preaching on heaven?
How many sermons have your heard on the subject of heaven? How many conversations have you had with other Christians on the subject of heaven?
I know I have not heard many sermons nor had many discussions with other Christians about Heaven. Interestingly, this stands in stark contrast to the many times I have had conversations with non-Christians about heaven. One of the benefits (?) of being a minister is when you say that is what you do - often the discussions turn to the most weird and wonderful topics. Heaven is often spoken about it - infact I would go as far to say that many non-Christians think that the promise of heaven is the main reason why people become or are Christians. I have always been surprised when I realise this, as it would not be high on my list of reasons and that can be seen by the lack of times I preach or talk about it.
This article is an interesting reflection on this issue. Thanks for that tip off Alan. I like this conclusion..
“When will we begin to hear sermons on heaven? Well, we already do when we hear sermons that take the yearning core of biblical texts seriously. When preachers listen to the promise of the text that a new earth and a new heaven realised in our own lives exists on the horizon and is even now breaking into our existence then we have a sermon with heaven at its heart. When the celebrant knows that the feast he presides over is from above then we have a sacrament governed by heaven. So perhaps heaven is not so far from the church’s mind and practice as we might think. It is just that it has assumed its true form as a summons to reconciliation.”
What do you think?
September 18th, 2006 at 8:00 am
Nita rather than espousing the doctrine of CCC and the mandate of Pringle I want you to give me ONE SCRIPTURE that tells us we are to “…honor the position that God gives to those people ‘at the front’…”
The bible I read Nita tells me this -
“…But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant…” (Matt 20.25-26)
Paul said this to the Corinthian church -
“…Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy…” (2 Cor 1.24)
Nita you have not answered any of the questions I posed at you either. You obviously don’t care where the $34 million is going or you’re too afraid to ask. Do you even care that CCC leadership had a homeless congregation member within their ranks and did nothing? Oh well, I guess we just need to honour the Godly lines of authority hey?
And for the record Nita, if you bother to read any of the scriptures where Paul is talking about authority he is talking about the secular authorities - in other words paying your taxes and being open and accountable. Are you aware that in the July edition of BRW magazine CCC were listed under the sub-heading “unaccountable”?
One day you’ll have to make a decision Nita… Who’s it going to be? Phil Pringle/CCC or Jesus Christ?
WIGGY
September 18th, 2006 at 11:28 am
James has a bit to say about those who give special seating arrangements - this from James chapter 2
1 My brethren, do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with partiality. 2 For if there should come into your assembly a man with gold rings, in fine apparel, and there should also come in a poor man in filthy clothes, 3 and you pay attention to the one wearing the fine clothes and say to him, “You sit here in a good place,” and say to the poor man, “You stand there,” or, “Sit here at my footstool,” 4 have you not shown partiality among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts? 5 Listen, my beloved brethren: Has God not chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him? 6 But you have dishonored the poor man. Do not the rich oppress you and drag you into the courts? 7 Do they not blaspheme that noble name by which you are called? 8 If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you do well; 9 but if you show partiality, you commit sin, and are convicted by the law as transgressors. 10 For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all.
September 18th, 2006 at 1:32 pm
By the way the version quoted was from ebible - pretty cool site.