Freshly Sane

This just in from my friend, Dave McCarty.

"How can I tell when I'm indifferent to Jesus? When I don't like dependency, weakness, feeling helpless, embarrassed. When my flesh vibrates to strong, together, confident. When I begin to obsess over my next car, vacation, purchase, or ministry strategy. Because, deep down, I evidently believe that something different or new, will bring me happiness... But new circumstances never solve my problem. And so the nicest, sweetest, kindest thing He ever does for me, is to send His Spirit and freshly convict me of my sin of independence and self-confidence. Ahhh, 'tis so sweet to be freshly sane again."

The Significance of Reading for the Preacher

I've got to go read, but first this... : )

"What has exceedingly hurt you in time past, nay, and I fear, to this day, is want of reading. I scarce ever knew a preacher who read so little. And perhaps, by neglecting it, you have lost the taste for it. Hence your talent in preaching does not increase. It is just the same as it was seven years ago. It is lively, but not deep; there is little variety; there is no compass of thought. Reading only can supply this, with meditation and daily prayer. You wrong yourself greatly by omitting this. You can never be a deep preacher without it, any more than a thorough Christian. Oh begin! Fix some part of every day for private exercises. You may acquire the taste which you have not; what is tedious at first will afterwards be pleasant. Whether you like it or no, read and pray daily. It is for your life; there is no other way; else you will be a trifler all your days, and a pretty, superficial preacher. Do justice to your own soul; give it time and means to grow. Do not starve yourself any longer."

John Wesley, writing to a young preacher, quoted in D. A. Carson and John D. Woodbridge, Letters Along The Way, page 169.

HT: Ray Ortlund

Missional Motivation

After John the Baptizer denies being the Christ in John 1, he sees Jesus and tells his disciples, "Look, the Lamb of God." Next we read, "When the two disciples heard him say this, the followed Jesus." What a great picture of true discipleship. John gathered men to himself with the purpose of leading them to follow Jesus, the Lamb of God. Not merely a teacher or moral philosopher, but the God-man who would lay down his life as a justice substitute (the Lamb) for his guilty disciples. In turn, the power of grace fueled by the indwelling Holy Spirit in the lives of Jesus' followers would transform them into a missional people. For later in the narrative, Andrew, who was one of those original two disciples of John, went and found his brother Simon (Peter), and "brought him to Jesus." So the answer to the question of how to motivate people like me to become missional is not beating them over the head with the law of mission, it is leading them over and over again to the Lamb who was slain, because it is the grace of God in the gospel that is the power and motivation for mission.

"I Am Not the Christ"

In John 1:20, John the Baptizer makes a profound denial. Peter had denied knowing the Christ. But here, John denies being the Christ, saying firmly, "I am NOT the Christ." Hmmm... That just may be a new mantra for me. Not that I would ever be confused with Jesus. However, my flesh wants the glory of Jesus, and longs to be honored, respected and valued. In addition, when I think I am anything more than a mere witness who is to testify to the REAL Christ, then I begin to stress out, thinking that I have to have all the answers, and have to be able to fix people (when I can't even fix myself!). Also, if I have to be Jesus for people, then I can't be vulnerable about my own need. I will not be the witness that people need and God wants to use. I will be tempted to have the spotlight shine on me, when it needs to shine on the Savior. So saying slowly, but confidently, "I am not the Christ," helps center me... off of myself and onto the REAL Christ, Jesus.

Glory Days

I am 40 years old. Our culture would say that my "glory days" are behind me (unless, of course, 40 really is the new 30). However, according to a biblical world view, my glory days are not behind me, they are ahead of me—and always will be until I see Jesus face to face. That is good news, especially in the face of the unglory of suffering, setbacks, sin and failures. As Paul says, "I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us." As some say, "The best is yet to come." In the gospel that is true. That is a strong source of hope. And all because of Jesus.

Legalism as Arrogance

To continue with C.J. Mahaney's The Cross Centered Life, he says, "Legalism is seeking to achieve forgiveness from God and acceptance by God through obedience to God... The implications of legalism are staggering in their arrogance. Legalism claims that the death of Jesus on the cross was either unnecessary or insufficient." But the gospel sets me free. Free from the fleshly pull toward religious legalism. It opens the door and invites me in to glory in the cross, where Jesus took the penalty for my legalistic arrogance. By God's immeasurable grace, I am now free. No longer must I seek to achieve forgiveness and acceptance. They are given as a gift in the gospel. And so my calling today is to keep my eyes on the gift... on the gospel... on Jesus.

Grace and Godliness: Do Not Fear the Judaizers

In his book, The Cross Centered Life, C.J. Mahaney says that there are three ways that my heart gets drawn away from having the gospel/cross central in my life: legalism, condemnation and subjectivism.

1. Legalism is basing my relationship with God on my performance.
2. Condemnation is being more focused on my sin than on God's grace.
3. Subjectivism is basing my view of God on my changing feelings and emotions.

Evidently, those who would say that preaching grace leads to license and more sin have it backwards (because it is at the point that I lose sight of the gospel that I encounter the problems of rebellion and moralism-which is just a different form of moral/spiritual rebellion). It seems that the message of grace is a tremendous protective against sin, and promotes authentic spirituality and practical holiness. By the way, the apostle Paul agrees, saying in Titus 2:

11 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. 12 It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, 13 while we wait for the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.

I put certian words and phrases in bold to underscore the relationship between grace and godliness. These are encouraging words and a reminder to preach the gospel of grace. Do not fear the Judaizers.

The Danger of Displacing the Center

In his book, The Cross and Christian Ministry, D.A. Carson says,

"I fear that the cross, without ever being disowned, is constantly in danger of being dismissed from the central place it must enjoy... Whenever the periphery is in danger of displacing the center, we are not far removed from idolatry." (p. 29)

That is such a helpful insight, for I recognize a tendency in my own heart to displace the centrality of the cross... of the gospel. It is at that point that idolatry reigns (even if subtly) and sin abounds. And so I thank God that where my sin abounds, his grace abounds even more.

Peacemakers Breathe Grace

I am preparing a lesson for tomorrow on conflict and peacemaking, and came across a quote by Ken Sande that I really like. He says, "Peacemakers are people who breathe grace." Unless the gospel is oxygenating my spiritual bloodstream, I am in no condition to get the log out of my own eye.

Restore the Joy

In Psalm 51, David prays words that I have been praying for myself today. "Restore to me the joy of Your salvation." Restore the joy— a joy that comes from the truth of the gospel. Oh how I want the sweetness of the love of Jesus to saturate my heart. However, I will not grasp for the joy. Rather, with repentance and faith, I will grasp for a nail scarred hand... and then I will get the joy, too.

Latest Dahlonega Update E-Newsletter

Here is the latest Dahlonega Church Plant E-Newsletter (hot off the e-press). Just click here.

Included:

• Tim Keller on college town ministry
• Travel update
• Prayer needs
• Lots of links (Twitter, photo galleries, etc.)
• "God's Abundance and Mine"
• "Jesus is the Hero"

Shake Off Thy Guilty Fears

Charles Wesley wrote the hymn, Arise My Soul, Arise, during the Great Awakening in 1742. The lyrics reflect both the cause and effect of genuine revival. May God grant this kind of revival in my life. "I believe, help my unbelief."

Arise, my soul, arise,
Shake off thy guilty fears:
The bleeding Sacrifice
In my behalf appears:
Before the Throne my Surety stands,
My name is written on his hands.

My God is reconciled;
His pard'ning voice I hear;
He owns me for his child,
I can no longer fear;
With confidence I now draw nigh,
And "Abba, Father!" cry.

Jesus is the Hero

The common view of the Bible is that it was given by God to show people how to live right. Some (including myself) have said that it is a "users manual for life." However, the more I read the Bible, the more I am convinced that its purpose is not to show me how to live right, but to show me that I can't live right—and that I need a Savior. I need someone who "lived right" in my place. Not Abraham, Moses, David, Peter or Paul. The Bible shows them as flawed, needy sinners just like me. They are not the heroes of the Bible. Jesus is. The perfectly obedience Son who lived for me, died for me and rose for me. He is hero.

My Abundance and God's

In the gospel, God invites me to meet him at the cross, where an eternally binding transfer takes place. God brings his abundance. And I bring mine. However, my abundance is that of need, and his is that of provision. I bring my abundance of sin, and he brings his abundance of grace (propitiation, forgiveness, the imputation of Jesus' righteousness, adoption, the gift of the Holy Spirit, hope, peace, joy, etc.). Part of the glory of that transaction is that when I first brought my abundance, it included not only my known, but also my unknown sin; not only my past and present sin, but also my future sin. When Jesus said, "It is finished," he meant finished. And so now the Father calls me to live out of the abundance that is mine as a free gift in the gospel. I am no longer to be a fearful pauper, but a believing son. "And so Father, help me to understand and embrace the abundance of your grace. Set me free from guilt and a life of penance. Let me glory in Jesus."

The Confrontation and Consolation of the Gospel

I tend to be a people-pleaser. Yes, I know that it is a curse, and I struggle. This struggle is especially acute when counseling folks. I so want to make them feel better, and say something that will encourage them. Mainly, I want them to know that I am on their side so that they will like me. However, it struck me today that when I preach or counsel, I will either reinforce the default self-righteousness that resides in every human heart, or I will lead them toward repentance (for self-righteousness) and faith (in the imputed righteousness of Jesus). The point is not whether someone likes me or not, but whether they are encountering, embracing and living in light of the truth of the gospel. There are times to comfort, and there are times to confront. Thankfully, the gospel does both... and at the same time! May I remember that the next time my own heart needs the confrontation (I am more sinful than I can admit or understand) and consolation (I am more forgiven, loved and accepted than I could ever dare to dream) of the gospel.

The Great Enemy of Grace

"My ability is the great enemy of grace."
~ Becky Long

It's (Not) All Good

Driving to a meeting today I noticed a sticker in the window of the car ahead of me. It read, "It's All Good." Actually, it's not all good. War is not good. Theft is not good. Sickness is not good. Murder is not good... and so on. The issue is not whether it's all good, but how I am going to process those things that are not good. It was not good when Joseph was sold into slavery by his brothers. But he learned that in God's providence, though people mean things for evil (Joseph's suffering), God is able to work all things for good (the feeding of the nations).

Romans 8:28 says,

"We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."

All things are not good, but God works in and through them for good—to fulfill his purposes of redemption.

And so even though Joseph's suffering was not good, and my suffering is not good, God is at work, orchestrating things (beyond my finite mind and understanding) for good. I can believe this because God himself, in the person of Jesus, endured the world's most evil act, the crucifixion, and worked it for the world's greatest good. If I had been there that day I would not have believed it. I would have thought that hope was lost. But then he rose.

Keller on Reaching College Towns

In a recent article in ByFaith Magazine, Dr. Tim Keller says:

"We must give high priority to finding ways to minister in three areas: universities, big cities and ethnically diverse situations. College towns are incubators where we can learn how to address the ideas of the rising culture…we must go to the university towns, big cities, and the ethnically diverse places because there we will learn to understand and reach America’s future."

Since Dr. Keller, one of my living heroes, usually speaks on the importance of city ministry, it is refreshing and encouraging to hear him emphasize the significance of college town ministry (even if it is a small town) as a strategy of reaching and shaping the future landscape of the church and culture. Ministering to the campus is one of the primary areas of focus for the Dahlonega Church Plant.