How can we find common ground with those who refuse to obey what God says in His word? It seems as if a number of denominations are following the trends in our culture instead of standing by the reliability of God's word? We call ourselves "reformed" but many want to follow the leading of the world. What will be next, polygamy, prostitution, etc. ?
Good post. Yes, we are all broken people who need our Lord's redemption. We can not affirm the gay lifestyle or marriage. According to God's word, we can not allow gays and lesbians to serve in leadership positions within the Church, but we must love them, disciple them. They, like us, need to repent of our sins and experience our Lord's cleansing and forgiveness. For Paul wrote, "...for such were some of you." Thank God that by His word and Spirit we can change.
We just had a 4 part Advent series of messages that were based on the scripture passages and musical numbers in the Messiah. After each message the people could listen to the music. Every year I appreciate Handel's musical masterpiece that's totally based on the Word of God. I would challenge you pastors to base your next Advent series on the Messiah.
Yes, we should plant more churches! But our denomination is not the only one who should be planting new churches. Our classis should be planting churches. Churches should be planting churches. Even a group of laypeople, under the authority of their local church, can begin a church plant. I have seen it done. Church planting is a mind-set. We were called to reproduce and the lack of money should not stand in the way. Our God has all the resources both in heaven and on earth. Jesus said, "I will build my Church!"
Even though God's love is very important to the Christian, there are some who ignore the holiness, the justice, and the wrath of God. We can't just talk about God's love without also talking about his other atributes. The Bible never said that God was "Love, love, love", but it does say that He is, "Holy, holy, holy".
Jesus was simply telling us not to be judgmental in our relationships with others, but He does want us to judge, to be discerning. For example, we are to be able to know the wolves from the sheep. And if we are not to cast pearls before swine, we need to discern what he meant by the swine.
Many people quote this verse because they don't want anyone to tell them that they are a sinner and they need Jesus.
Posted in: Post-Synod: What If There is No Way Forward?
How can we find common ground with those who refuse to obey what God says in His word? It seems as if a number of denominations are following the trends in our culture instead of standing by the reliability of God's word? We call ourselves "reformed" but many want to follow the leading of the world. What will be next, polygamy, prostitution, etc. ?
Posted in: Post-Synod: What If There is No Way Forward?
Hi Trevor,
Just what are you trying to say?
Don J
Posted in: Post-Synod: What If There is No Way Forward?
I would say the first way.
Don J
Posted in: Announcing Mark Stephenson’s Retirement
Hi Mark,
Congratulations on your retirement. I hope you will receive a blessing in this new season of life.
I retired 6 yrs ago and now. after serving for 4 yrs at the Hammond CRC I retired for a second time. I am enjoying it!
Don Jabaay
Posted in: Homosexuality and Our Missional Calling
Good post. Yes, we are all broken people who need our Lord's redemption. We can not affirm the gay lifestyle or marriage. According to God's word, we can not allow gays and lesbians to serve in leadership positions within the Church, but we must love them, disciple them. They, like us, need to repent of our sins and experience our Lord's cleansing and forgiveness. For Paul wrote, "...for such were some of you." Thank God that by His word and Spirit we can change.
Posted in: Homosexuality and Our Missional Calling
What do you mean by, the "climate of opinion"? Does that mean by what is politically correct or by what is biblical?
Posted in: Homosexuality and Our Missional Calling
I understand,
Don Jabaay
Posted in: Handel’s Messiah and Navajo Shepherds
We just had a 4 part Advent series of messages that were based on the scripture passages and musical numbers in the Messiah. After each message the people could listen to the music. Every year I appreciate Handel's musical masterpiece that's totally based on the Word of God. I would challenge you pastors to base your next Advent series on the Messiah.
Posted in: Should we Plant More Churches?
Yes, we should plant more churches! But our denomination is not the only one who should be planting new churches. Our classis should be planting churches. Churches should be planting churches. Even a group of laypeople, under the authority of their local church, can begin a church plant. I have seen it done. Church planting is a mind-set. We were called to reproduce and the lack of money should not stand in the way. Our God has all the resources both in heaven and on earth. Jesus said, "I will build my Church!"
Posted in: Should we Plant More Churches?
Alexjandro does make a very good point. We must work on having healthy, discipling, evangelistic congregations, and plant new churches.
Posted in: Orthodoxy and In Christ Alone
Even though God's love is very important to the Christian, there are some who ignore the holiness, the justice, and the wrath of God. We can't just talk about God's love without also talking about his other atributes. The Bible never said that God was "Love, love, love", but it does say that He is, "Holy, holy, holy".
Posted in: To Judge or Not to Judge: That Is the Question
Jesus was simply telling us not to be judgmental in our relationships with others, but He does want us to judge, to be discerning. For example, we are to be able to know the wolves from the sheep. And if we are not to cast pearls before swine, we need to discern what he meant by the swine.
Many people quote this verse because they don't want anyone to tell them that they are a sinner and they need Jesus.