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Back To The Bible is a spiritual initiative to go back to the original intent of the Bible’s purpose.

This is initiated by first raising awareness of the many significant departures from 1st Century New Testament Christian doctrine, practices, and concepts—which are so prevalent in modern-day religion. The concept and practice of Christianity have become far removed from their original state. It has become something that neither God intended, nor the apostles taught. In fact, they warned against it! (1 Timothy 4:1-4; 2 Timothy 4:1-4).

The goal of Getting Back To The Bible is to encourage believers and nonbelievers to go back to God’s original concept of Christian doctrine and observances. It is a spiritual detoxing from human-based religion and spirituality, to God-based religion and spirituality.

This journey of going Back To The Bible begins with a proper understanding of the Bible’s Story. Below are five main highlights of that story: 1) Knowing God; 2) Main Theme of the Bible: The Redemption & Reconciliation of the human race; 3) What Sin is and its Relevance in The Bible’s Story; 4) What Bible Salvation Involves; 5) New Testament Christianity.

To fully and properly understand the above highlights of the Biblical story, we must view them as the Bible does and not through the preconceived lenses of ancient human traditions and modern-day religion. Since the Bible writers were inspired by God (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21), The Bible Itself is the standard context for understanding all of Its message to the human race. Any other context besides the context of the time of the author’s writings is foreign to the Bible. Biblical context is not our own, not the church fathers, not Catholicism, not the Reformation, not the Dark ages, not Evangelicalism. Biblical context is the context in which the Bible was written, Its own context. It is within this context alone that one can truly know and understand God’s eternal plan for all generations.

In order to influence others around us to consider the importance of Getting Back To The Bible, we must first make certain that our lives are genuinely embedded in the Bible, not just Biblical facts. We must also be unafraid to stretch ourselves to become deeper students of the Bible. Furthering our depth of knowledge of the Scriptures and of those who’ve attempted to live by them.

May God bless us all in this noblest endeavor.

Each time the church assembles it would behoove every disciple to be prepared to make God their central focus.

We assemble firstly for God’s glorification and secondly for our edification (not the other way around). We glorify God best when we worship mindfully and purposefully, not on autopilot. Here are some key things to stay mindful of while assembled with the Saints...

What Church Is

It is imperative that we comprehend the fact that the church isn't a secular based or driven organization. Rather, it’s a body of redeemed believers---called out by God, to serve God's purpose (Eph 3:10-11). It’s not a social club. Most Christians understand this, doctrinally speaking, yet, often look forward to the socializing and discussing of worldly affairs in the assembly with others, more so than they do about worshiping and adoring God! While we do often socialize with one another while assembled, the church is not a social club. It is the pillar and buttress of truth within the community (1 Tim 3:14-15).

Sometimes we forget why we are the church. Sometimes we treat church like all the other things we enjoy in our lives—we seek to receive pleasure, then move on. We predetermine our preferences, like personalized settings on our smartphones, then get what we want out of them. Some are like that with church—they come to church (to get what they want out of it) but don’t want to be the church. 

What Worship Is

Worship isn’t about us, it’s about God! (Jn 4:22-24). Worship is the praising, and reverencing of God, both in public and private. It is a recognition of the worthiness of God, by which honor is given to His name. This is best attained when disciples are worshiping mindfully not mechanically, carelessly (Lev 10:1-3), or ignorantly (Acts 17:16-23). We must take caution that our worship is not vain (Mat 15:8-9). Our worship must be true and spiritual, in nature and practice (Jn 4:24). God is pleased when we seek and serve Him through faith (Heb 11:6, Rom 10:17), not mindless habit.

Preaching Isn't For Entertainment

Unfortunately, some preachers have simply become performers and entertainers. Any preacher or audience expecting an entertaining performance has strayed away from the Biblical purpose of preaching. As a minister of the gospel, a preacher's goal is not to impress people with his gifts or abilities. He is not called by God to dazzle people with his rhetoric—or to have people leave services each week impressed only with the style of his sermon delivery. Rather, a preacher's sermons must be designed to bring people into the presence of God. If people’s lives are truly changed, it will not be because of the impressiveness of some preacher, but because God moves through the sermon to effect real change in the lives of the listeners (Acts 16:11-15). 

I have visited church assemblies where the preaching hour has become nothing more than an entertainment hour... The preacher puts on his best performance to arouse and excite the crowd. Good gospel preaching can definitely liven and stir an audience, but, gospel preaching itself is not a stage performance. Many gospel preachers have lost their way because they took such an approach.

One of the best pieces of advice I received when I was starting out as a young preacher was that a preacher should NEVER GET IN THE WAY of God's Word. Each preacher has his own unique personality which directly influences the way he presents the gospel. And, in his efforts to present God’s word, he should do so with conviction, passion, etc. in a way that seeks not to draw attention to himself. Rather, he is summoning up his energy to shift focus upon God. Paul described it in this way, "But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.” (2 Cor 4:7, ESV). Not that we are worthless to God, but Paul is right! We are like vessels of clay holding a priceless treasure--the word of God! Consider these additional thoughts of Paul (1 Cor 2:1-5; 2 Cor 2:17; 4:1-2; 1 Thes 2:4-6).

What preaching is for

• Opening up the sacred Scriptures to us.

• Drawing us into the unfolding story of God's amazing deeds in the world.

• Reminding us that we are sinners.

• To inform us of our proper place in this life.

• To convict hearts and save lost souls

Let's all endeavor to be better, more mindful worshipers o the one true God and savior of all!

-Charles Knight

ministerknight@hotmail.com

This fallen world has always positioned itself as a roadblock to pursuing a relationship with God. There will always be obstacles strewn in our path, that will never change. But sometimes these distractions are quite appealing, they appear as alternative pathways to a happy and fulfilling life. However, any path in life that does not include the Lord (no matter how appealing) is a dangerous one.

The pull of satan and the world to join these paths are very strong! How can one successfully navigate through life while staying true to his or her spiritual convictions and commitments? By Maintaining a heart set on heavenly wisdom!

It behooves us to internalize how crucial this is. Especially given the fact that life is short. With each new day the Lord blesses us with, we ought to center our hearts and lives around his wisdom (Psa 90:10, 12; Jam 4:13-17).

We cannot afford to neglect walking in such wisdom, the cost of failing to do so is too high! Do not be fooled by the appealing distractions of this life—which lead us further away from fellowship with God and his precious promises (2 Pet 1:3-11). We ought to take pride in maintaining a heart and lifestyle based upon heavenly wisdom. In his letter to the Christians at Corinth, the apostle Paul highlighted the importance of this attitude, “For our reason for boasting is this: the testimony of our conscience that we conducted ourselves in the world, and especially toward you, in holiness and purity of motive from God, not in merely human wisdom, but by the grace of God.” - 2 Cor 1:12, LEB.

As you start your day, cherish the inspired words of Pro 4:20-27:

20 My son, be attentive to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. 21 Let them not escape from your sight; keep them within your heart. 22 For they are life to those who find them, and healing to all their flesh. 23 Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life. 24 Put away from you crooked speech, and put devious talk far from you. 25 Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you. 26 Ponder the path of your feet; then all your ways will be sure.  27 Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your foot away from evil. 

It's easy to get so busy that you don't have a clear sense of just where you are in your life. You push on through life merely to accomplish your daily tasks.

Whether we realize it or not, we all approach life and reality from a certain point of view. And, how we see things has a significant impact on how we live out our lives.

How Do You See...?

Your Time (Eccl 3:1-13). Are you in control of your time, or controlled by schedules? Are you pressed for time, or have time on your hands? Do you dwell mostly on the past, present, or future?

People (Pro 18:24). Are your family relationships satisfying or strained? Are your friendships meaningful or superficial? Is your social life a pleasure or a burden?

"Things" (1 Tim 6:6-10, 17-19; Lk 12:13-21). How important are material things to you? Are you in pursuit of something or somethings you really don't need? Do you not feel satisfied until you've acquired material things.

Your Spiritual Life (Psa 1:1-6). Do you allow enough quiet time to reflect on what's meaningful for you? Do you feel a gap between your internal life and the life you're living? Are you at peace with your core Christian values and beliefs?

The great Albert Einstein once said, "There is more to life than increasing its speed." We ought to slow down and make time to think over the current state of our lives. Is it truly fulfilling or not? Does it reflect the things that are most valuable to the Lord? Or are you simply accomplishing your tasks and missing out on all the precious joys God has provided for you?

Life is too short and has its share of struggles. We ought to enjoy life despite its many difficulties (Eccl 2:24; 3:12-13; 5:18-20). And we ought to keep in mind the fact that one day we will have to give an account to God for the way we've lived our lives (Rom 14:10-12; 2 Cor 5:10).

How do you see your life now?

Because this present world has been compromised by sin, its destruction is imminent as is the great judgment. Hence, all people are encouraged to accept God’s salvation through Christ, remain faithful, and live in anticipation of being with Christ forever. But, this world and Satan offer many temptations along the way. Christians must discipline themselves to set their affections to- ward heaven, not this present world that is passing away.

The Necessity of Setting Our Affections Above

Col 3:1-4. “Set your minds on things above,” means 1) To focus one’s will and emotions on the spiritual reality of heaven. 2) Letting that spiritual reality control one’s motivations, rather than getting caught up in earthly- centered concerns. This must become a lifelong attitude (Psa 73:25).

1 Jn 2:15-17. Loving the system and norms of this world jeopardizes true fellowship with God and eternal hope (Rom 8:6,7, 12,13; Jam 4:4).

Lk 12:33,34. “Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” This truth reminds us of the fact that one’s heart is committed to the thing(s) one values the most.

Setting Our Affections Above By Staying in The Word of God

Staying in God’s Word:

1) Renews the Christians’ mind (Rom 12:2).

2) Arms the Christian for spiritual battle (Eph 6: 10-17).

3) Makes the Christian ready to triumph over temptation (Mat 4:1-11).

Heaven is the ultimate joy that God sets before every human being. The question is, How much do you want to go to heaven? For the non Christian, the immediate challenge is to give up whatever it is that hinders him from being saved (Mar 10:17-22). The challenge for the Christian lies within maintaining a strong faithful walk throughout his lifetime (2 Cor 5:1-9; Rev 2:10).

Jesus: Our Greatest Example 

In speaking about Jesus' determination in the face of great horrors, the author of Hebrews writes...

"...who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God." (Heb 12:2).

No doubt, the joy that was "set before Him," encouraged Him, provided Him with the perfect amount of courage and strength necessary, to endure the horrific trials surrounding the events of the cross. He certainly took no pleasure in them, yet He welcomed them. You see, even the most terrible thing one could experience at that time (such as the crucifixion) could not compare to the overwhelming happiness and satisfaction of "the joy that was set before Him." (see Jn 14:28; 16:28; 17:4-5). 

What We Must Do

As disciples of Jesus, let us therefore, "run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith.." Let us, "Consider Him who endured from sinners such hostility against Himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted." (Heb 12:1-3).