Anger is one letter short of danger. Anonymous
"Anybody can become angry, that is easy. But to be angry with the right person and to the right degree and at the right time for the right purpose and in the right way - that is not within everybody's power and is not easy." Aristotle
You may be angry, so long as you do not sin. Ephesians 4:26
All of the above can be correct. There is indeed great danger in being angry because, as Aristotle points out, humans are very poor at controlling, directing and using anger. Add to that Paul's permission to be angry BUT only if we do not sin in the process and we leave ourselves wondering if there is ever a set of circumstances when a righteous anger is not only permissible but is also the correct emotion to feel.
Weren't Americans right to be angry after 9/11 ? Shouldn't you be angry if someone steals your car? What if your neighbor will not mow his lawn? After all, even God gets angry from time to time, and if He is sinless, then there must be some anger that is alright with God. Right? What are the Biblical guidelines for anger? That's what this lesson will focus on, so read on, be honest about what you learn, and most importantly...don't get angry! Enjoy!
Numbers 11:1-3
Psalm 30:5
Psalm 103:8
Psalm 37:8
James 1:19-20
Proverbs 14:29
Sneek peek at next week : SETBACKS - Our bad luck or God's provision?
April 7, 2010
March 29, 2010
Divorce and remarriage
"Why divorce? What is needed is not a change of partners, but a change in partners." Family Altar Crusader.
"I hate divorce," says the Lord God of Israel. Malachi 2:16
Once in an interview, Ruth Bell Graham, the wife of evangelist Billy Graham, was asked if in all their years of marriage, through all their trials and tribulations, if she ever considered divorcing her husband. She replied, "Divorce him? No! Killing him? Yes!"
Today the divorce rate among Christians is the same as it is among non-believers. Churches have very different opinions about divorce and whether or not a divorced person can remarry. Some denominations are quite strict about this subject while other denominations pay no heed to it. Is there a balance between the "letter of the law" and the gracious care of people? Are there circumstances today that were not mentioned in the Bible? Let's explore what the Scriptures have to say about this topic. And again, please be honest with your answers while also being considerate of those who have experienced the pain of divorce. Blessings, Pastor Damon
Matthew 5:31-32
Matthew 19:1-12
Romans 7:4-7
Mark 2:23-28
1 Corinthians 7:10-17
Sneak peek at next week - Justifiable anger?
"I hate divorce," says the Lord God of Israel. Malachi 2:16
Once in an interview, Ruth Bell Graham, the wife of evangelist Billy Graham, was asked if in all their years of marriage, through all their trials and tribulations, if she ever considered divorcing her husband. She replied, "Divorce him? No! Killing him? Yes!"
Today the divorce rate among Christians is the same as it is among non-believers. Churches have very different opinions about divorce and whether or not a divorced person can remarry. Some denominations are quite strict about this subject while other denominations pay no heed to it. Is there a balance between the "letter of the law" and the gracious care of people? Are there circumstances today that were not mentioned in the Bible? Let's explore what the Scriptures have to say about this topic. And again, please be honest with your answers while also being considerate of those who have experienced the pain of divorce. Blessings, Pastor Damon
Matthew 5:31-32
Matthew 19:1-12
Romans 7:4-7
Mark 2:23-28
1 Corinthians 7:10-17
Sneak peek at next week - Justifiable anger?
March 22, 2010
Tithing in the 21st Century
"I never would have been able to tithe the first million dollars I ever made if I had not tithed my first salary, which was $1.50 a week." John D. Rockefeller
"Not only will a man rob God, but he will figure out how to take an income tax deduction for it." Anonymous
"Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this", says the Lord Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it." Malachi 3:10
The Church is often criticized for speaking too often about money, after all doesn't the Bible say that the love of money is the root of all evil. Yet, everyone knows that a church, like any other organization, has bills to pay. But since we do not sell a "product", we depend solely on the generosity of the congregation.
God set up guidelines for giving throughout the Bible. What He expects is called a tithe, that is ten percent, of what we make. But given today's soaring cost of living, wages that do not keep up with expenses, and easily available debt, is the Biblical concept of the tithe still possible? What if you are on a fixed income? What if you truly could not pay all your bills if you were limited to 90% of your income?
Let's see what the Bible says about the tithe and the circumstances of faithful giving! Enjoy!
(And I apologize for no posting last week. I was on vacation, got sick and forgot to post anything.)
Genesis 14:17-20
Numbers 18:20-24
Proverbs 3:9
Matthew 23:23
Luke 18:9-14
Sneek peek at next week: Divorce and remarriage
"Not only will a man rob God, but he will figure out how to take an income tax deduction for it." Anonymous
"Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this", says the Lord Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it." Malachi 3:10
The Church is often criticized for speaking too often about money, after all doesn't the Bible say that the love of money is the root of all evil. Yet, everyone knows that a church, like any other organization, has bills to pay. But since we do not sell a "product", we depend solely on the generosity of the congregation.
God set up guidelines for giving throughout the Bible. What He expects is called a tithe, that is ten percent, of what we make. But given today's soaring cost of living, wages that do not keep up with expenses, and easily available debt, is the Biblical concept of the tithe still possible? What if you are on a fixed income? What if you truly could not pay all your bills if you were limited to 90% of your income?
Let's see what the Bible says about the tithe and the circumstances of faithful giving! Enjoy!
(And I apologize for no posting last week. I was on vacation, got sick and forgot to post anything.)
Genesis 14:17-20
Numbers 18:20-24
Proverbs 3:9
Matthew 23:23
Luke 18:9-14
Sneek peek at next week: Divorce and remarriage
March 9, 2010
The Death Penalty
"The United Methodist Church cannot accept retribution or social vengence as a reason for taking human life. It violates our deepest belief in God as Creator and the Redeemer of humankind. In this respect, there can be no assertion that human life can be taken humanely by the state. Indeed, in the long run, the use of the death penalty by the state will increase the acceptance of revenge in our society and will give official sanction to a climate of violence."
The Book of Resolutions - United Methodist Church
"John Locke argued that a person forfeits his rights when committing even minor crimes. Locke justifies punishment for two reasons: (1) from the retributive side, criminals deserve punishment, and (2) from the utilitarian side, punishment is needed to protect our society by deterring crime through example." The Encyclopedia of Philospohy
"Anyone who strikes a man and kills him shall surely be put to death. However, if he does not do so intentionally, but God lets it happen, he is to flee to a place I will designate. But if a man schemes and kills another man deliberately, take him away from my altar and put him to death." Exodus 21:12-14
"You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye and tooth for tooth', but I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other one also." Matthew 5:38-39
There are few topics today that can stir up greater controversy, debate and strong feelings like that of capital punishment. As Christians we look to the Scriptures for direction but even there we get a mixture of messages. So we try to support or condemn the death penalty through scientific study, social outcry and ethical arguments. The "official" stand of the United Methodist Church is against all uses of the death penalty. It is not the intent of this forum to come to a consensus of opinion nor to draw the line and see who stands on each side. It is my intent that you be better informed of what Scripture has to say along side of today's best secular arguments.
Since this topic can be volitile, here is the one guideline I will require of anyone posting a comment. Feel free to discuss your belief and the reasons for it, but do so without referencing anyone else's comment to try and point out why you disagree with their points.
Here are a few extra Scriptures to reference as you create your responses. I will trust that everyone will respond with a proper degree of decorum. Enjoy!
Leviticus 20:1-21
John 8:1-11
Matthew 5:17-48
Acts 5:1-11
Sneak peek for next week - Tithing in the 21st Century
The Book of Resolutions - United Methodist Church
"John Locke argued that a person forfeits his rights when committing even minor crimes. Locke justifies punishment for two reasons: (1) from the retributive side, criminals deserve punishment, and (2) from the utilitarian side, punishment is needed to protect our society by deterring crime through example." The Encyclopedia of Philospohy
"Anyone who strikes a man and kills him shall surely be put to death. However, if he does not do so intentionally, but God lets it happen, he is to flee to a place I will designate. But if a man schemes and kills another man deliberately, take him away from my altar and put him to death." Exodus 21:12-14
"You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye and tooth for tooth', but I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other one also." Matthew 5:38-39
There are few topics today that can stir up greater controversy, debate and strong feelings like that of capital punishment. As Christians we look to the Scriptures for direction but even there we get a mixture of messages. So we try to support or condemn the death penalty through scientific study, social outcry and ethical arguments. The "official" stand of the United Methodist Church is against all uses of the death penalty. It is not the intent of this forum to come to a consensus of opinion nor to draw the line and see who stands on each side. It is my intent that you be better informed of what Scripture has to say along side of today's best secular arguments.
Since this topic can be volitile, here is the one guideline I will require of anyone posting a comment. Feel free to discuss your belief and the reasons for it, but do so without referencing anyone else's comment to try and point out why you disagree with their points.
Here are a few extra Scriptures to reference as you create your responses. I will trust that everyone will respond with a proper degree of decorum. Enjoy!
Leviticus 20:1-21
John 8:1-11
Matthew 5:17-48
Acts 5:1-11
Sneak peek for next week - Tithing in the 21st Century
March 1, 2010
Unjust Death
"When it's your time to go, it's your time to go. But what if it's the pilot's time?" Robin Williams
"There is a story behind the sculpture known as The Sculptor and the Angel of Death. It is the figure of a young ambitious sculptor who has already carved a most beautiful face from the marble and is about to work on the body. With his chisel ready to strike, the Angel of Death stops him and thus the work of art is left unfinished. " M.S. Rice
"Fathers shall not be put to death for their children, nor children put to death for their fathers; each is to die for his own sins." Deuteronomy 24:16
We have all known situations where it seems like the death of someone is senseless, either because they were innocent bystanders or because death was more punishment that fit the crime.
So how do we make sense of "unjust death" from a faith perspective? Why does a holy and loving God allow this kind of death to happen? And what do we make of Scripture that suggests that God actually orders death to happen?
Do we believe that everyone has a specific time and situation for death, as the humorous quote from Robin Willimas suggests? Or does God put events into motion and then leaves the rest up to us?
Basically it boils down to this - how can a just God allow injustice, especially when it results in untimely death? Take a look at the following Scriptures and let me know what you think? Enjoy!
Genesis 4:1-16
Joshua 10:34-42
Acts 7:55-60
Matthew 18:12-14
Isaiah 55:8-9
Sneak peek into next week - The Death Penalty
"There is a story behind the sculpture known as The Sculptor and the Angel of Death. It is the figure of a young ambitious sculptor who has already carved a most beautiful face from the marble and is about to work on the body. With his chisel ready to strike, the Angel of Death stops him and thus the work of art is left unfinished. " M.S. Rice
"Fathers shall not be put to death for their children, nor children put to death for their fathers; each is to die for his own sins." Deuteronomy 24:16
We have all known situations where it seems like the death of someone is senseless, either because they were innocent bystanders or because death was more punishment that fit the crime.
So how do we make sense of "unjust death" from a faith perspective? Why does a holy and loving God allow this kind of death to happen? And what do we make of Scripture that suggests that God actually orders death to happen?
Do we believe that everyone has a specific time and situation for death, as the humorous quote from Robin Willimas suggests? Or does God put events into motion and then leaves the rest up to us?
Basically it boils down to this - how can a just God allow injustice, especially when it results in untimely death? Take a look at the following Scriptures and let me know what you think? Enjoy!
Genesis 4:1-16
Joshua 10:34-42
Acts 7:55-60
Matthew 18:12-14
Isaiah 55:8-9
Sneak peek into next week - The Death Penalty
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