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.
Monday, June 30, 2008
New Zealand and Wedding Homily
I'm on Summer Project in New Zealand right now. But hopefully I'll have time to post some of my teaching times. Maybe even thoughts at some point. We'll see. Here's the first teaching thing I've done as of late. The wedding homily of two of my best friends. Love 'em. Here it is.
Jay and Adrienne, today you’re making a commitment before God to love each other as husband and wife, and all of us are here to celebrate with you. The passage you’ve chosen for your wedding, though, indicates something that we all know: loving people with consistency is hard work.
We all know this, don’t we? There are times we ‘don’t feel it,’ we get our feelings hurt and strike back, we have desires that go unfulfilled and we fight. And we say things we know will be hurtful. And more than these things, when we make a commitment to love, we’re making a commitment to feel and act in certain ways with consistency. Let me say that again, when we make a commitment to love, we’re making a commitment to feel and act in certain ways with consistency. When we think about it that way, the task of love seems really difficult, doesn’t it? Maybe even impossible.
What this section from God’s book tells us is that God, through Jesus, is the only source of lasting love. Again, what we’re to see here is that God, in Jesus, is the only cause and support of lasting love. We’ll be looking at this text under three headings: the source of love, the example of love, and the completing of love.
The Source of Love
First, let’s look at the source of love. If you open your program, you’ll see the Scripture text printed in it. Please follow along with me as I read verses 7 and 8.
“Fellow disciples of Jesus, let us love each other, since love is from God, and each one who loves has been birthed by God and knows God. The one who does not love has not known God, since God is love.”
So the answer to the question: How can I truly love in a consistent way? What’s the source of this love? Is this – it’s God. Verse 7 says, “love is from God.”
You may have noticed something, though. This Scripture isn’t addressed to all people, but to disciples of Jesus. What’s a disciple? Well, it’s someone who is dedicated to a teacher – to believe all they teach and to obey what they command. The best example I can think of concerning this is Luke Skywalker. He was a disciple of Yoda. He had to believe what Yoda taught and do what he commanded. The scene where Luke tries to use the force to raise the X-Wing out of the swamp is a great example of discipleship. Yoda tells him what to think, how to act, what to believe, and then shows him by example how to do it.
Being a disciple of Jesus is similar. It involves seeking to obey what he commands. That involves seeking to be under his teaching.
There’s one other aspect of being a disciple that is vital to Jesus – and that is a complete reliance on him for eternal life. Like a drumbeat in Scripture, God teaches that our doing good things will not and cannot contribute to getting us eternal life. That’s because we have sinned against him. Either we can fully rely on what Jesus did, bank on that, and God will treat us as if we’d obeyed him; or, we can just partially rely on Jesus, or not rely on him at all. The problem only partially relying on what Jesus did is tthat in God’s economy, we’re guilty – and either Jesus’ death and resurrection will completely take care of our guilt – or we will still stand guilty before God.
So a disciple of Jesus is one who treats him as owner of this world, and who isn’t relying on themselves in whole or in part for eternal life – but is just relying on what Jesus has already done.
Now, this passage applies specifically to disciples of Jesus and isn’t particularly about marriage. But since Jay and Adrienne are both disciples of Jesus, this applies to them and their marriage in a heightened way. How does God being the source of love for them work? Like this: all disciples of Jesus have been birthed by God. Read verses 7 and 8 with me again:
“Fellow disciples of Jesus, let us love each other, since love is from God, and each one who loves has been birthed by God and knows God. The one who does not love has not known God, since God is love.”
So in other words, disciples of Jesus have a new nature. They have new ways of thinking, feeling, and acting than they used to – and God is the one who did that. This new nature now is a nature that loves as God intends people to love.
That’s kind of hard to understand, because Jay and Adrienne, when they made their decisions to become disciples of Jesus – they didn’t look physically different. But they did have new hearts and new minds.
Think of it this way. In Terminator 2, when Arnold comes to rescue Sarah Connor in the mental institution, she’s scared to death. Why? Because Arnold, in the previous movie, was a robot from the future sent to kill her. But in Terminator 2, the Arnold Terminator had been reprogrammed to do exactly the opposite of what it was originally programmed to do. Rather than terminating her, it was rescuing her.
That’s exactly what God does with his disciples. He reprograms them. They think, feel, and believe differently than they used to. How they view life becomes structured around the person of Jesus, their new King; and this verse tells us that they then, by nature, will have a consistent love for each other – from God.
So what Scripture says here is this: God is the source of love by being the creator of a new nature in those who trust Jesus. Or in other words, God is the source of love for all disciples of Jesus, because he’s reprogrammed how they think and feel about life. And that’s a comforting thing as we think about how hard it can sometimes be to really and truly love – God is the one who makes that love in Jesus’ disciples.
The example of love
So that’s the first point: God is the source of love. The second subject to tackle is this: the example of love in this passage. God commands love, and then tells us what it looks like.
Again, look at your program, and read verses 9 and 10 with me.
“The love of God has been made known among us in this: he sent his only Son into the world to give us life through him. In this is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son to punish him in our places for our sins.”
Or to paraphrase: God has shown us what love looks like: he sent Jesus into the world and punished him for the disobedience of all his disciples, so that they would live. Again, love looks like this: God sent Jesus into the world and punished him for the disobedience of all his disciples, so that they would live.
There are a few key components to understanding how God showed us his love: disobedience, punishment, Jesus, and life. We’ll tackle them one by one.
First, disobedience is a subject here. Why? Because God made us and owns us. And though we may be nice to other people, none of us really treat God like he’s God – like he’s owner of all things. He has commanded much, and we really only obey when we want to. We don’t treat God like God. We treat us like God. And so, we are disobedient.
Second, punishment is a subject in these verses. Why? Because God punishes people that disobey him. That’s all of us. And that’s really bad, because the punishment matches the crime, and since the person we’ve disobeyed is infinite, so is the punishment. If you rob a convenience store, you get some jail time. If you murder someone you either get life in prison or the death penalty. If you fail to treat an infinite being as an infinite being, the punishment will be infinite. So that’s the second theme here: we all have disobeyed God, and we all are in danger of punishment from him.
Third, Jesus is a subject in these verses. Jesus was very clear in teaching that he was actually God in human flesh. He’s significant in these verses, because God here says that God the Father punished Jesus instead of punishing his disciples. Or in other words, for all who trust and obey Jesus, Jesus voluntarily took the wrath of God that was due them. The Bible says God will not acquit people he considers guilty, and so, out of his love, he punished his Son Jesus instead of punishing those who would trust Jesus. Picture this: you’re part of a country and you have a good King who always does what’s right. But you rebel – you commit treason. What happens to traitors? They get executed. But this King and his Son make an agreement because of love for you– and they agree that the Son will be executed instead of and as a substitute for everyone who obeys him.
Fourth, life is a subject in these verses. Life is the result of Jesus being punished in the place of his disciples. And that life is life with Jesus in a future world with all the effects of sin removed: a world where God is seen and enjoyed, with no pain, and with only beauty and joy forever. Jay and Adrienne are about to go on a honeymoon. When they do so, they’ll be leaving a lot of hard things about life behind – work, finances, etc. And their purpose will be to just enjoy each other. That’s a little picture of the life that Jesus has accomplished for his disciples in his future Kingdom!
SO, this is how God showed his love – look at verses 9 and 10 again in your program: “The love of God has been made known among us in this: he sent his only Son into the world to give us life through him. In this is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son to punish him in our places for our sins.”
And so Jay and Adi and everyone here who is a disciple of Jesus, love is a hard command to follow. But remember, as we just saw, love comes from your new nature created by God, and on top of that, he’s shown you love – Jesus suffered and was executed voluntarily in your place!
There are probably many of you here who are not disciples of Jesus. You either aren’t actively seeking to obey what Jesus has commanded or you are partially banking on ‘being a good person’ for God to let you into heaven - you aren’t relying solely on what Jesus has done. And the problem with that is that none of us are good to God.
But God is making his love known to you right now. Think about it – he killed his Son for the lives of others. And in your case, you’ve not yet been judged. And Jesus, in his love, is tugging at your sleeve, saying, “Hey – I was already executed for treason I didn’t commit. Won’t you let that count for you – so you’ll live? Treat me as King and rely on what I did – and you won’t be judged, but rather, I’ll give you eternal life.”
There is love! In that opportunity – all you need to know is Jesus died for rebels, he rose again from the dead, he owns the world and is coming to judge it – and forgives everyone of everything they’ve done and will do – if they’ll turn to him as King and trust him for it. You may have questions about other things and that’s totally fine– but that is all you need to know to accept the love and eternal life that he offers right now.
And if that’s too much – he’s giving you a chance to explore what he’s said in the Bible – and you owe it to yourself to explore this love. And his hands are open wide to you for you to do so.
-So – God is the source of love. And he’s given us the example of love by killing his Son in the place of his disciples for their eternal life. Third, let’s look at the completing of love.
The Completing of Love
Look at your program again with me at verses 11 and 12. God says, “Fellow disciples of Jesus, if this is how God loved us, we also are obligated to love each other. No one has ever seen God. If we love each other, God abides among us and his love is completed among us.”
Jay, Adrienne, and everyone in this room: God showing his love requires us to love each other, because God wants to show his love in this world. Again, look at verse 12, “No one has ever seen God. If we love each other, God abides among us and his love is completed among us.”
God demonstrated his love in Jesus’ death – but that happened 2,000 years ago, and God is still love – so how will he show it? In you, Jay and Adrienne. In you all who have received Jesus as Lord. Verse 12 says that God’s love is completed by the actions of his people.
Say you were starting a charitable organization to help with the AIDS epidemic in Africa. You would go, and you’d pour yourself into helping suffering people. But Africa’s a big place; you’d never be able to help everyone. How would you do it? You’d show other people how to do what you were doing, and then have them complete your task.
That’s exactly what God has done. He’s shown us how to love in Jesus, and has put us in a world to finish what he started. We are here to finish what Jesus started, and as we do, it will be God showing his love to the world.
We’ve seen three things in this passage: 1) God is the source of love. He changes human nature so that disciples of Jesus will love. 2) God gives us an example of love: he punished Jesus instead of all his disciples, and thus gives them eternal life. 3) God’s disciples are the fulfillment of his love: we continue to show Jesus’ love off, even though Jesus is now in heaven.
Jay, Adrienne – sometimes love will not be easy. But remember at those times: God’s given you a nature that can love; he’s shown you how to love in Jesus; and he wants to show off his love through you.
Jay and Adrienne, today you’re making a commitment before God to love each other as husband and wife, and all of us are here to celebrate with you. The passage you’ve chosen for your wedding, though, indicates something that we all know: loving people with consistency is hard work.
We all know this, don’t we? There are times we ‘don’t feel it,’ we get our feelings hurt and strike back, we have desires that go unfulfilled and we fight. And we say things we know will be hurtful. And more than these things, when we make a commitment to love, we’re making a commitment to feel and act in certain ways with consistency. Let me say that again, when we make a commitment to love, we’re making a commitment to feel and act in certain ways with consistency. When we think about it that way, the task of love seems really difficult, doesn’t it? Maybe even impossible.
What this section from God’s book tells us is that God, through Jesus, is the only source of lasting love. Again, what we’re to see here is that God, in Jesus, is the only cause and support of lasting love. We’ll be looking at this text under three headings: the source of love, the example of love, and the completing of love.
The Source of Love
First, let’s look at the source of love. If you open your program, you’ll see the Scripture text printed in it. Please follow along with me as I read verses 7 and 8.
“Fellow disciples of Jesus, let us love each other, since love is from God, and each one who loves has been birthed by God and knows God. The one who does not love has not known God, since God is love.”
So the answer to the question: How can I truly love in a consistent way? What’s the source of this love? Is this – it’s God. Verse 7 says, “love is from God.”
You may have noticed something, though. This Scripture isn’t addressed to all people, but to disciples of Jesus. What’s a disciple? Well, it’s someone who is dedicated to a teacher – to believe all they teach and to obey what they command. The best example I can think of concerning this is Luke Skywalker. He was a disciple of Yoda. He had to believe what Yoda taught and do what he commanded. The scene where Luke tries to use the force to raise the X-Wing out of the swamp is a great example of discipleship. Yoda tells him what to think, how to act, what to believe, and then shows him by example how to do it.
Being a disciple of Jesus is similar. It involves seeking to obey what he commands. That involves seeking to be under his teaching.
There’s one other aspect of being a disciple that is vital to Jesus – and that is a complete reliance on him for eternal life. Like a drumbeat in Scripture, God teaches that our doing good things will not and cannot contribute to getting us eternal life. That’s because we have sinned against him. Either we can fully rely on what Jesus did, bank on that, and God will treat us as if we’d obeyed him; or, we can just partially rely on Jesus, or not rely on him at all. The problem only partially relying on what Jesus did is tthat in God’s economy, we’re guilty – and either Jesus’ death and resurrection will completely take care of our guilt – or we will still stand guilty before God.
So a disciple of Jesus is one who treats him as owner of this world, and who isn’t relying on themselves in whole or in part for eternal life – but is just relying on what Jesus has already done.
Now, this passage applies specifically to disciples of Jesus and isn’t particularly about marriage. But since Jay and Adrienne are both disciples of Jesus, this applies to them and their marriage in a heightened way. How does God being the source of love for them work? Like this: all disciples of Jesus have been birthed by God. Read verses 7 and 8 with me again:
“Fellow disciples of Jesus, let us love each other, since love is from God, and each one who loves has been birthed by God and knows God. The one who does not love has not known God, since God is love.”
So in other words, disciples of Jesus have a new nature. They have new ways of thinking, feeling, and acting than they used to – and God is the one who did that. This new nature now is a nature that loves as God intends people to love.
That’s kind of hard to understand, because Jay and Adrienne, when they made their decisions to become disciples of Jesus – they didn’t look physically different. But they did have new hearts and new minds.
Think of it this way. In Terminator 2, when Arnold comes to rescue Sarah Connor in the mental institution, she’s scared to death. Why? Because Arnold, in the previous movie, was a robot from the future sent to kill her. But in Terminator 2, the Arnold Terminator had been reprogrammed to do exactly the opposite of what it was originally programmed to do. Rather than terminating her, it was rescuing her.
That’s exactly what God does with his disciples. He reprograms them. They think, feel, and believe differently than they used to. How they view life becomes structured around the person of Jesus, their new King; and this verse tells us that they then, by nature, will have a consistent love for each other – from God.
So what Scripture says here is this: God is the source of love by being the creator of a new nature in those who trust Jesus. Or in other words, God is the source of love for all disciples of Jesus, because he’s reprogrammed how they think and feel about life. And that’s a comforting thing as we think about how hard it can sometimes be to really and truly love – God is the one who makes that love in Jesus’ disciples.
The example of love
So that’s the first point: God is the source of love. The second subject to tackle is this: the example of love in this passage. God commands love, and then tells us what it looks like.
Again, look at your program, and read verses 9 and 10 with me.
“The love of God has been made known among us in this: he sent his only Son into the world to give us life through him. In this is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son to punish him in our places for our sins.”
Or to paraphrase: God has shown us what love looks like: he sent Jesus into the world and punished him for the disobedience of all his disciples, so that they would live. Again, love looks like this: God sent Jesus into the world and punished him for the disobedience of all his disciples, so that they would live.
There are a few key components to understanding how God showed us his love: disobedience, punishment, Jesus, and life. We’ll tackle them one by one.
First, disobedience is a subject here. Why? Because God made us and owns us. And though we may be nice to other people, none of us really treat God like he’s God – like he’s owner of all things. He has commanded much, and we really only obey when we want to. We don’t treat God like God. We treat us like God. And so, we are disobedient.
Second, punishment is a subject in these verses. Why? Because God punishes people that disobey him. That’s all of us. And that’s really bad, because the punishment matches the crime, and since the person we’ve disobeyed is infinite, so is the punishment. If you rob a convenience store, you get some jail time. If you murder someone you either get life in prison or the death penalty. If you fail to treat an infinite being as an infinite being, the punishment will be infinite. So that’s the second theme here: we all have disobeyed God, and we all are in danger of punishment from him.
Third, Jesus is a subject in these verses. Jesus was very clear in teaching that he was actually God in human flesh. He’s significant in these verses, because God here says that God the Father punished Jesus instead of punishing his disciples. Or in other words, for all who trust and obey Jesus, Jesus voluntarily took the wrath of God that was due them. The Bible says God will not acquit people he considers guilty, and so, out of his love, he punished his Son Jesus instead of punishing those who would trust Jesus. Picture this: you’re part of a country and you have a good King who always does what’s right. But you rebel – you commit treason. What happens to traitors? They get executed. But this King and his Son make an agreement because of love for you– and they agree that the Son will be executed instead of and as a substitute for everyone who obeys him.
Fourth, life is a subject in these verses. Life is the result of Jesus being punished in the place of his disciples. And that life is life with Jesus in a future world with all the effects of sin removed: a world where God is seen and enjoyed, with no pain, and with only beauty and joy forever. Jay and Adrienne are about to go on a honeymoon. When they do so, they’ll be leaving a lot of hard things about life behind – work, finances, etc. And their purpose will be to just enjoy each other. That’s a little picture of the life that Jesus has accomplished for his disciples in his future Kingdom!
SO, this is how God showed his love – look at verses 9 and 10 again in your program: “The love of God has been made known among us in this: he sent his only Son into the world to give us life through him. In this is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son to punish him in our places for our sins.”
And so Jay and Adi and everyone here who is a disciple of Jesus, love is a hard command to follow. But remember, as we just saw, love comes from your new nature created by God, and on top of that, he’s shown you love – Jesus suffered and was executed voluntarily in your place!
There are probably many of you here who are not disciples of Jesus. You either aren’t actively seeking to obey what Jesus has commanded or you are partially banking on ‘being a good person’ for God to let you into heaven - you aren’t relying solely on what Jesus has done. And the problem with that is that none of us are good to God.
But God is making his love known to you right now. Think about it – he killed his Son for the lives of others. And in your case, you’ve not yet been judged. And Jesus, in his love, is tugging at your sleeve, saying, “Hey – I was already executed for treason I didn’t commit. Won’t you let that count for you – so you’ll live? Treat me as King and rely on what I did – and you won’t be judged, but rather, I’ll give you eternal life.”
There is love! In that opportunity – all you need to know is Jesus died for rebels, he rose again from the dead, he owns the world and is coming to judge it – and forgives everyone of everything they’ve done and will do – if they’ll turn to him as King and trust him for it. You may have questions about other things and that’s totally fine– but that is all you need to know to accept the love and eternal life that he offers right now.
And if that’s too much – he’s giving you a chance to explore what he’s said in the Bible – and you owe it to yourself to explore this love. And his hands are open wide to you for you to do so.
-So – God is the source of love. And he’s given us the example of love by killing his Son in the place of his disciples for their eternal life. Third, let’s look at the completing of love.
The Completing of Love
Look at your program again with me at verses 11 and 12. God says, “Fellow disciples of Jesus, if this is how God loved us, we also are obligated to love each other. No one has ever seen God. If we love each other, God abides among us and his love is completed among us.”
Jay, Adrienne, and everyone in this room: God showing his love requires us to love each other, because God wants to show his love in this world. Again, look at verse 12, “No one has ever seen God. If we love each other, God abides among us and his love is completed among us.”
God demonstrated his love in Jesus’ death – but that happened 2,000 years ago, and God is still love – so how will he show it? In you, Jay and Adrienne. In you all who have received Jesus as Lord. Verse 12 says that God’s love is completed by the actions of his people.
Say you were starting a charitable organization to help with the AIDS epidemic in Africa. You would go, and you’d pour yourself into helping suffering people. But Africa’s a big place; you’d never be able to help everyone. How would you do it? You’d show other people how to do what you were doing, and then have them complete your task.
That’s exactly what God has done. He’s shown us how to love in Jesus, and has put us in a world to finish what he started. We are here to finish what Jesus started, and as we do, it will be God showing his love to the world.
We’ve seen three things in this passage: 1) God is the source of love. He changes human nature so that disciples of Jesus will love. 2) God gives us an example of love: he punished Jesus instead of all his disciples, and thus gives them eternal life. 3) God’s disciples are the fulfillment of his love: we continue to show Jesus’ love off, even though Jesus is now in heaven.
Jay, Adrienne – sometimes love will not be easy. But remember at those times: God’s given you a nature that can love; he’s shown you how to love in Jesus; and he wants to show off his love through you.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Unmoderated comments, a note, and a link
I apologize I've not been on here recently, as I've been moving and preparing to leave for New Zealand on summer project. As such, I haven't moderated any comments. I plan on doing so shortly.
Now, here's a note - I've been reading 1 Kings 5 and following - looking at the building of Solomon's temple. It had to be magnificent. Everything made from cedar, covered in gold, bronze ornamentation and vessels everywhere, intricate carvings on all of the walls and doors - just incredible.
It's interesting, then, to see that God calls us his house now. We, as a corporate entity - the people who have believed in Jesus - form a house - click here.
And it's even interesting that it's called God's house. We're invited to his house. We come in, and to use the language of 1 Kings, we experience his 'dwelling.' God has chosen to live among his people. This ultimately really happens with Jesus, and ultimately will happen again.
And that dwelling is beautiful! It is worthy of God's glory - his throne (the ark) is there, and he makes it beautiful. Angels worship him, and foliage springs up around him. There is a sea of water and a table providing food and incense perfuming the air.
Is this for God or for us?
Yes. Both. God is worthy of being surrounded by beauty and provision. But he loves us so - that we get to experience his provision, his beauty, his very dwelling, his glory - forever.
So I haven't blogged or checked my blog recently...
But I plan on coming back. Plus, I've been posting on another blog. The conversation may be worth your while to read. Here.
Now, here's a note - I've been reading 1 Kings 5 and following - looking at the building of Solomon's temple. It had to be magnificent. Everything made from cedar, covered in gold, bronze ornamentation and vessels everywhere, intricate carvings on all of the walls and doors - just incredible.
It's interesting, then, to see that God calls us his house now. We, as a corporate entity - the people who have believed in Jesus - form a house - click here.
And it's even interesting that it's called God's house. We're invited to his house. We come in, and to use the language of 1 Kings, we experience his 'dwelling.' God has chosen to live among his people. This ultimately really happens with Jesus, and ultimately will happen again.
And that dwelling is beautiful! It is worthy of God's glory - his throne (the ark) is there, and he makes it beautiful. Angels worship him, and foliage springs up around him. There is a sea of water and a table providing food and incense perfuming the air.
Is this for God or for us?
Yes. Both. God is worthy of being surrounded by beauty and provision. But he loves us so - that we get to experience his provision, his beauty, his very dwelling, his glory - forever.
So I haven't blogged or checked my blog recently...
But I plan on coming back. Plus, I've been posting on another blog. The conversation may be worth your while to read. Here.
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
I love being interdenominational
I have been asked by more than one Reformed church to consider taking up a pastor position. I declined for multiple reasons, but let me say I'm so glad I'm not part of a Reformed denomination. Why?
1) I'd probably spend too much time talking about Reformed distinctives and less about the gospel and world evangelization.
2) I'd not have to actively and thoughtfully engage with real people with whom I disagree on secondary matters.
3) I would not have the sphere of influence for Reformed theology if I were on staff with a Reformed church.
4) I'd make secondary goals primary.
5) I'd probably start being even more judgmental and hyper-critical than I already am.... scary.
The idea of a parachurch ministry being a place where Christians can unify around the gospel, and secondary matters are attended to by individaul churches, is really great. All this to say, I'm not against Reformed denominations; thatd' be ridiculous. It's just good for me not to be in one.
1) I'd probably spend too much time talking about Reformed distinctives and less about the gospel and world evangelization.
2) I'd not have to actively and thoughtfully engage with real people with whom I disagree on secondary matters.
3) I would not have the sphere of influence for Reformed theology if I were on staff with a Reformed church.
4) I'd make secondary goals primary.
5) I'd probably start being even more judgmental and hyper-critical than I already am.... scary.
The idea of a parachurch ministry being a place where Christians can unify around the gospel, and secondary matters are attended to by individaul churches, is really great. All this to say, I'm not against Reformed denominations; thatd' be ridiculous. It's just good for me not to be in one.
Monday, June 9, 2008
People are by nature idiots....
There's got to be more to this story: a monkey-god was made the chairman of a business school. But, wow, this is stupid.
Lord, what do you have to say about this? OH, right...
But let's face it, we run to things to save us from pain on earth, for pleasure here, rather than Jesus. Sin makes us stupid... and makes us forget Jesus.
In other news, two dudes wearing thongs over their heads robbed a convenience store. They were caught because, well, thongs don't cover much. That'll teach robbers to shop at Victoria's Secret. Wal-Mart Granny Panties are way better for such things...
Lord, what do you have to say about this? OH, right...
But let's face it, we run to things to save us from pain on earth, for pleasure here, rather than Jesus. Sin makes us stupid... and makes us forget Jesus.
In other news, two dudes wearing thongs over their heads robbed a convenience store. They were caught because, well, thongs don't cover much. That'll teach robbers to shop at Victoria's Secret. Wal-Mart Granny Panties are way better for such things...
AGH! One more thing!!!!
That is to say, one more thing you have to do: read John Piper's book The Future of Justification: a Response to N.T. Wright.
NT Wright is a Bible scholar who has done a great job responding to the Jesus seminar, teaching on Biblical theology, and teaching about the resurrection - and undermining (though not denying) the gospel of grace. Piper, in a kind, clear fashion evaluates and critiques Wright.
Though if you haven't run across people that are denying the doctrine of the imputation of Jesus' righteousness through faith - then, this book will probably be of no use to you.
And if you don't know what the imputation of Jesus' righteousness is, then read this. If you don't understand imputation, you need to.
NT Wright is a Bible scholar who has done a great job responding to the Jesus seminar, teaching on Biblical theology, and teaching about the resurrection - and undermining (though not denying) the gospel of grace. Piper, in a kind, clear fashion evaluates and critiques Wright.
Though if you haven't run across people that are denying the doctrine of the imputation of Jesus' righteousness through faith - then, this book will probably be of no use to you.
And if you don't know what the imputation of Jesus' righteousness is, then read this. If you don't understand imputation, you need to.
Saturday, June 7, 2008
Three things you have to like.
The ESV Study Bible
Yeah, it doesn't come out until October. Pre-order now. Read Phil Ryken's review here, and check out the official website, including samples, here. This is the best study Bible I've seen. And it's in the ESV.
I'm just gonna go on record and objectively say the ESV is the best English translation of the Bible. At least for adult-types.
Rambo
This is the best Christian movie I've seen, I think. It's up there with Luther. And unlike the Passion, doesn't break the 2nd Commandment and is more theologically accurate. Nothing beats Stallone staring a dude down, sticking an arrow in his face, having a cross dangle from his wrist, and saying, "Live for nothing - or die for something" - and persuading a group of people that they need to go rescue missionaries.
But, ahem, Rambo is the one who really gets rescued.
Yeah, it's got some cheese moments in it. So what. Check out the trailer. Be aware that there's some grotesque moments in the film, as well as colorful language. Don't say i didn't warn you.
Thrice
Premise 1 - we need to hear the gospel all the time.
Premise 2 - we listen to music.
Premise 3 - most Christian music sucks in one of three ways - the lyrics are virtually non Christian, the lyrics are cheesy as crap, or the actual music sucks. Or at least, is geared towards middle-aged women.
Meet Thrice. They turn all this over on its head.
Image of the Invisible.
Come All You Weary.
The Messenger.
And just for some added fun, here are the lyrics to The Messenger.
It's Isaiah 6, by the way.
The Messenger
Mark me with fear, I'm trembling
Send someone else instead
I know my world is ending
I can't repay my debt
Can I carry such a heavy burden?
Can I move when I am paralyzed?
I see a fire behind a heavy curtain
I lean in closer and I close my eyes
Kiss the coals, breathe in smoke,
And I say, "Here I am, send me."
Lifts my soul, free and so unafraid
"Here I am, send me, send me."
Free and so unafraid
"Here I am, send me."
Mark me with fire and
Send me among the living dead.
They cannot comprehend me;
I watch the sickness spread
Now, can they hear me when their hearts are hardened?
Now, can they see me when they close their eyes?
So let me tell you I'm an easy target
A wooden saw is quite a way to die
Kiss the coals, breathe in smoke,
And I say, "Here I am, send me."
Lifts my soul, free and so unafraid
"Here I am, send me, send me."
Free and so unafraid
"Here I am, send me."
"Here I am, send me."
Yeah, it doesn't come out until October. Pre-order now. Read Phil Ryken's review here, and check out the official website, including samples, here. This is the best study Bible I've seen. And it's in the ESV.
I'm just gonna go on record and objectively say the ESV is the best English translation of the Bible. At least for adult-types.
Rambo
This is the best Christian movie I've seen, I think. It's up there with Luther. And unlike the Passion, doesn't break the 2nd Commandment and is more theologically accurate. Nothing beats Stallone staring a dude down, sticking an arrow in his face, having a cross dangle from his wrist, and saying, "Live for nothing - or die for something" - and persuading a group of people that they need to go rescue missionaries.
But, ahem, Rambo is the one who really gets rescued.
Yeah, it's got some cheese moments in it. So what. Check out the trailer. Be aware that there's some grotesque moments in the film, as well as colorful language. Don't say i didn't warn you.
Thrice
Premise 1 - we need to hear the gospel all the time.
Premise 2 - we listen to music.
Premise 3 - most Christian music sucks in one of three ways - the lyrics are virtually non Christian, the lyrics are cheesy as crap, or the actual music sucks. Or at least, is geared towards middle-aged women.
Meet Thrice. They turn all this over on its head.
Image of the Invisible.
Come All You Weary.
The Messenger.
And just for some added fun, here are the lyrics to The Messenger.
It's Isaiah 6, by the way.
The Messenger
Mark me with fear, I'm trembling
Send someone else instead
I know my world is ending
I can't repay my debt
Can I carry such a heavy burden?
Can I move when I am paralyzed?
I see a fire behind a heavy curtain
I lean in closer and I close my eyes
Kiss the coals, breathe in smoke,
And I say, "Here I am, send me."
Lifts my soul, free and so unafraid
"Here I am, send me, send me."
Free and so unafraid
"Here I am, send me."
Mark me with fire and
Send me among the living dead.
They cannot comprehend me;
I watch the sickness spread
Now, can they hear me when their hearts are hardened?
Now, can they see me when they close their eyes?
So let me tell you I'm an easy target
A wooden saw is quite a way to die
Kiss the coals, breathe in smoke,
And I say, "Here I am, send me."
Lifts my soul, free and so unafraid
"Here I am, send me, send me."
Free and so unafraid
"Here I am, send me."
"Here I am, send me."
Believe in hell.
I've been thinking about hell a lot, recently. I don't really know why; I just have.
I mean, it is a good thing to think about. It's quite real, and quite a lot of people are on their way there.
Perhaps it's because of a sermon I was listening to about missions - about how every single individual in literally hundreds if not thousands of unreached people groups are going there. Yeah. Every individual. Because you need to believe to be saved and hear to believe.
So for instance, every individual that's part of the Nung people, who live in the highlands of Vietnam - every one of them is on their way to hell.
Sobering, isn't it? And yet we've got things like 'Red Letter Christians' now. "We've got to pay attention to all these commands to take care of the poor," they say. True, true. Of course they're forgetting why those commands are there to begin with... to point us to our world's dire need for a Rescuer...
Or the emergents, who say we have to 'reach' the culture by getting them to 'experience' God - always of course outside of the means he's told us to use. And beyond that, reach them with what? So they can have a spiritual experience... and still go to hell?
Or the doctrine hounds, who attack everyone 'til there's no one left to attack, then turn on their own - if not for a trifle of bad doctrine, then for a trifle of bad ministry philosophy. I think forgetting that their own philosophies and preaching is imperfect...
And then there's me - am I moved to love the people who surround me? Who scan my food at the grocery store? Who I see at the gym? Who I'll sit next to on a plane ride? Who I pass on the way to the parking lot of my apartment complex? Am I moved by the fact that they'll get - save for God's intervention in Jesus - precisely what I deserve... forever?
Am I praying? Am I speaking? Am I loving?
Am I forgetting that it's insanely unloving to help take care of what someone feels like they need without trying to help them escape hell?
Am I moved by a love for God that longs for his name to be adored in every corner of the world?
Do I think, live, and feel like he deserves that? And that that is the great goal of all creation?
God showed us what love is by rescuing us. Now he calls us to fill his role as lovers of this hellbound humanity.
O my God - that we would honor you and show your love to a rebellious world! Not simply because it's right - but because you're worth it and have caused us to desire that all glory be given to your name!
I mean, it is a good thing to think about. It's quite real, and quite a lot of people are on their way there.
Perhaps it's because of a sermon I was listening to about missions - about how every single individual in literally hundreds if not thousands of unreached people groups are going there. Yeah. Every individual. Because you need to believe to be saved and hear to believe.
So for instance, every individual that's part of the Nung people, who live in the highlands of Vietnam - every one of them is on their way to hell.
Sobering, isn't it? And yet we've got things like 'Red Letter Christians' now. "We've got to pay attention to all these commands to take care of the poor," they say. True, true. Of course they're forgetting why those commands are there to begin with... to point us to our world's dire need for a Rescuer...
Or the emergents, who say we have to 'reach' the culture by getting them to 'experience' God - always of course outside of the means he's told us to use. And beyond that, reach them with what? So they can have a spiritual experience... and still go to hell?
Or the doctrine hounds, who attack everyone 'til there's no one left to attack, then turn on their own - if not for a trifle of bad doctrine, then for a trifle of bad ministry philosophy. I think forgetting that their own philosophies and preaching is imperfect...
And then there's me - am I moved to love the people who surround me? Who scan my food at the grocery store? Who I see at the gym? Who I'll sit next to on a plane ride? Who I pass on the way to the parking lot of my apartment complex? Am I moved by the fact that they'll get - save for God's intervention in Jesus - precisely what I deserve... forever?
Am I praying? Am I speaking? Am I loving?
Am I forgetting that it's insanely unloving to help take care of what someone feels like they need without trying to help them escape hell?
Am I moved by a love for God that longs for his name to be adored in every corner of the world?
Do I think, live, and feel like he deserves that? And that that is the great goal of all creation?
God showed us what love is by rescuing us. Now he calls us to fill his role as lovers of this hellbound humanity.
O my God - that we would honor you and show your love to a rebellious world! Not simply because it's right - but because you're worth it and have caused us to desire that all glory be given to your name!
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Your church is not a democracy.
Or at least, it shouldn't be. We treat it like that sometimes, don't we, though? We take the truth of 'the priesthood of all believers' - the idea that we all have equal access to God through Jesus - and make it mean that we all have equal say in the direction of our churches.
Not so.
Just as there is authority in the family, so there is in the Church. Consider God's words in Hebrews 13:17: "Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls as those who will have to give account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you."
Something in us reacts against those two words I italicized, doesn't it? Maybe it's our American individualism; our democratic ways; an overextension of proper views of humanity; fear of abusers of authority...
Maybe it's just damnable rebellion, though.
Note God's reasons for our submission to church authorities: they are guarding our souls. Or in Peter's words (from 1 Peter 5), they are shepherding God's flock until the Chief Shepherd comes back. They are acting as Jesus to the rest of us, as they explain and execute God's words in the churches.
Of course they will fail to do so perfectly - indeed, entire institutions that were true churches have crumbled into stupid, self-promoting, heresy-spewing cesspools. And much less every true church - every church which proclaims the gospel - has some error in it, taught and practiced.
That, however, does not negate the command. We are under the authority of a King. He tells us to obey those he's put in charge. Let's do it - for his glory and his kingdom.
Not so.
Just as there is authority in the family, so there is in the Church. Consider God's words in Hebrews 13:17: "Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls as those who will have to give account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you."
Something in us reacts against those two words I italicized, doesn't it? Maybe it's our American individualism; our democratic ways; an overextension of proper views of humanity; fear of abusers of authority...
Maybe it's just damnable rebellion, though.
Note God's reasons for our submission to church authorities: they are guarding our souls. Or in Peter's words (from 1 Peter 5), they are shepherding God's flock until the Chief Shepherd comes back. They are acting as Jesus to the rest of us, as they explain and execute God's words in the churches.
Of course they will fail to do so perfectly - indeed, entire institutions that were true churches have crumbled into stupid, self-promoting, heresy-spewing cesspools. And much less every true church - every church which proclaims the gospel - has some error in it, taught and practiced.
That, however, does not negate the command. We are under the authority of a King. He tells us to obey those he's put in charge. Let's do it - for his glory and his kingdom.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Dumb Jews... ?
I grew up with Bible stories, many from the Old Testament, and in my arrogance, self-righteousness, and lack of understanding of how sinful I am, I thought that Bible characters, always forgetting about God and falling into idolatry, were dumb.
I know a bit better now, what with God opening my eyes to my own idols and unbelief.
One of those stories, though, was always the story of Peter. He always seemed so... dumb. His telling Jesus what he couldn't do, denying him, cutting off the dude's ear in the garden, etc.
I want to specifically think about Peter's denial of Jesus, though. I mean, how dumb was that? Peter had been told by Jesus who he was, how he was going to come back to life from the dead; he'd seen miracles! But he denied him.
And the way we're used to thinking about this is often about Peter's lack of faith and boldness for Jesus' sake. And that's true. He sinned. We often sin like him, don't we?
But that's not the point. The point is found previously in the passage. And it's this. God struck Jesus and scattered the sheep. Why'd the sheep scatter? Because the Shepherd was struck; he no longer sustained their faith. Remember who gave Peter his faith? God. And who is its sustainer? God!
So what's the point? Jesus is the creator and sustainer of our faith. The point of this passage isn't "Be more bold!" or "Have more faith!" - it's this: Jesus makes faith; look at how great Jesus is; look how forgiving Jesus is; look at how sovereign Jesus is.
We're all dumb, aren't we? But praise God! He gives us faith, gives us righteousness to be declared righteous before him, and is giving us the new universe. Praise the Lord!
I know a bit better now, what with God opening my eyes to my own idols and unbelief.
One of those stories, though, was always the story of Peter. He always seemed so... dumb. His telling Jesus what he couldn't do, denying him, cutting off the dude's ear in the garden, etc.
I want to specifically think about Peter's denial of Jesus, though. I mean, how dumb was that? Peter had been told by Jesus who he was, how he was going to come back to life from the dead; he'd seen miracles! But he denied him.
And the way we're used to thinking about this is often about Peter's lack of faith and boldness for Jesus' sake. And that's true. He sinned. We often sin like him, don't we?
But that's not the point. The point is found previously in the passage. And it's this. God struck Jesus and scattered the sheep. Why'd the sheep scatter? Because the Shepherd was struck; he no longer sustained their faith. Remember who gave Peter his faith? God. And who is its sustainer? God!
So what's the point? Jesus is the creator and sustainer of our faith. The point of this passage isn't "Be more bold!" or "Have more faith!" - it's this: Jesus makes faith; look at how great Jesus is; look how forgiving Jesus is; look at how sovereign Jesus is.
We're all dumb, aren't we? But praise God! He gives us faith, gives us righteousness to be declared righteous before him, and is giving us the new universe. Praise the Lord!
Thank you! And another question for you...
To all that have responded to my request concerning the effectiveness of this blog, thank you! And the blog, God willing, will roll on.
Question - is there anything that you'd particularly like me to comment on - any questions you have that I should blog about?
Question - is there anything that you'd particularly like me to comment on - any questions you have that I should blog about?
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
The Problem with the Young Calvinists
Recently, Christianity Today has been making the observation that there is a growing movement of young, theologically Reformed people. I need to quickly correct that terminology – there are a lot of young people that are getting really into the Five Points of Calvinism; they’re not necessarily getting all of Reformed theology. (I may write about this later…)
That said, I love the fact that the five points of Calvinism are becoming popular again. People are digging into the Bible, seeing the value of reading theology, being centered on God’s glory, recovering the Christian intellect, it’s an awesome thing.
However, there’s one thing that really scares me about it. It seems like these young Calvinists don’t necessarily understand God’s Great Commission – to make disciples of every nation. Now, I don’t necessarily mean they don’t get evangelism. In many pockets, they do, and they’re very focused on being ‘missional.’
But they have forgotten that God cares much more about gathering his elect from every nation than he does about every individual in America. They’ve missed that God’s main purpose on this earth is to glorify himself in every people group – not in every person.
Why might that be? Let me offer a few suggestions.
1) They’ve confused Calvinism with the gospel and thus view evangelism as ‘convincing people of Calvinism’ – and see a ‘great need’ in America for that.
2) They have comfort as an idol and are taking advantage of grace.
3) They view themselves as ‘senders’ – because they want to be like their Calvinist heroes.
4) They don’t ‘feel called’ – and are thus functionally denying sola Scriptura; thus, they’re Five Pointers – but not Reformed.
5) There’s a desire to be ‘cool’ in American culture that supercedes the desire to become all things to all people to win some.
6) An ignorance of the hundreds, if not thousands, of unreached people groups around the world.
There’s probably more to it than this, but this is what I’m coming up with right now. Let’s remember – our goal is the spread of the glory of God in the Gospel of Jesus to every nation – and it’s because that’s God’s goal. Everything we do – the directions of our lives – need to be organized around that principle. Not everyone should go. But for all of us called to vocational ministry, permit me to suggest that it should be our default option.
That said, I love the fact that the five points of Calvinism are becoming popular again. People are digging into the Bible, seeing the value of reading theology, being centered on God’s glory, recovering the Christian intellect, it’s an awesome thing.
However, there’s one thing that really scares me about it. It seems like these young Calvinists don’t necessarily understand God’s Great Commission – to make disciples of every nation. Now, I don’t necessarily mean they don’t get evangelism. In many pockets, they do, and they’re very focused on being ‘missional.’
But they have forgotten that God cares much more about gathering his elect from every nation than he does about every individual in America. They’ve missed that God’s main purpose on this earth is to glorify himself in every people group – not in every person.
Why might that be? Let me offer a few suggestions.
1) They’ve confused Calvinism with the gospel and thus view evangelism as ‘convincing people of Calvinism’ – and see a ‘great need’ in America for that.
2) They have comfort as an idol and are taking advantage of grace.
3) They view themselves as ‘senders’ – because they want to be like their Calvinist heroes.
4) They don’t ‘feel called’ – and are thus functionally denying sola Scriptura; thus, they’re Five Pointers – but not Reformed.
5) There’s a desire to be ‘cool’ in American culture that supercedes the desire to become all things to all people to win some.
6) An ignorance of the hundreds, if not thousands, of unreached people groups around the world.
There’s probably more to it than this, but this is what I’m coming up with right now. Let’s remember – our goal is the spread of the glory of God in the Gospel of Jesus to every nation – and it’s because that’s God’s goal. Everything we do – the directions of our lives – need to be organized around that principle. Not everyone should go. But for all of us called to vocational ministry, permit me to suggest that it should be our default option.
Monday, May 19, 2008
New Journal, New Blog, New Article
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