God’s Greatness

So, this past Sunday I preached on the greatness of God from Isaiah 40.  What an incredible, awesome, wonderful God is described by Isaiah!  What is more incredible is that God helps us.  Even more unfathomable is that not only does God help us, He helps us because He loves us, and not out of a sense of obligation.  I encourage you to re-read Isaiah 40, and stand in awe of our God that is portrayed there.

There are two weeks left in this three-week series:  next week will be on the lukewarm Christian and the following week on the passionate Christian.  Here is the question I have for you to comment on as I prepare for this week:

In light of the greatness and love of God, how should a Christian NOT act in response to God?  Again, please provide Scripture references as they come to mind.

Can I have your help for my sermon series?

Currently I am working on a 3-week sermon series based on Francis Chan’s book, Crazy Love, and so far it has been extremely convicting.  The book as well as the accompanying Scripture contained within its pages have served to rip apart the exterior of my life and get me thinking.

I’m hoping to do an interactive sermon series where I can engage those who will be listening to the sermons as well as others beforehand and afterwards.  So, here’s what I ask from you, the reader:  please comment on the following question:

What are some ways that God shows His love to us, both in the past, present, and in the future?  If you could include Scripture along with your comment, that would be helpful.

Thanks for your help, and I appreciate your input.

Amazed by Christ’s Humanity?

As we approach Christmas, what grabs our attention during this season?  As I was battling traffic during a routine stop at Starbucks last night, I realized that I tend to focus on the chaos and hassle that fills the days before Christmas (glad I did my shopping online this year).  Sometimes, I can focus on the busyness of the season — family coming and going, travel, events, traditions.  Sometimes, I focus on the much needed break from regular routine that is approaching.

But what should grab my attention?

“Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.” (Philippians 2.5-7)

Are you amazed that GOD chose to become a man?  Let that grab your attention, and ponder that thought this Christmas.

Interesting article — woman sees Jesus on her iron

Here is the link to a different take on these apparent “sightings.”

Currently reading “Counterfeit Gods” by Tim Keller

I am currently reading a good book by Tim Keller, a pastor/theologian/writer in Manhattan. The title of the book is “Counterfeit Gods.” It deals with idols of our hearts that distract us from bringing glory to God with our lives. The book is not too long and would make a good read for anyone.

Where’s the body?

As I was reading John Piper’s article on the truthfulness of the gospel, his second point really stood out to me.  How does the world explain away the lack of Jesus’ body?  You would think many resources would have been spent trying to find his body, put it on display, and disprove Christianity.  But, two thousand years later, and nothing to show for disproving Jesus’ bodily resurrection.  All they could come up with was a lie that even they knew was not true.  The chief priests told the soldiers, “Tell people, ‘His disciples came by night and stole him away while we were asleep.’”

So, those who do not believe Jesus rose from the dead, tell me, where is the body?

Good thoughts from John Piper on the Truthfulness of the Gospel

Check out John Piper’s article on the truthfulness of the gospel when you get the chance.  Some good thoughts are in there.  Here is the link.

Consider Your Condition

Ephesians has been coming alive to me as I have been taking time to think upon the whole book and then each paragraph separately. Here are some thoughts that I have had as I read Ephesians 2:1-10.

1. We were all dead! Consider that! Sometimes we think that we were never like the rest of the world – lost and flailing in our sinful condition. We tend to forget how we were before God’s grace poured out all over our lives. Don’t forget! Remember your condition as you read through verses 1-3.

2. But God! Like the Coast Guard cruiser to a boat crippled by the storm. Like a rescuer to a drowning swimmer. God has come to rescue the world! He alone is rich in mercy. He alone loves us with a great love. He alone would take us in our sinful and destitute condition and offer us life through Christ.

3. How could anyone think they could earn such grace? It is only through faith that I can accept this great grace. God does not want my pity attempts to earn such grace, because that grace can never be bought by my meager works! God offers grace freely, because He alone is great!

So consider your condition, and remember the great grace of God that saves us from that condition — to God be the glory!

Good Old Financial Wisdom

Financial Wisdom for the day: “Spend less than you make!”

I’m preparing to supervise Dave Ramsey’s “Financial Peace University” program in January. During the preparation stage, I have been searching for resources on finances, both on the web and on the page. Many tips are out there, but they all seem to come down to good old common wisdom.

So the bottom line for the day is: If you are consistently “in the black” each month, where your income is exceeding your expenses, you are doing a great job. Keep it up!

Reaching the Next Generation: Win Them With Love

Thoughtful article that I read today: there is much truth contained within these statements. I agree that the “modern” church tries to do the drawing of people’s hearts rather than leaving the Holy Spirit to do His work through the Word.

Reaching the Next Generation: Win Them With Love: ”

The evangelical church has spent far too much time trying to figure out cultural engagement, and far too little time just trying to love.  If we listen to people patiently and give people the gift of our curiosity we will be plenty engaged.  I’m not arguing for purposeful obscurantism.  What I’m arguing for is getting people’s attention with a force more powerful than the right lingo and the right movies.

We spend all this time trying to imitate Gen X culture or millennial culture, and to what end?  For starters, there is no universal youth culture.  Young people do not all think alike, dress alike, or feel comfortable in the same environments.  Moreover, even if we could figure out ‘what the next generation likes’ by the time we figured it out they probably wouldn’t like it anymore.  Count on it: when the church discovers cool, it won’t be cool anymore.  I’ve seen well meaning Christians try to introduce new music into the church in an effort to reach the young people, only to find out that the ‘new’ music included ‘Shine, Jesus, Shine’ and ‘Shout to the Lord.’  There’s nothing worse than a church trying to be fresh and turning out to be a little dated.  Better to stick with the hymns and the organ than do ‘new’ music that isn’t new or do the new music in an embarrassing way.

The evangelical church needs to stop preaching the false gospel of cultural identification.  Don’t spend all your time trying to figure out how to be just like the next generation.  Be yourself.  Tell them about Jesus.  And love them unashamedly.  I think a lot of older Christians are desperate to figure out what young people are into because they are too embarrassed to be themselves and too unsure of themselves to simply love the people they are trying to reach.

Jesus said it best: ‘By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another’ (John 13:35).  Jesus did not say ‘They will know you are my disciples by how attune you are to new trends in youth culture.’  Or ‘They will know you are my disciples by the hip atmosphere you create.’   Give up on relevance, and try love.  If they see love in you, love for each other, love for the world, and love for them, they will listen.  No matter who the ‘they’ are.

Talk to people.  Notice visitors.  Invite new people over for lunch.  Strike up a friendly conversation at the greasy pizza joint.  Let your teenagers’ friends hang out at your house.  Love won’t guarantee they young people will never walk away from the church, but it will make it a lot harder.  It won’t guarantee that non-Christians will come to Christ, but it will make the invitation a whole lot more attractive.

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(Via DeYoung, Restless, and Reformed.)