Archives For Gospel

More Tough Questions – A Video Discussion

April 30, 2013 — Leave a comment

As a sequel to our Tough Questions series, I came across this video of a great discussion between John Ortberg and outgoing Fuller Seminary President, Richard Mouw (author of Uncommon Decency who coined the term we’ve used often: ‘Convictions with Civility.’)  It was held at Ortberg’s Menlo Park Presbyterian Church in California.

Ortberg-Mouw-e1367000198107

It is a brief, free-flowing discussion on questions like:
“What does ‘Evangelical’ mean?”
“What is the significance of the Cross of Christ and why is it so central?”
“Is Mormonism Christian?”
“Why Should the Bible Be Viewed as Trustworthy?”
“How Can We Talk About Human Sexuality in a Biblical and Civil Way?”
“How Do We Dialog with Others with Convicted Civility?”
“How Do Christians understand and talk about Hell with Others?”
“How Do we interpret the Bible in passages that describe violence?”
“What is God Waiting for Before He Comes Back?”
“What Do you See around the World Gives You Hope?”

Click Here

In Apologetics, Christ and Culture, Civility, Current Issues, Gospel
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Jesus pulled me up by the wrist

April 5, 2013 — Leave a comment
Resurrection Icon

Resurrection Icon

Holy Week and Easter Sunday were glorious times for our church. In the sermon Sunday, (available here) I used, as I have for many years, the icon of the Resurrection, originating in the Eastern Orthodox Church.

Christ has smashed the gates of Hades (or death) and fashioned them as a bridge over the pit of hell. Below, the locks and keys lie broken. In one, Satan himself is bound, powerless to prevent the destruction of his kingdom.

The song we sang that comes from an ancient Paschal hymn says, “Christ is risen from the dead, trampling over death by death…”

Christ stands over the tomb pulling Adam and Eve (as representative humanity) up and out. We don’t see Jesus raising two individuals. We see him raising the entire human race from bondage to sin and death.

This year I discovered a detail I never saw before. (Further study confirmed it is a standard requirement of all versions of this icon.) Jesus is pulling the man and woman up BY THE WRIST. They have no power to stand on their own. They don’t even have much power to reach out their hands to Jesus. The wrist image is a graphic way of proclaiming, “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9, ESV)

But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Romans 10:8-13, ESV)

Glory to God!

In Death, Eastern Orthodoxy, Gospel, Heaven and Hell, Resurrection
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Thinking of myself less

March 4, 2013 — Leave a comment

I just had the intense enjoyment of several days with a life-long friend and missionary. His endless stories of being available to the”Everywhere present Jesus” in-spired me! I’m again reminded of Wendell Berry’s poem ending:

Every day you have less reason
Not to give yourself away.

Mary Oliver versed it another way in a poem from Evidence, p. 39:

I have become older and, cherishing what I have learned,
I have become younger.

And what do I risk to tell you this, which is all I know?
Love yourself. Then forget it. Then love the world.

And in prose words, Tim Keller has a wonderful small book with a much larger title. My favorite quote:

“…The essence of gospel-humility is not thinking more of myself or thinking less of myself, it is thinking of myself less.”

Tim Keller, The Freedom of Self-Forgetfulness: The Path to True Christian Joy. 

p.s. It’s 99 cents on Amazon in the Kindle ebook version. Buy it!

In Gospel, I am the Church, Poetry, Poetry Monday, The Missional Church
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‘Seeing’ the world

March 1, 2013 — Leave a comment

see the worldOn the eve of our church’s world mission weekend called “World Fest,” I want to weigh in on a question often raised in today’s Christian Mission discussions. Are short mission trips really worth the expenditure of money and energy?  Some cynically assert that they can even do more harm than good.

Last month, our staff attended our Evangelical Covenant pastors’ conference. Mark Labberton was teaching one morning from Psalm 8. He unwrapped a simple but profound summary of the Story of God’s plan we see throughout Scripture:

1. God pays attention to us! (“What is man that you are mindful of him…” v. 4) Are our eyes open to the astonishing fact that the God of the universe sees, attends, pays persistent attention to our lives as his image bearers!

2. We are called to pay attention to God: to open our eyes to see the Lord – in his Word and in his world.

3. Then God says, ”Pay attention to the people of the world in My name!”  (“You have given him dominion – skilled mastery – over the created order…” v. 6)

God wants us to see the people that are invisible, people who need attention, people who we ignore and forget, who need the hope Jesus brings.  We are called to see the world as God sees – to let him give us NEW VISION!

I had an epiphany (a light went on!) about why we need to be sending Mission Teams from our churches. We know It’s not about what WE can do. We do not bring God to people; we go and join God in what he’s already doing! Rather, when we send our people – we are sending “SEERS” (or is it See-ers!) When they SEE more of their fellow image-bearers from all nations, their eyes begin to open. They come back and help more of the church community here to see and engage; to love and take action!

So Mission Trips are really VISION trips, to mobilize our church to fulfill our calling – to attend to the world God Loves, in his name!

Will we open our eyes and pay attention?
Will we volunteer to be See-ers; Visionaries in the Mission of God?

 

In Evangelical Covenant Church, Gospel, Mission and Vision, The Missional Church
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Possessing the Peace of Christ

December 8, 2012 — Leave a comment
by Kate Safford

by Kate Safford

“Acquire the Spirit of Peace
and thousands around you
will be saved.”

(Seraphim of Sarov, Russia, 18th cent.)

Our sermon series in Advent at Christ Church is called: Give Them Jesus. We are teaching the themes of HOPE, PEACE, JOY, and LOVE through Scripture, art, and personal stories. The series. None of these four virtues are dependent on our circumstances.

Let me say that again: HOPE, PEACE, JOY, and LOVE are not conditioned by “how things are going!”

In addition to the provocative quote above by Seraphim of Sarov, here are a few reminders to help us understand that Peace comes only through communion with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

“God designed the human machine to run on Himself. He Himself is the fuel our spirits were designed to burn, or the food our spirits were designed to feed on. There is no other. God cannot give us a happiness and peace apart from Himself, because it is not there. There is no such thing.” – C. S. Lewis, Mere Christianity

In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety. Psalm 4

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. John 14

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” John 16

Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” John 20

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
Philippians 4

Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace 
at all times in every way.

(2 Thessalonians 3)

In C.S. Lewis, Gospel, Holy Spirit, Incarnation, Jesus, Peace
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Give Them Jesus!

November 29, 2012 — Leave a comment

Christ is come to save the people Whom He has created
and whom He loves.

Eastern Hymn
for the Sunday before the Nativity

Martin Luther, the Reformer, strongly challenged the church of his day (16th Century) over unbiblical practices like indulgences, that were drastically clouding over the Good News. It’s  recorded that Luther’s spiritual father at the time pleaded with him: “But Martin, if we get rid of all these things – the practices so many common people cling to – what will we give them in their place?”

Luther replied firmly and intently, “Why, Sir, we will give them Christ! Yes, we will give them Christ!”

This Sunday is the beginning of Advent – the season that leads us to the Celebration of the Nativity of Jesus.
“In Christ, God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. (2 Corinthians 5)

“Give them Jesus!”

The Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love of Jesus!
Not religious rules, but Jesus!
Not shame, but the Healing of Jesus!
Not a new organization, but a Community of Jesus!

Joy to the world!

A book of readings for each day of Advent has been prepared by one of our pastors.
You can read or download through this Christ Church link.
In Christ and Culture, Christmas, Gospel, Incarnation
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The Beauty of the Gospel in the Prodigal Son

November 11, 2012 — Leave a comment

The Return of the Prodigal Son by Rembrandt

Kenneth Bailey invested his 40+ year New Testament research and teaching career in the Middle East.  Of his many books, three are on the cultural background of Luke 15 and the “Lost and Found” parables, especially the “Prodigal Son,” or as Bailey titles it: “The Compassionate Father and His Two Lost Sons!” (Luke 15:11-32)

You can listen to Bailey explaining some of his findings at this eProdigals website.

Listen to my whole sermon on the parable here at the Christ Church website where you can download, listen, or subscribe to the podcast.

HERE IS A SUMMARY OF THE GOOD NEWS as seen in the parable – the journey of the two lost sons:

1. The father pays the price of reconciliation by continuing to endure the agony of rejected love.

2. The younger son comes to the end of his resources. In a moment of truth, he sees and admits to himself where his pride has brought him.

3. He turns and starts back admitting that he is wrong – and hoping yet to save himself. [“I know what I’ll do…”]

4. The father demonstrates unexpected love in self-emptying humiliation [by running to meet him.]

5. Shattered, the younger son surrenders completely, and offers no alternative for their ongoing relationship.

6. The younger son confesses his personal unworthiness.

7. The father offers reconciliation and sonship.

8. The younger son accepts in genuine humility, knowing that [his sonship] is a gift of pure grace. His repentance and faith come in “allowing himself to be found.”

9. The younger son accepts (we can presume) the responsibility of sonship with a new heart. Now he knows, accepts, and can return his father’s love. Service is not now a means to gain more, but rather an opportunity accepted joyously to express love and thanks.

10. The older son publicly insults his father and poisons the relationship, asserting his prideful self-righteousness.

11. The father, again in self-emptying humiliation searches out the older son and  gently urges him to accept the invitation to join in the celebration as a reconciled brother.

NOTE: The missing conclusion. The question hangs: “Will the elder brother go into the party?”

[Jesus is challenging the religious leaders to join him in the true understanding of God as the one who seeks and saves the lost and to see themselves as in need of a Savior; to recognize that their hearts are far from God even as they outwardly see themselves as ‘religious’ and ‘IN!’]

__ adapted from The Cross and the Prodigal, and Finding the Lost by Kenneth E. Bailey

I’m convinced that we need to master the “Prodigal Son” parable as one of the best ways to both understand AND communicate the life-changing message of the Gospel of Jesus!

Christ calls the irreligious and the religious; the law breakers and law keepers, hot rebels and cold rebels – to come to eat with him at the table he’s prepared by his costly grace.

Jesus demonstrates in these parables, how much “lost” people matter to God.

Q – Am I loving the people in my life in ways that allow them to see Jesus as the compassionate one who seeks and saves the lost?

In Evangelism, Gospel, Jesus, Love Like Jesus
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Baptism – A reminder from John Calvin

September 4, 2012 — Leave a comment

Sunday was our annual Labor Day weekend celebration of baptism. Twenty unique and varied testimonies with the common theme of Jesus, the one who redeems and restores! Recently I taught on Remember Your Baptism (download or listen here.) Here is a short description from John Calvin that is worth the time it takes to ponder his words well.

For inasmuch as [baptism] is given for the arousing, nourishing, and confirming of our faith, it is to be received as from the hand of the Author himself. We ought to deem it certain and proved that it is he who speaks to us through the sign; that it is he who purifies and washes away sins, and wipes out the remembrance of them; that it is he who make us sharers in his death, who deprives Satan of his rule, who weakens the power of our lust; indeed, that it is he who comes into a unity with us so that, having put on Christ, we may be acknowledged God’s children. These things, I say, he performs for our soul within as truly and surely as we see our body outwardly cleansed, submerged, and surrounded with water. For this analogy or similitude is the surest rule of the sacraments: that we should see spiritual things in physical, as if set before our very eyes. For the Lord was pleased to represent them by such figures—not because such graces are bound and enclosed in the sacrament so as to be conferred upon us by its power, but only because the Lord by this token attests his will toward us, namely, that he is pleased to lavish all these things upon us. And he does not feed our eyes with a mere appearance only, but leads us to the present reality and effectively performs what he symbolizes.
(Calvin, Institutes, IV.15.14)

In Gospel, Make Disciples, Sacraments
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Sunset Gospel

August 13, 2012 — 2 Comments

I’ve witnessed many beautiful sunsets over the summer. One evening I drove to the end of Jamestown Island. Dozens of people had the same idea. My mind suddenly got caught up in the question, “Why are we as people so universally captivated by sunsets?” I’d be interested in your thoughts. I started to scribble notes that morphed into this late night poem…

Sunset Gospel

Many souls join me for solitude
on the rocky shore this evening;
the Jamestown point called Beaver Tail.

The Lighthouse sounds,
like a mellow horn piercing through
the surround-sound waves.

Sunsets create a cosmic following!
Everywhere, every day, the rock star
puts on a show!

Just the planet turning, really;
but the Light dances
in our earth-bound eyes.

From a million miles away
it paints pictures to die for
on every shore and mountain top;

Adored by all
who awe and wonder
from where such beauty rises.

The longing crowd stares in long silence,
to watch the icon leave the stage;
silent standing ovation; deafening peace.

What draws humanity
to paint and post as if
we’d never seen this scene before?

Can we not get enough
of that beauty
we were made for?


The true light, which gives light to everyone,
was coming into the world.
John 1:9

Copyright 2012 – Lyle Mook

In Beauty, Creation, Gospel, Poems, The Arts
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Holy Week Ruminations

April 4, 2012 — Leave a comment

For your Holy Week ruminations – a scripture, a great book excerpt, and a stanza from a 6th century pastor/poet. Continue Reading…

In Ancient-Future Faith, Gospel, Jesus
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