Did you know that because Abraham lived a semi-nomadic life the locals called him a hebrew, which means a wanderer, the one from beyond? If you read chapter 6 in the Stranger book, you will see that the word righteousness is used in reference to God's perfection, that he is flawless, holy, pure, clean, totally without blemish or sin. As Aaron helped us to see on Sunday in church, we are not without blemish are we?
But like God did with Abraham, he has credited our accounts with righteousness. The word credited carries the thought of settling a monetary account through a payment. We like seeing money credited to our bank accounts don't we?
But what does the Bible mean when it says, "Abram believed the LORD, and he credited it to him as righteousness." Remember the Certificate of Death that every human has as a result of sin? You've got one too. Now, Abram believed God's promises, God placed a credit on his account. He gave Abram righteousness. I love this! Insert your name in this next part.God is saying," _Tom_, because you are trusting in me, I'm going to make an advance payment on your sin account. I'm going to place my perfection on your ledger. Now you need to understand my righteousness far exceeds your sinfulness. What I am giving you will more than offset all your sin. You can consider your sin-debt as paid. And because I am giving you my righteousness, it will not only take care of your sin-debt, but it will fully provide you with all the perfection needed to live with me in Heaven."
We know that eventually Abraham's body died, but Abraham did not experience the horrific penalty associated with the second death. He knew he would live with God in Heaven. Do you know that for certain? I hope so, it's the greatest news ever! God always tells the truth!
Remember, it is not the amount of faith you have, but in Whom you are placing your trust. Believe that the Lord is telling the truth and then act upon that belief.
That's what Abraham and Sarah did too!
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Babel
Babel is the first incident of an organized religion recorded in the Bible. Babel, or what became known as Babylon, is often used in Scripture as an example of man's religious efforts.
Did you know that? Did you also know that today is the first day of Ramadan? Ramadan (Arabic: رمضان Ramaḍān, Arabic pronunciation: [rɑmɑdˤɑːn]) (also Ramazan, Ramzan, Ramadhan, Ramdan, Ramadaan) is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. It is the Islamic month of fasting, in which participating Muslims refrain from eating, drinking and sexual activities from dawn until sunset.[1] Fasting is intended to teach Muslims about patience, humility and spirituality and is a time for Muslims to fast for the sake of God (Arabic: الله, trans: Allah) and to offer more prayer than usual. During Ramadan, Muslims ask forgiveness for past sins, pray for guidance and help in refraining from everyday evils, and try to purify themselves through self-restraint and good deeds. As compared to the solar calendar, the dates of Ramadan vary, moving backwards about ten days each year depending on the moon. Muslims believe Ramadan to be the month in which the first verses of the Qur'an were revealed to the Islamic Prophet Muhammad.
The Stranger book tells us that a good definition of the word religion is this: Man's efforts to reach God. Man, by nature, tends to be very religious. He is constantly searching for or creating new ways to find God. But it's a hopeless pursuit! Mankind is LOST and cannot find his way back to God on his own. Man can neither get rid of his sin nor find adequate righteousness to make himself acceptable to the LORD.
That is why Christianity is not a religion. The Bible teaches that the only true way to God was provided by the LORD himself, when, in his mercy, he reached down to man and provided man with a way to escape the punishment for sin. It is God who rescues us. He's the Savior. The Bible makes it clear that it is the LORD who...
...devises ways so that a banished person may not remain estranged from him.
2 Samuel 14:14
Did you know the word babel means confusion? this world seems very confused, doesn't it?
Did you know that? Did you also know that today is the first day of Ramadan? Ramadan (Arabic: رمضان Ramaḍān, Arabic pronunciation: [rɑmɑdˤɑːn]) (also Ramazan, Ramzan, Ramadhan, Ramdan, Ramadaan) is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. It is the Islamic month of fasting, in which participating Muslims refrain from eating, drinking and sexual activities from dawn until sunset.[1] Fasting is intended to teach Muslims about patience, humility and spirituality and is a time for Muslims to fast for the sake of God (Arabic: الله, trans: Allah) and to offer more prayer than usual. During Ramadan, Muslims ask forgiveness for past sins, pray for guidance and help in refraining from everyday evils, and try to purify themselves through self-restraint and good deeds. As compared to the solar calendar, the dates of Ramadan vary, moving backwards about ten days each year depending on the moon. Muslims believe Ramadan to be the month in which the first verses of the Qur'an were revealed to the Islamic Prophet Muhammad.
The Stranger book tells us that a good definition of the word religion is this: Man's efforts to reach God. Man, by nature, tends to be very religious. He is constantly searching for or creating new ways to find God. But it's a hopeless pursuit! Mankind is LOST and cannot find his way back to God on his own. Man can neither get rid of his sin nor find adequate righteousness to make himself acceptable to the LORD.
That is why Christianity is not a religion. The Bible teaches that the only true way to God was provided by the LORD himself, when, in his mercy, he reached down to man and provided man with a way to escape the punishment for sin. It is God who rescues us. He's the Savior. The Bible makes it clear that it is the LORD who...
...devises ways so that a banished person may not remain estranged from him.
2 Samuel 14:14
Did you know the word babel means confusion? this world seems very confused, doesn't it?
Monday, August 2, 2010
Chapter Five - Man's Problem
We learned that centuries ago in the Middle East, when one incurred a debt, an official certificate was drafted so that the parties involved would not forget the amount payable. Those who were unable to pay their debts were considered criminals under full penalty of the law. In the same way, the Bible teaches that on the moral ledger, our sin incurs a debt. There's a price to be paid. We are faced with...
Romans 8:2 ...the law of sin and death.
Ezekiel 18:20 ...That law says: The soul who sins shall die.
We have a two faceted dilemma, like opposite sides of the same coin.
*we have something we don't want - a sin problem
*we need something we don't have - perfection. We need a level of goodness that makes us acceptable in God's presence.
So we must find the answer to this two-fold question: How can we get rid of our sin? And how can we gain a righteousness that is equal to God's righteousness, so that we can be accepted in His presence?
God's situation:
Now we find a paradox. To be completely just, God must enforce our payment of the sin-debt - we must die.
But because God is loving, he has no desire to destroy us. Bot qualities of his character are equal. God is not more loving than he is just. So how can God maintain justice and still be loving?
The solution:
Two big words help to describe God's solution to the problem:
1. Substitution - a life for a life, the innocent died for the guilty
2. Atonement - meaning covering - the blood shed covered man's sin
Remember, God is the only solution for our sin problem. You cannot fix this. Only God can make the way of salvation through His promised deliverer.
The Bible states that the same pride that caused Satan to rebel is what will keep us from coming to God for help. The Lord can only help man escape the penalty of death when man humble himself and seeks God's help.
Using your Bible, find and read these verses:
Psalm 96:10; Psalm 98:9, Psalm 101:1; Isaiah 61:8; 1 Peter 5:5
I am so happy that Jesus gave His life for me AND that His blood covers over my sin so God doesn't see my sin, but sees Christ's righteousness instead!
Have a blessed week,
Pastor Tom
Romans 8:2 ...the law of sin and death.
Ezekiel 18:20 ...That law says: The soul who sins shall die.
We have a two faceted dilemma, like opposite sides of the same coin.
*we have something we don't want - a sin problem
*we need something we don't have - perfection. We need a level of goodness that makes us acceptable in God's presence.
So we must find the answer to this two-fold question: How can we get rid of our sin? And how can we gain a righteousness that is equal to God's righteousness, so that we can be accepted in His presence?
God's situation:
Now we find a paradox. To be completely just, God must enforce our payment of the sin-debt - we must die.
But because God is loving, he has no desire to destroy us. Bot qualities of his character are equal. God is not more loving than he is just. So how can God maintain justice and still be loving?
The solution:
Two big words help to describe God's solution to the problem:
1. Substitution - a life for a life, the innocent died for the guilty
2. Atonement - meaning covering - the blood shed covered man's sin
Remember, God is the only solution for our sin problem. You cannot fix this. Only God can make the way of salvation through His promised deliverer.
The Bible states that the same pride that caused Satan to rebel is what will keep us from coming to God for help. The Lord can only help man escape the penalty of death when man humble himself and seeks God's help.
Using your Bible, find and read these verses:
Psalm 96:10; Psalm 98:9, Psalm 101:1; Isaiah 61:8; 1 Peter 5:5
I am so happy that Jesus gave His life for me AND that His blood covers over my sin so God doesn't see my sin, but sees Christ's righteousness instead!
Have a blessed week,
Pastor Tom
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