Why do we feel like we move past the Gospel at a certain point in our spiritual growth (to focus on programs or strategies)? It's foolishness. The Gospel is our spiritual growth. It is our faith. To move past the Gospel is to move past our faith - and create something of our own.
And yet, for so many years, if someone asked me what the Gospel was, I'm not sure I could have quickly or confidently answered. Of course I've read the four gospels in the New Testament. Of course I know that Jesus came to die for our sins so that we could have eternal salvation with Him. But if someone asked me what it was, I would have had to stop and think about it. How would I explain it?
The Gospel is the story of God's love and redemption for mankind.
To start with the fact that Jesus came and died for our sins is kind of like starting in the middle of a book to explain a storyline. It won't really make sense because you're missing the first part of the story - the backstory. So what is the backstory of the Gospel?
Genesis. God created us for worship of and fellowship with Him. Man's sin was choosing a path that was against God's will. (We continue to do this every day.) That sin separated mankind from God - because He is Holy. Immediately, God prepared a way for us to return back to Him. He taught and guided Israel (His people) through laws and through saving moments (like the Exodus). He promised for hundreds of years that He would make a light for the nations; that His salvation would reach to the ends of the earth (Isaiah 49:6). God's people waited and waited for the Redeemer. That's the backstory.
Why do we leave this out? Why do we leave out that God is just? Why do we leave out the importance of and reason for a Redeemer? Without that backstory, there are so many questions unanswered about the cross.
Jesus came as the light of the world; the salvation for all people. Jesus is the Redeemer. Jesus is the way to the Father and life, both here and when we pass on. Jesus is what the entire Old Testament points to. He has come. He has overcome death and sin for those who believe in Him. Not just believe that He came, but that He is who He says He is - which has much deeper implications than "I know Jesus is the Son of God because that's what someone told me." Salvation is for those who follow Him.
In Jesus' coming to earth is the Gospel. In Jesus' life and ministry is the Gospel. In Jesus' death is the Gospel. In Jesus' resurrection is the Gospel. In the Gospel is the transformation of those who believe.
The Gospel is rich. So rich that it takes a lifetime of exploration and still there is more. Never move past the Gospel.
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Friday, December 23, 2011
"You Follow Me!"
John 21:17-22 (Jesus and Peter)
He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, "Do you love me?" and he said to him, "Lord, you know everything, you know that I love you." Jesus said to him, "Feed my sheep. Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk whereever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go." (This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this he said to him, "Follow me."
Peter turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them, the one who had been reclining at table close to him and had said, "Lord, who is it that is going to betray you?" When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, "Lord, what about this man?" Jesus said to him, "If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!"
Such a personal, intimate moment with Christ. Jesus gives Peter the opportunity to redeem himself by declaring his love for him three times after he had denied him three times. Jesus tells Peter the death he will suffer - he is crucified upside down for his faith. And when Peter tries to deflect or compare his journey to that of another, Jesus tells him not to worry about the path of another - Peter is to follow Jesus. Period.
After allowing Peter to redeem himself, Jesus moves on to business, so to speak. As though to say, Now that that's resolved, let's move forward. All is forgiven and now back to your journey, Peter. The next thing he tells him is that at the end of his earthly journey he will suffer an awful death - another will dress you, lead you where you do not want to go, there you will stretch out your arms and die. Then, he simply adds, "Follow me." Follow Jesus to the cross. Continue to follow Jesus all the days of your life now that you better understand what that means - just as He first called you, He calls you still (John 1:35-42).
So similar to the way we respond to tough news, Peter wants to know about the journey of another. Is someone else besides me going to suffer? Will I do this alone? Why doesn't Joe over there have to do it? Jesus' response is plain - my plans for another is irrelevant. You follow me. How often do we compare our journey with that of another. We think it's unfair to have to suffer when another does not. Yet we don't know what lies ahead for that person either. Jesus doesn't address the fact that John would also suffer an awful death. That's not the thing Peter, or we, should be focusing on. If we suffer when another does not, or before the other one does, it does not change the reason for our journey, our daily focus, or the meditation of our heart. Certainly dwelling on the plight of another does not help us get through our suffering.
Our purpose for living, for the way we live day to day, and even as we prepare for death is Christ. Period.
"You follow me!"
He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, "Do you love me?" and he said to him, "Lord, you know everything, you know that I love you." Jesus said to him, "Feed my sheep. Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk whereever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go." (This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this he said to him, "Follow me."
Peter turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them, the one who had been reclining at table close to him and had said, "Lord, who is it that is going to betray you?" When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, "Lord, what about this man?" Jesus said to him, "If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!"
Such a personal, intimate moment with Christ. Jesus gives Peter the opportunity to redeem himself by declaring his love for him three times after he had denied him three times. Jesus tells Peter the death he will suffer - he is crucified upside down for his faith. And when Peter tries to deflect or compare his journey to that of another, Jesus tells him not to worry about the path of another - Peter is to follow Jesus. Period.
After allowing Peter to redeem himself, Jesus moves on to business, so to speak. As though to say, Now that that's resolved, let's move forward. All is forgiven and now back to your journey, Peter. The next thing he tells him is that at the end of his earthly journey he will suffer an awful death - another will dress you, lead you where you do not want to go, there you will stretch out your arms and die. Then, he simply adds, "Follow me." Follow Jesus to the cross. Continue to follow Jesus all the days of your life now that you better understand what that means - just as He first called you, He calls you still (John 1:35-42).
So similar to the way we respond to tough news, Peter wants to know about the journey of another. Is someone else besides me going to suffer? Will I do this alone? Why doesn't Joe over there have to do it? Jesus' response is plain - my plans for another is irrelevant. You follow me. How often do we compare our journey with that of another. We think it's unfair to have to suffer when another does not. Yet we don't know what lies ahead for that person either. Jesus doesn't address the fact that John would also suffer an awful death. That's not the thing Peter, or we, should be focusing on. If we suffer when another does not, or before the other one does, it does not change the reason for our journey, our daily focus, or the meditation of our heart. Certainly dwelling on the plight of another does not help us get through our suffering.
Our purpose for living, for the way we live day to day, and even as we prepare for death is Christ. Period.
"You follow me!"
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
The Sound of the Saints
One of my favorite sounds is the sound of the congregation singing worship on Sunday mornings. Quite honestly, I used to be more critical than sentimental about it. I used to be distracted by someone singing off key near me. However, off key or on I now so love the sound of God's children lifting their voices to praise and worship Him.
I imagine us all before the throne, giving thanks to our King and Redeemer. I imagine the light of His glory pouring over us - those whom He has drawn near Him and loved. After the trials and tribulations of this world are behind us, we will forever sing His praise and worship with joy overflowing.
How I love the sound of God's children singing worship - for the glimpse it gives me of the promise that lies ahead.
I imagine us all before the throne, giving thanks to our King and Redeemer. I imagine the light of His glory pouring over us - those whom He has drawn near Him and loved. After the trials and tribulations of this world are behind us, we will forever sing His praise and worship with joy overflowing.
How I love the sound of God's children singing worship - for the glimpse it gives me of the promise that lies ahead.
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
The world that doesn’t revolve around Jen…
In one breath, I’ll tell myself that though I struggle with pride, like everyone does in one way or another, I am compassionate and looking for ways to build other up. Then in the next breath I will be annoyed with something that someone does or frustrated at the way something has impacted me. Telltale signs of pride – when it’s about me. Something I don’t like…the way something made me feel. And for that moment, the world revolves around me.
Could I truly call myself meek or gentle spirited? Not truly. At times? Yes. In certain moments? Yes. To the core of my being? No. No way. I so desire it, but I feel that I am so far from it.
One night this weekend, as I was feeling like a complete failure, I read in Psalms 51. How I love Psalm 51. Here’s a taste:
1Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love;
according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions.
2Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin!
according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions.
2Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin!
3For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me.
4Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight,
so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment.
5Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me.
6Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being, and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart.
4Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight,
so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment.
5Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me.
6Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being, and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart.
……
10Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
11Cast me not away from you presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me.
12Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.
11Cast me not away from you presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me.
12Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.
All weekend I prayed, “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within in me.” Only He can change me through and through from the inside out. It is exhausting to put on a face or to “fake it until you feel it.” I am looking for a clean heart as it is transformed by God and a right spirit by God’s grace. Oh, God, please!
I know the wonders that God performs in people’s lives. I have seen it in others and in me. In order to be truly transformed into a gentle spirit, I need God’s hand on it. No level of performance will do. I am what I am by God’s grace and increasingly so as time passes.
Thursday, July 21, 2011
The (real) Body of Christ: the fullness of Him
I continue to make my way through Ephesians. I’m in a new Bible (new translation) so it makes it all a bit fresher for me, which is always a good thing. We should never become complacent in the Word of God. The passage I am looking at is Ephesians 1:22-23
22And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church, 23which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.
This passage is very convicting to me. We have cheapened the term “Body of Christ.” We have made it an earthly thing. But Ephesians tells us that He is the head – not just the One to consult from time to time. (I’m obviously generalizing a bit.) The Church is meant to be His body! This should not be taken lightly!
It reminded me of the passage about greater things coming after Christ has left this world.
Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I go to the Father.John 14:12
He’s telling of the Holy Spirit’s work in and through us – for salvation and to reach to the ends of the world.
Through the Holy Spirit, our Helper, Christ then moves through people, through cultures, through the world for His plan and purposes. It’s a powerful picture. The fact that Christ himself tells us, “it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you…” should give us pause. We should give infinite value to the Holy Spirit. Through the Holy Spirit, we are truly the Body of Christ; truly his representatives or ambassadors.
The representatives we appoint in government are held with the expectation that they are to perform for the well-being of those whom they represent. They are to vote as directed, as the people wish. Of course, politics is an extremely flawed system to use, but you get the picture. They are to perform for those whom they represent, not by their own opinions or feelings. And if they don’t represent the people in the way the people like, they will replace that politician.
In faith, we are representatives – ambassadors of Christ as 2 Corinthians 5:20 tells us.
Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us…
If we are truly Christ’s ambassadors, then our actions should be in the best interest of the Kingdom…to give glory to God, not based on our own opinions or feelings. As a Church, are we doing a good job at that? My answer is plainly this – thank God for grace and mercy.
We cannot do this on our own. Only through the Holy Spirit can we be changed. Only through yielding to Him and seeking Him can our hearts be transformed and our characters representative of Christ himself. Only with His Spirit in us, guiding us, can we in all outward ways truly be Christ.
Ephesians 1:7-9 says it beautifully
7In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses according to the riches of His grace 8which He lavished on us. In all wisdom and insight 9He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him.
7In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses according to the riches of His grace 8which He lavished on us. In all wisdom and insight 9He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him.
It is all possible only in and through Him. Our salvation is entirely through Him. Any knowledge or understanding we have is completely through Him revealing Himself to us. So if we are not deeply rooted in Him – not the pastor, church or anyone else, but in Him – then we need to double check exactly whose ambassador we are. The Body of Christ is not a building – it is those believers rooted in Him.
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
When Words are Not Enough
My grandma has been sick for quite awhile. She's been in and out of the hospital since September - battling her third round of breast cancer. Since September, for every step she has taken forwards, she has taken ten backwards. At this point, it's possible that she could pass this week or next.
She lives in Colorado, so it's not easy to go see her - being that I work full-time and have a three year old. I went to visit in September when she went in the hospital. The question I constantly ask myself is, "How will I feel about this in five or ten years?" I want to be there for her and my mom and aunt, but I know there is nothing I can do. I want my Nana to know I love her, am praying for her and that she's constantly on my mind, but the doctors have pretty much asked people not to visit her because it drains her at a time when she desperately needs her sleep. What I want so badly to do is to sit next to her, hold her hand and sing to her. I want her to remember in this time that God loves her, is with her and He is so good. She and I have always had a relationship that we could sit quietly together, holding hands and have understanding of and love for one another. Her presence always gives me joy; simply her presence.
Late last night, suddenly I felt the need to pray for her and my family. In my heart, if I'm being honest, I don't wish for her survival. She has struggled for so long. I know that she's in pain, and I know she has a wonderful faith. I know she's going home to God. How could I wish for her to endure here any longer? However, I completely trust in God's plan and timing. I'm terribly worried about my mom and her two sisters. None of them will take this well. Though of course they don't want her to suffer, they want their mom to stay. I can't imagine what that would be like, but I think that if I knew my mom was going to be with God (knowing our amazing God, not just the idea of a god) I would want her to go - even if it meant that I would terribly miss her...because being with God is the most wildly amazing thing, the absolute best thing that could happen to anyone. Those words aren't adequate to describe that truth.
So last night, as I prayed, I believe God reminded me that my phone has a voice recorder on it! (Our phones are failry new to us and definitely more high tech than what we're used to.) So I sat on the floor of my bedroom and wrote her a letter. Then I recorded myself reading the letter and read a few Bible verses to her (Romans 10:9-10, John 17:24 and John 1:1-5). I felt like I could be there to speak to her; to tell her that I love her and tell her that God is with her. I plan to also record myself playing my guitar and singing to her. Though I can't hold her hand, I hope she will feel peace and comfort in this time. I also hope it ministers to my family members who are hurting.
The truth of the matter is that I don't know exactly what to do. I'm not sure if there's a right answer in this, and if there is I don't know what it is. But I know that God far surpasses our knowledge and hopes. He is with her and is waiting for her. Whether it's now or later, I know that my Nana will be home to see our Lord soon. And I know, with joy in my heart and full assurance, that I will see her again - in the light of the glory of God, as we rejoice in the blessings He's given and our amazing salvation.
She lives in Colorado, so it's not easy to go see her - being that I work full-time and have a three year old. I went to visit in September when she went in the hospital. The question I constantly ask myself is, "How will I feel about this in five or ten years?" I want to be there for her and my mom and aunt, but I know there is nothing I can do. I want my Nana to know I love her, am praying for her and that she's constantly on my mind, but the doctors have pretty much asked people not to visit her because it drains her at a time when she desperately needs her sleep. What I want so badly to do is to sit next to her, hold her hand and sing to her. I want her to remember in this time that God loves her, is with her and He is so good. She and I have always had a relationship that we could sit quietly together, holding hands and have understanding of and love for one another. Her presence always gives me joy; simply her presence.
Late last night, suddenly I felt the need to pray for her and my family. In my heart, if I'm being honest, I don't wish for her survival. She has struggled for so long. I know that she's in pain, and I know she has a wonderful faith. I know she's going home to God. How could I wish for her to endure here any longer? However, I completely trust in God's plan and timing. I'm terribly worried about my mom and her two sisters. None of them will take this well. Though of course they don't want her to suffer, they want their mom to stay. I can't imagine what that would be like, but I think that if I knew my mom was going to be with God (knowing our amazing God, not just the idea of a god) I would want her to go - even if it meant that I would terribly miss her...because being with God is the most wildly amazing thing, the absolute best thing that could happen to anyone. Those words aren't adequate to describe that truth.
So last night, as I prayed, I believe God reminded me that my phone has a voice recorder on it! (Our phones are failry new to us and definitely more high tech than what we're used to.) So I sat on the floor of my bedroom and wrote her a letter. Then I recorded myself reading the letter and read a few Bible verses to her (Romans 10:9-10, John 17:24 and John 1:1-5). I felt like I could be there to speak to her; to tell her that I love her and tell her that God is with her. I plan to also record myself playing my guitar and singing to her. Though I can't hold her hand, I hope she will feel peace and comfort in this time. I also hope it ministers to my family members who are hurting.
The truth of the matter is that I don't know exactly what to do. I'm not sure if there's a right answer in this, and if there is I don't know what it is. But I know that God far surpasses our knowledge and hopes. He is with her and is waiting for her. Whether it's now or later, I know that my Nana will be home to see our Lord soon. And I know, with joy in my heart and full assurance, that I will see her again - in the light of the glory of God, as we rejoice in the blessings He's given and our amazing salvation.
Saturday, May 7, 2011
The Sport of Competitive Prayer
I couldn't help but smile the other day at dinner time. Our little boy has gotten into the habit of saying our prayer for us at dinner time when Chad can't be with us for dinner. Sometimes I have to ask him to let me do it, and other times I just let him do it. It's so sweet. Well, lately, Matthew has been competing a bit with Chad for our dinner prayer. Matthew assumes that he's praying. Sometimes I've asked him to let daddy pray. I think the final consensus is that Matthew prays first, then daddy gets to pray.
I couldn't help but smile as this happened the other day. I never imagined that our family would be a church-going family. I never imagined how it would be possible that my husband would seek God. I certainly never imagined that my son and husband would have to take turns praying at dinner so that they each get their chance to pray. :o)
God is good.
I couldn't help but smile as this happened the other day. I never imagined that our family would be a church-going family. I never imagined how it would be possible that my husband would seek God. I certainly never imagined that my son and husband would have to take turns praying at dinner so that they each get their chance to pray. :o)
God is good.
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