- In Him we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins
- He is the image of the invisible God
- He is the first born of all creation
- By Him all things were created
- Through Him all things were created
- For Him all things were created
- He is before all things
- And in Him all things hold together
- He is the head of the church
- He is the beginning
- He is the first born of the dead
- In everything He is preeminent
- In Him the fullness of God dwells
- He reconciles all things to Himself
- He makes peace by the blood of His cross
from Colossians 1:14-20
Friday, June 6, 2008
15 magnificent truths about the Lord Jesus
Thursday, June 5, 2008
What is the gospel?
John Piper explains it this way:
1) A plan - "in accordance with the Scriptures" (v.3). All of the most important details of the last days of Jesus were written down hundreds of years before in the Old Testament. Jesus' sacrifice for our sins was not an afterthought. (1 Corinthians 15:1-5)
2) An event in history (v.3-5) - If Christ did not physically come and die then there is no gospel. Anybody who tries to make the gospel simply an inspirational story is nullifying it. (1 Corinthians 15:1-5)
3) An accomplishment through the event: Christ died for our sins. (1 Peter 2:24, 2 Cor 5:21, Rom 8:3, Isaiah 53:6, Phil 2:8)
Jesus died to demonstrate God's righteousness because he had passed over former sins (Romans 3:25). But nobody in America has this problem. Nobody wakes up with an all-consummig problem with why God can be so good to them when they don't deserve it.
The most difficult problem in the universe is not the problem of evil but the problem of grace. Unless Christ died for sinners, there is no just way for God to treat them well for eternity. Christ's death is the only way for God to remain both just and loving.
4) A free offer received by faith, not works. If the gospel was a gift given to those who first obeyed God, it would be no gospel at all.
5) An applicaton of what he accomplished to my personal life. When we believe the gospel we get forgiveness, justification, reconciliation, adoption, sanctification, and God himself. God is the gospel.
But there's a problem. We can't believe. We're totally depraved, remember? That's why the new covenent, promised in the Old Testament and enacted through Jesus' blood, is so precious. Not only does it offer forgiveness of sins, it also gives us faith to belive it. It is not a conditional covenant. It creates what it commands. (Jeremiah 31:13, 32:40; Ezekiel 11:19, 36)
6) An eternal and infinitely happy future enjoying the glory of God.
1) A plan - "in accordance with the Scriptures" (v.3). All of the most important details of the last days of Jesus were written down hundreds of years before in the Old Testament. Jesus' sacrifice for our sins was not an afterthought. (1 Corinthians 15:1-5)
2) An event in history (v.3-5) - If Christ did not physically come and die then there is no gospel. Anybody who tries to make the gospel simply an inspirational story is nullifying it. (1 Corinthians 15:1-5)
3) An accomplishment through the event: Christ died for our sins. (1 Peter 2:24, 2 Cor 5:21, Rom 8:3, Isaiah 53:6, Phil 2:8)
Jesus died to demonstrate God's righteousness because he had passed over former sins (Romans 3:25). But nobody in America has this problem. Nobody wakes up with an all-consummig problem with why God can be so good to them when they don't deserve it.
The most difficult problem in the universe is not the problem of evil but the problem of grace. Unless Christ died for sinners, there is no just way for God to treat them well for eternity. Christ's death is the only way for God to remain both just and loving.
4) A free offer received by faith, not works. If the gospel was a gift given to those who first obeyed God, it would be no gospel at all.
5) An applicaton of what he accomplished to my personal life. When we believe the gospel we get forgiveness, justification, reconciliation, adoption, sanctification, and God himself. God is the gospel.
But there's a problem. We can't believe. We're totally depraved, remember? That's why the new covenent, promised in the Old Testament and enacted through Jesus' blood, is so precious. Not only does it offer forgiveness of sins, it also gives us faith to belive it. It is not a conditional covenant. It creates what it commands. (Jeremiah 31:13, 32:40; Ezekiel 11:19, 36)
6) An eternal and infinitely happy future enjoying the glory of God.
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Principles for Bible reading
7 Questions to Ask Every Passage
1. Who is the author and who is his audience?
2. Why is the author writing and what is his burden for his audience?
3. How does this verse connect to the rest of the chapter and the book the whole storyline of the Bible?
4. What does the language of the passage highlight and draw attention to?
(e.g., parallels, word pictures, speciļ¬c details, repetitive words/phrases)
5. What does this reveal about the nature of God and the nature of mankind?
6. How does this passage reveal our need for a Savior and God's disposition to provide a Savior?
7. What response or action does this passage call for?
1. Who is the author and who is his audience?
2. Why is the author writing and what is his burden for his audience?
3. How does this verse connect to the rest of the chapter and the book the whole storyline of the Bible?
4. What does the language of the passage highlight and draw attention to?
(e.g., parallels, word pictures, speciļ¬c details, repetitive words/phrases)
5. What does this reveal about the nature of God and the nature of mankind?
6. How does this passage reveal our need for a Savior and God's disposition to provide a Savior?
7. What response or action does this passage call for?
New sod and REGENERATION
I took a picture of our yard and specifically the place where the grass is dead. As I was thinking about replacing this area of the yard with sod I was reminded of the doctrine of "regeneration". The grass is dead which means it has no life on its own. I could go down there all day and give a motivational speech and tell the grass something like this "grow, grow, grow, you can do it." But no matter if I preached, danced, sang or shouted the grass can't do anything because it is dead. This is just like you and me, in our unregenerated state, before the Holy Spirit acted on our hearts in order that we would REPENT and BELIEVE in the Lord Jesus. It amazes me the number of Christians that don't understand the word dead in Ephesians 2:1-"And you were dead in your trespasses and sins". This means no matter who, how, where or what was presented to you in terms of the gospel of Jesus Christ you were unable to hear, see or understand. But now look at the promise in Ezekiel 36:26-27 and what God says that He does to those whom He chooses for Himself.Ezek. 36:26 “Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.
Ezek. 36:27 “I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will be careful to observe My ordinances.
When a person is dead they have a heart of stone. Do you see the illustration and the point? They are hard and cold toward the Lord and His ways. But when God Himself places within them a heart of flesh that beats for Jesus, they go from death to life. Now back to the illustration of my yard today. The sod that is going down is like the heart of flesh. And it is replacing the dead grass which is like a heart of stone.
But as that sod is placed on the ground life will be in the grass where before there was death. Again there are so many reminders every day regarding the wonderful doctrines of God I thank Him for this one today for my life. Finally look the concluding thoughts from Eph. 2:4-5"
But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us,
even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved).
Why does God choose to regenerate some? Because of His great mercy.
How does God do this? Grace, grace, amazing grace!
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
God's sovereignty in marriage
ATTENTION MEN - ATTENTION MEN - ATTENTION MEN
I urge each man to listen carefully to this message from Paul Washer about God's sovereignty in marriage. It also contains some powerful teaching about the man's role and responsibility as the God ordained leader of the family. May I encourage you to listen and send this blog article to your married friends.
I urge each man to listen carefully to this message from Paul Washer about God's sovereignty in marriage. It also contains some powerful teaching about the man's role and responsibility as the God ordained leader of the family. May I encourage you to listen and send this blog article to your married friends.
Monday, June 2, 2008
Man registration classes
These classes are on a first come first serve basis so sign up now:
Class 1
How To Fill Up The Ice Cube Trays--Step by Step, with Slide Presentation.
Meets 4 weeks, Monday and Wednesday for 2 hours beginning at 7:00 PM.
Class 2
The Toilet Paper Roll--Does It Change Itself?
Round Table Discussion.
Meets 2 weeks, Saturday 12:00 for 2 hours.
Class 3
Is It Possible To "Tinkle" Using The Technique Of Lifting The Seat and Avoiding
The Floor, Walls and Nearby Bathtub?--Group Practice.
Meets 4 weeks, Saturday 10:00 PM for 2 hours.
Class 4
Fundamental Differences Between The Laundry Hamper and The Floor--Pictures and
Explanatory Graphics.
Meets Saturdays at 2:00 PM for 3 weeks.
Class 5
Dinner Dishes--Can They Levitate and Fly Into The Kitchen Sink?
Examples on Video.
Meets 4 weeks, Tuesday and Thursday for 2 hours beginning at 7:00 PM
Class 6
Loss Of Identity--Losing The Remote To Your Significant Other.
Help Line Support and Support Groups.
Meets 4 Weeks, Friday and Sunday 7:00 PM
Class 7
Learning How To Find Things--Starting With Looking In The Right Places And Not
Turning The House Upside Down While Screaming.
Open Forum
Monday at 8:00 PM, 2 hours.
Class 8
Health Watch--Bringing Her Flowers Is Not Harmful To Your Health.
Graphics and Audio Tapes.
Three nights; Monday, Wednesday, Friday at 7:00 PM for 2 hours.
Class 9
Real Men Ask For Directions When Lost--Real Life Testimonials.
Tuesdays at 6:00 PM Location to be determined
Class 10
Is it Genetically Impossible To Sit Quietly While She Parallel Parks?
Driving Simulations.
4 weeks, Saturday's noon, 2 hours.
Class 11
Learning to Live--Basic Differences Between Mother and Wife.
Online Classes and role-playing
Tuesdays at 7:00 PM, location to be determined
Class 12
How to be the Ideal Shopping Companion
Relaxation Exercises, Meditation, and Breathing Techniques.
Meets 4 weeks, Tuesday and Thursday for 2 hours beginning at 7:00 PM.
Class 13
How to Fight Cerebral Atrophy--Remembering Birthdays, Anniversaries, and Other
Important Dates and Calling When You're Going To Be Late.
Cerebral Shock Therapy Sessions and Full Lobotomies Offered.
Three nights; Monday, Wednesday, Friday at 7:00 PM for 2 hours.
Class 14
The Stove/Oven--What It Is and How It Is Used.
Live Demonstration.
Tuesdays at 6 :00 PM, location to be determined.
Upon completion of any of the above courses, diplomas will be issued to the
survivors.
Class 1
How To Fill Up The Ice Cube Trays--Step by Step, with Slide Presentation.
Meets 4 weeks, Monday and Wednesday for 2 hours beginning at 7:00 PM.
Class 2
The Toilet Paper Roll--Does It Change Itself?
Round Table Discussion.
Meets 2 weeks, Saturday 12:00 for 2 hours.
Class 3
Is It Possible To "Tinkle" Using The Technique Of Lifting The Seat and Avoiding
The Floor, Walls and Nearby Bathtub?--Group Practice.
Meets 4 weeks, Saturday 10:00 PM for 2 hours.
Class 4
Fundamental Differences Between The Laundry Hamper and The Floor--Pictures and
Explanatory Graphics.
Meets Saturdays at 2:00 PM for 3 weeks.
Class 5
Dinner Dishes--Can They Levitate and Fly Into The Kitchen Sink?
Examples on Video.
Meets 4 weeks, Tuesday and Thursday for 2 hours beginning at 7:00 PM
Class 6
Loss Of Identity--Losing The Remote To Your Significant Other.
Help Line Support and Support Groups.
Meets 4 Weeks, Friday and Sunday 7:00 PM
Class 7
Learning How To Find Things--Starting With Looking In The Right Places And Not
Turning The House Upside Down While Screaming.
Open Forum
Monday at 8:00 PM, 2 hours.
Class 8
Health Watch--Bringing Her Flowers Is Not Harmful To Your Health.
Graphics and Audio Tapes.
Three nights; Monday, Wednesday, Friday at 7:00 PM for 2 hours.
Class 9
Real Men Ask For Directions When Lost--Real Life Testimonials.
Tuesdays at 6:00 PM Location to be determined
Class 10
Is it Genetically Impossible To Sit Quietly While She Parallel Parks?
Driving Simulations.
4 weeks, Saturday's noon, 2 hours.
Class 11
Learning to Live--Basic Differences Between Mother and Wife.
Online Classes and role-playing
Tuesdays at 7:00 PM, location to be determined
Class 12
How to be the Ideal Shopping Companion
Relaxation Exercises, Meditation, and Breathing Techniques.
Meets 4 weeks, Tuesday and Thursday for 2 hours beginning at 7:00 PM.
Class 13
How to Fight Cerebral Atrophy--Remembering Birthdays, Anniversaries, and Other
Important Dates and Calling When You're Going To Be Late.
Cerebral Shock Therapy Sessions and Full Lobotomies Offered.
Three nights; Monday, Wednesday, Friday at 7:00 PM for 2 hours.
Class 14
The Stove/Oven--What It Is and How It Is Used.
Live Demonstration.
Tuesdays at 6 :00 PM, location to be determined.
Upon completion of any of the above courses, diplomas will be issued to the
survivors.
Study in Philippians
We have a great men's Bible study. Occasionally I share some of the notes on this blog site that I write to the guys as we study. Here is a recent note in regard to our study of Philippians Chapter 2:12-13. Hope you enjoy!
Hey guys,
We have arrived at Philippians 2:12-13:
Phil. 2:12 ¶ So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling;
Phil. 2:13 for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.
Last week we discussed that the key question to ask when we come to these verses is:
What is the believer's role in sanctification and what is God's role in sanctification?
And from last week we discussed:
It may be best described as follows:
1. The Christian is working out their life in Christ
2. And God is working in them
People over the years have thought that it means:
- work for you salvation
- work at your salvation
- work up your salvation
But we know that salvation is not by works but rather it is by faith.
Eph. 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;
Eph. 2:9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.
What does Paul mean when he says "work out" your own salvation.
This is a verb that is present tense and in the imperative mood. The Greek word for "work out" means to bring something to fulfillment, fullness or completion. Now put all this together, we are to continually be acting this way and God has given this to us as a command. So we have a command for sustained effort and diligence in working out what has been already planted within us.
The ancient Roman scholar Straybo (spelling?) who lived approximately 60 years prior to Christ wrote using this particular word "work out". Supposedly the Romans had silver mines located in Spain and he referred to the Romans as "working out" the mines. In other words the Romans were extracting from what was within and bringing it to the outside.
Therefore the Christian is to mine from their life all that God has deposited in this matter of salvation. As we mentioned yesterday this seems to be an indicator of a true Christian from a professing Christian, in that the fruit manifested on the outside is good because of what has been planted on the inside. (Matthew 7:17-18)
Christians are committed to working out their salvation to the point where what is on the inside (Christ in you the hope of glory) is manifested to others on the outside.
Questions for your consideration in the working out of your salvation:
How much on a weekly basis are you reading and studying the word of God?
Over 5 hours
3-5 hours
1-3 hours
less than 1 hour per week
Right now I am focused on the first half of this verse that is talking about YOU working out your own salvation. Keep in mind that when we talk of the word salvation it means:
Past
Present
Future
But I am specifically talking about the present day to day living of your Christian life.
Guys I have conducted surveys in small group in regard to personal Bible reading and study. Do you know what might own survey statistics indicate? Most people spend less than 1 hour per week on reading and study time. Now between the two genders who do you think graded out higher? Well if you guess women you would be right. But who is supposed to be leading the family spiritually? Yes, the answer to that question is the men. Now do you see the dilemma that we are facing as Christians in America? Because the men are so busy providing lifestyle for their families, they have very little meaningful Bible reading, study and prayer time. Is this what Paul meant in Philippians 2:12 when he says "work out your on salvation." Do you think he meant whenever you can squeeze God into your active lifestyle then read a couple of verses, pray a quick prayer say Amen and then go live your life?
Let me give you an illustration that is close to home for all of us. Phil Clark recently went through a painful process in regard to identity theft. Phil, do you remember the priority that this occupied in your life over the weeks to follow? How many phone calls, emails, travel miles and personal hours you spent to get this problem resolved in your life? I remember talking to you on the phone at one point and you said that it had basically consumed your whole week. Now just move that illustration from what happened to Phil into the lives of most Christians that live in America. And what has happened to them is the precious theft of God Himself, and His word that has been stolen from them due to culture and desire for lifestyle. But unfortunately it doesn't keep us up at night, nor are we devoting our time, effort and energy toward being sure that it isn't stolen from us. We just gradually get into a casual, luke warm relationship with Christ. Guys if we really knew what was at stake here from the standpoint of eternity, then Phil's identity theft would look like a grain of sand compared to the Rockie Mountains. And Phil please know that I am in no way minimizing what happened to you in this particular situation. My point is that something much more important is at stake than our credit rating and it is our spiritual rating with King Jesus!
Will we be as diligent, serious, all consumed, passionate and intensely focused on His word and His will for our lives as we are other things? Is the Lord Jesus getting center stage in your life or is He pushed off to the side while you get on with the other important things in your life? Fellows please listen to me on this, Christ is not to be part of your life, He is your life!
Here are 5 questions to ask as you read and study the Bible in the working out of your salvation:
1. What is God saying to me? This is such a critical part of Bible meditation. As you prepare your heart by confessing any known sin and then ask God by His Spirit to guide and reveal truth to you, get into the habit of just listening. Do you remember the words of our Lord Jesus in Matthew 13:13 - "and while hearing they do not hear." Jesus was talking to those with hard hearts. Maybe it would be good to evaluate what you are hearing in your quiet time with Jesus. If you aren't hearing what He is saying then check your heart.
2. What am I saying to God? I find this to be especially helpful to me when I come across hard verses that command me to do things I don't want to do. Nancy and I got into an intense Christian discussion on Saturday night. Oh by the way, Christian discussion is code word for an argument or a fight but doesn't discussion sound so much better? Anyway, I did my usual move of defending and deflecting back onto Nancy that she was in fact the problem and not me. I threw a couple of hand grenades and shortly thereafter we brought out the scud missiles When we attended church together on Sunday the message was on "How do you handle your anger?" The text preached on was from Ephesians 4:26-27 "BE ANGRY, AND yet DO NOT SIN; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and do not give the devil an opportunity." Can you imagine what I said to God after the previous night with Nancy? Yes, Lord once again your word convicts me and I have gotten angry to the point where I did sin. Please forgive me and work in me to be the kind of husband that will love Nancy like you love me. Yes, God was talking clearly to me but it is important to examine what we are saying back to God.
3. What verses do I need to memorize or study in more detail?
I don't need to give more information about the importance of Bible memory. But let me make this one suggestion. When you come across a promise that speaks loudly to you then memorize it. For example Philippians 1:6 is a verse that we need to have in our memory quiver - "For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus." Isn't this a wonderful promise? What God demands from you He freely gives to you! For example He demands obedience, holiness and service from you but it is God Himself who is the One effecting all that in you. Actually this is a principle that we will study more next week when we come to Philippians 2:13.
4. What principles apply to my life right now? We are on a principle at the moment of working out our salvation. Therefore since this is a principle that applies to my life and the life of other Christians how is this happening. Guys this may be a good time to discuss how you are working out your salvation in terms of:
- Bible study
- Prayer
- Financial giving
- Serving consistent with your spiritual gift
Each of you have full time jobs that require much time and energy. So how are you able to devote yourselves to these critical principles of the Christian life?
5. What truths that we are studying on a weekly basis are you sharing with others in your sphere of influence? Guys you could take these five questions and sit down with your wives or email you kids and challenge them to take a serious look at their Christian lives.
During the week, who do you talk to, who do you share spiritual truth with, are you on the phone, emailing or doing so a breakfast, lunch or dinner? These are not truths that we are just trying to learn but in learning we want to live them out in a way that Christ is demonstrated as great. Guys you could spend months working on Philippians 2:12-13 with those in your family.
The bottom line of our study time this morning is this question:
Are you working out your own salvation?
Guys, please ask yourself this and search your heart for an honest answer and then do this go and ask your wives. This person closest to you will be the one who can tell you best as to how you are working out your salvation. Obviously each of us have blind spots but others around us can look at our lives objectively. After you ask your wife then go to your kids. I would like to be with you this morning to ask "how do you think they will respond" and then to be there to find out "how they actually do respond." But guys this is where the rubber meets the road in the Christian life.
I have a recent example of a couple that Nancy and I have known for years. They have been in church and if you talked to them about their Christian faith they would have all the right answers and Bible verses. But when you get behind the doors of the home you see something much different. There is anger, resentment, pride and ongoing sin issues to the point that I don't see a working out of salvation. If you think I am judging them understand the Lord Jesus Himself told us to be fruit inspectors. If the fruit is not good then this means that the tree is bad. Please don't forget the words of the Lord Jesus in Matthew 7:21-23
"Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter.
"Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?'
"And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.'
Do you need a greater motivation than the above verses to have you consider what Paul is saying in Philippians 2:12 and that is "work out your own salvation."
Blessings,
Hey guys,
We have arrived at Philippians 2:12-13:
Phil. 2:12 ¶ So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling;
Phil. 2:13 for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.
Last week we discussed that the key question to ask when we come to these verses is:
What is the believer's role in sanctification and what is God's role in sanctification?
And from last week we discussed:
It may be best described as follows:
1. The Christian is working out their life in Christ
2. And God is working in them
People over the years have thought that it means:
- work for you salvation
- work at your salvation
- work up your salvation
But we know that salvation is not by works but rather it is by faith.
Eph. 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;
Eph. 2:9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.
What does Paul mean when he says "work out" your own salvation.
This is a verb that is present tense and in the imperative mood. The Greek word for "work out" means to bring something to fulfillment, fullness or completion. Now put all this together, we are to continually be acting this way and God has given this to us as a command. So we have a command for sustained effort and diligence in working out what has been already planted within us.
The ancient Roman scholar Straybo (spelling?) who lived approximately 60 years prior to Christ wrote using this particular word "work out". Supposedly the Romans had silver mines located in Spain and he referred to the Romans as "working out" the mines. In other words the Romans were extracting from what was within and bringing it to the outside.
Therefore the Christian is to mine from their life all that God has deposited in this matter of salvation. As we mentioned yesterday this seems to be an indicator of a true Christian from a professing Christian, in that the fruit manifested on the outside is good because of what has been planted on the inside. (Matthew 7:17-18)
Christians are committed to working out their salvation to the point where what is on the inside (Christ in you the hope of glory) is manifested to others on the outside.
Questions for your consideration in the working out of your salvation:
How much on a weekly basis are you reading and studying the word of God?
Over 5 hours
3-5 hours
1-3 hours
less than 1 hour per week
Right now I am focused on the first half of this verse that is talking about YOU working out your own salvation. Keep in mind that when we talk of the word salvation it means:
Past
Present
Future
But I am specifically talking about the present day to day living of your Christian life.
Guys I have conducted surveys in small group in regard to personal Bible reading and study. Do you know what might own survey statistics indicate? Most people spend less than 1 hour per week on reading and study time. Now between the two genders who do you think graded out higher? Well if you guess women you would be right. But who is supposed to be leading the family spiritually? Yes, the answer to that question is the men. Now do you see the dilemma that we are facing as Christians in America? Because the men are so busy providing lifestyle for their families, they have very little meaningful Bible reading, study and prayer time. Is this what Paul meant in Philippians 2:12 when he says "work out your on salvation." Do you think he meant whenever you can squeeze God into your active lifestyle then read a couple of verses, pray a quick prayer say Amen and then go live your life?
Let me give you an illustration that is close to home for all of us. Phil Clark recently went through a painful process in regard to identity theft. Phil, do you remember the priority that this occupied in your life over the weeks to follow? How many phone calls, emails, travel miles and personal hours you spent to get this problem resolved in your life? I remember talking to you on the phone at one point and you said that it had basically consumed your whole week. Now just move that illustration from what happened to Phil into the lives of most Christians that live in America. And what has happened to them is the precious theft of God Himself, and His word that has been stolen from them due to culture and desire for lifestyle. But unfortunately it doesn't keep us up at night, nor are we devoting our time, effort and energy toward being sure that it isn't stolen from us. We just gradually get into a casual, luke warm relationship with Christ. Guys if we really knew what was at stake here from the standpoint of eternity, then Phil's identity theft would look like a grain of sand compared to the Rockie Mountains. And Phil please know that I am in no way minimizing what happened to you in this particular situation. My point is that something much more important is at stake than our credit rating and it is our spiritual rating with King Jesus!
Will we be as diligent, serious, all consumed, passionate and intensely focused on His word and His will for our lives as we are other things? Is the Lord Jesus getting center stage in your life or is He pushed off to the side while you get on with the other important things in your life? Fellows please listen to me on this, Christ is not to be part of your life, He is your life!
Here are 5 questions to ask as you read and study the Bible in the working out of your salvation:
1. What is God saying to me? This is such a critical part of Bible meditation. As you prepare your heart by confessing any known sin and then ask God by His Spirit to guide and reveal truth to you, get into the habit of just listening. Do you remember the words of our Lord Jesus in Matthew 13:13 - "and while hearing they do not hear." Jesus was talking to those with hard hearts. Maybe it would be good to evaluate what you are hearing in your quiet time with Jesus. If you aren't hearing what He is saying then check your heart.
2. What am I saying to God? I find this to be especially helpful to me when I come across hard verses that command me to do things I don't want to do. Nancy and I got into an intense Christian discussion on Saturday night. Oh by the way, Christian discussion is code word for an argument or a fight but doesn't discussion sound so much better? Anyway, I did my usual move of defending and deflecting back onto Nancy that she was in fact the problem and not me. I threw a couple of hand grenades and shortly thereafter we brought out the scud missiles When we attended church together on Sunday the message was on "How do you handle your anger?" The text preached on was from Ephesians 4:26-27 "BE ANGRY, AND yet DO NOT SIN; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and do not give the devil an opportunity." Can you imagine what I said to God after the previous night with Nancy? Yes, Lord once again your word convicts me and I have gotten angry to the point where I did sin. Please forgive me and work in me to be the kind of husband that will love Nancy like you love me. Yes, God was talking clearly to me but it is important to examine what we are saying back to God.
3. What verses do I need to memorize or study in more detail?
I don't need to give more information about the importance of Bible memory. But let me make this one suggestion. When you come across a promise that speaks loudly to you then memorize it. For example Philippians 1:6 is a verse that we need to have in our memory quiver - "For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus." Isn't this a wonderful promise? What God demands from you He freely gives to you! For example He demands obedience, holiness and service from you but it is God Himself who is the One effecting all that in you. Actually this is a principle that we will study more next week when we come to Philippians 2:13.
4. What principles apply to my life right now? We are on a principle at the moment of working out our salvation. Therefore since this is a principle that applies to my life and the life of other Christians how is this happening. Guys this may be a good time to discuss how you are working out your salvation in terms of:
- Bible study
- Prayer
- Financial giving
- Serving consistent with your spiritual gift
Each of you have full time jobs that require much time and energy. So how are you able to devote yourselves to these critical principles of the Christian life?
5. What truths that we are studying on a weekly basis are you sharing with others in your sphere of influence? Guys you could take these five questions and sit down with your wives or email you kids and challenge them to take a serious look at their Christian lives.
During the week, who do you talk to, who do you share spiritual truth with, are you on the phone, emailing or doing so a breakfast, lunch or dinner? These are not truths that we are just trying to learn but in learning we want to live them out in a way that Christ is demonstrated as great. Guys you could spend months working on Philippians 2:12-13 with those in your family.
The bottom line of our study time this morning is this question:
Are you working out your own salvation?
Guys, please ask yourself this and search your heart for an honest answer and then do this go and ask your wives. This person closest to you will be the one who can tell you best as to how you are working out your salvation. Obviously each of us have blind spots but others around us can look at our lives objectively. After you ask your wife then go to your kids. I would like to be with you this morning to ask "how do you think they will respond" and then to be there to find out "how they actually do respond." But guys this is where the rubber meets the road in the Christian life.
I have a recent example of a couple that Nancy and I have known for years. They have been in church and if you talked to them about their Christian faith they would have all the right answers and Bible verses. But when you get behind the doors of the home you see something much different. There is anger, resentment, pride and ongoing sin issues to the point that I don't see a working out of salvation. If you think I am judging them understand the Lord Jesus Himself told us to be fruit inspectors. If the fruit is not good then this means that the tree is bad. Please don't forget the words of the Lord Jesus in Matthew 7:21-23
"Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter.
"Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?'
"And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.'
Do you need a greater motivation than the above verses to have you consider what Paul is saying in Philippians 2:12 and that is "work out your own salvation."
Blessings,
The book of Job
In my Bible reading plan for the year I have just completed the book of Job. For those of you who would like a quick overview of how to read this book I am including this audio clip by Dr. John Piper.
Sunday, June 1, 2008
Never, Never, Never Give Up!
"Surely the arm of the Lord is not too short to save!" (Isaiah 59:1)
"Let us learn never to despair of the salvation of anyone—as long as he lives. Fathers ought never to despair of prodigal sons. Mothers ought never to despair of self-willed, headstrong daughters. Husbands should never despair of wives, nor wives of husbands. There is nothing impossible with God. The arm of grace is very long, and can reach those who seem very far off. Let us pray on, and hope on, for others—however unlikely their salvation may appear to be at present. The Holy Spirit can change any heart! The blood of Christ can cleanse away any sin! We shall see many in heaven, whom we never expected to see there.Grimshaw, the famous pastor of Yorkshire, when he died, left his only son unconverted, careless, thoughtless, and indifferent to true religion. The day came when the young man’s heart was changed, and he walked in the steps of his holy father. And when he lay upon his deathbed, one of his last words was, "What will my old father say—when he sees me in heaven!" —J. C. Ryle (1816-1900)
"Let us learn never to despair of the salvation of anyone—as long as he lives. Fathers ought never to despair of prodigal sons. Mothers ought never to despair of self-willed, headstrong daughters. Husbands should never despair of wives, nor wives of husbands. There is nothing impossible with God. The arm of grace is very long, and can reach those who seem very far off. Let us pray on, and hope on, for others—however unlikely their salvation may appear to be at present. The Holy Spirit can change any heart! The blood of Christ can cleanse away any sin! We shall see many in heaven, whom we never expected to see there.Grimshaw, the famous pastor of Yorkshire, when he died, left his only son unconverted, careless, thoughtless, and indifferent to true religion. The day came when the young man’s heart was changed, and he walked in the steps of his holy father. And when he lay upon his deathbed, one of his last words was, "What will my old father say—when he sees me in heaven!" —J. C. Ryle (1816-1900)
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