To All Non-Christians(I beg you, please give this five minutes)
I guarantee this is worth five minutes of your time. Regardless of what you believe, please listen to what I have to say. I'm not asking you to do anything unreasonable or insane. Just give me a chance. Hear me out.
I want to talk briefly about a brilliant man by the name of Blaise Pascal. This man was extremely intelligent, but most people don't recall that he lived a very short life. He died at the age of 39. Another interesting tidbit, at the age of 31 he became a Christian. In a night he would later refer to as "the night of fire", Pascal's entire belief system was flipped upside down and he began to follow Jesus earnestly. Pascal still loved science and continued to devote his life to it as well as Christ. He offered his coworkers a wager (later known to many as Pascal's Wager).
Pascal proposed this:
Christianity claims exclusivity, the only way to be with God is through his son Jesus Christ. If Christianity is true and one is not a believer then they will have to pay the consequences for their own sins. If Christianity is wrong, and one is a follower of Christ, then they receive the same fate as the rest of the world. Both the believer and non-believer would receive the same eternal outcome. He said that if one were playing the odds, gambling on which path would lead them to the best outcome, one would be foolish not to choose Christ. This being said he proposed that this theory be test scientifically. It is only reasonable to find out for one's self if Christianity is indeed true.
That is Pascal's Wager.
With that said, here are some things proposed as application to undertaking his challenge.
For One Month do the following
1. Regularly Attend Church
2. Investigate Christ and his story
3. Read the Bible
If one did this, he/she would be able to determine whether or not this Christianity would be worth following. If it really is a lie, then nothing matters. But what if it is true?
If you are a non-Christian reading this, please give this a chance. Whether you are Atheist, Agnostic, Mormon, Jewish, Islamic, or anything else. God wants you to know him desperately. Take up Pascal's challenge and give it a serious try for a month. If you find Christianity to be wrong then so be it. But there is a chance that the Truth will become real, just give it a chance.
Faithbridge, the church I attend, has just started a sermon series entitled Doubt which would be great in answering any questions you have. I will also be here to help in any way I can.
That goes for the second part of the wager as well. Ask me questions. If I don't know the answer or can't adequately explain something I will show you to people who can.
Thirdly, if you need a Bible just ask me and I will give you one for free, no strings attached.
Even if you are 100% positive that Christianity is a lie, or at least that you don't need Jesus, or even that God doesn't exist, I beg you. Give this a shot. It could be all wrong. But if it is true, and I do believe it is, you would be missing out on Eternity. I wan't to see you in Heaven with me. My number is 281-770-9275, my email is mbartlett250@yahoo.com, my facebook is www.facebook.com/matt.bartlett1. contact me anyway you can and I will do everything I can to help you really take this wager seriously. How can you know Christianity is not true without investigating? I'm giving you Pascal's Wager. Accept the challenge.
Luke 19:10
"For the Son of Man(Jesus) came to seek and to save the lost."
I'm praying for all of you. I love you all.
-matt
03 January 2010
31 December 2009
2010: An Essay on the Most Important Resolution
January boasts the highest gym enrollment compared to every other month. It seems that the new year ushers in a intrinsic need for change inside of us. Why? We want to be a better us. We want this year to be better than last year, even if our last year was extraordinary. The truth is that any change that could make a difference in our lives evolves not over a fortnight, but over a span much longer than that.
Not surprisingly, gym membership drastically drops in February. The excuses are many: the results negligible. A few of those people stay of, but the vast majority have failed on their resolutions yet again. So what is the point of making a resolution that we aren't even sure we can keep? Why make one in the first place?
I would say that resolutions are in themselves a good thing. Most often, the desire is beneficial to ourselves. We want to develop better habits and ensure for ourselves a better life. The trouble is we aren't willing to work for them. If we want to change our life, we must first get down in the trenches and fight for that change daily. Some of our hopes might be beyond us, and we might fail at achieving our goals. But how will we know without seriously attempting to succeed?
The truth is that a new year brings new unforeseen obstacles into our lives. For me I have my final semester of high school before me - and then college. Maybe it's a new job for you. Maybe it's the first year without someone. Maybe it's the first year with a new responsibility. The point is that we don't know what the new year holds in store for us. Without omnipotence, are ultimate success may in fact be beyond us.
Say our goals did align with our walks of life for this year. For instance;
I myself want to further develop my leadership and mentoring abilities as well as continue in God's transforming works in Faithbridge's student ministry. Personally, I want to develop a greater understanding of who God is. I want to be able to develop a Christ centered focus towards my life. Many of these goals are not concrete objectives, but rather ideas which I will strive for.
Resolutions only go so far. Made with human wisdom - they are certainly not infallible. The Good News is that we aren't needed to fulfill our own purposes. Jesus Christ has come so that He can take our lives and transform them into his workmanship. Our goals wither underfoot of God's perfect plan. He knows the course our life is going to take this year, so all we have to do is get on board and live in faith. God doesn't call us to do the expected. Quite often God's call brings us to new, often scary places. The beauty of it all is that through his providence we are strengthened more than we could have ever hoped for. When we humbly come and ask to be a part of His family, admitting our need for Him, he answers instantly.
In 2010 feel free to make resolutions, hopefully ones you will seek whole-heartedly to fulfill, but make the bigger decision tonight as well. We won't know where it will lead us or who we will be by the time the year is over. We can't even guarantee we know what we're getting ourselves into. I urge you to make haste on this day and resolve to live this next year of your life alive.
Jesus Christ, the Lord Almighty, is the only true source of life. No resolution you make can give you the fulfillment you can receive through Him tonight. Give your body as it says in Romans 12:1 as a living sacrifice. Christ doesn't call us to understanding but to obedience. His plan is what is truly best for us. Resolve to make Him the focus of your life, and I guarantee you will not be disappointed.
a bondservant and slave to Jesus Christ
-matt
Not surprisingly, gym membership drastically drops in February. The excuses are many: the results negligible. A few of those people stay of, but the vast majority have failed on their resolutions yet again. So what is the point of making a resolution that we aren't even sure we can keep? Why make one in the first place?
I would say that resolutions are in themselves a good thing. Most often, the desire is beneficial to ourselves. We want to develop better habits and ensure for ourselves a better life. The trouble is we aren't willing to work for them. If we want to change our life, we must first get down in the trenches and fight for that change daily. Some of our hopes might be beyond us, and we might fail at achieving our goals. But how will we know without seriously attempting to succeed?
The truth is that a new year brings new unforeseen obstacles into our lives. For me I have my final semester of high school before me - and then college. Maybe it's a new job for you. Maybe it's the first year without someone. Maybe it's the first year with a new responsibility. The point is that we don't know what the new year holds in store for us. Without omnipotence, are ultimate success may in fact be beyond us.
Say our goals did align with our walks of life for this year. For instance;
I myself want to further develop my leadership and mentoring abilities as well as continue in God's transforming works in Faithbridge's student ministry. Personally, I want to develop a greater understanding of who God is. I want to be able to develop a Christ centered focus towards my life. Many of these goals are not concrete objectives, but rather ideas which I will strive for.
Resolutions only go so far. Made with human wisdom - they are certainly not infallible. The Good News is that we aren't needed to fulfill our own purposes. Jesus Christ has come so that He can take our lives and transform them into his workmanship. Our goals wither underfoot of God's perfect plan. He knows the course our life is going to take this year, so all we have to do is get on board and live in faith. God doesn't call us to do the expected. Quite often God's call brings us to new, often scary places. The beauty of it all is that through his providence we are strengthened more than we could have ever hoped for. When we humbly come and ask to be a part of His family, admitting our need for Him, he answers instantly.
In 2010 feel free to make resolutions, hopefully ones you will seek whole-heartedly to fulfill, but make the bigger decision tonight as well. We won't know where it will lead us or who we will be by the time the year is over. We can't even guarantee we know what we're getting ourselves into. I urge you to make haste on this day and resolve to live this next year of your life alive.
Jesus Christ, the Lord Almighty, is the only true source of life. No resolution you make can give you the fulfillment you can receive through Him tonight. Give your body as it says in Romans 12:1 as a living sacrifice. Christ doesn't call us to understanding but to obedience. His plan is what is truly best for us. Resolve to make Him the focus of your life, and I guarantee you will not be disappointed.
a bondservant and slave to Jesus Christ
-matt
29 December 2009
Cielo: An Essay on Grace
I learned a new word today, cielo. It's Spanish for heaven. It's also the name of a remarkable song by Phil Wickham. Listen to it real fast before going on.
I picked up the guitar and started playing it immediately. I know my fellow musicians can attest to the how much more powerful worship can be when you get to play the music. As the chords frets were pressed by my fingers, the words became engraved upon my soul.
I can't sing loud enough. I can't bow low enough. I can't. Ultimately it doesn't matter. God grants us entrance into Heaven because of his majestic grace. We're thankful for that. But to what extent? None of us can give God anything close to what he deserves. He is holy, set apart from everything he has created. And that should awe us.
Other beliefs have there own versions of God. Mormons believe Christ was a created being, Muslims that he wasn't killed on the cross, Jews say he wasn't the promised Messiah. Without a right few of Jesus Christ none of this makes sense. Without Jesus' bloody brutal sacrificial death on the cross, ultimately what makes the One True God much better than the others?
Please here me out, I know that sounds blasphemous. I don't intend to be. My point is that if God doesn't send his son to wash us in his blood, then we're hopeless. Hell as the eternal destination for all of us. But Our God, Jesus Christ is different. Many think that the heavenly scales operate in a sort of "Santa Clause" fashion. If the good outweighs the bad then we're free to go. But I ask this: how can a righteous God allow a sinner to be with him? He can't and he won't. To every other major religion in the world, the purpose of life is to live for God by honoring a serving him - to be good enough. But if God is just, which he is, original sin condemns us all at our birth.
And this is the truth. Not every path leads to Heaven. Jesus says the narrow path is the only way, and few will find it. Do you get it yet? We're too worthless to stumble upon that narrow path through our own doing. The difference between the Truth and the lies of the world is that to be with God in Heaven you have to only accept the fact that we are all sinners in need of his grace. It's no longer about being good enough. God loves us in spite of our sin. We can't comprehend how truly miraculous this grace is.
We should be in awe. We're being given eternal life after living a life worthy of eternal damnation. I can't bow low enough. I can't sing loud enough. I can't reach high enough. Heaven is beyond my grasp. But Christ's outstretched arms are enough for all who come to him and ask for that salvation.
If you say you're a Christian then quit trying to earn it. You're spitting in Christ's face as he is pinned on the cross. He doesn't want you to earn it. He wants you to humbly come and accept what he has done for you. It's not about being good enough, in fact our offerings are compared to dirty rags. Heaven is open in front of us. Christ is bridging the gap between us and the Father. Accept that you're not able to jump the gap alone. Be in awe of that grace.
you're fellow undeserving sinner,
-matt
I picked up the guitar and started playing it immediately. I know my fellow musicians can attest to the how much more powerful worship can be when you get to play the music. As the chords frets were pressed by my fingers, the words became engraved upon my soul.
I can't sing loud enough. I can't bow low enough. I can't. Ultimately it doesn't matter. God grants us entrance into Heaven because of his majestic grace. We're thankful for that. But to what extent? None of us can give God anything close to what he deserves. He is holy, set apart from everything he has created. And that should awe us.
Other beliefs have there own versions of God. Mormons believe Christ was a created being, Muslims that he wasn't killed on the cross, Jews say he wasn't the promised Messiah. Without a right few of Jesus Christ none of this makes sense. Without Jesus' bloody brutal sacrificial death on the cross, ultimately what makes the One True God much better than the others?
Please here me out, I know that sounds blasphemous. I don't intend to be. My point is that if God doesn't send his son to wash us in his blood, then we're hopeless. Hell as the eternal destination for all of us. But Our God, Jesus Christ is different. Many think that the heavenly scales operate in a sort of "Santa Clause" fashion. If the good outweighs the bad then we're free to go. But I ask this: how can a righteous God allow a sinner to be with him? He can't and he won't. To every other major religion in the world, the purpose of life is to live for God by honoring a serving him - to be good enough. But if God is just, which he is, original sin condemns us all at our birth.
And this is the truth. Not every path leads to Heaven. Jesus says the narrow path is the only way, and few will find it. Do you get it yet? We're too worthless to stumble upon that narrow path through our own doing. The difference between the Truth and the lies of the world is that to be with God in Heaven you have to only accept the fact that we are all sinners in need of his grace. It's no longer about being good enough. God loves us in spite of our sin. We can't comprehend how truly miraculous this grace is.
We should be in awe. We're being given eternal life after living a life worthy of eternal damnation. I can't bow low enough. I can't sing loud enough. I can't reach high enough. Heaven is beyond my grasp. But Christ's outstretched arms are enough for all who come to him and ask for that salvation.
If you say you're a Christian then quit trying to earn it. You're spitting in Christ's face as he is pinned on the cross. He doesn't want you to earn it. He wants you to humbly come and accept what he has done for you. It's not about being good enough, in fact our offerings are compared to dirty rags. Heaven is open in front of us. Christ is bridging the gap between us and the Father. Accept that you're not able to jump the gap alone. Be in awe of that grace.
you're fellow undeserving sinner,
-matt
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