Category: Jesus

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Don’t throw rocks at Jesus – “I AM” part 1

Jesus made some big claims about himself. One of the biggest claims he makes is in John 8:58 – “I tell you the truth,” Jesus answered, “before Abraham was born, I am!” Jesus claims to be: “I am”. It kinda feels like an incomplete sentence. But when you understand what Jesus is actually saying, you can understand why his Jewish audience were offended and immediately picked up stones to stone him!

Throughout John’s Gospel, Jesus continues to make the claim that he and the Father are One. In this particular interchange, his audience question him and ask if he thinks he is greater than Abraham. Jesus says that Abraham actually rejoiced at seeing his day. The Jews laugh this off since Jesus isn’t even 50 years old, yet he claims to have seen Abraham (around some 2000 years prior)!

Then he drops the bombshell… “before Abraham was born, I am!” Why do they pick up stones to kill Jesus? They understand that at this point, if Jesus hasn’t already been explicit enough, he is claiming to be the God of Abraham and Moses. In Exodus 3, God reveals himself to Moses as “I am who I am.” Jesus is claiming to be that God. This isn’t a surprise to the reader of John’s Gospel, Jesus is introduced in the opening sentences as God who became flesh and dwelt among us.

This is the first in an 8 part series on the “I am” statements of Jesus. John records 7 “I am” statements (bread of life, light of the world, gate, good shepherd, resurrection and the life, way truth & life, true vine). However, in order to understand each of those 7 metaphors, it’s necessary to understand the greatest of these statements where Jesus simply says “I am”.

This means he is God. This means it matters how you treat him. This means it’s not cool to pick up rocks and throw them at him!

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Does God hate Haiti?

The following is an extended extract from Al Mohler. Read the rest here.

“Does God hate Haiti? That is the conclusion reached by many, who point to the earthquake as a sign of God’s direct and observable judgment. God does judge the nations — all of them — and God will judge the nations.”

His judgment is perfect and his justice is sure. He rules over all the nations and his sovereign will is demonstrated in the rising and falling of nations and empires and peoples. Every molecule of matter obeys his command, and the earthquakes reveal his reign — as do the tides of relief and assistance flowing into Haiti right now.

A faithful Christian cannot accept the claim that God is a bystander in world events. The Bible clearly claims the sovereign rule of God over all his creation, all of the time. We have no right to claim that God was surprised by the earthquake in Haiti, or to allow that God could not have prevented it from happening.

God’s rule over creation involves both direct and indirect acts, but his rule is constant. The universe, even after the consequences of the Fall, still demonstrates the character of God in all its dimensions, objects, and occurrences. And yet, we have no right to claim that we know why a disaster like the earthquake in Haiti happened at just that place and at just that moment.

Continue reading “Does God hate Haiti?”

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Lessons from the School of Prayer – DA Carson

A Call to Spiritual Reformation by DA Carson is gold. In this very practical book, Carson uses the priorities from Paul’s prayers in the New Testament as a framework for fuelling intimacy with God through prayer. Before he gets into Paul’s prayers, he spends the first chapter with some wisdom that he’s learnt over the years from the wisdom of others.

Here are his 7 lessons:

  1. Much praying is not done because we do not plan to pray
  2. Adopt practical ways to impede mental drift
  3. At various periods in your life, develop, if possible, a prayer-partner relationship
  4. Choose models – but choose them well
  5. Develop a system for your prayer lists
  6. Mingle praise, confession, and intercession; but when you intercede, try to tie as many requests as possible to Scripture
  7. If you are in any form of spiritual leadership, work at your public prayers

Get your grubby hands onto the book: Amazon | Booko

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I knew what happened at the cross

Here’s an encouraging Jesus’ Story from Kurtis. Here’s a quote “I still had questions, I didn’t know all the answers, I still had doubts. But I think ultimately I knew what happened at the cross: that Jesus lived a perfect life, that he died for me, and that he rose again, and he was God. And knowing that was all I needed to know, I could put my trust in him and all my other questions I could get answered along the way.” Check the vid:

(h/t Dan Godden)

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Scouts Need Jesus

Very impressive logistical set-up at the Scouts Jamboree. Very tough crowd. Although it’s hard work talking to lots of people not interested in Jesus, many still heard of what Jesus did on the cross so that they could “be prepared” for eternal life. Garage Hymnal played a couple of great sets and we were interviewed on their radio station (103.7 if you’re within an hour of Picton). Here’s a picture of a guy with a fat head:

Thanks to the many people who were praying for the event. Continue to pray for a Christian witness within the Scout movement, they need Jesus more than the ability to tie knots. We met some very encouraging Christians on the night. I particularly enjoyed hanging out with some beautiful people from Vanuatu.

If you’re a Scout who stumbled here via google… go check out SCOUTS.FERVR.NET

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Robert Baden-Powell is a Ninja

I’ve been reading lots of the history behind the Scouts movement. My conclusion? Robert Baden-Powell (the founder) was pretty much a ninja that trained other ninjas. Scouting. Stalking. Stealthiness. Always being prepared. That sounds like a ninja to me! To any Scouts reading this: if anyone ever tries to hassle you for being a Scout – tell them you’re training to be a ninja and that they should watch their back.

Scouts have a (Ninja) LAW they are to abide by and a (Ninja) PROMISE they are to keep. Part of the Promise is about doing “my duty to God”. And so my question is:

“What happens if you can’t fulfil your duty to God?”

Is it really that bad?? Does it mean you can’t be a Scout anymore?? Is it even possible to fulfil your duty to God??

Continue reading “Robert Baden-Powell is a Ninja”