Intelligent Mysticism

Following Jesus is not simply learning to believe certain things nor is it only spiritual experiences. Following Jesus will always involve both the mind and the heart -- a kind of intelligent mysticism of sorts…

“It is necessary for us to recognize that there is an intelligent mysticism in the life of faith…of living union and communion with the exalted and ever-present Redeemer…He communes with his people and his people commune with him in conscious reciprocal love…The life of true faith cannot be that of cold metallic assent.  It must have the passion and warmth of love and communion because communion with God is the crown and apex of true religion.” ~ John Murray, Redemption Applied

Intelligent mysticism. Wow, now give that some thought. An encounter with God is a mixture of the affections of the heart and the convictions of the mind. In other words, our choice isn't between doctrine or experience, nor is it between knowledge or spiritual power. Encountering God involves both; in fact, when done well, they actually stimulate one another.

How about you? Are you emphasizing one over the other?

What are some ways you can cultivate an intelligent mysticism in your daily life?

Help with Understanding the Message of Revelation

The final book in our Bible, Revelation, with all its elaborate (and let's be honest...CRAZY) visions, can be quite difficult for the modern reader and disciple to both navigate and understand.

Here's a helpful summary, overview, guide to better understand the book and its wonderful message that Christ is KING over all.

REVELATION: Outline + Overview

Also, there are also many wonderful commentaries and resources; but may I recommend one in a particular: The Returning King: A Guide to the Book of Revelation by Vern Sheridan Poythress.
You can find it HERE for free! 

Dig Deeper into Sunday's Text - Luke 24:13-35

Dig deeper into Sunday’s message with our study + discussion questions based on Luke 24:13-35 and the August 16, 2015 sermon, Jesus + The Disciples (The Road to Emmaus) which is Part 11 of our Encountering Jesus teaching series…

Study + Discussion Questions

August 16th-22nd

Dig Deeper into Sunday's Text - August 9, 2015

Dig deeper into Sunday’s text with our study + discussion questions based on John 4:1-42 and the August 9, 2015 sermon, Jesus + The Samaritan Woman which is Part 10 of our Encountering Jesus teaching series…

Study + Discussion Questions

August 9th - 15th

Dig Deeper into Sunday's Text - August 2, 2015

Dig deeper into Sunday’s text with our study + discussion questions based on Matthew 8:23-27 and the August 2, 2015 sermon, Jesus + The Disciples (The Calming of the Storm) which is Part 9 of our Encountering Jesus teaching series…

Study + Discussion Questions

August 2nd - 8th

Is Homosexuality a Sin? Resources to Help You Better Understand the Issue(s)...

At Grace Church, all are welcome to come and discover Jesus with us, to worship with us, to find community with us, and to explore what God’s Word has to say. So, as a church set and centered on unifying on the historic Christian faith and welcoming all to come, including those with different perspectives on homosexual relationships and gender issues, it's imperative that we grow in our understanding of this ongoing discussions and debates.

The topics of human sexuality and gender aren't as simple as some people think or claim. And though the Bible lists many sexual activities as clearly wrong, there are many genuine Christians who are making a case that monogamous and committed ("marital') homosexual relationships are not forbidden in the Scriptures. Their claim is that the Bible passages referring to homosexuality are referring to other sexual pervasions (e.g., multiple partners, practicing bi-sexiality, rape, prostitution, the ancient practice of pederasty, etc.) or they claim the passages referring to homosexuality in the Old Testament's holiness code (Leviticus chapters 17-27) do not apply to New Testament Christianity (see Acts 21:25). 

Here are the Bible passages concerning homosexuality: 

• two references to homosexual rape -- Genesis 19:5, Judges 19:22
• three references to intercourse between men -- Leviticus 18:21-22, Leviticus 20:13, Romans 1:27
• one reference to intercourse between women -- Romans 1:26
• one seems to be a reference of male prostitution and/or pederasty -- 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 (this could be argued to refer to homosexuality in a general sense)
• and one seems to be general -- 1 Timothy 1:8-10.

At our church, we have brothers and sisters on both sides of this interpretive dispute. And though we may not all agree, we are, nonetheless, committed to the process of discovering and exploring God’s Word together, even if it means, from time to time, that we will respectively agree to disagree. If we center ourselves on what has always unified the church, Christ and him crucified, there will always be a sense of mutual edification and community with one another.

To better help inform you about how Grace Church is pursuing this debated topic, be sure to listen to What is Grace Church's Stance Toward LGBT Christians? and a recent sermon entitled, Jesus + The Centurion. 

Additionally, here are helpful resources from some Christian leaders and teachers on the whole subject of homosexuality, LGBT, and the church...

"Traditional Interpretation" - Resources making a biblical case for all homosexual behavior being sinful and, therefore, not God's best for humanity:

• Podcast - The Gay Discussion by Q
• Book - What Does the Bible Really Teach about Homosexuality by Kevin DeYoung
• Article - 40 Questions for Christians Now Raising Rainbow Flags by Gospel Coalition
• Article - The Bible and Same Sex Relationships (a review article) by Timothy Keller
• Article - Four Appeals to Christians Embracing Homosexuals by Gavin Ortlund
• Video (segments) - N.T. Wright on Gay Marriage (and Homosexuality) and  N.T. Wright on the Homosexuality Debate

"Non-Traditional Interpretation" - Resources making a biblical case for monogamous and committed homosexual unions:

• Book - God and the Gay Christian by Matthew Vines
• Book - A Letter to My Congregation by Ken Wilson
• Video - A series of short videos from The Gay Christian Network
• Video - The Gay Debate: Homosexuality and the Bible by Matthew Vines

Also, here's an example of Christians disagreeing on what the Bible says concerning this issue yet, nonetheless, remaining committed to pursuing Christ-centered unity together as they continue to dialog and seek truth: 

• The Great Debate by The Gay Christian Network

One other book, which is worth your attention, doesn't really fall under either of the categories listed above and is probably the closest to my own personal approach to the issue(s). It's called People to be Loved by Preston Sprinkle. Definitely worth checking out.

Additionally, Preston did a two part review of Ken Wilson's book, A Letter to my Congregation, and, in my opinion, handles some of Wilson's errors and highlights moms of his strengths quite well. You can read them here:

• A Review of Ken Wilson’s “Third Way” Approach to Homosexuality: Part 1
• A Review of Ken Wilson’s “Third Way” Approach to Homosexuality: Part 2

Lastly, Preston also wrote a two part review on Kevin DeYoung's, What Does the Bible Really Teach about Homosexuality? You can read them here:

• Kevin DeYoung’s New Book on Homosexuality: A Critical Review (Part 1)
• Kevin DeYoung’s New Book on Homosexuality: A Critical Review (Part 2)

Personal note from Pastor Heath: 

If you are wondering where I (Heath) land on the issue, after much reading, after many conversations with gay, straight, bi-sexual and transgender individuals, after much consideration and prayer, I still think, despite the sexual propensities of some, all forms of homosexual relations are not God's best for humanity. And though I'm quick to agree with those who recognize the interpretive possibilities of passage such as Romans 1:26-27, 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, and 1 Timothy 1:8-10 (and others), the overarching paradigm for sexuality set forth in Genesis chapters 1 and 2 of the complementary male and female marital unions and sexual relations, and then seeing this paradigm running throughout both Old and New Testaments, seems, for me, to be a hard argument to beat. I say this knowing that it is contentious to some and possibly hurtful to others; but that is not my intention. I am not a homophobic bigot. I will never shun or shame a brother or sister who has differing view on this issue. I'm open to change my views if convinced by Scripture. And, furthermore, I will never shun or shame a friend who comes out as gay or bisexual or becomes transgender. These are complicated and sensitive matters. We need to meet each other with love and forbearance. Assumptions and traditions need to be challenged by the Word of God. And we need to maintain a sincere desire to learn and grow together. Let's keep going!

Dig Deeper into Sunday's Text - July 26, 2015

Dig deeper into Sunday’s text with our study + discussion questions based on John 8:1-11 and the July 26th, 2015 sermon, Jesus + The Adulterous Woman which is Part 8 of our Encountering Jesus teaching series…

Study + Discussion Questions

July 26th - August 1st

Digg Deeper Into Sunday's Text - July 19, 2015

Dig deeper into Sunday’s text with our study + discussion questions based on Luke 7:1-10 and the July 19th, 2015 sermon, Jesus + The Centurion which is Part 7 of our Encountering Jesus teaching series…  

Study + Discussion Questions

July 19th-25th

Dig Deeper into Sunday's Text - Sunday, July 12, 2015

Dig deeper into Sunday’s text with our study + discussion questions based on Matthew 2:1-12 and the July 12th, 2015 sermon, Jesus + The Magi which is Part 6 of our Encountering Jesus teaching series…  

Study + Discussion Questions

July 12th-18th

What's Pentecost Sunday?

Pentecost Sunday falls on May 24 this year (2015) and it is generally honored in liturgical churches (Roman Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, Eastern Orthodox, etc.), and in many other Protestant churches as well. Pentecost is not as well-known or as popular as the Christmas and Easter, though it commemorates a watershed event in Christian history.

But many Christians don't know why the day is special or what is celebrated. 

Unlike Easter and Christmas, when colorful eggs, Easter bunnies, Christmas trees and Santa Claus are harbingers of the upcoming Christian holidays, there are no such social/secular markers for The Day of Pentecost. So, for those who need a quick and basic understanding of what Pentecost Sunday is, we have listed 10 things you should know about the Christian observance of Pentecostal Sunday.

1. Pentecost Sunday marks the day when the Holy Spirit descended upon the Apostles.
2. Pentecost Sunday occurs 50 days after Easter/Resurrection Sunday.
3. The Bible records the Day of Pentecost in Acts 2:1-13.
4. The Day of Pentecost came 10 days after the Ascension of Jesus Christ.
5. The Day of Pentecost is also known as "the birthday of the Church".
6. Pentecost fulfills Jesus' promise to send the "Counselor" and "Spirit of Truth" in John 16-5-15.
7. Pentecost launches the large-scale spreading of the Gospel after Jesus' ascension. Acts 2:41 records that after Peter spoke to the crowd after receiving the Holy Spirit, some 3,000 people were baptized.
8. Pentecost Sunday is not linked with the Pentecostal movement. (In fact, many Pentecostal churches make little to no fuss over Pentecost Sunday.)
9. Jews also celebrate Pentecost, but not for the same reason as Christians. The celebration by Jews of Pentecost is to observe God giving the Ten Commandments on Mount Sinai 50 days after the Exodus. The Pentecost in Jewish tradition takes place 50 days after Passover.
10. In many mainline Western churches, Pentecost is usually represented with the color red, which symbolizes the fire of the Holy Spirit.