Tag: christianity

Don’t Write the Bible Off

On By Dr. Casey LewisIn Devotionals, Quotes3 Comments

Francis Schaeffer

I am convinced we don’t read the Bible because we think its irrelevant. We believe it doesn’t answer the questions we are asking.

Francis Schaeffer, arguable one of the 20th centuries greatest Christian philosophers, doesn’t agree. He believes the Bible is just as relevant today as when it was first written. At a turning point in his life, he turned to God’s Word and found it answered the questions he was asking. Questions his liberally minded church weren’t answering. Here is how his biographer puts it:

As he read [Greek philosophy] he had a growing sense that he was gaining more questions but no answers. This awareness was reinforced when he realized that he experienced a similar situation in his church, which he later realized was influenced by theological liberalism…What he was getting in his church was a constant questioning, but no answers to the issues of life…

Having tasted the thinking of the ancient Greeks, he thought it was only fair to read through the Bible, something he had never done. He ought to give it a last chance. So it was that, night by night, alongside his reading of Ovid he began reading the Bible from the beginning (as a book, he thought this was the way to do it). He began with Genesis: “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth” and read to the very end: “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen” (KJV).

In his reading of the Bible he was surprised to find unfolding answers to the deep philosophical questions he had begun to ask. The dawning excitement would never leave him.

Schaeffer’s experience is proof the Bible answers the questions we’re asking. It’s relevant. It’s useful. It’s life changing.

At this time in Schaeffer’s life, he was ready to write the Bible off. That is, until he read it. I believe that’s why we don’t believe the Bible is relevant. Why we don’t believe it answers the questions we’re asking – we haven’t read it. If we had, we would come to a completely different conclusion.

If you think the Bible is irrelevant, I challenge you to read it. Don’t write it off without giving it an honest chance. Schaeffer didn’t, and he became one of Christianity’s greatest minds.

Questions for Reflection

  1. Have you read God’s Word cover to cover?
  2. How has God’s Word proven relevant in your life?

Resources

Quote from Francis Schaeffer: an Authentic Life, by Colin Duriez, pg 20-21.

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God Has A Trustworthy Plan

On By Dr. Casey LewisIn DevotionalsLeave a comment

God's Plan

In Matthew 13:35, Matthew tells us Jesus reveals what “has been hidden since the foundation of the world” when He speaks to His disciples in parables. Matthew comment reveals that God’s has always had a plan. A plan that has been active since the world was created.

The Story of the Bible Reveals God’s Plan

The Bible makes God’s plan evident. From Creation to the Fall to Abraham to the Exodus and beyond, God has a plan. We see His plan worked out as prophecies are made and prophecies are fulfilled; promises are made and promises are fulfilled.

So we see that God has a plan. A plan that has existed since the beginning of the world.

The Creator’s Plan Doesn’t Fail

Not only does God have a plan, but God is the ruler of this world. He created it all. He rules it all. Since He is sovereign and the ruler over all, His plan doesn’t fail. Our plans might fail, but God’s plans don’t.

Our Plans Change But God’s Doesn’t

This last Monday, my wife planned to go to Wal-Mart and pick up a few things for the house. She got ready, she wrote out a list, she scheduled time to go, but it didn’t happen. Her plans changed because of something outside of her control. Our 3-month old didn’t cooperate. He was either crying, sleeping, needed to be changed, needed to be consoled, or needed to be feed. So she didn’t make it to Wal-Mart on Monday.

My wife’s plan changed because of something outside of her control but not so with God.

God’s plan doesn’t change because there is nothing outside of His control. God controls everything. He is sovereign. His plan never fail.

We Can Trust God’s Plan

So when Matthew tells us these Parables lay out God’s plan, we can trust that His plan will come to fruition. Our plans may fail and change but God’s doesn’t.

Question for Reflection

  1. Do you trust God’s plan?

Resource

Post adapted from my most recent sermon: Why is Evil Allowed to Continue? 

Respectable Sins: Anger | Part 5

On By Dr. Casey LewisIn Discipleship, Practical, Respectable Sins4 Comments

Angry Birds

In the last post in this series, I answered the question: How do we show our anger? Today I will look at reasons we get angry at God.

Anger Toward God

Anger toward God usually stems from thinking God has let us down, or that God is actually against us.

Even though people get angry with God, it is never ok to be angry at God. It’s not ok because anger toward God means we are making a moral judgment. We are accusing God of wrongdoing and sinning against us. We are accusing Him of neglecting or treating us unfairly.

Thinking God has neglected or treated us unfairly means we believe God owes us a better deal in life than we are getting [1].

How do we deal with anger against God?

First, realize we don’t have to stuff our feelings and live in alienation from God.

Second, we have to trust in the sovereignty, wisdom, and love of God.

Third, we should bring our questions to God in prayer. When we pray, we should do several things.

  1. Admit we are confused by the situation and we are having a hard time seeing God’s love in what we are going through.
  2. Ask God to help us trust Him.
  3. Ask God to strengthen us so we don’t fall into the temptation to be angry at Him [2].

Fourth, we have to remember God is a forgiving God. Our anger is not unforgivable. Jesus paid the price for our anger towards Him on the cross. We can rest knowing even if we get angry with God, forgiveness awaits. Isn’t that amazing?

Questions for Reflection

  1. Do you believe you deserve better than what you are getting?
  2. Are you angry at God?
  3. Have you gone to God asking Him to help you understand your situation?
  4. Are you amazed that God forgives even our anger?

Looking Forward

In the next post in this series, I will talk about the long term results of anger.

Resources

Post adapted from Jerry Bridges, Respectable Sins, 121-28

[1] Jerry Bridges, Respectable Sins, 127.
[2] Ibid.

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Does the Gospel Put a Smile on Your Face?

On By Dr. Casey LewisIn Devotionals2 Comments

Rejoice

Does the gospel put a smile on your face? Does it cause you to leap for joy?

Rejoice because you are blessed

In Matthew 13:16-17, Jesus tells the Disciples they are blessed. They are blessed because they sit in unique place in history. They are able to see and hear what the Prophets and the Righteous people of old prophesied about and longed to see. As well as they are blessed because they actually see, hear, and understand.

Since they are blessed, they should rejoice. Rejoice that God has revealed Himself to them! Rejoice because they haven’t rejected Jesus but are following Him!

The same for us. We should rejoice because the Father has revealed Himself to us. We should rejoice because we haven’t rejected Jesus but are following Him. We should rejoice because we are blessed.

Do you rejoice?

When you think about your salvation, do you rejoice? Do your affections for Christ increase when you think about Jesus hanging on the cross taking the punishment you deserve? Does it make you want to leap for joy? Does it make you want to praise Jesus when you think about your salvation?

I will tell you right now friend. We are in a blessed position. If you heart is not stirred by the gospel, maybe you have lost your first love. Or maybe the the gospel hasn’t pierced your heart.

You see, those who are saved by Jesus are blessed and they should rejoice. If you are cold and apathetic to the things of God, maybe you don’t recognize the blessed state you are in.

How do you get there? How do you recognize the blessed state you are in?

I believe it is by meditating on the gospel. By realizing what Jesus has done for you. By realizing your privileged unique position.

So if your heart is cold, if you don’t get excited about these things, think on the gospel, read about the gospel, talk with others about the gospel.

Questions for Reflection

  1. Do you recognized how blessed you are to be saved by Jesus?
  2. Do you rejoice when you think about what Jesus has done for you?

Resources

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Post adapted from most recent sermon Why are their so many unbelievers?

Fight the Good Fight in Community

On By Dr. Casey LewisIn Church Life, Discipleship, Practical5 Comments

Fighting Men

Sin is something we don’t like to talk about. Something we would rather keep hidden. It is certainly not something we want to tell others about. James, however, tells us we should tell others about our sin. He writes,

Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working (James 5:16).

James exhorts us to confess our sins to one another, so that others might pray for us. Do you confess your sins to others? Do you ask others to pray God would remove sin in your life? If you don’t, I would encourage you to find someone you can trust, confess your sins, and ask them to pray for you. Don’t try to fight temptation and sin by yourself. Don’t be a Lone Ranger Christian. Fight the good fight in community!

Why Can We Confess Sin to Others?

Often confessing sin to others is hindered by what we believe others will think about us. We don’t want to appear like we don’t have it all together. We are afraid others will look down on us, if we confess our sin.

Christians shouldn’t think that way. The gospel should encourage us to confess our sins to others because it tells us we are not accepted based on our works, or what others think about us. We are accepted based on Jesus’ work for us. Concern for what others think shouldn’t dissuade us then from confessing sin. What others think doesn’t matter because our acceptance is not based on what others think.

Question for Reflection

  1. Do you confess your sins to others so they can pray for you?
  2. Are you worried about what others might think of you?

Resource

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How Do You Know You Are Apart of Jesus’ Family

On By Dr. Casey LewisIn PracticalLeave a comment

Church Family

Who is apart of your family? That’s easy, it’s either those born into the family, those adopted, or those who married in. If they weren’t born or married in, or if they weren’t adopted, they aren’t apart of your family.

Jesus’ criteria for being apart of His family is different. You can’t be born in and you can’t marry in. But you can be adopted. The only way to be adopted is to believe in Jesus as your Lord and Savior.

How do we know who are apart of Jesus’ family? Anyone can say they are apart of the family. How can we know for sure they, or we, are in?

Who Are Apart of Jesus’ Family?

In Matthew 12, Jesus tells us who are apart of His family. Starting in verse 46 Jesus says,

While he was still speaking to the people, behold, his mother and his brothers stood outside, asking to speak to him. But he replied to the man who told him, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” And stretching out his hand toward his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.” (Matthew 12:46-50, ESV)

Jesus is explicit. Those who do the will of the Father are apart of His family. In other words, those who desire to live according to God’s Word are apart of His family, and those who don’t, aren’t apart of the family.

Jesus’ family members desire and live according to the Father’s will.

An Important Point

Jesus’ criteria is an important concept to grasp. There are many who claim to be Christians. Who claim to know God. Who claim that Jesus is their Savior. These same people, however, don’t desire, or do, the will of the Father. They don’t live according to God’s Word, which means they are not apart of Jesus’ family.

Jesus is explicit. If you don’t do the Father’s will, you aren’t apart of His family. If you don’t submit to God and allow Him to call the shots in your life, you aren’t apart of His family. If you don’t live according to God’s Word, you aren’t apart of His family.

You might be religious. You might be spiritual. You might be a good person. You might come to church every week. You might rub elbows with Christians. You might help everyone in your neighborhood. But if you don’t do the Father’s will, you aren’t apart of Jesus’ family.

Questions for Reflection

  1. Do you search God’s Word to determine His will?
  2. Do you desire to live in obedience to God’s Word?
  3. Do you allow God to be number one in your life?
  4. Do you allow God to direct your life?
  5. Do you seek to follow Jesus on a daily basis?

Resources

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Post adapted from my most recent sermon: Jesus’ Family Doesn’t Need A Sign