Author: Texas Gospel

The Book of Matthew

Did Jesus encourage strife and armed conflicts?

Published on by Texas GospelLeave a comment

Floyd Rogers – Texas Gospel Volunteer, Christian writer

Matthew 10:34-39 NASB “Do not think that I came to bring peace on the earth; I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35 For I came to turn a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; and a person’s enemies will be the members of his household. 37 “The one who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; and the one who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And the one who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. 39 The one who has found his life will lose it, and the one who has lost his life on My account will find it.  

Jesus instructs his apostles in Matthew 10:34-39 as they head out on a mission. He tells them, “I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. I think this is a good example of scripture that needs context. If read without context it sounds like Jesus wants strife and conflict. Is that really what Jesus says? Let’s look at the text and why it needs context to prevent misunderstanding.

The 10th Chapter of Matthew is Jesus’ instructions to his Apostles as they prepare to go on a mission to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Jesus gave them instructions and told them what to expect on this mission. Verses 34-39 take place within the context of Jesus reminding his disciples just what it means to be an apostle.

When Jesus tells them in verse thirty-four, “… I did not come to bring peace, but a sword…” is he not warning them that people may not act peacefully when they hear the Gospel the apostles preach? I don’t think Jesus is telling them to pick up a literal sword. If this were the case, why did Jesus tell Peter in  Matthew 25:52, “Put your sword back into its place; for all those who take up the sword will perish by the sword…”  Jesus here says he is not bringing peace, but a sward. Is it not clear he is using the same metaphor we find in Ephesians 6:17, “And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”

There is no compromise when it comes to preaching the Gospel. God’s message supersedes even family members who may get upset. Being an apostle means nothing is more important than the Gospel, and in verse 39 Jesus tells his apostles, “…the one who has found his life will lose it, and the one who has lost his life on my account will find it”

I think it’s clear that Jesus is not saying he want’s strife, but that the apostles should expect it if they preach the Gospel without compromise. Memorizing verses from the Bible is good.  But without context, verses like these could sound as if they are advocating something vastly different from what the author intended.

Also on the web:


More changes for the Kingdom Heirs

Published on by Texas GospelLeave a comment

SPECIAL DAYWIND RECORDS

On the heels of Jeff Chapman announcing he was departing The Kingdom Heirs for Gold City, Jacob Ellison has shared that he will be leaving the group.

Dollywood issued a statement on the changes with The Kingdom Heirs, saying: For 38 years, The Kingdom Heirs have been cherished members of the Dollywood family and an integral part of the Dollywood experience for our guests. We fully support them during the current time of transition for their group. We look forward to many more memories and much more inspiration from our favorite Southern Gospel group.

The 3 Heath Brothers win 13 film festival awards for “Into The Deep” music video

Published on by Texas GospelLeave a comment

SPECIAL CROSSROADS MUSIC

Arden, North Carolina (March 29, 2023) — When they released their album, Into The Deep, the 3 Heath Brothers put a spotlight on bold, fresh sounds, new songs and lyrics that offer the eternal Gospel of hope, encouragement, worship and faith in contemporary language. Now, the spotlight has been placed on the trio’s music video for “Into The Deep,” as it’s won 13 awards across three film festivals.

The music video won Best Music Video from the Christian WorldView Film Festival, Eastern Europe Film Festival, Christian Film Festival and Christian Online Film Festival; Best Cinematography at the Christian Film Festival; and the following awards at the Christian Youth Film Festival: Best Cinematography, Best Visual Effects, Best Production Value, Best Directing, Best Original Song, Best Sound, Best Application of Scripture and Best Editing. 

Filmed in Puerto Rico, the “Into The Deep” video captures the song’s lyrics, “I’m diving in, into the water / I’m swimming out, farther and farther / Where Jesus is calling me into the deep / Now I’m going in with Jesus / I’m going in all the way” as the Brothers dive off a cliff into the ocean.

“We have dreamed about this opportunity for years and are just so honored at the response it has received from the film industry. Thank you God and to everyone who helped make this project happen. It was one of the most exhilarating and exhausting things we’ve ever done,” says Nicholas Heath. “With this video and everything we do, our goal is to encourage believers and to tell stories of faith in creative ways. We hope that the message of ‘Into the Deep’ will inspire both young and old to press on towards a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ.”

Adds Crossroads Music’s Greg Bentley, “Since we started working with the 3 Heath Brothers a couple years ago with their Who We Are album, it’s been exciting watching them grow in their ideas. As we started their latest album Into The Deep they had this concept for this music video implanted in their brains and were excited to try to capture it, which they did very well. It’s exciting to work with young people who have a vision and are extremely creative such as Nicholas, Clayton and Christian. Not only are they capturing the attention of fans in our Southern Gospel genre, but they are reaching further outside and introducing our music to people who may have never heard it. We are honored to work with the 3 Heath Brothers and look forward to their next creative venture to see where it takes us.” 

Did God blind a man just to teach a lesson?

Published on by Texas GospelLeave a comment
John 9:2-3 2 NASB And His disciples asked Him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he would be born blind?” 3 Jesus answered, “It was neither that this man sinned, nor his parents; but it was so that the works of God might be displayed in him.  

John 9:2-3 tells us Jesus’ disciples asked him who’s sin caused a man to be blind, his or his parents.  They were convinced that sin from one or the other caused the blindness.  Jesus said neither, but the man’s blindness, “was so that the works of God might be displayed in him.” Does this mean that God blinded the man at birth so that years later Jesus could work a miracle? How would this be fair? I propose that this encounter may not be as it seems if a reader does a fast reading with a Western mindset.

Children who are born blind suffer as a result of a world that became corrupt because of sin; something that happened before their birth or their parent’s birth. Sin corrupted the world before either one arrived on Earth. The apostles didn’t ask if the child’s blindness was caused by sin.  They asked if the cause was his or his parent’s sin. Jesus spoke directly to their question; that is, if it was his or his parent’s sin that cause the blindness. But then he went a little further. He told them a purpose the man’s blindness served: So that God might be displayed in him.  Does this mean God blinded the man at birth so Jesus could work a miracle?  That is one way this sentence could be understood. But if I look at this without a Western cause-and-effect mindset, it could also be understood that Jesus answered their question and went on to answer a more important question than the one they asked.  They seemed to be more interested in knowing why the man was blind rather than helping him.  But as for Jesus, he told them what good could come out of this, then he healed the man. I am not saying my understanding of these verses are Gospel.  I am not a prophet, and I might be wrong. God may have allowed this man to be blind so that good could be worked through his healing. He may have given a purpose to this man’s blindness before he was born.  All we can do is speculate. But no matter why he was blind, is this fair?   

Life is very short, and it not fair. The Bible never claims that life is fair. But this life is not our destination. Life certainly was not fair to the blind man who did nothing to cause his own blindness. Life was also very unfair to Jesus who did nothing to deserve a life of persecution and death by crucifixion. The Bible’s message is not fairness in this life, it’s Salvation for eternity.  And salvation is not a matter of fairness; it’s a matter of Grace and open to all who will accept it.

What are your thoughts?

Also on the web:

Prayers For Heaven’s Mountain Band

Published on by Texas GospelLeave a comment

David Ingram

Texas Gospel Canada received the following from the Family Music Group:

We’ve received news that Deborah Johnson of Heaven’s Mountain Band has gone home to be with the Lord after having a severe stroke. Please lift up her husband, Roger, and all the Johnson family in your prayers during this difficult time.

Les Butler states, “Heaven’s Mountain Band and the Johnson family are very special to me. Our relationship goes well past being their producer and label owner. They are dear friends. We have traveled together, played and sang music together and most importantly we’ve worshiped together. I’ve spent many nights in Bro. Roger and Mrs. Debbie’s home and they always made me feel like family. Of course, we are family. We will miss sister Debbie, but not for long!”

About Deborah: Deborah grew up in East Tennessee with Godly parents and eight siblings. She began singing at an early age. Deborah and Roger married very young in life. She was thankful for her Christian family. Deborah believed her greatest accomplishment was that she was “born again.” Deborah stated, “My goal is to see souls saved and make Heaven my home.”