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Post by -*- Little Miss Strawberry -*- on Feb 18, 2002 4:14:38 GMT -5
I am a happy Christian, who sometimes struggles with living the life, but really enjoys it to the full ;D Yesterday my Minister gave a sermon on the Sabbath day/Sundays and I'll post the notes later, because it made me think about how I spend my Sundays... and why we have the Sabbath anyway.
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Post by -*- Little Miss Strawberry -*- on Feb 18, 2002 8:03:32 GMT -5
These are the notes of what I heard yesterday at church and it was very helpful in making me think about how I spend my Sundays.
The Sabbath is like creating space. Where is God for you on the Sabbath? Why do we keep the Sabbath?
Our concern here is to translate the Bible with integrity and put it into our lives. Lets look at what the Bible says about it: Genesis 2 - We need space for ourselves and for God Exodus 16 - Before it becomes a law, keeping the Sabbath is a principle. The Sabbath is about learning to trust God, not yourself. You are not the captain of your soul. The Sabbath helps you to put life into perspective. We should honour God by honouring the Sabbath. The law comes into place in Exodus 20:8-11 and in Deuteronomy
The Sabbath had changed by Jesus' time. Luke 4 - We can see that Jesus went to the synagogue and rested on the Sabbath, Mark 2:23-3:6 - at v.27/8 we see that the Sabbath is forman. It's notnegative (eg. don't do this, don't do that), it is to maintain a relationship with God, Jesus is the Lord of the Sabbath.
The early Christians met on a Sunday because Christians remember and celebrate different things to Jews. Jesus rose on a Sunday. We are no longer defined by law, but by our relationship with Christ. Being a Christian is about freedom. Check out Colossians 2:16-23.
Experience rest. You can't justify yourself by working hard. Let God do his work. You will find rest, peace, and joy. Sabbath is a celebration of God's freedom and it's not all easy. Quiet times are a Sabbath activity. Sabbath's can be on every day of the week. Pray and give thanks.
Some practical pointers - The Sabbath is about: 1. Commemoration - to remember Christ. 2. Re-defining what is important in life. 3. Ceasing work - finding space to be revived. 4. Consecration - re-finding identity and integrity. 5. Commitment - the Sabbath is to meet with God. 6. Learning not to put too high a value on the material world. 7. Comfort and Challenge - looking forward to heaven, realising that to rest is to challenge yourself.
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Post by Soleluna on Feb 18, 2002 10:31:08 GMT -5
Goddess mother: like the one you have for baptism
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Post by girlpoet21 on Feb 18, 2002 19:45:12 GMT -5
I'm sorry, I've never heard of that. What religion (denom) is that in?
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Larigirl
Junior Member
whose eyes are these? pm me if you wanna know!
Posts: 245
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Post by Larigirl on Feb 18, 2002 21:10:33 GMT -5
hey guys, i thinkit's so cool that you're posting your sermon notes.... it's good to read that kind of stuff. i especially enjoyed the point about the sabbath. thanx for that. i may post some stuff on relationships later when i have the time... right now i need to get ready for bed i have to be at school for 7:00 am tomorrow.... that's early for me.
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Post by x n0ise on Feb 18, 2002 22:50:17 GMT -5
Yes, thanks lilmissstrawberry for posting your sermon notes also. I think it's good that we do this so other people can learn more about Christianity, God, Jesus, etc...other than just on Sunday's..etc. Whenever we need anything...we can just come here! =)
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Post by girlpoet21 on Feb 20, 2002 8:26:55 GMT -5
Yeah, especially when we can't get to a church service. This is great. Thanks! It's so sweet of you guys! ;D
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Queen_of_Hollywood
New Member
You've got somethin so real;You touched me so deep
Posts: 87
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Post by Queen_of_Hollywood on Feb 20, 2002 11:05:03 GMT -5
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Post by -*- Little Miss Strawberry -*- on Feb 21, 2002 10:13:06 GMT -5
So what denomination of church do you guys go to?
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Post by x n0ise on Feb 21, 2002 14:21:52 GMT -5
I'm Pentecostal.....
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Post by LisaRocksYourWorld, yo on Feb 24, 2002 15:49:12 GMT -5
I need to find religion. I'm Catholic, and I really don't like it. I haven't been to church in months, and I take religious education classes but the more I "learn", the less I seem to like the religion. The nun only talks about what we do WRONG (Abortion, homosexuality, premarital sex, etc.). She asks us all if we're virgins and makes us promise not to have sex until we're married. She also says that if you don't go to church every week, you'll never get into heaven. When I do go to church, Father says we don't donate enough money, we don't sing loud enough, we don't answer him loud enough... It's not like I can just go to another Catholic church in a neighboring town, they're all the same! I want to feel spiritual, I want to feel God's presence, I want to be saved.
My mother is also fed up with the religion, maybe even more so than I am, but says I should finish my religious education classes (I need to make my conformation). I don't know if I can take it much longer. I don't agree with a lot of the morals, and I don't want them pushed on me. I give the money I can afford to give. I don't want to go on living this lie!
I believe in God, I believe in Jesus, but I don't believe the Catholic church is for me. Does anyone have any suggestions on what to do about this? Also, what Christian religions are the friendliest and the most open-minded?
Thank you so much... I know it was long, but as the days pass, my dislike for my denomination grows.
~Lisa
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Post by girlpoet21 on Feb 24, 2002 18:47:57 GMT -5
Lisa- I'm Baptist, and I don't believe in having to pay a lot of money, like for pew fees. You didn't mention those, but all the Catholics I know (and I know a *lot* of Catholics) have to pay them. We just believe in tithing, which is 10% of what you earn. As for going to hell if you don't go to church, that is not Biblical. But you probaby know that. Baptists believe that as long as you've accepted Christ (at an age when you understand) then you're okay. As for more liberal churches, that's hard to say. I know of liberal Baptist churches (which I'm sure you've figured out I'm not a part of, lol) but I'd say Methodist and some Pentacostal churches are the most liberal. Especially United Methodist. I'm basing this on my experience (I used to attend a Methodist church, shocking,eh?) and from what I've read in the paper about the various conventions, etc.
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Post by x n0ise on Feb 24, 2002 22:21:58 GMT -5
Lisa~ Based on my experiences, I'd say Pentecostal or Methodist are most open-minded, but that's just my opinion(no offense to anyone). I go to a Church called The Assemblies of God and I love it so so much! It's really open. If you are really fed up, try a Pentecostal Christian church. It's just my suggestion.
Good luck to you Lisa! ;D
Christianity...do you want to get saved, but arn't sure how? I could try to help you out... The True ABC's of Eternal Hope, Eternal Peace, and Eternal Life. A. ACCEPT that you're a sinner and need a Savior. "For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God, the wages of sin is death." (Romans 3:23) B. BELIEVE that Jesus died on the cross and was raised from the dead for your sins. "For God so loved the world He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." (John 3:16) C. CONFESS Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior of your life with your own mouth. "If thou shalt confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God hath raises Him from the dead thou shall be saved." (Romans 10:9-10) Eternal Life Prayer Born again and salvation are the same. Pray this prayer from your heart to God and your eternal blessings will begin now. Father God, in Jesus' name I ACCEPT that I am a sinner and I need you as my Savior. I BELIEVE you sent Jesus to die on the cross for my sin and was raised from the dead for my salvation. Now Lord Jesus, I CONFESS you are now my pesonal Lord & Savior. I am born again by your Spirit an have eternal hope, eternal peace, and eternal life. Amen. Now What? "You are a new creation in Christ. Old things have passed away and behold all things have become new." (2 Cor. 5:17)
I just though it'd be nice to post this because I know when I wanted to accept Christ into my life, I wasn't completely sure how to go about the deal. I hope those of you who want to be saved find hope, peace, and life in Christ. Any questions/comments...PM me. God Bless, Haley
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Post by LisaRocksYourWorld, yo on Feb 24, 2002 22:39:40 GMT -5
Thank you very much girlpoet21 and spastic.fruit!
I've really been considering Methodist. I've been to a couple of Methodist churches, once for a wedding, and once for a mass where a friend of the family was giving a sermon. They just seem so friendly and accepting, and not at all overpowering. I walked in, and it was smaller, more welcoming, and everyone was smiling for a change! I now know that Methodist is probably my choice. If I don't get to convert in the near future, I definately will when I get out on my own.
Thanks again!
~Lisa
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Post by -*- Little Miss Strawberry -*- on Feb 25, 2002 14:48:10 GMT -5
^^^ You could always go to your Catholic church in the morning, and try a Methodist church in the evening, just to get the feel. You don't have to feel enclosed. Do what makes you feel right with God.
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