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~ A Layman's Look At The Gospel

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Author Archives: John Kurt Carpenter

Scriptural Authority…The Lack Of

11 Saturday May 2024

Posted by John Kurt Carpenter in Uncategorized

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The Apostle Paul says in Timothy 3:16-17, “All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that everyone who belongs to God may be proficient, equipped for every good work.”

There are many forces that come against God, our faith and living a Christian life as best we can. After last weeks resolution of one  denominations long standing precepts of its belief based on Biblical reason and interpretation, concluded in exposing what I would call the other elephant in the room… The marginalizing of the Authority of Scripture is having a negative effect on the power and strength of God’s word. We no longer understand or consider that while God has only our best in mind, there are also demands of the faith that we are held accountable for… or to be blunt, we serve a God that demands our obedience. We often fail to be obedient due to the fact that we try to meet life in our own strength and forget to seek the help and to remember the presence of our protecting God. I have been overly repetitive but I don’t believe it is said enough… christians must know what they believe and why. You must have a strong relationship with God and one of the ways, of which there are many, is scripture. Have a question, problem that is taking you down, need advice, you get the picture…scripture is where you will find what you need and to find peace in the turmoils of this world. God communicates to us through the scriptures and through His Spirit, you can gain confidence and strength to press forward through any obstacles you face. Perhaps the most important reason to study the scriptures is that they teach about Jesus Christ and how you can follow His example and teachings. Certain things about our faith can be hard to accept or be entirely opposite of the social norms, which seem to change to accommodate the desires and standards of society in general, often challenge the authority of scriptures thus causing disobedience to God’s will for his people. 

The hard part… The Bible says, authority is to be submitted to and respected. This is hard for many of us to understand as there are those who rule or preside over others in a cruel and unjust manner. 

Romans 13:1  

 Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.

This is indeed a hard teaching, but is bolstered by Romans 13:2…

So anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and they will be punished. 

Now there is a rational argument to this for those who disagree with it. Could be said that this applies to kind and just rulers and they are no threat to those who do the right thing. One key to understanding scripture is not get into the habit of searching through scriptures until we find one that agrees with our thinking. There are some scripture such as, 1 Peter 2:15 and 17-21 that are confusing to many of us. These are difficult passages and when taken out of context can raise questions among the faithful.  

The biblical definition of the word authority is understood and used to describe the power or ability to do something given by, conferred upon, or derived from a higher authority. It is the warrant, right, power, or ability to do something.(Wikipedia)

Many of the Biblical Patriarchs and Prophets were given God’s authority to do something or carry out the instructions given them by God. 

What is the biblical principle of authority? It is that the Bible is authoritative and useful in guiding matters of Christian practice because it represents the word of God.

The Church today has Marginalized the Authority of 

Scripture and there is a warning here we should heed.It is imperative that we recognize the Bible is authoritative and that it holds the final word; not science, human experience, or human reasoning. Scripture Should always have the final word. 

Life is Good

jk

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Back Porch

08 Wednesday May 2024

Posted by John Kurt Carpenter in Uncategorized

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I am still pretty much confined to my recliner because of this knee surgery. I have been able to get some relief with the aid of my wife and some mobility devices to get to my desk, which is a nice break in my daily routine. One thing this down-time is providing me is a chance to smell the coffee so to speak. I usually read the headlines and that is all I can tolerate as I have shared with you in the past, I am sorta old school. I miss my back porch it is a special place for me…It is my pondering place. One headline got my attention more than any this week. “The Boy Scouts of America making a big change to be more inclusive”… well that got me and I dove right into the meat of the article written by Michael Morgan. These few words is all it took for my interest to outweigh my goal to be accepting of this changing world… making a big change to be more inclusive… included in those words was was one word that is like a “red flag” to us old school grads. INClUSIVE!!!  To me this is one of the calling cards of the “woke”. I read on knowing that it wouldn’t be good. I know the Boy Scouts have been changing over the years and things are not the way they were in my day. Gee, what are they going to do, I still have all my merit badges and different Cub Scout patches and insignias and my prized Order of the Arrow patch. 2025 will be the 115th anniversary of the Boy Scouts of America. I loved the Scouts because although my dad and I were not close, his love for the Scouts and what they did for young men led him to make sure that was one experience I would have to best of his ability. He was a Cub Master, a Scout Master and involved heavily in our experiences as we progressed in the overall program. The concept was so good that even the ladies got on board. The Girl Scouts and of course the Brownies followed and adapted their programs to help benefit the young girls as they grew up. I remember how at a troop meeting the leaders would announce the scheduling of a camping trip or some places we were going to visit, scout camp, crafts and other activities that were planed to teach us character, discipline and respect for God, Country, Family and others by doing good deeds when the opportunity allowed. Times change but sometimes at the expense of what was good. I loved to go camping and I would spend the time prior to the day we would be setting out to go camping checking the weather and hoping for the best. On February 8, 2025 the Boy Scouts will reinvent themselves and become known as Scouting America.  

Here is the view from an old dog on the porch. The things of my day which instilled the faith, morals, character and direction of our nation and people as I knew them are no longer welcome in society today. It was said not to long ago by an elected leader… “My goal is to fundamentally change America”… We were a better people then, than we are now.  

jk

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The Apostle’s Creed…A Statement of Faith

04 Saturday May 2024

Posted by John Kurt Carpenter in Uncategorized

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According to Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary, faith has multiple definitions, including something that is believed especially with strong conviction, a state of complete trust. The belief and trust in and loyalty to God is the subject of this week’s blog. There will be events and times when that trust in God is challenged and that is why it is important each one of us knows why and what we believe. It is written that this moment of true faith follows a time of developing a relationship with God and brings on a sudden enlightenment. Granted it will not be for everyone an experience such as Paul had on the Damascus Road but it will be life changing. Consider this even though I am being repetitive, the type and depth of faith is not the same for everyone but there comes a time when what and why you believe matters. 

A few days ago the Methodist Church at General Conference voted to change some language in the church book of Discipline. The church has been involved in a forty-two year discussion, well actually a small war over this particular stance of the church. We now have closure but for some it will raise another question mark… It is at this point you must understand the importance of your faith…what do you believe and why? I am glad that the Methodist Church has at last put this issue to rest. Two questions we should all seek the answers to… What do I believe and why…? I will lay this to rest letting my sharing my Statement of Faith, simple and to the point. 

Apostles’ Creed

Traditional Version

I believe in God, the Father Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth;

And in Jesus Christ his only Son, our Lord;
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, dead, and buried;*
the third day he rose from the dead;
he ascended into heaven,
and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty;
from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic** church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.

What’s is your Statement of Faith?

Life is Good

jk

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Back Porch

01 Wednesday May 2024

Posted by John Kurt Carpenter in Uncategorized

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I guess I should rename this to “From The Recliner” but whatever, welcome back to the other place…my chair in the office. My surgery did not go well and the repair on the tendon in my right knee has developed a partial tear on the right side just two weeks out. So there is lots to ponder at this point which could turn into heavy thinking. I will share this with you. A forty-two year old question was answered today which was always a good ponder. Which way and when would the Methodist Church stop kicking the can down the road? They answered it today. I will not go into detail, if you have not already read about it or been told, a major change in church law and doctrine was voted on at conference and passed by a large number. Enough said…this week we will leave the pondering and humbly offer some advice for our Methodist friends. 

Consider this… I immediately felt the most important question for me and you might disagree, was what do I believe? Selfish of me, might be but I remember my grand-dad always said…”you won’t always make the right decision…but the best decision is the one you can live with.” So this advice is for me and any of you who agree. Read the The Nicene Creed Nicene which is frequently used as an affirmation of faith in United Methodist worship services. The Nicene Creed set forth the key affirmations concerning the Christian faith and served as a guide in combating heretical or false teaching. 

NICENE CREED

We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen. We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one being with the Father.

I encourage you to read this in its entirety. Know what you believe and why you believe it. You can only do this if you have a relationship with God. Thank you for indulging me and God bless.

Kurt

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Key Verses… Setting The Theme, Story or Structure of a book of the Bible as written.

27 Saturday Apr 2024

Posted by John Kurt Carpenter in Uncategorized

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The bible is many things to many people and as a “believer” it is the source of strength, instruction, validation and a guide to the tenets of the faith for those who wish to live a Godly Life. To put it simply, it is a collection of stories from the time of the creation…about our God’s relationship with his people and the path of God’s people to the day of salvation, through the blood of of His only Son, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. A good story has a few traits or guidelines that enhance it ability to educate, inspire or just simply be able to get ones attention. That is what we are about this week. I am always reading and learning from other people’s work in the telling of the story and their perspective of the Gospel. I came across a person who has helped me understand the way to study these scriptures his name is Jeffrey Kranz. (Click this link to learn more about him.)

I Love to Tell the Story Arabella K. Hankey, 1866 

“I love to tell the story of unseen things above, Of Jesus and His glory, of Jesus and His love; I love to tell the story, because I know ’tis true, It satisfies my longings as nothing else would do.”

A scripture reference to consider: 

 Psalm 66:16

Come and hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what he hath done for my soul.

I often read summaries of different books of the Bible in order to understand the direction or theme that the writer is looking for. If you took journalism in school back in the day you might recall these questions were asked in order to tell the story…Who, What, Where,Why and When… Mr Kranz mentions the importance of the Theme Verse describing it as… “a verse or set of verses that sums up the story, structure, and/or theme of the book of the Bible it was written in.” Our Sunday School Class has begun a study of the Book of Hebrews so I decided to apply some of his methods to better understand how it might help me as I studied this book. Mr Kranz breaks down of the structure of the book that leads to its purpose. Then there is Key verse or verses which identify the Theme. I suggest you go to the underlined link above and read his blog. 

There are many written opinions as to the theme verses in Hebrews one being that God has spoken to us through Jesus Christ his Son and our great High Priest, so we should pay attention to his message and fix our thoughts upon him.

  • Hebrews 1:1-4
    Today God speaks through his Son.
  • Hebrews 2:1-3
    We have heard what Jesus says and we should pay much more attention to what we have heard.
  • Hebrews 3:1-3
    We should consider (fix our thoughts on) Jesus as our great High Priest, and not neglect the great salvation that he preached.

Mr Kranz refers us to these verses… Hebrews 10:23-24 Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. 24 Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. 

Just as Arabella K. Hankey’s hymn I Love to Tell the Story, I love the words that tell the story and it is in the Bible, the Holy Word that we draw closer to our God. 

Life is Good

jk

   

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Back Porch

24 Wednesday Apr 2024

Posted by John Kurt Carpenter in Uncategorized

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Plenty to ponder this week, although I am not on my back porch. I shared with you last time that I had some surgery scheduled on my right knee…got that done and as of today I have a six week period ahead of the usual recovery steps to complete and it will be at least four weeks before I will be able to walk on that knee… point being I am in a recliner 24 hrs a day and totally dependent on my wife. I am a very private person about certain things so I will just say bathroom time has become a time of adventure and adapting. Now Ponder this. How do I transition from this to the book of Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 and what led me to go that way?

I got to pondering how helpless I am and it led me to this book Ecclesiastes. The main message of Ecclesiastes Chapter 4 in my view would be the great value of human relationships, that two are better than one. Adversity is no respecter of personage or age or position. God did not create Adam to be a solitary creature to struggle alone against the events of this life. It has been almost a week since my surgery and it has provided me some time to ponder my situation…here is the result. I find peace  knowing God never intended for me to be alone in these verses from Ecclesiastes… 

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

9 

Two are better than one,
because they have a good return for their labor:

10 

If either of them falls down,
one can help the other up.
But pity anyone who falls
and has no one to help them up.

11 

Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.
But how can one keep warm alone?

12 Though one may be overpowered,
two can defend themselves.
A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

I have my God, my wife and my church…and each strand of the cord strengthens my endurance in the faith.

jk

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Church and Immigration

20 Saturday Apr 2024

Posted by John Kurt Carpenter in Uncategorized

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 It was pointed out to me that a certain scripture set forth the biblical reason why Christians should not be supportive of the government’s attempts to control immigration into the US. The scripture referenced was: Leviticus 19:34 Any immigrant who lives with you must be treated as if they were one of your citizens. You must love them as yourself, because you were immigrants in the land of Egypt; I am the Lord your God. Another close sister scripture would be:Hebrews 13:1,2 Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters. 2 Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.

 

We are all familiar with the use of scriptural references when seeking to strengthen a position or policy but I do have concerns about such activities. Often the verse pulled is done so because it bolsters the position being discussed, or aids in making a point that strengthens our side of the discussion. I used the word pulled because if read in full context the meaning might be much different. One such issue today, right now, real time is the immigration debate we are having in our country. I am prejudice toward the law and the fair and equitable application of it. The Pew does not have a law library and I don’t have a law degree but I do have a dictionary that goes with me everywhere in this digital world we live in. The subject of today’s blog is The relation of the Gospel to the law and politics of the day. We need to know what it is we are writing or speaking about and Merriam Webster is a good place to start.

Definition of immigrant:  one that immigrates: such as a person who comes to a country to take up permanent residence.I believe we can all agree that we have a flood of immigrants coming into our country every day. Now there are many ways to enter the USA , here is another group that contributes to these numbers.
Definition of refugee
:  one that flees; especially:  a person who flees to a foreign country or power to escape danger or persecution; someone who has been forced to leave a country because of war or for religious or political reasons.There is one other classification and I will list it after the next paragraph.

Definition of illegal alien/immigrant
:  a foreign person who is living in a country without having official permission to live there.

Ok, see the difference here? One group comes by choice which might be any number of reasons; economic, educational, religious, there are a host of reasons I am sure. Now that other group, they are fleeing because they have no other choice. So, not everyone is an emigrant some of these folks are refugees. The third groups status is not debatable due to the definition of the first two. BUT, by law there are certain requirements expected of all people who come to the United States. This is a very simplistic view of a very simple person, that being me. So is it reasonable for me to ask just what is the problem here? I’ll answer my own question, of course it is! Keeping this simple, here are the three things that I see are causing the problem. Government, Law and Politics. Government is necessary but messy. Law is complicated and is contrary to what we have been told, not blind. The last one, Politics, is the reason Law is not blind and Government is messy.

Migrant
: a person who goes from one place to another especially to find work.
These folks have been with us for a long time. They supply much of the
labor needed to harvest produce. We have seen at times in the past a great
deal of controversy regarding these people.

Now the last part to this situation. We are a nation in a debate, not always peaceful, that has seen some ridiculous mind boggling statements that are void of any reason other than a “my way or no way” mentality. The disturbing thing about this is that it is not about any individual’s intelligence, it is about a position that has gained a “political agenda” status which is devoid of individual reasoning and has become a “you’re with us thing”. We are a nation of laws and pride ourselves on being fair and compassionate in judging others by law and not agendas. There is no reasonable retort to the fact that our laws regarding immigration are not being enforced or carried out fairly. There is also the fact that law for the sake of law is not always compassionate. What about the gospel, what about “christian charity”? Let’s go back to Leviticus 19:34 and take a closer look at this verse.
34 Any immigrant who lives with you must be treated as if they were one of your citizens. You must love them as yourself, because you were immigrants in the land of Egypt; I am the Lord your God.

I turn to Matthew Henry’s commentary concerning this verse. God had dignified Israel above any other people but that did not give them the right to do others wrong or insult them. It is thought that the stranger referred to here is not an idolater, but a worshiper of the God of Israel. So I think that perhaps just as many of us today cite the law of the land being pushed aside for what I believe to be a partisan agenda,the scripture here alludes to the possibility that the strangers may also worship the God of Israel and require such courtesy. As we read on we are reminded that “Strangers are God’s particular care, as the widow and the fatherless are, because it is his honor to help the helpless, Ps. 146:9.

The Lord watches over the foreigner and sustains the fatherless and the widow, but he frustrates the ways of the wicked.

God also reminds them (the Jews) that they too were also strangers in the land of Egypt at one time. It is important to point out here that the Jews were welcomed into the land of Egypt to escape a famine in their homeland. God reminds them that although the strangers may have many issues, they (the Jews) have no way of knowing how they might turn out and perhaps it was not right or fair to despise them. I asked the question sometime ago what is the problem here?

Here is the view from the pew. Government is responsible for a big part of this mess because of its irresponsibility in enforcing the law as written or at least offering a plan that would allow some discretion within the law. Second and quite honestly even or close to overtaking the Government’s part would have to be Politics and the many different agendas, populated by people whose only goal is to secure their agenda through partisan political action groups. Thirdly, for which I will be roundly criticized is “The Church” in general. The Church should never be in the business of advocating the disobeying of legally established law or participate in helping people who would do that for political reasons. I will also say that the government of Mexico has not done a good job of taking care of it own people, at least the less fortunate among them.

So as to the Government and various Political organizations, get out of the way. Both of you have shown an inability to do for the people, rather working only to serve your own interests. I appreciate a strong and stable government and the things that come with it. I do not appreciate an agenda driven political solution to a people problem that is devoid of common sense compassion. To the “Church” get off your high horse of religious indignation and discounting those who disagree with you as prejudice or uninformed. Instead just simply love and care for those that are among you and accept your responsibility to foster harmony and unity among God’s people. The final verdict of this mess is really before us every day. It is Us, We, you and me. The birth, ministry, crucifixion and resurrection of Christ brought about the reconciliation between God and his people. It also was the adoption of all people into the family of God. We are all God’s children. We need to do better for our brothers and sisters.

jk

References:   Matthew Henry Commentaires, Merriam Webster

 

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Adversity

13 Saturday Apr 2024

Posted by John Kurt Carpenter in Uncategorized

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This is a Repost from a couple of years ago. Read the “Back Porch” published earlier for information about what’s going on.

Many of us have over the years experienced adversity of one kind or another, prompting that classic response..why me Lord? David wrote this Psalm when he was an old man, he had plenty of time to reflect over his life. In the world today wisdom isn’t much valued…Part of the shame of this is that there is a definite distinction between wisdom and knowledge…the first being God given and the latter acquired. It is not my intention to spend time lingering in the adversity of the day and as we walk with God there no need to do that. David had been there. Although he had been anointed king as a teenager, he spent the better part of his twenties running from the ungodly King Saul. David had many occasions to reflect on the problem of personal injustice. The first nine verses spoke to the wisdom he had gleaned from years of walking with God.

Psalm 37

1 Do not fret because of the wicked;
do not be envious of wrongdoers,

2 

for they will soon fade like the grass,
and wither like the green herb.

3 

Trust in the Lord, and do good;
so you will live in the land, and enjoy security.

4 

Take delight in the Lord,
and he will give you the desires of your heart.

5 

Commit your way to the Lord;
trust in him, and he will act.

6 

He will make your vindication shine like the light,
and the justice of your cause like the noonday.

7 Be still before the Lord, and wait patiently for him;
do not fret over those who prosper in their way,
over those who carry out evil devices.

8 

Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath.
Do not fret—it leads only to evil.

9 

For the wicked shall be cut off,
but those who wait for the Lord shall inherit the land.

(New Revised Standard Version)

For convince I have inserted those first 9 verses. The first 22 verses are Godly advice for those who are in adversity not to envy the prosperity of the wicked, because it is superficial, and of short duration but today we will stay with the first 9. Now part of the message here is to put your confidence in God, and live to his glory, as this is the sure way to be happy in this life, and in that which is to come.

Gleaning from the above verses we find a list of actions we can take to make each day better. Do not worry, trust in the Lord, do good, please Him… avoid evil, take heart, there will be vindication. Put aside anger, turn from wrath. It is noted that those of evil intent will be cast aside but those who live for Christ  will prevail. A bit of a personal note here. I have always believed that there are miracles occurring around us every day. Some years back the group  Alabama had a song,  Angels Among Us…and I believe that to be true also. What I think is we are so busy living our life, our way that we allow God’s way to be obscured by the way of the world. Sometimes that little voice we hear is put off to be our  conscience, a little cricket sitting on our shoulder. Have you ever considered the possibility that it might be an angel or even….God? So…to the point here.My devotional this morning was written by John Blasé and it was about being anxious, which I will claim to be the cousin of adversity which could be the driver of anxiousness.  From the John Blasé  article I share this with you. 

“The 2019 You Version  shared that the most shared, highlighted, and bookmarked verse of the year on its online and mobile Bible app was Philippians 4:6, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” The verse that didn’t make “verse of the year” but follows it is—“And the peace of God . . . will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (v. 7). That’s quite the reassurance!”

I was a bit unsure about the topic I had picked for this week, I started to search for a topic on Sunday evening…Today’s devotional took the worry away. I believe there might have been angel on my shoulder during my devotional time. I hope you will read Psalm 37 in its entirety because as I have written often…content is important and the truth lies in the wholeness of a thing. Let God be part of all your tomorrows and your life will be better. 

Life is Good

jk

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Back Porch

13 Saturday Apr 2024

Posted by John Kurt Carpenter in Uncategorized

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I need to share some news with you, at the time I am writing this some work is bering done on the porch. I am in the office in a recliner laptop on my lap writing this. Now the rest of the story…I have tore a tendon on my right knee. I will have surgery next Wednesday. My right knee is in a compressor brace and it can’t be bent…so I have had to adapt. It is difficult to work this way and the pain is hard to deal with but the hardest thing is I am totally  dependent on others to help me with the usual routines of the day. Having said that, I have just got a system in place to do a little work on the “Porch” and a few lines on the “Pew”. Hate to miss my publishing dates but with this brace on my right knee and having to keep the right leg straight and knee un-bent it is a painful demand for a wide bodied old man. (wide bodied old man is the woke term for fat.) Can’t stay at the computer too long. 

Consider this please. “The Back Porch” is  my ponder place and that puts me in a conflict because I’m having to adapt to this new situation I find my self in. Adapting requires thinking and thinking is the enemy of pondering. Here is my answer to this disgusting place I find myself in.

Philippians 4:6-7: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, present your requests to God. And the peace of God which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” 

I hope to be able to continue in a normal fashion…so keep me in your prayers.

 jk   

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THE RISEN LORD…What is Next? …Matthew 28:19-20

06 Saturday Apr 2024

Posted by John Kurt Carpenter in Uncategorized

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This week “The Pew” will be about the path ahead. 

What do I do now? I feel sure that all of the disciples were asking that question, following Jesus was everything.They had given up much, had seen and heard the things that Jesus did during his ministry and now Jesus would be speaking to them for one last time… He would soon ascend to Heaven and be with the Father. They were gathered in a 2nd floor room, hiding there because of the anger of many in the Jewish community along with the Jewish Council’s hostility toward Jesus and his disciples continued to incite the Romans to take a harder line to this new movement.  

19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Scripture tells us that after Jesus rose from the dead he presented Himself alive to the women who had come to the tomb. 

Matthew 28:9-10… And behold, Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came up and took hold of his feet and worshiped him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.” 

There are also other writings…Acts 1:3…During the forty days after he suffered and died, he appeared to the apostles from time to time, and he proved to them in many ways that he was actually alive. And he talked to them about the Kingdom of God. 

1 Corinthians 15:6…Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep.  

From further scripture I present this for your consideration… This is from a great web site, Got Questions…“Forty days after the resurrection, Jesus and His disciples went to Mount Olivet, near Jerusalem. There, Jesus promised His followers that they would soon receive the Holy Spirit, and He instructed them to remain in Jerusalem until the Spirit had come.” Then Jesus blessed them, and as He gave the blessing, He began to ascend into heaven. The sequence here is important and I find sometimes timelines confuse me but this one is short and to the point. After Jesus had rose the next events were compelling, profound and a lot more adjectives could be added but few would truly due justice to “The Great Commission”.  What is Next? Many of us over the years have sought the answer to that question. The answer to that question was given to us by Jesus… Matthew 28:19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. (NLT)… 

These are not instructions, wishes or requests from our Savior but a command. Jesus said I will send the Holy Spirit to enable you to do this thing. This command is to include all People, in every city and every country, to the ends of the earth. We are to make disciples…“go,” “baptize,” and “teach” this being the main command of the great commission. The “Going,” “baptizing,” and “teaching” are the means by which we do this, the basic of which means to teach or train people to follow and obey Christ. It is God’s desire that all people be saved… 

… “who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.) 1 Timothy 2:4

Nothing difficult to understand. Repentance, Forgiveness, Obedience and Salvation. We know what to do and God’s people have been doing it at great costs throughout the world…Remember the Call…The Great Commission… Obey, Go and Tell.

Life is Good

Jk

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