You may never have read the books or seen the first movie, but I'm fairly certain you've heard about The Hunger Games. This trilogy of books was written by Suzanne Collins, and it chronicles a time that is supposed to be futuristic in nature. To give you the context of her novels: there was an uprising against the capital over seventy years ago. The capital crushed the rebellion, separated people into districts, and each year held a Hunger Games to remind the citizens of the country what the rebellion cost them.
The Hunger Games are an annual event that require one boy and one girl from each of the twelve districts: twenty-four participants in all, to try and kill each other and avoid being killed. The games are held as a reminder/punishment not to rebel against the capital.
In this the second movie of what everyone is saying will be four movies, Katniss and Peta from District 12 (the poorest district in the country), are going on their victory tour after being victors in the 74th annual Hunger Games from the year before. The President of the nation, President Snow, is worried that Katniss' behavior in the Hunger Games is giving people hope and a cause for rebellion. This worries the President, and he assures her that her behavior must change. If you combine that with Katniss' and Peta's fake love story, Katniss' real love for Gail, and the fact that after the victory tour President Snow's see LOTS of signs of rebellion, you know trouble is coming. Well, to prevent a war/revolution from starting President Snow and the Head Games Maker introduce a Quarter-Quell for the 75th Hunger Games. The quarter quell would bring back previous Hunger Games winners from each district to face off in another round of the Hunger Games! Well, that brings Katniss and Peta back to the Hunger Games again!
Be prepared to witness acts of bravery and self-sacrifice as Katniss and Peta struggle to stay alive in this most fierce, intense round of the Hunger Games. I'll stop the story synopsis right there and let you know that you have to watch the movie to find out how it ends!
It is important to look at movies through a Christian lens, and for all of us as followers of Jesus to analyze and interpret the messages that media sends us. First, of all let me be clear that the Bible clearly tells us that we should not kill, murder, or take life. Now, some of you may be asking, "What about in times of war?" Well, that issue gets a little more sticky, and I will say that's not what's going on here. So, please if you see the movie or know a young person who has seen the movie please tell them it's not real and what they're doing in the Hunger Games by killing each other is very wrong. I think we as Christians need to protect, celebrate, and value life, and please tell your young person that's not what they're doing.
Point two to look at when watching Catching Fire, is that this movie is very good at showing how awful and how good humanity can become. The fact that anyone would enter into a situation and kill someone else for no reason other than they don't want to be killed is awful. What is even worse is that a government would regularly set these games up and people would watch them for entertainment! It kind of reminds you of what the ancient Romans did to Christians. But, the movies do show people looking out for each other, encouraging each other, and sticking with each other through very tough times, which do show the movie goer the better side of humanity. The quote from Edmund Burke is so true that evil thrives when good people do nothing.
Finally, I want to encourage you after watching the movie. Be involved in what goes on in our society. Be a reasonable voice for good and change in our society. Pray for your government officials. Take time to vote in elections. Look to help others in need. Let your family know that you love them and pray for them. Above, all fall in love with Jesus. Because, it is truly only Jesus that changes things, people, and reality. Catching Fire is a fictional glimpse at what could become reality if good people don't live bold, unashamed lives for God.
In terms of quality of movie, I give it 3.5 out of 5 stars. The acting was good, special effects, make-up, and costumes were amazing! The dialogue in my opinion was a tad weak.
I give it 2.5 out of five stars in terms of family friendliness. It has some scary scenes, violent images, and a few cases of alcohol and language. Until next time, happy movie going!
Tuesday, December 3, 2013
Saturday, November 23, 2013
On Thanksgiving
Abraham Lincoln left an incredible legacy for the American people in 1863 when he declared that we should spend a day giving thanks for what God has blessed us with. In my honest humble opinion this was an incredible legacy and a holiday that we as Christians should take very seriously. One of the big mistakes I think a lot of people make, and I most certainly include myself in this camp, is that we see Thanksgiving as only a time for food and football. My challenge to you this year is to see Thanksgiving as something more. Here are a few thoughts and perspective I have on arguably one of my favorite holidays.
1) Make a list of your blessings. It is funny that we as human beings can very easily recall areas in life where we feel disappointed and let down. We might think that we don't drive a nice enough car, don't have a big enough IRA, aren't as successful as we'd hope to be, or that relationship we'd been counting on just didn't work out. The list can go on and on and on. But, the truth is you have been blessed. If you're reading this right now, that means you've been blessed enough to afford a computer, Internet, and you've been blessed with the knowledge that directed you here. A lot of folks all over the world don't have access to things we take for granted like the Internet. So, I'm writing all of this not to make you feel bad. I want to highlight that you've been blessed. Thank the people who have been a blessing to you this Thanksgiving and pray for those who frustrate you. Lists of your blessings in visible sight will serve as a powerful reminder that you truly are blessed.
2) Live a life that is filled with gratefulness. One of the saddest things I've seen in my life is Christians who are so upset and miserable that it absolutely breaks my heart. Paul in 1 Thessalonians 5:18, states that we need to give thanks in everything. This is not just an incredible command, but also a lifestyle that I believe all Christians need to emulate. We as Christians need to be some of the most grateful people in the world, because we serve a God who wants to know and for us to know Him! This is one of the best pieces of news that we've ever heard! Be grateful for what God has done and is doing.
3) Thanksgiving should also be a time of giving. The sad reality is there are a lot of people who don't have enough to eat or live on in our world today. I would encourage you this Thanksgiving to be faithful to what God has laid on your heart to do in response to those who don't have enough. Because, the reality is you won't be able to do everything, but you can do something. Our world is broken, but we as Christians know how to bring healing into the world, and it's not just through giving and providing: it's through giving and providing all in the name of Jesus. I hope this Thanksgiving is extra special for you and your family. We'll be back in December.
1) Make a list of your blessings. It is funny that we as human beings can very easily recall areas in life where we feel disappointed and let down. We might think that we don't drive a nice enough car, don't have a big enough IRA, aren't as successful as we'd hope to be, or that relationship we'd been counting on just didn't work out. The list can go on and on and on. But, the truth is you have been blessed. If you're reading this right now, that means you've been blessed enough to afford a computer, Internet, and you've been blessed with the knowledge that directed you here. A lot of folks all over the world don't have access to things we take for granted like the Internet. So, I'm writing all of this not to make you feel bad. I want to highlight that you've been blessed. Thank the people who have been a blessing to you this Thanksgiving and pray for those who frustrate you. Lists of your blessings in visible sight will serve as a powerful reminder that you truly are blessed.
2) Live a life that is filled with gratefulness. One of the saddest things I've seen in my life is Christians who are so upset and miserable that it absolutely breaks my heart. Paul in 1 Thessalonians 5:18, states that we need to give thanks in everything. This is not just an incredible command, but also a lifestyle that I believe all Christians need to emulate. We as Christians need to be some of the most grateful people in the world, because we serve a God who wants to know and for us to know Him! This is one of the best pieces of news that we've ever heard! Be grateful for what God has done and is doing.
3) Thanksgiving should also be a time of giving. The sad reality is there are a lot of people who don't have enough to eat or live on in our world today. I would encourage you this Thanksgiving to be faithful to what God has laid on your heart to do in response to those who don't have enough. Because, the reality is you won't be able to do everything, but you can do something. Our world is broken, but we as Christians know how to bring healing into the world, and it's not just through giving and providing: it's through giving and providing all in the name of Jesus. I hope this Thanksgiving is extra special for you and your family. We'll be back in December.
Thursday, November 14, 2013
On loving your enemies
I will admit this is one of those phrases that I really, really wish Jesus had never said. This is in Christianity where the rubber really meets the road! Because let's face it there are a lot of people at our work, in our schools, in our neighborhoods, and in our lives who really grate on us socially, emotionally, and sometimes even physically!
So, the question remains what is Jesus really asking us to do and why is he asking to do it? Well, I will begin by telling you this what Jesus is asking is not easy, but it's something if we really follow and take the words of Jesus seriously we have to do. One might be asking where exactly is this coming from? Well, I will say this Jesus doesn't address our need to love our enemies as much as he addresses our need to care for the poor, but he does say this very squeamish quote in a few places. One of the most notable is Luke 6:27-28, "But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you."
1) God desires all to be united. This is one of the driving principles of the Kingdom of Heaven and God's goal for all of human history. 2 Corinthians 5:19 states that God was and is reconciling the world to himself! That means everyone is being reconciled to God! To put it nice and simply, what God is doing is repairing and restoring all of human beings broken relationship to God. At the end of time, I am firmly convinced that God doesn't want anyone to be separate from God. Unity is important in the Kingdom of Heaven and likewise it should be just as important for us as well. It may not be easy at all for us to love and pray for our enemies, but as followers of Jesus that's what we're called to do.
2) We're called to look different than the world. Jesus said many times that we're called to love those who hate us and do good to those who won't be able to do good for us in return. The world expects you to hate your enemies. The world expects you to do good to those who can in turn, return the favor. What Jesus is saying: be different from the world. Let your shine, let people in the world see and claim, "There's something different about them!" It's not easy and sometimes the road is lonely, but it's what we as followers of Jesus need to do!
3) Finally, you may be asking yourselves how do I do this? Well, there's not a scientific formula or one size fits all model unfortunately. But, there is a crucial first step, and this where I hope you take this from here: we all can begin praying for our enemies. I just know there is someone in your life, in your family, at your work, or even in your neighborhood who needs prayer and God is tugging at the strings of your heart to speak kindly and graciously with them. My hope is that you today make a commitment and effort to love and reach out to the enemies in your life, not because it's easy or convenient, but because it's what Jesus would have you do.
So, the question remains what is Jesus really asking us to do and why is he asking to do it? Well, I will begin by telling you this what Jesus is asking is not easy, but it's something if we really follow and take the words of Jesus seriously we have to do. One might be asking where exactly is this coming from? Well, I will say this Jesus doesn't address our need to love our enemies as much as he addresses our need to care for the poor, but he does say this very squeamish quote in a few places. One of the most notable is Luke 6:27-28, "But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you."
1) God desires all to be united. This is one of the driving principles of the Kingdom of Heaven and God's goal for all of human history. 2 Corinthians 5:19 states that God was and is reconciling the world to himself! That means everyone is being reconciled to God! To put it nice and simply, what God is doing is repairing and restoring all of human beings broken relationship to God. At the end of time, I am firmly convinced that God doesn't want anyone to be separate from God. Unity is important in the Kingdom of Heaven and likewise it should be just as important for us as well. It may not be easy at all for us to love and pray for our enemies, but as followers of Jesus that's what we're called to do.
2) We're called to look different than the world. Jesus said many times that we're called to love those who hate us and do good to those who won't be able to do good for us in return. The world expects you to hate your enemies. The world expects you to do good to those who can in turn, return the favor. What Jesus is saying: be different from the world. Let your shine, let people in the world see and claim, "There's something different about them!" It's not easy and sometimes the road is lonely, but it's what we as followers of Jesus need to do!
3) Finally, you may be asking yourselves how do I do this? Well, there's not a scientific formula or one size fits all model unfortunately. But, there is a crucial first step, and this where I hope you take this from here: we all can begin praying for our enemies. I just know there is someone in your life, in your family, at your work, or even in your neighborhood who needs prayer and God is tugging at the strings of your heart to speak kindly and graciously with them. My hope is that you today make a commitment and effort to love and reach out to the enemies in your life, not because it's easy or convenient, but because it's what Jesus would have you do.
Thursday, November 7, 2013
On Bullying
This is a continuation of the discussion we had Sunday night in youth group. I hope that we can continue to be a voice and encouragement for those both in our community and our society who feel bullied and continued to be bullied by others. We had this lesson/discussion immediately proceeding a lesson on salvation and our aim in doing this lesson was to encourage our young people that one of the best ways to live out their salvation was to stand up for those who are bullied and oppressed in our societies. Here are a few things to draw from what we learned.
1) Bullying is far greater than on the bus- One of the big mistakes people can make is to believe that bullying stops after high school. We challenged our students to see bullying as one person exerting an unfair advantage over another. So, the truth is bullying happens a lot in our society. It happens when the employer or person in advantage takes advantage of someone without a voice or person of influence in our society. Sex trafficking, discrimination, gossip, lies, and the list can go on and on about people getting bullied in our society. One of the first steps we as Christians need to do is to educate people and allow them to see that bullying goes in our society in many ways and that if we as followers of Jesus Christ really take him seriously we need to be intentional about standing up against bullying in our society.
2) In Luke 15- Jesus tells three really powerful stories about things that were lost and become found. With the most powerful story being the Prodigal Son. But, right before the stories, the teachers of the law come up to Jesus and say that He is a man who eats with sinners and the unrighteous. What a comment, but essentially without going into it full blown, they described Jesus as someone who associated with those who are bullied. What a thing to be said about Jesus, and what if it was said about us: that we were people who welcomed all into our church, home, and life?
3) Finally, we want to be people who recognize and understand the solution. I will be the first to tell you, the solution to this problem is far greater than one person, one idea, or one church. But, that should not stop us from looking at issues in life and doing our best to make right the people who have been wronged in our society. One of the valuable first steps is to understand that power and wisdom come through prayer. Before acting first pray, and seek what God would you have do right here and right now. There's value and insight to be gained in prayer, and I hope that all of us would relish in the fact that we can do something to make right all the wrongs in our society.
1) Bullying is far greater than on the bus- One of the big mistakes people can make is to believe that bullying stops after high school. We challenged our students to see bullying as one person exerting an unfair advantage over another. So, the truth is bullying happens a lot in our society. It happens when the employer or person in advantage takes advantage of someone without a voice or person of influence in our society. Sex trafficking, discrimination, gossip, lies, and the list can go on and on about people getting bullied in our society. One of the first steps we as Christians need to do is to educate people and allow them to see that bullying goes in our society in many ways and that if we as followers of Jesus Christ really take him seriously we need to be intentional about standing up against bullying in our society.
2) In Luke 15- Jesus tells three really powerful stories about things that were lost and become found. With the most powerful story being the Prodigal Son. But, right before the stories, the teachers of the law come up to Jesus and say that He is a man who eats with sinners and the unrighteous. What a comment, but essentially without going into it full blown, they described Jesus as someone who associated with those who are bullied. What a thing to be said about Jesus, and what if it was said about us: that we were people who welcomed all into our church, home, and life?
3) Finally, we want to be people who recognize and understand the solution. I will be the first to tell you, the solution to this problem is far greater than one person, one idea, or one church. But, that should not stop us from looking at issues in life and doing our best to make right the people who have been wronged in our society. One of the valuable first steps is to understand that power and wisdom come through prayer. Before acting first pray, and seek what God would you have do right here and right now. There's value and insight to be gained in prayer, and I hope that all of us would relish in the fact that we can do something to make right all the wrongs in our society.
Wednesday, October 23, 2013
On the Dependability of Scripture
This might be the million dollar question! How, can we be sure that the what Bible is telling us is true and reliable today? Is what we read in the Bible able to deal with issues and problems that we often face in our high-tech world? Well, this blog post may be one of the most important posts I've made yet. Because, we believe 100% that the Bible is relevant and applicable for today. Here's are just a few things we need to understand when looking at just how dependable is the word of God.
1) The Bible revolves around ordinary people who are dealing with normal "life" circumstances:
Please don't ever make the mistake and think that the people who make and star in the pages of scripture are any different than you. That would be a terrible mistake for you to make! We often view folks such as David, Moses, Noah, Ruth, and Hannah as people who are far greater and grander than we are. In fact the opposite is true, these often were people who were down and out, people who didn't have a lot to offer society. These people were so inspiring, so transforming, because was able to work in mighty ways in their lives. So, the question remains is God able to work in your life? Is what God wants, God's priorities, God's desires, God's goals, and God's mission greater than your's? That's a tough question for many of us to answer, but what the Bible is all about is making God's desires greater than your own. God was able to move and use ordinary people because these people placed their desires on the back burner.
2) The Bible isn't designed to answer every life question:
The word of God can often get a bad rap because people will ask or say something like, "The Bible doesn't even talk about this or that, it must not be reliable." Which, it is true that Bible doesn't cover all of life's questions or answers. As a future father, I really wish the Bible would be tell me how to put on a diaper. It unfortunately doesn't do that. However, the Bible does do something and it does it very, very well the Bible's purpose isn't to answer every life question. Rather, it's purpose is to inspire and show you how to fall in love with Jesus and change your heart to Jesus' heart. If the Bible gave you every answer to every question you wouldn't need to have faith, and as we all know that kind of is important.
3) The Bible addresses and shows humans how to fill their deepest need:
Thousands of years into the future everything will more than likely be different than what you and I are used to today, but one thing will not change: human beings are sinful and they need a savior. The Bible addresses the most important part of the human story, we as human beings need Jesus. Without Jesus life we're missing what brings us true satisfaction, true joy, and true contentment. Without Jesus we'll never experience amazing grace, perfect love, and unending forgiveness. The Bible is and will still be relevant in the future because it shows and allows humans to meet their most basic need: for a Savior.
1) The Bible revolves around ordinary people who are dealing with normal "life" circumstances:
Please don't ever make the mistake and think that the people who make and star in the pages of scripture are any different than you. That would be a terrible mistake for you to make! We often view folks such as David, Moses, Noah, Ruth, and Hannah as people who are far greater and grander than we are. In fact the opposite is true, these often were people who were down and out, people who didn't have a lot to offer society. These people were so inspiring, so transforming, because was able to work in mighty ways in their lives. So, the question remains is God able to work in your life? Is what God wants, God's priorities, God's desires, God's goals, and God's mission greater than your's? That's a tough question for many of us to answer, but what the Bible is all about is making God's desires greater than your own. God was able to move and use ordinary people because these people placed their desires on the back burner.
2) The Bible isn't designed to answer every life question:
The word of God can often get a bad rap because people will ask or say something like, "The Bible doesn't even talk about this or that, it must not be reliable." Which, it is true that Bible doesn't cover all of life's questions or answers. As a future father, I really wish the Bible would be tell me how to put on a diaper. It unfortunately doesn't do that. However, the Bible does do something and it does it very, very well the Bible's purpose isn't to answer every life question. Rather, it's purpose is to inspire and show you how to fall in love with Jesus and change your heart to Jesus' heart. If the Bible gave you every answer to every question you wouldn't need to have faith, and as we all know that kind of is important.
3) The Bible addresses and shows humans how to fill their deepest need:
Thousands of years into the future everything will more than likely be different than what you and I are used to today, but one thing will not change: human beings are sinful and they need a savior. The Bible addresses the most important part of the human story, we as human beings need Jesus. Without Jesus life we're missing what brings us true satisfaction, true joy, and true contentment. Without Jesus we'll never experience amazing grace, perfect love, and unending forgiveness. The Bible is and will still be relevant in the future because it shows and allows humans to meet their most basic need: for a Savior.
Tuesday, October 15, 2013
On Grace
This is arguably one of the easiest posts to writes but one of the toughest to wrap your brain around. I will begin my post by saying that grace is a truth of which I am eternally grateful, but I will never understand fully how it works. Looking at grace many people would define grace in the terms of unmerited favor. Grace is something that we sing about often in our churches, read about often in our Bibles, and we hear a lot about in spiritual conversation, but the question have we really been grabbed by grace? Has grace really changed us? Here are a few things for us to consider when looking at grace.
1) Grace is a past joy and present reality-One of the struggles a lot of us have in our Christian existence is maintaining a high level of spiritual enthusiasm throughout your Christian life. Most of us live through the spiritual highs and ride those highs until the next spiritual high. A lot of us in our spiritual lives live and relish in past moments and past glories. What I'm saying is that we need to seek the presence, face, and touch of God in the present. God spoke to and grabbed us in the past, and what's not to say that God still doesn't want to know us, love us, and shower us with His grace in the present? Grace is a present reality. Pray for it. Crave it. Desire it. Set aside your own inhibitions, ideas, and prejudices when you enter worship. Pray with the confidence and desire knowing that God will bring His grace and love to you in the present.
2) Know that God is for you- Joy should be woven into the fabric of our Christian existence. We serve and worship a God who is absolutely crazy about us! Grace is clearly shown on the Cross and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. That act on Calvary's hill is the Lord of the universe telling everyone for all times and all places that I am for you. I'm giving you an incredible gift which you don't deserve, and you can't earn, but I'm 100% crazy about you! Many people make the mistake of basing God's opinion on them through the lens of their own circumstances or what is happening in the world. The sad reality is that paints a very false picture of God. God weeps when you hurt, is there when you're alone, and is sometimes your only support in the midst of life's greatest struggles. If you don't get anything else from this entire blog, please get this God is for you. If he weren't then the Cross would have never happened.
3) Grace is the message and the lifestyle- One of the best ways to communicate this message of grace powerfully is to live what you're saying. With that being said we as Christians need to understand that the Kingdom of God and a seat at the Lord's table are for all people. We very easily don't want to or don't associate with those who make us feel uncomfortable, and the sad reality is that can often carry over into our spiritual existence. Learn to live a lifestyle filled with grace, have someone keep you accountable as you strive to live into a more graceful lifestyle.
Remember grace changes everything! It's amazing and it's for you.
1) Grace is a past joy and present reality-One of the struggles a lot of us have in our Christian existence is maintaining a high level of spiritual enthusiasm throughout your Christian life. Most of us live through the spiritual highs and ride those highs until the next spiritual high. A lot of us in our spiritual lives live and relish in past moments and past glories. What I'm saying is that we need to seek the presence, face, and touch of God in the present. God spoke to and grabbed us in the past, and what's not to say that God still doesn't want to know us, love us, and shower us with His grace in the present? Grace is a present reality. Pray for it. Crave it. Desire it. Set aside your own inhibitions, ideas, and prejudices when you enter worship. Pray with the confidence and desire knowing that God will bring His grace and love to you in the present.
2) Know that God is for you- Joy should be woven into the fabric of our Christian existence. We serve and worship a God who is absolutely crazy about us! Grace is clearly shown on the Cross and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. That act on Calvary's hill is the Lord of the universe telling everyone for all times and all places that I am for you. I'm giving you an incredible gift which you don't deserve, and you can't earn, but I'm 100% crazy about you! Many people make the mistake of basing God's opinion on them through the lens of their own circumstances or what is happening in the world. The sad reality is that paints a very false picture of God. God weeps when you hurt, is there when you're alone, and is sometimes your only support in the midst of life's greatest struggles. If you don't get anything else from this entire blog, please get this God is for you. If he weren't then the Cross would have never happened.
3) Grace is the message and the lifestyle- One of the best ways to communicate this message of grace powerfully is to live what you're saying. With that being said we as Christians need to understand that the Kingdom of God and a seat at the Lord's table are for all people. We very easily don't want to or don't associate with those who make us feel uncomfortable, and the sad reality is that can often carry over into our spiritual existence. Learn to live a lifestyle filled with grace, have someone keep you accountable as you strive to live into a more graceful lifestyle.
Remember grace changes everything! It's amazing and it's for you.
Tuesday, October 1, 2013
On Heaven
One of the things I think we don't talk about enough is Heaven. We talk a lot about the temporary, the present, but we often forget to talk about and dwell on eternity, and our eternal destination: Heaven. Heaven is one of life's great mysteries, which this writer believes and holds true will be well worth the wait. There are many things we don't know about Heaven, but there are a few we do. The following ideas that follow are a Christian perspective on Heaven.
1) Heaven is a reality where God is said to dwell-Numerous examples throughout the Old Testament show that God dwells in Heaven, gives gifts from Heaven, is worshiped in Heaven, and the list can go on and on and on. A lot happens in Heaven. One of the main things we want you to understand is that Heaven is the ultimate destination of your future. That destination won't change, cannot be altered, isn't affected by your circumstances, and it's a place you can never be taken away from. Be comforted and assured that no matter what your government does, your children get into, your bank account reads, etc. Your citizenship in Heaven cannot be taken away from you!
2) The Kingdom of Heaven is here but not fully realized- This is not an easy thing for people to understand. When you arrive at a party or at work you are totally 100% there and fully realized. But, it can be tough to see how something is here but not fully realized. One thing we know for sure, the Kingdom of Heaven is directly tied to the Incarnation of Jesus Christ. Throughout his earthly ministry Jesus preached for sinners to repent for the Kingdom is near or at hand. We believe that the Kingdom will be fully realized in the second coming, but we do see glimpses of the Kingdom right now. When a marriage comes back together after being on the brinks, the Kingdom shows. When someone sacrificially gives to others who are hungry, tired, cold, or thirsty, the Kingdom shows. When someone who has been controlled or addicted by external forces gives that up and pursues help, the Kingdom shows. When children talk innocently and plainly about their faith and trust in God, the Kingdom shows. The list can go on and on and on. But, I think you get my point.
3) The Kingdom is our message- One of the biggest things I hear in fear of evangelism is people don't know what to say or are afraid they'll say something wrong. My best advice share the message Jesus shared. The kingdom of God has come and is for everyone. Jesus is not distant, impersonal, or doesn't care, Jesus Christ the Son of God has come to bring the Kingdom to it full reality and it will be a day you won't want to miss! That's the message the world needs to hear.
1) Heaven is a reality where God is said to dwell-Numerous examples throughout the Old Testament show that God dwells in Heaven, gives gifts from Heaven, is worshiped in Heaven, and the list can go on and on and on. A lot happens in Heaven. One of the main things we want you to understand is that Heaven is the ultimate destination of your future. That destination won't change, cannot be altered, isn't affected by your circumstances, and it's a place you can never be taken away from. Be comforted and assured that no matter what your government does, your children get into, your bank account reads, etc. Your citizenship in Heaven cannot be taken away from you!
2) The Kingdom of Heaven is here but not fully realized- This is not an easy thing for people to understand. When you arrive at a party or at work you are totally 100% there and fully realized. But, it can be tough to see how something is here but not fully realized. One thing we know for sure, the Kingdom of Heaven is directly tied to the Incarnation of Jesus Christ. Throughout his earthly ministry Jesus preached for sinners to repent for the Kingdom is near or at hand. We believe that the Kingdom will be fully realized in the second coming, but we do see glimpses of the Kingdom right now. When a marriage comes back together after being on the brinks, the Kingdom shows. When someone sacrificially gives to others who are hungry, tired, cold, or thirsty, the Kingdom shows. When someone who has been controlled or addicted by external forces gives that up and pursues help, the Kingdom shows. When children talk innocently and plainly about their faith and trust in God, the Kingdom shows. The list can go on and on and on. But, I think you get my point.
3) The Kingdom is our message- One of the biggest things I hear in fear of evangelism is people don't know what to say or are afraid they'll say something wrong. My best advice share the message Jesus shared. The kingdom of God has come and is for everyone. Jesus is not distant, impersonal, or doesn't care, Jesus Christ the Son of God has come to bring the Kingdom to it full reality and it will be a day you won't want to miss! That's the message the world needs to hear.
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