Our Daily Reminders

Probably the most important thing I mentioned in Sunday's sermon was the concept of preaching the gospel to yourself everyday. To some of you that may be a new idea or concept. Many preachers and theologians have talked about this before. In fact, Jerry Bridges, in his book, The Discipline of Grace, had a chapter on this subject. So, why is this so important? What does "preaching the gospel to yourself" really mean?

I believe we need daily reminders of four key aspects of the gospel:

1 - Daily recognition of our sin.
We need to remind ourselves that God demands a perfect righteousness and that we cannot acheive it.

2 - Remember the cross.
The cross reminds us of the severity of our condition. It should also remind us of our value in the eyes of our Savior, who was willing to suffer because of the love He has for us.

3 - Grace!
Our salvation is a gift...we do nothing to earn it. We can do nothing to make God love us more than He does now. Grace is really hard to accept...but think of the freedom it unleashes in our lives? We must preach grace to ourselves every day.

4 - We have been adopted.
I think this truth is often overlooked. Many like to point to justification. Of course, we should love the doctrine of justification, but it is a judicial concept. Adoption is about love and acceptance and security and family. I like that more! Adoption also guides our behavior. We are children of God. We are siblings of the KING! We are royalty. With that reality, we are compelled to live as it becomes royalty. Our behavior is not guided by reward or fear. We are secure in our position and what else could we really earn as royalty? Our behavior is guided by love and loyalty.

So, as you wake up tomorrow morning, think about your sin. Confess it. Recognize it...but don't dwell on it. Move on to the cross and grace and adoption. In fact, don't just think about it...preach it! Preach it to yourself so that you may live it for others.

The Fallout!

Every Sunday after preaching, there is a slight worry in every pastor's heart on how the sermon will be received. You pray for the Holy Spirit to be working in everyone's heart and mind...but you just never know what that looks like. You never know what each person needed to hear and whether the sermon you just preached helped or hurt the process!

Anyway, I set forth a vision and plan for our church on Sunday. I called for more intentional and strategic outreach into our community. There is much more to say on that subject, and I will be addressing it some in future sermons, but Sunday I made a specific call. I asked for 4 people to step up and lead the charge. Of course, I want the whole church engaged in outreach, but we need a team of people to help plan, organize, and execute the things we dream up to do.

So...you want to see how God answers prayers? After church, 4 people came up to me (not 3, not 6...but 4...I should have asked for 6!!) and volunteered to help lead the charge. Pretty cool! I am so thankful for the spiritual maturity in our body. I am so thankful for the commitment in our body to reach out, sacrifice, and seek to meet challenges head on.

There will be more details on our plans forthcoming. Our staff and our new team will be working on them. The goal is to meet people in our community, serve them and build intentional relationships...and we get to have a lot of fun together along the way!

I have overcome the world

Today's blog is short and sweet. There is much to be written about the political maneuverings in John 18-19 but the end result is the same: The one who knew no sin became sin so that we might receive the righteousness of God. The cross is the central moment in history. All things hinge on it. We all must ask ourselves: what about Jesus? Who was He? Why did He die?

Pilate ushered Jesus out in front of the crowd and said, "Behold your King!" The chief priests had already dealt with these questions in their heart when the responded soon afterward, "We have no king but Caesar!" How do you respond? Does this day hold significance for you? Behold your King...on a cross, dying for you. That is a good Friday.

Framing the Cross

There are two passages that frame the whole Passion storyline in John. In chapter 12, Jesus makes an interesting comment. He is talking about death and life...basically who or what are you living for. Anyway, He says in verse 26: "If anyone serves Me, He must follow Me, and where I am, there will my servant be also."

Now, fast forward through the Last Supper, the High Priestly Prayer (we will discuss that in a minute), the betrayal, trial, crucifixion, and resurrection...go to the end of John. In chapter 21, Jesus and Peter are walking on a beach. John is walking behind them and Peter asks Jesus about John, kind of "so, what about him...what is his role in this thing?" Jesus says in verse 22: "If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? YOU FOLLOW ME!"

The vision of our church is that we are "following Christ together." Here, at two critical points in John, that theme arises. In other words, you may be asking yourself, "so, what now?" You may be wondering about how to APPLY the resurrection to your life. You believe, but don't know what that means in terms of a response. I love Jesus' words in chapter 12, "where I am, there will my servant be also." That is what life as a believer is all about: Follow Him. The harder part is figuring out where He is.

If you are reading along this week with me as I read John 11-21 - the passion week, you might have hit a section we know as the Graduation Address. It stretches from the end of John 13 through John 17 (the High Priestly Prayer). If you have a red letter Bible, then nearly every bit is red. It is Jesus giving His disciples a final reality check, pep talk, and brotherly advice. There is a lot in there, but it becomes more understandable when you see the frames of John 12 and 21. Jesus is laying out what following Him will look like. It gives clues as to where He will be and how to "find" Him.

I always like to define eternity as starting NOW. Why? Jesus does the same thing. In John 17 He defines eternity as knowing God and Jesus Christ. We don't have to wait until heaven to be in Christ's presence. Eternity starts NOW! Follow Him!