The Bible and Our Culture

The word Eucharist literally means "to give thanks."   1Corinthians 11:17f There are pitfalls within the Lord's Supper. Why we celebrate the Lord's Supper (also called Communion or the Eucharist). Why do most churches have such small portions for the Lord's Supper?

Part 2: The book of Nahum is the sequel to the book of Jonah. God watches what nations do and holds them accountable for blessing or judgment.   It's time for America to self-correct before judgment comes.   Don't read your Bible like a menu.   There is a mythical Jesus many American Christians want to talk about in today's society.   Pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirt before a fall. " - Prov. 16:19  

Nineveh was a wicked city, but God had mercy on her in Jonah; he would not leave the guilty unpunished in Nahum.   "God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble." Mercy on the oppressed is often judgment on their oppressors.   Who was Nahum and who did he write to and why?  Nineveh is the common denominator between Jonah and Nahum, but there is a lot of difference in how the books are written.  

Jonah 2 2 Corinthians 7:8-11 Jonah repented with great faith. Jonah praised God for answered prayer before it happened within the actual space/time continuum.  David in Psalm 51 had godly sorrow leading to repentance, while Jonah's prayer in the belly of the great fish showed he was on the other side of godly sorrow.  

The word "denial" is not mentioned in most Bible translations; but living in the darkness is. When we see our propensity to be deceitful, we will be less likely to trust in man. Human nature suppresses the truth and it brings terrible damage. Put your confidence in the LORD.   The Founding Fathers understood the deceitful human heart talked about in Jeremiah 17, John 3, Romans 1 and 1 John 1.

Romans 1:18-32 Honesty is a Far Surer Sign of Wisdom than Intellect Living in darkness includes more than denial, but it certainly includes denial.  Denial will destroy your life and society which is why God's wrath is toward "suppressing the truth".  

How God empowers us to grow to a new level of faith, glory and strength. Glory to Glory; Faith to Faith; Strength to Strength. Most believers don't understand the glory that we will display after we see Jesus.  There may be even a greater glory after we have been in heaven with Jesus for billions of years. Without diminishing our growth in faith thus far, God expects us to continue to grow to a new level of faith, glory and strength.   "Patience" in the KJV might better be translated as "toughness" or...

The gospel starts with the righteousness of God compared to sinful humanity's unrighteousness. "Faith is the breath of the righteous." -Martin Luther Translation problems hinders us from understanding terms that come from a different time, place, culture and language.  Many words we use only in a religious, spiritual context today, were not originally religious terms at all. The gospel delivers us from hell and death, but also any bondage we need saving from.  

2 Cor 5:16  "Don't regard anyone according to the flesh" is a command ignored by those who claim "Israel First" theology.  Contrary to what many Christians believe, there is an "Israel" by faith in Jesus. The Church was the church Moses pastored (Acts 7:38) so the Church has been around ever since God had a covenant people.   One people of God, but two "Israels". Too many Bible versus tell us who God's people are and they are not a natural race of people.  

All who are a new creation in Christ Jesus are part of a spiritual race. There is a huge advantage for new converts with a background in Judaism (as opposed to Secularism or Roman mythology).   "For the Jew first, and also for the Gentile" (Romans 1:16b) is often misunderstood.   Supporting Israel politically and standing against antisemitism does not mean you have to be a "Hebrew Supremist". There is a huge advantage for new converts with a background in Judaism (as opposed to Secularism or Roman mythology).  

One reason Paul wrote Romans was to deal with the antisemitism Acquila and Priscilla told him about in Acts 17. There are no 2nd class citizens in Christ! Why did Paul write the book of Romans? Way too many Christians see Romans 1:16b with a racial lens. With a few passages taken out of context, it might sound like God is a racist, but the entirety of Scripture disproves such.  Context matters.  

Romans 1:16-19 "The righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith." "Faith is the breath of the righteous." -Martin Luther Translation problems hinders us from understanding terms that come from a different time, place, culture and language.   The gospel delivers us from hell and death, but also any bondage we need saving from.   The gospel starts with the righteousness of God compared to sinful humanity's unrighteousness.  The words "Salvation" and "Gospel" are not religious terms in the original Greek.  

Romans 1:16  What is the gospel and why does Paul warn not to be ashamed of it. Luke 9:26 Jesus warns us not to be ashamed of Him.  Young people have been coming to Jesus more than at any point over the last 50 years! Even before the assassination of Charlie Kirk, people have been coming to Jesus in record numbers--more than at any point over the last 50 years!  Many of these are college age students especially football players.  At the Memorial for Charlie Kirk in Glendale AZ many of his staff, friends and bene...

The world cannot compete with the unity and love we as the Body of Christ.   Build wealth in people! Where are you investing your time and resources?  In trash or in treasure? Paul's priorities included relationship intentionality. A wise person who trusts the Bible will seek close godly relationships.

There is risk in investing in godly relationships, because you can be hurt; but it is worth it. Romans 1:11-13 Paul was an achiever, as spiritual entrepreneur looking to bear much fruit in as many places as possible. Farming fruit trees was something the culture in Paul’s day could relate to. One might think if the Bible were written today, it might use financial investment analogies more than farming analogies, because the idea with fruit is you want high-yield investments multiplied over time. Fellowship is a benefit for saints that un...

As Jesus was rejected, so we will be rejected. Too many want to change the message to "reach people with the gospel". Understand Jesus as the Rock of Offense! Too many want to put Jesus in a costume to "reach people with the gospel". Don't let your lack of passion for the issues of today, cause you to frame those with passion as haters or fanaticism.  

Romans 1:16  Why is the gospel so offensive? If somebody is offended by God's Word, they are a step closer to the Rock of Offense the seed is planted.   If you don't feel the need to be comforted by God, maybe you aren't really saying anything that matters. How should we live knowing Jesus is offensive?

There is a cost of following Jesus: we will hated by those who hate Him if we act like Him and do His will. Who is the Church really according to the New Testament? Join a political group by becoming a member of a church!

Who is the Church really according to the New Testament? The devil has made the word "Church" come to be thought of as a NON-political term.  That is the opposite of what it meant in the New Testament. There is a cost of following Jesus. We will hated by those who hate Him and what he stands for.

Saints in the Church? God has many pet names for His people.  Each designate its own purpose He has for us.   Neither Saints nor Church were religious words in the original Greek. We don't understand either term, especially Church, because we don't see a Senate or City Council as a Church.  Acts 19:23-41 reveals what the term "Ecclesia" or "Church" means.  They were a non-Christian "church" who worshipped the goddess Diana, but had the responsibility to decide the morals and policy of a public situation in their culture.