumptive speculation at best and embrace the Idea What Did Jesus Say. That is embrace the whole counsel of God look at the Bible make sure it the focus of your life.
In every action you take, every decision you make, and every action you take ask the following questions:
What is my motivation/purpose.
This question might seem to be tiring after awhile and I have to admit I sometimes forget to ask it but make it a habit. Your motivation should not be self but to further the Kingdom of God, to give him the Glory, we tell our kids when they are learning that they are learning for God's Glory. Our son who is learning to read he is motivated by wanting to be able to read God's word and Read the Psalm Book we sing from at Church so that he might know God better and worship him better. Likewide our Daughter when she is learning math or about an animal in science we explain how she is learning about God's order and we stress that she is not learning just to know things but she is learning to know more about God to come to a greater understanding. My motivation for working is to provide for my Family which is motivated by calling by God to do so, but I do not allow my work to compromise my faith and what God requires, I will not work Sundays I will not lie to get ahead, I am not motivated by riches but am satisified to be able to provide.
Is this Glorifying God.
If you belive that your purpose is to Glorify God this must be your motivation. Glorifying God does not always lead in a way that will make you happy there might be sacrifices, you might be persecuted or chastised by friends and family members, you might even have to forsake them but remember you need to do what pleases God what he has commanded and he will be happy and you will be happy knowing this and he will eventually bring you greater joy, and not just in heaven but you will find great joy in serving him and you will develop new friends and new relationships which are more pleasing to God that will be more joyful then the ones you might have to forsake , trust me on this from my own experience.
This by no means you can't do things you find joy in, just make sure the things you find joy in are the things that God find joy in. Example if you enjoy reading, make sure what you are reading Glorifdies God put away that trashy novel and pick up a Biography, or a work of Christian fiction etc. If you go out to a bar with friends for the socializing, skip the bar go out for coffee have them over to play a game, have a Pizza Party at your house talk to them about the way God is working in your life.
What Does the Bible have to say? (If the Bible doesn't answer your questions ask if there might be a reason it is silent on the issue)
Use the tools available to you, concordances, commentaries the internet is full of them, I'll post some resources and tools at a later date.
Likewise examine your church there are several things you can do in this including:
Examine the worship service, what is placed as more important the preaching of the word or other things such as music program, children’s program etc.
Remember we are called to worship God on his terms not ours, things that might seem pleasing to man might not always be pleasing to God. God has commanded how we are to worship him.
Find out if your church has any Confessional Standards (documents that state what the church believes and governs itself) then examine those in the Light of Scripture
Some of these documents are large so you might want to start but looking to see what others say about them. Examine some key points to see if they are a faithful summary of scripture. Make sure you are using the correct version approved by your church some modern churches have mutilated faithful documents to modernize them for political correctness. eg. The Westminster Confession of Faith has been gutted and ripped apart by some Liberal Presbyterian Denominations so that it is barely recognizeable, itt no longer afirms the Scripture as being the infallible word of God it changes the qualifications for Pastors and Elders to make them be more politically correct. If your church has had to change these documents not to offend 20th/21st century standards it's not a very good sign. I will be more than happy to help you in examining these documents. I will give you an unbiased opinion, my only Bias is are they faithful to the word of God
If you're not sure how he will answer ask your Pastor the following:
To explain his understanding of the trinity?
He should be able to explain clearly that there is only one God and he exists in three Persons The Father Son and Holy Spirit.
Was Jesus fully man and fully God?
Christ was fully God he was not just a Historical figure he is not just a good role model, he was God incarnate, but Christ was also fully man it's a hard concept to sometimes wrap your mind around but it is the truth as taught in the Bible, becuae of his Godness Christ was sinless and was able to be an atoning sacrfice for you, and because of his humaness he was able to suffer and die to be that sacrifice.
Is the Bible the infallible word of God?
The Bible was written by men but was God breathed, it was truly inspired, that is men didn't write what they thought about God like we might be inspired by someone today to write a poem or story etc but God literally put the words in their heads so they could record them.
What about God's wrath?
God is a just God and because of his justice man has come under his wrath, our sin against God is punishable by death. A lot of modern preachers ignore God's wrath but the truth is without it what are we saved from. God is not nice to us but God is just towards us and his justice requires his wrath because as the one who wrote the Law he determined the penalty for transgressing it.
What is the state man finds himself before God?
Man is is a state of Total Depravity because of his sinful nature man is unable to stand before the face of God, "all our righteousness is as filthy rags" We are guilty before God and the penalty according to the Law of God must be paid for our transgressions
and most importantly ask "What must I do to be saved"
Romans 1 sums it up best :
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, F1 for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "The just shall live by faith."
nothing we can do no work of our own can save us we are justified by faith alone. Our works don't save us but rather are a sign of our faith.
Now here's the Challenge
Starting with tommorow "Reformation Day" where you see things in your own life or in your church that are not up to God's Standards seek to reform them. This might require drastic actions, drastic lifestyle changes. You might need to public challenge Heresy in your church, you might need to leave your church and seek one that Glorifies God. Use your blog to make a "Reforming Journal" of things you want to do, things you have done. Update it regularily, share with others they might have be in similar situations, they might have a solution. Ask questions if you need to ask me I will help you seek the answer in scripture together. Don't be afraid to step outside your traditions or your comfort zone don't be afraid to make a public stand for Christ. Reformation is an ongoing revolution as you develop a better understanding of the Bible and what Christ wants for you and His Church. Think about what would of happened if Martin Luther hadn't made a very public stand for Truth.
Tommorow I will start by writing my Reformation Journal, I will start with my testimony and I will tell you about the way I have reformed my faith as a Christian and how I am seeking to Glorify God in my family church and work.
If you want to join in this challenge message me or leave a comment and I will send you the code for your template to put the following Graphic and link back to here on your site.
Category: Reformation Challenge
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