Nov 11
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I don't think these verses are particularly profound, I just really appreciate the honesty. "Some people doubted" a very humble attitude from the author. It's also one firmly based in reality - people doubt and they're not evil for doing so, when it comes to things like resurrection - doubt will inevitably rise it's head simply because of the physics of the whole thing. Read more »
Aug 17
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kirkace added a text contribution When it's okay to lie...This is one of the few occaisions in the bible where it appears to be okay for a believer to lie. I have often wondered about those extreme circumstances - like being tortured for information that would lead to further suffering - and about whether lying there would be counted as sinful. It think in those extreme cases it would probably be alright, but I live in Melbourne, one of the safest cities in the world so I can't really forsee me ever being in a situation such as the Jewish midwives… Read more »
Jun 9
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kirkace added a text contribution Heard it before... or have I?I've heard verse 20 heaps of times: "For where two or three gather together as my followers,s I am there among them." But do yourself a favour and read the verses that come before. Puts a bit of a different spin on it. I don't exactly know what it means (more research needed) but I'm pretty sure that most of the times I've heard this verse quoted, it's been used completely out of context. Read more »
Jun 2
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kirkace added a text contribution If you really believe something, you'll act like it.I like this method of judging the genuineness (real word?) of someone's faith. We can say all sorts of things about what we believe but the real test comes when we have to put them into action. For example: The Alpha Course cops a lot of flack from very liberal Christians and very fundamentalist Christians. What are we to do with judging this course? Well I'd look at the people who run it and observe their actions. So far they seem to live with an integrity rarely seen in church land s… Read more »
Jun 1
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kirkace added a text contribution Milk = the gospel basicsThis is similar to Paul in 1 Cor 3. However it seems that the writer of Hebrews is concerned that they need to keep hearing about repentance and forgiveness. I sometimes feel the same way about myself. I keep needing to repent as God reveals various sins. On further thinking though I'm not sure that's what this passage is on about. A mature Christian will not be sin free, but they will know what to do when they fall into sinfulness. So for example if I was immature and sinning in a cer… Read more »
May 29
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kirkace added a text contribution Watch out for empty sacrificesHebrews does a brilliant job in it's explanation for a lot of the OT laws. It shows that the spirit of the law still holds authority for us but that we are not tied down to it because of what Jesus has done. It occurs to me (and the guy I heard say it) that many of our modern churches have not quite understood this. We continue to focus mainly on our relgious sacrifices (like the Sunday service or singing) and only occiasionaly on that the NT points out is the main deal - loving those in ne… Read more »
May 26
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kirkace added a text contribution Jesus is happy to be interruptedDid you notice how Jesus isn't frustrated by being interrupted? In fact he insist on sticking around and investigates the woman who had touched him. Despite this imporant religious leader needing him urgently, Jesus takes the time to care for someone who was probably ignored by everyone else. Obviously I don't have power leave me whenever I'm touched by a sick person but I can still follow Jesus example of being happy to be interrupted by the marginalised. Read more »
May 18
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kirkace added a text contribution Paul as Tim's mentorHere's a few things I picked up about Paul's mentoring relationship with Timothy: 1:3 He urged him - particularly to protect correct teaching. 1:18 He instructed him - in how to live a life of faith. 2:1 He urged him to pray - to include God in everything he did. 3:1 He offers trustworthy sayings - some advice from an experienced Christian. 4:6 He presents him with ideas - about the future and Tim's decisions. 4:12 He encourages him - to not be ashamed of his age. 5:1 He issues w… Read more »
May 12
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kirkace added a text contribution Legalism kills the church's ministryIt's interesting that despite Jesus being far greater than the temple and the law that we Christians still try and impose as many OT style regulations on our churches as possible. We regulate and lay down the law and in the process we become like the pharisees and miss the "spirit" of God's law. Yes we should have boundaries and standards for the way we live but too often they don't, they come from our desire to control. Read more »
Apr 20
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kirkace added a text contribution Is temptation good for the soul?Jesus actually enters the wilderness to BE tempted. This is perhaps an example of a story that is not necessarily a model for us to follow. Jesus can put himself in the firing line for temptation but we should probably avoid it as best we can. I find that temptation is prevelant enough in my life without seeking it out. However the whole God/trinity thing allows Jesus to be an exception I reckon. Read more »
Mar 31
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kirkace added a text contribution John the Baptist - a big important characterIt would be easy to ignore JtB. He's only given a couple of short passages and then later gets his head cut off (pretty horrible when you think about it). I recently realised that he was actually Jesus' cousin and that he laid the foundation for Jesus' ministry in spectacular fashion Read more »
Mar 30
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kirkace added a text contribution Fulfillment of prophecy is Matt 2's main point?It occurs to me that we don't really need to know a lot of the information in Matt 2 except that it shows us how many prophecies Jesus fulfilled even when he was an infant still pooing his pants. There's not much personnal application for the Christian but it does show we can't just ignore the OT, the NT won't allow it. Read more »
Mar 29
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kirkace added a text contribution Jesus = royaltyI don't often think of Jesus as royalty. Usually when I think of royalty I think of Princess Di conspiracies and cousins sleeping with each other. But when royalty is at it's finest - noble leaders who are chosen by God - then it makes sense that Jesus would be treated the way he is by the wise men. So when we call Jesus our King it's probably best to remind ourselves of the positive connotations behind it. Read more »
Mar 27
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kirkace added a text contribution Illegitimate childAt first it might seem a bit confronting that Jesus was conceived outside of wedlock (generally frowned upon in Christian teaching). Even though it was technically legit because of the whole Holy Spirit thing it must have been socially very controversial. It shows God's heart for those who are shunned an broken. He's so committed to them that he gave himself a fair dose of social issues during the incarnation. Any though that we should only do ministry to solid nuclear families is thro… Read more »
Mar 26
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kirkace added a link contribution Kristina's talk on this chapter.Kristina did a talk on this chapter for our youth group. Just a short one but a good intro to reading this section. Look down the bottom of the page for the audio box out. Read more »