News The Reason
A riot is the language of the unheard. – Mr. Luther King
C
ould it be that the gospel hasn’t been heard in the realms of
atheism, liberalism, secularism and other religions, because we’ve demonstrated it with words instead of power? Proverbs says that, “Open rebuke is better than secret love” [Prov 27:5] Could it be we’ve been to secretive about our convictions as believers?
The onslaught continues.
6.6.14
G Men
K
ingdom rebellion is born of love.
ordered systems, inhabitants and glory.
It’s the love of a father standing
Politics, business, education and culture, it’s
against a pharaoh. It’s like a
time to take all of it back, baptize it and make
shepherd fighting a wolf. Too often we forget,
it holy! Redemption starts with saving human
there is no love without hate. “The fear of the
souls, but it doesn’t end there! God wants the
LORD is to hate evil, pride, arrogance and the
fallen world back too. This is why Jesus said
evil way” [Proverbs 8:13]. Those who fear, or,
pray in this wise, “…your kingdom come. Your
reverence and love God, will simultaneously
will be done.” [Matt 5]. God’s dominion is
hate or be irreverent towards evil.
consistent with His plans being carried out in
Maybe you’re that Christian that thinks God wants all of us to move out to a mountain
the earth’s affairs. Whether it was Moses pushing against
on a hill, meditate and never come back. This
Egyptian rulers, or, Abraham Lincoln
defies our direct orders, “Go ye into all of the
emancipating the slaves, all of the great men
world…” [Matt 16:15-16] The Greek word
in scripture and history, were willing to go
there is kos'-mos or the worldly affairs, its
against how things are, to establish how they
should be. They were never conformists.
The Rebel’s Rules Of Engagement Get Aggressive “Let me illustrate this further. Who is powerful enough to enter the house of a strong man
like Satan and plunder his goods? Only someone even stronger, someone who could tie him up and then plunder his house.” [Mark 3:27]. Satan’s not going to just roll over and play dead while you take back all God has for you. Let’s not forget that to truly love God, we must really hate evil, and take a stand accordingly. Get Knowledge “A wise man is strong; yea, a man of knowledge increaseth strength. For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war: and in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.” [Prov 24:5-6]
We must get information on the world in which we live, if we’re to effectively take it back for Christ. Get Going You don’t have to get it right, just get it going! As you go, God will help you get it right. Too many men lack initiative. They’re waiting for confirmation from 12 prophets, a divine dream, and an appearance from 3 angels. No! Take step towards making right the wrongs in this world, and watch God work with you [Mrk 16:20]
So believe it or not, you and I are called to rebellion! It’s not what you’re used to hearing I know, but its what the masculine ear needs to get aggressive for Christ.
Building Men. Raising Sons!
While God seeks to kill that which should not be allowed to live in us, Satan tries to breathe life into it.
A
rt Greco is discovering that God kills and the devil gives life — that Christ is in the business of destroying and Satan is in the business of
sustaining. While God seeks to kill that which should not be allowed to live in us, Satan tries to breathe life into it. Perhaps that’s why he finds himself addressing God in a rather strange way when he prays lately, using a
much less common title, his dominant title in a
own ability to perform is the basis for his
dying man’s life: “Oh dear Holy Assassin: Be
credibility. It is this type of authenticity that
loving enough to eliminate what pollutes my
lays the groundwork for a book offering bold
heart and erodes my soul. And when the day
definitions of the hallmarks of redemptive
comes that I attempt to annul this contract, to
spirituality: humility, teachability, celibacy,
withdraw the permission I now give, listen
courage, faith, yieldedness, and loyalty.
instead to the instructions of Your own
Greco explores these concepts with powerful
headstrong mercy. Swallow hard, breathe
tenderness and rugged hope that rests in the
deep, take aim, and pull trigger. Amen.”
knowledge that when we are weak, we are
There is winsome vulnerability
strong.
throughout God Kills. Beginning with a preface that chronicles spiritual survival amidst the horror film of clinical depression, Greco spends his first chapter [“The Author Is A Hypocrite”] laying to rest the idea that his
God Kills is a book most have never read before meaning that in the vast array of volumes that ponder God, spirituality, faith, etc., there seem to be many that say the
same thing. There’s absolutely nothing wrong
discussion of spirituality that invites actual
with that, and it’s not as if Greco doesn’t
growth instead of merely the appearance of
interact with common themes found in
growth, beckoning all toward genuine, vibrant
writings on spirituality, but he brings
life in Christ.
something new to the conversation if only because he shares so freely from his
Covenant Church in San Rafael, California.
substantial and seasoned life experiences. God Kills welcomes readers into a
Art Greco is a teaching pastor at Marin
He and his wife of 35 years, Brenda, have three adult children
refreshingly candid and encouraging
Oh dear Holy Assassin, be loving enough to eliminate what pollutes my heart and erodes my soul.
Events Our next G men’s meeting [Men 18+] is on June 6th at 7:00 P.M. Our next Giant Killaz meeting [Boys 10-17] is on June 6th at 6:00 P.M.
Bulletins If you’re interested in being commissioned in 2015 email us at Gmen@mobcc.org.
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Scripture Philippians 1:28 Without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved--and that by God.
Thought When injustice becomes law, rebellion becomes duty.