The Bible Does Not Authorize the Weekly Collection For Today’s Church

We always want to do what God wants and that means we turn to the Bible to tell us what He said. When we go there we find all kinds of instructions, stories, encouragements, and so much more! Often people turn the Bible into a rule book with no appreciation for context, authorial intent, etc.

The weekly offering exposes a fatal flaw in legalism - that people found a command to give on a weekly basis with no appreciation for what those verses actually say - that they were for a particular situation that upon completion the weekly collection was supposed to stop (even commanded to stop). And yet people use 1 Cor 16:1-2a as the basis for God commanding the weekly offering when in the same sentence we are also told not to do it after the need in Jerusalem in 47 AD was met!

If you are strictly going by the commands of the Bible, the weekly offering is wrong and yet people who said they only do what the Bible commands still do it. They, in practice, demonstrate what they condemn in others - that we can do things not commanded in the Bible and do so all the time. This is called tradition.

My hope for this video is that it stands as an example of where people read they Bible claiming one thing while doing quite another while they condemn others for doing the same. At the end of the day the weekly offering is right because there are ministry needs to be met and this is the traditional way, established by local church leaders, to meet those needs. So don't stop giving! In fact, this exposes a deeper issue that I deal with near the end of the video!

Acappella Vs Instrumental Worship: What Colossians 3:16 Is Really About!

For many years, people in Churches of Christ have used Colossians 3:16 to justify the condemnation of instruments in corporate worship. But is that conclusion actually justified by the text? More specifically, when Paul wrote Colossians 3, did he even have this conversation in mind? Does the context warrant us coming to this conclusion?

Walking through this passage and issue will give us deeper insight into what Paul was actually talking about...and it is something much greater than instruments in worship! If you haven't listened to the previous episode on Ephesians 5:19 you will want to do that. Listen here.

Acappella vs Instrumental Worship In Churches of Christ: What Ephesians 5:19 is Really About

So many of us have heard the reason we aren't supposed to use instruments in worship (even saying it is sinful) is because Ephesians 5:19 only says to sing.

Is that what Paul had in mind when he wrote Ephesians 5:19? The only way to know is to check the context. Paul was exceptionally good at making well thought out arguments. His letters aren't bullet list of individual/isolated theological points. He is taking his audience somewhere.

Next is authorial intent - that the authors of the Bible had an original intent when they wrote what they wrote and we cannot understand it for us today until we understand it for them in their day.

Once we understand those two things we go back to what Paul wrote to understand the point he was actually making and it had nothing to do with condemning the instrument in worship.

I believe it is wrong to twist the Bible to make it say things it doesn't actually say and even more wrong to divide over these issues. This calls for repentance.

The 30th Anniversary of Wineskins! How Wineskins Started with Rubel Shelly and Mike Cope

This month is the 30th anniversary of Wineskins! Wineskins started as a print publication in May of 1992 when Rubel Shelly, Mike Cope and several others came together to gather some of the best voices in the Restoration movement (and beyond) to ask tough questions and explore hard answers.

I want to say thank you to Rubel and Mike for their vision that launched what we have today at www.wineskins.org and ultimately here on the YouTube channel!

Connect with Wineskins:
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Blessings, Matt

Interview with Leonard Allen on His book ”In The Great Stream” - The Role of Tradition in Shaping Churches of Christ

Leonard Allen wrote a book in 2021 about how Churches of Christ need to have a healthier view of traditions and how a biblically balanced view and use of creeds could really help us in the long run.

This interview will give you some background info on denominational, philosophical and cultural influences of Churches of Christ, Alexander Campbell, etc that I doubt you have heard before.

Here are the resources mentioned:

"In the Great Stream" https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1684265029/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=kinglivi-20&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=1684265029&linkId=a586485814fdfa7008596f402ba43699

Discovering Our Roots: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01B5CK0XS/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=kinglivi-20&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B01B5CK0XS&linkId=de5e54f4ab5a9ba0937fa97df8709dea

"To Live Ancient Lives" https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00XNEENFS/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=kinglivi-20&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B00XNEENFS&linkId=1c4ae40e53ae4bd2a84ceb91dc97cb00

Blessings,

Matt

FTC Legal Disclaimer - Some links in the description of the video may be affiliate links, meaning Wineskins will make commission on sales you make through product/book links. This is at no extra cost to you while allowing you to support the channel!

Deconstructing Noah’s Ark: Debunking Gopher Wood and Biblical Authorization

A famous Church of Christ argument has been that God told Noah to build an ark of gopher wood so that is the only wood he could use...not oak or pine...just gopher. Is that really true? Did the whole of human history revolve around Noah finding enough gopher trees?

Once you find out more about gopher wood you will see that the the whole argument falls apart. The argument that we can only use what is specifically and precisely biblical authorized falls on its face. It was already a pointless argument because no one only does the specific things mentioned in the Bible...no one.

If you want to read more on this, check out Al Maxey's fantastic article - http://www.zianet.com/maxey/reflx457.htm

Mapping the Spiritual Journey From Legalism to Freedom

If you have ever been a legalistic Christian or part of a legalistic church this video is for you. The road out of that to a healthier, more biblical faith is a very difficult one. Many people can't find their way our or they give up altogether.

If you are wrestling with this and trying to find your way to freedom, I hope this video will serve as a guide to point you to some things to consider, study in the Bible and pray about.

My hope is that in watching this you will know that you are not alone and that many have gone ahead of you on this path!

Please let me know how I can help!

Chapters:

00:00 - Introduction

01:05 - Israel's Journey

02:09 - Orientation-Disorientation-New Orientation

02:56 - Step 1 Legalism

06:36 - Step 2 - Descend the mountain

10:28 - Step3 - The Wilderness

16:17 - Crossing the Jordan

18:06 - Freedom

Resources mentioned:

Walter Brueggemann "Message of the Psalms"

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0806621206/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=kinglivi-20&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=0806621206&linkId=c1c335dfd49909b53cf100f67ab5f712

Wolfgang Simson "The House Church Book"

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002MZARBI/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=kinglivi-20&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B002MZARBI&linkId=56030beeb7b6c1dbd084cd65ff2e2838

If you would like to support the channel and see more videos like this one you can donate here - https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/newwineskins

If you want a weekly email of all of our content (video, articles, and podcast) signup here - http://eepurl.com/g9I2k9

Blessings,

Matt

FTC Legal Disclaimer - Some links in the description of the video may be affiliate links, meaning Wineskins will make commission on sales you make through product/book links. This is at no extra cost to you while allowing you to support the channel!

Ministry On the Margins: Seeing God‘s Power in Dark Places - An Interview With Clay Mason

Clay Mason is a minister in Colorado. He lives among the poor and homeless, serving them and showing them the love of Jesus. Jesus said "Go" and he and his wife have gone on this mission. They don't take a paycheck from it. It is a labor of love...a wild adventure that is full of challenge and joy one day at a time.

The interview chronicles how they got into this grassroots ministry, happenings at the river, moving away from traditional church and ministry and how they see God working. The interview will bring you joy and make you cry. Be blessed by watching it and hearing all God is doing!

I am confident you will be blessed by this conversation and I hope you will consider two things:

1 - Is God calling you to something non-traditional in ministry
2 - Is God calling you to support Clay's ministry

If you would like to donate to Clay's ministry you can do so through the Goldthwaite Church of Christ. Checks made payable to "The Way" and mailed to:
"The Way"
C/O Goldthwaite Church of Christ
PO Box 443
Goldthwaite, TX 76844

The Roman Religious Background of Head Coverings in 1 Corinthians 11: A Lecture By Dr. Richard Oster

Dr. Richard Oster of Harding School of Theology gives some insightful history of head coverings in the Greco-Roman world and how that affected the situation in the churches in Corinth. Paul addresses this in 1 Corinthians 11 and it has been a very misunderstood passage resulting in all sorts of applications that don't fit what Paul said at all. The problem has also been mislabeled as a problem with women in Corinth when the context is clearly that it is a problem with some of the men and some of the women. They were bringing in their religious practices of paganism (what they knew) into the Christian assembly in a way that undermined their message. This is what Paul was addressing and it has nothing to do with wearing a hat to church.

What to Know About Child Predators & Pedophiles in Churches (with Jimmy Hinton)

Jimmy Hinton is an expert in child sexual abuse. Several years ago he discovered his father had been molesting children in their church. His father was the preacher in that church. Jimmy did an amazing and courageous thing. He turned his father into the police and his father has been in prison every since. Jimmy did another remarkable thing - he took on the preaching role in the church where his father preached to bring healing to that congregation. It is an amazing story that will touch your heart. There is still more, though, Jimmy has made it his mission to protect children by understanding the mind of the predators so we can know what to look for and take precaution.

Much of what he shares in this interview will surprise you. Pedophiles often molest kids in plain sight...they test and quickly identify their victims. I know that sounds hard to believe but it is true. You need to hear Jimmy explain how this happens and how they get away with it. Pedophiles train and practice and refine their approaches to get away with this for years and, on average, molest over 100 kids.

Please be informed so we can do our best to protect our children from these sick and dangerous individuals who often occupy positions of great trust. We must be vigilant because the predators already are and they are going to keep trying to do what they do until they are stopped.

For more information check out Jimmy's book, "The Devil Inside" - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1950948617/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=kinglivi-20&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=1950948617&linkId=ec1a6b44d37b72656b5792fe3fec26d7

Apollo Robbins Ted Talk - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GZGY0wPAnus

Jimmy's website - https://jimmyhinton.org/

Jimmy's email - jimmyhintonspeaker@gmail.com

Why A Church Planting Organization Is Focused On Making Disciples

Tod Vogt of Mission Alive joins the Wineskins podcast this week talking about why they, as a church planting organization are focused on equipping people to make disciples who make disciples. We talk about our hope for the future of our churches post-COVID and creative ways to engage and equip ourselves to impact the world looking ahead.

If you want to be encourage, informed, and equipped for the next leg of your Christian journey, stick around and watch a few more videos! If you like what you see...subscribe and follow along! Signup for all Wineskins articles, videos and podcasts in one email per week - http://eepurl.com/g9I2k9

Links/resources mentioned
www.missionalive.org
https://missionalive.org/discipleship-cohorts/
https://missionalive.org/new-churches/
tod@missionalive.org
steve@missionalive.org

Helping “Dying” Churches Finish Well With Rick Krug

Rick Krug joins the Wineskins podcast talking about a forthcoming book he has co-authored with Jessica Kapp titled, "Tombstones to Cornerstones: Why congregations are failing and what to do about it". The interview reframes what faithfulness is all about and how churches can finish well. This is needed perspective in a time when success can be measured with worldly metrics rather than biblical metrics. The book hasn't yet been published but when it is, we will make sure to let you know in the Wineskins Community Tab!

Do We Have Biblical Elders In Churches of Christ?

It is a question that can be difficult to tackle. Ministers can't touch it...they might get in hot water. Elders often are hesitant to tackle it. The church often just goes along with the leaders...but are our leaders biblical?

The Bible has far more to say about this than qualification checklists...just like marrying someone has qualifications like they be single, you know you are looking for a lot more than a single person. The Bible also gives us character traits and responsibilities of those in the role of elder in 1 Peter 5 and 1 Tim 5.

Don’t Make This Big Church Pandemic Mistake!

As things come back from pandemic many churches will be tempted to do this one huge mistake...this video addresses what that mistake it, talks about new ways of looking ahead, and ends with a message to church leaders. You can make a big mistake or you can see a big opportunity! Let's do the second.

Signup for all Wineskins articles, videos and podcasts in one email per week - http://eepurl.com/g9I2k9

How To Destroy the Faith of Your Kids in Three Easy Steps

There are a number of things parents do that can later undermine the faith of their kids. It isn't about messing up on this a few times...but on these things being a pattern that forms a culture where faith doesn't grow well.

The three things are:
Don't allow questions or experience discovery
How you talk about God's people and church
Act like you are perfect

We would be honored if you would subscribe to the channel and join the Wineskins community here on Podbean!

Thanks for listening. I am grateful for you.

Signup for all Wineskins content: Each Saturday we send one email with links to all our content from that week. You may not be aware but Wineskins produces articles, podcasts, and videos each week. We promise to not send you more than one email per week. Sign up here - http://eepurl.com/g9I2k9
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Is The Church of Christ Declining Faster or Slower Than Other Groups? The Answer May Surprise You!

We all know we are in decline but there is more to the numbers than meets the eye. How does our change in attendance in Churches of Christ compare with other groups: Baptists, Methodists, etc.? Are they growing or declining faster than we are? What about the people out there who see themselves as Church of Christ but don't attend? How many people are out there like that and what does that tell us?

Find out more from Pew - https://assets.pewresearch.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2015/05/Religious-Composition-of-U.S.-Adults.pdf

Find out more from IMP - https://interimministrypartners.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Losing-our-Hope-Finding-Our-future.pdf

Signup for all Wineskins content: Each Saturday we send one email with links to all our content from that week. You may not be aware but Wineskins produces articles, podcasts, and videos each week. We promise to not send you more than one email per week. Sign up here - http://eepurl.com/g9I2k9

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We Can Learn A Lot from the Pharisees: Confusing Tradition With Scripture

The Pharisees developed rules and traditions to keep Israel pure. The problem was they eventually confused violating their rules with violating the scriptures. We can do the same thing today. Let's take care to understand which parts of our belief are directly from the Bible and which things are tradition and made up rules. And let us be gracious to one another.

What is Legalism? How You See Yourself In Relation to God

What is legalism? This is an important followup video to the previous video on why I left legalism. It isn't just trying to be obedient. It isn't about trying to believe the right thing. Legalism is about what you believe the effect of your obedience is all about. But that is really the symptom of something far deeper - how you see yourself in relation to God.

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Each Saturday we send one email with links to all our content from that week. You may not be aware but Wineskins produces articles, podcasts, and videos each week. We promise to not send you more than one email per week. Sign up here - http://eepurl.com/g9I2k9

Why I Left Legalism

This is part of my story - a story from legalism to grace. It is a story of how God brought me through maturity to see the Bible, God and others through the lens of grace rather than through the pseudo-security of legalism. You may have a similar story. I would love to hear that in the comments!

Signup for all Wineskins content: Each Saturday we send one email with links to all our content from that week. You may not be aware but Wineskins produces articles, podcasts, and videos each week. We promise to not send you more than one email per week. Sign up here - http://eepurl.com/g9I2k9

Staying Faithful to the God Who Allows You To Suffer

There is a lot of hurt out there. As a Christian we have hope but it can be difficult to continue to trust a God who allows you to suffer? I don't have a magical answer to this problem but there are a few things we can consider that can help us cope and deal with our pain. This video shares a few of those and I hope and pray it is beneficial to you.

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