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.
Sunday, December 4, 2011
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.
Make Disciples
In Matthew 28:19 Jesus commands the disciples (and us) to make disciples of all nations. Faced with this intimidating task, we ask, "How can I do it?" First, we need to be reminded we don't do anything in regards to leading people to profess Christ's lordship over their lives because faith does not rest in the wisdom of man but in the power of God (1 Corinthians 2:5). Christ's transforming power and His power alone through the Holy Spirit lifts the veil off of an individual's eyes, nothing else. Following this train of thought, one might ask, "If God is the only one who can lead sinners to His saving grace through Christ, then why doesn't He simply show up on earth in all His glory and make disciples Himself?" C.S. Lewis addresses this question in Mere Christianity.
C.S. Lewis states God is delaying His invasion of humanity because "He wants to give us the chance of joining His side freely." C.S. Lewis goes on to wander if "people who ask God to interfere openly and directly in our world quite realize what it will be like when He does. When that happens, it is the end of the world. When the author walks on stage the play is over." God arriving "without disguise" will be "so overwhelming that it will strike either irresistible love or irresistible horror into every creature. It will be too late then to choose your side...[but rather] discover which side we have really chosen" (C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity).
While "God is holding back" the display of His almighty holiness, righteousness, and glory here on earth we must press on through Christ to make disciples of all nations (C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity). We must present ourselves as a "living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God" to be used by Him to proclaim His gospel of love (Romans 12:1). Seek and abide in Christ. He has already prepared the way for us to make disciples for His glory, now we just need to follow obediently. And do no be discouraged to proclaim the gospel because of your perceived inefficiencies and weakness for Paul states in 2 Corinthians 12:9 that Christ's power is made perfect in weakness. God's sovereign will is going to be implemented and completed because He said it would. So let us as His sons and daughters rest in His promises, and follow Him.
C.S. Lewis states God is delaying His invasion of humanity because "He wants to give us the chance of joining His side freely." C.S. Lewis goes on to wander if "people who ask God to interfere openly and directly in our world quite realize what it will be like when He does. When that happens, it is the end of the world. When the author walks on stage the play is over." God arriving "without disguise" will be "so overwhelming that it will strike either irresistible love or irresistible horror into every creature. It will be too late then to choose your side...[but rather] discover which side we have really chosen" (C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity).
While "God is holding back" the display of His almighty holiness, righteousness, and glory here on earth we must press on through Christ to make disciples of all nations (C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity). We must present ourselves as a "living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God" to be used by Him to proclaim His gospel of love (Romans 12:1). Seek and abide in Christ. He has already prepared the way for us to make disciples for His glory, now we just need to follow obediently. And do no be discouraged to proclaim the gospel because of your perceived inefficiencies and weakness for Paul states in 2 Corinthians 12:9 that Christ's power is made perfect in weakness. God's sovereign will is going to be implemented and completed because He said it would. So let us as His sons and daughters rest in His promises, and follow Him.
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Come to the Table
"For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death till He comes. Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord." - 1 Corinthians 11:26-27
John MacArthur explains the truth of the Lord's Supper spoken through the Apostle Paul in these words:
When the individual members of the Church partake in the service of communion, the gospel of Christ's physical incarnation, sacrificial death, resurrection, and the coming kingdom is presented. So, when we approach communion ritualistically and indifferently with an unrepentant heart, spirit of bitterness, or other ungodly attitude, we dishonor the ceremony of communion and the body and blood of Christ our savior by treating lightly the gracious sacrifice of His death on the cross for our sins.
We (myself included first of all) often struggle with approaching the table of communion with both a repentant heart and full knowledge of the gospel we are experiencing in through faith in Christ. Quickly our gospel-centered thoughts elude us when we prepare to take communion as the responsibilities, worries, and desires we think we need to address during the day bombard our minds. Failing to push our earthly thoughts aside, we fail to grasp the extent of God's grace, love, forgiveness, hope, and glory we can share in through faith in Christ as our lord and savior.
In the words of C.S. Lewis from Mere Christianity, when approaching the table of communion let us, "shove them (our wishes, hopes, fussings, and frettings of the day) back; and listen to that other voice, take that other point of view, let that other larger, stronger, and quieter life come flowing in." Abide in the truth of God's everlasting love for you, focus on the supreme and complete beauty of Christ's willingness to become completely separated from God's presence on the cross for your sins, so that you may have life through Him. Humbly recognize that you were a sinner, an enemy of God almighty, and the only reason you are righteous and holy in the Living God's eyes is through Christ, His son, imputing His own righteousness and holiness to you through paying the full penalty of your sins on the cross. Our worries and hopes for the day are insignificant in comparison to the glory of God. So lets focus on God's amazing love and grace for our lives before we take communion, and then lets approach Him with a repentant heart as we stand in awe of the miraculous display of love we are remembering when partaking in communion, and bask in the holiness of our Creator.
Love you guys.
John MacArthur explains the truth of the Lord's Supper spoken through the Apostle Paul in these words:
When the individual members of the Church partake in the service of communion, the gospel of Christ's physical incarnation, sacrificial death, resurrection, and the coming kingdom is presented. So, when we approach communion ritualistically and indifferently with an unrepentant heart, spirit of bitterness, or other ungodly attitude, we dishonor the ceremony of communion and the body and blood of Christ our savior by treating lightly the gracious sacrifice of His death on the cross for our sins.
We (myself included first of all) often struggle with approaching the table of communion with both a repentant heart and full knowledge of the gospel we are experiencing in through faith in Christ. Quickly our gospel-centered thoughts elude us when we prepare to take communion as the responsibilities, worries, and desires we think we need to address during the day bombard our minds. Failing to push our earthly thoughts aside, we fail to grasp the extent of God's grace, love, forgiveness, hope, and glory we can share in through faith in Christ as our lord and savior.
In the words of C.S. Lewis from Mere Christianity, when approaching the table of communion let us, "shove them (our wishes, hopes, fussings, and frettings of the day) back; and listen to that other voice, take that other point of view, let that other larger, stronger, and quieter life come flowing in." Abide in the truth of God's everlasting love for you, focus on the supreme and complete beauty of Christ's willingness to become completely separated from God's presence on the cross for your sins, so that you may have life through Him. Humbly recognize that you were a sinner, an enemy of God almighty, and the only reason you are righteous and holy in the Living God's eyes is through Christ, His son, imputing His own righteousness and holiness to you through paying the full penalty of your sins on the cross. Our worries and hopes for the day are insignificant in comparison to the glory of God. So lets focus on God's amazing love and grace for our lives before we take communion, and then lets approach Him with a repentant heart as we stand in awe of the miraculous display of love we are remembering when partaking in communion, and bask in the holiness of our Creator.
Love you guys.
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