Playdough Scripture 1 John 4

I haven't done one of these for awhile.  I hope you find this playdough version as offensive as I do.  It does sound wrong when put together this way.   Yes God is described as both loving and as the judge.  We are commanded to do one and commanded not to do the other. Unfortunately we sometimes get confused about which one we are supposed to do.

1 John 4 (Playdough Version)

7 Dear friends, let us love judge one another, because love judging is from God, and everyone who loves judges has been fathered by God and knows God. 8 The person who does not love judge does not know God, because God is love judgemental. 9 By this the love judgements of God is revealed in us: that God has sent his one and only Son into the world so that we may live through him. 10 This is love judging: not that we have loved judged God, but that he loved judged us and sent his Son to be the mercy seat offering for our sins.

11 Dear friends, if God so loved judged us, then we also ought to love judge one another. 12 No one has seen God at any time. If we love judge one another, God resides in us, and his love judging is perfected in us.

...

16 And we have come to know and to believe the love judgemental nature that God has in us. God is love judgmental, and the one who resides in love judging others resides in God, and God resides in him. 17 By this love judging is perfected with us, so that we may have confidence in the day of judgment, because just as Jesus is, so also are we in this world. 18 There is no fear in love judging, but perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears punishment has not been perfected in love judging. 19 We love judge because he loved judged us first.

20 If anyone says “I love God” and yet hates his fellow Christian, he is a liar, because the one who does not love his fellow Christian whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. 21 And the commandment we have from him is this: that the one who loves God should love judge his fellow Christian too.

Playdough Scripture Matt 5:34 - 37

"But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one. But you can swear on the Bible that contains these instructions."

(Matt 5:34 - 37 Playdough Version)

Playdough Scripture Mark 9:38 - 41

“Teacher,” said John, “we saw someone driving out demons teaching in your name and we told him to stop, because he was not one of us part of our denomination.”

“Do not Tell others to ignore him if you can't  stop him,” Jesus said. “For no one who  is different than us should be trusted, does a miracle in my name can in the next moment say anything bad about me, for whoever is with us joins us. not against us is for us. Truly I tell you, anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to the Messiah will certainly not lose their reward." (Mark 9:38-41 Playdough Version)

Sorry I had to play around with this passage quite a bit to make it fit the Christianity we often see today.

There are over 30,000 Christian denominations. Most of them have some false teachings and/or practices. Of course, I've sorted through all the issues and figured it out better than everyone else. :)

Is Jesus really saying it is not my job to try to stop everyone who is following Jesus in different ways than I am?

Is it possible many of us are actually on the same team but just haven't figured that out. We've been busy trying to steal the ball from each other, instead of passing the ball back and forth to make a great play.

Playdough Scripture Matt 28:19-20

"Therefore go and make converts disciples of all nations, baptising them in water and in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them understand correct theology.  to obey everything I have commanded you.(Matthew 28:19-20 Playdough Version)

This is based on a very well known verse. But a blog post by Tobie van der Westhuizen from South Africa got me thinking.  How well do we really know it?

Is there a difference between making converts and making disciples?

Immersion in water is a great way to symbolize immersion into our relationship with God, but we shouldn't assume this verse is talking about water.

Do we spend as much time teaching and modelling how to follow the person and teachings of Jesus as we do on teaching our doctrines? Should we be showing as much as we are telling? Disciple making may be more like apprenticeship than classroom style learning.

Thoughts?


Related Posts:

• Baptism Summary Thoughts
• Essentials For a New Disciple 
• The New Conversion

Playdough Scripture Matt 24:14

"And this gospel of the kingdom penal substitutionary atonement will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come." Matt 24:14 (Playdough Version)

This passage was next in my series on the secrets of the kingdom, but it seemed to fit well as a Playdough Scripture example.

When we think of the gospel being preached and spread throughout the world, what good news message are we thinking about?

Many equate the penal substitutionary atonement theory as the gospel.  This theory was formulated by the reformers in the 16th century.  It is the thought process that Christ died on the cross as a substitute for sinners. That God imputed the guilt of our sins to Christ, and he, in our place, bore the punishment that we deserve. This was a full payment for sins, which satisfied both the wrath and the righteousness of God, so that He could forgive sinners without compromising His own holy standard.

However when I read the 'gospels' I don't see Jesus or His disciples preaching the good news of penal subsitutionary atonement.  But I do see them frequently proclaiming the gospel.


Related Posts:

• Gospel in the Gospels - Summary - 6 part series
• What is the Gospel? - lists verses related to gospel in 'the gospels'
• Secrets of the Kingdom Summary
• Which Tent Post Is The Cross? 

Playdough Scripture Romans 15:5-7

May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among your local congregation, and with those of similar theological belief systems  yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that your local church will with one heart and mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Accept those who are the same as you one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.

Romans 15:5-7  (Playdough Version)

If we draw a circle around our group, and exclude others, can we call that Christian unity?

Playdough Scripture John 1:1

"In the beginning was the Word... and the Word became INK."

John 1:1 and John 1:14 (Playdough Version)



(Credit for this one goes to a comment by frank on Stop Calling The Bible The Word Of God.)

Playdough Scripture Matt 5:42

I like today's Scripture… As We Live It by Alan Knox. But I think we can twist that verse a bit more to fit how Christians often do things today.

"Give to the one who asks you, and don’t turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you. your church and some registered charities and they will try to be good stewards with your money."

Matt 5:42 (Playdough Version)

Alan's version was good too:

Give to the one who begs from you as long as you know he’s not going to misuse your gift, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you as long as you know that she can repay you. (Matthew 5:42 re-mix)

What do you think? How cautious should we be in giving to others? Is it best to leave it to the larger organizations to care for those in need?

Playdough Scripture Galatians 5:19-21

"Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God."

Galatians 5:19-21 (Playdough Version)

Are the divisions created and maintained between the 30,000+ Christian denominations not an issue to some?

Divisions are included in this list with the other big sins. Is it OK to ignore this obvious work of the flesh?

Playdough Scripture 2 Thessalonians 2:15

"Therefore, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions you were taught, either by our message or by our letter by your favorite denominations or movements of the past 2000 years."
2 Thessalonians 2:15 (Playdough Version)



This playdough scripture was triggered by Eric's post today: Some Traditions Really Are Helpful.


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Playdough Scripture Acts 2:41

"Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day, so they quickly started the first megachurch building project, hired on more staff, and expanded their programs."

Acts 2:41 (Playdough Version)

Playdough Scripture John 10:16

"I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one many flocks and one many shepherds (pastors)."

John 10:16 (Playdough Version)


What do you think?

Is there one church or many churches?

Pastor means shepherd. Is there one pastor or many pastors?

Related Posts:

• The Pastor
• Dave Black on Pastors
• The First Pastors
• Who says we are divided?
• Unity is Essential

Playdough Scripture 1 John 4:7-8

"Dear friends, let us love teach one another a biblical worldview, for love all truth comes from God. Everyone who loves understands the truth has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love understand truth does not know God, because God is love truth. "

1 John 4:7-8 (Playdough Version)

What is essential?

Having all truth figured out?

Or having God's love?

When someone is new to the faith, what sorts of things do we encourage them to do to grow?

Are these things geared toward gaining an understanding of God's truths, or geared toward growing in God's love?

When we gather, what sorts of activities do we do that build on what is most important to us?

Related Posts:

• I Have It All Figuerd Out
• Love is essential
• Because he first loved us
  
• I was made to love you (song)
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• A. W. Tozer on fundamentalism and love
  

Playdough Scripture Rev 20:14-15

"Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. where sinners will live for eternity in a state of conscious torment. Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire.

Rev 20:14-15 (Playdough Version)



Why would John say "The second death" here if he meant "eternal conscious torment"?

Yes verse 10 says "And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever. " (NIV)

Maybe the devil, the beast, and the false prophet are not mortals. Maybe they are eternal beings. I don't know. But I know verse 14 and 15 does not use the same wording for the people who are thrown into the lake of fire.

What could second death mean? To die a second time, after the final judgment? Or did he really mean to say live for eternity... just a really bad form of eternal life?

The question is: Does Scripture teach that all mortals live for eternity?

This is just a few of the many verses that, if read literally, contrast death for some with eternal life for others.

For every living soul belongs to me, the father as well as the son—both alike belong to me. The soul who sins is the one who will die. (Ezekiel 18:4 NIV)

"Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell." (Matthew 10:28 NIV)

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16 NIV)

"Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on him." (John 3:36 NIV)

"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Rom 6:23 NIV)

"We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love our brothers. Anyone who does not love remains in death." (1 John 3:14 NIV)

Related Posts:

• Does Scripture Say Hell is Eternal Punishment - a look at lots of Scripture
• Literal or figurative death

Playdough Scripture Hebrews 10:24-25

"And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up going to church meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching." Hebrews 10:24-25 (Playdough Version)

Could other forms of meeting together count?

When do I encourage others towards love and good deeds?

Playdough Scripture Ephesians 4:11

"So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors who would be the sent ones to each community, speaking the word of the God, evangelizing the lost, and teaching the believers and teachers, "

Ephesians 4:11 (Playdough Version)

Is there 5 separate roles listed here for 5 different people? What do we do today with a verse like this?

Overseer in 1 Peter 5:2

1 Peter 5:2 (NIV 1984)

"Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, serving as overseers--not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve;"

The way this is written this verse seems to support the concept of an office of overseer.

I'm not a Greek student. Please correct me if I'm wrong. But from a quick glance at the Greek for this passage, I don't know why most translations include the word overseers or oversight.

Take a look here for the breakdown of the Greek words in this verse.

ποιμάνατε τὸ ἐν ὑμῖν ποίμνιον τοῦ θεοῦ μὴ ἀναγκαστῶς ἀλλὰ ἑκουσίως, μηδὲ αἰσχροκερδὼς ἀλλὰ προθύμως,

"tend you the among you flock of God not by obligation but voluntarily not lucre but eagerness"

Rea-range the terms to make sense, but notice there is nothing here to hint at an office of an overseer.

I see the NIV version has dropped the word 'overseer' from it's 2010 version, but had it in it's 1984 version.

I hate to suggest it, but I have some translators bee doing their own version of playdough scripture. :)

EDIT: I stand corrected. Some manuscripts have ἐπισκοποῦντες which can be translated "look diligently, take the oversight.", so that is why the translators have gone this way. Thanks Steve.

Interesting the other time that term shows up is Hebrews 12:15, and gets translated "See to it", "look carefully", "watching"... and it seems to be written to all believers.

Related Posts:

• Summary on Elders Overseers Shepherds - 9 post series

Playdough Scripture 1 Peter 4:8-11

Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another go every Sunday to a worship service without grumbling. Each Some of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others during the worship service (usher, sound guy, Sunday school, nursery, worship band, preacher), and everyone put money in the offering plate as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone Listen while the pastor speaks, they should do so as one who because he speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

1 Peter 4:8-11 (Playdough Version)


OK, sorry for playing too much with our scripture. But here is my questions:

What is the main mark of a Christian? That they go faithfully to church every Sunday? Or that they love and serve each other? I suspect everyone would agree on the correct answer... but if someone never went 'to church' yet faithfully served and loved others and offered hospitality to others would they get judged for it?

When we serve, are we serving each other, or are we serving the church service? What would it look like if we used our gifts to serve each other outside the church programs?

What do we do with a verse like this: "If anyone speaks they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God" ??? Is it possible that all Christians could share this role in some way?

Playdough Scripture Psalms 23

The LORD My Pastor is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
he restores my soul.
He guides me in paths of righteousness
for his name's sake....


Psalms 23 (Playdough Version)


OK, sorry. I know that sounds sacrilegious. My point is this:
If pastor means shepherd, and we call somebody other than God our pastor... do you see how wrong it can sound?

Playdough Scripture Col 3:16

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly Bible be the foundation as one of you teaches and admonishes one another the rest of you with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.

Colossians 3:16 (Playdough Version)


Related Posts:

• Word Study on Word of God
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• One Another