MERCY, MERCY
It’s been said, “To not forgive is like drinking rat poison and waiting for the rat to die!" If there is one thing we all could use more of these days, it’s forgiveness and mercy.
Jesus said, “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy” (Matthew 5:7).
In Jesus’ time, Roman culture did not value the virtue of mercy. A Roman philosopher said that mercy was the disease of the soul.
The Romans glorified justice, courage, discipline, and power. Mercy was laughed at, mocked, and derided in that culture.
Our culture does not really value mercy either. More often, we cry out for justice and, better yet, revenge.
But God values mercy.
In Matthew 6:3, the word for mercy is used in the context of almsgiving. It means to help a person in need, to rescue the miserable.
The more righteous a man is, the more merciful he will be. The more sinful a man is, the harsher and more critical he will be.
If I know anything of God’s forgiveness in my life, I will be forgiving. If I am not merciful, then one must question if I know anything of the mercy of God myself.
THIS SUNDAY AT GATETREE
I'm preaching through the 10 Commandments for the message series "10 Values That Build Strong Families." If you're in the neighborhood on Sunday at 10:45 AM, we would be delighted for your to be our guest. I hope to see you then.
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Wednesday, April 07, 2010
DOUBT OR FAITH
She said, “Pastor, I’ve been through so much that at times…I have doubts about my faith.” That’s what a long-time Christian woman whispered to me recently. Have you ever had doubts about your faith? Have you ever wondered if it is really all true?
Some Christians are reluctant to admit that they have any doubts thinking it might be an act of spiritual treason or betrayal, or that doubt is an unpardonable sin.
Listen, everyone has moments of doubt. Even John the Baptist–the direct forerunner of the Messiah–had them. After he had been arrested and imprisoned, he sent word to Jesus, asking, “Are you really the Messiah we’ve been waiting for, or should we keep looking for someone else?” (Matthew 11:3 NLT)
Doubt is not always bad. Oswald Chambers said that doubt is not always a sign that a man is wrong; it may be a sign that he is thinking!
It has been said that skepticism is the first step toward truth. Chuck Swindoll said, “It is the right of every believer to go through halls of doubt on their way to rooms of truth.”
There is a distinct difference between doubt, skepticism, and outright unbelief.
Skepticism is “can’t believe.” Unbelief is “won’t believe.”
Skepticism is honesty. Unbelief is stubbornness.
Skepticism is looking for light. Unbelief is content with darkness.
An unbeliever has no intention of changing or believing.
On the other hand, the honest skeptic will change, when presented with the facts. That is what happened when I said to my Christian friend, “The strength of your faith is not in the circumstances that touch your life. Your faith is in the risen Lord Jesus Christ.” Then I left her with one of my favorite Psalms—“Some trust in chariots, some trust in horses, but I trust in the Lord our God.” (Psalm 20:7)
THIS SUNDAY AT GATETREE
This Sunday we're beginning a new message series at Gatetree called "Ten Values That Build Strong Families" based on the 10 Commandments. We will look at life's most basic issues: money, sex, family, work, reputation, possessions and God.
The series will answer questions like how can I build a strong foundation for a successful life and family; what are the values that last; how can I help my children develop personal character; are the Ten Commandments pertinent today; and what are the practical benefits of living by 'God's Top Ten'?
If you're in the area, we'd love for you to be our guest at 10:45 AM.
She said, “Pastor, I’ve been through so much that at times…I have doubts about my faith.” That’s what a long-time Christian woman whispered to me recently. Have you ever had doubts about your faith? Have you ever wondered if it is really all true?
Some Christians are reluctant to admit that they have any doubts thinking it might be an act of spiritual treason or betrayal, or that doubt is an unpardonable sin.
Listen, everyone has moments of doubt. Even John the Baptist–the direct forerunner of the Messiah–had them. After he had been arrested and imprisoned, he sent word to Jesus, asking, “Are you really the Messiah we’ve been waiting for, or should we keep looking for someone else?” (Matthew 11:3 NLT)
Doubt is not always bad. Oswald Chambers said that doubt is not always a sign that a man is wrong; it may be a sign that he is thinking!
It has been said that skepticism is the first step toward truth. Chuck Swindoll said, “It is the right of every believer to go through halls of doubt on their way to rooms of truth.”
There is a distinct difference between doubt, skepticism, and outright unbelief.
Skepticism is “can’t believe.” Unbelief is “won’t believe.”
Skepticism is honesty. Unbelief is stubbornness.
Skepticism is looking for light. Unbelief is content with darkness.
An unbeliever has no intention of changing or believing.
On the other hand, the honest skeptic will change, when presented with the facts. That is what happened when I said to my Christian friend, “The strength of your faith is not in the circumstances that touch your life. Your faith is in the risen Lord Jesus Christ.” Then I left her with one of my favorite Psalms—“Some trust in chariots, some trust in horses, but I trust in the Lord our God.” (Psalm 20:7)
THIS SUNDAY AT GATETREE
This Sunday we're beginning a new message series at Gatetree called "Ten Values That Build Strong Families" based on the 10 Commandments. We will look at life's most basic issues: money, sex, family, work, reputation, possessions and God.
The series will answer questions like how can I build a strong foundation for a successful life and family; what are the values that last; how can I help my children develop personal character; are the Ten Commandments pertinent today; and what are the practical benefits of living by 'God's Top Ten'?
If you're in the area, we'd love for you to be our guest at 10:45 AM.
Thursday, April 01, 2010
DOUBTING AT EASTER TIME
Are you struggling with doubt when it comes to your faith? Maybe something has happened in your life that caused you to wonder if God really does keep His promises.
Recent headlines have given some people plenty reason to doubt; child abuse in the Catholic church; fanatical extremism from a so-called Christian militia group in Michigan; and recent allegations that the leader of the Church of Scientology physically beats members when they oppose his leadership.
When headlines such as these are combined with unemployment, recession, foreclosures, rising crime statistics, wars on two fronts and a broken government, there is no wonder that strugglers doubt that God still has the power to make a difference in people's lives.
I have good news for you—Easter is for doubters!
Some of the very closest followers of Jesus were stymied by doubt. When he was put to death on a Roman cross, their lives crumbled and fell apart. But on that first Easter Sunday when they came face to face with him after he came back to life--their doubts faded away pretty quickly.
I believe the same can happen for you this Easter Sunday at Gatetree. It's one thing to believe that He really came back to life. It's another thing entirely to be convinced that believing in His resurrection can break the shackles of doubt in your life. I'm preaching a message titled "What You Believe...and Why?"
The power of the truth in that message is strong enough to change your life. I praying that it will.
Are you struggling with doubt when it comes to your faith? Maybe something has happened in your life that caused you to wonder if God really does keep His promises.
Recent headlines have given some people plenty reason to doubt; child abuse in the Catholic church; fanatical extremism from a so-called Christian militia group in Michigan; and recent allegations that the leader of the Church of Scientology physically beats members when they oppose his leadership.
When headlines such as these are combined with unemployment, recession, foreclosures, rising crime statistics, wars on two fronts and a broken government, there is no wonder that strugglers doubt that God still has the power to make a difference in people's lives.
I have good news for you—Easter is for doubters!
Some of the very closest followers of Jesus were stymied by doubt. When he was put to death on a Roman cross, their lives crumbled and fell apart. But on that first Easter Sunday when they came face to face with him after he came back to life--their doubts faded away pretty quickly.
I believe the same can happen for you this Easter Sunday at Gatetree. It's one thing to believe that He really came back to life. It's another thing entirely to be convinced that believing in His resurrection can break the shackles of doubt in your life. I'm preaching a message titled "What You Believe...and Why?"
The power of the truth in that message is strong enough to change your life. I praying that it will.
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