Confession

Fellowship with God, being closer to God, and knowing the nature of God is what we as Christians strive for. Sin is the one thing that keeps us from that. One of the only ways to deal with sin is to confess our sins to each other, sympathize with one another, and work out our salvation together with God’s help. But isn’t it ironic, that confessing our sins depends on us? In essence, the one thing that keeps us from fellowshipping with God is ourselves. However, this is one of the hardest things for us humans to do-to admit that we have something wrong. To admit, ultimately, that we are wrong. We like authority and control, and admitting that we sin and continue to struggle with sin, is admitting that we are not in control; that we cannot fix it ourselves. So, in the most basic form, sin is self-deception. We deceive ourselves into thinking that we can fix it or control it, when in reality the way in which God created us was for confession through others. If God created us for community and confession, why is this so difficult?

Wrapped Up

When I wrote those words, immediately the VBS song came to my head (If you don't know it, ask someone to demonstrate...in a very public place, I promise you it will be funny). I was studying Acts and realized they were wrapped up in something much bigger than you or I have ever experienced. That's what I long for the church to be wrapped up in again. A sense of urgency, of desperation, of absolute necessity to spread the gospel. Not only to spread the gospel, but to be sanctified through the blood of Jesus. However, we have come to a place in religion that says, "Just learn more about the Bible." Here's the deal-we have our mission, we know what to do, we know what God did, now we need to work on doing it. Like, really work on doing it. I want to be wrapped up in something so big, I actually would give my life for it. Cause if an opportunity came where I could, I'm not sure what my response would be. If the church really was "Wrapped up in Jesus", I wonder what it would like?

A note for worshipers

As I worship leader I hear a lot of requests, and compliments. I also hear a few complaints. I am blessed at Mayfair to not have many complaints at all. However, I was watching a video clip yesterday and was reminded of the true purpose of worship-to glorify God. I hope this isn't news to anyone but sometimes I feel like I need to remind people. People that say, "I didn't get anything out of that", or "I didn't like those songs/sermon". I want to reply, "I'm sorry, I didn't realize it was for you". So, the next time you feel the need to critique or complain, maybe you should critique your motives.

Acts 2

This is one of the most popular passages on what the 1st century church did, an amazing display of the Holy Spirit, and one of the most powerful gospel messages ever preached. One might think, Acts 2:38 is the crux of this chapter, but if that is so, I think we are missing the point. Acts 2:38 is the response or the result of Peter proclaiming the message of Christ in such a powerful way, people didn't know what to do! Bottom line-the Gospel doesn't need to be dressed up, dumbed down or messed with by culture. Here is the message Peter preached-"Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified." The rest of the book of Acts is a response to that message. How are we responding? Do our churches look like this? Our are people that crazy? I'm not quite sure we want it bad enough. Maybe some do, and aren't sure how to do it. Or, maybe it was just a good story to read.

Interesting facts about Acts

We are studying the book Acts in Ladies class and I did some background work on the book and here's some interesting stuff I didn't know.
1. The book is officially titled "Acts of the Apostles". However, there are only 3 apostles mentioned in the book and they are all out of the picture pretty early. Commentators suggest it should be called, "Acts of Apostolic People".
2. The book is split into two sections. The first section, 1-15:35, is a collection of stories that Luke compiled from a number of different sources (Silas, Timothy, Titus, Apollos, Lydia, Aquila, Barnabas, Philip, Peter, Mark and Paul. Obviously not an extensive list). The second section, 15:36-28, was written first hand by Luke. If you will notice, after 15:35 the "they" changes to "we".
3. The book was written to Theophilus. They are not sure who he was but here are some theories.
-Theophilus was not a real name. In the greek literally, Theos=God, and phileo=love. Maybe it was written to a "lover of God".
-Theophilus could have been a high-ranking government official whom Luke would have been a doctor for. It was rumored that Luke may have been his slave (it was common that doctors were slaves in the ancient world). Theophilus gave Luke his freedom for nursing him back to health and in return, the greatest gift Luke knew to give, was the gospel. Acts, was his gift.

A bit nerdy, but interesting.

2nd Peter

Here is your interesting bible fact for the week. 2 Peter made it into the New Testament only after much dispute and a few hundred years. No one even knew that Peter wrote a second letter until almost a century later! This may not sound like a big deal (and in the scheme of things, it's really not) but most of the 1st century churches never read this letter let alone didn't even know this letter existed. Generally, most of the 1st and 2nd century historians may have known about this letter but did not regard this as scripture. Finally, in the 4th century 2nd Peter was accepted into the New Testament. Just to throw another kink into the problem, Peter probably did not 2nd Peter. (Here's where you can check my research.) Someone else wrote it in the name of Peter thinking his name meant more at the time. Back then, this wasn't plagerism, it was an honor to have someone write in your name. Through all the chaos of deciding what got in to the bible and what didn't, I'm just glad God had a hand in all of it.