Friday’s Word – “Ascension Sunday—Pentecost Next Week”

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May I gripe a little?

There is just so much Christian silliness around.

I heard David Jeremiah in a sermon on YouTube—you know, big church in California, 10,000 on Sunday mornings. He was talking about how Jesus, at His Second Coming, will bring all the dead back to earth and set up His kingdom here.

Back to earth?! And all of these people will be reunited with their dead bodies?

Can you imagine some poor soul saying, “O God—after the joy of heaven, I’ve been shoved back into my old dead body and I’m back in Oklahoma!”

And it’s not just rich TV preachers pushing this stuff. Respected scholar N. T. Wright says much the same thing.

Where do they get such a strange, unlikely scenario?

Where else? The Book of Revelation.

We’ve got this script for a Star Wars movie tacked on to the end of our Bible.

Preachers, it’s a problem.

I know most of you feel like you have to defend Revelation and all its flights of fancy.

Yes, it’s in the Bible.

It’s historically important. But—

It is theological hokum.

Worse than that, it’s dead weight on the Gospel. If you mix this nonsense with the teachings of Jesus, it pulls the Gospel down with it.

Stop defending it.

Stop conflating the Jesus who told us to love our enemies with a Jesus who cuts off the heads of His enemies with a sword.

Revelation has nothing to do with the teachings of Jesus or the future history of God’s creation.

It’s time to be honest—both to God and about God.

Give people Jesus.

More about this on Sunday.

Max’s Corner

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First—and most importantly—we’ll gather this Saturday at 11:00 AM for the memorial service for Dan Mitchell. I know there are food plans, though I admit that’s not my department. But I trust it’s being handled. Our love and prayers go out to Dan’s family.

My thanks to Winston Dietrick-Kirkpatrick for leading last Sunday’s liturgy in his usual distinguished fashion, and to Rev. Dr. Steve Langford for a truly fine sermon. I know you enjoyed it—I certainly did, watching from home.

Mary and I were both away last Sunday, but we’re both back this week.

I attended the closing of First Presbyterian Church in Grand Prairie—the last church I was part of before entering ministry. I worked with the youth there, and it was a joy to see eight or ten of them at the service. The loss of that church is simply sad. They no longer had enough members to sustain.

Discovering God – Class Resumes

This Sunday at 9:45, we continue our series on Why We Are Here. Most people go through life unsure of their purpose, but I believe an answer is available. If life has a purpose, then so do we. Join us as we talk about what that might be.

Breakfast follows at 10:30. It’s a Winston Sunday—feel free to help out. And worshippers, come early and eat!

This Sunday – Ascension & Communion

It’s Ascension Sunday, when we remember Jesus being lifted up as His followers watched. Luke says He promised to return. In John’s Gospel, He makes that same promise. This week, I’ll be preaching about the Second Coming—but likely in a way you’ve never heard it before.

Here are some questions to consider:

  • Does God see this world as a failure?
  • Or does He love it exactly as it is?
  • Does God want to end the world, or use it?
  • And what about you—why are you here?

Let’s worship together—and expect good things.

God Bless,

—MB