"For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven."
Matthew 16:17b
One sentence from our Lord can tell us so much, can't it? Peter calls Jesus the Christ. Why? Because of the miracles he'd seen? Because of the way Jesus blessed and loved little children? Because of the truth of the indictments He raised against the corrupt Pharisees? Because of the healings and compassion He'd shown to lepers and Samaritans...and gentiles?
No.
Peter calls Jesus "the Christ" because His Father in heaven has been gracious. Kind. Merciful. Loving.
This morning I heard a knock on my office door. I turned around to see a middle-aged woman in a pink sweatsuit standing outside my office. I opened the door. She immediately asked to use my phone.
For 15 minutes this woman called and hung up and recalled her estranged husband. The details of the conversation I heard were sketchy on my end. But what I could see and indeed empathize with was the brokenness. The hurt. The confusion. The bitterness. The...lostness of this situation.
She had no where to go. Kicked out of the shelter and the home she had lived in. Desperate to make amends in what seemed like a dysfunctional relationship.
Her life could have been my life. Am I special for being married and happy and fully satisfied (at least most of the time!) with my life? No.
I'm as broken and hurt and often confused and occasionally bitter too as the woman I spoke with this morning. But I'm no longer lost. I've been found by the good Shepherd.
Why did God save me? Because He is God and He loves me. Thank you Father for finding me! For saving me. For revealing through your gracious lovingkindness that Jesus is the Christ.
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Its good to be a Gentile
“Then to the Gentiles also God has granted repentance that leads to life.”
Acts 11:18b
13 And leaving Nazareth he went and lived in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, 14 so that what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled:
17 From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
Matthew 4:13-17
“Behold, my servant whom I have chosen,
my beloved with whom my soul is well pleased.
I will put my Spirit upon him,
and he will proclaim justice to the Gentiles."
Matthew 12:18
44 The next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord. 45 But when the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and began to contradict what was spoken by Paul, reviling him. 46 And Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly, saying, “It was necessary that the word of God be spoken first to you. Since you thrust it aside and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold, we are turning to the Gentiles. 47 For so the Lord has commanded us, saying,
48 And when the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord, and as many as were appointed to eternal life believed.
Acts 13:44-48
11 So I ask, did they stumble in order that they might fall? By no means! Rather through their trespass salvation has come to the Gentiles, so as to make Israel jealous. 12 Now if their trespass means riches for the world, and if their failure means riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their full inclusion mean!
Romans 11:11-12
8 For I tell you that Christ became a servant to the circumcised to show God's truthfulness, in order to confirm the promises given to the patriarchs, 9 and in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written,
10 And again it is said,
11 And again,
12 And again Isaiah says,
Romans 15:8-12
13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree”— 14 so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith.
Galatians 3:13-14
8 To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, 9 and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things,
Ephesians 3:8-9
Today I praise God because of His lovingkindness to a 21st century Gentile. He has grabbed my affections and given me new life so that I can now praise Him for the rest of my eternal existence.
Can you say the same? Will you?
Acts 11:18b
13 And leaving Nazareth he went and lived in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, 14 so that what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled:
15 “The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali,
the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles—
16 the people dwelling in darkness
have seen a great light,
and for those dwelling in the region and shadow of death,
on them a light has dawned.”
17 From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
Matthew 4:13-17
“Behold, my servant whom I have chosen,
my beloved with whom my soul is well pleased.
I will put my Spirit upon him,
and he will proclaim justice to the Gentiles."
Matthew 12:18
44 The next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord. 45 But when the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and began to contradict what was spoken by Paul, reviling him. 46 And Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly, saying, “It was necessary that the word of God be spoken first to you. Since you thrust it aside and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold, we are turning to the Gentiles. 47 For so the Lord has commanded us, saying,
“‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles,
that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’”
48 And when the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord, and as many as were appointed to eternal life believed.
Acts 13:44-48
11 So I ask, did they stumble in order that they might fall? By no means! Rather through their trespass salvation has come to the Gentiles, so as to make Israel jealous. 12 Now if their trespass means riches for the world, and if their failure means riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their full inclusion mean!
Romans 11:11-12
8 For I tell you that Christ became a servant to the circumcised to show God's truthfulness, in order to confirm the promises given to the patriarchs, 9 and in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written,
“Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles,
and sing to your name.”
10 And again it is said,
“Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people.”
11 And again,
“Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles,
and let all the peoples extol him.”
12 And again Isaiah says,
“The root of Jesse will come,
even he who arises to rule the Gentiles;
in him will the Gentiles hope.”
Romans 15:8-12
13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree”— 14 so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith.
Galatians 3:13-14
8 To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, 9 and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things,
Ephesians 3:8-9
Today I praise God because of His lovingkindness to a 21st century Gentile. He has grabbed my affections and given me new life so that I can now praise Him for the rest of my eternal existence.
Can you say the same? Will you?
Friday, January 7, 2011
Transformers, more than meets the eye
"I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."
Romans 12:1-2
That little word "therefore" helps bring chapter 12 into proper perspective. Look at 11:32 & 11:36
...For God has consigned all to disobedience, that he may have mercy on all.
...For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.
"Therefore..." We KNOW that God has had mercy on all people through the gospel of His Son Jesus Christ. The logical conclusion to this truth of Christ's salvation is to then present our bodies "as a living sacrifice" as our spiritual, or reasonable worship. It makes sense to live our lives for Christ.
So where does that leave us if it is true? Paul makes two comments, one positive and one negative about our spiritual worship.
Negatively, do not be conformed to this world. Quit thinking in the ways of the world. We cannot let ourselves be drawn away by the fleeting desires and pleasures of our wayward hearts. Our minds must be changed by the mercies of God in the gospel. We must see clearly that sin leads to death. Righteousness leads to life. The fundamental calculation of our life has changed.
Positively, we are transformed by the renewal of our minds. What does this mean? It means that God saves us from ourselves and gives us a new, softened heart for the gospel message. Activities and people that once looked appealing to us don't any longer. We see them for what they are; hollow empty promises of, at best, temporary pleasure and self-glorification. We now see them as wasteful and damaging to our lives. God has opened up the gospel to us. We now WANT to be transformed into the image of Christ Jesus.
As we resist being conformed to the values and ideals of this world and are transformed by the working of God's Spirit on us, we begin to work out our salvation with fear and trembling. The means for conforming and transforming is the gospel of Jesus Christ. As it is applied day by day and situation by situation, our values and ideals change. Our heart is transformed so that it views life through the prism of the good news of King Jesus. This is how we then know what God's good, acceptable, and perfect will is for our lives and others.
The gospel IS transformative. That is because it comes from God, through Christ, by the Holy Spirit. One person at a time. God does the work IN the gospel. God is the one who CHANGES a heart. God is the one who SAVES us from conforming to the ways of the world.
Tranforming goes beyond our simple human will because it is rooted in the work of Christ's Spirit working in us. New birth. New life. Born again. This is why we must preach the gospel to ourselves everyday. Only through it do we have the power to be transformed into the image of King Jesus.
There is only one acceptable sacrifice. Jesus Christ. He sacrificed Himself on the cross of Calvary. For our salvation. For His Father's glory. To be an acceptable sacrifice with our life is to rely on Christ's perfect, sacrificial live.
Christian transformers...more than meets the eye.
Romans 12:1-2
That little word "therefore" helps bring chapter 12 into proper perspective. Look at 11:32 & 11:36
...For God has consigned all to disobedience, that he may have mercy on all.
...For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.
"Therefore..." We KNOW that God has had mercy on all people through the gospel of His Son Jesus Christ. The logical conclusion to this truth of Christ's salvation is to then present our bodies "as a living sacrifice" as our spiritual, or reasonable worship. It makes sense to live our lives for Christ.
So where does that leave us if it is true? Paul makes two comments, one positive and one negative about our spiritual worship.
Negatively, do not be conformed to this world. Quit thinking in the ways of the world. We cannot let ourselves be drawn away by the fleeting desires and pleasures of our wayward hearts. Our minds must be changed by the mercies of God in the gospel. We must see clearly that sin leads to death. Righteousness leads to life. The fundamental calculation of our life has changed.
Positively, we are transformed by the renewal of our minds. What does this mean? It means that God saves us from ourselves and gives us a new, softened heart for the gospel message. Activities and people that once looked appealing to us don't any longer. We see them for what they are; hollow empty promises of, at best, temporary pleasure and self-glorification. We now see them as wasteful and damaging to our lives. God has opened up the gospel to us. We now WANT to be transformed into the image of Christ Jesus.
As we resist being conformed to the values and ideals of this world and are transformed by the working of God's Spirit on us, we begin to work out our salvation with fear and trembling. The means for conforming and transforming is the gospel of Jesus Christ. As it is applied day by day and situation by situation, our values and ideals change. Our heart is transformed so that it views life through the prism of the good news of King Jesus. This is how we then know what God's good, acceptable, and perfect will is for our lives and others.
The gospel IS transformative. That is because it comes from God, through Christ, by the Holy Spirit. One person at a time. God does the work IN the gospel. God is the one who CHANGES a heart. God is the one who SAVES us from conforming to the ways of the world.
Tranforming goes beyond our simple human will because it is rooted in the work of Christ's Spirit working in us. New birth. New life. Born again. This is why we must preach the gospel to ourselves everyday. Only through it do we have the power to be transformed into the image of King Jesus.
There is only one acceptable sacrifice. Jesus Christ. He sacrificed Himself on the cross of Calvary. For our salvation. For His Father's glory. To be an acceptable sacrifice with our life is to rely on Christ's perfect, sacrificial live.
Christian transformers...more than meets the eye.
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Perspective
"You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect."
Matthew 5:48
This verse, in 11 words, sums up the totality of what God expects of His people. His image-bearers on earth. I read these words and feel hopeless. As I should. There is no way a mortal human being can live like this. Perfection is beyond the reach of mankind.
As you read through Matthew chapter 5 you can't help but feel helpless. There is no way I can...
...not be angry with my brother. How many times have I called people "fool?"
...guard my heart from lust. How many times have I lusted after a woman in my life? Before marriage and after?
...control my mouth. How many times have I pleaded in a gust of words that I would do this or that? How many oaths have I sworn carelessly?
...show love in the face of insult. And turn my cheek? I'd rather slap back. And have multiple times.
...love my enemies. This is beyond my ability to comprehend. I love to hang with those of similar interests. But what about the broken-hearted and downtrodden? Am I willing to enter their pain, for Christ's sake?
And yet this is what God commands His people. Who will save me from my inability to save myself? Jesus Christ. His death and resurrection. His life as God's perfect, obedient, loving Son. He must take my place in God's eyes...for my death...for my sin...for my rebellion. Imputation. Christ's righteousness for my sin. My sin for Christ's righteousness. Quite the deal, eh?
Once again I am reminded that I can do NOTHING to earn salvation and be right in God's eyes.
"Dust in the wind. All we are is dust in the wind." These lyrics from Kansas sum up the human experience. Vanity. All is vanity outside of Jesus Christ. We are cut off from the source of life and now live lives of short futility...until Jesus comes along and fundamentally changes us.
The gospel brings perspective. God is high. I am low. God shows love. I love myself.
Thank you Jesus for your perfection.
Matthew 5:48
This verse, in 11 words, sums up the totality of what God expects of His people. His image-bearers on earth. I read these words and feel hopeless. As I should. There is no way a mortal human being can live like this. Perfection is beyond the reach of mankind.
As you read through Matthew chapter 5 you can't help but feel helpless. There is no way I can...
...not be angry with my brother. How many times have I called people "fool?"
...guard my heart from lust. How many times have I lusted after a woman in my life? Before marriage and after?
...control my mouth. How many times have I pleaded in a gust of words that I would do this or that? How many oaths have I sworn carelessly?
...show love in the face of insult. And turn my cheek? I'd rather slap back. And have multiple times.
...love my enemies. This is beyond my ability to comprehend. I love to hang with those of similar interests. But what about the broken-hearted and downtrodden? Am I willing to enter their pain, for Christ's sake?
And yet this is what God commands His people. Who will save me from my inability to save myself? Jesus Christ. His death and resurrection. His life as God's perfect, obedient, loving Son. He must take my place in God's eyes...for my death...for my sin...for my rebellion. Imputation. Christ's righteousness for my sin. My sin for Christ's righteousness. Quite the deal, eh?
Once again I am reminded that I can do NOTHING to earn salvation and be right in God's eyes.
"Dust in the wind. All we are is dust in the wind." These lyrics from Kansas sum up the human experience. Vanity. All is vanity outside of Jesus Christ. We are cut off from the source of life and now live lives of short futility...until Jesus comes along and fundamentally changes us.
The gospel brings perspective. God is high. I am low. God shows love. I love myself.
Thank you Jesus for your perfection.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
The Gospel Remembered (again)
3 For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. 4 But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. 8 The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people.
Titus 3:3-8
A quick breakdown:
Part 1
Verse 3. Sin. This is the beginning of the gospel for man. We start with a death sentence handed down through Adam to ourselves. We enjoy sin and disobedience. Slaves to unrighteousness. Slaves to fleeting pleasures that bring temporary satisfaction and lasting shame, guilt, and condemnation. Separation from God. Conflict with each other. Conflict with all creation.
Part 2
Verse 4-5. "But." What a great word. God reach out. Came down. Descended from His thrown to save us through His Son Jesus. What kindness. What love and GOODNESS. Yes goodness. Goodness describes an excellence so well established that it is thought of as inherent or innate. This is our God. This is the Maker of the universe. Good. He sent His Son because He IS good. We were saved out the goodness of His character.
We were given new life to know God through the power of the Holy Spirit and His work.
Part 3
Verse 6. The gospel center. Jesus Christ. Our Savior. This regeneration. This renewal is only made possible through the blood of Jesus Christ. The bonds of slavery are destroyed by the power of Jesus Christ. Death is defeated. We are saved from it into eternal life. From slavery to freedom. There is no other name under heaven by which men can be saved. Nada. Nothing. Zip. Zilch. In Christ alone...
Part 4
Verse 7. This regeneration and renewal makes us heirs of something. Heirs of eternal life. We are no longer slaves but now children of God. Adopted into His family. Unfathomable immortality. Taken from death to...life. This is our hope. God is now daddy.
Part 5
Verse 8. Our response. Be devoted to good works. What kind of works? Gospel works. Works that lead others to the cross. Ourselves foremost. Daily. Every interaction. Every communication. Every relationship centered on and leaning toward the cross of the Christ Jesus.
These things are EXCELLENT. And profitable. Where is your treasure Christian?
Titus 3:3-8
A quick breakdown:
Part 1
Verse 3. Sin. This is the beginning of the gospel for man. We start with a death sentence handed down through Adam to ourselves. We enjoy sin and disobedience. Slaves to unrighteousness. Slaves to fleeting pleasures that bring temporary satisfaction and lasting shame, guilt, and condemnation. Separation from God. Conflict with each other. Conflict with all creation.
Part 2
Verse 4-5. "But." What a great word. God reach out. Came down. Descended from His thrown to save us through His Son Jesus. What kindness. What love and GOODNESS. Yes goodness. Goodness describes an excellence so well established that it is thought of as inherent or innate. This is our God. This is the Maker of the universe. Good. He sent His Son because He IS good. We were saved out the goodness of His character.
We were given new life to know God through the power of the Holy Spirit and His work.
Part 3
Verse 6. The gospel center. Jesus Christ. Our Savior. This regeneration. This renewal is only made possible through the blood of Jesus Christ. The bonds of slavery are destroyed by the power of Jesus Christ. Death is defeated. We are saved from it into eternal life. From slavery to freedom. There is no other name under heaven by which men can be saved. Nada. Nothing. Zip. Zilch. In Christ alone...
Part 4
Verse 7. This regeneration and renewal makes us heirs of something. Heirs of eternal life. We are no longer slaves but now children of God. Adopted into His family. Unfathomable immortality. Taken from death to...life. This is our hope. God is now daddy.
Part 5
Verse 8. Our response. Be devoted to good works. What kind of works? Gospel works. Works that lead others to the cross. Ourselves foremost. Daily. Every interaction. Every communication. Every relationship centered on and leaning toward the cross of the Christ Jesus.
These things are EXCELLENT. And profitable. Where is your treasure Christian?
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