Showing posts with label worship. Show all posts
Showing posts with label worship. Show all posts

Wednesday 8 November 2017

Only six of ten commandments of God still important to British Christians

A YouGov pol has revealed that only six of the ten commandments of God are still important to British Christians.
Not to our surprise most Britain's the four which have fallen by the wayside are the requirement not to worship idols, use the God His name in vain, to worship no other God, and to keep the Sabbath day holy.

Concerning the Sabbath or the Sunday since the 2012 ruling by a High Court judge - the first on the issue in nearly a decade - Christians have no right to decline working on Sunday as it is not a “core component” of their beliefs. The fact that some Christians were prepared to work on Sundays meant it was not protected, the court said.
In 1994, when Sunday trading in England was liberalised shopworkers were given a guarantee that working would be strictly voluntary, but the guarantee did not apply to people in other sectors.
The Employment Equality (Religion or Belief) Regulations, published in 2003, say employers must justify Sunday working as a “legitimate business need” and does not give a blanket right to Christians not to work.
If employers fail to treat staff fairly and proportionately, the employee may be able to claim discrimination, the rules add.
The last ruling by judges was when a quarry worker claimed his Christian beliefs had been treated with “contempt” by employers who tried to force him to work on Sundays in 2003.
Stephen Copsey lost his case at the Court of Appeal in 2005, with judges ruling his employer had “compelling economic reasons” for insisting that he worked on Sundays.{Christians have no right to refuse to work on Sundays, rules judge}
When we look at lots of Christians and see what they do on Sabbath and / or on the Sunday it is no surprise courts consider it not of any religious importance.

Keeping the Sabbath Day holy is seen as the least relevant of the Commandments in the modern era. Fewer than one in five (19%) Britons say keeping Sundays holy is still an important principle to live by, including fewer than a third of Christians (31%) and 7% of the non-religious. Almost half of Catholics said they supported keeping the Sabbath day holy nut by that they mostly mean keeping the Sunday as rest day. Just 29 per cent of Protestants said they felt the same. 

Concerning the first commandment a real Christians must recognise that the majority of Christians do worship more than one god and mostly do not even know the Name of the Holy Father. As such they do not mind swearing or using one of more tittles of God to make their words stronger or to show their disgust over something.
Just under a quarter (23%) of the overall population say that you may not use the word "God" in or as a curse, including 38% of Christians and just 7% of the non-religious.

Less than one in three Christians believe in preserving Sunday as a day of rest, with 38 per cent against using the Lord's name in vain and 43 per cent condemning the worshipping of idols, though lots of them do not worry to bow down in front of graven images or statues and pictures of gods and saints.

On Tuesday the Archbishop of Canterbury signalled support for a day of rest, tweeting that he was "encouraged" by the Chief Rabbi's campaign for people to spend time offline over the Sabbath.
While almost half of Catholics said they supported keeping the Sabbath day holy, just 29 per cent of Protestants said they felt the same.
The Bishop of Chelmsford, Stephen Cottrell, said: " In an age as busy, frantic and feverish as ours I would have thought that keeping the Sabbath, or at the very least observing a balance between work and rest and play was more important than ever.
Sabbath is both a radical idea and a practically useful idea for it simply acknowledges that we need to rest and we need to play. Indeed, it says this is what we are made for."

The Rt Rev David Walker: 'Believers and non-believers alike support the simple, ancient statements which continue to provide the foundations of our legal system and our shared sense of right and wrong.'
The Rt Rev David Walker: 'Believers and non-believers alike support the simple, ancient statements which continue to provide the foundations of our legal system and our shared sense of right and wrong.' Credit: Martin Rickett/PA
He also lamented Christians' abandonment of the commandment about idolatry, saying:
 "Whether it is celebrity, wealth, a certain designer label pair of jeans jeans or a make of car, we have all construct a sense of worth in the desire to own and possess certain things that we believe will give value.
Today we do find lots of christians spending more time on their idols than on the Divine Creator God. In the United States we see a similar trend having 'money' or 'wealth' having become the most important god. There even in mega-churches people have special services to offer them more wealth.

Fewer than a third of Britons (31%) say that people should not worship idols (defined in the survey as statues or symbols). Christians are split on whether they still consider this to be an important commandment, with 43% saying it is and 44% saying it is not. Meanwhile, only one in five non-religious Brits (20%) say it is still an important rule, though most, not to say all, of the respondents who claim to be Christian worship a triune god and as such go in against the first commandment of God.

Only one in five Britons (20%) still believe that the Christian God’s monopoly on worship is still relevant in modern Britain (including 36% of Christians and just 5% of non-religious Brits).


The survey shows that believers and non-believers alike support the simple, ancient statements which continue to provide the foundations of our legal system and our shared sense of right and wrong.

Having been central tenets of Biblical teaching for several millenia 6 from the 10 commandments are still considered of value today.

"Thou shalt not kill" receives 93% of the votes. Most Brits think it is still important to live by this and by the command "thou shalt not steal". In the case of both Commandments, they were seen as still important by 94% of Christians and 93% of those with no religion.

Being honest about certain matters seems surprisingly still important for 87%, though we can see a lot of boasting and hear lots of fake stories and hear a lot of people not telling the truth.
Not bearing false witness (telling lies) about others came third among all groups, with 87% of all Brits, 90% of Christians, and 86% of those without a religion saying that it is still important to live by.

Honesty has also to do with how we treat others and how we behave ourselves in relationships. Though we hear a lot about people having good fun with different people of the opposite or even same sex, close to three quarters (73%) of the population at large say that not committing adultery is still a top life principle, including 69% of non-religious Brits and 76% of Christians. Which is strange that it is so high on the roster because we encounter lots of divorces and mixed families.

Today we also find lots of elderly people left alone in homes. Police also often have to come to help by violence against parents. Though the poll shows that "Honouring thy father and thy mother" is still an important rule to follow for 69% of all Britons, including 78% of Christians and 60% of the non-religious.



The Bishop of Manchester, David Walker, said:
 "This survey shows that the practical morality which has lain at the heart of the Judeo Christian tradition for the last 3500 years still finds favour with most British people today, even where explicitly religious commandments gain less support. 



+

Additional reading

  1. A New Reformation
  2. The Anti-Reformation in Todays Evangelical Church
  3. Let us make sure we now believe
  4. Hoogdag voor vele protestanten
  5. Gewortelden in Christus en factoren voor het succes van de reformatie
  6. Relevantie van de de Tien Geboden bij Britten anno 2017
  7. Zijn Beelden een Gevaar of de Redding voor het Geloof?
  8. Hedendaagse protestanten tegenover Katholieken of de Antichrist

+++

Monday 27 January 2014

Many forgot how Christ should be our anchor and our focus

When we look at the trends in the spiritual life of people we notice a growing trend among elders, preachers, and members of the church of Christ which is to turn Christianity and worship into things that are casual in nature.

People are given the freedom to look at their faith like they want to have it. they also may come to worship God whenever they like “as they are” and “dressed as they are.” Some preachers do not find it necessary to prepare their sermon because it has to be casual and straight from the heart. In some churches people have become totally against prepared or printed prayers , saying they would not come from the heart. Everything in service should be improvised and or casual.

73% of born again Christians may say that it is important to share their faith with others, but when we walk around is our environment we do not hear many talking about the Word of God or about the hope we can have in the Gospel. The Good News is not heard much, though many may know it is something we should share with others.

Only half (52%) of born again Christians say they actually did share the Gospel at least once this past year to someone with different beliefs, in the hope that they might accept Jesus Christ as their Saviour.

This sharing of the Good News demands also knowing it and acting accordingly it. But we can notice not many youngsters today really can or want to find time to read the Bible. They think it is not so necessary and for the few times they can make it to church they will hear enough of the Scriptures (they think), but in many churches there is less and less being read from the Scriptures and often just being shouted a few verses, but that's it.

Some preachers do find it more important to get others to know those dogmatic teachings and want to get as many as possible their own church rules, often by breaking off other churches and trying to get the followers of the other church to their church, claiming they are the better church. the set of beliefs — a collection of ideas seems all to what it turns about, instead of preaching the love of Christ.

For most people it is easiest to blindly keep accepting what the preachers tells them on the pulpit. those who dare to question certain things are looked at, because they could be a danger for their own believes or making them to doubt about certain matters, which they now can accept, because the follow the preacher and count him responsible in case it would not be true.

They are not interested in to look at the meaning of one verse with looking at the context in which it was written or to compare it with other verses in other chapters of the Holy Scriptures. Why should they bother who wrote it in which circumstances, what led into it, what did it lead into, etc. 

Today it may look surprising to find it interesting that the age group that is least likely to be regular church goers are most likely to verbally evangelize. In ordinary life, at work, we can find some people (a few) who simply share what they have seen and heard and know to be true and place it in Biblical perspective. Luckily we can find people committed to a Christ-centered, faith-based relationship with God through Jesus Christ, who are not actively connected with and participating in a church. They define themselves as Christians, but they are not active in pursuing spiritual formation in the context of a congregational expression. Some might consider them as beings who could be called "Christian “nones”" in that they have no formal affiliation at this time.

Most Evangelicals, especially leaders feel it important to affirm their doctrine and call out many verses (even when it may be out of context) to affirm their doctrinal believes and to frighten their members so they  would be afraid to leave any idea of their community. 

Jesus is the true example of right understanding of the Word of his Father, the Only One True God. He is the mediator between God and man, who showed us the way to a holy living, and unconditional mercy and love for the lost. It's a message that many Christians dismiss today – just as it was 2000 years ago.

Some may think what the world needs is the revelation of the Grace of God through the complete work of the cross. They might say listening to the likes of Joseph Prince, Creflo Dollar & Rob Rufus , getting this fresh revelation and drinking of the new wine of Holy Spirit is what keeps us fresh in our faith. God never promised us a bed of roses and the road is long and tough at times, but if Christ is our anchor and our focus, how can we neglect so great a salvation?

Lots of people become more concerned how big a church is, how people are dressed, how pleasant the services are, which 'good music" is played, how entertaining the worship can be, etc..

Exterior elements seem to have become more important than the state of the heart, the inner feelings.

In 2001 Barna warned already  most self-professed Christians are only dabblers in the Faith lacking any desire for holiness; begging the question of how serious these people are about their faith, and how real their relationship with Christ is. {George Barna, Growing True Disciples (Colorado Springs: WaterBrook, 2001), 17.}

Those who call themselves Christian, should give much more attention to the person they are claiming to follow. They should listen more to the words of the one they would call their master. Christ Jesus should be their guide, more than any particular preacher or church. Jesus should be the one they should follow.

Christianity is not a set of doctrines in the sense that a mechanic operates with a set of tools. Instead, Christianity is a comprehensive worldview and way of life that grows out of Christian reflection on the Bible and the unfolding plan of God revealed in the unity of the Scriptures. 
As such we also should need to develop more concern for our attitude, attendance, and attire. In a time when many want to practice casual Christianity, we need to practice true Christianity. We need to practice serious Christianity, devoted Christianity, and respectful Christianity.

The Bible tells us about the foggy times when religions will get against religions. The time of its prophesies has come
Men and Women of God must rise up, the Watchmen must cry out; for if the Spirit of the Living God is not poured out on us then all will be lost.


Enhanced by Zemanta

Monday 18 March 2013

The meek one riding on an ass

In several denominations of Christendom they look forward to Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday.

In the Catholic faith some still do know Lent and fast a few day, instead of the forty days of our childhood.
For all Christians the coming days should be days of reflection. It should be a time where people think about the moral and spiritual effect of forgiveness and reconciliation with God.

In the old times offers where brought to God and in certain Christian denomination time was also taken to bring offers in those forty days leading up to Easter Sunday. But no human or animal sacrifices are required or requested by God: it is sufficient that his Son died once and for all on the wooden stake. It is not necessary for us to kill anyone or anything in order to please God.

Palm Sunday will be, for many Christians, the beginning of what they consider the holiest week of the year.
After the ministry of Christ Jesus in and around Perea and after the mother of Zebedee asked Jesus to grant  her sons a place next to him in his Kingdom, Jesus had told her that it was not up to him to grant a place on his right or left, but that those places belong to his Father.

20   then the mother of Zebedee’s children came to him with her sons, worshiping and desiring a certain thing from him. 21  and he said to her, what do you desire? she said to him, grant that these my two sons may sit in your kingdom, the one on your right hand and the other on the left. 22  but jesus answered and said, you do not know what you ask. are you able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? they said to him, we are able. 23  and he said to them, you shall indeed drink of my cup and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with; but to sit on my right hand and on my left is not mine to give, but to those for whom it has been prepared by my father.” (Matthew 20:20-23 MKJV)


From Jericho Jesus approached Jerusalem, they came to Beit-Pagei (or Bethphage) on the mount of olives. Jeshua sent two talmidim with instructions to go into the village ahead of them and to bring him the donkey with its colt they found there. Jesus in order to fulfill what had been spoken through the prophet went riding humbly on a donkey, and on a colt, the offspring of a beast of burden.



1   and when they drew near Jerusalem (Jerushalayim), and had come to Bethphage, to the mount of olives, then jesus sent two disciples, 2  saying to them, go into the village across from you. and immediately you will find an ass tied, and a colt with her. Untie them and bring them to me. 3  and if anyone says anything to you, you shall say, the lord has need of them, and immediately he will send them. 4  all this was done so that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, 5  tell the daughter of Zion, behold, your king comes to you, meek, and sitting on an ass, even a colt the foal of an ass.” (Matthew 21:1-5 MKJV)
Statue of Christ Riding on the Ass About 1480 ...
Statue of Christ Riding on the Ass About 1480 Southern Germany (possibly Ulm) Limewood and pine, painted and gilded This popular type of sculpture, known as a \'Palmesel\' or \'Palm Donkey\', represented Christ during religious services around Easter. On Palm Sunday it was drawn through the streets to commemmorate his triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Bequeathed by capt. H.B. Murray (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Palm Sunday gets its name from the next event, when Jesus enter the district not on foot – his usual means of transport – but on the back of a donkey. A very great multitude spread their garments in the path; while others cut branches from trees and spread them on the road. There were multitudes that went before, and that followed him, who cried, saying, Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is he that comes in the name of the Lord Jehovah; Hosanna in the highest.
English: Description: Left Apsis: Jesus enteri...
English: Description: Left Apsis: Jesus entering Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. Fresco in the Parish Church of Zirl, Austria. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)



8  and a very great crowd spread their garments in the way. others cut down branches from the trees and spread them in the way. 9  and the crowds who went before, and those who followed, cried out, saying, Hosanna to the son of David! blessed is he who comes in the name of the lord! Hosanna in the highest! 10  and when he had come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, who is this? 11  and the crowd said, this is jesus the prophet, from Nazareth of Galilee. 12   and jesus went into the temple of god and cast out all those who sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the money-changers, and the seats of those who sold doves.” (Matthew 21:8-12 MKJV)

So before Jesus entered the house of God, the holy temple, he was welcomed as a king. But soon his position became questioned by the chief priests.


23  and when he had come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him as he was teaching, and said, by what authority do you do these things? and who gave you this authority? 24  and jesus answered and said to them, I will also ask you one thing; which if you tell me, I likewise will tell you by what authority I do these things. 25  the baptism of John, where was it from? from heaven or from men? and they reasoned within themselves, saying, if we shall say, from heaven, he will say to us, why then did you not believe him? 26  but if we shall say from men, we fear the people; for all consider John as a prophet. 27  and they answered jesus and said, we cannot tell. and he said to them, neither do I tell you by what authority I do these things.” (Matthew 21:23-27 MKJV)

We do not know the judgement of Jehovah. (Jeremiah 8:7) and like in Jesus time today many so called wise man and theologians have turned away from the word of Jehovah; and what wisdom is in them? (Jeremiah 8:9)  The law of truth was in Jesus his mouth, and iniquity was not found in his lips.His words were written down by his talmidim and it are those gospels from those disciples we should also take at heart.

Many Christians have like the Pharisees, priests and people in Jesus's time departed from the way; and have caused many to stumble at the law. (Malachi 2:8)

28  and even as they did not think fit to have god in their knowledge, god gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do the things not right, 29  being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; being full of envy, murder, quarrels, deceit, evil habits, becoming whisperers, 30  backbiters, haters of god, insolent, proud, braggarts, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31  undiscerning, perfidious, without natural affection, unforgiving, unmerciful; 32  who, knowing the righteous order of god, that those practicing such things are worthy of death, not only do them, but have pleasure in those practicing them.” (Romans 1:28-32 MKJV)
Many did forget who is really King and who is really God. Many made themselves several gods and several kings. Others say they have one god and one king but who is thee gods, God the Father, god the son and God the Holy Spirit. they forget that God can not be tempted and can not die. Because the man of flesh and blood who entered the gates of Jerusalem as a king seated on a donkey, was Jeshua, who had been tempted many times and who was soon going to be tortured until death.

The Messiah Asserts his authority over Jerusalem. Jesus’ authority over Jerusalem is revealed in his triumphal entry (Matthew 21:1–11), actions in the temple (Matthew 21:12–17), cursing the fig tree (Matthew 21:18–22), debates with religious leaders (Matthew 21:23–22:46), and woes pronounced on the teachers of the law and the Pharisees (Matthew 23:1–39).

The disciples of Christ noticed how there were many controversies in the Temple Court over Jesus’ authority. On Tuesday of Holy Week, Jesus presents three extended parables showing God’s judgement on the leaders for not encouraging the people to accept Jesus’ invitation to the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 21:28–22:14). This is followed by a series of four interactions as the religious leaders try to trap Jesus, who in turn reveals his true identity as the Son of God (Matthew 22:15–46).

We may look at king Christ, the one who has received the keys of the Kingdom from his Father until he will return the Kingdom back to the most High.

Do we want to accept that ruler and take him for what he really was and is? Or do we want to stay blind and fill in our own worldly idea of a kingdom and a king?

Are we willing to accept that this man, send from God, a prophet and messenger from God, was loving his Father so much that he was willing to obey Him even into death? And that after he died he was made higher by his Father to become mediator between God and man, being the high-priest seated in the heaven at the right hand of God. His throne is called the “throne of grace” which believers can approach with confidence through faith in the once-for-all sacrifice Jesus made on the stake. We are no longer limited to worshipping God in the earthly tabernacle (temple), but we can worship Him through the spiritual tabernacle of our bodies accessing the heavenly tabernacle in heaven.

And these coming days we can remember how Jesus in the upperroom and in the garden of olives said praise to his Father. How he intensely prayed to the most High.

It is in these coming days that we do remember how Jesus came together with his disciples to have a meal of remembrance in honour of what God had given unto the world and for remembering the New Covenant sealed by Jesus his death.
Through Christ, we can now serve our God through our faith in Jesus Christ the Messiah and by proclaiming our hope in the coming Kingdom. We know that it is thanks to God that the offer of Jeshua, Jesus Christ we are saved and that he has called us and made us into a kingdom of priests under the new and eternal covenant.

Do we want our ears tickled and hold fast on false teachings and on Easter traditions of the world? Or are we willing to take this time in consideration to think about the role the Jew Jeshua  (Jesus Christ) played?

 

Enhanced by Zemanta