How to Correct False Teaching (video)

https://kenwoodbaptistchurch.com/sermons/how-to-correct-false-teaching/

Has Fear or Fighting Stolen Your Peace? Thinking Through John 20:19-23

https://clarkedixon.wordpress.com/2022/04/27/has-fear-or-fighting-stolen-your-peace-thinking-through-john-2019-23/#respond

Has Fear or Fighting Stolen Your Peace? Thinking Through John 20:19-23

Clarke Dixon Has either fear or fighting stolen your peace? You might wonder how you could have peace right now with this scary situation, or that horrible relationship. It might be a nasty virus or a nasty war that is stealing your peace. Jesus speaks to themes of fear, fighting, and peace. LET US BEGIN WITH HOW FEAR STEALS OUR PEACE. That Sunday evening the disciples were meeting behind locked doors because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders. Suddenly, Jesus was standing there among them! “Peace be with you,” he said. John 20:19 (NLT) The disciples knew all about fear. They were holed up in a room with the doors locked out of the fear that they would end up crucified and dead like their leader. They knew they had targets on their backs, so locked doors it was. Until Jesus showed up. Again he said, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you.” John 20:21 (NLT) While there was rejoicing over seeing Jesus alive, the fear was still real, if not heightened by what Jesus had just said. No more hiding behind locked doors, go out into that scary world where you may well get killed! According to tradition, most of them were. Then he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” John 20:22 (NLT) Breathing on the disciples might seem odd, but as often happens the odd things in the Bible are a clue that something symbolic is happening. Here the breathing on the disciples points back to Genesis: Then the LORD God formed the man from the dust of the ground. He breathed the breath of life into the man’s nostrils, and the man became a living person. Genesis 2:7 (NLT) God breathed life into humanity at Creation. Now here in Jesus God was doing it again. The Giver of life is with you, even in the face of death. Even though the fear of death was real for the disciples, their peace about life, death, and life after death could be real also. Our fears can be legitimate. We may well end up wounded, emotionally from relationships, or physically from disease. We will likely face death at some point. Fear helps us seek wisdom, on how to stay alive and healthy. Fear is not all bad. But while fear may be helpful, even necessary at times, fear need not steal our peace. While the worst thing that we imagine might happen, could happen, in Christ the best thing that could happen, even beyond our imagination, shall definitely happen. LET US CONTINUE WITH HOW FIGHTING STEALS OUR PEACE. When Jesus says “peace be with you,” it is important that we recognise the word used for peace. Jesus would have spoken mostly in Aramaic and used a word related to the Hebrew word for peace; shalom. While our word peace may be used to describe situations where there is no fighting, the word shalom goes deeper to describe a situation where there is harmony. Two nations may be said to be at peace if they are not lobbing bombs as each other, but they may not be experiencing shalom if the relationship is not good. Likewise, you may experience peace in your relationships, but not shalom. When Jesus told the disciples he was sending them out, he was sending them out among people with whom they did not have shalom. Their enemies were real, the enmity was real. Jesus said, “as the Father has sent me, so I send you.” How did the Father send Jesus? For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him. John 3:16-17 (NLT) The Father sent the son with the agenda of offering forgiveness, of bringing love in the face of hatred. The disciples were to go out among their enemies with the intention of bringing love in the face of hatred. As he spoke, he showed them the wounds in his hands and his side. John 20:20 (NLT) When Jesus showed the disciples his wounds he could have said “where were you when this happened? Why didn’t you stand by me?” But instead he said “Peace be with you.” Jesus showed them his wounds, not as evidence of their wrongdoing, or anyone else’s wrongdoing, but as a sign that he was real, and that his love for them and his forgiveness of them was real. Having experienced that love, they were now sent out to live it. So are we. If you forgive anyone’s sins, they are forgiven. If you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven. John 20:23 (NLT) We might automatically think Jesus is speaking of the forgiveness from God that leads to eternal life here. We might therefore smell power, our power. But is that necessary? I like Eugene Peterson’s take on what Jesus said: If you forgive someone’s sins, they’re gone for good. If you don’t forgive sins, what are you going to do with them? John 20:23 (MSG) Good question! If we don’t forgive people’s sins against us, we will let those sins fester in our lives and in our relationships. We will let them steal our peace, our shalom. Jesus is speaking here about the opportunity of experiencing peace in our relationships, and of bringing shalom to others. In breathing on the disciples, Jesus breathed a breath of fresh air into their relationship with him. Gone was any thought of experiencing judgement and condemnation. We can breathe new life into our relationships through forgiveness. We enjoy shalom with God because God in Jesus has taken the path of the cross with us. Jesus said “As the father has sent me, I’m sending you,” meaning we are now sent on that same path of the cross, of love and forgiveness. IN CONCLUSION. Has fear stolen your peace? Jesus stands before us today and says “peace be with you.” Our fears may be real, but they need not steal our peace. Has fighting stolen your peace? Jesus stands before us today and says “as the Father has sent me, so I send you.” Fighting can end in peace and enmity in friendship when we follow Jesus in the way of the cross. “Peace be with you.” Comment – https://clarkedixon.wordpress.com/2022/04/27/has-fear-or-fighting-stolen-your-peace-thinking-through-john-2019-23/#respond

The Body Resurrected

by Bill Smith

What does the resurrection of one man have to do with the whole world? Sure, it is a spectacular event. People who die normally stay dead, so for someone to rise from the dead is extraordinary. Good for Jesus. But what does that have to do with me and the world around me? Or, to […]

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Bless-ed! 52 Blessings You Have As a Believer! (Blessing #2)

Dr. Larry Dixon Blessing #2: The Blessing of the Assurance of Forgiveness “In the shadow of my hurt forgiveness feels like a decision to reward my enemy. But in the shadow of the cross, forgiveness is merely a gift from one undeserving soul to another. Forgiveness is the gift that insures my freedom from a prison of bitterness […] Read more of this post

Did Jesus Break the Sabbath Law in John 5:18?

Did Jesus Break the Sabbath Law in John 5:18?

Made New

Our souls have been made new in Jesus Christ, and when He returns, our bodies will be made new, too.

2 Corinthians 5:14-21 14 For the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died; 15 and He died for all, so that those who live would no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose on their behalf. 16 Therefore from now on we recognize no one by the flesh; even though we have known Christ by the flesh, yet now we know Him in this way no longer. 17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, this person is a new creation; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. 18 Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, 19 namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their wrongdoings against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation. 20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21 He made Him who knew no sin to be sin in our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.   Who doesn’t like something new, especially if the old is ineffective or flawed? Think about a car or appliance that’s beyond repair—and how we yearn for a new one. But even with the impressive technology of today’s latest models, such replacements can’t compare to our greatest need: a new life. We’re all born with a sin nature that has alienated us from God, blinded our minds to spiritual understanding, enslaved us to sin, and condemned us to eternal punishment. But our heavenly Father stepped into our world through His Son to rescue us, and He offers us an entirely new nature. That is what Jesus meant when He talked about our need to be born again (Now there was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews; 2 this man came to Jesus at night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that You have come from God as a teacher; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.” 3 Jesus responded and said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless someone is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 4 Nicodemus *said to Him, “How can a person be born when he is old? He cannot enter his mother’s womb a second time and be born, can he?” 5 Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless someone is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which has been born of the flesh is flesh, and that which has been born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not be amazed that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ John 3:1-7). When we trust in Jesus as our Savior, the Holy Spirit regenerates our spirit and we become new creatures in Christ. The person we were before salvation is gone forever; the new has come and will never leave. The believer’s spirit has been made new, even though the physical body remains unchanged. But when Jesus returns, our bodies will also be made new, freed from sin and all debilitating consequences. Let’s rejoice in this glorious future that awaits us!

Lord of Lords

Jesus is Lord over our infinite universe, and He is also Lord over our heart.

Philippians 2:5-11 5 Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, as He already existed in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7 but emptied Himself by taking the form of a bond-servant and being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death: death on a cross. 9 For this reason also God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. What does it mean when we say that Jesus is Lord? We hear the word Lord so frequently that it sometimes loses its power and magnitude, but this is far more than a mere title Scripture gives to Jesus. Philippians 2:9-11 tells us that God bestowed on His Son “the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus, every knee will bow” and “every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” This means the name given to Jesus is none other than Lord. You see, Lord is not something Jesus does; it’s who Jesus is: Our Savior is, and will always be, the sovereign ruler of everything in heaven and on earth. Therefore, when we express that Jesus is Lord, our life should reflect His authority over us. Is there anything you attempt to hide from Christ? Have you refused to do something that He has called you to do? Scripture says that someday everyone will recognize Christ as Lord (Phil. 2:11). So we should invite Him into the dark areas of our life and allow Him to conform us to His image. A good place to begin is with the simple yet profound confession “Jesus is Lord.”

Contagious Christianity

A Broadcast with Steven Lawson Christians may be persecuted or imprisoned, but the gospel of Jesus Christ can never be contained. Today, Steven Lawson encourages us to look for opportunities to spread the good news of Christ even in life’s most trying circumstances. LISTEN NOW

Why We’re Sifted

Though Satan continues to lure us, his temptations are an opportunity to receive God’s grace and strength.

Luke 22:31-61 31 “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has demanded to sift you men like wheat; 32 but I have prayed for you, that your faith will not fail; and you, when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” 33 But he said to Him, “Lord, I am ready to go with You both to prison and to death!” 34 But He said, “I tell you, Peter, the rooster will not crow today until you have denied three times that you know Me.” 35 And He said to them, “When I sent you out without money belt and bag and sandals, you did not lack anything, did you?” They said, “No, nothing.” 36 And He said to them, “But now, whoever has a money belt is to take it along, likewise also a bag, and whoever has no sword is to sell his cloak and buy one. 37 For I tell you that this which is written must be fulfilled in Me: ‘And He was counted with wrongdoers’; for that which refers to Me has its fulfillment.” 38 They said, “Lord, look, here are two swords.” And He said to them, “It is enough.” 39 And He came out and went, as was His habit, to the Mount of Olives; and the disciples also followed Him. 40 Now when He arrived at the place, He said to them, “Pray that you do not come into temptation.” 41 And He withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, and He knelt down and began to pray, 42 saying, “Father, if You are willing, remove this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done.” 43 [Now an angel from heaven appeared to Him, strengthening Him. 44 And being in agony, He was praying very fervently; and His sweat became like drops of blood, falling down upon the ground]. 45 When He rose from prayer, He came to the disciples and found them sleeping from sorrow, 46 and He said to them, “Why are you sleeping? Get up and pray that you do not come into temptation.” 47 While He was still speaking, behold, a crowd came, and the one called Judas, one of the twelve, was leading the way for them; and he approached Jesus to kiss Him. 48 But Jesus said to him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?” 49 When those who were around Him saw what was going to happen, they said, “Lord, shall we strike with the sword?” 50 And one of them struck the slave of the high priest and cut off his right ear. 51 But Jesus responded and said, “Stop! No more of this.” And He touched his ear and healed him. 52 And Jesus said to the chief priests and officers of the temple and elders who had come against Him, “Have you come out with swords and clubs as you would against a man inciting a revolt? 53 While I was with you daily in the temple, you did not lay hands on Me; but this hour and the power of darkness are yours.” 54 Now they arrested Him and led Him away, and brought Him to the house of the high priest; but Peter was following at a distance. 55 After they kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter was sitting among them. 56 And a slave woman, seeing him as he sat in the firelight, and staring at him, said, “This man was with Him as well.” 57 But he denied it, saying, “I do not know Him, woman!” 58 And a little later, another person saw him and said, “You are one of them too!” But Peter said, “Man, I am not!” 59 And after about an hour had passed, some other man began to insist, saying, “Certainly this man also was with Him, for he, too, is a Galilean.” 60 But Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are talking about!” And immediately, while he was still speaking, a rooster crowed. 61 And then the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had told him, “Before a rooster crows today, you will deny Me three times.”   In today’s Scripture, Jesus tells Peter that Satan has demanded permission to sift the disciples like wheat. It seems strange to think that the Enemy would have conversations with God about people on earth, but this is a reality—even Job was discussed (6 Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came among them. 7 The Lord said to Satan, “From where do you come?” Satan answered the Lord and said, “From roaming about on the earth and walking around on it.” 8 The Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job? For there is no one like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, fearing God and turning away from evil.” 9 Then Satan answered the Lord, “Does Job fear God for nothing? 10 Have You not made a fence around him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. 11 But reach out with Your hand now and touch all that he has; he will certainly curse You to Your face.” 12 Then the Lord said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your power; only do not reach out and put your hand on him.” So Satan departed from the presence of the Lord. Job 1:6-12). Have you ever wondered if Satan discusses you? We may think we aren’t significant enough, but our true potential makes us important in the spiritual realm. We often expect the Adversary to tempt us in our weak points—but he attacks where we are strong, too. In fact, we let down our guard because we have confidence in our strengths, and that’s when the Evil One moves in. Consider Peter: He was quick to boast of his loyalty to Jesus, and yet he failed in this very area when he denied knowing Jesus. The Enemy targets believers who understand God’s truth, because they’re his biggest threat. Jesus compared the disciples to wheat because it was sifted through vigorous shaking that separated the chaff from the kernel. He knows Satan wants to shake our faith loose from its foundation so we’ll go our own way, away from God. Thankfully, the Lord can use this sifting process to purify our faith, positioning us to receive His grace instead.