Love my Bible and Love my Church but finally discovering the words and mission of Jesus. Past long-term Elder of Presbyterian Church - ECO.

Joined December 2022
Discovering Jesus retweeted
Jesus’s first sermon, in Luke 4, had five lines: good news for the poor, freedom for prisoners, sight for the blind, release for the oppressed, and the year of the Lord’s favor. He read it as his mission statement. May we follow Jesus!
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Discovering Jesus retweeted
The good news was never about escaping the wrath of God. Jesus never taught that. The good news gospel that Jesus proclaimed was about a God who loved us enough to become human and to invite us into his family and his kingdom!
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Discovering Jesus retweeted
My agenda is simple - follow Jesus and his way, his truth, his kingdom, and his life!
Replying to @DiscoverJesus3
His kingdom is not an earthly kingdom . He told Pilate that. It’s not all about making earth better. Earth will pass away. Jesus said that also. I get it. You have a political and social agenda. Mine is same as yours. But I won’t lie about Jesus to achieve it .
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Discovering Jesus retweeted
Replying to @AdamPage85
@AdamPage85 Do not think the words from Paul are the words from Jesus. Paul writes many great things but also writes his opinions. Know the difference. Women are not to be silent in church despite what Paul has written.
The worst take. The red letters, Paul, Peter, Moses, Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, prophets major and minor, if it’s Scripture, it’s infallible and God-breathed. Paul isn’t Jesus, but treat the words of Paul like they’re the words of Jesus.
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Simple questions Bill… @Bill59651691 What was the good news gospel that Jesus proclaimed to thousands sitting on a hillside in Galilee? What was so compelling that they were transformed, saved, and born again to love God and love others according to His way, His truth, and His life? Jesus was proclaiming the good news gospel long before he was crucified on a cross - what was his good news? Radical inclusion by Jesus: - the bleeding woman - the paralyzed man - the man who was demon possessed - the blind man - the crippled man by the pool - the Samaritan woman - the poor - the captives - the oppressed - those with leprosy - the Gentiles - the unclean Thousands of people had been told by the religious leaders that they were unclean and did not belong. They were captivated by the radically inclusive voice of their Heavenly Father that they belong and are his children!
Replying to @DiscoverJesus3
So....universalism now? "Radical inclusion" means everyone is saved? Heaven will be populated by Hitler, Stalin, Muhammed, Pol Pot, Timur the Lame, Ghengis Khan, murderers, child molesters, slave traders, and all other evildoers who left this world pushing their middle finger in God's face? And just as bad: sanctimonious religious hypocrites including humanists who rewrite the gospel, redefine God, call good "evil" and evil "good"? Uh uh, nope, not gonna happen. Why--because I said so? No, because God's flawless and unalterable Word declares it. Jesus said, "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it." (Matthew 7:13-14). There is a broad avenue that leads to a huge glittering gate emblazoned with the words "Deconstruction Heaven" and followers of "Discovering Jesus" are stampeding toward it. Behind that door are the everlasting flames. And there is a narrow, rugged path that leads to a much smaller door, plain and unadorned, that bears the sign, "Blood-bought, Enter Here," and behind it lies Paradise, purchased for lost sinners by the penal substitutionary atonement suffered by the Lamb of God. I have no intention of pursuing a tit-for-tat interminable debate with you. I'll let you have the last word. But I have said what was my duty to say, and I pray that your victims will take it to heart and disentangle themselves from your seduction.
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Sin obviously exists - we miss the mark. Jesus claimed the power to forgive sins and never needed to be paid and never needed any blood or sacrifice to forgive anyone. In his parable, Jesus teaches how the Father (God) fully atones and forgives his prodigal son with no debt paid and no blood or sacrifice required. Did Jesus need blood to grant salvation to Zacchaeus? Nope. Why does Jesus forgive? Love! Does Bill require a payment or blood to forgive his own children?
Replying to @DiscoverJesus3
Even if you preach this lie a thousand times, cross your fingers and hope for the best, it will never be true. The Creator of the universe doesn’t traffic in uncertainties and relativism. Look at the disciplines of pure science: physics, mathematics, chemistry, biology. You will see that there are precise and inviolable laws that govern reality, and that every calculation has a single correct answer, and that none of it is subject to the whims and fancies of men. The apostle Paul warned that there would be false Jesuses (2 Corinthians 11:4) and false gospels (Galatians 1:6-9), and Jesus warned that in the last days there would be false Christs (Matthew 24:5); both the Savior and His apostles warned that deceivers would prey upon the Lord’s flock and enjoined us to be wary and immovable in our faith. “I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. So be on your guard! Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears.” (Acts 20:29-31). If you are not filled with mortal dread by the prospect of being found to have misled souls to their doom, then you just might be beyond the reach of spiritual reason. Therefore I warn your followers: mankind is, according to both Scripture and common sense, afflicted with a disorder and a dysfunction. Call it what you like—original sin, depravity, a base and downward proclivity—the fruits of it are obvious, whether you look at the world around you or within your own soul-sickness. Jesus came to atone for our sinful estrangement from God with His own precious blood. Every denomination of Christianity teaches this: we are born with a fallen sinful nature, that the end thereof is eternal separation from God, and that the atoning death and resurrection of our Savior Jesus are the only remedy; all who refuse that remedy have chosen death over life and hell over heaven. You can create your own version of Jesus and a distortion of His message, but don’t call it Christianity because it’s not. You want to make a woke, progressive, “deconstructed” belief system that’s all about tolerance, inclusion and unconditional “love,” but that’s humanism, not Christianity. God cannot love anyone unless he or she is regenerated to life through faith in Christ’s atoning sacrifice and covered with His imputed righteousness. You appeal to people’s desire for “self-esteem,” but the only worth a human being can ever have is imparted—not intrinsic—worth, the infinite worth of a creature ransomed with an infinite payment: the blood of Jesus Christ. That worth applies to all humans alive on the planet, even unbelievers, because Jesus died for all; but if they leave this world in unbelief, or believing a false gospel, that worth is forfeited. You appeal to people’s desire to live in unrepentant sin and still be accepted, but the true Gospel entails remorse and penitence and a turning away from forbidden lifestyles. Today’s woke churches deceive themselves into believing they can stamp Christ’s name on sexual sin, abortion and antisemitism (among others) and legitimize these abominations, but that is a violation of the Third Commandment in which God says, “The Lord will not hold him guiltless that takes His name in vain.” (Exodus 20:7). As Paul stated, “I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus.” (Acts 20:21). You like to say that Jesus didn’t speak about blood sacrifice and substitutionary atonement in the Gospels. I have shown otherwise in previous posts, but here I will say that the Jews of first century Israel didn’t need that concept explained to them: sacrifices for sin were offered every morning and evening, 365 days a year, and on the annual solemn observance of Yom Kippur which—because it was a never-ending ritual year after year, century upon century, was a temporary covering for sin that only became permanently efficacious when Christ came and fulfilled the typology and made an end to sin and death by His cross (Hebrews 9:27-29). The Jews of Jesus’ day didn’t need to be schooled on substitutionary atonement or original sin—the Israelites had broken every one of the ten commandments just hours after they were delivered! (Exodus chapter 32) and immediately the Levitical system of sacrifices was instituted. Thus Zechariah, John’s father, at the beginning of Luke’s Gospel prophesied that his son would be Messiah’s forerunner and herald, “to give His people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins,” (Luke 1:77). And an angel appeared to Joseph while Jesus was still in His mother’s womb, saying, “You are to give Him the name Jesus, because He will save his people from their sins,” (Matthew 1:21). You can’t erase sin by denying it exists. You can’t cure man’s hopeless alienation from God by denying it exists. You can’t rewrite a Christian message that men and women have staked their eternal hopes upon through the darkest times, lived it out and in many cases laid down their lives to preserve and protect it, and be taken seriously by anyone with an ounce of discernment. The beliefs you espouse are nothing more than a heretical, damnable cult or, as I prefer to say it, a “coven.” And Christians are called to a spiritual maturity and discernment that speaks truth to lies, motivated by love. “Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of Him who is the head, that is, Christ.” (Ephesians 4:14-15).
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Discovering Jesus retweeted
The world loved Jesus - Religious leaders were threatened by him. Why were thousands sitting on a hillside in Galilee saved, transformed, and born again by the good news from Jesus? What was so compelling about the presence of Jesus and his gospel? It was not about the cross. The cross is humanity’s response to the good news gospel. The gospel is a kingdom where Jesus reigns. The good news is a kingdom where you belong. The kingdom of God is about this life and the invitation to experience the divine presence and love of your Heavenly Father right now and throughout eternity. The kingdom is a threat to power and Patriarchy. The kingdom is about a table the invites all to a feast. The kingdom is about peace and justice. The kingdom is about inclusion and love. This is why thousands were following Jesus. This is why the ruling culture was so threatened by his kingdom and his way. This is why the religious leaders and Roman rulers conspired to have Jesus executed and crucified on a cross. The ruling culture thought they could exterminate the king and his kingdom. God responded - Sunday is coming!
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Discovering Jesus retweeted
Replying to @Bill59651691
@Bill59651691 What is the actual gospel Bill? What was the good news that Jesus preached to thousands sitting on a hillside in Galilee? What was the gospel in which Jesus sent the 12 and then the 72 to preach? The cross is not the gospel - it had not occurred yet. The good news is the arrival of the kingdom of God. It is why Jesus was sent!
Replying to @DiscoverJesus3
No, that's not "the truth." First, I have never read Calvin and I formulated my theology directly from Scripture before I ever heard of Calvin (having been raised Catholic, I knew nothing about him). To the extent he affirms Scripture, I'll agree with him, but I won't name my beliefs after him. Your deconstructed nonsense may be in vogue now in certain circles but all it is, really, is plucking aspects of Christianity you like from an a la carte menu and rejecting the parts you dislike. You will hold to the things that appeal to unbelievers--universal unconditional acceptance without faith in any particulars and without repentance--and disavow those teachings that will make you an object of persecution (the actual Gospel, for instance). But here's what the Lord Jesus said about you: "If anyone is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels," (Luke 9:26); and, "Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for that is how their fathers treated the false prophets." (Luke 6:26). But don't think that I am expending this effort in the hopes of persuading you. You are confirmed in your infidelity. My real purpose is to rescue the people you are leading toward a precipice.
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Discovering Jesus retweeted
When the time had come for God to perfectly reveal his character, love, and kingdom, he did not send a book with a leather cover, he sent himself in the person of Jesus! I love my Bible but the Bible and Jesus are not synonymous.
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Jesus was sent to proclaim the good news gospel that the kingdom of God had arrived.
Replying to @DiscoverJesus3
Jesus not come to hang out with sinners, He came to get hung up for the sinners. “For even the Son of Man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister and to give His life as a ransom for many.” Mark 10:45
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Discovering Jesus retweeted
Replying to @jon_bickle
@jon_bickle If you believe that God commands the killing of infant babies and commands keeping virgin girls as reward, then you are a biblicist and worship a God that looks nothing like Jesus our Christ!
Replying to @DiscoverJesus3
so God never killed anyone for not following his commandments ? Tell that to the amalekites etc
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Discovering Jesus retweeted
Amen, and amen!
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My agenda is simple - follow Jesus and his way, his truth, his kingdom, and his life!
Replying to @DiscoverJesus3
His kingdom is not an earthly kingdom . He told Pilate that. It’s not all about making earth better. Earth will pass away. Jesus said that also. I get it. You have a political and social agenda. Mine is same as yours. But I won’t lie about Jesus to achieve it .
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Many Christians came to faith out of fear. We were told we are a wretch and deserving of hell. Was Jesus a get out of hell card? That is not good news. That is not a relationship. That is not what Jesus proclaimed at all!
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Discovering Jesus retweeted
None of the gospel authors record Jesus teaching about original sin or that his blood would pay any price required by God.
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Discovering Jesus retweeted
For the past 500+ years, people of faith have been convinced that God demanded a payment in the blood of a human sacrifice to love and forgive humanity. This theology is a tragic misinterpretation of scripture by John Calvin. Jesus NEVER taught any of this. Discover Jesus!
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Discovering Jesus retweeted
Any theological belief that leads to marginalizing others is a belief that has nothing in common with Jesus. When Jesus is being asked by men about how to divorce their wives, Jesus makes it clear that God has created some men who will never marry a woman at all. “Eunuch” was a collective term for sexual minorities in biblical days. “Natural eunuchs” and “eunuchs under the sun” were Hebrew terms for effeminate men. Jesus is clear - they were created that way by their inclusive Heavenly Father!
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The good news was never about escaping the wrath of God. Jesus never taught that. The good news gospel that Jesus proclaimed was about a God who loved us enough to become human and to invite us into his family and his kingdom!
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Discovering Jesus retweeted
Listen to me: You were never born guilty due to the fall of Adam. You were never born condemned, deserving of hell, unworthy, or a wretch. Jesus never mentioned the fall of Adam and never taught any theology of original sin or total depravity. You were born human with a heart capable of divine love and capable of missing the mark. Your identity is that of a child of God and you have been born in his image. God has created you just as you are and he loves you! Jesus has invited you into his kingdom and to an abundant life. Jesus was sent to perfectly reveal the love, character, and kingdom of God and calls us to live and to love according to his way, his truth, and his life!
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Discovering Jesus retweeted
A God who requires violence and the blood of a human sacrifice as a payment has not forgiven you and does not love you - he has been paid off.
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