Just a brief word here on Apocalypse, a new Gathering series about to launch (Oct 4th). I'd like to start stirring the pot with my readers on this vastly complex topic. There are a couple of strategies we could take in discussing the biblical view the last days.

Possibility One
This strategy I'll call the Systematic Theology approach. In this scheme, one tries to devise a simple interpretive framework for understanding all the biblical data that has to do with the end times. The approach is a pretty helpful one, but as you can imagine, what starts out as a goal to be simple gets deep pretty fast when we're talking about all the stuff we see in books like Daniel, Ezekiel and Revelation. The goal in systematic theology is to help you plant your flag firmly in one camp or another Pre-Millennial or Amillenial. Pre-Tribulational or Post-Tribulational Second coming of Christ.

Possibility Two
This strategy we'll call the Biblical Theology approach. Biblical theology sticks as close as possible to the biblical and literary contexts of the relevant passages. Lots of loose ends are left hanging around. Frameworks and timelines are held pretty loosely in the process. Good Systematic Theology is rooted in good Biblical Theological method.

In Gathering, we'll definitely be starting with Possibility Two! Rather than jumping in the deep end right away, we'll try to build our understanding of this compelling subject from the ground up. We'll start week one off with an over-view and some definitions. We'll make lots and lots of space for questions each week! We'll also try to keep it real in terms everyday practical interests in the topic. So don't be surprised if we don't push one brand of eschatology over another. We'll all have much more fun exploring the Apocalypse in the end (Ha!).

On our way to the starting line, though, it would be great if you would hit the comment button or e-mail me your questions about the end times. Let's ramp up the dialog before October 4th!

Labels: apocalypse, doctrine, end times, eschatology, systematic theology

When your teacher says "Get this part or you'll be lost in this class for the rest of the semester!" it made you sit up and take notice. This week in the Jesus Class we tripped over one of those passages in our manuscript.

Mark has been writing down everything Jesus is saying. At a feverish pace. Then suddenly the narrative stops and he gives us Jesus' first recorded sermon. Jesus had been performing miracles, teaching in the synagogues, healing and casting out demons! He was building a monumental following. So what was the first sermon Mark, Jesus' biographer actually posts for us? The parable of the soils (Mark's gospel, chapter 4).

This parable, and what Jesus is saying with it is so important that he gives us the impression if you understand it....you'll understand the rest of what he's got to say. Note to self: If I don't get this, I'm a bigger loser than I ever imagined!

This took the Jesus Class to the edge of our seat as we struggled with what Jesus says about the kingdom. The kingdom of God is tied up in a secret. And the secret is being revealed...but only to those who really want to get it. It's clearly audible to everyone! But not everyone gets it.

So, my question reader, is this: Do you know what the secret of the kingdom is and why a bunch of seeds is a fitting illustration of it? If you don't understand THIS image of the kingdom, you won't understand the rest. It's just that simple!

Labels: parable, Secret of the Kingdom, seed, soils, The Word

Just wanted to say how cool I thought Sunday services were yesterday at the Old Mill Campus. Week 4 of Where's God When... I'm at the end of my rope? These scenes are taken from the life of David in his Twenties found between chapters 19 and 25 of the book of 1st Samuel. David is coping with life on the run from Saul. Many people mentioned that the 4 question test at the end of the message was really helpful. Just thought I'd swat them out to you here. Feel free to write me back this week and let me know if any of this actually holds up to life on the Bender!

Here are the questions and my descriptions of them in the message:

1) Ask: Is it an escape hatch, a trap door or a pathway to God?

-In order to cope with a threat that hits you, be careful how you respond. Your reflex reaction might actually make your situation worse. If what you’re about to do is only going to have to be undone later you better wait till God gives you more help.

-Sometimes the escape hatch really is best – because it will get you out of the way of harm or compromise.

-Sometimes what seems like a difficult path is exactly where God is going to meet you. You may be looking at years and years instead of days or months of difficult circumstances! Are you braced for that?

2) Ask: Is my "self-talk" resulting in godly self-leadership?

-Realize that when you're dealing with difficulty, you are especially susceptible to the cynicism and criticism of others. What are the messages you’re telling yourself? Are they true?

-Develop the habit of going to God in prayer and getting the Mar-Nephesh – the bitterness of your soul – worked out with him. Replace the Mar-Nephesh with honest conversation with God. Get your eyes off your circumstances and onto God’s attributes.

-Once you are back on your feet, leading yourself in right thoughts about God, others and yourself, God can use you in others lives like he really wants to.

3) Ask: Am I fighting the right enemy with the right weapon?

-When David first came to Nob, he asked for Goliath’s sword! He could have so easily used that same sword to take out Saul when he had the opportunity.

-What weapons did David actually use in dealing with Saul? The weapons of a well trained soul – the goodness of his own character – his faith in God - the truth about Saul and the situation.

-Are you just as careful fighting your battles? Trials can make it so tempting to mislabel our real enemy and transfer to that person all the disappointment we feel when they really don't deserve it.

4) Ask: Is Jesus truly with me in this?

-If I'm not convinced that God has a right to let bad things happen to me or those I care about, I'm probably not going to understand what Jesus' sufferings have to do with mine!

-But if we can let go of that, God can open our eyes to see how suffering might have a purpose.

-Jesus really does understand what it’s like to suffer unjustly. He wants you to see that he took the very things that cause you pain onto himself when he suffered. so that you can find hope and healing. Jesus is with you today, let him in and welcome him into what you're going through.

Labels: integrity, response to stress, stress, struggle, Test of faith, Trials

Dear blog readers,

Christ Community Church has a new website. Hopefully you will find www.cccomaha.org to be useful for all things up and coming at CCC. One of the necessary changes was to move this blog. To continue to receive updates, please subscribe using the following link:

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Thank you,

Greg Nunamaker
Web Manager
Christ Community Church