Jesus Came To Redeem Humanity
On December 12th, Julianna Pena – a +850 underdog – managed to defeat Amanda Nunes for the bantamweight championship. Amanda was the No.1 fighter in ESPN’s women’s pound-for-pound ranking and a winner of 12 straight fights. She was considered one of the greatest MMA women fighters of all time. Many UFC analysts suggest this upset defeat by Pena was one of the greatest upsets in MMA history. Some argue that Pena will not be forgotten after this past weekend’s fight. As Christians, we know this MMA historic event will soon be forgotten. Although the excitement of the fight is still fresh in the minds of many, one story of one person continues to stand the test of time. Today I want to talk about why Jesus’ arrival to earth is still remembered after all this time. He did not win a fight or an MMA belt, but He did redeem humanity. Sinless Yet Human Jesus Christ came in the flesh and is fully God. He arrived in human form to live a fully human life. He cannot take our place receiving the full punishment of sin without living and experiencing all that a human can encounter in a lifespan. Jesus was born into a body that was not sinful. He cannot sin, but he obeyed the limitedness of his physical body. He did not use the power that he could have as God while on earth. Jesus’ body “contained” his power, in other words. Contrary to popular belief, Jesus did not come into a sinful body; let me explain. He could not have been put into a fallen body because that would assume that Jesus Christ is sinful. 2 Cor. 5:21, Paul tells us that, “God made him (Jesus) who had no sin to be sin for us so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (ESV) 1 Peter 2:22 tells us that Jesus, “who committed no sin, nor was any deceit found in his mouth…” (ESV) The author of Hebrews, verse 4:15, states that we do “not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weakness, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin” (ESV). Jesus Suffered For Our Sins Jesus chose to take on the full weight of all sin of the world to save humanity from God’s punishment. The scholar, Wellum tells us that while Jesus did not possess the moral corruption brought on by the fall, He did suffer from the fall’s amoral effects. These effects are grief, weariness, prolonged hunger, opposition by enemies and even neighbors and family members…and the physical agonies of dying. Putting it differently, it is like a person having flu-like symptoms but not having the flu. Jesus felt the effects of the sin but is not sinful himself. To close, Jesus Christ took on our human nature without human sin. Praise God! Our precious Savior is the only one who could take our place on the cross. Jesus Christ came to this world to save you and me from the punishment of sin. Put your faith in Jesus Christ and He is faithful and able to redeem you from the hands of evil and darkness. And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved. – Acts 4:12 (ESV)
How Do We Disagree And Still Get Along?
The big question during these times is, “how do we disagree and still get along?” Would you agree? Keep reading and gain some insight and learn some ways to foster good relationships without compromising what you believe. Today’s blog is a follow up to Nate Ferguson’s message at The Village Christian Church when he taught on how to show compassion within our relationships. As a clinical therapist (in training), I often teach cognitive skills that help people improve their relationships at home. The main type of relationship that people need help with is between parents and children, both young and grown. There are several paths to discuss this challenging topic, but I want to focus on the main thing that tears down the relationship between children/young adults and their parents. What Is The Cause Of The Problem? Invalidation is the main reason relationships suffer at home between children/young adults and their parents and it occurs often within these relationships sadly. A person’s self-worth is taken from them when he/she feels like what they have to say is not important. In many cases, parents listen to “answer” rather than listening to “listen.” The latter expresses a message that although a parent may not agree with the child, the content is much less important than validating the perspective of the child. However, the moment a young person feels invalidated, he/she will experience a great deal of shame. Sometimes they may feel like they do not matter, that what they have to say is not worth listening to. The disagreement between a young person and a parent worsens when this type of invalidation is not dealt with. The problem turns into the issue of a young person’s self-worth crumbling. Nothing is more painful for a human being than to feel like they don’t belong. Research tells us that not feeling like you belong is one of the main reasons why a young person does not want to keep living. Although this seems extreme, this often occurs in homes where families appear as though everything is “alright.” Another major component that comes up is the feeling of self-hatred because of being invalidated. Self-worth decreases which can lead to a person feeling like who they are is not important. This same person can experience the feeling of being alone because their perspective continually is being ignored or unappreciated. What Does Scripture Say About It? Proverbs 11:9 (ESV version) says that: “Evil words destroy one’s friends; wise discernment rescues the godly”. Proverbs 11:17 (ESV version) also tells us that: “Your own soul is nourished when you are kind, but you destroy yourself when you are cruel.” Lastly, in Matthew 12:36 (ESV version), a great warning is presented to us as believers: “I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give an account for every careless word they speak.” Words are powerful and without the discernment given to us by the Holy Spirit, many of us harm those that we love dearly without intent by our words. Further, the harm may be extended to those outside of our family; friends, co-workers, and relatives can also be harmed by our careless words. Practice The Art Of Communication To find the middle path, we can disagree with our loved ones AND still find a way to bring about comfort and acceptance of their self-worth. The art of communication is difficult to do well. For the sake of the glory of Christ, I think it is worth taking this art seriously. I want to share with you all three main ways that you can disagree with a loved one and still validate their self-worth and their perspective, i.e., the middle road is not compromising. Validating someone’s perspective does not have to mean you agree with their perspective.“I appreciate your perspective. I want to think a bit more about what you are saying. Maybe we can get together again soon to chat some more about this?” Disagree with the content of someone’s perspective, do not make it personal.“I have to share with you that I do not know if I come to the same conclusion you do about that passage in Scripture. Maybe you and I can talk to a pastor about our disagreement?” Build trust and rapport before you start disagreeing. Trust binds together those that disagree about many things.“I appreciate you so much and I know that we do not agree about a lot of things. I’m so thankful that we can disagree and still care about each other. I would rather be together than disagree harshly and never speak again.” Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips! -Psalm 141:3 (ESV)
When Someone Rejects God
Did you know there is a worldview that rejects God? For example, a person may believe that science dispels the idea that miracles exist because it goes against scientific principles. If this is true, then a person is going to reject miracles that occur in the Bible. If you deny miracles, then you deny that Jesus rose from the dead. Although some may believe this rationale is ridiculous, some people do hold to views like this one. God Created The Heavens And The Earth Modern science assumes a non-Christian worldview. I cannot put God “under a microscope” so God cannot be real. Physical matter is all that is real for a person that holds a worldview that is not Biblical. I argue, however, that science and a Christian worldview are compatible. A person who rejects God (i.e., worldview) argues that God is restricted by the laws of the universe. To put it simply, God must follow laws like no energy is created nor destroyed in the universe. If this logic is true, then God cannot create anything out of nothing. However, the Bible tells us this… In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. – Genesis 1:1 A warning is given from Scripture about identifying with a worldview that opposes the concept of God. Although people who identify with this worldview desire to pursue truth, God tells us there is one way to find truth and that is found in Jesus Christ. No other way exists to find truth in this world (John 3:16, ESV). The Bible teaches that Jesus is the only way to know God. Although people who reject God suggest that God is unknowable, the Bible tells us that all Scripture is “God-breathed…” (2 Tim. 3:16, ESV). God speaks to us continually through His Word and His creation. John the Disciple sharply points out that “In the beginning was the Word, the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1, ESV). As people desire to seek out their truth, God gives them over to the desires of their hearts (James 4:7, ESV). Believe to understand rather than attempting to understand so you can believe in Jesus Christ, St. Anselm of Canterbury suggested many decades ago. What To Do When Someone Rejects God I want to share with you practical ways to communicate with a friend, loved one, or a family member who may hold to a worldview that rejects God: Jesus builds relationships through us, not destroys them. Build a relationship first with someone before you suggest their worldview is not biblical. People know you care when you listen to understand them. Listening to listen is not listening to respond. Changing someone’s heart is Jesus’ job, not yours; be patient with those that do not hold the same worldview you do. Jesus saved you while you were yet still a sinner. Agree to disagree builds trust and respect in a relationship. People are more willing to hear about a Christian worldview when their worldview is respected. Simple statements that encourage ongoing discussion with your people who reject a worldview that believes in God. Here are some examples: “Thank you for spending some time with me to talk about this challenging topic.” “I appreciate the time you spent with me to share your story. Let’s catch up soon so we can talk more.” “I just want to hear your story about your belief in God; I am not here to judge it.” “We may not agree in the end, but I am glad we had this discussion. I enjoyed getting to know you.”
Why You Are Hardwired For Connection
Because God Made Us That Way Do you struggle with loneliness or the inability to maintain relationships? Does that lead to feelings of depression or anxiety? Are you looking for the right connection? God created you to have a relationship with Him and others. He created you to be connected to Him, to receive the blessings He has planned for you. He created you to be connected to His body, the church, to help you grow and mature. Nate Ferguson, the Lead Pastor at The Village Christian Church, gave a message about the idea that all people are hard-wired for connection. As a Christian who loves neuroscience, mental health, and psychology, my mind quickly became curious. I started thinking about the various nuances regarding how people are hard-wired to connect with other humans. Isn’t it wonderful to marvel at the way our Sovereign Lord has designed us? God has created in us the right neural structure, nervous and biological system to connect with other humans. The right connection. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made – Romans 1:20 – ESV Seeker, I pray that God gives you the eyes to see the great Designer of this universe. Science Shows We Need Connection Biological science tells us that we are the only species that have the neural structures in our brains to engage the way we do. Social engagement is critical to our survival. Mental health research strongly shows what happens when children experience emotional, mental, and physical deprivation. The outcomes are tragic, and yet this occurs throughout the world. Scans show that parts of a child’s brain experience developmental deficits when they do not have a caregiver near them validating their emotions before the age of 4. Emotional regulation issues arise as these same children grow up, creating difficulties in their lives. People, as God designed it, need one another. We are hardwired to connect. The most important things that any child needs at any stage in their development are “connection, presence, and affection” (Tangeman, 2021). Dr. Ed Tronick conducted the famous “still face” experiment. In short, the study involved a mother and a babysitting face-to-face and playing. During the first phase, the mother played and mirrored the emotions and expressions her baby was making. In the second phase, however, the same mother displayed a “still face” or a lack of responsiveness to her baby for two minutes. The scientific take-a-away from this study is that the baby begins to cry and screech when the mom does not validate the emotions and expressions of her baby. The baby becomes greatly disturbed releasing a large amount of stress and worry hormones, harming her overall health. What Can We Do? As believers, the thing we can take away from this major research finding is that we can help people “re-wire” their brains by being present, connected, and affectionate towards those that are closest to us. Science and Christian theology teach that we need each other to be healthy, spiritually and mentally. Scripture tells us connection, presence, and affection are built in us. The writer of Colossians says: “And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.” Colossians 3:14 – ESV Paul tells the Christians at Thessalonica, “and may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you,” 1Thessalonians 3:12 – ESV A humility that motivates us to connect with people comes when we look to Jesus’ display of the ultimate act of humility; Jesus came to earth and took the form of a man to suffer like all humans; He would put himself on the Cross to die in our place. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 – ESV So, scientific research only further supports what Scripture has taught for over 2000 years. Here are some practical steps to have the right connection with people: Connect by listening to understand, not to respond. Be present by maintaining eye contact and reflecting on the things that people share with you, especially when they share deep-felt life experiences. Show affection by praising people when “they open up to you” (e.g., Thank you for trusting me with your story). Connect with people instead of correcting people-people desire to be heard and loved for who they are. Connect In A Lifegroup
How To Restore Broken Relationships
I want to talk to you about relationships. There are a dozen ways I can tackle this topic, but I want to focus on one specific feature of relationships for this blog. Let’s talk about trust. If you have experienced broken trust in a relationship before, it can be difficult to learn to trust again. There is a way to restore broken relationships through the love and grace of Jesus Christ. Where It Starts Family research tells us that many children lose trust in their parents before the age of 4. Specific things need to happen between the relationship with a child and his/her parents at a young age. When this does not occur, mistrust forms the way the child(ren) grows up in the world. Research also tells us that by the age of 2, most children have a picture of what a relationship may look like through their eyes, healthy or unhealthy. When trust is lost, relationships decay from the inside out. Example My mom and I have not had a healthy relationship since my father passed away. I have not agreed with some of the choices my mom has made, and now feelings of hurt, betrayal, and mistrust underpin our relationship. I have given myself the freedom to harbor these feelings towards my mom because I believe I have the right to. May I be candid with you today, friend? I fear what my mom would do with my feelings if I shared with her how I felt because of the recent choices she has made. I fear that she would deny (i.e., gaslighting; Contact Me if you want to learn more about the effects gaslighting has on a relationship) how I am feeling. I fear that I would lose more trust in our relationship because of her disavowing how she has hurt me. Remember, trust (among other variables) generates an authentic relationship between a child and caregiver early on. So, I fear the love that I desire to receive, I will not get if my mom and I spoke. What Does The Bible Say About It? I admit that I do not trust Christ’s sufficiency to help me through the painful experience with my mom. I do not want to give control of my feelings over to God, because I trust I can care for them better than He can. In Philippians 4:8, Paul announces that God grants peace to those that praise and pursue “whatever is pure”. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Philippians 4:8 1 Peter 5:8 says that we (Christians) are to be “sober-minded”. Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8 In Luke 6:37, the apostle Luke tells Theophilus to “…forgive, and you will be forgiven.” Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Luke 6:37 Would you come alongside me to pray that God would grant me the courage to trust Him so that I can pursue healing in my relationship with my mom? Pray that God would enable me to hold onto Him to rebuild trust, through His grace, to sustain me regardless of how long it takes to rebuild trust. How To Restore Relationships In Christ Friend, are you wondering how to heal the relationships in your life today? Put your faith in Christ, do not wait! His love, grace, compassion, mercy, and power will motivate you to push against cultural norms. Culture tells us today that individualism is prioritized over relationships. Relationships are the main way that Jesus Christ can show his love towards us. Steps to restore your most valued relationships: Choose to follow Christ – Christ’s power heals you so that he can heal relationships through you. Pray and read the Bible – build your relationship with Christ. Seek a prayer partner to teach you how to pray over broken relationships. Find a church to get connected with other believers; a deeper connection with the local church helps you deepen your connection with God (Ephesians 2-4, ESV). I AM THEY is a Christian music group that produced a song that I believe summarizes much of what I have been discussing with you all today. To close, may God speak words of love and grace to you through these lyrics: “So I’m thankful for the scars ‘Cause without them I wouldn’t know your heart And I know they’ll always tell of who you are So forever I am thankful for the scars Now I’m sending in confidence With the strength of your faithfulness And I’m not who I was before No, I don’t have to fear anymore” (Scars) Learn more about relationships through the series “Relation-Shift” available to watch at The Village Live. You can follow along on your own, with a friend, or with a group using these discussion guides: Relation-Shift- Week 1-5.
How Do You Find Your Identity In Christ?
How do you choose to identify yourself? Many people find identity in the job they have. Some people identify themselves by the status they have in their family. One thing all believers have in common, your identity is found in Jesus Christ. But how do you find your identity in Christ? I have spent a great deal of time reflecting on Nick’s message when he talked about finding your identity in Christ. Nick is one of the Teaching Pastors at The Village Christian Church. His message had a big impact on me spiritually and I hope my experience relates to someone who reads this post. Many of us come home after a long day of work and wonder what we accomplished on that day. What we do for a living brings about a lot of purpose in our lives. Does the purpose we get from our jobs, successes, and relationships (yes, even this!) fade away sometimes? Now can I be honest with you for a moment? Listening to Nick’s message that Sunday morning, I immediately thought about how often I fill my cup with everything but Jesus. The message showed me that I often find value and worth in what I do instead of who I am in Jesus. Achieving success in our daily responsibilities is important, don’t get me wrong. But Jesus Christ must be where we find our true self-worth. The Holy Spirit showed me that I often find my worth in how “productive” I am at my job, relationships, and intellect. How Do We Find Our Identity In Christ? You ask a great and profound question, my friend! You can start by meeting with a wise person or two. They can help guide you on how to pursue a life where you find your identity in Christ. The body of Christ is in place to help each one of us grow in our understanding of how to find our self-worth in Jesus Christ. Accountability can be a scary thing for some people. But, The Village Christian Church is a place where people will come around you full of compassion and love to help you in your walk with Jesus Christ. Another way you can find your identity in Christ is to find a Bible study partner. Find someone you can spend time reading the Bible with a few times a month. The best teacher is Jesus Christ through the Holy Spirit. He will show you how to live in Jesus Christ all the time. Friends, the mission is still not complete: Jesus Christ must be proclaimed all over the world. Find your worth in Jesus Christ, do it today friend! May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans15:13 (NIV) Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. -Hebrews 11:1 (ESV) Watch Bring Order Out Of The Chaos