Does God Hate Homosexuals?

I hope that as you read the title your mind came up with a resounding no, because that is the truth. However there are those out there, where perhaps they admit God does not hate them, they think that he is especially angry with them.

I have had the opportunity to minister to a few dozen gays over the years and the relationship has always followed a similar pattern. We meet and they find out I am a minister, and they are cautious because they have heard so many that call themselves christians spout bigoted and ignorant things that were truly hateful. Some have been kicked out of their families and not allowed to return home for Christmas because their lifestyles are “sinful”. All have had bad experiences with people who found them as less than. All they know about me is that I am a Christian, and they know how christians have treated them in the past.

I, knowing the abuse they have undergone, never bring up their sexual orientation. Some have tried not to tell me they were gay. But I knew when they had trouble with pronouns and their boyfriends or girlfriends. I do my best to love them unconditionally, the way Jesus would. Eventually it is come out of the closet time. “You know Scott, I’m gay.” This is the fun part for me because I get to smile and say “I know, and I want you to know I never want that to get in the way of our friendship.”

At this point they want to know what I think of it and they ask something like, “do you think it is a sin.”

At this point I have been friends for awhile and they trust me. I am different from other “christians” they have known. For one I treated them with respect. I reply “John Doe, :-) I believe God loves you and he has a plan for your life. When I read the Bible I see that that plan is a heterosexual plan. Homosexuality is taught to be a sin in scripture but so is having sex with your girlfriend before you are married. I don’t think it is fair to single out being gay as a worse sin than any other. We are all sinners desperately in need of Jesus. I don’t have all the answers and I hope this will never get in the way of our friendship.”

I have had that talk dozens of times and I have never offended the person I have been talking to. I am not saying that they will never be offended but it has not happened yet.

There are people in my life who are gay. I want to do all I can to represent a Jesus that loves them completely and made the way for all of us to know him.  

God is not a Republican

“I hate those narrow-minded, right-wing evangelicals!” According to the book “un-christian,” and the extensive research done for it, that is how many people in our world and culture think of us Christians. Unfortunately though, many Christians are exactly that way. They look down on others based on their political affiliation.

Now, don’t get me wrong, I have a tendency to look at other people as morons if they disagree with me.

I always think I am right, but I don’t think I am always right. You may want to read that a couple of times.

If I thought I was wrong I would simply change my mind and then I would think I was right. I also think that you are the same way.

I know that when I stand before the Lord, the one that is always right, I will find that some of my most strongly held views, were wrong.

As a citizen and human being I am entitled to my opinions. But as a Pastor leading a church I believe my time is best spent, and I am more Christlike, if I stick to issues of faith, morality, and stuff that the Bible takes a stand on. Too many Christians equate their political ideas with morality and faith, and no, I don’t think Jesus has registered with any political party.

The religious boneheads of the day (Pharisees) tried to pull Jesus into a political discussion so they could shut him up. Mk 12:17. But Jesus rises above it saying “Give to God what is God’s, and caesar's what is caesar's.”

Now, while I believe that capitalism funded the greatest evangelistic push the world has ever seen, I don’t see a strong case for a specific economic system in scripture.

I find (gasp!) Socialism in Acts 2:44-45:
“And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need.” (Again in Acts 4:32-37)

I even see the death penalty used in Acts 5 when two Christians refuse to have all of their wealth redistributed. (Yes, I am having some fun with you, Yes, I am aware I am taking stuff out of context. No, I don’t think the IRS should use the death penalty.)

We could have more fun looking at the welfare system in the Old Testament, a system that I don’t think you would want to adopt (slavery, and a year of Jubilee every generation). But I digress.

At The Rock, if we offend people, let us make sure it is because we are standing up for Biblical righteousness and not our opinions, no matter how strongly we believe something or how right we think we are. All of us so-called Christians could use a big dose of humility.

I won’t endorse candidates, I won’t take public political stands, but I will preach what the Bible says and trust our people to vote for the person that most resembles their values.

And if you don’t vote, you have no right to an opinion. Oh, wait,... ok, not much scriptural support for that, but it’s what I think.

I always think that I am right, but I don’t think I am always right.

Do you think some Christians are too political? Then Share this!

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Here is the message form sunday 

We are doing a series on Just Walk Across the Room. Here is the Rock talk form sunday. 

Or Here

Or Here

Rock Talk 9-30-12 Pray like Jesus

Why don't we pray? This week its all about.... Prayer!

Rock Talk Pastor Scott J Kruse - Pray Pray Pray

Understated Excellence

After preaching this message I wanted to make a video version because it is so important. I am asking the Lord to help us be a church of understated excellence. If you are volunteering or thinking of volunteering please take some time to go through these.

1. Matt 25:14-30 Ten talents 
http://youtu.be/gGqpcEEJqRI

2. Our Weakness is His Strength 
http://youtu.be/QZqRb-A0mHs

3. Don’t ever give up! 
http://youtu.be/N8oFp2JP9fA

4. Prepare for success or fail 
http://youtu.be/DmL7jhLd3N0

5. God does not need my success
http://youtu.be/OFfVan3zZ2M

6. Under commit overperform
http://youtu.be/ffiJJAjvfV4

7. Courage to hold people accountable.
http://youtu.be/m-t9-ULdqGI

I have gotten behind posting content here on my personal blog. I have been doing a daily devotional called the Deeper Rock that tracks with the themes from our Rock talks on Sundays. Rather than posting a whole bunch here there are two places where you can see them.

www.YouTube.com/ScottJKruse (personal account beware of vacation vids)
and
http://rockchurchnd.blogspot.com

There has been a good response to the Deeper Rock so I decided to invest in it. I bought a new camera that would be more professional and I upping the production some. I want to thank everybody that has said nice things. It really encouraged me to do the investment. Here is my first vid with the new camera. I still may do some things to do a better job with the audio am toying with the idea of a green screen, who knows. Since this is a personal blog I am also going to subject you to my kid singing and talking about her cousin.

We really had a fun time on Sunday. I hope to see you Next Sunday.

How Long Is It?

How long is church at The Rock? I was not sure that pentecostals could do church in one hour but we do. And let me tell you, it is easier for a preacher to preach long than short. We really like to hear ourselves talk. But at The Rock our hope is to expose you to some inspiring talks and an intimate worship experience. Hopefully as we boil down our services what is left is the most life changing.

Why A Movie Theater?

Why have church in a movie theater? Because Church is not a building, it is people. The Rock may never own its own building. Rather we will put our resources and energy into people and their families. Also, everyone knows where the movie theater is and have been there. We want people who normally would not come to church to check out The Rock. By having it in a non-church setting perhaps we can make that step a little easier.

What Brand of Church Is The Rock?

What brand of church is The Rock, or we can say, what denomination is The Rock? The Rock is an Assembly of God church, and I (Pastor Scott) am an ordained AG Minister. Find out more about the AG and our 16 Fundamental Truths by clicking the links (it will direct you to the official Assembly of God website). I have to sign a paper every year confirming that I ascribe to the fundamental truths and that I will preach them.

What's with the Mantra?

What's with the mantra that you say every week? "Jesus help me to be what you want me to be, do what you want me to do, because people without you go to Hell!" I wanted everyone to know and be reminded every week what our mission is at The Rock. There is a gospel out there that says "become a Christian and your life will get better" and that is not a false gospel because serving God will make your life better. However that is not the most important part. According to Scripture, if someone dies without Christ they go to Hell. I believe that part of being real and authentic is telling the truth. I don't ever want to forget why I am in ministry or why we should bother with church.

Are the People at The Rock Friendly?

Are the people at The Rock friendly? When I asked on Facebook what people wanted to know about a church, the overwhelming responses were versions of  "are the people nice?" I could not be more biased, but I think the people at The Rock are. You may have heard me say that we value authenticity. What I mean by that is I don't want to pretend I am better than I am to try to get you to like me. And I don't want the people who come to The Rock to feel that way either. People should be able to be themselves in church, and be accepted for who they are. I want to be real and I want people in church to be real. I hope to inspire our church to love people unconditionally. I am not interested in being part of a church that does not love people.

Pastor Scott's Story

This is a video about how I got so excited about God, it is part of my "testimony."

Sunday 6-10-12 The Rock will be having its first ever church Picnic. Pastor Scott will be making his famous pulled pork butt. If you want you can bring a desert or salad.

When:   4:00 pm Sunday June 10th 2012

Where:  Lindenwood Park

Rock Talk 6-10-12 Forget You Part 1

www.ScottJKruse.com

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This is Think about it Part 2 at the Rock.

Here is a  message From the Rock

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We are having launch team rallies 10:30 every Sunday morning at the Ramada Inn in Fargo.

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Here is a preview to this Sunday's Message.

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