“Grace in the OT” Sermon Series

One of my “hobbies” is the value of the Old Testament writings.  I have even outlined a book dealing with the heresy of Marcion among churches of Christ that I hope to write some day.

It is a problem not contained to any one group of Christians. “Conservative/traditionalists” might “rightly divide” the OT right out and  “progressive/liberals” might not want to include God’s Wrath and violent past while emphasizing Grace.

My biggest pet peeve surrounding this issue, is the polytheism that arises when trying to drive a wedge between the “god of the OT vs the god of the NT” by placing them in stark contrast.  Some have backed themselves into this corner because they don’t like what the “god of the OT” did so they have to rationalize that he drastically changed at/after the cross, that Jesus the Son is somehow better, more loving, than God the Father.

Or, we assume that God the Father was repulsive and cranky, so he sent Jesus to win us over with his gentleness and personality, instead of with Truth and His Blood.  We make a fool of David and others who had deep relationships with the Father.

At least Marcion was straightforward and claimed the OT god was a lesser god.  Sadly, some Christians believe that today although they would never admit it.

Anyway, the following are links to a sermon series I preached on the Grace and Mercy of God in the Old Testament days, before the Cross.  I hope they will help some to re-evaluate their understanding of God.  I hope you will read the OT scriptures with God’s great love, grace, and mercy in view.

Grace in the OT, Part 1:  Introduces the series by looking at how God revealed himself to Moses on Mt Sinai.  Then, deals mainly with God’s mercy in the book of Genesis

Grace in the OT, Part 2:  This lesson looks at Grace and Law.  And then deals with a specific incident in Leviticus 10.  Thanks to Tim Archer’s articles which were considered in my preparation.

Grace in the OT, Part 3:  Hezekiah’s Passover in 2 Chronicles 30.  John Mark Hicks wrote some helpful articles on this topic.

Grace in the OT, Part 4:  God’s Passionate and Jealous Love.  This lesson starts with the destruction of Jerusalem in 586 B.C. and then moves through the Prophets to see that God doesn’t just love, he is a lover and a passionate lover.  His wrath and anger are rooted in his passionate and jealous love for his people.

Whatever Happened to Santification?

Back in the summer, I preached a 5-part series on Sanctification.

I still feel it is the most important topic I have preached on in 10+ years of preaching, mainly because it is neglected and misunderstood.

And, it’s a big part of salvation.

It’s easy to emphasize baptism on one extreme, or grace on the other, and forget about Santification.

I imagine some people didn’t like hearing these things. But Christians do have sin, do struggle with sin, and Christians can be lost because of sin.

Salvation is more than five steps but it is also hard work.  Yes, I said hard work.  I have a deficient Christology and am too law-based for some, but I am just trying to preach what I read.

Forgiveness of sins is not God’s ultimate will.  It is the means to a greater end: close, intimate fellowship with Him.

Christians do have sin and we are expected to do something with the sin in our life besides just asking for forgiveness and receiving the mercy and grace of God.

Do I sound like a legalist??  Listen to these sermons and correct/help me!

Introduction to Sanctification

Sanctification2, The Enemy Within

Sanctification3,God’s Power For Us

Sanctification4,What God Expects From Us

Sanctification5, We Need Each Other

What do you think?  How do you define Sanctification?

Do Grace and Sanctification cancel each other out?

Gubernatorial Race-Jersey Edition

Tomorrow, the state of New Jersey will be voting for a new Guber.

The race is tight and the ads have been constant and harsh.  It’s so important that people like Mitt Romney and Rudy Giuliani have been leaving messages on our machine.

The encumbrance is Guber Corzine, who took over when the Gay Guber stepped down in the midst of scandal to pursue a career as an Oprah guest.  Guber Corzine’s ads all have President Obama in them.  Besides giving a speech with Obama in the background, I am uncertain what else he has accomplished in the last couple of years.  Some consider this election a one-year referendum on the Prez, who won the state.

The main competitor is a man named Christie, but if he wins, he will not be a Gay Guber.  His first name is Chris.  I don’t know why we have to have people in this world with names like John Johnson, Jack Jackson, Nick Nicklaus and Chris Christie.

Who are these parents?!  Did they not know that you can buy a book with hundreds of options for baby names?

I feel sorry for him because he is overweight. Not solely for that, but I wonder not if, but how much it affects public perception.  The ads bashing Christie have been vicious, even vaguely referring to his weight.

When was the last overweight presidential candidate??  In the TV age of glam and glitz, we may never have another William Howard Taft.  Maybe someday, someone will once again break the weight barrier.  I just worry about those who will be beneath him/her when it breaks.

If I were to vote for Guber based solely on ads without any logic, thought, or reason, I might vote for the cucumber. He really made the man named Christie look bad, not physically, but politically.

There is also a third-party independent vying to be our Guber.  I can’t remember his name, but I know he really wants to be a Guber but the ads against him say he will raise taxes.

As it is with most elections, we will be choosing the lesser of 3 Weevils.

But one thing is certain, by tomorrow evening, no matter who wins…we will have a Guber!!

A Guber shall lead us!

on the Anniversary of Martin Luther’s protest

you can read my homage again, if you like…

Martin Luther, Jr.:  A Rebel with a Cause

Scary Movies

Here are some lists of the top scary movies (some include gross pics):

Top 100 according to some film critics

Top 50 from boston.com.  not a list for hardcore or purists

Top 20 Zombie movies of all time

Top 100 of All-Time

Top 20 Scariest Movies of All-Time

Top 20 Horror Films Since 1989

I used to watch more when I was young.  Freddy and Jason stuff on cable.  I still remember how scared I was seeing just the commercial for Return of the Living Dead when a bloody, zombie, skeleton guy turns around to face the camera.

I am too chicken to watch some films, I might read the summary just to know what happens but don’t want the images in my head.

I have seen some from these lists, but mostly the ones that were crossovers like Jaws and Shining and Alien.  I have seen the Dawn of the Dead remake, Carpenter’s the Thing, Carrie, and Scream.  But I haven’t even seen 7 with Brad Pitt and Morgan Freeman which makes many lists.

I will never see the Hostel movies or any of the Saw ones (only caught bits and pieces-pun intended-of the first one on cable.  that was enough), or stuff like Audition, and I hope you won’t either.

I agree with Christopher Lee, who basically said, horror is better when it’s unseen rather than obscene.

So, what about you?  Does your Halloween tradition involve scary movies?

Are you for or against any particular movie?

What movie scared/scarred you the most?

And since we haven’t done this in awhile, how about a poll?

My Son has Discovered Lust

…in a magazine.

That’s kinda provocative but it’s true, although not what you are thinking.

It’s a toy magazine.  And even though it is mostly educational type toys, he is obsessed.  He kept talking about his “wishes” and finally my wife told him to circle the things that he wanted.

He has a lot of wishes.

I came home the other day and he met me at the door to say, “I need a dollar because I cleaned my room.”  The kids do chores, some for money and some just because they should do them.

He lost his first tooth and we are playing the “tooth fairy” game.  He asked if he would get $5.  We laughed in his face.  He got 50 cents.

He wants to go to the toy store as soon as money comes in.  He loves Lightning McQueen as most boys his age.

The life-long battle of materialism has begun for my 5-year-old.   I know I am still in that battle, as well as much of the world, especially developed first-world countries like the USA.

I remember the excitement of toy catalogs, especially near Christmas time.  G.I. Joe and Transformers.  I also loved the Johnson Smith (wow! still in business and online) catalog that had magic tricks, pranks, and novelty items.

For me, I guess it’s books now, or some electronic gadget.

We like to preach and teach about hot topics like homosexuality, or any sexuality period.  Worship problems and denominational doctrines.

But millions and millions of people, including Christians, are losing the war against stuff.  Christmas time is upon us again.  The economy is down so spending will probably be down.  And the government and CEOs are hoping for as much materialism as possible to help our economy.

But at what cost?

1 John 2:15-17