The UnSafe Bible

In school, it’s easy to follow what the teacher says, but isn’t it one of the most satisfying feelings when you tell a teacher they have something wrong and you’re right? Those times only come when you’ve done your studying and know the content that they’re reviewing! Today, Pastor Ken says you must be knowledgeable in Scripture so that you can know what’s of God and what’s not. To get to that point, you must read your Bible consistently. This allows you to know what’s right from wrong!

Have you ever tried to keep up with someone who’s a faster runner than you? You keep up for a couple of minutes, then burn out quickly because it’s not the right pace for you. Today, Pastor Ken says you must be careful running with the culture. It may feel good in the moment, but sooner rather than later, you’ll find that the culture is pulling you away from God. You must know what’s right and wrong by reading God’s Word and being well-equipped when you’re faced with deciding who to follow.

It seems like the world around us is starting to silence Christians. You see people ostracizing those who follow Jesus because of their beliefs on a certain topic. Today, Pastor Ken says that this is because Christianity isn’t providing the consensus for our society. This makes it imperative that you know the Word of God so that you can know what’s of God and what’s of this world. Trust in Him and allow Him to be your guide through troubled times. He’ll help you discern what’s acceptable to Him!

All people – Jew, Gentile, male, female, rich, poor – people of all kinds can become a part of this spiritual nation of Jesus followers. As Pastor Ken will point out in today’s message, this family is open to all. The only requirement is placing your faith in Jesus as your Lord and Savior. When you make that choice, citizenship is granted immediately. We sometimes assume that certain groups are too far gone, or too far outside, but that isn’t the case. Jesus died for everyone, and you simply need to trust in Him. 

Regardless of your opinion on recent events in the Middle East or Israel’s role in them, it’s important to remember that God is not done with Israel. As Pastor Ken will explain in today’s message, it’s clear in Scripture that God still has a plan for His chosen nation. They were chosen to be a blessing to all other nations, which they have done in a big way through Jesus. God will draw a remnant of the children of Israel to Himself, as their eyes are opened to the truth of Jesus and they repent of their rebellion.

On the cross, Jesus tore down the spiritual and physical barriers that separated all of us from interacting directly with God. As Pastor Ken will point out in today’s message, this is a point where Christianity separates itself from its Jewish orthodox roots, as well as religions such as Islam. They have a special place where God or Allah presides. In Christ, the presence of God is brought right into our hearts – we become His temple, and we have direct access to Him anywhere and anytime.

Is that true of your life? Would the people around you look at you and say that Jesus is your source of life? Or have you allowed the ways of the world and the pull of your fleshly desires to overtake you? As Pastor Ken continues our study in the book of 1st Peter today, he’ll challenge us to contemplate these questions seriously. Our lives should look different, as individual followers of Christ, as well as in the whole body of the Church. We should be full of grace and compassion, not petty fights and gossip. 

If you walk into any church around the world, you’ll find at least one thing in common: there are hypocrites there. If you take a look in the mirror, you’ll likely find one there as well. Most of us are hypocritical in some way, and some literally make a living at it. As Pastor Ken will clarify in today’s message, this isn’t a reason to avoid church – just the opposite. In many of those churches, you’ll also find the Gospel of Jesus Christ presented, and that’s exactly what every hypocrite needs.

Loving one another in the Church is not optional. Step through the doors of any church, and you’re going to find hypocrisy on this front. We’re all still imperfect humans – even when we’ve been made righteous in God’s sight – we still live in a broken world and possess remnants of our sinful nature. But, as Pastor Ken will challenge us in today’s message, we shouldn’t settle for that brokenness. We’re called to love each other with the radical grace that Jesus extended to us on the cross.

Something in our nature makes us want to strive and earn our salvation. We don’t want a free gift in our brokenness. We want to do penance and be able to take at least some of the credit for ourselves. As Pastor Ken will reiterate in today’s message, the gift of salvation is completely free. The only thing you have to do is accept Jesus as your Savior, and that’s it: you’re saved. This will have an effect on how you live your life, but that’s only in response to salvation – you can’t earn or maintain your position.