UCG Raleigh

How False Worship Takes RootThe book of Judges gives us insight into the struggles of Israel as they moved into the promised land. The central theme of Judges is confusion, and failure to fulfill the mandate of YHWH to move into the territory and drive out the present inhabitants [Canaanites]. We mostly learn about what went on in those days through the exploits of the judges and deliverers, Samson, Jephthah, Gideon etc. [the Great Man Theory of history].But at the end of the book... starting with chapter 17... you'll find a series of episodes that give a glimpse into the spiritual and moral condition of the people in the towns and villages. Today we are going to read through the first of these episodes, which is found in chapters 17 and 18. The account of Micah, Jonathan, and the warriors of Dan.I want to focus on: how false worship takes root. I’ll itemize these as a series of “lessons”Read on our blog 👉 https://ucgraleigh.blogspot.com/2021/12/how-false-worship-takes-root-idols-and.html Keep Reading »

The Authority of God the FatherThe United Church of God believes and teaches that God is the sovereign of the universe, existing without beginning or end, and supreme above all. God is spirit and cannot be contained or described in terms of atoms, molecules, or mechanical processes like math or physics. God exists in a different realm from human beings, who are flesh, made up of atoms, molecules and subject to mechanical processes like physics  John 4:24 “tells us God is spirit”… 1 Corinthians 15:50 “tells us flesh and blood cannot inherit the KOG”.There is a vast difference in who and what we humans are, compared to who and what God is. Full comprehension is out of reach… what understanding we do have, our ideas, and our experience of God are based on God's revelation to us through the written word of the Bible. The bible shows God as "the Father" and "the Son" [which/who is Jesus Christ]. This is how God wishes to be understood… through the means of a family relationship. But not who came first: father or the son... rather it is to be understood in terms of authority... authority that is expressed in love and obedience that is filled with love and respect.That there is a Father, and Son, was not previously understood in the OT scriptures. It is a teaching transmitted to us by Jesus and from the Church of God.LZGwXZ1PN1koJsHkrmUJKeep Reading »

God's Law - The Only Way to Happiness, Peace, and JoyThe Commandments, laws and statutes of God are spiritual, perfect, holy, just, and good. They provide a foundation for defining, understanding and living God's love. The law of God reveals the only way to true everlasting life, and the only possible way to achieve happiness, peace, and joy.God created human beings to ultimately become members of His family, to inherit immortality and live in harmony with Him and with one another. To dwell with God in harmony we must also agree with, embrace and share His way of thinking. These values are revealed to us in His law… which have been carefully recorded in scripture. Those who God chooses also are given  understanding through the power of the holy spirit. We are given understanding of the application of God’s law… but  also its meaning and purpose. Which is simply: that anyone who seeks this ultimate relationship with God must make every effort to heed the directives of God's law.https://ucgraleigh.blogspot.com/2021/12/gods-commandments-are-good-for-you.htmlKeep Reading »

The revelation of God's will for humanity is found in the written word of God... the ideas expressed and the words used in the original writings and languages are inspired by God and without error... the old testament and the new testament are the final authority in all things pertaining to faith and in life... they are the foundation of all truth.https://ucgraleigh.blogspot.com/2021/12/the-old-testament-vs-new-testament.htmlKeep Reading »

Around the late 40s and into the 50’s and perhaps 60’s AD. there was a controversy within the Church of God which cause a lot of upset. That controversy revolves around the question… how should church members deal with meat offered to idols.The issue first comes up at the first Church council recorded in Acts 15. I delivered a sermon on what was decided at this first council of the Church of God [ April 2020]. If you have questions about the issues and decisions made by the council you might find that message helpful. In a nutshell: it addressed whether gentiles needed to adopt Jewish cultural traditions. For our purpose today I only want to look at what is decided about meat offered to idols Acts 15:28-29. Why would this be a controversy? The bible gives a very clear message about avoiding participation in all forms of idolatry. Isn’t that sufficient instruction on the matter! Today we are going to review the context and application of this instruction.https://ucgraleigh.blogspot.com/2021/11/meat-offered-to-idols-bare-with-one.html Keep Reading »

The United Church of God believes and teaches that human beings are created in the image of God... and that human beings have the potential to become partakers of the divine nature [to share in/to participate in the properties and/or characteristics of God].📚 Dig deeper into your bible with this helpful bible study guide:https://www.ucg.org/bible-study-tools/booklets/jesus-christ-the-real-story📚 Dig deeper into your bible with this helpful bible study guide:https://www.ucg.org/bible-study-tools/booklets/who-is-godKeep Reading »

Deborah And BarackThe interaction between Deborah the prophetess and Barack the deliverer expose the spiritual and societal crisis in Israel during the days after Ehud the Judge. There is much we can learn today from the record we have of these days in scripture.Judges 3:31 based on the name Shamgar is not a man of Israel, its an Egyptian name.  Probably included to introduce the next section: which addresses  the sad state of leadership in Israel. He is considered part of the Deborah and Barack saga…Keep Reading »

The Commission of the ChurchMatthew 28:19-20 is a scripture you should have committed to memory: 1) you should know what it says 2) you should know where to find it 3) you should know what it means.Lets knock off points 1 and 2 right away... [got to verse and read]My purpose today is to go through the meaning of this scripture so you can add it to your storehouse of knowledge... but also so you renew your sense of purpose from these word of the risen Christ.Keep Reading »

What Christ's Government Will Look LikeAt the appointed time Christ will return to earth to establish and administer the rule of God on earth for a preliminary 1,000 year period. He will overthrow every established form of human government. Every humanly devised institution will have been judged... and at His return condemned to the garbage heap of the universe. Monarchies, dictatorships, democracies, nations, states, economic systems will disappear... but that does not mean the beginning of a world without government, or without structure. Government and authority are spiritual in nature. Eternity itself will have structure. Order, government, and authority are of the mind of God.Keep Reading »

The Final Festival of SalvationBillions of people have lived and died without hearing the true proclamation of the coming kingdom of God. Neither have they heard the path to personal salvation as marked out by the Creator of all things. They have never had access to the bible which contains all that important information. Nor have they had anyone to teach them.Some have heard or read the words contained in scripture but have not understood. They have many teachers yet they teach without understanding. They have knowledge of language, history, and human reasoning... but the truth is not with them.What is to become of all these people?Are they condemned and doomed, to either an eternity of torment, or destruction in a lake of fire? Some people say yes... that's exactly what God intends to do. Others hear that and reject the God of the bible as mean and unfair. It is not a satisfying answer... people can point to certain scriptures to try and prove it... but their interpretation is without understanding.God has given us His word in a way that allows humans to hear and read the plain truth but not understand it.A Fundamental Truth Hidden in Plain SightThere is a resurrection for the rest of the dead who are not in Christ at His return. They rise again to life following  the 1,000 year rule of Christ on earth.  So we also have a final holy day following the 7 day Feast of Tabernacles... the eighth day... the final feast... the final step in God's plan to bring many children to glorious everlasting life. Leviticus 23:34-36, 39 the final biblical festival comes immediately after the 7 day festival... there is no gap between the two. You could easily think of the eighth day as simply the conclusion of the feast of tabernacles... but it signifies a unique event that comes after the FOT is complete.Keep Reading »