We live in a world where many things are being “revised”. We often hear of “revisionist history” where historical events are “re-told” with a new “slant” or “agenda” attached. It’s kinda like a fisherman’s fishing story where the fish keeps getting bigger & bigger with every telling. The story gets embellished with more and more incredible feats of super human fishing prowess and sensationalism. It makes for a good story, but not for a good report on what really happened. Our culture has many revisionist tendency’s within our generation where history, politics, science, WW2, the Holocaust, and even our Constitution are being redefined. Unfortunately each comes with a bias. It’s kind of like a counseling session with a married couple on the rocks. If you speak to one person you are swayed to their point of view. When you talk to the other person, you are often swayed back towards the others view. If you keep talking to them “one at a time” you will most likely bounce back & forth in the view point you are holding to. That is why a good counselor may begin with speaking to the parties alone, at first. But they will always bring both people into the same room for the same conversation in order to get a better picture of what’s really going on. For the most part, the “truth” is usually somewhere in between the two extremes…that’s usually where the reality you are dealing with lives…and then you can begin to tackle the issues at hand. Now history, for example, is not an opinion poll…it is factual. Of course we all can pick and choose the “facts” that support our view point…just like a fighting couple can. But in order to discover the truth of any thing, including God, we need to avoid the trap of “redefining”, based on our preferences, viewpoints or bias. Culturally this happens on the news, in politics, in the classroom and in life in general, all the time. But when it comes to Jesus…it is dangerous to “redefine” Him. He is who He says He is. Jesus has been redefined more than once in history and all it does is sway people away from the reality of who He really is. Humorously, in the news recently, it became a “talking point” to say “Jesus was a Community Organizer”. Well, actually He wasn’t. Jesus never “organized” a community anything. He was not on the PTA, He never opened a Soup Kitchen, He didn’t start loan programs for the underprivileged, He didn’t work for the Tyler Food Bank, He wasn’t a Coach for the local softball team. He was the deliverer of the Kingdom of God as seen in the actions of a compassionate, humble, powerful servant to the broken. He was about transforming lives…not organizing communities. Yet we all know in this case, a political agenda “stretched” Jesus into some kind of “community organizer role”…which is clearly not who He was as defined in the bible. Religions have done the same thing…Mormons would say Jesus is the brother of Lucifer…Muslims would say He was a prophet…Jews would say He was trouble maker, some even might say He was a blasphemer of their God…Hindu’s would say He was one who gained “christ consciousness”…Buddhists claim He is an enlighten one. Some people may say He was just a good man. Some would say He was some kind of delusional, crazy guy who “thought he was god”. Others may think He was a scheming liar with some devious agenda. Yet in the end, we need to clear the air some, in order to get a glimpse of who Jesus really was…IF we really want to explore this history changing character. Both biblical and historical evidence points to overwhelming evidence that Jesus indeed did exist and impacted His followers to such a degree they were willing to die for His cause. Their spreading of His message has lasted for 2,000 years and has impacted billions of people. A ragtag bunch of 12 fishermen & farmers, shook up the world…including the mighty Roman Empire. That is historical, biblical and scientific fact. The evidence is overwhelming…in spite of revisionist attempts to minimize those facts. Does that make Jesus God? No, not necessarily, but it does point out that He is probably worth checking out some…especially, if He is who He says He is. Did Jesus say He was God or did His followers just cook up this scheme for some reason? Some ask this question. Fair enough. The bible says Jesus claimed to be God. Clearly the Jewish religious leaders believed He claimed to be God…because that was why they crucified Him. Jewish historical writings, and Roman history tells us that much. Clearly His followers believed He was who He claimed to be, to the point of martyrdom. History shows us that “not one” of Jesus followers ever denied He was God…even to save his butt from torture and death. Believe you me…if any one of them had just said, “oh man…we were just BS-ing you guys…none of that’s true…we just did it for the power or money or…?” If that happened, surely somewhere in Jewish, Roman, Greek, Egyptian, European or Middle Eastern history it would have been recorded and made known…but it hasn’t. Does that make Jesus God…no, not necessarily…but its another reason to make Jesus worth checking out some. Well, what if the bible was manipulated to make it appear Jesus was who it says He was? Well, first off, the bible has been more researched scientifically, archaeologically, and linguistically more than ANY book in human history. We know it pretty well and have multiple written copies closer to the time of Jesus life than ANY of the world’s most reputed books. We have more copies of ancient texts of the bible, closer to the time of Jesus, than we do of Homer’s “Iliad and the Odyssey” for example. We know the places and people groups of the bible did exist and the historical events listed overwhelming “did occur”. The entire Old Testament, has been written and passed from generation to generation within Judaism for thousands of years…so when Jesus refers to the Old Testament writings and prophets, it is well documented what they said, and the accuracy of what He was referring to. It is important to note that the Old Testament is part of the bible, yet the Jewish people do not believe Jesus is the Messiah their scriptures had foretold…so they are not biased “for” Jesus…perhaps it could even be said, they are more likely, as a people, to be biased “away” from Jesus. Yet those very Old Testament scriptures also point towards Jesus and the accuracy of His claims. The scriptures are a worthy source to investigate in our search for the real Jesus. We know this from biblical research as well as historical research from other cultures…Assyrian, Babylonian, Roman, Egyptian, Greek & Jewish history for example. We have evidence that the people, places and events in the bible did exist and were real. Does that make Jesus God? No not necessarily, but it does point to that fact, that the bible is worth exploring if you really want to define Jesus as He really is. It is important to realize that the Jewish people have hundreds of prophecy’s that they claim refer to their Messiah. They are in the Old Testament written hundreds and even thousands of years before Jesus was born. They were NOT written after Jesus was born. The Jewish people still hold to those scriptures. That is further evidence something incredible happened with this dude named Jesus. It is mathematically impossible to “accidentally” fulfill even 10 of these prophecies, statisticians say. Many are impossible to “make happen”…like what your family lineage is, or where you are born. But Jesus fulfilled them all. The odds are so astronomical of that happening, it has to be a miracle of Godly proportions. Does that make Jesus God? No…but we’re getting pretty darn close. It definitely would call for a very close examination, if you want to really know who He really was. Any sincere searcher of truth would have to admit…”hmmm, something’s going on here”. Now, probably the biggest “kicker” here in this exploration of the real Jesus is the claim He rose from the dead after He was crucified. Some write that off as a fairy tale of religious proportions…but history tells us something very different. First Jesus was crucified because “he claimed to be God”…that is important to remember. The Jewish people rallied around their religious leaders who claimed Jesus was a blasphemer for such a claim. During Jesus trial and upon His death, all His followers ran and hid from those very same religious leaders fearing that they could be next. Then 3 days after Jesus died and was buried, something happened. Now history says that the tomb had a multi ton stone rolled in front of the cave tomb opening, cut into solid stone. It was guarded by Roman soldiers to “prevent Jesus body from being stolen”, because they had heard claims that He may rise from the dead in 3 days. These soldiers risked death if they abandoned their post, or fell asleep in their duties. That was the Roman way of that time. Yet something happened. As Jesus followers cowered in fear hiding, a couple brave women went to attend to the body with the usual burial spices, as was their tradition. When they arrived, the stone was rolled back…and Jesus body was gone. He then appeared to them and asked them to tell the “hiding disciples” that He was risen from the dead. It should be interesting to note, that in this time of Jewish culture, the testimony of a woman was considered worthless…so if you were “making this story up”…that detail would be seen as an invalidating error. Yet shortly after being told by the women, that Jesus rose…and the “hiding ones” doubted He had…something happened. Jesus appeared to them, and over several weeks, He appeared to over 500 people. Suddenly, all these cowering followers of Jesus, were willing to risk death and appear on roof tops proclaiming the message that Jesus had indeed proven He was God, and had proven His power over sin AND death! Not one follower of Jesus ever recanted. Most died horrible, martyrs deaths…yet not one denied the claim. And this bunch of “cowards” spread the message of the Kingdom of God as taught by Jesus throughout the Middle East & the Roman Empire. Something definitely happened! The affects of this bunch of people not only changed the mightiest Empire in that era, the Roman Empire, but multiple Empires since, and billions of people to this day. Why? Cause, no one has done the public death…resurrection deal…before. Whoa, now we're in uncharted territory...no one has pulled that one off before! Does that make Jesus God? Hey, it's worth at least a serious look, don't cha think? With an honest heart, Friends wants to journey with you as you explore this person named Jesus. We want to create a safe environment where you can ask those questions and explore Jesus “as He really is” on your journey for Truth. The same Jesus that history, archeology, linguistics and multiple cultural evidences reinforce…this Jesus who is God in the flesh. That, my friends…is worth exploring. Because if He was and is…then that’s a deal changer…for each of us! And that is worth exploring…
Be God’s!
Brian O
ECHO
Lead Pastor dude
Friends Community Church
Tyler, Texas
Wow, is there a few too many CSI shows on TV or what? Now I enjoy watching them as much as the next guy (or gal)...but how many are there? There must be at least a half dozen of them! I'm half expecting CSI Tyler, Texas any day now! The "Crime Scene Investigation" thing is pretty cool. It's interesting to watch the clues come together to each episode's crime. The science of gathering evidence is very fascinating...amazing really. I suppose most of us didn't know the intricate details involved. It's really cool how they find DNA or fingerprints in the most unusual ways and rarely are these "clues" not present. This type of evidence is unique and points to a specific person every time, usually the one responsible. I suppose that's why we are so fascinated with CSI shows, even if there are way too many of them on TV. I believe, in a spiritual sense, God has left some clues for us as well. When we encounter certain things, we know deep down in our soul that it resonates of God. It's a moment when us humans realize we just stepped into a "God thing"...something bigger than us. Something mysterious, yet tangible somehow. The Bible says we have been created in "God's image"...His DNA is in us, so to speak. Whether one, believes in God or not, is inconsequential, because deep within the human spirit, deep within our soul, there is a God deposit of some sort. That's why we often see the "fingerprints of God" in people regardless of whether or not they are believers. When we see these "fingerprints", these God things in nature or in other people, our souls DNA chimes in...it feels so right...it satisfies. We want more of it, don't we? As I look at the bible a few Godly fingerprints come to mind, for example. The most obvious is love. "God is love", the bible says. Perfect love is God. When we see love in action or experience it within us...ohhhh it feels so right! Cause God made us to crave it & recognize it when we encounter it. Another example that comes to mind is the "give first" mentality. We hate that self serving thing...that selfish thing...that ego-pride thing we often see, don't we? But when we encounter people who give first, with no strings attached...well that generous, thoughtful heart seems so right on, doesn't it? Well it should, it's a Godly quality...He is a give first type of God...it's got His fingerprints all over it! He gives each of us countless blessings...before we have responded to Him in any way. He gave us life, regardless of how we choose to live it out. In fact, Jesus died on the cross to pave the way for each of us, while "we were yet sinners", the bible says. "God gave His only Son...so that whomever should believe would not perish, but have eternal life" John 3:16 reminds us. Another God print in us, is the desire for "truth". We all crave it don't we? We want the truth. We seek after the truth. We don't want lies... deception...half truths...we want the truth. When people are truthful, wow how we love that! The bible says the "truth will set us free". Most of us would agree, even when that truth hurts some. Jesus said He is the "truth", that's how much God is into truth...once again His fingerprints are all over that...and we love it when we encounter truth don't we! Beauty...awe...wonder...ahhh we love these things don't we? God seems to speak to us deep within our souls through these things doesn't He? When we experience these moments, we hear God whisper, and its very cool, isn't it? Creativity...how we admire it. We love to create in our own way. We love to see others create. We love to see whats been created by human hands or in the wonders of nature. But that sense we have deep down...when we see an awesome sunset...an incredible flower...a soaring eagle...a cute, cuddly, giggling baby...a fascinating painting...an interesting sculpture...hear a heart felt song...read a poem that connects... discover an incredible invention...Wow, we love it! It's got a taste of heaven doesn't it? It's got God's fingerprints all over it! That's so cool! At Friends, we hope to be people that discovers more & more of God's fingerprints in the world around us and in the people around us. We believe God reveals Himself in these things, and in so many more "fingerprints". This is just a few random thoughts on a handful of common "fingerprints" God has left all around us. We believe they resonate within each of us, because of that Godly DNA deposited deep within every person...that "created in God's image" stuff. When we encounter these "clues"... these "fingerprints"...we have a sense of where they come from...who's responsible for them! I believe it's God's way of drawing us toward Himself...and recognizing what He has deposited within our world and in people. It's clues designed to point us toward Him...and He's left them very intentionally. He's crazy about you...He loves you & I so much...so we might as well get used to it! Join us, as we take time to listen...take time to observe...take time to notice...take time to feel...take time to experience... these "fingerprints of God" all around us, each and every day...in each and every person...in more situations than we often recognize...in the hope we all grow closer to the God that's responsible for them and get a glimpse of His heart of love for each of us! Now that's something worth looking for!
be God's!
Brian O
ECHO
Lead Pastor dude
Friends Community Church
Tyler, Texas
Wow, is there a few too many CSI shows on TV or what? Now I enjoy watching them as much as the next guy (or gal)...but how many are there? There must be at least a half dozen of them! I'm half expecting CSI Tyler, Texas any day now! The "Crime Scene Investigation" thing is pretty cool. It's interesting to watch the clues come together to each episode's crime. The science of gathering evidence is very fascinating...amazing really. I suppose most of us didn't know the intricate details involved. It's really cool how they find DNA or fingerprints in the most unusual ways and rarely are these "clues" not present. This type of evidence is unique and points to a specific person every time, usually the one responsible. I suppose that's why we are so fascinated with CSI shows, even if there are way too many of them on TV. I believe, in a spiritual sense, God has left some clues for us as well. When we encounter certain things, we know deep down in our soul that it resonates of God. It's a moment when us humans realize we just stepped into a "God thing"...something bigger than us. Something mysterious, yet tangible somehow. The Bible says we have been created in "God's image"...His DNA is in us, so to speak. Whether one, believes in God or not, is inconsequential, because deep within the human spirit, deep within our soul, there is a God deposit of some sort. That's why we often see the "fingerprints of God" in people regardless of whether or not they are believers. When we see these "fingerprints", these God things in nature or in other people, our souls DNA chimes in...it feels so right...it satisfies. We want more of it, don't we? As I look at the bible a few Godly fingerprints come to mind, for example. The most obvious is love. "God is love", the bible says. Perfect love is God. When we see love in action or experience it within us...ohhhh it feels so right! Cause God made us to crave it & recognize it when we encounter it. Another example that comes to mind is the "give first" mentality. We hate that self serving thing...that selfish thing...that ego-pride thing we often see, don't we? But when we encounter people who give first, with no strings attached...well that generous, thoughtful heart seems so right on, doesn't it? Well it should, it's a Godly quality...He is a give first type of God...it's got His fingerprints all over it! He gives each of us countless blessings...before we have responded to Him in any way. He gave us life, regardless of how we choose to live it out. In fact, Jesus died on the cross to pave the way for each of us, while "we were yet sinners", the bible says. "God gave His only Son...so that whomever should believe would not perish, but have eternal life" John 3:16 reminds us. Another God print in us, is the desire for "truth". We all crave it don't we? We want the truth. We seek after the truth. We don't want lies... deception...half truths...we want the truth. When people are truthful, wow how we love that! The bible says the "truth will set us free". Most of us would agree, even when that truth hurts some. Jesus said He is the "truth", that's how much God is into truth...once again His fingerprints are all over that...and we love it when we encounter truth don't we! Beauty...awe...wonder...ahhh we love these things don't we? God seems to speak to us deep within our souls through these things doesn't He? When we experience these moments, we hear God whisper, and its very cool, isn't it? Creativity...how we admire it. We love to create in our own way. We love to see others create. We love to see whats been created by human hands or in the wonders of nature. But that sense we have deep down...when we see an awesome sunset...an incredible flower...a soaring eagle...a cute, cuddly, giggling baby...a fascinating painting...an interesting sculpture...hear a heart felt song...read a poem that connects... discover an incredible invention...Wow, we love it! It's got a taste of heaven doesn't it? It's got God's fingerprints all over it! That's so cool! At Friends, we hope to be people that discovers more & more of God's fingerprints in the world around us and in the people around us. We believe God reveals Himself in these things, and in so many more "fingerprints". This is just a few random thoughts on a handful of common "fingerprints" God has left all around us. We believe they resonate within each of us, because of that Godly DNA deposited deep within every person...that "created in God's image" stuff. When we encounter these "clues"... these "fingerprints"...we have a sense of where they come from...who's responsible for them! I believe it's God's way of drawing us toward Himself...and recognizing what He has deposited within our world and in people. It's clues designed to point us toward Him...and He's left them very intentionally. He's crazy about you...He loves you & I so much...so we might as well get used to it! Join us, as we take time to listen...take time to observe...take time to notice...take time to feel...take time to experience... these "fingerprints of God" all around us, each and every day...in each and every person...in more situations than we often recognize...in the hope we all grow closer to the God that's responsible for them and get a glimpse of His heart of love for each of us! Now that's something worth looking for!