Some thoughts on Jesus’ Teaching on the nature of the Kingdom of God, with particular reference to Matthew 13:1-52 and Matthew 5-7. A Study by Blair Humphreys.

 

1) Introduction

Throughout the New Testament, especially the Synoptic Gospels * The Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke, there are numerous references to the Kingdom of God or the Kingdom of Heaven, which *1 “ is generally considered to be the central theme of Jesus’ Teaching.

“ Although spoken to mainly Jewish Audience, some 2,000 years ago, in a province of the Roman Empire, it is still the same Life Changing and Revolutionary message today as it was then. *2 “ Jesus preached the Kingdom of God. We preach Jesus. In Him and through the power of His Message the Kingdom  *1 is available to us, but can we preach Jesus or even understand Him, without understanding God’s Kingly Rule, the central note in all His Teaching.”

*1 Encyclopaedia Britannica Article The Kingdom of God.

*2 Understanding the Kingdom of God, by Georgina Harkness, Chapter 1, Where We

Stand

It is my objective, through my own personal study of the above Scriptures and with

reading through the New Testament, especially the Synoptic Gospels, prayer

and reading through relevant articles, books such as Matthew Henry’s commentary ,

and using various translations of the Bible, to gain an understanding of the Lord’s

teaching of the Kingdom of God, and applying that teaching to myself and it’s

relevance for us today in the early part of the 21st Century.

The Kingdom of God/Heaven is the central theme and the essence of Jesus’ message

, when we read through the Gospels, we see how important this message is, there are

so many references to the Kingdom of God throughout the Gospels, (although there

several references to the Kingdom of God in the Old Testament, for example

in Psalm 145:13 Nlt “For your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom. You rule

throughout all generations, “ although the Old Testament saints, only saw a

glimmer of what was to come, Matt.13:17), we can only come to the conclusion

that if the Kingdom of God is mentioned so many times it must be important.

Indeed in Matthew 6:33, The Lord’s commends us to seek, the Kingdom above all

else, or in some versions “,make the Kingdom of God, your primary concern. “ If

the Kingdom of God was central to our Lord’s Teaching, it must be central to

our Christian Walk, Witness and Lifestyle.

Indeed the Kingdom of God is the Life force of Jesus’ Message, in Matthew Henry’s

Commentary on Matthew 13, it states that “ the word of the Gospel is the word of the

Kingdom. “ Our Message must be the same as Jesus’ Message. In Matt. 13:1-23

, it describes how a farmer when to sow some seed, (the word of God) and the

responses to that word, although Jesus spoke a message that everyone could

relate to, and hopefully understand, he used phrases, terms and illustrations that

people would know, I believe that the four times of soil, can relate to 4 times of

people that hear the Gospel, a) some seed fell on the path, some people hear the

message of the Kingdom, but don’t understand it, b) other seed fell on shallow

ground, some people hear the message gladly, but because of various problems

etc, turn away, c) other seed fell among thorns, some people hear the word, but

their lives become full of other things, turn away and don’t produce a crop, 

and finally d) some seed fell on good soil, and produced a huge harvest, speaks of

those who truly accept God’s message, and see other lives transformed by the

Gospel.

In Matt. 13:9 Jesus says “ Anyone who is willing to hear, should listen and

understand! “ I believe that although, the message of the Kingdom of God

can be easy to understand, not everything who hears it, will accept it .

The Lord only reveals a greater understanding of the Kingdom to those

, who truly accept the message ( I’m not speaking of a type of

special knowledge or revelation that is only available to some sort of

initiate of a secret society or an elite band of people, because that would be

a form of Gnosticism) , in Matthew 13:11f. Jesus tells the Disciples, “That you have

been permitted to understand the secrets of the Kingdom of Heaven, to those who are

open to my teaching, more understanding will be given, and they will have an

abundance of knowledge. “ although Jesus was speaking to the 12 here, he also

speaks to us, we can’t understand the Kingdom, unless we have a relationship

with the King, I believe because of our relationship with the King, we will have a

fuller understanding of Kingdom, the more time we spend with Him, and as we show

others the truth that we have learned from Him. See Matt 13:52. “, He can bring out

old treasures as well as new treasures from his storehouse.”

I believe that as Jesus was sent by God, to reveal the message of the Kingdom of God

, today we’re sent by Him, to reveal to others the Gospel of the Kingdom, see

Romans 10:14, Mark 3:14 & Matt 9:37-38

The Kingdom of God is not of this world, see John 18:36, although it can be

, seen in the lives of His followers who express every day both the fullness and

revelation of His Kingdom. Indeed, there’s nothing quite like knowing the King and

being part of His Kingdom, see Matt 13:44-46.

In Matthew 5-7, we see practical and everyday Kingdom Teaching, that reaches

, through the pages of our Bibles into our lives, situations and personalities.

IVP Commentary, Matthew 5-7 Introduction “ The Ethics of God’s Kingdom”

“Jesus summons those who would be his followers to radical devotion and radical

dependence on God. His followers must be meek, must not retaliate, must go beyond

the letter's law to its spirit, must do what is right when only God is looking, must

depend on God for their needs and pursue his interests rather than their own, and must

leave spiritual measurements of others' hearts to God. In short, true people of the

kingdom live for God, not for themselves, “

This Kingdom teaching, starts with what’s commonly referred to as the Beatitudes in

Matt 5:3 Nlt. “ God blesses those who realise their need for Him, for the

Kingdom of Heaven belongs to them, “ we also see the types of people

, that God will bless in Matt 5:4f and basically it includes everyone. Amen

We’re called to be both salt and light in Society, salt purifies and light shows people

, the way to go, see Matt 5:13- 16

In Matthew 6:9f, we see the Lord’s Prayer,

“9 Pray like this: Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy.

10 May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done on earth,

as it is in heaven. 11 Give us today the food we need, 12 and forgive us our sins,

as we have forgiven those who sin against us. 13 And don’t let us yield to

temptation, but rescue us from the evil one.”

There are so many examples of the nature of Kingdom Living, found in

, these Chapters, Matt 5-7, but what summarises this teaching for me, can be found in

Matt 7:24-27” 24 Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them

into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came

down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not

fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these

words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his

house on sand.”

James 1:22 “ But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says, “

Matt 24:14 “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.”

Blair Humphreys

July 13th 2013

Bibliography

1) Encyclopaedia Britannica Article The Kingdom of God

2) Understanding the Kingdom of God, by Georgina Harkness

3) Matthew Henry’s Commentary on Matthew 13

4) IVP Commentary on Matthew 5-7

4 More Reasons Why Practicing Homosexuals Can't Be Christians 12:00PM EDT 6/10/2013 LARRY TOMCZAK

 

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Can a practicing homosexual be a Christian?

Multitudes today are confused about gay-related issues. It’s easier to “go with the flow” and steer clear of the intimidation to conform. The P.C. (politically correct) police are ever present. This is Part 3 of a three-part series on whether Christians can be gay. (Check out Part 1 here and Part 2 here.) In Part 2, we looked at six reasons why practicing homosexuals can't be Christians. Here are four more arguments from Larry Tomczak.

7. Some people are definitely more susceptible to homosexuality than others (proclivity vs. practice).

Some individuals are “wired” more toward these artistic areas: music, singing, dance, poetry, cooking, clothing design, hairstyling and painting as opposed to football, baseball, basketball, hunting, wrestling and other athletics. These differences are healthy and make for diversity in the human family. Yet if a dad who enjoys contact sports ridicules a son who doesn’t, or if a parent doesn’t affirm a daughter’s femininity, a child can feel misunderstood and rejected and most vulnerable to outside, negative influences.

One of my sons was more athletic, the other more artistic. I tried to affirm their bent with unconditional love, while helping both develop their masculinity. Today my oldest son is about to be married and is a type A leader running aggressive, political campaigns. My younger son has been married for over a decade, has two adopted sons and is the pastor of a thriving church.

8. There is a difference between desire and deed.

Many good people lay in their beds wrestling with feelings and fantasies regarding homosexuality. Just because someone is tempted in an area does not mean they are guilty of sexual misconduct. As they say, “You can’t stop birds flying around your head, but you can stop them from building a nest in your hair!” 

Also, just because someone has homosexual desires and states they don’t “feel” there’s anything wrong with acting upon them, that doesn’t make it right. Objective standards, not subjective feelings, have to govern our lives, or else people can justify all kinds of behavior—such as pedophilia, rape or child molestation.

The Brown University student health plan is now going to cover sex changes (called "gender reassignment") if a girl wants to morph into a male or vice versa! Scriptural standards, not experience or feelings, must be our guide, or the moral confusion will only get worse.

9. God loves all people, and it is His plan to see us change to fulfill our destiny.  

Jesus Christ welcomed and accepted everyone but called them to change unrighteous lifestyles—the adulteress, the multi-lover Samaritan, the corrupt tax collectors. He said,  “Go and sin no more!”  And when they obeyed, they discovered the same life of freedom, peace and joy available to us today!

10. Homosexual behavior can be changed, as evidenced by multitudes throughout America and in the Bible.

I personally know a woman who left a lesbian lifestyle after 42 years and a male former homosexual who today is married with numerous children. Organizations helping homosexuals find freedom through compassionate counseling are filled with the testimonies of thousands of real people who really have changed. Consider also high-profile celebrities who’ve done likewise:

• Actress Anne Heche left her homosexual partnership with Ellen DeGeneres to marry a man, as did singer Sinead O’Connor when she married Nick Sommerlad.
• Three-time MVP in the WNBA and two-time gold medalist Sheryl Swoopes actually did it in reverse! She was married with an 8-year-old when she decided to divorce her husband for her “lover,” Alisa Scott.

Going from “straight to gay” or “gay to straight” undermines the theory that sexual orientation is inherited and unchangeable. You might call this “inconvenient truth.” California has even passed a law forbidding anyone to counsel anyone until age 18 that change is possible! 

In light of all we’ve examined, it should be clear to anyone who calls, writes or asks about the issues we’ve discussed that there really are answers to the legitimate questions being asked. Maybe the reader believed some of the myths and misinformation circulating in our culture, believing them to be fact. But as John Keynes, the British economist who influenced the economic policies of many governments, used to say, “When facts change, I change my mind! What do you do?”

Read Part 1 and Part 2.  

---

Larry Tomczak is the apostolic leader and evangelist with Larry Tomczak Ministries www.larrytomczak.com. He is the author of six books, including Divine Appointments (Destiny Image).

Some thoughts on Christian Maturity (1)

Hebrews 6

Contemporary English Version (CEV)

6 We must try to become mature and start thinking about more than just the basic things we were taught about Christ. We shouldn’t need to keep talking about why we ought to turn from deeds that bring death and why we ought to have faith in God. 2 And we shouldn’t need to keep teaching about baptisms or about the laying on of hands or about people being raised from death and the future judgment. 3 Let’s grow up, if God is willing.

4-6 But what about people who turn away after they have already seen the light and have received the gift from heaven and have shared in the Holy Spirit? What about those who turn away after they have received the good message of God and the powers of the future world? There is no way to bring them back. What they are doing is the same as nailing the Son of God to a cross and insulting him in public!

7 A field is useful to farmers, if there is enough rain to make good crops grow. In fact, God will bless that field. 8 But land that produces only thornbushes is worthless. It is likely to fall under God’s curse, and in the end it will be set on fire.

9 My friends, we are talking this way. But we are sure that you are doing those really good things that people do when they are being saved. 10 God is always fair. He will remember how you helped his people in the past and how you are still helping them. You belong to God, and he won’t forget the love you have shown his people. 11 We wish that each of you would always be eager to show how strong and lasting your hope really is. 12 Then you would never be lazy. You would be following the example of those who had faith and were patient until God kept his promise to them.

God’s Promise Is Sure

13 No one is greater than God. So he made a promise in his own name when he said to Abraham, 14 “I, the Lord, will bless you with many descendants!” 15 Then after Abraham had been very patient, he was given what God had promised. 16 When anyone wants to settle an argument, they make a vow by using the name of someone or something greater than themselves. 17 So when God wanted to prove for certain that his promise to his people could not be broken, he made a vow. 18 God cannot tell lies! And so his promises and vows are two things that can never be changed.

We have run to God for safety. Now his promises should greatly encourage us to take hold of the hope that is right in front of us. 19 This hope is like a firm and steady anchor for our souls. In fact, hope reaches behind the curtain and into the most holy place. 20 Jesus has gone there ahead of us, and he is our high priest forever, just like Melchizedek.

10 Basic Steps Toward Christian Maturity

Introduction: The Uniqueness of Jesus

Every day more and more people everywhere are getting excited about Jesus of Nazereth. Wherever the true message of Jesus Christ has gone, people and nations have been revolutionized, resulting in new life, new hope, and new purpose for living.

Step 1: The Christian Adventure

Have you been living in spiritual defeat - powerless and wondering if you can make it as a Christian? This study will show you how to enjoy what millions of other Christians around the world have experienced - the adventure of a full, abundant, purposeful and fruitful life in Christ.

Step 2: The Christian and the Abundant Life

Have you ever wondered if there was something more exciting than you are experiencing as a Christian? This step describes the Christian way of life - what it is and how it works practically. The study discusses the problems of sin and temptation and the spiritual warfare of life.

Step 3: The Christian and the Holy Spirit

Is your life filled with purpose and power? Are you living in joy and victory? Or does your Christian life seem dull? Discover how the revolutionary power of the Holy Spirit can help you rise above your discouragement and defeat and move into a life filled with God's supernatural power.

Step 4: The Christian and Prayer

Prayer is the most revolutionary source of power known to man. This step will teach you how to tap into this power. The truths you learn will ignite your spirit.

Step 5: The Christian and the Bible

The Bible - God's holy, inspired Word - is without comparison. The heart-warming story of God's love for mankind, the Bible is an exciting and joyful adventure of reading, meditation and study. No other book written can equal it. And no one can live a full, abundant, supernatural life without daily drawing upon the supernatural resources of God's word.

Step 6: The Christian and Obedience

What is the secret to personal purity and power as a Christian? How can you experience a deep, abiding sense of God's holy presence as a way of life? Surrendering to the will of God and living daily in His grace is the key.

Step 7: The Christian and Witnessing

Now you can learn to share your faith with confidence in the power of the Holy Spirit. The principles presented in this step have been learned on the front line of experience. They have changed millions of silent, guilt-ridden Christians into radiant witnesses for our Lord.

Step 8: The Christian and Giving

Does God reserve a special blessing for those who give generously to His work? Does the "Law of the Harvest" hold true today? Can you give liberally and still miss God's blessing? Learn the answers to these and many other vital questions concerning your money.

Step 9: Exploring the Old Testament

Is the Old Testament a big mystery to you? Do you wonder if it is really important for the Christian? What does the Bible mean when it talks about a time of law and a time of grace? And who are some of the major players in the drama of God's dealings with mankind? This step explores the answers and shows what God did to prepare the way for Jesus Christ.

Step 10: Exploring the New Testament

What is the key idea of each book in the New Testament? Why do we have four Gospels? Why did Paul write so many letters? And what is in store for us in the not-too-distant future? This step explores the answers and surveys the message of the New Testament as a whole. The study shows the focus of the four Gospels and highlights the exciting beginning of the Church.

Campus Crusade for Christ…http://www.cru.org/training-and-growth/classics/10-basic-steps/index.htm

Matthew Henrys’ Commentary Hebrews 6:1-8

We have here the apostle’s advice to the Hebrews—that they would grow up from a state of childhood to the fullness of the stature of the new man in Christ. He declares his readiness to assist them all he could in their spiritual progress; and, for their greater encouragement, he puts himself with them: Let us go on. Here observe, In order to their growth, Christians must leave the principles of the doctrine of Christ. How must they leave them? They must not lose them, they must not despise them, they must not forget them. They must lay them up in their hearts, and lay them as the foundation of all their profession and expectation; but they must not rest and stay in them, they must not be always laying the foundation, they must go on, and build upon it. There must be a superstructure; for the foundation is laid on purpose to support the building. Here it may be enquired, Why did the apostle resolve to set strong meat before the Hebrews, when he knew they were but babes? Answer. 1. Though some of them were but weak, yet others of them had gained more strength; and they must be provided for suitably. And, as those who are grown Christians must be willing to hear the plainest truths preached for the sake of the weak, so the weak must be willing to hear the more difficult and mysterious truths preached for the sake of those who are strong. 2. He hoped they would be growing in their spiritual strength and stature, and so be able to digest stronger meat.

Why Welcome a Same-Sex Couple to Church?

How congregations can reach out to people with same-sex attraction and remain committed to biblical human sexuality.

Timothy C. Morgan

[ posted 8/2/2013 12:15AM ]

JAHI CHIKWENDIU / THE WASHINGTON POST / GETTY

Gary Nixon, right, and Mel White, a gay couple, attend Jerry Falwell's church in Lynchburg, VA. The couple (together for 20 years) has rented a cottage directly across the street from Falwell's church for a year, are are attending services there and getting to know the neighbors. While some people have called them sinners, others have brought over pies and cookies in welcome.

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Imagine this no-longer-hypothetical situation: Matt and Alex Jones-Smith, newlyweds, arrive on a Monday morning in summertime to register their adopted daughter, Rachel, for Vacation Bible School at Maranatha Bible Church on Main Street.

What should be the response of the Sunday school superintendent?

1. Provide directions to the nearest liberal congregation.
2. Register Rachel for Vacation Bible School and then hand the couple Marantha Bible's statement of faith, including the part on human sexuality where homosexual behavior is condemned.
3. Proceed with registration, and then ask the Jones-Smiths, legally married in the eyes of the state, to meet with the pastor to talk about baptism and membership.
4. None of the above.

The Unbiblical Marriage

This week, Minnesota and Rhode Island became the 12th and 13th states to allow same-sex marriage. With the favorable U.S. Supreme Court rulings in June, there will be more same-sex marriages nationwide for years to come. The 2010 federal census estimated there are already more than 150,000 same-sex couples legally married or in legal civil unions. It reports some states experienced a 50 percent or more increase in households with same-sex couples from 2000 to 2010.

For generations, Christianity has encountered unions outside the one man-one woman Christian ideal. During the colonial missionary era in Africa, many Christian churches had zero tolerance for a new convert with multiple wives. If these men wished to be baptized, join the church, and follow Christ, they had to dismiss all but one wife.

But missionaries soon realized that this policy of zero tolerance created enormous hardship on abandoned mothers and their children. It also absolved the polygamous husband of providing for dependent children of his former wives, according to Sunday Agang, academic dean at ECWA (Evangelical Church of West Africa) Seminary, Jos, Nigeria.

Over time, indigenous churches developed more than one response. Some churches accepted the entire household of a husband who desired to become a Christian yet had more than one wife. Many churches, however, did not permit these new converts to preach or teach or lead in the church.

Yet, the goal of churches remained the same. Once a person accepted Christ, Christians invited the individual into joyful, church-based fellowship and a lifelong journey of discipleship and sanctification.

Welcoming, Not Affirming

Choice #4—none of the above—is the answer that best reflects the sense of confusion that many church leaders have regarding the most appropriate response to state-recognized same-sex couples.

But for churches committed to the biblical teaching about heterosexual marriage and compassion for all, is there a solidly biblical approach or model for churches to follow? As early as the 1990s, conservative Christian leaders began to welcome, but not affirm, the open involvement of people with same-sex attraction into church life. Along with a sincere welcome, tragically, too many times fear of disease (HIV/AIDS), public condemnation, homophobia, and pressure for behavior change through unproven and often harmful therapies overwhelmed any sense of welcome.

There is some evidence of progress. A new Pew Research Center survey found that less than 1 in 3 LGBT respondents reported feeling unwelcome in a place of worship. Even fewer reported that this unwelcome feeling occurred within the past 12 months.

Christians and the church can do much more beyond welcome. About half of LGBT adults surveyed report no religious affiliation. While the ones who did attend worship felt welcome, the Pew survey found that most LGBT respondents view major religious groups (Christians, Jews, and Muslims) as "unfriendly."

A new attitude within churches of openness and hospitality, anchored in biblical grace and truth, would be a startling response for individuals or couples with same-sex attraction. We need to repent of the notion that sexual identity is as easy to change as a light bulb.

The Ninety and Nine

What would this new attitude look like? Biblical belief and practice are tested by extreme situations. In this instance, the test occurs inside and outside the four walls of a church.

It begs key questions about how far fully engaged followers of Christ are willing to go to establish credible relationships with same-sex couples as a prelude to change, brought about through the Holy Spirit.

Would Jesus go to a gay pride parade? Would Jesus attend a gay marriage ceremony inside a church? Would Jesus enter a gay bar? Gospels accounts show the behavior of Jesus was scandalous partly due to his public presence in the lives of sinners. The Good Shepherd parable illustrates how far outside one's own comfort zone we as Christians should go on behalf of a person who needs Jesus. We need to be where sinners are.

Inclusion and hospitality require a context. Yes—Jesus would go a gay bar, or for that matter, the local Sunday champagne brunch, if the Matt and Alex invited him. It is a sincere act of Christian hospitality to welcome gays and lesbians when they come to our churches as well as engage them in the places they meet.

This is not just a convenient editorial point. Here are several real-world examples of how Christians are responding differently: As CT reported last December, more Christian colleges (with extensive behavioral covenants) now allow students with same-sex attraction to meet on campus for confidential discussion, while these students remain fully involved in campus life and ministry.

Redeemed Lives, an international ministry based in Massachusetts, trains pastoral leaders in addressing sexual identity issues in local churches. The ministry emphasizes the gospel (not therapeutic technique) in its mission statement: "Bringing all people into the healing and saving embrace of Jesus Christ." Founder Mario Bergner believes that sexual redemption is for all people and is not optional for Christians with same-sex attraction.

Another example: Peter Ould, an Anglican pastor and blogger in Canterbury, England, describes himself as "postgay." This means he acknowledges same-sex attraction, but he does not form his identity around it or use it to validate or participate in same-sex behavior. Now a husband and father, Ould, writing in God, Gays, and the Church, says his ministry is to help churches discover how "to respond with compassion and care to those whose sexuality is broken...."

Creating empathy is a crucial first step. Humility, not shame, is our mutual aspiration.

Finally, Catholic blogger Eve Tushnet calls on all Christians to have a richer understanding of brokenness, healing, and being wounded. In 2011, she wrote, "Even imagery of woundedness is more complex [than referring to someone's sexuality as 'broken'], insofar as wounds, in Christian thought, are not solely healed but sometimes glorified."

Redeemed Orientation

Pastoral leaders will ask: Where should we draw lines around including same-sex couples in church life?

That depends, of course, on a congregation's convictions, values, purpose, and statement of faith. In any case, churches should be transparent, clear, and fair about how it applies behavioral and leadership standards, derived from Scripture—to everyone. In Austin (dubbed the "Capital of Copulation" by the Austin American Statesman), Gateway Church lead pastor John Burke has created Christian community around the message, "Come as you are, no perfect people allowed." Gateway does "not condemn or condone" as it teaches biblical sexuality (Gateway's five-part series on sexuality is now online). But it is gracious and generous when it comes to the level of welcome the church extends.

In a 2012 interview with CT, Max Lucado, renowned author and former pastor at Oak Hills Church in Texas, cautioned church leaders against impatience. "We have several people in our church who practice a homosexual lifestyle. If I get up and say, 'God loves you just where you are, and he's going to help you change,' will they really get it as quickly as I want them to? I think there's a desire in us to control the time and way in which people grow in God." He said it's essential for leaders to trust God "to work out his will as he wants."

The congregations that reach out to people with same-sex attraction and remain committed to biblical human sexuality are too few. But many of those who do share the following characteristics:

• They have a strong dedication to prayer and healing ministry—this is connected to public worship, and not isolated from the rest of the congregation.

• They commit themselves for the long term to reach out to survivors of sexual abuse, people with same-sex attraction, or gender identity issues, thereby avoiding avoid quick fixes or one-size-fits-all solutions.

• They give significant role for people who have personally addressed their sexual brokenness and are willing to give testimony about how God worked in their lives, understanding that many may not realize the level of change they desire.

• They build a resource network of Christian professionals who tailor counseling to a person's needs and profile.

• They watch their language and won't put up with people demonizing or homophobic slurs.

The era when the church could prop open its doors and sin-sick souls would flood in are over. When our Christian vision for human sexuality, embodied in our message of fidelity, chastity, and celibacy, comes out of the pulpit and move into the lives of people, sexual brokenness will lose its ability to harm us.

The true identity of each person is found in Christ. The gospel invites us to a redeemed orientation, one that is anchored in lifelong relationship with God and neighbor.

http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2013/august-web-only/why-welcome-same-sex-couple-to-church.html?paging=off

Gibraltar's war of words with Spain: Where is the EU?

from the Daily Express.

YOU CAN tell when a government is in trouble - it starts looking overseas, spoiling for battles to boost national pride.

By: Ross Clark

Published: Tue, August 6, 2013

2Comments

A woman stretches her legs in the queue to enter Gibraltar

Failing Argentine governments start rattling sabres over the Falkland Islands while Greek ministers start beating their chests over the Elgin Marbles as if they could help mend a bankrupt economy broken by years of overspending and failure to collect taxes.

As for Spain it is always Gibraltar.

If you want to understand why Spain has started making it difficult for people to cross the border over the past few weeks and why Spanish foreign minister Jose Garcia-Margallo threatened to levy a charge of €50 (£43) on anyone crossing the border you need to look beyond the newly constructed reef, which some Spanish fishermen complain has stopped them fishing.

The real reason for the war of words is that Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy's government is engulfed in a corruption scandal.

Last week Rajoy was forced to make a humiliating apology following the arrest of his party's former treasurer over allegations of a slush fund from which illegal payments were made to party bosses. Rajoy has been threatened with a vote of no confidence.

All this comes on top of Spain's economic crisis that has forced the country to go to the EU for a bailout and which has led to unemployment of 25 per cent.

How the Spanish government would love to be able to say to its people: "Look, we may have messed up the economy but we have won back sovereignty of Gibraltar."

IT IS not going to happen, of course. True, as a piece of Spain it might have fallen into British hands in a way which would not be acceptable now: it was captured by an Anglo-Dutch fleet in 1704 during a battle over the succession in the kingdom of Castile and ceded to Britain in the Treaty of Utrecht in 1713.

Nowadays issues of sovereignty are decided democratically.

Twice, in 1967 and 2002, the people of Gibraltar have voted in referendums to remain British, and that - to any government which cares about freedom and the rule of international law - is what matters.

The posturing of Rajoy's government would look less ridiculous if Spain did not itself have a similar colonial possession across the Straits of Gibraltar: Ceuta, an African city captured by the Portuguese in 1415 which passed to Spain in 1668.

Funnily enough, while moaning about British imperialism no Spanish politician ever called for the sovereignty of Ceuta to be ceded to Morocco to which it is attached.

But it isn't just the Rajoy government that comes off badly over Gibraltar.

Where is the EU when we need it? If the EU stands for anything it is surely the free movement of people and goods across the borders of member states.

Spain's attempt to charge to cross the border is so contrary to the rules of the single market that it would not be unreasonable to expect EU commissioners to warn Spain that it will face large fines unless it ensures unobstructed passage of people and goods across the border.

The same applies to Spain's threat to close its airspace to planes heading to Gibraltar. Ensuring that member states allow access to international flights should be one of the central roles of the EU.

There would quite rightly be uproar if David Cameron announced he was closing UK airspace to transatlantic flights between the US and Germany.

So why haven't EU commissioners read the riot act to Spain; let those planes through to Gibraltar or your aid payments will stop?

The row over Gibraltar is an attempt by Spain to distract from their troubled domestic scene

More than 4,000 Spanish citizens are employed in Gibraltar and would lose their jobs if a commute across the border were to be made impossible.

That would be a threat Spain could not ignore.

The country has done fantastically well out of EU money.

When it joined the EU in 1986 Spain was a poor country struggling to emerge from the fascist rule of General Franco who had died a decade earlier.

Since then Spain has become a modern country.

British taxpayers, through EU aid, have helped pay for new airports, high-speed rail lines and even helped to modernise the Spanish fishing fleet, even though it has undermined our own fishing industry.

Even now Spain is a net beneficiary of EU funds, receiving a net e3.72billion in 2011.

It is a strange way to thank us for all this largesse: threatening to make life difficult for the people of Gibraltar - not that it would only be they who suffered, of course.

As with most countries that lie next to each other and which are not divided by barbed wire and gun emplacements the economies and social networks between Gibraltar and southern Spain are intertwined.

More than 4,000 Spanish citizens are employed in Gibraltar and would lose their jobs if a commute across the border were to be made impossible.

The days when Britain sent in the gunboats are over.

Neither we nor any other country should attempt to hang on to colonies, overseas territories and dependencies whose people do not want us but for historical reasons the people of Gibraltar identify with Britain more than they do with Spain.

The attempt by Spain to prise sovereignty of Gibraltar is an act of verbal aggression that would be unacceptable coming from any country but coming from one of our EU partners it deserves special condemnation.

Gibraltar's war of words with Spain: Where is the EU?

Gibraltar's war of words with Spain: Where is the EU?