Thursday Evening Blog With Pastor Williams (April 2009)
Posted on April 1st, 2009 by TADCCBLOG
Pastor Williams will be active on this blog site Thursday from 8:30 to 9:30 pm. Please suggests topics or questions for discussion.
Filed under: Discussion Topics
3 Responses to “Thursday Evening Blog With Pastor Williams (April 2009)”
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.
I just finished reading an article on WRAL’s website about allowing kids to participate in high school athletics even if they are home schooled. They would be allowed to participate at the high school they are assigned to. If you believe that athletic programs are an extension of a school’s academic program, then how can you allow a parent to say I don’t think you classroom instruction is suitable for my child but I want him/her to participate in the athletic instruction offered by the school. You can’t have it both ways – its called choice.
This got me to thinking about church. If you have someone who receives the benefits a church has to offer, such as sermons, pastor visits, help for the needy, etc but doesn’t give back anything to the church, how long do you think it will be before members of the congregation rise up and voice their complaints to the pastor? They are following the doctrine of it is better to receive than give. I have a feeling a lot of church goers practice this methodology. What should we as members of a church do? I can only tolerate so much giving in one direction.
Choice means giving a person the right to choose. In this instance the children do not have a choice. I admit adults are not the best examples at times for their children, with some of the choices made, but we should not punish the children for decisons made by the parents.
Jeremiah 31:29 In those days they shall say no more, The fathers have eaten a sour grape, and the children’s teeth are set on edge. 30 But every one shall die for his own iniquity: every man that eateth the sour grape, his teeth shall be set on edge.
The above scriptures means that the children should not be punished for the wrongs of the father. The parents should lead the children into right, but when they do not, the children will judged for their own wrong doings and not what the parent did. Children should be given every opportunity to explore who they can be come, as long as it is righteous.
On the civil side, all taxpayers should have access to the same benefits. The public schools are for the public’s use and if the determination has been made that children of taxpayers are able to participate in atheletic events then we follow the laws of the land.
Romans 13:1 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.
2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.
3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:
4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil
On your other point, God is a rewarder of those that diligently seek Him. Freely we have received from the Lord freely we give.
Matthew 5:40 And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also.
41 And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.
42 Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.
Christ Jesus our Lord tells us to give. The church would do a disservice to the name of Christ Jesus not to give to those in need. On the other hand, the Bible says if you do not work you do not eat. The Holy Scriptures do not encourage laziness, but it does encourage helping the less fortunate among us, whether it be children or adults.
Dear Frustrated,
Proverbs tells us that knowledge begins with the fear of the Lord. So whether it is academics or sports parents have to teach first and foremost who God is and why He send Jesus Christ is son to die for our sins. So the emphasis needs to be on righteous lessons our children and students are taught from teachers, coaches and parents.
Pr 13 tells us that that the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just. So for parents who chose to home school to limit their child’s exposure to the inadequacies and inconsistency of traditional public school, as righteous believers in Christ Jesus, they are still afforded access to the athletic programs offered by school.
I agree with Peace, that as tax payers working and paying taxes, children in the same community should have access. In the natural sense, the parent’s choice to home school saves instructional cost, class size, equipment and the like.
I look at choice this way for schools. The K-12 experience is to expose a child to all learning opportunities so that they can decide what best suits their interest. Much like the first time a child has hamburger. Most like it with only ketchup a burger and a bun. As the child grows and the taste buds develop those plain simple burgers come with lettuce, tomatoes, bacon, cheese and many other combinations.
We must continue to train up children in fear of God, righteousness and truth based on the Bible which is why Bible study and Sunday school is as important and Sunday worship. This is when these questions should be asked and discussed within a congregation so that the body of Christ understands the passion the Jesus had.
John 1 tells us Jesus came for a people that didn’t receive him, but those who did he gave them power. It never says Jesus was disgruntled or angry that they didn’t believe. It ever turn he offered them wisdom, forgiveness and understanding, up until he yield his Spirit on the cross of Calvary.
True believers understand 1 Corinthians 3 that says one plants, one waters and God gives the increase. All believers in the Body of Christ are ministers or helpers to their brothers and sisters. It is not done for gain or profit or so that the community gives back. Rather that one soul or many souls come to know the saving grace of Jesus. A true pastor would explain this to his congregants.
Frustrated, remember these two commandments of Jesus and your frustrations will be replaced with love. Matthew 22:37-40 tells us to first, love the Lord with all our heart soul and mind. And second, it tells us to love our neighbor as our self. So by “giving in one direction” to those neighbors in need is equal to giving to you. It is ultimately out of love for God. And our reward for giving is the Holy Spirit which leads and guides our footsteps and our paths. The Holy Spirit orchestrates and directs us so if we never get anything from the person we give to, God gives it back to us in wisdom, knowledge, health and grace.