Faithfully Entrusted

What is Gender?

Title: The Divine Blueprint Unveiled: Unraveling Gender through Genesis 5:1-3

Introduction:

I. Unveiling the Imago Dei in Gender A. God's Creative Expression: Made in His Likeness

B. Reflecting the Creator's Unity in Diversity

II. Gender's Role in God's Procreative Design A. A Glorious Partnership: Co-Creators with God

B. The Sacred Covenant of Marriage

III. Addressing Contemporary Challenges A. Cultural Shifts and Gender Identity

B. Insights from Al Mohler

Conclusion:

Title: Embracing Love: A Biblical Perspective on Homosexuality

Introduction:

Segment 1: Understanding Biblical Teachings on Homosexuality

Segment 2: Recognizing Our Own Brokenness

Segment 3: Extending Christlike Love and Compassion

Segment 4: Engaging in Honest and Open Dialogue

Segment 5: Offering Support and Discipleship

Conclusion:

Outro:

Have you ever encountered situations where things weren't quite as they seemed? Often, the same can be said about worship. It's easy to assume that outward displays of devotion equate to genuine worship, but a closer look reveals that worship isn't always what it appears to be. In the book of Genesis, we find a thought-provoking account that sheds light on this truth – the story of Cain and Abel's offerings (Genesis 4:1-16). Let's delve into this narrative to uncover three distinct elements that set their worship apart: faith versus lack of faith, tokenism versus true faith, and desire versus discharging duty.

Firstly, faith stands at the core of genuine worship. Abel's offering was accepted because it was accompanied by unwavering faith in God. He believed in God's promises and sought to honor Him wholeheartedly. In contrast, Cain's offering lacked faith. He offered the fruits of his labor but failed to acknowledge God as the source of his blessings. His worship lacked the essential ingredient of faith, causing it to fall short. This stark contrast reminds us that true worship springs from a heart grounded in faith and reliance on God.

Secondly, the distinction between tokenism and true faith becomes apparent in their offerings. Abel's offering was a genuine expression of his faith and love for God. He brought the best of his flock, symbolizing a sacrificial giving of his most valued possession. Abel's offering was born out of a sincere desire to please God. On the other hand, Cain's offering seemed more like tokenism. He offered some fruits, not necessarily his best or firs fruits, but rather as an obligatory gesture. It lacked the depth of genuine faith and devotion. This contrast highlights that true worship involves wholehearted commitment and sacrificial giving, rather than mere gestures of obligation.

Finally, the difference between desire and discharging duty emerges in their worship. Abel's offering stemmed from a deep desire to please God and seek His approval. He willingly brought his offering, driven by a genuine longing to worship God from the depths of his being. In contrast, Cain approached his offering as a duty to fulfill, a mere obligation. There was no burning desire within him to connect with God. This disparity serves as a poignant reminder that worship goes beyond fulfilling obligations; it flows from a passionate desire to commune with God and experience His presence.

As we reflect on the account of Cain and Abel, it becomes evident that worship goes beyond external appearances. It is an intimate connection between our hearts and the heart of God. True worship is characterized by unwavering faith, sacrificial giving motivated by genuine love, and a burning desire to seek and honor God. It requires us to examine our motives and align our hearts with God's desires.

Let this story serve as a reminder to evaluate our own worship. Are we offering God our best, driven by a deep faith and desire to honor Him? Or are we merely going through the motions, discharging our duties without genuine devotion? Let us strive to cultivate a worship that is pleasing to God, one that reflects our unwavering faith, sacrificial giving, and a genuine desire to seek Him wholeheartedly.

In conclusion, worship isn't always what it appears to be. By delving into the story of Cain and Abel's offerings, we discover that true worship is grounded in faith, involves sacrificial giving born out of genuine love of the LORD, and arises from a passionate desire to connect with God. Let us pursue a worship that goes beyond external rituals and truly honors the heart of our Creator, Savior and Helper.

"we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding.” -Col. 1:9

God’s Decretive (Sovereign) Will The secret will of God is known to God and God alone. This is knowledge of future events. The only way to discern this by looking backwards at past events. 

God's Preceptive (Revealed) Will

The Scripture remains the revealed Will of God.  The Word of God contains Biblical Commands, principles, and applied knowledge…aka wisdom.  

What we may safely presume when making decisions.

Methods and Motives to be cautious of or avoid using

Prerequisites for Biblical Decision making

The Process of Making A Biblical Decision:

Greed, what is it? Why don't we naturally confess it?

Marriage in the Garden

Genesis 2:18-25

Luther makes his comment he says, “Human beings can err but the word of God is the very wisdom of God and the absolute infallible truth.”  

“The woman was made of a rib out of the side of Adam; not made out of his head to rule over him, nor out of his feet to be trampled upon by him, but out of his side to be equal with him, under his arm to be protected, and near his heart to be beloved.”

― Matthew Henry, Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible

 23 Then the man said,

“This at last is rbone of my bones

and flesh of my flesh;

she shall be called Woman,

because she was staken out of Man.”5

24 tTherefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. 25 And the man and his wife were both naked and were not ashamed.

A simple definition of the word cult would be any sect of people bound together by devotion to a person, object or ideology. There are two streams of cults the protestant Christian church spinoffs and non-Christian new religious movements. In the church, we tend to think of cults as any sect of individuals united by devotion to any religion considered false, unorthodox, and counterfeit. However, with the continued influx of immigrants, the spiritual landscape of our nation is quickly changing.  Despite many differences, cults have a set of general characteristics in common. Here is a list of the general characteristics of cults. These characteristics have been organized in an acronym to help you remember:

C = conflict with society – they do not follow the cultural norms of their surrounding culture, usually an overall reject all together. Examples of this may be a complete withdrawal from surrounding culture into compounds or small communities built for and by the group.

U = unfamiliar – distinct alternative patterns in fundamental areas of religious life. They deviate from Judeo-Christian teachings, symbols, and sources. This changes their theology, practice, and socially.

L = leader - a stong, charismatic leader with a high level of authority, who formulates dogmas, isolating members from others who do not support their beliefs.

T = totalism – complete commitment, the member becomes dependent on the group for psychological, social, religious, and physical needs. Often, strong and seemingly unnecessary boundaries are drawn in the areas of dress, diet, and names.

S = seeks experience- Oriented towards powerful subjective experiences and meeting personal needs. The group believes that they have exclusive rights to a long tradition of wisdom or practice either corrupted or lost in the mainstream.

I plan to post another blog about American new religious movements soon. For now keep praying for those caught up in these traps, 75% of them will leave within a year of joining. Many who leave cults will not trust religion, especially what they term “organized religion.” The church must be prepared to encourage, evangelize, and help them heal. Jesus is the only one who can free us from the bondage of our sin and the sins of others.

New religious movements are cults that formed in the past 150-175 years. They depart from the central teaching and symbols of normative to mainstream Judeo-Christian sources. NRMs often originate during times of high social stress, like in the United States in the 1840’s and 1960’s. NRMs function as form of modern shamanism. A shaman is one who communicates with gods, spirit world by ecstatic means. Here are characteristics of NRMs in American:

Your Verdict on the Empty Tomb

By: Travis Tyler

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the foundation of the Christian faith. It hinge belief that distinguishes Christianity from other religions. But is there any proof that the resurrection actually happened? Can we trust the accounts of the apostles who witnessed it? In his book, "Your Verdict on the Empty Tomb," Val Grieve explores the evidence for the resurrection and invites readers to make their verdict. Let's look at some of the proofs that Grieve presents.

Firstly, Grieve argues that the empty tomb itself is proof of the resurrection. The tomb was guarded by Roman soldiers, and the stone was sealed. It would have been impossible for anyone to move the stone and steal the body without being detected. Yet, on the third day, the tomb was empty. Grieve writes, "The tomb was empty on that first Easter morning, and it has remained empty ever since. The fact of the empty tomb is a powerful witness to the resurrection of Jesus Christ."

Lee Strobel, a former atheist and journalist, set out to investigate the evidence for the resurrection of Jesus Christ  after his wife became a Christian.  Strobel  investigated the evidence for the empty tomb, including the fact that the tomb was sealed and guarded by Roman soldiers. He found that the evidence for the empty tomb was strong, and he was convinced that it could not be explained away as a misunderstanding or a theft.

Lee Strobel Said, "The evidence for Jesus' resurrection is so strong that nobody would question it except for two things: First, it is a very unusual event. And second, if you believe it happened, you have to change the way you live."

Secondly, Grieve points to the testimony of the women who first discovered the empty tomb. In the ancient world, the testimony of women was not considered reliable, yet the gospel writers record that it was women who first saw the risen Jesus. This detail adds credibility to the accounts, as it is unlikely that the gospel writers would invent such a detail. As Grieve writes, "The fact that the gospel writers recorded the testimony of women, despite the cultural bias against them, indicates that they were recording what actually happened."

Thirdly, Grieve argues that the transformation of the disciples is proof of the resurrection. Before the crucifixion, the disciples were fearful and scattered. Yet, after the resurrection, they were bold and unafraid, even in the face of persecution and death. Grieve writes, "Something happened to the disciples after the crucifixion that transformed them from fearful and defeated men into bold and courageous witnesses. The most plausible explanation for this transformation is that they had encountered the risen Jesus."

Strobel says, "The transformation of the disciples from fearful and disillusioned to bold and courageous witnesses is strong evidence that they truly believed that Jesus had risen from the dead. This transformation is inexplicable apart from the reality of the resurrection."

Fourthly, Grieve points to the fact that the early church believed in the resurrection. The church was founded on the belief that Jesus had risen from the dead, and this belief was central to the Christian faith. Grieve writes, "The early church was built on the conviction that Jesus had risen from the dead. This belief was not the result of wishful thinking or delusion, but of the convincing evidence that Jesus had indeed risen."

10 Reasons Christ Came to Die

APRIL 18, 2019  |  CHANCE FAULKNER

Every year we celebrate the darkest day in all of history: we look to the Son of God,  bruised, bleeding, stripped naked and crucified.

What is so good about “Good Friday”?

Here are ten Biblical realities to be meditating upon this Good Friday as we consider, and remember “Why did Christ have to die?” (from John Piper, 50 Reasons Christ Came to Die).

“In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” 1 Jn 4:10

“In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace” Ephesians 1:7

“this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” Matthew 26:28

“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.” Romans 3:23–24

“For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” 2 Corinthians 5:21

“he has now reconciled [you] in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him.” Colossians 1:22

“For Christ also suffered[a] once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit.” 1 Peter 3:18

“For Christ has entered, not into holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true things, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf. Nor was it to offer himself repeatedly, as the high priest enters the holy places every year with blood not his own, for then he would have had to suffer repeatedly since the foundation of the world. But as it is, he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself” Hebrews 9:24–26

“who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.” Titus 2:14

To Absorb the Wrath of GodTo Show the Wealth of God’s Love and Grace for SinnersFor the Forgiveness of SinsTo Provide the Basis for our JustificationThat Completes the Obedience that Becomes our RighteousnessTo Make us Holy and BlamelessTo Bring us to GodTo Bring the Old Testament Priesthood to and End and Become the Eternal High PriestTo Create a People Passionate for Good WorksTo Make His Cross the Grounds of All Boasting“But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.” Galatians 6:14

Four sections of 1 Kings