Agabus (mark adams)

Why are Christ’s teachings so meaningful? Because there is power in his words: power to change the world, power to change and transform lives. Lately, I’ve preached two sermons on the “Sermon on the Plain” –

Part 2, Aug. 15, 2010 — http://mountainbible.com/?page_id=162&sermon_id=109

Part 1, July 4, 2010 — http://mountainbible.com/?page_id=162&sermon_id=106

© 2010, Mark Adams. All rights reserved. For inquiries press here.

It is evident that the only appropriate conduct of men before God is the doing of His will. … The error of the Pharisees, therefore, did not lie in their extremely strict insistence on the necessity for action, but rather in their failure to act. ‘They say, and do not do it.’ — Ethics, p. 43

One of the fundamental problems in the study of faith and works is the inseparableness of the two. One cannot speak of faith without at the same time contemplating works, for faith in Christ does not draw one to inaction. Another of the problems is the idea that faith and works are antithetical, or at least incompatible. Dietrich Bonhoeffer puts forth this perspective in his seminal work, Ethics: “The irreconcilable opposite of action is judgement. ‘He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge.’ (Jas. 4.11). There are two possible attitudes to the law: judgement and action” (p. 43-44). Bonhoeffer proposes in Ethics that the pursuit of knowledge — the knowledge of good and evil — is antithetical to the knowledge of God, or, more succinctly, knowing God. He writes that Adam and Eve exchanged knowing God for not-knowing, choosing instead to become judges. The Christian man or woman has turned away from not-knowing, to knowing only God. As such, the Christian cannot again become a judge, but rather becomes a doer by the grace and virtue of the Cross.

I highly recommend Bonhoeffer’s Ethics to everyone, but particularly the section entitled “Doing,” pp. 43-48.

© 2010, Mark Adams. All rights reserved. For inquiries press here.

Originally posted 2009-03-15 22:43:53.

From Tortured for Christ, by Richard Wurmbrand,

Once I saw a Russian lady officer on the street. I approached her and apologized, “I know that it is impolite to accost an unknown lady on the street, but I am a pastor and my intentions are earnest. I wish to speak to you about Christ.”

She asked me, “Do you love Christ?” I said, “Yes! From all my heart.” She fell into my arms and kissed me again and again. It was a very embarrassing situation for a pastor, so I kissed her back, hoping people would think we were relatives. She exclaimed to me, “I love Christ, too!” I took her to our home. I discovered to my amazement that she nothing about Christ – absolutely nothing – except the name. And yet she loved Him. She did not know that He is the Saviour, nor what salvation means. She did not know where and how He lived and died. She did not know His teachings, His life or ministry. She was for me a psychological curiosity. How can you love somebody if you know only his name?

Read the rest of this entry »

© 2010, Mark Adams. All rights reserved. For inquiries press here.

Originally posted 2008-10-29 23:13:39.

Imagine being told you can’t build a church on property you own. Had you wanted to build a business, or a school, or a community center, OK. But a church? No.

That a group of Muslims wants to build a mosque — on private property — near the former World Trade Center should matter little to the citizens of the Empire State. Another group’s religious beliefs should not affect ones opinion of the proposed mosque. Unfortunately, opponents of this project have turned the matter into a dangerous political game, one that threatens religious freedom everywhere.

This group of Muslims did not attack the World Trade Center. They do not support terrorism. According to published reports, the cleric heading the project has actually worked to improve relations between Islam and the West.

This group is not to blame for 9-11.

So, Obama’s stand is noble: “Muslims have the same right to practice their religion as everyone else in this country… That includes the right to build a place of worship and a community center on private property in lower Manhattan, in accordance with local laws and ordinances. This is America, and our commitment to religious freedom must be unshakable.”

Unshakable.

Town planners in Utah should not be allowed to prevent a Baptist church from going up in Salt Lake City, regardless of its proximity to the Mormon temple. Nor should city planners in Santa Cruz, Calif., be allowed to prohibit the construction of churches in neighborhoods graced, already, with businesses and community centers. To proctect a Muslim group’s right to build a mosque is to protect everyone.

Let us not forget that.

© 2010, Mark Adams. All rights reserved. For inquiries press here.

In my youth I recognized the rainbow as a symbol of learning (my preschool’s logo included a brilliant rainbow, surrounded by many happy children). I also became acquainted with the story of Noah. “When the bow is in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth” (Gen. 9:16, ESV). The rainbow is certainly a “universal” symbol, employed by activist groups, civil rights organizations, and political movements, but when I see the rainbow, I want to remember what God remembers: his lasting covenant with humanity.

I now offer the “Genesis 9:16″ bumpersticker at Gen916.com. I make no political statement, but a statement of faith. The rainbow is a sign of God’s promise to humanity, a symbol of grace. That is all.

© 2010, Mark Adams. All rights reserved. For inquiries press here.

RE: Soldier: You support the troops? Really?

Let’s bring them home.

One mornin’ at breakfast I said to my wife
We’ve been everywhere once and some places twice
As I had another helpin’ of country ham
she said “We haven’t never been to Vietnam
there’s a bunch of our boys over there”
So we went

Well we got a big welcome when we drove in
Through the gates of a placed named Long Ben
We checked in and everything got kinda quite
But a soldier boy said “Just wait til’ tonight
Things get noisy things start happening’
Big bad firecrackers”

Well that night we did about four shows for the boys
And they were livin’ it up with a whole lot of noise
We did our last song for the night
Then we crawled into bed for some peace and quite
But things weren’t peaceful things weren’t quite
Things were scary

Well for a few minutes June hadn’t spoken a word
Then I thought at first she hadn’t heard
Then a shell exploded not two miles away
She sat up in bed and I heard her say
“What was that” I said “That was a shell or a bomb”
She said “John I’m scared” I said “Me too”

Well all night long that noise kept on
And the noise would chill you right to the bone
The bullets and the shells and the atomic bombs
shook our bed and finally fell and it never let up
It was gonna get worse before it got any better

Well, the sun came up the noise died down
We got a few minutes sleep and we were sleepin’ sound
Then a soldier knocked on the door and said
“Last night we brought in seven dead and fourteen wounded!”
We were goin’ down to the base hospital
To see the boys Yeah

So we to the hospital day by day
And of the night we were singin’ away
Then the shells and the bombs again til’ dawn
And the helicopter brought in a wounded man
night after night day after day
comin’ and a goin’

So we sadly sang for them our last song
And reluctantly we said so long
We did our best to let them know that we cared
for every last one of them over there
Whether we belonged over there or not Ê
somebody loves them and needs them

Well now that’s about all there is to tell
about our little trip and the livin’ hell
and if I ever go back over there again
I hope there’s none of our boys to sing for
I hope this ol’ war’s over with and they’re all back home
To stay in peace

Cash’s Viet Nam reference: “I wear the black in mournin’ for the lives that could have been, Each week we lose a hundred fine young men.”

© 2010, Mark Adams. All rights reserved. For inquiries press here.

I was a teen when this song was released. It was followed by the legendary concert Live Aid, in support of Africa.

© 2010, Mark Adams. All rights reserved. For inquiries press here.

Originally posted 2008-12-10 03:47:08.