Thoughts on being a Christian and not going to church

If I asked you ‘what are the major biblical metaphors for church, I wonder what would spring to your mind first?

 Would family be the first metaphor you think of? I hope so, because the Bible presents God as our Father, Christ as the bridegroom and the church as the bride. Those who make up the church are referred to as the household of God and are repeatedly called children of God and brothers and sisters.

 Do you indeed affectionately treat other Christians as family members? Just as families come together regularly, is that where you’re at with regard to assembling with other believers?

 Probably the second major metaphor for church is the body. Just as a human body has many specialised and interconnected parts supporting each other and causing the whole body to flourish, so too the church is made up of people with different roles and abilities.

 In likening the church to a physical body, the apostle Paul said the hand can’t say to the eye I don’t need you and the head can’t say to the feet I don’t need you.  No, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary.

 These metaphors speak volumes. Body parts need connection to flourish. Ideal families stick together and exhibit great loyalty.

 You personally may have had some off-putting experiences, but why not pursue the ideal church experience Christ, the head of the body, meant for you. God knows the church needs you too!

Mysterious Phenomenon For Tauranga to Consider

If arrows mysteriously appeared all over Tauranga and they were discovered to all point toward the same area, say Yatton Park for example, masses would flock there.

 Many ancient Bible stories written before Jesus was born clearly, but mysteriously, POINT to Him. Just one of many examples is the story of Abraham and Isaac (Genesis 22). Isaac was Abraham’s promised miracle child through his wife Sarah, a barren woman. Isaac is described as Abraham’s only son. Abraham had to offer Isaac as a sacrifice. He was willing to do it, as difficult as that was. The place of sacrifice was on one of the mountains of Moriah. Isaac carried on his back the wood for the offering. He passively and willingly submitted to His Father tying him up and placing him on the altar of sacrifice when he was probably strong enough to escape. Abraham was confident this would not be the end of His son. The scripture refers to the day Isaac was delivered from this death penalty as the ‘third day’.

 Jesus, God’s only begotten son also came by miracle birth, was willingly sacrificed by His Father on a hill of Moriah (2 Chronicles 3:1), carried the wooden cross on His back, passively and willingly laid His life down despite having power to escape and was raised from the dead the third day.

 Like arrows mysteriously pointing to Yatton Park would cause many to flock there, may you flock to Jesus, the good Shepherd ancient scripture clearly and mysteriously pointed to.

If Mount Taranaki Can Be Given the Rights of a Person ...

Here are some hard facts about an unborn baby.

 After only five weeks the baby has a beating heart. At just 12 weeks most organs have formed. By 14 weeks the baby’s gender is known. Movement may be felt by the mother between 16-20 weeks and at 20 weeks the baby has a chance of survival outside of the uterus.

 Despite these facts, the unborn baby is not legally considered a human being in New Zealand until birth and is vulnerable to being aborted at any stage of the pregnancy.

 Contrast this though with the Te Urewera forest, the Whanganui river and, more recently, Mount Taranaki which have been granted personhood at law along with the rights and responsibilities of human beings.

 If someone abuses or harms Mount Taranaki it’s counted as harming the tribe who consider it to be their ancestor and whanau. However, five week old babies with beating hearts, and even fully formed babies about to be born, may legally be terminated. They have no legal redress. Neither do their fathers wishing to protect them.

 God says of the prophet Jeremiah, Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, Before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet. The Bible talks of John the Baptist being filled with the Holy Spirit from the womb. God clearly gives recognition to the unborn.

If forests, rivers and mountains can be granted personhood and meaningful legal rights then surely NZ law can grant unborn children the same?

Christ was bruised for our iniquities

Amazingly, the story of God’s rescue plan for humanity through Christ on the cross begins in Eden.

 Adam and Eve sinned and God uttered words the gravity of which could never be underestimated - what is this you have done? Count up all the sin ever committed and the price God thought necessary to pay for sin’s forgiveness and you’ll understand the gravity of God’s what is this you have done? We’ll also understand the gravity of JUST ONE of our own sins!

 God said to the serpent, “Because you have done this … I will put enmity between you and the woman, And between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel.

 The interpretation of many scholars is: the serpent’s Satan, the woman’s Eve, the serpent/Satan’s seed are those against the true God, the Seed of the woman is Jesus, Jesus bruises Satan’s head, Satan bruises Jesus’ heel, bruising of a heel is less serious than the bruising of a head, Jesus landed a serious and eternal bruise to Satan’s head by the effects of the cross and Satan only landed a temporary blow to Christ through Christ having to suffer for humanity’s sin. Isaiah 53:5, which Christians believe speaks of Christ, says He was bruised for our iniquities.

 Much more could be said about this remarkable early prophesy about the good news of Jesus’ suffering, death and resurrection. As you reflect on it, I pray you’ll appreciate how amazing God and the Bible are.

The Bible Keeps it Real

Perhaps you’re facing a trial in your life like you’ve never faced before!

 In the midst of such a trial myself, what I especially notice is how some of the Bible’s Psalms really speak words of wisdom, comfort and encouragement. I’ve also noticed how biblical words of encouragement and songs on Christian radio are so much more meaningful and helpful than ever.

 This reminds me as a pastor to always remember to preach sermons addressing the tough everyday life issues we all face. Recently, I think I’ve done this more. Over the last year our website contains messages on self-control, mental health. overcoming addiction, loving our enemies, forgiveness, courage, inner peace through the Gospel of Peace, and much more.

 A wonderful thing about the Bible is it’s full of stories of real people who faced real trials. Some failed. Some struggled through, but overcame, and some triumphed victoriously through God’s strength.

 The Christian life can be tough too, but the Bible doesn’t hide this reality. The apostle Peter wrote:

Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy … But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer … (1 Peter 4:12-15).

 The Bible keeps it real and has real comfort and answers for you too!