pastorjoshmcelwee

[pastorjoshmcelwee]

Should Christians Judge Bruce Jenner?

I’ve read several opinions, thoughts, takes on the Bruce/Caitlyn Jenner saga over the last few days and decided the conversation was not yet complete without some extra input. I actually have nothing negative or positive to say about Jenner or his situation, but rather about comments I have read about whether Christians should speak out on these types of issues. So, for those still interested here goes:

I have grown quite weary of people who (apparently) do not read their Bibles or follow them telling me what my Bible says I am free to do and not do as a Christian. Anytime an issue like Jenner’s comes up, Christians will speak up and clearly articulate their beliefs and those who disagree retreat to one of two worn-out phrases: “Christians shouldn’t judge.” or “Christians are supposed to be loving.” Does the Bible say “Don’t judge”? Sort of. But, there are qualifiers. 

I could actually point to scriptures that specificly tell us to judge (1 Cor. 2:15). But, here is the truth. As Christians we don’t have to judge. God already made all the judgments. He wrote them down in a book and told us to share them with the world. When a Chrisitian speaks up and says, “This is wrong”, they are not judging. They are repeating the judgments that God has already made. If that offends you, you are offended with God. As the old saying goes, “Don’t shoot the messenger.” Does the delivery of this message often need some work? Absolutely. But, that is another discussion. 

You may say, “Yes, but I don’t believe the Bible or care what it says.” Fine. But, don’t tell Christians who do what it says or how they should respond to what they read.

John the Baptist was beheaded for speaking out against the adulterous relationship of a political leader of his nation. Apparently, he thought making a public “judgment” was important enough to lose his head over.

Jesus publicly criticized the religious leaders of his day calling them names, making fun of them, even humiliating them on more than one occasion. He even went where no one dare tread today, judging their salvation, saying they were actually children of the Devil when they thought they were children of God. 

Some would say, “Yes, but he was Jesus. It was okay for him to judge whether a person was saved.” But, Jesus taught his disciples to do the same saying you will know a tree by the fruit it produces. 

Every one of the New Testament epistles is corrective in nature calling out sin, rebuking the rebellious, warning the unrighteous, and explaining the eternal judgment to come.

Many will say, “You have no right to tell another person their lifestyle is wrong.” And I will say, “You have no right to tell them their lifestyle is right.” You would elevate yourself above the creator of morality and say, “I know God says this is wrong, but it’s okay guys, I say it is right.”? How selfish! Where will you be when they answer to God for the lifestyle? It will not matter anyway. 

Others will say, “But aren’t Christians supposed to love?” Absolutely. And the most UNLOVING thing a Christian can do is remain silent. It is unloving towards the person living in sin. It is unloving towards all those who are listening in and have not yet made up their minds. Proclaiming the truth with love, grace, and mercy, in the face of growing persecution, is the most loving thing a Christian can do. 

It will not make us popular. But I am not after popularity. I am after obedience and faithfulness to a message that can save the world.  If this message gets watered down because we are afraid of negative backlash then it loses it’s power. 

I will leave you with this quote by Edmund Burke:  “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.”

By and large, this is exactly what we see happening in our nation today.

[pastorjoshmcelwee]

3 Ways to Love Your Neighbor

This week in Life Groups, one of the things we will discuss is the parable where Jesus was asked what it means to love your neighbor. He probably gave an answer the lawyer was not expecting when he told the story of the Good Samaritan. I take away three simple principles from this parable that each of us can live by each day. 1. DO WHAT IS PUT IN FRONT OF YOU. You can't do everything, but you can do those things that are put in front of you. For example, the Good Samaritan couldn't help every person in the whole world who had been robbed & beaten, but he could help the one that came across his path. Don't let the fact that the needs are endless paralyze you into inaction. Commit to do what God brings across your path. 2. LET GOD USE WHAT IS IN YOUR HAND The Good Samaritan was not a doctor as far as we know. It's not clear whether he was qualified to handle this situation in any capacity. But he didn't use any of that as an excuse to not act. He did what he could do and it was enough. In John 6, Jesus has a large crowd following him and he decides he wants to feed them. But, there is no food anywhere. The disciples are frustrated by this request because it seems impossible and quite frankly, a little ridiculous. Then they find a little boy who has five loaves and two fishes, "but what are they among so many?" Yet, Jesus takes the little boys nothing and turns into something and that is the lesson. We have to give God something to work with. Offer up what seems simple, what seems inadequate, and let God touch it and multiply it. 3. BE WILLING TO SACRIFICE YOUR TIME & MONEY Loving your neighbor will always cost you, if not your money then your time and usually both. It was costly for the Good Samaritan to get involved in this man's life. It was an interruption to his schedule. He had to open is wallet. But in the end, it was as if he had done it for Jesus himself. God takes it personal when we help those around us. Be willing to be interrupted. Be willing to spend a little cash. And before you know it you will be living the mission of Jesus Christ Looking forward to a great week in Life Groups! Be blessed! Pastor Josh

[pastorjoshmcelwee]

The Bible on Stay at Home Moms - on Livestream.com

Listen or watch this entire sermon at http://www.onelifechurchalexandria.com/sermons/sermon/2013-07-31/4---raising-godly-children

[pastorjoshmcelwee]

Is Homosexuality a Sin?

Influential Christians who are considered Bible teachers, even experts, are often asked the following question: "Do you think homosexuality is a sin? I would like to make a point about this question. This question has nothing to do with opinion. The answer does not require opinion. Neither should a person’s opinion enter into answering this question at all. The answer to this question is factual. Whether something is a sin or not is a matter of fact not of opinion. Let me explain what i mean. The definition of sin is as follows, “an immoral act considered to be a transgression against divine law." In determining whether ANYTHING is a sin or not there is no need to consult opinions. It would be silly to go around asking prominent citizens of the United States, “Do you believe such and such is illegal?" Why? Because this isn’t a matter of opinon. It is a matter of fact and if one wishes to know in truth whether something is illegal by law, then it is fruitless to ask someone whether they BELIEVE this or that is illegal. Of course it makes no difference what they believe as their belief would be completely irrelevant, for it either is illegal by law or it is not and their opinion does not change the fact. A better question would be, “IS such and such illegal in the united States?", not "Do you BELIEVE such and such is illegal in the United States." Now we are getting somewhere. The question has turned from opinions to facts. Anyone who has even a very basic knowledge of our country’s laws will say, “Yes. That is illegal in this country" and of course this is true by definition of what the word "illegal" actually means. At this point the person asking the question has a choice to make. They can spew insults about this country saying it isn’t fair that it is illegal and we need to change the law. They can get really mad at “the man in charge" for allowing this to be illegal. They can get really mad at all the people who agree with the law and call them names. All of this is fine and deals very heavily in the realm of opinion, but back in the realm of facts it is still against the law, opinions do not change that. So it is with divine law. And if a person does not believe in divine law then why even ask a question regarding it, namely, is such and such a sin? If you do not believe in divine law you cannot believe in sin so why bother whether something is sinful or not in the first place. Of course people can have opinions about the fairness or justice of the divine law, whether it should remain or be abolished, whether you like the guy (God) who made it, whether you like the people who follow it, whether you even want to be associated with such a community that would agree with this law, etc. But all that is entirely beside the point of the original question, “Do you BELIEVE homosexuality is a sin or not?" Homosexuality is a sin by definition of what sin is. A better question would be "Do you believe the Bible? Do you adhere to the Bible's position on Homosexuality or do you disregard it?" Of course many will respond "Yes, but there are many who interpret the Bible differently and do not believe it declares homosexuality as a sin." And there are many who interpret federal laws to be slanted in their favor, but it doesn't take much digging to agree with the overwhelming consensus about what is true and accurate versus what is utter nonsense. Any intellectually honest person cannot have disagreed with anything that has been written thus far because i have not yet interjected an opinion in favor or against homosexuality, but have simply examined whether it should be described by a particular vocabulary word, sin. Any disagreement at this point can only be over the definition of the word "sin" and this disagreement is quickly resolved with just a cursory skimming of a dictionary or a quick google search regarding the word. Have a nice weekend. Pastor Josh www.onelifechurchalexandria.com

[pastorjoshmcelwee]

Is God finished with America? Is it too late for us? Can Christ be King in the United States again?

Is God Finished With America? - on Livestream.com

[pastorjoshmcelwee]

God is an Amazing Designer...

http://youtu.be/V8vejjVgIHg

[pastorjoshmcelwee]

3 Reasons to Attend the OLC Marriage and Family Seminar

Why should you or someone you know attend the "5 weeks of Marriage" seminar at One Life Church this summer?

1. You Need it

No matter how great your marriage is, there is always room for improvement. It seems to me Satan is attacking the American family unit from all sides. There is a reason for that. The family unit can and should be a sharp tool in the hand of God. Use this opportunity to make it better for the Glory of God.

2. Your Kids Need it

As we've mentioned the children and youth will be going through a series called "Honoring Your Parents". The next five weeks are not just for the husband and wife. It is for the entire family. Your whole family will be strengthened and all relationships will benefit from the messages that will be delivered.

3. Others Need it

Many times the revelation we receive from the Word or from our church is not for us. Sometimes it is for others. How can God use the information you will receive in the next 5 weeks to invest into someone you know or someone God will bring across your path? Maybe you know someone you need to bring to these meetings. Don't hesitate to ask them. Allow the Holy Spirit to use you as an instrument of restoration!

Pastor Josh

http://www.onelifechurchalexandria.com/life-group-summer-series 

#marriage #marriageandfamily #onelifechurch #onelifetolive