As I sit here in my hotel in Paris, it is difficult not to see the drastic 
contrast of where I was a few days ago (India) and where I am today (Paris). Oh, the contrasts! This brings me to the greatest of contrasts this world has ever known!
Tag: the gospel
Quick Post From India
I wanted to shoot out a quick post from India. Our schedule is very full so perhaps I can make a few quick posts when there is time.
The road to arrive in Ahmedabad, India was long (Travel time was in excess of 26 hours) As you might imagine, it is an exhausting trip and yet, we have felt the Lord’s strength. Upon arriving at the ministry (the
Bruce Jenner And Our Need For Change
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!
To All Those With A Boring Testimony
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!
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.
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
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
It’s A Family Kind Of Thing
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
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
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”
“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)
What’s The Point?
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).
My Unborn Neighbor
On this day, January 22 in 1973, with a 7-to-2 majority vote, the Supreme Court of the United States of America deemed abortion a fundamental right under the United States Constitution.
And behold, a lawyer stood up to put him to the test, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” He said to him, “What is written in the Law? How do you read it?” And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” And he said to him, “You have answered correctly; do this, and you will live.” But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him and departed, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest was going down that road, and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion. He went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn and took care of him. And the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, ‘Take care of him, and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.’ Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?” He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” And Jesus said to him, “You go, and do likewise.” (Luke 10:25-37 ESV)
The lawyer comes to Jesus and asks a question.
- What good things do I need to do to justify myself.
- How do I be right before God — how do I gain eternal life
The question was not asked to gain an answer — it was asked to test Jesus. Actually, it is not a question at all. (Have you ever asked a non question? I have! Dad to 5 yr old – “What were you thinking…?”)
Back to our lawyer and his non question.
It is a good question! We all need to do business with this question.
Jesus responds by volleying the question back into the lawyer’s court.
vs 26 Jesus: What is the law?
vs 27 Lawyer: Love God – heart, soul strength, mind and your neighbor as your self.
Good answer, right? Love God with everything you are and love your neighbor like you love yourself.
vs 28 Jesus: Good answer – do that and you will live.
vs 29 Lawyer: Seeking to justify Himself – asks – Who is my neighbor.
vs 30-37 Jesus: explains the popular “Good Samaritan”.
We know the story – we have heard it in Sunday School, taught it to our children, and failed at it many times ourselves.
But, I want us to consider a bit of a different application to Luke 10.
Let’s consider our unborn neighbor.
I confess to you that for many years I walked on the other side of the road from my unborn neighbor. I was….. indifferent.
My silence and lack of leadership in this area was….. pathetic to me.
I like Jesus’ reply to the lawyer.
Jesus reply: sure…. do that and you have eternal life!
And, the man seeking to justify himself thinks — hey I am good to go.
But this answer from Jesus was NOT meant to reveal “good job” — it should have caused him and us to shudder!
Our lawyer blows right past that — “so who is my neighbor?”
Jesus is saying: you missed it!
The answer: Love God with everything and love neighbor as self…. should leave you thinking: “oh no — I have not done that — Who has done that!?! I can’t do that. I am not self justified — what am I to do??”
Instead his reply is — “ok — love God with all of me…..done that… What’s next…”
Are you serious right now??
And it is here he jumps forward to: “Who is my neighbor?”
His assumption was that my neighbor was fellow Jews — you know — neighbors. Friends. But not Gentiles — not a Samaritan!
A Jew despised Samaritans. To love a Samaritan was socially un-acceptable!
Lawyer: Who is my neighbor?
Jesus: The broken, enemy, despised, outcast, left for dead
So the priest and Levite won’t stoop down to stop and help. They do not stop even for one of their own.
These are men who are respected and thought to have character.
They ignore him and pretend that the problem is not there.
This was my stance regarding my “Unborn Neighbor” for many years.
Martin Niemoller was a German pastor imprisoned for opposing Hitler — he writes:
“In Germany they came first of all for the Communist, and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a Communist. They came for the Jews and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a Jew. Then they came from the Unionist and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a Unionist. Then they came for the Catholics, and I didn’t speak up because I was a Protestant. Then they came for me, and by that time no one was left to speak up.”
What Does A Neighbor Do?:
Well, he doesn’t turn away.
Christian, realize who we were and who we are.
We Were:
Miserable sinners. Satan robbed you, stripped you, and left you for dead. And the law comes like a priest and Levite and offers no help, no hope, and no compassion. The law condemns you.
Christ came to heal our wounds and save us. His compassion pays for our sin. He settles our debt and provides for us.
What a Savior! This is the Gospel!
We Are:
Because of what Christ has done, we become God loving, whole hearted, worshipers. Not to earn eternal life (like the lawyer is seeking to do) but to respond to the eternal life we have been given.
There is hope for sinners like me and you today.
Are you walking on the other side of the road – trying to keep your distance from your unborn neighbor?
Consider this year: How can I care for my unborn neighbor?
Many of the thoughts above are from reading John Piper over the years. While I have not read anything by him regarding Sanctity of Life for many years, I no longer know what I picked up from him and what thoughts are mine. So, credit goes to John Piper for many of the thoughts above.
Lastly, enjoy this video from Matt Chandler and the Village Church.
Thirsty and Broke!
Isaiah 55
“Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.
It is beautiful isn’t it? God’s Word is exhorting us to come thirsty and come broke. Isn’t that the gospel? It is exactly how we come to God. We do not come to Him with full bellies and fat pockets. We are destitute.
- No food
- No money and
- No way to purchase or eat in our own strength.
Reminds me of this:
Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in Thee;
Let the water and the blood,
From Thy wounded side which flowed,
Be of sin the double cure,
Save from wrath and make me pure.
Not the labor of my hands
Can fulfill Thy law’s demands;
Could my zeal no respite know,
Could my tears forever flow,
All for sin could not atone;
Thou must save, and Thou alone.
Nothing in my hand I bring,
Simply to Thy cross I cling;
Naked, come to Thee for dress;
Helpless, look to Thee for grace;
Foul, I to the fountain fly;
Wash me, Savior, or I die.
Don’t you love how the Word instructs us in our broken state to come and buy and eat.
We might ask: How do we do that?
That, my friend, is the whole point of God’s Word.
You can’t do that in and of yourself! But, you can do that when you look away from our own self’s ability to save. We need a Savior! And we are not it! Remember: we are hungry and broke.
It is in Jesus that we come to God and when we do, the hungry are filled and the broke are made rich in Christ.
Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and you labor for that which does not satisfy?
Isn’t that what we do in our sinfulness?
We foolishly buy that which does not feed us and that which does not satisfy.
Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food.
God’s Word / The Gospel / The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
Incline your ear, and come to me; hear, that your soul may live; and I will make with you an everlasting covenant, my steadfast, sure love for David. Behold, I made him a witness to the peoples, a leader and commander for the peoples. Behold, you shall call a nation that you do not know, and a nation that did not know you shall run to you, because of the LORD your God, and of the Holy One of Israel, for he has glorified you.
Amazing!
“Seek the LORD while he may be found; call upon him while he is near; let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.
Will you join with me and pray this today?
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.
I am so glad this is true.
“For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.
YES!
God sends His Word to accomplish His eternal purpose.
What is that purpose?
To redeem fallen man!
“For you shall go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and the hills before you shall break forth into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. Instead of the thorn shall come up the cypress; instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle; and it shall make a name for the LORD, an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.”
(Isaiah 55 ESV)
Is There A 3rd Option?
After these two blog posts (linked above) a friend asked:
“Two realities, which I personally struggle with, because they seem to be in tension are: How do you show this kind of humility while at the same time standing firm in the faith one for all delivered to the saints…aka, not being a sort of post-modern, uncertain, wavering, passive type of Christian.
I fear that I all-to-often sound like the proud Calvinist, but often the only alternative seems to be compromise and sounding like a post-modernist—you know, “we can’t really know the truth, so let’s just agree to disagree.”
Thanks for asking the question! I sure don’t want to come across as the guy who has this all figured out! Because, I don’t! But, I do have a couple thoughts that might be helpful, and if not helpful… there is a great little book listed at the end of the post.
First of all we need to recognize there are not two options. We need to know there is a third option.
We tend to think in 2 options:
Option 1: Humility means watering down the message and convictions. So to keep the peace, I need to be a “passive – keep the peace” Christian.
Option 2: Arrogantly defend my views and convictions to the death of all future conversation.
Option 1 is not helpful as it misses truth.
Option 2 is not healthy as it misses grace. Can you hear the clanging cymbals that Paul writes about in I Corinthians 13.
If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing. (1 Corinthians 13:1-3 ESV)
Now while the context of I Corinthians 13 is NOT chatting theology with a friend. However, there is a helpful application of the text for us.
How sad, the Corinthian church was gifted, but their lack of love seems to be noise in the ears of everyone around them. Option 2 is not a good option.
But is that all? Might there be another option? This is where a person may have the “right” argument but he/she presents them it the “wrong” way. (Sounds like my parenting at times!)
We don’t want to just be “right”. It is not simply about being “right” – we need to seek to communicate what is right and do so in the “right” way.
So that we realize… This conversation is not only about the message, but our character in delivering that message matters as well!
In a similar way: The Corinthians had the “right” gifts but they used them in the “wrong” way? So Paul basically tells them to knock it off!
There is a 3rd option.
Option 3: Humility that flows from the gospel. (Truth and Grace)
1.) The Gospel Informs The Conversation:
Think about it: When we present the gospel, arrogantly…. we are disconnected from the very gospel we are presenting. How odd is that? It should stop us in our tracks.
The gospel is humbling! We are sinners, separated from God. God in His mercy sent His Son to die for our sins and redeem us. We were not smart enough to figure this out nor are we holy enough to deserve it. Rather, God in His unfathomable mercy drew us, saved us, chose us!
“For by grace you were saved and this is not of your own doing, it is the gift of God….” Ephesians 2:8-9
How in the world does my pride crawl into that?
The truth of the gospel informs our character in the midst of the conversation, even when we disagree, we can disagree with humility. Because Christ dying for undeserving sinners is… humbling.
Disagreeing with a brother arrogantly is a disagreement that is disconnected from the Gospel itself.
We want to let the gospel not only be the content of the conversation, but allow the gospel to inform our hearts in the conversation.
Is it possible for a believer to blast a friend with ones supposed superior knowledge AND be affected by the gospel at the same time….? I don’t know – because I have never been able to pull that one-off! :-)
2.) The Sovereignty of God releases me.
Isn’t it great – I am NOT the Holy Spirit! And neither are you!
Last time I checked there was no job opening in the Trinity.
This is wonderfully liberating. I don’t have to convince someone of my convictions. I don’t feel the need to win an argument. It is ok, God is able to reveal Himself to a brother or sister. And, since I DO NOT have it all figured out… God is able to take care of me too!
By the way, isn’t it funny how it can take years to become convinced of something. God is kind and He is soooo patient with us. But, eventually God works in our hearts and change soon follows.
How weird is it then that what takes us years, we turn around and demand someone to “get on board” with what we are saying in a 30 minute coffee chat?
“How’s come they don’t get it?”
It’s ok – chill out – Tim!
I love it when Paul says in Philippians 3:
I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. (Philippians 3:14-15 ESV)
What a relief, the apostle Paul seems to release himself from this burden and turns it over to God. That does not mean that Paul waters down his convictions or refrains from the truth.
3.) My knowledge is not all that!
We think so highly of ourselves, don’t we?!? We read a bit, study some things, and think we have it all figured out. I wonder how much we really have figured out.
I think it is likely that we will all have a lot of “ah ha” moments in heaven!!!!
Lastly, I think we would do well to remember this does not need to be the end of the conversation. There are times when the stakes are high and the truth must be defended. But, even in that, I want to make sure that the person that sits across the table from me knows that I love him and care about him. If we want there to be a future conversation than the arrogance and noisy gong is not going to help.
Book Recommendation:
This is a li
ttle book that I have gone back to often.
Grace and Truth Paradox By Randy Alcorn
6 Convictions Needed When Approaching God’s Word
God’s Word is…. well God’s Word and because it is, we would do well to read it with a set of convictions. Below are 6 of those convictions. Certainly, there are more. Feel free to comment below on convictions you have when you are sitting down to read the very Words of God.
1.) It is GOD’S Word
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 3:16-17 ESV)
Scripture is the God breathed out Word of God.
What does that matter?
Well, if this is our conviction it will affect how we approach or even if we will approach God’s Word.
When this is our conviction we will approach God’s Word not seeking to impose my thoughts and will on it. Rather, our desire is that the Word brings to us the thoughts and will of God for our lives.
If it is God’s Words than it is my Authority! While my thoughts can tend to be shifty, God’s Word remains. It is objective and unchanging! Shifty people need an anchor for the soul!
Consider: Without this initial conviction:
What do you have?
What is the Bible?
How does your view of the Bible affect how you read it?
2.) God’s Word Is Understandable
The Word of God is not veiled. It does not need someone to come along and decipher the code! God intends us to “get it”. He is a revealing God. He is not a code to be cracked – He is the God who reveals Himself on every page. Through His Word He makes known to us, who He is and what He has done for fallen man.
3.) God’s Word Is Useful
2 Timothy 3 (see above) shows us not only that the Word is God breathed, but that it is useful.
…….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.
4.) God’s Word Is Effective
“For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it. (Isaiah 55:10-11 ESV)
For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12 ESV)
How effective is the Word of God!
5.) God’s Word Should Be Approached In Humility
- Am I the authority or is He?
- Do I Submit to God’s Word or Does the Word submit to me?
- My life vs Gods Word – what must change?
- Feelings vs Truth – subjective vs objective – fleeting vs never-changing
“I’ve heard the story of a man who was in Paris visiting the Louvre. He was particularly interested in seeing Leonardo Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa. After examining the painting for some time with a critical eye, he announced, “I don’t like it.” The guard stationed there replied, “Sir, these paintings are no longer being judged. The viewers are.” It is the same with God’s Word, which is not what is being judged. Its readers are.”
Bullmore, Mike (2011-08-02). The Gospel and Scripture: How to Read the Bible (The Gospel Coalition Booklets) (Kindle Locations 163-167). Crossway. Kindle Edition.
6.) God’s Word Is About Christ
The entire Word of God is about God redeeming fallen man. That redemption comes through God the Son, Jesus Christ. As we read the Word with Christ in view, we will see that everything prior to Jesus death anticipates Christ’s life, death, and resurrection. All that we read post Christ’s death looks back to that event. God’s Word is about…. Christ!
For further study check out this easy to read booklet:
The Gospel and Scripture: How To Read The Bible By Mike Bullmore
Proud Calvinism?!?
Full disclosure: I am a Calvinist. Yep, all 5 points…. Offended?
Stick around, it will be ok!
Now that we got that out-of-the-way, the point of this post is NOT to make a case or argue for Calvinism. Have you noticed? It has kinda already been done! There are many better places to make a humble argument for or against Calvinism.
So, Let’s dive in!
It is a great day we live in where there has been a resurgence of reading, studying, and learning of theology. 10 years ago you could not pay a guy to read a theology book. So, I begin with gratitude!
I am grateful for those who have taken up big, thick, theology books written by dead guys and living guys. LOVE IT!
I also enjoy the conversations that the reading has stirred.
And, I love, most of all, OUR great God! He is God, the focus, and the reason for all this great theology!
BUT
I have this growing concern for my friends in the reformed theology camp. (Oh, Oh… perhaps this post will offend BOTH Arminians and Calvinists? I hope not.)
It is with the reformed brothers that I have the most agreement….. and well, disagreement.
You see, amidst this surge in theology, there seems to be an accompanying surge of pride. Yikes! Not the pride word! How dare I mention it while so MUCH pride is still hanging on to my heart and life? Dare I attempt to write about “Proud Calvinism”?
“Tim, what are you thinking!?!”
Well, I press on and pray for a work of humility in me. Besides, if you think about it, today’s topic falls under the scope of this blog. “Gospel Connections.”
There seems to be a gospel disconnect when it comes to proud Calvinism.
How does one subscribe to reformed theology and do so with a pronounced arrogance??
At the core of Reformed theology is the Sovereign God.
I don’t like to use the term “Calvinist”. Not that I don’t like John Calvin, or have gained from John Calvin. Rather, it’s because I don’t think John Calvin would like the term “Calvinist”! The term immediately takes the glories of Christ off of….. well, Christ. And, it places an emphasis on….. a man. Ugh!
A right understanding of Reformed theology specifically points the attention away from man and seeks to center the attention where it belongs…. God!
Reformed theology is not about Calvin!
Reformed theology is not about you or me!!
Reformed theology is about GOD!!!
Here is what I am getting at…. How is it that there seems to be in this surge of theology an accompanying surge of pride?
It’s in the coffee shop in Anywhere, USA. Two brothers sitting down, sipping their Americano, debating theology. (By the way, I have NO problem with brothers debating theology! Quite the contrary! May there be an increase of humble theological discussions over coffee!)
The Reformed brother believes he is saved by the grace of God, the Arminian brother does too. And, it is in that moment 
that my Reformed friend kicks into high gear. Feeling the need to unpack everything he learned the night before. Like Barney Fife he has a bullet. This brother knows enough….. to be dangerous.
Arminians…. don’t get overly excited about the above paragraph. The temptations are the same in both camps.
Like the clanging gong Paul references in I Corinthians towards the “we are so proud of our spiritual gifting” Corinthians. I don’t think your friend can hear you over the noisy cymbals and gongs. We must ask, Where is the love for my brother?
I know my Arminian friends are saying…. “yep, I have met the proud Calvinist” Please be kind in the comments section below and don’t try to add to the noisy gongs we Reformed guys are creating.
Isn’t proud Calvinism an oxymoron? You know…..
Jumbo Shrimp
Pretty Ugly
Proud Calvinist
Consider our salvation: we believe we were “dead in our transgressions and sins….” Ephesians 2. And dead means….. dead. Not almost dead, just….. dead. We believe that in our spiritually dead place, God by His Spirit called / chose / elected us to salvation. And because He did – we then responded to His gospel call.
Praise be to God! We were once dead in our sins and now we are alive in Christ Jesus! (I know the above paragraph is overly simplified! Did I mention, the intent of the post is not an attempt to unpack the reformed view of salvation….)
My point is to simply say – isn’t the above paragraph inconsistent with the accompanying pride we see in the coffee shop?
To my reformed brothers of whom I AGREE…..
Do we really have it ALL figured out? AND, even if we did……(which we don’t!) But, for the sake of the argument, let’s assume we have it all figured out. Does it then become our right to blast our brothers and sisters with the sum total of all our reformed wisdom over a 60 minute coffee? The damage we do in the name of Reformed theology – in the name of Christ!
I believe God is sovereign over my salvation! That said – God is sovereign over my salvation does not equal…..pride. When we rightly understand that God is sovereign over my salvation the accompanying heart response is humility and worship.
God chose me and did so in spite of me… How does my wicked heart bring pride into that equation?
Reformed theology is not a gonging cymbal. God forbid! It is brokeness and humble gratitude. Thanks be to God – I am saved! Praise Him!
We might do well to leave that bullet in our shirt pocket and instead worship and glory in OUR Savior.
Stay tuned:
Next post: “Signs of Proud Calvinism”
Comments?
To the Arminian followers of this blog – give us your perspective! How do we Calvinists need to grow? Be honest, humble, and gracious in your thoughts.
To the Calvinist followers of this blog – give us your perspective! How have you been proud? How are you seeking to repent and change?
Trinity (12): 5 Quick Reasons Why It REALLY Does Matter
Grab your coffee and consider today the glory of the Trinity!
We have had 12 posts on the Trinity. We have gone out into the “deep end”. You might be thinking: “ok, ok, the Trinity matters, but does it REALLY matter that much?”
Good question!
Here is an attempt to give a short Answer:
5 quick reasons why the Trinity REALLY does matter:
1.) Atonement Implications
“If Jesus is merely a created being, and not fully God, then it is hard to see how he, a creature, could bear the full wrath of God against all our sins. Could any creature, no matter how great, really save us?”
Wayne Grudem
Take the Son out of the Trinity….. and you and I are not and CAN NOT be saved!
Good news…. Jesus IS God!
2.) Trust Implications
The Trinity gives me reason to trust in God for salvation.
- If the Father did not send the Son…
- If Jesus did not come in human flesh, die, rise from the grave….
- If the Spirit did not breath new life in us….
- Then who, exactly, are we trusting in for salvation, forgiveness, eternity, etc and is it wise to do so?!?
Good news….. you can trust in the 3 in 1 for salvation!
3.) Worship and Prayer Implications
If the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit do not equal God…. why worship Him or pray to Him? Every prayer ever uttered “in Jesus name” is meaningless. The reason the words, “in Jesus name” carry meaning is because the Son is our mediator before the Father. We don’t come before the Father in prayer, in the name of our self or in the name of a priest. We come in the name of THEE great high priest – Jesus Christ. He is your mediator! If Jesus is not God, then Christians are the worst of idolaters!
Good news….you can come to the Father!
4.) Bible Implications
If the Trinity is not God, then the Bible and all of its teachings are meaningless and should NOT be followed.
Good news…. Father, Son, Holy Spirit = God!
5.) Gospel Implications
The Gospel IS Trinity
Meaning we experience our salvation by all of the Godhead.
“We are saved by the eternal purpose of the Father, by the atoning work of the Son, through the power and wisdom of the Spirit. We grow in our understanding of God’s grace as we see how each person of the Trinity interacts with the others to bring us out of darkness, into the light.”
John Frame Systematic Theology
Good news… the gospel IS good news because of the Trinity!
For Further Study:
The Father: Sends His Son into the world
1 John 4:14
The Son: Obeys the Father fully by living a perfect life and dying on the cross for to forgive us of our sins.
Phil 3:9
I Corinthians 15:3
The Spirit: Is sent by the Father and the Son to apply salvation to us.
John 15:26
Galatians 4:6
5 quick reasons to once again stand in awe of who our God is.
Praise the Father,
Praise the Son,
Praise the Spirit, three in one!
Mallori Luna
The below is a letter from my friend Mallori Luna. This fall she will be traveling to Italy for Missions. Please read the below and consider supporting her. THANKS!
My name is Mallori Luna. I am a 20-year-old college student that recently graduated from Eastern Florida State College with my AA degree. Like many others, I was set to continue towards my bachelors at UCF in the fall.
However, I’ve found God’s plan for us can be much different and bigger than anything you’d think of yourself.