JESUS THE PROPHET: Introduction [Part 1]

In this first video in our new series on Jesus and Prophecy, Keith explains what the scope of the study will be going forward.

*Key prophecies about the Messiah from the OT
*44 Prophecies Fulfilled by Christ 
*The Name of the Messiah Revealed in the OT
*70 Weeks of Daniel: Messiah's Arrival Predicted In Advance
*The Olivet Discourse: Jesus the Prophet
*The Abomination of Desolation
*Details about the Destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70
*The Date of Revelation [When was it written and what does it matter?]
*The Mark of the Beast Explained
*"Where the eagles are there the vultures will gather" explained
*Tisha B'av: What is it? Why does it matter?

And more!

CLICK IMAGE ABOVE TO WATCH THE VIDEO, OR VISIT KEITH'S YOUTUBE CHANNEL HERE>

HOW TO SAVE AMERICA

In this insane election cycle, which seems as if it will never end, claims on both sides of the political divide are made about the need to "save America" or "restore our nation".

Many Christians are concerned that a vote for the wrong candidate might destroy us all, or even worse that God might be angry at them if they fail to cast a ballot for the right candidate.

It doesn't help when Christian pastors and televangelists on television, radio and the internet declare that "God told them" who His choice is, or that certain candidates might actually be demons in disguise, or in league with Satan himself.

What can we do? How can we save America from certain doom?

Let me assure you of a few things:

*Christians have more than enough power to save America

*We can do MUCH more to transform our nation than cast a vote once every four years

*American Presidents have less power than the average Christian when it comes to transformation

Take that in for a moment.

Christians already have all the power they need to transform this nation and save America.

We are not lacking anything in that department whatsoever.

The Gospel of the Kingdom that Jesus announced over 2,000 years ago is still the most powerful weapon against evil, corruption, violence, hate and every other sin known to mankind.

Do you believe that? I mean, really believe it? 

If so, please don't buy in to the fear-based nonsense that so many Christian celebrities are spouting at you right now.

Put your trust in your King. Jesus is still on the throne. We have nothing to fear. Our victory is already assured.

Start sharing the Good News of the Kingdom. Let everyone know that Jesus is the best leader anyone could ever have. Make sure you remind them that He loves them and that He would rather die than live without them. Give them an opportunity to become an ambassador like yourself. Teach them to follow Jesus daily and show them how to put His words into practice.

Very soon you'll begin to notice that your community, and America itself, is becoming more Christ-like, as the influence of Jesus continues to expand and spread across the fruited plain.

This is how we make America great. 

This is how we save this nation. Not by casting a vote for a politician that is corrupt, selfish, dishonest and absolutely incapable of bringing any positive change to anyone, anywhere, at any time. 

Let's face it. The two major party candidates for President have never been as odious or pathetic as these two are. 

Voting for one or the other is like being told you can choose between a poop sandwich or a vomit smoothie. Yes, you get to choose, but like it or not you will be expected to ingest one of them.

But there IS a third option. His name is Jesus. He has actual power to change humanity from the inside out. 

If He is your Lord, cast your vote for Him and begin campaigning for His election.

[My name is Keith Giles and I approve this message]

-kg

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NOTE: My new book, "Jesus Untangled: Crucifying Our Politics To Pledge Allegiance To The Lamb" is NOW AVAILABLE on AMAZON.

ORDER NOW

SOMEONE TO RULE OVER US

It’s one of the saddest statements in the entire Bible. When God tells the prophet that His people are rejecting Him as their King, you can almost hear God’s heart break.

God’s original design was for us to be His people and for God to be our King. That’s the way it was from the time God called His people out of Egypt and led them through the wilderness and into the Promised Land that He had prepared for them.

But eventually they rejected Him as their King, saying “We want a King like all the other nations of the earth have.”

At first, God’s prophet felt rejected because he was the main voice of God to the people, but when he reported this news to God [as if He didn’t already know the hearts of His own people], God’s response was clear: “They are not rejecting you. They are rejecting me.”

And God’s heart broke.

But He also promised to establish a New Covenant with His people; one where that original design was re-established. As God put it:

“The days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and with the people of Judah.

"It will not be like the covenant I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt, because they broke my covenant, though I was a husband to them,” declares the Lord.

“This is the covenant I will make with the people of Israel after that time,” declares the Lord.
“I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people.” [Jeremiah 31:31-33]


In other words, God was promising to bring everything back into the shape it was always meant to be in.

He would be our God, our King, and we would be His people.

No longer would we seek to place another human being over us. Never again would God’s people seek out a surrogate for Him.

We would have direct access to the King, with an open invitation to boldly approach His throne of Grace at any time.

God would invite us to call Him “Abba” or “Daddy”.

He would call us friends, not servants.

Our allegiance and loyalty would be to God, and to Him alone. He would be our King.

Our hearts would not desire “a King like all the other nations have” because our King would be God Himself.

This is the very same covenant that Jesus confirmed with His disciples before His arrest and crucifixion. It’s the same new covenant that we celebrate every time we eat the bread and drink the cup together.

It’s a covenant with God where His rule and reign over us is re-established and confirmed.

Under the New Covenant, God is once again our King. Jesus is proclaimed as our “Lord” which means He is our ruler.

Yet some today are returning again to that same practice of shrugging off the rule and reign of God as their King.

They DO want a new king. In fact, they’re crying out for a human leader “like all the other nations have” who can give them what they want: power, safety, security, prosperity, and respect.

Just listen to what the pastor of the oldest megachurch in America just said about the kind of leader he wants to rule over him:

"When I'm looking for a leader who's going to fight ISIS and keep this nation secure, I don't want some meek and mild leader or somebody who's going to turn the other cheek. I've said I want the meanest, toughest SOB I can find to protect this nation.”

He’s not alone.

Many more Christians in this nation want a leader to rule over them who is just as tough, and as violent, as possible. They don’t want someone like Jesus as their King. They want a leader, “like all the other nations of the earth”.

And whether they know it or not, they have rejected God – even His son, Jesus – as their King.

The earliest Christians understood this. They knew that Jesus stood as a rival to Caesar. They went to their deaths because they refused to say "Caesar Is Lord!" and instead cried out defiantly: "We have no King but Jesus!"

Once Constantine corrupted the faith by wedding the Church to the State, that all changed. Suddenly Caesar appeared to be on our side. Being a Christian didn't necessarily mean that Christ alone was King. 

Almost overnight, the people of God said once again, "We don't want God to rule over us anymore. We want a King like all the other nations have."

Why? Because now Caesar was promising to protect them, to give them power, to offer them prestige, and comfort, and security.

Sound familiar?

Maybe it’s time to remember what the New Covenant was really all about? Maybe we need to remember that Jesus came as a King, to establish an eternal Kingdom where His people would submit to His rule and reign in their actual lives?

Maybe we need to say, along with those early Christians “We have no King but Jesus!” and “We have no Caesar but Christ!”

Maybe…

-kg

Read my new book "Jesus Untangled: Crucifying Our Politics To Pledge Allegiance To The Lamb" available now on Amazon.

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Part 3 [Session 4] Podcast: The Sermon on the Mount: Jesus Without Religion [Or Politics]

In our final Sermon on the Mount podcast for the Jesus Without Religion [Or Politics] series, we look at these teachings of Jesus:
*Do Not Worry
*Do Not Judge
*Seek and You Will Find
*The Golden Rule
*A Tree and Its Fruit
*A House Upon The Rock
Click the link above to listen to this podcast.

PART 2 Session 4: The Sermon on the Mount - Jesus Without Religion [Or Politics]

In Part 2 of this podcast series we will look at Matt. 5:31 through 6:24 which will cover:
*Divorce
*Taking Oaths
*Love Your Enemies
*Giving to the Poor
*Prayer
*Fasting
*Treasure in Heaven

Enjoy!

Session 4: Jesus Without Religion [Or Politics] - Podcast

The Sermon on the Mount [Part 1]

As the longest single teaching of Jesus, the Sermon on the Mount lays out what life in the Kingdom of God looks like, and what citizens of the Kingdom live like.

In Part 1 we look at Matt. ch. 5 verses 1-30

We cover;
*The Beatitudes
*Salt and Light
*The Fulfillment of the Law
*The Righteousness of the Pharisees
*You've heard that it was said....But I say to you..."
- Murder
- Relationships with others
- Lust
- Adultery

Session 3: Jesus Without Religion [Or Politics]

His Teaching: The Parables of Jesus

Subversive Radio Podcast

Why did Jesus primarily speak in Parables or stories? Why didn't he just speak plainly to everyone? What were these stories all about? Why did these stories resonate so powerfully with so many?

In this podcast we examine the Parables of Jesus.

Click the link to listen in!

Session 2: Jesus Without Religion [Or Politics] - His Message

Session 2 of "Jesus Without Religion [Or Politics]" examines the message of Jesus. What was his main point? What did he talk about more than anything else? What is is that Jesus himself says was the reason that he had come?

Listen in to find out. 

Session 1: Jesus Without Religion [Or Politics]

Why was Jesus so hard on the religious class and so friendly towards the outcasts and the sinners?

Why is the Christian church so different?

How could Jesus have such an impact on our world with only 3 years of ministry?

Who was Jesus? What was he all about?

Join us for our first session of Jesus Without Religion [Or Politics].

Reset Switch

Christians need to wake up and start realizing that not only is this not a Christian Nation, we are quickly becoming the minority in a sea of unbelievers.

The Pew Research Report released this week reveals that only 4 out of 10 Millenials [those in their 20’s and 30’s] say that religion is important to their daily life. This means one thing: We are missionaries to American culture, like it or not.

A big part of why younger people are moving away from faith has to do, in part, with how Christians have communicated the Gospel in the last few decades. We’ve emphasized membership to an organization rather than behaviors that reflect the character of Christ. We’ve focused more on what we hate, forgetting that our mission was about love. We’ve been so consumed with being right that we’ve obliterated the very people we were supposed to embrace as Jesus did.

Now it’s time to rethink all of that. It’s time to repent and turn ourselves around.

Can we apologize for our insensitivity? Can we ask forgiveness of those we’ve condemned? Can we roll up our sleeves and get busy loving the lost, feeding the poor and clothing the naked? Can we work together to put the extravagant love of Jesus on display to a world that is, by now, fully convinced must simply not exist?

I believe it’s time. Someone needs to hit the reset button. We’ve got to abandon our old way of doing church and return to the feet of Jesus. We need to forget all we thought we knew and confess that it doesn’t work anymore – if it ever did at all.

Some people, like my friend Jonathan Grubbs, are starting to gather with people in their community who just want to talk about Jesus. Others, like my friend Scott Overpeck, have decided to go down to a local laundry mat to spend time getting to know a few low-income families and immigrant children who just need to make a friend who looks like Jesus. Still others have taken the time to share food and fellowship with dozens of people who live in a motel and bring the Church to them.

Honestly, the old "raise your hand if you don't want to burn in hell forever" script is part of the reason why so many young people are not interested in Jesus today.

Instead of trying to get young people to join a church, or to join a religious organization, we need to give them Jesus - just Jesus - and allow the Holy Spirit to do the rest.

Start simple. Share what you have. Paul never started things out with the Deity of Christ, or Escaping from Hell. What he talked about was "the unsearchable riches of Christ".

Most of all, we need to learn how to love people for who they are and where they are right now. Our love and acceptance of people shouldn't be conditional upon whether or not they agree with us on anything.

The Church not only has to change Her tactics, She also needs to change Her way of thinking. Like Jesus said, "Repent!" [Or “Metanoia”, which means to "think differently"].

One beautiful thing I’ve been experiencing as I’ve been leading these “Jesus Without Religion (Or Politics)” meetings is that I’m being transformed too. Through the process of meeting people where they are, and listening to their stories, Jesus is changing me, and changing them, all at the same time.

That’s probably one of the most important truths that the Church in America has forgotten; the idea that we need transformation as much anyone else does.

We can’t convince anyone else that they need Jesus if we are not also one hundred percent convinced that we need Jesus, too.

For many of us, the guard has already changed. We do not identify as denominationalists. We do not accept rigid creeds. We do not even necessarily refer to ourselves as "Christians" due to the negative connotations associated with that word.

We are "Followers of Jesus" who put His teachings and example above everything else. For us, it's not about establishing Christian power structures. It’s about discovering the astounding love of Jesus in our own lives, and sharing that same incredible love with others around us.

We are strangers and aliens here. This country is not ours. It is not our culture. But if we begin to follow Jesus and if we allow Him to lead the way, then there is a very good chance that the Kingdom of God will break into this place and transform every single one of us from the inside out, one person at a time.

What’s stopping us? Only ourselves.

Someone hit that reset button, please.

-kg

SUMMARY: JESUS WITHOUT RELIGION (OR POLITICS)

Now that my little experiment is complete, I know several of you have been curious to hear how these two  meet up groups I started turned out.

First of all, it was a wonderful experience for me, personally. Not that this was the goal, but God did some interesting things in my own heart and mind as these meetings went on. Mainly, the Lord used these meetings to help me feel comfortable talking to non-Christians about Jesus. It also awakened me to the reality that there are people all around us who are desperate to find connect with Jesus, without all the usual baggage.

As for the meetings themselves, they were each worthwhile in their own way.

The Non-Christian group was basically a class. We followed a schedule and worked our way through a series of topics about Jesus from various angles. I had one main attendee who came to every class, paid close attention, showed genuine interest, and didn’t appear particularly moved by what we talked about. I could be wrong, of course. We never know what God does with our witness. I’m praying that the Holy Spirit will continue to stir his heart to continually seek after Jesus. [We did have one other regular attendee in this class, but he was already a follower of Jesus. There was another young man who showed for our first and our last session but he missed all other sessions].

The Christian group was, and still is, basically a coffee house discussion between my wife and I and one other person. He’s a great young man who is mainly looking to be encouraged more in his spiritual life, and we’ve been very blessed to help answer questions, provide insight, and pray with him about various things.

NOW WHAT?

Now that the Non-Christian meet up is complete, I’d like to run it again. We’ll see if anyone signs up – or shows up – for that or not.

I’ve also been praying about starting one just for Muslims who want to talk about Jesus without religion or politics, but that might require a bit more preparation.

Practically, the Meetup.com website was helpful to find potential candidates for these groups, but frankly it was also very frustrating. For example, both of my groups have about 40 people who have joined, but out of those 40 people I’ve only managed to actually get one person per group to show up. That’s a little disappointing, and I’m not sure how to fix that. But, for now, I don’t know any other way to get connected with people in our area who might be interested in coming to meet and talk about Jesus with us. [If you know of any other online resources, please let me know!]

Maybe I need to host these in a bar or a pub? Would that attract a larger audience? I’m not a drinker myself, but there might be a better turn out if I called this “Beer and Jesus” and planned to meet at the local pub instead of a coffee house. I’m not sure.

WHAT ABOUT YOU?

Would you be interested in hosting your own “Jesus Without Religion (Or Politics)” meetings? I’ve had several people show interest in hosting their own meetings, and they’ve asked me about my notes and my lesson materials. Those are available if you’re interested. Just PM me and I’ll send you what I have.

Eventually I’ll set up a page here on my blog where all of the “Jesus Without Religion (Or Politics)” materials can live in one convenient location for easy access. I might even record a series of podcasts with all the lessons in order in case there’s an interest in learning what I taught during the sessions. Until then, hit me up and I’ll send it to you.

IN CONCLUSION.

It was a great experience. We got to meet a handful of wonderful people who are at various points on the curve with Jesus. We learned a lot about the spiritual climate in our community. We also got to see how blessed we are to have a community of believers who know us, and love us, and encourage us on a regular basis. So many people, it seems, are in desperate need for connection with others who are on the same page.

Part of my calling is to connect people with others who can help each other and encourage one another. I just wish I knew how to reach out with my arms and gather all the various people in Orange County who are all feeling disconnected and empty and lonely out there.

I would LOVE to start a little organic community made up of people who just want Jesus without all the other nonsense. In fact, I’m praying that the Lord would show me how to do exactly that.

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SWEET FORGIVENESS

During one of our “Jesus Without Religion (Or Politics)” meetups, someone asked if Christians were expected to forgive those who don’t repent.

It’s a common question, and a good one. Especially when you consider that Jesus tells us to forgive those who sin against us “if they repent…seventy times seven”.

So, if repentance is a pre-requisite for us to receive God’s forgiveness, then isn’t it only fair that other people should repent before we’re expected to forgive them?

Here’s what I think: Jesus told us in the Sermon on the Mount that we should “forgive our debtors” and even tied our own forgiveness of sins from the Father with our willingness to forgive other people.

However, if you forgive a debt, that means the person doesn’t pay what they owe you. And if someone owes you an apology, or an “I’m sorry”, you are expected to forgive that person without waiting to receive what they owe you.

I think we can also look at a few other places where Jesus forgave people who did not repent. He forgave the sins of the man dropped down from the roof right before he healed him and told him to take up his mat and walk. He also forgave the thief on the cross and promised that the man would be with him in paradise that very day. No mention of repentance there. And, of course, Jesus also forgave the soldiers who nailed him to the cross without waiting for repentance or contrition saying, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”

So, I think that as followers of Jesus we are expected to forgive people without expecting an apology first.

“For if you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive your sins. But if you do not forgive those who sin against you, your Father will not forgive your sins.” – Jesus [Matt. 6:14-15]

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Who God Really Is

Last night I met with a young man who asked some really great questions.

First, he asked me how we know that our perception of God is really who He is and not a projection of God that we’ve created in our own mind.

My response was to say that we have to begin by deciding in advance that we want to know God as He really is, regardless of what our preconceptions might be.

Then he said, "It's kind of scary to connect with God - for real - knowing that I might not like who He really is."

And that led us to talk about the differences between the Old Testament God, who seems to be so vengeful, and the version revealed by Jesus which appears to be much more merciful and loving.

What I told my friend was this:

"The clearest picture we have of what the Father is like is revealed by Jesus, who said, "If you've seen me, you've seen the Father." Without Jesus there is a veil that covers our eyes when we read the Old Testament, and it's only taken away by Jesus. [2 Cor. 3:14-15] So, if we want to know who the Father really is - and what God is really like - we look at Jesus, not at the metaphor and the shadow of the OT, but at the "exact representation of God’s nature" [Hebrews 1:3], that we see in Jesus who is "Emmanuel, or ‘God with us’."

This conversation was held during one of our “Jesus Without Religion (Or Politics)” meetup groups.  So far we’ve had two meetings each week – one for Christians and for Non-Christians – and both have been attended by just one person each.

On the way home from our meeting last night, Wendy noted something wonderful. She said, “It’s so cool that God knew that these two young men needed to know who He was and he prompted you to set up these groups so we could sit with them and help them to see who Jesus is.”

That is pretty cool, isn’t it?

If you think of it, please pray for these two meetings, and for both of these wonderful young men who are continuing to understand who Jesus is and how much He cares for them.

Thanks,

Keith

[Subversive Radio Podcast] Update: Jesus Without Religion (Or Politics)

After 3 sessions of this Meetup group for Non-Christians, Keith shares a little about what's been happening - and talks about how you can start your own group!

So Far, So Good.

This is my third week of hosting the "Jesus Without Religion (Or Politics)" meetup for Non-Christians.

So far it's been really great. We have a couple of guys with us, plus my wife and I, so the group is small, but our sessions have been really wonderful.

We started out with a basic overview of Jesus and his impact on the world and our culture. We also looked at how much "noise" we experience between the historical Jesus back in the First Century and our culture today - over 2,000 years later.

Our hope is to remove all of that other gobbledygook and - as much as possible - see and hear Jesus for who he really is and not who others have told us he is.

Last week we talked about the Gospel and how it's not about saying a prayer so you can go to heaven when you die. I let our non-Christian guests in on our little secret - that even most Christians don't really understand what the Gospel actually is - and then we looked at what Jesus said the Gospel is.

Next, we looked at how the Disciples and even Paul the Apostle, continued to preach the Good News (Gospel) of the Kingdom long after Jesus had left the scene and what an impact it makes when your emphasis is more on the life you live right now and not what happens after you're dead.

This week we'll take a look at the Parables of Jesus - what they were, why Jesus taught in parables, and what they are intended to communicate.

Specifically, we'll take an in-depth look at these Parables during our session together:

*NEW /OLD CLOTH/WINESKINS [MATT. 9:16-17]

*WISE/FOOLISH BUILDERS [LUKE 6:46-49]

*SOWER/SEED/SOILS [MATT. 13:3-8, 18-23]

*MUSTARD SEED/YEAST [MATT. 13:31-33]

*HIDDEN TREASURE [MATT. 13:44-46]

*GOOD SAMARITAN [LUKE 10:30-37]

*PRODIGAL SON [LUKE 15:11-32]

I've also been assigning "Homework" to everyone which is optional of course. It won't be on the Final Exam and it doesn't count towards their grade. [A little joke people].

Our homework has involved:

*Reading the Gospel of Mark from beginning to end in a single sitting [something most everyone can do in less than an hour].

*Watching the film "The Gospel of John" [which is one of the few good films about Jesus that isn't super cheesy and/or grossly innacurate].

*Watching a few video clips on YouTube.

If you're curious, here's a basic list of all of Jesus' Parables divided into categories:

FOUNDATIONAL PARABLES:

 • Parables #1-2-3-4 New cloth, New wine. Lamp on a stand. Wise & foolish builders.

• Parables #5-6 Moneylender forgives unequal debts. Lamp on a stand (2nd time).

• Parables #7-8 Rich man builds bigger barns. Servants must remain watchful.

• Parables #9-10 Wise and foolish servants. Unfruitful fig tree.

KINGDOM PARABLES:

 • Parable #11 Sower of seeds into four types of soil.

• Parable #12 Weeds among good plants. “Kingdom of Heaven”

• Parables #13-15 Growing seed. Mustard seed. Yeast. “Kingdom of Heaven”.

• Parables #16-19 Hidden treasure. Pearl. Fishing net. Owner of a house. “Kingdom of Heaven”.

• Parables #20-21 Lost sheep. The sheep, gate, and shepherd.

BEHAVIOR PARABLES:

 • Parables #22-23 Master and his servant. Unmerciful servant.

• Parables #24-25 Good Samaritan. Friend in need.

• Parables #26-27 Lowest seat at the feast. Invitation to a great banquet.

• Parable #28 Cost of discipleship.

FATHER’S HEART PARABLES:

 • Parables #29-30 Lost sheep (sheep as sinners). Lost coin.

• Parable #31 Lost (prodigal) son.

MORE BEHAVIOR PARABLES:

 • Parable #32 Shrewd manager.

• Parable #33 Rich man and Lazarus.

• Parable #34 Workers in the vineyard, early and late.

• Parables #35-36 Persistent widow and crooked judge. Praying: Pharisee and tax collector.

• Parable #37 King's servants given minas.

• Parables #38-39 Two sons, one obeys, one does not. Wicked tenants.

• Parable #40 Invitation to a wedding banquet.

JUDGEMENT PARABLES:

 • Parables #41-42 Signs from a fig tree. Wise and foolish servants.

• Parables #43-44 Wise and foolish virgins. Servants must remain watchful.

• Parable #45 Three servants given talents.

• Parable #46 Sheep and goats will be separated.

I'll be sure to post more updates as we move along. Next week we're looking closely at "The Sermon On The Mount" together.

Keep us in your prayers!

Thanks,

Keith

What About Jesus?

In preparation for the "Jesus Without Religion (Or Politics)" group, I compiled a list of quotes about Jesus from a wide variety of sources. Here's how Jesus has been spoken of by various people throughout history:

GANDHI:  "I have regarded Jesus of Nazareth as one amongst the mighty teachers that the world has had…I shall say to the Hindus that your lives will be incomplete unless you reverently study the teachings of Jesus." [Hingorani, p.23]

ISLAM / MOHAMMED: “Oh God, bless Your Messenger and Your servant Jesus son of Mary. Peace be on him the day he was born, and the day he dies, and the day he shall be raised alive! Such was Jesus, son of Mary, (this is) a statement of the truth concerning which they doubt.” [Quoted in the Quran and inscribed within the Dome of the Rock Temple]

NAPOLEAN: "I know men, and I tell you that Jesus Christ is not a man. Superficial minds see a resemblance between Christ and the founders of empires and the gods of other religions. That resemblance does not exist…It is not so with Christ. Everything in Him astonishes me. His Spirit overawes me, and His will confounds me. Between Him and everyone else in the world there is no possible term of comparison. He is truly a being by Himself.” “I will tell you. Alexander, Caesar, Charlemagne, and myself have founded great empires. But our empires were founded on force. Jesus alone founded His empire on love, and to this day millions would die for Him.”  “I think I understand something of human nature, and I tell you, all these were men, and I am a man. Jesus Christ was more than man.” [Hilarin Felder, Christ and the Critics, vol. 2, pp. 216-17]

JOSEPHUS: “Now there was about this time Jesus, a wise man, if it be lawful to call him a man; for he was a doer of wonderful works, a teacher of such men as receive the truth with pleasure. He drew over to him both many of the Jews and many of the Gentiles. He was [the] Christ. And when Pilate, at the suggestion of the principal men amongst us, had condemned him to the cross, those that loved him at the first did not forsake him; for he appeared to them alive again the third day; as the divine prophets had foretold these and ten thousand other wonderful things concerning him. And the tribe of Christians, so named from him, are not extinct at this day. [Titus Flavius Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews (c. 93–94 AD), Book 18, Chapter 3, 3]

FYODOR DOSTOEVSKY: I believe that there is nothing lovelier, deeper, more sympathetic, more rational, more manly, and more perfect than the Saviour; I say to myself with jealous love that not only is there no one else like Him, but that there could be no one. “[Letter To Mme. N. D. Fonvisin (1854), as published in Letters of Fyodor Michailovitch Dostoevsky to his Family and Friends (1914), translated by Ethel Golburn Mayne, Letter XXI, p. 71]

CHARLES DICKENS: “My dear children, I am very anxious that you should know something about the History of Jesus Christ. For everybody ought to know about Him. No one ever lived, who was so good, so kind, so gentle, and so sorry for all people who did wrong, or were in any way ill or miserable, as he was.” The Life of Our Lord (1849), Chapter 1, opening paragraph.

FLORENCE NIGHTINGALE: “Jesus Christ raised women above the condition of mere slaves, mere ministers to the passions of the man, raised them by His sympathy, to be Ministers of God. - Florence Nightingale, in Cassandra (1860).

SOREN KIERKEGAARD: “There is only one eternal hope on this earth: to follow Christ into heaven. There is one blessed joy in this life: to follow Christ; in death there is one final blessed joy-to follow Christ to life!” Soren Kierkegaard Upbuilding Discourses in Various Spirits 1847, Hong 1993 p. 229

MARK TWAIN: “If Christ were here now there is one thing he would not be — a Christian.” [1835-1910; Notebook]

H.G. WELLS: “I am not a believer, but I must confess as a historian that this penniless preacher from Nazareth is irrevocably the very center of history. Jesus Christ is easily the most dominant figure in all history.” [From  'A Short History of the World']

ALBERT EINSTEIN: “I am a Jew, but I am enthralled by the luminous figure of the Nazarene....No one can read the Gospels without feeling the actual presence of Jesus. His personality pulsates in every word. No myth is filled with such life.” [Isaacson, Walter (2007). "Einstein and Faith"; p.47]

Accidental Connections

Last night, I went up to the cashier at Keane Coffee to let them know that our little Meetup group was meeting in the back patio. Just in case new people walked in and couldn't find us. 

The young girl at the register, Kaylee, was about 20-something with a nose ring and a partially shaved head on one side. "Hey," I said. "We're having a Meetup outside, just in case anyone comes in and can't find us." Kaylee grabbed a slip of paper and a pen. "What's the name of the group?" She asked me, her pen hovering over the page. 

"Jesus Without Religion Or Politics," I said. She started to write it down and then she stopped. "What's it called again?" I repeated the name and she looked up at me with wide-eyed wonder. "Wow! That really sounds great! I left my previous church because all they ever did was talk bad about Gays and Muslims and Mormons and other people."  

I nodded and said, "Yep. And THAT'S why we started this group; so Christians who just want to gather around Jesus can do that without trying to show everyone else that we're right and they're wrong." 

She finished writing down the name of our group on a piece of paper and said, "So, how's the Meetup going so far?" I laughed. "I'll let you know! We're having our very first meeting tonight."

"Well, this sounds like what I've been looking for," she said. "Let me know how this group works out. I think it sounds like something I'd be interested in."

After that, I went back to the group on the patio and we had our first meeting together. When we were done, I went up to the register again to see if Kaylee was there but, unfortunately, she had already gone home. 

Please pray that we can reconnect with her! I really believe that the Lord had us bump into her for a reason. I'll try again to drop by later in the week to share our contact info with her.

Please pray for her, and for people like her, that they can find the community of believers they're searching for. 

And please pray for our little group, that we can find more people like Kaylee around Orange County who are desperate for "Jesus Without Religion (Or Politics)",  because, obviously, they are out there!

We just have to seek them out.

-kg

[Podcast] Jesus Without Religion (Or Politics) - Preview

A new series of meetings are scheduled in the next few weeks to gather non-Christians and answer their questions about Jesus. Here's a sneak preview.

Jesus Without Religion (Or Politics)

Dozens of surveys reveal that most non-Christians are interested in Jesus, but not in Church or Christianity. Most agree that the reason for this growing trend is due to the perception that Christians are all anti-Gay, pro-Republican, and dogmatic about their particular brand of faith.

In light of this, I have been feeling that it might be interesting to create a Meet Up group for unbelievers who are curious about Jesus and interested in learning more about him; what he taught, what his message was, what the Gospel is all about, what the Sermon on the Mount means, and other questions – without having to be coerced into a decision to join a church, or being sold a certain political ideology.

So, in about a week, on July 15, I’ll be hosting “Jesus Without Religion (Or Politics)” for anyone and everyone who wants Jesus without all the usual baggage.

Assuming anyone even shows up to this meeting – and I’m praying at least one person will respond – the basic outline we’ll cover looks like this:

*Are the New Testament documents reliable? [Historical evidence for Jesus].

*Who was/is Jesus? [His birth, early life, family members, enemies, disciples, etc.]

*His Message [The Gospel revealed] and his Parables explained

*The Sermon on the Mount [His Manifesto]

*His influence on the culture; impact on History and the World

*Prophecies fulfilled [What Jesus prophesied and what was prophesied about him]

*His arrest, trial, crucifixion, and did the Resurrection happen?

Now, one unforeseen byproduct of this group has been that I’ve had more Christians sign up for this on MeetUp.com than non-Christians. Since I really, really do NOT want our sessions interrupted with arguments about doctrine, I decided to create a second group called “For Christians Who Want Jesus Without Religion Or Politics” which will start meeting the following week on a different night.

Honestly, I really have no big plans for this group. My guess is that it will be a wildly divergent group of Christians with varying definitions of what our group should be all about.

For example, one person who signed up to the “Jesus Without Religion (Or Politics)” group made a comment to me about how his previous church wouldn’t allow him to teach his pet doctrines, which is not quite what I meant by “Jesus Without Religion”.

I’m very tempted to start off the Christian version of the meeting by declaring that Jesus is not a Republican or a Democrat, or a Baptist or a Lutheran, or a Calvinist or an Arminian, or even a “Christian” and see who’s still left after I’m done talking.

To be frank, I was tempted to cancel the Christian meeting all together, but my wonderful wife encouraged me by pointing out that a lot of Christians still don’t understand the Gospel of the Kingdom, or what the Sermon on the Mount is about, or what the Parables mean, or even if the New Testament documents are reliable.

So, I took a step back off the ledge and decided to at least attempt to teach this same material to the Christian group and see what happens.

Please, if you would, pray for me and for both of these meetings. Please pray especially that non-Christians who are interested in learning about Jesus would find the group and show up. Please also pray that the Christians will agree not to come to the first group but stay in the second group. And please also pray that the Christian group won’t turn into a massive argument about doctrine, politics or religion.

I’ll be sure to provide updates as things progress.

Thanks,

Keith

Love Conquers Hate

On October 2, 2006, Charles Carl Roberts IV entered the West Nickel Mines School house holding a loaded gun. He proceeded to shoot ten girls, between the ages of 6 and 13 years old, and killed five of them.

Eventually he turned the gun on himself and took his own life.

While stories like this are all-too-common in our world today, the reaction of the community was anything but.

This shooting had taken place in the Amish country of Bart Township in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. The families who lost their daughters were filled with grief over the loss of their children, but they were also filled with the love of Christ.

This is why, instead of responding out of their despair, they followed the Prince of Peace and found the faith to act out the loving example of Jesus.

Just one week after the shooting, the same families who lost their daughters in this senseless and selfish act visited Marie Roberts, the wife of the man who had pulled the trigger and taken his own life.

They boldly, and sincerely, offered their complete forgiveness to her. They invited her to attend the funeral services for their slain daughters. They shared all relief funds sent to them with Mrs. Roberts and her own children who had lost their father that same day. They even attended the funeral of Charles Roberts and offered their loving support to his widow and his children.

This is love. This is true forgiveness and Christian compassion.

We saw this same brand of radical love and forgiveness a few days ago in Charleston, when the families of those who had lost their loved ones to the senseless shooting came face to face with the killer and sincerely forgave him.

Where do we find that kind of love? Where does it come from? Are these people just being religious? Are they pretending to love the one who killed their father, or mother, or sister or brother?

Or is it possible that the sort of love that Jesus describes in the Sermon on the Mount is actually real?

Out of hate, love can conquer. Out of despair, hope can rise. Out of tragedy, forgiveness can overcome and transcend human emotion.

Jesus empowers those who follow Him and put His words into practice. He fills us with real life, and real love that most people can only dream about.

In times of great darkness and despair, this love shines like the sun and puts Jesus on display for everyone to see.

This is why we're called to love our enemies. This is why we are expected to overcome evil with good. Not so we can be door mats, but so that we can demonstrate to the world that the Gospel is real and that His love transforms us into people who can love in the face of tragedy and forgive even the greatest evils.

The message of the Gospel is subversive. It goes against the grain. It makes a real, dramatic, powerful difference at just the right time, and when no one could possibly even expect it.

This is what we are called to, as followers of Christ. We are called to love extravagantly and to forgive inexplicably, and to demonstrate to the world that Jesus is alive inside of us.

Let the Kingdom come.

-kg

*Updated 6/23/15