What is dBu? dBu stands for developing Biblical understanding. Something every Christians hsould want to do. Developing Biblical understanding of deep truths and aspects of the Christian faith is essential to our ongoing health and well-being as believers. It helps equip us to better serve the God who gives us life and eternal life and live and share the gospel.
dBu comes with a Warning: an understanding of deep and sometimes confusing and mysterious aspects of our common life in Christ will change you life. You will continually come to a crossroads, where you will need to decide - where you will be called to commit to or reject a certain way of seeing things. dBu counteracts me-centered, independent and critical mindsets that cheats us, the church and the world of all that God intends for His family to be. We are called many times in Scripture to "know". Jesus said, "If you abide in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." John 8:32.
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Friday, July 23, 2010
A Gospel Manifesto, Part 4 of 4
It is about Recovering a Gospel mindset after drifting. Reattaching to Gospel moorings, continuing in the faith. Let me give you some numbers…85 days, 16 hours, 25 minutes. That’s the amount of time elapsed since the April 20 explosion of a BP oil rig in the gulf of Mexico to its shutoff. And we’re still not out of the woods. It is estimated that somewhere between 94 and 184 million gallons of oil were spilled during those 85 days, 16 hours and 25 minutes. Spiritually, you may feel like it’s been longer than that since you had a solid connection to God. You feel like they continually leak God’s grace, drifting dangerously in a poison mixture of good and evil, living in fear of God’s retaliation against your sin rather than the freedom of the children of God in Christ; living by feelings rather than truth; shrinking in shame; not boldly drawing near to God.
If you are a Christian, hear this clearly: God already retaliated against sin at the cross. Those who reject Christ stand condemned by their own choice. But there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ. But moved away from the hope of the gospel, many Christians flounder. If you are like me, your love for Jesus easily grows cold. What you experience on Sundays sometimes only lasts as long as it takes to get to your car. Nothing seems to stick. You show up each Sunday in a spiritual fog. Depleted, in desperate need a gospel transfusion.
How to do it? Non-Christian, you need to turn from your sin to Jesus and trust Him to save you. Christian, you need daily through the power of the Holy Spirit to take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ 2 Cor. 10:5. Love the Lord with all your mind. Because the gospel defines reality resolve to live in the gospel of Christ and Him crucified, by taking every thought captive to Christ. 1 Cor. 15:58 Steadfast, immovable. Maybe we have so many problems because we look for answers outside the gospel of Christ.
Among the gospel’s enemies are several things we bring to the party – uninvited guests not welcome at the table of grace that don’t help our propensity to wander: Legalism, basing our relationship with God on our performance; condemnation, being more focused on our sin than on God’s grace; and subjectivity, basing our view of God on our changing emotions and opinions. We need to continually be aware of our need to recover a gospel mindset. Banishing all rivals to Christ’s throne.
Milton Vincent wrote “The gospel is so foolish (according to my natural wisdom), so scandalous (according to my conscience), and so incredible (according to my timid heart), that it is a daily battle to believe the full scope of it as I should.” Move away from the gospel and what do you have? Man’s empty philosophy & wisdom. Gospel-void living is slavery. Gospel-saturated living is freedom, but not easy. Negative influences throw us off balance in a bad way. The Bible throws us off balance in a good way, makes us reevaluate our priorities and version of reality. The gospel is sweet to our souls, & as long as we are alive it will also seem strange to us. Until we die we will find it hard to believe the bad news about ourselves and the good news about Jesus. We do not naturally think we need a mediator due to our sin, that we start out spiritually dead and helpless, unable to do anything to help ourselves or gain God’s favor. It does not occur to us that our greatest need is to be redeemed from sin, justified, regenerated, sanctified, glorified by God's saving work in His Son by His Spirit. Our minds must be captive to Christ. What we think shapes us.
The bible is not a resource manual for self-Improvement; it is a story of crucifixion. The gospel is a non-gentle jolt to self-dependence and self-absorption. It is a violent affront to a hell-bent agenda; it is death to the lie that you can be your own savior and owner. The gospel speaks peace to our souls through death to our godhood. The gospel is an external word. It stands totally independent of me. Last week I mentioned we are like elbow macaroni, God working in and through us as His tools. Redirecting us. We should also be like sponges, soaking up gospel truth. Whatever is in closest contact with will be what we are saturated with, what will soak in and flavor us. We should be always marinating in the gospel. Taking on it's full flavors, being taken over by it's influence. We are like spiritual Sham-wows.
We soak up whatever is near to us. Whatever is near often becomes dear to us. So we need to speak, pray, memorize, and meditate on the gospel. Gal. 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ, and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and delivered Himself up for me. 1 Pet. 2:24 He Himself bore our sin His body on the tree, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness, for by His wounds you have been healed. 2 Cor. 5:14 He died for all that they would live should no longer live for themselves but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf. Memorize Eph. 1-3, Col. 1-2, Rom. 1-11. We cannot do it alone. We need the Holy Spirit. D.A. Carson says "there has not only been an objective, public act of divine self-disclosure in the crucifixion of God’s own Son, there must be a private work of God by His Spirit, in the mind and heart. If we express unqualified gratitude to God for the gift of His Son, we should express no less gratitude for the gift of the Spirit who enables us to grasp the gospel of His Son. Unless the Spirit enlightens us, God’s thoughts will remain alien to us."
Here is where it comes into focus. Read 2 Tim. 1:8-14. God guards us, and we also have a part in guarding the gospel. It will lead us to Glory in Christ. Col. 1:22 "in order to present you holy, blameless and above reproach before Him." Col. 1:27 "Christ in you, the hope of glory." Col. 3:4 Christ is our life. The gospel's ultimate goal is glory, and honor and praise to God.
Can you think of some times where you drifted from the gospel and God brought you back? What did you learn? How were you strengthened for more fruitful service?
Soli Deo Gloria
If you are a Christian, hear this clearly: God already retaliated against sin at the cross. Those who reject Christ stand condemned by their own choice. But there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ. But moved away from the hope of the gospel, many Christians flounder. If you are like me, your love for Jesus easily grows cold. What you experience on Sundays sometimes only lasts as long as it takes to get to your car. Nothing seems to stick. You show up each Sunday in a spiritual fog. Depleted, in desperate need a gospel transfusion.
How to do it? Non-Christian, you need to turn from your sin to Jesus and trust Him to save you. Christian, you need daily through the power of the Holy Spirit to take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ 2 Cor. 10:5. Love the Lord with all your mind. Because the gospel defines reality resolve to live in the gospel of Christ and Him crucified, by taking every thought captive to Christ. 1 Cor. 15:58 Steadfast, immovable. Maybe we have so many problems because we look for answers outside the gospel of Christ.
Among the gospel’s enemies are several things we bring to the party – uninvited guests not welcome at the table of grace that don’t help our propensity to wander: Legalism, basing our relationship with God on our performance; condemnation, being more focused on our sin than on God’s grace; and subjectivity, basing our view of God on our changing emotions and opinions. We need to continually be aware of our need to recover a gospel mindset. Banishing all rivals to Christ’s throne.
Milton Vincent wrote “The gospel is so foolish (according to my natural wisdom), so scandalous (according to my conscience), and so incredible (according to my timid heart), that it is a daily battle to believe the full scope of it as I should.” Move away from the gospel and what do you have? Man’s empty philosophy & wisdom. Gospel-void living is slavery. Gospel-saturated living is freedom, but not easy. Negative influences throw us off balance in a bad way. The Bible throws us off balance in a good way, makes us reevaluate our priorities and version of reality. The gospel is sweet to our souls, & as long as we are alive it will also seem strange to us. Until we die we will find it hard to believe the bad news about ourselves and the good news about Jesus. We do not naturally think we need a mediator due to our sin, that we start out spiritually dead and helpless, unable to do anything to help ourselves or gain God’s favor. It does not occur to us that our greatest need is to be redeemed from sin, justified, regenerated, sanctified, glorified by God's saving work in His Son by His Spirit. Our minds must be captive to Christ. What we think shapes us.
The bible is not a resource manual for self-Improvement; it is a story of crucifixion. The gospel is a non-gentle jolt to self-dependence and self-absorption. It is a violent affront to a hell-bent agenda; it is death to the lie that you can be your own savior and owner. The gospel speaks peace to our souls through death to our godhood. The gospel is an external word. It stands totally independent of me. Last week I mentioned we are like elbow macaroni, God working in and through us as His tools. Redirecting us. We should also be like sponges, soaking up gospel truth. Whatever is in closest contact with will be what we are saturated with, what will soak in and flavor us. We should be always marinating in the gospel. Taking on it's full flavors, being taken over by it's influence. We are like spiritual Sham-wows.
We soak up whatever is near to us. Whatever is near often becomes dear to us. So we need to speak, pray, memorize, and meditate on the gospel. Gal. 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ, and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and delivered Himself up for me. 1 Pet. 2:24 He Himself bore our sin His body on the tree, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness, for by His wounds you have been healed. 2 Cor. 5:14 He died for all that they would live should no longer live for themselves but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf. Memorize Eph. 1-3, Col. 1-2, Rom. 1-11. We cannot do it alone. We need the Holy Spirit. D.A. Carson says "there has not only been an objective, public act of divine self-disclosure in the crucifixion of God’s own Son, there must be a private work of God by His Spirit, in the mind and heart. If we express unqualified gratitude to God for the gift of His Son, we should express no less gratitude for the gift of the Spirit who enables us to grasp the gospel of His Son. Unless the Spirit enlightens us, God’s thoughts will remain alien to us."
Here is where it comes into focus. Read 2 Tim. 1:8-14. God guards us, and we also have a part in guarding the gospel. It will lead us to Glory in Christ. Col. 1:22 "in order to present you holy, blameless and above reproach before Him." Col. 1:27 "Christ in you, the hope of glory." Col. 3:4 Christ is our life. The gospel's ultimate goal is glory, and honor and praise to God.
Can you think of some times where you drifted from the gospel and God brought you back? What did you learn? How were you strengthened for more fruitful service?
Soli Deo Gloria
Thursday, July 22, 2010
A Gospel Manifesto, Part 3 of 4
It is about Remaining in Christ. Anchored. Not moved. Heb. 6:19 says this hope we have in Christ is an anchor for our soul. Then comes in Colossians 1:23 a great conditional clause…"If indeed you continue (stay on, persevere) in the faith, firmly established (foundation, grounded), steadfast (a seat, sitting, firm)." Points to abiding in Christ. Col. 2:6-7 says just as we have received Christ, so we are to walk (live our lives) in Him, rooted (to take hold), built up (build on foundation), established (make secure, strong). Our tendency is to become complacent. C.J. Mahaney said “Never be content with your current grasp of the gospel. The gospel is life-permeating, world-altering, universe-changing truth. It has more facets than a diamond. Its depths man will never exhaust.”
Jesus is all-sufficient. It bears repeating often. We’ve been blessed with every spiritual blessing in Christ. The only begotten Son of God, the eternal Word made flesh, conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary; perfect in nature, teaching, obedience; fully God, fully man. Was always with God. Is God. Through Him all things came into being and were created. He was before all things. In Him all things hold together by the word of His power. He is the only Savior, who shed His blood and died in our place on Calvary’s cross. He revealed God’s love & upheld God’s justice, removed our guilt & reconciled us to God. He redeemed us from sin, rose bodily from the grave, victorious over death & all powers of darkness. He ascended into heaven where, at God’s right hand, He intercedes for his people and rules as Lord over all. He is the Head of the Church, should be adored, loved, served, obeyed by all as the all-sufficient One. Salvation is the free gift of God, by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, for God’s glory alone. If anyone turns from sin in repentance and faith to Jesus and His substitutionary death they receive eternal life; declared righteous by God; fully accepted by Him through faith in what Jesus did. Forgiven the debt of sin; freed from the law of sin and death. His child forever.
The Holy Spirit works in believers, producing evidence in their lives. He renews our minds so we want to please God & grow in our knowledge of God. We get to know God’s Word, pray, worship, confess our sins to God, grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus. The Holy Spirit empowers us to serve God, build up believers and reach the lost. Apart from Him, we can do nothing. John 15:5; with Him, all things. Phil. 4:13. We are dependent on Him for everything. To be IN CHRIST is to know Him as our total sufficiency 2 Cor. 12:9, your adequacy 2 Cor. 3:5, your life. Col. 3:4. Jesus is totally sufficient.
I often think and say that it is a blessing that sanctification is progressive. If it were instant I might think somehow I earned or deserved it. God continually allows us to get glimpses of how much we need Him. God has been teaching me many things about the depths of my sinfulness and the magnitude of His goodness and grace. How His grace abounds to overcome my competitiveness and my tendency to overreact; how to handle being misjudged and misunderstood; and being gracious when I am the receiver & humbly repentant when I am the perpetrator.
What is the number one struggle or temptation you face as you seek to remain steadfast in Christ?
Jesus is all-sufficient. It bears repeating often. We’ve been blessed with every spiritual blessing in Christ. The only begotten Son of God, the eternal Word made flesh, conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary; perfect in nature, teaching, obedience; fully God, fully man. Was always with God. Is God. Through Him all things came into being and were created. He was before all things. In Him all things hold together by the word of His power. He is the only Savior, who shed His blood and died in our place on Calvary’s cross. He revealed God’s love & upheld God’s justice, removed our guilt & reconciled us to God. He redeemed us from sin, rose bodily from the grave, victorious over death & all powers of darkness. He ascended into heaven where, at God’s right hand, He intercedes for his people and rules as Lord over all. He is the Head of the Church, should be adored, loved, served, obeyed by all as the all-sufficient One. Salvation is the free gift of God, by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, for God’s glory alone. If anyone turns from sin in repentance and faith to Jesus and His substitutionary death they receive eternal life; declared righteous by God; fully accepted by Him through faith in what Jesus did. Forgiven the debt of sin; freed from the law of sin and death. His child forever.
The Holy Spirit works in believers, producing evidence in their lives. He renews our minds so we want to please God & grow in our knowledge of God. We get to know God’s Word, pray, worship, confess our sins to God, grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus. The Holy Spirit empowers us to serve God, build up believers and reach the lost. Apart from Him, we can do nothing. John 15:5; with Him, all things. Phil. 4:13. We are dependent on Him for everything. To be IN CHRIST is to know Him as our total sufficiency 2 Cor. 12:9, your adequacy 2 Cor. 3:5, your life. Col. 3:4. Jesus is totally sufficient.
I often think and say that it is a blessing that sanctification is progressive. If it were instant I might think somehow I earned or deserved it. God continually allows us to get glimpses of how much we need Him. God has been teaching me many things about the depths of my sinfulness and the magnitude of His goodness and grace. How His grace abounds to overcome my competitiveness and my tendency to overreact; how to handle being misjudged and misunderstood; and being gracious when I am the receiver & humbly repentant when I am the perpetrator.
What is the number one struggle or temptation you face as you seek to remain steadfast in Christ?
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
A Gospel Manifesto, Part 2 of 4
It is about being Reoriented in Christ. Colossians 1:21-22 says "you were once alienated (estranged, excluded) and hostile (enemies), doing evil deeds. Now, God has now reconciled (completely restored) in His body of flesh by His death." Points to the Incarnation. God becoming man in the person of Jesus Christ. It points to Substitution. Christ taking the place of sinners. It points to Justification. God declaring them not guilty, bringing them into right relationship with Him. Points to those who are regenerated, born again, made alive spiritually. Michael Horton said, "The good news is not just a series of facts to which we yield our ascent but a dramatic narrative that replots our identity." Picture a theatrical play. Each week we come with our own scripts. But God comes and gives us a new script: where our original character dies and is raised with the lead character. Instead of us finding a supporting role for God in our play, God writes us into His script, does not simply offer a blueprint, if we only follow curtain steps but instead through the gospel the Spirit brings us into God’s drama. No longer in Adam, under the reign of sin and death, we are alive in Christ. If you are a Christian your life is completely reoriented in Christ. You have been regenerated, made new.
If you are a Christian, think through the process God took you through when you came to know Christ then share it with someone. If you are not a Christian, you need to turn from your sin to Jesus and trust Him to save you.
If you are a Christian, think through the process God took you through when you came to know Christ then share it with someone. If you are not a Christian, you need to turn from your sin to Jesus and trust Him to save you.
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
A Gospel Manifesto, Part 1 of 4
All our problems really are a failure to apply the gospel truth of Christ and Him crucified. When I do things fall in place, when I don’t things fall apart. The answer to all our problems, and all our weaknesses lies in the gospel. We need and have a gospel manifesto by which to navigate life. We know gospel means good news. In the secular Greek context in which it was originally used, the word euangelion was usually used for the announcement of victory after battle, news a herald would bring from the front lines. The primary word early Christians used as the basis for their new identity in Christ and the message and mission God entrusted to them. Manifesto is a different animal. It’s an Italian word. A Manifesto is a clear call for a course of action; to act upon a certain teaching or way of viewing the world; a statement of purpose and intent. A Gospel Manifesto says here's the need and agenda based on Christ’s work on the cross.
You could say that the entire bible is a gospel manifesto. Every passage of Scripture either predicts, prepares for, points to or proceeds from the work of Christ. In Rom. 1-11 are some of the most gospel saturated words in the Bible; 12:1-2 gives a course of action based on the truths laid out in the preceding 11 chapters, based on God's grace poured out on ill-deserving sinners. 2 Corinthians 5:16-21 is based on the cloud-parting truth revealed in chapters 3-5. Ephesians Chapters 1-3 are pure gospel; everything that follows is how to live the gospel. They reveal God's sovereign choice and purpose; His justification of sinners, their subsequent God-initiated and sustained resolve to trust Him and love Him in everything. Colossians chapters 1-2 are pure gospel. Colossians was written to believers battling false teachers and were in danger of obscuring the gospel by lesser things. Col. shows the superiority of Christ over everything. How right living is rooted in the heavenly not earthly.
We need to be saturated by the gospel, continually marinating in the gospel, fully immersed in its truths, anchored in it, lashed to its mast, giving the gospel central place in our lives everyday, even under the intense pull to abandon it or drift away from the message of Christ and Him crucified. To continually refocus and retool as we retell the life-giving, life-altering, life- transforming truth of God's victory over sin and death in His Son, Jesus Christ. That is God’s calling for every Christian & God's intent for us.
Col. 1:21-23 is a manifesto; a statement of intent from God to us. Here is what He has done, will do and will enable and empower us to do – as He works in and through us. And here is what He expects us to do. Paul said, 1 Cor. 15:10 not me, but the grace of God with me. Colossians 1:23 warns us not to be moved away from the hope of the gospel. How do we make sure we are not moved away from the hope of the Gospel? If we have moved, how do we get back?
We shall see. But let’s just chew on this thought for today: Our great need, on an ongoing basis, as we are reoriented around gospel truth in Christ; is to remain in the realm of the gospel; & recover a gospel mindset whenever we drift; by God’s Spirit, through His Word and for His glory.
You could say that the entire bible is a gospel manifesto. Every passage of Scripture either predicts, prepares for, points to or proceeds from the work of Christ. In Rom. 1-11 are some of the most gospel saturated words in the Bible; 12:1-2 gives a course of action based on the truths laid out in the preceding 11 chapters, based on God's grace poured out on ill-deserving sinners. 2 Corinthians 5:16-21 is based on the cloud-parting truth revealed in chapters 3-5. Ephesians Chapters 1-3 are pure gospel; everything that follows is how to live the gospel. They reveal God's sovereign choice and purpose; His justification of sinners, their subsequent God-initiated and sustained resolve to trust Him and love Him in everything. Colossians chapters 1-2 are pure gospel. Colossians was written to believers battling false teachers and were in danger of obscuring the gospel by lesser things. Col. shows the superiority of Christ over everything. How right living is rooted in the heavenly not earthly.
We need to be saturated by the gospel, continually marinating in the gospel, fully immersed in its truths, anchored in it, lashed to its mast, giving the gospel central place in our lives everyday, even under the intense pull to abandon it or drift away from the message of Christ and Him crucified. To continually refocus and retool as we retell the life-giving, life-altering, life- transforming truth of God's victory over sin and death in His Son, Jesus Christ. That is God’s calling for every Christian & God's intent for us.
Col. 1:21-23 is a manifesto; a statement of intent from God to us. Here is what He has done, will do and will enable and empower us to do – as He works in and through us. And here is what He expects us to do. Paul said, 1 Cor. 15:10 not me, but the grace of God with me. Colossians 1:23 warns us not to be moved away from the hope of the gospel. How do we make sure we are not moved away from the hope of the Gospel? If we have moved, how do we get back?
We shall see. But let’s just chew on this thought for today: Our great need, on an ongoing basis, as we are reoriented around gospel truth in Christ; is to remain in the realm of the gospel; & recover a gospel mindset whenever we drift; by God’s Spirit, through His Word and for His glory.
Monday, July 19, 2010
A Clear Call to a Gospel-centered Life
Because the Gospel defines reality and reorients us to that reality, we resolve to live the gospel, preach the gospel and glory in the gospel, by taking every thought captive to obedience to Christ.
Sunday, July 18, 2010
The Gospel: A Non-Gentle Jolt to Self-centeredness
The Gospel of Jesus Christ and Him crucified is a non-gentle jolt to self-dependence, self-sufficiency and self-absorption. It is a violent affront to a hell-bent agenda. It is death to the lie that you can be your own lord and savior. The gospel of the grace of God in Christ speaks peace to my soul and death to my godhood.
Thursday, July 15, 2010
What is the Gospel? Part 3
Yesterday we looked at the meaning of the Gospel, today it's mission. Again, it is rooted in 1 Cor. 15:1-11.
The mission of the gospel. What it does/accomplishes (Its application). In Gal. 2:14, Paul dealt with Peter’s issues by declaring that he was not living “in line with the truth of the gospel”. We see the Christian life is a process of renewing every dimension of our life by thinking, hoping, and living out the “lines” or ramifications of the gospel. The gospel is to be applied to every area of thinking, feeling, relating, working, and behaving. The implications and applications are huge.
Conformed belief. Beliefs conformed to scripture. 15:1-2 Preached, Received, in which you stand, By which you are being saved...past, present and future. In line with the truth of the gospel. Memorize it, pray it, sing it, share it, recall how it has changed you, study it. Romans 1:16 the Gospel is God's power.
Informed sharing. 1 Cor. 9:16. Evangelism shaped by scripture. We may not always share it as well as we would like to, but God’s goodness thrills our hearts, we are overwhelmed by His goodness to us, and therefore we want to share it. 2 Cor. 4:1-6 the gospel is hidden to the perishing but is clear to those being saved. 1 Cor. 1:18 folly to those perishing, to those being saved it is the power of God. In 1 Cor. 2:1-6 we see the power of the gospel vs. human power, wisdom and persuasiveness. Bringing the gospel into every area of life is the way to be changed by the power of God. It does not simply bring us power, it is the power of God itself, Paul says "I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation" Rom.1:16. Hold fast/hold forth. You see this in Phil. 2:14-16. Acts 4:12 no other name, no other way. Convinced therefore communicating.
Transformed living Living transformed by God's grace. 15:1 again the gospel preached, received, in which you stand and are being saved.
Transformed Rom. 12:2 says, by the renewing of your mind. Regeneration, renewal which comes by, through and because of the Holy Spirit. The sufficiency of the gospel for everything in life. Col. 1:5-6. We see the gospel is a living thing like a seed or a tree that brings more and
more new life--bearing fruit and growing. The gospel is "planted" in us to bear fruit as we understand its greatness and implications deeply—
understood God's grace in truth. The gospel continues to grow in us and renew us throughout our lives - as it has been doing since the day
you heard it. The NT shows Christians should hear the gospel as much as non-Christians. Rom. 1:15 I am eager to preach the gospel to
your who are in Rome. 1 Thess. 2:7-8. Preaching daily. Preach the gospel daily to yourself and everyone else.
How does an understanding of the gospel transform life? The gospel fills Christians with humility, hope, meekness & boldness, in a unique way. Religion operates on the principle: “I obey, so I am accepted,” but the gospel says: “I am accepted through Christ, therefore I obey.” Secularism inflates self; moralism crushes people under guilt with impossible standards. You can seek to be your own “lord & savior” by breaking God’s law, or by keeping the law to earn salvation. Choose your poison. The gospel humbles & affirms us, in Christ, we are at the same time just, and still a sinner. We are more flawed and sinful than we ever dared believe, and more loved and accepted than we ever dared hope. Secularism makes people selfish and individualistic. Religion makes people tribal & self-righteous toward
others because they think they earn salvation by good behavior. The gospel of grace focuses on a man dying for us while we were His
enemies, removing self-righteousness and selfishness and leads us to serve others, regardless of their merits, just as Christ served us.
Secularism and religion conform people through fear and pride. The gospel moves people to holiness and service out of grateful joy for
grace, and out of love of the glory of God."
The gospel transforms life situations. When you are angry with someone; when someone has cheated you; when you have let someone else down; when the economic bottom falls out; when tragedy strikes a family member. Preach the gospel to yourself and everyone else. The
gospel is of first importance. God sent Jesus to earth, God in the flesh, to die on the cross for sin. All who trust in Christ alone apart from
what they could do are saved from the wrath of God, freed from the power and penalty of sin. God restores us to His purpose of reflecting
God’s glory. He’s at work conforming us to the image of Christ. We live and share this message daily. What usually happens is we substitute
being satisfied in God with something else. To remedy this tendency – only 1 thing will work: Preaching the gospel to ourselves every day.
There is no secret formula, just one magnificent truth: the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ.
Jerry Bridges wrote: “To preach the gospel to yourself means you continually face up to your own sinfulness and then flee to Jesus through
faith in His shed blood and righteous life.” Tell yourself the truth, say “self, listen to this…here is what you should focus on…You have hope
because Jesus sacrificed Himself for you. Be governed by that defining worth.” Every 1 of us is a preacher. You are already preaching to
yourself every day. Stuff like... I’m fat, I’m ugly, I’m no good at this or that; he’s arrogant; she’s gossipy; whey does everyone look at me like that? Don’t preach that. Let it be the gospel you are hearing. Don’t believe everything you tell yourself – be wary – the heart is deceitful – believe the gospel – tell it often to yourself! God has addressed my most serious problem - sin and judgment - at the cross. Let that
perspective have its intended transforming effect on you in the midst of daily troubles & stressful situations. Jesus died for me…
therefore I will respond differently based on that.
There are many opportunities to consider the implications of the gospel - this week: When I was tempted to answer someone rudely; when
I received disappointing and shocking news; when I was weary, feeling unable to help anyone. How does the truth of the gospel play out?
Jesus is my life. John Piper wrote “Today – as in every generation – it is stunning to watch the shift away from God as the all-satisfying gift of God’s love. It is stunning how seldom God Himself is proclaimed as the greatest gift of the gospel…The best and final gift of the gospel is
that we gain Christ.” Phil. 3:8 says "I count all things loss because of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For His sake I
have suffered the loss of all things and count them rubbish, so that I may gain Christ.
Soli Deo Gloria
The mission of the gospel. What it does/accomplishes (Its application). In Gal. 2:14, Paul dealt with Peter’s issues by declaring that he was not living “in line with the truth of the gospel”. We see the Christian life is a process of renewing every dimension of our life by thinking, hoping, and living out the “lines” or ramifications of the gospel. The gospel is to be applied to every area of thinking, feeling, relating, working, and behaving. The implications and applications are huge.
Conformed belief. Beliefs conformed to scripture. 15:1-2 Preached, Received, in which you stand, By which you are being saved...past, present and future. In line with the truth of the gospel. Memorize it, pray it, sing it, share it, recall how it has changed you, study it. Romans 1:16 the Gospel is God's power.
Informed sharing. 1 Cor. 9:16. Evangelism shaped by scripture. We may not always share it as well as we would like to, but God’s goodness thrills our hearts, we are overwhelmed by His goodness to us, and therefore we want to share it. 2 Cor. 4:1-6 the gospel is hidden to the perishing but is clear to those being saved. 1 Cor. 1:18 folly to those perishing, to those being saved it is the power of God. In 1 Cor. 2:1-6 we see the power of the gospel vs. human power, wisdom and persuasiveness. Bringing the gospel into every area of life is the way to be changed by the power of God. It does not simply bring us power, it is the power of God itself, Paul says "I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation" Rom.1:16. Hold fast/hold forth. You see this in Phil. 2:14-16. Acts 4:12 no other name, no other way. Convinced therefore communicating.
Transformed living Living transformed by God's grace. 15:1 again the gospel preached, received, in which you stand and are being saved.
Transformed Rom. 12:2 says, by the renewing of your mind. Regeneration, renewal which comes by, through and because of the Holy Spirit. The sufficiency of the gospel for everything in life. Col. 1:5-6. We see the gospel is a living thing like a seed or a tree that brings more and
more new life--bearing fruit and growing. The gospel is "planted" in us to bear fruit as we understand its greatness and implications deeply—
understood God's grace in truth. The gospel continues to grow in us and renew us throughout our lives - as it has been doing since the day
you heard it. The NT shows Christians should hear the gospel as much as non-Christians. Rom. 1:15 I am eager to preach the gospel to
your who are in Rome. 1 Thess. 2:7-8. Preaching daily. Preach the gospel daily to yourself and everyone else.
How does an understanding of the gospel transform life? The gospel fills Christians with humility, hope, meekness & boldness, in a unique way. Religion operates on the principle: “I obey, so I am accepted,” but the gospel says: “I am accepted through Christ, therefore I obey.” Secularism inflates self; moralism crushes people under guilt with impossible standards. You can seek to be your own “lord & savior” by breaking God’s law, or by keeping the law to earn salvation. Choose your poison. The gospel humbles & affirms us, in Christ, we are at the same time just, and still a sinner. We are more flawed and sinful than we ever dared believe, and more loved and accepted than we ever dared hope. Secularism makes people selfish and individualistic. Religion makes people tribal & self-righteous toward
others because they think they earn salvation by good behavior. The gospel of grace focuses on a man dying for us while we were His
enemies, removing self-righteousness and selfishness and leads us to serve others, regardless of their merits, just as Christ served us.
Secularism and religion conform people through fear and pride. The gospel moves people to holiness and service out of grateful joy for
grace, and out of love of the glory of God."
The gospel transforms life situations. When you are angry with someone; when someone has cheated you; when you have let someone else down; when the economic bottom falls out; when tragedy strikes a family member. Preach the gospel to yourself and everyone else. The
gospel is of first importance. God sent Jesus to earth, God in the flesh, to die on the cross for sin. All who trust in Christ alone apart from
what they could do are saved from the wrath of God, freed from the power and penalty of sin. God restores us to His purpose of reflecting
God’s glory. He’s at work conforming us to the image of Christ. We live and share this message daily. What usually happens is we substitute
being satisfied in God with something else. To remedy this tendency – only 1 thing will work: Preaching the gospel to ourselves every day.
There is no secret formula, just one magnificent truth: the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ.
Jerry Bridges wrote: “To preach the gospel to yourself means you continually face up to your own sinfulness and then flee to Jesus through
faith in His shed blood and righteous life.” Tell yourself the truth, say “self, listen to this…here is what you should focus on…You have hope
because Jesus sacrificed Himself for you. Be governed by that defining worth.” Every 1 of us is a preacher. You are already preaching to
yourself every day. Stuff like... I’m fat, I’m ugly, I’m no good at this or that; he’s arrogant; she’s gossipy; whey does everyone look at me like that? Don’t preach that. Let it be the gospel you are hearing. Don’t believe everything you tell yourself – be wary – the heart is deceitful – believe the gospel – tell it often to yourself! God has addressed my most serious problem - sin and judgment - at the cross. Let that
perspective have its intended transforming effect on you in the midst of daily troubles & stressful situations. Jesus died for me…
therefore I will respond differently based on that.
There are many opportunities to consider the implications of the gospel - this week: When I was tempted to answer someone rudely; when
I received disappointing and shocking news; when I was weary, feeling unable to help anyone. How does the truth of the gospel play out?
Jesus is my life. John Piper wrote “Today – as in every generation – it is stunning to watch the shift away from God as the all-satisfying gift of God’s love. It is stunning how seldom God Himself is proclaimed as the greatest gift of the gospel…The best and final gift of the gospel is
that we gain Christ.” Phil. 3:8 says "I count all things loss because of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For His sake I
have suffered the loss of all things and count them rubbish, so that I may gain Christ.
Soli Deo Gloria
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
What is the Gospel? Part 2
Yesterday we looked at the message of the Gospel, today it's meaning. Follow along in 1 Cor. 15:1-11.
The meaning of the gospel. What it stands for. (Its implications). I'll point out just two of it's many facets.
Salvation 15:2 being saved; the work God does to rescue us from sin. God knowing us, choosing before all time who would be saved. Renewing the lives of those who respond by faith. Leading us to belief and trust the message of the Gospel. Us turning to God based on the Gospel; turning from sin to God. God freeing us from the penalty of sin – declaring sinners "not guilty". God separating us from the trap of sin. Our continued true belief, remaining saved because God is totally trustworthy – He keeps His covenant all by Himself. God empowering us to live and communicate the Gospel. And God's final removal of all sin from the life and presence of believers (in eternity). It is all of God and none of us; Titus 3:5 He saved us not on the basis of deeds we have done in righteousness but according to His mercy; but don't think we are simply pawns in the hands of God, He uses us as His tools, as Paul says in 15:10. We are like elbow macaroni in the hands of God. Hold a piece of it under a stream of water and you see how it works. We are channels of His love, earthen vessels entrusted with the gloroius gospel.
Reconciliation. 15:1 In which you stand. We cannot stand before a holy God unless that holy God does something about our separation issue, our enmity and hostility made us hostile in heart and mind, alienated from the life of God. Eph. 2:3 we were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest, deserving the full measure of the wrath of God for the sin we have committed. Not only did our hostility keep us from God, the debt of our sin itself did Col. 2:13-15. When we consider the magnitude of what God has done is reconcile us to Himself; making peace through the blood of His cross we are left speechless. Rom. 5:1 having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus. One day, as we see in Rev. 6:16, all who do not believe will say to the mountains and rocks fall on us, hide us from the presence of Him who sits on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb; for the great day of their wrath has come, and who is able to stand? Only those who are standing in the gospel – recipients of God’s gracious and merciful provision - by grace, through faith in Jesus is the only hope of anyone standing in God’s presence without fear.
Tomorrow we'll look at the mission of the Gospel.
The meaning of the gospel. What it stands for. (Its implications). I'll point out just two of it's many facets.
Salvation 15:2 being saved; the work God does to rescue us from sin. God knowing us, choosing before all time who would be saved. Renewing the lives of those who respond by faith. Leading us to belief and trust the message of the Gospel. Us turning to God based on the Gospel; turning from sin to God. God freeing us from the penalty of sin – declaring sinners "not guilty". God separating us from the trap of sin. Our continued true belief, remaining saved because God is totally trustworthy – He keeps His covenant all by Himself. God empowering us to live and communicate the Gospel. And God's final removal of all sin from the life and presence of believers (in eternity). It is all of God and none of us; Titus 3:5 He saved us not on the basis of deeds we have done in righteousness but according to His mercy; but don't think we are simply pawns in the hands of God, He uses us as His tools, as Paul says in 15:10. We are like elbow macaroni in the hands of God. Hold a piece of it under a stream of water and you see how it works. We are channels of His love, earthen vessels entrusted with the gloroius gospel.
Reconciliation. 15:1 In which you stand. We cannot stand before a holy God unless that holy God does something about our separation issue, our enmity and hostility made us hostile in heart and mind, alienated from the life of God. Eph. 2:3 we were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest, deserving the full measure of the wrath of God for the sin we have committed. Not only did our hostility keep us from God, the debt of our sin itself did Col. 2:13-15. When we consider the magnitude of what God has done is reconcile us to Himself; making peace through the blood of His cross we are left speechless. Rom. 5:1 having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus. One day, as we see in Rev. 6:16, all who do not believe will say to the mountains and rocks fall on us, hide us from the presence of Him who sits on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb; for the great day of their wrath has come, and who is able to stand? Only those who are standing in the gospel – recipients of God’s gracious and merciful provision - by grace, through faith in Jesus is the only hope of anyone standing in God’s presence without fear.
Tomorrow we'll look at the mission of the Gospel.
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
What is the Gospel? Part 1
This is a three-part blog. Today, the message, tomorrow the meaning and the next day the mission of the Gospel.
The gospel of the grace of God in Christ is the best news that can ever be heard or told but there is a lot of confusion among Christians regarding what it is and does. Many know but can’t exactly put their finger on it. Many think of the Christian life in parts: 1st Gospel (where we come to faith in Christ); 2nd Growth (where we are set apart and make progress in Christ), and 3rd Glory (where we’ll be with Christ forever in heaven). A nice 3-point outline, but following Jesus is not that cut and dried. It's more like a golden chain with different links, interconnected, happening at the same time; like facets of the same diamond. For a long time I thought of the gospel only in terms of what I believed to be saved & what I need to share with others in hopes that they might be saved; and in the process neglected to see its place in my life on an ongoing basis. The gospel is for all of life in Christ, it’s not just the entry point. C.J. Mahaney says, “The gospel isn’t one class among many that you’ll attend during your life as a Christian – the gospel is the whole building that all the classes take place in! Rightly approached, all the topics you’ll study & focus on as a believer will be offered to you ‘within the walls’ of the glorious gospel.” In the context of knowing Jesus the Gospel should saturate everything. There are also many opponents of the gospel. Paul calls them enemies of the cross Phil. 3:18, whose end is destruction, whose god is their appetite, and whose glory is their shame, who set their minds on earthly things. The gospel is so important believers are consistently warned to avoid false teachers. Gal. 1:6-9. Let's just say that getting the gospel right is critical to our life in Christ - applying truth daily and refuting error.
A.W. Tozer said what you think of when you think of God is the most important thing about you. Steve Lawson said what you think of Jesus is the most important thing about you. I would add too that your understanding and grasp of the gospel affects how you relate to God, yourself and others. Get the gospel right and you can live and share it right. Get it wrong and things get tweaked. 1 Corinthians 1:1-11 is a good place to start a study of the gospel.
1 Corinthians was written to people like us struggling internally and externally to free themselves from their own bent towards sin as well as the pollution of a culture bent on immorality. We will see the answer lies primarily in the gospel of the grace of God in Christ. By the time Paul founded the church of Corinth around 50 AD Corinth had been a Roman colony for over a 100 years. It had been a Greek city but was destroyed by Mummius in 146 BC after conflict with Rome. It lay in ruins for 100 years. Julius Caesar made it a Roman colony; the seat of the Roman governor of the province of Achea. It quickly grew larger than Athens. A city rich in culture, its citizens worshipped many gods. Located in the heart of a primary trade route in the ancient world, it had a reputation for immorality, promiscuity and corruption. To Corinthianize something was to ruin it morally. The church struggled with external influences & also began to splinter internally over various issues – basically they were not getting along. As Tim Keller says “All our problems come from a failure to apply the gospel”. Enter Paul with a focus on the centrality of the gospel; its message, meaning and mission.
1. The message of the gospel. What it says, what it communicates (Its explanation). I remind you. The Gospel? Good news! You can be saved from your sin and its ultimate penalty! Preached (proclaimed as fact); Received (accepted as truth); In which you stand (recognized as the basis for acceptance with God); By which you are being saved (initiated at some point in time, but continued as a process of being made right with God, growing and being renewed); Hold fast the word (enduring life as professing believer). Unless of course someone believed in vain. Believing in vain is believing something not in accord with scripture. Possibly only for the benefits offered, or the community acceptance that comes with it; or just not trusting Christ's work but yours, misunderstanding what Christ did and why.
What Are the essential points of the good news God graciously gives in the Bible?
God is Holy. He created and owns everything, including you. Gen. 1:1. God is perfectly holy. Matt. 5:48. God requires your perfect obedience to His law. James 2:10.
Man is Sinful. Christ died for our sins, according to the Scriptures. You have broken God's law. Rom. 3:10; 23. You will pay the eternal penalty for your sin. Rom. 6:23. You cannot save yourself by your good works. Titus 3:5. We are enemies of God and destined to destruction unless someone intervenes for us.
Jesus is Savior. By which you are being saved. Christ came to earth as both God and sinless man. Col. 2:9 in Him all the fullness of deity dwells in bodily form. Christ demonstrated His love by dying on the cross to pay sin's penalty. Rom. 5:8; 2 Cor. 5:21 Christ rose from the grave and is alive today. 1 Cor.15:4.
Response is needed. You must repent of all that dishonors God. Is. 55:7; Luke 9:23. You must believe in Christ as Lord and Savior, and be willing to follow after Him. Rom. 10:9.
Tomorrow we'll look at the meaning of the Gospel.
The gospel of the grace of God in Christ is the best news that can ever be heard or told but there is a lot of confusion among Christians regarding what it is and does. Many know but can’t exactly put their finger on it. Many think of the Christian life in parts: 1st Gospel (where we come to faith in Christ); 2nd Growth (where we are set apart and make progress in Christ), and 3rd Glory (where we’ll be with Christ forever in heaven). A nice 3-point outline, but following Jesus is not that cut and dried. It's more like a golden chain with different links, interconnected, happening at the same time; like facets of the same diamond. For a long time I thought of the gospel only in terms of what I believed to be saved & what I need to share with others in hopes that they might be saved; and in the process neglected to see its place in my life on an ongoing basis. The gospel is for all of life in Christ, it’s not just the entry point. C.J. Mahaney says, “The gospel isn’t one class among many that you’ll attend during your life as a Christian – the gospel is the whole building that all the classes take place in! Rightly approached, all the topics you’ll study & focus on as a believer will be offered to you ‘within the walls’ of the glorious gospel.” In the context of knowing Jesus the Gospel should saturate everything. There are also many opponents of the gospel. Paul calls them enemies of the cross Phil. 3:18, whose end is destruction, whose god is their appetite, and whose glory is their shame, who set their minds on earthly things. The gospel is so important believers are consistently warned to avoid false teachers. Gal. 1:6-9. Let's just say that getting the gospel right is critical to our life in Christ - applying truth daily and refuting error.
A.W. Tozer said what you think of when you think of God is the most important thing about you. Steve Lawson said what you think of Jesus is the most important thing about you. I would add too that your understanding and grasp of the gospel affects how you relate to God, yourself and others. Get the gospel right and you can live and share it right. Get it wrong and things get tweaked. 1 Corinthians 1:1-11 is a good place to start a study of the gospel.
1 Corinthians was written to people like us struggling internally and externally to free themselves from their own bent towards sin as well as the pollution of a culture bent on immorality. We will see the answer lies primarily in the gospel of the grace of God in Christ. By the time Paul founded the church of Corinth around 50 AD Corinth had been a Roman colony for over a 100 years. It had been a Greek city but was destroyed by Mummius in 146 BC after conflict with Rome. It lay in ruins for 100 years. Julius Caesar made it a Roman colony; the seat of the Roman governor of the province of Achea. It quickly grew larger than Athens. A city rich in culture, its citizens worshipped many gods. Located in the heart of a primary trade route in the ancient world, it had a reputation for immorality, promiscuity and corruption. To Corinthianize something was to ruin it morally. The church struggled with external influences & also began to splinter internally over various issues – basically they were not getting along. As Tim Keller says “All our problems come from a failure to apply the gospel”. Enter Paul with a focus on the centrality of the gospel; its message, meaning and mission.
1. The message of the gospel. What it says, what it communicates (Its explanation). I remind you. The Gospel? Good news! You can be saved from your sin and its ultimate penalty! Preached (proclaimed as fact); Received (accepted as truth); In which you stand (recognized as the basis for acceptance with God); By which you are being saved (initiated at some point in time, but continued as a process of being made right with God, growing and being renewed); Hold fast the word (enduring life as professing believer). Unless of course someone believed in vain. Believing in vain is believing something not in accord with scripture. Possibly only for the benefits offered, or the community acceptance that comes with it; or just not trusting Christ's work but yours, misunderstanding what Christ did and why.
What Are the essential points of the good news God graciously gives in the Bible?
God is Holy. He created and owns everything, including you. Gen. 1:1. God is perfectly holy. Matt. 5:48. God requires your perfect obedience to His law. James 2:10.
Man is Sinful. Christ died for our sins, according to the Scriptures. You have broken God's law. Rom. 3:10; 23. You will pay the eternal penalty for your sin. Rom. 6:23. You cannot save yourself by your good works. Titus 3:5. We are enemies of God and destined to destruction unless someone intervenes for us.
Jesus is Savior. By which you are being saved. Christ came to earth as both God and sinless man. Col. 2:9 in Him all the fullness of deity dwells in bodily form. Christ demonstrated His love by dying on the cross to pay sin's penalty. Rom. 5:8; 2 Cor. 5:21 Christ rose from the grave and is alive today. 1 Cor.15:4.
Response is needed. You must repent of all that dishonors God. Is. 55:7; Luke 9:23. You must believe in Christ as Lord and Savior, and be willing to follow after Him. Rom. 10:9.
Tomorrow we'll look at the meaning of the Gospel.
Monday, July 12, 2010
Statements of Purpose and Intent
Manifesto is not a word we use very often. Most people my age (47) or older think of the infamous 'communist manifesto' written by the infamous Karl Marx. I looked up the word in the dictionary and it means a statement of purpose and intent from a sovereign regarding his subjects. In recent years Dennis Rainey wrote a book with the title 'A Family Manifesto' a biblical statement of purpose and intent for the family. I would propose that in numerous spots in the New Testament 'gospel manifestos' can be seen. In fact, you could say every New Testament writing contains them; statements of purpose and intent from God to His people regarding the gospel's intended affects on their Iives and the world.
For example, Matthew 4:19 is one. "Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men." Matthew 16:24 is too. "if anyone would come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me." The Sermon on the Mount is one long gospel manifesto, Matthew 5:20 being the pinnacle, pointing to our need for a righteousness from God. Jumping to Romans we see in 8:28-30 some of the most gospel saturated words in the Bible, and in 12:1-2, we see a course of action based on the magnificent truths laid out in the preceding 11 chapters, based on God's grace poured out on ill-deserving sinners. 2 Cor. 5:16-2 is based on the cloud-parting truth revealed in 2 Cor. 4:1-18. And so on.
Galatians, Ephesians and Philippians reveal much of God's gospel plans for us. His sovereign choice and purpose. His justification of sinners, their subsequent God-initiated and sustained resolve to trust Him for and love Him in everything.
There is so much more. All the way to the end of the book of Revelation. In fact, one can safely say the entire Bible is a gospel manifesto, God's statement of purpose and intent for His elect. It all finds it's true rest in Jesus Christ. He is the goal and aim of it all. God's glory seen in the face of Christ is the ultimate hope and desire of every true child of God saved by grace through faith in Christ.
For example, Matthew 4:19 is one. "Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men." Matthew 16:24 is too. "if anyone would come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me." The Sermon on the Mount is one long gospel manifesto, Matthew 5:20 being the pinnacle, pointing to our need for a righteousness from God. Jumping to Romans we see in 8:28-30 some of the most gospel saturated words in the Bible, and in 12:1-2, we see a course of action based on the magnificent truths laid out in the preceding 11 chapters, based on God's grace poured out on ill-deserving sinners. 2 Cor. 5:16-2 is based on the cloud-parting truth revealed in 2 Cor. 4:1-18. And so on.
Galatians, Ephesians and Philippians reveal much of God's gospel plans for us. His sovereign choice and purpose. His justification of sinners, their subsequent God-initiated and sustained resolve to trust Him for and love Him in everything.
There is so much more. All the way to the end of the book of Revelation. In fact, one can safely say the entire Bible is a gospel manifesto, God's statement of purpose and intent for His elect. It all finds it's true rest in Jesus Christ. He is the goal and aim of it all. God's glory seen in the face of Christ is the ultimate hope and desire of every true child of God saved by grace through faith in Christ.
Sunday, July 11, 2010
the Gospel-Centered Life
The Gospel-centered Life is a life that is not measured by doing but by being in Christ. It is grace-oriented. It is an abiding life. Dwelling in the glorious goodness of God in Christ.
Gospel-initiated...God started the work and will carry it on and finish it.
Author and perfecter of faith. God, man, Christ, response.
Gospel-dependent...relying upon God for what He every moment gives.
Gospel-saturated...preaching the gospel to yourself daily.
Gospel-directed...go where God leads and preach the gospel.
You can't share it if you don't know it, live it, breath it. Be anchored in the hope of the gospel and you will find that gospel truth flows out freely.
Gospel-initiated...God started the work and will carry it on and finish it.
Author and perfecter of faith. God, man, Christ, response.
Gospel-dependent...relying upon God for what He every moment gives.
Gospel-saturated...preaching the gospel to yourself daily.
Gospel-directed...go where God leads and preach the gospel.
You can't share it if you don't know it, live it, breath it. Be anchored in the hope of the gospel and you will find that gospel truth flows out freely.
Friday, July 2, 2010
Community Connectedness
I have recently had some significant conversations with people in every age grouping who have one surprising thing in common. You won't be surprised at what it is but you may be surprised that others feel the same way you do. The issue? Loneliness. A feeling of being disconnected. Spending lots of time with people but not getting where we need to be relationally. Not experiencing depth in relationships. Nobody willing to be vulnerable and take time to love people because they have been burned so much in the past. They want to love people but they always have their guard up. We try to protect ourselves from being hurt. But if we want to connect we have no other choice but to take the risk of being hurt. C.S. Lewis said the only place you can be free of all the pain and problems of love is hell.
You must also deal with the perception that no one can 'break in' to the inner circle in churches. We feel as if everyone else has been invited to this wonderful party and we are the only one left out in the cold watching them enjoy themselves inside. But I am coming to believe that the party just doesn't exist. We are needy people who have a God-given hunger for significant human relationships. We all, even the most anti-social among us, have this need. So there is this artificial inner circle, a false perception that we blame for the painful reality of unmet relational expectations. When you have long-timers at churches saying they feel lonely the perception fades. People who have known each other for years and it is perceived they are tight and won't let anyone in, but they are lonely too. Maybe once they connected well, but you cannot ride the wave of the past. Friendships grow cold and distant without continual interaction. And life in the body of Christ is not lived to it's fullest unless we are sharing our lives together. 1 Thessalonians 2:7-8 teaches us that the gospel and our lives must be continually shared. What better place to live out the gospel than with sinful humans; where there is ample opportunity to apply the truth of the gospel?
My prayer is that every believer would be a friend and have a friend; that every person would risk the pain of rejection and hurt and dig deeply in relationship. When we see how lonely people really are, how even really busy people feel left out, we can get to work and go about the business of connecting; trusting God and wading into the waters of messy life with brothers and sisters in Christ.
Why do we exist? To worship God through the gospel, build up believers in the gospel, and reach the world with the gospel of Jesus Christ.
One flows out of the other. If we get bogged down in the middle, both ends of the spectrum will be hindered. If your sibling was in need what would you do? If it was a family member what would you do? You would drop everything to meet the need. Guess what? Take a look
around next Sunday in church - this is your family. Decide to take the risk and love your brothers and sisters in Christ.
Everyone feels like a little kid in a brand new classroom and neighborhood. They need a friend. Core issue: Our worship suffers if we are not
a family celebrating how much God has done for us and what He is doing in and among us. Our common life would be vibrant and alive if
we do. And we will not be able to help ourselves as we enthusiastically tell others of the gospel of the grace of God in Christ.
You must also deal with the perception that no one can 'break in' to the inner circle in churches. We feel as if everyone else has been invited to this wonderful party and we are the only one left out in the cold watching them enjoy themselves inside. But I am coming to believe that the party just doesn't exist. We are needy people who have a God-given hunger for significant human relationships. We all, even the most anti-social among us, have this need. So there is this artificial inner circle, a false perception that we blame for the painful reality of unmet relational expectations. When you have long-timers at churches saying they feel lonely the perception fades. People who have known each other for years and it is perceived they are tight and won't let anyone in, but they are lonely too. Maybe once they connected well, but you cannot ride the wave of the past. Friendships grow cold and distant without continual interaction. And life in the body of Christ is not lived to it's fullest unless we are sharing our lives together. 1 Thessalonians 2:7-8 teaches us that the gospel and our lives must be continually shared. What better place to live out the gospel than with sinful humans; where there is ample opportunity to apply the truth of the gospel?
My prayer is that every believer would be a friend and have a friend; that every person would risk the pain of rejection and hurt and dig deeply in relationship. When we see how lonely people really are, how even really busy people feel left out, we can get to work and go about the business of connecting; trusting God and wading into the waters of messy life with brothers and sisters in Christ.
Why do we exist? To worship God through the gospel, build up believers in the gospel, and reach the world with the gospel of Jesus Christ.
One flows out of the other. If we get bogged down in the middle, both ends of the spectrum will be hindered. If your sibling was in need what would you do? If it was a family member what would you do? You would drop everything to meet the need. Guess what? Take a look
around next Sunday in church - this is your family. Decide to take the risk and love your brothers and sisters in Christ.
Everyone feels like a little kid in a brand new classroom and neighborhood. They need a friend. Core issue: Our worship suffers if we are not
a family celebrating how much God has done for us and what He is doing in and among us. Our common life would be vibrant and alive if
we do. And we will not be able to help ourselves as we enthusiastically tell others of the gospel of the grace of God in Christ.
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