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| Near Death Experiences |
| Thursday, June 17, 2010 |
It's very popular in some circles to recount "near-death experiences" as proof of the after-life: "I saw a light" "I was taken at supersonic speed by angels through a dark tunnel up into heaven". Even my late father-in-law (an unbeliever) had one of these Peaceful Light experiences, and was convinced from that point forward that he didn't need Christ to get to Heaven.
But have you ever noticed how deafeningly silent the Bible is about this so-called phenomenon? Wouldn't you expect there to be some mention in the NT about what happened to the little girl in Mark 5 after she died; or the woman named Tabitha in Acts 9; or Lazarus himself (John 11)? But there's nothing. Even Jesus said nothing about the 3 days He spent in the grave.
Why is that? Jesus makes it clear in John 3:13 - "No one has ever gone to Heaven and returned." According to tradition -- and some scant evidence in the NT -- when Jesus died He didn't ascend to Heaven, but instead descended into that holding place where souls are held (1 Peter 3:20). While He was there He preached to those souls in prison. It was only after His resurrection that He ascended to the Father (John 20:17). And He saw fit to say nothing about the events that happened between His death and resurrection. Even the Apostle Paul, who was taken up into the Third Heaven in a vision, was sworn to secrecy....and so it is clear that God has no intention of revealing to us the after-death process.
So let's be careful about embracing these so-called near-death experiences. Let's never let one person's experience outweigh the biblical record on any matter.... especially this one. Labels: death, heaven, hell |
posted by Alan Harstone @ 11:23 AM   |
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| No Talent Christians! |
| Saturday, June 12, 2010 |
Are you aware that God will judge us for every talent He has given us, but which we haven't used?
In Matthew 25 Jesus tells the story of a man who entrusted his servants with his property. One received five talents, one two, and one received one talent...."each according to his ability" (vs. 15). Then the master went away. Upon his return he discovered that the men who had received five and two talents had used them well and wisely, but the man who only received one talent did nothing with his at all.
With this story Jesus is painting a picture of our relationship with God. He has entrusted each of His children with talents and spiritual gifts. Some are using them wisely. The man in the parable with five talents represents the Billy Grahams and Beth Moores of our world....highly gifted/talented, and using them well. The man with two talents may represent the missionaries, pastors and full-time Christian workers world-wide.....less gifted/talented, but faithfully using them well. The man with one talent in the parable probably represents many of the rest of us.....Joe and Jane Average in Somewhere USA.
But notice the difference in their attitudes? The "five" and "two" guys stepped out in confidence and faith. But the one talent guy felt a little insignificant. He may have even accused his master of being unfair in his distribution of talents. "Why have I been given less than the others? Why do they have the ability to preach, sing, and write, but I don't?" So he hid his talent. He didn't fulfill his calling, and he used what talents God had given for himself and not for the kingdom.
Does this describe you today? Perhaps you're not a pastor; or a Christian celebrity; you're not even a mover and shaker in your own church. And you're jealous of those who are. Or......you feel so insignificant and insecure that you are hiding the talents and gifts that God has given you.
Jesus will examine you and me, just as the master in the parable examined his trusted servants. To those who use the talents we're given wisely, there will be a reward, Jesus says. But to those who choose to hide their talent out of jealousy, laziness, selfishness, or insecurity, Jesus promised to rebuke them and remove their rewards.
Don't make the mistake of hiding your talent. God gave it to you to use for His glory!
If you EXCUSE IT, you'll LOSE IT. So buckle down and USE IT!!!
Labels: apathy, character, eternity, faithfulness, growth |
| posted by Alan Harstone @ 10:40 PM |
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| About Me |
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Name: Alan Harstone
Home: Saskatoon, SK, Canada
About Me: Senior Pastor
Saskatoon Evangelical Free Church
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