NA Church

Friday, October 29, 2010

Yielded Heart

Christine Wyrtzen Devotional:

CUTTING OF THE HEART

For no one is a Jew who is merely one outwardly, nor is circumcision outward and physical. But a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter. His praise is not from man but from God. Romans 2:28-29

A Jew believed that anyone who had been circumcised would never go to hell. His circumcision secured his salvation. Paul removes this last prop from their belief system. He emphasizes that, once again, God does not look at externals but internals. Circumcision of the heart, not the body, was what mattered to God.

And the Lord your God will circumcise your heart. Deut. 30:6 God wants to do surgery on my soul, to cut out or cut away sin; the sin that prevents Him from writing His law on my heart. I am to be a clean slate and accept whatever He writes. Fighting him by putting my hands over my ears, shielding my eyes, even being stiff-necked, prevents this internal circumcision from taking place. So much for respecting the privilege of this holy appointment.

It is no wonder that the Jewish leaders were enraged with Jesus and His apostles. The message of the Gospel erased what they believe qualified them to inherit salvation. To learn that all their rituals and external performances were as nothing to God must have been devastating. Perhaps it was too threatening a truth to own.

The Spirit of God is the great surgeon of my soul. When I interact with the Word and meditate on it, He takes truth to the part of my soul that needs attention. When His Word cuts like a sword through my strongholds of deception, it feels frightening and emotionally excruciating. I can hang on to a particular lie, or way of life, for many decades. The longer I resist Him, the more protective and defensive I am of what is really killing me. I need to be broken like a wild horse. Yielding to the Spirit is what will take me down, and then, save me.

My heart bears the scars of much surgery. It was painful but the results turned joyful with time. I trust You with this holy process. Make my heart totally pleasing to you. Amen

Thursday, October 28, 2010

Beings In the Image of God

Excerpt from Kevin DeYoung's Interview with Tim Keller on Generous Justice

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You explain at the beginning of the book that you are writing for four kinds of people: those excited about doing justice, those suspicious, those who have expanded their mission to include social justice, and those who think religion poisons everything. In a sentence, what do you want to say to each group?

I hope that the 1^st group gets a more sustained commitment to doing justice through growing in theological and spiritual maturity.
I hope that the 2^nd group becomes aware that what Jonathan Edwards says is true, namely that there is “no command in the Bible laid down in stronger terms…than the command of giving to the poor.”
I hope that the 3^rd group would be more patient with warnings to not let a justice emphasis undermine a church’s work of evangelism and making disciples. Careful balances have to be struck. (Whoops—that’s two sentences!)
I hope that the 4^th group will be able to recognize that much of their understanding of rights and justice has come from the Bible, and even to critique the church they have to use standards borrowed from Christianity.

What is one of your favorite verses that speaks to either God’s heart for the needy or our call to generous justice?

I don’t have just one. The entire parable of the Good Samaritan has shaped my thinking profoundly.

Why are you so passionate about this issue?

I read the Bible and I’m overwhelmed with the amount of Biblical material that expresses concern for the poor, the widow, the orphan, and the alien. My main gifting is evangelism and I’ve never had extensive experience in a poor community or country. So I reason—if I can see all of this in the Bible, despite the fact that I’m not especially oriented to do so—it must be important to God. I’m passionate about it because I’m passionate to be shaped by the Bible.

What do you do in your own life to pursue generous justice?

At Redeemer, we have an excellent diaconate that works with those in need within our community. In addition, years ago I helped a group of people establish “Hope For New York,” a separate but closely aligned organization, that helps our church members give of their time and money to the needs of the whole city. As I say in the book, many churches who work among the poor establish a 501(c)3—often a ‘community development corporation’—to do much of the direct ministry to people in need. That way the elders of the local church can concentrate on building up the flock. That fits in with Abraham Kuyper’s insight that it is best for much of Christian work in society to happen through voluntary societies and associations, run by lay people. In the end, then, my main personal contribution to justice in New York City has been to establish and lead my church in a way that makes all this possible.

Any cautions you would give to Christians who are eager to transform the world or make the shalom of the city their church’s mission?

I believe that making disciples and doing justice relate (not exactly) but somewhat in the same way that faith and works relate to one another. We would say that faith alone is the basis for salvation, and yet true faith will always result in good works. We must not “load in” works as if they are an equal with faith as a salvation-base, but neither can we “detach” works and say that they are optional for a believer. Similarly, I would say that the first thing I need to tell people when they come to church is “believe in Jesus,” not “do justice.” Why? Because first, believing in Jesus meets a more radical need and second, because if they don’t believe in Jesus they won’t have that gospel-motivation to do justice that I talk about in the book. So there’s a priority there. On the other hand, for a church to not constantly disciple its people to “do justice” would be utterly wrong, because it is an important part of God’s will. I’m calling for an ‘asymmetrical balance’ here. It seems to me that some churches try to “load in” doing justice as if it is equally important as believing in Jesus, but others, in fear of falling into the social gospel, do not preach or disciple their people to do justice at all. Both are wrong. A Biblical church should be highly evangelistic yet known for its commitment to the poor of the city.

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'Tis So Sweet

Excerpt from Kathryn's Musings From A Late Fall Day .... post at Didn't See This Coming ...

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What I do know, is God is a keeper of all of his promises. When we see the sun; feel the wind on our skin and in our hair (those who still have hair), and see the handiwork of his good pleasure all around us, having faith in something far greater than ourselves, perhaps we do not have to "fully know" or comprehend. "Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so".....and those who 'have the faith of a mustard seed" - this is sufficient for the day. His Grace. However, as humans, we will keep reading and searching to reach understanding that 'gets us through the day'. He says to 'study to show yourself approved" - it is a call to know Him and his will for our lives. He commands that we gain wisdom - but only God's wisdom is to be sought, wisdom cannot be found in anything or anyone else.

I have a great many questions - and they all begin with "why?...." and even though I want answers, I will not get them. I might get a slight glimmer and think, ah! yes, that is why - but it's only my human insight or POV. It's not God's.

’Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,
And to take Him at His Word;
Just to rest upon His promise,
And to know, “Thus says the Lord!”

Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just to trust His cleansing blood;
And in simple faith to plunge me
’Neath the healing, cleansing flood

Yes, ’tis sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just from sin and self to cease;
Just from Jesus simply taking
Life and rest, and joy and peace.

Refrain
I’m so glad I learned to trust Thee,
Precious Jesus, Savior, Friend;
And I know that Thou art with me,
Wilt be with me to the end.

The hymns of days past speak to my heart in a new way. I hear the words; the tune or lack there of no longer matters. I am so grateful for those who sat and penned their soul's hurts and praise to paper. Likewise Streams in the Desert. Words leap off the page and embed themselves into my heart - they are testimonies by humans, thoughts and faith sharpened by winter's blasts and Satan's never ending weapons thrust at our hearts, minds and marrow. God's word is the foundation; He has provided for every storm that comes our way. Trust Him, He is worthy to be praised and worshipped. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Heart Centered

Christine Wyrtzen Devotional

MISSING THE POINT

But if you call yourself a Jew and rely on the law and boast in God and know his will and approve what is excellent, because you are instructed from the law; and if you are sure that you yourself are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are darkness, an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of children, having in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth ~ you then who teach others, do you not teach yourself? While you preach against stealing, do you steal? You who say that one must not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? You who boast in the law dishonor God by breaking the law. The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.

            I tell others that I follow Jesus. I decline the invitation to do things that I know He wouldn't do. I engage in things others think foolish because Jesus would do them. Is God honored by my convictions? I can fool myself into thinking so if I am oblivious to the difference between external behavior and internal faith. The first without the latter begets spiritual arrogance.

            The Jews were proud of their heritage and boasted in the fact that the Law was given to them through Moses. Many of them were teachers of the truth God had entrusted. But, just as we are, they were guilty of every point. There are many ways to steal, even with the heart. There are ways to commit adultery, even with the heart. There are ways to worship idols, even with the heart. Though people around us can't read our thoughts and see the individual sins, they can pick up self-exaltation and whether we convey that we are above breaking the law. The theme of my life must be the Gospel and my need for the cross.

Every day, I break God's law.

Every day, because of Jesus sacrifice, I am forgiven.

Every day, I realize I do not have the ability to keep from sinning.

Every day, I pray for daily bread so that the Spirit can bring heart change.

Recognition of my dependence on God serves humility and smashes pride.

     When others are repelled by my good behavior because it feels hollow, seems arrogant, and is void of love, it is time to ask myself if God's name is being blasphemed among unbelievers. I can discredit what I think I am promoting. The very things I teach, I need to continue to learn.

Wake me up if my life is a walking contradiction! Keep me heart centered, Lord. Amen

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

O Lord, be gracious to us; we have waited [expectantly] for You. Be the arm [of Your servants--their strength and defense] every morning, our salvation in the time of trouble. [Amplified]

Isaiah 33:2

Liberating Power of the Finished Work

Excerpts from Tullian Tchividjian post: The Gospel Everyday

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In his letter to the Christians of Colossae, the apostle Paul portrays the gospel as the instrument of all continued growth and spiritual progress, even after a believer’s conversion.

“All over the world,” he writes, “this gospel is bearing fruit and growing, just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and understood God’s grace in all its truth” (Col. 1:6). He means that the gospel is not only growing wider in the world but it’s also growing deeper in Christians.

After meditating on Paul’s words, a friend told me that all our problems in life stem from our failure to apply the gospel. This means I can’t really move forward unless I learn more thoroughly the gospel’s content and how to apply it to all of life. Real change does not and cannot come independently of the gospel. God intends his Good News in Christ to mold and shape us at every point and in every way. It increasingly defines the way we think, feel, and live.

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In his book The Gospel for Real Life, Jerry Bridges picks up on this theme–that Christians need the gospel just as much as non-Christians–by explaining how the spiritual poverty in so much of our Christian experience is the result of inadequate understanding of the gospel’s depths. The answer isn’t to try harder in the Christian life but to comprehend more fully and clearly Christ’s finished work for sinners and then to live in more vital awareness of that grace day by day. The main problem in the Christian life, in other words, is not that we don’t try hard enough to be good. It’s that we haven’t accepted the deep implications of the gospel and applied its powerful reality to all parts of our life.

As I see it, there are two challenges for preachers, those of us called to announce this good news. First is to help people understand theologically that the gospel doesn’t just ignite the Christian life but it’s also the fuel that keeps Christians going and growing every day. The second challenge, which is much harder for me than the first, is to help people understand how this works functionally.

I address the second challenge by regularly asking myself questions like this one: Since Jesus secured my pardon and absorbed the Father’s wrath on my behalf so that “there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,” how does that impact my longing for approval, my tendency to be controlling, and my fear of the unknown?

In other words, how does the finished work of Christ satisfy my deepest daily needs so that I can experience the liberating power of the gospel every day and in every way?

If you’re a preacher, then God has called you to help others make the connection between Christ’s finished work and their daily life. To do this, we must unveil and unpack the truth of the gospel from every biblical text we preach in such a way that it exposes both the idols of our culture and the idols of our hearts.

Every sermon ought to disclose the ways in which we depend on lesser things to provide the security, acceptance, protection, affection, meaning, and satisfaction that only Christ can supply.

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No Second Guessing

Excerpt from Perry Noble post: It's Monday ...

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BUT…something has caught my attention lately while reading through Paul’s letters…he begins each one of them by identifying the fact that he has been called to be an Apostle by God Himself. (See II Timothy 1:1, I Timothy 1:1, Colossians 1:1)

As I’ve been reading through these letters there has been a thought that has kept coming up over and over…

God knew EXACTLY what He was doing when He called you…and not only has He called you but has gifted and empowered you to do the work that He has prepared for you to do!

Think about that…God knew exactly what He was doing when He called you. He didn’t dial the wrong number, there wasn’t an angel that messed up and went to you instead of your next door neighbor. He called YOU (and…when we learn to allow our identity to be in the fact that the CREATOR of the UNIVERSE called us instead of who retweets us or how many people we have in church…we can truly learn to rely on His strength and not our own!)

He called us…not because of who we were but in spite of it!!! He knew everything about us…all of our previous sins (and the future ones as well) and yet still chose to call us to Himself and give us stewardship of something that is very near to His heart…His church!

He called you not because He knew you could get it done…but because He knew you were the person who would bring Him the most glory. I once heard Rick Warren say that God most often puts His strongest gifts in His weakest vessels! (II Corinthians 4:7)

He called us…AND gifted/empowered us to do HIS work! Sure, there are times when we feel like we literally can’t go on…that our strength is zapped and we want to tap out…and it is in those times that I have discovered that He most often does His best work!

He called you, equipped you, will sustain you and be with you always! SO…if you are second guessing yesterday…just remember that God isn’t second guessing you!!! Fix your eyes on Him and get on with whatever He’s called you to do!

Monday, October 25, 2010

Delivered

But if God himself has taken up residence in your life, you can hardly be thinking more of yourself than of him. Anyone, of course, who has not welcomed this invisible but clearly present God, the Spirit of Christ, won't know what we're talking about. But for you who welcome him, in whom he dwells—even though you still experience all the limitations of sin—you yourself experience life on God's terms. It stands to reason, doesn't it, that if the alive-and-present God who raised Jesus from the dead moves into your life, he'll do the same thing in you that he did in Jesus, bringing you alive to himself? When God lives and breathes in you (and he does, as surely as he did in Jesus), you are delivered from that dead life. With his Spirit living in you, your body will be as alive as Christ's!

Romans 8:9-11[Message]

Less Is More

Link mentioned yesterday: Time of Your Life | North Point

Godly Counsel

LifeToday Devotional

Finding Help
At times we need another’s wisdom
by Betty Robison

About fifteen years into our marriage, James and I found ourselves caught up in a vicious cycle that lasted for several years.

James began his ministry at age eighteen, and after nearly two decades of preaching five or six times a day for more than 250 days a year, he was no longer happy. He was burned out and exhausted, and as a result he became depressed and angry. He also acknowledged a serious battle with lust.

My attempts to help him only triggered my old fears and insecurities about being an inadequate partner for him in ministry. When he traveled, I was lonely and missed him. But when he was home, his dark moods and lack of joy made him difficult to be around. When he confessed his lustful thoughts and compulsive feelings, I felt helpless to respond. I kept asking him if I was doing something wrong, but he always assured me that it wasn’t my fault. Still, I felt overwhelmed and incapable of being the kind of wife he needed. How could I be strong and help James when I was struggling so much myself?

I prayed for James, asking God to bring back the joy we’d had earlier in our marriage. Eventually it became clear that we needed outside help and counsel. When James returned from a trip and confessed that he had become so depressed and discouraged that he had considered deliberately crashing the plane he was flying, which would have killed not only him but a very good friend, we knew we had reached the breaking point. The next day James spent several hours talking with various friends, and when he was done, he told me he wanted to meet privately with a pastor from Florida, Peter Lord, who had spoken at our annual Bible conference. “I know I can trust Peter to keep things confidential,” James said.

I encouraged him to meet with Peter as soon as possible, and James found the time while he was conducting a crusade in Miami. When he returned home, I could tell right away that something was different. James seemed at peace for the first time in a long time, and his hunger for the Word of God and his enthusiasm for preaching had returned. Always quick to tell me what was happening in his life, James explained how Peter had opened his eyes to the realities of spiritual warfare, especially how deceptive evils spirits could influence and oppress us – even as Christians.

At first I was confused. “I thought the devil and demonic spirits couldn’t trouble us once we have Jesus in our hearts,” I said.

“No, that’s untrue,” James replied. “And that’s what Peter showed me. He gave me some references from Scripture to see for myself.”

This timely counsel profoundly affected James. It was obvious that he had a newfound freedom. Sadly, that freedom didn’t last.

When James shared what he had learned with some of his more conservative friends, including several prominent pastors, they scoffed and downplayed the role of evil spirits in affecting believers. James was troubled by their mocking response, but because he respected their knowledge of Scripture and their Christian maturity, he backed away from the teaching he had received and stopped pursuing the breakthrough he had experienced and so greatly desired.

Tragically, the spiritual battle intensified, which is just what Jesus said would happen when a spirit is driven out but the house is not then occupied by God’s Holy Spirit and abiding presence. The Lord said that seven more spirits would come into the house and the condition would be far worse.[1]

It wasn’t until months later, when James not only received further counsel from a friend but also an unmistakable deliverance through the prayers of a humble servant of God, that he was truly set free from the forces that had sought to derail his life and ministry.

The lesson we learned is this: if you reach a point in your marriage when outside counsel is needed, pray for God’s guidance. Ask Him to direct you to the right person or people in whom to confide. As with anything in life, when we seek outside counsel, we must do so with discretion and discernment. Not everyone we might choose will give us the kind of godly counsel we need.

James and I both believe that when a person is defeated and caught in an addictive practice, the problem must be acknowledged and outside assistance accepted. Serious problems such as substance abuse, alcoholism, and sexual addition usually require a process that leads to positive change. Do not be ashamed to admit your failures or weakness.

Although it may be difficult, if you discover problematic issues in your spouse’s life, I urge you not to write them off, throw them out, or give up on your marriage. Help is available and necessary.

It is important to understand that the decision to seek outside counsel is not to be taken lightly; nor is it to be undertaken individually. When the need arises to go outside your marriage for help, you and your spouse must maintain your commitment to work together. James and I highly recommend that you make a joint decision to seek the help of a counselor.

Sometimes it can be helpful to seek advice from a professional who doesn’t know you or your spouse. Look for a person with strong professional credentials and a faith-based approach. Many churches provide a list of referrals, or they may have a well-trained counselor on staff who is both qualified and caring.

You don’t need to suffer in silence, and you don’t need to cry out behind each other’s backs. If you’re in the midst of a difficult time and you can’t see any way out, please let me encourage you: there is a way. Pray and ask God for His direction in finding help. If you ask Him for an egg, He won’t give you a scorpion.[2] No, if you ask Him, He will give you the Holy Spirit, and the Holy Spirit will guide you into all truth.[3]

Most important, ask God to help you and your spouse remain united as a team. When you’re upset with something your husband or wife has said or done, there is a huge temptation to seek a sympathetic ear. As the saying goes, “Misery love company.” We want to unload telling all the ways we’re right and our spouse is wrong. We want someone to be as upset as we are and to validate our feelings.

This is not a good idea. It’s also not what we mean by seeking counsel. Commiserating with people just to get them on your side is merely stewing in your own juices and inviting others into the pot with you. It is treacherous because you run the risk of fostering an air of superiority over your spouse. If you continue to do this, you can eventually find yourself resenting your spouse rather than moving toward understanding and reconciliation.

Please be very careful when discussing your spouse’s weaknesses without his or her consent, because it can result in deep feelings of betrayal.

Instead, take your concerns first to God, and then take them to your spouse. After you’ve prayed and spoken to your spouse, if you still have no resolution, take your concerns – together with your spouse – to someone you both agree on. James and I have never approached another person to discuss a challenge or difficulty in our marriage unless we have first addressed it between ourselves and then have explicitly agreed to discuss this particular challenge with a trusted friend or counselor. We never have and never will go behind each other’s back. Believe me, this practice has enabled us to work through some very serious challenges.

It was essential for both James and me to seek and accept outside help. We needed someone we could trust when we shared information on recurring defeats in our lives. Thankfully, we found someone who would actually advise us, then would pray and take authority over the tormenting spirits of deception, distraction, fear, and rejection that has effectively held us in bondage.

From James: The above writing comes from our book Living in Love, which is available in bookstores or online from www.livinginlovetoday.com. When you get our book, please don’t fail to read Chapter 15 “The Invisible Enemy” which reveals the adverse affects of the spiritual realm of deception and darkness. Regardless of the challenge or failure, Betty and I want to encourage you – there is hope in the Lord and there is help available. Seeking help from an outside source for a marriage challenge is not a sign of failure. Be patient. It takes time for you and your spouse to work through the difficulties you’re encountering. Be willing to forgive and begin again. God wants your marriage to be heaven on earth and He makes all things new! Your marriage is worth fighting for!

Friday, October 22, 2010

Fear of Grace

Excerpt from Tullian Tchividjian The Resurgence post: Don't create a new law for yourself

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This is super important because the biggest lie about grace that Satan wants the church to buy is the idea that grace is dangerous and therefore needs to be “kept it in check.” By believing this we not only prove we don’t understand grace, but we violate gospel advancement in our lives and in the church. A “yes, grace...but” disposition is the kind of fearful posture that keeps moralism swirling around in our hearts and in the church.

I understand the fear of grace. As a pastor, one of my responsibilities is to disciple people into a deeper understanding of obedience—teaching them to say “no” to the things God hates and “yes” to the things God loves. But all too often I have (wrongly) concluded that the only way to keep licentious people in line is to give them more rules. The fact is, however, that the only way licentious people start to obey is when they get a taste of God’s radical unconditional acceptance of sinners.

The irony of gospel-based sanctification is that those who end up obeying more are those who increasingly realize that their standing with God is not based on their obedience, but Christ’s.

The people who actually end up performing better are those who understand that their relationship with God doesn’t depend on their performance for Jesus, but Jesus’ performance for us.

People need to hear less about what we need to do for God and more about all that God has already done for us, because imperatives minus indicatives equal impossibilities. If you’re a preacher and you’re assuming that people understand the radical nature of gospel indicatives, so your ministry is focused primarily on gospel imperatives, you’re making a huge mistake. A huge mistake!

Long-term, sustained, gospel-motivated obedience can only come from faith in what Jesus has already done, not fear of what we must do. To paraphrase Ray Ortlund, any obedience not grounded in or motivated by the gospel is unsustainable. No matter how hard you try, how “radical” you get, any engine smaller than the gospel that you’re depending on for power to obey will conk out in due time.

So let’s take it up a notch. Don’t be afraid to preach the radical nature of the gospel of grace. For, as the late Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones once said, “If your preaching of the gospel doesn't provoke the charge from some of antinomianism, you're not preaching the gospel.”

Thursday, October 21, 2010

Marriage

Perry Noble post: Seven Verses To Look At Regarding Your Marriage!

Earlier this week I asked our church to read through Philippians 2:1-11 every morning and pray two things…

Jesus, let me see the areas I fall short in serving my spouse…and

Jesus, let me see my spouse through your eyes.

I hope you are doing that and that God is showing you some amazing things. AND…if you want to do a little more reading and studying in the book of Philippians on this subject then I would like to submit seven to you today…(by the way…for those who are unaware of this, if you will just click on the verses listed below they will automatically appear on your screen in another window.)

#1 – Philippians 1:27 – The first word is the one that gets me the most – “whatever!” AND…please keep in mind that the Apostle Paul was in prison when he penned that verse. If Paul can instruct us to keep a good attitude when he was in prison they surely we must strive to do the same…even if we are in a difficult marriage.

#2 – Philippians 2:14 – DANG…notice the word “everything” in this verse! If we would simply submit to this instruction how much better would our marriages be?

#3 – Philippians 3:12-14 – Paul refused to allow the fact that he had fallen short of who he felt God was calling him to be…he was willing to continue the fight! (Everyone is tempted to give up on their marriage at some point…but if we are followers of Jesus we should be willing to fight FOR it and not just in it!)

#4 – Philippians 3:16 – AHHH! Most of the time we already know what we need to do and how we need to do it….we know it but struggle to apply it!

#5 – Philippians 4:5-7 – We should be gentle to all (including our spouse) and not be anxious…but rather present our requests to God, knowing that He wants for us to have a great marriage even more than we would actually like to have one.

#6 – Philippians 4:8 – How we think about our marriage (or future marriage) will definitely impact it…this verse is essential in reminding us to think the right thoughts. (Also see II Corinthians 10:5) We must fight the temptation to constantly think negative thoughts about our spouse and our marriage.

#7 – Philippians 4:13 – “Everything” means “Everything!” Trust me…your messed up marriage situation CAN BE HEALED by Jesus. He specializes in bringing dead things back to life! In Christ our marriage CAN (and SHOULD) work out in order that Ephesians 3:20 should be true about them.

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Testing

Neil Anderson Daily in Christ Devotional

GOD'S MINISTRY OF DARKNESS

2 Corinthians 4:11
For we who live are constantly being delivered over to death for Jesus' sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh

What is the point of troubled times in our lives? What is God trying to do? What is He trying to teach us? Peter wrote, "Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing; so that also at the revelation of His glory, you may rejoice with exultation" (1 Peter 4:12, 13).

In God's ministry of testing, we learn a lot about ourselves. Whatever is left of simplistic advice such as "Read your Bible" or "Just work harder" or "Pray more" gets stripped away. Most people going through testing times would love to resolve the crisis, but they seemingly can't and don't know why.

In God's ministry of darkness we learn compassion. We learn to wait patiently with people. We learn to respond to the emotional needs of people who have lost hope. We weep with those who weep. We don't try to teach or instruct or advise. If God took away every external blessing and reduced our assets to nothing more than meaningful relationships, would that be enough to sustain us? Yes, I believe it would.

Perhaps God brings us to the end of our resources so we can discover the vastness of His. We don't hear many sermons about brokenness in our churches these days, yet in all four Gospels Jesus taught us to deny ourselves, pick up our cross daily, and follow Him. I don't know any painless way to die to ourselves, but I do know that it's necessary and that it's the best possible thing that could ever happen to us.

"No pain, no gain," says the body builder. Isn't that true in the spiritual realm as well (Hebrews 12:11)? Proven character comes from persevering through the tribulations of life (Romans 5:3-5). Every great period of personal growth in my life and ministry has been preceded by a major time of testing.

Prayer: Lord, I submit to Your testing so I may come to the end of my resources and joyfully discover Yours.

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Our Steps

The very steps we take come from God;
otherwise how would we know where we're going?

Proverbs 20:24 [Message]

Sets Us Free

Ray Ortlund post excerpt: Hermeneutics and culture

For a church to preach gospel doctrine and embody gospel culture is ultimately a matter of hermeneutics. Not the pastor’s cheery personality, though that helps, but hermeneutics. What is this Bible we are reading? If it really is good news for bad people through the finished work of Christ on the cross — if “good news” is the hermeneutic with which every passage is interpreted and every sermon preached, then by God’s help that church will build a gospel culture where sinners can breathe again.

But it is possible for a church, reading the Bible, even revering the Bible, never to become a gospel culture. Why? Hermeneutics, how they perceive their Bible. And if the only light we have is darkness, how great is our darkness.

We tend toward a sinister reading of reality. We see God that way, we see each other that way, we see life that way. The Bible sets us free. Wise churches keep their thinking in happy and determined alignment with the authoritative message of divine grace.

Get It Out

Steven Furtick post: Saturation Point

In chemistry, every substance has a saturation point where it can’t take anymore. Nothing has unlimited capacity. For example, a sponge can absorb only so much water. Eventually it will get to the point where it will not be able to soak up any more until it gets wrung out.

The same is true in our lives when it comes to absorbing teaching. That includes teaching from sermons, leadership conferences, podcasts, blogs, books, retreats, or any other venue you can think of.

Obviously I don’t mean that we have a point where we won’t be able to consume and remember new information. But I do believe there is a point when the teaching we’re receiving will stop having the positive transformational effects on our lives that we desire.

Not because we’re not hungry for biblical teaching. Or for that moment when someone says something that completely rearranges our conceptual paradigm. But because we’re not just as hungry to apply biblical teaching. We’re not just as hungry to rearrange our practical paradigm.

I think many Christians have reached their saturation point. Many of us just want to get fed. We want to collect the latest and best “deep” teaching we can get our hands on. The best quote that we can tweet.

What we really need is to wring out what we’re absorbing.

A mind-expanding thought doesn’t become a life-changing one until it becomes reality. The best teaching you’ve heard recently is the teaching you’re applying right now. Deep teaching is teaching that bores through your mind, into your heart, and out through your hands.

Don’t hear me wrong. I wholeheartedly believe in the idea of consuming as much good teaching as you can. I usually have 3-4 sermons running in the background of my office. I study the Bible intensely. I’m constantly reading new books.

So by all means, take in the best teaching you can. Listen to every podcast you can. Go to the best conferences. Read twenty blogs a day.

But whatever you take in, you’ve got to get it out. Or else you’ll soon run out of space to take in anything else.

Contextualization

Ed Stetzer post: Calling for Contextualization: Part 8 Ruining and Recovering Relevance

In leading or planting a church, central to your calling is the proclamation of the gospel in words and works of grace. As Christians and leaders in the church we represent Jesus, do the things of Jesus, and tell others about Jesus. And we do that in "relevant" ways.

If you've read my blog for any length of time you know I'm a believer in cultural relevance in our churches. Perhaps a better way to say it is that I believe gospel-centered, biblically faithful churches are culturally relevant. Not everyone gets excited about this subject, and I understand their concerns because I have some concerns as well. But I believe cultural relevance is a necessary aspect of and tool for missional ministry in each of our contexts.

The Gospel must always be delivered into a specific cultural context. To be culturally relevant is to take the unchanging Gospel into ever-changing cultures. We do that by listening to and understanding the culture, learning to speak their language, connecting the Gospel to the idols of the culture, and showing the beauty and supremacy of Jesus. Read through Paul's approach to the cities of Iconium, Lystra, Macedonia, and Athens in Acts 14-17 and you will find an excellent model of a discerning cultural relevance.

Trouble starts with cultural relevance when we misunderstand its importance. Sometimes we believe being relevant means being missional, but it doesn't. The truth is we can be culturally relevant and ultimately go nowhere in helping people know Jesus or serving Him on mission. Relevance is an implication of mission, and a tool for the mission, but it is not the goal of the mission. Making disciples through the spread of the gospel is the goal. If cultural relevance is our goal, the Gospel is demoted and we lose confidence in its transforming power and necessity.

How does this happen? How do we wind up elevating cultural relevance, intentionally or not, to be an ultimate goal? Here are a few ways.

We elevate cultural relevance when we focus on personal or social transformation and not Gospel transformation. The Gospel message is not about trying harder to be a good person. Atheists, Mormons, and Oprah can help you be good. The gospel message is not about cleaning up our cities. Atheists, Scientologists, and politicians can improve our cities. Cultural relevance as a goal will encourage us to stop short of the most needed and deepest changes in our lives because because of the desire not to offend those in the culture. When it is the goal, we stay on the surface of change and avoid the heart. But if cultural relevance is a tool we will focus our work on the Gospel that says that we need to be changed from the inside out. We will focus on a ministry in which Jesus transforms lives.

We elevate cultural relevance when our sermons are so practical that they lack a Gospel priority. Of course I'm not saying that practical sermons are bad. I think sermons with practical implications and application are essential. Some are trying so hard to be practical in their preaching that their messages are easily understood, received and applied, but Christ is not made known. I seek to never preach a message that would not be true if Jesus had not died on the cross. Belief in a bloody cross and an empty tomb should be foundational to whatever practical advice we share.

We elevate cultural relevance when our outreach demeans others who preach the Gospel. I've seen the mailers from churches that say things like, "top 10 reasons every other church in this county stinks, but ours is great." They often use words like "relevant," "exciting," "fresh" and "real" to explain their ministries. If we are not careful, we can show confidence in our relevance, not in the Gospel. If the Gospel is at the center of our message and ministry, we will not communicate anything that allows people to devalue other churches that preach the Gospel. We will work with them and pray for them.

We elevate cultural relevance when personal evangelism is an oxymoron at our churches. Relevance as the goal makes our cool worship services the place where people connect and pastors are the only ones who tell people about Jesus. When the Gospel is the point and relevance is a tool, pastors will also equip God's people to take the Gospel with them into their communities. Sure, let's invite the neighbors to our worship services and ministries. But when done alone, it hinders the work of the Gospel.

We elevate cultural relevance when attendance is celebrated more than conversions. In one of our studies we asked a question about the conversion rate in new churches. We found that most churches never ask that question, and even if they ask they often give an inflated answer. One church from the study had done an incredible job planting multiple churches. They had the courage to survey all their people and ask the simple question, "Did you come to faith in Jesus Christ in this church?" The goal was 10% conversion growth in their new churches, but they found it was only 2-3%. Our focus can't simply be on our attendance, but seeing men and women come to faith in Jesus Christ.

We elevate cultural relevance when not offending seekers is often more important than telling the Gospel. God taught us a lot of things in the seeker movement. But it is hard to be perceived as sensitive when you talk about sin and death and the cross, the central elements of the Gospel. I think our focus needs to be "seeker-comprehensible": to communicate the Gospel clearly and understandably even as we communicate a message that is not sensitive or comfortable. Relevance is a tool that helps seekers comprehend the truths of the Gospel.

The good news is that cultural relevance and the Gospel aren't at odds. Relevance is a tool to be used by all churches from the painfully hip to the quietly liturgical, because it is the necessary consequence of doing things God's way. It is a missiological principle that helps us fulfill the goal of getting the Gospel to the greatest amount of people. Whatever community you find yourself in, use relevance with discernment and the Gospel with liberality.

If you missed the previous 7 parts in the series check out the links below:
Calling for Contextualization (Part 1)
Calling for Contextualization: The Need to Contend and Contextualize (Part 2)
Calling for Contextualization: Knowing and Making Known the Gospel (Part 3)
Calling for Contextualization: Untangling Cultural Engagement (Part 4)
Calling for Contextualization: Indigenization (Part 5)
Calling for Contextualization: Loving and Hating the World (Part 6)
Calling for Contextualization: The Contextualization Spectrum (Part 7)

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

He Has Done

Hallelujah! Thank God! Pray to him by name!
Tell everyone you meet what he has done!

Ps 105:1 [Message]

His Glory

Kevin DeYoung post: Claiming to Be Wise, He Became a Fool

Immediately an angel of the Lord struck him down, because he did not give God the glory. Acts 12:23a

Herod Agrippa was not a nice guy–he killed James the brother of John and imprisoned Peter–but no one could deny he was important. He was the grandson of the impressive (and murderous) Herod the Great. He was a friend of Emperors and one of the great princes of the East, ruling over the land of Judea. So when Herod, decked in royal robes, sat on his throne and delivered a stirring ovation, it seemed only fitting that the crowds would shout, “The voice of a god, and not of a man!”

Ah, such a discerning crowd. Such a grateful people. Such a good day to be king. Herod just soaked it all in.

God let it all hang out, and he struck down Herod dead right on the spot.

What made Herod’s crime so serious as to merit such swift retribution? He committed no crime against humanity (not in this moment at least). He decreed no unjust law. He did nothing outwardly heinous. No, Herod’s crime lay in what he failed to do. He did not give God the glory.

No one may mistake us for gods, but someone may hail you as a great quarterback, a fabulous cook, a drop-dead beauty, a powerful preacher, a gifted writer, a tremendous student, a successful entrepreneur, or a really kind person. Now what to do? In most cases rebuking the encourager is a sign of pride more than humility. Just say thank you. But then you ought to quickly say, think, or feel, “to God be the glory.”

We may be self-aware enough not to seek out showers of fame and praise, but it sure is easy to bathe in it when it comes. We all have Herod in our hearts. Prone to wander, Lord I feel it. We love the fame of our name more than the Lord’s.

So remember what Herod forgot: the world does not exist to make our dreams come true. Our friends do not exist to make us feel special. The church does not exist to make us feel comfortable. And God does not exist to make much of us. His glory he will not give to another. “Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory” (Psalm 115:1).

Not Logical