Category Archives: Theology

02.19.14
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Seven Things New Christians Should Know

new Christian

New Christians are like a teenager learning to drive a manual car. You can probably learn to drive stick on your own, but you will stall out, get frustrated and probably want quit. It’s so much better when someone teaches you. You’ll still stall, probably get frustrated but at least someone is teaching you. You can grow as a Christian without help but it is so much better with a little direction.

Billy Graham said, “The decision is 5 percent, following up the decision is 95%. Salvation is free, but discipleship costs everything we have.”

Here are seven things you should know as you begin your new life:

1.  YOUR SOUL WILL STARVE WITHOUT THE WORD.

You need God. You need more of Him every day. God speaks to us through His Word. The most significant thing you will ever do in your life is listen. Find a common time and place, open up your Bible and read through a book. Jot down a few observations and what the passage is asking you to do. Feed yourself every day.

2.  YOU WILL BE DOING WHAT GOD WANTS WHEN YOU TELL SOMEONE.

Do not listen to this lie that is running through your head: “I’m not ready to share my faith yet.” Just do it. Tell a friend, a sibling, parent or roommate. Tell them about the decision you made and why you made it. You will be nervous scared terrified. Thankfully someone overcame their fears and told you.

3.  YOU WILL GROW WHEN YOU FIND SOMEONE TO TEACH YOU.

Call it what you want: a discipleship, mentorship or “you-know-more-than-me-ship”. Find someone who has been doing this Christian thing for a while and ask them to lead you. It is amazing how much you will grow when you do not have to go at it alone.

4.  YOU WILL NEVER GET OVER THE GOSPEL OR MOVE BEYOND IT. 

Paul said that we would spend our life working out our salvation (Phil 2:12). So, spend your life diving deeper and deeper into the pool that is the Gospel. His death, burial and resurrection is a mystery you will spend your entire life figuring out.

5.  REMEMBER YOU ARE NOT PERFECT, BUT FORGIVEN.

Do not hold yourself responsible for sins Jesus no longer holds against you. You are forgiven. You will still struggle with the same things you did before you met Jesus – that’s okay. You are free to struggle, you no longer have to struggle to be free.

6.  YOU WERE CREATED FOR COMMUNITY, SO LOVE HIS CHURCH.

Find people who gather together to worship and hear from His Word every week. The church is the people of God. Love God’s people – even when it is difficult. Worship, learn and grow in community. You need a pastor and a family to hold you accountable. You also need a place to serve. Make it a priority.

7.  YOUR LIFE WILL BE POWERLESS IF YOU DO NOT TALK WITH GOD.

Pray. Pray when you make decisions. Pray when you are walking to class. Pray for your friends. Pray for your enemies. Pray when it difficult. Always pray. God speaks to you through the Bible, but he wants to hear from you in prayer.

02.03.14
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The Super Bowl, Seahawks and Jesus

fansVictory.

Sweet victory.

Admittedly, I am more of a bandwagon fan than a loyal Seahawk supporter. Either way, I watched and enjoyed every snap of the Seahawks win yesterday. There is something great about your team winning. The game will not go down in history as the greatest, but it doesn’t matter much to the players or the fans. Victory is all that mattered.

Victory always results in celebration. Within moments of the final whistle, the neon green and blue confetti began to fall upon MetLife stadium. The city of Seattle erupted in party – one huge party. The last time the city experienced this kind of victory was 1979 when the Sonics won the NBA championship. It is reported that fireworks were launched as students celebrated on the campus of the University of Washington. Victory demands celebration.

There is a parade coming to Seattle on Wednesday. People will line the streets, I’m certain there will be a few tears shed as the masses pay tribute to victory. But there will be defeat again. We will crave victory again. It may be fun to celebrate the moment, but it is only a moment. The Seahawks will not win the Super Bowl every year.

There was a different victory, it was won on a Jerusalem hillside and as a result, defeat has been forever abolished.

Listen to these words written by Paul in 1 Corinthians.

“Death has been swallowed up in victory. Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.  But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Death has been defeated. Jesus is victorious. Sin has lost its power. Victory demands celebration.We do not celebrate enough. Maybe Heaven will be one big, everlasting celebration. 

What would our church look like if every Sunday we gathered together to celebrate victory? How would your morning change if you woke up breathing the air of victory? Would your perspective be different if you knew death has been defeated and will never see victory?

Victory, sweet victory!