This is a summary of the three ways that men and women might sin; from that last talk on Colossians.
Three ways women may usurp authority
1) Taking over in a situation. This would be what Eve did in the garden: rather than looking to her husband for direction, she simply made a call. This can be expressed in an attitude of "I'll submit if he leads well."
2) Overt usurpation. This is a wife who is overbearing, usually with words. She doesn't exhibit a quiet and gentle spirit (1 Peter 3:1-6), and her husband is happier on a corner of the roof (Proverbs 25:17) or in front of the tv or buried in the newspaper.
3) Covert usurpation. This is manipulation: using sex, affection, respect, love or emotions to get what you want. Like Delilah saying that Samson didn't really love her.
Three ways men abuse their authority
1) Abuse. Harshness. Men will get irritated with their wives - even angry. We have a tendency to respond in anger, in a domineering, non-gentle fashion.
2) Believing love is merely commitment. I think this comes from the wrong-headed notion that agape and philos in koine Greek mean different things. They (usually) don't. The fact is that God commands the emotions here. Yes, it is commitment - but it is so much more than that. It is affectionate, adoring, desirous emotion.
3) Believing that love means we seek our wives' happiness in general - as opposed to their happiness in God. In other words, we're to seek our wives' holiness, as Jesus did for his Bride (see Eph. 5). Sometimes, that might make her temporarily upset. We'll have to deal with that.
So there're a list of sins. We will sin in those ways, men. You will sin in those ways, women.
But there is a way out. Can you find it in the context of Colossians 3?
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Jesus Recreates Our Relationships
This is my final talk from Colossians on summer project. Notes. Here ya go.
-Theme – The Gospel changes all our human relationships. (repeat)
-What’s the Gospel?
-So what we’re to see tonight is that Jesus as King and Savior recreates all our human relationships.
-3 Types of Relationships – Family, (quick side about prayer), non-Christians, Christians
-Pray
Jesus Recreates Our Family Relationships
-Read 3:18-4:1
-Some of this might rub the wrong way. Might bear some explanation, but this being God’s word doesn’t depend on us liking it.
-that said – a word about slaves…
-We have a problem with authority in our age. Maybe because of abuses of authority. But God has established it. (Bumper sticker example)
-Going to talk about wives, then husbands, then those in authority positions, then children and those under authority.
-Not all of you are wives/husbands – but you probably will be. Maybe rather than trying to find the perfect spouse, you should seek to be a God-honoring one.
-Wives
-explain command (live in submission – not just ‘the buck stops with…’; not just ‘spiritual leadership’; as to the Lord – eph 5)
-sins - usurping authority
- taking over: only submitting if he ‘leads well’ and really just taking things into your own hands – Eve;
-overt usurpation – being overbearing vs. quiet, gentle spirit (1 Peter 3); -covert usurpation – manipulation – Delilah)
-how the gospel answers our sin problem
-‘fitting in the Lord’ (explain)
-New Kingdom has begun! Old world typified by the curse, new world reverses it
-Husbands (3:19)
-explain command – love! (seeking her greatest happiness in God. Enjoying her. Liking her. Being attracted to her/standard for beauty)
-sins
-harshness/abuse – getting irritated and responding with anger
-thinking it’s mere commitment – Jesus commands our emotions
-believing that love means seeking her earthly happiness vs. happiness in God (budget example) – so passivity in loving her and taking her to Jesus as King – even if she doesn’t like it at the time
-Jesus’ solution in a minute…
-Those in authority (3:21, 4:1) – many of us will be parents – get ready
-Commands (rephrase) – boils down to this: treat those under you with justice and love.
-sins: issuing commands as a dictator.
-Believing that you are the ultimate master/standard of right/wrong – as opposed to Jesus.
-Not rewarding obedience. Not punishing disobedience.
-Command boils down to: model Jesus’ authority – both hard on sin and gentle/loving –both serving, and commanding
-Your household should be a model of how Jesus treats the world
-Stiff command? YES – but remember that (4:1b) (expound)
-Those under authority – all of us are (family, government, Church eldership)
-(3:20, 22-25)
-Summarize commands – (obey, serving the Lord)
-Sins: disobedience, people-pleasing, trying to see how much we can get away with
-How the gospel answers our sin problem: (3:20, 24, 25) (inheritance/loved, vs. getting what we deserve – so love God/please him)
(Repeat point)
Aside
-(4:2)
-Explain command
-What gets in your way of dedicated times of prayer? (unbelief that God uses it, lack of desire to honor God in it, seeking things here, whether fun or because you’re stressed)
-for me in college: probably combo of all of them –
-Gospel solution: ‘being watchful’ – Jesus is coming back to establish his Kingdom –
(repeat point)
Jesus Recreates Our Relationships with Non-Christians
-4:3-6
-Two ways – missions and evangelism. Difference. (Rom. 15:18-21)
-Goal? Is. 43:6, 7
-Missions (3:3, 4)
-Prayer
-Going to announce the word to the unreached!
-why not you?
-Sin – don’t care enough to work for the goal…
-Answer – Jesus died and you’re life is with him – live for that!
-Evangelism (3:5, 6)
-define
-Commands
-wisdom in time use - organized around reaching the lost sheep
-manner of speaking should be… (explain the verse)
-note: knowing how to answer means you’ve said enough that they have questions
-Problems –
-evangelism -> event, not a lifestyle.
-Not loving people/treating them as individuals
-But it’s true – Jesus lives and so we will with him forever – live like it! Invite people with you!
(repeat point)
Jesus Recreates our relationships with Christians
-4:7-18
-Let’s look at all that Jesus has given us – just exemplified here
-Easy to forget what we’ve been given
-be critical of the whole Church/judge
-think that Christianity is an individual thing
-Godly examples – people showing us Jesus in action (4:7-8, 18)
-Real loving relationships (4:10, 11, 14-15)
-Prayer (4:12, 18)
-Ministry to each other in various forms (comforting, preaching, hospitality…)
-The Scriptures (4:16)
-All because Jesus…
-So we’ve seen in this passage that the Gospel recreates our relationships.
-What’s the Gospel?
-And it recreates Our relationships with family, our relationships with non Christians, and our relationships with Christians.
-We’ve been looking at this concept of looking at the world through Jesus colored glasses…
-Jesus really is everything. And he is our everything.
-Pray
-Theme – The Gospel changes all our human relationships. (repeat)
-What’s the Gospel?
-So what we’re to see tonight is that Jesus as King and Savior recreates all our human relationships.
-3 Types of Relationships – Family, (quick side about prayer), non-Christians, Christians
-Pray
Jesus Recreates Our Family Relationships
-Read 3:18-4:1
-Some of this might rub the wrong way. Might bear some explanation, but this being God’s word doesn’t depend on us liking it.
-that said – a word about slaves…
-We have a problem with authority in our age. Maybe because of abuses of authority. But God has established it. (Bumper sticker example)
-Going to talk about wives, then husbands, then those in authority positions, then children and those under authority.
-Not all of you are wives/husbands – but you probably will be. Maybe rather than trying to find the perfect spouse, you should seek to be a God-honoring one.
-Wives
-explain command (live in submission – not just ‘the buck stops with…’; not just ‘spiritual leadership’; as to the Lord – eph 5)
-sins - usurping authority
- taking over: only submitting if he ‘leads well’ and really just taking things into your own hands – Eve;
-overt usurpation – being overbearing vs. quiet, gentle spirit (1 Peter 3); -covert usurpation – manipulation – Delilah)
-how the gospel answers our sin problem
-‘fitting in the Lord’ (explain)
-New Kingdom has begun! Old world typified by the curse, new world reverses it
-Husbands (3:19)
-explain command – love! (seeking her greatest happiness in God. Enjoying her. Liking her. Being attracted to her/standard for beauty)
-sins
-harshness/abuse – getting irritated and responding with anger
-thinking it’s mere commitment – Jesus commands our emotions
-believing that love means seeking her earthly happiness vs. happiness in God (budget example) – so passivity in loving her and taking her to Jesus as King – even if she doesn’t like it at the time
-Jesus’ solution in a minute…
-Those in authority (3:21, 4:1) – many of us will be parents – get ready
-Commands (rephrase) – boils down to this: treat those under you with justice and love.
-sins: issuing commands as a dictator.
-Believing that you are the ultimate master/standard of right/wrong – as opposed to Jesus.
-Not rewarding obedience. Not punishing disobedience.
-Command boils down to: model Jesus’ authority – both hard on sin and gentle/loving –both serving, and commanding
-Your household should be a model of how Jesus treats the world
-Stiff command? YES – but remember that (4:1b) (expound)
-Those under authority – all of us are (family, government, Church eldership)
-(3:20, 22-25)
-Summarize commands – (obey, serving the Lord)
-Sins: disobedience, people-pleasing, trying to see how much we can get away with
-How the gospel answers our sin problem: (3:20, 24, 25) (inheritance/loved, vs. getting what we deserve – so love God/please him)
(Repeat point)
Aside
-(4:2)
-Explain command
-What gets in your way of dedicated times of prayer? (unbelief that God uses it, lack of desire to honor God in it, seeking things here, whether fun or because you’re stressed)
-for me in college: probably combo of all of them –
-Gospel solution: ‘being watchful’ – Jesus is coming back to establish his Kingdom –
(repeat point)
Jesus Recreates Our Relationships with Non-Christians
-4:3-6
-Two ways – missions and evangelism. Difference. (Rom. 15:18-21)
-Goal? Is. 43:6, 7
-Missions (3:3, 4)
-Prayer
-Going to announce the word to the unreached!
-why not you?
-Sin – don’t care enough to work for the goal…
-Answer – Jesus died and you’re life is with him – live for that!
-Evangelism (3:5, 6)
-define
-Commands
-wisdom in time use - organized around reaching the lost sheep
-manner of speaking should be… (explain the verse)
-note: knowing how to answer means you’ve said enough that they have questions
-Problems –
-evangelism -> event, not a lifestyle.
-Not loving people/treating them as individuals
-But it’s true – Jesus lives and so we will with him forever – live like it! Invite people with you!
(repeat point)
Jesus Recreates our relationships with Christians
-4:7-18
-Let’s look at all that Jesus has given us – just exemplified here
-Easy to forget what we’ve been given
-be critical of the whole Church/judge
-think that Christianity is an individual thing
-Godly examples – people showing us Jesus in action (4:7-8, 18)
-Real loving relationships (4:10, 11, 14-15)
-Prayer (4:12, 18)
-Ministry to each other in various forms (comforting, preaching, hospitality…)
-The Scriptures (4:16)
-All because Jesus…
-So we’ve seen in this passage that the Gospel recreates our relationships.
-What’s the Gospel?
-And it recreates Our relationships with family, our relationships with non Christians, and our relationships with Christians.
-We’ve been looking at this concept of looking at the world through Jesus colored glasses…
-Jesus really is everything. And he is our everything.
-Pray
Friday, July 25, 2008
Ethics through Jesus-Colored Glasses
These are the notes from the talk I gave during the fifth week of summer project in New Zealand. The text is Colossians 2:20-3:17
Intro – Misconception re: Christianity – lifestyle that is about rules.
-it’s not, it’s about how Jesus brings every believer in him to his Kingdom!
-but sometimes even for us that believe that, we express a bunch of lifestyle stuff as if that’s Christianity – sometimes in preaching, in Bible studies, even in conversations, in how we try to live like Jesus wants. And being saved is almost an afterthought.
-That is subChristian thinking. In God’s word, any lifestyle stuff that Christians are commanded to do is always in light of and caused by The HS, through what Jesus’ cross purchased for us.
Series:
Our problem – we see commands in the Scriptures and try really hard to obey. And we fail.
MBI – What God wants us to see tonight is this: if you have trusted Jesus, he’s bringing you into his Kingdom – and nothing will stop him. Our lifestyle should – and by his power, will, reflect that. In other words: Jesus’ saving us results in change in our behavior.
4 Commands we break, and how Jesus fixes our sin problem:
Pray
-Don’t use man-made ways of trying to reach God - 2:20-33
-What was going on in Colassae?
-Command – don’t try to grow in spirituality or holiness like non-Christians!
-Examples of ways the world pursues spirituality:
-nature. Music. Books which teach things other than Scripture. Psychology. Obeying laws created by our feelings, candles, art, reason (atheism), prayer ‘creativity’, humanitarianism
-how we do similar things!
-ex: me and logic, as opposed to trusting the Spirit and the word
-Certainly nothing listed is all bad; but must be seen thru lens of SCRIPTURE
in dependence on Scripture and prayer – and nothing else!
-Result if not: a new law. Certain experiences ID-ed as godliness. Practices mandated and others get judged. God and his word cease being our authority, and experience is God – not Jesus.
-Example: music fight against the old school music people. Now, attack on old school music!
-Solution: We died with Jesus to the elemental spirits
-elemental spirits?
-God will judge the world for its rebellion
-we’ve been judged in Christ and are forgiven
-and so the old ways that humanity tries – and fails – to connect with God (even if they ‘feel’ stuff) don’t apply
-Therefore, know that because of Jesus death, we are no longer governed by the world’s futile philosophies. So trust that Jesus has reconciled you and stop making up stuff he didn’t command! And don’t tolerate it when other people are making stuff up either! (Duet 12:32!)
-Ever try to make a dead person do something?
3:1-4 – Seek Jesus’ Kingdom.
-Command – Seek what’s above! (3:1)
-What’s above? Christ’s Kingdom! Where what he wants goes. Everything that’s of value (Christ is our life) (3:1)
-How we fail – Failing to treat Jesus like King, worthy of obedience and honor. Failing to treat him as valuable. Questions to think about on your own: areas of your life you don’t treat Jesus like King in. Things you value more than Jesus – where do you seek pleasure? Maybe good to go home pray and journal about.
-Ex: The other night, I valued a burger more than Jesus.
-4 Solutions:
-Believe in the resurrection! (3:1)
-Believe that we’re in the new world in Christ (3:1) (Neo)
-Believe that you’re dead in this world (3:3)
-Believe that in the future, the reality of this new world in you will be revealed (3:4) (1 John 3:2)
3:5-11 – Kill what’s dead.
-Kill the things in you that belong to the old world
-sin list 1 – (3:5) – a bunch of stuff that we’d seek for pleasure
-what do you seek for pleasure? - functional savior. What do you think about? Spend time on? Money on? (Me and food!) (Calvin and waking up and falling asleep)
-sin list 2 – (3:8, 9) – a bunch of ways that we use words to hurt each other
-We do these things because we either are hurting or because we want to make ourselves feel better about ourselves. Words! (Jas. 1:19)
-Ex: my cheating ex
-4 Solutions
-We belong to the next world (v. 5 – the therefore) and will be glorified with Jesus
-v. 6 – the wrath of God falls on such things
-no fear of wrath
-hate what God hates – then you’ll kill it
-vv. 7, 9, 10 – we have a new self which God is renewing in knowledge
-v. 11 – Jesus is our prize and our power and our highest value
3:12-17 – Act like who God’s remade you to be.
-4 Commands
1-Love! (12-15)
-seeking others’ happiness
-what prevents us? Trying to get happiness here (rather than above)
-Ex. Of helping dudes with stuff after their church service vs. me sleeping/getting groceries
2-Let Christ’s peace rule in our hearts
-contra anxiety
-comes from trust in his being King and loving us, through prayer
-Phil. 4:6, 7
3-Let Christ’s word dwell among us richly (explain)
-results in…
-what prevents us? Lack of attentiveness. Like entertaining teaching/books. Not believing that the word is powerful. Not wanting to do the work of paying attention or serious study. Not enjoying God as he’s revealed in it, but enjoying other things…
-ex: my 5 minutes a day in high school
4-Always act for Jesus’ glory (part of which is giving thanks)
-what prevents us from doing that?
-not seeing Jesus’ glory (from Scripture)!
-not loving him; rather, loving our lives here
-ex: faith healers
-other ex: doing ministry stuff to impress opposite sex
-just apathy towards Jesus(!) - maybe humanitarianism?
-4 Ways God solves our problems
1 -v. 12 – ‘then’
-conclusion – we’re totally new because of Jesus – being renewed(!)
-stop beating the crap out of yourself! You are new and God is working if you have believed! Rather, trust and obey!
2 -v. 12 – ‘chosen, holy, and loved’
-You’re in Christ and guaranteed heaven because God loved you, not because of what you did. God started bringing you to heaven, he’s working in you – believe!
-Certain future = freedom to love because nothing here to gain!
3 -v. 13 – forgiven!
-forgiveness guarantees your eternity – free to forgive!
-Remember Christ’s Kingdom is guaranteed for you!
-persecutions, etc. – mean nothing!
-ex: Stephen
4 -v. 16 – the word of Christ given to us!
-2 Cor. 3:18
-seeing his glory is through the word!!!
-transforms us to glorify Christ!
-letters from a loved one (if Lace and I didn’t have phone calls – and even with them – those letters are a little bit of who she is – shows me her. Makes me enjoy and love her.)
So we’ve seen 4 commands…
And we as Christians obey them as a result of the gospel, through faith! (The POINT!)
The gospel is…
As we believe in the gospel, God works in us and causes us to obey for the sake of his glory.
Pray
Intro – Misconception re: Christianity – lifestyle that is about rules.
-it’s not, it’s about how Jesus brings every believer in him to his Kingdom!
-but sometimes even for us that believe that, we express a bunch of lifestyle stuff as if that’s Christianity – sometimes in preaching, in Bible studies, even in conversations, in how we try to live like Jesus wants. And being saved is almost an afterthought.
-That is subChristian thinking. In God’s word, any lifestyle stuff that Christians are commanded to do is always in light of and caused by The HS, through what Jesus’ cross purchased for us.
Series:
Our problem – we see commands in the Scriptures and try really hard to obey. And we fail.
MBI – What God wants us to see tonight is this: if you have trusted Jesus, he’s bringing you into his Kingdom – and nothing will stop him. Our lifestyle should – and by his power, will, reflect that. In other words: Jesus’ saving us results in change in our behavior.
4 Commands we break, and how Jesus fixes our sin problem:
Pray
-Don’t use man-made ways of trying to reach God - 2:20-33
-What was going on in Colassae?
-Command – don’t try to grow in spirituality or holiness like non-Christians!
-Examples of ways the world pursues spirituality:
-nature. Music. Books which teach things other than Scripture. Psychology. Obeying laws created by our feelings, candles, art, reason (atheism), prayer ‘creativity’, humanitarianism
-how we do similar things!
-ex: me and logic, as opposed to trusting the Spirit and the word
-Certainly nothing listed is all bad; but must be seen thru lens of SCRIPTURE
in dependence on Scripture and prayer – and nothing else!
-Result if not: a new law. Certain experiences ID-ed as godliness. Practices mandated and others get judged. God and his word cease being our authority, and experience is God – not Jesus.
-Example: music fight against the old school music people. Now, attack on old school music!
-Solution: We died with Jesus to the elemental spirits
-elemental spirits?
-God will judge the world for its rebellion
-we’ve been judged in Christ and are forgiven
-and so the old ways that humanity tries – and fails – to connect with God (even if they ‘feel’ stuff) don’t apply
-Therefore, know that because of Jesus death, we are no longer governed by the world’s futile philosophies. So trust that Jesus has reconciled you and stop making up stuff he didn’t command! And don’t tolerate it when other people are making stuff up either! (Duet 12:32!)
-Ever try to make a dead person do something?
3:1-4 – Seek Jesus’ Kingdom.
-Command – Seek what’s above! (3:1)
-What’s above? Christ’s Kingdom! Where what he wants goes. Everything that’s of value (Christ is our life) (3:1)
-How we fail – Failing to treat Jesus like King, worthy of obedience and honor. Failing to treat him as valuable. Questions to think about on your own: areas of your life you don’t treat Jesus like King in. Things you value more than Jesus – where do you seek pleasure? Maybe good to go home pray and journal about.
-Ex: The other night, I valued a burger more than Jesus.
-4 Solutions:
-Believe in the resurrection! (3:1)
-Believe that we’re in the new world in Christ (3:1) (Neo)
-Believe that you’re dead in this world (3:3)
-Believe that in the future, the reality of this new world in you will be revealed (3:4) (1 John 3:2)
3:5-11 – Kill what’s dead.
-Kill the things in you that belong to the old world
-sin list 1 – (3:5) – a bunch of stuff that we’d seek for pleasure
-what do you seek for pleasure? - functional savior. What do you think about? Spend time on? Money on? (Me and food!) (Calvin and waking up and falling asleep)
-sin list 2 – (3:8, 9) – a bunch of ways that we use words to hurt each other
-We do these things because we either are hurting or because we want to make ourselves feel better about ourselves. Words! (Jas. 1:19)
-Ex: my cheating ex
-4 Solutions
-We belong to the next world (v. 5 – the therefore) and will be glorified with Jesus
-v. 6 – the wrath of God falls on such things
-no fear of wrath
-hate what God hates – then you’ll kill it
-vv. 7, 9, 10 – we have a new self which God is renewing in knowledge
-v. 11 – Jesus is our prize and our power and our highest value
3:12-17 – Act like who God’s remade you to be.
-4 Commands
1-Love! (12-15)
-seeking others’ happiness
-what prevents us? Trying to get happiness here (rather than above)
-Ex. Of helping dudes with stuff after their church service vs. me sleeping/getting groceries
2-Let Christ’s peace rule in our hearts
-contra anxiety
-comes from trust in his being King and loving us, through prayer
-Phil. 4:6, 7
3-Let Christ’s word dwell among us richly (explain)
-results in…
-what prevents us? Lack of attentiveness. Like entertaining teaching/books. Not believing that the word is powerful. Not wanting to do the work of paying attention or serious study. Not enjoying God as he’s revealed in it, but enjoying other things…
-ex: my 5 minutes a day in high school
4-Always act for Jesus’ glory (part of which is giving thanks)
-what prevents us from doing that?
-not seeing Jesus’ glory (from Scripture)!
-not loving him; rather, loving our lives here
-ex: faith healers
-other ex: doing ministry stuff to impress opposite sex
-just apathy towards Jesus(!) - maybe humanitarianism?
-4 Ways God solves our problems
1 -v. 12 – ‘then’
-conclusion – we’re totally new because of Jesus – being renewed(!)
-stop beating the crap out of yourself! You are new and God is working if you have believed! Rather, trust and obey!
2 -v. 12 – ‘chosen, holy, and loved’
-You’re in Christ and guaranteed heaven because God loved you, not because of what you did. God started bringing you to heaven, he’s working in you – believe!
-Certain future = freedom to love because nothing here to gain!
3 -v. 13 – forgiven!
-forgiveness guarantees your eternity – free to forgive!
-Remember Christ’s Kingdom is guaranteed for you!
-persecutions, etc. – mean nothing!
-ex: Stephen
4 -v. 16 – the word of Christ given to us!
-2 Cor. 3:18
-seeing his glory is through the word!!!
-transforms us to glorify Christ!
-letters from a loved one (if Lace and I didn’t have phone calls – and even with them – those letters are a little bit of who she is – shows me her. Makes me enjoy and love her.)
So we’ve seen 4 commands…
And we as Christians obey them as a result of the gospel, through faith! (The POINT!)
The gospel is…
As we believe in the gospel, God works in us and causes us to obey for the sake of his glory.
Pray
Monday, July 21, 2008
A Morning Prayer
God, I praise you because you are sovereign God. You are creator and sustainer and lover and redeemer and telos.
And I am creature, stuck in sin, in foolishness, in rebellion, in stubbornness, in deadness.
I am worth your wrath, my God. I am worthy of your hatred; being called your enemy; hell. I am worth your enmity. What have I done but earn it? I have not loved you, delighted in you, sought you or obeyed you – but as it pleased me. O God, I am a careless, spiteful, hateful, hostile rebel. I deserve hell.
But O God, you are loving towards poor sinners, knowing our wretchedness; our helplessness. And you have rightly desired to glorify yourself by loving rebels. So you saw fit to crush your own Son for me, to vindicate him by raising him from the dead, to honor him by giving him the universe for a Kingdom, to honor yourself in the future of his reign over the new creation, including the people whom you have chosen, redeemed, and will glorify.
You have given faith to those you loved, granted them Jesus’ righteousness, lavished on them the Holy Spirit, and guaranteed them glory and happiness in your presence forever.
And so I thank you for all of salvation: regeneration, justification, and glorification. Let me not rejoice that the spirits are subject to me, but that your sovereign hand has written my name in your book of life. And not only these, but in this life you have given me love, friends, food, clothing, and shelter – none of which I’ve earned – but which are all because of your grace.
I ask this: that you glorify yourself in me. Cause my mind, emotions, and will to be governed by you for your glory. Cause me to depend in prayer, to kill my flesh in faith, and to pursue the things of your Kingdom in hope.
Cause me to love as I ought, to speak as I ought, to make decisions for your sake - that whatever I do, in word or deed, might be in the name of Jesus Christ.
Cause me to first love you, second love Lacey, third love your Church, and fourth love my neighbor. Keep me in holiness all this day for your name’s sake.
In the blood and obedience of Jesus I pray, and for his glory’s sake, amen.
And I am creature, stuck in sin, in foolishness, in rebellion, in stubbornness, in deadness.
I am worth your wrath, my God. I am worthy of your hatred; being called your enemy; hell. I am worth your enmity. What have I done but earn it? I have not loved you, delighted in you, sought you or obeyed you – but as it pleased me. O God, I am a careless, spiteful, hateful, hostile rebel. I deserve hell.
But O God, you are loving towards poor sinners, knowing our wretchedness; our helplessness. And you have rightly desired to glorify yourself by loving rebels. So you saw fit to crush your own Son for me, to vindicate him by raising him from the dead, to honor him by giving him the universe for a Kingdom, to honor yourself in the future of his reign over the new creation, including the people whom you have chosen, redeemed, and will glorify.
You have given faith to those you loved, granted them Jesus’ righteousness, lavished on them the Holy Spirit, and guaranteed them glory and happiness in your presence forever.
And so I thank you for all of salvation: regeneration, justification, and glorification. Let me not rejoice that the spirits are subject to me, but that your sovereign hand has written my name in your book of life. And not only these, but in this life you have given me love, friends, food, clothing, and shelter – none of which I’ve earned – but which are all because of your grace.
I ask this: that you glorify yourself in me. Cause my mind, emotions, and will to be governed by you for your glory. Cause me to depend in prayer, to kill my flesh in faith, and to pursue the things of your Kingdom in hope.
Cause me to love as I ought, to speak as I ought, to make decisions for your sake - that whatever I do, in word or deed, might be in the name of Jesus Christ.
Cause me to first love you, second love Lacey, third love your Church, and fourth love my neighbor. Keep me in holiness all this day for your name’s sake.
In the blood and obedience of Jesus I pray, and for his glory’s sake, amen.
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Talk Notes - Colossians 1:24-2:19
-What we believes -> what we do. What we do has consequences
-ex. Jumping off a building cuz I think I can fly
-The same affects our spiritual lives – but much more insidiously –
-our experiences
-our feelings
-our preferences
-the seemingly wise thoughts of Christian teachers/authors
-Series
-MBI – Jesus must be Lord over all we think.
-To do – Cling to the Scriptures as true, and be skeptical of spiritual ‘truths’ not defended by Scripture.
-3 points
-Pray
-Knowing about Paul’s suffering shows us what to think (1:24, 2:1)
-examples of suffering – 2 Cor. 11:23-28
-weird! What’d you think if someone was telling you about how much they -suffered for you. Like your mom talking about labor?
-2 Purposes:
1) to show off Jesus’ suffering
-filling up what is lacking (1:24)
-redemption not lacking. (see 1:13, 14)
-actual physical presence lacking (Phil. 2:30)
-we lack Paul, but have his writing!
-Harry Potter knew of his mom’s suffering for him by word and by the suffering of others for him
-The example of Paul shows us reality of Jesus
-it supplements Paul’s service of the church, which is preaching the word (1:24- 27)
-Service always has the word in it!
-word is about this thing humanity has waited for – Jesus bringing us to glory (1:26, 27)
-example? None – there is nothing as great as this news – Jesus bringing us to God to enjoy him forever
2) to cause them to not be deceived by other worldviews (2:1-5)
-His struggle’s goal is their knowing Jesus, and perseverance of the saints (2:2, 3, 5; 1:23)
-He says he struggles for this so that other arguments lose force (2:4).
-Struggle is proclamation (1:28) and resulting suffering he’d endure
-You only suffer for something you believe.
-Suicide bombers
-Paul’s saying that his suffering indicates his sincerity – he was commissioned by God as an apostle!
-Thus, his message, vs. other reasonings/thoughts/feelings/traditions, is authoritative.
-(repeat point)
-To persevere in faith, Jesus must govern our thinking
-In treating Jesus like Lord in how we live (2:6, 7)
-You accepted the gospel (received) (v. 6)
-You need to continue living with Jesus as Lord
-passives – him causing the growth (incl. doctrine) (2:7)
-active – giving thanks (vs. being grateful) (2:7)
-Ex: Getting married because of love. Keep loving your spouse.
-In not being taken captive by worldly philosophy
-which is from human tradition (2:8) (define)
-(examples from books (virgin birth, God as a risk taker))
-demonic(!) (2:8)
4 reasons to not be taken by worldly philosophy – (repeat point throughout)
-1) Christ is God (2:9) (all of God! Treat him like it! Source of truth!)
-2) Christians have been filled ‘in him’ – the head of all things
-2:10
-i.e. – we don’t lack. Salvation is ours!
-we try to get happiness because we believe we lack
-sex, money, showing off, ministry, thru worship
-we forget that Jesus is giving us all happiness in him
-belief often comes from desire. We’ve been filled in Christ. Don’t desire other things
-3) Christians have been forgiven through him (2:11-14) – explain
-we’ve been cut out of the old world (v. 11)
-this is by dying and rising with Christ through faith (v. 12)
-not baptism (but a picture and confirmation it is)
-without hands
-not main verb – made alive thru faith is
-justification is thru faith alone (rom. 4, etc.)
-that life is by Jesus’ dying in our place (vv. 13, 14)
-4) This forgiveness thru the cross is God’s triumph over philosophy
-human philosophies are demonic (rulers, authorities – table of demons – Satan being a liar)
-God glorified himself in the shame of philosophies –
-salvation was always around
-Satan’s goal – destroying God’s glory by killing his image
-but now salvation is sealed by the cross!
-the cross and resurrection
-answers the problem of evil
-shows infinite love
-shows infinite justice
-gives meaning (forgiveness, death to this world, glory)
-is a historical event – not mere philosophy
-repeat point
-Jesus must be Lord over our spiritual lives
-What were the false teachers teaching?
-v. 16, 17 – explain
-v. 18 – explain
-Sounds foreign a bit – but why did they teach these things?
-experience
-growth (v. 19)
-Big mistake - advocating things Scripture doesn’t command to experience God/grow
-2nd Commandment (explain)
-doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy God’s creation (1 tim 4:1-5 - explain)
-does mean we seek to experience God and grow by what he’s commanded alone
-Scriptures (God communicates savingly)
-Prayer – we respond verbally
-Fellowship – we talk about what he’s revealed
-The Lord’s supper/Baptism
-So Jesus must be Lord over how we seek him. As we cling to him, he will cause us, corporately, to grow. (v. 19)
-To conclude, we’ve seen that Jesus must be Lord over all we think and do.
-3 points…
-Our response must be to cling to the Scriptures as true – and be skeptical of any spiritual ‘truth’ not taught in Scripture.
-Remember 1:21-23. (explain) (Christ’s cross work renews our minds, so we’ll be presented before God as blameless – if we persevere in the faith.)
-Pray
-ex. Jumping off a building cuz I think I can fly
-The same affects our spiritual lives – but much more insidiously –
-our experiences
-our feelings
-our preferences
-the seemingly wise thoughts of Christian teachers/authors
-Series
-MBI – Jesus must be Lord over all we think.
-To do – Cling to the Scriptures as true, and be skeptical of spiritual ‘truths’ not defended by Scripture.
-3 points
-Pray
-Knowing about Paul’s suffering shows us what to think (1:24, 2:1)
-examples of suffering – 2 Cor. 11:23-28
-weird! What’d you think if someone was telling you about how much they -suffered for you. Like your mom talking about labor?
-2 Purposes:
1) to show off Jesus’ suffering
-filling up what is lacking (1:24)
-redemption not lacking. (see 1:13, 14)
-actual physical presence lacking (Phil. 2:30)
-we lack Paul, but have his writing!
-Harry Potter knew of his mom’s suffering for him by word and by the suffering of others for him
-The example of Paul shows us reality of Jesus
-it supplements Paul’s service of the church, which is preaching the word (1:24- 27)
-Service always has the word in it!
-word is about this thing humanity has waited for – Jesus bringing us to glory (1:26, 27)
-example? None – there is nothing as great as this news – Jesus bringing us to God to enjoy him forever
2) to cause them to not be deceived by other worldviews (2:1-5)
-His struggle’s goal is their knowing Jesus, and perseverance of the saints (2:2, 3, 5; 1:23)
-He says he struggles for this so that other arguments lose force (2:4).
-Struggle is proclamation (1:28) and resulting suffering he’d endure
-You only suffer for something you believe.
-Suicide bombers
-Paul’s saying that his suffering indicates his sincerity – he was commissioned by God as an apostle!
-Thus, his message, vs. other reasonings/thoughts/feelings/traditions, is authoritative.
-(repeat point)
-To persevere in faith, Jesus must govern our thinking
-In treating Jesus like Lord in how we live (2:6, 7)
-You accepted the gospel (received) (v. 6)
-You need to continue living with Jesus as Lord
-passives – him causing the growth (incl. doctrine) (2:7)
-active – giving thanks (vs. being grateful) (2:7)
-Ex: Getting married because of love. Keep loving your spouse.
-In not being taken captive by worldly philosophy
-which is from human tradition (2:8) (define)
-(examples from books (virgin birth, God as a risk taker))
-demonic(!) (2:8)
4 reasons to not be taken by worldly philosophy – (repeat point throughout)
-1) Christ is God (2:9) (all of God! Treat him like it! Source of truth!)
-2) Christians have been filled ‘in him’ – the head of all things
-2:10
-i.e. – we don’t lack. Salvation is ours!
-we try to get happiness because we believe we lack
-sex, money, showing off, ministry, thru worship
-we forget that Jesus is giving us all happiness in him
-belief often comes from desire. We’ve been filled in Christ. Don’t desire other things
-3) Christians have been forgiven through him (2:11-14) – explain
-we’ve been cut out of the old world (v. 11)
-this is by dying and rising with Christ through faith (v. 12)
-not baptism (but a picture and confirmation it is)
-without hands
-not main verb – made alive thru faith is
-justification is thru faith alone (rom. 4, etc.)
-that life is by Jesus’ dying in our place (vv. 13, 14)
-4) This forgiveness thru the cross is God’s triumph over philosophy
-human philosophies are demonic (rulers, authorities – table of demons – Satan being a liar)
-God glorified himself in the shame of philosophies –
-salvation was always around
-Satan’s goal – destroying God’s glory by killing his image
-but now salvation is sealed by the cross!
-the cross and resurrection
-answers the problem of evil
-shows infinite love
-shows infinite justice
-gives meaning (forgiveness, death to this world, glory)
-is a historical event – not mere philosophy
-repeat point
-Jesus must be Lord over our spiritual lives
-What were the false teachers teaching?
-v. 16, 17 – explain
-v. 18 – explain
-Sounds foreign a bit – but why did they teach these things?
-experience
-growth (v. 19)
-Big mistake - advocating things Scripture doesn’t command to experience God/grow
-2nd Commandment (explain)
-doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy God’s creation (1 tim 4:1-5 - explain)
-does mean we seek to experience God and grow by what he’s commanded alone
-Scriptures (God communicates savingly)
-Prayer – we respond verbally
-Fellowship – we talk about what he’s revealed
-The Lord’s supper/Baptism
-So Jesus must be Lord over how we seek him. As we cling to him, he will cause us, corporately, to grow. (v. 19)
-To conclude, we’ve seen that Jesus must be Lord over all we think and do.
-3 points…
-Our response must be to cling to the Scriptures as true – and be skeptical of any spiritual ‘truth’ not taught in Scripture.
-Remember 1:21-23. (explain) (Christ’s cross work renews our minds, so we’ll be presented before God as blameless – if we persevere in the faith.)
-Pray
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Gospel Centered Conflict Resolution (Notes)
This is a talk I gave at our briefing for summer project.
Introduction
-Conflict ran from...
-Why didn’t I bring it up? (fear – but really, valuing a lack of tension over the glory of God.)
-What I want us to see this afternoon, is that conflict resolution is a gospel activity.
-We’re going to be looking at Matthew 18:15-20. (Remind, read, pray)
-We’re just going to go verse by verse and see what Jesus said here –
v. 15
-A brother is sinning against you.
-We’re to tell him his fault
-as opposed to holding it in
-as opposed to telling him all other faults/exploding
-as opposed to yelling to make them feel bad
-as opposed to acting to making them feel bad
-as opposed to trying to smooth over the relationship without ever addressing the wrong
-does one of these sound like you?
-It’s supposed to be in private
-not ‘sanctified gossip’
-not telling someone in authority first
-not complaining about it to others (to tear down!)
-if he listens, you’ve gained your brother
-gain – idea of winning over; being brought into possession of
-thus – restored relationship
-but also – we’ll see –sign of right standing before God (v. 18)
-Difference between justification/vindication – James 2(!)
-this is then our goal – restored relationship and vindication before God and man for God’s glory (2 Cor. 7:12)
v. 16
-This is the situation for if he doesn’t listen to the first reproof
-Take 1 or 2 others with (Jesus is applying Deut. 19:15 here!)
-The purpose is so that if it needs to be brought to the church’s attention, it’s not gossip – it’s a formal charge being brought
-purpose: restorative
-person being confronted is helped – realizes it’s a gospel issue
-temptation to not take it to this level (it won’t work! It’s mean!) – but Jesus commands it! And the purpose is fellowship and vindication
-v. 17
-This is again if the person doesn’t repent, then the church is brought in.
-The church is the elders first, since they have authority
-The elders had authority in the synagogue.
-Let him be as a Gentile/tax collector means not welcomed in fellowship (1 Cor. 5:9-11)
-v. 18
-This is a repetition of 16:16-19
-Those verses are about Peter being able to let people in/out of heaven
-But this is on the basis of the confession in v. 16 – Jesus as Christ – Savior- King(!)
-So here that authority is given to the church as a unit; and thus the elders as rulers
-The authority is that of vindication or removal from God’s people
-That doesn’t mean (we know from 2 Cor.) that the person isn’t a Christian; it means there’s not a good reason to believe they are
-But this also means that if they respond – their confession of Jesus as Messiah- Christ-Savior-King is valid and vindicated(!) – and their future in heaven is demonstrated
-Example - of a man who divorced his wife as a Christian trying to remarry
-what’s he valuing over Jesus as King? (companionship, sex…)
-over Jesus as savior? (pleasure now)
-So the church is supposed to step in and judge – does his life reflect responsiveness to God’s word – valuing salvation in Jesus over life – valuing the Kingship of Jesus over his own will?
-If not…
-But if he does…
-v. 19
-This verse is really the continuation of the previous
-Thus, ‘the asking’ is the binding and casting out; it refers to it being done before God – and God is the one doing it
-v. 20
-The reason that God is the one doing it, is because Jesus is so sovereign that he operates among people if they are gathered to represent him –
-Representing Jesus means they’re gathered to operate for his glory
-Ex: ?
-Being gathered for Jesus’ glory means being gathered for the salvation of his people on the basis of the confession of Jesus as Messiah.
Conclusion
-What should our actions be on summer project?
-motivated by a desire for Jesus to be honored in our obedience/love
-motivated by love for our brothers/sisters and vindication before God(!)
-actually – lovingly talking to people as they sin – so that they’ll know Jesus more – and make him known better
-Pray
Introduction
-Conflict ran from...
-Why didn’t I bring it up? (fear – but really, valuing a lack of tension over the glory of God.)
-What I want us to see this afternoon, is that conflict resolution is a gospel activity.
-We’re going to be looking at Matthew 18:15-20. (Remind, read, pray)
-We’re just going to go verse by verse and see what Jesus said here –
v. 15
-A brother is sinning against you.
-We’re to tell him his fault
-as opposed to holding it in
-as opposed to telling him all other faults/exploding
-as opposed to yelling to make them feel bad
-as opposed to acting to making them feel bad
-as opposed to trying to smooth over the relationship without ever addressing the wrong
-does one of these sound like you?
-It’s supposed to be in private
-not ‘sanctified gossip’
-not telling someone in authority first
-not complaining about it to others (to tear down!)
-if he listens, you’ve gained your brother
-gain – idea of winning over; being brought into possession of
-thus – restored relationship
-but also – we’ll see –sign of right standing before God (v. 18)
-Difference between justification/vindication – James 2(!)
-this is then our goal – restored relationship and vindication before God and man for God’s glory (2 Cor. 7:12)
v. 16
-This is the situation for if he doesn’t listen to the first reproof
-Take 1 or 2 others with (Jesus is applying Deut. 19:15 here!)
-The purpose is so that if it needs to be brought to the church’s attention, it’s not gossip – it’s a formal charge being brought
-purpose: restorative
-person being confronted is helped – realizes it’s a gospel issue
-temptation to not take it to this level (it won’t work! It’s mean!) – but Jesus commands it! And the purpose is fellowship and vindication
-v. 17
-This is again if the person doesn’t repent, then the church is brought in.
-The church is the elders first, since they have authority
-The elders had authority in the synagogue.
-Let him be as a Gentile/tax collector means not welcomed in fellowship (1 Cor. 5:9-11)
-v. 18
-This is a repetition of 16:16-19
-Those verses are about Peter being able to let people in/out of heaven
-But this is on the basis of the confession in v. 16 – Jesus as Christ – Savior- King(!)
-So here that authority is given to the church as a unit; and thus the elders as rulers
-The authority is that of vindication or removal from God’s people
-That doesn’t mean (we know from 2 Cor.) that the person isn’t a Christian; it means there’s not a good reason to believe they are
-But this also means that if they respond – their confession of Jesus as Messiah- Christ-Savior-King is valid and vindicated(!) – and their future in heaven is demonstrated
-Example - of a man who divorced his wife as a Christian trying to remarry
-what’s he valuing over Jesus as King? (companionship, sex…)
-over Jesus as savior? (pleasure now)
-So the church is supposed to step in and judge – does his life reflect responsiveness to God’s word – valuing salvation in Jesus over life – valuing the Kingship of Jesus over his own will?
-If not…
-But if he does…
-v. 19
-This verse is really the continuation of the previous
-Thus, ‘the asking’ is the binding and casting out; it refers to it being done before God – and God is the one doing it
-v. 20
-The reason that God is the one doing it, is because Jesus is so sovereign that he operates among people if they are gathered to represent him –
-Representing Jesus means they’re gathered to operate for his glory
-Ex: ?
-Being gathered for Jesus’ glory means being gathered for the salvation of his people on the basis of the confession of Jesus as Messiah.
Conclusion
-What should our actions be on summer project?
-motivated by a desire for Jesus to be honored in our obedience/love
-motivated by love for our brothers/sisters and vindication before God(!)
-actually – lovingly talking to people as they sin – so that they’ll know Jesus more – and make him known better
-Pray
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
What is the Gospel?
These are the notes from the first talk I gave to the students going to Wellington, New Zealand, for summer project. It's about the Gospel. Below.
Intro
-Project about the Gospel – because life is about the gospel
-specific examples of different activities (devotions, interacting, confrontation, playing games, doing ministry, worshiping God, eating, showering, sleeping)
-Col. 1:21-23
-looking at Col. This summer – ‘Jesus colored glasses’
-read – note: ‘if’
-note ‘the faith’ – and ‘hope of the gospel.’
-Where we’re going:
-The gospel in broad strokes
-3 problems that God had to solve
-The gospel defined
-2 enemies of living gospel-centered lives
The Gospel in Broad Strokes
-Not 4 Laws, etc. – GOOD NEWS!
-of what? - A King and his Kingdom (Matt. 4:23) (note it’s about realm AND ruler)
-Why is the King’s Kingdom good news?
-we desire safety; anxiety ridden about provision; desiring of relationships (romantic or otherwise), broken other relationships (parents, friends…), shame, suffering/AIDS/Katrina/earthquakes; lack of significance; injustice/poverty; lack of connection to God; and ultimately, we die –
-What’ll the King do? Joel 2:23-26 (provision – food, etc.); Is. 2:3, 4 (peace between nations, people obeying God’s laws); Dan. 12:2 (resurrection of the just and unjust); Jer 23:5 (KING who will do justice always); Is. 25:6-8 (joy, provision, resurrection, bringing all peoples together); Micah 2:1-3 (punishment of oppressors); Micah 2:12-13 (The LORD himself is King and shepherds his people); Is. 9:2-3 (joy in the experience of God);
-Why do you think Jesus did miracles?
-Summarize
-So think of the gospel as good news. Share the gospel as good news(!)
Problem 1
-Jesus fixing the world means judging it, which is bad news for anyone who has not obeyed him.
-day of the Lord = when God would fix stuff; problem – Is. 13:9
-God judges by works (not faith!!!! – answers the ‘what of those who haven’t heard’)
-everyone is a sinner
-God’s solution – justification through faith
-Justification is…
-Problem – Nah. 1:3
-Solution – a substitute.
-punished in our place (Is. 53:5, 6, 10)
-firing squad analogy
-implication – no judgment awaits those who believe in Jesus
-turn to each other and say ‘God will never punish you’
-‘Judgment day’ already begun
-obeyed in our place
-Matt. 3:13-17 – weird!
-identifies with us
-not unique as a ‘son’ – unique thing: God is pleased – fulfills righteousness
-again: judgment by works
-Rom. 4:6 – Let me talk about crediting – (tax analogy)
-2 Cor. 5:21
-God looks at us in Jesus – since Jesus obeyed…
-Turn to the person next to you and say, “God looks at you as worthy of reward because of Jesus’ obedience”
-no more trying to get continually ‘forgiven’!!!
-no more trying to seek to enter heaven thru anything else!!!
-So first problem….
-and God’s solution…
Problem 2
-So God justifies people through faith on the basis of Jesus’ justice; can we go on living in sin?
-God’s solution: Jesus begins to reign in his people by his Spirit
-more from Josh later – but a few facts
-Holy Spirit is God
-The Holy Spirit is not Jesus – but is from him and represents him
-What’s he do? Walk thru Rom. 8:1-9 – emphasizing the Spirit
-Summary: so God not only justifies; he brings about the obedience of his people(!) So the GOOD NEWS of the Kingdom has begun!
Problem 3
-yeah but – Christians still sin.
-God’s solution: the fullness of the Kingdom is a future reality.
-Look at 1 Cor. 15:21-28; explain
-Summary – still waiting for the King to fully reign! And that means that one day we will be rid of the presence and effects of sin (glorification)
The Gospel Defined
-What are the aspects of it?
-Jesus’ obedience, death, and resurrection
-his future Kingdom
-justification; new nature; glorification
-The Gospel is the good news that Jesus’ substitutionary obedience (why important?), substitutionary death, and resurrection, bring everyone who believes in him into his new, fixed world.
2 Enemies of Gospel-Centered Living
-moralism
-define.
-why is this contrary?
-1 – the SPIRIT produces obedience.
-2 - God doesn’t get the glory!
-apathy
-forget what we’re rescued from.
-forget that hell is real and real people are going there
-start believing we can’t obey God
-forget to put hope in what matters(!)
Conclusion
-Let’s conclude this: Jesus life, death, and resurrection do several things:
1) they cause us to be declared righteous in God’s judgment day.
2) They cause us to have a new nature and God’s Spirit which is producing life change.
3) They are bringing us into God’s presence in a fixed world forever.
-That is what our project must be about. What our lives must be about. What our prayers, our devotions, our interactions with each other – what everything must revolve around and give credence to.
-GOOD NEWS! Jesus is King, and is bringing you home.
-Pray
Direction for Quiet Time
-Going to give you until 11:15 to be back here to have quiet times
-Let me give you some basic direction for study of the word and for prayer
-Word
-What was the author telling the original audience? (list observations!)
-What sins are pointed out in the section? How do I do them?
-How does this passage point me to the gospel
-3 facets – what are they?
-Prayer – ACTS
-Also – settle in your heart that this is where God has you for this summer
-Break – return at 11:15
Intro
-Project about the Gospel – because life is about the gospel
-specific examples of different activities (devotions, interacting, confrontation, playing games, doing ministry, worshiping God, eating, showering, sleeping)
-Col. 1:21-23
-looking at Col. This summer – ‘Jesus colored glasses’
-read – note: ‘if’
-note ‘the faith’ – and ‘hope of the gospel.’
-Where we’re going:
-The gospel in broad strokes
-3 problems that God had to solve
-The gospel defined
-2 enemies of living gospel-centered lives
The Gospel in Broad Strokes
-Not 4 Laws, etc. – GOOD NEWS!
-of what? - A King and his Kingdom (Matt. 4:23) (note it’s about realm AND ruler)
-Why is the King’s Kingdom good news?
-we desire safety; anxiety ridden about provision; desiring of relationships (romantic or otherwise), broken other relationships (parents, friends…), shame, suffering/AIDS/Katrina/earthquakes; lack of significance; injustice/poverty; lack of connection to God; and ultimately, we die –
-What’ll the King do? Joel 2:23-26 (provision – food, etc.); Is. 2:3, 4 (peace between nations, people obeying God’s laws); Dan. 12:2 (resurrection of the just and unjust); Jer 23:5 (KING who will do justice always); Is. 25:6-8 (joy, provision, resurrection, bringing all peoples together); Micah 2:1-3 (punishment of oppressors); Micah 2:12-13 (The LORD himself is King and shepherds his people); Is. 9:2-3 (joy in the experience of God);
-Why do you think Jesus did miracles?
-Summarize
-So think of the gospel as good news. Share the gospel as good news(!)
Problem 1
-Jesus fixing the world means judging it, which is bad news for anyone who has not obeyed him.
-day of the Lord = when God would fix stuff; problem – Is. 13:9
-God judges by works (not faith!!!! – answers the ‘what of those who haven’t heard’)
-everyone is a sinner
-God’s solution – justification through faith
-Justification is…
-Problem – Nah. 1:3
-Solution – a substitute.
-punished in our place (Is. 53:5, 6, 10)
-firing squad analogy
-implication – no judgment awaits those who believe in Jesus
-turn to each other and say ‘God will never punish you’
-‘Judgment day’ already begun
-obeyed in our place
-Matt. 3:13-17 – weird!
-identifies with us
-not unique as a ‘son’ – unique thing: God is pleased – fulfills righteousness
-again: judgment by works
-Rom. 4:6 – Let me talk about crediting – (tax analogy)
-2 Cor. 5:21
-God looks at us in Jesus – since Jesus obeyed…
-Turn to the person next to you and say, “God looks at you as worthy of reward because of Jesus’ obedience”
-no more trying to get continually ‘forgiven’!!!
-no more trying to seek to enter heaven thru anything else!!!
-So first problem….
-and God’s solution…
Problem 2
-So God justifies people through faith on the basis of Jesus’ justice; can we go on living in sin?
-God’s solution: Jesus begins to reign in his people by his Spirit
-more from Josh later – but a few facts
-Holy Spirit is God
-The Holy Spirit is not Jesus – but is from him and represents him
-What’s he do? Walk thru Rom. 8:1-9 – emphasizing the Spirit
-Summary: so God not only justifies; he brings about the obedience of his people(!) So the GOOD NEWS of the Kingdom has begun!
Problem 3
-yeah but – Christians still sin.
-God’s solution: the fullness of the Kingdom is a future reality.
-Look at 1 Cor. 15:21-28; explain
-Summary – still waiting for the King to fully reign! And that means that one day we will be rid of the presence and effects of sin (glorification)
The Gospel Defined
-What are the aspects of it?
-Jesus’ obedience, death, and resurrection
-his future Kingdom
-justification; new nature; glorification
-The Gospel is the good news that Jesus’ substitutionary obedience (why important?), substitutionary death, and resurrection, bring everyone who believes in him into his new, fixed world.
2 Enemies of Gospel-Centered Living
-moralism
-define.
-why is this contrary?
-1 – the SPIRIT produces obedience.
-2 - God doesn’t get the glory!
-apathy
-forget what we’re rescued from.
-forget that hell is real and real people are going there
-start believing we can’t obey God
-forget to put hope in what matters(!)
Conclusion
-Let’s conclude this: Jesus life, death, and resurrection do several things:
1) they cause us to be declared righteous in God’s judgment day.
2) They cause us to have a new nature and God’s Spirit which is producing life change.
3) They are bringing us into God’s presence in a fixed world forever.
-That is what our project must be about. What our lives must be about. What our prayers, our devotions, our interactions with each other – what everything must revolve around and give credence to.
-GOOD NEWS! Jesus is King, and is bringing you home.
-Pray
Direction for Quiet Time
-Going to give you until 11:15 to be back here to have quiet times
-Let me give you some basic direction for study of the word and for prayer
-Word
-What was the author telling the original audience? (list observations!)
-What sins are pointed out in the section? How do I do them?
-How does this passage point me to the gospel
-3 facets – what are they?
-Prayer – ACTS
-Also – settle in your heart that this is where God has you for this summer
-Break – return at 11:15
Christian Joy
Current Christian experience of joy is a real, Spirit-produced happiness based on what the future holds. This contradicts current Christian practice at times, which often asks – how can I be happy now? And in asking that question, it asks for changes in circumstance or emotion or experience.
The problem is this: if you come to Christ, you will suffer. You will have to die. You will have to kill stuff in you that you like. You will have to choose to hate things you love. And God will cause that. But only if you want him more than you want self – which is a want only he can produce. And it’s a want that’s based on what is promised in the future – the very presence of God – secured by what was accomplished in the past – Jesus’ death and resurrection.
The problem is this: if you come to Christ, you will suffer. You will have to die. You will have to kill stuff in you that you like. You will have to choose to hate things you love. And God will cause that. But only if you want him more than you want self – which is a want only he can produce. And it’s a want that’s based on what is promised in the future – the very presence of God – secured by what was accomplished in the past – Jesus’ death and resurrection.
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