Poster | Thread | irunbarefoot Member

Joined: 2006/6/15 Posts: 35
| I Wanna be a Jesus Person | | Hello, I just want to say that I love the way that the Jesus People in the 60s and 70s abandoned tradtional vices of religion and simply followed Jesus. Whether it meant sitting indian-style on the living room floor and praying with a group of brothers and sisters during a bible study, or sharing the very home they lived in with anyone who had need of shelter.
Many of them were always excited about Jesus and what he was doing. The American church despised them, calling them drunkards and gluttons (Where have I heard that before?), and yet they were experiencing a REAL friendship with Jesus.
They weren't bound by the American dream of financial gratification, and they appeared to be complete failures to everyone around them. The truth is, many of these "Jesus People" understood the true simplicity of Christianity.
They were so full of Jesus, the culture around them could think of no better name for them than "Jesus Freaks." Kinda like in Antioch when the culture could think of nothing better than to call the early church "Christians."
While I know that not every so called "Jesus Person" exhibited the true character of Christ, the movement as a whole was genuine. And I would like nothing more than for someone to look at me and call me a "Jesus Guy."
Just my ramblings, hope no one gets mad at me. -Sean ______________ www.SeanDietrich.com "All music on my site is free for download." |
| 2006/6/25 13:24 | Profile | mamaluk Member

Joined: 2006/6/12 Posts: 524
| Re: I Wanna be a Jesus Person | | Irunbarefoot,
Amen! only because, HE is the LORD Jesus !
I can appreciate your heart..
In Christ, mml |
| 2006/6/25 13:56 | Profile | deltadom Member

Joined: 2005/1/6 Posts: 2359 Hemel Hempstead
| Re: | | I want to be too Even thou I am a failure
Now unto the king eternal immortal, invisible Dom _________________ Dominic Shiells
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| 2006/6/25 16:56 | Profile | irunbarefoot Member

Joined: 2006/6/15 Posts: 35
| Re: | | Hey man, I just wanted to encourage, not that you need it. I just wanted to say that even though you feel like a failure, Jesus is definately walking beside you and will help you out whenever you need him. Though not always in the ways we want him to. Anyway, not trying to be cheezy, but just want you to be secure in his love even though we fail often.
There is a Keith Green song that has a great lyric that says "...You still live inside me when I fail..." I didn't used to think so, but now I know. He is still with you though you mess up.
-Sean _____________ www.SeanDietrich.com "All my music is free for download." |
| 2006/6/26 0:20 | Profile | hmmhmm Member

Joined: 2006/1/31 Posts: 4994 Sweden
| Re: | | i failed so many times myself to, but god restores a man, id recomend keith daniels sermon when the godly fall... its so helps and convicts. But god will sanctify us wholly for his names sake...ohh how i long to be holy like he is holy ohh jesus make me in your image!! _________________ CHRISTIAN
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| 2006/6/26 7:36 | Profile | mamaluk Member

Joined: 2006/6/12 Posts: 524
| Re: | | hmmhmm,
Technically(bad choice of word, I think), in Christ,after salvation, we dwell in His holiness 24/7 already! However, we do need to familiarize ourselves with the Bible's instructions pertaining to our practical walk in the Lord, on a daily basis. Paul's letters are necessary.
The Lord is marvellously gracious to us, always picking us up when we fall. As I get older, I tend not to want to abuse His grace, the shame (before HIM) resulted from my sins alone would intensify the hatred of sin.
Reckoning one's failures is a sure step towards godliness. Sounds to me that you are on the right track, only thing though, please do spend time in knowing Christ throught the Bible,yeah, the entire Bible, day by day by day.....till HE comes. For the Word of God prevents the saints from 'failing' HIM.
In Christ, :) mamaluk |
| 2006/6/26 11:14 | Profile | irunbarefoot Member

Joined: 2006/6/15 Posts: 35
| Re: | | I agree totally. Good stuff! I also wanted to add that in John, the Greek word for "Word" as in "..the Word was made flesh..." is Logos, which means "Christ."
I say all that in order to say that reading the WORDS of God (The Bible) is just as important as knowing the WORD (Logos) of God, which is Jesus himself.
Spend time with Jesus and sit at his feet, as well as spend time reading his book. He wants to establish a relationship with you!
-Sean ____________________ www.SeanDietrich.com "All my music is free for download." |
| 2006/6/26 19:18 | Profile | sermonindex Moderator

Joined: 2002/12/11 Posts: 39795 Canada
Online! | Re: | | Sean,
I don't want to speak against what you are saying. I am going to the Calvary Chapel Bible College and praying for support for this next semester: https://www.sermonindex.net/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?topic_id=10943&forum=16
The Calvary Chapel "revival" that happened was amongst the Jesus People with Chuck Smith as the leader. There was a great move of the Spirit and many hippies came to Christ and began what is called the "calvary chapel movement" which now has over 1000 churches in United States and 100's abroad. There still is a openess to Jesus Christ as the "one way" and a more God based approach to ministry not trying to get too "religious" but I think at times we can take that too far and miss out on important facets of the character of God.
Here is a article by Andrew Strom that is speaking against some of this type of thinking to the extreme in some circles of Christianity:
JESUS AS "LOVER"?? by Andrew Strom.
ABOUT THE "ROMANCING JESUS" MOVEMENT:
What does the term "Passion for Jesus" mean to you? Would it surprise you to learn that whole Christian movements are now using it to mean a kind-of "eros" love for Jesus - a 'passion' for Him similar to what an earthly husband and wife have for each other? (-From the word "eros" we ultimately get the word 'erotic'). And what does the term "Intimacy with Jesus" mean to you? Would it surprise you to learn that many are now using it to mean sensual "romantic" encounters with Jesus - with Him as the Bridegroom and them as the 'Bride'?
You may think that such unscriptural practices must be out on the "fringe" somewhere. Surely they cannot be part of mainstream Christianity? Well, look around you, because this stuff is now everywhere. I live very close to one of the world's largest and most influential prayer centers here in Kansas City - and it has been a major source of this "Jesus as Romantic Lover" teaching for many years. And now it is all around the world. At this center you will find hundreds of young men and women who will tell you about being "ravished" for Jesus, "kissing" Jesus and 'swooning' in His arms, etc. Their entire understanding of "WHO GOD IS" and their relationship with Him is being shaped by this teaching. -And it is an utter twisting of Scripture.
Why is it important to have a right concept of "WHO GOD IS"? Why does it matter so much? Well, this one thing shapes everything else about our faith and our relationship with the Lord. At the heart of a lot of cults and deceptions is a fundamental mis-apprehension of the true character and nature of God - ie. "Who He is - How we approach Him". It really does affect EVERYTHING.
Now, imagine that there is a new doctrine that re-invents our very understanding of God - a doctrine that sweeps the world and catches up many young people. So, is this new doctrine based on a careful exegesis of the New Testament, you ask? -No! To your surprise you find that it is largely based on "spiritualizing" the SONG OF SOLOMON. Yes, that's right. An entire re-inventing of our relationship with God based not on the New Testament, but on Solomon's love-poetry about the body and breasts and comeliness of one of his 700 wives. -Wonderful poetry to be sure, but what kind of basis is that for such a drastic change in our basic beliefs?
(So is there no benefit to be gained from an 'allegorical' understanding of the Song Of Solomon? -Certainly there is! Hudson Taylor and others used it this way. But that is not the point I am making. The real issue is this:- Should we re-invent our entire understanding of "Who God is" and how we approach Him - to fit in with a tiny book of semi-erotic poetry from the Old Testament? Should this become our dominant understanding of God?)
As history shows us again and again, to the equal degree that we lose our grasp of the real character and nature of God - to this same degree we will lose genuine Christianity. You cannot have the true New Testament Faith if you have lost the true New Testament Jesus. -Which is why it is so serious when people say that in the West today we have invented a kind-of "American Jesus" to suit our self-centered, "me"-focused lifestyle. They point out that today you mostly hear of a Jesus who exists to make you "happy" rather than holy, a Jesus who is always a "friend" but never a Judge, a Jesus who does not any longer hate sin or demand repentance, but only wants you prosperous and 'blessed'. This is a Jesus that utterly suits our selfish Western mindset, but is found nowhere in the Bible.
And the new "Jesus As Lover" doctrine is just another twist in the ongoing tale of modern Christians distorting the character and nature of God.
Does Jesus love us? Of course He does - more than words can tell. And are we to love Him? Of course! -With all our heart, mind, soul and strength! But does this mean that we are to approach Him with a sensual "romantic" love, like some adolescent schoolgirl, "swooning" and smooching with our 'lover' Jesus? Is that what God's love means? Are we to exchange 'agape' for emotional "eros" and act like Jesus's "girlfriend" here on earth? (-Men as well as women?) God forbid!
Of course we know that in Scripture the corporate body of Christ (particularly at the end of the age) is described as the "Bride" of Christ. But isn't it obvious that this is talking about the 'CORPORATE' Body - not individual Christians? Are we each to become Jesus's little "girlfriends" here on earth - or is it the "WHOLE BODY" that is to one day be the Bride of Christ? -Clearly it is the latter.
The effect of this doctrine on young men is particularly distressing. To describe it as "effeminate" is quite an understatement. As it is, the modern church is already known for being an "anti-masculine" zone, with its flower displays, pink walls, mauve carpets, emotion- laden music, etc. A lot of commentators point to this when discussing the low attendance of men in our churches. But this new doctrine takes this theme to undreamt-of depths.
Can you imagine zealous praying young men who relate to Jesus (ie. another MALE) as a "lover" whom they kiss and 'swoon' over? Can you imagine what happens when this becomes their basic approach to God? -And this is just the beginning of the gender- bending weirdness that is starting to become "normal" in this movement. (Some are in such deception that they even have experiences of "Jesus" kissing them on the mouth, etc. The movement itself warns against "sensual encounters" but their very teaching leads directly to this kind of thing. Deceiving spirits are always super-active in this kind of environment. Where do you think the famed 'incubus' and 'succubus' originate from?)
The ironic thing is that a lot of the people who are into this doctrine claim to be "seeking Revival". They really think that this is the kind of 'intimacy' that God desires. It is greatly influencing the modern 'Prayer' movement, the Prophetic movement and the 'Worship' movement (-which explains the recent rash of songs with "Song of Solomon" type themes: "I kiss you with the kisses of my mouth", "Take me into your chamber", etc).
I find their talk of "Revival" particularly ironic, because I have studied Revival for many years, and I am aware that all the old Revivalists prayed to a God who is very different from what is being presented here. -And their understanding of "WHO GOD IS" was utterly crucial to their obtaining Revival. They prayed to a God of holiness and majesty and awe - a God of glory who hates sin, yet sent His son to die for sinners.
The God that the old Revivalists prayed to was the "throneroom" God that Isaiah described- "I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple... And one cried to another and said, Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts: The whole earth is full of his glory. And the posts of the door moved at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke." (Is 6:1-5).
This is the "throneroom" God who is described again in Revelation chapter 4 - where we are told that the four beasts cry, "Holy, holy, holy" day and night without ceasing, and the 24 elders cast down their crowns before His throne - over and over again. It is "HOLINESS" that is the chief characteristic of God! No other characteristic is ever repeated three times together in the Bible - let alone over and over, day and night! -"HOLY, HOLY, HOLY."
And actually, the full title of the book of Revelation is the "Revelation of Jesus Christ". So in other words, it is a 'revealing' of who Jesus is and what He is really like. And when John (the 'beloved' disciple) first sees the glorified Christ in Revelation 1, we are told that such is His terror-inducing holiness and glory that John fell at his feet "as though dead." -This is the true Jesus - as He really is.
In every true Revival, it is the God of majesty who reveals himself. For Revival is the "Glory of God" coming down. It is His very 'throneroom' presence coming down amongst men. Thus, even His own children should approach Him with awe. And if we do not pray to this God, then we should not expect Revival at all. -That is one of the basic lessons of Revival history. -We must pray to the 'RIGHT GOD' if we are going to see true Revival.
Incidentally, the 'Bride of Christ' in Revelation is described as a 'holy city' - a "new Jerusalem" coming down from heaven. (Rev 21). So it is clearly a 'CORPORATE' entity that exists at the end of the age. -Not some individualized "girlfriend of Jesus" in the here-and-now.
It is a very serious thing to tamper with our understanding of 'WHO GOD IS' and how we relate to Him. In a lot of ways it is like preaching "another Jesus". -It really is that bad. If you hear phrases today like 'Lovesick for Jesus', 'Bridal Paradigm', "Bridal intimacy", "Inflamed heart", 'Romancing', "Ravished", 'Fascinated', etc, then you can be pretty sure that you are being exposed to this deceptive doctrine. I believe it is serious error, and I urge you to flee from it as far as you can, my friends. _________________ SI Moderator - Greg Gordon
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| 2006/6/26 22:57 | Profile | mamaluk Member

Joined: 2006/6/12 Posts: 524
| Re: | | SI,
All this time, I thought this trend's only prevalent in other countries..no wonder my college-age children encounter some strange things in those bible groups on campus.
"jesus's like coke" "jesus is like dawn" "need to eat jesus" all the tee shirts and bumper stickers... Where's the reverence in all this?
Similar things occur in children's sunday schools, there are these 'jesus' toys,and "jesus" games, on Valentine's days, that sweetheart 'jesus'........perhaps we are dealing with Baal's guise. I have even seen can-can ladies hopping and bopping in a huge local Baptist church "dancing to His glory" during Christmas.
I suppose when seminaries started ordaining titles of "reverend" amongst clergy, everything else goes!
THE LORD said in Psalm 111:9 .... [b]holy and reverend is [i]HIS[/i] name[/b].
"Laymen" were told to address their pastors as Reverend or Pastor, but the clergy themselves address the Lord only as Jesus?? How does that add up? I have only One Pastor and I know of only One Reverend, and like Paul, I wouldn't know how else to address HIM but as The Lord Jesus Christ.
Sorry for digressing off..
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| 2006/6/27 11:59 | Profile | irunbarefoot Member

Joined: 2006/6/15 Posts: 35
| Re: | | Amen, 1 Pastor One Reverend! I love it.
Sorry for getting excited, Just had to say that I agree.
-Sean ________________ www.SeanDietrich.com "All my music is free for download." |
| 2006/6/27 13:39 | Profile |
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