“Christianity” Today

“Christianity” Today

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On Preparing to Worship• 92% of churched adults say it’s “very important”

to worship God• 4 of 10 adults claim to almost always “prepare

for worship” (most likely to be prepared: Northeast)

• Top 3 Worship Detractors– Distractions: Seating late arrivals, sound system,

screaming children– Discontinuity: Making announcements mid-service,

uncoordinated service.– Failure to position preaching as an extension of

worship rather than an instructional period.http://www.barna.org/FlexPage.aspx?Page=BarnaUpdate&BarnaUpdateID=83

HOMEWORK TIME

• What did you learn from the laws?

The Laws

• A philosopher’s dream; a normal man’s nightmare.

• Why?– Moral standard– Practical standard (Hygienic , civil order, etc.)– A test for bigger things—an identifier.– Social identity– Or… “because He said so!”

• You can ask Him when you get there…

Euthyphro dilemmaFrom Plato’s dialogue “Euthyphro ” between Plato and Socrates

Is the pious loved by the gods because it is pious, or is it pious because it is loved by the gods?

Did God command the moral because it is moral?

Are the laws moral because God commanded them?

OR

God’s nature is piety; therefore whatever he says must be right and his commands would recognize his nature.

Lessons from the Week

• All the Jewish Feasts and Sacrifices• Passover

– The bread was “the bread of affliction”

• The Jews had 3 Required Feasts (not just Christmas and Easter!)

• Offerings– Ignorance is No Excuse for sin– God doesn’t leave people stranded– Even an offering for an unsolved murder!

• Offerings– Give God the best, not leftovers

• Strict Judgment for PK’s– If priest’s daughter becomes a prostitute: burn

her. (Instead of stoning her!)

• Keep holy, holy.– Sometimes hygienic reasons.– Sometimes identity reasons (idolatrous practices).– Sometimes moral reasons.

• Nazirite Vow

The High Priestly BlessingThis is how you are to bless the

Israelites. Say to them:

“The Lord bless you and keep you;The Lord make his face shine upon you

and be gracious to you;The Lord turn his face toward you and

give you peace.”

So they will put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them.

(Num 6:22-27)Peter C. Lutkin

• Sabbatical Year:– Nothing compared to what happened in Egypt!

• Year of Jubilee: – After 7 Sabbatical Years, the next year. (50 years.)– Property reverts to owners, no growing.– Pro rata sales price– “The land must not be sold permanently because

the land is mine and you are but aliens and my tenants.”

– A great leveler of society– Free the slaves!

• Do not rule over them ruthlessly, but fear your God.

We have zero evidence that the Jews ever followed this law…

Event Jubilee Years

Birth of Abraham 40th 2000

Exodus 50th 2500

Dedication of Solomon's temple 60th 3000

Decree to Rebuild Jerusalem 70th 3500

Death and Resurrection of Jesus 80th 4000

…intentionally.http://www.growthingod.org.uk/jubilee.htm

See 2 Chronicles 26:21

Eye For Eye (page 263)• In the context of penalty for intentional,

malevolent crimes against others.– Justice (God won’t ‘acquit the guilty’)– Prevention

• Purging evil (prevents future recurrence!)• Providing warning (people will hear and fear).

• “SHOW NO PITY.” – God (Deut 19:21)• Individual Responsibility: (Deut 19:15)

– You’re responsible for how your children turn out.– Your children are responsible for what they do.

• Dignity: Punishment fits the crime, but don’t overdo it to devalue another.

Church and State

• Israel was a church-state: a Theocracy• Jew’s rejection and God’s plan nullified this as

a future candidate for governance.• Realistically, church and state are separate.

– Romans 13– Render to Caesar what is Caesar’s, to God what is

God’s.– Is overlap good? It sure can be…– Is it essential for salvation? Nope.

Next Week

MURDER!!

Pierce my ear, O Lord, my God;Take me to your door this day.I will serve no o-ther god;Lord, I'm here to stay.

1 – Pierce My Ear

Words & Music: Steve Croft / Arr. Barbie JonesCopyright © 1980 by Dayspring Music, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Used By Permission. © 2003 The Paperless Hymnal™

1 – Pierce My Ear

© 2003 The Paperless Hymnal™

For You have paid the price for me;With Your blood You ransomed me.Now I will serve You eternally;A free man I'll never be.

2 – Pierce My Ear


2 – Pierce My Ear


So pierce my ear, O Lord, my God;Take me to Your door this day.I will serve no other god;Lord, I'm here to stay.Lord, I'm here to stay.

3 – Pierce My Ear


3 – Pierce My Ear


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“Christianity” Today