Big Guy did it

 Our need to explain why bad things happen, can lead us to place blame on others. David felt the pain of being the 'scapegoat' when his army's city was destroyed and the people taken hostage (1 Sam 30). Who do you blame when you experience 'bad' things? Do you blame those closest to you, or maybe someone who looks different from you? What would it be like if we accepted that we don't have the answers?

How did THAT come out of my mouth?

 Jesus famously exposed the hypocrisy of dietary restrictions placed by those who took little thought to how their words undermined the love of God and hurt the hearers (Matt 15:11). When considering how our words show a lack of love for God and neighbor, we might wonder how we even came to have such thoughts. Which of your thoughts fail to show love? Where did those thoughts come from?

Jesus knows Zacchaeus

 

When reading the story of Zacchaeus, we can't help but notice his obvious fruits of repentance (Luke 19), but we might also wonder why Jesus would bother to stop and spend time with Zacchaeus in the first place. Are we Christians so busy fighting culture wars that we fail to see people as those God loves and cares for? Who are not willing to commune with, who would you withhold God's love from?

Take my daughter. Please!

 

One way King Saul demonstrated his shortcomings was by trying to use his daughter to 'snare' his political and military rival, David (1 Sam 18). Sadly, we might see ourselves in Saul's willingness to use people, even his own children, to advance his personal power and agenda. Can you think of ways you might be using others, instead of loving them?

Jesus and way the world works

Jesus often taught ideas that are contrary to our typical way of doing business. One example might be found in  Matthew 5:33-37, where Jesus undermined His community's method of doing business by pointing out the fallacy and illogical nature of their oaths. Jesus knew that promises are empty if the soul is untrustworthy. What business practices do you think Jesus would stand against today?

Obey and Sacrifice

 1 Samuel 15, is often misquoted and removed from its context to give us the idea that absolute, unquestioning, blind obedience is the greatest act we can perform. While obedience to God is important, we should remember the commendation of the Bereans (Acts 17) for their questioning and searching. Are you curious and willing to seek truth, or do you accept what you hear from newscasters, preachers, and others?

I was gonna sacrifice them...

Christians often repeat that to "obey is better than sacrifice." The context of the saying is actually 1 Samuel 15, where Saul has decided to keep some of the spoils of war in order to hold a sacrifice to God, which would actually result in a large victory party with huge platters of meat for Saul's soldiers. The 'sacrifice' was really benefitting from someone else's loss. How do you benefit from what other's fail to receive?

The Church made me (maybe)

When Christians seem proud of their label, or identity as Christians or as members of a particular church or denomination, they are not living out the values of Christ. The Apostle Paul refers the need for humility and for not being proud of one's affiliations in 1 Corinthians 4. Are you proud of your identity or are you grateful for a God who loves everyone and gave His only Son to redeem you?

A clear statement on the dangers of Christian Nationalism

Churchtoons has long avoided political associations or commentary, but the rise of Christian Nationalism in mainstream churches necessitates we make this very simple and clear statement: 

Christian Nationalism is wrong, sinful and dangerous. 

It is a cultural framework that undermines the spirituality of the Kingdom of God, and is the opposite of Christ's person and teachings.

While United States of America has benefited from God's grace and gifts, so have many other nations. The United States is NOT the Kingdom of Heaven or the Kingdom of God. It is, at best, a unique blending of cultures and practices and we shine when we open our hearts to that diversity, welcome it, and encourage it.

Also, like any other nation past or present, the United States has its share of sin and short-comings. Naming sins like slavery, discrimination, and greed do not lessen our country's greatness, but rather encourage us to become better.

The Church is separate from any earthly kingdom and is greater than any political, geographical, or social context. The Church is the Body of Christ, gathered from all nations and people groups.

May the Church denounce the folly of using political power and tactics that are in stark contrast to the work and message of Jesus Christ, and live out the gospel fully, thus drawing all to the love of our savior.

John 13:31-35,

No one looks good in this book

 The story of Hagar and Abraham is disturbing on many levels (Gen 16) and reminds us that even the best of us have glaring sins and faults. When we consider how even the best of God's people have committed some of the ugliest of sins, we should be humbled and realize that we are not better than anyone else. We might also consider the political and social structures that we are familiar with are also flawed.

King Awesome

 After years of political and spiritual turmoil, Israel's elders asked Samuel to give them a king, like the other nations. While a king could bring stability, God warned the people that a king would also bring problems like heavy taxes, wars, and forcing citizens into slavery. Many of us are willing to sacrifice God's love for stability. How do you choose stability over God's word, will, and Son? (1 Sam 8).

Holy Spirit reminders

 

Christians believe that after His death, our Lord Jesus Christ sent His Holy Spirit to remind us of His teachings John 14:25-6. We might do well to listen for the Holy Spirit's reminders as we consider the world around us and the needs we see. Which of Christ's teachings do you think the Spirit of God might be reminding you of ?

Fight the BigGuy fight

 

It might seem like the advice given to Timothy, "Fight the good fight", is a call to violence (1 Tim 6). When we read the passage in context, we see how the author is referring to the fight we have with our own sinful nature. This is not a simple guilt-trip to get Timothy to behave a certain way. This passage seems to be an encouragement that we can resist the temptation to hurt others with our sin.

We ARE the Church

 Peter describes the followers of Jesus as a building that relies on the foundation of Christ (I Pet 2). What does it look like when Christians follow Christ's commands and example to love and give rather than to hoard, seek power, and marginalize others? Do our critics have good reason to call the Church hypocritical when we fail to live like Jesus? Are we acting like the Church or are we playing church?

I don't have to hear you!

 Matthew 15 tells of a woman who begs Jesus for a miracle, and Jesus ignores her. She persists and even accepts what appears to be an insult. Her faith is so great that she is not deterred and eventually Jesus not only provides the healing, but also praises her her faith and persistence. Maybe we've been like Jesus and ignored cries for help around us. Who do you refuse to hear? 

Two vulnerable women

Ruth 4 brings us comfort by describing the moment a kinsman claims two unwanted and vulnerable women. While the story is a great metaphor for Christ's love and redemption, we might wonder why the world Naomi and Ruth lived in was so uncaring and why the women's well-being was so easily endangered. Maybe we could wonder if our current society is endangering others? How would Christ redeem the vulnerable now?

I would see God

 Many critics say that they cannot believe in an 'invisible God." When Phillip asked to see God, Jesus said that all Phillip needed to do to see God was to look at Jesus (John 14:8). Maybe the best way to see God is look at those who are acting like Jesus. Do your actions reveal God's nature to those who want to see God?

Memorial Day 2023

As Americans we set aside Memorial Day to remember those who have died, especially in service of keeping us safe and free. While many Christians take time to remember those who have died, we might also consider how we treat those who are still alive. Are we doing what we can to provide for those who have sacrificed their time and physicality for us, or are simply wishing them well? 1 John 3:17-19.

 

You want into THAT Church?

 The Church at Laodicea received some of the harshest criticism from the Lord Jesus Christ in Revelation 3. However, this self-absorbed, unspiritual group also received one of the greatest invitations. They were invited to let Jesus into their church and to gain from him the everlasting treasures of Heaven. Can you think of members of your community or of churches that you have 'written off?' Would Jesus write them off? 

In the shadow of healing

 The early Church seemed to demonstrate incredible power in healing and helping others. One of the most unique reports included people being healed just by touching Peter's shadow (Acts 5:15). While the modern church might envy and seek to recreate the marvelous power, we should consider that the real draw of Christianity was the love shown to all and ready acceptance of those the religious elite hated.