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Post by Pastor Michelle on Aug 26, 2012 21:39:45 GMT -5
It wasn’t just ordinary people who came to be baptized by John, why do you think he was so harsh to the religious leaders? (vs. 7-10) How is this similar to the dangers that church leaders face today?
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Post by nitrorichfire on Aug 26, 2012 22:02:35 GMT -5
If we are not preaching the true word of GOD, we are heading down a trail that'll make all the man-made disasters, all the natural disasters, all the wars look like a day at Disneyland with Mary Pippins. Preach the truth and only the truth, we are trying to save Souls here, lead sinners back to the flock. So they may have a shot at "Eternal Life" if they so choose.
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Post by Pastor Michelle on Aug 28, 2012 13:38:36 GMT -5
I think the religious leaders of the time thought they were at the end of their journey: ie. I'm already saved. Maybe they also thought the Messiah would come to them or be one of them. Mostly, I think they had a superiority complex - and I think some of our church leaders today can be on the verge of falling into the same trap.
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Post by csobell on Aug 28, 2012 14:13:04 GMT -5
I think it would have been - and still is - very difficult to devote your whole life to serving God, studying scripture and avoid the temptation to believe that we understand God because we study his word and understand it more than most everyone around us. Then, as now, isn't there a point where you can reference more scripture than anyone around you and reverently refute anyone that disagrees? I'm sure many pastors, teachers and mentors would dearly love a light to go off when you get it right - and claxons go off when you get it wrong - much less humbling than a pop-quiz by Jesus. It would be very hard to listen to John and subsequently Jesus, and then [especially] the apostles who would not have been perceived as devoted experts. I wonder if Jesus was reacting with apparent anger at the leaders out of love and knowledge that it was the best way to get their attention and humility.
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