Can a Christian Be Gay? (Part 1)

Can a Christian Be Gay? (Part 1)

Shavuot and the Christian significance of Jewish holidays

Shavuot and the Christian significance of Jewish holidays is the Christian faith part of the Jewish Faith ?

A living sacrifice

Romans 12:1-2

New International Version - UK (NIVUK)

A living sacrifice

12 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God – this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will.

I’ve had a few difficult and challenging months recently, and I have had a lot of questions that to be honest if I’ve not been able to find answers for. Having spent a lot of time praying,  reading and writing but I’ve also spend many hours thinking about things, and if I’m honest over-thinking things.

I have great friends here in Southport and other places, and I know a lot of friends have been and are praying for me.

All of us have been influenced in the way we think or act by the way our parents and grandparents thought and we have developed learned behaviour patterns from both our family backgrounds and our culture or society. I grew up in the South Wales valleys which is predominantly white and working class. I remember going to a Youth Camp in the 1980’s and meeting people from an Afro-Caribbean background and spending time with them and making friends with them,  but it was something of a culture shock and again in the late 1990’s living in Leicester and working alongside people from an Indian Subcontinent background in many ways both were culture shocks for me  and I learned valuable lessons it was strange for me  coming from a predominantly white background being somewhere that was more of cultural melting point.

I love living in England, and I’m Welsh please don’t think that is an oxymoron, it was a cultural shift coming from the Welsh Valleys to live in the East Midlands, later living in West Yorkshire and now living in Merseyside.  The English were something like us but not entirely like us and we enjoyed beating them at Rugby, which is ironic for me because at least on the maternal side of my family, 100 plus years ago,  3 out of 4 of my great grandparents moved to Wales from Devon and Somerset!

I said earlier that we have developed learned behaviour patterns from our parents and grandparents, as children we observed the way our parents and other relatives dealt with certain situations and circumstances,  for example my granddad would gradually change the time on clocks, watches etc., but would leave one clock on watch on the right time until he went to bed when the clocks either went forward or back an hour, this year I noticed that I do exactly the same.

I was raised in a Christian Family so in many ways, a lot of things that happen in Church I understand and accept,  such as tithing,  male leadership,  breaking of bread or communion, although in many ways these come from learned behaviour I came to accept these for myself.

Today, we face many challenges and difficulties because culture and society try to break free of the Christian heritage that for hundreds of years have been the guiding light for society in the western world,  for example many believe that gay people have the right to marry other gay people, personally speaking I’m opposed to such views because they go against what the Bible teaches about Marriage,  I’m not anti-gay or homophobic, firstly I can’t be anyone’s auntie because I’m a man and it would be physically impossible for me to be an auntie, sorry some humour there.  Because of the fall of adam, sin entered the world

Romans 5:12ff

¹² Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned— ¹³ for ^[h]until the Law sin was in the world, but sin is not imputed when there is no law.¹⁴ Nevertheless death reigned from Adam until Moses, even over those who had not sinned in the likeness of the offense of Adam, who is a ^[i]type of Him who was to come¹⁵ But ^[j]the free gift is not like the transgression. For if by the transgression of the one the many died, much more did the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abound to the many. ¹⁶ The gift is not like that which came through the one who sinned; for on the one hand the judgment arose from one transgression ^[k]resulting in condemnation, but on the other hand the free gift arose from many transgressions ^[l]resulting in justification. ¹⁷ For if by the transgression of the one, death reigned through the one, much more those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ. ¹⁸ So then as through one transgression ^[m]there resulted condemnation to all men, even so through one act of righteousness ^[n]there resulted justification of life to all men. ¹⁹ For as through the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, even so through the obedience of the One the many will be made righteous. ^20 [o]The Law came in so that the transgression would increase; but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, ²¹ so that, as sin reigned in death, even so grace would reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

A Renewed Thinking

A Renewed Thinking

Romans 12 The Message ^1-2   So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.

Romans 12:1-2 The Voice Brothers and sisters, in light of all I have shared with you about God’s mercies, I urge you to offer your bodies as a living and holy sacrifice to God, a sacred offering that brings Him pleasure; this is your reasonable, essential worship. ² Do not allow this world to mold you in its own image. Instead, be transformed from the inside out by renewing your mind. As a result, you will be able to discern what God wills and whatever God finds good, pleasing, and complete.

Romans12:1-2 Niv Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God – this is your true and proper worship. ² Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Matthew Henry’s Commentary Romans 12:2

The mind must be renewed for him. This is pressed (Rom. 12:2): “Be you transformed by the renewing of your mind; see to it that there be a saving change wrought in you, and that it be carried on.” Conversion and sanctification are the renewing of the mind, a change not of the substance, but of the qualities of the soul. It is the same with making a new heart and a new spirit—new dispositions and inclinations, new sympathies and antipathies; the understanding enlightened, the conscience softened, the thoughts rectified; the will bowed to the will of God, and the affections made spiritual and heavenly: so that the man is not what he was—old things are passed away, all things are become new; he acts from new principles, by new rules, with new designs. The mind is the acting ruling part of us; so that the renewing of the mind is the renewing of the whole man, for out of it are the issues of life, Prov. 4:23. The progress of sanctification, dying to sin more and more and living to righteousness more and more, is the carrying on of this renewing work, till it be perfected in glory. This is called the transforming of us; it is like putting on a new shape and figure.

On  Facebook, and when we update our Status on Facebook, it asks its users the question “What’s on your mind?”

In the English Language we have one word for Mind, and that word is Mind, I’m sorry for stating the obvious, The Bible was written in two languages,  the first of these was Hebrew which the Old Testament was originally written in, although it was later translated into languages like Aramaic, Greek and so on. The second language was Greek, which the New Testament was originally written in, although it was again translated into other languages, in many ways for the Roman Empire and other Empires of that time especially in the Eastern Mediterranean area, The Greek Language was the lingua franca, we call the Greek Language used then as Koine Greek.

The users of Koine Greek would have used 3 different words that we today would read in our Bibles as the English word “Mind” these are:-

1.   Sophrono or right mind, Strong’s ref 4993 To be of sound mind, sane, self-controlled, serious, moderate, sober-minded, restrained, disciplined, able to reason. From sozo.” , to save” and phren, “ the mind”  see Mark 5:15

2.   Dianoia or a thinking through Strong’s ref 1271 Dianoia combines nous, “mind” and dia, “through” The word suggests understanding, insight, meditation, reflection, perception, the gift of apprehension, the faculty of thought. When this faculty is renewed by the Holy Spirit, the whole mind-set changes from the fearful negativism of the carnal mind to the vibrant, positive thinking of the quickened spiritual mind see Mark 12:30

3.   Sophronismos or a sound mind Strong’s ref 4995, A combination of sos “safe” and phren, “the mind” hence safe-thinking. The word denotes good judgement, disciplined thought patterns, and the ability to understand and make right decisions. It includes the qualities of self-control and self-discipline see 2 Timothy 1:7

For many of us,  our thought patterns have been influenced by what our society and culture think or indeed think of us!,  the influence or propaganda of a non-Christian world view or group think has had or indeed having an undue influence on the way we think as Christian Believers, it’s time we changed the way we think.

Colossians 3:1-3 Esv

 3 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. 3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.

1 Peter 1:13-15 Esv

13 Therefore, preparing your minds for action, [a] and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 14 As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, 15 but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct

Ephesians 4:17-18 Niv

17 So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. 18 They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts.

Should Christians Tithe?

Should Christians Tithe?

Waiting

I wonder how many of us enjoy waiting ? I know that I rather do something else, well I’m a man, and most men, and if not a lot of women will hopefully agree with me that men aren’t particularly good at waiting!

We seem to spend so much time in the day, waiting, perhaps it’s waiting for the Bus or Train, which always seem to be running late, if you’re anything like me, you keep checking your watch and the timetable, or if you’re desperate, sending a text message to the local Bus company timetable service, who then sent you a text message for the time of the next bus!

One of the leading Supermarkets, here in the UK, Tesco some time ago launched a self checkout service rather than a check out operator scan your goods, customers can now self-scan, it’s suppose to make things easier for customers but if you like me, you spend at least twice as long self-scanning than you would do at a more conventional check-out ! Maybe it’s a man thing !.

In the so-called Western or developed world, we seem constantly rushing or hurrying, trying to get places quicker or faster, we have Instant Coffee, Express Checkouts, Online Banking, Online Shopping, which is really cool, because you don’t have to queue and it’s delivered, sometimes even the next day.

I’ve had many moments where God has either spoken into or touched my life, I remember when God moved in my life as a somewhat angry, self centred and annoying teenager, a few of you  will remember me like that! Of all the years, I’ve prayed and sought God’s face, wept, read my Bible, keep going, nearly give up dozens of times, been disappointed, hurt, felt rejection.

Throughout the years despite all that has happened, I’m still here, still have questions that I can’t answer, lost friends and family, been confused over so many things, and at least several times lost for words, failed, Yet Jesus still loves me, still cares for me, and is still by my side.

Some time ago, I went through a time of hurt and rejection, and although I didn't give up on my relationship with the Lord.  I had stopped going to Church. I was angry and confused both with myself, others and the Lord.  During this time, I had two significant dreams, in one dream one of the elders from a church I used to attend, and had left some years was praying with me in  his office, and the second dream was coming here to Southport, and both happened as in the dreams.

It has and will involve change on my part, but the only true option I have is to move forward, it means moving on and standing strong, It means giving my full attention to all the things God has spoken into my life and done in my life, it involves letting go of some things so that I can lay hold of other things, it’s means pain and sorrow, but also means joy and fulfilment. It means moving on from where I am to where God wants me to be.

Change is coming.

It’s taking longer than I expected, and although there seems to be a delay, these things come in God’s Timing and not ours. Yes I’m moving forward and staying focused, I don’t know the actual date I’m moving on and when God will fulfil His promise, I’ve nearly given up a few times, I don’t know how and when, or how long the journey will be, but I’m taking it one day, and one step at a time, and know in God’s timing I will arrive.

There are two scriptures that God has spoken into my life this last week. These are Habakkuk 2:3 and Hebrews 10:35-36

Habakkuk 2:3 Niv

3 For the revelation waits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it [c] will certainly come and will not delay.

Hebrews 10:35-36 Niv

35 So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. 36 You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.

Yours in Him

Blair Humphreys

The Church, God’s Own People Part 2 They devoted themselves to Discipleship.

The Church, God’s Own People

Part 2

They devoted themselves to Discipleship.

Acts 2:41 -47 New American Standard Bible

41 So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls. 42 They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles. 44 And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common; 45 and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need. 46 Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, 47 praising God and having favour with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.

Throughout the last 2,000 years of Church History,  we have had countless models,  missions, strategies, programmes and systems that are/were supposed to make us more effective and efficient in the ways we do, be and  are the Church, some of these have been more fruitful than others, I’ve been a Christian for over 30 years and  have seen these ideas both working and failing, we have tried so many things and if we’re honest have any of them worked as we hoped, dreamed and expected?

For many years we have built man-made structures and systems that are no longer relevant to us the Church, these things have served their purpose and in many ways have outlived their purposes.

 I have thought a lot in recent days about the Mission and Vision of/for the Church is our Mission and Vision the same as the Mission of the Church and the Vision of the Church that Jesus and the early disciples had?

The first question we had to ask ourselves is what our Lord Jesus’s Mission and Vision of the Church is? For that we must examine Scripture, many have called these verses the Great Commission.

Matthew 28:18-20

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

¹⁸ And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. ^19 [a]Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you ^[b]always, even to the end of the age.

Quite simply our Lord’s Mission and Vision for His Church is found in Scripture, what the Bible teaches us about the Church should be our first point of reference and  our last point of reference, indeed our only point of reference not the latest podcast, prophecy, programme, project or plan nor indeed our traditions or history,  it’s time that we no longer relied on anything that isn’t found in Scripture and see a restoration of New Testament Christianity,  not any more man made systems and strategies, it’s time to change and now is the time to change!

I’m not saying we should ignore what Godly Men & Women have written for and about the Church but we should only read books etc. that have a strong and exclusive  grounding in the Bible.

We have tried many things to increase our Churches, and see people born again, lives transformed, hope restored and renewed, but can we say with total honesty, that what we tried hasn’t worked or worked for a certain time and/or situation, yes we keep trying these trusted old and not so old methods and despite our best efforts they’ve failed or haven’t been as fruitful, the Bible speaks of old and new wineskins

 Matthew 9:17

New American Standard Bible

 ¹⁷ Nor do people put new wine into old wineskins; otherwise the wineskins burst, and the wine pours out and the wineskins are ruined; but they put new wine into fresh wineskins, and both are preserved.”

I believe that the old wineskins speak of our old ways of doing things, and the new wineskins speaks of the Biblical ways of both doing and being the Church.

For many years our model of Church has been called Attractional Church and recent years a new model has been promoted the Incarnational church or Missional Church, I’m going to be controversial I believe the Church needs to both Attractional and Incarnational! We need to bring people in and send people out, I’, not going to promote or invent a new way of us being and doing Church, I will say it’s time we return to our roots or go back to basics, we need to a Church of Disciples, A Church were our growth strategy is based on Discipleship, our Mission is his Great Commission our Vision is His Vision.

In my next post, I will continue with Discipleship and give a Biblical example of what a Church based on Discipleship will look like?

Yours in His Grace

Blair Humphreys

Southport, Merseyside, UK