Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Reach Out: Why so Complicated?
Reach Out: Why so Complicated?: "Why do we complicate something that Jesus intended to be so straight forward that a child could understand? Last night I listened to a mess..."
Why so Complicated?
Why do we complicate something that Jesus intended to be so straight forward that a child could understand? Last night I listened to a message/sermon by a minister/pastor that I have known for many years and after hearing the message I was left thinking 'man if I wasn't a born again Christian I definitely wouldn't become one after listening to that message!!' So complicated, so may things we have to live up to, so much we should do and shouldn't do. It left me wondering, is that the way non-believers view Christianity?? I don't know but I am sure sermons like that don't help the cause any!
If we read through the gospels - Matthew, Mark, Luke & John, Jesus presents the love of God in such a way that even a child can understand. And some of my new favorite Pastors that I listen to each Sunday online do the same thing!! I watched a service from Thomas Road Baptist Church on Sunday morning and after the sermon was given I saw about 5 children go forward to receive Christ as their Savior. That's what its all about!!
When we read the story of the crucificxtion the thief that was hanging on the cross next to Jesus who asked for forgiveness was forgiven immediately. "Today you will be with me in paradise" was Jesus words to him.
Sometimes I think we can get so deep into theology that we loose sight of what matters. Now remember I did a Major in Religious Studies at MUN so I know a lot of the complex nature of how the bible came to be the book we read today... I don't tend to think shouting at people and saying they are stupid and blind will win them over to Salvation very fast lol. At least it doesn't do much for me.
I am also thankful that no where in the Bible does it say I have to memorize "x" number of bible verses in order to make it into heaven. While I can recite many verses, ask me to say the book chapter and verse number and most times I can not. It doesn't make me any better or worse a Christian than someone that can rhyme off chapter and verse number and it doesn't mean that I don't consider it important to memorize scripture. I am just one of those people that know verses and may even know the book they are found in but that's about it. But really when it comes down to it when I am afraid, lonely or sad, or needing some words to encourage myself or a friend its not the book, chapter and verse number its the words contained in that verse that matter the most. And so I may have to look up online to find the correct reference but that's ok.
I am so thankful today that the Gospel message is meant for everyone to understand. Its not about who can do the most good, who can behave the best, but its about a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
When Jesus died on the Cross He died so that whoever calls on His name will be saved. If you believe in your heart that Jesus died on the Cross for your sins, that 3 days later he rose again and that now he is in heaven and will one day return to earth. If you admit that you have sinned - done things that are wrong that are not pleasing to him - if you ask Him to forgive your sins He will. That's the Gospel message in a nutshell.
If you want to know more about the 'Plan of Salvation' I encourage you to start with the Gospel of John. Find a translation of the bible you can understand - there are lots available online too - and begin reading so you can discover for yourself just how much Jesus loves you.
Its only as complicated as we choose to make it!!
God bless!!
If we read through the gospels - Matthew, Mark, Luke & John, Jesus presents the love of God in such a way that even a child can understand. And some of my new favorite Pastors that I listen to each Sunday online do the same thing!! I watched a service from Thomas Road Baptist Church on Sunday morning and after the sermon was given I saw about 5 children go forward to receive Christ as their Savior. That's what its all about!!
When we read the story of the crucificxtion the thief that was hanging on the cross next to Jesus who asked for forgiveness was forgiven immediately. "Today you will be with me in paradise" was Jesus words to him.
Sometimes I think we can get so deep into theology that we loose sight of what matters. Now remember I did a Major in Religious Studies at MUN so I know a lot of the complex nature of how the bible came to be the book we read today... I don't tend to think shouting at people and saying they are stupid and blind will win them over to Salvation very fast lol. At least it doesn't do much for me.
I am also thankful that no where in the Bible does it say I have to memorize "x" number of bible verses in order to make it into heaven. While I can recite many verses, ask me to say the book chapter and verse number and most times I can not. It doesn't make me any better or worse a Christian than someone that can rhyme off chapter and verse number and it doesn't mean that I don't consider it important to memorize scripture. I am just one of those people that know verses and may even know the book they are found in but that's about it. But really when it comes down to it when I am afraid, lonely or sad, or needing some words to encourage myself or a friend its not the book, chapter and verse number its the words contained in that verse that matter the most. And so I may have to look up online to find the correct reference but that's ok.
I am so thankful today that the Gospel message is meant for everyone to understand. Its not about who can do the most good, who can behave the best, but its about a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
When Jesus died on the Cross He died so that whoever calls on His name will be saved. If you believe in your heart that Jesus died on the Cross for your sins, that 3 days later he rose again and that now he is in heaven and will one day return to earth. If you admit that you have sinned - done things that are wrong that are not pleasing to him - if you ask Him to forgive your sins He will. That's the Gospel message in a nutshell.
If you want to know more about the 'Plan of Salvation' I encourage you to start with the Gospel of John. Find a translation of the bible you can understand - there are lots available online too - and begin reading so you can discover for yourself just how much Jesus loves you.
Its only as complicated as we choose to make it!!
God bless!!
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