When have you ever met with the corporate body of Christ on a Sunday Morning and watched not just one person... but two... bowl a PERFECT game? Yeah... we had an interesting day at Leavener today. This is race day in Indianapolis and our community tries to take advantage of that by cramming every annual event on this weekend. So today we had a Professional Bowlers Association Tournament taking place at Pinheads while we were meeting. We watched the perfect games occur before we left. That was pretty amazing... I can't even do that on the Wii!

On Friday, a few of our families traveled to the Cincy area to go to the new Creation Museum. I thought it was a pretty cool place. I was impressed with the museum and would highly recommend it. But while there, I noticed many different "Jesus" t-shirts. A couple of guys were wearing the shirt that was printed with "Not perfect... Just forgiven". I wanted to confront them and ask them if they got their shirts for half price because they were only half right. If they have faith in Jesus then no doubt they are forgiven. Colossians 2:13 says "And when you were dead in trespasses and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive with Him and forgave us all our trespasses." Most Christians have very little problem with that truth.

But what about the "Not perfect" part of the shirt? That is not scriptural. Hebrews 10:14 says, "For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are sanctified." How do you justify that passage? Notice that it is past tense. It has already happened at the cross. It doesn't happen when we get to heaven. It is a done deal... NOW! Our spirit and soul have been redeemed and perfected as we watch the Brickyard 2008. What is being perfected is my flesh (behavior). Someday I will receive a glorified body that has been predestined for me and my behavior will perfectly line up with my already perfect spirit and soul.

As for me today... I truly identify in who I am in Christ and the Bible says I'm perfect. That is incredible news. That is way better than bowling a perfect 300!

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

That is even way better than smashing the French in swimming!!!

Rusty

Is it the Behavior or the Seed?What do you believe the fundamental problem all people have in common from birth?
Is it they behave improperly or they are “by nature children of wrath”?

Think about it for a minute. Look around at all the people around you who are behaving like pagans.
Is their behavior the issue?
Or is it simply an indicator of the bigger problem… their seed?

When God cursed Satan in Genesis 3, He pointed out the problem to come: the battle between two seeds. Verse 15 says, “And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed; He shall bruise you on the head, and you shall bruise him on the heel."

This prophetic utterance was pointing to the virgin birth of Jesus and the battle of Satan to destroy humanity and God’s plan of redemption. It says Satan would give Jesus a painful blow, but Jesus would triumph with a fatal one.

The picture of the seed is the essence of the struggle of humanity. At the first/natural birth all people are born with the seed of Adam. But at the rebirth, their old nature is eliminated and replaced with the seed of Jesus. II Corinthians 5:17 says, “if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature, the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.”

If someone has the seed of Adam it is only natural their behavior will reflect that reality. And if someone has been born again and has the seed of Jesus, remarkably their behavior will begin to reflect the righteousness of God. Incidentally, it is impossible to have both. A person is either in Jesus or Adam.

Teachable MomentOne way you could show this amazing reality to your children is to grab two different types of seeds; for example, the helicopter thing from a dandelion and an acorn. Show your children the dandelion seed and how it floats about aimlessly. Then ask them the question, “what will happen to this seed given enough time?” The correct answer would be more dandelions. Then compare the dandelion’s natural tendency to grow more dandelions to a person who is in Adam’s natural tendency to sin.

Then with the acorn, ask them “what will happen to this seed given enough time?” The answer should do a nice job explaining the amazing work the Spirit of God does inside each believer. Think about it. The oak can produce more oak trees; it can be used to build cabinets, furniture, wine barrels or even an amazing solid oak floor. In reality, it would be impossible to imagine what the end use would be.

As your children begin to appreciate the importance of a seed, begin to paint in their young minds the amazing possibility of what God is going to do in and through them during their lifetimes. He is able to do exceeding abundantly beyond all you can think or imagine. Point them towards Jesus and stand amazed at what He can do in their lives. Rusty has enough acorns to give you a handful for your kids for a visual aid.

Keith Tyner

His worst fear became reality. Driving 47mph in a 40mph zone, he was pulled over and asked for some identification. As an illegal alien, John had no legitimate identification. Consequently, he began telling the officer, “I am a mechanical engineer. My inventions and efforts have saved humanity time and lives. The bridges and other structures I have designed have been amongst the best in existence. I am a legend in my field.”

Unimpressed, the officer replied, “Congratulations! Can I see some identification?”

Unfortunately, this experience is similar in context to a discussion many Christians would experience if they were asked to spiritually identify themselves. Dependent of their efforts of good works and opinions of others’ view of the Bible, many would begin to describe their perceived identification.

This idea causes many brothers and sisters in the faith to exist with a lack of confidence about their situation much like that of an illegal alien trying to fake their citizenship in our country. The feelings of doubt and disillusionment can become intense. The solution for both is to be a citizen. Just as the illegal alien can pursue proper avenues to become a US citizen, a lost person can become a Christian and a Christian can gain confidence in their true identity.

A primary piece of identification would be love. It is not the fake, superficial love of the world. You know the one, the love that is nice to your face and then stabs you in the back when you disappoint someone. It is a pure and godly unconditional love. It is the love parents normally have for their children. It is the love a kid has for their dog. It is a love that is not waiting and keeping score. It is one that just believes and hopes the best for and from the object of it.

Jesus pointed out that love in John 13:35 "By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."

Think about this verse, I Corinthians 8:3 “But if anyone loves God, he is known by Him.” Isn’t that cool? If you love God, He knows you! It doesn’t say, “if you act like you love God…”, but it says “if you love Him!” Have you ever acted like you didn’t love God? Surely any honest Christian would answer yes to that question; thankfully the promise is based on our decision and not our actions!

Another piece of identification is straight out of scriptures and not my feelings. I am a new creature! Can you imagine that? I wonder how I became a new creation. Do you think it was the result of my community service or my devotion to Bible study or prayer?

Paul says, “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.” (2 Corinthians 5:17) One translation says, “all things have become new”. In other words, my citizenship has changed and I have a whole new identity!

Peter adds a number of other components to your identification in I Peter 2:9. “But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God's OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light!”

Can you imagine the Pharisees if they had identity police? “Sir could I see some identification?” “Well sure, I am a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession and am called to proclaim God’s excellencies. Should that be sufficient for you sir?”

John 10:10 says the “thief comes to steal, kill and destroy, but Jesus came that you might have life and have it more abundantly.” Satan is at war with you. He wants to steal your true identity. He constantly whispers false ideas into your mind crying out that you are an illegal alien and not a true citizen of the Holy Nation. Don’t believe him.

Keith Tyner