Hello everybody! I apologize for the absence, and am grateful to the Father for providing the time this afternoon to write and share my thoughts.
Today the topic of conversation is Jesus' dialogue with the Samaritan woman at the well in John 4. If you are not familiar with the passage of scripture, please take the time to read and meditate on this section of God's word before reading further. While reading, keep in mind how these verse are applicable to our conversations with unbelievers in the home, neighborhood, workplace, and the other various locations where people gather and interact.
-Finished reading? Then let us begin!-
The first aspect of the dialogue I want to draw your attention to is Jesus' initiative. Without waiting for the Samaritan woman to speak, Jesus takes the responsibility of initiating the conversation. Unfortunately, we often avoid the topic of religion and faith with our family, friends, or colleagues until they initiate the conversation, but when talking with the woman, Jesus establishes the precedent for Christians to begin gospel-centered conversations. Now initiating conversations about faith is definitely intimidating, but rest in the promise of God that "...our sufficiency is from God, who made us competent to be ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life" [2 Corinthians 3:5-6].
During the passage Jesus also expresses His compassion through His willingness to answer the woman's questions and concerns. One thing is required to address the questions and concerns of our peers, knowledge of our faith. Equipping ourselves with the knowledge of Christ is to "let the word of Christ dwell in you richly..." [Colossians 3:16]. Meditate on scripture daily, apply it to life, and grow in understanding of Christ and His gospel.
In addition to answering the woman's questions, Jesus repeatedly draws the conversation back to the necessity of salvation through faith in Him ["If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, 'Give me a drink,' you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water." -and- "The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life." (John 4:10, 14). Unbelievers we talk to today may direct the conversation past the gospel of Jesus to topics like divisive issues in society. And although other topics are beneficial to discuss [in light of the gospel], stressing first and foremost the truth of salvation by grace through faith in Jesus alone [Ephesians 2:8-9 and John 14:6] needs to be our focus when engaging with an unbeliever in a conversation about faith.
Jesus also leads the Samaritan woman to repentance when in John 4:16-17 He told her to, "Go, call your husband, and come here" and she answered, "I have no husband," revealing her sin. Talking about eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ without discussing the need to confess and repent of sin is an incomplete gospel. In Romans 10:10 the apostle Paul states, "For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved." We all need to confess that we "have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" [Romans 3:23] before we step into the freedom of forgiveness by grace through Jesus Christ.
Before we end the conversation let me direct your attention quickly to two more lessons from the passage. First, Jesus broke cultural boundaries when talking to the Samaritan woman. Scripture says in John 4:9 that "...Jews had no dealings with Samaritans." Sometimes sharing the gospel will remove us from our comfort zones and draw us into fellowship with people different from us. Second, in John 4:6 the Bible states Jesus was wearied by His journey. Despite being exhausted, Jesus knew He had an opportunity to lead the Samaritan woman to salvation. In both liveliness and weariness, let us abandon our personal needs and comforts for the glory of God and the salvation of others.
Well, here concludes my thoughts and reflections for today, I pray God challenges and encourages you after reading this as He has graciously challenged an encouraged me. And despite how ill-equipped to share the gospel you may feel, remember God's promise: "My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness" [2 Corinthians 12:9]
Love you guys.
Friday, February 24, 2012
Sunday, December 4, 2011
What, How, Why...
Hello one and all, please forgive my absence. Before we begin, please watch the video below. It is a TED (a nonprofit serving to spread world-changing ideas) talk by Simon Sinek shown by a professor a few days ago.
First, know I do not agree or advocate with the self-centered and individualistic aspects of Sinek's talk. The "golden circle" is the theme of Sinek's discussion I intend to "redeem" (Mark Driscoll's practice of utilizing certain/appropriate aspects of today's culture into church).
What, How, and Why are the three aspects of the "golden circle," and Sinek explains how individuals and corporations often communicate the "what" first, followed by the "how," and then "why." The assertion Sinek makes, however, is that the proper way to communicate is first explain the "why," then the "how," and then conclude with the "what." Sinek roots his assertion in his belief that people do not by "what you do," they buy "why you do it." The same goes for the Christian faith.
All believers, outlined in Mathew 28:20, are commanded by Christ to "make disciples of all nation, baptizing the in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you." We are "selling" (awful word to describe evangelism, I know, but it serves the point) the gospel of Christ to unbelievers. We are ambassadors for Christ, and God makes his appeal through us to unbelievers for their salvation and His glory (2 Corinthians 5:20). Applying the "golden circle," do we implore people on behalf of Christ to be reconciled to God with a "what?" (2 Corinthians 5:20). Imagine. Presenting (or "selling") the gospel to an unbeliever, and you explain all the "whats" or "products" of the Christian faith like community service, social justice, and disaster relief, etc. But isn't it possible for the unbelievers to find these "whats" in secular and worldly organizations? To restate Sinek's thoughts in the context of faith, people do not profess faith in Christ because of "what" Christians do, but rather "why" Christians do what they do. Yes, Christ's ministry through the Church is far different than the temporary service of the world, but without discussing the Christ-centered "why," or in other words, the faith and all-powerful God motivating the "how" and "what," we as believers, and the unbelievers, miss the point entirely.
God, freely offering sinners salvation and life through faith in Jesus Christ is the "why" behind sharing the gospel, and is the motivation and reason behind the other "whats" (the intangible, and tangible aspects of ministry and service). I pray we ground all our interactions with the world in this foundational truth, and never let the "why" of our faith, and God's ministry through us, be anything other than Christ's death and resurrection. Share with the world "why" you go to church, "why" you participate in mission trips, and "why" you read the Bible and pray. Without the "why" the Church's "whats" seem foolish.
When expressing the "why," also remember our sufficiency as ministers of the gospel is from God, not ourselves (2 Corinthians 3:5), and let the love of Christ control you in proclaiming the old has passed and the new has come through Christ reconciling us to Himself, not counting our trespasses against us, and even though He knew no sin, He became sin, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God (2 Corinthians 5).
And one last thought, be careful no to let the "whats" of faith (God's faithful blessings, provision, and sanctifying work) lead you to forget the Living God who is the source and author of the "whats."
Love you guys.
First, know I do not agree or advocate with the self-centered and individualistic aspects of Sinek's talk. The "golden circle" is the theme of Sinek's discussion I intend to "redeem" (Mark Driscoll's practice of utilizing certain/appropriate aspects of today's culture into church).
What, How, and Why are the three aspects of the "golden circle," and Sinek explains how individuals and corporations often communicate the "what" first, followed by the "how," and then "why." The assertion Sinek makes, however, is that the proper way to communicate is first explain the "why," then the "how," and then conclude with the "what." Sinek roots his assertion in his belief that people do not by "what you do," they buy "why you do it." The same goes for the Christian faith.
All believers, outlined in Mathew 28:20, are commanded by Christ to "make disciples of all nation, baptizing the in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you." We are "selling" (awful word to describe evangelism, I know, but it serves the point) the gospel of Christ to unbelievers. We are ambassadors for Christ, and God makes his appeal through us to unbelievers for their salvation and His glory (2 Corinthians 5:20). Applying the "golden circle," do we implore people on behalf of Christ to be reconciled to God with a "what?" (2 Corinthians 5:20). Imagine. Presenting (or "selling") the gospel to an unbeliever, and you explain all the "whats" or "products" of the Christian faith like community service, social justice, and disaster relief, etc. But isn't it possible for the unbelievers to find these "whats" in secular and worldly organizations? To restate Sinek's thoughts in the context of faith, people do not profess faith in Christ because of "what" Christians do, but rather "why" Christians do what they do. Yes, Christ's ministry through the Church is far different than the temporary service of the world, but without discussing the Christ-centered "why," or in other words, the faith and all-powerful God motivating the "how" and "what," we as believers, and the unbelievers, miss the point entirely.
God, freely offering sinners salvation and life through faith in Jesus Christ is the "why" behind sharing the gospel, and is the motivation and reason behind the other "whats" (the intangible, and tangible aspects of ministry and service). I pray we ground all our interactions with the world in this foundational truth, and never let the "why" of our faith, and God's ministry through us, be anything other than Christ's death and resurrection. Share with the world "why" you go to church, "why" you participate in mission trips, and "why" you read the Bible and pray. Without the "why" the Church's "whats" seem foolish.
When expressing the "why," also remember our sufficiency as ministers of the gospel is from God, not ourselves (2 Corinthians 3:5), and let the love of Christ control you in proclaiming the old has passed and the new has come through Christ reconciling us to Himself, not counting our trespasses against us, and even though He knew no sin, He became sin, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God (2 Corinthians 5).
And one last thought, be careful no to let the "whats" of faith (God's faithful blessings, provision, and sanctifying work) lead you to forget the Living God who is the source and author of the "whats."
Love you guys.
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Our Burden is No Longer Ours
"And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands." - Colossians 2:13-14
Before Christ and His sacrificial death on the cross, we were the enemies of God. The past few days I've wrestled with the seemingly unbearable weight of my past, present, and future sin, recognizing the deserved implications of such rebellious behavior is God pouring out His holy and divine wrath. An eternal separation from God inspires incredible fear, but as the old hymn beautifully states, "t'was grace that taught my heart to fear, and grace, my fears relieved."
The Gospel of Jesus Christ outlines His humble and loving willingness to accept our "record of debts" as His own - He Himself being perfect - , nailing them to the cross alongside Him, and fulfilling the requirements of God's righteous law through receiving God's divine punishment for our sins. You and I are forgiven. The shame and guilt of our sin were crucified with our Savior, and we are now righteous through faith in Christ. Don't live life focused on the depravity of your thoughts and actions, but with repentant hearts rejoice in the joy of the assurance of salvation in Jesus Christ, and the work His performing in you through the Holy Spirit.
Never forget the eternal weight of Jesus' atoning death on the cross, and with the knowledge of the gospel never let shame and regret dictate your life. Who we were in the past is not who we are today, and who we are today is not who we will be tomorrow because through Christ we "have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator" (Colossians 3:9-10).
Pursue your faith, diligently put to death the things of the flesh, walk faithfully in the newness of Christ, and when shame and guilt start to reveal themselves, remember Jesus knows every detail of our story, and is not ashamed to call us brothers [and sisters] (Scott Thomas).
Love you guys.
Before Christ and His sacrificial death on the cross, we were the enemies of God. The past few days I've wrestled with the seemingly unbearable weight of my past, present, and future sin, recognizing the deserved implications of such rebellious behavior is God pouring out His holy and divine wrath. An eternal separation from God inspires incredible fear, but as the old hymn beautifully states, "t'was grace that taught my heart to fear, and grace, my fears relieved."
The Gospel of Jesus Christ outlines His humble and loving willingness to accept our "record of debts" as His own - He Himself being perfect - , nailing them to the cross alongside Him, and fulfilling the requirements of God's righteous law through receiving God's divine punishment for our sins. You and I are forgiven. The shame and guilt of our sin were crucified with our Savior, and we are now righteous through faith in Christ. Don't live life focused on the depravity of your thoughts and actions, but with repentant hearts rejoice in the joy of the assurance of salvation in Jesus Christ, and the work His performing in you through the Holy Spirit.
Never forget the eternal weight of Jesus' atoning death on the cross, and with the knowledge of the gospel never let shame and regret dictate your life. Who we were in the past is not who we are today, and who we are today is not who we will be tomorrow because through Christ we "have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator" (Colossians 3:9-10).
Pursue your faith, diligently put to death the things of the flesh, walk faithfully in the newness of Christ, and when shame and guilt start to reveal themselves, remember Jesus knows every detail of our story, and is not ashamed to call us brothers [and sisters] (Scott Thomas).
Love you guys.
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Purpose
"Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of Your name; deliver us, and atone for our sins, for Your name's sake!" - Psalms 79:9
2.5 years after the car crash. 2.5 years after the toughest trial our Father in heaven enabled me to learn how to walk through thus far. Until recently I lacked knowledge of the insights and truths God desired to teach me while lifting me from the chaotic tangle of metal. I allowed selfish bitterness, frustration, and anger to inhibit and separate me from experiencing the gracious love and freedom of our Creator expressed through His truth outlined in His gospel. But my Father, in His sovereign grace, continued to beckon me to His throne where a healing, peaceful, and victorious LOVE is found. Here, in the arms of my compassionate Savior, is where He taught me truth resounding far louder than the crunching of steel.
What I can do is not the point. It is not significant in this life whether or not I can jump into a frozen lake, climb rocks, run, play guitar, or a million other temporal things. I am not the point, it is sinful for me to walk this earth and proclaim, "LOOK at what I can DO!" No, it is about God, the Creator who knit me in my mothers womb, the Living God who blessed me with life and the physical ability to perform, the Alpha and Omega who breathes air in my lungs, and the perfect Savior who sacrificed Himself on the cross to forgive my wretched sins. And why did our God do all these things? For HIS glory! For HIS name's sake! Yes God is for us, yes God unconditionally loves us, and yes God provides for us, but we are not called to boast in our glory, but rather in the glory of God. God created us to enter into holy communion with Him through Jesus Christ for the praise of His infinite perfections and glory.
It does not matter if I can or cannot play the guitar, run, climb, or swim etc. on this side of eternity, and possibly our Creator, in His everlasting lovingkindness, will bless me with the ability to physically perform in the glorified body He provides when I pass from this life. I pray He does, but until then what can I do in this present situation? I can passionately seek to bring God's name glory in Christ through the disciplined study of His word and the obedient application of His word to my life. Our heavenly Father continually extends grace and love to us, far beyond what we deserve, and the least we can do is deny ourselves and live gospel-centered and God-focused lives in order to bring God glory.
This post is devoted to Jeremy, Ryan, and Dan Vangsnes, our Savior Jesus Christ shines through you all more than you know.
Love you guys.
2.5 years after the car crash. 2.5 years after the toughest trial our Father in heaven enabled me to learn how to walk through thus far. Until recently I lacked knowledge of the insights and truths God desired to teach me while lifting me from the chaotic tangle of metal. I allowed selfish bitterness, frustration, and anger to inhibit and separate me from experiencing the gracious love and freedom of our Creator expressed through His truth outlined in His gospel. But my Father, in His sovereign grace, continued to beckon me to His throne where a healing, peaceful, and victorious LOVE is found. Here, in the arms of my compassionate Savior, is where He taught me truth resounding far louder than the crunching of steel.
What I can do is not the point. It is not significant in this life whether or not I can jump into a frozen lake, climb rocks, run, play guitar, or a million other temporal things. I am not the point, it is sinful for me to walk this earth and proclaim, "LOOK at what I can DO!" No, it is about God, the Creator who knit me in my mothers womb, the Living God who blessed me with life and the physical ability to perform, the Alpha and Omega who breathes air in my lungs, and the perfect Savior who sacrificed Himself on the cross to forgive my wretched sins. And why did our God do all these things? For HIS glory! For HIS name's sake! Yes God is for us, yes God unconditionally loves us, and yes God provides for us, but we are not called to boast in our glory, but rather in the glory of God. God created us to enter into holy communion with Him through Jesus Christ for the praise of His infinite perfections and glory.
It does not matter if I can or cannot play the guitar, run, climb, or swim etc. on this side of eternity, and possibly our Creator, in His everlasting lovingkindness, will bless me with the ability to physically perform in the glorified body He provides when I pass from this life. I pray He does, but until then what can I do in this present situation? I can passionately seek to bring God's name glory in Christ through the disciplined study of His word and the obedient application of His word to my life. Our heavenly Father continually extends grace and love to us, far beyond what we deserve, and the least we can do is deny ourselves and live gospel-centered and God-focused lives in order to bring God glory.
This post is devoted to Jeremy, Ryan, and Dan Vangsnes, our Savior Jesus Christ shines through you all more than you know.
Love you guys.
Saturday, October 22, 2011
Adventure at Lake Solitude
Pondering deep thoughts continues tomorrow. Today I want to share a video from the summer of 2009 filmed at Grand Teton National Park. This awesome (yet I admit slightly stupid) video of jumping into a frozen lake is a great starting point for further thought and reflection I'll be exploring with you all tomorrow. Now I'll let the video due the rest of the talking...
Love you guys.
Love you guys.
Friday, October 21, 2011
Unsurpassed Beauty
"How can I stand here with you, and not be moved by You..." - Lifehouse
How quickly I forget the brilliant beauty of Christ's sacrifice on the cross amidst the raging storms of life. Oh to cast off the finite perspective of the flesh and proclaim to my Creator, "You're all I want, You're all I need!" Everything this side of eternity is insignificant compared to the eternal glory of our Father, and I want to feel a burning desperation for His holy love to saturate my soul. God, I am a selfish and wicked sinner saved only by Your sanctifying grace through Your FREE gift of faith in Your son Jesus; let Your gospel be a FIRE in my bones that cannot remained contained! Align my will, heart, and perspective to Yours. Let not my eyes focus on the circumstance surrounding me, but You, the "Living God in control of all my circumstances" (Spurgeon). Guide me into greater knowledge of Your Truth and the wisdom to apply it, and enable the greater knowledge in You to cultivate greater belief and greater trust in Your righteous sovereignty over my life. I am Yours, You bought me with a price, and I give myself to You.
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name.
Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our debts as we have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For Yours is the kingdom, the power, and the glory forever.
Amen.
How quickly I forget the brilliant beauty of Christ's sacrifice on the cross amidst the raging storms of life. Oh to cast off the finite perspective of the flesh and proclaim to my Creator, "You're all I want, You're all I need!" Everything this side of eternity is insignificant compared to the eternal glory of our Father, and I want to feel a burning desperation for His holy love to saturate my soul. God, I am a selfish and wicked sinner saved only by Your sanctifying grace through Your FREE gift of faith in Your son Jesus; let Your gospel be a FIRE in my bones that cannot remained contained! Align my will, heart, and perspective to Yours. Let not my eyes focus on the circumstance surrounding me, but You, the "Living God in control of all my circumstances" (Spurgeon). Guide me into greater knowledge of Your Truth and the wisdom to apply it, and enable the greater knowledge in You to cultivate greater belief and greater trust in Your righteous sovereignty over my life. I am Yours, You bought me with a price, and I give myself to You.
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name.
Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our debts as we have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For Yours is the kingdom, the power, and the glory forever.
Amen.
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Dry Wells do not Quench Thirst
Yes, preach the gospel to yourself. AND preach the gospel to the unreached. To do one without the other misses the point. - David Platt
Back in the summer of 2008 I was a counselor for Camp Ridgecrest near the beautiful town of Black Mountain, North Carolina. My first adventure of camp counseling, I approached the summer of discipleship and ministry with great expectations of the spiritual growth the campers and I would experience. Little did I know (some of you readers can testify to this) how physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually taxing fulfilling the role of camp counselor proved to be. Over the course of the eight week implementation of summer camp I grew weary, and struggled to portray Christ to the campers and fellow counselors.
What was the source of this apathetic lethargy? David Platt provided the answer in the quote above.
During the course of the summer at Camp Ridgecrest I focused intently on the well-being of the campers I served, but here lies the problem. Intent on creating an edifying experience for campers, I failed to set apart time to rest in the comforting and restorative embrace of my Lord and Savior. A dry well can't provide water to thirsty people. I needed to continually seek Christ, the Living Water, for fulfillment and the provision of love and truth before attempting to share Christ's gospel with the campers. Failing to abide in my Creator inhibited me from Christ-like service. Now thankfully God, in His sovereign will, overcame my weaknesses and orchestrated the summer for good and brought His name glory, but there is still a lesson to be learned.
We cannot grow and serve others separated from Christ. Jesus says "I am the vine; you are the branches" and "as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me" (John 15:5 and 4). No matter what our ministry and no matter what our intentions, we don't have the ability to expand God's kingdom separate from intimate communion with Jesus. Everyday make time for God. Talk with Him. Study His Word. Worship Him. And Christ will work mightily within, and through you.
Love you guys.
Back in the summer of 2008 I was a counselor for Camp Ridgecrest near the beautiful town of Black Mountain, North Carolina. My first adventure of camp counseling, I approached the summer of discipleship and ministry with great expectations of the spiritual growth the campers and I would experience. Little did I know (some of you readers can testify to this) how physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually taxing fulfilling the role of camp counselor proved to be. Over the course of the eight week implementation of summer camp I grew weary, and struggled to portray Christ to the campers and fellow counselors.
What was the source of this apathetic lethargy? David Platt provided the answer in the quote above.
During the course of the summer at Camp Ridgecrest I focused intently on the well-being of the campers I served, but here lies the problem. Intent on creating an edifying experience for campers, I failed to set apart time to rest in the comforting and restorative embrace of my Lord and Savior. A dry well can't provide water to thirsty people. I needed to continually seek Christ, the Living Water, for fulfillment and the provision of love and truth before attempting to share Christ's gospel with the campers. Failing to abide in my Creator inhibited me from Christ-like service. Now thankfully God, in His sovereign will, overcame my weaknesses and orchestrated the summer for good and brought His name glory, but there is still a lesson to be learned.
We cannot grow and serve others separated from Christ. Jesus says "I am the vine; you are the branches" and "as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me" (John 15:5 and 4). No matter what our ministry and no matter what our intentions, we don't have the ability to expand God's kingdom separate from intimate communion with Jesus. Everyday make time for God. Talk with Him. Study His Word. Worship Him. And Christ will work mightily within, and through you.
Love you guys.
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