On 3/25/07 I preached at a church plant here in Portland. If you'd like to hear a message on judging, is it right or wrong, and how should we as Christians judge others click on the link. Then go to 'listen in' and look for the message entitled, "Kingdom Judgement"
http://ekklesiaportland.com
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
The denial of death
I've always thought it was interesting how people often deny the reality of death. What I mean is it seems like one of the most certain things that will happen to all of us is the least discussed or even acknowleged as a coming reality. How often do people talk about death? What happens when we die? Even on a surface level not too many people seem to be imagining or talking about what they think will happen when they die. This is seen in the general reaction to death as well.When people die we feel like it shouldn't have happened. Funerals feel awkward and we can't wait to be done with them so we can return back to "normal" life. We feel cheated and robbed as if we weren't expecting those we loved to die. There is an almost default imortality assumed.
For a long time I just assumed people denied death because they were afraid of the unknown. But there is a theological reason why this seems to be the natural response. Think about this! When God created man and woman he didn't create us to die. From Genesis to Revelation death is "not a natural but a penal event," (The Cross of Christ, John Stott pg.65). It was penal meaning it is a penalty or punishment for sin. Death came after Adam sinned. Everything about mankind God created and built into us except for death (and the resulting bondage to sin we all experience). Therefore dying is not natural!
Every human being is made in the image of God. Even though there is sin and separation from God every human still has the image of God imprinted upon them however marred, clouded, or faded that image may be. Because of this, death does not feel natural to us because it was never naturally built into us when God first made man. God made man naturally to never die. This is why the reality of death is often denied.
For a long time I just assumed people denied death because they were afraid of the unknown. But there is a theological reason why this seems to be the natural response. Think about this! When God created man and woman he didn't create us to die. From Genesis to Revelation death is "not a natural but a penal event," (The Cross of Christ, John Stott pg.65). It was penal meaning it is a penalty or punishment for sin. Death came after Adam sinned. Everything about mankind God created and built into us except for death (and the resulting bondage to sin we all experience). Therefore dying is not natural!
Every human being is made in the image of God. Even though there is sin and separation from God every human still has the image of God imprinted upon them however marred, clouded, or faded that image may be. Because of this, death does not feel natural to us because it was never naturally built into us when God first made man. God made man naturally to never die. This is why the reality of death is often denied.
Saturday, March 3, 2007
I am really back this time
What's up people,
I am really back this time. Some of you recently recieved our prayer letter. If not here is the text below. This is a brief update of our first year out here in Portland working with a church plant, Red Sea Church.
Oh, please subscribe to the posts (click on 'subscribe' at the bottom of the page). If you subscribe to my blog, you will be automatically updated in your 'feeds.' Which is under your 'favorites' on the task bar. So you won't see 'rob's blog' in your favorites but it will be under the 'feeds' section. This if for those of you new to blogging, hopefully I am explaining it well.
Dear Friends and Family,
The last time some of you heard from us you knew that God was leading us to end our work in Baltimore and move to Portland, Or to intern at a 4 year old urban church plant called Red Sea for the coming year. A year is past and so far we have had a rich and challenging time.
God has used us in several ways to help establish and grow Red Sea. Currently, I oversee our Home Community ministry (small groups), do some preaching, one-on-one discipleship, teach a gospel class, and am an ‘Elder in Training’. While Beth has primarily been busy with our 4 children (Asher Michael Steinbach was born April 22, 2006) she has recently stepped up to lead a team of adults as Red Sea’s Children’s Ministry Director. This will be the first time she has had an opportunity like this since before we had kids so she is excited.
Our kids are doing well. Miriam is in the first grade and reading at a second grade level. Samuel is in Pre-K and loving his 3-day a week class. Elena is a spunky 2 year old with attitude and our ‘Oregon baby’ Asher is the most adorable baby boy you will ever see (seriously!!). I have been deeply blessed to see my children grow as followers of Jesus. Specifically Miriam and Samuel have both placed their faith in Jesus and regularly pray to him on their own.
Some of you may be wondering now that a year is up if we are planning to return to Baltimore. Our heart for that city has not left and we regularly pray and think about the work going on there. But, God has not yet given us his next assignment and so we continue to work at planting Red Sea here and waiting on his clear call and direction. We want to be faithful with what is right in front of us (see James 4.13-17) and will certainly continue to stay in touch with all of you. As a way to do this Rob will be keeping a blog (on-line journal) his blog can be viewed at http://www.robsteinbach.blogspot.com/ (which you are doing right now).
The last time some of you heard from us you knew that God was leading us to end our work in Baltimore and move to Portland, Or to intern at a 4 year old urban church plant called Red Sea for the coming year. A year is past and so far we have had a rich and challenging time.
God has used us in several ways to help establish and grow Red Sea. Currently, I oversee our Home Community ministry (small groups), do some preaching, one-on-one discipleship, teach a gospel class, and am an ‘Elder in Training’. While Beth has primarily been busy with our 4 children (Asher Michael Steinbach was born April 22, 2006) she has recently stepped up to lead a team of adults as Red Sea’s Children’s Ministry Director. This will be the first time she has had an opportunity like this since before we had kids so she is excited.
Our kids are doing well. Miriam is in the first grade and reading at a second grade level. Samuel is in Pre-K and loving his 3-day a week class. Elena is a spunky 2 year old with attitude and our ‘Oregon baby’ Asher is the most adorable baby boy you will ever see (seriously!!). I have been deeply blessed to see my children grow as followers of Jesus. Specifically Miriam and Samuel have both placed their faith in Jesus and regularly pray to him on their own.
Some of you may be wondering now that a year is up if we are planning to return to Baltimore. Our heart for that city has not left and we regularly pray and think about the work going on there. But, God has not yet given us his next assignment and so we continue to work at planting Red Sea here and waiting on his clear call and direction. We want to be faithful with what is right in front of us (see James 4.13-17) and will certainly continue to stay in touch with all of you. As a way to do this Rob will be keeping a blog (on-line journal) his blog can be viewed at http://www.robsteinbach.blogspot.com/ (which you are doing right now).
Love,
Steinbachs
Thursday, January 4, 2007
I am back
What's up everybody!!
Welcome to my new blog. This will be my primary way of sharing my thoughts and prayers with you. Thanks for checking it out. I will be adding posts very soon.
Welcome to my new blog. This will be my primary way of sharing my thoughts and prayers with you. Thanks for checking it out. I will be adding posts very soon.
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