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Where is My Rope?

Today I closed the sermon at East Lanier with a story told by a medical missionary in Africa who performed cateract surgery on a blind man. After the surgery the man could see. Without saying thank you, he just ran off. Several days later the man returned holding a rope, and on the end of that rope were blind men from surrounding villages. He knew the man with the cure and was brining others to him. The woman at the well in John 4 had a rope and brought her entire town out to meet Jesus. If I have expereinced the grace of God in Jesus, shouldn't I have a rope, too? How I pray that the Spirit will remove the cateracts of unblief from my heart so that I will seek out a rope and bring others to Jesus.

The Infinite-Personal God

Something that really hit me yesterday while reading A Praying Life was the significance that God is both infinite and personal. This means that he is all-powerful and that he really cares like a shepherd for his sheep or a father for his son. How does this relate to prayer? I can talk to God and ask like a child to a Father for whom nothing is impossible.

Prayer Requires Weakness

A little more from Paul Miller on prayer...

"Power in prayer comes from being in touch with [my] weakness. To teach us how to pray, Jesus told stories of weak people who knew they couldn't do life on their own. The persistent widow and the friend at midnight get access, not because they are strong, but because they are desperate."

Living as Little Children

After reading in Paul Miller's book, A Praying Life, I had a thought. If Jesus calls us to enter the kingdom of God like little children, then I suppose we must contiue to live in the kingdom of God as little children. This is not a mandate for immaturity, but for faith—the faith of a child in a strong and able Father. And that's how I want to pray, too.

Name That Church Survey

After a fun experiment in having a "name survey," I have realized something that we all know but find hard to admit. People see things from very different perspectives and have strong, even if diametrically opposed opinions.

Even though I doubt the name will be Jacob's Well, that has been my favorite name for about 7 years now. It comes from John 4 (Jesus and the Woman at Jacob's Well), and is a picture of a place where sinners meet Jesus, experience grace, and become radically missional (out of their overflowing joy) and glorify God. There is so much gospel/grace in that image... I just love it! And the name is a great launching pad for sharing the gospel with others, too. "Jacob's Well? What's that?" "Well, let me explain..." The subtitle or tagline could be "For Those who Thirst." Or "A church for those who thirst," or even "grace for those who thirst." : )

The award winner for most creative name... "Fermentation Fellowship." : )

Preaching at East Lanier

The next two Sundays I will be preaching for Alan Foster at East Lanier Community Church in Buford/Flowery Branch, GA. This week I am teaching from John 4:1-26, “Through Samaria.” I am giving the message that title because in verse 4, John says that Jesus “had to go through Samaria.” Hmmm… had to? Actually, there were other ways to Galilee than through Samaria. Jesus could have travelled east along the Jordan River, or on the other side of the Jordan (like the Pharisees would do in order to avoid Samaria). So I think that understanding why Jesus “had” to go through Samaria will shed light on the very heart of Jesus’ purpose and mission… and will provide plenty of grace-centered teaching on what a missional church might look like. Geographically, Jesus did NOT have to go through Samaria. Missionally, he did. As Steve Brown would say, “You think about that.” Okay, I think I will… and will tell you what I came up with on Sunday at East Lanier. :)

The Promises of Forgiveness

In Ken Sande's book, The Peacemaker, he outlines the four promises of forgiveness. In other words, this is what I am saying to someone when I say, "I forgive you."

1. “I will not bring this incident up against (ie, to use against) you again.” (Of course, if someone is struggling with an ongoing pattern of sin, such as an addiction or abusive temper, it is okay to bring it up in order to help them/get them counseling, but not as a means of condemnation.)
   
2. “I will not dwell on this incident.”
3. “I will not talk to others about this incident.”
   
4. “I will not let this incident create tension and distance in our relationship.”

This is not only what I say to someone when I forgive, but also it is what God says to me in the gospel when he forgives. Unreal.

For some Scripture references, check out Jeremiah 31:34b, Psalm 103:12, 1 Corinthians 13:5, and Romans 8:1, Colossians 3:13.

Blogging Resumes Tomorrow

Hello friends,
Blogging will resume tomorrow. I took Memorial Weekend off. See you then! Now, it's off to a cookout and pool party... : )

Cautious Optimism

One more great thought from Paul Miller...

"The feel of a praying life is cautious optimism—caution because of the Fall, optimism because of Redemption. Cautious optimism allows Jesus to boldly send his disciples into an evil world."

Just Words

While reading tonight in Paul Miller's book, A Praying Life, he said something that rang too true in my experience. He describes the disconnect that takes place when my heart gets out of tune with God. He says, "I continue to perform and say Christian things, but they are just words." That is the place of revival. Running on empty. Living an "externally religious" life. What do I need in that season? I need to confess my coldness and know the heart of God, whose love and grace will begin to warm my heart. It may hit all at once or take place over time... but my heart will warm as the Spirit works, so that my faith is not just words, but also is music, and dancing, and joy... again.

Do You Have 17 Minutes?

If you are a leader who wants to shake up the status quo, and you have 17 minutes, this video mini-lecture is genius and well worth the listen. Wow!

Listen here.

Name That Church

If you are interested in participating in our "Help Name the Dahlonega Church Plant" survey, click here.

Living by Faith

Francis Schaeffer, in one of my all-time favorite books, True Spirituality:

“I'm convinced…that this is when we begin to make our forward steps as Christians: When I know through experience that I can lay hold of Christ's blood by faith to cover my sins this morning, and then to cover my sins this afternoon, even if they're the same sins—when I know this, the preciousness of Christ's blood becomes a tremendous reality, I begin to live in the light of His presence and in the light of His work—not just in the past or in the future, but in the present.”

This is what it means to live by faith.

Anxiety as a Means of Grace

Paul Miller writes on anxiety in his book, A Praying Life. I found this helpful.

"Anxiety wants to be God but lacks God's wisdom, power, or knowledge. A Godlike stance without Godlike character and ability is pure tension... Oddly enough, it took God to show us how not to be godlike. Jesus was the first person who didn't seek independence... Because we know we don't have control, we cry out for grace."

And so, interestingly and amazingly, anxiety can become a door for prayer, and for grace.

"A Praying Life" by Paul Miller

Whoa! Paul Miller's newest book, A Praying Life, is hot off the press and is revolutionizing my understanding of prayer... and what it means to live as a Christian, or better, as a dearly loved child of the Father. Get this book. Read it, and re-read it. Wow.

Here are some nuggets from the first few chapters:

• "Prayer is not the central theme of this book. Getting to know a Person... is the center."

• For Jesus "prayer is about relationship. When he prays, he is not performing a duty; he is getting close to his Father."

• "Personal prayer is one of the last great bastions of legalism."

• "How do we structure our adult conversations? We don't... Why would prayer be any different? After all, God is a person."

• "We received Jesus because we were weak, and that's how we follow him... We forget that helplessness is how the Christian life works."

• "Prayer is bringing our helplessness to Jesus."
  

• "Strong Christians do pray more, but they pray more because they realize how weak they really are."

• "Weakness is the channel that allows us to access grace."

• "You don't need self-discipline to pray continuously; you just need to be poor in spirit."

This is gold I tell you. GOLD!

May Edition of Church Plant Update/Newsletter

To see our latest church plant newsletter, the May 2009 Edition, click here.

John 5:9b-30, "Religion Keeps Me From Jesus"

1. Some people (like me!) are so rule-oriented (religious) that they miss the grace of Jesus (vv. 9b-18)
2. Jesus was sent from the Father to reveal the Father's life-giving love and grace (vv. 19-26)
3. There will be a judgment of all people (vv. 27-30)
4. Only those who have the imputed/credited goodness of Jesus to them will be justified
   
5. My only hope is to run from life-killing religion, look to the cross of Jesus, and believe that he has taken on my record of evil and given me his record of goodness
   

John 5:1-9, "Get Up and Walk"

1. Jesus seeks out the blind, lame and paralyzed (vv. 1-3)
2. Jesus offers healing to the most needy (vv. 5-6)
3. The invalid thinks his healing must come in the pool... just like I think that my "healing" will come through some material means (v. 7)
4. True and complete healing is found only through Jesus—who heals spiritual invalids, too, through HIS taking up not a mat and walking, but a cross and dying (vv. 8-9)
5. Then I am able to get up and walk and live a new life of grace, peace, faith, hope and joy
   

John 4:43-54, "Only Jesus"

1. Repeated theme: Jesus is the ultimate missionary (v. 43)
2. Jesus had no expectation that everyone would welcome and receive him (v. 44)
3. The Galileans welcomed Jesus... but why... for what he could do for them, for his fame, or for who he was? (vv. 44-46a)
4. The main point: Jesus, as the sovereign Son of God, does for us what we cannot do for ourselves, or for those whom we love (vv. 46b-47)
5. The official's faith, in contrast to the other Galileans, preceded the miracle of healing– this is implied in his belief that if Jesus would come, his child would live... so he begs... Notice, this is a ROYAL OFFICIAL begging to a poor, Jewish, itnerant rabbi! (vv. 48-49)
6. I think Jesus is commending the official and wants us to have this kind of "only Jesus" faith...
   
7. The official "takes Jesus at his word"—another reference to faith (v. 50)
   
8. The answered prayer (the dramatic healing) strengthened the official's faith, and birthed the faith of others (v. 51-53)
9. This "miraculous sign" is another shadow of the gospel... the cross (v. 54)
10. Jesus does not just bring sick boys back to life, but brings dead sinners back to life through his death in our place. God the Father says, "YOU will live... because MY SON will die."
    

John 4:27-42, "Becoming a Bringer"

1. Jesus shatters socio-cultural, religious prejudices (v.27)
2. The biggest sinners make the best "bringer-evangelists" (vv. 28-30, 39-41)
3. Jesus teaches about an evangelistic harvest that is ready for those who are prepared to participate (vv. 31-38)
4. The goal of testimony is not merely intellectual ascent, but rather experiential, personal faith in the SAVIOR of people from "EVERY nation, tribe, people and language"– Rev. 7:9 (v. 42)
   

The Ground of My Acceptance

“We must always be accepted for Christ’s sake or we cannot be accepted at all. This is not only true of us only ‘when we believe,’ it is just as true after we have believed. It will continue to be true as long as we live. Our need for Jesus does not cease with our believing nor does the nature of our relation to Him ever alter no matter what our attainments in Christian graces or our achievements in Christian behavior may be. It is always on His ‘blood and righteousness’ alone that we can rest… All that we have… is always of pure grace.” ~ B.B. Warfield

The Seven A's of Confession

I'm teaching a class this week using Ken Sande's book, The Peacemaker. The subject is "The Seven A's of Confession." Since I have needed to put this into practice myself this week, I thought others might benefit.

Introductory quotes from Ken Sande:
“God’s grace as revealed in the gospel... is the driving force behind peacemaking.”

“[In the gospel] our pride and defensiveness are stripped away, adn we can let go of our illusion of self-righteousness, honestly examine ourselves, and find freedom from guilt and sin by admitting our wrongs.”

Some theme passages:

• Proverbs 28:13
• Psalm 51:1-2, 10-12, 16-17
• Psalm 32:1-5
• 1 John 1:8-9

1) Address Everyone Involved
“As a general rule, [I] should confess [my] sins to every person who has been directly affected by [my] wrongdoing.”

2) Avoid “If, But, and Maybe”
“The best way to ruin a confession is to use words that shirt the shift the blame to others or that appear to minimize or excuse [my] guilt.” Using words such as "if, but, and maybe" tend to be blame shifting words.

3) Admit Specifically
“The more detailed and specific [I] am when making a confession, the more likely [I am] to receive a positive response.”

4) Acknowledge the Heart
“If [I] want someone to respond positively to a confession, [I should] make it a point to acknowledge and express sorrow for how [I] hurt or affected them.”
“Sometimes it is helpful to ask the other person how he or she felt as a result of [my] behavior.”

5) Accept the Consequences
“Explicitly accepting the consequences of [my] actions is another way to demonstrate genuine repentance.” This includes restitution (see Zacchaeus in Luke 19:8), and makes a confession much more credible.

6) Alter My Behavior
“Another sign of sincere repentance is to explain to the person [I] offended how [I] plan to alter [my] behavior in the future.” Of course, the enabling power for this change is the enabling grace of the Holy Spirit.

7) Ask for Forgiveness (and Allow Time)
“If the person to whom [I] have confessed does not express forgiveness... [I] may ask, ‘Will you please forgive me?’” But do not use this question as a means to pressure someone to forgive. Some people need time to work through their feelings in order to give genuine forgiveness.

Conclusion.

• “Not every confession will require all seven steps.”
• Beware of using them as a ritual that just gets you off the hook.
• Confession is a means of reconciliation and means to glorify God.
• 2 Corinthians 5:20-21

The Danger of Over-Programming

Just saw this quote from Eric Geiger on Twitter: "Churches that are 'over programmed' are generally not engaged in their communities."

Archibald Alexander on the Need to Preach Grace

Archibald Alexander, in Thoughts Concerning Religious Experience (1844):

“Why is there so little advancement made [in living the Christian life]? First, there is a defect in our belief in the freeness of divine grace. To exercise unshaken confidence in the doctrine of gratuitous pardon is one of the most difficult things in the world… Christians cannot but be lean and feeble when deprived of their proper nourishment. It is by faith that the spiritual life is made to grow; and the doctrine of free grace, without any mixture of human merit, is the only true object of [that] faith. Until [pastors and] teachers inculcate clearly, fully and practically, the grace of God manifested in the gospel, we shall have no vigorous growth… among professing Christians.”

Score cards up, please: 10

1 Timothy, "The Call to Serve as a Pastor-Elder, Part 1"

Trying to distinguish the biblical model of the pastor from the American, cultural model of a pastor has been an interest of mine for some time. So I thought I would plunge into the "pastoral letters" (1-2 Timothy and Titus) and glean lessons that Timothy and Titus' mentor, Paul, has for them as pastor-elders. NOTE: I am using the term pastor-elder to indicate that a pastor and an elder are essentially one in the same, with varying functions- not all agree with this view, but it is my view... and this is my blog. : )

Anyway, 1 Timothy is part 1. 2 Timothy is part 2. And Titus will be part 3. I also hope to poke around in other parts of the New Testament for relevant passages that touch on the calling of the pastor-elder, and eventually will wrap it up with a summary, conclusion type of post. So here goes a survey of the call to serve as a pastor-elder in 1 Timothy:

1. One of a pastor's primary callings is to be a good theologian (1:1-11)
2. An effective pastor must also serve as the "chief of sinners" (1:12-17)
3. A pastor is to "fight" and "hold onto the faith" (1:18-20)
4. Pastors are to oversee gathered worship (2:1-15)
5. Pastors are to manifest a walk with Jesus that is discernible to others, including in their personal, spiritual, social and familial/home relationships (3:1-16)
6. Pastors are to be men of the truth (4:1-6)
7. Pastors are to practice gospel-centered, spiritual discipline, not because it merits anything, but because it profits much (4:7-10)
8. As theologians, a pastor's primary calling is to shepherd people through preaching and teaching (sound doctrine with application), and are to devote themselves to this task (4:11-16... examples of practical application are in 5:1-17; 6:1-2, 17-19)
9. Some elders are to focus on shepherding (people management) and others on preaching and teaching (5:17)
10. Those whose task is to preach and teach are to make their living from this work (5:18)
11. If an elder sins publicly, he should be rebuked and repent publicly, but an accusation requires multiple witnesses (5:19-20)
12. A pastor-elder is not to show favoritism (5:21)
13. A pastor-elder is to be slow to ordain others to this office, must not participate in the sins of others (i.e., must be a leader and not a follower) (5:22-24)
14. A pastor-elder must flee from the love of money and the desire for wealth (6:3-16)
15. A pastor-elder must guard the gospel/truth to which has been entrusted to him (6:20-21a)
16. A pastor-elder needs to live by grace (6:21b)
    

John 4:1-26, "Lessons from the Well"

1. Jesus knew his purpose—to die, but not yet (vv. 1-3)
2. Jesus wasn't afraid to do ministry on the other side of the tracks (v. 4)
   
3. Jesus knew when to rest (vv. 5-6)
4. Jesus offers grace to those who thirst—a thirst that is expressed in many ways (vv. 7-18)
5. To enjoy "living water," I must have my preconceived religious notions demolished (vv. 19-24)
6. Jesus is the Messiah– he must save, and he alone (vv. 25-26)

In the words of Augustus Toplady's (1740-1778) hymn, Rock of Ages:
"Not the labors of my hands
can fulfill Thy law's commands;
could my zeal no respite know,
could my tears forever flow,
all for sin could not atone;
Thou must save, and Thou alone."

Simplified Missional Living

Check out this helpful article on Simplified Missional Living.

HT: the Resurgence

John 3:1-21, "The New Birth"

1. I need more than a good teacher or guru... I must be "born again" (vv. 1-3)
2. The "new birth," or regeneration, is not a physical birth, but a spiritual birth- see also Eph. 2:1-5 (vv. 4-7)
3. Regeneration is a work of God the Holy Spirit (v. 8)
4. The first fruit of regeneration is when, by faith, I apprehend the meaning of the cross and receive the grace and love of God expressed for me in the ministry of Jesus (vv. 9-18)
5. Evidence of regeneration is a new life trajectory, or new operating system... but the virus of the flesh remains (vv. 19-21)
6. I will continue to need Jesus and live by grace
   

George Whitefield describes his experience with the new birth here:

“God showed me that I must be born again, or be damned! I learned that a man may go to church, say prayers, receive the sacrament, and yet not be a Christian… Shall I burn this book? Shall I throw it down? Or shall I search it? I did search it, and holding the book in my hand I thus addressed the God of heaven and earth: Lord, if I am not a Christian, or if not a real one, for Jesus sake show me what Christianity is.”

About six months later that divine life was birthed in his soul. His account goes like this:
“God was pleased to remove the heavy load, to enable me to lay hold of his dear Son by a living faith, and by giving me the Spirit of adoption, to seal me, even to the day of everlasting redemption. O! with what joy—joy unspeakable—even joy that was full of and big with glory, was my soul filled when the weight of sin went off, and an abiding sense of the love of God broke in upon my disconsolate soul! Surely it was a day to be had in everlasting remembrance. My joys were like a springtide and overflowed the banks.”

John 2:12-25, "Cleansing the Temple"

1. An aside: Jesus lived in community (v. 12)
2. When Jesus finds sin, injustice and corruption in the Temple, he justly cleans it out... and with passion (vv. 13-17)
3. Jesus' cleansing of the temple foreshadows the passion of the cross—where Jesus would become the object of judgment for sin (vv. 18-21)
4. Hindsight and remembering helps faith (v. 22)
5. Sometimes faith based on an emotional reaction or a mountain top experience is shallow and doesn't last... (vv. 23-25)
6. But the call of the gospel is that faith can be real, lasting and based upon more than "signs" (which are important, but are signposts to Jesus). It can be based upon the space-time fulfillment of Jesus' mission in his perfect life, substitutionary death and physical resurrection. That is how I can stand before God as Father, knowing that I have been cleansed of my sin, injustice and corruption.

John 2:1-11, "The Master of the Banquet"

1. Jesus was not merely a spiritual person, he was social, and people wanted him at their celebration—he and his disciples were invited (vv. 1-2)
2. When a problem arises, he is looked to as the solution (v. 3)
3. Jesus' miracles represent a far greater work that Jesus came to fulfill (v. 4)
4. In light of who Jesus is, simple, immediate obedience is best, and is an act of faith... (vv. 5-7)
5. If Jesus is able to transform water (not grapes!) into wine, then he is able to turn sorrow into joy, despair into hope, death into life, etc. (vv. 8-10)
6. A great public act causes Jesus' disciples to put their faith in him. The miracle of the water and the wine was just a shadow—a shadow of the cross and the resultant joy and celebration it brings (v. 11)
7. Jesus is the ultimate Master of the banquet...

Isaiah 25:6-9 reads,
"6 On this mountain the Lord Almighty will prepare a feast of rich food for all peoples, a banquet of aged wine— the best of meats and the finest of wines.
7 On this mountain he will destroy the shroud that enfolds all peoples, the sheet that covers all nations;
8 he will swallow up death forever. The Sovereign Lord will wipe away the tears
from all faces; he will remove the disgrace of his people from all the earth.
The Lord has spoken.
9 In that day they will say, “Surely this is our God; we trusted in him, and he saved us. This is the Lord, we trusted in him; let us rejoice and be glad in his salvation.”

John 1:1-9, 19-28, "The Humble Witness"

1. Jesus is eternally God (vv. 1-3)
2. He is "life" incarnate, and as such is a light for the world who reveals the merciful heart of God to the nations (v. 4)
3. Light overwhelms and defeats darkness— the hope of mission (v. 5)
4. God calls us to testify ABOUT and TO Jesus (vv. 6-9)
5. But we are not called to BE Jesus (vv. 19-21)
6. The best witnesses are humble witnesses (vv. 22-28)
7. None was more humble than Jesus...

Philippians 2:5-11
5 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
6 Who, being in very nature​​ God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,
7 but made himself nothing, taking the very nature​b​ of a servant, being made in human likeness.
8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death— even death on a cross!
9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name,
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

John 1:43-51, "Joining the Redemptive Mission of Jesus"

Here are some reflections on John 1:43-51...

1. Jesus is the Great missionary (Jesus goes, finds, and calls)– it is our great privilege to join HIS mission to reach and disciple the lost (v. 43)
   
2. The Old Testament is a foreshadowing of Jesus (vv. 44-45)
   
3. Don't despise small town ministry— Jesus was from a tiny, podunk community! (v. 46)
   
4. Be willing to "come and see" (v. 47)
   
5. Jesus knows the whereabouts, heart and thoughts of everyone, even me (v. 48)
   
6. If we are amazed by the miracles and sovereignty of Jesus, nothing compares to the wonder of the cross (vv. 49-50)
   
7. Jesus is God in the flesh, who came down to reconcile sinners to God through his life, death and resurrection– proving that indeed, He is the Great missionary (v. 51)

And so there are lots of applications from this passage. For me as a church planter, and for any who plan to join the adventure, a primary application is the call to join the redemptive mission of Jesus. I cannot imagine a more thrilling and rewarding life. And I suppose the ultimate application is to be reconciled to God through Jesus, and THEN become part of His redemptive mission.

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.

1,400 Miles Later

1,400 miles later, we are back home in Atlanta. We had a great time seeing friends and family during our Mississippi Edition of the Caston World (Support Raising) Tour. Thanks to all of our praying friends!

Mississippi Road Trip '09, Part 3: Tupelo

Yesterday, we attended Lawndale and had lunch with a group of friends at the home of Whitney and Marcus Ueltschey. Great time! In the evening, we enjoyed a dinner hosted for us by Lawndale, and then I had the huge privilege to share a mini-version of our church planting vision as well as to preach. Today I am meeting folks all day at the Atlanta Bread Company in Tupelo.

Our over-the-top hospitalble hosts for the weekend have been Julie and Steve Brister, close friends from back in Kristy's high school days. Yes, it's a small world... especically in Mississippi. : )

Mississippi Road Trip '09, Part 2

Tonight we had a really great meeting with friends in Jackson at the home of Libby and Jack Crawford, some of our closest friends. Libby made a wonderful dinner (and way to go Amanda on the desert- wow!), and allowed us to go way over in our church plant presentation. It was like a college reunion. Thanks, Jack and Libby! You served us so well. And thanks to those who made the sacrifice to be with us. We appreciate y'all so very much.

I'm Not Done Yet

I'm not done yet. That thought struck me as we drove from Atlanta to Benton, Mississippi, the other day. What I mean is that sanctification (the practical holiness that the Spirit works in my life as I believe the gospel) is progressive. Like a chicken that takes time to bake, my growth in grace in ongoing, and will not be complete until Jesus takes me home or comes back. In fact, if that chicken takes an hour to cook, it feels like I only have been in the oven for a few minutes. I'm not done yet. And the minute I think that I am done, I'm really cooked! But even that happens all the time. When I condescend, hold grudges, and condemn others I am acting as if I am done and they are not. That is the essence of self-righteous Phariseeism. Yes, I am a recovering Pharisee whose sin of self-centered, sinful pride runs so deep, which is why I am growing in thankfulness to God that his grace runs deeper still. That is my hope when I see the raw, unfinished me. It is then that I remember that sanctification is also positional (I have been declared justified by the Father based on the perfect gift-righteousness of Jesus), which is the promise that "he who began a good work in me will complete it" and will "present me before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy." Because of the cross, I have the hope of glory and glorification, which is a huge encouragement for folks like me who are not done yet.

Mississippi Road Trip '09, Part 1

Tonight we had the privilege to share about the church plant to a group of friends in Greenwood, MS, at the home of our great friends, Amy and Lee Coleman. Super good food (including some unreal deer sausage and mustard dip!) added to a special evening.

Tomorrow it is off to Jackson... more to come. Thanks for praying as we seek to raise up a support team for the Dahlonega Church Plant.

Latest E-Newsletter

The latest Dahlonega Church Plant e-newsletter was published today. To view it, click here.

Road Trip

The Dahlonega Church Plant is going on a road trip to Mississippi this week to see friends and family, and to raise up ministry partners who will support the new church through prayer and with funding. Would like to pray for us? Here's how you can... right now!

"Father, I do pray that you would give the Castons a safe trip to Mississippi this week, and that they would be encouraged by seeing friends and family. I desire with them that you would raise up many people who would share their vision and would partner with them in prayer and with funding."

"Father, although funding is a critical aspect of beginning a new church, I primarily pray for the Caston's hearts. I pray that they would be freshly convicted of their sin and need for a Savior. And I pray that they would believe deeply that they have such a Savior in Jesus, who stands as their righteousness—and that this grace-saturated gospel would provide fuel for their lives and ministry."

"Also, Father, I pray that You would keep the Castons free from worry and fear. Give them gospel peace, joy and hope as they share the vision, not only for a church, but for a life of living out of weakness and need as the chief of sinners so that they might be living examples for others who are in need of the same grace. May they truly live as if the ground really is level at the foot of the cross."

Christian Socialism?

Acts 4:32-35 is a remarkable picture of unity and generosity in the lives of the early Christians in Jerusalem. Everyone shared their possessions, and sometimes sold what they had to supply the material needs of other believers. On the surface, it looks a lot like socialism... but it wasn't. Socialism is an imposed, or forced redistribution of wealth. However, no one was forcing these believers to share. Instead, something was compelling them to live in such an unusually generous, counter-cultural way. I think the key is found in verse 33, "With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all." They had believed the testimony about the resurrection of Jesus, an event that confirmed in bold the message of the cross. Jesus had done much more than sell a field, or share a plow. He gave up his life. And in dying as a propitiation for the sins of his people, he delivered them from hell, gave them his very own record of righteousness, provided eternal life and secured for them "an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven..." (1 Peter 1:4) For these early Christians, a living faith in the resurrection gave them a grace-permeated world view that changed everything about what people "naturally" do. Indeed, the reason they lived the way they did was because much grace was upon them all. And that life-transforming, God-glorifying grace was not just for them, but is for all who will believe. Even me.

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Church Planting is Gospel Planting

I am not called to plant a church, but to plant the gospel and pray that a church begins to grow. I am to live, preach, and offer the gospel in such a way that, as I water those seeds of grace, God enables them to penetrate hearts, take root and grow. Then a group of "gospel saplings" gathers together and becomes a church, which as the Spirit enables, produces fruit, thus testifying to the greatness of God and blessing the wider community. Yes, there are aspects of the church that are institutional (budgets, facilities, etc.). But an institution without life is useless. The former serves the latter. And so, I am coming to realize that church planting is necessarily and primarily gospel planting.

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Unschooled, Ordinary Men

God chooses and uses the weak things of this world to accomplish supernatural results in ministry. I think we need to emphasize "supernatural," because there can also be "worldly" results in the church. Numbers. Programs. Energy. Fame. And so we look for leaders like Saul. Big. Impressive. Powerful. But God's model for a leader would be a young shepherd boy. Strength vs. weakness. God choose to use weakness... which is why a phrase jumped out at me this morning in Acts 4, where Peter and John had been arrested for preaching about the death and resurrection of Jesus after healing a crippled man. Verse 13 says that the high priest and his crew were amazed by Peter and John, especially the fact that they were "unschooled, ordinary men." However, they "took note that they had been with Jesus." Ah ha! That is the key. Their usefulness was not tied to their intellect, skill set or conference notebook collection. The results of their ministry were not natural, they were supernatural, and dependent upon the power of God to work in and through them. So may I, as a church planter, seek to live as an ultimately unschooled (especially in the context of God's cosmic knowledge, providence and wisdom), ordinary man... who has been with Jesus. Let me not lift up my degrees, but rather, the cross.

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The Good Shepherd

This morning I was reading in John 10 when a phrase caught my attention. It is the passage when Jesus calls himself the Good Shepherd, who calls his sheep by name and "leads them out" of the sheep pen through the gate. My mind went immediately to Israel in Egypt, and how Moses, as a shepherd of his people, led them out of bondage and slavery toward the land of promise. For Moses, the enemy was a Pharaoh of Egypt. In Jesus' word picture, it is a thief, who enters the pen to steal, kill and destroy. But Jesus is no thief. He enters the pen to set his sheep free—free from the bondage of fear, sin and death. But Jesus knew that setting me free would require him to take my place in the pen. On the cross, he laid down his life and satisfied justice for my sheepishness (for we know that sheep are dumb, disobedient, and smell!). And now the resurrected Jesus, through his Spirit, he calls to his sheep to hear his voice, come out of the pen and follow him. He calls me to believe the gospel— to "have life and have it to the full," because "there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus," because he was condemned in their place. "Father, give me ears to hear."

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Keller's Preaching Model

Here is a simple version of what I perceive to be Tim Keller's "structural method" of preaching the gospel, where he is able to build "narrative tension" that longs for the story to reveal God's saving, liberating and transforming grace.

I. Introduction. He introduces the topic/life issue that is raised in the Bible passage.

II. Law. He reveals our problems related to the issue by describing what should be done/thought/etc. vs. what we actually do/think. This "creates the need/longing" for the gospel.

III. Gospel. This is where Jesus comes to the rescue as the hero through identification, substitution, mediation, etc. He is the greater Moses, the greater Joseph, the ultimate Daniel, the ultimate Esther, etc. For example, she said "if I perish, I perish," but Jesus said, "When I perish..." So Jesus is not merely a moralistic example, but is a redemptive Savior from both worldly irreligion and worldly religion.

IV. Application. This is the redemptive application part. If the gospel begins to define my identity, this is what can happen by the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit. What I could not do before, or did with wrong motives, now I can do because of the life of Jesus in me (Gal. 2:20). The gospel provides the new motivation and new power for change.

For application Keller tends to use a tri-perspectival approach, which keeps the gospel touching all of life, rather than merely one sector. The three perspectives are (truth) theological applications (truth), personal/devotional applications (life), and cultural renewal applications (kingdom).

If you'll notice, Keller often outlines his messages along the lines of this narrative tension.
1. the life issue
2. the law problem
3. the gospel solution
4. the redemptive applicaition

Paradoxical Leadership

Dan Allender, in his book, Leading with a Limp, asks a question,

"Is living out the gospel in this world meant to be marked by an inverted, paradoxical, mysterious twist on what most people expect of a leader?"

He answers with a resounding "yes," saying that the paradox of biblical leadership is that the chief leader must be the chief sinner, just like Paul. Allender says, "You must choose to adopt that identity for yourself." Hmmm... Two things come to mind.

One, leading out of weakness and need is counter-intuitive and, therefore, must be a chosen path. It is not natural. Being strong, able, powerful and influential is natural. Today, as I lead, I must choose to know myself as a sheep among sheep, and an under-shepherd of the Ultimate Shepherd.

Two, the only way to make this choice to consciously lead as a needy sinner is to have an even greater Savior. He is the strong, able and powerful one whom I am to follow as a leader. When Jesus, rather than my status as a leader, is my righteousness, then I am able to be a paradoxical leader. I am able to admit when I am wrong, give credit to others, show appreciation for the contributions of potential rivals, and wash the feet of my critics. I suppose, in a nutshell, biblical leadership is about living out the implications of the gospel in a way that moves others to consider the power and glory of God's grace.

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Gospel-Consciousness

Why am I so self-conscious? Why am I so concerned what others think about me? Why do I let the opinions of others so profoundly influence my words and actions. Why am I a different person around different people? Why can't I be real?These questions help me realize that I understand what it would have been like to have been a Pharisee in the first century, for whom image was everything.

In Matthew 23:5, Jesus says something about the heart of a Pharisee that I find deeply convicting.

"Everything they do is done for men to see."

It is sickening (but liberating, too!) to admit it, but I am a praise monger, wanting people to bask in the glory of my (imagined) greatness. Of course, that is the flesh at work. But the Spirit is creating a hunger in my heart—a longing to be real.

And so the Holy Spirit graciously invites me to trade my self-consciousness in for a gospel-consciousness. Yes, in myself, I am an insecure orphan. But in Jesus, I am a dearly loved son. In myself, I am weak. But in Jesus, I am strong. In myself, I am a condemned sinner who wears masks attempting to cover up the ugliness of my inner sin (including the insecurity and pride). But in Jesus, I am declared righteous, and now it is safe to be real. As Tim Keller, says, "I am more sinful than I would ever be able to admit, but at the same time, in Jesus, I am more forgiven, more loved, and more accepted than I could ever dare to dream!" Yes, it is that kind of gospel-consciousness that will dispel my self-consciousness by enabling me to be real by (1) taking off my mask and (2) basking in the glory of God's grace to me in Jesus.

So What?

A revolutionary thought struck me while playing H-O-R-S-E with my eleven-year-old son. "So what?" Okay, here's the context. He is just like me. Hyper competitive. Loves to win. Must win. Although he is a gifted athlete and basketball player, he lost his rhythm and began to miss shots that he normally makes. Because he is like me, he began to get angry and show frustration. So we stopped the game to talk about it.

As I put myself in his shoes, I realized how easy it is to find my identity in my own performance and ability: like shooting a basketball, knowing the capitol of Vermont, having obedient children in public, succeeding in planting a new church, or even preaching a good sermon. Then it hit me: so what? So what if I miss the shot and lose the game? So what if I don't know the capitol of Vermont? So what if my children make me look like a dufus parent in public? So what if the church plant fails or if someone criticizes my sermon? God is still God. I am still his crazily loved son with a imputed heavenly record of utter perfection! His decretive will has not been thwarted. God's glory will not be diminished. In fact, if I find my life in my success and ability, then, on an earthly level, His glory will not be as clearly seen, for the self-righteousness that I pursue through accomplishement will seek to eclipse the righteousness that God gives through Jesus.

This means that if I can learn to live by a "sanctified" so what, then I will be free from the bondage of me. I am free to shoot the rock and miss. I am free to say "I don't know." I am free to focus on my children's hearts and not just their behavior. I am free to fail as a pastor and preacher. I'm free now to live by grace to the glory of God by boasting in and resting in the success, ability, glory and righteousness of Jesus.

The Cost of Busyness

Well, I'm still in Leading with a Limp, and just got to the section where Dan Allender talks about busyness. In most professional vocations, being "busy" is a badge of honor—a virtue that says I am not lazy. However, and surprisingly, Allender says,

"A lazy person does little to nothing while a busy person dos almost everything, but the similarity is that both refuse to be intentional. Busyness is the equivalent to moral laziness... because it involves refusing to live with courage and intentionality."

He then addresses the "real cost" of busyness, saying that it contributes to "the loss of our spiritual vitality." Maybe that is why Jesus never seemed hurried or busy. He was focused and intentional about what he was called to do, and even took regular times away from people to spend focused time connecting with the Father. And I think we can agree that Jesus was spiritually vital—so vital that he was willing to fulfill the Father's will of going to the cross. That was his focus. He was vital unto suffering.

It makes me wonder, in all of my busyness, am I spiritually vital? In reflection, it may be that allowing myself to get so busy reveals a deep seated, stubborn, and arrogant heart that insists on doing more than resting, believing, praying and yielding. And so I am faced with another opportunity to be still, joyfully repent, and be thankful that my life is not to be defined by my work, but His.

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The Gift of Brokenness

I don't like broken stuff. I want it either fixed or thrown out. But God loves broken stuff. King David knew this when he wrote, "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise." And the way we get "broken" usually hurts.

Applying this concept to leadership in Leading with a Limp, Dan Allender says,

"For most leaders, humility comes only by wounds suffered from foolish falls... We achieve brokenness by falling off of our throne. To be broken is not a choice; it is a gift."

Hmmm... I suppose it is only when I am conscious of my brokenness as a leader that I am genuinely equipped to lead as an ambassador of Jesus. Paul led as the chief repenter in his day—as a big sinner who had an even bigger Savior. He refused to be the hero, because that role was reserved for Jesus. So that's what I want today: a consciousness of my cracks that, although I would not have chosen them, are present as gifts. Wounds through which humility and wisdom are created and through which grace can now flow.

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The Disappointing Leader

I am re-reading Dan Allender's fairly recent book on leadership, Leading with a Limp. As the leader of a church plant in its most fledgling stages (support raising), I need all the help in that area that I can get. And while many books on leadership talk about being effective, Allender takes a counter-intuitive approach—more of a gospel approach, I think. He says, "A good leader will, in time, disappoint everyone." Notice that he said a "good" leader, not a bad leader. Why is this? Because, to the degree that a leader acknowledges his inability, personal weakness and need for the grace of the Great Leader, the better a leader he will be. If I were to become a Jesus-substitute for those in the church (and I've already tried that before- ugh!), they would be disappoited and possibly become disillusioned. Thankfully, my job is not to be a savior—that job is for Jesus only. And so, I am learning that the ultimate goal for the pastor-leader is not so much to lead, but to follow. And in following the Great Leader, who laid down his life for the sheep, the lesser leader learns what it means to lead as a wounded healer in need of the same grace that the rest of the sheep need. In this next leadership gig, I plan to tell the folks up front, "I will, in time (and it will not take long!), disappoint you. So do not put your hope in me. Put your hope in Jesus."

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Moment by Moment

The Bible talks about "walking with God." I suppose this means that as I live each day, I am to be in conscious fellowship with him who is with me—really with me, as if we were walking down the road together. It's better than a "Quite Time" (as profitable as focused time with God is).  However, the essence of the Christian life is not checking in with Jesus, but is walking with him, as my friend, Francis Schaeffer, says in True Spirituality, "moment by moment." 

"I became a Christian once for all upon the basis of the finished work of Christ through faith; that is justification. The Christian life, sanctification, operates on the same basis, but moment by moment. There is the same base (Christ's work) and the same instrument (faith); the only difference is that one is once for all and the other is moment by moment... If we try to live the Christian life in our own strength we will have sorrow, but if we live in this way, we will not only serve the Lord, but in place of sorrow, He will be our song. That is the difference. The 'how' of the Christian life is the power of the crucified and risen Lord, through the agency of the indwelling Holy Spirit, by faith moment by moment."

As one who tries so often to live in my own strength (ugh!), I want desperately to abide in Jesus today as my perfect righteousness. I want to experience not only his justifying grace, but also his sustaining, enabling grace as I walk with him by faith, moment by moment, knowing that even if I fail or fall, he is still with me.

As the hymn says, 

"Hallelujah! what a Savior!
 Hallelujah! what a Friend!
 Saving, helping, keeping, loving,
 He is with me to the end."

The Disciple Jesus Loves

In the gospel he authored, John calls himself, "the disciple Jesus loves." Interesting. Did he mean that Jesus did not love the others? Not at all. He knew better. However, his own self-perception was wrapped up in being loved by Jesus. And so rather than mention himself by name, he uses that rather stunning description to identify himself—a description that could be used of any of Jesus' disciples, then or today. The challenge is for me to see myself this way. Rather than see myself as the one whom Jesus tolerates... or the one with whom Jesus is disappointed... or even disgusted... What if I were to see myself as "the disciple Jesus... loves?"  That dream is made reality when I come face to face with the message of the cross—a message that tells me via loudspeaker that he cannot love me more (even on what I think is a "good" day), and that he will not love me less (even on what I think is a "bad" day), because his love is not dependent on me, but on him. 

Losing My Religion

In his book, Soul Talk, Larry Crabb says,

"Religion is the invention of the Devil."

Steve Brown agrees, saying, "I hate religion." That was the discussion for last week's Caston Family Discipleship gathering after dinner. I asked my kids what makes the Gospel different from all other religions. I was delighted when they answered, "Grace!" Of course, Islam, Judaism, Buddhism, Hinduism, and every other religious ism says, "If I obey and sacrifice, then I will be accepted and blessed." To the contrary, the gospel says, "I am accepted and blessed not because of my obedience and sacrifice, but on the basis of the obedience and sacrifice of Jesus." However, there is a religious virus in the church, because there is a religious virus in people like me. It is so easy for me to take the gospel and moralize it. To make the gospel a religion. That is why Jesus called the Pharisees children of the Devil." They were rule-keepers, not grace-lovers. They demanded to stand before God on their own works. And so it appears as if Larry Crabb is right. Religion is the invention of the Devil. And I have been duped plenty. So my prayer is that I would cast off religion, and embrace the gospel afresh today. If I must live by works, let them be the works of Jesus.

And that's it?

I am a recovering Pharisee who falls off of the wagon all of the time, slipping back into a mode of self-righteous pride (when I think I do well) and insecurity (when I fail, or if someone else does well).  So what I need is radically grace-centered preaching to keep my heart in line with the gospel. 

That is why I was so grieved today to read a quote from one of the most influential pastor/preachers in the country, and maybe the world. I respect him so much and have been helped by him in many ways, and when it comes to communication, he is gifted with a big G. Nevertheless, speaking about his preaching philosophy, he says,

"Here is the model: Make people feel like they need an answer to a question. Then take them to God's Word to answer the question. And tell them why it is important to do what we just talked about. And then you close by saying, 'Wouldn't it be great if everybody did that?' And that's it."

And that's it? 

Now, I am not a great preacher, and I've preached self-help, man-centered moralism more times than I want to admit. But I crave for experienced leaders to preach the gospel to me.  I desperately need help seeing the cross, the blood, and the glory of God's propitiatory grace.

And since he is such a great leader/preacher, I want to give him the benefit of the doubt, assuming that if he had the chance to say it again, he would replace "and that's it" with how our failure to keep the law and practice wisdom leads us to Jesus and the cross. At that point redemptively motivated and empowered application could flow from what then would be a gospel-centered sermon rather than a moralistic sermon.  And so when I hear someone get to the part when he asks, "'Wouldn't it be great if everybody did that," I hope that he will point me to the only one who did. The One who is my only hope and my complete salvation. His name is Jesus.

Lent and Sacrifice

I came across a genius quote the other day by Scott Lees that has made me want to practice Lent. I have never been into the "church calendar," but thinking about how Lent can help me grow in grace in appealing. Now, the typical angle on Lent is that we give up something, sacrifice something for God in preparation for Easter. From what I understand, Lent is a way of taking up my cross and following Jesus. However, Scott's blog post said, and I paraphrase: "Lent is not about what I give up and sacrifice for God, but is about embracing what God has given up and sacrificed for me." When I read that my mind went straight to Philippians 2, where Paul says,

Jesus... made himself nothing,
taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
and became obedient to death—
even death on a cross!
Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.

Jesus didn't just give up french fries, Facebook, or carbonated beverages. He gave up his life. And so I need to be reminded that the gospel majors not on some puny, legalistic sacrifice that I might make, but on the eternity-shaking, incalculably loving, life-transforming sacrifice that Jesus made for me.  If Lent can help get me there, I'm in. Thanks, Scott.

Luther's Struggle is My Struggle

When the light of the gospel was turned on in Martin Luther's mind and heart, the Protestant Reformation was given a huge dose of momentum. Some say it began in that moment, but that is to miss the whispers of Reformation that had been taking place for over one hundred years. But that is a different story. The point for me today is that this man who was so enamoured and set free by a conscious apprehension of God's grace, really struggled to believe it.  As a friend of mine, Johnny Long, says, "The gospel can be like a bar of wet soap. It is easy to lose our grasp on it."  Luther says the same thing, but in a little different way:

"Let anybody try [to live by faith in God’s grace] and he will see and experience how exceedingly hard and bitter a thing it is for a man who has lived by works righteousness, to pull himself out of it with all his heart... I myself have been preaching and cultivating [a grace centered life] through reading and writing for almost twenty years and still feel the old clinging dirt of wanting to deal so with God that I may contribute something so that He will give me His grace in exchange for my holiness. Still I cannot get it into my head that I should surrender myself completely to sheer grace, yet I know that this is what I should and must do." 

Surrender to sheer grace. Yes, that is it! But not just once, or at a re-dedication service. I am called to surrender my self-righteousness to the sheer grace of Jesus every day—and if your experience is like mine... multiple times a day. And the result is the experience of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, etc.

So thanks, Dr. Luther, for the encouraging word of struggle, for your struggle is mine.  Let's just be thankful that even though the gospel is like soap in my hands, I am not like soap in the hands of Jesus. As the hymn says and the cross proves, "His love will not let me go."

Thou Alone

This stanza from Augustus Toplady's famous hymn has been on my mind today...

"Not the labors of my hands
can fulfill thy law's commands;
could my zeal no respite know,
could my tears forever flow,
all for sin could not atone;
thou must save, and thou alone."

That is why Jesus lived and died. To save people like me who could never save themselves. He must save, and he alone.  And thank God, those whom he saves, he also sustains. As Jesus says of those who repent and believe, "I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand."   

An Invitation for the Destitute

In Isaiah 55:1, God says, 

"Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost." 

I have read that 100 times and missed the critical word—no. The invitation to the king's banquet is not for those who don't have enough, but for those who have nothing—NO money. It is not just for the poor, but for the utterly destitute. And of course, the analogy is not merely for the financially destitute, but for the spiritually destitute who are called to dine at the feast "without cost" because the price has already been paid in full. It is not a free meal, it is a costly one whose bill has been covered fully, tax, tip and all. My calling now is to partake in the feast of grace by eating, or by "believing" that Jesus is the One who paid such a price for my seat at the table by experiencing the ultimate destitution on a Roman cross. And at such a price, the banquet is to be deeply enjoyed... even savored. For the gospel tells me that the more I delight my heart in the riches of God's fare (ie, his grace in Jesus), the more God is magnified as the master of the banquet. Indeed, my joy is for his glory. But on most days I tend to live as if I am to leave a tip, or contribute in some small way.  But to the degree I try to "do my part," I insult God's grace, diminish my joy, and cloud God's glory.  So today, I pray that I will come in my spiritual and moral poverty to Jesus, hungering and thirsting after his righteousness, which he gives to the destitute freely and fully.

Filing for Bankruptcy

Personal and commercial bankruptcies are increasing at a record setting pace. However, in the words of Jerry Bridges, "As devestating as permanent bankruptcy is, there is a bright side. The beleaguered businessman is free." His debts have been cancelled. The calls from the creditors have been silenced. "This businessman may be humiliated, but at least he is free." The gospel tells me that Jesus came for folks who were ready to file bankruptcy—not financially, but spiritually. And so I'm filing moral and spiritual bankruptcy today, so that I can be reminded that the law's condemnation has been silenced. Jesus has settled the debt. I am free.

Stop Performing in the Pulpit

In his book, Fresh Power, Jim Cymbala asks the question, "What is a Spirit-filled preacher?" For a preacher like me, that's a good question. Using the apostle Peter as an example, Cymbala provides a helpful answer:

"Many of us have heard oratory and cleverness in the pulpit. We've seen showmanship and listened to smoothly worded phrases. In contrast to all this, here is Peter, a fisherman with no formal training in homiletics, giving a simple but powerful message... He points them to the Savior... He wasn't... performing. His heart had been filled with the love of God through the Holy Spirit." 

Now I do not discount the value of homiletical instruction. However, the power of the gospel is not in alliteration, rhymes or funny stories (as helpful as they can be in communication). The power is the gospel itself—the message that points sinners to a Savior and his cross. 

For someone who had tried so hard to preach well, I realize that much of my efforts have been a form of man-centered performance. There is no power there, since a performance is about the preacher's reputation, and not the reputation of Jesus. So I repent, want to stop performing in the pulpit, and look forward, Lord willing, for more opportunities to magnify the reputation of Jesus by preaching the simple message of grace in the gospel.

Tasting the Honey

Jonathan Edwards, using honey as a metaphor for experiencing the gospel, said that there is a "difference between having a rational judgement that honey is sweet and having a sense of its sweetness." In other words, there is something more than mere intellectual ascent (but not less) that is part what it means to "experience" the sweetness of the gospel. After all, Scripture says to "taste and see that the Lord is good." Don't just know it, taste it... savor it... experience it. I think that this may be what the apostle Paul was talking about in Romans 5:5, saying, "God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit." That is what I need today—a fresh outpouring of the God's love expressed to an unworthy, but dramatically loved, adopted child. That is what Paul prayed for the Ephesians. It is a love about which the cross speaks so clearly. To mix the metaphor, I want to be still long enough to listen and hear the music of the gospel (i.e., taste the honey), then I will begin to sing, and dance, and really live to the glory of the One who has loved me so well.

Ships Need Wind, Coal Needs Fire

As we look toward launching a new gospel mission later this year, I am energized by words of Charles Spurgeon, a preaching with amazing speaking gifts, "Without the Spirit of God, we can do nothing. We are as ships without wind or chariots without steeds. Like branches without sap, we are withered. Like coals without fire, we are useless." As someone who has longed for great gifts, I now realize how withered and useless I have been through much of my preaching ministry. I am so glad for Spurgeon sharing his secret. The power was not to be found in his great gifts, but in his great God. And if he needed the empowering of the Holy Spirit, man, how much more do it need it—and not just in preaching, but in every facet of living the implications of the gospel as a follower of Jesus. So give me the wind and the fire... of the Spirit.

Church Plant Vision Video

This is the vision video for the Dahlonega Church Plant. If interested, you may download a high quality version here.

Why Do Humans Wear Clothes?

Our family recently watched a documentary on the Scopes "Monkey" Trial in Dayton, TN, which took place early last century. With the theme of Biblical creationism vs. Darwinian evolution on the table, I began to wonder: Why do humans wear clothes? Why do apes wear not wear clothes? It seems as if the fundamental difference is a sense of guilt. Now, certainly there are humans who have a calloused sense of guilt and are comfortable living in nudist colonies or streaking (I'll never forget the pack of streakers that I saw running through mid-town Memphis in 1975, when I was six). Nevertheless, I find it interesting that, even as Adam and Eve's nakedness was associated with their moral guilt, so also most folks would experience a degree of shame if exposed in our physical nakedness. The same is true with moral guilt. Most people resist being exposed morally. However, that exposure is at the heart of the gospel. For on a cross, Jesus was stripped naked and killed, bearing my guilt and shame in his exposed body so that my guilt and shame may be covered, not with fig leaves, human success, or even merely jeans and a t-shirt, but with his perfect righteousness. Anyway, it struck me that my dog does not wear clothes, and neither do the deer who live in the woods behind my house. And neither do apes. But I do. And it serves to remind me of the gospel.

Emancipated by the Gospel

I'm still wading through Brennan Manning's Ragamuffin Gospel, and came across a helpful quote on one of the many implications of what it means to be "free in Christ":

"Freedom in Christ produces a healthy independence from peer pressure, people-pleasing, and the bondage of human respect. The tyranny of public opinion can manipulate our lives.... For most of us it takes a long time for the Spirit of freedom to cleanse us of the subtle urges to be admired..."

One of my besetting sins is "the fear of man," and while I wish I could say it is a problem that resides in my past, I can relate to the "it takes a long time" dynamic of breaking free from the need to be admired. It is sad how often it has dominated my life. That is why I continually must affirm the positional righteousness that I possess in the gospel though faith alone in the work of Jesus on my behalf.  For on the cross, Jesus was bound and suffered in my place so that I could be free from the struggle to attain a righteousness of my own. That is what I am called to believe. And when I do, I actually experience the freedom for which Jesus has set me free.

And the Winner Is...

Drum roll please.... And the winner of the cool blue 2009 MINI Cooper S is...

Jay Hightower of Atlanta, GA! Congratulations, Jay. And thanks to everyone for following The Dahlonega Church Plant. : )

Pleasing Jesus by Believing Jesus

What if I believed that I really am totally, unreservedly, completely, and eternally forgiven... and more than that, that I have been declared righteous? What if I believed that no performance, ritual, or duty could increase my perfect standing as a fully-loved child of the Fathter? What if I could rest in my sonship with God, and just be. The Scripture says, "Be still and know that I am God." Yes. And I think it also is good to be still and know that I am his. I have been adopted by the King, and will receive an inheritance beyond my wildest dreams. Furthermore, I cannot be more loved for my well-doing, or less loved for my ill-doing. That is why my being his his must dominate my mind and heart. For it is only in knowing who I am as an object of God's grace, mercy and love, that will have a deep, lasting, and positive affect on my doing. 

In 1667, Marjory Kempe of Lynn, MA, believed that she had received a prophetic word from Jesus, who apparently said,

"More pleasing to me than all your prayers and works... is that you would believe that I love you."

Whatever I or others might think about her claim, the question remains: What if I really believed that? The cross is whispering those words to me today. And so let me be still for a while so that I can hear and believe.

Humility is Always Truth

In The Ragamuffin Gospel, Brennan Manning says,

"Perhaps the real dichotomy in the Christian community today is not between conservatives and liberals... but between the awake and the asleep.... Just as a smart man knows he is stupid, so the awake Christian knows he is a ragamuffin. Although truth is not always humility, humility is always truth."

Wow. That is good. Unfortunately, I am not.  For it is true: I am worse than I think I am.  But thanks be to God that it is also true that the gospel is much better than I think it is.  So in light of Manning's dichotomy, I am praying for a great awakening— an awakening in my own soul so that I may be awake to the beauty, wonder, and power of the gospel.

Catalyzed by the Gospel

Bill Hybels, the founding pastor of the now famous Willow Creek Community Church, says,

"When I was saved at 17, I had a dramatic conversion: I went from a perfomance-based theology to a grace-based theology. In a moment of time, I understood I was loved so much that Christ went to the cross so salvation could be made available to me as a gift. The enormity of that shock has never left me. I have been permanently ignited by the miracle of grace. I still can't get over grace. I don't witness to my friends because I feel any obligation to witness. I can't get over grace. I am catalyzed by the gospel message."

That is a great testimony. But isn't it one to which every Christian can testify: "I went from a performance-based theology to a grace-based theology." What I find most challenging is that while I profess a wonderful, grace-based theology, I still get stuck in a performance-based life.I have such a hard time shaking off the legalism from my heart.  And so the call of the gospel to me in this condition is to believe again... to believe that Jesus performed in my place. The gospel tells me that through faith in his work, I am counted righteous. Such a simple message to understand intellectually... but so hard to live practically. This is because, as David Benner says, "Grace is alien to human psychology." So I pray that human psychology would be overrulled in my head and heart by the Holy Spirit so that I, like Bill Hybels, increasingly will live a life that is "catalyzed by the gospel."

Obsession

"An obsession with the Gospel is the only obsession that will cure all other obsessions." Tim Keller

Mystic Wisdom

English Mystic, Julian of Norwich, said, "The greatest honor we can give to Almighty God is to live gladly because of the knowledge of his love." Really? But I tend to live so joylessly because of a knowledge of my failure and sin. I am so unlovable. But the gospel is for folks just like me. The unworthy. The unlovely. The unrighteous. The gospel is for folks like me, because we can glorify God the most. Not because of our goodness... but because "where sin abounded, grace abounded more." It is this grace that delivers the love of God to the soul. And delighting in God's love glorifies the giver of this love... the kind of love that makes the ultimate sacrifice to reconcile a wayward son or daughter. The kind of love of which the cross speaks so clearly. And so my desire today is to glean from Julian's mystic wisdom by delighting in and savoring the deep, rich, eternal, unexpected, and unrelenting love of God expressed to me in Jesus. Even when I don't feel loved or think that I should be loved, I will look to the cross, and pray for the gladness that glorifies God.

The Real Thing

Brennan Manning (no relation to Archie, Peyton or Eli), in his modern devotional classic, The Ragamuffin Gospel, says, "Unlike Quasimodo, the hunchback of Notre Dame, we need not hide all that is ugly and repulsive in us. Jesus comes not for the super-spiritual, but for the wobbly and the weak-kneed who know that don't have it together." In a word, I think Manning is getting at the point that because of the cross, I now can be real. Real about the pervasiveness of my sinfulness now (not just before I was a Christian), and real about the pervasiveness of God's grace to me in Jesus now (not just when I became a Christian).  In the paraphrased words of Dr. Tim Keller, I am more sinful and morally depraved than I would ever be able to admit (or fully understand), but in the gospel, at the very same time, I am more forgiven, loved and accepted than I could ever dare to dream.  Oh, to live like I really believe that. I believe... help my unbelief!