For Christ also suffered once for sins,
the righteous for the unrighteous,
that he might bring us to God
1 Peter 3:18a (ESV)
Showing posts with label Gospel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Gospel. Show all posts
Sunday, April 2, 2017
Saturday, February 27, 2010
The Gospel According to Jonah
The Outrageous Love of God
Ever been outraged at the love of God? Or overwhelmed by His abounding mercies and grace?
This was the theme of an excellent sermon delivered by a man whom I've previously never heard of, Bob Glenn of Minnetonka, Minnesota. After having been blessed by marinating in the intense meditation upon the love of God via this message, it is now my goal to pass on this blessing to as many people as possible.
HT:JT
Ever been outraged at the love of God? Or overwhelmed by His abounding mercies and grace?
This was the theme of an excellent sermon delivered by a man whom I've previously never heard of, Bob Glenn of Minnetonka, Minnesota. After having been blessed by marinating in the intense meditation upon the love of God via this message, it is now my goal to pass on this blessing to as many people as possible.
HT:JT
Friday, December 4, 2009
Matt Chandler: Inoculated to the Gospel
Pray for Matt Chandler. He was recently diagnosed with a brain tumor and went in for surgery this morning.
Monday, November 30, 2009
The Gospel According to Proverbs 21:2
____________________
Every way of a man
is right in his own eyes,
but the LORD weighs the heart
- Proverbs 21:2
____________________
Every man considers himself good in his own eyes. Yet man's heart is deceitfully wicked and is quick to justify even the most heinous of his deeds.
Man thinks he is fine, yet his opinion is not the one that finally matters. The scale that man uses to evaluate his life is feeble and inaccurate at best and is completely useless at worst. However the scale which the Lord uses to weigh the hearts of men is a perfect scale. He measures in the minutest detail for He sees everything and nothing ever escapes His view. The Lord knows man intimately, seeing even into the thoughts and intents of his heart.
Now the miracle. The Scriptures do indeed teach us that man's heart is wicked and thereby man is deserving of God's justice. Yet though the Lord is amazingly just, He is also astoundingly merciful. He has gone out of His way to make a way for us where there was no other way. And now, having made the way, He calls to us and pleads with us to enter therein.
Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and you perish in the way, for his wrath is quickly kindled. Blessed are all who take refuge in him. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For the Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.
- Psalm 2:12, John 3:16, 2nd Peter 3:9
Every way of a man
is right in his own eyes,
but the LORD weighs the heart
- Proverbs 21:2
____________________
Every man considers himself good in his own eyes. Yet man's heart is deceitfully wicked and is quick to justify even the most heinous of his deeds.
Man thinks he is fine, yet his opinion is not the one that finally matters. The scale that man uses to evaluate his life is feeble and inaccurate at best and is completely useless at worst. However the scale which the Lord uses to weigh the hearts of men is a perfect scale. He measures in the minutest detail for He sees everything and nothing ever escapes His view. The Lord knows man intimately, seeing even into the thoughts and intents of his heart.
Now the miracle. The Scriptures do indeed teach us that man's heart is wicked and thereby man is deserving of God's justice. Yet though the Lord is amazingly just, He is also astoundingly merciful. He has gone out of His way to make a way for us where there was no other way. And now, having made the way, He calls to us and pleads with us to enter therein.
Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and you perish in the way, for his wrath is quickly kindled. Blessed are all who take refuge in him. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For the Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.
- Psalm 2:12, John 3:16, 2nd Peter 3:9
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Friday, July 17, 2009
Friday, April 10, 2009
Wages & Gifts
In my job I earn an hourly wage. Indeed this is why we work at our jobs (for how many of us would do our jobs for free?). My hourly wage is the reward for my labor. The end of my labor for two weeks is a pay check.
So also sin earns a wage. Although sin is pleasurable for a season in the end it leads to death. The end of a harvest of sin is death and destruction. Our world is saturated with evidence that sin brings destruction.
One such example is found in the story of a man who wanted to do things his way. I first encountered this man during a class at the local County Jail. He shared with me the story of sin bringing destruction in his life. This man lived in a house that cost a quarter of a million dollars, drove a Cadillac, and had everything he wanted - or so he thought. His quest for happiness in the wrong things (sin) resulted in him committing a heinous offense which ended in his being arrested, convicted, sentenced to several months in the County Jail, thereby losing his job, his house, his car, and his reputation.
Surely sin promises pleasure, and even delivers for a season, but the end result is destruction. This is only one story, of one man, in one community, in one country, in this world in which we live. For more evidence of this one only needs to glance at the national news headlines. Suffice it to say that this story of sin and destruction is currently unfolding countless times in our day as it has been throughout history.
Proverbs 14:12
There is a way that seems right to a man but in the end it leads to death.
Thanks be to God that through Christ there is more in our world than just the wages of sin. Although our sin indeed deserves its wages, Christ suffered once for sins in order to bring us to God (Php. 3:18). All that we can ever earn on earth is death and destruction. But praise be to God that Christ has earned our salvation through His work upon the cross, that divine transaction of the righteous for the unrighteous.
Romans 6:23
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
This glorious salvation, enjoying the Living God both now and for eternity, is a free gift from God for we who trust in Christ.
So also sin earns a wage. Although sin is pleasurable for a season in the end it leads to death. The end of a harvest of sin is death and destruction. Our world is saturated with evidence that sin brings destruction.
One such example is found in the story of a man who wanted to do things his way. I first encountered this man during a class at the local County Jail. He shared with me the story of sin bringing destruction in his life. This man lived in a house that cost a quarter of a million dollars, drove a Cadillac, and had everything he wanted - or so he thought. His quest for happiness in the wrong things (sin) resulted in him committing a heinous offense which ended in his being arrested, convicted, sentenced to several months in the County Jail, thereby losing his job, his house, his car, and his reputation.
Surely sin promises pleasure, and even delivers for a season, but the end result is destruction. This is only one story, of one man, in one community, in one country, in this world in which we live. For more evidence of this one only needs to glance at the national news headlines. Suffice it to say that this story of sin and destruction is currently unfolding countless times in our day as it has been throughout history.
Proverbs 14:12
There is a way that seems right to a man but in the end it leads to death.
Thanks be to God that through Christ there is more in our world than just the wages of sin. Although our sin indeed deserves its wages, Christ suffered once for sins in order to bring us to God (Php. 3:18). All that we can ever earn on earth is death and destruction. But praise be to God that Christ has earned our salvation through His work upon the cross, that divine transaction of the righteous for the unrighteous.
Romans 6:23
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
This glorious salvation, enjoying the Living God both now and for eternity, is a free gift from God for we who trust in Christ.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
A Novel Concept
I recently met a new friend, who is currently a pastor and has been engaged in ministry for as long as I have been alive - literally. During our recent conversations he relayed his unhappiness with the fact that a powerful and life altering concept is not very well known in the American church. I expressed my agreement with his perspective and we discoursed upon this massive blessing which is unfortunately very much undiscovered in our day.
The novel concept of which my pastor friend was referring is this, that the Living God is more fulfilling, more desirable, more valuable, and more to be sought after than everything else mankind endeavors to find happiness in combined.
It is indeed a troubling thing that this concept is more than notably sparse in American Christianity and the teachings thereof. I have personally found this concept massively foundational and helpful an almost limitless number of ways. The sad thing is that I did not encounter this wonderful epiphany until within the last 4 or 5 years. Oh the heartache that may have been spared as a result of having encountered this earlier. It seems that living without this immeasurable piece of the puzzle for so long has granted me more intensely to savor the benefits of it now.
If I knew then what I know now...
My pursuit of the Lord would have been much different, my marriage would have been much different, my personal relationships with unbelievers and with believers would have been different, my endeavors to share the good news would have been different. Most assuredly my whole life would have been altogether different as I would have been living my life around the central point of the universe: God, and not living it with myself at the center.
Well this "novel concept" is not so novel to me now, rather it is orbit changing, life altering, radically humbling, and God exalting. I've personally witnessed this truth unleash a devastatingly wonderful impact on the lives of several friends of mine.
Although I cannot change yesterday, I can make use of today and tomorrow as I endeavor to bring this life changing truth to bear on as many lives as I can. Truly our God is a Fountain of Living Waters (Jer. 2:13). He has gone through extraordinary means in order that He might offer the greatest gift conceivable to His people, namely Himself.
This is what makes the good news of the gospel so good. The infinite and eternal God became flesh, lived with us, died on our behalf, bearing our deserved sins, and was raised to life again in order to restore us unto right relationship with Him. All of this that we, who were otherwise incapable, might be enabled to know Him and to enjoy Him for eternity.
1Peter 3:18a
For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God
The novel concept of which my pastor friend was referring is this, that the Living God is more fulfilling, more desirable, more valuable, and more to be sought after than everything else mankind endeavors to find happiness in combined.
It is indeed a troubling thing that this concept is more than notably sparse in American Christianity and the teachings thereof. I have personally found this concept massively foundational and helpful an almost limitless number of ways. The sad thing is that I did not encounter this wonderful epiphany until within the last 4 or 5 years. Oh the heartache that may have been spared as a result of having encountered this earlier. It seems that living without this immeasurable piece of the puzzle for so long has granted me more intensely to savor the benefits of it now.
If I knew then what I know now...
My pursuit of the Lord would have been much different, my marriage would have been much different, my personal relationships with unbelievers and with believers would have been different, my endeavors to share the good news would have been different. Most assuredly my whole life would have been altogether different as I would have been living my life around the central point of the universe: God, and not living it with myself at the center.
Well this "novel concept" is not so novel to me now, rather it is orbit changing, life altering, radically humbling, and God exalting. I've personally witnessed this truth unleash a devastatingly wonderful impact on the lives of several friends of mine.
Although I cannot change yesterday, I can make use of today and tomorrow as I endeavor to bring this life changing truth to bear on as many lives as I can. Truly our God is a Fountain of Living Waters (Jer. 2:13). He has gone through extraordinary means in order that He might offer the greatest gift conceivable to His people, namely Himself.
This is what makes the good news of the gospel so good. The infinite and eternal God became flesh, lived with us, died on our behalf, bearing our deserved sins, and was raised to life again in order to restore us unto right relationship with Him. All of this that we, who were otherwise incapable, might be enabled to know Him and to enjoy Him for eternity.
1Peter 3:18a
For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
God's Priceless Purchase
While reading in Matthew 26, I was impacted afresh at the glories of Christ in willingly suffering on behalf of the glory of God and the good of His people.
Sometimes it is almost troubling, in a good way, to consider that the One who was eternally free from suffering volunteered to suffer so. The One who was wholly undeserving of pain and anguish endured it on our behalf that we might be set free to know Him and enjoy Him forever.
Matthew 26:38-39
Then he said to them, "My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me." And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, "My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will."
He who was eternally free from sorrow became dreadfully sorrowful that we, who deserve sorrow, might become free from sorrow forever. The infinite price of Him who suffered so greatly purchased for us the magnificent treasure of being able to glorify God by enjoying Him both now and for eternity. God’s priceless purchase for us was God Himself at the infinite cost of the suffering of His eternally glorious Son.
Psalm 139:6
“Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain it.”
Sometimes it is almost troubling, in a good way, to consider that the One who was eternally free from suffering volunteered to suffer so. The One who was wholly undeserving of pain and anguish endured it on our behalf that we might be set free to know Him and enjoy Him forever.
Matthew 26:38-39
Then he said to them, "My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me." And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, "My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will."
He who was eternally free from sorrow became dreadfully sorrowful that we, who deserve sorrow, might become free from sorrow forever. The infinite price of Him who suffered so greatly purchased for us the magnificent treasure of being able to glorify God by enjoying Him both now and for eternity. God’s priceless purchase for us was God Himself at the infinite cost of the suffering of His eternally glorious Son.
Psalm 139:6
“Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain it.”
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
The Subject of the Gospel...
It is the gospel that exhibits God's highest glory, which he chiefly designs to display before sinful men, even that glory of God that shineth in the face of Christ. It is the gospel that sets forth the glory of Christ, and by which the Holy Spirit himself is glorified; and it is it that will be honoured with the concomitant (accompanying) influence of the Holy Spirit...
If it should now be asked what is that special doctrine of the gospel, and, strictly speaking, the doctrine of faith? I shall answer briefly -
All revealed truth ought to be greatly valued, and received by faith, and, if properly used, may be subservient to the main subject and design of the gospel. But the special subject of the gospel is Christ; and preaching Christ, according to the light and direction of the Word of God, is preaching the gospel... To preach Christ the Savior and the Lord, is the sum of gospel-preaching.
- James Fraser, A Treatise on Sanctification (1774)
HT: The Discipline of Grace
If it should now be asked what is that special doctrine of the gospel, and, strictly speaking, the doctrine of faith? I shall answer briefly -
All revealed truth ought to be greatly valued, and received by faith, and, if properly used, may be subservient to the main subject and design of the gospel. But the special subject of the gospel is Christ; and preaching Christ, according to the light and direction of the Word of God, is preaching the gospel... To preach Christ the Savior and the Lord, is the sum of gospel-preaching.
- James Fraser, A Treatise on Sanctification (1774)
HT: The Discipline of Grace
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Helpful Highlights from Recent Reading
Here are some helpful highlights from my reading as of late in Jerry Bridges' The Discipline of Grace.
It is only the joy of hearing the gospel and being reminded that our sins are forgiven in Christ that will keep the demands of discipleship from becoming drudgery. It is only gratitude and love to God that comes from knowing that He no longer counts our sins against us (Romans 4:8) that provides the proper motive for responding to the claims of discipleship.
- pg. 21
We believers do need to be challenged to a life of committed discipleship, but that challenge needs to be based on the gospel, not on duty or guilt. Duty or guilt may motivate us for awhile, but only a sense of Christ's love for us will motivate us for a lifetime.
If the love of Christ for us is to be the motivating force for a life of discipleship, how then can we come to the place where we are acutely conscious of His love? The answer is, through the gospel. It is, of course, the Holy Spirit who pours out His love into our hearts (Romans 5:5), but He does this through the message of the gospel. The good news of the gospel is that Jesus paid for all our sins on the cross and that we are thereby forgiven. As we continually reflect upon that gospel, the Holy Spirit floods our hearts with a sense of God's love to us in Christ. And that sense of His love motivates us in a compelling way to live for Him.
- pg. 25-26
I am finding this book both timely and very helpful. It is simply amazing how easy it is to become focused upon things that are not central. Certainly there are many and diverse things which need to be attended to in our lives yet we need to avoid becoming side tracked by the doing of such things, even good things, to the neglect of regular reflections upon the gospel.
In all honesty I admit my heart was becoming a little disillusioned with some of these doings (which are good things, and which I enjoy). This book has been a needed reminder to keep my focus upon the main thing: Christ and His work at the cross to save sinners like me. How can one become disillusioned while considering the magnitude of how good this good news really is?
It is only the joy of hearing the gospel and being reminded that our sins are forgiven in Christ that will keep the demands of discipleship from becoming drudgery. It is only gratitude and love to God that comes from knowing that He no longer counts our sins against us (Romans 4:8) that provides the proper motive for responding to the claims of discipleship.
- pg. 21
We believers do need to be challenged to a life of committed discipleship, but that challenge needs to be based on the gospel, not on duty or guilt. Duty or guilt may motivate us for awhile, but only a sense of Christ's love for us will motivate us for a lifetime.
If the love of Christ for us is to be the motivating force for a life of discipleship, how then can we come to the place where we are acutely conscious of His love? The answer is, through the gospel. It is, of course, the Holy Spirit who pours out His love into our hearts (Romans 5:5), but He does this through the message of the gospel. The good news of the gospel is that Jesus paid for all our sins on the cross and that we are thereby forgiven. As we continually reflect upon that gospel, the Holy Spirit floods our hearts with a sense of God's love to us in Christ. And that sense of His love motivates us in a compelling way to live for Him.
- pg. 25-26
I am finding this book both timely and very helpful. It is simply amazing how easy it is to become focused upon things that are not central. Certainly there are many and diverse things which need to be attended to in our lives yet we need to avoid becoming side tracked by the doing of such things, even good things, to the neglect of regular reflections upon the gospel.
In all honesty I admit my heart was becoming a little disillusioned with some of these doings (which are good things, and which I enjoy). This book has been a needed reminder to keep my focus upon the main thing: Christ and His work at the cross to save sinners like me. How can one become disillusioned while considering the magnitude of how good this good news really is?
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