Friday, September 24, 2010

Focusing on "The Red Letters"

In my own personal experience within ministry and the church I have found that we have focused so much of our belief systems, church doctrines, patterns, worships, on the letters of Paul. I often wonder how the church would function, if our beliefs would be any different if we focused our efforts and energy more on the gospels of Jesus Christ. The red letters. Would the red letters of Jesus change us and church organization in any way? If so how? Do we seem to hear more sermons from Paul's letters than the gospels? If so, why? What do you think would happen if we as Christians focused our sermons, worship, doctrines, on the gospels and the words of Jesus Christ. Do we read and study enough from the Teacher? Do we sit at his feet and allow his words to pour into our hearts and lives? What if we majored on the gospel of Jesus? Do you think the church would become more of gospel lived than we are today? How would it make a difference in the world?

What do you think?
Share your thoughts.

11 comments:

  1. It would certainly change how women, their roles and ministries in the church are handled...

    ReplyDelete
  2. I echo your thoughts Kinney! Any more I try to filter everything through those red letters. Really, is there anything better to preach/teach from than the sermon on the mount?

    ReplyDelete
  3. Kinney - one of the fascinating things that is coming to light in the generation of 18-28 year olds is their lack of desire for Paul because they want Jesus.

    I have not found anything ever to be more transformational than Matthew 5-7.

    Love you friend!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Sorry, but this seems odd to me. Can anyone read Paul and not know that the focus of his writing and ministry was Jesus Christ? The good news about Jesus he preached and wrote about came by direct revelation from Jesus himself. Jesus gave Paul (and others) the message for Gentiles (most of us who read English Bibles).

    To hint that It's better to read what Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John wrote than what Paul or Peter wrote hints that we have a problem with revelation the way God chose to do it.

    Jesus said "The law and the prophets testify of me". ALL of the word of God is God's words, not just what He said while in flesh.

    Royce

    ReplyDelete
  5. If we truly lived the way Jesus lived, our churches would be flooded with people wanting to know more about Him. We need to be reaching people where they are with the love of God. It all starts with Love. Great thoughts!

    ReplyDelete
  6. laymond10:19 AM

    Royce, since you hold the writings of Paul in such high regard, how come you never mention the writings of one of Paul's traveling companions Hermas? Paul himself said Hermas' name was written in the book of life.

    ReplyDelete
  7. laymond10:06 AM

    Kinney, you are absolutly right, we need to follow Jesus, not Paul, as he said here.
    1Cr 11:1 Be ye followers of me, even as I also [am] of Christ.

    Seems Paul is placing himself higher on that ladder than other men. There are many things Paul said that brought me to where I am on his writings. doubting.

    ReplyDelete
  8. I think we'd change things quite a bit even if we just focused on the two great commandments.

    ReplyDelete