CSI:Church Scene Investigation
Part One - Reputation
Andrew K. Fox
Introduction
The first part of CSI will deal with our churches reputation. It can be addressed by asking the question 'what is meant by reputation?' It is an estimation held by a person of the community at large about someone, something or some place.
Reputation of King David
1. There were five widely known things about David. (1 Samuel 16:18) "I have seen a son of Jesse of Bethlehem who knows how to play the harp. He is a brave man and a warrior. He speaks well and is a fine-looking man. And the Lord is with him." He is a great musician, brave, speaks well, good looking and God is with him.
2. He captivated Jonathan. (1 Samuel 18:1) "Jonathan became one in spirit with David, and he loved him as himself."
3. The women sang songs of his conquests. (1 Samuel 18:7) "Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands."
4. People looking for answers looked to David. (1 Samuel 22:2) "All those who were in distress or in debt or discontented gathered around him, and he became their leader."
5. Men put their own life on the line for him just to get a cup of water to him. (2 Samuel 23:15-16) "David longed for water and said, 'Oh, that someone would get me a drink of water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem!' So the three mighty men broke through the Philistine lines, drew water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem and carried it back to David."
6. David captured the heart of a nation. (1 Samuel 18:16) "…all Israel and Judah loved David…"
Conclusion
Paul in Pisidian Antioch quoting Samuel who spoke as a prophet for God summarized the reputation of David. (Acts 13:22) "I have found David son of Jesse a man after my own heart…"
Reputation of Christ
1. His hometown rejected him. (Mark 6:3) "And they took offense at him."
2. The established church rejected him. (Mark 3:6) "Then the Pharisees went out and began to plot with the Herodians how they might kill Jesus."
3. There was widespread scandal. (Mark 3:22) "And the teachers of the law who came down from Jerusalem said, 'He is possessed by Beelzebub!"
4. The Samaritans rejected him. (Luke 9:53) "…but the people there did not welcome him, because he was heading for Jerusalem."
5. His authority was questioned. (Luke 20:2) "Tell us by what authority you are doing these things,' they said. 'Who gave you this authority?"
6. The attorney's of that day planned legalities against him. (Matthew 26:4) "…they plotted to arrest Jesus…"
Conclusion
Isaiah summarized the reputation of Christ. (Isaiah 53:3) "He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not."
Straight away we are in conflict by what is meant by reputation. Another question would be 'who gives the reputation?' We are looking at our church reputation.
Seven churches with reputation
1. The church in Ephesus: (Revelation 2:2-4) "I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked men, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary. Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love." In the eyes of the community they were a hard working church but in God's eyes they had lost their love for Christ.
2. The church in Smyrna: (Revelation 2:9-10) "I know your afflictions and your poverty--yet you are rich! I know the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life." A church struggling for identity in the eyes of the community but clearly rich in God's eyes.
3. The church in Pergamum: (Revelation 2:13-15) "I know where you live--where Satan has his throne. Yet you remain true to my name. You did not renounce your faith in me, even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was put to death in your city--where Satan lives, I have a few things against you: You have people there who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin by eating food sacrificed to idols and by committing sexual immorality. Likewise you also have those who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans." The community is a very difficult one that God calls the 'throne of Satan' but they were faithful. But there was doctrine that was taught and lived.
4. The church in Thyatira: (Revelation 2:19-20) "I know your deeds, your love and faith, your service and perseverance, and that you are now doing more than you did at first. Nevertheless, I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess. By her teaching she misleads my servants…to you who do not hold to her teaching and have not learned Satan's so-called deep secrets (I will not impose any other burden on you): Only hold on to what you have…" In the eyes of the community they are doing more this year than last year. Their programs had increased. But in God's eyes they were weird looking for Biblical secrets that were somehow kept hidden for 2000 years.
5. The church in Sardis: (Revelation 3:1-2) "I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead. Wake up!" The reputation in the community was a happening place but in God's eyes it was dead.
6. The church in Philadelphia: (Revelation 3:8) "I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name." Apparently there is a great opportunity that the community has dismissed from the church but in the eyes of God the offer is still on the table.
7. The church of Laodicea: (Revelation 3:15-17) "I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm--neither hot nor cold--I am about to spit you out of my mouth. You say, `I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked." There could not be a more stark difference between the community sees and what God sees.
Conclusion
Having established 'what is meant by reputation' and 'who gives the reputation' a third question must be asked 'how do we gain a reputation with God and the community?'
With God
If we want a reputation with God we have to go back to the first question 'what is meant by reputation.' It is an estimation held by someone about you. (Hebrews 11:6) "Without faith it is impossible to please God." If we want reputation with God then faith is needed.
1. Is there faith in our worship? Do we still hold to the tradition of a 'song service' with 'special music' or are we coming together to unpack everything we are into everything we do in worship. Is the atmosphere charged with expectation before the Word of God is preached? Do you come to discharge or recharge?
2. Is there faith in our giving? Tithing is one thing but generosity towards God in terms of money is an act of faith that he will bless you back financially. At the end of the year do you laugh like Abraham who believed God for a son or will you laugh like Sarah in cynical disbelief. There is nothing more forceful in gaining a reputation with God than when we put our money in his hands at the local church.
3. Is there faith for souls like Rachel who prayed 'give me children or I die.' The last thing on the mind of Christ was the care of lambs and sheep they come into his family. Is there an emphasis in your heart that chimes with the heart of God 'you must be born again.' God cannot help himself when it comes to repentance. The image is a father running to his lost son ready to restore him with blessing that is undeserved or merited is captured in the parable of the Prodigal son.
With our community
To gain a reputation in the community you have to give a reputation:
1. Have a high opinion of people. People will perform as you see them. Visualize a person who thinks highly of you. Now think how you behave around them. You do everything in your capability to live up to that reputation they give you. Christ gave people a reputation to fishermen, tax collectors, prostitutes, Pharisees, lepers and even the criminal on the cross
2. Back up your high opinion of people with action. It is one thing to say it and another thing to do it.
3. Look passed their past and gives them a reputation for the future. Yesterday ended last night. Do not see them for what they have done but for what they could do.
4. Share a secret. It does not have to be something big but something you learned or understood. When you share it with someone for the first time it is exciting. The more you share it the secret looses steam. Only the spoon knows what is being stirred.
5. Do for others what they cannot do for themselves.
a. Introduce people to people they would otherwise not meet
b. Take them to places they would otherwise not go to
c. Offer opportunities they would otherwise not get
d. Share ideas that did not originate with them
Conclusion
1. What is meant by reputation? An estimation held by someone of something, someone or some place.
2. Who gives a reputation? God gives the ultimate reputation.
3. How do we gain reputation with God? Faith.
4. How do we gain reputation with the community? Give them a reputation.
LOST
Part One - The Bible
Andrew K. Fox
Introduction
We must be on the same page regarding the origin of the Bible. This simple drawing shows the gradual development of the Bible in its translation and each successive version it rests on. We live in an age of mass production and printing and it is difficult to grasp how hard it was to accomplish this. What was the literary foundation of the Bible?
1. Original manuscript: 1500BC - 100AD
2. Early copies: 1933 Great Britain purchased an early copy from the Soviet Republic now in the British Museum. Written in Greek about in the 4th century. Another copy is also in the Museum in Greek with 40 lost pages written in the 4th century. The Vatican has another copy that was complete from the 4th century although pages have been lost.
3. Ancient copies: Various copies of Old Testament and the entire scripture of both Testaments in Greek, Hebrew and Latin from 250BC through 950AD. Two of those ancient translations were the Masoretic and Vulgate translations used by the Roman Catholic Church.
4. Wycliffe 1320-1384: Throughout the Dark Ages the scripture was locked out from the common man in Latin. John Wycliffe took the Masoretic and Vulgate translations. He did not complete it in his lifetime but his friends carried on his work to completion.
5. Tyndale 1525: He did not use any of Wycliffe's work but used the ancient copies and the Vulgate, which angered the Roman Catholic Church. He was a scholar in Greek and Latin. He was put to death because of his work. But his work was so profound all successive works came from his own.
6. Coverdale 1535: He was a friend of Tyndale and translated for the sake of Henry the VIII
7. Matthew 1537: He was a friend of Tyndale and completed a translation.
8. Great 1539: A translation taken entirely from Tyndale and appeared in many churches across England displayed and read to congregations who flocked to hear the scriptures being read. The ability to read was not common so the Bible was chained to a reading desk.
9. Geneva 1560: Queen Mary persecuted the protestant church causing many to flee England into Europe. The large Bible chained to a reading desk was made available in a more handy size.
10. Douay 1610: The Roman Catholic Church responded with a version taken from the Vulgate.
11. Authorised 1611: King James 1st in England commissioned 47 scholars to take the Greek and Hebrew language and translate it into what is known as the King James Version. This version is characterized by old English.
12. Modern translation: At least ten translations have been developed since 1901. In 1947 the Dead Sea Scrolls were found which had the ancient Greek, Hebrew and Aramaic manuscripts. Most were over 1000 years old and not seen before unlike other Old Testament manuscripts. Scholars are now able to study scripture more accurately than before. 1965 the Amplified version was produced emphasizing phrases. New American Standard completed in 1971 emphasized the grammar and terminology. 1971 the Living Bible paraphrased to make it simple. New International Version 1978 scholars from across the world and a cross section of denomination came together using original text to give a modern language to ancient languages.
Conclusion
There have been countless wars, revolutions and revolts, plagues and natural disasters, kings, queens, governments, dictators and persecution but the text of the original scripture has been preserved for us. Kingdoms have been lost but the scripture has always found a way to remain with mankind. There are now 1118 translations into every language including brail.
Summary of the Bible
Single book containing 66 books. 1192 chapters of 19067 verses. It has 5 books of law, 12 books of history, 5 books of poetry, 17 books of prophecy, 4 gospel accounts, the book of Acts and 20 letters of what happened in Acts along with the book of Revelation.
Christ the Word of God
(John 1:1) "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God."
The term 'word' is translated into two parts:
1. Logos is the expression of thought or conscience but not an object. It cannot be understood by science, physics or art. The Old Testament prophets record that 'In the time of……the Word of the Lord came to me' They are not saying a tangible person came to them but the quickening of their thought and conscience. Logos was personified in Christ (John 1:14) "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory…"
2. Rhema is the second expression that is not a conscious thought but spoken. It is ongoing like the preaching of God's Word throughout the life of a church. Rhema comes from Logos and is an ever-present help.
Dangers of seeing the Bible as fallible
1. God is made in our image:
The whole Genesis account of creation shows how personally we are made. All that preceded the creation of man began with "…let there be…" and God saw that it was good. But in making man in his own image it began "…let us make man…" and it was very good. When the animal kingdom was created it was "…according to its kind…" (Genesis 1:21) but when man was created it was "…in his own image…" The image of man is not of himself but God. Mankind were meant to be God-bearers. Gender is not mentioned in the animal kingdom until Noah (Genesis 7:9) "…male and female, came to Noah and entered the ark…" but it was vital in making a man as a male and a woman as a female (Genesis 1:27) "…male and female, he created them…" The role, function, place, responsibilities and capabilities of each gender have become very unclear especially in the family home. Man was given rule over all creation to have dominion (Genesis 1:28) "Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground."
a. From an environmentalist point of view for the sake of production and profit God has been reduced to our image.
b. From a conservationist point of view there is no distinction between 'let there be' and 'let us make man in our image.'
c. Form a political point of view there is no difference between pro-choice and pro-life by making God in our image.
d. From an evolutionist point of view there is no difference between the animal kingdom and the human race making God in our image.
e. From a culturist point of view there is no difference between a higher power and that power being personified in a loving God.
To have a 'point of view' about the Bible is a contradiction in terms. The Bible singles out man as different from anything else God created. Man is created. Man is especially created. Man is especially created in the image of God. Man is especially created in the image of God and redeemed by God who became a man that we may know we are created in his image.
2. Context of Christ is lost:
(Colossians 1:16-17) "For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together."
Humanism has become an acceptable way of life for the believer who does not adhere to the Word of God being infallible. Humanism is a set of beliefs by which you view everything like a pair of glasses. It is a dangerous worldview.
a. In theological terms the humanist believes God did not create man but man created God because he needed something to worship. It will never be confessed but it is seen in lifestyle.
b. In philosophical terms a humanist is a naturalist because they live like there is nothing beyond the material world. No heaven and no hell. If it cannot be obtained now it is not worth it.
c. If man created God as something to worship and there is nothing beyond the material world then the humanist is also an evolutionist. Not in its truest form but in conversation when 'whatever you believe is acceptable and whatever I believe is acceptable' as all things become relative with no absolute truth.
We believe that the church should have core values and a strategic plan for a desired future but Christ must be pre-eminent in all of it. The church is a body and Christ is the head and the communication between body and head is nothing short of the Holy Spirit.
3. Hope is abandoned:
(Hebrews 10:23) "Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful."
When things are hopeful hope is simply flattery or mere platitude. It is only when things are hopeless that hope is real. Look at a number of hopeless issues we face and see the need to believe the Word of God is infallible.
a. When someone you love dies. You may have been married all your adult life to that person. You may have only had a few years with them. You may have buried your own child or a sibling. To someone who has no hope death is a conclusion. The Bible does not speak of death as the gateway to eternity because death has been conquered. Death is simply the end of your mortal body. Hope takes away all fear of death. Hold to hope unswervingly.
b. When you suffer: The problem of pain is the atheist's best weapon against the Bible. If God is love why do innocent people suffer? There is no such thing as 'innocent suffering' in terms of original sin. It turns perfect love into impossible anarchism. It needs to be settled in every mind that we do not establish what is right but the Word of God does. It liberates you to spiritually profit from these present sufferings in terms of blessing. Hold to hope unswervingly.
Conclusion
(2 Timothy 3:16-17)"All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."
If all scripture is God-breathed then all scripture is inspired by God. It therefore cannot be in error.
NEXT WEEK: THE ONE TRUE GOD!
If you would like to see previous transcripts or hear audio available you can find them here.:
Are You Hungry? Series
The Lion the Witch and You! Series
Promise Land to Promise Life Series
Discovery.God Series
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