Pastor J: [00:00:00] Grace and peace to you from God, the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. You’re listening to SoulFood podcast and I’m your host, Pastor J.
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Announcer: Everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he’s a child, but solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil. This is SoulFood podcast.
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Pastor J: [00:00:18] We are now in the third episode of this all-new ministry podcast, which is focused on providing solid food for hungry souls, and by doing so fostering genuine spiritual maturity and the magnification of faith. Today, we’re going to be starting a new two-part series that dives into the notion that Christianity is more about relationship than it is religion. So, stick around and we’ll get to it right after this.
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Pastor J: [00:00:51] Welcome back to SoulFood. I’m your host, Pastor J. Before we get started with today’s topic, I do need to correct [00:01:00] myself on something. I was reviewing episode two, and I realized that I said that the urging I felt to create this podcast came to me during Holy Week of 2021. It was actually holy week of this year, 2022. So, I wanted to be sure I set the record straight on that. I’ve also added a note to the transcript for episode two, indicating that correction. And in case you didn’t know, I do provide transcripts for every episode of SoulFood podcast over at soulfoodpodcast.com, in the blog section of the website. One additional announcement before we get started today. Well, more so a praise report. If you’ve listened to SoulFood before, then you’ve surely heard the ads voiced by the man with a more mature and refined voice. His name is Dale, and if you haven’t guessed it, his role on the ministry team involves assisting with [00:02:00] high-quality voiceovers and similar marketing related tasks. Well, I am so pleased to announce that on the evening of Friday, August 26th, 2022, Dale and his wife were blessed with the great news that their daughter gave birth to their very first grandchild, a grandson named Henry. Happy birthday, Henry! Welcome to the world. I hope that all of you listeners out there will join me in sending up praises and prayers for Henry and his parents and for Dale and his wife as well. Congratulations Dale.
Pastor J: [00:02:41] If someone were to randomly approach you and ask you to explain what Christianity is, what would you tell them? How would you describe what Christianity is to them? My guess is that many of you would have a hard time doing this. It seems like a [00:03:00] straightforward question, sure, but based on the negative representation Christianity has all around the world, it’s clear that there are more people who don’t properly understand what Christianity is all about than do. And that goes for those who profess to practice it, as well as for those who do not. According to my own experiences and observations, a lot of people are of the belief that Christianity has something to do with self-perfection, and with somehow elevating oneself to a level superior to those who are not Christian. That’s not a correct representation. Christianity is not at all about perfection of oneself, and it’s not about consistently getting everything right either. If I had a nickel for every time I’ve foolishly said or done something I shouldn’t have and had someone respond to [00:04:00] me saying something like, “Hey, aren’t you Christian?” Well, yes. Yes I am, but that doesn’t mean that I don’t make mistakes. It doesn’t mean that I am not a sinner. Quite the opposite, actually. I am sure there are some of you listening who have experienced the same thing, and that only goes to prove the assertion I just made, that more people tend to not appropriately understand what Christianity is. The best way to start to describe what Christianity is, is to confidently conclude that it’s not about me. Say this with me. Say Christianity is not about me. Ready? Christianity is not about me. I mean, it’s called Christianity! Not pastor J-ity or whatever-your-name-is-ity. [00:05:00] Christianity! Christian-ity. Christ-ianity. It’s about Christ! Jesus Christ! Christianity is about Jesus Christ. More specifically, it’s about what he has done already and what he continues to do for all who would follow after him.
Pastor J: [00:05:22] Let’s have a mini-English class. The root word is Christian. The suffix, or word ending, is -ity. That suffix is used to express the state, condition, or quality of the root it is being applied to. So, linguistically speaking, Christianity is the state of being Christian. Wait. We’ve, we’ve tackled -ity, but it seems we’re left with a different word now, Christian. If Christianity is the state of being Christian, [00:06:00] then what does being Christian mean? The answer to that question after this.
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Pastor J: [00:06:07] Welcome back to SoulFood. I’m your host, Pastor J. Right before the break, we were talking about what Christianity is, linguistically speaking, and settled on the understanding that, based on the word’s suffix, Christianity is the state of being Christian. However, we were left with a different word, Christian, and a new question was posed, what does being Christian mean? Let’s now continue our mini-English class and consider the answer to that question. Just as before, we can identify the root word and the suffix separately to linguistically understand what the word means on a most basic level. The root word of Christian is Christ, and the suffix is -ian. [00:07:00] When that suffix is added to a root word, it is done so to describe origin, relation, or likeness. One definition I came across describe the suffix -ian as, quote, “one from, belonging to, relating to, or like.” End quote. So, on the most basic level, it could be said that being Christian means being from Christ, belonging to Christ, relating to Christ, or being like Christ. Now before one of you goes off and tries to play word games with what I’ve just said, being like Christ does not mean being perfect and sinless, as Christ was and is, and will be forevermore. After all, on a most basic, linguistic level being like something or someone is not the same as being [00:08:00] that something or someone. And I need to clarify that point, because I have been around far too long not to know the word games that people like to play in order to attempt to get a leg up. Now, that’s Satan’s favorite game, in fact, spinning words. So, with that clarified, let me recap that being Christian, from a linguistic standpoint, means being from Christ, belonging to Christ, relating to Christ, or being like Christ. These four clauses clearly describe a relationship to Christ more so than they describe a religion, or scrupulous conformity to Christ, in other words, and when we come back, we’re going to begin examining each of these relational clauses according to their presence in Scripture. Class dismissed. Back in just a moment.
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Pastor J: [00:08:59] Welcome back to [00:09:00] SoulFood podcast, with your host, Pastor J. Helping you understand that Christianity is more about relationship than it is religion. We’re now on to the second segment of this episode, and we’re going to use it to consider how the first two clauses of our being Christian definition present themselves in Scripture. In other words, we’re going to look at biblical guidance for “being from Christ” and “belonging to Christ.” In terms of being Christian, what does it mean to be from Christ? Is there anything in Scripture that describes how we are from Christ? There’s actually more than might initially dawn on you. Considering the word from, we are, in one aspect, physically from Christ, since we are the special creation of our Lord. In Genesis 1:27, we are told that, quote, “God [00:10:00] created man in his own image.” End quote. And not just man is in a male person, but also females as well. We human beings are the special creation of our Lord, made in his very image. Furthermore, Jesus is Lord. Now, his name is not mentioned in the creation story found in Genesis, but Jesus made it quite clear, by the time of his crucifixion, that he is one with God the Father. In fact, in John chapter 10, during the Feast of Dedication, and this is verse 30, Jesus says, quote, “I and the father are one.” End quote. And we can go one step further and show that not only is Jesus one with God the Father now, but he has always been one with God the Father. In [00:11:00]Luke, chapter 10, upon the return of the 72, whom Jesus had sent out in his name, they were marveling at the fact that even the demons were subject to his name, and Jesus replies to them, verse 18, quote, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.” End quote. That event happens before the creation of mankind. It is that event that marks the beginning of the Enemy we know as Satan, who is a fallen angel. So, we can use some rather simple logic to conclude that, if Jesus is one with God the Father; and if he saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven, signaling that he has been one with God the Father since even before the creation of mankind; and if God created mankind in his image; then mankind is, in a physical sense, from God, being his special creation, and therefore is from Christ, since Jesus [00:12:00] Christ is one with God the Father. What is called God’s special creation is also appropriately called Jesus Christ’s special creation, but there’s a problem.[00:12:13]
Pastor J: The problem is that mankind fell away from God when Adam and Eve disobeyed him, eating the forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden. At that point, mankind becomes fouled up and separated from the Lord. However, as the story goes, because of the love the Lord has for his special creation, Jesus Christ came down to earth and suffered on the cross in order to pay the ultimate penalty for mankind’s sinfulness, and it is through the shedding of his blood that we were, once again, bound together with our Lord. And Paul confirms this assertion in his letter to the Romans, chapter 5, verse 9, quote, “Since, therefore, [00:13:00] we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God.” End quote. Not to mention, Jesus himself communicates this assertion with us during the last supper, the institution of Communion, Matthew, chapter 26, verse 28. Jesus says, quote, “For this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” End quote. So, in one sense of the word “from,” we are physically from Christ our Lord. In another sense, we are sent by Christ out into the world to speak the truth and share the Gospel with all who will hear it. Jesus gives such a command in Matthew 28, starting at verse 19. Quote, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the [00:14:00] Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” End quote. Jesus sends us out to the world as one’s coming from him to baptize and to teach. More after this. Stick around.
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Pastor J: [00:14:25] Welcome back to SoulFood podcast, with your host Pastor J. Understanding that we are from Christ, let’s now switch gears and consider that we belong to Christ. In all honesty, I could just share the same arguments I made before the break, just rewording them a bit, and they would still be just as valid and just as applicable here. After all, what comes from the Lord belongs to the Lord. I’m not going to repeat myself, as much as I can avoid it, [00:15:00] since there is so much more that can be said. Yes, there will be some overlap between “being from Christ” and “belonging to Christ,” but for this explanation, I wanna spend more time making the connection based on the blood that was shed for us. We have a clear understanding that we were totally cut off from our Lord, because Adam and Eve disobeyed the Lord and the consequences, based on the level of free-will they had, impacted all of mankind and not just them individually. This wasn’t a localized incident. As Christians, we often speak of our free-will, but there must be an understanding among all Christians that we do not have free-will on the same level that Adam and Eve had free-will. They had the free-will to choose not to eat the fruit, thereby releasing the knowledge of good and evil over all the world. It would’ve [00:16:00] been, so-called, good vibes only would they had utilized that free will differently, but they chose to do the wrong thing, and that particular choice had eternal consequences. It’s a level of free-will that will never be experienced by any human being ever again. And before you go off on some tirade, blaming Adam and Eve for your sinfulness, just stop and admit that you would have most probably made the same boneheaded choice, were you in their position. So let’s not play the blame game, focusing on what we have no control over, and let’s focus on what actually is. The Lord created mankind, his beloved and special creation. Mankind disobeyed the Lord. Consequently, mankind fell away from the Lord. Loving his creation far too much to let such a fact [00:17:00] stand, the Lord came to earth to pay the penalty for mankind’s sins, thus restoring mankind to their original position with him. These are the facts. That said, it is worth further emphasizing that it was the blood of Christ that facilitated the restoration of our special standing, and this is where we can really see our “belonging to Christ” in full view.[00:17:27]
Pastor J: In chapter 6 of Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians, he reminds them, at the latter half of verse 19, quote, “You are not your own, for you were bought with a price.” End quote. And of course, that price was the blood of Jesus Christ. In that blood, we truly have life. Apart from that blood, we are dead. In that sense, Jesus Christ is our life support if we are to cross from this temporal earthly life into [00:18:00] a heavenly eternal life, in the presence of our Lord. Jesus himself solidifies this in John 6, beginning at verse 53. Quote, “Truly, truly I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you.” End quote. Since we, who truly follow after Jesus, have been washed clean by his blood, brought back to life by his blood, we also acknowledge that, because of the suffering he endured and the price he paid, we are his now and forever. After all, it is by his blood that we enter into contract, into a new covenant with him. And when we understand and acknowledge that, we can also understand how being Christian means belonging to Christ. My closing thoughts and a blessing for you right after this.[00:19:00]
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Pastor J: [00:19:00] Welcome back to SoulFood podcast, with your host, Pastor J; reminding you that you belong to the almighty and loving Lord, Jesus Christ. It can be challenging to properly describe to someone what Christianity is all about, especially if you don’t fully and accurately understand what it is yourself. Many try to make Christianity about themselves, about their happiness, their success, their prosperity, but those people are mistaken and only end up perverting what Christianity actually is all about. Doing this can be dangerous, since those around them, not yet falling after Christ, will surely take example from them. Christianity is about being Christian, and being Christian is all about Christ: being from Christ, belonging to Christ, relating to Christ, and being like Christ.
Pastor J: [00:19:58] In this episode, [00:20:00] we covered the first two of those. In the next episode of SoulFood podcast, episode 4, we will conclude this series about Christianity being more about relationship than religion by going over the last two of the clauses from our being Christian definition, which are “relating to Christ” and “being like Christ.” By the time this series concludes, you should, hopefully, have more confidence in describing what Christianity is all about, including the fact that it is more about relationship than it is religion. For more information, more episodes, to contact me with questions and prayer requests, to inquire about marketing opportunities, or to make a financial contribution, log on to soulfoodpodcast.com. The public version of SoulFood podcast is supported by advertising, but it also comes without ads, if you’d prefer. Just [00:21:00] head on over to glow.fm/soulfoodpodcast, that’s g-l-o-w.fm/soulfoodpodcast, and enjoy ad-free content with your subscription of as little as $5 per month. Now remember, not only will you enjoy ad-free content with your subscription, you’ll also be contributing to helping this ministry flourish and to help feed hungry souls all around the world. Since this is still a fairly new podcast, I want to remind all of you listeners out there that this will be a twice-weekly podcast, with new episodes dropping on Tuesday and Thursday of each week. You can keep up-to-date with all things SoulFood podcast by visiting soulfoodpodcast.com and subscribing to the digital mailing list. Your information will never be sold, shared, or traded. It will be used exclusively by me so that I can [00:22:00] communicate important information with you regarding SoulFood podcast, including the availability of new episodes.
Pastor J: [00:22:07] [Begin Outro Jingle] And now, a blessing for each and every one of you, including baby Henry, Dale’s brand new grandson. The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you. The Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace. Amen. This is Pastor J saying, take care and God bless. See you next time.
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