Communicate in a Biblical Way!

You know what I don't understand about people who call themselves biblical Christians? I don't like the way they judge others and I don't like the way people do not follow Matthew 18 which says:

Matthew 18:15-20

15 ‘If another member of the church* sins against you,* go and point out the fault when the two of you are alone. If the member listens to you, you have regained that one.* 16 But if you are not listened to, take one or two others along with you, so that every word may be confirmed by the evidence of two or three witnesses. 17 If the member refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if the offender refuses to listen even to the church, let such a one be to you as a Gentile and a tax-collector. 18 Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. 19 Again, truly I tell you, if two of you agree on earth about anything you ask, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.’

Sometimes, many times, pastors come across so called biblical Christians who don't abide by this basic instruction of Christ. If you are upset with something somebody did to you or if it's something you "think" another person did to you and you don't go to that person, how can it be resolved? This un-biblical process of not communicating face to face just causes dissent, disorder, hurt feelings, factions, division, everything that is antithetical to what being a Christian is all about, and contrary to what Jesus teaches us in Matthew 18.

Christ's instructions couldn't be clearer. When a brother or sister in Christ sins against you, go to them and talk to them about it. If they won't listen, bring a witness with you. If they still won't listen tell it to the church. If they won't listen to the church then let them no longer be a part of your community. It's clear. It's succinct. It's important. They are the instructions of the One whom we serve.

If you are in this kind of situation, please please please follow Christ's instructions and communicate. Usually the "sin" against you or the other is just a simple mis-communication. Rise above your own pride and fear and truly know what it means to be a "biblical Christian" who is centered on Christ Jesus and His message of Grace, Mercy and Love. And remember the words of our Lord, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid."

Quiet Monday Morning

I shouldn't be doing this right now, since it's my day off and all. But the kids are happy and settled watching a movie, my wife is working on her wonderful photography business mandymartynimages.com and posting new projects to her business blog mandymartynimages.blogspot.com. Sooooo, here I am laptop, funny enough, on my lap, trying to think of something interesting to write about. Maybe something will come to me later. God bless.
For those of you who receive the Face Time with God Daily Devotions, you should be receiving them starting once again on Monday may 17th. If you would like to receive the devotion please sign up in the sign up box located on the right hand side of your computer screen.

Blessings.

Ministry in the Online Congregation

Below are a list of links to help you get started connecting. Please feel free to ask questions in the "comments" box.
blogger.com

gmail.com

facebook.com

twitter.com

apple.com

yelp.com

verticalresponse.com

podbean.com
statcounter.com


These are my personal links:

facetimewithgod.blogspot.com
hopelutheransierra.org
mandymartynimages.com
follow me on Twitter @jtmartyn
email me jtmartyn@aol.com

Judged

Wow! You know what I do not like about sinfulness of humanity? Judgment. I was recently judged for not being a biblical pastor because apparently I was not carrying a bible with me for a class that I taught on scratch the surface theology of the Lutheran church. Funny thing is, and, I suppose ironic, I carry the bible in it's entirety, neatly packed into my iPhone where I can access, search, define, look at the original language, email, text passages, study, bookmark, highlight and read reverently any time I want at any moment of any day.
You know what? I'm not ashamed to talk about my feelings on this blog. I use this blog not as a way to market myself, but as a tool in which I can release any pent up emotions or grief that have built up within me and as a way to talk about my thoughts about God and our relationship with God. I thank God for blessing us with technology that helps me to carry a bible in my phone. I thank God for blessing humanity with the willingness to learn and to grieve. I thank God for giving me the ability to blog and get out all the "stuff" or as Paul says in scripture, "skumbalo", out, that builds up within clergy.
Did I mention that I do not like being judged based on ignorance? I humbly ask you to check your facts before blogging. And if you are going to slander someone on your blog, then at least allow for comments.

My Own Chaotic Mind

So, I'm sitting at my desk right now in my office surrounded by the chaos of my brain made manifest in the massive mounds of papers and notebooks, books and pens, boxes and game consoles that surround and are about to overwhelm me. I'm not quite sure what to do at the moment. I have someone coming in for a time of coffee and conversation. My coffee maker is presently situated and percolating atop the churches massive popcorn machine, which is stored so nicely in my office. Not quite sure what to do. Funny thing about this mess is that I know where each and every thing is located. If I clean it I may go crazy. If I do not clean it my staff might drive me crazy. Or better yet my parishioners may pester me until it is clean. I think that I will just leave it as it is for now. There's work to be done.

lackluster

I understand that my last post said to be continued. The continued part is basically this. I threw my sermon in the air and began to trust that God's Holy Spirit would give me the words that needed to be preached. That I understood that my theology is built upon a strong biblical tradition that is found with in the Lutheran church, and I could preach the word of God without over preparing anymore. I found a freedom by trusting God's Spirit to be at work in my life. This freedom has become a necessity in ministry.........This was not the to be continued that I had expected to write. It's lackluster and truly deserves a much more descriptive and witty telling...but I'm feeling a bit melancholy.

Today I'm sad. Worship went really well. I preached on love and discipleship and I felt it went well also. But I'm sad. A couple whom I was really getting to know and respect decided to leave the church and seek elsewhere. This is always difficult for me and saddens me because I put so much of myself into teaching and building relationship with others that when there is a break it hurts. But I trust that God is at work and leading them down the path that is right for them. My prayers go with them, and though the time was short I thank God for having met them. God's speed friends.