Homiléō

I acknowledge the Reality of Hell, But Do i Really Believe it?

noreply@blogger.com (Boaly) — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 05:00:00 +0000

I absolutely affirm the Biblical teachings on hell. To point quickly to one verse i'd go with 2 Thessalonians 1:9

"They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might..."

But it is one thing to affirm the truth of something, and another to actually believe it, or to 'own it' for yourself and in your life. If i did fully, and absolutely believe it i'm sure my efforts to reach non-christians would be very, and radically different.

Illustration
A couple of days ago i was walking with Jacob (our 2 year old) when he darted off towards the road. I absolutely knew that if he kept going we'd be facing unthinkable sorrow, so i ran after him and caught him. Screaming he tried to pull away, and even though he didn't want me to, i trailed him away from the road.
I not only knew the truth about the dangers of the road, but i 'owned' the belief of them so much so that they drove me to action.

Believing in Hell
And so it is with the doctrine or belief of hell. Many people are running there as fast as they can and although i acknowledge the truth of it, i am not actively trying to get between them and the danger.

Only One Saviour
I thought i should clarify that i do not believe that i can save anyone from hell, or change the course of their lives. Rather it is only Jesus, by His Spirit & Word who can do this.
But He has given His Church the great 'charge' of bringing the gospel to lost and hell bound people.

Owning It?
I'm not sure how to begin owning the belief. I guess looking at the Biblical teachings on hell will be one place to go. Prayer will be another, asking Christ to fill us with awareness of the wrath of God that is to come. And i guess the character of God is another place to go, as hell was His idea and He is a God of justice, jealousy, wrath, love, compassion & mercy.

More
I think i could list a lot of, or perhaps most doctrines or teachings i hold to, and say much the same thing. Do i 'own' what i say is true?

What other areas do you suggest that we acknowledge as true, yet do not really live out or 'own' with our lives?

The Rich Young Ruler Vs The 1st Commandment

noreply@blogger.com (Boaly) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 05:00:00 +0000

And as He [Jesus] was setting out on his journey, a man ran up and knelt before him and asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone.

You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother.’”

And he said to him, “Teacher, all these I have kept from my youth.” And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.”

Disheartened by the saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.

Mark 10:17~22

It is astonishing that Jesus doesn't simply point this guy to the teachings from the mount about how anger is equal to murder, and lust;adultery. He doesn't clip his ear and tell him to 'wind his neck in, there's no way anyone keeps the commandments'.

No, Jesus simply and lovingly puts the guy to the test. For without quoting it, Jesus tests the man with the 1st commandment; "You shall have no other gods before Me."

He tells him to sell all his possessions and give his money to the poor and to follow Him. Reading this from our viewpoint we can easily see that Jesus was asking him to get rid of the false god of 'wealth' that he worshipped, and to follow the one true God; Jesus.

And the man walks away sorrowful.
I'm not sure whether he understood that Jesus was testing the commandments in his life. Or if he may have thought about it and repented at a later stage, we just aren't told. But the lesson is clear for us.

Lets look at our own lives with the litmus test of the commandments and see if we really are as righteous as we think we are.
I think we'll be as sorrowful as this guy, although the question remains as to where that sorrow will lead us:

To repentance from sin, rejection of the false gods in our lives, and to following Jesus.
Or
To walk away from Jesus and cling on to our false gods and sin.

He takes our Filthy Clothes and Gives us His

noreply@blogger.com (Boaly) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 05:00:00 +0000

"Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right hand to accuse him.
And the Lord said to Satan, “The Lord rebuke you, O Satan! The Lord who has chosen Jerusalem rebuke you! Is not this a brand plucked from the fire?”

Now Joshua was standing before the angel, clothed with filthy garments. And the angel said to those who were standing before him, “Remove the filthy garments from him.”
And to him he said, “Behold, I have taken your iniquity away from you, and I will clothe you with pure vestments.” And I said, “Let them put a clean turban on his head.” So they put a clean turban on his head and clothed him with garments. And the angel of the Lord was standing by."
Zechariah 3:1-5

What a brilliant picture of the Gospel.
It is striking that Joshua didn't have to do anything. He didn't have to take off the filthy garments, nor put on the clean ones. He stood there while it was all done for him.

I'd be pretty confident in saying that the angel, who is also described as the angel of the LORD, is in fact Jesus. And so the phrase "Behold, I have taken your iniquity away from you" is a reference to the cross where Jesus took our sins upon Himself.

He took our sin (our filthy garments) upon Himself and took our punishment.
He had lived in absolute righteousness, and He 'covers' us in His life of holiness.

Living He lived the life we could not live, He died so that we might die with Him and He arose again so that we could arise with Him and live in His strength.

Beautiful the Blood by Steve Fee

noreply@blogger.com (Boaly) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 04:59:00 +0000

FlashForward

noreply@blogger.com (Boaly) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 05:00:00 +0000

The new hit series 'FlashForward' begs us to ask the question:

"Would we really want to know our future?"

or to make it more Christianized:

"Would we really want to know God's will for our lives?"

Before answering we might take time to reflect upon the uncomfortable circumstances He has led people before. About the sufferings, sacrifices and martyrdom of saints according to His divine purposes, and the possibility that He would have us tread there.

Idolatry

noreply@blogger.com (Boaly) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 04:50:00 +0000

HT: Luke Gilkerson

9 Marks ejournal

noreply@blogger.com (Boaly) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 05:00:00 +0000

The latest ejournal from 9marks is all about discipline.

Check it out

Taking Up Our Cross

noreply@blogger.com (Boaly) — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 05:05:00 +0000

"When Jesus calls us to take up our cross, He is doing much more than calling us to endure the daily, circumstantial troubles of life. The people in Jesus' day were very familiar with the cross. Having witnessed crucifixion, they understood the commitment and sacrifice of taking up a cross.
It is a call to radical faith.
Jesus is calling us to be willing to suffer anything and forsake everything for the sake of the gospel."

Francis Chan [Forgotten God page 125]

Free Audio of Desiring God

noreply@blogger.com (Boaly) — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 05:00:00 +0000

This months free audio book from Christian Audio is 'Desiring God' by John Piper.

Use coupon code NOV2009 during the checkout process.

Sanctification in Marriage

noreply@blogger.com (Boaly) — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 20:52:00 +0000

Here is a very helpful message from Matt Chandler:

'The Path: Sanctification in Marriage'

Reformation Day Thoughts ~ Printing

noreply@blogger.com (Boaly) — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 23:34:00 +0000

Martin Luther
On 31 October 1517 Martin Luther wrote 95 theses dealing with indulgences. This act is attributed as the moment that kick started the reformation, and although many others played major roles we do not have the time or space in this post to mention them all.

Printing
The printing press which was developed by Gutenberg around 1440, quickly became the main method of spreading the reformed teachings and views. Printing catapulted reformed doctrines and teachings around the world, along with the greatest gifts that man can have; the Bible in vernacular languages as it allowed for fast & vast production.

Printing Today
Today's technologies may have changed but it's fair to say that 'the book' is one of the greatest inventions (yes even better than the ipod). Whether online or in paper we all benefit from words, especially the words of life found in the Bible.

Things have changed, especially here in the west when it comes to the effectiveness of tracts, booklets and leaflets etc. However in many countries around our world it is still of great value and Christ is using it mightily.

Hundreds of letters each day coming into Revival Movement Association testify of this. Or the fact that yesterday my folder ran at over 60,000 tracts per hour as another machine beside me ran around 60,000 Gospels of John in the day. And that's only mentioning 2 of our machines.
And this goes on 5 days a week because people in Africa, South America, India, Russia, Asia etc are hungering for copies or portions of God's Word in their own language along with the means of spreading it to others.

Prayer
Thank You Father for the reformation, for those You used in it and for the other tools you used such as the printing press. Thank You that You still use 'the book' and we pray that as many people receive, even portions of Your Word that Your Spirit will work in their lives.

Work in our lives through Your Word.
Jesus asked that You sanctify us by the truth, Your Word is truth, and so we pray that as we read it today that You will use it effectively in our lives for Your glory.

Ecclesia Reformata, Semper Reformanda

What Is A 'Good Christian?'

noreply@blogger.com (Boaly) — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 05:00:00 +0000

A couple of days ago in one of his comments Ally Simpson asked "What is a "good Christian.'"

I've been thinking about it since, and decided to give a short answer, hopefully without taking away from what Ally meant by it. For the record i actually think there are only two categories of people; Christian & non Christian but because of the usage of the term 'good Christian' here we go:

A 'good Christian' is someone who is characterized by the work and presence of
the Spirit of Christ.

What does that look like?
This can't really be described as it may differ from one person to the next. The Spirit of Christ's gifting, working and fruitfulness in our lives will vary.

Examples of 'good Christians'
Again i would hesitate to point to any example. The moment we point to 'such-&-such' as a good Christian we are in danger of putting down categories & criteria, and basing Christianity on works rather than on Jesus.

*Christians Will...
undoubtedly, among other things, spend a lot of time in the Bible, prayer, fasting, evangelism, and with other Christians. However these in themselves do not make someone a *Christian. Rather they are the outworkings of the work and presence of the Spirit of Christ in someones life.

What would you say a 'Good Christian' is?

*I decided at this point to drop the term 'good' from before Christian because i think it can bend us towards a wrong understanding of 'Christian'. It's not about being a 'good' Christian, but about Jesus working in us. Rather the term 'Christian' is used as a label for those who's lives Christ is at work in.

Arguably 'Christian' is a broad label in our day and definitions are needed, however 'good' is not really a good definition at all.

Messed Up People Hear & Rejoice In The Gospel, Yet Ignore It

noreply@blogger.com (Boaly) — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 05:00:00 +0000

"For Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he kept him safe. When he heard him, he was greatly perplexed, and yet he heard him gladly."

Mark 6:20

Herod was a messed up man. Yet he knew the truth of John's message, and indeed the direct message about Herod's own sin. Look at the what the text tells us about Herod;
He knew John was a righteous and holy man. He was perplexed by John's teachings yet was glad to listen to him.

I've met a few people like this; men & women who attend church every week, listening to solid Biblical, Christ exalting and Gospel saturated sermons. I've been in their cars as they play old time gaspel music from the CD players. Yet sadly they are the first to admit that they do not know Christ as LORD or Saviour.

I wonder just how many, go to church each week; enjoying sermons, singing and even when perplexed by a message, they listen with gladness.
Yet freely admit that they don't know Jesus.

I'm not sure how Herod slept at night, but i'm sure he made excuses; "I'm married to her now and I should honour that vow" . . . or something along those lines.
Likewise i'm sure similar people today salve their consciences with excuses.
But when it boils right down to it the basic fact remains:

They love sin way more than the Gospel that they gladly listen and acknowledge to be true.

Herod proved this in his own life, a few verses later he gives John's head in payment for his stepdaughter to do a lap dance for him.
It doesn't matter as to the extent of sin; whether its for sexual pleasure like Herod or just for a small lie, rejection of Christ for sin is and always will be 'Rejection of Christ for sin.'

Here's the thing for the Church - How Do We Go About Reaching These People?

Did Jesus Not Want Some To Be Saved?

noreply@blogger.com (Boaly) — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 05:00:00 +0000

And when he was alone, those around him with the twelve asked him about the parables. And he said to them, “To you has been given the secret of the kingdom of God, but for those outside everything is in parables, so that
“they may indeed see but not perceive,
and may indeed hear but not understand,
lest they should turn and be forgiven.”

Mark 4:10-12

Sometimes when you're reading the Gospels Jesus says something utterly shocking. Considering that 2 Peter 3:9 tells us that God does not wish "that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance."

Just one of those weird things that catches the eye and i thought i'd mention.

Rush Upon Us Oh LORD

noreply@blogger.com (Boaly) — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 05:00:00 +0000

There 6 times we read of the Spirit of God 'Rushing' upon people; Samson, Saul & David. 3 times upon Samson, 2 upon Saul & 1 upon David. Although i guess the experience of the Apostles at pentecost was pretty much descriptive of the Spirit rushing upon them.

We in the new covenant have received the Spirit as a seal of our redemption, He leads, guides, comforts, teaches & helps us. We are instructed to be filled by Him, to walk in Him, to put sin to death by Him among many other things. He also gifts and empowers us for ministry.

But it's hard to read of these 3 guys and not think about how nice it would be to be rushed upon by the Spirit of the LORD.

The fact we only read of this happening on few occasions indicates that it is not the norm. Yet i can't help thinking it'd be a helpful experience in knowing Christ & in serving a dying world for His glory.

How about you?

Sunday Picture

noreply@blogger.com (Boaly) — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 14:42:00 +0000

Taken in wallace Park this morning

The Chronicles Of Lisburn - A Fiction Story

noreply@blogger.com (Boaly) — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 15:35:00 +0000

I've recently been reading up quite a bit of history about Lisburn, the city in which i live.
In doing this my mind has wandered so much and in, perhaps foolishness i've begun a short story set away back in 1601. My intent is basically to let my imagination run in the historical setting and so it is absolute fiction with a mere twist of history. (I'll try my best, when required, to post historical notes after each part)

I'm not sure how often or indeed how many posts i'll do but, you can read the first one for now.

God Displayed ~ Exodus

noreply@blogger.com (Boaly) — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 04:00:00 +0000

God deals well with those who fear Him (Exodus1:20-21), He hears cries for help (Exodus2:23). Remembers His covenants (Exodus2:24), He Knows (Exodus2:25), God of Abraham, God of Isaac, and God of Jacob (exodus3:6), Sees the afflictions of His people (Exodus3:7), 'I AM who I AM ['I AM' is His name] (Exodus3:14), Causes favour (Exodus3:21), Made mans mouth (Exodus4:11), Teacher (Exodus4:12), Has a strong hand (Exodus6:1), He is LORD (Exodus 6:2), God Almighty (Exodus6:3), Releases from burdens (Exodus6:6), Redeemer (Exodus6:6), Gives possessions (Exodus6:8), Has power over Nature, Animals, Insects, Life (Exodus7:14-12:29), Delivers with a strong hand (Exodus13:9), Leads His people (Exodus13:21-22), Glorifies Himself (Exodus14:4), Makes Himself known as The LORD (Exodus14:4), Works salvation (Exodus14:13), Fights (Exodus14:14), Triumphant (Exodus15:1), Strength for us (Exodus 15:2), Someone to sing about (Exodus15:2), To be exalted (Exodus15:2), Man of war (Exodus15:3), Glorious in power (Exodus15:6), Great in Majesty (Exodus15:7), Furious (Exodus15:7), Overthrows His enemies (Exodus15:7), There is no god like Him (Exodus15:11), Majestic in Holiness (Exodus15:11), Awesome in glorious deeds & wonders (Exodus15:11), Steadfast in love (Exodus15:13), Redeemer (Exodus15:13), Reigns forever (Exodus15:18), A Banner (Exodus17:15), Helper (Exodus18:4), Deliverer (Exodus18:4), He is God (Exodus20:2-3), Jealous (Exodus20:5), Causes His name to be remembered (Exodus20:24), Gives laws to judge the guilty (Exodus21:1-23:9), Causes terror (Exodus23:27), Is like a devouring fire (Exodus24:17), Likes perfect detail & obedience (Exodus25:9), Gives skill (Exodus28:3), Sanctifies by His glory (Exodus29:43), Gives ability, intelligence & knowledge by His Spirit (Exodus31:3), Wrathful (Exodus32:10), Relents from disaster (Exodus32:14), Blots sinners out of His book (Exodus32:33), Punishes idolatry (Exodus32:35), Gracious (Exodus33:19), Merciful (Exodus33:19), Man cannot see Him and live (Exodus33:20), Proclaims His name (Exodus34:5), Abounding in steadfast love (Exodus34:6), Forgives iniquity, transgression & sin (Exodus34:7), Does not clear the guilty (Exodus34:7), Does marvels (Exodus34:10), His works are awesome (Exodus34:10), His commands are to be observed (Exodus34:11), His name is jealous (Exodus34:14), Can cast out nations (Exodus34:24).

As always this is a mere scraping of the revelation of God to be found in Exodus and there is so much more of Him to be seen than i think we'll ever see.

Previously:
God Displayed in
Genesis

The City I Live In ~ Lisburn

noreply@blogger.com (Boaly) — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 04:00:00 +0000

History

Being granted the title of 'City' in 2002 was and still remains something a lot of people joke about. But we have the title anyway!

Lisburn was formaly known as Lisnagarvey which is why one of the schools bears that name. Incidently the meaning of that name is 'Fort of the gamblers'. The name change came after a fire in 1707 that destroyed much of it.

Population

Today the City has a population of around 113, 520 (according to Invest Lisburn).

In 2001 when the population was lower (71,465), the census found that 25.4% were aged under 16 years and 15.6% were aged 60 and over leaving 59% between the ages 16 - 60.
Also from the 2001 Cencus we see that 54.2% were from a Protestant background and 41.7% were from a Catholic background.

Church

With huge developement plans the population of Lisburn may increase greatly in coming years, increasing an already difficult task for the Churches of Lisburn. There are around 134 Churches serving Jesus & the community (give or take a few depending on what's included in the stats given by the council).

As is usual in a City with many churches, there is diversity among them in style, denomonation, and even on fundamental beliefs.

Shopping

My wife could write this section better. But from a mans perspective there are way too many shops, which is probably a good thing to be said about any City. Whatever you're looking it's pretty certain you'll find it in Lisburn.

Hotel

Yes, it finally arrived, Lisburn now has a hotel.

Battle of the Sexes
Lisburn is pretty well matched on this, with stats showing the population around 50% male & 50% female (probably giving slightly more to the ladies).

Finishing Thoughts
Lisburn is a great city, but as with all cities it is in need of redemption in Jesus.
It's not unusual, when i take my son to the play park, for me to use sticks to lift condoms or to lift broken bottles etc. Even a short time ago a young man was stabbed not far from my house.
These are symptoms of a deeper problem and my prayer is not that young people would simply live moral lives. But that they would meet Jesus & that He would radically transform their lives & bring them on mission with Him for the good of the city & the glory of God.

How would you pray for the city?

Christianity Today On Francis Chan

noreply@blogger.com (Boaly) — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 15:25:00 +0000

You'll Enjoy this article about Francis Chan.

The LORD Revealed

noreply@blogger.com (Boaly) — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 04:00:00 +0000

". . . for the LORD revealed himself to Samuel at Shiloh by the word of the LORD." 1Samuel 3:21

I often read the Old Testament with wonder and amazement at the ways & means God revealed Himself to people. Burning bushes, Fire, Smoke, Gentle breezes, Dreams, Visions, and, as the Angel of the LORD (who i believe is Jesus). But here in the life of Samuel we see God using a means that is still His general & most common way of revealing Himself to men & women in our own day.

"He reveals Himself . . . by the word of the LORD."

Now that's a great reason to open our Bibles this day.

Sunday Morning Picture

noreply@blogger.com (Boaly) — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 09:03:00 +0000

The Lagan Tow-Path This Morning

The Beard

noreply@blogger.com (Boaly) — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 08:58:00 +0000

I can't believe that the BBC News team took time this morning amidst headlines about afghanistan etc to talk about 'The Beard'.

Apparently the beard is back due to high numbers of celebrities growing them. Think Brad Pitt, David Beckham and Ally Simpson.

So, in random fun i thought i'd ask your opinion:

"Beard or Bald?"

Beard enthusiasts may like to check out the Beard Blog.

Quick Speed Check

noreply@blogger.com (Boaly) — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 15:01:00 +0000

I thought i'd just give a quick update as to the new folder i'm operating. I'm still a complete novice, and as that i'm still hitting a few problems, the folder at the minute is set up for Portuguese tracts that will be shipped to Brazil.

In my teething in period (which i'm admittedly dragging out) i'm running the machine at a slower pace so i can keep up & get used to it, as well as iron out the problems with the kind help of Samuel.

Having said this its running speed is still quite impressive at 60,000 tracts per hour.

So pray that i can get a better grasp of the machine, that it'll run smooth & that as the tracts & leaflets are shipped out that Jesus would be pleased to call many to faith & repentance.

Christianity In The Dark Ages

noreply@blogger.com (Boaly) — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 04:00:00 +0000

The Dark Ages from around AD 500 - 1000 was a time of huge change, especially Britain. Gone were the Roman protectors & everyone seemed open to raiders & take-over from other kingdoms. I've known a bit about this time period but the BBC's 'How The Celts Saved Britain' has re-fueled my interest.

I know that much of the Church, arguably entirely roman catholic, were clinging to relics, financial & political gains, and also to stories, somewhat akin to 'fairytales'.
But it was also a time of courageous & successful missionary endeavours, as people like Columba & Patrick risked their lives to reach the unreached & barbaric heathen with the Gospel.

Quite arguably Christianity is why Britain left the Dark ages as it brought stability and advancement in many areas of life.

But here's the thing, as a reformed evangelical 'protestant' (for want of a better description) i really don't know how to deal with the blur that Christianity in the Dark Ages seems to be. Was it entirely Roman Catholic? It certainly wasn't Reformed. But can we write these guys off entirely.

Does anyone have any input on this to help?