Gospel Connections

When Facebook Defines You

I enjoy Facebook. Sometimes, I enjoy it too much. It is a curious social thing, an experiment of sorts, that we won’t know the full effects for years to come . It would be difficult to deny that Facebook has changed us. Not all for the bad, but not all for the good either.

I wonder, how much are we seeking to be defined by Facebook? As I write this last sentence, I had a train wreck of thoughts in my head…..

“No…. seriously?!?

Come on Tim!

Defined by Facebook??

That is over the top!

Who, in their right mind would let a status update, a number of distant friends, or ones latest profile pic define them?”

So, I grabbed some scrap paper and pen, and began to scribble down a quick list of how Facebook might be defining us.

Here is that list in no particular order:

1.) You have been contemplating turning Facebook off, or getting away from it for a season. Fueled by a desire to spend time in more worthwhile places….. but you just can’t quite seem to pull the plug or make any significant changes.

2.) You find yourself more connected to people you hardly even know or, checking the status of a friend that you have not spoken to in years becomes over and above the friends and family that you know genuinely love you and care about you.

3.) Checking the status of a distant Facebook friend, while having coffee with a face to face friend, is more important to you than the friend that you have in front of you.

4.) The number of social friends (who really do not know you, or truly care about you) is of greater value than the few genuine friends a person can actually have. (There, I did it! I just checked my Facebook and I have 728 friends. Wow, how impressive am I?!? What…. you are not impressed? Why? Because you know a person can only have so many genuine friendships.) Don’t let the number of people who befriend you or Add you as their friend…. Define you! And for that matter, don’t let those who “Un-friend” you define you either.

5.) Ladies…. Hearing “you’re beautiful” “beautiful family” or “you deserve it” can take on an inflated meaning when Facebook defines you. Is it ok if people do NOT tell you “beautiful family” or “you deserve it”? Or, are you defined by those sentiments made by “friends” who are flying through their News feed and are compelled to leave a “You’re so beautiful” comment.

6.) You just realized…..I wasted how much time on Facebook today?

7.) You are no longer bothered by how much time you spend on Facebook.

8.) You regularly over react by defending yourself and your Facebook time to your spouse, parents, or friends who, ever so gently mention: “it seems like you spend quite a bit of time on Facebook.”

9.) You no longer send Birthday cards or write letters that express your feelings or affection.

10.) You’re offended by this blog post! :-)

11.) You do not read books like you used too because Facebook is a distraction. (Personally, I have been using my iPad less as my book reader because there are too many distractions… Facebook being one of them. I am considering going back to the Kindle.) (PM me ;-) if you have one you want to sell.)

12.) You are unwilling to admit your lack of self – discipline and cannot walk away from it.

13.) The number of people who “like” your status update matters far too much. This is revealed by how often you check in to see who liked your post and how many likes you have amassed.

14.) You feel the need to document your life on Facebook as if there is something in you that says people need to know that you are on vacation or out with your family.

15.) Selfie, selfie, and yet another….. selfie.

The above may be offensive to some. Please know, that is not my intent! Nor is it my intent to, in some way, come across as if I don’t struggle with any of this myself. And lastly, it is also not my intent to start the “Shut down the Facebook” club. There are some benefits to Facebook. Maybe I will write about Facebook benefits in a future post. Again, this is not a Facebook bashing of those who like Facebook. It is however, a call for serious and sober reflection. And, if for some reading this post, decide to walk away permanently or for a season, I don’t think their life will suffer for it and perhaps it will benefit instead.

I would love for you to add to the list above. You can comment below on other ways Facebook can define us. Or if you disagree with this post feel free to share that as well.

It is ok to disagree with me….. because, this post doesn’t define me. :-)

Unspectacularly Spectacular

autumn-contrast

Is your Christianity….Spectacular? NO? Well, why not? Where is your faith? What is wrong with you?

That was the email thread that I was engaged in years ago, and I seem to be re-engaged in of late. And, it is a theme that God seems to be keeping in front of me for much of this past year.

So, here are more questions to help you get the gears moving:

Do miracles follow you?

Has anyone come up to you in the last week, month, year – heck, has ANYONE EVER come up to you and asked you: “What must I do to be saved?”

How is your time in prayer? Is it daily dynamite?

Do you regularly operate in the spectacular gifts of the Spirit?

For pastors who are reading this blog….. Are you just an “average” pastor who is leading an “average” church?

Are you slaying the dragon of the flesh in such a way as to be the perfect model of Godliness?

Is your salvation story one that grabs everyone’s attention?

See past blog post: To All Those With A Boring Testimony

And the list goes on…. Christianity in our day lusts for the spectacular under every rock. But, what if yours and/or my Christian walk with God is just…. average? What if the spectacular, as we define it, avoids you like the plague? Are we to think we are something of a “lesser” kind of follower of Christ?

2 Quick Examples of UN-spectacular followers of Christ:

1.) Simeon of Luke 2.

So, tell me…. who is this Simeon guy? What great things can you tell me about him? What has he done for the Christian faith? Did he write scripture, or heal a blind man, or perhaps he preached and 1,000’s came to saving faith? Surely, he did something spectacular to make his way into the Word of God.

“Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law, he took him up in his arms and blessed God…..”

(Luke 2:25-28 ESV)

That’s it?!?

This is all we have on this guy Simeon. No record of the miraculous or radical faith. Simeon is anything but spectacular. I am sure you and I have read this story many times without even pausing to consider this man.

And I am wondering……. Why?

Well, Simeon is not amazing enough to capture our attention.

So, now nearing the end of his life Simeon holds Jesus in his arms and…. (ready for this?) HE BLESSES GOD! Are you kidding me?!? I try, in vain, to imagine the joy of this moment for the faithful plodder, Simeon.

Listen to a sermon on Simeon here: iPlod.

Simeon has been faithful. He has consistently waited on God to move like His Word said He would in Malachi 3.

Exciting? Spectacular?

At first blush, I think not! But upon closer and further review, nothing could be further from the truth. You see, in our lust for the “spectacular” today we seem to be missing something of what it means to follow Christ.

Let’s reconsider the Simeon. Simeon is a man who waited on God his entire life! He is surrounded by apostasy. The religious leaders of the day are leading people away from God, in the name of God.

This is where we find Simeon. He is trusting in the Word of God that was given to the prophet 400 years prior! He is faithfully….. waiting! Perhaps waiting is more spectacular than we first thought! When no move of God is taking place, Simeon waits and waits and waits some more. When no hope of a Messiah is before him, he waits. Why? Because God’s Word promised a Savior would come! Now, when life has nearly passed him by and he now is nearing his own death, Simeon is found faithfully doing what? Waiting for the Savior! Wow!

If that is not spectacular, what is?

O, that it would be said of you and me that we faithfully waited for the Lord to our dying day!

Nicolaus_ludwig_graf_zu_zinzendorf — Preach the gospel, die and be forgotten. Nicholaus von Zinzendorf

2.) Timothy

How unspectacular is Timothy’s conversion!?!

I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well.

(2 Timothy 1:5 ESV)

Timothy, it seems, was taught the gospel at a young age. He has a gospel heritage that he grew up in that came from momma and grandma. What a gift! But, Timothy’s conversion is not exactly a “go to” conversion story. We would rather look to Saul, who is persecuting the church, knocked off his donkey, meets Jesus, blinded, etc…! Now that is a conversion story, right?

Well, yes. But, is Paul’s conversion any more spectacular than the next guy? Does Paul’s conversion require more grace or more substitution or more of Jesus than Timothy’s? When we create these categories of what is and is not spectacular, are we not dismissing the spectacular hand of God, the very glory of God?

It matters how we think about these things. If waiting for Jesus to come the first time (Simeon) is unspectacular then waiting for Him to come the second time (me and you) will be plain vanilla as well. If your salvation story is unspectacular (in your mind), your view of Christ’s sacrifice for you will lack luster as well.

Join with me and pause today:

Thanking God for your average Christian life, seeking to follow Christ to your dying day.
Thanking God for your conversion. He saved you, me, Paul, and Timothy from the: “wages of sin is death…”

Bruce Jenner And Our Need For Change

jenner

Ok, so I am really late responding to the Diane Sawyer interview with Bruce Jenner. I have been busy…. we all have! Today, I’m finally getting around to addressing the man who has, once again, captured our attention.

Before I dive in, I want to say that my heart grieves for Bruce Jenner. I am not sitting down to write out of anger or mockery. I do not want to belittle or disdain him and others like him. I do not write setting out intending to offend. Though, I realize the below will be found offensive to some. I am saddened and concerned for Jenner specifically and for society in general.

This does not make me better than him or anyone else! As you will see below, I believe that I am a sinner in great need of a Savior!

Bruce Jenner’s Problem And All Of Our Problem

I found the Sawyer interview interesting. It was fascinating how Jenner has diagnosed the problem and provided his solution to the problem. Jenner himself explained a number of times the confusion he has experienced over the years. He described his confusion to be lifelong, beginning early in life. Jenner’s interview was to say, I have had this problem, it is not a new problem, I am a person stuck in a man’s body with a female psychology.

Here’s the deal: I have more in common with Bruce Jenner than you think! Jenner and I have the same problem – yes, you heard me correctly. My problem and Jenner’s problem is that we are both sinners. No, I have never had the thought… maybe I should play God and change who he has made me to be, or maybe I should become a woman. This has never crossed my mind. BUT, many sinful thoughts have crossed my mind and only God knows how many of those thoughts turned into actions. Jenner is a sinner. And so am I. That is the greater problem and he is not alone. Jenner and I share this one thing in common. WE are sinners. Jenner’s problem is not confusion about his manhood or womanhood. Jenner’s greater problem is that he is a sinner in need of a Savior. And that is my greatest problem and….. yours as well.

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

(Romans 6:23 ESV)

That is our problem – what is the answer?

Jenner’s answer to his problem sounds radical doesn’t it!?! Actually, it is not radical enough. Jenner does not need body transformation; he needs a more radical and thorough transformation. Jenner and I both, need soul transformation. You see, we cannot simply take some pills, do some surgery, and whatever else. Jenner will wake up from surgery still being…. Jenner. He may look different on the outside but the soul is unchanged. Jenner is changing on the surface; however, he needs to take an even more radical approach to his problem.

Let me explain. Jenner believes he was born this way. I am fine with his perspective. You and I are no different. We too were born sinners. That is the whole point of the gospel. You and I were born sinners but we can be born again!

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

(2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV)

The Good News

The good news is that Christ came and went to the cross to make that radical change possible.

God….. died for our sins so that we might be born again, transformed, made new in Christ Jesus. Now that is radical transformation! Nothing less than the life, death, and resurrection provides this transformation for sinners like me, you, and Jenner.

Jenner’s answer is to change how he was born physically as a male. He believes that changing his identity, by dressing as a woman, will solve his problem. This is what saddens me; Jenner will wake up tomorrow with a different set of clothes, but an unchanged heart. As long as he continues to answer his problem on a surface level, he will never be satisfied.

He needs… and I need, a bigger transformation, a better Savior. We need a thorough transformation from the inside out, a soul transformation. Jenner and I are men wrestling with sin in need of the Savior of our souls. He, you and I need the grace and mercy of God.

Good news…..Christ came to make that possible!

God’s Word = Sufficient For Life?

Man reading bible

What does the Bible have to say about life in 2015? Anything? I mean, when I look at the Bible, people are sacrificing animals, walking around in robes, and the central figure calls Himself the Son of God.

What does any of that have to do with how I drive to work on Monday morning, how I parent my children, or how I go to the grocery store?

The question that I am really getting after is this: Is the Bible sufficient for our lives today? Is it possible that a book written thousands of years ago, in a different culture, addresses our lives in 2015? Does God’s Word address my world and my problems?

Have you ever wondered if the Bible is really able to help you with your deepest problems? Have you struggled to know what to do with your life, and wished you had some special word from the Lord? Have you ever thought to yourself that the biblical teaching on sexuality needs updating? Have you ever wished for a more direct, more personal revelation than what you get from slowly reading through the Bible? Have you ever secretly wanted to add something to the word of God— you know, just to make things safer? Have you ever wanted to take something away to make the Bible more palatable? Have you ever assumed that the Bible doesn’t say anything about how to worship God or how to order his church? Have you ever felt like the Bible just wasn’t enough for living a faithful life in today’s world? If you can answer yes to any of these questions— and we all will at times— then you are struggling with the sufficiency of Scripture.

DeYoung, Kevin (2014-04-30). Taking God At His Word: Why the Bible Is Knowable, Necessary, and Enough, and What That Means for You and Me (pp. 43-44). Crossway. Kindle Edition.

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:15-17 ESV)

Above is the often quoted verse about God’s Word. But, Christian, do you believe this verse? Do you really believe it? Do you believe that God’s Word is breathed out by God? And not only that, do you believe His Word is profitable for your life in 2015?

God’s Word does not need us to help it out! We do not need to try to improve it by adding to it. It is, after all, GOD’S Word. We do not need to take away from it, make it more palatable, or anything of the sort. Our job is to respond to its glory and power, not attempt to improve it! (Wow, how full of pride are we when we think it is our job to “fix” or update God’s Word.)

We can say all the right things about the Bible, and even read it regularly, but when life gets difficult, or just a bit boring, we look for new words, new revelation, and new experiences to bring us closer to God. We feel rather ho-hum about the New Testament’s description of heaven, but we are mesmerized by the accounts of school-age children who claim to have gone there and back . From magazine articles about “My Conversation with God” (see chapter 2), to best-selling books where God is depicted as giving special, private communications, we can easily operate as if the Bible were not enough. If we could only have something more than the Scriptures, then we would be really close to Jesus and know his love for us.

DeYoung, Kevin (2014-04-30). Taking God At His Word: Why the Bible Is Knowable, Necessary, and Enough, and What That Means for You and Me (pp. 45-46). Crossway. Kindle Edition.

1.) How we go about our day is one way to help us to consider our view of the sufficiency of Scripture.

Let’s say that you are having some problems, and you are not sure where to turn.

Is your reflex to ask what does the Bible say? How might the Bible address this problem?

Or, is your reflex to ask what does this popular author say, what does my friend think, let me call my pastor, etc. Hey, there’s nothing wrong with getting input from friends and pastors, and…. The Bible itself tells us there is wisdom in a multitude of counselors.

But, I am talking about an unintended or perhaps intended view of Scripture that subtly thinks God’s Word can’t help me on this one. I need a New York Bestselling author for this problem. Or I need the wisdom of a Piper, Sproul, or Keller. (All favorites of mine, by the way…) While these authors can be a source of help, be sure you are not using them, or others, in a way that actually diminishes the sufficiency of God’s Word. Pastors, teachers, authors, and friends can be a source directing us to grow, trust, and rely on God’s Word or, they can be replacing God’s Word.

God’s Word is sufficient. It is our authority and it is sufficient for all of life!

2.) How we build our churches is one way we dismiss the sufficiency of God’s Word.

What are we saying with the dog and pony show in the church today? What is needed in our churches is not more entertainment, flashy worship sets, or CEO pastors. What is needed is the Word of the very living God! Paul to Timothy: Preach the Word!

How we “do” church says a lot about what we believe about God’s Word. Is it sufficient or does it need props?

3.) The Word is sufficient for growing in Christ

God has given us all we need for life and godliness (2 Peter 1: 3); Scripture is enough to make us wise for salvation and holy unto the Lord (2 Tim. 3: 14– 17). If we learn to read the Bible down (into our hearts), across (the plot line of Scripture), out (to the end of the story), and up (to the glory of God in the face of Christ), we will find that every bit of the Bible is profitable for us. To affirm the sufficiency of Scripture is not to suggest that the Bible tells us everything we want to know about everything, but it does tell us everything we need to know about what matters most. Scripture does not give exhaustive information on every subject, but in every subject on which it speaks, it says only what is true. And in its truth we have enough knowledge to turn from sin, find a Savior, make good decisions, please God, and get to the root of our deepest problems.

DeYoung, Kevin (2014-04-30). Taking God At His Word: Why the Bible Is Knowable, Necessary, and Enough, and What That Means for You and Me (pp. 54-56). Crossway. Kindle Edition.

4.) A sufficient Savior is what matters most in 2015!

“It is finished”

Jesus Christ on the cross.

Consider the sufficiency of what Christ accomplished on the cross! Nothing more can be added to His sacrifice. No human effort adds anything to your salvation. No Bible reading, obedience, giving, serving, or any other thing adds to what Christ has done in any way at all! His death on the cross atoned for sins and the moment I try to add to that atonement, I have belittled the sufficiency of the Savior.

Thanking God today that the Word of God is sufficient!

God’s Word = Authority?

Bible

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. (2 Timothy 3:16- 4:1-4 ESV)

I love the above scripture! The Apostle Paul writes, with great conviction, as he seeks to root Timothy and us in the Word of God.

God’s Word = Authority:

1.) Because it is God’s Word

This is our foundation, we must begin here. Do you believe God’s Word IS… GOD’S Word? Paul tells us that it is a God breathed – God inspired Word. The Word is not our word. And since it is not our word, it (not us) has authority. Once we buy in to a Word that is not God’s Word, pack it in. We are done! At that moment, there is no longer a p0int in considering the Word. In an instant the Word no longer carries meaning or conviction. At that point the Word has lost its power. It is just a Word that is no more inspired than the next book on the shelf. It may contain good advice or nice suggestions for living, but it is not the Word of God. And, once it becomes anything less than God’s Word, it becomes nothing. It becomes nothing more than man’s ideas and opinions. And those are a dime a dozen folks. But, the Words of the Creator and Savior… those are Words that have worth!

So, Paul says to Timothy, Preach the Word. And thus, the Word is what we preach. Not our opinions, but the Word. We would do well, and our churches would do well to stick to the Word.

To preach the Word is to recognize the Word of God is wisdom. Submission to the Word is what joyfully does. Why? Because it is God’s Word! He is the Authority, not me and not you.

2.) Authority exists outside of us

I am so glad for this! I enjoy affirming that God’s Word is God’s Word. This rightly takes the authority out of my hands and places it where it belongs. It places it in the Sovereign, able, worthy, hands of God! I am a cruddy authority to my own soul. Why? Because, I want what I want – NOT what I need.

Paul to Timothy: teach what is sound. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth.

Is it not amazing how similar Paul and Timothy’s problems are to our problems today? Our culture does not want sound doctrine. We lust for trendy sermons filled with clichés and simple solutions to a profound problem all aimed to suit ones passions.

Personally, I do not need to hear a sermon preached to suit my passions! That is NOT what my soul needs! My soul needs my passions confronted rather than suited. The Word does not exist to suit my comforts and worldly desires. It exists for God glorifying transformation.

If my authority is what I want, then I am immediately off in a million directions. And tomorrow, I will likely have a new set of authoritative opinions of my creating. I am grateful for the Authority of God’s Word. It is not fickle, it does not change, nor does it shift with my shifting opinions or the opinions of our culture.

This means, I do not have to guess if the Word changed while I slept last night. The Word is rooted in the very nature of God. The unchanging God gave us His unchanging Word, that I / we might be changed!

Jesus came, He lived a sinless life, died on the cross for my sins, rose from the grave, and He ascended to the right hand of the Father!

HIS Authoritative Word tells me to repent of my sins and to trust in Jesus for the forgiveness of sins. I joyfully have done so. I am forgiven! Sins paid for! It is finished! Christ settled it all on the cross, and none of that will change tomorrow!

That is HIS Word, not mine. This is the settled, unchanging, and authoritative, Words of God.

3.) The Authority of God reveals God

The Authority of Scripture reveals the character of God. Revealing His faithfulness, kindness, goodness, grace, mercy, sovereignty, trustworthiness, sufficiency, wisdom, power, truth, glory, and more!

The Word reveals God. As I said above, it is God’s Word. God makes Himself known to us through His written Word.

This has implications for us as we seek to read His Word. The Word is first and foremost given to us to help us to know God.

How kind and good of God to give us His Word. Without it, I would be adrift to every passing fad of my sinful heart. The Word is an anchor to my soul.

We can open the Word and read it seeking to grow in our understanding of who God is and what He has accomplished on our behalf.

4.) Authority informs response

Once we are convinced that the Word is God’s Word, and that it exists to make God known to us, then we are postured to respond rightly to its authority. Our responses are varied. Have you read God’s Word and responded in worship, humility, submission, conviction, repentance, faith, etc?

These and many others are the appropriate responses to the regular reading and preaching of God’s Word.

The Word of God exists to reveal God and when He is revealed, His glory is on display and we get to respond to that glory

Thank you God for your authoritative Word to us! Thank you for preserving your Word throughout history and making yourself known to us through your Word. May you grant us grace as we seek you today through the reading of your Word!

To All Those With A Boring Testimony

boy bored

What did God save you from?

How did He rescue you from death to life, darkness to light, slave of sin to freedom in Christ?

I have heard it said by some that they do not have much of a testimony. It’s, well…..boring! Nothing radical or earth shattering. Not much worth talking about.

She said: “My testimony is simple and dull. I grew up in a Godly home that taught the truths of God’s Word. I believed at a young age. No great rebellion, addictions, or prison stories. Just a Godly family, growing up in a church, and hearing about Jesus. It just can not get any more boring as far as testimonies go!”

The above describes me pretty well too, except the boring part!

Here is part of my testimony and the radical nature of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

I was born to a Godly mom and dad who themselves grew up in Godly homes. I think I probably heard the gospel before I left the birthing room. (Just Kidding…maybe….)

My parents loved God and sought to raise their two boys with an understanding of who God is and what He had done for them on the cross. I can not even tell you the exact point in time that I first repented of my sins and made Christ the Savior of my soul.

(Some would say – “that is not good, you should know….” Which is…..Ridiculous!)

I can not tell you of a great moment of guilt and shame. I just knew, at a young age, I was a sinner who needed a Savior. Our family attended the same church for 17 years. It was there that I continued to learn about Christ. I had an amazing brother and Godly friends: (Jeff Merwin, Doug Shackelford, Joel Schwalbe, Kyle Brinkman, Jason and Matt Hoag, and all those who were a part of the Rock House – back in the day!) We were a far from perfect crowd! Each with our own level of boring to amazing testimonies. Along the way, I have also sat under some wonderful, Godly pastors. (Alex Clattenburg, Rod Carlson, Fred Franks, Wayne Brooks – I am very grateful for you men!)

Here is my point: We dismiss the radical, amazing grace of God when we view ANY testimony as boring. Is any salvation anything less than amazing grace? Are some who go from death to life more glorious than another? Does not every salvation reveal the life shattering glory of God!?!

When we think in terms of a boring salvation, we belittle saving grace and we dismiss the cross on which He died to accomplish our salvation.

How is it that we can think of ANY testimony as not Amazing Grace? Is Christ’s sacrifice on the cross a radical sacrifice to only a few?

Yes, I grew up in a Godly home. But, I did not choose that home. Nor could my parents or myself conjure up a salvation. Parents, friends, and pastors could not produce in me a heart for God.

God, took this sinner that was bent to sin and He saved me. He did that! Not my parents or my friends or my pastors. God used them all, and I am grateful for them all! But, at the end of the day, God moved on my heart and took a soul that was once an enemy of God and made me His son. Had God not impressed on me my need to repent and believe in Jesus as the Savior of my sins, I would not be saved.

This IS radical. It is not natural, it is supernatural. It is not human, it is nothing less than the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit bringing about my salvation.

God saved me with His ordinary grace, and God’s ordinary grace is always radical grace!

Boring? I do not think so!

Radical? Yes!

Every life that is brought from darkness to light is nothing less than: Amazing Grace, How sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me!

And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience—among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.

But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

(Ephesians 2:1-10 ESV)

Have you ever thought your testimony wasn’t good enough?

Or, have you ever embellished your story a little to make it, well, radical?

If so, be free from the nonsense and celebrate the amazing, radical, grace of God in your salvation story!

A Easter Community

Last Supper

What a week….. Easter Week!

Imagine…. on this very week 2000+ years ago Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey. The crowd that gathered shouted “Hosanna, glory to God in the highest”! By the end of the week He was crucified by a crowd that shouted: “Give us Barabas” and “Crucify Him”.

Wow, what a pendulum swing!

So much to consider during this, the Easter week.

It was that time of year to celebrate God’s deliverance from Egyptian slavery. It is Passover time in Jerusalem.
Each day of the week leading up to the crucifixion is worth a blog post, no a book, in itself.
Every one of the 7 sayings of Christ on the cross is worthy of dissection.
Each and every aspect of Easter week (Holy Week) declares the glory of the Savior who has come to offer us forgiveness.

The religious leaders have been seeking to trap Him and orchestrate His death. Judas steps forward to provide the opportunity to make their dreams come true.

The ministry of Jesus has been brief and powerful. He has chosen this band of brothers that have gathered around Him. Each day, Jesus is found to be teaching them and preparing them for this very week. They are the 1st Easter Community. An unlikely group. Unimpressive in every way. And yet, they will be entrusted with the continued sharing of Jesus’ life, soon to be death, followed by the miraculous resurrection.

Easter Community: This is what has my attention this week.

This is what shocks me 2000+ years later.

If you are a follower of Christ, you have been called to be a part of that community. Jesus gathered disciples 2000+ years ago….. and He is still doing that today! And, if you are a true believer in Jesus Christ….YOU ARE A PART OF THAT COMMUNITY.

And being a disciple that is a part of that community, we also, have been entrusted to tell of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. And, while there is a heightened sense of awareness this being Holy Week, the reality for all believers is that we are a part of that community every week.

As you gather with your church for Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, or Easter Sunday, reflect on what Christ has done to provide this community of believers. Nothing less than the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus has made this community of believers possible!

God has brought His mercy and grace to not only you, but all who you will find yourself gathered with this weekend. But not only that, you are gathered with all the saints who have gone before you. Some martyred, some new in their faith (thief on the cross), some old in the faith, some strong, some weak, all saved by the grace of our Lord.

Amazing love, how can it be?
That you, my king. would die for me
Amazing love, I know it’s true
Its my joy to honor you
Amazing love how can it be?
That you my king would die for me
Amazing love I know it’s true
Its my joy to honor you
In all I do
I honor you

Chris Tomlin

To be clear, I am not suggesting you celebrate the community above the Savior. We are not gathering this weekend to celebrate, “What A Community Of Believers”. No, we gather to celebrate the Savior, “What A Savior”! But, we do so within a community of disciples.

Unlikely disciples, then and now.

This is the community of disciples I am blessed to be celebrating with this weekend!

God, you have drawn us into this community of people who follow your Son, Jesus Christ. Open our hearts to this glorious truth. Renew our hearts in this unending grace. Help us to honor you as we celebrate all that you accomplished in your life, death, and resurrection.

India

Why India? Why Right Now?

80.5% Hinduism

13.4% Islam

2.3% Chrisitan

0.8% Buddhism

0.4% Jainism

0.7% Other

“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20 ESV)

INDIA NEEDS THE GOSPEL

This post is written by my son, Timothy Merwin.

When I heard that my dad was invited to Ahmedabad, India, to mission with a group of pastors in serving some of the churches in that area, my interest began and a stirring grew in my heart to go with my dad on this trip. It led me to ask him if I could join the team that was headed to India. He said yes! But I needed to answer some questions:

WHY do I want to go? I really want to see what real poverty looks like and be used by God to make an impact.

DESIRES: I desire to help and serve in any way possible as we relate with the churches and serve them.

HOPES…I hope to be able to see other places that need the gospel and be a part of God’s plan there.

The purpose of this trip is two-fold.

First, local pastors in Ahmedabad have asked that theology classes be taught to local pastors. India They are in great need of sound doctrinal teaching so they can lead their churches into truth. They have a heart to pastor but lack understanding in God’s Word. The simple resources that we take for granted, are not as readily available.

Secondly, we will be assessing the possibility of sending future mission teams from our churches. Finding out what kind of teams would serve the area best and bring the greatest benefit: medical, construction, orphanages and other possibilities. Of course the greatest need is the gospel. Without the hope of the gospel, these people will die without ever hearing what Christ has done for them.

Please Pray & Fast:

For the Pastor’s and Churches in India to be impacted & equipped through this mission.
The Lord will give wisdom and favor.
Protection as we travel and minister.
Spiritual Growth for me.
Financial Support

Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi performs worship of Lord Jagannath, Balbhadra and Subhadra at Lord Jagannath temple on the eve of the annual Rathyatra festival in Ahmedabad on Saturday.

How Can You Help?

Thank you for reading this far! If you are able, I need your prayers, your encouragement and any financial support you may be able to give. The cost of the trip is $3,000. I will be passing out flyers in my neighborhood and trying to earn a lot of this by working through the summer. If you want your gift to be tax-deductible, please make your check payable to Trinity Community Church and put Timothy Merwin/India in the memo line.

Mail to: Timothy Merwin 3441 Fox Wood Dr. Titusville, FL 32780

Hungry?

“What we hunger for most, we worship” John Piper A Hunger For God

Funny isn’t it? Marketing, at it’s best, goes right after our bellies.

Sprite

snickers

I could add more images, but you get the idea.

Have you considered the hunger of the soul?

I enjoy reading most anything written by John Piper. But, there is one of his books that calls me back again and again. It probably calls me back because it strikes a chord in my soul.

Disclosure:

I do not hunger for God like I ought or like I want.

My soul is sloppy

My flesh is lazy

And my comfort is always…. always calling.

So, I find myself going back to Pipers book: A Hunger For God.

It is a book about fasting. NO, wait! Don’t stop reading! I know……Most of us don’t want to read about fasting. Neither do I!

Don’t worry, this post won’t bite!

I wonder, why is it that we run from fasting? Might it be because we don’t really understand fasting or that we view it wrongly?

I have a very simple answer as to why I run from the topic. I don’t like the subject because…I LIKE TO EAT. I enjoy…. filling my stomach with really good food! Why, in the world would anyone in their right mind fast? I LOVE FOOD. I love it – I want more of it, not less.

A blog post on fasting? Seriously, what is that all about?

Here are a couple favorite quotes from the book. I post these quotes and it is my prayer that they might begin to stir our hearts, our hunger for God.

“The discipline of self – denial is fraught with dangers – perhaps only surpassed by the dangers of indulgence.”

I hope to do a future post on this. Legalism abounds when it comes to fasting…. but so does the indulgence of non – fasting.

“What we hunger for most, we worship”

“Desire for other things – there’s the enemy. And the only weapon that will triumph is a deeper hunger for God. The weakness of our hunger for God is not because he is unsavory, but because we keep ourselves stuffed with ‘other things'”

“When God is the supreme hunger of our hearts, he will be supreme in everything.”

“Whom have I in heaven but thee? And there is nothing upon earth besides thee. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” Psalms 73:25-26

“The birthplace of Christian fasting is homesickness for God.”

My all time favorite quote:

“The greatest enemy of hunger for God is not poison by apple pie. It is not the banquet of the wicked that dulls our appetite for heaven, but the endless nibbling at the table of the world. It is not the X-rated video, but the prime-time dribble of triviality we drink in every night.”

It isn’t because my life is empty that my hunger for God wavers. No, it is because it is full.

How about you?

Is your life…. full? Is your soul….full?

If your answer is yes: What one change can you make to begin to fill your soul (not with the things of this world) but with the things of God?

Rat Race Theology

StateLibQld_1_115548_Large_crowds_of_people_in_Albert_Square,_Brisbane,_watch_the_men_of_the_Seventh_Division,_1944k

Have you noticed our culture idolizes the Rat Race?

When was the last time you asked someone how they are doing and they did not answer with: “I’ve been busy”

Isn’t that the standard American answer? We are all… busy. The Rat Race is defined by busyness and achievement. We must multitask. Buy more technology to get more things done, faster. Do more with less time. Go to bed later and get up earlier.

For, achievement is our god.

The Rat Race is what we love. Because in the Rat Race we find importance, identity, and even value. Think about it. Don’t we think more highly of those who are leading the pack in the Rat Race?

Average is weakness in the Rat Race.

Ordinary is not good enough.

Rat Race theology says: You must take this ordinary, average life and make it better. Average? Nope! That won’t do.

“In a culture that rhapsodizes over every achievement and idolizes many of those who stand out, it is easy for the church to drink from the same intoxicating elixir and swoon over gifted expectations.” D.A. Carson

This drives people to find a new city, get a new job, or land a new spouse. Because, the old one…. well, it’s not that it’s bad it’s just… average.

Reinvent yourself

Make a splash

Work more hours

Gotta get ahead

Are you buying into the Rat Race Theology?

our-greatest-fear

Last year I was on vacation with my family. (By the way, have you noticed we can bring the Rat Race on vacation with us? What is wrong with us!?) We had some in between down time. The idiot box, I mean the TV, was in front of us and my youngest popped it on. The Lego Movie had just begun. I had not heard of the Lego Movie and when it came on I assumed it was going to be dumb.

Have you seen it?

It is incredible! Instantly we were all laughing.

Favorite part?

The driving song of the movie. “Everything is Awesome!” If you have seen the movie than you know what I am Lego Movie talking about. When you read the title, you probably smiled a little. In the world of Lego, Everything is Awesome, which means… nothing is.

It is also the theme song of the Rat Race. Everything is awesome. God forbid, we or something we are engaged in, is not….awesome. What if our careers and dreams are just… average. How incredibly terrible would that be!

What if at the end of our lives, all we have done is served the Lord with the mundane tasks He has put before us? How awful?

“Everyone wants a revolution, no one wants to do the dishes.” Michael Horton

At the end of the movie Emmet says to Lord Business:

lego-movie “You don’t have to be the bad guy. You are the most talented, most interesting, most extraordinary person in the universe….” (Pause – and then Emmet adds) “And so is EVERYBODY.”

Because everybody is awesome – that is the only rule in the Rat Race.

The Rat Race gets better.

How crazy are we? We mock the Rat Race. We talk down about it. We know the Rat Race is not good. We counsel others to get out of the Rat Race and yet…. we lust for it, pursue it, and we are incredibly jealous of those who are out in front of the race!

Is that not insane? We mock the Rat Race and then strive with all that is in us, to get in the lead of that very race!

Friends, the Rat Race can be the death of relationship, family, pursuit of God, sitting on the couch with your spouse and children, having a meal without the cell phone close enough so you can reply to the text that just came in…. because it’s soooo important. The Rat Race is the death of real relationships and communication.

God save us from the Rat Race

Further Study: Read Ordinary By Michael Horton

Listen to this sermon about average, Simeon: iPlod

Rob Bell, Oprah, And God’s Word

Rob-kristen-bell-oprah

The below is taken in entirety from In The Line Of Fire by Michael Brown. While, I am wanting to write my own response to recent Rob Bell comments. My thoughts are many, and time is…. limited. So, for now, the below will have to suffice.

My quick response before I turn it over to Mr. Brown.

May our hearts grow in conviction for this 2,000 yr old book and its absolute relevance in our lives today!! Is there anything more relevant than the God of the Universes revealing Himself and Redemption to us?!? Rob Bell thinks God’s Word to be irrelevant…. Does that make Rob Bell irrelevant?

Michael Brown

For those who had any questions, Rob Bell has now made himself totally clear: He is willing to trash parts of the Bible as “letters from 2,000 years ago” when God’s Word contradicts his views on same-sex “marriage.”

Bell appeared on Oprah’s Super Soul Sunday program together with his wife, Kristen, to promote their new book The Zimzum of Love: A New Way of Understanding Marriage. In an interview last December, Bell explained that on page 16 of the book, he and Kristen give their “whole hearted affirmation” to same-sex “marriage.”

That was no surprise in light of his announcement in 2013 that he supported redefining marriage. In fact, that had been his position for years, although he had not proclaimed it publicly prior to 2013.

But on Oprah’s show, he and Kristen went much further, dismissing the words of Scripture and criticizing churches that were determined to be faithful to God.

Explaining to Oprah why they included “gay marriage” in their book, Rob said, “One of the oldest aches in the bones of humanity is loneliness. Loneliness is not good for the world. Whoever you are, gay or straight, it is totally normal, natural and healthy to want someone to go through life with. It’s central to our humanity. We want someone to go on the journey with.”

Of course, he’s absolutely right in terms of the importance of intimate personal relationships.

God made us to be relational beings, but in a very specific way. He formed Eve as the fit companion and helper for Adam, the two of them uniquely designed to complement each other in the journey and mission of life.

And Paul’s solution to loneliness (and, even more so, to temptation) was specific as well: “Nevertheless, because of sexual immorality, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband” (1 Cor. 7:2).

He didn’t say, “Each person should have his or her own companion,” because that was never God’s intent for His creation.

In contrast, what the Bells want to do is take God’s very specific, beautiful blueprint, and radically redesign it in the name of “love.”

To be sure, the church needs to take on the burden of those who struggle with same-sex attraction, helping them in every way possible find personal and relational wholeness in Jesus. But we are hurting them rather than helping them when we think we know better than God.

Rob Bell was then asked by Oprah when the church was going to embrace same-sex “marriage,” to which he responded, “We’re close,” with Kristen adding, “I think it’s evolving.”

Rob then explained, “Lots of people are already there. We think it’s inevitable, and we’re moments … ,” at which point Oprah chimed in, “Moments away from the church accepting it?”

Rob’s answer said it all: “Absolutely … I think culture is already there, and the church will continue to be even more irrelevant when it quotes letters from 2,000 years ago as their best defense. When you have in front of you flesh-and-blood people who are your brothers and sisters and aunts and uncles and co-workers and neighbors, and they love each other, and they just want to go through life with someone.”

So, according to Rob Bell, the church of Jesus should follow worldly culture and deny the plain teaching of God’s Word in order to be “relevant.” (For my thoughts on the idolatry of “relevance,” click here.)

And according to Bell, human feelings trump God’s Word, which can easily be dismissed as outdated—2,000 years outdated, it appears.

I guess what’s trending on Twitter trumps the timeless wisdom of the living Word of the living God.

I guess an emotional appeal carries far more weight than transcendent truth.

That’s similar to what Methodist Pastor Frank Schaeffer told me on my radio broadcast last year, explaining that he had to revise his views on the Bible and same-sex “marriage” after his son came out as gay but would “absolutely” have to restudy the issue if his son reversed his position about homosexuality.

Talk about loving your son or daughter (or father or mother) more than Jesus (see Matt. 10:37)

But that is exactly what Rob Bell is calling for: Go with the culture, stay “relevant,” dismiss the outdated biblical evidence and listen to your emotions.

Kristen, for her part, explained that some churches are just not getting with the program: “There are churches who are moving forward,” she said, “and there are churches who are almost regressing and making it more of a battle.”

How antiquated! How backwards! How embarrassing!

How dare these churches entrench themselves against the onslaught of worldly culture.

How dare they continue to resist the redefining of marriage and the rewriting of the sacred Scriptures.

How dare they hold fast to their position that God’s ways are best.

How dare they not get with the program of liberal progressivism.

The bad news is that many professing Christians are capitulating to culture and abandoning the holy and wholesome ways of the Lord.

The good news is that the Word of God stands forever (Is. 40:7-8; Matt. 24:35), and one day, Oprah Winfrey, with all her massive influence, and Rob and Kristen Bell, with their substantial influence as well, will be mere footnotes in this age of compromise and apostasy, marked as eternally irrelevant by the only One whose opinion matters.

That’s why I pray for their repentance today.

Michael Brown

It’s A Family Kind Of Thing

Trees

If you are a follower of “Gospel Connections” then you are probably aware of posts regarding prayer and specifically corporate prayer. This has not been intentional and frankly, I am not sure why I have written so many posts on prayer. Maybe it is because I recognize my weakness and need of growth regarding prayer? I don’t know.

One thing I do know is that over the past few years I have come to love corporate prayer. That is: praying with my church family. So, imagine my excitement when in 2014 I came to Chapter 9 of Steve Brown’s book titled: Approaching God. Chapter 9 is called: “It’s a family kind of thing”

Here are some take homes that I hope might stir you in considering corporate times of prayer with your church family.

“Prayer really is a family kind of thing.”

“When God calls one, he always calls a bunch.”

So, here is a gospel connection for today.

Prayer is a result of the gospel.
AND Praying together is the result of the gospel as well.

1.) Prayer is a result of the gospel.

We pray because Christ came and brought us into a right relationship with God. Hebrews tells us to draw near to the throne of grace. My soul yawns at this glory….

Wake up, Soul!!! This is amazing!

Nothing short of Jesus life, death, and resurrection provides for us to be able to draw near to God. We get to pray! We get to draw near! Because of the sacrifice of Christ.

Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.

(Hebrews 10:19-22 ESV)

2.) Praying together is a result of the gospel

It is quite a gift that we can draw near to God AND it is quite a gift that we get to do this….. together.

He saved us and brought us into a relationship with the Father and so, we pray.

And saved us into a family. Brother and sisters in Christ.

We have an “Our Father” relationship with Him and we walk that out with each other.

Also see: Prayer That Is Plural

Two Words

Most churches have corporate prayer meetings. I encourage you to attend that meeting and when you do, realize you are living in the good of the gospel. Nothing less than Jesus has made that prayer meeting, with your brother’s and sister’s possible.

Love… Vast As The Ocean

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Love is amazing!

What moves a man and a woman to make a “til death do us part” vow to each other?

Or a mother to risk her life, without hesitation, to save her child from harm?

And, what moves the Creator of the universe to leave the comforts of heaven and take on the frailties of human flesh, live a perfect life, and die on that cross – for me… for you?

I am a sinner!

I need a Savior!

When I say, “I am a sinner”, I do not mean I have some flaws or I make some mistakes. I mean… I am a sinner. And as a sinner, whose sins are against a Holy God, who has given me life, I deserve not love. Rather…. judgement.

I say it again, I need Savior! Love is Amazing. His love is beyond amazing!

Sometimes, I am too familiar with the truth of God’s love. I lean toward being over familiar with the love of Christ on that cross. Familiarity can be the death of worship or the stifling of service. It turns joy into duty and passion into formalism.

I say to myself today:

Tim, listen up – because you are dull, Tim – you need to hear this TODAY:

Christ came to die for my sins, taking the punishment my sins deserved, on the cross! And this is LOVE, Tim! You did not earn this love. Be freshly reminded – this is the amazing grace of the Almighty God!

“The love of God is the spring from which the atonement flows”

John Murray

“Legalism says God will love us if we change. The gospel says God will change us because He loves us.”
Tullian Tchividjian

“The sin underneath all our sins is to trust the lie of the serpent that we cannot trust the love and grace of Christ and must take matters into our own hands”

Martin Luther

“We obey God’s Law, not to be loved but because we are loved in Christ.”
Jerry Bridges

God did not HAVE to redeem sinners. He freely chose, out of His love, to shed his blood for my / our sins.

His Death / My Life

The cross is the love of God on display. This cross, this death is my life. Amazing! Worship Him with your life, Tim.

Where would I be without this love? The cross of Christ shows us just how great is our need and how deep is the Father’s love to meet that need. If Jesus could redeem us any other way, it would most certainly be a lesser display of His love.

For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die—but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

(Romans 5:6-11 ESV)

3 Steps To Childlike Maturity (Not What You Would Expect)

man walking

Here are a few questions to get the prayer engine going a bit:

What does it mean to grow in maturity in regards to prayer?
What does this maturity look like?
Or, How would you describe “Prayer Maturity”?

Is it:

Consistency?
Faith?
Length?
Theological insight?
Or….. maybe maturity is…… child – likeness?

Isn’t it interesting how we think of maturity as being a number of things that are UN- childlike?

Steve Brown in his book titled Approaching God explains that childlikenss is not a call to childishness or immaturity. You see, there is a difference between being childish and immature and being childlike AND mature.

HUH?

At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

(Matthew 18:1-4 ESV)

Why did Jesus say this?

He said it because the ADULTS around Him were asking Him who among them would be the greatest? The mature adults were acting, immaturely!

Pause a moment and ask yourself: Is my prayer life still asking that very same question? Who is the greatest?

Would I be great or am I the greatest because of my mature prayer life? In other words….

I am great because – I have faith, consistency, theological insight, etc…..

Here is Jesus’ answer to them and us. “come as a child.”

But what does that mean?

3 Steps to childlike maturity:

1.) Prayer is ABOUT relationship. Prayer, when it is at its best, is rooted in relationship. It is a relationship with the Father provided by the Son and empowered by the Spirit. The gospel itself makes prayer and relationship possible.

We tend to make prayer and maturity too difficult! It is this simple: Jesus invites us to come to him in the simplicity of a child. He is our Father, we are His children. He has provided us a relationship with Himself. Amazing! Let’s not make it more difficult than it needs to be.

2.) The Relationship IS: He is our Father – we are His children. How silly is it that we would come to Him attempting to be all put together, with an “appearance” of maturity. Or even more silly, when we come to Him with a sense of MY godliness.

How quickly we forget – he knows everything. He is…. God and our little attempt to be all put together is…. might we say….. idiotic!?!

Live in the good of the freedom we experience in the gospel We do not have to get ourselves all put together before approaching our Father.

3.) Freedom to be childlike:

FAITH: Consider the honesty of a child. Kids just blurt it out! Sometimes it is not well worded! Sometimes it is not the best time! Blurt it out. That is what kids do. I think that blurting out is – faith. Faith in mom and dad. Because, from the perspective of a child, moms and dads are supposed to know everything, be able to solve everything, and have all the answers. So, the child does not come all put together. He comes in Faith in mom and dad. How much more might we come to God in prayer?

HONESTY: Think about it: This blurting out by the child is actually a cloaked maturity. You have to love the faith of a child. I want that kind of maturity in my relationship with the Lord!

TRUST: A child trusts mom/dad. It is the default of a child until betrayed, and even then….. That is why a child has that “innocence” about them and why we teach them – “don’t talk to strangers”. There is so much trust in a child – so to be childlike is to walk through danger and yet…. trust in God. (Psalms 23) Think about this: a child trusts, even when it hurts.

NOT PUT TOGETHER: Children come – AS THEY ARE. Imagine your child coming to you with all the wording just right. I can’t imagine the child who does that. Do your kids do that?? Sometimes kids blurt it out loudly…. in public! We think we should approach God with all our nice theology and perfect wording. Seriously….. do we think we are impressing God? By all means, I am not saying, let’s dumb it down! But, sometimes people feel paralyzed and unable to pray because it is not all polished….. I say – bag the polish nonsense and come to your Father – Like a Child!

Any Time Of Day: Does a child come to his or her parents: once a day, in the morning….? Of course not. He or she comes at all times, inconvenient times, spontaneous times. Maturity is knowing you can come to the Father any time!

So, back to our original question. What does it mean to grow in maturity in regards to prayer?

Come to your Father as a child.

What’s The Point?

Study Time

I don’t know how you read books, but when I start into a new book I try to ascertain, as quickly as possible, what is the point? Yep, that’s all folks…. I want to know why did the author write this book? And, I want to know why…. fast!

I want to microwave my book – cook it fast! What can I say…. I am an American.

Usually one can find a purpose statement tucked in the introduction. I hunt for that statement, sentence, or even a few sentences where the author lets us in on the reason he has spent countless, frustrating hours researching, writing, and laboring to bring all that work to a finish and into our lives.

And hey, I am just like you….. I am busy! I need to know – and quick – is this book worth the time?

Me: Why did you write this book?

Author: Here is why I wrote this and where this book is headed.

Me: Thank you for letting me know if I should put the book down and forget it or journey on with the author.

(By the way – some authors already have credibility and I pre-order the book knowing…. it will be worth my time and effort. More on that later.)

I have a weird relationship with the author. I consider him / her my friend. Yep, weird right?!? . But, I like to think of the book I have in front of me as a conversation.

Grab a coffee, grab my friend off the shelf and let’s chat. And when I think this way, I get to do coffee with Charles Spurgeon, or a theology with Edwards, fantasy with Lewis or Tolkien. And, while I love to sit down with these friends! It is hit or miss sometimes to do so on any given day.

BUT – my every day goal and desire is to sit down with my Creator, Savior, Father, God!

Wow, are you kidding me?!? When I (when you) sit down to read the Bible, you are reading GOD’S WORD. You are sitting down with….. Almighty God! Coffee nearby, pen in hand – God is right there with me/ you!

Back to where this post started.

The point of the Bible – from start to finish – is to lay out for us God’s plan for Redemption.

Here is a quick overview of the Bible.

God Creates…. Everything…. out of nothing!
His creation includes mankind.
Man, the created – rebels against the Creator.
As a result, man is now separated from the Creator.
The rest of the story line of Gods Word is HOW God Redeems (or removes the separation) between God and man.

We could say – the point of the whole Bible – is about: Redemption. How will the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit each work to bring about redemption of fallen man?

The Father Sends

The Son takes on human flesh and goes to the cross for our sins! (Phil 2)

The Spirit quickens our hearts.

God’s Word in a nutshell. Redemption. The purpose of the Word of God, the purpose for our lives, and the reason the believer does not put the book down or ignore the glory it reveals.

The gospel is the Bible’s main message, and preaching the content of the Bible—that is, the prophetic anticipation of God’s redemptive purpose in Christ from the Old Testament and the apostolic witness to the accomplished work of Christ in the New Testament—unleashes the power of the gospel message and achieves its God-ordained end.

Bullmore, Mike (2011-08-02). The Gospel and Scripture: How to Read the Bible (The Gospel Coalition Booklets) (Kindle Locations 88-90). Crossway. Kindle Edition.

From start to finish, the consistent thread throughout the Word of God is REDEMPTION.

Everything prior to Jesus, looks forward to Jesus. Everything post Jesus, looks back to Jesus.

Listen in on how John gives us the purpose statement for the gospel of John.

“so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name” (John 20:31).

How will sinful man be made right with God?

Well, therein lies the point of the whole book. Jesus Christ is the Author AND He is the Answer! He is the point. He is the reason we have a Bible and need a Bible. And friend, He is WORTH OUR TIME! That is right, He is WORTH it. Worth my / your time! Worth the effort.

So, take up the book this year in 2015. Grab a coffee and pen. And get to know the Author and The Point of the whole book!

“You have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God. . . . And this word is the good news that was preached to you” (1 Pet. 1:23–25).