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Being Convicted Hurts! - Lee Snow

4/10/2015

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As a preacher, I'm always searching for new resources to help me teach people about the saving grace of Jesus Christ and His plan for saving His creation. My library is full of rubber-banded stacks of this Bible study course or that tract. I have even contemplated writing my own from time to time.  The PFP has even released a Keynote Bible Study just for helping people teach others! 

But I think I might have found my new favorite!

Sure, it doesn't stream Bible passages together to teach people the truth, it leaves that up to the person who will follow up with the perspective Christian. But what it does do is strike right to the heart of the person reading it and convict, encourage and instruct them about a very real possibility. 

I'm talking about the new book "I Died Last Night" by John Orr (published by Start2Finish Books). 

This Book Hurts!

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One person said, "It scared the Hell out of me, literally!" I completely agree! 

I Died Last Night was amazingly blunt in its delivery of some very scary truths! As the story follows the first few moments of a man's life in torments after passing from this life, you read about his first impressions of the place, his encounters with people from his past life and even those who lived long before him. 

The imagery of demons, pain and memories is so vivid that one person said, "Don't read this book before you go to sleep at night!" - I wish I had read that quote before starting to read it at 10PM one night!
But it's not just the imagery or the great style of writing that makes "I Died Last Night" a convicting read, although that might be enough. This book strikes at the heart of American religion today! It addresses many misconceptions and concerning truths. Like the conversation the main character has with a mega-preacher in torments who admittedly suppressed the truth for popularity and wealth or the encounter the character has with a "friend" of old who points out some very common flaws that many of us can admit to having at one point or another.
"Every man ought to hear his own eulogy before he dies."
- I Died Last Night
John Orr uses Biblical truths and amazing word pictures to take you down into the depths of hell and make you honestly look at your life.  If you read this book, be warned, because it will hurt your ego and destroy your pride!

I highly recommend every single person reads this book and buys copies (that's right, multiples) to give to every person they know!
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Tips for Starting A Church Website - Lee Snow

3/27/2015

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As a graphic designer that works in building websites for churches, I am seeing a dramatic increase in the number of churches that are looking to step into the realm of internet evangelism, and I AM SO EXCITED! I mean, it's about time that we start getting the Gospel of Jesus Christ out into the world wide web when the majority of it is inundated with sin and ungodliness. 

That being said, there are some things that we need to keep in mind when we're starting the congregation's website...

You're Not Investing In Retirement!

There are tons of resources for website hosting and design out there that are absolutely great at what they do but they cost so much that the sticker shock often keeps churches from having the most effective websites. In a knee-jerk reaction, churches see the price of maintaining a professional website through these third parties and instead go to the cheapest, and worst, options out there. You're not saving for your retirement here. Make sure that the host you decide to use is going to be something the church can keep going even if the contribution starts to drop off. 

Here are a couple websites that I recommend for churches to use that are cheap, effective, and user friendly (remember, the person building the church's website may not be around forever so get a host that anyone can pick up quickly and with little down time):
  • Weebly.com - This is what we use at the PFP! You can go as cheap as completely free, and it's by far the most user friendly in my opinion. 
  • Squarespace.com - Another great resource. Sometimes a little more pricey and it does have some quirks user-interface wise, but the product is absolutely great!
  • Wordpress.com - In my opinion, Wordpress is the least user-friendly platform on this list but it is still pretty easy and inexpensive. 
  • Wix.com - When the top three don't work, use Wix. It's my last recommendation when I'm working with churches on their websites, but it's much better than many of the options on the market today. 

The Website Is Your Electronic Foyer!

Imagine you are new to your city and looking for a church to visit on Sunday. What do you need to know about the local church of Christ before you walk into the auditorium to begin worship?

In most church buildings, there is an area right when the visitor walks in where he finds tracts, a welcoming face, information about the church and even some insight into the coming worship service (like the bulletin). Your website needs to have the same things!

I can't remember how many people I have talked through over the years that were visiting with us that already knew everything about us before they even stepped foot into the building, and it helped them feel at home. While there's something to say about having evangelistic material on a churches website (I'll write about that later), always remember that when a person gets done viewing your website they need to feel at least like they wouldn't be a fish out of water when they come on Sunday. 

Mimicry Isn't Stealing!

This is the point when I get the strangest looks when sitting down to design a website for churches. It goes something like this...

Me - "Ok, so have you looked around and found some websites that you like that we can take the ideas and run with?"

Church Member - "Well, no... I didn't think about it really." 

Before you EVER sit down to make your church's website, go find at least five other church websites that have things you'd like to have on your site. Each website needs to be specific to your congregation so don't expect to just use the standard template with the standard stuff on it and be done. In this case, stealing is permitted (so long as you aren't stealing copyrighted works of course)!
There you have it. Short and sweet. Hopefully these website tips will help you in your efforts to make the best site for your local church. If you have any questions, feel free to ask them in the comments or contact us at the PFP. 

Question: 
What feature do you find MOST helpful/interesting when viewing a website for a local congregation?
(Tell us in the comments)

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Joylessly Doomed? - Lee Snow

3/25/2015

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When you read the Old Testament, you come face to face with a nation whose eyes seem to be set on being destroyed. Not because God wasn't there for them, He was (Joshua 1:9), not because they liked being under bondage to heathen gentiles, they didn't (Exodus 2:23), not because they didn't know any better, they did (cf. Jeremiah 4:6). Israel had her eyes set on destruction because they would, from their very beginning, give themselves over to idolatry and thanklessness for all that God had done and was going to do for them. When they were taken out of Egypt by their loving Father in Heaven, they gave up (Exodus 14:11). When they were provided for in the wilderness, not even having their shoes wear out, they wanted more (Numbers 21:5). When they were taught the righteous ways of worship, they turned to pieces of wood, stone and metal as their gods (Judges 8:33). Yes, Israel seems to have wanted their destruction. 

But, we know that isn't the case. Even today we see people that seem to want their eternal damnation, but it is only because they do not understand the immense repercussions of such. Once a woman told me, "I'm driving the bus to hell and I'll give anyone a ride!" And even though I know she meant it, I also know that she didn't really understand the meaning of her words. 

I believe that many people, and even Israel of old, willfully turn their backs on God because they believe that the strait gate (cf. Matthew 7:13-14) is the gate of joylessness and despair. They see following God as a burden they aren't willing to bear! At least, I know that was the motivation behind the statement of the self-proclaimed bus driver mentioned above. 

But God commands that His followers do so with joy in their hearts (cf. Deuteronomy 28:47, Philippians 4:4). 

Why?

Because Pessimism is  Powerless

When we allow pessimism to control our thoughts, it will control our actions. We will no longer seek to follow Christ and teach others to do so, because we won't see a point in it! Let's face it, the Christian life is difficult. In fact, Jesus promised such (Matthew 7:13-14). He went as far as to say that persecution will come (Luke 17:1). He even said that some of us would have to look death in the face for our faith (Revelation 2:10)! 

Pessimism lives on these verses. Because the joyless disciple wants to relish the fact that he will stumble (cf. Romans 3:23). And, when he faces these temptations, persecutions and doubts, he will give up just like the Israelites did. He is powerless to them because of his lack of joy!

Because Joy Takes Commitment

Those passages are Scripture and therefore they are true. We will face troubles in this life. Therefore, joy takes true commitment. Anyone can follow the commands for action in the Bible, but it takes a true follower of God to follow the heart of the Bible! Remember, Christianity isn't just the do's and don't's, it's also the thoughts and attitudes (John 4:24). 

God doesn't want the Sunday and (maybe) Wednesday Christians! He wants the 25/8 Christians that live His Way regardless of the time of day, circumstance or outcome. He wants His people to be wholly committed to the cause. And therefore, He wants His saints to work tirelessly for the joy set before them even in the shadow of despair just like He did (cf. Hebrews 12:2). His commands of joyful Christianity are commands of commitment!

Because It's the End That Counts

Sure, you are going to have to give up some things to follow Christ. In fact, you are going to have to deny your entire being to follow Him (Matthew 16:24) but it isn't the present that is important! 

What does it truly matter if we suffer things in this life when it is the afterlife for which God created us (cf. Ecclesiastes 12:13)?

Joy is vital to the Christian walk because it allows us to see past the present and see to the future (2 Corinthians 4:18). 

If we will strive to follow Him with joy, we won't give up we won't fail and we won't fall because we will know that pessimism not only gives us no power but that it sucks what little power we did have away. Just like in the case of the Israelites. They had the power to overcome their situations, they had the power to stay faithful to God Almighty. But their pessimism destroyed their chances all because they failed to follow Him with joy in their hearts. And so they were doomed. 

What are some ways that we can help each other stay joyful in our walks with Christ?

Photo Credit: https://www.flickr.com/photos/akujur5/4687278239
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3 HUGE Problems with the Sinner's Prayer - Lee Snow

3/19/2015

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It must have been somewhere around 1998 or 1999. In a somewhat large church building in the middle of town the local denomination was holding their yearly Judgment House. 

If you haven't seen or heard of this practice, a Judgment House is the spiritual haunted house. Instead of monsters and serial killers, there is a car wreck or some other disaster that ends the life of a young teen (possibly younger) that had never "accepted Jesus into his heart". You walk though rooms filled with the events leading up to the horrible accident (in this case it was a wild high school party filled with as much alcohol as a rebellious teenager could ever imagine - the alcohol was just red SOLO cups filled with water), the back yard with crushed cars and screaming (the actual one in this article is pictured above), a mock hospital room wherein the parents are told of their young son's leaving this life, the funeral filled with crying teenagers and then, eventually, the group that you are in is brought into a beautiful white room smelling of baby powder and fake smoke (you're in Heaven awaiting the Judgment). There's a tall middle aged man standing in beautiful white robes and a line of those high school students that died in the crash you witnessed earlier. He tells the young lady that she has been accepted into Heaven and the angels come to great her. The next is told the same thing. And the next. But then he gets to the young man dressed in the black that you recognize from the pictures at the funeral scene. And...he is reminded of his infidelities and is banished from the presence of the tall man. Screams immediately begin. You come into a pitch black room filled with the most horrible screaming and ominous laughing you have ever heard (that's hell). It is here when a man who is obviously the "Youth Pastor" steps in front of the group and asks a simple question, "Do you want this to happen to you?" followed by instructions to those that do not to go to a special counseling room to speak with one of the volunteers. In that room, an eight or nine year old boy is told to pray a prayer to escape the coming Judgment that might happen at any time. 

That eight or nine year old boy, was me. And the prayer that I prayed at the help of the volunteer was the Sinner's Prayer.

But, thankfully, latter in life I was taught something so different, so unique that it intrigued me. And, after learning the Truth of God's Word, I was baptized for the remission of my sins. 

I said prayers before that, but none of them culminated in my salvation. Because the Sinner's Prayer is fundamentally flawed...

The Sinner's Prayer Fails to Teach Obedience to God's Law

"...in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ." - 2 Thessalonians 1:8
Read that verse again. 

Did you catch it? Paul told the Thessalonians that Jesus was coming back and in doing so would bring judgment on those who did not "obey the gospel of Jesus Christ"!

The Sinner's Prayer fails to teach people how to do this. Not only because it is found nowhere in the Gospel of Jesus Christ (How can a person be taught something from a source that mentions nothing about it? It's like learning about geometry from a book on how to eat an Oreo.) but also because there is no real sense of obedience within the Sinner's Prayer. 

It is just something you utter, like a magical spell, that forces God to give you salvation, instead of the Biblically defined acts which ask God for salvation through doing what He has commanded (cf. 1 Peter 3:21). 

The Sinner's Prayer Keeps People from the Blood of Christ

In the Scriptures, we find the account of a woman plagued with blood problems reaching out to Jesus for healing (Luke 8:43-48). Her healing occurred because she touched Him and, in a somewhat similar fashion, we are to do the same. Remember, those that obey the Gospel will be those that are saved from wrath on the Day of Judgment (2 Thessalonians 1:8). 

But, what is the "Gospel of Jesus Christ" that we are to obey? - Paul said that it was the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:1-4). So the question is, "How can we obey something that Jesus already did? Are we supposed to be crucified, buried and rise from the dead? How in the world can we do THAT?"

That is where it gets remarkably simple (almost like God planned for it to be easily found and obeyed)!

We are crucified with Christ in understanding our sins, repenting of them and being obedient to His commands (Romans 6:1-3, Galatians 2:20). 

We are buried with Christ when we are immersed in water for the forgiveness of our sins (Romans 6:4, Acts 22:16). 

We are risen from the grave with Him when we are raised from the water and begin our new life in Him (Romans 6:5, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Galatians 3:27). 

The Sinner's Prayer fails to show people how to access that Gospel. And in doing so, it fails to show people how to touch Him and His blood!

The Sinner's Prayer Teaches Apathy Instead of Commitment

Finally, the Sinner's Prayer requires absolutely no lasting commitment to Christ. Think about it, in a matter of one hour and a (maybe) 30 second prayer, I was told that I was then saved having made no real commitment or learning anything about Him. 

People have been teaching the Sinner's Prayer for years, and the vast majority of those who have prayed that prayer never changed their lives, never darkened the door of a church building for worship, never taught anyone else. Why? Because they didn't know what they were doing? The prayer that they prayed was, and is, seen as a magical spell that fixed everything when in fact they didn't have time to count the cost and assess what they were doing. 

So, not only did the Sinner's Prayer not teach me a change of life, it didn't show me how to access Christ's blood and it definitely didn't teach me to obey any commands because it isn't a command. 

If you prayed the Sinner's Prayer, tell us about the circumstances in the comments!

Photo Credit: http://www.orlandoweekly.com/imager/haunted-houses-of-the-holy/b/slideshow/2281231/d75f/awjudgmentjpg
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The Foundation of Denominationalism - Lee Snow

3/13/2015

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Denominationalism is a plague on our society. Not simply because the division of religious beliefs causes us to be divided in other things (think of the political division in our country, the majority of it stems from moral disagreements founded upon the differing religious beliefs of each side's adherents), but because it causes mankind to leave God's Way for our own opinions. It divides families in much the same way the Civil War did, just using words instead of musket balls. It tears long-time friendships apart. It produces allegiances to man rather than to God. 

It is a disease that all of us battle at some point in our lives. 

All members of the church have someone in their family, friends or at the very least Facebook friends list that is forever against them because of their faith in Christ. 

I myself have lost family members to the world because of my persistent belief and obedience in Jesus and His Way.

But, what is the foundation of denominationalism? From where does this evil grow? 

The explorer Richard Burton, a man well traveled and studied, once said:
"The more I study religions the more I am convinced that man never worshipped anything but himself."
- Richard Francis Burton
Paul said it like this:
"For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers..."
- 2 Timothy 4:3
The Apostle prophesied, in a sense, of a coming time in which the love of self and selfish ambitions would cause division within Christ's body and warned Timothy to fight against it "tooth and nail". 

But the fact is, denominationalism stems from a worship of self. Ever religious group outside of the church built by Jesus Christ has been founded out of this very fact. 

The moment we begin to think ourselves as something special, our thoughts as improvements on the Standard, our traditions as equal with His commands, we have begun the process of forming our own denomination. And that denomination may not ever get to the point of having a world headquarters or its own hierarchy but a denomination can be made of a single person if we allow it. 

Question: What are some ways that we can combat the worship of self in today's world?

Photo Credit: https://flic.kr/p/9auSpQ
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MTAT: Outcome Leadership - Lee Snow

3/10/2015

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"How many baptisms have you had this past year?"

"What size is the congregation?"

"Does the church where you preach meet its budget every week, month or year?"

All of these statements, and many many more, are said on a regular basis in preachers' meetings or the meetings of elders from different churches. It seems as though leaders and those seeking to be leaders in the church have an infatuation with these sorts of statistics. And, for the most part, they are perfectly fine and said out of honest and sincere hearts. In fact, I myself are a "numbers guy" and most likely keep track of many more matrices that you might think are somewhat strange for a preacher to take note of. But, there's something that needs to be said about these statements... 
That's right! Take it straight from the keyboard of a numbers guy, outcome oriented leadership is dangerous if done for the wrong reasons or taken to an extreme. 

When we begin to measure a church's faithfulness to Christ by its numbers or statistics, we are not only doing ourselves a disservice, but the members of that congregation as well. 

Let me ask you a few very simple questions. - By the time the story of Acts was concluded (somewhere around A.D. 62), how many Christians were there? How many conversions occurred during the fiscal year of A.D. 60? Did the church at Thessalonica meet its budget in A.D. 74?

We don't know the answers to those questions, do we? If God has given us everything that we ought to know in order to stay faithful and teach others to stay faithful (2 Timothy 3:16-17, 2 Peter 1:3), and we absolutely needed to know those things, why don't we have them recorded? I believe the reason is because numbers and statistics matter very little in the scheme of things. The only thing that truly matters is this question, "Were people taught the Way and did I live my life in fear of God and obedience to His commands?"

I'm all for keeping track of numbers. They help us see a where we are in our efforts. But they aren't everything!

As leaders in Jesus' church, let's seek to make a difference in people's lives. And if keeping numbers and track of outcomes helps us do that, let's keep them in their rightful place. 

They are outcome oriented, and outcome leadership is dangerous!

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When Pride is A Good Thing - Lee Snow

3/9/2015

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Romans 15:17

"Therefore I have reason to glory in Christ Jesus in the things which pertain to God..."
We often speak of pride in a negative, even sinful, way and rightfully so since Scripture has so much to say against the feeling depicted in those five letters (Proverbs 16:18, Obadiah 3, Proverbs 11:2, etc.). I highly doubt that many of us would be willing to boldly say that pride, at times and in certain situations, is actually a good thing. But, that is in fact the truth. Pride can be a good thing! Let's look at some passages very quickly wherein Paul shows pride and it is a beneficial thing, especially to the Gospel.
In what is probably one of the most popular passages in the New Testament on pride, James 4, James used the word translated "proud" to speak of a specific sin which his readers were committing, namely that of being prideful in their planning for the future (James 4:16). However, the word he used to discuss a very dangerous sin is the exact same word used by Paul to speak of his ministering to and converting of the Gentiles! The Apostle went as far as to say that he possessed the ability to "glory" because of the things he was able to do, in Christ. 

2 Corinthians 1:12, 7:4, 7:14, 8:24 and 11:10

"For our boasting is this:the testimony of our conscience that we conducted ourselves in the world in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom but by the grace of God, and more abundantly toward you."

"Great is my boldness of speech toward you, great is my boasting on your behalf. I am filled with comfort. I am exceedingly joyful in all our tribulation."

"Therefore show to them, and before the churches, the proof of your love and of our boasting on your behalf."

"As the truth of Christ is in me, no one shall stop me from this boasting in the regions of Achaia."
Wow! Paul was busy being prideful in 2 Corinthians, and I think the reason for such is very interesting. Like in his treatise on Justification, i.e. Romans, Paul speaks proudly (pridefully, boastingly, etc.) about his being able to preach the Gospel (11:10) and many other things which are in a slightly different category. In 2 Corinthians, Paul is prideful of the full life that he lead because of his Christianity (1:12), of the repentance that took place in the hearts and actions of the Corinthian church upon his strong rebuke (7:4), the refreshing they provided Titus during his time with them (7:14) and the Corinthian church's abundant giving for the needy saints in Jerusalem (8:24). 

1 Thessalonians 2:19

"For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming?"
This passage wherein pride is spoken of in a positive way is my personal favorite. 1 Thessalonians 2:19 records the Apostle to the Gentiles, the most effective evangelist in all of Scripture, the driving force behind the church at Thessalonica's founding, being prideful because he was able to change the lives and have a part in the salvation of lost souls! Preaching is the best profession on earth. Not because of the lucrative pay, not because of the status among Christians but because we can look around and see souls that we have had an impact on now following Christ faithfully! THAT is something Paul was "rejoicing" over. THAT is something Paul was proud of!
Now, did you catch the main theme of all of these passages? Sure, pride is sinful when it is based upon one's own actions or founded upon a false sense of self. But when we are proud of what we, or others, have been able to do to further the cause of Christ or change the lives of the lost, it is a good thing!
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Stop Saying, "Well, At Least They Believe in God" - Lee Snow

3/6/2015

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We've all said it and to a point it is good. It goes something like this, "I know that _____ isn't a Christian, but at least they believe in God." Now, don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that statement is bad all of the time but I think there is a passage of Scripture we ought to take into consideration when we say it. 
Then Paul stood in the midst of the Areopagus and said, "Men of Athens, I perceive that in all things you are very religious; for as I was passing through and considering the objects of your worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: "TO THE UNKNOWN GOD." Therefore, the One whom you worship without knowing, Him I proclaim to you: - Acts 17:22-23
I love what the Faithlife Study Bible app's notes has to say about this passage:
"This is known in retoric as the capitatio benevolentiae. Paul's compliment insinuates the Athenians not only are religious but superstitious. They cannot discern the true nature of God. Paul's compliment implies the Athenians are not as wise as they think, although they may have noble aspirations. The ambiguity of the term reflects the ambiguity in their thinking. With this compliment, Paul redirects his audience's attention and puts them on trial instead."
That is a great way of summarizing what is happening in Acts 17:22-23. Paul sees that they are people who believe something, and even praises them on that point, but at the same time sees that their belief is false and in need of rebuke and therefore addresses that with them. It's a good thing when a prospective Christian starts with a belief in God but the moment we allow that to become a crutch, an excuse, a reason to not attempt to convert them with the same veracity that we would address the militant atheist, we have ceased having the mind of Paul. 

There are millions of souls on earth today that have some remnant of a belief in God but are doing nothing more than following superstitions, unable to "discern the true nature of God." 

Instead of making an excuse so we can feel better about not approaching them right now, or at all, with the Gospel, we ought to see them in the same way we see the atheist, Muslim, Hindu or any other person who has not obeyed the Gospel of Christ. That is, we ought to see them as a soul on its way to eternal punishment and in need of the saving grace of Jesus Christ!
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PFP: Wherefore Remember - Andrew Crowe

3/5/2015

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Memory is a wonderful thing. Man is able to remember the things which he deems to be important. For instance, a man, if he values his life, will remember the date of his anniversary. Sometimes, try as we might, things get forgotten. For instance, this author is horrible with names. While he hates to admit such a thing, it is true. After he mentioned this in a sermon, a sister in Christ spoke to him after services concerning a trick to remember someone’s name. She told him to take that person’s name and an item nearby. He would remember the item when he sees that person and remember the name. To this day this author cannot remember her name but he remembers that she was wearing a blue blouse. Memory is a funny thing.

It is not a bad thing to be reminded of things one already knows. “This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance” (2 Peter 3:1). The problem is that some seem to forget more than they remember. One may be reminded of a congregation in the Bible who seemed to have an issue with forgetting. There are three instances in which the congregation at Ephesus was told to remember. Paul, while speaking to the elders of the congregation, said, “Therefore, watch, and remember…” (Acts 20:31). Christ told the congregation, “Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen…” (Rev. 2:5). The most notable is found in Ephesians 2:11. It is here that Paul tells the congregation, “Wherefore remember…”. It seems that the congregation was in the process of becoming what is read in Revelation. Paul is trying to encourage them to remember certain things throughout the whole chapter in the hopes of stopping the process which has begun. This verse serves as the backdrop to one of this preacher’s favorite chapters of the Bible. Why is this chapter a favorite of his? It reminds him of three very important facts. These facts are things every Christian should try to remember. Why? Discouragement can come in a number of ways. These discouragements will bombard the Christian and cause a loss of focus. When that focus is lost there are a number of things which the Christian can easily forget. When the act of forgetting occurs, it becomes easy for the Christian to fall away. What three things should we remember?

1. Remember What You Were

It is not a bad thing to be reminded of what one was in time past. Paul would sometimes recall the fact that he was once a harsh persecutor of the church but did not allow that to hold him back from the work of the church (Phil. 3:2, 13-14). In this chapter, Paul reminds the congregation of their former condition.

Dead in Sins (2:1)
“And you hath He quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins” (Eph. 2:1). Paul refers to the fact that the past sins of these Gentiles had put them in a state of spiritual death! What does it mean for a person to be dead spiritually? James wrote that death occurs when the soul is separated from the body (James 2:26). Keeping that in mind, there must be some sort of separation to occur for one to become dead spiritually. What kind of separation will cause such a state? Paul indicates that it is separation from God as at one time these Ephesians were “without God” (v. 12, cf. Is. 59:1-2). These Gentiles were at one time in a state of separation from the One True God due to the sins they had committed.

A List of the Gentile Condition (2:11-12).
“Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world” (Eph. 2:11-12). If only the time could be taken to cover the entire scope of these two verses. Paul delves deeper into the spiritual condition of these individuals before obeying the gospel of Christ. They did not know Christ, much less His gospel, and as such could not obey Him to receive His blessings. They were foreigners who were not privy to the blessings of Israel and to the Abrahamic Promise. They were also without any hope. One may think of an individual who is told that he has a terminal illness and think of one with no physical hope. How much more painful is it to be without spiritual hope? As their spiritual location was “in the world” they were separated from God!

2. Remember What Was Done

Paul points out three central beings that played an important in the salvation of man. It would do well to remember the part which all played.

God’s Part (2:4, 5, 8)
 God played an important role in the salvation of man. In this chapter, one would read of two great things God showed to mankind (Eph. 2:4). God has shown a great amount of mercy to His creation. Even though mankind has committed sin, He is compassionate to our needs. In this mercy, His grace has been shown to mankind (Eph. 2:5, cf v. 8). Grace is unmerited favor. Man was not so good that God decided to save him. It was through the mercy and grace of God that a Savior was sent into the world.

Christ’s Part (2:7)
 This mercy and grace was shown through Christ (Eph. 2:7). It was important that His blood be shed in order for this to occur (2:13). It is important to note that one must come in contact with the blood of Christ in order for the blessings of Christ to occur. All spiritual blessings are found in Christ Jesus, which includes the forgiveness of sins (Eph 1:3, 7). Therefore, it is important that one come in contact with the blood of Christ in order to be privy to these blessings (Gal. 3:27). That means there is another who plays a role in man’s salvation.

Man’s Part (2:8).
Paul told these Christians “For by grace ye are saved through faith…” (Eph. 2:8). Faith is man’s part in salvation and we are not talking about faith only (Jam. 2:24).  One could study the Ephesians and note that they played an active role in their salvation. One should note that these: Heard and Believed (Eph. 1:13), Repented (Acts 20:21), Confessed (Acts 19:18), and were Baptized (Acts 19:1-5; Eph. 4:5).

Many would say that the idea of man having to do something to be saved negates God’s grace. This is not true. If I were to offer a $50 dollar bill to anyone in the audience stating that to get it one would need to walk to me to get it, would that negate the fact that I am freely giving away $50 dollars despite tacking on a requirement to receive it? No, therefore, God stating a man must obey His commands before He can be saved does not negate the gift of grace.

3.  Remember What You Are

Made Alive in Christ (2:5)
When a man is still in his sins he is dead but when he obeys the gospel of Christ he is quickened or made alive (Eph. 2:5; Romans 6:3-6). That one is buried with Christ in baptism and the old man of sin is crucified. When that old man was put to death, the Christians in Ephesus were now living a life different from that which they lived in time past.

Made to Be Part of the One Body (Eph. 2:14-18; 1:22-23)
Christ played the role of the ultimate peacemaker (Matt. 5:9). He did this by taking two warring factions and united them together in one body. There was a literal wall which stood between the Jews and Gentiles. There was a partition in the temple court which divided the two. This wall bore an inscription which forbad Gentiles from going further. There was also a spiritual wall between the two. Christ tore down that wall with His death on the cross. He took two groups and made them to be part of one body (Eph. 1:22-23; Rom. 16:16).

There is so much more which could be said about this chapter and many verses which we were forced to skip. Why is this chapter one of my favorites? Think of a cleaning product on television. They usually show the before product. A shirt which was once pure bright but now covered in grass, dirt, and a host of other stains. This cleaning product is applied to the shirt and it is washed. The commercial then shows a before and after shot. While at one time the shirt was deeply stained, the cleaning solution was applied to it and it is now white as it once was.

Paul reminds the Ephesians (and us) of that same truth. Christians were at one time deeply stained in sin and in a terrible condition. When the decision was made to obey the gospel of Christ, we came in contact with the cleansing solution of Christ’s blood. How did it affect them? They were cleansed of their sins and in a glorious condition as members of the body of Christ. It is important that all Christians remember these great truths. This is why this chapter is one of this preacher’s favorite passages.
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Rubies: Read Your Bible & Pray Everyday - Caitlin Gary

3/5/2015

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There is a children’s Bible song that I sing to my daughter entitled “Read Your Bible and Pray Everyday.” You may already be familiar with this song, but it goes on to say that if we read our Bibles and pray everyday we will grow, and if we neglect to read our Bibles and forget to pray we will shrink. This is such a simple little song, and yet has such a powerful message! If we are not taking the time to strengthen our faith, then we are weakening it. 

Study

The importance of studying our Bible should be obvious. The Bible is all the information that we are given. What do you know about God that did not come from the Bible? It contains all of the knowledge that we need to become a Christian and then how to live as a child of God (2 Peter 1:3). It is the very foundation of our faith. It is amazing to me how basic it seems to remind Christians to read their Bibles, and yet how many do not study on a regular basis. When did God and Bible study become part of our lives instead of the whole of our lives? 

Our sole purpose in this life is to bear fruit (John 15:8). How will we be able to teach others if we ourselves do not know what the Bible teaches? The apostle Peter tells us “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and in fear” (1 Peter 3:15). The inspired writer, Paul, reminds us to “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15). The more time we put between our Bible studies, the more space we place between ourselves and God.  God wants us to listen to His word, and draw near unto Him and He will draw near unto us (James 4:8). God does not expect His children to stumble blindly through life. He gave us the instruction manual and it is our responsibility to read and follow it. 

Pray

Communication is a two-way street, and it is not healthy when only one person in the relationship is doing all of the talking. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 reads, “Pray without ceasing.” Does this mean that we are to spend all of our time in prayer? Well yes, and no. It would be foolish to do nothing but pray, but I do think that we should always have prayer on our minds. Just as studying God’s word should be a way of life, so should prayer. I think that there are times when a long, organized prayer is required but there are sometimes when you may not have much time or you may not know exactly for what to pray. Throughout the day, I find that it is best to leave the lines of communication open and send up small prayers for the need at hand. I always try to look for things to pray, whether it is thanking God for the rain outside, praying for the person in the ambulance that just passed, or praying that I might have patience in dealing with my children. God accepts brief prayers too. The important thing is that we are praying regularly. God also wants us to come to Him with our struggles (James 5:13). We are to lay our burdens at His feet and pray with the faith that God will take care of us (James 1:6). Even when we are so distressed that we are not sure what to pray, we can take comfort in the fact that the Holy Spirit intercedes for us (Romans 8:26). God knows our every need and He will take care of us. 
Photo Credit: https://marksremarksdotorg.files.wordpress.com/2012/07/quiet-time.jpg
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