Why is the Bible Different From Other Books?

Pastor Dick Brookes

Interim Senior Pastor

Coila Church

Of all the books ever written the Bible stands alone as a unique and indestructible book. Critiques have attacked it, scholars have sought to dismiss it, and skeptics have ridiculed it; yet this book consisting of 66 books written over a period of nearly 2000 years with over 40 different authors and multiple cultural, linguistic, and geographic differences retains a remarkably unified message, and thematic consistency that in itself sets it aside from any other book ever compiled. J.B. Phillips, a British Pastor, wrote a book in 1967 entitled: The Ring of Truth in which he developed the theme that as the title expressed, “As you read this book, it quite clearly has a ‘ring of truth.’”

Emile Cailliet, a professor of philosophy at Princeton, recalls in his book Journey Into Light; his intention to write a comprehensive book that as he put it “would understand me.” He drew from the breadth of his reading and study; but after he discovered a Bible that his wife was secretly hiding from him (because he had forbidden her to have anything to do with religion while they were living in Paris); his life was changed. Here are his words:

I read, and read, and read--now aloud with an indescribable warmth surging with...I could not find words to express my awe and wonder. And suddenly the realization dawned upon me:  This was the Book that would understand me! I continued to read deeply into the night, mostly from the Gospels.  And lo and behold, as I looked through them, the One of whom they spoke, the One who spoke and acted in them became alive to me. The providential circumstances amid which the Book had found me now made it clear that while it seemed absurd to speak of a book understanding a man, this could be said of the Bible because its pages were animated by the Presence of the Living God and the Power of His mighty acts.  To this God I prayed that night, and the God who answered was the same God of whom it was spoken in the Book."

The Bible itself says well over 1,000 times: “The Lord spoke saying…The Lord said…The Word of the Lord came to me saying…” There can be no doubt but that those who wrote the Bible believed that their message was a message from God.

The author of Hebrews distinguishes between the Old and New Testament with this affirmation:

¹ In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, ² but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son…

Note the affirmation that the Old Testament was a record of God speaking to us and that now during the New Testament era God would speak through his Son, Jesus Christ.

This is the primary difference between the Bible and all other books – including “religious or spiritual books.” The Bible is not people writing their ideas or thoughts about God. The Bible is God REVEALING HIMSELF through people whom he ENABLED (literally “inspired”) to write exactly what He desired them to write using their own styles and personalities.

The beloved Apostle, John, wrote his Gospel highlighting seven of Jesus’ miracles. At the end of this Gospel he comments about these miracles or “signs” and then states the REASON that he wrote about them. It is important to be confident that God authored the Bible, but it is even more important that you discover for yourself – as Emile Cailliet did WHY God wrote the Bible; and why He wrote it FOR YOU!!

³⁰ Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. ³¹ But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. John 20:30!!

Pastor Jim French

St. Luke's Church

jim.french.137@gmail.com

Many religions have a book they consider sacred or a book set apart from other books. For

Christians, this sacred book is the Bible. We believe that each word was inspired by God to be written for our instruction, encouragement, and edification (Rom 15:4). Unlike other sacred books the Bible was God inspired, (not dictated) and as such contains not only God's promises but also the personalities of the writers. Even though it was written by men, the ultimate author was God Almighty. The Bible itself makes this claim: “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness” (2 Tim 3:16). “For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.” (2 Pet 1:21).

No major religion outside of Christianity claims a sacred text to be God's Word. The teachings of Confucius, Buddha and Hinduism do not make a claim to be God’s Word. The Muslim Koran does not claim to be the word of allah. Rather they claim it is the writings of Mohammed dictated to him word for word by the angel Gabriel and Mohammed's record of history as well as his desire for the future.

What do we mean when we say we believe that the Bible is the actual Word of God? We believe that the Bible contains the actual promises of God to the human race. We believe that he speaks to us through the Bible and that when God gives us his Word, it is rock solid; he will never violate it. If a person gives you their Word, even though they may try as hard as they can to keep it, they may still not be able to. God ALWAYS keeps his Word.

Why is the Bible different than other sacred texts? The Bible itself contains convincing evidence as being God's Word.

1). Unity - Although this book was written by over 40 different human authors it contains unity in a central message: God's plan of redemption for fallen man through his Son Jesus Christ.

2). Prophesy – The Bible is filled with prophesy, many of which we can see fulfilled by verifiable historic events, (The fall of the Babylonian Empire (Daniel 5) is one example). The Old Testament itself has over 300 prophesies about the coming Messiah of which Jesus fulfilled every one!

3). Endurablility – The Bible is the most revered but also the most maligned book in the history of man, yet it survives. It is by far the best selling book of all time. It is estimated that sales of the Bible average between $425 and $650 million annually. No other book even comes close. Many have tried to discredit the Bible, but yet from generation to generation, it endures. No other book has had such a profound impact on the world. And no other book can have such a profound effect on your life.

Jesus said “The words that I have spoken to you are Spirit and life”, (John 6:63b) The words of the Bible contain life and the power of God resides in each and every word!

The best way to find out about the Bible is to read it! Start with the Gospel of John and continue with the other 3 Gospels. Ask God to show you his truth in his Word. I guarantee he will not disappoint you!

What Happens When We Die?

Pastor Dick Brookes
Coila Church: Cambridge, New York
dickbrookesusmc@gmail.com

King Solomon wrote the book of Ecclesiastes as a kind of philosophy of life. He writes it from the perspective of “life under the sun” which means that he was writing from a human perspective. He chronicles how he pursued wealth, pleasure, and knowledge; and his conclusion after having achieved them all was: “all is vanity.” Or as a pastor friend of mine translates those words, “soap bubbles,  that’s what those pursuits amount to – soap bubbles.” He concludes this fascinating book with these words:

“13 Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind. 14 For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil. In other words – life from a human perspective makes no sense. The only true perspective that counts is the perspective of God.

These final words of Solomon are to be contrasted with these words from Ecclesiastes chapter 3:

11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart.  A number of years ago I led a Seniors Bible Study at a church I was serving in Minnesota. Most of the people were in their 70’s and 80’s. One morning I asked this question: “How often do you think about dying?” The answer was immediate! – “Never! Why would we think about dying when there’s so much to live for?”

I found that response intriguing, and yet very honest and, in fact, true to my own thinking. There is something within me that finds death very odd. Whenever I have conducted a funeral and before the service stand alone beside an open casket, it has always seemed very strange that there is a body in this
box without life. I mean, I know the person has died; but the thought “someday that will be you” seems very unreal; and I believe it is “unreal” because of what Solomon said, “God has placed eternity in my 
heart.” There is something within me that “believes” that life will not end, but it will go on forever!! I believe this is what could be called a “racial memory.” It goes all the way back to the Garden of Eden when God promised our first parents that they would live forever IF they honored and obeyed him”. Of course, they did not do that, and as a result sin and the reality of death became a part of human history AND the entire universe. But deep within each of us is that “racial memory” – “death is NOT what you were designed for!”

But according to Solomon pursuing knowledge, pleasure, and wealth – all of which he achieved – is not what we were designed for either. So what were we designed for? What is it that we are pursuing throughout our lives? Are we like Ponce de Leon trying to find the “fountain of youth” and thereby find
immortality?

Paul writes in Colossians 3 – “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

Note the phrase – “When Christ who IS YOUR LIFE…”
“What happens when you die?” The answer is: The one who conquered death and rose from the dead
has promised that those who have faith in him will, when they physically die, make an immediate
transition from this life – with all of its pain, frustration, and “soap bubbles” - into the true life, the
eternal life, which we were promised from the beginning. In Jesus, we receive this eternal life, and
when we die, we will discover that God’s intention for mankind was not only to put “eternity in the
hearts of mankind,” but to enable us to experience it!

Do you, like me, find that Solomon’s words ring true – “I have put eternity in your heart?” My hope
and prayer is that you have discovered that the reality of this inward desire is realized when you discover that life is found through faith in Jesus Christ.

Pastor Jim French
St. Luke's Cambridge
pastor.jim.137@gmail.com

We've all heard it: “Eat right. Exercise. Get enough sleep. Don't smoke.” Doctors everywhere agree that in order to live longer, healthier lives we need to take care of ourselves. We should all try to make these things a normal part of our lifestyle. But what about the afterlife? Is there something after this life or when we die do we simply cease to exist? Is there a heaven? Is there a hell? Who goes where?

No matter what we do in our lives, no matter how well we take care of ourselves, be it king or peasant, each of us has this one thing in common: we will all someday face death. Where we spend eternity is actually a choice each of us makes individually.

We are 3 part beings. Each of us has been created with a body, soul (the seat of thought and emotion)
and a spirit (1 Thess 5:23). Although our bodies die, everyone's spirit is eternal and will remain forever.

The Bible tells us that heaven and hell are real places. Heaven is given to those who have received Jesus and trusted in him as their Savior. It is a place where we will be in the presence of God forever. Hell, Jesus says is, “the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels” (Matt 25:41) and the unbeliever will spend eternity there. This is a very sobering thought. We don't like to talk or even think about it, but God's judgment is very real.

The good news is that our eternal disposition is not based on what we have done in our earthly life, but on our relationship with Jesus Christ. None of us can do enough good to earn our way to heaven, but when we rely on the righteousness of Jesus Christ our eternal destiny is sealed in heaven because it is based on his perfect, sinless life.

To me an eternity separated from God is unthinkable. A life without Jesus would be meaningless. It would simply be a life spent acquiring as much stuff as possible so someone else can get it when I die.
Without the sure knowledge that when I close my eyes for the last time I will spend eternity with Jesus life would be meaningless. If I only exist for myself, what's the point? But if I exist to love and serve him life makes sense.

Do you have that surety? Do you know where you are going when you die? Give your life to Jesus Christ; turn away from your old life and make him your Lord and Savior; and you too will enjoy
eternity with God. That choice belongs to each of us.

Why Are There So Many Different Churches?

Pastor Jim French

St. Luke's Cambridge

pastor.jim.137@gmail.com

One of the most frequent objections to the Christian faith is the seeming lack of unity. Why are there so many different “flavors” of Christianity? Why can't Christians who preach peace and love seem to get along?

These are all very valid questions, and admittedly the history of the Christian Church is a tarnished one. People professing to represent Jesus Christ have committed some unspeakable acts. Historically the Church has rarely (if ever) met the standards Jesus expects of his Church and unfortunately today's Church is no different.

Christians in all walks of life have a responsibility to be an example to the world. Jesus says that we are to be the light of the world and we are to represent him to a broken and hurting humanity. Jesus was/is perfect and without sin, but the same cannot be said of his Church. His Church is made up of imperfect people who make mistakes (who sin) and fall short of his standard. Because Christians are imperfect humans we sin and sometimes do the very things Jesus has told us not to!

There have been many (too many) church splits in the past 5 centuries. But the wonderful thing I see is that God is bringing his people together – uniting them as one people (John 17:21) as we put aside the less important issues that have divided us for centuries. Although we may disagree on our preferred worship or music styles and other minor issues, most importantly we are united under the headship of Jesus Christ. There is much more that unites us than divides us because we agree on the basic tenets of faith: The Trinity; The Inerrant Word of God (The Bible); The virgin birth of Jesus Christ; his sinless life; his sacrificial death on the cross for our redemption; his resurrection from the dead; and Jesus as the only means of salvation. These truths are the truths that bind us together as Christians.

The Church is filled with sinners who know they need a Savior. We are not perfect, just forgiven. For those of you who have at some time in your life been hurt by the Church I ask your forgiveness. We are flawed people who sin and make mistakes. Please do not blame or turn away from Jesus because of the imperfections of his people. If you want to see the perfect Christian life don't look to me or any other Christian – look only to Jesus Christ. He is the only one who ever lived the perfect Christian life.

Pastor Dick Brookes

Coila Church: Cambridge, New York

dickbrookesusmc@gmail.com

We live in a world of multiple choices. Think about food: Italian, Mexican, Chinese, Indian… Or how about

music: classical, country, jazz, rap…Or a favorite football team: Jets, Giants, Patriots, Broncos… Living in a free society allows us to pick what we like and not deal with what we don’t like. And all of us have our preferences. It stands to reason that the same would apply to churches.

For most people the questions usually asked are:

1. What’s the pastor like? Is he/she interesting to listen to? How long are the sermons?
2. What’s the music like? Is it contemporary or traditional? Is it too loud? Is it any good?
3. What are the people like? Are they friendly/accepting/judgmental?
4. What do they have for children and teens?
5. And perhaps most important – what do they believe? In particular what do they believe about _________ (you fill in the blank).

If you study the history of any or any denomination, you will find the reasons why it was founded. In the protestant tradition, churches/denominations were often founded because there was a need for “spiritual renewal.” In other cases, people found a particular issue – like Baptism, or the “right” form of church government – that became an issue. In many of these instances the question revolved around a particular interpretation of the Bible – or particular passages in the Bible.

In my 40 plus years of ministry I have watched churches “split” over issues of doctrine, practice, or particular issues; and in many instances a pastor has left one church and taken with him a group of people to form another “better” church.

For those who observe all of this, the question is often raised, “Why can’t these Christians get along with each other? I thought they were supposed to love each other and be united in what they believe?”

I believe there are some legitimate reasons for a “new” or “different” church to be started.

1. There are times when a specific doctrinal understanding in the Bible becomes so important to a group of Christians, that they cannot remain in a church that does not affirm that doctrine. An example might be the issue of Baptism. Should people be sprinkled or immersed? Should infants be baptized or dedicated?

2. There are matters of practice. This usually has to do with the interpretation and application of Biblical truth. For example: should a divorced person serve in a position of church leadership? Can women be ordained to ministry as a senior pastor?

3. There are matters of ministry. Should a church be built for believers or to attract non-believers? Does preaching Biblical Doctrine build a church or does a more “seeker-sensitive” approach reach more people? Should a church grow by planting churches, or should it simply keep getting physically larger so that it can become a “full-service church?”

Then there are some illegitimate reasons for starting new churches.

1. The Personality Trap

When a pastor becomes popular, he often gains a following who believe he can do no wrong. If he gets too much opposition in one setting, he can take the “faithful” with him and start another church. This is never healthy!

2. The Angry Response

I know of churches that started because a conflict got so heated that one side decided to leave and start a “new work.” Rather than seek to reconcile, or even part ways after trying to resolve the conflict, this type of situation is motivated by anger, resentment, and often outright hatred.

3. Immaturity

Similar to number one above, there are young, charismatic pastors who have a great popular appeal, but have neither the knowledge nor the experience to justify the large following they have. When this type of pastor starts a church, it is usually very superficial and will in time develop monumental internal problems.

Jesus said, “I will build my church…” and one of the marvels of that promise is that He chose to use fallible human beings to do so. In the final analysis, local churches come and go – you can’t go back to the Mediterranean Basin and find any of the churches Paul planted; but you can go virtually anywhere in the world and find God’s people meeting together as “the church.” Sometimes it is in large mega-churches and sometimes it is in secret cells or small groups, but God continues to use US to do His work in His church.

As the saying goes, “If you are looking for the perfect church and find it – don’t join it – you might ruin it!!” The fact is, there are no perfect churches and since there ARE a lot of them; find the one that best suits you and become a part of it – who knows; perhaps you’ll make it better!!

All of us struggle at one time or another with the questions of life. Who am I? Why am I here? Where is God when it hurts? In the monthly series “Pastor's Forum” your local Cambridge pastors answer some of life's most challenging questions from a Christian perspective. You can read earlier Pastor's Forum articles at http://pastorsforumcambridge.blogspot.com/.

Why Did God Allow Jesus To Be Punished For Our Sins?

Pastor Jim French

St. Luke's Cambridge

The Bible teaches us that when Jesus was nailed to the cross at Calvary, God placed the sins of the world upon him. Every sin that was ever committed; every lie, every murder, every rape that every occurred, God placed the penalty for that sin upon Jesus. In God's eyes, it was as if Jesus had committed each of those sins personally.

How could God do such a thing? How could he place the sins of the entire world on one single man? Is God some kind of sadist that he would torture Jesus for things he didn't even do? If God is a God of love how could he do that?

On the surface God's punishment of Jesus for our sins looks grossly unfair. There seems to be an apparent contradiction between God's love and his punishment. However we need only dig a bit deeper to resolve this apparent conflict.

To fully grasp Jesus' work on the cross we must first understand that Jesus is God. Although we cannot understand it, God has existed from all eternity as 1 God in 3 persons. God the Father is God, Jesus is God and Holy Spirit is God. Each person of the Trinity, although an individual is completely and totally God.

Jesus, as God, willingly, even joyfully accepted his mission on the cross. He chose to come into his creation and die on the cross to free us from our sins. God the Father did not punish Jesus for something he did not do, but rather Jesus chose to take our sins upon himself. God, in the person of Jesus Christ, chose to become sin for us and die to pay for our sins. His act upon the cross was an act of great mercy and love as he allowed sinful man (us) to crucify him.

Pastor Dick Brookes

Coila Church: Cambridge, New York

Most of us have a fundamental understanding of justice which usually works like this:

If you break a law, you need to:

1. Be found guilty for breaking the law.
2. Receive punishment for breaking the law.

We first learned this as children. When we disobeyed our parents, we were confronted by one or both parents, told what we did; then we were usually given a chance to either defend ourselves or apologize; then we received some sort of punishment.

When we are children, we spend a lot of time being “disciplined” because it seems that we are “good” at breaking the rules. The goal, of course, is to teach us the fact that breaking the rules has consequences, and when we grow up; those consequences are bigger than a spanking, not having dessert, or going to our rooms. Consequences for adults who face legal system can involve a lot more including large fines, community service, or even time in jail or prison.

The same is true in our relationship to God. God has established a standard by which we are to live. This standard is based upon his own character. The nature of God’s character is called “Holiness.” Or to put it in human terms – “God has no moral imperfections at all.” That is the basis upon which God established the “Law.” The reason God says, “Thou shalt not steal.” is nor because “not stealing” is a good idea and benefits society; but because God is not a thief.” When we disobey the law, we offend the character of God.

The problem we have, is that we are incapable of being HOLY - living our lives without any moral imperfections. In fact, quite often when we fail to keep the law, or find ourselves to have a moral failure, we often respond by saying: “Well, nobody’s perfect!!” That is certainly true, but the reality is, that is what God expects! When people come to realize that God’s expectation for us is “moral perfection,” the natural response ranges from frustration to desperation – “What HOPE do I have of ever being acceptable to God, if He requires me to be morally perfect? I can’t do it!!”

If we were in a room with a 20 foot ceiling, and I told you that you would receive 1 million dollars if you could jump and touch the ceiling, what would you do? You might jump in the air for fun, but basically you would say, “That’s not possible. Why should I even try.”

Meeting God’s standard of HOLY LIVING is impossible. In fact, not only is it impossible to live a Holy life on our own, it is impossible to “think” as a Holy man or woman. The reason is the reality of sin in our lives.

The good news is that before God even created the universe, He knew that this problem would exist. He decided to provide a solution to it. He would send his Son to be found guilty for all or our sin, and then receive the punishment for our sin (death) so that anyone who would put their faith in what Jesus Christ did for them, would be found NOT GUILTY, and their sentence to DEATH would be removed. This is the heart of the Christian Gospel. What we could not do for ourselves, God did for us. Jesus Christ was found guilty on our behalf and took our punishment so that we might no longer be condemned by God.

The first eight chapters of the book of Romans give a detailed account of this truth. I commend it to your reading.

All of us struggle at one time or another with the questions of life. Who am I? Why am I here? Where is God when it hurts? In the monthly series “Pastor's Forum” your local Cambridge pastors answer some of life's most challenging questions from a Christian perspective.

Why Do Christians Say Jesus the Only Way to God?

Pastor Dick Brookes

Interim Senior Pastor

The Coila Church

It sounds arrogant, doesn’t it – “Jesus is the only way to God!” So let’s get right at it!

“I am THE WAY, THE TRUTH, and THE LIFE. No one comes to the Father except through me.” Jesus speaking in John 14:6

“Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.” Peter speaking about Jesus to the Jewish leaders. Acts 4:12

Here’s the problem – no other religion provides a solution to the basic human problem. It doesn’t matter how GOOD people appear to be, eventually everyone has a dark side and it usually gets discovered. As a pastor, I can tell you about funerals I have performed for “wonderful people” – except for the stories their children and spouses told me or what the person who had died had already told me.

Someone once said to Jesus, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus replied, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God!” Luke 18:18-19

Most people believe if they are good enough God will accept them, and usually being religious, or sincere, is the measuring stick they assume God will use. But Jesus made it clear, the goodness is not defined on human terms, it is defined by the very character of God – in other words – moral perfection!

So here’s the question: are you GOOD ENOUGH according to God’s standards? If you’re honest, you will say, “Well, of course not, no one is perfect!” And you would be right.

So how do imperfect people become acceptable to a perfect God?

The answer is – someone else has made a way for you to be made perfect in the sight of God. When Jesus died on the cross, he died for you and your imperfections. All those things you have thought and done which you know are wrong, but you always hoped no one would ever find out about – God already knows about them. And He will hold you and me accountable for all of them. But when Jesus hung on the cross and died – he took all of your imperfections – what the Bible calls sins, - and he took them to the grave, and then left them there when he rose again.

The best other religions can do is make you look good on the outside for a while; but eventually the guilt and emptiness will return. God says, “Place you faith in My Son, and what He has done for you and I will accept what HE did on YOUR behalf. “Everyone who calls on the Lord Jesus Christ shall be saved.” Romans 10:13

You can do that RIGHT NOW!!

In Christ’s service,

Pastor Dick Brookes

Interim Senior Pastor

The Coila Church

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Pastor Jim French

St. Luke's Church

jim.french.137@gmail.com

Aside from being controversial, this is one of the most important of Jesus' claims. If Jesus really is the only

way to heaven everyone needs to know! But with all the different religions in the world how can Christians possibly claim that their way is the only way?

The first thing we need to understand is the claim to be the only way to heaven came directly from Jesus' lips. HE said HE is the ONLY WAY. In John 14:6 Jesus says, “I am the way the truth and the life, no one comes to the Father except by me.” And in John 10:9 he says, “I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture.” These claims to exclusion (to be the only way) are what Jesus said. The reason that Christians believe that Jesus is the only way to obtain salvation is because he said so!

But why would a loving God be so narrow minded as to make only one way to heaven? The simple answer is that only one path is sufficient (only the God/man Jesus can pay the penalty for our sins because only a perfect God/man could do so) and since Jesus restores our relationship with God he is the only path that is needed. (If you have built a bridge strong and wide enough to accommodate all who want to cross the river, why build another?)

As Pastor Dick stated so well in his article, Christianity is the only religion that solves our problem of separation from God. It's the only religion that provides forgiveness for our sins. Most other religions rely on “doing good” or being “good enough” to get to heaven. But that begs the question: “How much “good” do you have to do to qualify? How good is “good enough” to gain acceptance into heaven? The Bible says that “...all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment.” (Isaiah 64:6). Even our best works fall short of God's standards.

Jesus is the only way to heaven because only God is able to solve the problem of our sin. Christianity is the only religion where the God's great love provokes him to enter into his creation and become a part of it to save us. You see, it's God's work that reconciles us to Him, not ours.

That's why we put our faith and trust in Jesus Christ for our salvation, because only his perfect work on the cross is our bridge across the river.

Pastor Jim French

St. Luke's Church

jim.french.137@gmail.com

Does God Send Natural Disaster?

Pastor Dick Brookes

Interim Senior Pastor – The Coila Church

There is no doubt that the Biblical record provides numerous references to natural disasters that God did send as judgment against sin – the flood of Noah’s day and the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah are perhaps the two that most people can quickly think of.

But are ALL natural disasters “sent by God?” That is a more difficult question. Many of the examples of God sending destruction on earth were with a specific cause and effect intent – i.e. man sinned…God sent judgment. However, not all such events are “clearly” sent for such purposes. Scripture does not teach that EVERY tornado, hurricane, or earthquake; are to be signs that sin is being judged.

We are told that when human history reaches its end, there will be an increase in catastrophic activity as a sign that we are reaching the end of human history. In Romans 8:19-21 we are told that all of creation was thrown “off kilter” by the sin that entered the world in Genesis 3; and that the “groaning” of the universe for a day of restoration is the undergirding theological principle behind what we understand as “natural disasters.” The created universe is in many ways like a newborn child. At times it is beautiful and a great joy to experience; but every once in a while it’s selfish, willful side erupts and we realize that even our beautiful child has been affected by sin – so too the creation when it “let’s off steam.”

The “nagging” question however, is not whether God sends natural disasters, but how we find God in the midst of them? Where is God when a classroom of children is wiped out by a tornado? Where is God when a flash flood wipes out part of a family? Where is God when a tidal wave rips through Bangladesh? Where is God when a drought devastates part of a continent?

As a young pastor, I tried to provide answers to these questions. Now after 40 years of ministry, I realize how foolish I was to try and how infinitely incapable I am of answering these soul searching questions that demand a response, and yet yield no satisfactory answers – at least within the limits of our own human understanding.

The closest I can come is to say that somewhere between the magnificent nature of God that is BEYOND our ability to understand, and the unfathomable value of what it means to be a human being created in the IMAGE OF GOD lies insight which provides hope.

Hope for lost victim who have an eternal future which outweighs any pain they may have suffered here. Hope that provides those of us who remain that the goodness and holiness of God will overshadow whatever our limited understanding could grasp. And hope that in Jesus we find the bleeding, dying savior who is our ultimate source of identity when pain and sorrow take us to the brink of despair.

“What a friend we have in Jesus. All our sin and grief to bare.” –are not empty words; but the truth of a foundation upon which we can rest all of our unanswered questions and deepest sorrows.

Acts of God?

Pastor Jim French

St. Luke's Church

jim.french.137@gmail.com

When a tornado or an earthquake or a hurricane strikes it's natural to ask “Why God? How could a good God do this? Is this God's judgment?” Sometimes we even refer to natural disasters as “Acts of God” blaming Him for occurances that elude our understanding.

I've heard it said that Hurricane Katrina was God's judgment upon New Orleans for its sin and corruption. Indeed, with every new disaster we hear rumblings of God's judgment. Is God a God of judgment? Yes, the Bible makes that very clear. However, there is something else going on here.

I believe that natural disasters are not necessarily God's judgment upon the earth, but rather creation's reaction to the sin of humankind and God removing his hand of protection from us. The Bible tells us that mankind was given dominion over the earth through Adam and when he sinned not only did he and Eve fall, but all of creation fell too. “For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it [Adam], in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now.” (Romans 8:20-22 ESV) There is a spiritual connection between the earth and humanity and with the increase of sin in the world, the earth reacts, often violently.

For hundreds of years the United States has received God's grace and protection because we were founded as a Christian nation built on Christian values. In the first 150 years of our existence we blessed and honored God in nearly every area of society. But in the last 50 years we have told him to leave our government, our schools, and our public forums and he has complied. God gives us free will and he will never violate it. So in accordance to our wishes he has, in many areas, left us. And when he leaves, his hand of protection leaves with him. We have told him that we no longer want or need him and he will give us what we ask for.

What is the answer to averting more natural disasters in our nation? God gives us the answer in 2 Chronicles 7:14: “If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”

Are these natural disasters “Acts of God”? No, I don't believe so. Since we are ultimately responsible perhaps they should be more appropriately named “Acts of man”.

What Does It Mean To Be Saved?

“The ULTIMATE RESCUE!”
Pastor Dick Brookes

Interim Senior Pastor: The Coila Church

As tornadoes tore through Oklahoma this week, there were reports of people who were being “saved” from the wreckage. I have a friend who was a helicopter pilot for the Coast Guard and for years he was involved in “saving” people who were on sinking ships in the storms of the Atlantic Ocean.

“Saving” people is regularly the topic of news programs and articles in magazine. It usually involves someone being rescued from a potentially deadly situation. Some condition that traps you and perhaps enslaves you – such as the present horror of human trafficking.

“Salvation” is a central concept throughout the Bible. Israel was “saved” from its captivity in Egypt, Jonah was “saved” from being in the belly of the whale, the disciples were “saved” from the terror of a storm on the sea of Galilee, but the most common use of the term “saved” in the New Testament has to do with a different kind of rescue. It is a rescue that every human being needs; but which many either reject or are not interested in.

Years ago I had a visit at my home by a pollster from the Gallup organization. It was the first time I had ever had personal contact with a “pollster” and it was a very interesting experience. At the end of our conversation she asked me, “What do you believe is the greatest problem facing the United States today?” My immediate response was – “the economy.” She thanked me and went her way. But after she left I realized I had given her the wrong answer. The greatest problem in the U.S. or the world for that matter is sin! Sin traps people and enslaves them to lives that they hate. Every form of addiction, and every horrible character trait can be traced to this problem. Sin traps people and enslaves them. And whether that involves an addictive problem like drugs or alcohol or enslavement to selfishness and a mean spirit; it is something that ultimately destroys us from within.

The Gospel of Jesus Christ offers SALVATION – a RESCUE from the problem of sin. This is a free offer from God through faith in His Son Jesus Christ and it involves being saved on three levels:

First – we are JUSTIFIED by faith. That means we are saved from the PENALTY of sin. We are no longer headed for hell.

Second – we are SANCTIFIED by faith. That means that we are being saved from the POWER of sin in our lives. We are learning to access God’s power working through us to overcome our sin.

Third – we are finally GLORIFIED by faith. That means that when we die, we will be delivered from the very PRESENCE of sin. In God’s heavenly Kingdom, sin will no longer exist.

God’s salvation is the ULTIMATE RESCUE! Have your been rescued by God? Have you begun this wonderful journey of being rescued from the penalty of sin, the power of sin, and eventually the very presence of sin? It can begin today. “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you WILL BE SAVED!!”

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Why a Savior?
 
Pastor Jim French

St. Luke's Church

jim.french.137@gmail.com

Jesus told us that he came into the world, not to condemn it, but that through him the world might be saved

(John 3:17). To all who would receive him he offers a restored relationship with God (John 1:12). Since Jesus claimed to be the world's savior we must then conclude that we need saving. One does not need a savior unless one needs saving from something.

The bottom line is that we are all in trouble. The Bible says that we have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, (Rom 3:23). We have violated God's commands and stand separated from him with no way to restore our relationship; and that's why we need Jesus to save us from eternal death. Only Jesus can save us from ourselves.

I like to equate Jesus assignment on earth as a rescue mission. The human race was trapped in sin with no way to restore our relationship with God. Jesus mission was to restore that relationship with God through his death on the cross.

A few years ago an email floated around cyberspace that went something like this: There was a man who had climbed to the roof of his house to escape the rising waters of a terrible flood. The man prayed desperately that God would come and save him. A short while later the local police came by in a small boat and offered him rescue. The man declined saying, “No, God is going to save me.” Sometime later the police again came by in a larger boat and offered to take the man to safety. He once again declined saying, “No, I'm waiting for God to come and save me.” As the water threatened to wash the man to his death a police helicopter arrived dropping a rope-ladder to save him, but he refused to climb aboard insisting once again that God would save him. The water eventually swept the man to his death and he found himself immediately in the Lord's presence. The man looked at Jesus and said, “Lord, I'm confused. I prayed for rescue; why didn't you rescue me?” The Lord replied, “I sent you 2 boats and a helicopter, what more did you need?”

The point of the story is that each of us is the man caught in the flood. We need saving; someone to save us. We need a savior. But we also must make the choice to be saved. No one can force us to accept Jesus' offer of salvation. Each of us, on our own volition must make the choice to get in the boat. Each of us must choose to be saved by receiving Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. And he is the only way to be saved.

To be saved means that we are in right-standing with God; that our sins have been forgiven through the blood of Jesus Christ and we can stand before God blameless because of what Jesus did for us on the cross.