Port Orchard Church of the Nazarene

This week, we were joined by guest speakers Nate Sylling and Jonathan Krause, who spoke on our new identity in Christ and what it means in comparison to our old flesh.

This week, Pastor Jerry began a series titled, 'The Origin, Evolution, and End of Religion,' and as one might infer, began by discussing the origin of religion. Throughout this series, religion is defined as "Any system of belief, behavior and belonging that we use to achieve access to the ultimate." Back in the garden, Adam and Eve were created to be in relationship with God. Unfortunately, ever since the Serpent brought in confusion, religion has become the Church’s dominant way to interact with God. Now, however, He is calling us away from a rule-driven religion back to a grace-based relationship.

This week, Pastor Jerry began a series titled, 'The Origin, Evolution, and End of Religion,' and as one might infer, began by discussing the origin of religion. Throughout this series, religion is defined as "Any system of belief, behavior and belonging that we use to achieve access to the ultimate." Back in the garden, Adam and Eve were created to be in relationship with God. Unfortunately, ever since the Serpent brought in confusion, religion has become the Church’s dominant way to interact with God. Now, however, He is calling us away from a rule-driven religion back to a grace-based relationship.

Looking back through the Old Testament, there seems to be several instances of God showing characteristics that don't exactly line up with the character of Jesus. However, if we read back through it assuming that it is all about the cross of Christ, then we can see how God adapted to the level of the cultural conditioning of the Old Testament authors, appearing violent as a result. In addition, when we read carefully, we can actually see the nonviolent character of God breaking through within the passages of violence themselves.

Looking back through the Old Testament, there seems to be several instances of God showing characteristics that don't exactly line up with the character of Jesus. However, if we read back through it assuming that it is all about the cross of Christ, then we can see how God adapted to the level of the cultural conditioning of the Old Testament authors, appearing violent as a result. In addition, when we read carefully, we can actually see the nonviolent character of God breaking through within the passages of violence themselves.

The traditional view of faith is that it is the opposite of doubt. In other words, the more psychologically certain you are, the "greater" your faith must be. This view assumes that God places a value on certainty. However, it is also a barrier to new believers, is an unhealthy way to live out one's faith, and ultimately does not reflect the biblical model of faith.

The traditional view of faith is that it is the opposite of doubt. In other words, the more psychologically certain you are, the "greater" your faith must be. This view assumes that God places a value on certainty. However, it is also a barrier to new believers, is an unhealthy way to live out one's faith, and ultimately does not reflect the biblical model of faith.

It seems that far too often in Western Christianity, people have strong- albeit well-meaning and honest- convictions based on mistranslations or misinterpretations. To make matters worse, groups tend to form around these kinds of convictions, and they in turn reinforce each other's idols of certainty. This creates an "Us vs. Them" mentality that is not present in Jesus Christ. Pastor Jerry explores this issue and its implications with some help from Scripture.

It seems that far too often in Western Christianity, people have strong- albeit well-meaning and honest- convictions based on mistranslations or misinterpretations. To make matters worse, groups tend to form around these kinds of convictions, and they in turn reinforce each other's idols of certainty. This creates an "Us vs. Them" mentality that is not present in Jesus Christ. Pastor Jerry explores this issue and its implications with some help from Scripture.

Easter is all about how the resurrection confirms that Jesus is the true revelation of God. Jesus is the exact representation of God and the truth is that the mercy of God triumphs over judgment. It is our privilege to align or re-align our picture of God with the person of Jesus seen in the resurrected Christ.