Googled in Heaven or “How could they drive out demons without faith?” December 19, 2009

So Recently I asked the question what if there was a google in heaven – would your name come up.  (Googled in heaven)

and I read this passage.

Acts 19:13-17 (NASB)
But also some of the Jewish exorcists, who went from place to place, attempted to name over those who had the evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, “I adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preaches.” ¹⁴ Seven sons of one Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this. ¹⁵ And the evil spirit answered and said to them, “I recognize Jesus, and I know about Paul, but who are you?” ¹⁶ And the man, in whom was the evil spirit, leaped on them and subdued all of them and overpowered them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded. ¹⁷ This became known to all, both Jews and Greeks, who lived in Ephesus; and fear fell upon them all and the name of the Lord Jesus was being magnified.

The question  was asked, “How could they drive out demons without faith?”

First we need to understand the culture ,“Exorcism was a common trade, (Matthew 12:25-27) and the best exorcists were thought to know the names of the more powerful spirits. It was also commonly believed that the Jewish priests had access to the secret name of the God of Israel and its pronunciation and thus had special power over the spirit world. So it was very natural for renegade Jewish exorcists to add Jesus’ name to their incantations.”  So exorcism we done in by the power of the YHWH.

Second we know Matthew 7:21-23 “  that people either did or thought they drove out demons. ^“ On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’”

So to answer the question I would say maybe. Maybe at the time of Christ one could drive out demons without faith in Jesus? But only by the power of  God’s name. But we do know that now those who have faith in Jesus, are known by God and have authority to cast out demons.

Doug ><>

Radical existential inclusion into Christ December 4, 2009

1 Corinthians 5:3-5 (ESV)
For though absent in body, I am present in spirit; and as if present, I have already pronounced judgment on the one who did such a thing. ⁴ When you are assembled in the name of the Lord Jesus and my spirit is present, with the power of our Lord Jesus.

This is a fascinating passage filled with all kinds of questions like:

• is he into astro body projection.
• Can Paul really be with these people and in another location at the same time?
• What was it like for Paul? What did he experience?
• What does this mean for us today?
• Can I be present at Community of Hope in worship when I am on vacation?

I think the key in getting this passage is seeing Paul’s understanding and experience of being “in Christ”. It’s a radical existential  inclusion into Christ.  For Paul when they “assembled in the name of the Lord Jesus,” “with the power of our Lord Jesus” he was there too.  The truth is, if I am one with Christ then where Christ is I am also.   Check this out.  Not only on earth but also in heaven! Ephesians 2:5-6 (by grace you have been saved— and raised up with him and seated with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus).  So at this moment Jesus and I are in Brecksville Ohio sitting in a leather chair typing and Jesus and I are seated at the Father’s right hand in heavenly places.  I’m getting goose bumps just thinking about this mystic sweet communion.

Grasping this truth is mind transforming and paradigm shifting on a quantum level.  Look how far he goes with this.  Everything that is Christ’s is ours also.  1 Corinthians 3:21-23 For all things are yours, …the world or life or death or the present or the future—all are yours, and you are Christ’s, and Christ is God’s.  Death and life and present and future ARE MINE! And even the mind of Christ – 1 Corinthians 2:16 “For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ.

So if I’m one then there are some gigundous implication –

• What do you think?
• How do you experience this “mystic sweet communion”
• Is there connection to the Lord’s Supper 1 Corinthians 11:29 For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself.

Prosperty and the the “martyr cult” November 24, 2009

As we move into speaking on the book of Philippians is found this historical bit interesting – Doug ><>

Philippi During the Early Christian Era

“The first church attested in the city is a small building that was probably originally a small prayer house. This Basilica of Paul, identified by an mosaic inscription on the pavement, is dated around 343 from a mention by the bishop Porphyrios, who was present at the Council of Serdica that year.

Although there is neither archaeological nor literary evidence for the foundation of the Christian community by Paul, the prosperity of the city in the 5th and 6th centuries was attributed to him and to his martyr cult. As in other cities, many new ecclesiastical buildings were constructed at this time. Seven churches were constructed in Philippi between the mid-4th century and the end of the 6th, some of which competed in size and decoration with the most beautiful buildings in Thessalonica, or even those of Constantinople.”

http://www.sacred-destinations.com/greece/philippi.htm

The Wedding at Cana November 22, 2009

 

Doug:

Something I meant to run by you–our NT group that met and seemed to have a lot of debate on the wedding at Cana exchange between Jesus and Mary prior to His miracle.

Two things:

(1)  The group was disturbed by Him calling His mother “woman”;

(2)  They were puzzled by why He would say that His time had not yet come, but then went ahead and performed the miracle.

I’m interested in your thoughts.  Thanks.

In Christ,

TBo

 

Here is what I think -

(1) The group was disturbed by Him calling His mother “woman”;

Commentator  say:

The word “woman” can be  misleading. It sounds to us very rough and abrupt. But it is the same word as Jesus used on the Cross to address Mary as he left her to the care of John (Jn 19:26). In Homer it is the title by which Odysseus addresses Penelope, his well-loved wife. It is the title by which Augustus, the Roman Emperor, addressed Cleopatra, the famous Egyptian queen. So far from being a rough and discourteous way of address, it was a title of respect.

(2) They were puzzled by why He would say that His time had not yet come, but then went ahead and performed the miracle.

First you need to see that when Jesus talks about his time or “hour” he is talking about his suffering and death on the cross (John 7:6, 8, 30; John 8:20; John 12:23-24, 27, 33; John 13:1; John 17:1).   I think the wedding reminded Jesus of his own wedding to his bride, the church and he knew that the dowry for his bride is his “hour”.  The wine Jesus was asked to provide may have turned his thoughts to the wine he would provide that is the wine of his blood or the wine of the wedding feast in the kingdom or both.

Matthew 26:27-29 And when He had taken a cup and given thanks, He gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you; for this is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for forgiveness of sins. “But I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father’s kingdom.”

Doug ><>

ESV Lovers can listen too! November 17, 2009

I know some like the ESV so check this site out to listen!

http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/browse/

Rather Listen? November 17, 2009

I know some people would rather listen while they read so check out this link – Let me know what you think? Pastor Doug ><>

http://www.biblica.com/bible/audio/

 

Moving from Your Head to Your Heart October 30, 2009

The S-P-A-C-E P-E-T-S acrostic is a useful aid to meditation. It is in the thinking and application that gets the word to move from your head to your heart. Each letter represents a question that can help you apply the passage to your life. If you memorize the nine questions which this acrostic represents, you will have them available every time you want to meditate on a passage. This acrostic asks: Is there any…

Sin to confess? Do I need to make any restitution?

Promise to claim? Is it a universal promise? Have I met the condition(s)?

Attitude to change? Am I willing to work on a negative attitude and begin building toward a positive one?

Command to obey? Am I willing to do it no matter how I feel?

Example to follow? Is it a positive example for me to copy or a negative one to avoid?

 

Prayer to pray? Is there anything I need to pray back to God?

Error to avoid? Is there any problem that I should be alert to, or beware of?

Truth to believe? What new things can I learn about God the Father, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, or the other biblical teachings?

Something to praise God for? Is there something here I can be thankful for?

Questions October 14, 2009

This came as an email and Kathy and Tim allowed me to post it for all to see – Pastor Doug ><>

Doug Both our groups met last week and started our discussions.  Both went really well and generated great discussions and better understanding. my mom’s group wanted to get your input on two things when you have time: Why did Jesus get baptized himself rather than just baptizing others? This is a question that always perplexed me because I only saw baptism as a way God washes away our sins. And although it is true, baptism is so much more.  There is an existential connecting and uniting element to baptism – Mark 10:38-39 Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?” 39 And they said to him, “We are able.” And Jesus said to them, “The cup that I drink you will drink, and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized”.    Here Jesus is talking about his forthcoming death and resurrection.”   I find it interesting that he refers to his death and resurrection as drinking and baptism.  Because these are both God’s chosen ways of connecting to us to himself. Communion and Baptism.  You see the connecting part of  baptism brought out in other places like: Galatians 3:27, “For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” Romans 6:3 “Or do you not know, that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?” Baptism is God’s way of connecting us to Christ. Now if we are connected to Christ through baptism, Christ also connected to us through baptism.  I hope you get this Christ unites with us in baptism not for his salvation or need for forgiveness but for ours. We understand that He is sinless so does not need a repentant baptism.  We also discussed that the trinity and his identity is revealed during his baptism.  Are there any other significant reasons that we didn’t come up with? One thought at Jesus Baptism we have the water, the Spirit and a voice and in the beginning of creation we have water the Spirit and a voice.  Jesus Baptism is a re-genesis – a recreation – for us and ultimately for the world. In baptism we become born again. 2) Is there a difference between the Holy Spirit being on someone in the old testament (i.e. David) v. the Holy Spirit being on us now after Jesus’ resurrection/Pentecost? I am not sure exactly about the experience of the Holy Spirit in the OT vs the NT.  Because the HS was “on” Sampson with strength and David with words of scripture and “on” the leaders of Israel in the desert (Nu 11:17).  Yet he “filled” others  – Exodus 31:1-3 The Lord said to Moses, “See, I have called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, 3 and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with ability and intelligence, with knowledge and all craftsmanship”.  Therefore the on and in concept does not always hold up. But we do know that now the Holy Spirit is being “poured out on all Flesh” Joel 2:28. Because of Christ death and resurrection and that a defining mark of a believer is that you have the Holy Spirit in you! 3) Why did Jesus need the Holy Spirit to guide him in his ministry?   How was it different from prayer with the Father?  Couldn’t Jesus know his next step as the Son of God? “Need” is a funny word when we are talking about the Trinity.  I like to think of the Trinity, Father, Son and Spirit, more in terms of roles and functions.  The Spirit’s function or role was to lead Jesus into the desert and into suffering.  And it is Jesus role to suffer.  But the three are one.  You see this when Jesus breathed out the Holy Spirit on his disciples (John 20:22) and when Jesus said “I and the father are one.” The Trinity is a mind boggling and yet so beautiful.  In the trinity there is a community of deference, honor and mutual submission of love. And although this is a short answer and a more complete study of the role and function of the HS would be enlightening, I think it would be fair to say that your question is akin to asking someone, “why did you just scratch your nose with your left hand and not your right?” 4) Our Bible notes say to blaspheme the Holy Spirit is to call the work of the Holy Spirit the work of Satan and that to commit this eternal sin you would not have fear/care that you were doing it.  Therefore, someone seeking to know if they had committed this sin already shows they care for God’s favor and could not be turning away from Him fully as this sin indicates. Good answer – John 16:7-11 But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. 8 When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment: 9 in regard to sin, because men do not believe in me; 10 in regard to righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; 11 and in regard to judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned. The Holy Spirits role is to bring conviction and without this how can we repent so when you offend the one who empowers/moves you to repent there can be no forgiveness.  And no desire to be forgiven.  This is why what they said above is true. - I hope this is helpful – Doug ><> We realize your time is limited so we don’t expect an all inclusive answer but would appreciate your quick thoughts on these items. Thanks Kathy

NT Experiment October 8, 2009

Tim Keller expounds on Mark 5:21-42

So here we go – This is the beginning of a NTexperiment interactive blog.  So do you have any thoughts on the first week of reading?