November 2 is Election Day in the state of Florida.Citizens of the Sunshine State will be electing a new governor and a new senator, among other offices.Residents of Pensacola will be choosing our city’s first strong mayor, and other local officials.
If Jesus were a Florida resident would he vote Democrat, Republican, or Independent?While we cannot know exactly who Jesus would vote for, based on Jesus’emphasis on civic responsibility, I think we can say for certain that Jesus would vote.And based on what we know about Jesus’ values, I have a hunch that Jesus would vote based on the character of the candidate and not party identity.
This upcoming election is a crucial one, especially for Florida and for Pensacola.As this election approaches, l encourage you to join me in exercising the responsibilities of our citizenship in the following ways:
PRAY for the candidates and for the election.
VOTE your personal conviction.
SUPPORT those who are elected.
WORK to make our city and surrounding community a better place to live, work, and raise a family.
This Sunday we will be asking, “Would Jesus Use an I-Phone?”How would Jesus utilize and manage media technology?Is it possible for us to get addicted to texting, email, and cell phones?How can we best utilize these as resources that enrich our lives?
On Sunday afternoon we look forward to a fun time at Trunk or Treat.Bring your family and friends to the upper parking lot at 4 o’clock as we share in this enjoyable and safe Fall Festival.
I look forward to seeing you this Sunday as we gather for worship and Bible study.Don’t forget ….BYOB!
Fall Discipleship Series Religions of the World, Part I
October 3, 2010
But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.I Peter NIV IntroductIon:
1. Islam is the most talked about religion in the world right now.Around the world people are both curious and suspicious. 2. Our discussion of Islam should accomplish three things:
§Give us basic knowledge of one of the most influential and misunderstood religions in the world.
§Prepare us for informed dialogue and witness with Muslim neighbors.
§To strengthen our own faith in Christ.
3. In its origin, Islam is a religion espousing allegiance to God as revealed through the prophet Mohammed, who lived around 570-632 and came from a family of traders at Mecca. The religion's book of revelation, compiled by the prophet, is the Koran. The word Islam derives from the same semitic root as the Hebrew word Shalom, which means peace. Islam means "entering into a condition of peace and security with God, through allegiance or surrender to him.”
4. Islam was not a completely new faith but is the third great monotheistic religion. In Muslim eyes, Mohammed completes a succession of prophets, including Abraham, Moses and Jesus, each of whom refined and restated the message of God. Outline: 1. Holy Book: Koran
·For a Muslim, the Koran corroborates, updates and expands the Old and New Testaments.
·The Koran contains 114 chapters, written in vivid, rhyming prose, and was settled in its current form within 30 years of Mohammed's death.
·The Koran contains many moral exhortations, forming the basis of Islamic (sharia) law. It lays down generosity and fairness and the requirements for daily prayer, alms giving, abstinence during daylight hours in the month of Ramadan and pilgrimage to Mecca.
·General facts about the Koran or Quran…
oQuram is spelled as Qur’aan, Koran and commonly as Quran.
oQuran is the noble and Holy Book of the Islamic religion.
oMuslims believe in Quran as the word of God (Allah).
oQuran was revealed to Prophet Muhammad as the final word from God (Allah).
oMuslims believe that Quran has not changed since its revelation. Allah has taken guarantee in the Quran itself that Allah will protect such from happening.
oMuslims recite Quran in their prayers daily.
oQuran is recited the most in the month of Ramadan (the month of fasting).
oQuran is divided into many chapters with each chapter having verses.
2. Key Leader: Mohammed
·Mohammed is said to have received his revelations over a period of 23 years from the Angel Jibreel, or Gabriel, who was relaying the word of God.
·General facts about Mohammed…
oBorn in 570 in the Arabian city of Mecca, he was orphaned at an early age and brought up under the care of his uncle Abu Talib.
oHe later worked mostly as a merchant, as well as a shepherd, and was first married by age 25.
oDiscontented with life in Mecca, he retreated to a cave in the surrounding mountains for meditation and reflection.
oAccording to Islamic beliefs it was here, at age 40, in the month of Ramadan, where he received his first revelation from God.
·The main tenets central to Islam are the absolute sense that there can only be one God - Allah - and that he is the source of all creation and disposer of all lives and events. Hence, there is no God but God and Mohammed is his messenger.
·All people should become a single Umma - community - witnessing to that fact. On the day of judgment, all will rise from the dead and be sent to heaven or hell.
·The five pillars of the Islamic faith - the fundamental constituents of Muslim life - are:
oShahada, the profession of faith in the uniqueness of Allah and the centrality of Mohammed as his prophet.
oSalat, formal worship or prayer.
oZakat, the giving of alms for the poor, assessed on all adult Muslims as 2.5% of capital assets once a year.
oHajj, pilgrimage to Mecca, which every Muslim should undertake at least once in their lifetime; the annual hajj takes place during the last 10 days of the 12th lunar month every year.
oSawm, fasting during Ramadan, the holy ninth month of the lunar year.
4. People groups
The difference between Sunni and Shia sects of Islam do not exist to the dramatic degree many Western's assume. While there are slight variations in the way they view their religious leaders and attach meaning to the history of Muhammad's family, cultural and political differences hold the most divisive power. Both sects emphasize the Five Pillars of Islam, read the same Quran, and consider each other Muslims.
The split between these two significant sects of Islam can be traced back to the 600s, soon after Muhammed's death in 632. Muhammed's son-in-law, Ali, gained support as the inheritor of the duty to spread Islam. Thus, "Shia" is an abbreviation of "Shiat Ali," or the people of Ali. Not all Muslims believed in Ali's place as a leader. The Shi'ites regarded him as the first in a series of Imam, or the direct descendents of Muhammad who act as messengers of God. There were 12 Imams before the bloodline died out in the 800s.
The majority of Muslims are Sunni, the largest and more orthodox sect of Islam. Sunnis do not attach any special power to the Imam, but have a rather less structured hierarchy of religious leaders. Some have compared their system as similar in spirit to Protestantism, where ministers are important advisers and community leaders, but they are neither infallible nor chosen by God. These leaders, called Caliphs, teach Islam. They encourage following the laws and guidelines laid out in the Quran. Also, they do not rule the place of worship in the sense of excluding other kinds of Muslims. All mosques are nondenominational, and can receive prayers from any sect.
5. Radical groups:
Only a very small percentage of Muslims support terrorism.
Terrorists are frequently recruited from the political fringe, from impressionable youth, and from others discontented with the world, especially with those who are inclined to materialism, vanity, pornography, and promiscuity.
One US military general recently said during a news interview that the greatest hope for combating terrorism is to strengthen our partnership with Muslims who will take an anti-terrorism stand.
Radical Muslim terrorist currently present one of the greatest threats to world peace and stability.
Conclusion:
1. While we as Christians do not endorse the tenets of Islam and we hold fast to the teachings of Christ, it is incumbent that we demonstrate the spirit of Christ in our relationships with all human beings.
2. The greatest opportunities for Christian witness in the world will come from a dialogue that begins with Christian hospitality, explores our common values, and extends into a conversation about “the reason for the hope that is within us.”And to do this with gentleness and respect.
Beginning in the book of Genesis, God gave to humankind a significant stewardship or management responsibility: “Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground." Genesis 1:26 NIV
Throughout the Bible, God re-enforces and expands that management responsibility:
Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful. I Corinthians 4:2 NKJV
For every animal of the forest is mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills. I know every bird in the mountains, and the creatures of the field are mine. Psalm 50:10-11 NIV
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 NIV
"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth,where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:19-21 NIV
The way we manage our blessings and resources may be the greatest indicator of where we are in our relationship to God. Here are three core values of stewardship that are shaping the way Amanda and I manage our resources:
• All resources are given by God and are to be channeled through our lives to advance God’s purposes in the world.
• Giving our tithes and offerings to our local church is an act of cheerful obedience to God, and a tangible testimony that we are growing toward aligning all of our resources with God’s unique will for us.
• The way we manage our resources…time, talent, and tangible resources… is one of the primary ways we honor God.
This Sunday we will be tackling a difficult and delicate subject. As we continue our series, What Would Jesus REALLY Do?, I am asking the ridiculous question, “Would Jesus Throw a Keg Party?” The message is intended to help all ages among us to think scripturally, conscientiously, and responsibly about our ideas and attitudes toward alcohol. Pray for me as I address the crucial topic in a way that equips us to be better Christians.
I look forward to seeing you this Sunday as we gather for worship and Bible study.
Earlier this week as we were going for a walk, Amanda and I passed two preschoolers playing in a driveway. While I was not eavesdropping, I was amused and astonished to hear one child say to the other, “But I don’t need 50% off on car insurance.” In response the other child quacked like a duck and at the top of his duck-like voice said, “Aflac!”
While I am aware that the kids had merged phrases from two different insurance commercials, as I thought about what I had heard, I realized that these kids had picked up these slogans from viewing repetitive advertisements on TV. If we are not careful and intentional, we will underestimate the power of media advertising to formulate our values, to shape our dreams, and to influence our purchasing.
It is perhaps more challenging than ever to be a good steward. If the cultural norm becomes our default value system, we will inevitably find ourselves in big trouble….steeped in debt, overridden by anxiety, and feeling hopeless about the future.
If Jesus were walking the earth in the 21st century, how would he make purchasing decisions? Would he have a budget? Would he use a credit card? How much would he give to the church and charities? And, would he try to save 50% on car insurance?
The Bible has more to say about how we manage our possessions than almost any other subject. In fact, one of the ways for us to honor God is to learn to manage our resources well.
This Sunday, as we continue our series, What Would Jesus REALLY Do?, we are asking, “Would Jesus Use a Credit Card?” as we examine Jesus’ teachings about how we manage our possessions.
On Sunday afternoon, we will meet at five o’clock in Pleitz Chapel to continue our study of World Religions as we focus on the major tenets of Hinduism.
During the past week, I spent a few days secluded in a cottage working on preparation for the next few months. I am excited about the many good things happening at First Baptist and I am grateful that you have allotted generous time for me to invest in prayer and preparation. Thank you!
I look forward to seeing you this Sunday as we gather for worship and Bible study.
When I played high school sports, I remember the cheerleaders leading a cheer that went something like, “Two, four, six, eight…Who do you appreciate?” And then they would insert the nickname of our team or the name of a specific player.
Who do you appreciate? I appreciate our church family.
I’m not sure who designated October as Pastor Appreciation Month, but for several years I have wanted to refocus the emphasis toward a Church Appreciation Month. During the past few days as I have read the encouraging cards and notes many of you have sent, I have actually been thinking about how much I appreciate our church family.
While our church is not perfect, and we have a lot of room to grow in our commitments, the vast majority of our folks have a servant heart and encouraging spirit. This week I’ve spent a little more time than usual at the hospital, I’ve watched our teams prepare for Tour of Tables, and I’ve stood alongside some of our folks in the trenches of tough life experiences. What I have seen has caused me to pause and say with fresh conviction, “Thank you, Lord, for our First Baptist Family.”
Here are just a few of the many things I appreciate about our church family…. • The way we respond with love and generosity in times of crisis. • The way we serve cooperatively on ministry teams. • A growing enthusiasm in the way we welcome guests and new members. • A growing number of people are bringing their Bibles to worship and Bible study. • More and more people are stepping up to the plate to fill positions of service and leadership. • The way we partner in big events like Challenger, Tour of Tables, Christmas Dinner for the Homeless, Trunk or Treat, and others. • The way you pray for and encourage me and our other ministers. • The way we support and participate in missions, locally and around the world. • The overarching sense of harmony we share, in the midst of our tremendous diversity. • The way members of all ages are inviting friends and neighbors who do not have a church home to come and join us.
As I was standing in the Critical Care waiting room the other night, one of our students, noting the love and support being shown toward one of our families, turned to me and said, “We’ve got the coolest church.” I think she’s right!
I always thank God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus. I Corinthians 1:4 NIV
If Jesus were living on earth as a full-fledged human being in the 21st century, what would his lifestyle be like? How would Jesus make purchasing decisions? What would his wardrobe be like? What kind of car would Jesus drive? Would he have a cell phone? What would he do for fun? How would Jesus respond to the moral and ethical challenges of our day? How would Jesus respond to those in poverty?
In October, we begin a new series for Sunday mornings and Wednesday evenings that asks, What Would Jesus REALLY Do?
By definition, a Christian is a follower of Jesus. Through the amazing gift of salvation, Jesus forgives our sin and sets us on a new course in life…a course of learning, growing, and serving as we follow his guidance. As Christians, we are to be followers of Jesus everyday of our lives. As we study Jesus’ teachings, as we gather with other believers to worship, and as we spendtime in daily conversation with Jesus, we grow to incorporate more and more of his values and perspectives in our own lifestyle.
This week we also begin our Fall Discipleship Series. On Sunday evenings during October and November we will meet in Pleitz Chapel at five o’clock to study Religions of the World.
I hope to see you each Sunday in October in Bible study and worship as we discover more of the Christ-centered life.
October series: What Would Jesus Really Do? Oct 3 a.m. Would Jesus Eat White or Wheat? Oct 6 p.m. What Would Jesus Wear? Oct 10 a.m. TBA, Ross Lankford Oct 13 p.m. Would Jesus Go to War? Oct 17 a.m. Would Jesus Use a Credit Card? Oct 20 p.m. Would Jesus Use Paper or Plastic? Oct 24 a.m. Would Jesus Throw a Keg Party? Oct 27p.m. Would Jesus Vote Democrat or Republican? Oct 31 a.m. Would Jesus Use an I-Phone?
Fall Discipleship Series: Religions of the World Oct 3 Islam Oct 10 Voodooism (Don Minton) Oct 17 Hinduism Oct 24 Buddhism Oct 31 Event: Trunk or Treat Nov 7 Judaism Nov 14 Mormonism Nov 21 Jehovah’s Witnesses Nov 28 Event::Deck the Halls and Bless These Walls
