Wednesday, November 14, 2012

MEANNESS

I don't think we need to know the entire Bible in order to become mature and fully bought-in followers of Christ.

You know I say these things just to get you to look at this blog, don't you?

But honestly, I often have people ask me why we don't talk about certain things in our church service.  They want to know about things like 'What does the fifth toenail on the beast stand for in Revelation?' -- or they want to know about an obscure passage in Ezekiel or Nahum.

What I sometimes ask them in return is:
'How's your marriage?'
'How are you treating your children?'
'Are you gossiping?'
'Are you giving and serving?'
'Are you reaching out and loving others?'
'Have you invited anybody to be a follower of Christ this year?'
'Are you sacrificing anything for the Kingdom?'

I've said before that everything in the Bible is equally true - but not everything is equally clear.  Add to that - not everything in the Bible is equally important.

'I don't think we need to know the entire Bible in order to become mature and fully bought-in followers of Christ.'

Gasp!

Here's what we're mean about at KFA:
- God and His Word are absolutely trustworthy and right.
- Jesus Christ is Lord and Savior and there is no other way to heaven but by Him.
- Jesus came, lived sinlessly, died, rose again, and conquered death, hell and the grave.
- The church is the hope for the world.

There are a few other things on that list, but those are non-negotiables for us.  Meanness.

If you study the teachings of Jesus, you're going to find a half dozen things He talks about a whole lot - but not that many more.

So when people ask why we repeat certain teachings and pound on those and say them over and over, it's because Jesus did, too.  Seems like a good model.

Frankly, there are a lot of things that are informative, but not as many things that are transformative.  There are a ton of things to know in the Bible, but not as many things we need to know in order to be mature believers.  Really.

It's not that hard.  It takes consistency, sure.  Faithfulness, yes.  Persistence, absolutely.  But hard?  Not so much.  Not really.

All Scripture is God-breathed and profitable, but every single verse isn't equally profitable.  Don't get me wrong (some of you already have) -- some Scripture is interesting, but other Scripture is life-altering.  At KFA, we choose to focus more often on Scriptures that help us have the best shot at maturing lives.

This gives us a greater opportunity to make a greater impact.  Just so you know.

And be blessed.

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

I've never considered myself an mature believer, unfortunately. For a bit, I thought I had moved from milk to the meat of the Lord's Word...but here I am. When Jesus spoke of the seed that fell, I think I was the seed that fell on stones. I started out really, really well, but then a storm approached and down I fell. I can say that I treat others in a loving way...that I am sure of. My family and I have very good relationships and love each other and I love my friends. I just need to figure out how to dig down and bury my roots.

Anonymous said...

PK, I will never become the woman that God created me to be without His help. I'm not able to do it on my own. I listen at church and I know He has a plan for me, but I will not get there without Him. I know we are all sinners, but I know what I have done to break His heart. I need Jesus to reach out His hand and take mine and help me get there.

PK's BLOG said...

Now you've got it. What a great place to be.

PK's BLOG said...

Not hard, just takes a little consistency, like watering plants. You feed them and weed them and they grow. You starve them and they die.
Read a little of the Word.
Pray some , and not just about your problems.
Go to church.
Be in community and go life w some believers.
Serve somewhere.
That's about it. Really. God doesn't of the rest.

PK's BLOG said...

God does most of the rest, I meant. Just keep walking toward God every day somehow. Not away from Him. Blessings.

Anonymous said...

PK, thank you so much for your guidance and caring. I'm really glad you haven't turned away from me, because I am not a "good" Christian. You truly are a wonderful pastor.

Anonymous said...

I just wanted to share one thing. I read my bible and prayed for Jesus to take me by the hand and guide me. I felt a pressure on my left hand and tingling. And I felt a shiver go thru me. I simply cannot make myself feel these things, it is God, not me. He speaks to each of us in ways that are most meaningful to us. Physically or hearing a message is what I pray for. He's always there.

Anonymous said...

Sometimes,I just wonder how God talks to others. I know what happens with me, but what about the person next to me at church?

PK's BLOG said...

Tingling and shivering last for a moment. What are you going to do to walk toward Jesus every day?

Anonymous said...

Honestly? I have one of my favorite pictures of Jesus just yards from my face. It helps remind me to talk to Him thru out the day. And I love your blog. It helps me to keep things in focus. I know you have said in the past that you wondered why people want you to be fired up and telling them that they are sinners and really get on their case. Truthfully, I need someone to push me and jumpstart me. I just do. Don't have any Christians in my immediate circle, so I need to listen to you. Please be straight up with me. I think you are, but don't stop. It makes me a better person, because I respect you.

Anonymous said...

I don't mean to take over your blog..sorry. But I just signed up for a daily bible reading to my email. I will read it for sure. So, those are the things I will do at this point. I signed up for the New Testament for now. If anyone wants to sign up it is BibleGateway.com.