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).