Thursday, Aug 21, 2008

TWG - August 21, 2008

Download this episode (21 min)   
TWG - August 21, 2008
To Listen to Today’s Reading http://timewithgod.mypodcast.com
Leviticus 27; Psalm 75; 1 Peter 3

Today is August 21, this is time with God, I’m Pastor Dennis - I’ve been waiting here for you. Welcome to our life transforming community. We are doing something of eternal significance. We are redeeming the time. That is one of the basic premises of TWG. We believe that what we do every day is so important that we must do the important things each day. That is why we read the word every Day

It seems like fall is on the way… I’m sure we must have more summer to come, but the rain in Roseburg seems like a premonition of winter! Yesterday I spent most of the day cleaning the new building and getting it ready for Awana. I moved our gas stove into the church kitchen and spent some time trying to figure out how to hang our new video screen. I woke up in the middle of the night with a great idea! It must be a God thing! I spent some time working with Marcia to prepare for Awana. We need to get a mailing out soon. The ladies were in the kitchen working on apples. Carl, Marcia and I took off to U-Haul to pick up a new love seat for the church. I put a picture of Doris in the kitchen on the Blog at http://timewithgod.mypodcast.com. Check it out.

This week’s theme verse is Hebrews 5:11-14 We have much to say about this, and hard to explain, since you are slow to learn. For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to maturity"

I spent two years in the fifth grade! True! I’m telling you I wasn’t born to study. I had to repeat every class that year, not that it did me any good… do you think I really learned the stuff the second time through? I must have, because they threw up their hands and hustled me into the sixth grade the next year. Are there “grades” in the Christian life? Are their “classes to repeat” when you fail? The Apostle John listed three of them. He called them Little Children, (Grade 1) Young men (Grade 2) and Fathers (Grade 3). The writer of Hebrews only spoke of two grades: Babes (Grade 1) and Full Age (Grade 2). The course of study for the “Babe’s” class is called “Milk” (I know you are picturing tanned girls in bikini’s with a white upper lip talking about happy cows at the beach, but that is NOT what we are talking about! Get your mind in the game!) This class covers the “elementary principles of Christ.” The course of study for the “Full Age” class is called “Solid Food.” It covers the “teaching about righteousness.” If you flunk the “Milk Class” you will have to repeat it. You can tell when you’ve “got it” if #1 you have begun to develop the advanced skill to discern both good and evil and if #2 you are mature enough to catch the vision of the importance of “Milk” and begin teaching it to others. Just what are the first principles or elementary truths of the Word? Hebrews 6 lists 6 of them. 1) Repentance 2) Faith 3) Baptism 4) Laying on of Hands for Service 5) Resurrection 6) Eternal Judgment. Repentance is turning from your dead works to the finished work of the cross to save you. Faith is trusting Jesus alone for salvation. Baptism is what you do when you want to make a public statement of your determination to follow Jesus. Laying on of Hands is about discovering your place of giftedness and ministry and beginning to serve Jesus. Resurrection is our hope. Because Jesus rose, we will too! Eternal judgment covers believer’s rewards and the unbeliever’s punishment. Once you really understand these basic principles you should be motivated to teach others. That’s how Christianity works. I teach you, you teach others. And you need this basic bit of instruction in order to move to the next level. These six truths are the foundation that enable you to gain the understanding and skill to study the rest of the Word as well as the skill in discerning right and wrong. So tell me, have you got it or are you a flunkee? Hey it’s time we realized that in Christianity there is no such designation as “professional Milk student.” Grow up and Move on!

Dear Holy Spirit, teach me I pray. I have spent too much time drinking milk, and I am now ready for solid food. I want to graduate and become mature. Please help me to gain the passion to pass the faith on. I know I need a good foundation. Let me get it and get it clearly enough to change my life and the lives of others.

“Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law.”-

Posted by Dennis Kreiss at 9:52 AM |  MAKE A COMMENT  

<< Home