Shadyside Church of Christ

God told Moses from the burning bush that He was "I AM WHO I AM."  John goes to great lengths in his gospel to show that Jesus came in the flesh to explain or declare God to us - that in fact He was this "I AM."  In a conversation with some Jews, Jesus said "before Abraham was I AM."  They knew what he meant and picked up stones to stone Him.  Never doubt that Jesus was God become flesh.

James is a practical application kind of guy.  No ivory tower for him.  Hearing the word of God, learning and believing are necessary, but if we don't apply what we learn, it all becomes a useless exercise.  Living faith is life changing - both for me and those around me.

Have you ever doubted God?  Not that He exists, but that with all His promises to take care of His people, there are still a lot of bad things happening?  Maybe your prayers aren't being answered?  Incredibly, John the Baptist also did some doubting.  Despite his whole life being prophetically announced, when he was imprisoned by Herod, he began to wonder if Jesus was really the Coming One.

Just as God's people are in the world but not of the world, they are also living in a human body but not of that body.  They are "living stones" being built up in a spiritual house, the new living temple of God with Jesus as the chief cornerstone.  They are a "holy priesthood" offering up "spiritual sacrifices" through their good deeds and Christ-like behavior.

Even though the people of God still live in this world, their conduct is to reflect that of their Lord Jesus.  Being redeemed by the precious blood of Christ and born again through the living Word of God, they are to be a holy people who have renounced the ways of worldly lusts and evils, and turned to godly and righteous living.  

God's people are aliens on this earth, travelers who are on a journey elsewhere.  They are playing the "long game."  Their values are other worldly, their love is for Someone they have never seen nor talked with, and their hope is for a thing called "salvation" which offers such marvelous joy and glory that even angels want to see what it's all about!

We have all grown up believing in family and church traditions, legends and such like which have become "truth" for us.  Many of these beliefs are not true at all.  The Sadducees learned a hard lesson when they posed a question to Jesus whose answer to them included these words: "You are mistaken, not understanding the scriptures..."  How well do we read and understand the scriptures?

With all of the shootings, fraud, drug overdosing, political divisiveness, etc. in the news, it's often difficult to think there's anything good in the world.  We can't allow ourselves to be distracted by all the evil (one of the devil's tactics), but to develop a heart and eye to look for what is beautiful and good.  God has set a lot of beauty in His world if we but look for it.

#cofcshadyside

In our "throw away" society where people get new smart phones more often than a new pair of shoes, and ballplayers change teams when the wind changes direction, too many people are led to think they are replaceable also.  But God has a different take on things.  He knows and loves each and every person and wants each one to enjoy eternal life with Him.  No one can be replaced.

Sometimes our problems in life seem overwhelming and insurmountable.  Goliath of the Philistines was such a problem for Saul and Israel.  They cowered in fear at this nine foot war machine.  But David, the shepherd lad, had the answer.  It was found in his heart, in his long-practiced skills, and in his God.

We know this is one of the things which Jesus said while being crucified.  We might just explain this by saying that Jesus did what He was sent by His Father to do.  This of course is true, but when we look at everything which Jesus accomplished and fulfilled in His life and death, we are again in awe of God and the purposes which He achieved in His Son Jesus Christ.

In the first century, people from both Jewish and pagan religious backgrounds were being added to this new church of Christ followers.  In their former religions, they had traditions which they observed.  The question became, then, what do we do in our new faith?  Jesus and the apostles (by the Holy Spirit) passed down the "traditions" to the early church, and we still have them to follow today.

Over the years, kings, countries and individuals have claimed that God is on their side in some conflict or struggle.  We see this all through history, and even in the events of today.  Does God choose sides in these kinds of situations?  Does God remain neutral in conflicts?  Just how does this work?

James and John made a request of Jesus that they could sit in places of honor on either side of Him in the kingdom.  Jesus had to set them straight about how to become "great."  He said if you wanted to be great or be first in His kingdom you had to become a servant to all, just as He was.  So what are some things we can do to become servants and become great in the kingdom?  They might surprise you.

When our clothes get dirty and smelly we put them in the laundry basket and eventually into the wash machine to get clean.  When a Christian sins, how does she get those sin stains removed?  Only one thing can remove sin and that's the blood of Christ.  So if we don't remain in the faith and bring our sins to Jesus for removal, will we be cleansed of those sins? 

Because of the fierce competition in today's world, people want recognition for their accomplishments.  Every person and every company is seen to promote themselves.  The Lord is not averse to honoring people, but He does so for reasons different from the world, and He does it in a very different way.

Acts of evil and violence seem to be escalating in our world.  Countries and individuals are taking lives for the most selfish of reasons and without remorse.  What is the source of all of this?  What should be the church's response?  What can an individual Christian do?

Most of us dream (drool?) about what we would do if we won one of those multi-million dollar lotteries.  New house and vehicles?  Pay off all debts and loans?  World travel?  Maybe even do some good for those in need?  But Jesus spoke of "true riches."  And Paul writes of "the unfathomable riches of Christ."  What are these?  And how much are they worth?