The Gospel Delivers from Racism

There were several popular authors/speakers/pastors I never really paid attention to becuase of theological differences.  Pastor John Piper was one of them.  Then, God saved me from the bondage of my pride and I was able to see beyond differences in theology and see God's truth at work in my fellow Brothers/Sisters lives (*I know... people have to extend grace to me for my pride).  All those years getting caught up in debating theology blocked my ability to see my own need for a Savior.  I was so preoccupied writing papers and defending my dogmatism I became blind to my perpetual anger, rage, lust and fear that plagued me for so many years.

This is the gospel.  That despite my self-deception and pride, Christ used men in my life to speak truth to me and in the end I was set free.  Had I held on to my pride, I would have missed amazing testimonies like this.  It's really not Pastor John's story; it's God's story of how he worked in a man's heart and saved  him.

The Gospel has the power to deliver people from any type of bondage.  All glory be to Christ!

The Gospel (revisited again)...



For over a decade i've been putting "The Gospel" in a systematic formula.  I've since learned something new.  I won't delete my old posts as it shows God's grace extended to me in my never ending learning.

 

Here are a few things that are new to me, but perhaps not to you (so give me some grace here :)

 

1. The Gospel is only good if it is seen alongside bad news.  Apologists refute the "problem of evil" in saying that evil cannot exist if good doesn't.  I'm just seeing this concept in a gospel presentation.  I would frequently say, "The Gospel is only good news.  You shouldn't mention anything bad in it."  But, the Gospel is the good news that I realized my fallen state (and it's horrible!), Christ has redeemed me and is currently at work (every single day) to restore me to become more like Him.

 

2. The Gospel is God's story about how HE worked in us to save and sanctify us!  Yes, HE does all the work.  Imagine that the Plan of God for Salvation is a chain.  Every link must be God becuase if man has ANY part the chain will break - because a chain is only as strong as it's weakest link.  Man is weak and broken. Therefore, he cannot play any role in the work of Salvation. 

 

3. When I share the Gospel, I share how God worked in my heart to save me and how he is currently changing me.  And I now avoid the formulaic systematic approach becuase THAT is not how we tell stories.  We simply speak from the heart about our story. 

 

My wife has said many times within the past few months, "yeah, but I thought you taught X."  To which I would reply, "I've learned since then."  God is changing my heart.  A lot of things are changing.  Even my close friends in my various "Grace" clubs are noticing.  But it's just God working in my soul. 

 

Back to the book... 

 

What do you think?

 

 

"John 3:16 (For God So Loved The World)" by the Rizers

We recently discovered "The Rizers." A band with a good message!

Simplicity of Salvation

The greatest stumbling block to men entering eternal life is the simplicity of salvation. Men want to "do" something to earn salvation, but God says it is a gift, because Jesus Christ paid the price on the cross. He bought eternal life for every man. However, the gift must be received by faith.

The Philippian jailer asked Paul and Silas, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" To which they answered, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you shall be saved"
(ACTS 16:30-31).



As simple as coming when called. "Come to me all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest." (MAT 11:28)

As simple as drinking water. "But whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst, but the water that I shall give him shall become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life" (JOH 4:14). "If any man is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the scripture said, 'from his innermost being shall flow rivers of living water …'" (JOH 7:37-38)

As simple as eating bread. "I am the bread of life, he who comes to Me shall not hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst … I am the living bread that came down out of heaven; if anyone eats this bread, he shall live forever; and the bread also which I shall give for the life of the world is my flesh." (JOH 6:35, JOH 6:51)

As simple as entering a door. "I am the door, if anyone enters through Me, he shall be saved." (JOH 10:9a)

As simple as receiving a gift. "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." (ROM 6:23)

As simple as calling for help. "For whoever will call upon the name of the Lord will be saved." (ROM 10:13)

As simple as the trust of a child. "And He called a child to Himself and set him before them, and said, 'truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you shall not enter the kingdom of heaven.'" (MAT 18:2-3)

As simple as believing in Jesus Christ. "Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes [in Me] has eternal life." (JOH 6:47) "I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me shall live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?" (JOH 11:25-26)

Each of these examples and illustrations is designed to show the simplicity of faith. The Scripture says, "So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the Word of Christ" (ROM 10:17). Faith is trusting what the Word of God says. In the final analysis, it all comes down to the question in the above passage, "Do you believe this?" Your response will determine your eternal destiny; either Heaven or Hell. Don't stumble over the simplicity of the Gospel!

*Written by Gene Cunningham.  Visit basic training website for more.

Verse of the Day: 1 Timothy 1:9

Bible gateway sent me this verse. I love it when the perfect verse comes at just the right time.

8Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, 9who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, 10and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, 11for which I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher, 12which is why I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that Day what has been entrusted to me. 

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Signing up for the "verse of the day" on bibkegateway.com and bible.com enables me to keep receiving truth from God's Word throughout the day. Remember, we can't get drunk in the spirit if we stop drinking.

How To Get Drunk

People don't get drunk by drinking one glass per week; they get drunk by constantly drinking to the point where they never sober up.  In the same way, Believers cannot get drunk in the Spirit if they only drink of the Spirit once a week - not even by drinking two times a week.  Getting drunk is a direct result of constantly "be being filled" with the Spirit.  Read Ephesians 5:15-21(NASB) for the "filling of the Spirit" passage in it's raw context:

¹⁵ Therefore,

^[j]be careful how you walk,

not as unwise men but as wise,

                              ^{16 [k]}making the most of your time,

              because the days are evil.

¹⁷ So then do not be foolish,

but understand what the will of the Lord is.

¹⁸ And do not get drunk with wine,

^[l]for that is dissipation,

                          but be filled with the Spirit,

               ¹⁹ speaking to ^[m]one another in

psalms and

hymns and

spiritual songs,

singing and

making melody with your heart to the Lord;

²⁰ always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to ^[n]God, even the Father;

^{21 [o]}and be subject to one another in the ^[p]fear of Christ.

 

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Light Shines Brightest In Darkness.

Meet Benny.  Our faithful dog.  The most faithful dog I've ever known.  But Benny is getting old (16+yrs) and must wear a glow stick on our nightly walks.  I lost him for over an hour the other day and it felt horrible.  Yes, I let my dogs run off leash at the park across the street every night.  It's what dogs like to do.

Here's the illustration and point: The glow stick shines brightest in the dark!  The darker it is, the easier it is to spot Benny.  So it is with the Believer who is the "Light of the World."

14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven (Matthew 5, NIV).

We are the light of the World.  If we are blending in with the rest of the World something is wrong.  And why does the Lord command us to LET OUR LIGHT SHINE?  Because, there is a possibility that we might not let it shine.  That's the point of a command; that is, we might be tempted to not do it.  Then, people would not see our good deeds nor glorify our Father in Heaven.  Thats a fact - It is possible for people NOT to see our good works...AT ALL.

Believers, let your light shine before all men that they may see your works and then praise your Father up in Heaven.

Enjoy this "Old School" tune by Third Day:

Black History Month

Last week, my workmates put together a potluck in celebration for Black History Month.  I had asked if I could read a portion of Dr. Martin Luther Kings letter from the Birmingham jail and share a little of what the celebration meant to me.  I read the portion, which was super intense and addressed how Dr. King was unwilling to "wait" as his white co-ministers had pleaded with him to do.  He expressed, "I guess it is easy for those who have never felt the stinging darts of segregation to say "wait." He then preceded paint a first person perspective of that constant stinging oppression.

All in all, I not only learned more about Black History in the US, but I was able to bring the good news into a room in a very appropriate and powerful way.  To show the gracious ness and faith of an oppressed people in a very hard time in our country.  The Civil rights movement (under Dr. King) did not go violent.  They showed grace, mercy and perseverance. Out of this movement sprung the Black Gospel Churches with the famous call and response style of service.  They not only relied on God to get them through those tough times, they threw themselves into community like no other.

I'm glad I had the opportunity to reading the letter to my workmates.  I felt it would further role model reconciliation if I expressed my interest first of all because i'm not black.  I'm just passionate about racial reconciliation.  And it's not racial reconciliation for the "good of humanity."  It's because... well...

God is in the business of reconciliation.

WE ARE ONE IN CHRIST.

There is no Jew or Greek, slave or free, male or female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

Galatians 3:28 (HCSB)

"The Struggle" by Tenth Avenue North

Tenth avenue is a band that knows Spiritual Warfare.  I struggled for years and kept telling myself, "I gotta try harder!  Why do I keep doing what I don't want to do and why am I not doing what I want to do!?"  Does that sound familiar?  If not in your own head, it was exactly the thoughts of the Apostle Paul in Romans 7.  After a closer reading of that passage, I learned that the sin struggle was directly linked to SIN, who was in my FLESH and committing the sin.  Now that I know the source of the sin struggle, it can be targeted at the root.  Enjoy.

"The Struggle" Lyrics

There's a wreckage, there's a fire 

There's a weakness in my love 

There's a hunger I can't control Lord, 

I falter and I fall down 

Then I hold on to chains You broke 

When You came and saved my soul. 

Save my soul

Hallelujah We are free to struggle 

We're not struggling to be free 

Your blood bought 

and makes us children Children, 

drop your chains and sing

So, why, Lord, do I still fail, 

Do I wear thin? 

Why do I still give in to temptation? 

On my own, I am bankrupt, 

I don't trust You or take 

You at Your word 

What You've promised, yeah.

Hallelujah We are free to struggle 

We're not struggling to be free 

Your blood bought and makes us children 

Children, drop your chains and sing

Hallelujah, Death is overcome 

and we are breathing Hallelujah, 

Our stone hearts become flesh that's beating 

Hallelujah, Chains have been undone and we are singing 

Hallelujah, The fire has begun. Can you feel it?

Hallelujah, Death is overcome and we are breathing 

Hallelujah, Our stone hearts become flesh that's beating 

Hallelujah, Chains have been undone and we are singing 

Hallelujah, The fire has begun. Oh, can you feel it?

Hallelujah We are free to struggle 

We're not struggling to be free 

Your blood bought and makes us children 

Children, drop your chains and sing (Ooh's)

Our Identity In Christ - Colossians 3:1-11

For All Believers: If we want to know who WE are, we simply need to understand who HE is. Because WE are in HIM.  And where HE is WE are.  And where WE are, there HE is.  The times that we stop acting like Children of God are the times we forget who we are.

Colossians 3:1-11

"If then you have been raised up with Christ, 

     keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 

  2 Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. 

            3 For you have died and 

                     your life is hidden with Christ in God. 

                                     4 When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then 

                                         you also will be revealed with Him in glory.
5 Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to
                    immorality, 

                    impurity, 

                    passion, 

                    evil desire, and 

                    greed, which amounts to idolatry. 

            6 For it is on account of these things that the wrath of God will come, 7 and 

                      in them you also once walked, when you were living in them. 

            8 But now you also, put them all aside: 

                    anger, 

                    wrath, 

                    malice, 

                    slander, and 

                    abusive speech from your mouth. 

                    9 Do not lie to one another, 

                                        since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices, 10 and 

                                        have put on the new self who is 

                                                            being renewed to a true knowledge 

                                                            according to the image of the One who created him 

                                                                     11 a renewal in which there is no distinction between 

                                                                                Greek and Jew, 

                                                                                circumcised and uncircumcised, 

                                                                                barbarian, Scythian, 

                                                                                slave and freeman, 

                                                                                but Christ is all, and in all."

-----------------------

We must always connect our identiy with who we are in Christ.  Our practices and perforamance as Children of God hinge on whether or not we are seeing ourselves for who we really are; namely, in Him.

Our Identity in Christ:
-We were buried with Him.
-We were raised with Him.
-We are seated with Him.

Our Identity in Christ - Galatians 2:20

In Galatians 2:20-21, the Apostle Paul says this:            
20 I have been crucified with Christ and

                  I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.

                                             The life I now live in the body,

                                              I live by faith in the Son of God,

                                                       who loved me and gave himself for me.

              21 I do not set aside the grace of God,

                  for if righteousness could be gained through the law,

                        Christ died for nothing!”

The Context: A bunch of Gentiles were eating with Peter. But when Peter's own people showed up, Peter withdrew and became a hypocrite (pretender).  Thus, Paul opposed him to his face because behavior like that is an insult to the truth of the Gospel.  The gospel breaks down racial barriers and reconciles the children of God. Anything that divides or segregates works against the Gospel.

We are currently in a study on "Identiy in Christ" at the Gospel community group that meets at my house on Tuesdays.  For the next few weeks we will concentrate on our identity in Christ. 

I am willing to say that the majroity of the time we choose to sin, it is because we have lost sight of our identity in Christ.  Why would a Believer choose racism or bigotry?  Becuae they have forgotten their identity in Christ.  And I am reluctant to say that church goers who are racist or have racist ideology prove themselves to be non-believers.

Consider this: Free Gracers are the first condemn Lordship Salvation for tying assurance to works  because the Lorship Salvation view states that a person is sure they are saved by what they do, which leaves them with no possibility of assurance of salvation at the moment it is received because there has not been enough time to do something or see if there has been a legitimate change in behavior.  And what would be the rule, if any?  30 minutes to test the conversion?  30 hours?  You see how troublesome it would get to "test" whether or not a person was "truly converted"?

But even among the free-grace camp, there is the great danger of associating identity into performance, which confuses the notion of identity. 

I am my Father's son by birth. On a bad day I am my Father's son.  On a good day I am my Father's son.  On a mediocre I am a son becuase my sonship has absolutely no connection with my behavior or performance whatsoever.

The BEST sinner in the world/the most righteous living non-believer, is totally unacceptable to God.  The WORST believer/the most unrighteous living believer, is totally accepted by God.  Why? because of the Beleivers relationship to God through Christ.

God revealed to me recently after studying this passage, that I cannot even find my identiy in the ethnicity.  My ethnicity is NOT my identity.  Peter's identity was not to be found in his ethnic roots.  There is no expection for us.  My identiy is in Christ as a Child of God, period.

Bottom line: Our birth determines our identity. When we loose sight of our birth, we will identify ourselves in terms of our performance. But once that occurs, if our performance is not up to par, then we become confused in our identity.

All in all, keep your eyes on the King, the Lord Jesus Christ.

"Mediator" by Ghost Ship

I had a chance to sit down today with my friend and fellow Gospelizer, Andrew. We talked about songs/bands that have recently inspired us. We both agreed that "Mediator" by Ghost Ship was definitely towards the top of our list. First off, this song is based off Scripture- 1 Timothy 2:5:

For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus,

What stood out to me first was the phrase "He found the captives - Broke the bondage of our chains."  This reminded me of how gracious and patient was/is with me.  Of how many years I willingly chose bondage to Fear, which was rooted in deception and idolatry.  When I think of Jesus setting me free and breaking the bondage of my chains (in Sanctification/Phase 2), I think of the men that God brought in my life to "do life with" and how a Gospel community of transparency and vulnerability became a conduit of God's love, grace, mercy and peace towards me, which led me to repentance.  Whenever I hear a lyrics dealing with chains falling off, it sends me into gratitude for HIS love, HIS grace and HIS mercy that was shown to me through others who were submitted to a life of pleasing the Father...  enjoy and be blessed!

"Mediator" (Lyrics)

He takes our place and stands in front of God on high
He speaks on our behalf since we don't have the right
He pleads before the God who judges hearts of men
Our mediator served the sentence for our sin

There is only one God
There is only one mediator
Standing between God and man
He's the only way to salvation
He found the captives
Broke the bondage of our chains

We have redemption through the price that He has paid
He gave his life to purchase freedom from the fall
Our mediator was the ransom for us all

The man Jesus Christ
Who gave us His life
The man Jesus Christ
The last sacrifice
The eternal Son
He was, He is, He is to come
Messiah has come
He was, He is, He is to come

The true Son of Man
He was, He is now on His throne
The atonement Lamb 

Know Your Roots

Last night I saw a shirt that had the words "KNOW YOUR ROOTS" in large letters. I assume this shirt referred to ethnic roots, but the word "roots" immediately reminded me of what God has been revealing to me concerning my "struggles" and what causes them. It has become clear to me that struggles with anger, rage, negative thoughts, addictions and all habitual sinful behavior is only there because those fruits are being fed by a root that lies underground in a dark place (i.e. kept a secret).

Roots gain power in the dark - and they die when exposed to the light. After a root dies, the fruit eventually dissapears - everytime!  So, once our sin is exposed to the light, the struggles dissapear as well. Confession precedes repentance and is accomplished in community that is rooted in the Gospel.  May we all be challenged to consistently uproot and expose evil in our lives rather than try to manage sin.  As we draw near to God may the light expose the disease that feeds our symptoms...

1Timothy 6:11: For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith.

Below is a Word study on the Greek work for "root" (from preceptaustin.org):

Root (4491) (rhiza) is used to describe a literal root

Rhiza is used as a negative metaphor here in 1Ti 6:10 and again in Hebrews 12:15-note., where it is a "root of bitterness." The NT uses rhiza as a metaphorical description of the Messiah three times (Ro 15:12-note, Rev 5:5-note, Rev 22:16-note).

A root - Most of our English translations place "root" later in the passage, whereas Paul placed it first in the Greek text for emphasis! The "root" is vitally important! One cannot help but think of weeds like crabgrass that begin to grow in our beautiful manicured lawns and which is extremely difficult to eradicate. Furthermore, the root is that part of the plant that is unseen, laying under the grown where it functions as the plant's organ of adsorption, aeration, food supply, anchorage and support! Remember that the root differs from the stem, the buds and the fruit, all of which are intimately dependent on the integrity of the root. Now parlay that picture into this passage by Paul for a powerful picture!

Rhiza - 17x in 16v in the NT and always translated "root" or "roots."

Matthew 3:10 "The axe is already laid at the root of the trees; therefore every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.

Matthew 13:6 "But when the sun had risen, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away.

Comment: Used metaphorically of the seed that brings salvation. No root. No fruit. No salvation!

Matthew 13:21 yet he has no firm root in himself, but (contrast) is only temporary, and when affliction or persecution arises because of the word (Dearly reader, have you ever been persecuted because of your stand on the Word of God? Beloved of God, rejoice because [1] it is evidence of genuine salvation and [2] be glad [agalliao = jump for joy!] for your reward will be great [Mt 5:11, 12-note]), immediately he falls away (Ed: Compare "falls away" to "wandered away" here in 1Ti 6:10).

Mark 4:6 "And after the sun had risen, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away.

Mark 4:17 and they have no firm root in themselves, but are only temporary; then, when affliction or persecution arises because of the word, immediately they fall away.

Mark 11:20 As they were passing by in the morning, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots up.

Luke 3:9 "Indeed the axe is already laid at the root of the trees; so every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire."

Luke 8:13 "Those on the rocky soil are those who, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no firm root; they believe for a while, and in time of temptation fall away.

Romans 11:16-note If the first piece of dough is holy, the lump is also; and if the root is holy, the branches are too. 17 But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive, were grafted in among them and became partaker with them of the rich root of the olive tree, 18 do not be arrogant toward the branches; but if you are arrogant, remember that it is not you who supports the root, but the root supports you. (For one of the best discussions of Romans 9-11 see Dr Anthony Garland's in depth answer to the question What Will Happen to Israel?)

Romans 15:12-note Again Isaiah says, "THERE SHALL COME THE ROOT OF JESSE, AND HE WHO ARISES TO RULE OVER THE GENTILES, IN HIM SHALL THE GENTILES HOPE."

Comment: Paul is quoting from Isaiah 11:1-note and Isaiah 11:10-note!

Lenski writes that: Rhiza refers to a live root that sends up a sprout, hence “the root-sprout,” the article designates the one person referred to. Jesse was David’s father; in Rev. 5:5, and 22:16 we have “root-sprout of David.” The royal house that sprang from Jesse was cut down; from the root Jesse (appositional genitive) only a tender young sprout would grow up, so tiny and apparently so weak compared with the old royal tree.

1 Timothy 6:10 For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

Hebrews 12:15-note See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it many be defiled;

Revelation 5:5-note and one of the elders said to me, "Stop weeping; behold, the Lion that is from the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has overcome so as to open the book and its seven seals."

Revelation 22:16-note "I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things for the churches. I am the Root and the Descendant of David, the bright morning Star."

What's your New Years Resolution?

Try this verse on for size:
1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, 'which is' your spiritual service.
2 And be not fashioned according to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, and ye may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God (Romans 12:1-2, ASV).

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All believers want salvation; that is, from the "stuff" that life throws our way and the struggles we face everyday that only God knows. So we basically want to APPLY God's Word, which enables this deliverance.

Here's a principle to remember: YOU CANNOT APPLY WHAT YOU DO NOT KNOW, YOU CANNOT KNOW WHAT YOU HAVENT LEARNED, AND YOU CAN'T LEARN WHAT YOU DON'T TAKE THE TIME AND EFFORT TO STUDY.

The INTAKE of Bible Doctrine is the the foundation for your intimacy with God and your intimacy with God fuels your outreach for Him.

*So this year, commit yourself to studying God's Word. Take it in like you take in food! In my house there is a Bible on our dinner table. It never moves. It's cake with food and coffee has been spilled on it, but it will not be removed. Taking in physical food will always be associated with taking in spiritual nutrients in my house. My prayer is that my children pass this on to their children, etc.

The transforming of your life is a passive verb because God does the work. Our part is straight forward. Take in his Word, which enables us to see life through a divine perspective.

In His Gracious Grip,
RB