Category: Faith Fix

Question: Matthew 7:21-23 talks about Jesus saying, “depart from Me I never knew you.” And John 14:16 says no body gets to the father except through me (Jesus). Now I know there’s a good chance I’m over thinking this but how do we know we know and have a relationship with Jesus if we’re always praying to God? We often connect with others mainly through conversation and time spent with them but if we are to pray to God then how do we spend time with Jesus? 

It is very important when understanding scripture that we don’t isolate scripture from its context and sometimes that means the whole Bible. When reading scriptures, especially ones that tend to trip people up more than others, we need to look at the Word first as a whole, then as the audience being taught, then apply it individually within those parameters. Paul said in Acts 20:27 (NASB), “For I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole purpose (some versions read counsel) of God. We need it all, sometimes to even understand a little.

How do you know which are “troublesome” passages? Understand, if something in scripture catches or troubles you it most like did and does to many others. Often times these scriptures of woe often are the place people get into erroneous understandings. Trigger words like slave, sin, submission, and the like tend to trip people up, getting them mixed up into weird ideas of the Truth. In this realm belongs all those who claim, “It’s how you interpret it.”

Understanding prayer is an important part of a believer’s walk and yet so many just don’t get it. They “try” prayer based on their understanding of communication but never come to know really what God gave to us through prayers ability. Before we get into this, let me clear some things up about what we commonly call the Trinity first. 

God is one, Father, Son, Holy Spirit. Jesus said in John 14:9 (NASB), “…He who has seen Me has seen the Father.” Also in John 10:30 (NASB), “I and the Father are one.” The Bible teaches that God is one God manifested in three persons. A basic way of understanding this is like water. Water never changes what it is but it’s form does from liquid, to solid, to gas. All very different but all completely the same. 

When you pray to God the Father, you are praying to the others… in essence. The Jews always prayed to their Heavenly Father and we do as well. Jesus did this for example while He was here. The problem is, people who did not have covenant with God (which included all of us non-Jewish people) had no right to come to God. That is what He was speaking about in John 14:16. He was telling of how He was the only true access to the Father. When Jesus was here, His disciples depended on and asked Him for things. Jesus stated in John 16:23-24 (NASB), “In that day you will not question Me about anything. Truly, truly, I say to you, if you ask the Father for anything in My name, He will give it to you. Until now you have asked for nothing in My name; ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be made full.” This was quite a transition and an important key to our prayers.

Saying that we would pray to the Father in His (Jesus) name was not about what we say, but about the authority (another trip up word) in which we say it. Because of Jesus, now we have assured access to the Father which is not just Him but representative of all that God represents and otherwise employs. The “relationship” we often talk about is not as much something we build as it is something we obtain. We obtain it through faith in what Christ already did for us! How magnificent!

Let me state this more plainly. You can do nothing to have a relationship with God, Jesus, or the Holy Spirit except receive what Jesus has done for you, by faith, and believe that it is something for you to walk in continually. No amount of works or prayer or reading the Bible will bring you any closer to God. Those things only do one thing, they change YOUR understanding of it and that helps you.

When Jesus said, “I will say depart from Me,” He was not referring to some believer who misses it in various places of their life. He’s talking about people whose motives were wrong, like the man who wanted to purchase the power of the Holy Spirit from the disciples. Or like people who try and use the faith to make themselves rich, or for power and prestige. This was not written for the humble believer who tries to live godly and finds themselves failing. If that were the case, we’d all need another savior.

So to sum this all up, all who desire to have a relationship with God can freely receive it by embracing what His Son, Jesus Christ did for us all. You can’t earn it but you can receive it. Then, as that person reads the Bible, prays to God, goes to church, and fellowships with believers they will grow in their understanding of that relationship. Race doesn’t matter, gender doesn’t matter, societal status does not matter, God will show Himself equally to any one who desires Him!

Be Blessed,

Pastor Jeff 

QUESTION: Proverbs 16:12: It is an abomination for king’s to commit wicked acts. For the throne is established on righteousness. Can this also relate to our government?

This most certainly applies to our government. Actually, this scripture is a warning. This warning can apply to us as much as to them. Let me explain.

The difference between the governments back then and ours today is that we have a say. Voting is not just a privilege but also a responsibility. It’s also one that we will answer to God for. If we vote for people that do unrighteous things, we are partially to blame. Personally I could never vote for someone who openly chooses policies that oppose God. We have a say in their unrighteousness. 

Our government does some pretty evil things. But did you know that they are at the mercy of the church? Look at 1 Timothy 2:1-3 (NASB). “First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior.” Many Christians love to rail against government policies that they don’t agree with however the Bible calls us to pray. To complain instead of praying means you essentially say that God is powerless to do anything about it! Now, that changes things doesn’t it?

1 Timothy 2:2 says why we pray, to live a tranquil and quiet life. Then in verse 3 it says that this attitude God considers good. You can’t argue with that!

Our nation now is facing the results of a church that’s been sleeping. As Christians we have simply allowed too many evil policies and politicians to ruse to prominence. Our Proverbs scripture is also a warning. Notice where it says a throne is established on righteousness? To be established means to be strong, stable, and unmovable. This scripture is telling us that if we want our country to be immovable and strong, we better not put up with that evil. We need to pray it out.

Every country that resists or rejects God, does not last. If righteous deeds strengthen, then unrighteous ones weaken. It’s godly to pray for your government and your nation. It’s should be out habit because it is our duty.

Be Blessed,

Pastor Jeff 

Question: The Bible tells us we are to take care of and honor our parents, but how far does this go? Do we care for them daily or provide for them daily? Should they be involved in our everyday lives? Live with us? Does this mean we take care of them like they did us as children? 

Exodus 20:12 (NASB)

Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be prolonged in the land which the LORD your God gives you.

This seems like a loaded question in that there was a specific reason behind its asking. The question shouldn’t be how far does it go but what is meant by honor? Basically, the word for honor in Hebrew means to make heavy or weighty. I think you could see it like this, the thing that is honored is not easily cast off, that it is of a great importance in the heart and mind of the one who is to have it. 

Honor is something that is severely lacking in our society today and especially amongst the youth. People act so wishy washy about things, changing their minds quickly. Honor is not just a thing you have for certain people, honor is a heart issue. Honor is a way of life, a way of thinking and acting. To a Christian, honor should be of utmost importance. This is because honor is really a love issue.

So let’s look at parents, how far does honor go? What could similarly be asked is how far does love go? This question is very difficult to answer in that there’s so much left out. Are the parents saved? Are they living for God? Are they abusive? Are they causing division? See, in all of these things there are different approaches. The heart behind what God was requiring of His people is to not think lightly in handling your parents. Because we owe our very lives to them, we must consider them in our lives and hold them in high esteem.  

To answer the various questions asked I have one blanket answer, what would love do? Do they need a place to stay, what would love do? Do they need daily care, what would love do? You see, when we answer what to do in our personal interactions with what would love do, we always start on the right foot. We must also think soberly about our situation. Let me give you a scenario.  Let’s say your parents can’t pay their rent. They come to you for help but let’s pretend you can barely pay yours. Honor doesn’t mean you don’t pay your rent to pay theirs. Honor means that they matter to you. Maybe you try to help in ways you are able or maybe you help them find help. You can only do what you can do.

What God requires of us isn’t that hard when we look at it right. We are called to be different than the world is, to be conformed into His image. What would Jesus do? When it comes to God’s direction we should never be looking to just do enough to fulfill some religious rule, rather we should desire to be right in knowledge and action. Only when we desire to be right can we be pleasing to Him. Don’t ask how far do I go, ask am I doing what You want me to do Lord? Then you can have faith that you’ve acted honorably.

2 Corinthians 8:21 (NASB)

For we have regard for what is honorable, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.

Be Blessed,

Pastor Jeff

QUESTION: Does Family Church believe in replacement theology (basically, God has replaced Israel with His Church)?

What does Family Church believe? There’s a lot of ways to answer this and even though it’s not specifically the question asked I decided before I got there, I’d start here, and for a good reason. I can sum up Family Church beliefs in one word, Bible.

Now I know that’s a loaded statement. Every Christian church claims this but really this is it for us too. We do our best to follow the Bible with a focus on the doctrines that are clearly established. That being said, individual Family Church pastors are entitled to seek God on their own and focus their churches based on how God leads them. So to answer this question, I cannot say what Family Church’s position on it is but what my position is. I’ll be honest, before this question came I didn’t think about “replacement theology” as a way of thinking. That does not mean that I didn’t think about it in essence, just not as a specific doctrine. 

I’m going to start by answering with scripture how I feel about some aspects of replacement theology I’ve seen in my brief research. 

Has the church replaced Israel in God’s plan? Romans 2:29 says, “But he is a Jew who is one inwardly…” Now this is interesting but consider this, Romans 10:1, “Brethren, my heart’s desire and my prayer to God for them (Israel) is for their salvation.” Let’s look at two more scriptures, Romans 11:11-12, “I say then, they did not stumble so as to fall, did they? May it never be! But by their (Israel’s) transgression salvation has come to the Gentiles, to make them jealous. Now if their transgression is riches for the world and their failure is riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their fulfillment be!” Basically what these scriptures show us is this, Israel’s rejection became our blessing but Paul’s desire and ours too should be that they come to a knowledge of truth. So they weren’t as much replaced here as we were added in. 

Now, there is another part of the theology that needs looked at, do the promises to Israel apply to the church? Galatians 3:7-9 says, “Therefore, be sure that it is those who are of faith who are sons of Abraham. The Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, “ALL THE NATIONS WILL BE BLESSED IN YOU.” So then those who are of faith are blessed with Abraham, the believer.” Galatians 3:14 says, “In order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we would receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.” I think that the Bible clearly teaches that we are blessed with their blessing.

I believe that there is still a type of blessing for Israel, simply because God doesn’t lie and God doesn’t change. Romans 11:29, “For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.” Was not Israel called to be Gods people? Numbers 23:19 says, “God is not a man, that He should lie, nor a son of man, that He should repent; Has He said, and will He not do it? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?” God didn’t remove all blessing from them just because He added us in. However, that being said, all humans can do things to be separated from the promises of God. So it’s not that God changed but if anyone separates from Him, He has no choice but to let them go.

It seems to me that in scripture there is also provision for God to use the Jews in the last days. That Israel will return to Him and be used for His purpose. That does not mean however that they will not still have to choose it. They will have to choose right and to follow God but I believe that the blinders (John 12:40) that have been put on them will be removed.

Now I want to end this with a few thoughts. 1) I did not do a full in depth study on this subject and I am always open to further light based on scripture. 2) I don’t currently think that an in depth study of this would be particularly fruitful. As a pastor, my primary focus and the Church’s primary need is to be equipped for the work of the ministry of spreading the Gospel. Whether it be to Jews, atheists, gentiles, black, white, or any color in between, people first need to know that Jesus died and paid for their sin so they could get to God. After that, their focus needs to be on living in Godly direction to reach more people. I’m not saying that other biblical topics are unimportant, I’m saying what’s most important is the need at hand. 

Be Blessed,

Pastor Jeff 

QUESTION: Recently, we had a party and invited church family and regular family. My regular family told me they were not coming because they feel like outcasts because we have more to talk about with our church family. I don’t know how to feel about this because a part of me is at peace keeping my distance as there are deeper issues, yet I’m asking myself how is this a good representation of Jesus, how does He feel about walking away from “family” …Basically, I’m more concerned with disappointing Jesus with this situation.

This is such a great question and I’m guessing this is something many others have had to deal with, including myself to some regard.

Romans 12:18 says, “If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men.” In context, this is speaking of a believer’s relationship with unbelievers. There’s a lot to consider here, but let’s focus on two things. First, your goal should always be peace. Peace is something Jesus paid for! But secondly, notice the “if it is possible” part. This means you do your part to be peaceful from your end, but we CANNOT control what others do.

Let’s keep reading in this same passage of scripture. Look at Romans 12:19-21, “Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, “VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY,” says the Lord. “BUT IF YOUR ENEMY IS HUNGRY, FEED HIM, AND IF HE IS THIRSTY, GIVE HIM A DRINK; FOR IN SO DOING YOU WILL HEAP BURNING COALS ON HIS HEAD.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” Ok this is strong language when we’re talking about family members not wanting to come to birthday parties, but if we understand the principle behind this, it will answer the situation at hand.

First, never take your own revenge. What does that look like? “Well, they wouldn’t come to my kid’s party so I won’t go to there kid’s party.” That’s revenge. “They stopped calling me to say happy birthday so I stopped calling them.” “They talk bad about me so I can talk bad about them.” These are all statements from someone looking for revenge. But the Lord says let Him handle that part. Now look at your job instead, it’s to overcome evil with good and if your enemy is hungry, hurting, or needy and you can help, you help. Now don’t be tripped up by that word “enemy”. It simply means “a hostile one.” Remember unbelievers will often act hostile against the truth, for the god of this world has blinded them and they cannot see truth for what it is.

Now look at 1 Peter 3:16, “… keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ will be put to shame.” Give your family no reason and no real ammunition against you. Stay on the side of love and stay on the side of peace, never stooping to the same level. That’s what the Word says about it.

Now, let’s address this disappointing Jesus part of your question. Look at Mark 10:29-30, “Jesus said, “Truly I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or farms, for My sake and for the gospel’s sake, but that he will receive a hundred times as much now in the present age, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and farms, along with persecutions; and in the age to come, eternal life.” When we are born again, we are born into a new family of brothers and sisters in Christ. When we see that our life isn’t just about living for us but for a greater purpose focused around Jesus, it’s really hard not to let that direct your conversation, your fellowship. (In fact any Christian who doesn’t yearn for godly conversation and spiritual fellowship with other believers is possibly backslidden or at least complacent.) It seems that the Lord knew we may have to walk away from others, even natural family members, that wouldn’t want to follow Him with us. He’s not disappointed by that, as long as we aren’t divisive or living in strife. Look at Proverbs 26:20-21 (AMP),
“For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, contention ceases.
As coals are to hot embers and as wood to fire, so is a quarrelsome man to inflame strife.” Your job is to live your life towards Jesus and as you do so people will come and go, but you must not add wood to the fire of contention. Eventually, the fire will go out. I could tell you story after story where that has happened in my own life as I’ve taken this very same path.

Be Blessed,
Pastor Renée

Question: In Joshua 2:2-24 is the account of Rahab, a Canaanite prostitute that helps Israelite spies escape Jericho. I have noticed for myself when stepping out, following God’s leading into something, that the least likely candidates are helping, almost unknowingly assisting in His plan. Those who I even thought likely to be opposition. Are there any other accounts in the Bible like this? Can and should we be expecting God to move on the hearts of unbelievers, the unlikely candidates even the opposition to assist us in what God is leading us in, calling us to?

1 Corinthians 1:27-29 (NASB)

But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong, and the base things of the world and the despised God has chosen, the things that are not, so that He may nullify the things that are, so that no man may boast before God.

“Can and should we be expecting God to move on the hearts of unbelievers, the unlikely candidates even the opposition, to assist us in what God is leading us in, calling us to?” We should absolutely be expecting God to move, and leave it right there. I have found too many times as I have tried to figure out which way God would work or in what method He would utilize to get something done, that He rarely takes my suggestions! I am always surprised.

I am convinced that the Lord will use just about anyone willing to accomplish His plan, whether they know it or not. Now, so we understand, God is not forcing anyone to do anything, only the devil does that. But the Lord knows who will listen and what they will listen to, and He will work within that willingness.

In the Old Testament we see God use a donkey to correct Balaam. He used Pharaoh to fulfill His plan, the daughter of Pharaoh to rescue Moses, and in Isaiah He used people “of a strange tongue” to bring judgement on His people just to name a few. He used nonbelievers to help Joseph rise to prominence in yet another example. In short, God will use anyone who is willing if it fits what He wants to do.

So with this knowledge, let me ask a question. What does this say to believers? If God is willing to use those who have no covenant and will even bless them for listening, how much more should His children expect to be used? And furthermore, knowing He will use even an unbeliever for His plan, if we are in His plan we can have more surety that He will come through for us in ways we can’t possibly imagine!

The faithful child of God can rest knowing that for any issue that could possibly arise, God has methods and ways we could never possibly know to accomplish what He wants to do. If we are part of what God wants to do them we can not just embrace, but rejoice in the fact that our Father gets things done. Whether believers, non-believers, animals or inanimate objects such as rocks, God is always more than able! What a mighty God we serve!

Be Blessed,

Pastor Jeff