December 19, 2022

This Week's Teaching | Prayers | Christmas Meetup

Click above to watch

This Week's Teaching: "We would NEVER worship a 'golden calf,' would we?!"

When I have a hard message to bring, I try to go slow and make sure that it's not just a personal pet peeve or nitpicky criticism. Likewise, when I feel the urge to soften a hard message, I want to make sure it's to help it be heard, and not just to be more likable. It's easy to err in either direction.

Not only does that concern apply to my process in the above teaching, it also applies to its message: Our tendency to form golden calves out of the things we value, and then worship them as representative of God, is more prevalent than we like to admit. And unfortunately, there's no shortage of preachers and teachers who will custom form those golden calves for us, just like Aaron did for the people of Israel when they asked him to.

In this teaching we look at Exodus 24 and 32 to see the story of Aaron's sin. And then we relate it to Paul's warning in 2 Timothy 3 and 4 about picking teachers who form their messages around what we want to hear. My goal isn't to cast aspersion on preachers, but to encourage you to know the scriptures, and to "learn not to go beyond what is written." (If you missed the first two teachings on this topic, catch up here and here.)

Our X242 way of studying the scriptures conversationally has been so wonderful. It's in such conversations that we "test the prophecies" and make sure our own convictions aren't just personal opinions. And it's where we learn to stop fighting about doctrines that go beyond what is written. It's where we devote ourselves to the apostles' teaching.

Our goal is to know what the scriptures say, not just what preachers and teachers say they say! And that includes anything I say. I'm honored to open the word to you. But I'm even more honored to open it with you.

If you know of anyone who would like help learning how to do this, please help us connect. No matter where they live.

Prayers for each of you as you devote yourself to the apostles' teaching, getting rid of any "golden calves" you've accepted. That will make more sense as you listen above.

Peace and grace,

Prayers

• Pray for the X242 Network. Keep praying for our microchurch hosts and leaders, and for new church plants, that our ministry would be an encouragement to all who need it.
• ​Pray for the disconnected believers in your life — those who are not in regular, intentional, spiritual fellowship with other believers. Pray that God would put it in their heart to reconnect in those ways, and that we would be able to help them.
• Pray for the unbelievers in your life — those who either have never believed or stopped believing. Pray that God would stir up faith, hope, and conviction in them. Pray that you'd have the opportunity to give a reason for the hope you have.
• Pray for those who are sick and in need. May it be said of us that "there were no needy persons among them.​

All are welcome tomorrow night, December 20, at 6:30pm for fellowship around Christmas desserts and song! Bring your favorite dessert to share. We'll provide plates, utensils, and drinks. See you tomorrow night! (RSVP for the address.)