If you watched Andy Stanley's first video we learned and saw a good foundation for our faith. The big thing I hope you took away is that our faith needs to be constant, not based on experiences or life's circumstances. Our second lesson dives into a fundamental concept that we as Christians need to wholeheartedly live out in all areas of our lives: our faith is a sure thing. Stanley's teaching dives into the popular ideas and notions of what people think about faith and how it shapes and affects their lives.
1) Faith is a sure thing. Stanley gives great real life examples of ways we misuse the term faith. Faith has been a term as Stanley points that people confuse with hope. Examples being let's have faith he'll come through. Our team might win the game if we have faith in them, and the list can go on and on. The encouragement he uses is to substitute the word hope into the above sentences. The Steelers hopefully will beat the Ravens. Let's hope she'll come home. We are hopeful they can turn things around, etc.
The difference is that faith is a guarantee and hope is more of a good chance. Stanley encourages you to bet on hope and to be hopeful in many areas of joy and struggle in your life. But, the conclusion is that faith is and will always be certain.
2) Faith is certain because of who it is in. The Apostle Paul reminds in Romans 8:31-39 that nothing that could ever happen to us on this earth could ever separate us from the love of Jesus Christ. The biggest challenge many people struggle with in their faith is that they forget they've placed their faith in a living God who loves them even more then they could ever ask for or dream of.
One of the challenges I encourage you to partake is to begin being very open and honest with God about your feelings, your hopes, your dreams, and expectations. God's pretty tough so he can handle some difficult things you may be going through. But, I also urge you to explore why you're feeling the way you are. The biggest mistake you can make is to allow negative feelings and doubt in your heart without working through them. Turn to the word of God and allow the wisdom of scripture to illumine your heart and mind. Ask questions of those around you, learn from their stories, and tell your story to help others understand and work through their feelings. Go with the confidence and knowledge that God is sufficient, and God is enough.
3) Joy is one of the biggest by-products of faith. Stanley was very clear in the message that your faith doesn't grow during your journey, but what your faith does do is produce spiritual fruit. There are many spiritual fruits that will be made manifested in your spiritual life. One of the biggest fruits that will be noticed and admired by others will be joy. Nehemiah reminds in Nehemiah 8:10 that the joy of the Lord will be our strength. So, I want to leave you with this question is the joy of following and being in a relationship permeating from your being? When was the last time you've laughed? Complimented someone out of the blue? Or even smiled?
Your faith in a loving, living God will produce much joy in all areas of your life. People will notice that your life is changing for the better all the time. Step out in faith each and every day of your life with the certainty that God goes with you, God knows you, and your future in Jesus Christ is set. Your joy and happiness will overflow in all areas of your life, and you will be an inspiration as you continue to live out your life with joyfulness during its painful moments. Bet on faith. Not because of how spiritual you are, how many books or Bible studies you've attended, but because of who your faith is placed in.
Feel free to think about and discuss areas where your faith has produced great spiritual fruit how has that made you feel and what did that look like?
Monday, January 26, 2015
Friday, January 9, 2015
Reaction to Faith, Hope, and Luck Round 1
I do apologize that this first reaction from the first video was so long forthcoming. But, we are here and I will say that I'm pretty stoked. Faith, Hope, and Luck is an online study by Pastor Andy Stanley. The first lesson Better Odds contained much spiritual truth about Christians in all areas of life in our country today. Let's dive in a little bit and see what we can learn from this video.
1) Experiential faith vs. Mature Faith
I will say that Andy presented a lot of good ideas and truths in this discussion, so it can be easy to miss something. He described experiential faith as having one's faith changed and altered based on your life experiences. For example your faith could be full of life and energized after you come back from a meaningful, spiritual retreat, but your faith can easily fall away after you receive some terrible health news from your doctor. There are countless other examples of both experiences and events in life that can either strengthen or diminish an experiential faith.
Stanley highlights this classic struggle very well and even suggests that many believers go through this tension almost on a daily basis. Part of the dangers of an experiential faith can be found in Jesus' account of the parable of the sower. A few things to note in this classic parable:
1) This is one of the few parables that Jesus actually explains in great detail. Most of the parables of Jesus are left unexplained, but oddly enough Jesus tells everyone what the meaning behind the sower is. Why does he explain just this one? Well, my view is that the truth and power behind the parable is so powerful that Jesus wanted to make sure no one missed it: in our faith journey we all believe in the same and Lord and Savior, but if our faith falls on rocky soil or we allow weeds to grab our heart then troubles can emerge.
Take the time to develop a regular prayer life and relationships with Christians who are both stronger and weaker than you in the faith. Remember to be patient, because the Christian life is a marathon not a sprint.
2) The word of God should and does travel everywhere! The word travels to those who genuinely want a life change and to grow a deep faith, but it also goes to people who just want a quick fix to be happy. So, my encouragement to you is be an example of a deep mature faith. Be honest in all situations, learn to season your words with grace and love, work hard, love your family, and the list can go on and on. Human beings learn very well from example, and you could be a great example of what God is doing in your life. In the time when many people make new year's resolutions can you or your family make a resolution to more intentionally live out your faith?
Stanley goes on to quote Hebrews 4:14 as the scripture verse of his message.
1) Experiential faith vs. Mature Faith
I will say that Andy presented a lot of good ideas and truths in this discussion, so it can be easy to miss something. He described experiential faith as having one's faith changed and altered based on your life experiences. For example your faith could be full of life and energized after you come back from a meaningful, spiritual retreat, but your faith can easily fall away after you receive some terrible health news from your doctor. There are countless other examples of both experiences and events in life that can either strengthen or diminish an experiential faith.
Stanley highlights this classic struggle very well and even suggests that many believers go through this tension almost on a daily basis. Part of the dangers of an experiential faith can be found in Jesus' account of the parable of the sower. A few things to note in this classic parable:
1) This is one of the few parables that Jesus actually explains in great detail. Most of the parables of Jesus are left unexplained, but oddly enough Jesus tells everyone what the meaning behind the sower is. Why does he explain just this one? Well, my view is that the truth and power behind the parable is so powerful that Jesus wanted to make sure no one missed it: in our faith journey we all believe in the same and Lord and Savior, but if our faith falls on rocky soil or we allow weeds to grab our heart then troubles can emerge.
Take the time to develop a regular prayer life and relationships with Christians who are both stronger and weaker than you in the faith. Remember to be patient, because the Christian life is a marathon not a sprint.
2) The word of God should and does travel everywhere! The word travels to those who genuinely want a life change and to grow a deep faith, but it also goes to people who just want a quick fix to be happy. So, my encouragement to you is be an example of a deep mature faith. Be honest in all situations, learn to season your words with grace and love, work hard, love your family, and the list can go on and on. Human beings learn very well from example, and you could be a great example of what God is doing in your life. In the time when many people make new year's resolutions can you or your family make a resolution to more intentionally live out your faith?
Stanley goes on to quote Hebrews 4:14 as the scripture verse of his message.
Tuesday, January 6, 2015
on Into the Woods
This will be my first of a few movie reviews coming out hot and fresh into 2015. I hope and pray that the holidays were relaxing and blessed for all this past year. One of the great truths that each new year brings is that it brings a fresh start and new beginning to all those who felt down, hurt, and disappointed by the previous year. As we journey together in this year, let us remember that learning and developing the skills to think theologically are absolutely crucial for mature Christians
Movies, music, television, video games, books, and all forms of entertainment and amusement are areas that challenge us to think theologically about the messages that are embedded in them. Into the Woods is a fun, entertaining movie/musical that came out in theaters across the country on Christmas Day.
Without giving too much of the plot away the story centers on a baker and his wife who learn early on in the movie that their neighbor who happens to be a witch has placed a curse on their family line. The curse is that their line will be barren. However, after the witch finishes explaining the curse she informs the baker and his wife there is one way to reverse the curse. They need to find four items: 1) a cow as white as milk, 2) a cape as red as blood, 3) hair as yellow as corn, and 4) slippers as pure as gold. All four items correspond with a different fairy tale: Jack and the Bean Stalk, Little Red Riding Hood, Rapunzel, and Cinderella.
The baker and his wife must find all these items in the woods before the stroke of midnight on the third day. It's a zany, musical adventure that leaves you guessing, laughing, and cheering all the way until the very end. The movie fairly seamlessly combines several fairy tales as it tells a new story for the viewer to enjoy. It does seem a tad long at points, and it doesn't end at the moment you would expect, but overall it was a very satisfying movie. The music was excellent and all the cast is very proficient in their singing abilities. One criticism of the story is that since it combines many fairy tales into one some of the story lines do appear underdeveloped and rushed. The bottom line is that the cast is amazing, the costumes great, special effects are superb, and the music will leave you wanting more. I give it four out of five stars in terms of quality.
Looking at the movie from a theological perspective there are some good truths that we can pull out. One of the main truths of the movie is that our decisions do have real consequences for all of those around us. We do not make our decisions in a vacuum, and the choices we make do affect others in both good and negative ways similar to the decision that the baker's father made to steal the witch's beans. The second truth and there are many more in the movie is the idea that we need to be there for each other in the good and bad times. The characters will have both many good and sad moments during the movie, and I think you will be inspired to see how they respond. We as the church have great opportunities to respond in both good and broken moments to each other as Christ would have responded to us.
In terms of family friendliness the movie is rated PG. This movie has no cursing or sexual innuendos. However, it does have some violent and at times sad moments. I would rate it 4.5 out of 5 in terms of family friendliness.
Movies, music, television, video games, books, and all forms of entertainment and amusement are areas that challenge us to think theologically about the messages that are embedded in them. Into the Woods is a fun, entertaining movie/musical that came out in theaters across the country on Christmas Day.
Without giving too much of the plot away the story centers on a baker and his wife who learn early on in the movie that their neighbor who happens to be a witch has placed a curse on their family line. The curse is that their line will be barren. However, after the witch finishes explaining the curse she informs the baker and his wife there is one way to reverse the curse. They need to find four items: 1) a cow as white as milk, 2) a cape as red as blood, 3) hair as yellow as corn, and 4) slippers as pure as gold. All four items correspond with a different fairy tale: Jack and the Bean Stalk, Little Red Riding Hood, Rapunzel, and Cinderella.
The baker and his wife must find all these items in the woods before the stroke of midnight on the third day. It's a zany, musical adventure that leaves you guessing, laughing, and cheering all the way until the very end. The movie fairly seamlessly combines several fairy tales as it tells a new story for the viewer to enjoy. It does seem a tad long at points, and it doesn't end at the moment you would expect, but overall it was a very satisfying movie. The music was excellent and all the cast is very proficient in their singing abilities. One criticism of the story is that since it combines many fairy tales into one some of the story lines do appear underdeveloped and rushed. The bottom line is that the cast is amazing, the costumes great, special effects are superb, and the music will leave you wanting more. I give it four out of five stars in terms of quality.
Looking at the movie from a theological perspective there are some good truths that we can pull out. One of the main truths of the movie is that our decisions do have real consequences for all of those around us. We do not make our decisions in a vacuum, and the choices we make do affect others in both good and negative ways similar to the decision that the baker's father made to steal the witch's beans. The second truth and there are many more in the movie is the idea that we need to be there for each other in the good and bad times. The characters will have both many good and sad moments during the movie, and I think you will be inspired to see how they respond. We as the church have great opportunities to respond in both good and broken moments to each other as Christ would have responded to us.
In terms of family friendliness the movie is rated PG. This movie has no cursing or sexual innuendos. However, it does have some violent and at times sad moments. I would rate it 4.5 out of 5 in terms of family friendliness.
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