"Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages but has now been disclosed and through the prophetic writings has been made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith— to the only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ! Amen."
Jesus came into the world to bring about the obedience of faith. It is through this obedience of faith that the only wise God is glorified forevermore through Jesus Christ. God is no longer a secret, but plainly seen and beheld by all in the person of Jesus Christ through the obedience of faith, that is, the obedience that is faith.
To believe in the One God has sent is a work (John 6:29) of obedience. We are called to believe the gospel of Jesus Christ (that is the gospel which is Jesus Christ which he also proclaims) (Mark 1:15) and to trust the Lord God. Those who love the Lord then you trust him as well. If you trust God has your best interests in mind, why wouldn't you obey him?
And God has proven himself through Christ to be just and good for while we were still sinners Christ died for us (Romans 5:8). He saw us kicking about in our blood and said to us "Live!" (Ezekiel 16:6) So to him who is able to strengthen us through the gospel be the glory forever and ever!
Showing posts with label Gospel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Gospel. Show all posts
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Mark 1:1-2
"The beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God, as it is written in Isaiah the prophet..."
The gospel according to Mark does not begin at Jesus's birth like in Matthew and Luke, but begins in Isaiah 40. Those familiar with the Old Testament (Mark and potentially his Jewish/Christian audience) know what Isaiah 40 is about from memory. It announces there will be comfort for God's people and that sin has been paid for. (Isaiah 40:1-2) It announces the coming of the LORD and the revelation of His glory and one who will prepare His way for Him. (Is 40:3-5) And though we are but temporary, the Lord is everlasting and his kingdom will have no end. (Is 40:6ff)
Mark is not only saying that the LORD is coming with power to rule with a mighty arm, but in the gentlest of ways as a shepherd tends his flock (Is 40:9-11), but that he is here and his name is Jesus Christ. This God in Christ, who created the world and whom none can fathom (Is 40:12-14) and is incomparable (Is 40:15-26) is now seen and touched and accessible by all. He is here to give strength to the weary and power to the weak so that all who trust in the LORD will renew their strength and soar on wings like eagles. (Isaiah 40:27-31)
And that, my friends, is only the beginning, the beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God.
The gospel according to Mark does not begin at Jesus's birth like in Matthew and Luke, but begins in Isaiah 40. Those familiar with the Old Testament (Mark and potentially his Jewish/Christian audience) know what Isaiah 40 is about from memory. It announces there will be comfort for God's people and that sin has been paid for. (Isaiah 40:1-2) It announces the coming of the LORD and the revelation of His glory and one who will prepare His way for Him. (Is 40:3-5) And though we are but temporary, the Lord is everlasting and his kingdom will have no end. (Is 40:6ff)
Mark is not only saying that the LORD is coming with power to rule with a mighty arm, but in the gentlest of ways as a shepherd tends his flock (Is 40:9-11), but that he is here and his name is Jesus Christ. This God in Christ, who created the world and whom none can fathom (Is 40:12-14) and is incomparable (Is 40:15-26) is now seen and touched and accessible by all. He is here to give strength to the weary and power to the weak so that all who trust in the LORD will renew their strength and soar on wings like eagles. (Isaiah 40:27-31)
And that, my friends, is only the beginning, the beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God.
Saturday, July 16, 2011
1 John 5:10
"Whoever believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself. Whoever does not believe God has made him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has borne concerning his Son."
God sent his Son into the world to bear witness on our behalf. The testimony of Jesus Christ is that though we are guilty, we shall be declared not guilty. We are justified and set free from punishment. This is the testimony God has concerning us, that though we have sinned, all is forgiven.
However those who do not believe this message and thus does not trust in the Son of God makes God out to be a liar.
When faced with this beautiful truth, it is unthinkable that anyone should respond by crucifying Christ. A messenger brings good news and he is insulted, beaten, and killed instead of welcomed. They do not believe the gospel of Jesus Christ and so accuse God of being a liar. How broken are we that beautiful truths bring pain when we hear them? Oh how far we've fallen!
As anyone who has gone through an abusive relationship can tell you, after being told lies and being put down all your life, you can hardly believe when people tell you the truth. You cannot believe someone loves you and moreover, it actually hurts when someone speaks to you words of affirmation. Believe in the good news and be patient with those enslaved by the world. God is not a liar.
God sent his Son into the world to bear witness on our behalf. The testimony of Jesus Christ is that though we are guilty, we shall be declared not guilty. We are justified and set free from punishment. This is the testimony God has concerning us, that though we have sinned, all is forgiven.
However those who do not believe this message and thus does not trust in the Son of God makes God out to be a liar.
When faced with this beautiful truth, it is unthinkable that anyone should respond by crucifying Christ. A messenger brings good news and he is insulted, beaten, and killed instead of welcomed. They do not believe the gospel of Jesus Christ and so accuse God of being a liar. How broken are we that beautiful truths bring pain when we hear them? Oh how far we've fallen!
As anyone who has gone through an abusive relationship can tell you, after being told lies and being put down all your life, you can hardly believe when people tell you the truth. You cannot believe someone loves you and moreover, it actually hurts when someone speaks to you words of affirmation. Believe in the good news and be patient with those enslaved by the world. God is not a liar.
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Acts 19:2
"[Paul] asked them, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?"
They answered, "No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit."
How is it that someone can be a believer and while having never received or even heard of the Holy Spirit? Doesn't the Holy Spirit indwell all believers? The text makes clear that these were disciples, but does not make clear whose disciples they are. They were baptized once with the baptism of repentance, but the text then goes on to say that they were re-baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
It seems that their first baptism was inadequate and whoever discipled them left the job undone. These were nominal Christians. John's baptism was good, but it was insufficient for salvation. Some others had come before Paul to Ephesus and preached only a small part of the good news of Christ and went on their way, unknowingly leaving behind a remnant of shallow half-Christians who only think they are saved.
How much of a burden then lies on us, as members of Christ's body, to preach the whole gospel in order to make whole Christians? We have a charge to make disciples of all nations, not just to baptize but to teach them to obey all things Christ has commanded. Paul taught in the area two years, making sure all have heard the message and were rightly taught before he moved on. We ought follow him as he follows Christ.
They answered, "No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit."
How is it that someone can be a believer and while having never received or even heard of the Holy Spirit? Doesn't the Holy Spirit indwell all believers? The text makes clear that these were disciples, but does not make clear whose disciples they are. They were baptized once with the baptism of repentance, but the text then goes on to say that they were re-baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
It seems that their first baptism was inadequate and whoever discipled them left the job undone. These were nominal Christians. John's baptism was good, but it was insufficient for salvation. Some others had come before Paul to Ephesus and preached only a small part of the good news of Christ and went on their way, unknowingly leaving behind a remnant of shallow half-Christians who only think they are saved.
How much of a burden then lies on us, as members of Christ's body, to preach the whole gospel in order to make whole Christians? We have a charge to make disciples of all nations, not just to baptize but to teach them to obey all things Christ has commanded. Paul taught in the area two years, making sure all have heard the message and were rightly taught before he moved on. We ought follow him as he follows Christ.
Friday, July 1, 2011
Acts 10:15
"Again a voice came to him a second time, "What God has cleansed, no longer consider unholy.""
Are you holy? Have you been washed by the blood of Jesus Christ? Has the cross taken away all of your sins?
Truly if you are in Christ by faith in his blood then you are holy. God has pardoned you. Because you believed God has done what he has promised, it has been credited to you as righteousness.(Gen 15:6) So what God has cleansed, no longer consider unholy. You are a new creation (2Cor 5:17) not because of anything you did, but because God cleansed you. You are holy because God is holy and is the one who makes you holy. (Lev 21:7,15,23;22:9,16,32)
So do not blaspheme God by calling what is holy unholy. If you have believed in Christ, do not dare to deny what Christ has done through confessing your sinful nature. You are no longer sinners, but you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. (1Cor 6:11) You have died to it,(Rom 6:2) how can you still confess to be in it? Profess that "Though I was once a sinner, Christ took away my sin, and by his Power I am kept holy, pure, and blameless" lest you deny the reality of that which justifies you, Christ Jesus and him crucified.
Or do you not believe the gospel of grace so generously poured out on your behalf?
Are you holy? Have you been washed by the blood of Jesus Christ? Has the cross taken away all of your sins?
Truly if you are in Christ by faith in his blood then you are holy. God has pardoned you. Because you believed God has done what he has promised, it has been credited to you as righteousness.(Gen 15:6) So what God has cleansed, no longer consider unholy. You are a new creation (2Cor 5:17) not because of anything you did, but because God cleansed you. You are holy because God is holy and is the one who makes you holy. (Lev 21:7,15,23;22:9,16,32)
So do not blaspheme God by calling what is holy unholy. If you have believed in Christ, do not dare to deny what Christ has done through confessing your sinful nature. You are no longer sinners, but you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. (1Cor 6:11) You have died to it,(Rom 6:2) how can you still confess to be in it? Profess that "Though I was once a sinner, Christ took away my sin, and by his Power I am kept holy, pure, and blameless" lest you deny the reality of that which justifies you, Christ Jesus and him crucified.
Or do you not believe the gospel of grace so generously poured out on your behalf?
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Philippians 1:27
"Whatever happens, above all else conduct yourself in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel"
No matter what, we are in this together. That is the message Paul is giving us in Philippians. This is the first command he gives and it is also the most important. Above all else, do this. It is a call to unity and to endure together no matter what comes of him, whether he lives or dies in prison. But why is it so important that the church be unified?
In John 17, Jesus Christ prays for all believers to be one just as He and the Father are one in order that the world would know that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
It is through our unity that Christ proves his divinity.
It is our unity that shows the world that there exists a God in heaven who loves them.
It is our unity that brings about saving faith that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
It not only saves others, but it saves us as well.
And so not only our salvation but the salvation of the entire world depends on the church standing firm together.
No matter what, we are in this together. That is the message Paul is giving us in Philippians. This is the first command he gives and it is also the most important. Above all else, do this. It is a call to unity and to endure together no matter what comes of him, whether he lives or dies in prison. But why is it so important that the church be unified?
In John 17, Jesus Christ prays for all believers to be one just as He and the Father are one in order that the world would know that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
It is through our unity that Christ proves his divinity.
It is our unity that shows the world that there exists a God in heaven who loves them.
It is our unity that brings about saving faith that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
It not only saves others, but it saves us as well.
And so not only our salvation but the salvation of the entire world depends on the church standing firm together.
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Mark 10:21
"And Jesus looking upon him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me."
What Jesus tells that man when he asks "What must I do to inherit eternal life?" is not what we would answer to someone asking the question of us. Most of us would say, pray to ask Jesus into your heart, read the Bible every day, go to church, fellowship, worship, and so on.
Does that mean we think Jesus was not really serious with his answer? Jesus says absolutely none of those things we would expect. If we do not take Jesus seriously, should we expect Jesus to take our faith seriously? This isn't a specific command for one person in particular, and when taken as the answer to the question "What must I do to inherit Eternal life?", this answer seems rather important to salvation.
Jesus gives a rather practical answer. The faith he is asking this man to show is not personal saving faith but rather interpersonal saving faith that touches the heart of social concern. What Jesus is asking for is a radical trust in him and not in possessions. So no matter how much technology we can cram into our churches, we could do more for not only the world's salvation but ours as well if we only sold it to the poor and followed Him.
What Jesus tells that man when he asks "What must I do to inherit eternal life?" is not what we would answer to someone asking the question of us. Most of us would say, pray to ask Jesus into your heart, read the Bible every day, go to church, fellowship, worship, and so on.
Does that mean we think Jesus was not really serious with his answer? Jesus says absolutely none of those things we would expect. If we do not take Jesus seriously, should we expect Jesus to take our faith seriously? This isn't a specific command for one person in particular, and when taken as the answer to the question "What must I do to inherit Eternal life?", this answer seems rather important to salvation.
Jesus gives a rather practical answer. The faith he is asking this man to show is not personal saving faith but rather interpersonal saving faith that touches the heart of social concern. What Jesus is asking for is a radical trust in him and not in possessions. So no matter how much technology we can cram into our churches, we could do more for not only the world's salvation but ours as well if we only sold it to the poor and followed Him.
Friday, June 17, 2011
Philippians 1:29
"For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake,"
Paul says what many Christians today don't want you to hear because Paul is not ashamed of the gospel. I mean the entire gospel, not just the good parts you tell your non-christian friends in hopes you might trick them into "faith". What good is it to "save" someone through deception lest they come to believe the entire gospel is a lie once they realize the truth.
What does Paul say? That not only is salvation a gift, but so are the sufferings we endure for his name. A gift. Because God likes to see his children suffer? Far from it! Those who suffer together strive together with one spirit and one mind for the faith of the gospel (v27). We suffer with Christ because we are in Christ and no servant is greater than his master (John 15:20). Our suffering together brings us into greater unity.
We are one Body and Christ is our head (Eph 4:15-16) because we are united in hardship. So we rejoice in our suffering (Rom 5:3-5) because through them we know we are in Christ when we suffer for his sake and the sake of the gospel (Rom 8:17). It is when we stand firm together despite suffering that is a sign to us of our salvation despite it appearing to the world that we are being destroyed (v28).
After all, those who lose their lives for Christ will save them (Mark 8:35), the one who is not ashamed of Christ, Christ will not be ashamed of him (Mark 8:38), and all who have left mother and brothers will not fail to receive a hundred fold what they have left, and with them persecutions (Mark 10:30). Don't be afraid to tell people the truth of the gospel, all of it, for half a gospel produces half a Christian with half of a salvation.
Paul says what many Christians today don't want you to hear because Paul is not ashamed of the gospel. I mean the entire gospel, not just the good parts you tell your non-christian friends in hopes you might trick them into "faith". What good is it to "save" someone through deception lest they come to believe the entire gospel is a lie once they realize the truth.
What does Paul say? That not only is salvation a gift, but so are the sufferings we endure for his name. A gift. Because God likes to see his children suffer? Far from it! Those who suffer together strive together with one spirit and one mind for the faith of the gospel (v27). We suffer with Christ because we are in Christ and no servant is greater than his master (John 15:20). Our suffering together brings us into greater unity.
We are one Body and Christ is our head (Eph 4:15-16) because we are united in hardship. So we rejoice in our suffering (Rom 5:3-5) because through them we know we are in Christ when we suffer for his sake and the sake of the gospel (Rom 8:17). It is when we stand firm together despite suffering that is a sign to us of our salvation despite it appearing to the world that we are being destroyed (v28).
After all, those who lose their lives for Christ will save them (Mark 8:35), the one who is not ashamed of Christ, Christ will not be ashamed of him (Mark 8:38), and all who have left mother and brothers will not fail to receive a hundred fold what they have left, and with them persecutions (Mark 10:30). Don't be afraid to tell people the truth of the gospel, all of it, for half a gospel produces half a Christian with half of a salvation.
Saturday, May 28, 2011
Ephesians 1:13-14
"And you were also included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in Him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession-- to the praise of His glory."
In this short little introduction to Ephesians, Paul marks out the will of God for the salvation of men. Here, we see the fullness of the Trinity coming together for our redemption; We are marked (by the Father) in Him (Christ) with the promised Holy Spirit. It is the Father who draws us in through the Son by the Holy Spirit. The Father is the fisherman, the Son the rod, and the Holy Spirit is the hook that never lets us go. Because it is God working in all three aspects of salvation, the process is made perfect. Were salvation from men, salvation would fail. But thank God that salvation is guaranteed for those who believe and are sealed with the Holy Spirit!
And this then is the mark of salvation for every true believer: That even when you sin and stray from the path, The Spirit will convict you, Christ will forgive you, and the Father will always bring you back to him for the Father always disciplines his children. All three Persons work together in perfect harmony for our redemption. Do you believe it? But truly, truly, by faith it is so!
In this short little introduction to Ephesians, Paul marks out the will of God for the salvation of men. Here, we see the fullness of the Trinity coming together for our redemption; We are marked (by the Father) in Him (Christ) with the promised Holy Spirit. It is the Father who draws us in through the Son by the Holy Spirit. The Father is the fisherman, the Son the rod, and the Holy Spirit is the hook that never lets us go. Because it is God working in all three aspects of salvation, the process is made perfect. Were salvation from men, salvation would fail. But thank God that salvation is guaranteed for those who believe and are sealed with the Holy Spirit!
And this then is the mark of salvation for every true believer: That even when you sin and stray from the path, The Spirit will convict you, Christ will forgive you, and the Father will always bring you back to him for the Father always disciplines his children. All three Persons work together in perfect harmony for our redemption. Do you believe it? But truly, truly, by faith it is so!
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Galatians 5:13
"You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another in love."
Those who have been set free by grace should not return to the old ways of doing things (that is, the Law). Giving to the poor does not make you good. Reading your bible does not sanctify. Fasting does not make you holy. Only God in heaven is capable of doing that. How foolish it is to try and earn by human effort what can only come through the Spirit! After receiving grace, will you now try to earn it? We were not saved due to our good works, but from believing the gospel which we had heard.
Those who are under grace are free to sin without eternal consequence. However, Paul states that in our freedom we choose no longer to sin but rather serve in love. When we sin, it is not because we wanted to sin, but Sin living in us (our fallen nature). It is no longer we who sin, but Sin living in us, but now it no longer causes our condemnation! Hallelujah!
Christianity is not based on Law, but on Grace. There is now forgiveness for sin in Christ Jesus. So don't you dare feel guilty you hadn't prayed more or fasted longer. Those things only serve to worship the One who makes us holy, not to make us holy. You were called to be free from such nonsensical thinking.
Those who have been set free by grace should not return to the old ways of doing things (that is, the Law). Giving to the poor does not make you good. Reading your bible does not sanctify. Fasting does not make you holy. Only God in heaven is capable of doing that. How foolish it is to try and earn by human effort what can only come through the Spirit! After receiving grace, will you now try to earn it? We were not saved due to our good works, but from believing the gospel which we had heard.
Those who are under grace are free to sin without eternal consequence. However, Paul states that in our freedom we choose no longer to sin but rather serve in love. When we sin, it is not because we wanted to sin, but Sin living in us (our fallen nature). It is no longer we who sin, but Sin living in us, but now it no longer causes our condemnation! Hallelujah!
Christianity is not based on Law, but on Grace. There is now forgiveness for sin in Christ Jesus. So don't you dare feel guilty you hadn't prayed more or fasted longer. Those things only serve to worship the One who makes us holy, not to make us holy. You were called to be free from such nonsensical thinking.
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Romans 1:16
"I am not ashamed of the gospel because it is the power of God for salvation to all who believe, first for the Jew and then for the Greek*)
Yet, we find an incessant need to do things because that’s what good Christians do. We go to church because Christians go to church. We read our Bibles because Christians should read their Bibles. We often feel guilty for not praying as often as we should. But should guilt really be the motivating factor in how we live out our faith? Is this gospel just a divine guilt trip (Jesus died for you so you owe him big time)? In the words of Paul, “Me genoito!" (May it never be!)
We were not set free from the law only to become slaves to another law. Nobody who does a "spiritual" act of worship or kindness because of guilt will gain anything by it. A person who gives out of guilt or ambition plants rocks instead of seed. If love is not our weapon and God our prize, we will not harvest anything that lasts.
Do not give or act out of guilt. It is a waste of time even if you are praying or going to church out of guilt. Give because you want to give and act because you want to love. Leave guilt nailed to the cross where it belongs.
Do not give or act out of guilt. It is a waste of time even if you are praying or going to church out of guilt. Give because you want to give and act because you want to love. Leave guilt nailed to the cross where it belongs.
*Many translations use gentile
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Luke 22:50-51
"And one of them struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his right ear. But Jesus answered, “No more of this!” And he touched the man’s ear and healed him."
Jesus never used violent uprisings to get his way. Unlike the rebellious zealots who went before him, Jesus's power and authority come from faith and truth. He need not even lift a finger against his enemies to establish his dominance although he easily could.
This is why the ear was cut off. His disciples trusted in his power to defeat his mortal enemies. If Jesus was to become King and overthrow the Roman government and give the Jews back their land, now was the time. This is the time for battle. This would be the ear-cutting heard round the world. This is the start of the revolution! The time is now and the kingdom of God is at hand! Strike and believe the good news!
But that's not how it goes.
Jesus undoes what happened to that servant's ear and in front of everyone performs a miracle, demonstrating again his power and authority and command of the situation. And they still took him, but we know the truth. Jesus allowed himself to be taken. No more mysteriously passing through crowds as we see in the Gospel of John. Now is the time, the hour when darkness reigns. The Kingdom of God is coming, and soon all Hell will break loose.
Jesus never used violent uprisings to get his way. Unlike the rebellious zealots who went before him, Jesus's power and authority come from faith and truth. He need not even lift a finger against his enemies to establish his dominance although he easily could.
This is why the ear was cut off. His disciples trusted in his power to defeat his mortal enemies. If Jesus was to become King and overthrow the Roman government and give the Jews back their land, now was the time. This is the time for battle. This would be the ear-cutting heard round the world. This is the start of the revolution! The time is now and the kingdom of God is at hand! Strike and believe the good news!
But that's not how it goes.
Jesus undoes what happened to that servant's ear and in front of everyone performs a miracle, demonstrating again his power and authority and command of the situation. And they still took him, but we know the truth. Jesus allowed himself to be taken. No more mysteriously passing through crowds as we see in the Gospel of John. Now is the time, the hour when darkness reigns. The Kingdom of God is coming, and soon all Hell will break loose.
Friday, April 15, 2011
Romans 13:7
"Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed."
Today is the deadline* to file your federal income tax to whom your taxes are owed. This piece of Biblical wisdom seems obvious to most people. Not paying someone what they are owed is the same as stealing from them or taking them for granted. But what do we owe to God? In fact it's our very lives.
We are not our own any longer for we were bought with a price. We have given up any and all rights to self determine for ourselves what is good. We have given up all rights to expect fairness for God has been more than fair with us. Our very lives are owed to God and not offering them up as living sacrifices to the Lord is stealing from him that which he has lent to us, the very breath of life.
Those who try to keep their lives will lose them for God will collect outstanding debts, but those who lose their lives for Christ's sake and for the sake of His gospel will be given eternal life! If God can trust you to be faithful in your payments, will He not lend you even more? But if you squander this life which is temporary, how can you be trusted with life that lasts eternally? Give to God what God is due.
*Actually for 2011, the deadline is April 18th because the IRS is observing a holiday and in so doing pushed back the deadline to the next business day, Monday April 18th.
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Titus 2:9-10
"Teach slaves to be subject to their masters in everything, to try to please them, not to talk back to them, and not to steal from them, but to show that they can be fully trusted, so that in every way they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive."
One of the big questions today is "How do I make scripture relevant to my listeners?" and the answer doesn't lie in fancy presentations, funny skits, or flashy videos. It lies in living holy and blameless lives, in being hospitable, a lover of what is good, self-controlled, upright,and disciplined. Even when people hate us (and they will hate us), their testimony will be discredited because they have nothing bad to say about us.
Sadly, our enemies have plenty of bad things to say about us and most of them have good reason to say them. It takes only one action to completely destroy any and all credibility you once held. Trust can be re-earned, but it will never be where it was before.
Our only hope, then, is to pick up the slack of those who have dropped the rope. We know God is anchoring the back and He isn't going anywhere, but with God's empowerment we must redouble our efforts to love and prove ourselves trustworthy. "If we only do what we have always done we will only get what we already have."
If you want the Gospel to be relevant to others, live like the Gospel is relevant to you.
One of the big questions today is "How do I make scripture relevant to my listeners?" and the answer doesn't lie in fancy presentations, funny skits, or flashy videos. It lies in living holy and blameless lives, in being hospitable, a lover of what is good, self-controlled, upright,and disciplined. Even when people hate us (and they will hate us), their testimony will be discredited because they have nothing bad to say about us.
Sadly, our enemies have plenty of bad things to say about us and most of them have good reason to say them. It takes only one action to completely destroy any and all credibility you once held. Trust can be re-earned, but it will never be where it was before.
Our only hope, then, is to pick up the slack of those who have dropped the rope. We know God is anchoring the back and He isn't going anywhere, but with God's empowerment we must redouble our efforts to love and prove ourselves trustworthy. "If we only do what we have always done we will only get what we already have."
If you want the Gospel to be relevant to others, live like the Gospel is relevant to you.
Friday, April 8, 2011
Luke 1:73-75
"...the oath he swore to our father Abraham: to rescue us from the hand of our enemies, and to enable us to serve him without fear in holiness and righteousness before him all our days."
The Gospel is better than you think. Don't take my word for it, listen to the words of The Holy Spirit through Zechariah. No longer do we live in fear of eternal condemnation for our sins. No longer must we strive with the burden of guilt. No longer are the days when sin and death reigned in our bodies, but now we have the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of sins.
It is no longer fear of punishment through the law that we are made holy and righteous. God has revealed himself through his tender mercy in the person of Christ Jesus. He has paid for every single sin past, present, and future in order that some may come to believe and glorify him.
The Gospel is better than we could have ever imagined. We have been enabled through the power of the Holy Spirit to serve God apart from the law. None is good but God and the Good News is that you cannot be good by working hard at it. God is good for you. You need only to give your life to Him and he will take care of the rest. When God looks on you, he sees not a sinner but Christ in you. Don't you believe that?
The Gospel is better than you think. Don't take my word for it, listen to the words of The Holy Spirit through Zechariah. No longer do we live in fear of eternal condemnation for our sins. No longer must we strive with the burden of guilt. No longer are the days when sin and death reigned in our bodies, but now we have the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of sins.
It is no longer fear of punishment through the law that we are made holy and righteous. God has revealed himself through his tender mercy in the person of Christ Jesus. He has paid for every single sin past, present, and future in order that some may come to believe and glorify him.
The Gospel is better than we could have ever imagined. We have been enabled through the power of the Holy Spirit to serve God apart from the law. None is good but God and the Good News is that you cannot be good by working hard at it. God is good for you. You need only to give your life to Him and he will take care of the rest. When God looks on you, he sees not a sinner but Christ in you. Don't you believe that?
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Titus 3:14
"Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good, in order that they may provide for daily necessities and not live unproductive lives."
Why should we do good rather than evil if in the end nothing we do is righteous to God and no sin can ever separate us from Christ crucified? As Paul writes in Titus, there are two very practical reasons among many others. First that we might provide for daily necessities and secondly not live unproductive lives.
We do good in order to bless others by providing for their basic needs and in return they bless us with gifts of humility and joy. In addition we receive blessings from God and store up for ourselves treasures in heaven. In so doing, we live productive lives because we are literally working for that which is eternal and does not rust or decay. Nothing we do in this life is productive because ultimately everything in this world passes away. How many ancients civilizations have there been with astounding technology lost forever to time? No doubt they thought they were being productive at the time, but in the end they are forgotten as if they had never been.
And it all starts with hearts and minds transformed by the Holy Spirit. So then we give ourselves over to Him so that we may be self-controlled, hospitable, upright, holy, and disciplined so that in every way we will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive.
Why should we do good rather than evil if in the end nothing we do is righteous to God and no sin can ever separate us from Christ crucified? As Paul writes in Titus, there are two very practical reasons among many others. First that we might provide for daily necessities and secondly not live unproductive lives.
We do good in order to bless others by providing for their basic needs and in return they bless us with gifts of humility and joy. In addition we receive blessings from God and store up for ourselves treasures in heaven. In so doing, we live productive lives because we are literally working for that which is eternal and does not rust or decay. Nothing we do in this life is productive because ultimately everything in this world passes away. How many ancients civilizations have there been with astounding technology lost forever to time? No doubt they thought they were being productive at the time, but in the end they are forgotten as if they had never been.
And it all starts with hearts and minds transformed by the Holy Spirit. So then we give ourselves over to Him so that we may be self-controlled, hospitable, upright, holy, and disciplined so that in every way we will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Romans 2:1
"You therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things."
Morality which superimposes itself on others is no morality at all.
We as followers of the Way, the Truth, and the Life are called to imitate Christ, but by no means were we ever to use that which we've learned from Christ (kindness, patience, generosity, etc.) in order to turn around and condemn those who do not possess such things. As Christ-like as you become, you will never be God, you will never have authority to judge someone else, else you yourself will be condemned.
Not even Christ, who was God, did these things on Earth (but surely God has now exalted him to the place of power and authority to judge in the end of days), but rather "he did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing." (Phil 2:6-7) Those who boast of their moral superiority have in fact missed the entire Gospel and still cling to the ways of the Law, the way of Death.
Are you a sinner? If so then you must know you are deserving of death, but God's kindness and mercy on the Cross should lead you to repentance. I do not preach my morals, but I preach Christ and Christ alone. It is in his righteousness I boast so that none may brag.
Morality which superimposes itself on others is no morality at all.
We as followers of the Way, the Truth, and the Life are called to imitate Christ, but by no means were we ever to use that which we've learned from Christ (kindness, patience, generosity, etc.) in order to turn around and condemn those who do not possess such things. As Christ-like as you become, you will never be God, you will never have authority to judge someone else, else you yourself will be condemned.
Not even Christ, who was God, did these things on Earth (but surely God has now exalted him to the place of power and authority to judge in the end of days), but rather "he did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing." (Phil 2:6-7) Those who boast of their moral superiority have in fact missed the entire Gospel and still cling to the ways of the Law, the way of Death.
Are you a sinner? If so then you must know you are deserving of death, but God's kindness and mercy on the Cross should lead you to repentance. I do not preach my morals, but I preach Christ and Christ alone. It is in his righteousness I boast so that none may brag.
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Luke 4:18-19; Isaiah 61:1-2
"The Spirit of the LORD is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor."
The Gospel isn't simply about forgiveness. Those who believe that the Gospel is that Christ died on a cross in order to forgive sins only understand half of what the Gospel is. This verse points to so many various things that Jesus did in His ministry in fulfillment of the law and prophets, all of which can be summed up in one word: reconciliation. Yes, Jesus has paid the penalty for our sins in order that we may live, but more than that, so that we might live unto and through Him in right relationship with God our Father.
Jesus came to bring restoration of this world back to the way it was in the beginning, to rightfully restore us back to a place of dominion over all of the Earth as it's stewards, and to condemn that usurper who took from us our dominion and enslaved us by deceiving us into obeying him rather than God, the prince of this world, Satan.
Do not forget: We are agents, ambassadors for Christ, spreading the ministry of reconciliation which He started and has set in our hearts so that He may continue to work through his body on Earth, the Church.
The Gospel isn't simply about forgiveness. Those who believe that the Gospel is that Christ died on a cross in order to forgive sins only understand half of what the Gospel is. This verse points to so many various things that Jesus did in His ministry in fulfillment of the law and prophets, all of which can be summed up in one word: reconciliation. Yes, Jesus has paid the penalty for our sins in order that we may live, but more than that, so that we might live unto and through Him in right relationship with God our Father.
Jesus came to bring restoration of this world back to the way it was in the beginning, to rightfully restore us back to a place of dominion over all of the Earth as it's stewards, and to condemn that usurper who took from us our dominion and enslaved us by deceiving us into obeying him rather than God, the prince of this world, Satan.
Do not forget: We are agents, ambassadors for Christ, spreading the ministry of reconciliation which He started and has set in our hearts so that He may continue to work through his body on Earth, the Church.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Luke 10:3
"Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves."
This is a very dangerous mission we are called to. At every moment we are in danger of being devoured if we are not careful. Jesus gives us careful instructions on what to do lest we find ourselves in some serious trouble. The life of one called to be an apostle is one that needs to be handled with the utmost care. When one is in a position to share the Gospel, mistakes cannot be afforded. This entire mission is life or death as lives hang in the balance.
Your enemy is prowling about like a lion waiting to devour someone who stumbles; Do not give him the chance. It takes but one thief to break into a house to let the rest in. Though a single flake of snow may not seem like much, over time and repetition it can amount to a serious problem. So take heed to yourselves and make sure that you do not falter in this task given to you.
No one in a position of authority can ever commit a small sin. Those who teach will be judged more harshly. Far be it that we sin while everyone's eyes are upon us! For he who causes any of these little ones to stumble, it would be better if he were thrown into the sea with a large millstone around his neck. It would be worse than if he never served at all. Do not take God's calling lightly.
This is a very dangerous mission we are called to. At every moment we are in danger of being devoured if we are not careful. Jesus gives us careful instructions on what to do lest we find ourselves in some serious trouble. The life of one called to be an apostle is one that needs to be handled with the utmost care. When one is in a position to share the Gospel, mistakes cannot be afforded. This entire mission is life or death as lives hang in the balance.
Your enemy is prowling about like a lion waiting to devour someone who stumbles; Do not give him the chance. It takes but one thief to break into a house to let the rest in. Though a single flake of snow may not seem like much, over time and repetition it can amount to a serious problem. So take heed to yourselves and make sure that you do not falter in this task given to you.
No one in a position of authority can ever commit a small sin. Those who teach will be judged more harshly. Far be it that we sin while everyone's eyes are upon us! For he who causes any of these little ones to stumble, it would be better if he were thrown into the sea with a large millstone around his neck. It would be worse than if he never served at all. Do not take God's calling lightly.
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